Training treats are the most important tool you have when teaching your dog something new. But not all treats are equally suitable. The wrong size, wrong consistency, or questionable ingredients can make training less effective, or in the worst case, cause an upset stomach.
In this article, you will learn what makes a good training treat, what to look for on the ingredient list, and which treats work equally well for puppies and adult dogs. Want a quick recommendation tailored to your dog? Take our treat quiz.
Why training treats are so important
Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement. This means the reward must come quickly, and it must be worth the effort. A treat that your dog finds amazing will keep them focused longer, respond faster, and actually look forward to training sessions.
But it's not just about taste. A good training treat should be small enough to be swallowed in half a second, so the dog doesn't spend time chewing. The pace shift between exercise, reward, and the next exercise should be seamless.
What characterizes a good training treat?
Small and soft
The size should be no larger than a small pea for medium-sized dogs, and even smaller for puppies. Soft treats are easier to break up and quicker to eat than hard, dry varieties. This allows you to reward frequently without the dog getting full too quickly.
Strong taste and smell
Dogs are primarily motivated by smell. The more aromatic the treat, the easier it is to keep your dog's attention, even in distracting environments. Treats with a high meat content naturally have a stronger scent than grain-based alternatives.
Short and clean ingredient list
The best training treats have one to three ingredients. Pure meat, possibly with a little fruit or vegetable. No fillers, no artificial colors, no sugar. A short ingredient list also makes it easier to keep track if your dog has allergies or intolerances.
Easy to carry
Training treats should withstand being in a treat pouch or pocket without crumbling or sticking. Freeze-dried and air-dried treats score high here, as they are lightweight, durable, and less messy.
Training treats for puppies
Puppies have sensitive stomachs and less tolerance for large amounts of fat and additives. Therefore, it is especially important to choose natural treats with a simple composition when training a puppy.
Start with mild protein sources like chicken or turkey. Break the treats into even smaller pieces than you would for an adult dog. Remember that puppies are trained frequently and often, so the total amount of treats over a day can be surprisingly large. In that case, it's good that each piece is small and easily digestible.
Bunch turkey training treats are a good choice for puppies, with 95% pure meat and a soft consistency that is easy to break up.
What should you avoid in training treats?
Some treats sold as training treats are actually little more than processed flour with flavorings. Here are some things you should look for on the back of the bag:
Grains and fillers such as wheat flour, corn flour, or potatoes often appear first on the ingredient list in cheap treats. This means that meat makes up a small proportion.
Sugar and syrup are used to make the treat more attractive but add no nutritional value and can contribute to obesity and dental problems over time.
Artificial colors and preservatives are unnecessary and can irritate sensitive stomachs.
Rule of thumb: If the ingredient list is longer than five lines and contains words you don't recognize, there are better alternatives.
How many training treats can you give per day?
A common recommendation is that treats should not account for more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. In practice, this means you should choose treats with low calorie content per piece, so you can reward frequently without exceeding the calorie budget.
With small, light treats based on pure meat, you can easily give 30 to 50 pieces during a training session without it making up a large portion of the daily ration. This is one of the reasons why freeze-dried treats work so well; they are light and low in calories compared to their volume.
If you train a lot periodically, you can reduce the amount of food accordingly, so that the total intake remains stable.
One protein source or several?
If your dog has a sensitive stomach or known allergies, treats with a single protein source are the safest choice. That way, you know exactly what your dog is consuming and can more easily pinpoint what might be causing problems.
For dogs without known intolerances, you can vary between different protein sources. This keeps motivation high and provides a broader nutrient intake. Many dog owners rotate between two to three varieties, for example, beef for everyday training and duck or horse as an extra high-value reward for demanding exercises.
Bunch training treats: Why they are such a good choice
Pawesomeday has a wide selection of training treats for dogs, and among the most popular are Bunch. These treats contain 95% pure meat, are soft, easy to break, and have a strong natural scent that most dogs go crazy for.
There are several reasons why Bunch has become a favorite among our customers:
Palatability is absolutely top-notch. The feedback we receive is unequivocally positive. Even picky dogs who usually turn up their noses at treats react to Bunch. The high meat content and soft texture provide a natural aroma that hits dog noses right in the reward center.
The price per kilo is hard to beat. Bunch is sold in practical 1 kg boxes, which provides a significantly lower price per treat than most competitors of comparable quality. For those who train regularly, this means you can reward generously without worrying about it costing a fortune.
Practical container. The sturdy box keeps the treats fresh, is easy to open with one hand, and takes up little space in your training bag. No bags tearing or seals not closing properly.
15% discount when buying 4 units. Do you train a lot, or do you have several dogs? When you buy four boxes, you get a 15% discount. This makes Bunch an even better choice for those who go through a lot of treats during the month.
Bunch comes in several flavors, so you can adapt to your dog's preferences and potential allergies:
- Beef, an all-rounder most dogs like
- Duck, aromatic and well-suited as a high-value reward
- Turkey, mild and puppy-friendly
- Horse, a good alternative for dogs with intolerances to common protein sources
- Rabbit, apple, and kale, for those who want a little extra variety
- Horse, pumpkin, and pear, an exciting combination with a touch of sweetness
Freeze-dried treats as a training alternative
In addition to classic soft training treats, freeze-dried treats can work well for training. They are lightweight, have an intense flavor, and can easily be broken into smaller pieces.
MUSH Treats are an example of freeze-dried treats with 100% pure ingredients that work well as a reward. They come in flavors like chicken, lamb, beef, and pork, and are popular among dog owners who want treats completely free of additives.
The advantage of freeze-dried treats is that they are very durable and practical to carry. The disadvantage is that they can crumble a little more than soft treats, so they are best suited when you don't need lightning-fast rewards at a high pace.
Tips for effective training with treats
Vary the reward value. Have an everyday treat for simple exercises and an extra tasty variety for demanding tasks like recall or impulse control. The dog quickly learns that some exercises pay better.
Prepare in advance. Prepare the treats before the training session. If you're fumbling with a bag in the middle of an exercise, you'll lose momentum.
Reward timing is everything. The treat should be given within one to two seconds after the correct behavior. That's why small, soft pieces that can be given quickly are so important.
Don't forget variety. If you use the same treat every day for weeks, it can lose its value. Rotate between two to three varieties to keep motivation high.
Common questions about training treats
Treats should not make up more than 10 percent of the dog's daily calorie intake. With small, light treats based on pure meat, you can give 30 to 50 pieces during a training session without it making up a large portion of the daily ration. If you train a lot periodically, you can reduce the amount of food accordingly.
Soft treats (like Bunch) are swallowed faster and provide seamless rewards during high-tempo training. Freeze-dried treats are lighter, very durable, and have an intense flavor, but can crumble a little more. Soft treats are best for active training, freeze-dried for calmer exercises or as outdoor rewards.
Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so choose treats with a simple composition and mild protein sources like chicken or turkey. Break the treats into even smaller pieces than for adult dogs. Bunch turkey training treats are a good choice, with 95 percent pure meat and a soft consistency that is easy to break up.
The best training treats have one to three ingredients: pure meat, possibly with a little fruit or vegetable. Avoid fillers like wheat flour and cornmeal, sugar and syrup, and artificial colors. A good rule of thumb is that if the ingredient list is longer than five lines and contains words you don't recognize, there are better alternatives.
If the dog has a sensitive stomach or known allergies, treats with a single protein source are the safest choice. For dogs without intolerances, you can vary between two to three protein sources in rotation, for example, beef for everyday training and duck or horse as an extra high-value reward for demanding exercises. This keeps motivation high.
Summary
Good training treats are small, soft, have a short ingredient list, and a strong scent. Choose natural treats with high meat content and avoid fillers, sugar, and artificial additives. For puppies, mild protein sources like turkey and chicken are a safe starting point.
See the full selection of dog training treats at Pawesomeday, or take our quiz to find the best treat for your dog.
