The Best Dog Training Treats
10 best training treats
Are you welcoming a new puppy to your home? You’re going to need a lot of treats! Puppy training treats are a must-have for reward-based dog training. And healthy treats can be a helpful supplement to your growing puppy’s diet.
Top Training Treats for Puppies
Wellness has a full line of U.S.-made, all-natural dog treats and food. The Soft Puppy Bites are specially formulated for puppies, with easily digestible proteins and DHA to boost their development.
Why we like them:
Perfectly sized, soft, and chewy—just right for teething puppies
Small bites make for quick treating during training sessions
Contains only premium, all-natural ingredients with no corn, soy, or artificial colors or flavors
Freeze-dried liver is a classic training treat for dogs. It’s considered a “high-value” treat, meaning you can bust it out when your puppy needs a little extra encouragement. It’s also great for picky eaters who need to put on weight as they grow. Just crush up some freeze-dried liver and sprinkle it on top of their regular food to tickle their tastebuds.
Why we like them:
A reliable training treat classic; we’ve never met a dog who doesn’t love ’em
Light, freeze-dried treats are easy to break up into tiny pieces for training
Single-ingredient means no fillers, and they’re gluten-free
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Savory Salmon Training Dog Treats
Fish proteins can be a great choice for puppies with sensitive tummies. These soft Blue Buffalo training treats are packed full of salmon, omega-3, and fatty acids. Plus, these puppy training treats contain DHA to support cognitive development—brain food for your growing dog!
Why we like them:
Small, soft treats are perfect for training
Salmon and omega-3 support healthy, shiny coats
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
llness Core Pure Rewards Jerky Bites
Like some of the other treats on our list of puppy training treats, these aren’t strictly for puppies. But the soft, tender jerky is gentle on puppy teeth. And these treats are naturally grain-free, making them a healthy supplement to your dog’s diet.
Why we like them:
All-natural formula contains only premium ingredients and no wheat or artificial colors
Made in the U.S.
Easy to tear or chop into even tinier pieces for training sessions
Wellness Core Pure Rewards Jerky Bites
Wellness Core Pure Rewards Jerky Bites
Break these grain-free treats into small pieces for puppy training—a gift that keeps on giving.
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Puppy Biscuits
If your puppy likes crunch, they’ll love these mini dog biscuits. They’re oven-baked and full of tasty protein and fiber, including chicken, apples, and carrots. Keep a few in your pocket for quick treating when your puppy does something good.
Why we like them:
Mini-size is perfect for small puppy mouths
A crunchy alternative to soft puppy training treats
Can break in half for even smaller training treats, or offer them full-sized as a special snack
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Puppy Biscuits
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Puppy Biscuits
These crunchy baked treats are mini-sized just for puppies.
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter and Oats Training Treats
Looking for a slightly less meaty training treat? These soft little snacks will do the trick. Boasting peanut butter and oats, these Zuke’s treats are free of corn, wheat, and soy.
Why we like them:
Made in the U.S. with healthy, natural ingredients
Less than three calories per treat
Great for training because they’re not messy and won’t leave your hands smelling like meat
Zuke's Mini Naturals Peanut Butter and Oats Training Treats
Zuke's Mini Naturals Peanut Butter and Oats Training Treats
Made in the U.S., these mini treats get their protein from peanut butter.
Kong Stuff’n Easy Treat Puppy Recipe
This Stuff’n Easy treat is marketed as a Kong filler, and it’s great for that. But it’s also a perfect puppy training treat. The unique nozzle lets you control how much comes out at a time. Dispense a bit straight into your puppy’s mouth during training, or squirt some onto different spots around the house for scent or distraction training. And of course, as a Kong filler, it will keep your puppy entertained.
Why we like it:
Chicken liver flavor is tasty but gentle on puppy tummies
Mess-free; just squirt and go
It’s a novel texture, making it a great high-value training treat
Kong Stuff'n Easy Treat Puppy Recipe
Kong Stuff'n Easy Treat Puppy Recipe
Not just for Kongs. Control your puppy’s treat amount with an easy-to-use nozzle.
Stella and Chewy’s Raw Coated Biscuits Duck Recipe
These freeze-dried treats are great for dogs of all ages. Each biscuit is coated with real raw meat from cage-free duck and baked in small batches. Break these treats into training bites and spark your puppy’s inner prey diet.
Why we like them:
Made in the U.S. with responsibly sourced cage-free duck (lead ingredient)
Free of added hormones, fillers, and artificial preservatives
Each treat is less than three calories
Stella and Chewy's Raw Coated Biscuits Cage-Free Duck Recipe Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Dog Treats
Stella and Chewy's Raw Coated Biscuits Cage-Free Duck Recipe Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Dog Treats
Made in the U.S., these freeze-dried treats are made from wholesome ingredients.
Budgeting for Puppy Treats
The average dog parent can spend anywhere from $60-$270 on treats in a year, according to our Cost of Pet Parenthood Survey. If you’re worried about falling into the higher end of this range, help treats go further—and not ruin your pup’s appetite for dinner—by breaking up treats into smaller pieces.
Further Reading
The Best Dog Training Apps
Your Complete Guide to Puppy Potty Training
How to Crate Train Your Puppy to Keep Them Happy, Cozy, and Safe
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Nia Martin
Nia Martin grew up with cats, dogs, horses, and a goldfish that lived for eight years. Based in Seattle, her writing and photography have appeared in Seattle magazine, The Seattle Times, The Fold, Cascadia Magazine, and Bitterroot Magazine, among others. When not working, you can find her petting dogs and visiting her family's charismatic tabby, William of Orange.
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Table of Contents
Top Training Treats for Puppies
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Stewart Freeze-Dried Liver Dog Treats
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Savory Salmon Training Dog Treats
Wellness Core Pure Rewards Jerky Bites
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Puppy Biscuits
Zuke's Mini Naturals Peanut Butter and Oats Training Treats
Kong Stuff'n Easy Treat Puppy Recipe
Stella and Chewy's Raw Coated Biscuits Duck Recipe
Budgeting for Puppy Treats
Further Reading
About the Creator
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