Ideal Dog Training Treats - Best for Training Rewards

It’s no secret that dogs love treats. Yet, not all treats are suitable for training. Your dog’s favourite treats might be too big or have too many calories for effective positive reinforcement training. You need to make sure the treats you use are rewarding while also being practical and easy to give repeatedly.

With so many dog treat options out there, it can be tricky to find training treats that work perfectly for your furry friend. So, how do you choose treats that work in real training situations, such as at home and on walks?

What Makes Training Treats Special?

A training treat should be quick and easy to give to your dog. Ideally, it should only have a few calories too. Not all general snacks fall into this category because many are bulky or take a while to chew, which could take away from your dog’s focus during training sessions.

If the treat is awkward to handle, too hard, or can’t be given in large quantities, it can interrupt the flow of training, making it harder for your dog to learn new skills. Treats designed specifically for training are special because they’re usually small, soft, and low in calories.

The Importance of High-Value Training Treats

Treats are only effective for training if your dog is excited to eat them. The treats should offer a taste your dog loves that’s more enticing than their everyday food. If they’re indifferent about the flavour, they’ll be less motivated to listen to commands.

High-value treats are especially useful for training that involves getting your dog’s attention when distractions are present, such as for recall, loose-lead walking, and puppy training. For most dogs, meat-based treats are the preferred flavour.

Why Meat-Based Treats are Often Best

Meat-flavoured treats typically have a stronger scent that’s more appealing to dogs than other flavours. Air-dried meat and jerky-style treats are usually the most rewarding because they have stronger scents and meaty textures.

If you can find small, low-calorie meat-flavoured treats, that’s usually the most practical training option. However, every dog’s treat preferences are different, so take your dog’s individual likes and dislikes into account too.

Training Treat Sizes and Portions

Training sessions involve repeated rewards, so treat size matters. The ideal training treats should be small, but you can also break up larger treats if needed. If you’re breaking up larger treats, do that before the training session so you can easily give your dog the treats without them having to wait. Giving treats exactly after a good behaviour is the best way to help your dog understand what you’re rewarding them for.

Consider your dog’s size, the training style, and session lengths when getting your treats ready. Have a size that’s suitable for your dog, and have more than enough pieces ready to last the entire session. Smaller dogs and puppies will need much smaller treats than large breeds.

They’re Easy to Use

The best training treats are easy to grab and deliver quickly. If they’re overly messy, awkward, or difficult to handle, that can make it harder to reward your dog, which could affect your dog’s progress. Dog parents need something they can seamlessly hand to their dog without slowing down the training session.

How to Use Treats for Training and Walking

During walks and training sessions with your dog, it’s a good idea to keep a bunch of training treats in your pocket or a treat pouch. That way, you can quickly hand over a treat whenever you want to reward good behaviour.

Loose-lead walking, check-ins, calm behaviour, and commands are a few common reasons to give a training treat. If the treats are small or broken into pieces, they’ll be useful for repeated rewards during walks and training sessions.

High-value treats are especially useful in distracting environments, such as crowded areas or parks with lots of people, pets, and wildlife. If the treats aren’t appealing enough to your dog, it’ll be hard to get their attention when there’s a lot going on around them.

Finding Treats with Good Ingredients

Tasty treats can be healthy too. Since dogs eat a lot of training treats, it’s a good idea to use treats with simple, recognisable ingredients that won’t upset your dog’s tummy. There are plenty of meat-based treats with only a few key ingredients. If your dog has any allergies or sensitivities, keep those in mind when looking at dog treat ingredients.

Practical Features to Look for

When choosing good training treats, prioritise these features:

• Easy to carry in a pouch or pocket

• Small (or easy to break into smaller rewards)

• Rewarding enough to hold your dog’s attention

• Practical for everyday use

• Low in calories

• Suitable for both short sessions and on-the-go-rewards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t make these mistakes when choosing training treats:

• Choosing treats that are too big for training

• Choosing treats that are difficult to portion

• Using treats that don’t interest your dog

• Picking treats that are awkward to carry

• Assuming all dog treats work equally well for training

Start Training with Suitable Treats

The ideal dog training treat should be highly rewarding, easy to use, and practical for repeated training moments. Meaty bite-sized treats or air-dried meat that can be broken into smaller pieces are best in most situations, but take your dog’s preferences into account.

Overall, the best training treat is one that works well for both you and your dog during everyday situations like walks and training. True Charlie has a treat pouch bundle that’s perfect for setting your pup up for success with training.