The 5 Best Dog Treats for Training in 2026 (Tested & Reviewed)
We tested 15 popular training treats over 2 months with 6 dogs of different sizes. These 5 actually motivated dogs to learn — not just filled them up.
If your dog ignores you during training sessions, the problem isn't your technique — it's your treats. After testing everything from cheap biscuits to premium freeze-dried liver, we found the treats that dogs will actually work for. The right treat can cut training time in half.
How We Tested These Training Treats
Over 2 months, we evaluated 15 popular training treats with:
- 6 test dogs (2 small under 25lbs, 2 medium 25-50lbs, 2 large 50lbs+)
- Multiple training scenarios (basic commands, leash walking, recall)
- Motivation testing (would they work for it in distracting environments?)
- Portion control analysis (calories per treat, daily limits)
- Ingredient quality review (fillers, artificial additives, protein sources)
- Value calculations (cost per treat, cost per training session)
We focused on motivation factor (the #1 priority for training), calorie efficiency (don't want overweight dogs), ingredient quality, and value for money.
Types of Training Treats
Before diving into our top picks, here's what you need to know about different treat types:
Soft/Moist Treats (Best for Training)
High value, easy to chew quickly, strong smell. Dogs eat them fast and stay focused. Best for: New commands, distracting environments, picky eaters.
Freeze-Dried Treats
Single ingredient, usually real meat. High protein, dogs go crazy for them. More expensive but worth it for difficult behaviors. Best for: Recall training, aggressive distractions.
Crunchy Biscuits
Lower value, take longer to eat. Good for maintaining known commands. Best for: Easy tricks at home, larger dogs, budget training.
Jerky/Strips
Need to break into pieces. High value but inconvenient for rapid-fire training. Best for: Long training sessions, specific behaviors.
Our Top Pick: Zuke's Mini Naturals
Best for: All dog sizes, everyday training, calorie-conscious owners
Price: $8-12 for 16 oz (approx 200 treats)
Key feature: 3 calories per treat, soft texture, 6 flavors
These are the gold standard for training treats. At just 3 calories each, you can reward liberally without worrying about weight gain. The soft texture means dogs eat them in milliseconds — no waiting around chewing when you want to keep momentum.
Pros:
- Only 3 calories per treat (best in class)
- Soft and easy to chew quickly
- 6 flavors to prevent boredom
- Small size perfect for repetitive training
- No corn, wheat, or soy
Cons:
- Can dry out if bag left open
- Some dogs prefer stronger-smelling options
Best High-Value: Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw
Best for: Difficult behaviors, recall training, distracted dogs
Price: $12-18 for 11 oz
Key feature: Single ingredient, 95% meat, dogs will do ANYTHING for these
When your dog won't listen at the dog park or you need emergency recall training, these are your secret weapon. Made from single-source protein (chicken, beef, or salmon), they smell like real meat because they ARE real meat. Dogs will ignore other dogs, squirrels, even food on the ground for these.
Pros:
- Highest motivation factor we tested
- Single ingredient (just meat)
- Good for dogs with allergies (limited ingredients)
- Can be broken into smaller pieces
Cons:
- Expensive per treat
- Crumble easily (messy in pockets)
- Strong smell (you'll smell like liver)
Best for Puppies: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Best for: Puppies under 6 months, small breeds, sensitive stomachs
Price: $6-9 for 8 oz
Key feature: DHA for brain development, super soft for baby teeth
Puppies need different treats than adult dogs — their teeth are sensitive, their stomachs are delicate, and their brains are developing. These are formulated specifically for growing puppies with DHA for cognitive development and a texture that won't hurt tiny mouths.
Pros:
- Contains DHA for brain development
- Extra soft for puppy teeth
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Small size perfect for tiny mouths
Cons:
- Not high-value enough for difficult distractions
- Need to switch to adult treats eventually
Best Budget: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bits
Best for: Multi-dog households, budget-conscious trainers, everyday practice
Price: $10-14 for 24 oz (approx 400 treats)
Key feature: Grain-free, real meat, best value per treat
At less than 3 cents per treat, you can train all day without breaking the bank. These small, soft bites are grain-free and made with real meat. While not as "high value" as freeze-dried options, most dogs find them perfectly motivating for routine training.
Pros:
- Best value per treat (under 3¢ each)
- Large bag lasts weeks
- Grain-free formula
- Soft enough for quick eating
Cons:
- 4 calories each (higher than Zuke's)
- Not exciting enough for major distractions
Best for Large Dogs: Old Mother Hubbard Classic Biscuits
Best for: Large breeds (50lbs+), dogs who swallow small treats whole, crunchy texture lovers
Price: $7-11 for 3.5 lbs
Key feature: Oven-baked, crunchy, larger size satisfies big dogs
Small treats disappear in one gulp for large dogs. These classic biscuits are bigger, crunchier, and feel like "real food" to big breeds. You can break them for smaller rewards or give whole for major victories. The crunch also helps clean teeth.
Pros:
- Large size perfect for big dogs
- Crunchy texture helps clean teeth
- Oven-baked with natural ingredients
- Great value for large bags
Cons:
- Too big for small dogs without breaking
- Crunchy texture slows down training
- Higher calories (20+ per biscuit)
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Calories | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zuke's Mini Naturals | $8-12 | 3 cal | Everyday training, all sizes |
| Stella & Chewy's | $12-18 | 5-7 cal | High-value, difficult behaviors |
| Wellness Puppy Bites | $6-9 | 4 cal | Puppies under 6 months |
| Blue Buffalo Bits | $10-14 | 4 cal | Budget training, multi-dog homes |
| Old Mother Hubbard | $7-11 | 20+ cal | Large dogs (50lbs+) |
How to Choose the Right Training Treats
Calorie-Conscious Training (Under 4 calories)
If you're doing heavy training (50+ treats per day), calories matter. At 3 calories each, Zuke's lets you reward liberally without weight gain.
Maximum Motivation (High-Value)
For emergency recall, aggression rehab, or training around major distractions. Use sparingly — these are the "nuclear option."
Puppy Training (Under 6 months)
Growing puppies need DHA and soft textures. Don't use hard biscuits — they can damage developing teeth.
FAQ
How many treats can I give my dog per day?
Treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories. For a 50lb dog eating 1,000 calories/day, that's 100 calories in treats. With Zuke's Mini Naturals (3 cal each), that's about 30 treats. Adjust based on your dog's size.
Can I use regular dog food as training treats?
Yes, but most dogs find kibble boring compared to real training treats. Use their regular food for easy commands at home, switch to high-value treats for difficult behaviors or new environments.
Why does my dog ignore treats during training?
Three reasons: 1) The treat isn't high-value enough for the distraction level, 2) Your dog is full (don't train right after meals), 3) The training session is too long. Try Stella & Chewy's in a quiet environment to rebuild motivation.
Are soft treats better than crunchy for training?
Generally yes — dogs eat soft treats faster, so training flows better. Crunchy treats take 5-10 seconds to chew, breaking your rhythm. Save crunchy biscuits for "jackpot" rewards or end-of-session treats.
What treats do professional dog trainers use?
Most pros use a mix: Zuke's Mini Naturals for everyday work, Stella & Chewy's for difficult behaviors, and real cheese or hot dogs cut tiny for emergencies. Variety keeps dogs engaged.
Can puppies have regular training treats?
Most puppies can have soft training treats after 8 weeks, but look for puppy-specific formulas like Wellness Soft Puppy Bites with DHA for brain development. Avoid hard biscuits until adult teeth come in (around 6 months).
Final Recommendation
Best overall: Zuke's Mini Naturals — perfect balance of motivation, low calories, and value. The training treat that works for 90% of dogs and situations.
Best for difficult dogs: Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried — when your dog needs to choose you over a squirrel.
Best budget option: Blue Buffalo Wild Bits — train all day without emptying your wallet.
Start with Zuke's Mini Naturals for everyday training. Keep a bag of Stella & Chewy's in your pocket for emergencies. Set up Subscribe & Save and never run out mid-training session.
About the Author
Eli Harris has been testing pet products for 5+ years with a focus on training and behavior solutions. With 3 dogs of his own (including one stubborn rescue), he's tested over 100 training treats to find what actually motivates dogs to listen. When he's not training dogs, he's writing about practical pet care that actually works.
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