Are Training Treats Good For Puppies? The Tasty Truth Behind Treat Training

As a dog owner who’s raised three puppies over the years, I’ve spent countless hours researching, testing and sometimes messing up when it comes to puppy training. One question that always comes up with new puppy parents is whether training treats are actually good for their little furballs. Let’s dig into this topic and find out the real deal about puppy training treats!

The Short Answer: Yes, But Choose Wisely

Training treats can be absolutely fantastic for puppies when used correctly During the puppy stage, your pooch may need some extra calories and nutrients to support its growing body. As long as you pick a healthy puppy treat, your treat training sessions can help supplement your puppy’s diet needs during growth spurts and times of higher activity.

But just like us humans shouldn’t live on chocolate alone (though I’ve tried!), puppies need the right kind of treats in the right amounts.

Why Training Treats Work So Well With Puppies

Puppies are little learning machines, and treats make the perfect motivation. Here’s why:

• Dogs are food motivated – Most puppies will do just about anything for a tasty morsel
• Immediate feedback – Treats provide instant rewards that puppies can easily connect with good behavior
• Creates positive associations – Treats help puppies associate training with positive experiences
• Builds focus and attention – A high-value treat can help maintain your puppy’s concentration during training

I still remember when my Labrador puppy, Max, was learning to sit. The transformation from wiggly mess to attentive student was amazing once I found the right training treats. Those little chicken bites were basically puppy magic!

What Makes a Good Puppy Training Treat?

Not all treats are created equal when it comes to training your furry friend. Here’s what you should look for:

Size Matters – A Lot!

Even for large breed puppies, training treats should be tiny – we’re talking pea-sized or smaller. There are several reasons for this:

1. Quick consumption – Your puppy can eat it fast and get back to training
2. More repetitions – Smaller treats mean you can do more training without overfeeding
3. Calorie control – Keeps your puppy from gaining too much weight
4. Budget friendly – Makes your treat supply last longer

When I’m training, I’ll often cut larger treats into tiny pieces before we start. My puppy doesn’t care if it’s just a tidbit – he’s just happy to get something yummy!

Texture and Smell

The most effective training treats for puppies usually have these characteristics:

• Soft and chewy – Easier and faster for puppies to eat than crunchy biscuits
• Strong aroma – The smellier, the better! Dogs are scent-driven animals
• Moist texture – Designed with your puppy’s smaller mouth in mind

There’s a reason why treats like little pieces of cheese or tiny bits of cooked chicken work so well – they hit all these criteria!

Quality Ingredients Matter

The dog food market is unfortunately flooded with treats full of questionable ingredients. When reading labels, look for:

• Natural, wholesome ingredients
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Limited ingredients (especially good for puppies with sensitive tummies)
• Grain-free options if your puppy has allergies
• High-quality protein sources

Popular Types of Puppy Training Treats

Based on the most current trends and expert recommendations, here are some excellent options for puppy training treats:

1. Soft-Bite Training Treats

Brands like Forthglade offer semi-moist training treats that are perfect for puppies. They’re soft enough for young mouths but don’t crumble in your pocket. Many come with grooves so you can easily break them into smaller pieces.

2. Freeze-Dried Meat Treats

100% meat treats like those from Pets Purest are excellent high-value rewards. They’re typically just pure protein with no additives, making them perfect for puppies with allergies or sensitive stomachs.

3. Probiotic Training Treats

Some innovative brands like Pooch & Mutt are creating training treats that do double duty – they reward good behavior while supporting puppy gut health with probiotics.

4. Low-Calorie Training Treats

For intensive training sessions, ultra-low-calorie treats (like Barker & Barker at just 0.3kcal per treat) are ideal. You can use lots of them without worrying about weight gain.

Common Concerns About Puppy Training Treats

Let’s address some worries that might be floating around in your head:

“Will treats make my puppy overweight?”

Not if you’re smart about it! Count treat calories as part of your puppy’s daily food intake. If you’re doing a lot of training, reduce their regular meals slightly to compensate.

“How many treats is too many?”

This depends on your puppy’s size, age, and activity level. Generally, treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s total daily calories. For intense training days, use the smallest possible treats and adjust regular meals accordingly.

“Are homemade treats okay?”

Absolutely! Simple cooked meats like chicken or turkey cut into tiny pieces make excellent training treats. Just avoid seasonings, especially onion and garlic which are toxic to dogs.

“My puppy seems to get bored with the same treats…”

Puppies, just like kids, can get tired of the same old thing. Keep a variety of different treats on hand and switch them up during training sessions. This keeps your puppy guessing and excited about what’s coming next!

How to Use Training Treats Effectively

It’s not just about having good treats – it’s about using them properly:

1. Timing is everything – Give the treat immediately after the desired behavior
2. Start with high-value treats – Use the really good stuff when teaching new behaviors
3. Gradually reduce treats – As behaviors become reliable, reward intermittently
4. Pair treats with praise – Eventually, praise alone can sometimes replace food rewards
5. Keep training sessions short – 5-10 minutes max for puppies to prevent treat overload

Different Treats for Different Training Situations

Smart trainers use different treats for different circumstances:

Fast-Eating Treats for New Skills

When teaching brand new behaviors, use small, soft treats your puppy can eat quickly. This keeps the training session flowing and maintains your puppy’s interest.

High-Value Treats for Distracting Environments

When training outside or in challenging environments, pull out the “special occasion” treats – the ones your puppy goes absolutely crazy for. These might be tiny bits of cheese, freeze-dried liver, or small pieces of cooked meat.

Long-Lasting Treats for Crate Training or Alone Time

Sometimes you want treats that take a while to consume. For teaching crate love or encouraging quiet time, stuffable toys filled with puppy-safe peanut butter or frozen broth can be perfect.

Expert Tips from Professional Trainers

Here’s what the pros say about puppy training treats:

“When choosing training treats for puppies, it’s important to consider the size and texture of the treat. Small, soft treats are ideal for quick consumption during training sessions.” – Professional Dog Trainer

“High-value treats can be a game-changer in puppy training. These treats are so tasty and appealing to puppies that they are willing to work harder to earn them during training sessions.” – Certified Dog Behaviorist

My Personal Experience with Puppy Training Treats

When I was training my beagle puppy (who was stubborn as a mule!), I discovered that having different “levels” of treats was the key to success. For easy stuff at home, regular kibble worked fine. For harder skills or outdoor training with distractions, only the premium treats would do.

I also learned the hard way that if you don’t cut treats small enough, you’ll run out of training time before your puppy runs out of attention span! Those tiny pieces really do make a difference.

The Bottom Line on Puppy Training Treats

So, are training treats good for puppies? Yes, they’re not just good – they’re an essential tool for effective, positive reinforcement training. The key is choosing healthy, appropriately-sized treats and using them wisely.

Remember that treats are just one part of a balanced training approach. Combine them with consistent commands, plenty of praise, and lots of patience, and you’ll be on your way to raising a well-behaved canine companion.

Final Thoughts

Training your puppy with treats isn’t just effective – it’s also a wonderful way to bond with your new family member. Those training sessions build trust, communication, and a relationship that will last for years to come.

So grab some healthy treats, cut them into tiny pieces, and enjoy watching your puppy’s eyes light up as they learn new skills. The journey of training a puppy has its challenges, but with the right treats in your pocket, you’ll both have a lot more fun along the way!

What training treats have worked best with your puppy? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

Yes, puppies can have training treats as an important part of their training, but they must be suitable for a puppy’s age, digestive system, and developing teeth.

The 7-7-7 rule for puppy socialization is a guideline for exposing young puppies to a variety of experiences to build confidence and prevent fear or anxiety. By seven weeks of age, a puppy should have experienced at least seven different people, seven different locations, seven different types of toys, eaten from seven different food bowls, been on seven different types of surfaces, had seven different experiences, and been on at least seven short car rides. This early, positive exposure helps a puppy develop into a well-adjusted, adaptable adult dog.

The healthiest puppy training treats are high-quality, single-ingredient options like freeze-dried liver, cooked lean meats, and fresh vegetables such as blueberries, carrots, and apple slices. Look for treats with high protein, limited ingredients, and no artificial additives, ensuring they are small and soft for easy chewing and frequent rewarding without overfeeding.

Puppies can start having training treats as early as 6-8 weeks old, coinciding with their transition to solid food, but they should be small, soft, and easy to digest. It’s crucial to choose age-appropriate, single-ingredient treats and monitor for any digestive upset.