Dog Training Treats: Pixie’s Backyard Bootcamp

The other afternoon, I was in the backyard with Pixie, my spirited terrier. It was training day, or as I call it, “Pixie’s Backyard Bootcamp.” Prepared with her favorite red flying disc, a clicker, and a pocket full of treats, I was ready to conquer the next level of her obedience skills. Pixie, however, had other ideas—like chasing squirrels through the piles of fallen leaves.

Training a dog like Pixie takes patience, persistence, and the right tools—especially the perfect training treats. Let me tell you, the treats make all the difference. If you’ve ever tried to teach a terrier to focus with a less-than-exciting snack, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

So, what are the best dog training treats, and why are they so important? From dog bones to bite-sized healthy treats, let’s explore!

Why Dog Training Treats Matter

Training treats aren't just snacks. I use them to reinforce desired behaviors. And with a dog like Pixie, I often need quite a few to get her moving in the right direction.

You want a treat that can:

• Reinforce Positive Behavior. A tasty reward helps your dog associate good behavior with good things.
• Maintain Focus. High-value treats keep your dog’s attention, even in distracting environments.
• Encourage Learning. The faster your dog learns, the quicker you can enjoy a well-behaved companion.

So, it has to taste good—and feels like a reward. But it also needs to be health-promoting. Let's you and me see what we can scrounge up here.

What to Look for in Healthy Treats for Dogs

Low Calorie but Nutritious

The treat needs to help her focus. But I also want them to be healthy treats for dogs and relatively low-calorie since I need to be able to give her several over 30-minute sessions. It should be a net positive for her diet—even though we call it a "training treat".

I choose treats with simple, natural ingredients. After all, I'm giving these frequently during training.

Small and Bite-sized

The term "bite-sized" will vary based on dog size. Many treats are designed for larger breeds like German Shepherds and American Bullies. So, these treats would be too much for a distinctly mid-sized dog like Pixie.

But just try breaking most treats in half for smaller dogs. They'd just crumble.

I look for treats to break into halves or quarters. This allows me to manage their treat intake.

Whole Food Ingredients

Ideally, I want training treats to be single-ingredient. So, they're whole food with no questionable items on the list. No GMO or added sugar.

Many dog training treats add sugar for the same reason it's in so many ultra-processed foods. The treats don't taste good without it.

That's not something I want.

Dogs love meat, and not just meat-flavored treats using chemical alternatives. If I give them meat, then no other ingredients should be required.

By choosing a single-ingredient, animal-based dog treat, I know the flavor is irresistible, making training sessions enjoyable for both of us.

Maybe she'll leave that oh-so-tempting squirrel alone this time.

High-Value

Your dog should be excited about the treat. Pixie, for example, will do backflips for beef lung dog treats. But she barely glances at grocery store treats. Go for treats with strong aromas and rich flavors.

That doesn't mean the treats have to "smell bad". Dogs have a much stronger smell than we do. A little meat smell goes a long way.

With these criteria in mind, let's look at some of Pixie's favorites.

Most Recommended Dog Training Treats

Best for Reinforcing New Tricks: Beef Lung Dog Treats

Beef lung bites are perfect for long training sessions. With a pocket full of treats, I can reinforce Pixie each time she gets closer to the desired behavior.

These are easy to break into pieces, too.

But are they healthy? Yes. They’re packed with lean protein, including collagen, with many vitamins and minerals. Plus, they’re single-ingredient, so I don’t have to worry about fillers or preservatives. Pixie loves them, and I love that they’re a healthy choice.

They're also dried, so they're not messy or smelly. This is organ meat. So, it's some of the healthiest training treats you can buy.

Best for Reinforcing Tricks Intermittently: Beef Trachea Chews

Once a dog has learned behavior, it's important to reinforce it intermittently. For example, when Pixies gets a little too excited about guests or the mail carrier dropping a package, I say "Rest" and she goes directly to her dog bed without fail.

I no longer have to wrangle up a rambunctious terrier every time she hears something.

We used beef lung treats to learn this. But now, this is just what she does. Still, I like to reinforce it periodically—just to remind her that she's being a good girl.

I give a beef trachea treat. These last longer than a beef lung bite. So it's a more substantial reward. Plus, the trachea is mostly a chewy cartilage, so I like to call it a dog toothbrush.

But is the trachea healthy? It's just cartilage, something I normally throw out when eating my own meals.

As it turns out, cartilage is very nutritious. Many cuisines around the world consider it a nutritious part of a balanced meal. In China, people often eat connective tissues to promote skin and joint health.

And there's a reason for it. Cartilage is mostly collagen with substantial glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. It's a natural joint supplement.

Best for Managing Destructive Behavior: Real Dog Bone

Recommended dog training treats should go beyond those used during training itself. Preventing undesirable behaviors when we're not looking is also a vital part of training a dog to live amicably with a human family.

When dogs get bored, nervous, or depressed, they often act out. They're trying to let you know something isn't right by:

• Digging in your garden
• Tearing up furniture
• Scratching at door frames and wooden floors
• Chewing up your hiking boots
• Whining
• Barking at every little thing

Why do dogs get bored, anxious, etc? It's because they often lack stimulation. In many homes, their people expect them to sit quietly until it's time to go for a walk or eat. And that's not a very fulfilling life. Dogs want to play, spend time with you, and engage in stimulating activities.

For a dog, a marrow-filled dog bone is this activity. They can do it by themselves. And it helps them feel engaged and well. Chewing on things is a dog's instinct. If they don't have anything to chew on, they will find something. We call this "destructive," but it's just what they're born to do.

A marrow-filled dog bone is like a dog puzzle toy. They chew and flip it around and lick while trying to get the sweet bone marrow out. This bone marrow is not only sweet and buttery. It's also a very healthy treat for dogs.

Give a dog a bone 2-3 times a week for 15-20 minutes. That's enough for them to feel engaged. And when the bone marrow is gone, I refill dog bones with more goodness, like natural peanut butter. You can find more recipes and tips in this free marrow bone refill guide.

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