Top 6 Puppy Training Treats of 2024
Published on June 04, 2024
Got a new puppy? Then you need to stock up on a cupboard full of puppy training treats because you’re going to be doing a ton of training. Your new BFF has so much new stuff to figure out – from where to potty and what to chew, which is why you should make sure to have puppy training treats on hand to make the job easier.
There are a ton of new puppy parents out there, with 65.1 million US households sharing life with a dog(1). Last year, over $147 billion was spent on pets and their care, which includes 64.5 billion (yes, billion) on pet food and treats.
We compiled our treats for puppies based on experience and user feedback from both ends of the leash, so read on to discover what your puppy will love!
Top Treats for Training Puppies: Our Picks
With over twenty years of dog training experience, picking the top treats for training is a way of life for me. I’ve made a career out of knowing how to use goodies to keep my canine students invested and excited to learn new things. Puppies have always been my specialty, so selecting the best treats for puppy training is a big part of what I do.
I also owned a pet products shop for six years, so I have firsthand experience with all of the brands that made the list. Plus, I know what pet parents appreciate, whether it’s getting the most bang for their buck, or offering their best friend a healthy treat that they can trust.
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Our List – 6 Puppy Training Treats We Love
- Overall Best Puppy Training Treats: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
- Best Puppy Training Treats for Small Breeds: Polka Dog Peanut Butter Wonder Nuggets
- Best Puppy Training Treats for Large Breeds: Bocce’s Bakery Say Moo Soft Treats
- Best Crunchy Puppy Training Treats: Charlee Bear Bearnola Bites Peanut Butter & Honey
- Best Soft Puppy Training Treats: Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Soft & Chewy Creamy Peanut Butter Treats
- Best High-Value Puppy Training Treats: Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Treats, Beef Liver
6 Best Puppy Training Treats of 2024
There are so many phenomenal treats for training puppies that it was difficult to keep the list manageable! While the following are some of the best puppy training treats, most of the manufacturers offer multiple flavor and texture options, so your pup can enjoy a variety of approved goodies. Many of the treats on the list are limited ingredients and minimally processed to be gentler on young digestive systems.
Overall Best Puppy Training Treats
Our pick: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Wellness has been in the dog food and treats sector for years, and this OG soft square treat gets raves from dogs of all sizes. We like that it’s moist and flavorful enough to keep pups’ attention during training, but it’s not so chewy that it’ll make a mess in your pocket. Made from easily digestible ingredients like lamb, salmon, and chickpeas, this goody is free from artificial colors and flavors and is a natural source of DHA and Omega 3.
Highlights
- Contains only premium, all-natural ingredients with no meat by-products, corn, wheat or dairy
- Several flavor options
- USA-made
- Pocket friendly
- Low odor
- Affordable
Things to Consider
- Some pet parents reported gassy pups or loose stool
Best Puppy Training Treats for Small Breeds
Our pick: Polka Dog Peanut Butter Wonder Nuggets
Little mouths need tiny goodies during training, and these petite peanut butter balls are the perfect way to say “nice work!” They’re a hit with dogs of all sizes; even finicky pups gravitate to flavorful goodies. These limited-ingredient nibbles are additives and preservatives-free, which means that you can reward them with confidence.
Highlights
- Handmade in Boston with locally sourced ingredients
- Several flavor selections
- Pleasant aroma
- Limited ingredients
- Pocket-friendly
Things to Consider
- Pricier than other options on the list
Best Puppy Training Treats for Large Breeds
Our pick: Bocce’s Bakery Say Moo Soft Treats
These B-shaped treats are a great option for growing pups because they’re large enough to satisfy bigger dogs, but they’re soft enough to be broken into pieces for small dogs with big aspirations. Larger puppies don’t necessarily need a massive crunchy treat, and these small-batch goodies manage to hit the sweet spot with a unique texture and flavor.
Highlights
- USA-made
- Limited ingredients
- Wheat-free
- No artificial ingredients or preservatives
- Several flavor options
- Low odor
Things to Consider
- Some users reported that their dogs were gassy post-treats
Best Crunchy Puppy Training Treats
Our pick: Charlee Bear Bearnola Bites Peanut Butter & Honey
Charlee Bear is another longstanding and trusted treat brand with various treat types, but this granola-inspired goody is a top pick for our four-legged friends. The brick-shaped goodies come in four flavors with no artificial preservatives: wheat, corn, or soy. Pups can’t resist the smell, and some humans can’t either!
Highlights
- USA-made
- Limited ingredients
- No artificial ingredients or preservatives
- Multiple flavors
- Pleasant aroma
- Sweetened with honey not glycerin
Things to Consider
- Might be too crunchy for some dogs
Best Soft Puppy Training Treats
Our pick: Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Soft & Chewy Creamy Peanut Butter Treats
Cloud Star offers a variety of treats in different flavors and textures but we like this one for it’s convenient size and chewy texture. Moist treats are a great training option because most dogs can’t resist them, plus they go down quickly to keep the training session rolling. These goodies are USA-made and are free of corn, soy, artificial flavors, colors, dairy, or white potatoes. It’s a small treat that packs a flavorful punch.
Highlights
- USA-made
- Soft texture
- Several flavors
- Low-odor
- Pocket-friendly
Things to Consider
- Ingredients are more complex than other options on our list
Best High-Value Puppy Training Treats
Our pick: Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Treats, Beef Liver
When it comes to treat potency nothing can touch freeze-dried options. These beef liver goodies make training time easy because pups consider them off-the-charts delicious and work hard to earn them. Plus, these treats are single ingredient which makes them a good fit for dogs with dietary concerns. The tub has a variety of morsel sizes, so pet parents with smaller pups might have to cut them smaller with a knife, but the resulting dust can be used as a food topper.
Highlights
- Most dogs love them
- Single ingredient
- USA-made
- Low odor
- Pocket friendly
Things to Consider
- Pricier than other options
- Might require extra work to cut them to size
What Are Puppy Training Treats?
While there’s a huge market with items created specifically for puppies, the reality is that pups over eight weeks of age can typically enjoy all sorts of treats. Treats formulated for puppies might feature a limited ingredient list, or digestion-friendly ingredients, but pups aren’t limited to goodies made just for them. (And on the flip side, adult dogs can enjoy puppy treats too!)
The training treats for puppies featured in our list are included because they contain high-quality ingredients and minimal byproducts and are delicious enough to keep busy puppies interested in their lessons!
Types of Puppy Training Treats to Consider
Like all dog goodies, puppy treats for training come in a variety of textures, flavors, and ingredients, including:
- Soft: This moist texture ranks high for palatability
- Crunchy: When most people think dog treats, they think biscuit-style
- Single-ingredient: A great pick for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies
- Freeze-dried: This manufacturing process keeps these goodies highly flavorful, with a unique texture
- Jerky: A mix of a moist and tough texture, jerky treats require some chewing and might not be suitable for training
- Low calorie: Smaller treats mean fewer calories
- Size-specific: Got a tiny pup? You need tiny treats! But bigger dogs don’t necessarily need giant treats. Finding the right size for your student matters since you’ll be giving a bunch of goodies throughout the day.
Puppy Training Treat Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to picking the best puppy treats for training it’s important to how consider how motivating the treat is for your pup (do they love it, or just like it?), as well as the treat size. Remember, pups are highly distractable, which means you want to offer a goody that’s delicious enough to hold your dog’s attention for the session – you want a training treat that they go crazy for!
Training sessions also need to be quick to keep distractable pups interested, which means you need to use a small treat that your pup can eat quickly. Treats that require a lot of chewing will slow down the flow!
Expert Tips for Using Puppy Training Treats
Your puppy is always learning, which means it’s up to you to show them the ropes! That’s why keeping a stash of goodies in your pocket is a good idea even when you’re not in an actual training session. (There’s a reason why “pocket friendly” was listed as a highlight!)
Mixing treats with some of your puppy’s meal ration in a small covered container allows you to give guilt-free treats, especially when using potent moist treats or freeze-dried treats. The food will absorb the aroma of the treats, making it a more interesting reward. Just remember to keep track of how much you’re using!
Finally, remember to be generous with your young student! Learning new stuff can be tough, and we don’t want our pups to get discouraged. So treat well and often!
Puppy Treats for Training FAQs
Puppy training treats are supplemental to your dog’s complete and balanced meals, so you must be mindful of how many you give in a day. While the exact number of acceptable treats per day depends on a puppy’s activity level and size, a safe bet is that treats should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
Homemade goodies that are baked with love are a wonderful option for puppy training treats. DIY-ing your pup’s goodies means you can adjust them to meet your growing pup’s specific needs, from the flour type you use to their main protein.
This is probably the most commonly asked question; the answer is an enthusiastic yes. The only cautions are the goody’s size and the ingredients’ complexity. Simple is best, and training treats should be small so they’re quick to eat.
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