{This post may contain affiliate links. This means we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products that we believe will be of value to our followers. Click HERE to see our disclosure for details.}
One well recognized method of dog training is through the use of dog treats. Positive reinforcement is one of the most popular forms of training dogs. This method uses a positive reward when the dog performs the task correctly. The reward can be a pat on the head, verbal praise or a favorite dog treat. But with so many dog treats to choose from, how do you know what the best dog treats for training a dog are?
Of course, treats are not just for positive reinforcement dog training alone. Most dog owners use them throughout the day. This is ok but you do have to be careful about how many treats your dog gets in a day as you want 10% or less of your dog’s calories per day to come from dog treats.
How To Prevent Dog Obesity While Training Your Dog
Dog obesity can become a concern if your dog consumes too many calories and doesn’t burn them off. Almost half of American dogs are overweight. Like with humans, obesity may lead to a variety of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
One of the contributing reasons for dog obesity is overeating. This is due to us humans. Most owners tend to give dog treats on an unregulated basis. For most dog owners, they are unaware of the calories in each of their dog’s treats. To resolve this issue, the owner needs to cut back on the daily calorie intake of his pet until the dog reaches a healthy weight. Controlling the quantity of dog treats you give your dog throughout the day is one way to help him lose weight.
If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, cut back on the dog treats. When you do use treats, use low calerie options. Make sure that everyone in the family is also doing the same thing.
I suggest having special treats for dog training and a different treat for when your dog isn’t working. Dog training treats should be high value for your dog, something that he can’t resist.
Tips on Using Dog Treats
Buy Dog Treats With Natural Ingredients
It is always best to buy dog natural and holistic dog treats. Look for treats that do not have unnecessary additives that may post threats to your dog’s health. Fat and sugar-rich dog treats are ones to avoid. Look for dog treats that have a high concentration of fiber and protein with natural ingredients.
Choose Treats That Will Supplement Your Dog’s Diet
There are dog treats that are especially made to optimize your dog’s health. Working in the same principle of vitamin supplements. These are aids to maintain your dog’s health and may even relieve symptoms of certain diseases. So, since you are training with treats, you may as well use ones that will benefit your dog’s overall health.
Sometimes supplemental treats may have a limit on how many treats per day your dog will require. Keep this in mind when using these treats and stick to the recommended amounts.
Do Not Overfeed Treats To Your Dog
Avoid giving dog treats before any major meals. Just like humans, if your dog eats special treats before his meal, it may ruin his appetite. Your dog’s main source of calories should always come from his food. Treats should never account for more than ten percent of your dog’s diet.
In choosing the ideal treat, it is helpful to rely on your best judgements. It is you who know your pet well enough but in cases of doubt, you may as well consult a veterinarian.
The Top 10 Best Dog Treats For Training A Dog
We have put together this list of top dog treats for training your dog. These treats are ones that we use ourselves with great success.
For your convenience, you can click on any photo of the treats for more information or to purchase on Amazon.
1. Zukes
Zukes have been my “go to” dog treats for years. I love the Zuke’s Minis as they are the perfect size for dog training. If you prefer a full size treat so that you can break it up yourself, they also have a larger version of the treat. The dogs I work with love these treats. They come in a wide variety of flavors so you can constantly switch up the treats so that your dog doesn’t become tired of them. And as an added bonus, some of their treats have supplements added to aid to help with joint support.
Click HERE to purchase Zuke’s Minis on Amazon.
Click HERE to purchase Zuke’s Hip Action treats on Amazon.
Zukes are made in the US with all natural ingredients.
2. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
The Wellness Soft Puppy Bites are made in the US with natural ingredients. These treats are soft and easy for you to break up in to small pieces and easy for your dog to eat quickly. They come in several flavors that dogs find very appealing.
These treats are specially formulated for puppies but are great for dogs of any age as well. They are filled with protein, veggies and fruit.
Click HERE to purchase Wellness Soft Puppy Bites treats on Amazon.
3. Pet Botanics Training Treats
Pet Botanics Training Treats are made in the US from natural ingredients. They are full of nutritious ingredients that your dog will love. These dog treats are low calorie at just 3 calories per treat. Low calorie dog treats are great for dogs that are on a calorie reduced diet.
Pet Botanics Training Treats are the perfect bite size for training your dog. If you have a smaller dog it is possible to break them in half to make them even smaller. I do this with my dog when we are training a lot so that he isn’t getting too many treats.
Click HERE to purchase Pet Botanics Training Rewards on Amazon.
4. Spirulina Protein Treats For Dogs
If you are looking for a healthy option, these Spirulina Protein Dog Treats are an excellent choice. They are packed full of healthy ingredients. These dog treats are made in the US. They have no artificial flavors or preservativies added.
Although the treats are 1 inch in size, they can easily be broken up in to smaller pieces for training. You can give these treats to your dog knowing that you are giving him the best quality ingredients.
Click HERE to purchase Spirulina Protein Treats on Amazon.
5. Full Moon Organic Human Grade Training Treats for Dogs
First of all, I love that these treats are organic and made of human grade ingredients. We are trying to eat healthier ourselves so we should be including our dogs in on the healthy eating too! The Full Moon Organic Training Treats are low in calories at just 3 calories per treat. They are glycerin free and grain free. These all natural treats contain no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors.
Click HERE to purchase Full Moon Organic Training Treats on Amazon.
6. Pupford Freeze-Dried Beef Liver Training Treats
My dog goes absolutely crazy for the Pupford Freeze-Dried Beef Liver Training Treats. These treats also come in chicken and sweet potato which are also excellent choices. The small bite size treats are just 1 calorie per treat! This is great for anyone who has several training sessions a day with their dog. These treats have simple ingredients that dogs can’t resist. Perfect treats for getting AND keeping your dog’s attention.
Click here to purchase Pupford Freeze Dried Training Treats on Amazon.
Training your dog with positive reinforcement methods helps to create a firm bond between you and your dog. Our top 10 list of the best dog treats for training your dog will make your dog’s training experience more enjoyable for both you and your dog! Your dog will love working for these treats and you will love knowing that you are giving him quality treats that are healthy for him!
I like to mix up my dog treats a bit so that my dog doesn’t get tired of them. I fill my pockets with a variety of these treats so he never knows exactly which one he will be getting but I do make sure that he loves them all.
Pro Tip: Make these treats special! Only use them for training and not for just a regular dog treat. This way your dog will be more excited to work for them because he will realize that he only gets these treats when he’s working.
Click on the photos below for more information or to purchase my favorite dog training accessories on Amazon.
