Treats are one of the most powerful tools in dog training — and one of the sneakiest causes of weight gain. Here's how to choose treats your dog will go crazy for without blowing their diet.
What Makes a Good Treat
- Single or few ingredients — the shorter the list, the better
- Named protein source first — "chicken," not "meat by-products"
- Low calorie density — especially for training use (you'll give many)
- Appropriate size — pea-sized for training; larger for slow chewing
- Soft texture for training — dogs can eat soft treats quickly and stay engaged; crunchy treats slow training sessions
Types of Dog Treats
| Type | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Soft training treats (Zuke's, Cloud Star) | High-reward training sessions | Can be high sodium; check labels |
| Freeze-dried meat (liver, chicken) | High-value rewards for difficult tasks | Very calorie-dense — use sparingly |
| Dental chews (Greenies, OraVet) | Dental health + chewing satisfaction | High calorie; count as a meal replacement |
| Bully sticks | Long chew sessions, boredom prevention | 400–800 kcal each; give max 1–2 per week |
| Vegetable treats (carrots, cucumber) | Low-calorie rewards, dental crunch | None significant; very low risk |
| Commercial biscuits (Milk-Bone) | Occasional reward | Often high in salt, sugar, artificial colors |
Best Treats for Training
Training treats need to be: tiny (pea-sized), instantly swallowable (no chewing), and highly motivating. The ideal training treat is whatever your dog goes most crazy for — don't be too healthy if your dog isn't motivated. High-value = better focus = faster learning.
Kibble, plain cheerios. Use for easy behaviors your dog already knows.
Commercial soft treats, cheese cubes. Use for new commands and distractions.
Freeze-dried liver, real chicken, hot dog slices. Use for recall, reactive dog work, difficult environments.
Treats to Avoid
- Rawhide — choking hazard, contamination risk, digestive blockages; use safer alternatives
- Treats made in China — multiple recalls related to kidney failure; check country of manufacture
- Jerky treats — soft jerky has been linked to kidney disease; stick to freeze-dried or air-dried
- Treats with xylitol — check "sugar-free" items; xylitol is toxic even in tiny amounts
- Cooked bones (chicken, pork, beef) — splinter and perforate intestines; dangerous regardless of how they're marketed
Healthy Homemade Treat Options
These require zero preparation and are some of the best treats you can give:
- Baby carrots — 4 kcal each, satisfying crunch, great for dental health
- Cucumber slices — almost zero calories, refreshing, dogs love them
- Blueberries — antioxidant-rich, tiny, perfect training treats
- Plain cooked chicken breast — cut into pea-sized pieces, frozen, and stored in fridge; the ultimate high-value training treat
- Watermelon chunks (seedless, no rind) — hydrating, very low calorie, great in summer
- Banana slices — higher in sugar than other options; give in moderation