Plus, if you choose the right training treats, they can be a great nutritional supplement for dog food, as they can nourish your dog with essential vitamins and minerals. There are a lot of dog training treats on the market, though, and trying to choose the right option can seem like a difficult task.
Unfortunately, not all training treats are created equal. Many of them are stuffed with fillers and laden with excess calories, so instead of benefiting your pooch, they can actually be harmful to his health. To help you find the best dog training treats, we’ve compiled a list of the top options, which include:
Best Dog Training Treats
1. Merrick Power Bites Real Texas Beef Recipe Grain-Free Soft and Chewy Dog Treats
Pet parents have been nourishing their furriest members of their families with Merrick for more than 30 years. The makers of this dog food brand are committed to offering canines the best possible food, which is why all of their recipes are made with the highest quality ingredients, which are sourced from the most reputable suppliers, including local, US-based farmers.
Plus, all of the ingredients featured in their dog food are FDA-approved. Given Merrick’s outstanding reputation, it’s no wonder why their Power Bites Real Texas Beef Recipe Grain-Free Soft Chewy Dog Treats are the first option on our list.
The first ingredient used in these dog training treats is protein-rich deboned beef. Protein is the building block of strong, healthy muscles, so if you have a breed that’s prone to joint health issues, these treats can offer the extra protein your pooch needs to nourish those joints.
Other healthful ingredients include potatoes, peas, carrots, apples, and blueberries, so you can have confidence knowing that these training treats are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Plus, they’re super soft and easy to chew and offer a flavor that dogs love. And, since they’re completely free of soy, wheat, and corn, they’re the perfect complement to grain free dog food.
What We Like About Them
- Protein-rich deboned beef is the first ingredient
- Packed with healthful fruits and vegetables
- Grain free
- Ingredients are sourced from local farmers
- Soft, chewy, and flavorful
- Affordably priced
Reasons to Complain
- A few customers said that their pups didn’t like the taste
Final Verdict: Merrick Power Bites Real Texas Beef Recipe Grain-Free Soft and Chewy Dog Treats are made with the highest quality ingredients, including beef, fruits, and veggies, and they’re grain-free, making them a delicious and nutritious reward that your pooch will love.
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2. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tender Beef Recipe Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats
Blue Buffalo is another highly trusted brand that’s recommended by veterinarians and animal nutritionists. They offer a variety of formulas, including sensitive stomachs, allergies, small dogs, large dogs, and seniors; just to name a few. All of their recipes are made with premium ingredients and are based on the ancestral diets of canines.
Blue Buffalo’s Blue Bits Tender Beef Recipe Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats are just as healthful as all of their dry and wet formulas, so you can have confidence knowing that you are offering your furry friend a wholesome and tasty dog training treat.
Real beef is the first ingredient featured in these treats, so they’ll nourish your pup with a healthy dose of protein. Brown rice and oatmeal are easily digestible carbohydrates that will fuel your pup’s energy levels without upsetting his stomach.
They also contain fish oil, which is sourced from salmon and offers DHA, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, so these treats will help to nourish cognitive development, as well as your pup’s skin and coat.
These treats are also grain-free and contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Plus, they’re tasty, soft, chewy, and bite-sized, so they’re perfect for a training reward.
What We Like About Them
- Made with premium quality ingredients
- Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
- Grain free
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Palatable flavor
- Bite-sized and easy to chew
- Affordably priced
Reasons to Complain
- Some pet parents said that their dogs wouldn’t eat them
Final Verdict: Your pup will happily follow all of your commands when you have Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tender Beef Recipe Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats in your pocket! Made with wholesome ingredients that will nourish your pooch and offering a flavor that will satisfy his taste buds, these dog training treats are a great option to consider.
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3. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter and Oats Recipe Dog Treats
The next option on our list of the best dog training treats is Zuke’s Mini Natural Peanut Butter and Oats Recipe Dog Treats. These bite-sized treats are tender, tasty, and made with the most wholesome ingredients, so you can have confidence knowing that you are offering your pooch a delicious and nutritious reward.
Protein-rich and super tasty peanut butter is the first ingredient used in these treats, so they’ll nourish your pup’s muscles and joints. Other ingredients include ground barley, ground rice, ground oats, and malted barley, so they’re easy to digest, too.
All of the ingredients are sourced from reputable, US-based suppliers, and they’re totally free of wheat, soy, corn, as well as artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They’re low-calorie, too, so they’re the perfect supplement for a dog food for weight loss.
What We Like About Them
- Protein-rich peanut butter is the first ingredient
- Made with easily digestible carbohydrates
- Grain free
- Contains no artificial fillers
- Bite-sized, tender, and tasty
- Each treat contains less than three calories
- Made in the USA
Reasons to Complain
- They’re a little expensive
Final Verdict: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter and Oats Recipe Dog Treats are packed with protein and free of grains, making them a great option for gluten-sensitive canines and breeds that are prone to joint health problems, like Bloodhounds, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, Bulldogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Rottweilers.
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4. Bil-Jac Little-Jacs Small Dog Chicken Liver Training Dog Treats
For more than 70 years, Bil-Jac has been making the highly nutritious dog food recipes for canines of all ages and sizes. Every recipe that this manufacturer offers contains real meat, is gluten-free and grain-free, and contains absolutely no fillers and harsh additives.
Their Little-Jacs Small Dog Liver Training Dog Treats are just as wholesome as every other dog food they offer, and they’re specially formulated for small breeds.
The very first ingredient used in these dog training treats is fresh chicken liver, which is followed by real chicken, so they offer a healthy dose of protein that will strengthen your little guy’s muscles and joints. They also offer a meaty taste that canines love.
The small size of these treats is easy for small dogs to handle; however, they can be enjoyed by large breeds, too. They’re low in calories, too, so these treats are perfect for canines that need to mind their weight.
What We Like About Them
- Made with protein-rich chicken liver and chicken
- Grain free
- Contains no fillers or additives
- Offers a meaty flavor dogs love
- Bite-sized and easy for all dogs to handle
- Only three calories per treat
- Made in the USA
Reasons to Complain
- A couple of pet parents said that their dogs didn’t like them
Final Verdict: If you’re training a small breed, Bil-Jac Little-Jacs Small Dog Chicken Liver Training Dog Treats are the perfect choice. They’re small enough for tiny mouths to handle and made with high quality ingredients that will nourish your pooch; plus, they offer a taste and texture that will your furry friend will love.
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5. Fruitable Skinny Minis Apple Bacon Flavor Soft and Chewy Dog Treats
Last up on our list of the best dog training treats are Fruitable’s Skinny Minis Apple Bacon Flavor Soft and Chewy Dog Treats. Like all of the other options featured in our review, these treats are made with highly nutritious ingredients and offer a taste and texture that will be sure to entice your pup to follow your every command.
Protein-rich and easily digestible chickpeas are the first ingredient used in these dog training treats. They’re also made with highly nutritious sweet potatoes and apples, and honey bacon, which come together to create a tantalizing flavor that your pooch will love.
Packed with fiber and antioxidants, these dog training treats will help to maintain your pet’s digestive health and sustain his energy levels. They’re super tender and bite-sized, so canines of all sizes can enjoy them with ease.
All ingredients are sourced from reputable US-suppliers and the treats are backed in a certified organic American facility. They’re low in calories, too!
What We Like About Them
- Made with wholesome ingredients, like chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and honey bacon
- Full of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
- Packed with antioxidants and fiber
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Low in calories
- Made in a US-based certified organic facility
- Affordably priced
Reasons to Complain
- Some users said that they had a very pungent smell
Final Verdict: Your furry best friend will obey your every command when you offer him Fruitables Skinny Minis Apple Bacon Flavor Soft and Chewy Dog Treats. Made with wholesome ingredients, like chickpeas, honey bacon, and sweet potatoes, these treats offer a palatable flavor that will satisfy your pup’s taste buds; plus, they’ll nourish his entire body with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
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Dog Training Treats Buyer’s Guide
Research has shown that canines respond to incentives and rewards, and food is one of the best incentives and rewards you can offer your pooch. Dogs are more apt to respond to commands when they are offered a treat, which is why animal trainers highly encourage using dog training treats when you’re trying to teach a pup new tricks. However, it’s extremely important that you select a high-quality dog training treat. Why? – Because you want to make sure that they offer the essential vitamins and minerals canines need to thrive without packing on excess pounds.
Since there are so many different dog training treats on the market, it can be hard to decide which option to choose. In this portion of our guide, we’ll share some important tips that will help you select a high quality training treat for your furry best friend.
Factors to Consider
By considering the following factors, you can ensure that you are selecting a training treat that will not only encourage your dog to listen to your commands, but one that’s healthy for him, too:
- First and foremost, you should consider the ingredients used in the dog training treats, just like you should when you’re selecting your dog’s food. They should be made with premium quality, natural ingredients, such as real sources of protein (beef, chicken, peanut butter, etc), as well as fruits and veggies. If your pup is gluten intolerant, look for a recipe that’s corn, wheat, and soy free. Additionally, you want to stay away from anything that contains artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and other additives, as these ingredients can be harmful to your pet’s health.
- Calorie content. Since you’ll likely be offering your pooch multiple training treats, you want to make sure that the option you choose is low in calories. High calorie treats will lead to weight gain, which can severely affect his physical health and his overall well being.
- The size of the treats you choose is important, too. You want to select something that’s bite-sized and easy to handle. Large treats can be distracting, as they require more concentration and take longer to chew.
Dog Training Treat Review Conclusion
Treats are an invaluable training tool; but, you want to make sure that you are choosing a high quality option. All of these training treats for dogs that are listed in our review are bite-sized, easy to chew, low in calories, and made with most wholesome ingredients. No matter which option you choose, your pup will be sitting at attention and ready to obey your commands.
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