Last updated: June 8, 2026 · 8-minute read
What Are the Best Dog Training Treats? The Short Answer
The best dog training treats are small, soft, and high-value so your dog will work for them, and single-ingredient and fully digestible so dozens of repetitions a day never upset their stomach. At Bully Sticks Central we make 100% natural, 100% real-meat chews with no rawhide and no chemicals, ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. For training, pair a pea-sized natural reward for rapid repetitions with a long-lasting chew like a bully stick for the calm settle afterward.
Key takeaways
- Keep them tiny. Pea-sized pieces let you reward 20–30 times per session without overfeeding.
- Prioritize single-ingredient. One real-meat ingredient means fully digestible rewards and no mystery additives.
- Match value to difficulty. Use everyday treats for easy cues and high-value treats for distractions and new skills.
- Mind the 10% rule. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories; cut meals slightly on heavy training days.
- Reward the chew, too. A long-lasting natural chew reinforces calm, settled behavior between sessions.
What Makes a Great Dog Training Treat?
A great training treat is fast to eat, easy to carry, and irresistible. Soft treats win over hard biscuits because your dog can swallow them in a second and stay focused on the next cue. Strong-smelling, real-meat rewards hold attention better than grain-filled options. Above all, look for single-ingredient, fully digestible treats with no rawhide and no fillers — when you are handing out dozens per day, ingredient quality matters more than ever.
How Should You Size and Schedule Training Treats?
For most cues, break treats down to pea size — roughly the size of your pinky nail. Tiny pieces keep calories low and let you deliver many fast repetitions. Reserve larger or higher-value rewards for breakthroughs and high-distraction environments. Keep treats under 10% of daily calories, and on heavy training days reduce the regular meal slightly to balance it out.
Training treat serving guide by dog size
| Dog size | Treat piece size | Rewards per session | Best high-value chew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 20 lb) | Pea-sized | 15–20 | 6-inch standard bully sticks |
| Medium (20–50 lb) | Pea to dime-sized | 20–25 | Regular beef tendons |
| Large (50–90 lb) | Dime-sized | 25–30 | Beef cheek rolls |
| Extra large (90 lb+) | Dime to nickel-sized | 25–30 | 12-inch monster bully sticks |
Which Natural Chews Double as Training Rewards?
For obedience reps you want soft, bite-sized treats, but the highest-value reward in a dog's day is often a long-lasting natural chew. Many BSC customers use chews as the "jackpot" at the end of a successful session: a 6-inch standard bully stick for everyday wins, a cow ear for a lighter reward, or a beef trachea tube and 10-inch tripe twist stick for variety. Every one is single-ingredient, fully digestible, and free of rawhide. Browse the full range in our natural dog treats and chews collection.
How Do You Use Treats for Positive Reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement works by rewarding the behavior you want within one to two seconds, so your dog connects the action to the reward. Mark the moment with a clicker or a word like "yes," then deliver the treat. Reward generously when teaching something new, then gradually fade to intermittent rewards once the behavior is reliable. Always end on a win, and keep sessions short — five focused minutes beats twenty distracted ones.
Can You Make Homemade Dog Training Treats?
Yes. Simple single-ingredient homemade treats are easy to make and let you control exactly what goes in. Here is a five-step dehydrated chicken recipe dogs love.
- Slice boneless, skinless chicken breast into thin strips about 1/8-inch thick.
- Lay the strips flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet or dehydrator tray with space between them.
- Dehydrate at 165°F (or bake at the lowest oven setting) for 2–3 hours until fully dry and firm.
- Cool completely, then snip into pea-sized training pieces with kitchen scissors.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer.
Homemade treats are great for variety, but for grab-and-go convenience and longer shelf life, our bully sticks collection and natural chews deliver the same single-ingredient quality with zero prep.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How many training treats can I give my dog in a day?
Keep treats under 10% of your dog's daily calories. Using pea-sized, single-ingredient rewards lets you give dozens during training while staying within that limit. On heavy training days, trim the regular meal slightly.
What are the best treats for puppy training?
Soft, tiny, single-ingredient treats are ideal for puppies because they are easy to chew, quick to eat, and gentle on developing stomachs. Avoid anything with fillers or added sugars.
Are bully sticks good training rewards?
Bully sticks are excellent high-value "jackpot" rewards for the end of a session or for reinforcing a calm settle. They are 100% natural, single-ingredient, and fully digestible, with no rawhide.
Should training treats be soft or crunchy?
Soft treats are usually better for active training because your dog swallows them instantly and stays focused. Crunchy treats are fine for casual rewards but can slow the pace of a fast session.
What treats are best for high-distraction environments?
Use your highest-value, strongest-smelling real-meat rewards when there are lots of distractions, like parks or busy streets. Save everyday treats for low-distraction practice at home.
Are your treats safe for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Our chews are single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and free of rawhide and chemicals, which makes them a great fit for many dogs with sensitive stomachs. Introduce any new treat gradually.
How do I stop my dog from only obeying when I have treats?
Reward generously while teaching, then fade to intermittent, unpredictable rewards once the behavior is reliable. Mix in praise and play so your dog stays motivated even when no treat is visible.
Where are Bully Sticks Central chews sourced?
All of our chews are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and are 100% high-quality guaranteed, single-ingredient, and fully digestible.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at June 23, 2026 23:47
