The joys of playtime and cuddles are some of the best things about having a dog, but it’s crucial to prioritise time for training with the best dog training treats. Spending time training your pooch is essential for ensuring your companion learns the behaviour you want them to know, but it also helps strengthen the bond and trust between you and your furry best friend. It may be a little stressful, but using dog food training treats is a rewarding way of building a special bond. Is there anything better than when they sit on command for the first time?
Properly trained dogs are generally more responsive to commands, making it easier to take them out in public spaces and have them around other animals and people. However, to get to this point, you’ll need time, patience, and plenty of tasty training treats for dogs. Dogs are more likely to do what you’ve asked them to do when they get something out of it as a reward. People may think that this needs to start when a dog is a puppy, but contrary to popular belief, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. It’s never too late for them to learn.
The best dog training treats at a glance:
• Best soft dog training treat: Scrumbles Chicken & Duck Softies - View now on Amazon UK
• Best scentless dog training treats: Pet Munchies Duck Dog Training Treats - View now on Amazon UK
• Best grain-free dog training treats: Bounce and Bella Grain Free Dog Training Treats - View now on Amazon UK
• Best training treat for puppies: Lily's Kitchen Chicken Nibbles with Salmon Puppy Treats - View on Lily's Kitchen
The best dog training treats are often made from high-quality ingredients that cater to your dog's palate and dietary needs. The dog biscuits or meaty treats should be small enough for quick consumption, ensuring that training sessions flow smoothly without unnecessary interruptions.
In this article, we've rounded up the best dog training treats on the market and have spoken to experts to get helpful tips when it comes to training your dog. Scroll down to the bottom of the article to read some frequently asked questions.
Best dog training treats
Best soft dog training treat
Scrumbles/AmazonThis pouch of Scrumbles dog treats (90g) is gently baked to make them extra soft, which makes them great for training all ages of dogs. As well as containing chicken and duck, Scrumbles packs in some pumpkin and chia seeds that support healthy muscles, skin and coat. They are low calorie and low fat and proudly made in the UK, with compostable, plastic-free packaging.
Customer review: "My two dogs absolutely love their new treats and food, my eldest dog has to have a special diet, and the treats and food are all clean from any bad things for his tummy so I have two happy fur babies."
Pros
- All natural
- Dental benefits
- Soft
Cons
- Might be too rich for some dogs
Best scentless dog training treats
Pet Munchies/Amazon Pet Munchies are made from 100 per cent duck breast meat and are just the right size for your training sessions with your dog. They're also naturally low in fat and salt and are gluten-free. As the treats are small and soft, they are suitable for all breeds of dogs and puppies over four months.
Customer review: "I bought these for my 6 month old puppy to use for training after seeing another pup with them online. I can't stand the smell of some dog foods/treats but I'd heard that these were almost scentless so I had to give them a go. These treats are small but they're meant to be - they're for training after all. I actually cut them up even further for training walks so I can praise all I like without having to worry about overfeeding. The treats have a fantastic hard gel like texture which can be broken with hands or scissors - they don't leave crumbs in your pockets!"
Pros
- High-quality meat
- Grain-free
- No artificial flavours or colours
Cons
- A bit chewy
Best grain-free dog training treats
Bounce & Bella/AmazonYour pooch will love these practical grain-free treats as they're just enough to satisfy them during training sessions - meaning you don't need to worry about overfeeding them. They're also freshly prepared with chicken, duck and turkey meat (80 per cent) and potato and sweet potato (20 per cent). The treats (that come in 500g pouches) are a little crunchy so are recommended for pups over 16 weeks.
Customer review: "My little dog goes crazy over these treats - to the extent we now have to hide them around the house so that dog can hunt them down. Just opening the packet in another room is enough to bring excitement to our dog!"
Pros
- High meat content
- Grain-free
- Small bites
Cons
- Take care to reseal the packet as the bites will dry out and go hard
Best dental dog training treat
Pooch & Muttwww.poochandmutt.co.uk
A training treat that also helps look after your dog's dental health? We're in. These Pooch and Mutt treats have been created with duck and rosemary, and are fab for training as they are formulated with no added artificial flavour, colour or preservatives, no grain cereal, gluten, beef, soy, dairy and non-GM produce. A great treat for sensitive stomachs.
Customer review: "My dog likes these and their teeth do appear a little cleaner and her breath is less smelly. Not too sure that can be attributed entirely to these treats but sure that they have helped as improvements have coincided with their first and continued use."
Pros
- Dental benefit
- Digestive benefit
- Quality ingredients
Cons
- One reviewer thought they were quite big for puppies
Best meaty dog training treats
Harringtons/Amazon Harringtons unique Meaty Treats are designed to put protein at the forefront and are packed full of all-important vitamins and minerals to make treat time all the more delicious and nutritious. With three grain-free recipes and the tasty Beef Meatballs being wheat-free, Harringtons Meaty Treats are perfect for dogs with sensitive digestion.
Tried and tested by Commercial Content Editor, Natalie Corner: "These meaty treats are great for pups over 12 weeks and my dog, in particular, loves being rewarded with these beef meatballs. They're small enough in size that they act as the perfect treat, so much so I have to hide the bags so he can't snaffle any extras!"
Pros
- High meat content
- Grain-free
- Eight packs for the price
Cons
- Maybe a little large to use in a longer training session
Best training treat for puppies
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
A reward brimming with essential protein and natural ingredients, little puppers won’t be able to get enough of these Lily’s Kitchen Chicken Nibbles with Salmon Puppy Treats. These treats boast a high meat percentage and are gently baked to achieve a chewy, flexible texture that allows you to break them into bite-sized pieces – perfect for training sessions.
Customer review: "Have literally bought dozens of these treat packs as our puppy absolutely loves them. Have tried other brands but some our dog didn’t like and some upset her tummy. These are quite expensive but feel we are not giving her junk. Very soft and meaty."
Pros
- 86 per cent meat
- Made with natural ingredients
- A source of protein
Cons
- Although the recipe is grain-free, they're made in a factory that handles grains so traces may be present
Best organic dog training treats
Lily's Kitchen/Amazon
Another option from Lily's Kitchen. These training treats, which come in a box of eight, are also available separately in some participating supermarkets and are specifically made with training your dog in mind. Made with 10 per cent organic apples and six per cent organic farmhouse cheddar cheese, they are full of natural ingredients with no added sugar or fillers to get your hound on its way to learning, what may feel like at times, the impossible.
Customer review: "The Organic Cheese and Apple treats are the perfect size for a healthy treat. What I really like is that they don't smell foul like most dog treats. I'm grateful for that. Great find."
Pros
- Organic
- Can be cut into small pieces
- Suitable for dogs from four months old
Cons
- Strong scent which you may not like but your dog will LOVE
FAQs
What are dog training treats?
Whether it’s toilet training, training them to sit or practising recall, a good routine with your dog is essential, whether their age. Hunting down the best dog training treats is the first port of call to get you started. When your dog is being good, it's great to reward and reinforce their behaviour with a delicious treat.
Dogs are incredibly clever and inquisitive. Even though treats are used as a reward for good behaviour, you need to be aware of how many treats they eat. Your dog might end up trying their luck to munch even more dog biscuits and training bites.
Even though they're our fur babies, dogs definitely test us when it comes to training sessions. Experts recommend incorporating short training sessions into their daily routine as soon as they're comfy in their new home.
How to choose the best dog treats for training
Every dog loves a treat, but don't give them too many on top of their normal food. Choose tasty training treats that will keep your dog’s attention. Soft dog treats are a great choice for training, compared to crunchy ones, they're easier for your dog to eat.
Choosing smaller treats is also a good idea. Dogs will need to be able to eat quickly before moving on. They don't need treats that take a while to chew. Look for quality ingredients, as the time you share when training can be a time for your dog to form great healthy habits.
Depending on the size of the dog, treats should be no more than 10 per cent of their daily calories. So be mindful, and have a glance at the calorie count of your choice of treats. You may need to adjust quantities of their wet or dry dog food to account for the extra calories they're having from treats.
What kind of treats are best for puppy training
When it comes to training your puppy, there are specific training treats for puppies you can buy. They are made for their more delicate tummies and growing teeth in mind. Puppies will consume fewer calories than adult dogs, but will also need more nutrients in order to help them grow. Soft and small high reward dog treats are great for puppies. Use small pieces of cooked unseasoned chicken or even a little bit of peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free).
According to ButternutBox, puppies between birth and 17 weeks old will have a critical socialisation period. This can “influence and shape their behaviour well into adulthood. So it’s important to expose your little one to as many different experiences as possible to ensure they’re a confident and happy adult.”
With that in mind, choosing tasty puppy training treats your little one can’t say no to in those crucial training sessions. This is key to them forming a good relationship with reward-based behaviour.
Training should be done in short sessions of no more than 15 minutes, as they will likely get distracted and sniff out something more exciting.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.