The Best Dog 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 Soft Puppy Bites

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

1. Stewart Freeze-Dried Liver Dog Treats

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