The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Training Treats

By Sophie Kininmonth · 10 Nov 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·6 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Training Treats

Training treats are the small, tasty rewards you hand out the moment your dog does the right thing, and they are one of the simplest ways to make lessons stick. A good one keeps your dog focused, is gone in a second, and is worth working for again and again. Most people go looking for better treats when training stalls: the dog loses focus, the pieces are too big or too rich, or the rewards start adding up to a quiet second dinner. The fix is usually straightforward. Tiny, high-value rewards, a quick look at the ingredient list, and a sensible cap on how much treat-food makes it into the day.

Why training treats work

Reward-based training sits at the centre of this whole approach, because it is both effective and kinder on a dog's welfare.^{1, 2} The idea is simple: you add something the dog values immediately after the behaviour you want to see again. Food is popular because it is clear, quick, and easy to repeat many times in one session.^{1, 2}

A treat does not so much bribe a dog as mark a moment. Used with good timing and consistency, it helps the dog learn which behaviours pay off, without leaning on punishment or fear.^{1, 2}

Types of dog training treats

Most training treats fall into a few practical categories. None is best in every situation. The right choice depends on how fast you need rewards, how sensitive your dog's gut is, and how messy you are willing to get.

Soft treats

Soft treats are usually the fastest for training. They are easy to chew and swallow, which keeps the dog's attention on the next repetition rather than the last mouthful. They can go stale quickly once opened, and some leave a film on your fingers, so a small airtight container helps.

Crunchy treats

Crunchy treats keep well in a bag and are less sticky. The trade-off is time. Crunching takes longer, and the chewing can break the flow in rapid-fire sessions.

Freeze-dried treats

Freeze-dried treats are light to carry and often made from a short ingredient list, which can suit dogs on simple diets or dogs who work better for real meat flavours. They tend to cost more per serve, and some crumble into powder at the bottom of the pouch. That is rarely a problem, since plenty of dogs will happily work for crumbs.

Ingredients to look for

A training treat does not need to be a complete diet. It does need to be safe, consistent, and easy on the body when used often. Simpler lists are easier to assess, especially if your dog has a history of skin or stomach upsets.

Clearly named animal proteins (for example chicken, beef, salmon) rather than vague "meat derivatives".
Limited-ingredient recipes, particularly if you are troubleshooting itchiness or soft stools.
Lower-fat options for dogs prone to weight gain, pancreatitis risk, or rich-food tummy troubles (your vet can guide you if this is a concern).

If you are using commercial treats, remember they are usually intended as extras, not nutritionally complete foods. That is normal, and it is why quantity matters.³

Ingredients and habits to avoid

Some things to avoid are about long-term diet quality, such as unnecessary colours and heavy fillers. Others are urgent safety issues, foods that are genuinely dangerous to dogs even in small amounts.

Xylitol, a sweetener found in some human foods including certain peanut butters and sugar-free products. It can be life-threatening to dogs.⁴
Grapes, raisins and sultanas, including baked goods that contain them. These can cause serious poisoning in dogs.⁴
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate and cooking chocolate, which is more concentrated.⁴
Onion and garlic, including powders hidden in sausages, BBQ foods, and seasoned meats.⁴
Macadamias, and foods that contain them.⁴

If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your vet promptly. In Australia the Animal Poisons Helpline is also available 24/7.⁵

Size and texture

For training, size is less about spoiling and more about mechanics. The treat should be swallowed in a second or two so the dog stays in the lesson instead of drifting into a snack break.

Go small. Pea-sized or smaller is often plenty. Break larger treats into fragments.
Match texture to teeth. Puppies and older dogs often do better with softer treats, especially if chewing seems awkward or painful.
Watch the swallow. Very dry, crumbly treats can make some dogs cough when they are excited and eating fast, so swap to softer pieces if needed.

Calories and frequency

In training, treats arrive in quick succession, so the calories add up fast. A widely used guideline is to keep treats and other extras to no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, with the rest coming from a complete and balanced diet.^{6, 7}

Use tiny pieces and reward more often, rather than handing out larger chunks.
Swap in part of your dog's meal as rewards (kibble or measured wet food), especially for easy sessions.
Reserve special treats for the hard moments: recalls, distractions, grooming co-operation.
Adjust the main meal on heavy-training days, particularly for small dogs where a few extra treats matter more.

Homemade vs store-bought treats

Both can work well. The best choice is the one you can use consistently, safely, and without guesswork.

Homemade treats

Homemade treats give you control over ingredients, which helps if your dog has allergies or you are running a simple diet. The downside is variability. Size, moisture, and calories can be hard to judge, and shelf life is shorter.

Store-bought treats

Commercial treats are convenient, portable, and consistent. Look for clear labelling, simple ingredient lists, and treat sizes you can break down easily. Remember they are generally intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding, not as a complete food.³

Puppies and senior dogs

Puppies

Puppies learn fast, but their mouths are still developing and their stomachs can be sensitive. Choose small, soft treats, and keep sessions short and upbeat. If you are using richer treats, start with tiny amounts and check the next day's poo, which tells the truth.

Senior dogs

Older dogs may have dental wear, gum sensitivity, or medical diets. Softer treats often work better, and lower-calorie options help if exercise has slowed. If your dog is on a prescribed diet, check with your vet before adding new treats regularly.

Creative ways to use training treats

Treats do not have to appear only at the end of a cue. Used thoughtfully, they can turn everyday life into quiet enrichment.

Scatter feeding in grass or on a snuffle mat to let your dog forage using their nose.
Find it games around the house to build calm focus and pattern recognition.
Puzzle toys for rainy days. Use part of the daily food allowance to keep the calories honest.

The Bottom Line

The best training treat is small, easy to eat, safe, and worth working for. Keep the ingredient list sensible, keep the pieces tiny, and keep treats to a modest slice of the day's calories so training stays effective without quietly shifting the scales.^{6, 7} Reward-based training is not complicated. It is steady. A clear marker and a well-timed reward, given to a dog who can concentrate because the food arrives like punctuation, not a full stop.^{1, 2}

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.