What are training treats?

What are training treats, when should you use them, and what should you look for?

Training treats are small rewards that you give your dog immediately during training to reinforce desired behaviour. Think of commands like sit, come, walking nicely on the lead, or waiting calmly. Because your dog receives something tasty right away, they quickly understand what behaviour you expect.

That’s why good training treats are not just regular dog snacks, but rewards that are practical, tasty, and easy to portion.

For most dogs, training treats work best when they are small, highly appealing in smell and taste, and quick to eat. During training, you want your dog to move on quickly without having to chew for too long. Natural dog snacks with a clear ingredient list often work well, especially when you consciously choose grain-free treats without artificial additives. This also makes them suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion or specific dietary needs.

Why training treats work so well in dog training

Training treats are effective because they immediately turn desired behaviour into something positive. Your dog learns to connect their action with your reward the foundation of positive reinforcement.

Especially for new exercises or in distracting environments, a tasty reward often works better than just praise or regular kibble.

Not every dog is motivated by the same reward. That’s why reward value matters. A treat that works well at home may suddenly become less interesting outdoors when there are smells, sounds, and other dogs around. In those situations, you often need something extra appealing. Training treats are designed for this: small enough to give frequently, yet tasty enough to keep your dog’s focus.

Benefits of training treats:

• Small rewards help keep the pace of training high
• You can reinforce behaviour instantly
• Your dog stays motivated in distracting environments
• Perfect for short, repeated exercises

What’s the difference between training treats and regular dog snacks?

The main difference lies in size, usage moment, and portioning.

Regular dog snacks are often meant as a treat, chew moment, or indulgence. Training treats, on the other hand, are used during exercises often multiple times in a short period. That’s why they should be small, quick to eat, and relatively low in calories per piece.

A large chew is great for relaxation, but not practical during training. Your dog will spend too much time chewing and lose focus. Training treats should be gone in seconds, so you can immediately continue training. Soft or semi-moist treats are ideal, especially for puppies, senior dogs, or active training sessions.

What should good training treats look like?

If you’re wondering how to choose the right training treat, these characteristics are key:

Small and easy to give

The treat should be small enough to reward frequently without overfeeding. Ideally, you can grab and give it in one smooth motion. Being easy to break is a bonus.

Tasty enough for your dog

A reward only works if your dog truly wants it. Some dogs are happy with kibble, while others need a more aromatic meat or fish treat. Taste, smell, and texture together determine the reward value.

Practical texture

Soft or semi-moist treats are usually more convenient during training because they’re quick to eat. This is also gentler on the teeth for puppies and senior dogs.

Thoughtful composition

Check the ingredients. Many owners prefer natural dog snacks with a clear composition. Grain-free recipes without artificial additives are popular, especially for sensitive dogs. Always review labels carefully and look at the actual ingredient list and analytical components.

Why regular kibble often works less well

Kibble can work for training if your dog is motivated by it, but in practice, it’s often not rewarding enough especially outdoors or during new exercises with distractions.

That doesn’t mean kibble is unsuitable. It can work fine for simple exercises at home. But as difficulty increases, you’ll usually need something with higher reward value softer texture, stronger smell, or a more attractive taste.

Simple rule:
The more difficult the situation or the higher the distraction, the higher the reward value should be.

What types of training treats are there?

There isn’t one perfect option for every dog. The best choice depends on preferences, age, sensitivities, and training conditions.

Soft snacks

Popular because they’re soft, easy to chew, and often easy to break. Suitable for all life stages.

Small natural meat treats

Dogs often love strong meat or fish flavours. Small cubes (e.g. beef, salmon, lamb) work well as long as they’re not too large or fatty.

Grain-free or hypoallergenic treats

Ideal for dogs with sensitivities or dietary restrictions.

Vegetable or functional treats

Some owners prefer variety or specific ingredient-based snacks to match their feeding approach.

How to choose the right training treats for your dog

The best training treats are not necessarily the most expensive or popular ones, but the ones your dog responds to well.

Key factors:

• Size: small enough for repeated use
• Texture: soft or easy to break
• Taste: attractive enough for the training environment
• Composition: clear ingredients, no unnecessary additives
• Diet: grain-free, mono-protein, or hypoallergenic if needed
• Life stage: puppies, adults, and seniors have different needs

Braaaf offers a wide range of natural dog snacks, including grain-free options without artificial additives, making them suitable for many dogs including those with sensitivities.

Training treats for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors

Puppies
Small, soft, and easy-to-digest treats work best. Puppies train frequently, so mini sizes or breakable treats are ideal.

Adult dogs
Focus on motivation and portion control. Active dogs often benefit from higher-value rewards during outdoor training.

Senior dogs
Softer treats that are easy to chew are usually more suitable.

How many training treats can a dog have?

There’s no fixed number it depends on size, age, activity level, and daily diet. However, treats always count toward total calorie intake.

Guidelines:

• Use many small pieces rather than a few large ones
• Adjust main meals if giving many treats
• Monitor weight and condition
• Spread rewards throughout the day

Can you train a dog without treats?

Yes, but it doesn’t work equally well for every dog. Some are motivated by play, attention, or toys, while others respond better to food rewards.

In practice, many owners use a combination:

• Use treats for new or difficult situations
• Gradually switch to praise, play, or occasional rewards as behaviour improves

Why variety in rewards is important

Dogs can get used to the same reward. By varying taste, smell, or texture, you keep things interesting and maintain motivation.

Different situations may require different rewards:

• Simple training at home → basic treats
• Outdoor training → higher-value rewards

What to look for on the label

Always look beyond the front of the packaging. Check:

• Ingredients
• Analytical components
• Additives

Claims like “natural” or “grain-free” should match the actual composition. This is especially important for sensitive or allergic dogs.

Choosing training treats that fit Braaaf

At Braaaf, the bond between owner and dog is key. Training together should be fun, and the right rewards make all the difference.

Braaaf focuses on:

• Natural dog snacks
• Grain-free recipes
• No artificial additives
• Options for sensitive dogs

This allows you to choose training treats that are not only tasty, but also fit your dog’s needs. Small soft treats or compact snacks are ideal for training sessions, walks, or quick exercises at home.