It’s common knowledge that every pet owner has treats at their disposal to use while training their dog. The problem is, trying to find the right treats for the job. When I first started training my female beagle Marlie, there were certain treats she would beg for and others she would have avoided. This guide will help you to find the best dog treats for training that your pets won’t be able to resist.
Top 5 Best Dog Treats for Training
Now that you’re aware of what to look for in a dog treat, I’ve created a list of the best ones on the market that I have tried with Marlie and she has enjoyed snacking on. Some brands have been in business for 50+ years, whereas others may offer medicinal ingredients to help with the overall health of your pet. It can be beneficial to try them all over time, though there is one brand that I found to be better than the rest.
1. Best Dog Treats for Training Overall: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats
Zuke's Natural Training Dog Treats
Zuke’s is a well-known dog treat manufacturer that focuses on putting the perfect amount of vitamins and minerals into their treats. These healthy mini treats are made out of natural ingredients including real chicken, whole foods, and seasonings. You’ll love the fact that they have less than 3.5 calories per treat, making it perfect for dogs of all sizes.
Things We Liked
- Made from real chicken
- Perfect for training because of their small size
- Wheat, corn, and soy free
- Whole food ingredients such as cherries, turmeric, and rosemary
- Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Things We Didn’t Like
- Tough to chew for older dogs
- Easily dry out when bag is not properly sealed after use
2. Best Puppy Training Treat: Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Jerky Dog Treats
Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Jerky Dog Treats
If you’re in the market for a great treat that even you would consider eating, these real jerky sticks offer a delicious and meaty texture that your dog will love. Each treat is made with real love, as it takes about 15 hours of slow smoking to get the perfect amount of flavor in every treat.
Things We Liked
- No artificial flavoring or fillers
- No corn, soy, or gluten
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Each treat can be broken into 3 smaller pieces
Things We Didn’t Like
- Sticks are drier than the average dog treat
- More expensive than other treats
3. Best Treats for Dogs of All Sizes: Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks Dog Biscuits
Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks Dog Biscuits
As a tested and tried brand of treats that nearly every pet owner has used, Milk-Bone is a reliable company that revolutionized the pet treat industry. In the variety pack, you will receive bacon, beef, chicken, sausage, and turkey flavors for you to choose from.
Things We Liked
- Helps to clean teeth with every treat
- Includes 12 vitamins and minerals for your dog’s health
- Easily breakable to create smaller treats for smaller dogs
- Low calorie
Things We Didn’t Like
- Hard to chew for senior dogs
- Will get stale if not stored in a sealed container
4. Best Selling Flavors: Old Mother Hubbard Classic Crunchy Natural Dog Treats
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Crunchy Natural Dog Treats
Old Mother Hubbard’s treats are one of Marlie’s favorites, as they’re crafted using homemade recipes and great ingredients that are equally as healthy as they are delicious. With over 90 years in the dog treat industry, your pet will surely love their classic flavors and natural ingredients.
Things We Liked
- Perfect for dogs of any size
- Available in many flavors
- Made with premium all-natural ingredients
- No artificial preservatives
- Can be broken apart to make smaller treats for training
Things We Didn’t Like
- Tough to chew for older dogs
- Certain flavors have grains, which are difficult for pets with sensitive stomachs
5. Designed for High Energy Dog: Zuke’s Hip Action Dog Treats
Zuke's Hip Action Dog Treats
As another type of treat from Zuke’s, these all-inclusive treats are great for improving your dog’s hip and joint health meanwhile giving them something tasty to snack on. They’re also manufactured in the perfect size for training or for everyday rewards.
Things We Liked
- Contains 300 mg of glucosamine and 50 mg of chondroitin
- Joint-soothing eggshell membrane
- Made with whole foods such as berries, sesame seeds, and herbs
- Wheat, corn, and soy free
- Very affordable
Things We Didn’t Like
- Rosemary content overpowers the natural beef scent
- Some dogs can smell the high vitamin content
Why Should I Use Dog Treats for Training?
1. Makes Training Easier
If it’s your first time owning a dog, it can be stressful to try to train them on your own and without the help of treats. While training my dog some trick like playing dead or giving her paw, I noticed that Marlie was far less likely to listen to me if I only gave her a verbal command without any type of reward.
Although she is a stubborn and highly intelligent pet, training was much easier once I started to use a type of positive reinforcement (like treat or using a dog whistle). With the help of the right ones, I was easily able to get her to do the behaviors that I wanted her to do.
2. Creates a Great Relationship
Bonding with your pet can be done with the help of treats. The way I look at Marlie is as if she were my child, and what do children love more than being rewarded?
I began to notice that over time, the more I gave her treats when she did something well, the more time she’d spend with me around the house and the more she’d listen. The stronger our bond became, the easier it was to train her, even if I started to use only verbal commands.
3. Having a Better Behavior in Less Time
Above all, using treats is going to give you the ability to see the best behavior out of your dog in less time than with other methods of training. Remember, treats are great motivators to get your pet to do whatever you want as they’ll be looking forward to their reward.
In fact, you might find that your pet is willing to do commands on his or her own just to get a treat. There has been a few times where Marlie would automatically sit without any command and stare at me until I rewarded her with a treat.
How to Choose Good Treats for Training
1. Healthy and Nutritious
The first thing to remember is your pet is supposed to get 90% of their daily nutrition from their regular dog food and only 10% from treats. This means you’re going to want to find the healthiest and most nutritious snacks available so your pet will have a healthier training experience.
You can opt for treats such as frozen vegetables or fruits. You can also easily find prepackaged treats that have been chosen by dog nutritionists, which ensure they’re as healthy as can be.
2. Dual-Purpose Treats
It’s also a great idea to consider finding treats that deal with two or more issues that your dog might be dealing with. For example, I would choose treats that would help with Marlie’s breath while we were training, because it was anything but pleasant. You can find treats that help to improve your dog’s health, their bowel movements, and more.
3. Food Sensitivities
Typically when you either adopt your pet or purchase them, you should visit your veterinarian to have a food sensitivity panel ran. This will give you an idea of any foods your dog may be sensitive to, such as wheat or soy. Make sure you think about any issues they have with different types of food before buying treats, as you’d be surprised at the sheer amount of ingredients that some of them have.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect dog treats for your pet can be easy, especially when there are so many great brands to choose from. Overall I found that Marlie’s favorite dog treats were Zuke’s Mini Naturals because they were the perfect size and texture for her to chew on.
I also found that I preferred their ingredients as well as the low-calorie count to ensure she was eating healthily while we were training. They’re affordable and come in a relatively large bag, which has really helped me to save on buying treats throughout the months.
