Dogs love food, and most are willing to work for it. This makes food a great way to motivate them during training. The anticipation of getting a treat when it obeys a command or stops a bad behavior makes it eager to obey. That makes treats the backbone of positive reinforcement training. Your dog won't have the stress, frustration and break of bond that results from aversive training.
The problem with treats is that not all treats are the same. Some are of higher value than others, and some have more calories than others. In this guide, we'll dive into the top dog training treats, see the things to consider when choosing a treat and compare the homemade vs store-bought options.
10 Top Dog Training Treats - Rewarding Your Pup for Success
Let that start by addressing some misconceptions about using treats to train your furry friend. Some dog owners consider using treats as bribing or cheating. The argument is that the dog should follow your command simply because you're the one in charge or because it loves you and wants to please you.
The truth is that dogs, just like humans, do what works for them. They feel motivated and work harder when they are getting some benefits. That is rewarding, not bribing. It is different from if you wave a steak in the air trying to lure your dog to run to you.
So, the idea of treats is to imprint an impression in the dog's brain that there are great rewards that come with obeying commands. Now, for the dog to perceive the treats as a reward, they need to be different from the dog's normal daily portions.
You don't want something that the dog will get used to and no longer feel motivated to work for it. Here are some tips that can help you choose dog training treats that will keep your dog motivated but still healthy.
What to Look for in Dog Training Treats
When we say that the treats should be something that the dog loves, it mainly boils down to being tasty. But the irony of life is that most tasty foods are not healthy. So, before buying the tastiest treats for your furry friend, make sure you consider the following things.
Calories
Calories are the energy value in the treat. When there are extra calories that the body doesn't need, it stores them as body fat. Over time, your dog becomes overweight and obese. Keep in mind that obesity can cause serious health issues such as respiratory diseases, joint problems, cancer, and diabetes.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over 50% of dogs in North America are already overweight. So, you don't want to gamble by giving your dog high calorie treats especially when you are giving throughout the training session.
It's advisable to keep the calorie intake from treats less than 10% of the total calories the dog takes from its daily portions. So, if your dog will be having frequent and extended training sessions, it's advisable to choose low-calorie treats.
On the other hand, if you're training your dog tricks that involve high energy such as fetch, you go for treats with moderate calories to replenish your dog's energy levels.
Ingredients
The second most important thing to consider is the ingredients. You don't want to mess up your dog's health with artificial products and fillers. Although the Association of American Feed Control Officials regulates the foods that have a natural label, they still leave room for manufacturers to manipulate.
For example, the AAFCO doesn't control the components that will be used when the food goes through the processes of extraction, purification and heat treatment. That means it is possible to find dog treats with unhealthy components, but still with the name natural.
For instance, most of the synthetic preservatives used in dog treats are carcinogens and can cause serious health problems like nervous and circulatory system damage, cell damage, cancer, and liver damage.
Another component is carrageenan from red seaweed, which is used to keep the treats appealing and moist. On the down side, carrageenan is linked to inflammation and cancer. The best way to avoid feeding your dog unhealthy treats is to go through the list of ingredients one by one.
Go for treats that use whole foods such as vegetables, fruits and real meat. No synthetic preservatives, artificial additives and flavors.
10 Best Treat Types for Training
Treats come in different types, and the best option depends on the age of your dog and the nature of training. Here are some of the best treat types for training.
Power Bites
As the name suggests, Power Bites focuses on both reinforcing good behavior and boosting the dog's energy levels. These treats are packed with proteins, a major energy source. They are soft and chewable, so you can use them for all dog sizes and ages.
The good thing is that these treats have antioxidants and Omega-3s. In most cases, these treats come in small sizes, like the size of a pea. This allows you to give your furry friend one piece at a time.
Classic Crunchy Dog Biscuits
Dog biscuits are probably the oldest type of dog treats. These biscuits are made of natural ingredients such as eggs, oatmeal and chicken. These biscuits come in a wide range of flavors. Try different flavors and see which flavor motivates your furry friend best.
Since biscuits can be disastrous for your dog's dental health, we recommend the crunchy design because it prevents the biscuits from sticking on the teeth.
Animal Bones
Animal bones treat is an alternative to the rawhide chews. It's a chew treat, which makes it work great when training things like dogs lying and remaining on the mat until you release it. Something to note is that there are variations.
For instance, the treat can be covered with quinoa, steak, and chicken. That makes the treat a great source of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Or, it can be bare animal hooves and bones with minimal nutritional value.
Chippin Training Bites
The Chippin Training Bites are made from wild-caught silver carp. As you can tell, these treats are rich in omega-3 amino acids. So, apart from helping to reinforce the food behavior, your furry friend will get healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Another good thing about these treats is that they are hypoallergenic and highly digestible. That means you can use them even for dogs with sensitive stomachs and allergies.
Freeze-Dried Treats
As the name suggests, Freeze-Dried Treats have their moisture removed. This works as preservation, so the treats aren't heat-processed or filled with artificial preservatives. In most cases, these treats are single ingredients.
This makes it possible to predict the health results of the treat depending on the quantity you're feeding your dog. For instance, if you're training a dog like the Husky on how to sled, you can get Freeze-Dried treats made of 100 percent real meat. That way, you're sure the treats are meeting your dog's energy requirements.
Rawhide
These treats are made from animal by-products in the leather industry. The inner layer of a horse or cow hides is cleaned and then grounded. They're then pressed into chewable treats. As you can tell, these are chew treats like animal bones but with little to no nutritional benefit.
They are great when you're training your dog on things that don't require energy, such as the Stay commands. They are also a great option if your furry friend is already overweight and you don't want treats with lots of calories. Keep in mind that rawhide doesn't break easily, and these treats can be a choking hazard to puppies and small breed dogs.
Antler Treats
Antler Treats are made from naturally shed elk antlers. They are chew treats, just like animal bone treats. The advantage of these treats is that they are a good source of nutrients and minerals.
The treats are long-lasting, so you don't have to keep buying them. Instead of using them during the training session, reward your dog after the training. Since they are odor-free and mess-free, you can also use them for mat training.
Dental Treats
According to VCA Animal Hospital, more than 80 percent of dogs older than 3 years already have a dental problem. Some of these conditions are hard to diagnose by yourself, until the dog has visible signs such as drooling excessively, chattering the jaws and shaking the head.
The risks are higher for brachycephalic dog breeds. More than two-thirds of the dogs suffer from the periodontal condition, which results from plaque. That's why you need dental treats. They are not for use during the training session but to clean the dog's teeth after feeding it the normal training treats.
Most of these treats are chew treats that have nubs and ridges that help to scrub tartar and plague. They are also rich in calcium, which helps to improve the teeth's heath. We recommend you go for dental treats that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval.
Soft Treats
Usually, dog training starts at an early age. At this age, puppies might not be able to chew freeze-dried treats and such. The solution is soft treats. As the name suggests, these treats are designed to be soft, regardless of the type of ingredients.
So, they range from soft biscuits and jerky sticks to soft bacon strips. Keep in mind that most soft and moist treats require preservatives. So, check to make sure that there are no unhealthy artificial preservatives added.
Vegan Treats
If you're a vegan, these are the treats for you. They don't contain animal products like hides, meat, eggs, and dairy. Instead, they use protein sources like soy, lentils, and peas. The ingredients in these treats vary widely, and some can cause allergies. So, when going with this option, consider what works for your dog.
The main issue with these treats is that some dogs might not get so motivated by fruits and vegetables as they would get with real meat. Another thing worth noting is that dog stomachs don't digest grains as well as human stomachs. So, consider going for grain-free vegan treats.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought Treats
Homemade treats are the treats you make at home. You can make them specifically as treats or as part of your meal. For example, if you have prepared a barbecue, you can use part of it as dog treats.
On the other hand, store-bought treats are the ready-made treats you buy online or from pet food stores. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of homemade vs store bought treats.
Ingredient Quality
If you want to be 100 percent sure of what you're feeding your furry friend, then the best option is homemade treats. Whether you choose pet supplements, vegetables, fruits, or meat, you have full control over the quality.
On the other hand, store-bought treats are all about trusting the manufacturer's label. If the manufacturer says it's real meat, you can't confirm whether there is an artificial filler. You can't confirm the source of the meat, either. For instance, you can't know which body parts were used to make the treats and whether the meat was from euthanized animals or not.
Freshness
When you go for homemade options, you'll probably prepare the treats the same day you are training your furry friend. That means you are feeding your dog fresh ingredients, like fresh vegetables and fruits.
On the other hand, store-bought treats are made with a longer shelf life. That means the ingredients are either processed to reduce the chances of spoilage, or there are artificial preservatives added.
Convenience
As we mentioned, it's not possible to prepare homemade treats with a longer shelf life. So, you have to prepare them on the go. That can be inconvenient, especially if you're on a tight schedule. It also makes no sense to start preparing something like biscuits for training sessions that last for 10-15 minutes. So, store-bought treats are the way to go.
Size
In a normal training session, especially when obedience training, you'll need to use small-sized treats. It's challenging to make such sizes at home. So, go for the store-bought options.
Treats for Dogs with Special Dietary Needs
There are no specific treats for dogs with special dietary needs. It's all about understanding the condition of your dog and avoiding what doesn't work. For example, if your dog is allergic to chicken, you avoid chicken treats. If your dog is overweight, you give low-calorie treats. If your dog looks malnourished, you give treats rich in proteins and vitamins.
Conclusion
Dog training is a lot easier when the dog is motivated to please. Treats are the motivator. Your furry friend will be willing to follow commands in anticipation of the reward. You only need to make sure you're feeding him nutritious treats that will also benefit his health. Avoid treats loaded with artificial preservatives, flavors, and fillers.