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Best Training Treats for Dogs 2025
Written by Adam Lee-Smith
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 10/11/2023, edited: 01/30/2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Treats are an essential part of dog training. They're used for positive reinforcement, keeping your dog motivated and giving them cues on how to respond to commands.
Choose a tasty, low-calorie option when picking the best dog training treats. Small, soft, smelly treats with a high meat content will perk your dog's ears up. Small treats ensure your dog won't get bored or pile on the pounds from eating many treats while training.
Looking for the best pawsible treats to train your canine compadre? Scroll down for five of the best dog training treats on the market!
Overview
Pupford Freeze-dried Training Treats
5
Pupford Freeze-dried Training Treats are one of the best freeze-dried training treats on the market. Consisting of only quality meat and natural antioxidants, Pupford Freeze-dried Training Treats are pawfect for pups with sensitive stomachs
https://wagwalking.com/product-guides/best-products/dog-food/best-dog-food-for-dogs-with-a-sensitive-stomach
Plus, Pupford Freeze-dried Training Treats are high in protein and low in fat, containing less than one calorie per treat, ideal for lengthy training sessions. Pupford also produces vegan dog treats made purely from sweet potato, mango, or blueberries for woofers with meat allergies.
Pupford Freeze-Dried Training Treats
Why Wag! loves Pupford Freeze-dried Training Treats
- Less than two calories per treat
- Made almost entirely from quality animal protein
- Limited ingredients ideal for sensitive stomachs
- Vegan recipes made for dogs with animal protein allergies
Concerns & considerations
- On the pricey side
What pet parents said about Pupford Freeze-dried Training Treats
"If you haven’t tried Pupford’s freeze-dried training treats yet they are the perfect high-value treat for your pup. my pup has loved every flavor that she has tried, and we’re excited to try more in the future."
"My puppy is a picky eater and she LOVES Pupford! Not to mention the quality of the product itself is so good! The treats are the perfect training size, before you know the whole bag is gone and you need more!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Pupford LLC.
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats
5
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats are among the most nutritionally valuable dog treats you can buy for training your pupper. They contain sources of DHA, which support cognitive function, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and fur.
Each Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats recipe lists a quality meat source as the top ingredient, with no meat meals or animal by-products. One Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats piece contains four calories.
Blue Buffalo Training Treats
Why Wag! loves Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats
- Lists a quality meat as the top ingredient
- Enriched with vitamins and minerals
- No meat meals or animal by-products
- Only four calories per treat
Considerations & concerns
- Contains cane sugar
- Some pet parents said the treats turn hard quickly
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats
"Very good size for training treats. I have a medium sized dog of 25 pounds and these treats are a little big to do long training sessions with. However, they are easily press-able with your thumb to break into 3-4 small pieces. I recommend keeping the container closed or keeping them in airtight container or they get hard. My dogs love them!"
"Our little Yorkie loves them. We actually cut them in half and they are training treats for her. She has us well trained, as she now knows that if she hesitates to come back into the house we will offer her a cookie (our term for Bits) and she immediately comes in."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd.
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats
5
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats are the ultimutt dog training treat for puppies. Wellness has specially made these treats for a puppy's nutritional needs, with each treat's small size ideal for growing puppers.
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats are suitable for all breed sizes. They list lamb and salmon as the top ingredients, with natural DHA and omega 3 sources. Only six calories per treat means they won't make your puppy pile on pounds during training.
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Why Wag! loves Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats
- Quality lamb and salmon are listed as the top ingredients
- Contains natural sources of omega 3 and DHA
- Six calories per treat
- Treat size is perfect for puppies
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents didn't like the texture of these dog treats
- Some pet parents said these treats gave their dog an upset stomach
What pet parents say about Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats
"I have 2 Maltese pups and they absolutely loved these. They go crazy for them as soon as the hear the baggie jingle. I also have a senior Pomeranian who’s teeth are staring to go. These treats are soft enough for him to enjoy, and not have to worry about him hurting himself."
"My new puppy adores these! She has gone into my handbag or her bag I take with me to sniff them out, grab the bag & then try to get into them! Little puppy teeth!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Wellness Pet, LLC.
Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Treats
5
Low in calories and super tasty, Zuke's Mini Naturals are among the best grain-inclusive dog treats around.
Zuke's Mini Naturals come in a wide variety of flavors, making them perfect for fussy fur-babies. Each meat-inclusive recipe lists a quality meat source as the top ingredient.
Zuke's also produces a peanut butter and oats recipe for dogs with protein allergies and sensitivities. Natural sources of vitamins and minerals like turmeric extract and cherries will give your pup some extra pep in their step.
Zuke's Mini Natural Treats
Why Wag! loves Zuke's Mini Naturals
- Comes in a variety of flavors for dogs with allergies
- Wide variety of flavors
- A high-quality meat source is the top ingredient
- Only two calories per treat
Considerations & concerns
- Contains cane sugar
- Some pet parents noted a recent dip in quality
What pet parents say about Zuke's Mini Naturals
"Great for training treats. Encourages good behavior while doing obedience training and do not upset the digestive tract!"
"I've been using Zuke's Mini Naturals (beef flavor) treats recently for training my Corgi with a new GPS fence system. They're a perfect size to keep in my pocket while training. They must be very tasty, cuz he absolutely loves them! :)"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Zuke's - Natural Dog Treats & Chews.
American Kennel Club Lil' Champ Training Treats
4.5
The AKC is one of the world's most famous kennel clubs, and its treats are sure to get your dog to the top of their class. One of the stand-out features of American Kennel Club Lil' Champ Training Treats is that they list quality serrano ham as the number one ingredient, which will definitely get your pup's attention during training.
American Kennel Club Lil' Champ Training Treats' soft, chewy texture helps keep your pupper's chompers in peak condition. While American Kennel Club Lil' Champ Training Treats contain lower-quality ingredients like meat meal and rice, they're inexpensive compared to other premium dog training treats.
AKC L'il Champs Treats
Why Wag! loves American Kennel Club Lil' Champ Training Treats
- Four calories per treat
- Serrano ham is the top ingredient
- Free from artificial colors and flavors
- Gluten, wheat, and soy free
- Soft, chewy texture promotes dental health
Considerations & concerns
- Contains meat meal
- Some pet parents said the treats had dried out before arrival
What pet parents say about American Kennel Club Lil' Champ Training Treats
"Our very discriminating Missy (small black lab mix) loves these treats. They are small enough not to make her fat and tasty enough for her to feel it's a treat. Great for training your dog/s. Woof!"
"My little dogs and big dogs love this treats! They will wake me up earlier and earlier to go out to potty just so they can get these treats! Also, we changed to these because our pups were getting chubby from other treats and these seem more healthy."
Read more reviews on Amazon.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright American Kennel Club.
FAQ
What's the difference between training treats and regular treats?
What's the difference between high and low-value treats?
How many training treats can I give my dog a day?
Are soft or hard treats better for dog training?
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