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The Best Dog Treats for Training: Soft, Stinky, and Irresistible

Training your dog can be a super fun and rewarding experience, but it requires the right tools—especially the right treats. If you’re using the wrong treats your dog may not be that motivated, the reward might not be high enough and training might be frustrating. As a dog trainer that has trained thousands of dogs – even those not motivated by treats, I’ve found that using the best dog training treats can make all the difference. My go to are the soft and kinda smelly treats, here’s why soft and stinky treats are essential and why single-ingredient treats are often my go-to choice.

Why Soft and Stinky Treats Work Best

When it comes to dog training, not all treats are created equal. Soft and stinky treats have a few advantages that make them ideal for training:

  • High Motivation: The strong aroma of stinky treats grabs your dog’s attention and keeps them focused on the task at hand.
  • Easy to Chew: Soft treats are easy for dogs to chew quickly, which means they can get back to training faster without a lot of distraction.
  • Less Mess: Soft treats crumble less than hard treats, keeping your training area cleaner and creating less distractions for your dog which means more focus on you.

The Importance of Single-Ingredient Treats

Single-ingredient treats are a fantastic choice for dog training, and here’s why:

  • Purity and Simplicity: Single-ingredient treats contain only one ingredient, ensuring that your dog is consuming a pure, natural product. This simplicity reduces the risk of adverse reactions and allergies, also often less carps and filling.
  • Digestibility: Dogs often have sensitive stomachs, and treats with multiple ingredients can sometimes cause digestive issues. Single-ingredient treats are generally easier on your dog’s digestive system.
  • Transparency: With only one ingredient, you know exactly what your dog is eating. This transparency is crucial for maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding any hidden fillers or artificial additives.
  • High-Value Reward: Because single-ingredient treats are often made from high-quality proteins like chicken, beef, or fish, they are highly desirable to dogs. This makes them an excellent high-value reward during training sessions.

Tips for Using Treats in Dog Training

  • Break Them Up: Even if the treats are small, breaking them into smaller pieces can help prolong training sessions without overfeeding.
  • Keep Them Fresh: Store treats in an airtight container to maintain their smell and softness.
  • Use Variety: Mixing up different types of treats can keep your dog excited and motivated during training.

My top picks for dog treats as a dog trainer

  1. Full Moon USDA Organic Chicken Training Treats
    4.9
    $16.97
    Pros:
    • Organic
    • Bite size for training
    • USA Made
    • Made in small batches
    • 100% natural ingredients
    • Can be traced to a farm
    • My dog is obsessed with these - I actually put their supplements on it since they inhale these.
    • Two protein options
    • free glycerin and fillers like corn, wheat, and so
    Cons:
    Buy Now on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    12/07/2024 05:13 am GMT
  2. Full Moon All Natural Human Grade Dog Treats, Essential Beef Savory Bites
    4.9
    $13.99 $12.19
    Pros:
    • Organic
    • Bite size for training
    • USA Made
    • Made in small batches
    • 100% natural ingredients
    • Can be traced to a farm
    • My dog is obsessed with these - I actually put their supplements on it since they inhale these.
    • Two protein options
    • free glycerin and fillers like corn, wheat, and so
    Cons:
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 04:51 am GMT
  3. Full Moon Chicken Apple / Turkey Cranberry Sausage
    4.8
    $13.99 $9.06
    Pros:
    • Bit larger, but can be broken easily
    • USA Made
    • 100% natural ingredients
    • Can be traced to a farm
    • My dog is obsessed with these - I actually put their supplements on it since they inhale these.
    • Two protein options
    • free glycerin and fillers like corn, wheat, and so
    Cons:
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 04:02 am GMT
  4. Full Moon Chicken Nuggets
    4.8
    $15.99 $13.99
    Pros:
    • Can be ripped to smaller sizes
    • USA Made
    • Made in small batches
    • 100% natural ingredients
    • Can be traced to a farm
    Cons:
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 04:57 am GMT
  5. Pupford Freeze Dried Treats
    4.6
    $11.49
    Pros:
    • Low Calorie
    • All Natural
    • Healthy Training Treats for Small to Large Dogs
    • Various protein options
    • No added ingredients or fillers
    Cons:
    Buy Now on Amazon Buy Now on Pupford and save
    12/07/2024 04:02 am GMT
  6. Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Bites Treats
    4.7
    $11.99 $10.55
    Pros:
    • Available in various proteins and sizes
    • Limited ingredients - pretty much just meat
    • Low Calorie
    • USA Made
    • High quality ingredients
    Cons:
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 07:58 pm GMT
  7. Blue-9 Chicken Inspire Dog Training Treats
    $9.95
    Pros:
    • Soft, bite-sized treats
    • Can easily be made smaller if needed
    • Bag is easy to reseal
    Cons:
    • Only available in chicken
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 03:56 am GMT
  8. Bocce's Duck Training Treats
    $7.49
    Pros:
    • Single protien
    • Wheat free free
    • Baked in the USA
    • Low Calorie
    • Small bite size
    • With Blueberries
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 05:22 am GMT
  9. Tilted Barn Treats
    4.8
    $10.00
    Pros:
    • I have not yet seen a dog not LOVE these
    • My dogs favorite treats
    • Various proteins (bacon, lamb, etc)
    • Limited ingredients
    • Canadian company
    Cons:
    • In humid environments these should be kept in the fridge (it's that fresh!)
    Buy Now on Chewy
  10. Bocce's Bakery Freeze Dried Chicken Liver Treats for Dogs - All-Natural,
    $12.99
    Pros:
    • Single Ingredient
    • Made in The USA
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 02:32 am GMT
  11. Northwest Naturals Raw Rewards Freeze-Dried Treats
    4.7
    $28.45
    Pros:
    • Lots of protein options
    • Just meat!
    • All natural
    • Ethically made in the USA
    • For dogs and cats
    Cons:
    • Some proteins can be a tad messy if broken into smaller pieces
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 05:03 am GMT
  12. Raised Right Meat Bites
    4.5
    Pros:
    • Various proteins available
    • Just meat!
    • Crunchy chip that can be broken in to smaller pieces
    Cons:
    Buy Now on Amazon Buy from Raised Right
  13. Blue-9 Inspire Training Treat Pouch
    4.6
    $34.95
    Pros:
    • Easy to access treats while keeping secure
    • Front pocket fits an iPhone (I have a 14Pro that fits)
    • Zippered pocket on bag to put key/credit card
    • Fits a very wide range of people
    • Easy to throw in the wash and clean
    Cons:
    • Not a fit if you are using raw food for training (I don't so this doesn't effect me)
    • If you have a very persistent dog they may be able to get their nose in the treat section
    Buy Now on Amazon
    12/07/2024 10:27 pm GMT
  14. ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Dog Food
    4.9
    $33.48
    Pros:
    • Is a balanced food, so you're dog can train with a meal that will be motivating
    • Various protein options
    • High Protein
    • Green Lipped muscles (SO many benefits)
    Buy Now on Amazon Save 20% with code Maggie20 at Ziwi
    12/07/2024 06:32 am GMT

Don’t miss our favorite treat bag holders!

Choosing the right treats can significantly impact your dog’s training success. Soft, stinky, single-ingredient treats are more likely to motivate your dog and keep them engaged. By focusing on purity and simplicity, you can ensure that your dog is not only excited about training but also consuming a healthy and natural product.

Remember, every dog is different, so it’s important to find what works best for your pet. Happy training!

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