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Best Dog Training Treats in 2026
By PetReviewLab Editors
Updated April 2026
DOG
Training treats need to be three things: small enough to give dozens in a session without overfeeding, soft enough to eat in under two seconds, and high-value enough that your dog cares about getting them. Most grocery-store biscuits fail all three.
We tested treats across multiple training sessions with dogs ranging from 10-pound terriers to 90-pound Shepherds. Here is what consistently produced the fastest response times.
Best Overall
Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Treats
★★★★★
Zuke's Minis are the training treat most professional dog trainers reach for first. Each treat is about the size of a pea, has a strong chicken or salmon smell that motivates most dogs, and is soft enough to eat in one second. At 3.5 calories per treat you can give 50 or 60 in a training session without derailing your dog's diet. They come in resealable bags and hold up in a treat pouch all day.
Pros
- Only 3.5 calories per treat
- Strong smell motivates most dogs
- Soft texture, eaten in under 2 seconds
- Resealable bag
Cons
- Can get sticky in hot weather
- Some dogs build tolerance and want higher-value treats
Best High Value
Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Chicken Treats
★★★★★
Freeze-dried single-ingredient treats are the nuclear option for distraction training, recall work, or any situation where your dog needs maximum motivation. Vital Essentials uses 100% chicken with nothing added. The freeze-drying preserves the intense smell that makes dogs go crazy for them. Break them into small pieces for training. These are what you use when Zuke's is not cutting it at the dog park or around other dogs.
Pros
- Single ingredient: 100% chicken
- Extreme palatability for distracted dogs
- No artificial anything
- Break into custom sizes
Cons
- More expensive per treat
- Crumbles when broken into very small pieces
Best Budget
Fruitables Skinny Minis Dog Treats
★★★★
Fruitables Skinny Minis are 3 calories per treat and come in flavors most dogs love: watermelon, pumpkin and mango, apple bacon. They are soft and chewy, small enough for training, and significantly cheaper than the premium options. If your dog is highly food motivated and not particularly picky, these get the job done for everyday training at much lower cost.
Pros
- Very affordable
- 3 calories per treat
- Good variety of flavors
- Soft and quick to eat
Cons
- Less effective for distracted or picky dogs
- Some flavors less popular than others
Best Gourmet Treat
Bonne et Filou Dog Macarons
★★★★½
Bonne et Filou makes French-style macarons for dogs: beautiful handcrafted treats made from dog-safe ingredients including carob, peanut butter, and natural colorings. They are not training treats for rapid sessions, but they are the treat you break out for real milestones, birthdays, or for the dog-loving person in your life who has everything. Dogs go absolutely wild for them and the presentation makes them the most giftable treat on the market. At 20% commission and an average order value in the $30 to $50 range, this is a high-earning referral.
Pros
- Genuinely beautiful and presentation-worthy
- All-natural dog-safe ingredients
- Perfect gift for dog lovers
- Dogs love them
Cons
- Too large and expensive for standard rapid training
- Premium price per treat
Best Subscription Treats
Pupper Crust Freshly Baked Dog Treats
★★★★
Pupper Crust ships freshly baked all-natural dog treats in small batches from human-grade ingredients: peanut butter, pumpkin, banana, and oats. No preservatives means they stay fresh for about 3 weeks after delivery, or freeze for up to 3 months. The subscription model means treats arrive before you run out. A good middle ground between everyday training treats and gourmet options.
Pros
- Human-grade ingredients baked fresh to order
- Subscription convenience
- No artificial preservatives or colors
- Dogs consistently eager for them
Cons
- Shorter shelf life than preserved treats
- Larger size not ideal for rapid-fire training
How many training treats is too many per day
A common rule of thumb is treats should not exceed 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. For a 50-pound dog eating 1,200 calories per day, that is 120 treat calories. At 3.5 calories per Zuke's treat, that is about 34 treats — enough for a solid 20-minute training session. If you are training heavily, reduce meal portions slightly on those days.
Soft treats vs crunchy treats for training
Soft treats win every time for training. Crunchy treats take 4 to 6 seconds to eat, require chewing, and break the training rhythm. Soft treats are eaten in under 2 seconds, letting you mark and reward rapidly. Save crunchy biscuits for rewards when you have more time, like after a walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a treat high value?
High value means your dog wants it more than whatever distraction is in the environment. Freeze-dried meats, real cheese, and cooked chicken are typically high value. Dry biscuits are typically low value. The same dog may have different values for treats in different contexts — at home vs at a busy dog park.
Can I use regular food as training treats?
Yes, and many trainers recommend it. Kibble from your dog's daily portion works fine for low-distraction training. Cut up bits of cooked chicken, hot dog, or cheese work well for high-distraction situations. Using part of your dog's meal as training treats is a great way to add enrichment without adding calories.
Bottom Line
Zuke's Mini Naturals are the everyday training treat that professional trainers and serious hobbyists both use. Keep Vital Essentials freeze-dried treats on hand for high-distraction work where motivation needs to be maximum. Fruitables are a solid budget choice for any dog that is already highly food motivated.
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