Best Dog Training Treats UK: What I Recommend and How to Choose

Practical advice on chicken, pâté, fish treats, everyday rewards and high-value training food from Finchley Dog Walker.

What are the best dog training treats?

You might expect a professional dog walker to have a definite favourite. A secret ingredient, perhaps. Something that makes every dog suddenly decide that squirrels, other dogs and suspicious things on the pavement are no longer interesting.

I wish it were that simple.

I’ve been working professionally with dogs around Finchley and North London since 2011, and I’ve discovered that the best training treat is often the one your particular dog finds worth working for.

Some dogs love chicken. Others will do almost anything for a small piece of fish. Some are perfectly happy to practise everyday skills for their normal food.

And some dogs will turn their noses up at your most expensive treat because the environment is simply too difficult for them.

In this guide, I’ll share the training treats I have used and recommended, explain what makes them practical and help you decide which might suit your dog.

You’ll also find buying links, alternatives that cost very little, and a few things I would avoid.

The quick answer: For regular training, I prefer small, soft, easy-to-eat rewards. Nature’s Menu chicken treats, suitable pâté-style products and appropriately sized fish treats are among the options I have used or recommended. For easier exercises, part of your dog’s normal food may be all you need.

If you’re interested in how to use rewards rather than which products to buy, start with my How to Train a Dog With Treats guide.

Affiliate disclosure

This guide contains advertising affiliate links. If you buy through a qualifying link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I only recommend products that I consider relevant to my approach to dog care. I’ll distinguish my own experience from products suggested as alternatives. Products are not suitable for every dog, and retailer prices, stock and ingredients may change.

Veterinary disclaimer

I am a professional dog walker with canine first-aid training, not a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nutritionist.

This guide offers general information about choosing training rewards. It does not replace veterinary advice about your dog’s diet, weight, allergies, pancreatitis or other medical conditions.

If your dog has a medical condition, is following a prescription diet or has experienced an adverse reaction to food, speak with your vet before introducing new treats.

My recommended dog training treats at a glance

You don’t need to buy all of these. Different rewards suit different dogs and different activities.

Treat or reward	What I would use it for	Things to consider
Normal kibble or daily food	Easy exercises and repeated practice at home	May not be exciting enough outside
Nature’s Menu chicken treats	Everyday positive training and walking rewards	Check the particular ingredients and size
Firm pâté-style treats	Cutting into tiny pieces for recall, training or enrichment	Some varieties can be rich and need careful storage
Dried sprats	Occasional high-value rewards for dogs who enjoy fish	Strong smell, variable size, fat content and fish-allergy considerations
Plain cooked chicken	Simple homemade training rewards	Needs hygienic preparation, cooling and refrigeration
Small commercially prepared training bites	Convenient rewards for classes and walks	Compare calories, softness, ingredients and cost

No single option deserves the title of best for every dog.

I prefer to carry something simple for everyday training and something more exciting for genuinely difficult exercises.

1. Nature’s Menu chicken treats: an everyday favourite

<text_placeholder>Suggested image: Your own photograph of Nature’s Menu treats beside a training pouch.</text_placeholder>

Nature’s Menu treats have been favourites of mine for years.

They were popular with my own dogs, Roxy and Missy, and I’ve used the brand with dogs I have walked professionally.

The chicken varieties have generally been particularly well received.

Why I recommend them

For everyday training, I want something I can access quickly, offer in a suitable amount and use without interrupting the walk.

Small, palatable treats are useful when rewarding a dog for:

• Responding to their name
• Checking in during a walk
• Moving calmly with me
• Practising basic recall
• Choosing to disengage from a distraction

If a piece is larger than I need, I prefer to divide it into smaller portions where the texture allows.

What to check before buying

Nature’s Menu produces different products, so don’t assume every packet has the same ingredients, size or texture.

Look at the individual product rather than relying on the brand alone.

Check whether the treat contains anything your dog needs to avoid, particularly if they have an intolerance or have been prescribed a restricted diet.

View Nature’s Menu training treats on Amazon UK

My verdict: A practical starting point for everyday training when the specific product suits your dog.

Other dog training treats worth considering

Although Nature’s Menu remains one of my established favourites, there are other training treats worth considering.

These are three options available from Zooplus UK. I haven’t personally tested all of them, so I’m recommending them as products to explore rather than claiming they have all passed a trial with my own dogs.

Scrumbles Softies Chicken & Duck

These soft-baked training treats are designed for dogs aged over three months. They contain chicken, duck, pumpkin and other ingredients.

Their softer texture may suit owners looking for an alternative to hard biscuits. The pieces are approximately 2 cm, so you may want to break them into smaller rewards depending on your dog.

They contain both chicken and duck, so they aren’t suitable for dogs needing to avoid those proteins.

View scrumbles on Zooplus

Pet Munchies Chicken Training Treats

Pet Munchies offers chicken training treats in a small 50g pack.

The chicken variety contains chicken breast alongside other ingredients. It could be worth trying if your dog enjoys chicken and you want another commercially prepared training reward.

The manufacturer lists these treats for dogs aged four months and older.

View munchies on zooplus

Rocco Cubes Chicken – a big woof from Roxy

Rocco Cubes are another option for owners who want bite-sized rewards without spending a fortune.

One important detail: the chicken version also contains cod. It is not a single-protein chicken treat and won’t suit a dog that needs to avoid fish.

Zooplus lists them as supplementary treats for adult dogs. Check the cube size and texture before using them for rapid training, particularly with smaller dogs.

Find Rocco on Zooplus

Want to compare more training treats?

You can also explore the wider range of training treats available from Zooplus UK.

As always, choose based on your dog’s individual needs, check the ingredients, and remember that treats count toward their daily food allowance.

2. Pâté-style dog treats: versatile rewards you can cut to size

<text_placeholder>Suggested image: Small pâté cubes on a board, showing their size beside a training pouch.</text_placeholder>

Pâté-style products are another option I have found useful.

One advantage of a firm, sliceable pâté is that you can prepare your rewards in advance.

Rather than carrying large treats, you can cut suitable pieces that can be eaten quickly.

That can be helpful when you’re working on a skill requiring several repetitions.

Why I like pâté for training

Depending on the product, it can be used for:

• Small training rewards
• Recall practice
• Short confidence-building exercises
• Food-search games
• Suitable KONG or lick-mat fillings

I also like having the option to prepare several small portions before leaving home.

JR Pet Products Pure Paté

One established example to consider is JR Pet Products Pure Paté.

JR offers several protein varieties, and its range includes firm products intended for slicing, dicing or using in suitable enrichment toys.

Different proteins have different fat and moisture contents, so they shouldn’t be treated as nutritionally interchangeable.

Explore JR Pet Products Pure Paté

View my existing pâté-style recommendation on Amazon UK

Things to consider

Pâté may be relatively rich for some dogs. It may also be less convenient than dried treats if you’re out for a long time.

Follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions, including refrigeration after opening.

Don’t leave prepared meat rewards sitting in a warm treat pouch for hours.

If you’re training frequently, weigh or portion what you plan to use so you can track how much food your dog receives.

My verdict: One of the most versatile treat formats to consider for dogs who enjoy soft meat rewards, provided the ingredients, richness and storage requirements are suitable.

3. Dried sprats: a high-value option for fish-loving dogs

Sprats deserve a place on this list.

I have often found their strong smell useful when working with dogs who are particularly interested in their surroundings.

They can be an exciting reward for some dogs, especially where an ordinary treat seems less interesting.

When might I use them?

I would consider a suitable fish reward for:

• A particularly good recall
• Practising an important safety cue
• Rewarding a difficult choice
• A dog that seems to prefer fish to meat

However, I don’t assume every dog likes fish or can tolerate it.

Are sprats suitable for every dog?

No.

Fish allergies and intolerances do exist. Fish treats can also be relatively fatty, depending on the product, and whole dried fish may not be the right size or texture for every dog.

Choose a responsibly produced dog treat, check the ingredients and feeding guidance, and supervise your dog while eating it.

For small dogs, puppies, dogs with dental problems or dogs who swallow food rapidly, a different reward may be safer and more practical.

View the sprats recommendation on Amazon UK

My verdict: Worth considering as an occasional higher-value reward for a dog who enjoys and tolerates fish, rather than something every dog needs on every walk. However, my collie, Misdy, would do anything for these (and dried liver)

4. Your dog’s normal food: the cheapest training treat

Sometimes the most useful training food is already in the kitchen.

If your dog enjoys their normal complete food, you can set aside an appropriate portion of the daily allowance and use it for simple exercises.

That works particularly well when you’re practising something straightforward, such as responding to a familiar cue in a quiet room.

Using food that’s already part of their usual diet also makes it easier to manage extras.

When normal food may not be enough

A dog who happily takes kibble in the kitchen may find it less rewarding near the park gates.

That doesn’t mean the kibble is poor quality.

It means the surroundings have changed.

You can consider offering a more valuable reward, but first ask whether you’re making the exercise too difficult.

Moving further from a distraction or returning to an easier environment may help more than buying increasingly exciting treats.

For a fuller explanation, read my Dog Training Rewards Guide.

5. Plain cooked chicken: a simple homemade alternative

Plain, fully cooked chicken can be useful for dogs who tolerate it.

It is easy to prepare in small pieces and doesn’t require purchasing a special training product.

Cook it thoroughly without onion, garlic, sauces, seasoning or added salt. Remove the bones and let it cool safely.

Store prepared portions in the fridge according to appropriate food hygiene guidance. For walks, carry small amounts in a suitable container and avoid leaving it at warm temperatures.

Chicken isn’t automatically appropriate for dogs with food allergies, veterinary dietary restrictions or medical conditions.

And, like commercial treats, it counts towards their daily intake.

My verdict: A useful low-cost alternative for some dogs, especially when you already know chicken suits them.

6. What makes a good dog training treat?

There are five things I look for.

Small enough to eat quickly

When a dog is learning something new, I may need to deliver several rewards in a short period.

Large biscuits can interrupt that flow.

A small piece is often sufficient, but the right size depends on your dog’s mouth, chewing habits and health.

A texture that suits the dog

Soft treats can be convenient because many dogs can eat them quickly.

Harder treats may be perfectly suitable for some situations, but can be less convenient for rapid reinforcement and unsuitable for certain dental problems.

Something your dog genuinely wants

The most expensive packet in the shop means very little if your dog doesn’t enjoy it.

Your dog’s preference is the starting point.

Safe ingredients and suitable nutrition

I read the composition and feeding guidance rather than relying on words like ‘natural’, ‘premium’ or ‘grain-free’.

A single-ingredient product is not automatically safer or healthier than every alternative.

Practical to carry

If I’m managing a dog on a lead, I don’t want to struggle with packaging every time they do something worth rewarding.

A suitable treat pouch helps, particularly when it can be cleaned after use.

7. What should I buy for different training situations?

I find it helpful to think about what you’re asking your dog to do rather than what the treat manufacturer promises.

Situation	Reward I would consider
Familiar exercise in the kitchen	Normal food or a small everyday treat
Puppy training at home	Tiny, age-appropriate rewards that suit the puppy’s diet
Loose-lead foundations in a quiet area	Small soft treats or normal food if sufficiently rewarding
Recall practice in a safe enclosed area	A reward the dog particularly enjoys
Working around mild, manageable distractions	More valuable treats, alongside appropriate distance
Dog worried by other dogs or traffic	First change the environment or distance; food only if the dog is comfortable taking it
Several repetitions in a session	Small, easy-to-eat portions with total food intake considered

I do not believe in expecting a dog to perform increasingly difficult exercises simply because I’ve offered more expensive food.

Training should be achievable and fair.

8. Treats for puppies, rescue dogs and nervous dogs

Puppies

Puppies can receive a surprisingly large number of rewards as they learn everyday skills.

Toilet training, handling, recall foundations, lead skills and learning to settle all create opportunities for positive reinforcement.

Use very small amounts and make sure treats don’t displace the nutritionally balanced food needed for growth.

Choose rewards appropriate for the puppy’s age and current diet.

For a wider introduction, read Bringing a Puppy Home.

Rescue dogs

When a rescue dog arrives in a new home, I wouldn’t rush to introduce five different foods and complicated training routines.

Start with familiar food where possible and build predictable routines.

Some rescue dogs need time to feel comfortable taking food from unfamiliar people.

A quiet food-search game or simply leaving the dog in peace may be more appropriate than repeatedly asking them to perform exercises.

Read my Rescue Dog Support Guide for more on confidence, routine and patient support.

Nervous or reactive dogs

Food can be useful when helping a dog learn new responses or develop positive associations at a suitable distance.

But a dog who is frightened, overwhelmed or unable to take food may need more space and less pressure.

Don’t use a treat to lure a frightened dog closer to something they’re worried about.

And never assume that a particularly exciting reward will solve serious reactivity or aggression.

My guide, Why Is My Dog Reactive on the Lead?, explains why managing distance and understanding body language matter.

9. Treats and weight: how many is too many?

This is particularly important when you’re doing lots of reward-based training.

It’s surprisingly easy to give a dog more food than intended.

A treat while leaving the house. Another on the walk. Several during training. A food-filled enrichment toy. Something from another family member.

Individually, none may seem significant.

Together, they can add up.

The PDSA advises that treats should account for no more than around 10% of a dog’s daily food allowance, with adjustments to normal feeding.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s feeding-treats guide also recommends that treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories.

This is a general guideline, not an individual feeding prescription.

My practical suggestion

Prepare your dog’s training allowance in the morning.

Everyone in the household uses food from that planned allowance, rather than handing out unrelated extras all day.

Where suitable, use some of the dog’s normal daily food for easy exercises.

For dogs who are overweight, very small, young, unwell or following a veterinary feeding plan, ask your veterinary team what quantities are appropriate.

You can find more information in my Dog Food and Nutrition Hub and Guide to Choosing Dog Treats.

10. Dog training treats I would avoid

I prefer ordinary, suitable food rewards over products that make exaggerated training or health claims.

I would avoid using:

• Rawhide as a training chew.
• Bones and very hard chews as rewards during training.
• Treats with ingredients known to be toxic to dogs.
• Heavily salted or highly seasoned human foods.
• Products that are too hard, large or awkward for the individual dog to eat safely.
• Unprocessed raw animal-based treats where pathogen risks are a concern.
• Supplements or ‘calming treats’ used as substitutes for veterinary or qualified behavioural assessment.

Chocolate, grapes, raisins, currants, onions, garlic and xylitol are among the foods and ingredients that can cause serious problems for dogs.

My Toxic Foods for Dogs Guide explains the risks in more detail.

If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous, contact your vet urgently. Do not wait for symptoms or try to make your dog vomit unless specifically instructed by your vet.

11. A treat pouch is worth considering

I’ve focused on training food, but there’s another item I find genuinely practical: a washable treat pouch.

When I’m walking a dog, I want to be able to reward a useful choice without fumbling in a pocket or opening a packet while holding the lead.

For suitable treats, a silicone pouch can be particularly easy to wipe clean.

View a Silicone Dog Training Treat Pouch on Amazon UK

Choose a pouch that fits comfortably, closes securely, and suits the food you carry.

Clean it regularly and don’t leave moist treats inside between walks.

You can also browse my full Recommended Dog and Pet Products guide.

12. Frequently asked questions about dog training treats

What are the best dog treats for recall training?

The best recall reward is something your dog genuinely enjoys, delivered during training at an appropriate difficulty level.

Small pieces of suitable meat, pâté or fish treats may be useful for some dogs.

Practise in safe environments and build difficulty gradually. A high-value treat does not make an unsafe off-lead situation safe.

Are soft treats better than crunchy biscuits for training?

Soft, small pieces are often more convenient for repeated training because many dogs can eat them quickly.

However, a dog who enjoys a crunchy treat may find it perfectly rewarding.

Choose according to your dog’s preferences, health and the type of exercise.

Can I use treats every day?

Yes, suitable food rewards can be part of everyday training, provided the total diet remains balanced and the amounts are appropriate.

Use some of your dog’s usual food where practical.

Are natural treats always healthier?

No.

‘Natural’ does not guarantee low calories, suitable fat content or safety for a particular dog.

Read the label and consider the product as part of the whole diet.

What training treats are suitable for a sensitive stomach?

There isn’t one product that suits every sensitive dog.

Where food intolerance, allergies, chronic digestive problems or pancreatitis are suspected, discuss suitable rewards with your vet.

Sometimes an appropriate portion of the dog’s existing prescribed or tolerated food is the safest option.

Why does my dog refuse treats outside?

Your dog may be distracted, excited, uncomfortable or frightened.

If the food is normally enjoyed at home, don’t assume the solution is always a stronger-smelling treat.

Try reducing the difficulty, moving somewhere quieter or giving your dog more distance from whatever concerns them.

If food refusal is new, widespread or accompanied by signs of illness, consult your vet.

Can I mix several different treats together?

You can offer variety where appropriate, but introducing several unfamiliar foods at once may make it harder to identify what caused a digestive upset.

Start gradually and avoid unnecessary changes for dogs with known sensitivities.

13. Need help using food rewards in everyday life?

Buying a suitable training treat is the easy part.

Knowing when to reward, what to practise and how to make the situation manageable is often more important.

As part of Finchley Dog Walker, I provide one-to-one dog training support in Finchley.

Sessions can focus on everyday skills such as recall foundations, loose-lead walking, confidence, engagement and putting previous training into practice.

I can also work with owners whose dogs need more patient, individual support, including some nervous and rescue dogs.

I am not a clinical animal behaviourist, and I will recommend specialist help when something falls outside my role.

You can explore my Dog Training Hub or contact me about suitable support.

My final advice: let your dog decide

I wouldn’t spend a fortune trying every training treat on the market.

Start with something suitable that your dog already enjoys.

Keep the pieces small, choose your rewards according to the situation and remember that their normal food can often do much of the work.

If you’re trying a new product, buy a small quantity first and see how your dog responds.

And if your dog would rather go and sniff a tree than eat the expensive training treat you’ve brought along, perhaps that tree has something to teach us about what dogs find rewarding.

Training should be enjoyable, practical and built around the dog in front of you.

Not the promises printed on the packet.