Training Dog Treats

PetSmart is home to the very best in dog training treats to help you achieve the behaviors you desire in your pup. The best treats for dog and puppy training work because dogs are food motivated, and the reward of a tasty treat is a form of positive reinforcement our furry friends love most. Shop PetSmart for healthy dog training treats including: 

Good dog training treats use healthy, natural ingredients including vegetables and meat, and come in the flavors dogs love. These flavors include beef, chicken, bacon, salmon, venison, peanut butter, and more. Low-calorie dog treats that are also smaller in size are recommended for effective training to keep caloric intake down and make treating easier during training. In fact, “the smaller the better” is a philosophy to remember when it comes to the best dog/puppy training treats. If you have larger treats on hand, break them down into smaller bits for more effective training. 

Puppies have a few different requirements when it comes to their treats. Keep in mind that not only should healthy puppy training treats be even smaller than the ones you would serve to an adult dog, but that they should also be soft treats so as to avoid breakage of puppy teeth, which are not fully developed.  

One term you’ll often hear when discussing the best dog/puppy training treats is “high-value treats.” Think of high-value treats for training as treats that dogs don’t often receive outside of their training sessions. A high-value puppy treat may be a moist treat, a freeze-dried treat, or something altogether different like peanut butter, chicken, cheese, etc. Treats that elicit a strong smell can also be put into the high-value category; making them a strong choice for training. 

As pet parents, we of course seek good, healthy dog training treats we can feel good about serving our pups. Another consideration when training should be how many treats you are serving because calories can pile up quite quickly depending on the frequency of your treating. Remember that treats are a training tool, but they aren’t the only training tool. Use nutritionally beneficial treats in moderation, while at the same time incorporating other rewards, including affection and praise. Finally, remember the “10% Rule,” which states that dog treats should not exceed 10 percent of a dog’s total daily calories. 

Look to PetSmart for a wide variety of options of the best treats for dog and puppy training. PetSmart also offers convenient shopping with curbside or in-store pick-up. Need something today? We have select items available for same-day delivery in most areas. For items you purchase frequently, PetSmart has Autoship that automatically delivers the items you want to your door as often as you’d like. Check the website to see what items are eligible.