Choosing the best training treats for your dog or puppy is more than a matter of choosing your dog’s flavor preference, although that is important. Choosing a training treat also means considering the number of calories your dog may be receiving in a training session and choosing a treat with a protein that your dog can tolerate. It also means selecting a treat that is appropriate for your dog’s current diet. After all, if your dog exclusively eats a raw diet, then choosing a processed treat may upset their stomach.

The following reviews address the best training treats on the market today to help you pick the best product for your dog.

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The 14 Best Dog Training Treats

1. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe – Best Overall

The best overall dog training treat is the Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe treats, which are available in two bag sizes. The first ingredient is real peanut butter and these treats only have 2.2 kcal per treat. They’re free of corn, wheat, and soy, and they contain healthy ingredients, like cherries and oats. Their soft, chewy texture can easily be broken in half or quarters for small dogs if desired. These are made in the United States and all ingredients are sourced from the US, Canada, and Europe. These treats come in a resealable bag, but some users have reported having difficulties with the seal in newer batches of these treats.

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2. Pet Botanics Training Reward Bacon Flavor – Best Value

The best dog training treats for the money are the Pet Botanics Training Reward Bacon Flavor treats, which are available in one large bag size with approximately 500 treats per bag. They are bacon-flavored treats that feature pork liver as the first ingredient. They also contain nutrient-dense foods like eggs and blueberries, as well as a botanical mixture for added flavor. At 3 kcal per treat and a soft texture, they are great for training rewards. All but two ingredients are US-sourced, while the tapioca is sourced from France and the palm oil is sourced from South America. These treats do have sugar as an ingredient, which isn’t an ideal added ingredient for dogs.

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3. Stewart Pro-Treat Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Dog Treats – Premium Choice

The Stewart Pro-Treat Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Dog Treats is the premium pick for training treats for dogs. These treats consist of 100% beef liver and they are available in five package sizes. Each treat has around 4 kcal, although it is variable since these treats may be various different sizes. They can be broken easily to keep the calorie count low, though. They can even be crumbled and used as a meal topper for dogs. They contain no artificial flavors, wheat, soy, or corn.

These treats are nutrient-dense, and this company has been making dog treats in the US since 1973. They’re highly palatable, but these treats do come at a more expensive price than most other training treats.

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4. Blue Buffalo Bits Tender Beef Recipe – Best for Puppies

The Blue Buffalo Bits Tender Beef Recipe are a great pick for puppies because they contain DHA, which supports the development of the brain. These treats are beef-flavored and have beef as the first ingredient. Each treat contains 4 kcal, and they’re available in three package sizes. These treats can be easily broken into smaller pieces if desired. They’re soft enough for puppies to eat as their teeth are still growing in. They’re good for the skin and coat, and they don’t contain any poultry products, making them a good pick for dogs with sensitivities. They are in a resealable bag, but they do seem to dry out quickly, even when resealed.

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5. Jiminy’s Good Grub Training Treat Peanut Butter & Cranberry Flavor

If you’re looking for an innovative product for your dog’s training treats, look no further than the Jiminy’s Good Grub Training Treat Peanut Butter & Cranberry Flavor. The primary protein in these treats is grubs, which isn’t as gross as it sounds. Grubs are nutrient-dense and are an eco-friendly, sustainable option for dog food and treats. These treats contain 3kcal each and are flavored like peanut butter and cranberry. They’re highly palatable and easy to break apart into smaller pieces. They are made in the US and all ingredients are sourced from North America. They are only available in one package size, unfortunately, and they are a premium price.

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6. Merrick Power Bites Real Rabbit & Sweet Potato Recipe

The Merrick Power Bites Real Rabbit & Sweet Potato Recipe training treats are a great pick for dogs with food sensitivities. Rabbit is a novel protein for most dogs and these treats contain no poultry or beef products. They’re only available in one package size, but they are a budget-friendly pick. They are higher calorie than most other training treats at 5.3 kcal per treat, so it may be necessary to break them into smaller pieces. They are chewy and easy to break apart, though. They contain no corn, wheat, or soy, and the first ingredient is deboned rabbit. They are manufactured in the US.

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7. Nutro Mini Bites Berry & Yogurt Flavor

The Nutro Mini Bites Berry & Yogurt Flavor are a nice low-calorie option for your dog’s training. These treats contain 2.1 kcal each, and they’re available in two package sizes. Chicken is the first ingredient and they also contain yogurt and blueberries. They are manufactured in the US, and they contain no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives. These treats are budget friendly and are made with top quality ingredients. These treats are not recommended for puppies, but they are easy to break into smaller pieces as needed for small dogs. Some people find these treats to be unpalatable to some dogs, so they aren’t a great pick for dogs that prefer meat flavors.

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8. Cloud Star Crunchy Tricky Trainers with Cheddar

The Cloud Star Crunchy Tricky Trainers with Cheddar are a great option for dogs that prefer crunchy textures. These treats contain dried cheddar cheese as the first ingredient and they have 2 kcal per treat, making them one of the lowest calorie options. They are limited-ingredient treats and don’t contain any proteins other than cheese. They contain no wheat, corn, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. They are only available in one package size, but there are approximately 450 treats per bag. They’re made in the US, but these treats are not easy to break into smaller pieces if desired due to their crunchy texture.

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9. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Tripe

If your dog is a picky eater or on a raw diet, the Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Tripe are a great training treat option. These treats contain nothing but freeze-dried green beef tripe and they are highly palatable to most dogs. They’re only available in one package size, and they do sell for a premium price. These treats contain 155 kcal per ounce, but the sizes of each treat can vary, so it is difficult to know how many calories are in each treat. Tripe is a nutrient-dense food that is a good option for dogs with food sensitivities. These treats may leave an unpleasant smell on your hands. They have a crunchy to crumbly texture, but can easily be broken into smaller pieces if desired.

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10. Fruitables Skinny Minis Watermelon Flavor

If your dog prefers fruity flavors over meaty ones, the Fruitables Skinny Minis Watermelon Flavor training treats may be the perfect fit. These treats have pumpkin as the first ingredient and contain 3 kcal per treat. They are only available in one bag size, and they do sell for a premium price for the size of the bag. They can be broken into smaller pieces as needed. They are grain free and contain nutritious ingredients like honey and flaxseed. They are manufactured in the US with high-quality ingredients. Although an unusual flavor, these treats are highly palatable to many dogs. They are harder than most other soft training treats, so dogs with difficulty chewing may not like these.

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11. Bixbi Pocket Trainers Bacon Flavor Grain-Free Dog Treats

The Bixbi Pocket Trainers Bacon Flavor Grain-Free Dog Treats are a good pick for dogs that like pork and bacon. They contain 2.78 kcal per treat and are available in one package size. These treats taste like bacon and have pork as the first ingredient. They are soft treats that can easily be broken into smaller pieces as needed. They are free of poultry products, making them a good pick for dogs with food sensitivities. Some people don’t think their dogs find these treats palatable, so they may not be the best for every dog. They contain no corn, wheat, soy, or grains.

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12. Bil-Jac Little-Jacs Small Dog Chicken Liver Training Treats

The Bil-Jac Little-Jacks Small Dog Chicken Liver Training Treats are available in three package sizes. Chicken liver is the first ingredient and they contain 2.8 kcal per treat. These treats are soft and easy to break apart into smaller pieces. The 16-ounce bag has approximately 450 treats per bag, making these treats a premium price. Bil-Jac products have been made in the US since 1947 and these treats contain no gluten meals, soy, or rendered fats. These treats are not recommended for puppies, but they are soft enough for dogs with difficulty chewing. Some people don’t feel that these treats are palatable for picky dogs.

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13. Bocce’s Bakery Quack Quack Quack Duck & Blueberry Recipe Training Treats

The Bocce’s Bakery Quack Quack Quack Duck & Blueberry Recipe Training Treats contain 4 kcal per treat and are only available in one package size. They are limited-ingredient treats and don’t contain any proteins other than duck, making them a good option for dogs with food sensitivities. They are free of wheat, by-products, and fillers, and they are made in the US. They are not as soft as most other soft training treats, so they may not be a good pick for dogs with difficulty chewing. They are not palatable to all dogs, so picky dogs may not like them.

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14. Polkadog Lucky Duck Crunchy Training Bits

The Polkadog Lucky Duck Crunchy Training Bits are a good option for dogs with food sensitivities because they only contain duck liver and potato flour. These treats have 3.7 kcal per treat and have a crunchy texture. They’re sourced and made in the US and they are fully grain free. These treats may be too hard for dogs with chewing difficulties because they are harder than most crunchy training treats. This makes them a poor option for dogs that may stop to chew if you’re attempting to use these treats for training while walking. They’re only available in one package size and they sell for a premium price.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Training Treats for Your Dog

When choosing training treats for your dog, start by considering your dog’s age and ability to chew. Puppies who haven’t had all their teeth come in yet and adult dogs with missing teeth may need softer treats than dogs with all of their teeth. Also, not all treats are appropriate for puppies, so make sure you choose an age-appropriate treat for your dog.

You should also consider your dog’s texture preference. Some dogs prefer crunchy treats over chewy, which limits your training treat options. If your dog prefers soft and chewy textures, then you’ll have more products to choose from because this is the more popular training treat texture.

If your dog has food sensitivities or distinct preferences, consider this when choosing treats as well. For training, your dog should be offered treats that are viewed as high-value rewards. If you’re trying to train your dog with treats that he doesn’t like, then you may not pique your dog’s interest the same way you might if you chose a treat that suits his flavor preferences.

Conclusion

These reviews have only scratched the surface of the training treats for dogs available, but these are the best of the best. The best overall pick is the Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe, which are flavorful and healthy training treats. The budget-friendly option is the Pet Botanics Training Reward Bacon Flavor, which can treat your dog and encourage good behavior without breaking the bank. For puppies, the Blue Buffalo Bits Tender Beef Recipe is the best pick, thanks to the addition of DHA to support cognitive development in your puppy.

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Featured Image Credit: Omerlavon, pixabay