Short answer: A good training treat is small, quickly eaten, easy to break and clearly scented. For sensitive dogs, a single-ingredient treat works best, such as beef or lamb lung trainers: the label states 100 percent of a single animal. With flavoured treats, check the base: for some it is beef, even when chicken or duck is on the pack. Count all rewards within about 10 percent of the daily energy.
What makes a treat a good training treat?
- Small: a reward the size of a pea is enough. Your dog tastes it, and you can reward more often.
- Quickly eaten: your dog should swallow the piece straight away so the exercise can continue.
- Easy to break: that way one treat becomes a whole series of rewards.
- Clear scent: a treat your dog can smell well holds their attention, even outside with distractions.
- Well tolerated: you give many pieces during a session, so the treat must agree with your dog.
The full range is under training treats.
What types of training treats are there?
We compared the labels of our training treats. The values vary from batch to batch, so the label on your pack is what counts. The puppy column follows our product data.
| Type | Example | Composition according to the label | Crude fat | Also for puppies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef lung trainers | Canis Beef Lung Trainers | 100 percent beef | 2.0 percent | Yes |
| Lamb lung trainers | Canis Lamb Lung Trainers | 100 percent lamb | 4.7 percent | Yes |
| Freeze-dried trainers | Canis Freeze-dried Lamb Lung Trainers | 100 percent lamb | 2.00 percent | Yes |
| Fish | Canis Fish Trainers (Anchovy) | 100 percent anchovy | 3.69 percent | Yes |
| Breakable flavoured treats | Canis Take & Break with Chicken | Beef meat meal with at least 4 percent chicken | 12.5 percent | No, adult |
| Soft rolls | Canis Rolls with Beef | Meat and animal by-products with 20 percent beef, cereals | 6.0 percent | No, adult |
What should you look out for with flavoured treats?
If an animal is in the name, it is not always the base. According to the label, the base of our Take & Break treats is beef meat meal, with at least 4 percent of the flavour on the pack, such as chicken, duck or deer. If your dog has trouble with beef, "with chicken" is therefore not an alternative. The soft Rolls and Loops also list cereals on the label. If you are choosing a treat to work around an allergy, always look at the full composition. You can read more in grain-free dog treats and allergy.
How many rewards fit within 10 percent?
For all treats together, the rule of thumb is about 10 percent of the daily energy. During training you reward often, so what matters most is how small you make the pieces:
- Make them small: the smaller the piece, the more often you can reward within the same budget.
- Choose lean treats for many repetitions: beef and lamb lung trainers are low in fat according to the label.
- Deduct it from the main food: on a day with a long session, give slightly less kibble.
- Use some of the kibble: for easy exercises you can use ordinary kibble from the daily ration as a reward.
How to work out the treat budget for your dog is explained in how many treats can a dog have per day.
How do you make treats small?
Cut lung trainers with scissors or break them into small cubes with your fingers. The Take & Break treats are made to be broken. Freeze-dried trainers are light and airy and crumble more easily, so give those in slightly larger pieces. Cut a portion before training and put it in a sealed bag or treat pouch; that way your hands are free during training and the rest of the pack stays dry.
Which training treat suits a puppy?
Puppies learn a lot and quickly, so they get many rewards in a short time. Choose small, soft or airy single-ingredient pieces. The beef and lamb lung trainers, the freeze-dried trainers and the fish trainers are also listed as suitable for puppies in our product data. Start with a small amount and see how your puppy tolerates it. You can read more by age in from what age can a puppy have chews.
Which treat for which exercise?
Many trainers work with two kinds of rewards. For easy exercises at home you use something ordinary, such as a piece of kibble or a small piece of lung trainer. For difficult exercises, or outside with lots of distraction, you save something your dog finds extra tasty, such as a strong-smelling fish treat. That way the special reward really stays special. You will find more soft options under soft bites and biscuits and under beef lung.
Ingrid's tip: Put two bags in your coat before a walk: one with ordinary rewards and one with something extra tasty. Only reach for the second bag when your dog does something difficult well, such as coming back while another dog is walking past.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best training treat for a puppy?
Small, soft or airy single-ingredient pieces. Our lung trainers and fish trainers are also listed as suitable for puppies in our product data.
How big should a training reward be?
About the size of a pea. Your dog tastes it, it is gone straight away and you can reward more often.
Can I use ordinary kibble as a reward?
Yes, that works well for easy exercises. Take it from the daily ration so your dog does not eat more than needed.
Are Take & Break treats suitable for a beef allergy?
No. According to the label, the base is beef meat meal, also for the variants with chicken, duck or deer. Choose a single-ingredient treat from a different animal instead.
How do you store training treats?
Dry and well sealed. Only take a portion with you in a separate bag and wash your hands after training.
Sources
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, Global Nutrition Guidelines (treats as part of the daily energy intake)
- Mueller, Olivry and Prélaud (BMC Veterinary Research), Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats (beef, chicken and wheat as frequently mentioned allergen sources)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Tips for Safe Handling of Pet Food and Treats (storage and hygiene)
About the author
Ingrid Kooijman is the founder of Canis Snacks. She selects natural single-protein dog treats, sells them online and at markets in Brabant, and answers dog owners' questions about food and chews every day. Questions about this article? Email info@canissnacks.com.
