Training your dog is one of the best ways to help them become a well-rounded, resilient, and confident pup. It’s also a great way to strengthen the bond between you both.
Whether you’re teaching the basics, reinforcing known behaviours, or introducing new tricks, rewards are an essential part of the process. Dogs quickly learn that behaviours which get rewarded are behaviours worth repeating.
However, choosing the right reward for the task at hand is key. For behaviours your dog already knows well, using pieces of their regular food allowance can work perfectly for lower-level tasks, especially if the food is meaty, semi-moist, and easy to break into smaller pieces.
For more challenging situations, like getting your dog to recall away from a squirrel or ignore distractions outdoors, you’ll need something far more exciting and rewarding. High-value treats should be irresistible enough to grab their attention and bring their focus back to you.
No matter the level of training, good training treats should be:
- Small (roughly pea-sized)
- Soft and easy to chew
- Quick to eat so training flow isn’t interrupted
- Highly palatable and motivating
- Low calorie, especially during repetitive training sessions
- Easy to break into smaller pieces
Soft, meaty, and aromatic treats tend to work best, as dogs are naturally driven by smell and taste.
Variety is important too. Rotating between a few favourite flavours can help keep your dog engaged and excited during training sessions, preventing treats from becoming less motivating overtime.
Most importantly, choose treats your dog genuinely loves – something they’ll stay focused and eager to work for.
Natural and healthy treats are also beneficial, particularly when used regularly throughout the day, helping you reward often without compromising on nutrition.
Our range of training treats and semi-moist complete foods are designed to be highly palatable, easy to break up, and perfect for rewarding throughout training sessions.
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