Key features of effective dog training treats

Dog training treats should have several important features to make sure they work well in teaching dogs good behaviors. These features include: - **Fast-eating**: Training treats should be easy and quick for the dog to eat. This helps keep the dog's interest and lets them practice more in less time. - **Small size**: Treats for training should be small, even for big dogs. Pea-sized treats are best because they give a reward without making the dog lose focus. Small treats also help control how many calories the dog eats during training. - **Soft and smelly**: Soft treats are better than crunchy ones because they are easier and faster for the dog to eat. This helps keep the training going smoothly. Smelly treats are more interesting to dogs, so they are more likely to pay attention. - **Variety**: Using different kinds of treats during training can help keep the dog interested and excited about their rewards. - **Easy to carry**: Treats that don't spoil and can be carried around easily are great for quick training sessions or rewarding good behavior. Examples include freeze-dried liver or jerky cut into tiny pieces. By using treats with these features, dog owners can help their pets stay focused during training. This leads to better results in teaching new behaviors or making old ones stronger.

Choosing the right treat for your dog's needs and likes

To pick the best treat for your dog's needs and likes, think about these things: - **Taste preferences**: Do a taste test by offering different treats and watching which one the dog likes most. This will help you find high-value, medium-value, and low-value treats for your dog. - **Size, age, and diet**: Think about your dog's size, age, and any special diet needs when picking treats. Smaller dogs might need even smaller pieces, while dogs with allergies might need certain ingredients. - **Training environment**: Use high-value treats for hard training sessions or when there are distractions. Medium-value treats can be used more often during training and everyday life. Low-value treats are good for practicing easy behaviors in calm settings. - **Nutrition**: Pick treats that are good for your dog, like low-fat options for overweight pets or protein-rich treats for active dogs. Talk to a vet to make sure the treats are right for your dog's needs.

How to avoid giving your dog too many treats

To keep from giving your dog too many treats, follow these steps: 1. **Limit treats to 10% of your dog's daily calories**: Treats should not be more than 10% of your dog's daily calories to avoid weight gain and health problems. 2. **Figure out your dog's daily treat amount**: Look at the feeding chart on your dog's food bag to see how much food they should get each day based on their weight. Find 10% of the suggested calories and use that as a limit for treats. 3. **Pick low-calorie treats**: Choose healthy, low-calorie treats when training your dog. Look for good ingredients that have little sugar and fat. 4. **Break big treats into smaller pieces**: If you use high-calorie or big treats, break them into smaller pieces to control how much your dog eats. 5. **Use non-food rewards**: Think about other ways to reward your dog during training, like playtime, kind words, petting, or favorite activities. 6. **Watch your dog's weight and health**: Keep an eye on your dog's weight and health to make sure they don't gain too much weight from training treats.

Training Treats in Canada

6 Best Dog Training Treats

The best dog training treats are fast-eating, small-sized, soft, smelly, varied, and easy to carry. Choosing the right treat involves considering your dog's taste preferences, size, age, diet, training environment, and nutrition. Monitor treat intake to ensure it doesn't exceed 10% of your dog's daily calories.

Why You Should Trust Us

Handpicked training treats. Our expert researchers, data analysts, and editors have put more than 20 hours of effort into researching the best available dog training treats in Canada. We had researched 335 training treats sold in 5 countries before handpicking the 6 best dog training treats.

Hours Researched: 20+
Products Researched: 335
Products Handpicked: 6
Acceptance Rate: 1.8%

Training treats by country:

How to choose The Best training treat:

When looking for the perfect dog training treats, there are a few key features to keep in mind. The treats should be very tasty and have a strong aroma. This will help grab your dog's attention and keep them focused during training sessions. It's also important that these treats are made from healthy, natural ingredients that are easy for your dog to digest. This way, you can be sure that you're not only rewarding your pet but also supporting their overall health.

Another essential aspect of good training treats is their size and texture. Small-sized treats work best because they allow your dog to quickly consume them without getting distracted by excessive chewing. Soft-textured treats are also ideal since they're easy for dogs to chew and swallow, which keeps the pace of the training session steady. Plus, small and soft treats tend to be more appealing to dogs than large or hard ones. When it comes to calories and packaging, it's important to choose low-calorie options since dogs may eat many treats during training sessions. This helps prevent weight gain while still effectively rewarding your pet.

Make sure the packaging is resealable so that the treats stay fresh over time and are convenient for transport or storage between sessions. By prioritizing these features – high palatability, healthy ingredients, small size with a soft texture, low calorie content, and resealable packaging – you'll not only make your training sessions more productive but also contribute positively to your pet's well-being and overall health.

in this article:

product ratings and reviews:

best overall — top 3 dog training treats
top 6 list — highest rated dog training treats

common questions about training treats:

Key Features of Effective Dog Training Treats
Choosing the Right Treat for Your Dog's Needs and Likes
How to Avoid Giving Your Dog Too Many Treats

Best Dog Training Treats

#1 — Cloud Star Chewy Liver Tricky Trainers Dog Treats
Cloud Star Chewy Liver Tricky Trainers Dog Treats
product rating:
- our rating
  94 out of 100
Professionals' Choice dog training treats are great for training dogs effectively while keeping them healthy. With only 3 calories per treat, you can use them in many training sessions without worrying about your dog gaining weight. The treats come in a bag with 360 pieces, so you have enough for numerous sessions.
These dog training treats are made without wheat, corn, artificial flavors, or colors. This makes them a healthier option for your pet. They come in salmon and chicken liver flavors that dogs find irresistible. The soft texture of the treats allows easy breaking into smaller pieces. This is helpful for older dogs with fewer teeth and smaller dogs that don't need large treats. Many dog owners report that their pets are highly motivated to learn new tricks when rewarded with these high-value treats. Try Professionals' Choice dog training treats and see the positive impact on your dog's training progress.
read more
Where to buy in Canada:
www.amazon.ca
Price range:
$25 - $30CAD
What we like:
Low-calorie and healthy
Motivating flavors
Soft texture
Large quantity
What could be better:
Higher price
Limited flavor options
read more features and photos
#2 — Zuke's Mini Naturals Chicken Training Dog Treats
Zuke's Mini Naturals Chicken Training Dog Treats
product rating:
- our rating
  93 out of 100
Zuke's Mini Naturals Soft Dog Treats are great for training your dog. They have low calories and natural ingredients. Each treat has only 2 calories, so you can give your dog many treats without causing problems with their diet. The main ingredient in these treats is real chicken, and they also have healthy ingredients like cherries.
The treats are small and soft, which makes them perfect for quick rewards during training. This helps your dog stay focused on learning new commands or tricks. The treats come in a resealable pouch that is easy to take with you on walks or trips.
Many dog owners who use Zuke's Mini Naturals Soft Dog Treats for training say they work well. Their dogs like the taste of the treats, and the low-calorie count means they can give more rewards without hurting their dog's diet. These treats are a helpful tool to make your dog's training sessions better.
read more
Where to buy in Canada:
www.amazon.ca
Price range:
$30 - $35CAD
What we like:
Natural ingredients
Low-calorie treats
Small and soft texture
Resealable pouch
What could be better:
Allergy concerns
Higher price
read more features and photos
#3 — Wellness Grain-Free Lamb and Salmon Dog Treats
Wellness Grain-Free Lamb and Salmon Dog Treats
product rating:
- our rating
  93 out of 100
Wellness WellBites are a great choice for dog treats. They combine two types of fresh meat to create a tasty and enjoyable snack for your pet. These small, chewy treats are perfect for training, everyday treating, or just as a delicious snack. With natural ingredients like whole fruits and vegetables, including blueberries and sweet potatoes, your dog will benefit from added antioxidants that help maintain overall health.
These treats are made with high-quality ingredients carefully chosen by a team of nutritionists, veterinarians, and animal lovers. You can trust that Wellness WellBites do not contain any meat byproducts, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The balanced blend of nature's finest ingredients ensures your pet's well-being is prioritized. Dogs of all ages and sizes can enjoy these treats since there is a suitable natural recipe for every taste preference.
Though Wellness WellBites may be more expensive than other options on the market, the investment in premium ingredients is worth it for your dog's health and happiness. The square shape of these treats makes it easy to cut them into smaller pieces for smaller mouths or to make them last longer during training sessions. Many dog owners have found that their pets love these treats even if they have been picky about other brands in the past.
read more
Where to buy in Canada:
www.amazon.ca
Price range:
$15 - $18CAD
What we like:
Grain-free recipe
Two fresh meats
Natural ingredients
High-quality ingredients
What could be better:
Price increase
Limited flavors
read more features and photos

6 Highest Rated Training Treats

Cloud Star Chewy Liver Tricky Trainers Dog Treats
With only 3 calories per treat and no wheat, corn, artificial flavors, or colors, these treats promote canine health while supporting training sessions.
- our rating
  94 out of 100
- price range:
  $25 - 30CAD
Zuke's Mini Naturals Chicken Training Dog Treats
Made with real chicken and healthy ingredients like cherries, these treats offer a high-quality and nutritious option.
- our rating
  93 out of 100
- price range:
  $30 - 35CAD
Wellness Grain-Free Lamb and Salmon Dog Treats
The versatile square shape allows for easy portioning and accommodates dogs of all ages and sizes.
- our rating
  93 out of 100
- price range:
  $15 - 18CAD
Pupford Freeze Dried Training Treats
Each treat has less than one calorie, allowing multiple rewards during training without exceeding daily intake.
- our rating
  90 out of 100
- price range:
  $25 - 30CAD
Merrick Power Bites Recipe Dog Treats
The grain-free and gluten-free formula of Merrick Power Bites ensures suitability for dogs with sensitivities, preventing issues such as upset stomachs or itching.
- our rating
  89 out of 100
- price range:
  $15 - 18CAD
Wellness Puppy Bites Treats
The inclusion of DHA promotes healthy cognitive function and learning abilities in young dogs.
- our rating
  89 out of 100
- price range:
  $10 - 12CAD

Other recommended dog treats:

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Questions About Training Treats

Key Features of Effective Dog Training Treats
Dog training treats should have several important features to make sure they work well in teaching dogs good behaviors. These features include:
Fast-eating: Training treats should be easy and quick for the dog to eat. This helps keep the dog's interest and lets them practice more in less time.
Small size: Treats for training should be small, even for big dogs. Pea-sized treats are best because they give a reward without making the dog lose focus. Small treats also help control how many calories the dog eats during training.
Soft and smelly: Soft treats are better than crunchy ones because they are easier and faster for the dog to eat. This helps keep the training going smoothly. Smelly treats are more interesting to dogs, so they are more likely to pay attention.
Variety: Using different kinds of treats during training can help keep the dog interested and excited about their rewards.
Easy to carry: Treats that don't spoil and can be carried around easily are great for quick training sessions or rewarding good behavior. Examples include freeze-dried liver or jerky cut into tiny pieces.
By using treats with these features, dog owners can help their pets stay focused during training. This leads to better results in teaching new behaviors or making old ones stronger.
read more
Choosing the Right Treat for Your Dog's Needs and Likes
To pick the best treat for your dog's needs and likes, think about these things:
Taste preferences: Do a taste test by offering different treats and watching which one the dog likes most. This will help you find high-value, medium-value, and low-value treats for your dog.
Size, age, and diet: Think about your dog's size, age, and any special diet needs when picking treats. Smaller dogs might need even smaller pieces, while dogs with allergies might need certain ingredients.
Training environment: Use high-value treats for hard training sessions or when there are distractions. Medium-value treats can be used more often during training and everyday life. Low-value treats are good for practicing easy behaviors in calm settings.
Nutrition: Pick treats that are good for your dog, like low-fat options for overweight pets or protein-rich treats for active dogs. Talk to a vet to make sure the treats are right for your dog's needs.
read more
How to Avoid Giving Your Dog Too Many Treats
To keep from giving your dog too many treats, follow these steps:
Limit treats to 10% of your dog's daily calories: Treats should not be more than 10% of your dog's daily calories to avoid weight gain and health problems.
Figure out your dog's daily treat amount: Look at the feeding chart on your dog's food bag to see how much food they should get each day based on their weight. Find 10% of the suggested calories and use that as a limit for treats.
Pick low-calorie treats: Choose healthy, low-calorie treats when training your dog. Look for good ingredients that have little sugar and fat.
Break big treats into smaller pieces: If you use high-calorie or big treats, break them into smaller pieces to control how much your dog eats.
Use non-food rewards: Think about other ways to reward your dog during training, like playtime, kind words, petting, or favorite activities.
Watch your dog's weight and health: Keep an eye on your dog's weight and health to make sure they don't gain too much weight from training treats.
read more