The 12 Best Dog Training Treats, From Healthy to High-Value

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Effective training treats capture your dog’s attention through smell, taste, and texture. In other words, they’re treats your dog finds tempting enough that they’ll do anything to get them.

“We can’t train dogs without the ability to motivate them,” says Jennifer Malawey, a dog trainer and behavior consultant at Instinct Dog Behavior & Training. Malawey notes that while not all dogs are food-motivated, treats are often the most efficient reward to use during training. The key is finding a treat that balances quality canine nutrition with features that appeal to your dog’s senses.

We spoke to veterinarians and dog training experts to determine the qualities of a good dog training treat. From low-calorie treats to training treats for puppies, we’ve rounded up twelve of the best dog training treats for pups of all breeds, sizes, and ages.

Pro tip: A dog training treat bag or pouch can be very helpful for easy access to your treat of choice.

Check out this quick video we made about our favorite treats for every occasion:

Best Healthy Dog Training Treats: Pupford Beef Liver Training Treats

The key to positive reinforcement training is finding a reward so delicious that your dog can’t resist it. Malawey reminds us, however, that “nutritious and delicious aren’t mutually exclusive.” The best healthy dog training treats are nutritionally balanced, low to moderate in calories, and free from additives that might negatively affect your dog’s health.

These Pupford training treats feature freeze-dried beef liver and beef heart as the primary ingredients, making them a flavorful, meaty reward for your dog. With just three ingredients, these treats are simple and easy for most dogs to digest. They’re also freeze-dried in a process that proponents suggest retains nutritional value better than high-heat processing methods.

At less than one calorie per treat, these treats are ideal for long training sessions—they give your pup the satisfaction of a tasty snack without adding significantly to their daily calorie intake.

Key Takeaways:

• Less than 1 calorie per treat
• Texture: crunchy
• Available in 2- and 4-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to one year; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Freeze Dried Beef Liver, Beef Heart, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Antioxidant)

Best Low-Calorie Dog Training Treats: PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats

Overfeeding significantly increases your dog’s risk for obesity, not to mention other chronic health issues. Long training sessions with lots of food rewards can easily push your dog’s daily intake into unhealthy territory, so pay attention to the calorie and fat content of your treats.

Bite-sized training treats often contain less than 5 calories each, but if you’re looking for an extra low-calorie option, consider these PureBites freeze-dried chicken breast treats. They’re made with a single ingredient—chicken breast. PureBites uses human-grade chicken, which simply means it’s processed and packaged in accordance with federal regulations for human food.

Unlike traditional dog treats, these are freeze-dried, which means they don’t have a uniform size or texture. The average calorie content per treat contains around three calories, but they can easily be broken into smaller pieces as needed.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s calorie intake, Malawey suggests using their regular food as rewards instead of treats. “If you choose a well-balanced food that your dog likes,” she says, “you can use their regular meals to train.”

Key Takeaways:

• Less than 3 calories per treat
• Texture: crunchy
• Available in 1.4-, 3-, 6.2-, 11.6-, and 28-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to one year; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: 100% Pure USA Sourced & Made Human Grade Chicken Breast

Best Training Treats for Puppies: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe

According to Hannah Gilihan, a certified dog trainer at Zoom Room Dog Training, “Most puppies are very food motivated and excited at the taste of something new.” She recommends trying different flavors to see what your puppy likes, keeping in mind that their tastes may change over time.

Treat texture is important for puppies as well. “You don’t want a super hard, tough treat that may hurt your puppy’s growing teeth,” Gilihan says, “so opt for a chewier treat when possible.” These Puppy Bites from Wellness are soft and chewy instead of hard and crunchy. They also contain a variety of enticing flavors like lamb, salmon, blueberry, and sweet potato.

These puppy training treats contain about four calories each, but their soft texture makes them easy to break into smaller pieces. As a nod to the unique nutritional needs of growing puppies, they’re also supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—an omega-3 fatty acid that supports neurological, retinal, and immunological development.

Key Takeaways:

• About 4 calories per treat
• Texture: soft, chewy
• Available in 3- and 8-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Lamb, Salmon, Chickpeas, Ground Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Guar Gum, Carrots, Cane Molasses, Salt, Natural Smoke Flavor, Blueberries, Garlic Powder, Flaxseed, Phosphoric Acid, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Sorbic Acid (a preservative), Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract

Best High-Value Training Treats: Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats

When choosing dog training treats, Gilihan suggests the best approach is to “think about treats on a low value to high value scale.” While your dog may respond to low-value treats, they aren’t necessarily as smelly, flavorful, or enticing as high-value treats. “They are still good treats,” says Gilihan, “but they are not the ‘dessert’ of the dog world.”

High-value treats get your dog’s attention. They’re ideal for situations where your dog is bored or unfocused. Gilihan says, “just like humans can make room for some dessert” when presented with an irresistible option, “dogs will become re-engaged and work a little harder” for a high-value treat.

Gilihan recommends single-ingredient, high-protein treats—the smellier the better—and these freeze-dried minnows fit the bill. They’re whole minnows, free from added hormones and antibiotics, with the moisture removed to make them shelf-stable. Each minnow contains about two calories, so they’re a great way to get your training session back on track without resorting to high-calorie treats.

Key Takeaways:

• About 2 calories per treat
• Texture: crunchy
• Available in 1- and 2.5-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to one year; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Minnows

Best Soft Training Treats: Cloud Star Chewy Tricky Trainers Liver Flavor Dog Treats

When hunting for the best dog training treats, Gilihan says the most important thing to remember is that “dogs have treat preferences and get bored of treats, just like humans do with food.” She recommends keeping treats in a variety of flavors and textures on hand so you can adjust to your dog’s changing preferences.

Many dogs find soft, squishy treats appealing because they tend to be meatier and smellier than crunchy alternatives. These Cloud Star Tricky Trainers have a chewy texture and an enticing chicken liver flavor. They’re soft enough for small breeds and senior dogs to chew easily and come in salmon or cheddar flavor as well. These bite-sized treats are easy to toss for training purposes.

At around three calories per treat, these Tricky Trainers are a fairly low-calorie option. They are a little pricier than some options on this list, however, so consider keeping them around as a high-value treat to rekindle your dog’s interest when their attention wanes.

Key Takeaways:

• 3 calories per treat
• Texture: soft
• Available in 5- and 14-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Chicken Liver, Barley Flour, Potato Flour, Maple Syrup, Glycerine, Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavor, Gelatin, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Sorbic Acid (as Preservatives), Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols (as Preservative), Rosemary

Best Hard and Crunchy Training Treats: Merrick Oven Baked Pumpkin Patch Dog Treats

While soft and smelly treats are ideal for some training scenarios, Malawey suggests that hard treats are better for teaching holds or any distance behavior. In these cases, she says, “you want a treat that is easy for your dog to catch.” Crunchy dog treats, also known as dog biscuits, have the added benefit of breaking into smaller pieces to reduce their caloric impact.

These pumpkin-flavored biscuits from Merrick contain a short list of simple ingredients—primarily oats and pumpkin. They’re not a smelly, meat-based treat—though there are several other flavors—so they may work best as a low- or mid-value treat. Because they don’t contain animal ingredients, they may also be a good treat for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.

Like many hard dog treats, these pumpkin biscuits are calorie-dense. Each treat contains about 20 calories, so it’s wise to break them into pieces for longer training sessions.

Key Takeaways:

• 20 calories per treat
• Texture: hard, crunchy
• Available in 11-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Oats, Pumpkin, Canola Oil, Natural Flavor

Best Chewy Training Treats: Full Moon Chicken Jerky Human-Grade Dog Treats

For many dogs, chewing has an anxiety-reducing effect. It’s also great for mental stimulation and, with the right treat or toy, may provide dental benefits as well.

When it comes to training, Gilihan notes that long-lasting chews may not be the ideal reward. “You want to provide your dog with some immediate gratification for performing the behavior you asked,” she says. A small chewy treat—like one of these Full Moon jerky treats—is a better alternative in the moment.

Similar in appearance, smell, and flavor to jerky made for humans, these jerky treats are made with chicken breast and lightly sweetened with organic cane sugar. While excess sugar intake can be harmful, dogs tend to enjoy sweet foods more than cats. That’s because cats lack taste receptors for sweetness.

Keep in mind these are large, calorie-dense treats, at about 49 calories each. Tear the jerky strips into bite-sized pieces during your training session and offer a whole treat as a reward after (if your dog’s recommended calorie intake allows for it).

Key Takeaways:

• 49 calories per treat
• Texture: chewy
• Available in 12- and 24-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Chicken, Organic Cane Sugar, Vinegar, Rosemary Extract

Best Training Treats for Small Dogs: Wellness CORE Tiny Trainers Tender Lamb & Apples Treats

Malawey recommends keeping your dog’s size and daily calorie intake in mind when selecting dog training treats. The best treats for small dog breeds are “small or easily breakable into small pieces.” They should also be soft and easy to swallow.

These Wellness CORE Tiny Trainers have a tender, easy-to-chew texture and contain just three calories each. Made with a flavorful blend of lamb and chicken fat, they’re also flavored with apple, cinnamon, and cane molasses. These treats don’t contain any artificial colors or flavors, and they’re naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols (various forms of vitamin E).

In addition to being a tasty bite-sized training reward, these treats may support healthy digestion. Insoluble fiber sources like pea fiber have been shown to support healthy bacterial balance in the gut.

Key Takeaways:

• 3 calories per treat
• Texture: soft, chewy
• Available in 6-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Dried Ground Potatoes, Tapioca Flour, Glycerine, Lamb, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Cane Molasses, Pea Fiber, Apples, Flaxseed, Chick Peas, Salt, Cinnamon, Guar Gum, Mixed Tocopherols Added to Preserve Freshness, Rosemary Extract

Best Training Treats for Large Dogs: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Grain-Free Salmon Biscuits

Due to their size, large dogs have higher daily caloric needs than small breeds. While Malawey recommends “keeping non-balanced treats to under 10% of their daily calorie intake,” moderate use of high-calorie treats may be less likely to create a calorie excess in large breeds.

At 41 calories per treat, these Blue Buffalo Wilderness biscuits are definitely not low-calorie. They are, however, brittle enough that you can break them into smaller pieces. These biscuits have a hard texture perfect for dogs who appreciate a little crunch, and they’re naturally flavored with protein-rich salmon and chicken meal.

Key Takeaways:

• 41 calories per treat
• Texture: hard, crunchy
• Available in 10- and 24-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Salmon, Chicken Meal, Potato, Chicken Fat, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids), Salt, Calcium Carbonate, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Oil of Rosemary

Best Training Treats for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Liver Dog Treats

If your dog has food allergies, digestive issues, or other health concerns, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. When you know what’s causing your dog’s digestive upset, Malawey says, “there are always options, and the right ones will depend on the individual dog.” Generally speaking, however, the shorter the list of ingredients, the lower the potential that a treat will irritate your dog’s stomach.

Made only with beef liver, these freeze-dried dog treats from Vital Essentials may be a good option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. They’re free from synthetic additives and the beef liver comes from beef that hasn’t been treated with hormones or antibiotics.

These beef liver treats are an easily digestible, low-calorie training treat. Though treat size and shape may vary, they average about three calories per treat. The freeze-drying process gives them a crunchy texture while retaining the natural flavor of the beef liver.

Key Takeaways:

• 3 calories per treat
• Texture: crunchy
• Available in 2.1-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to one year; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Beef Liver

Best Bulk-Buy Training Treats: Pet Botanics Training Reward Bacon Flavor Treats

Early in the training process, Malawey suggests it’s important to keep plenty of treats on hand. Frequent and immediate rewards are the key to helping your dog identify the behavior you’re trying to reinforce. If you’re looking for a treat that is affordable in bulk, consider these Pet Botanics treats.

While these treats don’t share the limited-ingredient feature many of the products on this list do, they’re a popular choice among pet parents. They’re sold in 20-ounce bags that contain an estimated 500 treats, each weighing in at around three calories each.

Made with pork liver as the primary ingredient and infused with natural smoke flavor, these treats have an enticing bacon-like flavor and aroma. The soft texture and small size make them easy to toss, and even small dogs should have no trouble chewing them.

Key Takeaways:

• 3 calories per treat
• Texture: soft, chewy
• Available in 20-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Pork Liver, Pea Flour, Potatoes, Dried Whole Eggs, Glycerin, Flaxseed, Brown Rice, Sugar, Barley Flour, Tapioca Flour, Bacon, Sweet Potatoes, Natural Smoke Flavor, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Salt, Calcium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Coconut Oil, Phosphoric Acid, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Cultured Skim Milk, Cane Molasses, Caramel Color, Mustard, Iron Oxide, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Blueberries, Carrots, Tomatoes, Rosemary, Chamomile, Dandelion, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Peppermint

Best Dog Training Treats for Clicker Training: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Dog Training Treats

Clicker training is a form of positive-reinforcement training that involves using a handheld device to mark the exact moment a dog performs the desired behavior. The key to successful clicker training is a good clicker and an easily administered reward.

Zuke’s Mini Naturals are bite-sized training treats that are easy to toss, chew, and swallow. Available in a range of different flavors, the chicken flavor appears to be the most popular pick. These treats contain about two calories each and they come in a convenient resealable pouch.

Though chicken is the main ingredient, these treats contain a number of grains and starches. This doesn’t necessarily detract from their nutritional value, but it may make them a less appealing option than some of the meatier treats on this list. Once your dog has identified the desired behavior, you may need to switch to a higher-value reward to continue reinforcing it.

Key Takeaways:

• 2 calories per treat
• Texture: soft, chewy
• Available in 6- and 16-ounce bags
• Store in a cool, dry place unopened for up to six months; use within one month after opening

Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Oats, Potatoes, Cane Sugar, Vegetable Glycerin, Malted Barley, Potato Protein, Salt, Dried Cultured Whey Product, Citric Acid for freshness, Cherries, Natural Flavor, Vinegar, Turmeric Spice, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness

How We Chose

We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts.

We prioritized dog treats with nutritious ingredients, low to moderate calorie content, and enticing smell or flavor. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.

Pet Parent Resources

Your dog deserves TLC (treats included!) even when you’re away from home. Looking for an experienced sitter in your neighborhood? Consider Rover’s pet care services, ranging from dog walkers to boarding facilities.

Further Reading

• How to Buy the Right Dog Treats for Your Pup
• Dog Training Supplies and Gear: 7 Essential Training Must-Haves
• The Best Puppy Treats for Nutrition—and Motivation
• Don’t Call It ‘Treat Training’: Why and How to Use Rewards in Dog Training