Good Training Treats for Dogs: The Rabbit Distraction Challenge

My terrier Pixie is so distractible by nature. She's high energy and always looking for somewhere to run it off. So, training her was a challenge. The day I brought her home from the local shelter, I started to wonder what I'd gotten myself into. She barked at everything, jumped on guests, and didn't want to train with me for more than a couple of minutes—if that. After a couple of fetches, she was ready for something new to do.

Finding good training treats for dogs is vital for a spirited breed like the terrier. That's why so many people throw their hands up and let the dog rule the roost. Fast forward to today, and not even a rabbit bounding across the yard can take her attention during a training session. When I tell her "stay", she listens.

No, really, we were playing fetch in the yard and out of nowhere, a rabbit ran into the yard between us before scurrying under the fence and out of sight. Pixie knew not to follow and that dog treats would be her reward—or maybe a big meaty dog bone.

Why Training Treats Matter

Training treats aren't just a reward. They're tools for communication between canines and humans. Dogs love us and want to know how best to live with us. They don't like to see us upset with them. They don't mean to act out or be destructive. They just don't have good ways to communicate what they need. And we don't always have constructive ways to show them how they should behave.

Enter good training treats for dogs!

They help me train even the most rambunctious terrier through:

• Positive Reinforcement - Treats create a clear link between action and reward.
• Focus Maintenance - A high-value treat can keep my dog’s attention, even in distracting environments (like when Pixie’s nemesis, the rabbit, shows up).
• Encouraging Repetition - Repetition solidifies learning, and having plenty of healthy treats for dogs on hand ensures I can reward every small success as we learn more difficult tricks and behaviors together.
• Intermittent Reinforcement - Once a trick is learned, I can use a training treat occasionally to remind my pups of what proper behavior looks like.
• Destructive Behavior Prevention - A more enduring treat can entertain dogs, alleviating boredom and anxiety. These can lead to destructive chewing and acting out. But a great dog bone chew can remedy this.

Through positive reinforcement, dog treats allow us to show dogs how we want them to act in certain situations—in a way they understand.

What Makes Good Training Treats for Dogs?

To be good treats, they must be irresistible for the dog. A proper reward that will get them excited to train.

So, Tasty? Check. Fun texture? Check. But there are a few more criteria I want in the best treats for training dogs.

1. Bite-sized and Easy to Handle

For most training sessions, I want something quick, small, and relatively low-calorie. During training sessions, you need multiple treats. So I don't want them to be oversized and ruin Pixie's dinner.

Bonus points if I can break them into smaller pieces. Most dog treats would crumble if I did that. But here's the thing. Dogs vary in size by a lot. If I give my mid-sized terrier the same number of treats as my much larger lab mix, Bruno, it would be a bigger percentage of her daily food intake. That could lead to weight gain.

2. Healthy, Preferable Single Ingredient

Most dog treats are ultra-processed and contain many chemical additives I can't pronounce—plus, added sugar and refined grains. If only there existed a treat without a lengthy ingredient list.

It exists. Dog treats made from animals can be single-ingredient and very healthy. You can buy dog treats that are made from organ meat, dog bones, bone marrow, and chewing connective tissues. I know it doesn't sound like what I typically have on my plate. But for a dog, these are the best—especially if nothing questionable is added to them. For example, dog treats and dog bones from grass-fed beef herds have:

• B Vitamins, including B12, the well-being vitamin
• Omega 3 (2X as much if grass-fed beef)
• Collagen, the structural protein
• Minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorous
• Joint support components like glucosamine and chondroitin
• No added sugar or weird stuff

3. No Nasty Smell or Feel

Dog training should be fun for both of us. So, dog treats shouldn't smell bad or have a disgusting texture that makes my hands feel dirty. Proper drying and smoking of animal-based treats ensures this is not the experience.

Now, Pixie can smell her treats from the other room. Dogs' sense of smell is 1,000 times stronger than humans. That's not an exaggeration. It's science. That smell I can't even pick up on keeps distractible K9s like Pixie engaged in training.

Healthy Treats for Dogs: The Best of the Best Treats for Training Dogs

With the above criteria in mind, I have some treats for training dogs you might want to try.

1. Best for Long Training Sessions: Beef Lung Dog Treats

Beef lung bites are my go-to for extended training sessions. They’re small and easy to break into even smaller pieces> They're also packed with protein. Plus, they’re single-ingredient, meaning no fillers or preservatives—just pure, nutritiousness. More please!

Pixie loves them, and I love that they’re healthy treats for dogs. They’re perfect for teaching new tricks or reinforcing skills we’ve been working on.

Beef lung dog treats are also the perfect trade-able treat. Let's say Pixie runs off with one of my winter socks. If I bring out a lung dog treat bag, she drops it immediately. She'd much rather have a tasty treat than a worn sock.

2. Best for Occasional Rewards: Beef Trachea Chews

Once a behavior is established, I like to use beef trachea chews as an occasional reward to reinforce good habits. These chews are more substantial than beef lung dog treats, making them a great way to reward Pixie when she aces a challenging task.

When you get grass-fed beef trachea, you're choosing truly healthy treats for dogs, packed with collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which support joint health. And because they take longer to chew, they double as a great way to keep Pixie entertained while she cleans her teeth. I've even been known to call them Pixie's toothbrush.

3. Best for Preventing Destructive Behavior: Beef Knuckle Bones

Knucklebones are a favorite in our house for their ability to provide hours of engagement. They’re like the ultimate dog puzzle toy—Pixie flips, licks, and chews, working to get every bit of bone marrow out of the dog bone. Knucklebones come in different sizes for large, medium, and smaller dogs, and their compactness makes them the ultimate solution for aggressive chewers.

See the meaty knuckle bones Pixie likes here.

I also refill the bone with treats like peanut butter or Greek yogurt once the marrow is gone. Check out my favorite recipes in this free marrow bone refill guide.

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