The Best Puppy Treats
Puppy treats can play an important role in your dog's training. You can use treats to help reinforce calm behaviors. They can be used to encourage your pup to learn a new skill. Treats can also be used to help engage puppies and keep them from chewing on things they shouldn't. For best results, you'll want to find a treat that your puppy really enjoys. If they don't find the treat motivating, they may not behave as you expected. To help you find some great options for training, here are five of the best puppy treats available.
Wellness Natural Grain Free Puppy Treats
Are you looking for a puppy treat that you can use both as treats and training rewards? These grain-free ones work nicely for both. They have a delicious taste that puppies love. They are made from all-natural ingredients. You won’t find any corn, soy, artificial flavors, or artificial colors in these treats. You can select between two different flavor varieties, chicken and carrots or lamb and salmon. The chicken ones are crunchy, while the lamb and salmon flavors are soft. They are a natural source of DHA to help your puppy’s brain develop. There are a few different size options, so you can select a smaller bag at first to make sure your puppy enjoys them before you commit to a larger quantity.
Pros
- Two great flavor options
- Grain-free, natural ingredients
- Natural source of DHA
Cons
- The size may be too large for smaller puppies – always check the size before giving a treat to your dog
Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Dog Treats, Puppy
Chewy Goodness
These puppy treats may help keep your dog’s teeth clean. As they chew, they freshen their breath and are thought to reduce tartar. You can give your pup one a day. The puppy variety of these treats are softer than the adult version. There are only six primary ingredients, which are all non-GMO and vegetarian. There aren’t any preservatives, gluten, or meat, so these treats are safe for puppies with food allergies. These treats are meant for puppies between 5-20 pounds. They are fairly small, about three inches each. They are long-lasting, to maximize the teeth cleaning experience.
Pros
- Long-lasting puppy treat
- Cleans your pup’s teeth as they chew
- Non-GMO vegetarian ingredients
Cons
- Aggressive chewers will go through these treats really quickly
Nulo Puppy & Adult Freestyle Trainers Dog Treat
Swap Up the Flavor
Does your puppy get bored with the same flavors of treats? Try this variety pack. You get three different bags, one duck, one salmon, and one turkey. These puppy treats are natural and gluten-free. They do not contain grain, soy, corn, wheat, or preservatives. The ingredient list does include some superfoods, such as honey, cherries, and blueberries, to provide more nutrients. But, you won’t have to worry about these filling up your dog or packing on the pounds. They each contain only 2kcals, making them a lean treat. Each treat is small, so you won’t waste any time breaking them up into smaller chunks.
Pros
- Low-calorie puppy treats
- Includes superfoods
- Three different flavors
Cons
- They’re very small treats, so a single one may not provide enough motivation for some puppies
Pupford Freeze-Dried Training Treats
Simple Ingredients
Are you looking for a puppy treat made from simple ingredients? These freeze-dried treats are amazing. There are a few different flavors you can choose from, liver, chicken, salmon, and sweet potato. They contain the main ingredient, and tocopherols, which is an antioxidant that holds the treat together. You won’t find any fillers or junk in these treats. Many puppies consider them high-value treats that are worth working for. There are over 475 treats in each bag, so this purchase will last you for many training sessions. Each treat is small and contains less than 1kcal. With these low-calorie treats, you won’t have to worry as much about spoiling your dog’s dinner during a dedicated training session.
Pros
- Simple ingredient list
- Tons of treats in each bag
- Great flavor options
Cons
- The treats are a little dry and crunchy, which some dogs don’t like
Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Dog Treats
Do you want a protein-rich puppy treat? Give this brand a try. The treats are specially formulated to provide essential nutrients that growing puppies need. In addition to a lot of protein, they contain DHA and EPA, which support brain development. They’re also rich in vitamins A, C, and E. These treats are grain-free. You can pick from three flavors, salmon, pork, or lamb. Each one contains only 3.5 calories, so they are a healthy way to reward your pup. They are a tender treat and a great size for most puppies. It may take a little time to chew.
Pros
- High in protein
- Great vitamins for growing pups
- Grain-free ingredient list
Cons
- It may take some pups a long time to chew, which can slow down a training session
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start giving my pet puppy treats?
Many puppy treats are designed for dogs age four months or older. If your puppy is younger than that, make sure you check with your veterinarian before giving puppy treats. You don’t want to risk having your puppy choke on a treat they aren’t ready to chew. They need to have the teeth strength to chew the treats you provide. Also, before giving treats, you want to ensure your puppy is eating their meals well. That way you don’t pack on the pounds with treats instead of healthier meals.
What time of day works best for giving my puppy a treat?
Pet parents give their puppies treats at different times of the day. Many prefer to give puppies a longer-lasting treat in the morning, to help keep them out of mischief. Smaller treats are perfect for training sessions. For best results, don’t give treats right after your dog eats a meal. They won’t be as hungry, and the treats may not be as motivating at this time.
If I use puppy treats for training, will my puppy only behave with the use of more treats?
Treats are motivating to your puppy. They help to reinforce positive behavior. But, sometimes it may feel like your going to be treating your dog forever. Thankfully, that is not the case. You will be able to slowly wean your puppy’s dependence on treats. Often, you will need to use the most treats when your puppy is first learning something new. Then, as they get the hang of it, you can slowly decrease the frequency that you treat. Eventually, you will be able to stop treating. So your puppy won’t need so many treats forever. But, the training process will take some time.
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