Top 7 Dog Training Treats

Here’s the dirty secret about dog treats: most are junk food in disguise. The good ones, though, are pure, simple, and so delicious your dog will do anything for them.

If Freya could speak, her first word would be “FOOD”, she is a total foodie. Which honestly makes my life easier when it comes to training (at least a little easier). Over the last few months, I’ve tested just about every type of treat you can think of: freeze-dried, soft and chewy, homemade, chicken, beef, salmon, even a few of Amazon’s best-sellers. (Not me personally, of course, that would be weird. Freya’s the taste-tester in this house.)

What I learned is this: “Every dog have a hierarchy of rewards”, (AKC) making training treats one of the most powerful tools we have. After some experimenting and sorting through the high value treats vs the low value treats, Freya has decided she is absolutely obsessed with peanut butter (high value treat). 

One quick tip I’ve picked up: variety matters. According to the AKC, “Dogs can become bored, with the same old treat.” Even though Freya is dead set on peanut butter, I still like to rotate different treats to keep things interesting and to see if we can add a new favorite in the mix. 

With that in mind, here are Freya’s top 7 favorite natural training treats, all tested, tasted (by her), and approved.

1. Pupford Freeze-Dried Beef Liver (Natural + Preserved)
   
   Freya gives these an (8/10). They’re small, crunchy, and perfect for rapid-fire training, plus they hold their shape, don’t leave my fingers greasy, and the bag smell isn’t overwhelming. The only catch? They’re preserved with mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E). It’s natural, but still processed, so I wouldn’t call it truly “whole food.” Still, a solid option in my book.
   
   
2. Mini PureBites Freeze-Dried Beef Liver (Single Ingredient)
   
   These are one of my favorites because they’re literally just beef liver. Nothing else. They’re a bit more pungent (you’ll smell them the second you open the bag), but that works in my favor because Freya knows right away it’s time to train. Clean, simple, and effective. I enjoy the small shapes they’re in and how simple they are. Freya gives these an (9/10.)
   
   
3. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw (Single Ingredient)
   
   Another one-ingredient winner. Vital Essentials does freeze-dried liver, heart, and other organ treats with no fillers or preservatives. Freeze-drying acts as the natural preservation method, so the bag stays fresh without additives. Freya goes nuts for these, (9/10.)
   
   
4. Peanut butter (Store-bought, dog-friendly)
   
   This is Freya’s absolute favorite (10/10). It’s not the easiest treat to use for training, definitely not the most convenient, but we make it work. I usually break some up and stash it in a little baggie for later. Honestly, she doesn’t need much; the smell alone is enough to turn me into her favorite person in the world.
   
   Note: Please be selective on your peanut butter, some contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs according to the AKC. And its calorie dense, so I recommend only a little.
   
   
5. Carrots (Single Ingredient, Whole Food)
   
   Freya loves carrots (8/10), especially when frozen. I give them in moderation, but they’re great as a low-calorie snack or quick training treat when chopped into small pieces. Bonus: chewing carrots can help support dental health.
   
   
6. Blueberries (Single Ingredient, Whole Food)
   
   Always looking for the good stuff, Freya gives these 9/10. The only downside is they can squish, but Freya actually prefers them frozen, which solves the problem. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that benefit dogs just as much as people.
   
   
7. Chicken (Single Ingredient, Store-Bought)
   
   Plain chicken, no seasoning, no oils, gets a solid 9/10 from Freya. It’s high-value, which makes it great for tough training sessions when I really need her focus. The only downside is that it’s not the most convenient treat to carry around.  Plus, I usually boil the chicken, which makes the kitchen smell pretty strong… though I’m sure Freya considers that a bonus.

Final Thoughts

The best training treats don’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler, the better. My rule of thumb is: if I can recognize the ingredient and pronounce it, it’s probably a good choice.

For quick, high-value rewards, I lean on freeze-dried meats like liver and heart. For everyday variety, I rotate in whole foods like carrots, blueberries, and chicken. And for something a little longer-lasting, I like dehydrated organs.

At the end of the day, it’s about finding what motivates your dog without compromising their health. Freya’s food drive turned out to be one of my biggest training tools, and by choosing natural, single-ingredient treats, I can reward her without guilt.

Because just like with supplements, I believe dogs deserve real food first, even in their treats.