Dog Training Treats They Will Sit, Stay – You Name It – For

The things you do for the perfect cup of coffee – say, walk entirely out of your way on your morning commute to the one barista who has mastered your latte. So just think what tricks you can inspire your puppy to learn with just the right reward. There’s a reason why ‘food motivated’ is a term you’ve probably heard vets and trainers use. Praise and belly rubs are great, to be sure, but nothing beats treats. That said, it’s not as simple as dangling a carrot. Lauren Novack, dog behaviour consultant at Behavior Vets in New York, breaks down how to pick the perfect dog training treat. Then, shop our top picks below.

What makes a good treat for dog training?

The point of a training treat is to motivate your puppy to give you their undivided attention, so it makes sense that the treat should be more desirable to your dog than any other stimuli (squirrels, shoes, other puppies). If your pup is very food motivated, then this is an easy one. But some can be picky eaters, in which case you’ll need to up the ante. Novack suggests categorising treats into three categories: low-, medium- and high-value.

When working on a dog training skill that your dog knows pretty well, go for low-value treats. Low-value treats can be your dog’s kibble. “They eat it a lot already, and while it tastes good, it’s only going to be motivating in reinforcing behaviours they’ve already got down pretty well,” says Novack. Since treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories, this option is best for dogs that will eat anything and dogs that are watching their weight as kibble is lower in calories than most treats.

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Medium-value treats are a step up. From classic crunchy dog biscuits to healthy snacks like apple slices and baby carrots, medium-value treats are great for training when your dog needs a little extra encouragement or just to mix it up. You’d be hard-pressed to find a dog that would turn one down; they just may not do backflips for it.

But when training your dog to perform a new skill, you need to pull out all the stops. Small, strong-smelling, easily servable, high-value rewards are the best dog training treats. High-value treats are generally meaty – and stinky. They should make your dog drool. Dogs experience the world through their noses – 33 percent of a dog’s brain is dedicated to interpreting odours – so the smellier the treat, the better. Flavours like bacon and venison are particularly pungent and covetable. As a rule, dog training treats should be pea-sized and easily portable, so they don’t take your dog ages to chew (or crumble up in your pocket). However, if your dog is prone to distraction, you’ll have better luck with human snacks like hot dogs or cheese.

So, what are the best dog training treats?

“If you have a dog that’s overly excited, wants to greet everyone, and you’re fighting to get their attention, then yeah, you should try hotdogs – break them up before a training session so you’ve got small pieces on hand,” says Novack. “And remember, just like us, dogs tire of the same treats if they’re given often enough. The more variety you can provide your pup, the more interested they will be in learning new things.” Below, you’ll find some of the best dog training treats with proven results.

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

Bounce and Bella Ultimate Training Treats for Dogs

£10

Catering to dogs with allergies and sensitive stomachs (as well as the painfully picky), Bounce & Ella’s treats contain only five ingredients: chicken, duck, turkey, potatoes and sweet potatoes – all of which are human-grade. Just as a heads up, they are very crunchy, so save this one for after your pup’s adult teeth have come in.

£10 at Bounce and Bella

Scrumbles Softies

£2.75

Softer treats are perfect for puppies with developing teeth, as well as older dogs whose smiles are more sensitive. Both will enjoy snacking on Scrumbles’ line of Softies, which are specially baked for a gentler chew; and come in salmon, chicken and duck, and veggie versions.

£2.75 at Scrumbles

The Innocent Hound Training Treats

£5.3

The Innocent Hound’s selection of treats wouldn’t feel out of place at Harrods’s Food Halls, with flavours like lamb with yellow split pea and duck sausage with cranberry. If you’re really looking to spoil your pup, try their training treats made from line-caught tuna and British crab – all air-dried (rather than cooked) to lock in nutrients and flavour.

£5.3 at The Innocent Hound

Pooch & Mutt Dental Probiotic Meaty Treats

£3.99

These treats look like little teeth, which is objectively adorable – even if your dog couldn’t care less. It’s not all style, no substance though. The duck and rosemary flavour will make your dog’s mouth water, while ingredients like collagen, SHMP and probiotics help keep up their oral health.

£3.99 at Pooch & Mutt

Edgard & Cooper Good Boy Beef Dog Treats

£2.99

If your pet’s tastes lean more sweet than savoury, you’re in luck: Edgar Cooper’s meaty training bites have got strawberry and mango blended in too, providing a side of nutritious vitamins along with the protein. They’re also free of gluten and grains – all the better for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

£2.99 at Edgard & Cooper