The Smart Pet Owner's Guide to Training Treats

Šapice Pet Wellness
2026-04-01T12:53:49-04:00

The right training treat can transform your dog's learning. Learn how to choose high-value treats, use a tiered reward system, and keep sessions efficient with the right treat pouch.
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Training is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your relationship with your dog. Whether you're working on basic obedience, recall, loose-leash walking, or complex tricks, the right training treat can make the difference between a frustrated session and a breakthrough moment. For Canadian pet owners, understanding how to choose and use training treats effectively is a game-changer.

Why Treats Work in Training

Positive reinforcement training is grounded in behavioural science: behaviours that are rewarded are more likely to be repeated. Food is one of the most powerful primary reinforcers for dogs because it satisfies a fundamental biological drive. When timed correctly, a small, tasty treat creates a clear association between the desired behaviour and a positive outcome — accelerating learning significantly.

What Makes a Good Training Treat?

Not all treats are suitable for training. The best training treats share these characteristics:

Small size — training involves many repetitions; treats should be pea-sized to avoid overfeeding

Soft texture — soft treats are consumed quickly, keeping the training session flowing without long pauses

High value — the treat should be something your dog finds genuinely exciting, not just tolerable

Low-calorie — especially important for dogs in intensive training programmes

Single ingredient or minimal ingredients — clean treats are better for dogs with sensitivities

Strong scent — a more aromatic treat holds attention better, especially in distracting environments

High-Value vs. Low-Value Treats

Experienced trainers use a tiered treat system based on the difficulty of the task and the level of distraction in the environment:

Low-value treats (kibble, plain biscuits) — for easy, familiar behaviours in a quiet environment

Medium-value treats (soft chews, cheese) — for new behaviours or mild distractions

High-value treats (meat-based, strongly scented) — for recall, off-leash work, or highly distracting environments

Our Venison Jerky is an excellent high-value training treat — protein-rich, strongly scented, and easy to break into small pieces. For a softer option, our Yak Cheese Puffs can be crumbled into training-sized portions while retaining their irresistible aroma.

Keeping Treats Accessible During Training

One of the most common training frustrations is fumbling for treats mid-session, breaking your dog's focus and momentum. A quality treat pouch worn on your hip solves this instantly — keeping treats accessible, your hands free, and sessions smooth.

Our Feeding Accessories collection includes a range of treat pouches designed for active training:

Training Treat Pouch — compact and clip-on, ideal for everyday training walks

Medium Treat Pouch – Blue — great for longer sessions with more treat variety

Large Treat Pouch – Teal — for trainers who carry multiple treat types or work with larger dogs

Training Tips for Canadian Pet Owners

Keep sessions short — 5–10 minutes is ideal; dogs learn better in frequent short sessions than long ones

End on a win — always finish with a behaviour your dog knows well, so they end the session feeling successful

Adjust for the weather — in cold Canadian winters, outdoor training sessions should be shorter; use indoor enrichment tools like snuffle mats to supplement

Account for treat calories — reduce meal portions on heavy training days to avoid weight gain

Vary your rewards — mix treat types and occasionally substitute with praise or play to prevent treat dependency

When to Phase Out Treats

The goal of treat-based training is to build reliable behaviours — not permanent treat dependency. Once a behaviour is well established, gradually shift to a variable reinforcement schedule (rewarding intermittently rather than every time). This actually strengthens the behaviour over time, as unpredictable rewards are more motivating than predictable ones.

Training is a journey, not a destination. With the right treats, the right tools, and a little patience, you and your dog can achieve remarkable things together.

Shop our Rewards & Chews collection →