Teach Your Furry Friend With the Best Puppy Training Treats
Puppies are adorable, but some of them come with a lot of baggage like chewing, biting, and bad manners. It is crucial to start training your little fur baby as soon as possible so they don’t embarrass you in the park or chew on your favorite pair of shoes. Dog training isn't easy — especially if you have a stubborn puppy on your hands. That's where the top puppy training treats of 2024 come into play.
These specially formulated treats help you teach your puppy manners, obedience, and tricks while strengthening the bond between you and your new pet. The small, bite-sized snacks are designed to be eaten quickly and easily by your puppy, allowing you to continue the training at a steady pace. With a little time, patience, and these tasty incentives, you'll find that you and your puppy can enjoy long walks and trips to the park without any pulling or barking. However, these treats are more than just a culinary delight. It is imperative that you make the right choice when selecting treats for your canine so they can stay focused.
Buying Guide to Choosing a High-Quality Puppy Training Treat
A good training treat can make a huge difference in a puppy’s enthusiasm for training, so you must choose something that works well. With so many brands on the market today, it’s tough to know which ones are really worth the price. Don’t worry, we have put together a comprehensive guide with all essential factors so you can make an informed decision while buying treats for your puppy.
Check the Ingredients
First and foremost, the treats you give your puppy should be made with healthy ingredients. After all, they’re going to be consuming a lot of these snacks during their obedience classes and regular training sessions. Look for treats made with a wholesome blend of ingredients and have high protein content that’ll help in optimum development.
You should be wary of treats that contain preservatives and artificial colors because they can cause a range of health issues in dogs. Try to find training treats that have real meat as their first ingredients. Avoid giving your pet products that contain garlic, onions, or grains — these ingredients can cause gastrointestinal issues and even kidney problems in some dogs.
Pick the Right Size
When choosing training treats for puppies, consider the size of the treat and how often you’ll be using it during each session. For example, if you’re teaching your puppy to catch a ball, you’ll probably be giving him a treat every few feet — or even more frequently. In this case, choose bite-sized treats that can be eaten quickly, so the momentum doesn’t stop. It is also essential to choose a treat that’s soft and chewy but not greasy or crumbly, so they won’t make a mess in your pocket.
Give Utmost Priority to Taste
Of course, flavor matters as well! Your puppy is going to be more attracted to treats that have a strong aroma and flavor. If you have a picky eater on your hands, it may take some trial and error before finding the right flavor for your puppy. Most manufacturers offer samples or smaller bags so you can try out a few different flavors before investing in a large bag of any one kind. This is also great if you have multiple dogs who might prefer different flavors!
Check Out Calorie Content
Most treats are high in carbohydrates and calories, but they still make up a small portion of your dog’s diet, so it’s not necessarily bad if they’re high in carbs. However, if your dog is overweight or has some other health issue, you may want to look for low-carb treats. You can also choose treats that have less than 3 calories per treat, so you can treat them for their extraordinary behavior without worrying about weight gain.
Number of Treats
Some packs contain 250 treats while others are as high as 500 treats. You should always buy a pack that has a high number of treats in case you need more than one portion for each session. Even if you don’t use all of them up during each session, it is always good to have extra on hand just in case.
What Type of Puppy Training Treats Are Available?
Biscuits
Puppy biscuits are small, soft, and easy to digest. They can be used for puppies of any age and breed. These biscuits can come in a variety of flavors and sizes, so you can easily choose the one that suits your puppy’s palate.
Cookies and snacks
Puppy cookies and snacks are similar to human cookies, except that they’re specially formulated for dogs. They’re usually flavored with bacon or cheese. These treats should be kept away from puppies younger than 8 weeks old because they may contain high sugar or salt content.
Meat treats
Meat treats are usually made from real meat that has been dehydrated or freeze-dried. These treats are great for pups with allergies, as most of them have a single ingredient (e.g., salmon). They are also suitable for growing puppies because they’re high in protein, which is essential for growth.
Don’t Ignore the Price
Cost is an essential factor when choosing a treat for your pup, especially if you plan on using them regularly or in bulk quantities. These treats come in a variety of prices ranging from $11 a bag to $30 a bag. If you have a habitual chewer or one with barking habits, it is worth investing in more economical versions so you can use them without breaking your budget.
Comparing the Top Puppy Training Treat of 2024
Pupford Training Treats
– Best Overall
Elevate your pup’s training experience with Pupford Training Treats – the key to turning a good dog into an even “gooder” one! These treats are designed to capture and maintain your furry friend’s attention during training, ensuring a productive and enjoyable learning process.
Unlike other training treats loaded with fillers and unnecessary calories, Pupford keeps it simple. The freeze-drying process retains maximum nutrients, keeping the treats fresh and packed with flavor. Their lightweight nature makes them highly portable and ideal for training sessions on the go.
What sets Pupford apart is its commitment to both taste and health. These treats, made in the USA, boast wholesome, natural ingredients. At less than 1kcal per treat, they’re a guilt-free option for continuous positive reinforcement in training programs. Now, you don’t have to compromise between a well-behaved and a healthy pup – Pupford Training Treats effortlessly delivers both, making training a joy for you and your furry companion. Grab one of these best overall bags and embark on a journey to a “gooder” dog!
- Tasty to most breeds
- Low in calories
- Ingredients are all natural
- Premium price tag
Wellness Puppy Training Treats
– Grain-Free Choice
Wellness puppy training treats are grain-free, bite-sized soft treats that feature lamb and salmon as their first two ingredients. It has added vitamins and minerals for optimal development, while flaxseed provides fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat. These delicious treats have fresh carrots and sweet potatoes that promote healthy vision, while antioxidant-rich blueberries support a strong immune system. They are also fortified with natural DHA to support healthy brain development
With only 6 calories per treat, these delicious puppy treats have a soft texture for training and rewarding your best friend. Plus, they do not contain meat by-products or fillers like wheat, corn, or soy, and of course, no artificial colors or preservatives! Not only do these protein-rich treats perfect as training rewards, but they can also be used as a delicious crunchy snack for your special puppy friend.
- Formulated with a wholesome blend of fruits and meat for healthy development
- Do not contain harmful meat by-products and artificial preservative
- Crunchy and chewy texture for every dog’s need
- Perfect for a long training session
- The morsel might be a little hard to break
Pet Botanics Training Treats
– Best Value for Money
Pet Botanics puppy training treats are scientifically formulated to enhance focus and motivation in even the craziest training situations. Made with natural pork liver, these small, soft treats have a tempting taste that dogs love. They contain a wholesome blend of minerals and vitamins for optimum health. Unlike other treats, they are free from artificial flavors or ingredients; instead, they have added Omega 3 fatty acids, anthocyanin (a powerful antioxidant found in blueberries), and Omega 6 to keep your pet healthy.
They have low-calorie content, so you can give it to your puppy without worrying about weight gain. These irresistible treats have a soft texture that is easily broken into smaller pieces, making them perfect for training newborn teething puppies. Each packet contains 500 tasty treats so your pet can enjoy a healthy snack while you reinforce good behavior!
- Enhance focus and motivation
- Made with natural liver for high protein content
- Free from artificial flavor and ingredients
- Contain 500 treats per pack
- Might lead to an upset stomach in sensitive dogs
Blue Buffalo Puppy Training Treats
– Most Flavors
Give your puppy the best start in life with Blue Buffalo puppy training treats. These soft training treats feature the savory taste of real chicken and other nutritional ingredients that aid in proper development of a growing puppy. They’re sized perfectly for training and packed with plenty of flavor and nutrition. Plus, they contain DHA, which supports cognitive development in canines and help to nourish your puppy’s skin and coat.
Each bite-sized morsel is formulated to help you teach your puppy simple commands and tricks through positive reinforcement. Just like other products on our list, these treats are also free from artificial flavor and preservatives, so they won’t trigger any allergies in your pooch. The best thing is that one bag is filled with 20% more treats, so you can use it for weeks of training! Even the number of flavors it’s available in is unbelievable, including seasonal favorites!
- Ideal for rewarding puppies of different breeds
- Enhanced with DHA for cognitive development
- Free from artificial preservatives and flavor
- Available in seasonal flavors too
- Not designed for picky eaters
Pupford Puppy Training Treats
– Lowest in Calories
If you want vet-approved healthy treats for your growing puppy, the Pupford puppy training treats are your best bet. Formulated with a single protein source (chicken) and mixed tocopherols, these training treats are the perfect choice for picky pups and dogs with allergies. They have a one-of-a-kind flavor that your dog will go crazy for.
What’s more, they’re soft enough to easily break into smaller pieces, so you can feed your dog as many crunchy bites as it takes to foster good behavior. Plus, they are super healthy and low-fat treats, making them a great addition to any training regimen. They also serve as an excellent treat for improving the focus of your furry companion. One bag contains more than 475 treats which are perfect for an extended training session!
- Low-calorie content
- Crunchy texture with delicious flavor
- Contains a high protein content
- Might be extra small for large breed pups
WAG Puppy Training Treats
– Least Fat Content
Want to treat your dog without ruining its appetite or derailing training? The WAG puppy training treats are perfect for rewarding good behavior and keeping the puppy energetic during training. Made with the finest ingredients, these moist and chewy treats have high protein content for healthy skin and muscle development.
Additionally, these treats are bursting with chicken flavor, so you can feel good about treating your puppy. With no added corn, soy, or artificial flavors, and only 3% fat content, these tasty treats make a great addition to your furry companion’s healthy diet. Perfect for training, these bite-sized treats come in a convenient resealable bag to retain flavor and freshness for a longer time.
- High protein content with low fat percentage
- Comes in a resealable bag for maximum freshness
- Perfect for training small breed pups
- The treats have an unpleasant smell
People Also Asked
A: Yes, if your dog has a sensitive stomach or is allergic to one of the ingredients, these treats might cause diarrhea. If you're worried about it, take a look at the ingredients list and avoid anything your dog has reacted badly to in the past. You can also seek advice from your vet in this regard.
A: Treats are just that - treats. They aren't meant to be given out all day long. Most canines only need a few treats a day during their training sessions, so start low and see how many you can get away with while still keeping your puppy engaged and learning. As a general rule, you should not give your puppy more than 10% of its daily caloric intake in treat form. So, if your puppy needs 500 calories per day, it can have 50 calories in the form of treats.
A: Avoid things like wheat, corn, and soy, which are likely to upset the digestive system of dogs. You should also avoid treats with artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. If you're looking for training treats that are more easily digestible, consider ones that contain pumpkin or sweet potato, which are rich in fiber and help soothe the stomach.