Dog Training Treats: What to Use

A training treat has a job: to reward quickly and keep the session going. Dogs can only learn if the reward arrives while the behavior is fresh. A treat that takes a long time to chew breaks the flow and wastes opportunities to reward again.

• Small: about the size of a pea for most dogs, and smaller for toy breeds.
• Soft: easy to swallow in one or two bites, without crumbs.
• Smelly and appealing: strong smells, such as meat or cheese, grab attention.
• Easy to carry and handle: not greasy, sticky, or fragile.
• Healthy enough to give in quantity, without upsetting the stomach.

Not all treats are equal in your dog's eyes. Think of three levels, and use them according to the difficulty of the task. Observe your dog to see what they value most.

Level one is the everyday treat: a plain biscuit or kibble from the daily food, used for easy behaviors in quiet places. Level two is a better treat, such as a soft commercial training treat or freeze-dried meat, used for new skills and moderate distractions. Level three is the jackpot: small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, liver, or hot dog, used for hard challenges such as recall, walking past other dogs, or learning something tricky.

You can buy treats made for training, or make your own from foods your dog tolerates. Always introduce new foods gradually, and check that they are safe for dogs.

• Commercial soft training treats, which are small and designed for repeated use.
• Freeze-dried meat or liver, which is light and strongly scented.
• Small pieces of cooked chicken, turkey, or lean beef, without seasoning.
• Small cubes of low-fat cheese, if your dog tolerates dairy.
• Pieces of dog kibble, for easy tasks.
• Some dog-safe vegetables, such as carrot or green beans, for dogs who enjoy them.

Note: Avoid treats containing xylitol, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, or macadamia nuts. Check labels carefully, and ask your vet if your dog has allergies or a medical condition.

Treats add up. As a general guideline, many vets suggest that treats should be no more than about 10 percent of a dog's daily calories. A training session with 50 treats can easily exceed that if each treat is large.

Keep treats tiny, and count them. Reduce your dog's meals slightly on heavy training days, or use part of their daily kibble as training rewards. Weigh your dog regularly, and adjust. If your dog is overweight or has a health condition, ask your vet for specific advice.

Dogs can be allergic to common ingredients such as chicken, beef, dairy, wheat, and soy, and some have sensitive stomachs. Watch for itching, ear problems, vomiting, loose stools, or gas after trying new treats. If your dog is on a prescription or restricted diet, check with your vet before giving anything extra.

Single-ingredient treats, such as freeze-dried meat, make it easier to identify problems. For dogs with pancreatitis risk or weight issues, choose low-fat options.

Treat delivery matters as much as treat choice. Reward quickly, in position, and keep treats in a pouch or pocket for easy access. Vary the treats to keep interest high, and use a mix of food, play, and praise. Save the best treats for the hardest moments.

If your dog stops responding to treats, check whether they are full, stressed, or distracted, or whether the treat is not valuable enough for the situation. Training before meals, in a quiet place, often helps.

A few seconds with the label tells you a lot. Look for these points.

• A named meat or protein as the first ingredient.
• Few ingredients, and no artificial colors or preservatives.
• No xylitol, chocolate, raisins, onion, or garlic.
• Calories per treat, which are often listed as kcal per treat or per kilogram.
• A statement about being complete for the dog's life stage, if the treat is a major food.
• Size and softness, which affect how many you can give.

Some dogs need special choices. For a puppy, choose small, soft, easy-to-digest treats. For dogs with allergies, single-ingredient treats help you to avoid triggers. For overweight dogs, use low-calorie options such as pieces of vegetable, or part of the meal. For dogs with sensitive stomachs, avoid fatty and rich treats, and introduce new ones slowly. For senior dogs with dental problems, use soft treats. Always ask your vet if you are unsure.

Keep treats fresh and handy. Store them in an airtight container, and keep moist treats in the fridge or freezer. Carry them in a pouch, with a clip, so that you can reach them quickly. Cut treats into small pieces before you go out, and take a few kinds, so that you have a jackpot for hard moments. Wash the pouch regularly, and dispose of any treats that smell or look off.