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10 Best Dog Treats For Training Your Dog

Written by: Scott H
Scott Haiduc is the Director of Publishing for iHeartDogs, iHeartCats and The Hero Company. When not working, Scott spends his time on the farm, taking care of his animals and crops.Read more
| Published on November 9, 2014

It can be a challenge to find the right kind of treat for training. Some are too crumbly, some are too hard, and others are full of yucky ingredients that dogs really should not be eating. Here is a list of 10 treats that work well for training your dog and are good for them too.

#1 – Chicken

Plain-cooked chicken is a great training treat. Dogs love it, it’s inexpensive, and it won’t harm them. You can also make the treat whatever size and shape you want, giving you more freedom than store-bought snacks. We recommend bits of plain boiled chicken for your pup, but grilling or roasting is fine too – just be sure you don’t stuff or season with anything that might be harmful to your dog.

best training treats chicken

#2 – Fruitables Skinny Minis Soft & Chewy Dog Treats

Not only are these packaged dog treats great for training, but they’re also made with a limited selection of quality ingredients. The short ingredient list makes these treats great for dogs with allergies and sensitivities. Plus, there’s a wide variety of flavors available, including Apple Bacon, Pumpkin & Mango, and Rotisserie Chicken.

Apple Bacon dog training treats
Image: fruitablespet.com

#3 – The Honest Kitchen Parmesan Pecks

These heart-shaped treats might be bigger than your typical dog training treats, but they can break in half to fit your dog’s size. These treats have a short ingredient list with no artificial items added. Beef, parmesan, and blueberry is the most popular flavor, but there are also alternatives with chicken and cranberry or duck and cherry.

The Honest Kitchen dog training treats
Image: thehonestkitchen.com

#4 – String Cheese

A lot of agility and obedience people love to use string cheese. It’s easy to carry and dogs love it. Yet, you should talk to your vet about whether dairy and the fat content are okay for your dog. Of course, this food isn’t a good option for dogs who are lactose intolerant.

best training treats cheese
FrigoCheeseHeads/FB

#5 – Blue Buffalo Bits

Blue Buffalo Bits are small and soft, making them perfect for training. They are also made in the USA and come in chicken, turkey, beef, and salmon. Like many of the other dog training treats, they avoid problematic ingredients like by-products and artificial preservatives.

Blue Buffalo Bits
Image: bluebuffalo.com

#6 – Baby Carrots

If your dog is on a diet, carrots are a great training treat option. Baby carrots make it even easier for larger dogs, since you don’t have to grate and chop. The only drawback is they are crunchy, so you have to wait for your dog to finish chewing before training can continue.

Baby carrots up close
Image: @m01229 via Flickr

#7 – Green Beans

These are another great option for dogs on a diet, without the crunchiness of the carrot. You can freeze them if your dog likes ice cubes, to make them more enticing.

Green beans close up
Image: @MikeMozart via Flickr

#8 – Stella and Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch

Stella and Chewy’s specializes in raw dog food and treats with limited ingredients. The Carnivore Crunch treat line is perfect for training because the pieces are small, healthy, and tasty for dogs. These delicious snacks come in beef, chicken, duck, or turkey.

Stella and Chewy's Carnivore Crunch
Image: stellaandchewys.com

#9 – Bixbi Pocket Trainers

These soft, small treats are perfect for training your pup without worrying about them gaining weight. Each treat has less than four calories, and they’re easy for any dog to chew and swallow. While they might be too tiny for large dogs, their savory smell can help encourage dogs to learn new tricks. You can choose from bacon, chicken, peanut butter, or salmon flavors.

Bixbi bacon treats
Image: bixbipet.com

#10 – iHeartDogs Happy, Healthy Training Treats

The iHeartDogs Happy, Healthy Training Treats are small, soft treats that only have three calories per treat. Plus, they don’t contain gluten, grains, or soy, making them safe for sensitive pups. With these yummy treats, you’ll be able to train your dog often without feeling guilty.

iHeartDogs training treats
Image: iHeartDogs.com

Training a dog isn’t always easy, but sometimes, they just need a little motivation. These 10 dog training treats are sure to catch your canine’s attention without making them gain weight. Your pup will be happy to bond with you while also enjoying tasty snacks!

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