5 Best Dog Treats for Training: Low Calorie & High Rewards

Training your dog—whether it’s basic obedience, advanced tricks, or crate training—requires patience, consistency, and perhaps most importantly, motivation. And nothing motivates dogs quite like the right treat. But not just any treat will do. The best dog treats for training are low in calories, high in value, and easy to handle during fast-paced sessions.

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes a great training treat and highlight five of the best brands on the market that check all the boxes. Whether you’re raising a rambunctious puppy or fine-tuning your senior dog’s recall, these options will keep tails wagging—and progress moving forward.

What Treats Are Best for Training Dogs?

Before diving into specific brands, let’s cover the basics. The best treats for positive reinforcement share a few key qualities:

• Small Size: Tiny, bite-sized rewards let you reinforce frequently without overfeeding.
• High Value: Dogs should find the treat irresistible, especially in distracting environments.
• Low Calorie: Training involves repetition—so lower-calorie treats help avoid weight gain.
• Soft or Quick-Crunch Texture: Treats should be easy to eat quickly, minimizing training pauses.
• Minimal Ingredients: Fewer fillers mean fewer potential allergens or digestive issues.

Now, let’s look at five top brands that offer healthy training treats for dogs that deliver all of the above—and then some.

1. BIXBI Pocket Trainers

Perfect for: Puppies, small dogs, and frequent training sessions

BIXBI Pocket Trainers are a cult favorite for a reason. These soft, bite-sized morsels are only 4 calories per treat, making them perfect for extended training sessions. They’re also grain-free, gluten-free, and available in tasty flavors like Bacon, Chicken, and Salmon—each made with real meat as the first ingredient.

Why they’re great for training:

• Soft and chewy for fast consumption
• Available in resealable pouches that fit easily in your pocket or treat pouch
• Ideal small training treats for small dogs and puppies

Learn more about how to choose training treats and why BIXBI is a trainer favorite.

2. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats

Perfect for: Clicker training, recall work, and obedience drills

Zuke’s Mini Naturals have been a staple in dog training circles for years. Each treat contains just 2–3 calories, allowing you to give multiple rewards without worry. These treats are soft and moist, which helps dogs stay focused and excited. Best of all, Zuke’s uses no corn, wheat, or soy, and their formulas include added vitamins and minerals.

Why they’re great for training:

• Ultra-low calorie for guilt-free rewarding
• Widely available and comes in flavors like Peanut Butter & Oats or Salmon
• One of the best dog treats for puppies training, thanks to the small size

Pro Tip: These are especially helpful when working on a dog training rewards system that includes high repetition.

3. Redbarn Healthy Dog Treats

Perfect for: Dogs with dietary restrictions or sensitive stomachs

Redbarn offers a variety of healthy dog treats, but their grain-free protein puffs and air-dried treats stand out as excellent choices for training. Made with real meat and no artificial ingredients, Redbarn’s treats are light and crunchy, which gives dogs instant gratification without overloading their stomachs.

Why they’re great for training:

• Excellent for dogs with grain sensitivities
• Variety of protein sources to choose from (Lamb, Chicken, Beef)
• Rich in protein and low in fillers

Redbarn proves that grain free training treats for dogs can be just as rewarding—and even more nutritious—than traditional options.

4. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Treats

Perfect for: High-reward training and real meat enthusiasts

For some dogs, only single-ingredient treats will do. That’s where Vital Essentials shines. Their freeze-dried treats come in ultra-simple recipes—just raw, freeze-dried meat, such as turkey, duck, beef liver, or minnows. These treats are nutrient-dense, grain-free, and 100% natural.

Why they’re great for training:

• Extremely high reward dog treats for training, especially for scent work
• Great for dogs on raw or limited ingredient diets
• Break apart easily for smaller portions

FAQ: Are freeze dried treats good for training? Absolutely! They’re shelf-stable, healthy, and offer real-meat flavor dogs crave.

5. Tuesday’s Natural Dog Company Training Bites

Perfect for: Everyday obedience and positive reinforcement

Tuesday’s Natural Dog Company offers small, chewy training bites that are made in the USA with limited, human-grade ingredients. Their soft texture is ideal for all dog sizes and ages, and they come in unique proteins like Rabbit, Salmon, and Turkey.

Why they’re great for training:

• Clean ingredients you can trust
• Soft and easy to chew, even for puppies and senior dogs
• Excellent for obedience training for dogs in both home and class settings

These treats make training sessions more enjoyable—and safe—for dogs with food sensitivities or picky palates.

Can I Use Regular Treats for Training?

Technically, yes. But not all treats are designed with training in mind. Regular treats are often too large, too hard, or too rich, which can slow training progress and upset your dog’s stomach. Sticking with purpose-built training treats ensures you're reinforcing behaviors quickly and effectively.

How Many Treats Should I Use During Training?

It depends on your dog’s size, the intensity of training, and the treat's calorie content. As a rule of thumb:

• Keep training treats under 5 calories each
• Use pea-sized portions for small dogs and puppies
• Count total treat calories as part of your dog’s daily calorie intake

You can also rotate between high- and low-reward treats depending on difficulty or distraction level.

What’s the Healthiest Training Treat for Dogs?

Look for treats that are:

• Single-ingredient (like Vital Essentials)
• Low in calories
• Free from artificial preservatives, colors, and fillers
• Made with real meat or limited ingredients

Brands like BIXBI, Zuke’s, and Tuesday’s Natural Dog Company offer some of the healthiest training treats for dogs across all life stages.

Final Thoughts

Training is one of the most rewarding parts of sharing life with a dog—and using the right treat can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for low calorie dog treats for training, freeze dried options, or soft bites for small dogs, the five brands above deliver consistent, dog-approved results.

Recap: 5 Best Dog Treats for Training

1. BIXBI Pocket Trainers – Soft, grain-free, and perfect for frequent rewards
2. Zuke’s Mini Naturals – Ultra-low calorie and widely loved by trainers
3. Redbarn Healthy Treats – Crunchy, clean-ingredient options for sensitive stomachs
4. Vital Essentials – High-value, freeze-dried, single-ingredient meat treats
5. Tuesday’s Natural Dog Company Training Bites – Soft, wholesome, and perfect for daily use

Remember: the best training treats are the ones your dog loves most—and that help you build a bond through consistent, rewarding sessions.