How to Train a Puppy With Treats: The Ultimate Guide

August 22, 2025Barbara Mary Hanly

Below is your complete guide on how to train a puppy with treats, with real-life examples, feeding guidance, safe foods, and Soopa product picks for puppies 3 months+.

Training a puppy should feel fun, fast, and full of tail wags. Treats make learning clear and rewarding for your pup, while keeping sessions short and positive.

What Are the Best Treats to Use for Puppy Training

The best puppy dog treats are:

Small and soft so your puppy can chew and swallow quickly.
High value in smell and taste to hold attention.
Low calorie so you can reward often.
Gentle on tummies and easy to digest.
Great options: Soopa Puppy Dental Bites and Puppy Dental Sticks in Banana & Pumpkin. They are soft, tasty, and only 3 calories per bite for the bites.

Soopa Puppy Healthy Dog Treats

Shop Healthy Puppy Bites

Great for soothing teething gums and supporting dental hygiene
Made with natural superfoods and gentle on tummies
Suitable for puppies over 3 months old

Soopa Puppy Dental Sticks

Shop Healthy Puppy Sticks

Great for soothing teething gums and supporting dental hygiene
Made with natural superfoods and gentle on tummies
Suitable for puppies over 3 months old

Puppy Training: How Many Treats Is Too Much?

Here is everything you need to know on how many treats to feed your puppy:

Treats should be supplements, not a meal.
Keep treats within your brand’s feeding guide:

Small dogs under 10 kg: up to 5 bites per day
Medium 10–25 kg: up to 10 bites per day
Large over 25 kg: up to 15 bites per day

Tip: Use pea-sized pieces for training. You can also break Dental Sticks into tiny rewards for longer sessions.

How To Use Treats During Dog Training (With Examples)

Golden rules

Timing: Mark the moment your pup does the right thing, then treat within 1–2 seconds. Use a cheerful “Yes!” or a clicker.
Placement: Deliver the treat where you want your puppy to be. Reward by your left leg for loose-lead walking. Reward on the bed for “place.”
Rate: In the early learning phase, reward often to build the habit. Fade frequency as your puppy improves.
Sessions: Keep sessions 1–3 minutes, several times a day. End on a win.
Real-life examples
- Name Response: Say your puppy’s name. When they make eye contact, say “Yes!” and treat. Do 5 reps, then practice in new rooms.
- Sit: Hold a treat to the nose, lift slightly. As the bum touches the floor, “Yes!” then treat. Add the word “Sit” once the movement is reliable.
- Come: Crouch down, call “Puppy, come!” When your pup runs to you, “Yes!” then treat and praise. Practice on a long line in safe areas.
- Loose-Lead Walking: Take one step. If the lead stays slack, “Yes!” then treat by your leg. Add steps between treats as your puppy improves.
- Leave It: Show a treat in a closed hand. Puppy sniffs or paws. The moment they move away or look at you, “Yes!” then reward from the other hand.

When Can I Stop Rewarding My Dog With Treats

Never remove rewards entirely. Shift from every correct response to:

Variable rewards (sometimes treat, sometimes praise or play).
Life rewards like going through doors, greeting friends, sniffing a bush.
Keep occasional food rewards to keep skills strong.

At What Age Should I Start Giving My Puppy Treats?

You can start with Soopa Puppy treats from 3 months+. They are designed to be gentle, low fat, and easy to digest for young pups. Always supervise and provide fresh water.

Is It Better To Train A Dog Without Treats?

You can train without food, but it is usually slower and less clear for beginners. Food is a powerful motivator, especially for puppies. The best plan blends treats + praise + play + life rewards and then fades food frequency over time.

Pros and Cons of Training Dogs With Treats and Without Treats

With Treats

Pros: Fast learning, clear feedback, high motivation, easier focus in distractions.
Cons: Overfeeding if you ignore the guide, risk of bribery if you show the treat before behavior. Fix by hiding treats and rewarding after the correct behavior.

Without Treats

Pros: Forces creative use of praise, toys, and life rewards; no food management.
Cons: Slower for many puppies, harder in distracting places, may reduce enthusiasm.

Treat Training vs Non Treat Training For Puppies

For most families, treat-led training is the quickest path to reliable obedience and a happy bond. Use treats to teach, then mix in play and life rewards, and reduce food frequency as your puppy becomes fluent.

What Food Do Puppies Like (Helpful Facts)

Puppies respond most to smell. Dogs have far more scent receptors than people, so strong-smelling, natural treats often win.
Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans, which is why aroma and texture matter more than complex flavors.
Most puppies prefer soft, easy-to-swallow rewards during fast training sessions.

High-value profiles: soft texture, meaty or naturally sweet aroma, small size, quick to eat. Soopa Puppy Bites hit all of these.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foods Puppies Can Eat

Can Puppies Eat Carrots?

Yes, puppies can eat carrots - a crunchy, low-calorie snack rich in fibre and vitamin A that supports healthy eyes, immunity, and teething.

Can Puppies Eat Peanut Butter?

Yes, in tiny amounts, and only if it is xylitol-free and unsalted. Peanut butter can be useful in training toys. Check labels carefully.

Can Puppies Eat Banana?

Yes. Small pieces are fine and provide potassium and fiber. Banana is naturally sweet, so keep portions modest.

Can Puppies Eat Pumpkin?

Yes. Plain, cooked pumpkin or pure pumpkin purée is puppy-friendly. It provides fiber that can support digestion. Avoid spiced pie fillings.

Can Puppies Eat Yogurt?

Yes, in small amounts. Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt. Some puppies are sensitive to lactose, so start tiny and watch for tummy upset. Never use sweetened yogurts or anything with xylitol.

Can Puppies Eat Cheese?

Yes, sparingly. Choose lower-fat cheeses and test tolerance. Some pups are sensitive to dairy. Avoid blue cheese and very salty options.

Safe Foods For Puppies (Quick List)

Cooked plain pumpkin
Small pieces of banana
Plain, unsweetened yogurt (try Greek)
Small amounts of low-fat cheese
Puppy-formulated, natural dog treats like Soopa Puppy Bites and Puppy Dental Sticks

Always introduce new foods slowly and watch for sensitivities.