Choosing the Right Treat for Dog Training

Why Your Reward Matters—and How to Make It Work for You

One of the most powerful tools in dog training isn’t a leash or a clicker—it’s the treat in your hand. Food rewards are fast, clear, and effective, especially when you're using positive reinforcement methods to teach new behaviors or work through challenges.

But not all treats are created equal. The kind of treat you use can make a big difference in your dog’s motivation, focus, and success during a training session. Let’s talk about how to choose the right training treats—and how to use them effectively.

Why Use Treats in Training?

Treats act as reinforcers, meaning they increase the likelihood that your dog will repeat a behavior. When paired with good timing and consistent cues, they help build strong, reliable behaviors.

Food is a natural choice because:

• It’s easy to deliver quickly

• Most dogs are food-motivated

• It creates positive associations with new or challenging experiences

• You can adjust the value of the treat to match the difficulty of the task

What Makes a Good Training Treat?

When selecting treats for training, here are the qualities we recommend:

1. Small

Training involves a lot of repetition. Treats should be pea-sized or smaller so you can give many without overfeeding.

2. Soft

Soft treats are easier for your dog to chew and swallow quickly, which helps maintain momentum in your session.

3. Smelly

Dogs experience the world through their nose, so a strong-smelling treat can be more enticing, especially in distracting environments.

4. Quick and Easy to Handle

Choose treats that won’t crumble in your pocket or take forever to deliver. They should be easy for you to manage as well.

High-Value vs. Low-Value Treats

Just like we might work harder for a slice of pizza than for a few crackers, dogs respond differently depending on the treat.

Low-Value Treats (Everyday Rewards):

• Kibble

• Store-bought biscuit-type treats

• Carrot slices or plain Cheerios

Use for:

• Easy tasks

• Calm environments

• Dogs who are naturally very food-motivated

Medium-Value Treats:

• Soft training treats (like Zuke’s or Cloud Star)

• Freeze-dried liver or chicken

• Cheese cubes or cooked hot dog slices

Use for:

• New cues

• Light distractions

• Outdoor environments

High-Value Treats (Big Motivation):

• Fresh chicken, roast beef, or turkey

• Peanut butter (in moderation)

• Meatballs, deli meat, or liverwurst

• Dehydrated raw treats or sardines (smelly, but powerful!)

Use for:

• Difficult or stressful situations

• Fearful/reactive behavior work

• High-distraction environments (e.g., busy parks, pet stores)

How to Use Treats Effectively

• Reinforce immediately: Timing matters. Deliver the treat as soon as your dog performs the desired behavior.

• Vary the value: Use better treats for harder tasks or more distracting environments.

• Mix and match: Keep things interesting. Use a mix of treat types to keep your dog engaged.

• Fade gradually: Once a behavior is well learned, you can reduce the number of treats—but always continue to reward occasionally to keep motivation strong.

What About Homemade or Whole Food Treats?

Many dogs love real, whole food items as training rewards. Try:

• Boiled chicken

• String cheese

• Scrambled eggs

• Tiny bits of cooked sweet potato

• Dehydrated liver or green tripe (if you can handle the smell!)

If you go the homemade route, just be sure to account for portion control and food safety—and avoid ingredients toxic to dogs (like onions, garlic, grapes, or xylitol).

The right treat can mean the difference between a distracted dog and one who’s laser-focused on learning. Using high-quality, well-timed food rewards is not “bribing”—it’s paying your dog for a job well done.