Training goes more smoothly when you choose the best treats for your puppy. The right choice makes rewards more effective and training sessions more productive.
Pick treats with good protein and few extras. Soft, small pieces let your puppy eat fast and stay focused on you. Give small amounts so your pup doesn’t gain too much weight, but still gets plenty of praise. This keeps your dog happy, healthy, and ready to learn each time you train.
Check the Label and Choose Treats with Quality Ingredients
The first step is checking the ingredient list. Choose food with names you recognize, like chicken and salmon. These tell you exactly what your pup is eating. Avoid anything ambiguous, like “meat meal,” “animal byproducts” or “animal digest”. You really have no idea what this is!
It’s also best to avoid fillers such as corn gluten meal. They make the treat bigger but not more nutritious. Your dog should love the treats too, which makes them easier to reward with.
Use Bite-Sized Treats to Keep Training Sessions Moving
Small treats work best for training. Your puppy can eat them quickly and stay focused. Large treats take longer to chew and slow learning.
According to studies, dogs would rather get frequent rewards versus one big one. Offering smaller pieces allows you to reward more without making your pet overweight. Use a “jackpot,” or a group of treats in a row, for a special occasion, for instance, when your puppy learns a new hard command. This tells your dog he did something great. It makes him want to do it again.
Manage Portions to Avoid Overfeeding and Reliance on Treats
In long training sessions, it is easy to give too many treats. Don’t let treat rewards exceed your puppy’s daily food allotment. One way to control portions is to give your pup some, or even all, of his regular kibble as training rewards.
Feeding your puppy with kibble can stop him from being overfed and not relying only on treats to listen. It makes a habit of working for rewards instead of working for a bribe.
Pick Treats That Are Quick and Easy to Chew
Training works best when you can move from one behavior to the next quickly. Choose treats that are soft or can be broken into small pieces so your puppy can chew them in a second or two. The less time they spend eating, the more time they can spend learning.
Need expert help with the best puppy training treats? Contact KC Dawgz for a free consultation. We’ll help you find the right balance and teach your puppy in a way that works long term.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Feeding Guidelines for Balanced Nutrition
Check the back of your dog food bag or treat package for daily feeding amounts. These guidelines help prevent overfeeding while giving your puppy the fuel to grow and learn. Always factor treats into their total daily intake.
Choose the Best Quality Food You Can Within Your Budget
The way your puppy feels and the way they learn relies on their diet. While premium foods can be expensive, you can still find good quality at a reasonable price. Search for foods that target particular proteins without any unnecessary extras. Learning about the quality of ingredients will help you make the best choice you can get.
Final Thoughts
The best puppy training treats have high-quality protein. They are small and easy to chew. They should be part of your dog’s daily food allowance. Use them to encourage learning without overfeeding.
Contact KC Dawgz today for help choosing training treats and starting a program that works for your dog. We’ll guide you every step of the way.
