Dog Training Treats: How To Choose The Right Reward For Your Dog

Training your dog should be an enjoyable experience, but finding the right reward can sometimes feel harder than expected.

Some dogs will happily work for almost anything, while others quickly lose interest if the reward doesn't feel worthwhile. This can leave you wondering whether you're using the wrong treats, the wrong training approach, or simply haven't found something your dog really values.

The truth is that every dog is different.

The best dog training treat isn't necessarily the biggest, most expensive or most popular option. It's the reward your dog finds motivating, that's practical to use during training, and that you feel confident giving as part of their overall diet.

In this guide, we'll explain what makes a good training treat, how to choose the right reward for your dog, how to use treats effectively and what to look for when choosing natural, meat-based training treats.

What Should You Look For In A Training Treat?

A good dog training treat should be:

• Motivating – your dog genuinely wants it
• Small and practical – easy to give frequently
• Quick to eat – so you can move straight on to the next repetition
• Suitable for your dog – taking into account their age, size and individual dietary needs
• Something you're comfortable feeding – with ingredients and feeding guidance you understand

The most important thing is that the reward works for your individual dog and the situation you're training in.

Why Are Training Treats Important?

Dog training is built around communication.

Your dog doesn't automatically understand that sitting when asked, coming when called or walking calmly beside you are behaviours you want them to repeat.

Rewards help create a clear connection between the behaviour and its consequence.

When your dog performs the behaviour you want and receives something they value at the right moment, they have a reason to repeat that behaviour.

This is the basic principle behind reward-based training.

Training Treats Are About More Than Food

The treat itself is only part of the process.

A useful reward can help you:

Build understanding

Your dog learns which behaviours are worth repeating.

Increase motivation

Some behaviours are much harder than others.

Your dog may happily sit in the kitchen but struggle to come back when called in a busy park. A more valuable reward can help when distractions increase.

Make training enjoyable

Training should be a positive experience for both you and your dog.

Using rewards your dog enjoys can help make learning something they want to participate in.

What Makes A High-Value Dog Training Treat?

You'll often hear dog trainers talk about high-value rewards.

But high-value doesn't necessarily mean expensive or premium.

It simply means your dog considers that particular reward especially worthwhile in that particular situation.

A treat that is highly motivating for one dog may be completely uninteresting to another.

Even your own dog's preferences can change depending on what you're asking them to do and where you're training.

When choosing a reward, consider:

Aroma

The smell of a treat can make a big difference to how appealing it is to your dog.

Meaty treats can be particularly useful when you need to capture your dog's attention, especially in situations where there are lots of competing smells and distractions.

Taste

Different dogs have different preferences.

You may find that your dog gets particularly excited about one protein while showing less interest in another.

That's useful information.

Rather than assuming there's one universally "best" flavour, pay attention to what your own dog values.

Texture

Training often involves repetition, so a reward needs to be practical.

Consider treats that are:

• Easy to chew
• Quick to eat
• Easy to handle
• Easy to break into smaller pieces where appropriate

A reward that takes a long time to eat isn't always ideal when you're trying to reinforce behaviour quickly.

Size

Training can involve a lot of rewards.

That doesn't mean every reward needs to be a large piece of food.

Small pieces can be much more practical when you're repeating a behaviour several times.

The value comes from the reward itself and the connection it creates with the behaviour, rather than simply how much food your dog receives.

What Should You Look For In Natural Dog Training Treats?

For many owners, choosing a natural dog treat is about understanding what they're actually feeding.

The word "natural" alone doesn't tell you everything, so look beyond the front of the packet.

Consider:

• What is the main ingredient?
• Which protein is being used?
• How many ingredients are included?
• Is the product suitable for your dog's needs?
• What does the feeding guidance say?
• How easy is the treat to portion during training?

If a product contains multiple ingredients, check the ingredient list rather than relying solely on marketing language.

A straightforward ingredient list can make it easier for you to understand what you're giving your dog.

Are Single-Protein Dog Treats Good For Training?

Single-protein treats can be a useful option if you want to keep your dog's treats straightforward.

For example, a treat made from 100% beef gives you a very clear protein source compared with a treat containing several different animal proteins.

They can also make it easier to work out which flavours your dog prefers.

You might discover:

Chicken = everyday reward

Beef = more exciting reward

Venison = favourite reward for challenging training

There's no need to make this complicated.

Your dog will ultimately tell you which rewards they value most.

If your dog has a diagnosed allergy, intolerance or specific dietary requirement, however, it's important to follow advice from your vet rather than assuming that a single-protein treat is automatically suitable.

What Are Air-Dried Dog Treats?

Air drying is a method of preparing food by gradually removing moisture.

You'll find air-dried treats made from different types of meat and fish, and they're increasingly popular with owners looking for convenient, meat-based rewards.

For training, practical considerations include:

• How easy they are to carry
• Whether they can be broken into smaller pieces
• How quickly your dog can eat them
• Whether your dog finds them motivating
• The ingredients and nutritional information

The preparation method is only one part of choosing a treat. Your dog's preference and the suitability of the product for their overall diet matter too.

Air-Dried vs Baked vs Freeze-Dried Treats

You may come across several different preparation methods when looking for dog training treats.

Rather than assuming one method is automatically better, consider how the treat fits into your training routine.

The important thing is to look at the whole product, including its ingredients, nutritional information, size, texture and how your dog responds to it.

Choosing Training Treats For Different Situations

The right reward can change depending on what you're asking your dog to do.

A treat that works perfectly in your kitchen may not be exciting enough when you're standing in a busy park.

That's because the environment changes the difficulty of the behaviour.

Training At Home

When distractions are low, you may not need your dog's most exciting reward.

An everyday treat can be perfectly suitable for practising:

• Sit
• Down
• Stay
• Paw
• Wait
• Basic tricks

This is a good environment for building the foundations of new behaviours.

Training Outdoors

Once you step outside, your dog has many more things competing for their attention:

• Interesting smells
• Other dogs
• People
• Birds
• Traffic
• New environments

A more motivating reward can sometimes help you maintain their focus.

If your dog suddenly seems to have forgotten everything they learned at home, don't assume they're being stubborn.

You may simply have increased the difficulty too quickly.

Recall Training

Recall is one situation where a particularly valuable reward can be useful.

You're asking your dog to stop doing something interesting and return to you.

That could mean leaving:

• Another dog
• An interesting smell
• A game
• A distraction
• The freedom to explore

For recall practice, many owners choose a reward their dog particularly values and reserve it for situations where they really need their dog's attention.

Puppy Training

Puppies can receive a lot of rewards while they're learning.

For puppy training, look for treats that are:

• Appropriate for your puppy's age
• Small enough for repeated rewards
• Easy to chew
• Motivating
• Suitable for their overall diet

Always follow the feeding guidance for the particular product you're using.

If you're unsure how treats should fit into your puppy's diet, your vet can provide individual advice.

Do You Need Different Treats For Different Training?

Not necessarily.

You can train your dog using one type of treat if they enjoy it and it works well.

However, having different levels of reward can be useful.

Think of it as a reward hierarchy.

Everyday reward

Something your dog enjoys and you're happy to use for regular training.

High-value reward

Something particularly exciting that you can use when training becomes more difficult.

Special reward

Your dog's favourite reward, reserved for particularly challenging situations.

You don't necessarily need three different bags of treats.

You could simply use one treat for everyday training and reserve your dog's favourite flavour for recall or particularly distracting environments.

How To Use Training Treats Effectively

Choosing the right treat is only part of the equation.

How you use the reward can make just as much difference to your dog's learning.

Timing Is Everything

The closer the reward is to the behaviour you're trying to reinforce, the clearer the connection is for your dog.

For example:

Ask for "sit" → your dog sits → mark the behaviour → give the reward.

If you wait several seconds before giving the treat, your dog may not understand exactly what earned it.

The aim is simple:

Reward the behaviour you want to see again.

How Often Should You Reward Your Dog?

When your dog is learning something new, rewards may need to be frequent.

As the behaviour becomes more reliable, you can start varying how often rewards are given.

Think:

New behaviour

Reward frequently.

↓

Behaviour becoming reliable

Begin varying rewards.

↓

Well-established behaviour

Use food strategically alongside other rewards.

There's no need to remove treats simply because your dog has learned a command.

Food remains a useful reward, particularly when you're asking for something difficult or training around distractions.

How Many Treats Can A Dog Have?

This is an important question because training can involve a surprisingly large number of rewards.

There isn't one number of treats that's right for every dog.

It depends on:

• Your dog's size
• Age
• Activity level
• Overall diet
• The calorie content of the treats
• How much training you're doing

A commonly used veterinary guideline is that treats should account for no more than around 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake, with the rest coming from their complete and balanced diet. PDSA also recommends taking those treat calories into account when adjusting the main diet.

That means the number of treats matters less than their overall calorie contribution.

For frequent training, keeping individual pieces small can help you reward your dog regularly without unnecessarily increasing their food intake.

Always follow the feeding guidance on the product you're using.

Should You Stop Giving Treats Once Your Dog Has Learned?

Not necessarily.

The goal isn't to make your dog permanently dependent on food.

Instead, you can gradually vary the rewards your dog receives.

Sometimes that might be:

• A treat
• Praise
• A game
• A favourite toy
• Attention
• Access to something they want
• The opportunity to continue sniffing and exploring

As behaviours become established, you can vary when food rewards appear.

This teaches your dog that responding to you can lead to different positive outcomes.

Treats vs Bribery: What's The Difference?

It's easy to assume that using food during training means you're bribing your dog.

But there's an important distinction.

Bribery

The reward is presented first in an attempt to persuade the dog to perform the behaviour.

Reward

The dog performs the behaviour and then receives something they value.

That doesn't mean using food as a lure is always wrong.

Luring can be useful when teaching a new behaviour. The important thing is to gradually reduce your reliance on showing the food beforehand as your dog understands the behaviour.

Common Dog Training Treat Mistakes

Even a great training treat won't solve every training problem.

Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid.

1. Using Treats That Are Too Large

Training often involves repetition.

Large treats can mean your dog consumes more food than necessary and may take longer to eat each reward.

Small pieces are usually more practical.

2. Rewarding Too Late

If the reward comes several seconds after the behaviour, your dog may struggle to understand what earned it.

Try to make your timing as clear as possible.

3. Using Your Highest-Value Treat For Everything

If your dog has the same exceptionally exciting reward every time, you lose the opportunity to use different levels of motivation.

Save particularly valuable rewards for situations where you really need them.

4. Using A Low-Value Reward In A High-Distraction Environment

A treat that works beautifully at home may not be enough in a busy park.

If your dog is struggling to focus, consider whether:

• The environment is too difficult
• The behaviour needs more practice
• The reward isn't motivating enough

Sometimes making the training easier is more effective than simply offering a better treat.

5. Giving Rewards Randomly

Rewards work best when they have a clear purpose.

Try to be deliberate about the behaviour you're reinforcing.

6. Forgetting Other Rewards

Food isn't the only thing your dog values.

Praise, play, toys, attention and access to interesting things can all form part of your reward toolkit.

What If Your Dog Isn't Interested In Treats?

If your dog isn't interested in a particular treat, don't immediately assume they're not food motivated.

There are several possible reasons.

The reward isn't valuable enough

Try a different protein, texture or type of reward.

The environment is too distracting

Your dog may happily take treats at home but ignore them outside.

Try training somewhere easier before increasing the level of distraction.

Your dog has recently eaten

A dog that has just had a meal may naturally be less interested in additional food.

Your dog is stressed or overwhelmed

Some dogs become less interested in food when they're uncomfortable or overwhelmed.

Something has changed

If your dog suddenly loses interest in food or treats and this is unusual for them, particularly if accompanied by other changes in behaviour or health, speak to your vet.

The aim isn't to force your dog to take a treat.

It's to understand what's affecting their motivation and adjust your approach.

How To Find Your Dog's Favourite Training Treat

If you're not sure what your dog values most, you can make it a simple experiment.

Try small amounts of a few suitable treats and observe your dog's response.

Look for:

• Which treat do they approach most enthusiastically?
• Which do they eat quickly?
• Which keeps their attention?
• Which do they continue working for?
• Which still motivates them when distractions increase?

You may quickly discover that your dog has a clear favourite.

And that information is valuable.

Because the "best" training treat isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive description on the packet.

It's the one your dog genuinely wants to work for.

Choosing The Right Training Treat For Your Dog

So, what should you actually look for?

Start with these five questions:

1. Does my dog enjoy it?

This is the most important question.

2. Is it practical for training?

Can you carry it, portion it and give it quickly?

3. Can I understand the ingredients?

Look beyond the front of the packet and check the product information.

4. Is it suitable for my dog's individual needs?

Consider age, size, dietary requirements and any advice you've received from your vet.

5. Is it appropriate for the situation?

You may want a different level of reward for a simple "sit" at home than you do for recall beside a busy park.

Why Mr Barnaby's Training Treats?

At Mr Barnaby's, we believe choosing what to feed your dog shouldn't feel complicated.

Our training treats are built around a simple idea:

Give dog owners straightforward choices and rewards their dogs genuinely enjoy.

Our range includes air-dried, meat-based treats in a variety of proteins, giving you the opportunity to discover which flavours your dog values most.

You'll find options including:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Duck
• Turkey
• Rabbit
• Venison
• Game

Many of our treats are made from a single animal protein, making the ingredient list straightforward and easy to understand. For example, our beef bites are made from 100% beef, while our chicken bites are made from 100% chicken.

We also have treats in different formats, including bite-sized pieces and mini strips that can be broken into smaller rewards where appropriate.

Not Sure Which Training Treat Your Dog Will Love?

That's exactly why we offer different proteins and bundles.

Rather than buying a large quantity of one flavour and hoping your dog likes it, you can try a selection and see which gets the biggest response.

Our Meaty Dog Training Treats range includes a selection of natural, air-dried rewards, while our individual proteins allow you to stock up once you've discovered your dog's favourite.

Explore Mr Barnaby's Dog Training Treats →

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Training Treats

Are training treats different from normal dog treats?

They don't necessarily have to be.

A normal dog treat can be used for training if your dog finds it motivating and it's practical to give in small portions.

Treats designed specifically for training are often small, easy to handle and convenient for frequent rewards.

What are the best treats for puppy training?

The best puppy training treat is one that's appropriate for your puppy's age and dietary needs, easy to eat and motivating enough to keep them engaged.

Because puppies can receive many rewards during training, small treats or appropriately sized pieces can be particularly practical.

How small should training treats be?

There isn't one size that's right for every dog.

The treat should be large enough for your dog to recognise and enjoy but small enough that they can eat it quickly and you can give multiple rewards during a training session.

Larger treats can often be broken into smaller pieces where appropriate.

Can I use normal dog treats for training?

Yes.

If your dog enjoys their normal treats, they're suitable for your dog's diet and they're practical to give during training, there's no reason they can't be used as rewards.

Are air-dried treats good for dog training?

They can be a convenient option, particularly when they're easy to carry, portion and give during training.

As with any treat, look at the ingredients and nutritional information and consider whether your dog actually finds the reward motivating.

How many treats should I give my dog during training?

This depends on your dog, the treats you're using and how much training you're doing.

Rather than focusing only on the number of treats, consider their calorie content as part of your dog's overall daily intake.

PDSA recommends keeping treats to no more than around 10% of a dog's daily calorie allowance and adjusting the main diet accordingly.

If you're unsure what's appropriate for your individual dog, your vet can provide personalised advice.

What if my dog doesn't like the treat I've chosen?

Try another option.

Different dogs have different preferences, and your dog's favourite protein or texture may not be the same as another dog's.

You can experiment with different suitable rewards and observe which ones generate the strongest response.

Can treats make my dog dependent on food?

Using treats doesn't automatically make a dog dependent on food.

Food is one type of reward, and you can gradually introduce praise, play, toys, attention and other rewards as your dog's training progresses.

The aim is to teach your dog that responding to you is worthwhile, rather than making them wait to see a treat before they'll respond.

Final Thoughts: Find What Works For Your Dog

Training doesn't have to be complicated.

The right reward can make learning more enjoyable, but the most important thing is understanding your individual dog.

Look for treats they genuinely enjoy, keep rewards appropriately sized, pay attention to your timing and use higher-value rewards when the situation calls for extra motivation.

And don't be afraid to experiment.

Your dog's favourite training reward might not be the one you expected.

Once you discover what really motivates them, you can use that knowledge to make training more rewarding for both of you.

At Mr Barnaby's, we're here to make choosing what to give your dog simpler.

Ready to find the reward your dog really wants to work for?

Explore Mr Barnaby's Dog Training Treats →