Dog treats - what's best and why

The number one question we get asked on all of our dog training videos is “What treats do you use?”

We’re happy to answer, but it won’t help you. Or anyone else, for that matter. The treats we use are the ones our dogs like. For everyday “good boy” stuff, it’s just a mixture of their regular kibble and “o” shaped oat cereal. Our dogs like the honey-nut flavor. 

If we’re introducing our dogs to something new, or if we’re in a distracting environment, we up the ante a bit. Second-tier treats might include celery, semi-moist dog food pieces, maybe popcorn or dried banana or apple chips. 

If we’re doing something or going somewhere that’s super-stressful to our dogs, the top-tier treats come out - Chicken Heart Treats.

A matter of taste

Dogs do have a sense of taste, although only about a third of the taste buds people do. Nobody who’s ever watched their dog eating dirt (or even less delightful things) could ever say dogs have refined palates. 

That being said, dogs do have taste preferences, just like we do. As natural omnivores, they can sense the same flavors we do: sweet, salt, sour, and bitter. Just not to the same intensity. Interestingly, dogs have specific taste buds for water, located at the tip of the tongue. And they don’t have a particular affinity to salt, although they can taste it.

The sense dogs have that far surpasses our own is smell. Their ability to detect scents is exponentially better than any person’s. Their food preferences are much more influenced by the smell of the item than the taste. For our training classes, we recommend treats that are “soft, small, and smelly.” Soft so there aren’t crumbs. Small so they’re gone in one bite. Smelly so the dog knows what you’ve got and wants it.

A snack, not a meal

Just like people don’t really need snacks, dogs don’t either. All the nutrition dogs need should come from their regular meals, not treats. 

So it’s really not a problem if your dog’s treats are “junk food.” Snack time with your dog is more about companionship and sharing than the food. If you want to give your dog some “junk food,” no one’s going to call the treat police on you.

If your dog’s treats are for training, it does have to be something that your dog really likes. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. It does have to be something non-toxic to dogs, so grapes are out. But your dog may adore grape tomatoes. It’d be a little weird, but it’s certainly okay. 

Sensitive stomachs

We’ve encountered quite a few people in our training classes whose dogs have tummy issues. They’ve been hampered by only being able to use a prescription food for training treats.

If that’s your dilemma, too, there are ways to get creative and make even bland food more interesting. For added flavor, you can add broth to kibble, then let it dry in a low oven. Be sure it’s the same protein as the primary in the kibble - chicken broth for chicken-based dog food, for example. You can make little meatballs out of canned food and either gently bake them or freeze them to use as training treats. 

Use what works

The only real requirement for dog treats is that your dog likes it. After that, it’s what you’re comfortable giving your dog. If you’re uncomfortable giving your dog grains, don’t. Or if your dog doesn’t like carrots, don’t use them. But if they love green beans, go ahead, use what works!