How to Choose the Best Training Treats for Your Dog
McLovin was a training superstar. Sit? Done. Shake? Easy. Stay? He could hold that pose like a statue. Why? Because McLovin lived for treats. Any treat. Any time. Any place.
Then came Moxie.
Shanna, thinking she had another McLovin on her hands, grabbed the training treats and excitedly called, “Moxie, sit!”
Moxie blinked. Sniffed the treat. And walked away.
Kirk burst out laughing. “Guess she’s got standards.”
So, how do you find the perfect training treat—one that works for both food-obsessed pups and the picky ones? Here’s what we’ve learned.
1. Size Matters – Go Small or Go Home
Training treats should be tiny—think pea-sized or smaller. The goal is quick rewards so your dog stays engaged.
Big treats = too much chewing = lost focus.
Mickey-Lou’s Training Treats? Crunchy but bite-sized, so your pup can eat it fast and get right back to learning.
2. Flavor Explosion – Find What Your Dog Actually Loves
Imagine offering a toddler plain rice cakes as a reward. Now imagine offering warm chocolate chip cookies.
Dogs feel the same way about treats!
McLovin would eat literally anything. Moxie? She turns her nose up at anything she doesn’t love. That’s why we make training treats in flavors dogs actually go wild for—like Liver Blueberry and Pumpkin Cranberry.
If your dog doesn’t seem excited by a treat, it’s probably the wrong flavor for them. Try different options until you find their favorite!
3. Hard Treats Can Be Great for Training!
Some people say soft treats are best for training, but that’s not always true.
Crunchy training treats are awesome because:
✔ They don’t get squished in your pocket
✔ They keep longer without preservatives
✔ They offer a satisfying crunch that some dogs prefer
McLovin and Moxie both love a good crunch—it makes training feel extra rewarding!
4. Healthy & Wholesome – Because Junk Food Isn’t Cool
If you’re using tons of treats during training, you want them to be healthy.
Look for treats that are:
✔ High in protein for energy
✔ Made with real ingredients (like liver, blueberries, pumpkin, and cranberries!)
✔ Free from artificial fillers
🚫 Avoid mystery meats and artificial junk. Your pup deserves better!
At Mickey-Lou’s, we use real food ingredients so you can reward your dog without the guilt.
5. Motivation Level – Too Hyped or Not Interested?
McLovin was so food-motivated, he would practically perform a Broadway routine for a treat. Moxie? Not so much.
Some dogs need a little extra motivation, while others might need less exciting treats to keep them from getting too worked up.
For food-obsessed dogs: Use lower-value treats (something tasty but not too exciting) for basic commands and save the high-value treats (like liver or meaty flavors) for tougher training.
For picky eaters: Experiment with different flavors until you find what gets their tail wagging!
Final Thoughts: Training Should Be Fun!
The right treat can make all the difference in your dog’s training success.
✔ Bite-sized for quick rewards
✔ Tasty enough to keep focus
✔ Crunchy for dogs that love a good crunch
✔ Healthy and natural
McLovin and Moxie may be totally different when it comes to training, but one thing they agree on? Mickey-Lou’s Training Treats are worth working for!
Need the perfect training treats for your pup? Check out our small-batch, crunchy training treats and watch your dog’s focus instantly improve! 🐶✨
