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 Australia

5 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 19 hours of effort into researching the best available dog training treats in Australia. We had researched 335 training treats sold in 5 countries before handpicking the 5 best dog training treats.

Hours Researched: 19+
Products Researched: 335
Products Handpicked: 5
Acceptance Rate: 1.5%

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 5 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 Tricky Trainers Chewy Liver Treats
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Liver Treats
product rating:
- our rating
  95 out of 100
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers are popular dog treats known for their delicious taste and healthy ingredients. Often used by professional dog trainers, these treats have been on the market since 1999. Their soft, chewy texture makes them perfect for keeping dogs engaged during training sessions. Each treat contains only three calories, so you can reward your dog without worrying about overfeeding.
These bite-sized treats consist of natural ingredients such as chicken liver and do not contain corn, wheat, artificial colors, or flavors. With a fat content of only 4%, they are suitable for dogs that need to maintain their weight or have sensitive stomachs. The soft texture is also beneficial for older dogs with dental issues as it makes the treats easy to chew and swallow. Each bag contains 130 treats at an affordable price, ensuring that you have enough rewards to reinforce positive behaviors in your pet.
When using Cloud Star Tricky Trainers during your dog's next training session or as a special treat, you will understand why both professionals and pet owners trust these tasty morsels to keep their dogs happy and well-behaved.
read more
Where to buy in Australia:
www.amazon.com.au
Price range:
$30 - $35AUD
What we like:
Soft and chewy texture
Natural ingredients
Low fat content
No artificial colors or flavors
What could be better:
Limited flavor options
Not grain-free
read more features and photos
#2 — Wellness Puppy Bites Treats
Wellness Puppy Bites Treats
product rating:
- our rating
  89 out of 100
Wellness Just for Puppy Natural Dog Treats are a great choice for training and rewarding your young dog. These treats are made for puppies under one year old, providing a mix of nutrition and taste to support their growth. With lamb and salmon as the main flavors, these small bites also have healthy ingredients like meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
These treats have two types of fresh meat and added vitamins for better health. DHA is in the recipe, which helps with brain development in your puppy. Whole fruits and vegetables like blueberries and sweet potatoes give antioxidants and improve the overall flavor. Wellness Just for Puppy Natural Dog Treats do not have meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
When training your puppy, choosing the right treat is important to encourage good behavior. Treats can be high-value rewards used during recall training or low-value treats for basic commands. Wellness Just for Puppy Natural Dog Treats are in the 2-3 level range on this scale, making them perfect for early training sessions. Your puppy will enjoy these tasty rewards while also getting nutritional benefits as they learn new skills and behaviors.
read more
Where to buy in Australia:
www.amazon.com.au
Price range:
$25 - $30AUD
What we like:
DHA for learning
No artificial additives
Balanced diet for puppies
Good for early sessions
What could be better:
Higher than some superfoods
Unpleasant for some owners
read more features and photos
#3 — Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Dog Training Treats
Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Dog Training Treats
product rating:
- our rating
  88 out of 100
The dog training treats being reviewed are a great choice for rewarding your pet during training or walks. These small, crunchy pieces come in various flavors, such as chicken, liver, and vegetables. With only 2 calories per treat, you can give them to your dog often without worrying about adding too many calories to their diet.
Since 1926, these biscuits have been baked slowly in an oven to keep the natural flavors that dogs enjoy. They work well for both puppies and adult dogs in training. The three different flavors and crunchy texture make these treats attractive to many dogs.
Some people might think the price of these treats is a bit high. However, their size and usefulness during training sessions make them a popular choice. The low-calorie nature of these rewards helps you maintain your pet's weight while offering positive reinforcement. They can also be used as filler for treat toys like Kongs to keep your dog happy and entertained.
read more
Where to buy in Australia:
www.amazon.com.au
Price range:
$35 - $42AUD
What we like:
Variety of flavors
Low-calorie treats
Good for training
Oven-baked flavor
What could be better:
Price concerns
Not for picky eaters
read more features and photos

5 Highest Rated Training Treats

Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Liver Treats
The soft and chewy texture of these treats is ideal for older dogs with dental issues and keeps dogs engaged during training.
- our rating
  95 out of 100
- price range:
  $30 - 35AUD
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:
  $25 - 30AUD
Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Dog Training Treats
These treats come in three flavors with a crunchy texture, catering to various canine preferences and enhancing their appeal.
- our rating
  88 out of 100
- price range:
  $35 - 42AUD
Dingo Beef and Chicken Bite-Size Training Treats
These treats are gluten-free, making them suitable for dogs with dietary restrictions or sensitivities.
- our rating
  86 out of 100
- price range:
  $10 - 15AUD
Fruitables Skinny Minis Soft Dog Treats Rotisserie Chicken
Skinny Minis are composed of wholesome superfoods, providing valuable nourishment for dogs.
- our rating
  84 out of 100
- price range:
  $30 - 35AUD

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