Training a puppy means a lot of repetitions — dozens of them in a single short session if you’re doing it right. That means whatever treat you’re using needs to check a few boxes: small enough to not fill your puppy up after ten reps, soft enough to eat in a second without stopping to chew, and tasty enough that your puppy actually wants to work for it over sniffing the floor.
Regular kibble usually doesn’t cut it for this. It’s often too dry, takes too long to eat, and isn’t exciting enough to compete with a distracting environment like a backyard full of smells or a busy sidewalk.
Here are five training treats that actually work well for the rapid-fire repetition puppy training requires, plus what to actually look for when you’re picking one out.
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Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats
Zuke’s Minis are one of the most popular training treats for a reason — they’re genuinely tiny, soft, and low-calorie enough to use dozens of times in a session without overfeeding your puppy. They come in a few flavors, and most puppies find them plenty exciting.
Pros:
- Very small size, perfect for rapid-fire training reps
- Soft texture, easy for puppies to chew and swallow fast
- Low calorie per treat compared to many competitors
- Multiple flavor options
Cons:
- Can be a bit crumbly, which makes them slightly messy in pockets or pouches
- Some picky puppies prefer higher-value options like freeze-dried meat
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Made specifically with puppies in mind, these are soft, easy to break into smaller pieces, and use recognizable, simple ingredients. A good option if you want something a little gentler on a young puppy’s digestive system while still being exciting enough to hold their attention.
Pros:
- Formulated specifically for puppies
- Soft texture that’s easy to break into even smaller training-size pieces
- Simple, recognizable ingredient list
- Widely available and reasonably priced
Cons:
- Slightly larger than some dedicated “training bite” treats, so breaking them up helps
- Not as intensely aromatic as freeze-dried options, so lower-drive puppies may need something more enticing in distracting settings
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Training Treats
These are soft, moist training bites that most dogs — puppies included — go crazy for, which makes them a solid choice when you need a higher-value reward, like for recall training or working around distractions. They’re easy to portion out and don’t crumble apart like some freeze-dried options.
Pros:
- High-value taste, great for distraction training or recall work
- Soft and moist, easy for puppies to eat quickly
- Doesn’t crumble in pockets or treat pouches
- Multiple flavor varieties
Cons:
- Higher calorie count than some other minis, so watch total daily treat intake
- Softer, moister texture means treats can stick together in warm weather
PureBites Freeze Dried Chicken Breast Dog Treats
Single-ingredient, freeze-dried chicken breast — nothing else. This is about as high-value as training treats get, and freeze-dried format means it breaks apart easily into small pieces without a strong odor on your hands (though your puppy will absolutely notice it). Great for picky puppies or as a “jackpot” reward for a big training breakthrough.
Pros:
- Single ingredient — pure chicken, easy to trust what you’re feeding
- Extremely high-value, great for picky eaters or distraction-heavy training
- Easy to break into smaller pieces
- Good option for puppies with sensitivities to treats with multiple ingredients
Cons:
- More expensive per treat than mixed-ingredient options
- Very light and crumbly, so it needs a sealed container or pouch
Old Mother Hubbard Mini Oven-Baked Biscuits
These are a solid crunchy option if your puppy isn’t a fan of soft treats, or if you want something for lower-intensity training moments (like rewarding calm settling behavior rather than a fast-paced session). Oven-baked with simple ingredients, and the mini size keeps calories reasonable.
Pros:
- Crunchy texture some puppies and dogs prefer over soft treats
- Simple, wholesome ingredient list
- Mini size keeps portions appropriate for repeated training
- Doesn’t require refrigeration or special storage
Cons:
- Takes longer to chew than soft treats, which can slow down fast-paced training sessions
- Not as universally high-value as meat-based soft or freeze-dried treats
Buying Guide: What Makes a Good Puppy Training Treat
Size
Pea-sized or smaller is ideal. You’ll be doing many repetitions per session, and a treat that’s too big fills your puppy up fast and slows down the pace of training.
Texture
Soft, chewable treats let your puppy eat and refocus almost instantly. Crunchy treats take longer to eat, which can break the rhythm of a fast training session, though they’re fine for lower-intensity rewards.
Value level
Not every treat needs to be the most exciting option — save your highest-value treats (like freeze-dried meat) for tough environments with lots of distractions, and use more moderate treats for easier, low-distraction practice at home.
Calorie count
Training sessions can add up to a lot of treats in a day. Look at calories per treat and adjust your puppy’s regular meal portions accordingly so you’re not overfeeding.
Ingredient quality
Simple, recognizable ingredients matter more for puppies, whose digestive systems are still developing. Avoid treats with a long list of artificial additives if you can help it.
Portability
If you’re training on walks or out in public, treats that don’t crumble apart or need refrigeration make life a lot easier.
Allergies and sensitivities
If your puppy has a known food sensitivity, single-ingredient treats (like plain freeze-dried chicken) make it much easier to avoid triggering ingredients compared to treats with long ingredient lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many treats can I give my puppy in a training session?
As long as treats are small and low-calorie, many puppies can handle 20-30 repetitions in a session without issue, but it’s smart to reduce their regular meal slightly on heavy training days to avoid overfeeding overall.
Should training treats be soft or crunchy?
Soft treats are generally better for active training since they’re eaten faster, keeping the session’s pace up. Crunchy treats work fine for calmer, less frequent rewards.
Can I just use my puppy’s regular kibble as a training treat?
You can, especially for easy behaviors in low-distraction settings, but most puppies respond better to something more exciting than their everyday food, especially when you’re competing with distractions.
How small should puppy training treats be?
Pea-sized or smaller is the general target — you want your puppy to eat it in one quick bite so you can move on to the next repetition without a long pause.
Are freeze-dried treats safe for puppies?
Yes, freeze-dried single-ingredient treats like chicken or liver are generally safe and popular for puppies, though as with any new treat, introduce it gradually to make sure it agrees with your puppy’s stomach.
Final Thoughts
The best training treat is the one your puppy is actually excited about and that fits into a fast-paced session without slowing things down or overfeeding them. It’s worth keeping a couple of different options on hand — an everyday treat for regular practice and a higher-value one for distracting environments or tough behaviors.
