Training Treats for Dogs: Love + Treat = Happy Tails to You

I love to take my dogs hiking. We have sights to see and trails to conquer. We honestly couldn't do it if they weren't so well trained. It's easy to see dog training as something I do for myself—a selfish act to keep my dogs in line. But the truth is because of the time we've spent in dog boot camps and our own backyard learning discipline and fun tricks, we can enjoy these hikes—off leash with full freedom to explore and be dogs. I never feel like I have to run after them. They never venture where I can't see them. They come when I call without fail.

But we didn't get to this point overnight. It's taken work. Training could definitely have been called my side hustle at one point, as we were training every day. But it was so worth it. Now, I get to enjoy this carefree time outdoors with my best pups. And I certainly credit our success to training treats for dogs. There are some training treats so good you have to buy them in bulk. I never run out of bulk dog training treats.

Choosing the Right Dog Treats for Training a New Skill

When I first started training my dogs, I quickly learned that not all treats are alike! Some are too big for frequent rewards. Others crumble too easily. And some have ingredient lists that make me question if they’re more science experiment than food. That's ultra-processed food for you!

The best training treats for dogs, I’ve found, strike the perfect balance: they’re small, healthy, and irresistible.

So, for quick rewards, I choose beef lung dog treats all the way. These check all my boxes. They're single ingredient—just organ meat—and easy to carry in a pocket or bag because they don't stink or stain. They're roasted to meaty perfection. I can also break them into smaller pieces easily. That's so important because with a rambunctious terrier like my Pixie, I needed a lot of treats to train her.

Talk about marathon training sessions. Sometimes it felt like she could go all day. And as long as she was still engaged in learning, who was I to stop her?

For these long sessions, I didn't want to be lugging a bag of rocks around, so it also helps that these training treats for dogs are lightweight. But what makes them healthy treats for dogs?

• Collagen is the structural protein for healthy bones, joints, skin, and coat.
• Omega 3 and 6 are essential fatty acids dog bodies can't make, but that are important for brain and heart health.
• B vitamins, especially B12, is critical for mental health and energy production.
• Vitamin C is a vitamin that dogs (unlike humans) can make but often don't make enough of for immune support and vitamin synthesis.

I love it when dog treats are as good for their bodies as they are for their taste buds. These are great little dog treats all around—so good, in fact, that I buy bulk dog training treats to save money and ensure I never run out.

The Power of Intermittent Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is critical to a good training program. The beef lung dog treats provide the immediate reinforcement that communicate, "Yes, that's it. You're almost there. That's what I want." But it's not only important to give them a tasty bite immediately. It's critical to reinforce it intermittently with something more substantial.

For this purpose, I really like beef trachea treats. These chews are like a next-level reward. They last longer, giving my dogs a chance to enjoy a more substantial treat while also supporting their joint health. They're still small and low in calories. And you better believe they're loaded with nutrition—including glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and collagen, enough so that I call them our "joint supplements for dogs".

These are the perfect complement to beef lung dog treats.

After a long training session, I pop one out of the bag as a way to say, "you did great today. Here's just one more treat you can savor and chew on for a while". I also call trachea treats our "natural toothbrushes" because the chewing action removes plaque that cause tooth decay and bad breath.

When Bruno, my lab mix, nails a command like “stay” despite distractions, he knows that a beef lung bite is coming his way. That moment of celebration—his wagging tail, my enthusiastic praise—cements the behavior in his mind. Then more substantial positive reinforcement intermittently reminds him of this amazing experience.

Mixing Up the Rewards: Beef Knee Caps, Why Not?

Variety in training sessions can help keep dogs excited about spending this important time practicing behavior. That’s why I also use beef kneecaps as part of our routine. These bones are perfect for mental stimulation. This dog bone is flat with lots of meaty bits and marrow. So, it's a great way to end a training session on a high note. You can get beef kneecaps for dogs on Amazon. These are grass fed, so they're higher in omega 3.

Stopping Destructive Behavior in Its Paw Tracks

Other dog bones like the Dynamo bone can also be part of our training routine. But they serve a slightly different purpose. Dogs have an instinctual need to chew on things and play. If I don't give them a constructive outlet, then they will find something to destroy—table leg, door frame, wooden floor, or my hiking boots. Yes, that happened.

Scheduling regular chew sessions with dog bones 2 times a week is enough to provide mental stimulation and satisfy the need to gnaw. A dog bone filled with bone marrow is like a dog puzzle toy. Dogs flip it around, lick, and gnaw, trying to get some marrow out. Marrow bones are also very healthy treats for dogs, with all of that nutrition I mentioned earlier.

Plus, when the marrow is mostly gone, I refill the bone with something yummy, like peanut butter. This way one dog bone can last a really long time, even with aggressive chewing. It's just important to limit chew time to around 20 minutes to maximize the nutrition and other health benefits. Download the free marrow bone refill guide for more ideas.

The Bottom Line: Training with Love (and Treats)

Training a dog takes patience, consistency, and the right tools. And it's worth it because I love my dogs. Well-trained dogs are happy dogs. They know what to expect at home and in public. They understand what we humans want from them. And they have earned the right to off-leash (where it's safe and legal to do so).

High-quality training treats are one of the most important tools in the training toolbox. Whether I'm giving them beef lung bites for quick rewards, trachea chews for intermittent reinforcement, or some meaty beef kneecaps for mental stimulation, the right treat can make all the difference.

And remember, training isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about building a stronger bond with your dog. With the right treats and a little love, we all come out winners. Happy tails to you!

Available On: