3 Types of Training Treats Every Dog Owner Needs (and When to Use Them)

Training your dog is one of the most rewarding ways to bond, but if you’ve ever stood in the pet store aisle staring at a wall of bags, you know it can be overwhelming. From crunchy biscuits to "high-value" liver bites, the options are endless.

The secret to a well-behaved pup isn't just giving treats—it's knowing when to use them, and which "currency" to use for the job. Here is your guide to understanding the different types of dog training treats and exactly when to use them.

1. The Low-Value Treat: "The Daily Bread"

Low-value treats are usually dry, crunchy, and take a little longer to chew. Think of these like a $1 bill: useful, but not exactly life-changing.

• Examples: Kibble, plain biscuits, carrots, or green beans.

• When to Use:

  • Inside the house: When there are zero distractions.

  • Maintenance: For behaviors your dog already knows by heart (like a standard "sit").

  • Extended sessions: To keep the calorie count low during long drills.

2. The Medium-Value Treat: "The Reliable Paycheck"

These are usually semi-moist, smellier than a biscuit, and easy to break into tiny pieces. They are the "workhorse" of the training world.

• Examples: Zuke’s Mini Naturals, jerky strips, or soft-baked treats.

• When to Use:

  • Learning new tricks: When your dog needs a bit more motivation to figure out a "roll over."

  • Mild distractions: Practicing in the backyard or a quiet park.

  • Rapid-fire training: Because they are soft, your dog can swallow them instantly and get right back to work.

3. The High-Value Treat: "The Jackpot"

High-value treats are the "big guns." They are usually moist, very smelly, and often refrigerated or freeze-dried. For most dogs, these are irresistible.

• Examples: Boiled chicken, string cheese, freeze-dried liver, or hot dog bits.

• When to Use:

  • High-stress/Distraction environments: When you’re at a busy park or the vet.

  • Recall: You want "Come!" to be the most rewarding word in your dog's vocabulary.

  • Difficult behaviors: Counter-conditioning (like teaching a reactive dog to stay calm when seeing another dog).

3 Golden Rules for Treat Training

1. Size Matters: A treat doesn't need to be a meal. For a training session, aim for pieces the size of a pea (or even a grain of rice for small dogs). It’s about the taste, not the volume.

2. The 10% Rule: Treats should never exceed 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. If you have a heavy training day, subtract a bit from their dinner bowl to compensate.

3. Match the Value to the Challenge: Never use a piece of steak for a "sit" in your living room—you’ll have nowhere to go when you actually need their attention at a busy park!

Next Step

Every dog is different! My pup would do anything for a jar of meat baby food or squeezable treat like a Bark Pouch, but he couldn't care less about carrots. What is your dog’s ultimate 'Jackpot' treat? Let us know in the comments below.