High Value Dog Training Treats: From Mayhem to Focus
Dawn Miller Jan 02, 20254 Minute ReadHigh value dog training treats aren't just important. They can make the difference between a well-trained pup and years of frustration over what we assume is our dog's stubbornness or inability to learn.
Case in point: last Tuesday, I was in a spirited conversation at the neighborhood dog park. My terrier, Pixie, had just nailed a flawless "rollover" in front of a human audience in front of a dozen or so canine friends running and playing.
As we celebrated her achievement (okay, maybe I celebrated a little too loudly), one of my neighbors leaned over and asked, “How do you get her to focus like that?” With an exaggerated glance, he looked out at all of the distractions.
I smiled and pulled a small, irresistible treat from my pocket. “High-value training treats,” I replied. “When your dog loves the reward, they’ll move mountains—or, in Pixie’s case, master some impressive tricks.”
What Are High-Value Dog Training Treats?
High value treats are the "secret sauce" for dog training. They have an irresistible taste, texture, and scent... although I can't smell them.
I don't have a dog nose that's 1000 times stronger than a human's.
They make training my pup a breeze because they create strong positive associations with learning and performing commands. That's the power of positive reinforcement.
And, of course, they're healthy training treats for dogs...because it took quite a few treats to teach my rambunctious terrier Pixie to focus like this.
What I Look for In High Value Dog Training Treats
As a dog mom, I'll be honest. I have some other criteria before I call dog treats truly "high value". I mean the elevated taste experience is critical. But what makes healthy training treats for dogs?
Don't let the term "treat" fool you. Dog treats can be very healthy.
Healthy training treats for dogs will meet these criteria:
- Nutritious - They can fill in nutrition gaps in an all-kibble diet and provide extra support for brain, heart, skin, coat, immunity, and joints. Omega 3, vitamin C, glucosamine for joints, and B vitamins are big ones for my pups.
- No questionable ingredients - I check the label for additives, preservatives, or GMO (some treats even have added sugar because they don't taste good on their own. "Nope" to that!)
- 100% naturally flavored - Ideally, they are single-ingredient dog treats. This has to be something dogs already love (you can't beat beef in this regard).
- A USA dog treat - the FDA regulates USA-made pet foods and treats. But small imports under $800 are not tested. When was the last time I spent $800 on dog treats? They could put anything in it, and no one would know. High value doesn't mean dog treats cost an arm and leg. It means they're quality I can trust for my pups, who mean the world to me.)
- Beef cattle, not dairy cows - Retired dairy cows often become dog bones at the end of their productivity. I respect those dairy cows—producing milk for my family for years. But milk production is hard work. It depletes the body, making bones brittle. Plus, they're much older than beef cattle when processed. Old, nutrient-depleted dog bones and treats aren't high value.
I also look for grass-fed beef dog treats. Grass-fed beef is higher in the healthy fat omega 3 and lower in saturated fat. If I want the highest value dog treats, I'll pay just a little more for grass-fed any day. It's a better value than low-quality ingredients that could make my dogs sick over time.
That's why I choose K9 Connoisseur dog bones and treats. These treats are unique! They come from USA-born and raised, grass-fed beef cattle. The single ingredient dog treats are just slow-roasted beef—marrow-filled dog bones, organ meat treats (like lung bites), chewy cartilage treats.
There's nothing weird or unhealthy in these training treats for dogs.
How Do the Best Training Treats for Dogs Work?
These better dog treats create a sensory experience that generates a positive association between performing a behavior and getting a treat. It's all thanks to the motivation hormone dopamine.
This all-natural feel-good chemical creates brain pathways for habits that dogs—like humans—learn to follow automatically, even with distractions.
When was the last time I started my day without a hot cup of my favorite coffee? I guess you could say I trained myself to drink coffee every morning because caffeine gives humans that little dopamine hit that dogs get from the best training treats for dogs.
I reinforced the morning ritual. And it became a habit that's hard to break.
How to Use High-Value Treats Effectively
1. Start small. I love that I can break K9 Connoisseur's beef lung training treats into smaller pieces. This makes the bulk bags I buy last through even more training sessions. And it ensures I don't overfeed with treats. All treats combined should be no more than 10% of the dog's diet. These include training treats, dog bones, just-for-fun treats, and people foods, like apples, blueberries, pumpkin puree, and plain yogurt.2. Reward immediately. Timing is everything when teaching a new trick. Reward behaviors that are moving in the right direction with treats and praise. Keep rewarding as they learn precisely what you want.
Want to see Amanda teach a dog "wave" in under 30 seconds with high value dog training treats?— Check out this video.
3. Use treats for the right purpose. Small, single-bite treats are immediate rewards that you can repeat many times as they learn. But more substantial treats like a meaty marrow-filled dog bone can ease anxiety, improve focus, and stop destructive behavior—all critical for more productive dog training sessions.4. Combine with praise. Pair treats with enthusiastic verbal praise or petting to reinforce positive associations. It's like Pavlov's dog; they begin to develop multiple positive associations. Now, even when you don't have a training treat ready, they still perform the trick for praise, pets, or just because they see it makes you happy.
5. End on a high note. If your K9 struggles with a new command, don't throw your hands up and walk away. Go back to something they can do consistently, like sit. Give them a treat, and then end the session. This "last memory" creates a positive association with the training, so they're eager to try again next time.
A High Value Training Course Free 7-Day Dog Training Series
Looking to level up your dog’s training? Check out K9 Connoisseur’s Free 7-Day Dog Online Training Series. It’s a comprehensive guide to essential commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Plus, it has more advanced tricks to wow your friends and make shareable videos.
Find out how to effectively use positive reinforcement to teach basic commands in as little as a couple of minutes. Then, keep building on the basics to unlock more advanced skills.
And the best part? It’s free! Get started here: Free 7-Day Dog Training Series.
Final Thoughts: Training with Love (and Treats)
Training—it's about more than teaching commands. It builds a bond between you and your furry companion. Dogs thrive on routine and feel good when they perform commands they learn. It's an accomplishment. With the right high-value treats, you can make training sessions enjoyable and time-effective for you and your pup.Available On:
