High value dog treats: What they are and when to use them

Your dog sits beautifully in the kitchen for a biscuit. Then you get to the park, a squirrel appears, and suddenly that biscuit means nothing at all. Sound familiar? That's where high value dog treats come in. They're the rewards your dog will genuinely work hard for – the ones that can compete with squirrels, smells and other dogs. This simple guide explains what high value dog treats are, how to find out what your own dog values most, when to use them in training, and how to keep them healthy and in balance.

At a glance:

What "high value" means: A treat your dog loves so much they'll choose it over almost anything else.

Your dog decides: Value is personal – a treat one dog adores, another may ignore.

Save them for hard moments: Recall, busy places, new skills and anything your dog finds difficult.

Keep them small and simple: Tiny, meaty pieces work best, and they still count towards your dog's daily food.

In this guide:

• What are high value dog treats?
• Why high value treats make training easier
• How to find your dog's high value treats
• When to use high value dog treats
• What makes a good high value treat?
• How to use high value treats without overfeeding
• Common mistakes with high value treats
• Choosing high value dog treats from Mr Barnaby's

What are high value dog treats?

"High value" simply means a reward your dog finds extra special. Trainers often think of rewards on a scale:

• Low value: Things your dog likes but won't get too excited about – a piece of their usual kibble, a plain biscuit, a quick "good dog".
• Medium value: Tastier rewards your dog enjoys – a softer treat or a game with a favourite toy.
• High value: The best of the best – usually small, meaty, smelly treats that your dog would happily do a backflip for.

The idea is simple: the harder you're asking your dog to work, the better the reward needs to be. Sitting in a quiet kitchen is easy. Coming back to you when another dog is playing in the park is very hard. Those two moments deserve different pay.

Why high value treats make training easier

Dogs, like us, do more of whatever pays off. Reward-based training – the method recommended by UK charities and positive trainers – uses this to build reliable behaviour. High value treats help in a few ways:

• They compete with distractions. A delicious reward gives your dog a reason to choose you over a smell or a squirrel.
• They make new skills stick. Big, exciting rewards help your dog notice exactly which behaviour earned them.
• They build happy feelings. Pairing tricky things – the vet's waiting room, the doorbell, a nail trim – with something wonderful helps your dog feel better about them.
• They keep motivation high. Dogs who know great things might appear stay interested and engaged.

If you're new to reward-based training, our complete guide to training your dog with treats explains everything in one place.

How to find your dog's high value treats

The only opinion that matters here is your dog's. Try a simple "taste test" at home:

1. Pick three to five treats – for example, a piece of kibble, a biscuit and two or three different meaty treats.
2. Put two treats on the floor, a little apart, in a quiet room.
3. Let your dog choose. Note which they go to first. Swap sides and try again.
4. Repeat with different pairs until you have a clear winner – and a clear "ranking".
5. Watch their body language. Bright eyes, a waggy body, licking their lips and sitting extra fast are all good signs.

You'll often find your dog has a clear favourite protein. Many dogs go wild for strong-smelling meats or fish, while others prefer something softer. Keep a list – it'll be handy for training.

Every dog is different – even in the same house. Mr Barnaby and Miss Dixie rarely agree on their top treat, so we keep a pouch of each one's favourite by the door. That way, whoever's doing the walk has the right "top tier" reward to hand.

When to use high value dog treats

Save your best treats for the moments that really count. If your dog gets them all the time, they stop being special.

Recall

Coming back when called is one of the hardest things we ask, so it deserves the best pay. Our recall training guide explains how to build a reliable recall step by step.

Busy or new places

Parks, town centres, the vet's and the pet shop are full of distractions. A high value treat helps your dog focus on you.

Teaching something new

When your dog is learning a new skill, generous high value rewards help them understand quickly what you want.

Helping your dog feel calmer around worries

If your dog is unsure about something – the hoover, the car, visitors or the vet – pairing it with a high value treat (at a distance they cope with) can help them feel more relaxed over time. For serious fear or aggression, speak to your vet and an accredited behaviourist.

Puppy training and socialisation

Puppies have short attention spans and lots to learn. Tiny, tasty rewards help them build good habits and positive experiences.

Not for everyday easy stuff

For easy, well-practised behaviours at home, lower-value rewards (or part of their meal) are fine. That keeps your best treats special.

What makes a good high value treat?

The best high value treats tend to be:

• Meaty and aromatic: Dogs live through their noses, so strong-smelling treats are usually more exciting.
• Small: Pea-sized for small dogs and fingernail-sized for larger dogs. You want lots of rewards, not a big snack.
• Soft or easy to break: Quick to eat, so training flows and your dog is ready to go again.
• Not crumbly: Treats that disintegrate in your pocket are frustrating on walks.
• Simple: Single-protein, grain-free treats are a good choice for dogs with sensitive tummies, and it's easy to know what they're eating.

Our high-protein dog treats are air-dried and made mostly from 100% one meat – venison, rabbit, duck, wild boar, pheasant, beef and more – which makes them a natural fit for high value rewards.

How to use high value treats without overfeeding

Because high value treats are so rich and tasty, it's easy to overdo them. A few simple habits help:

• Go tiny. Your dog cares about how many rewards they get far more than how big they are.
• Count them. PDSA recommends treats make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily food allowance, with meals reduced by the same amount.
• Mix values. Use kibble or lower-value treats for easy bits and save the best for the hard bits.
• Pre-portion. Put the day's treats in a pouch or pot so you can see what's been used.
• Introduce new treats slowly, especially if your dog has a sensitive tummy.

If your dog has a health condition, is on medication or you're worried about a change in them, please speak to your vet first.

Common mistakes with high value treats

Using them too often

If your dog gets their favourite treat for everything, it becomes ordinary. Keep a special "jackpot" treat just for the hardest moments.

Using them to bribe rather than reward

Waving a treat to get your dog to come back teaches them to wait for the bribe. Instead, call once, then reward generously when they arrive.

Not having them ready

The best treat in the world is no use at the bottom of your bag. Keep a pouch on your belt or in your coat pocket.

Pieces that are too big

Large pieces slow training down and add lots of extra food. Break them up before you go.

Assuming value never changes

Your dog's favourites can change, and even a top treat can lose its sparkle if it's used all the time. Rotate a couple of proteins to keep things exciting.

Choosing high value dog treats from Mr Barnaby's

We make simple, air-dried treats with nothing added – no grains, no fillers, no added nasties – so they're naturally tasty and easy to understand. For high value rewards, try:

• [Game Meat Bites & Strips](https://www.mrbarnabys.co.uk/products/game-meat-dog-treats): one of our best sellers, with rich game meats many dogs find irresistible.
• [Air-dried training bites](https://www.mrbarnabys.co.uk/collections/meaty-bites-dog-treats): small, tasty bites in single proteins – perfect to break into tiny pieces for recall and busy places.

Try two or three proteins and run your own taste test to discover your dog's favourite.

Summary:

High value dog treats are the rewards your dog will genuinely work for – usually small, meaty, smelly treats they love more than anything else. Find your dog's favourites with a simple taste test, then save them for hard moments like recall, busy places, new skills and anything your dog finds worrying. Keep pieces tiny, count them in your dog's daily food, and use lower-value rewards for easy things so your best treats stay special.

FAQs:

Q1: What are high value dog treats?

High value dog treats are the rewards your dog loves most – usually small, meaty and strong-smelling. They're used when you need your dog's full attention, such as recall or training in busy places. What counts as high value depends on your dog.

Q2: What are the best high value treats for recall?

Small, tasty, meaty treats that your dog loves and that are quick to eat work best. Use a taste test at home to find your dog's favourite, and save it just for recall so it stays special.

Q3: How do I know what my dog values most?

Offer two treats at a time in a quiet room and see which your dog chooses first. Repeat with different pairs until you have a clear favourite. Excited body language is a good clue too.

Q4: Can puppies have high value treats?

Yes. Choose small, soft pieces suitable for little mouths, introduce new treats slowly and count them in your puppy's daily food. Use them for new skills, socialisation and anything your puppy finds hard.

Q5: Will high value treats make my dog fat?

Not if you keep pieces tiny and count them in your dog's daily food. PDSA recommends treats make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily food allowance, with meals reduced to match.

Q6: Why does my dog ignore treats outside?

Outside is full of exciting smells and distractions, and some dogs are too excited or worried to eat. Try a higher value treat, move further from the distraction and keep sessions short. If your dog won't eat at all outside, they may be feeling stressed, so start somewhere quieter.

Ready to make training simple? Try our natural training treats – small, meaty and grain-free.

This guide is general information to help you care for your dog. It isn't a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your dog's individual needs.