Mar 13 2009
What are some healthy treats for training my puppy?
I have a 12 week old maltese puppy that doesn’t have many teeth, so soft treats are best for training. I had a lot of success with hot dogs. he seemed to LOVE them, but it gave him massive diarrhea. it was disgusting. Now i’m nervous about trying other things suggested to me, like cheese. What can I give him as a treat that will not make him sick, give him diarrhea, won’t make him fat, and isn’t soft enough for him to chew?
i meant IS soft enough for him to chew, sorry.
i meant IS soft enough for him to chew, sorry.
Posted by Chief on 2009-03-18 02:36:01
15 responses so far

For my dog.
My dog.
From momma bear
one possibility is boil a chicken breast and break it into small pieces. I’m sure you dog will love it, and its nice and gentile on his stomach as to not give him diareah. Best of luck!
first of all a puppy that young should only eat what your vet reccomends not sams hot dog stand
i wouldn’t give him people food, especially things that are processed and have preservatives. his digestive system isn’t adapted to all the chemicals and so he will have some “digestive issues” with it. also it will put weight on him quicker. They sell some soft dog treats that will work, they are usually in a sealed bag or soemthing like that. Otherwise try rewarding him with toys, praise, and extra attention when he does something good. Once his teeth come in permanenthly try using fruits, veggies, or ice cubes, my dog went NUTS for ice cubes.
i’ve always used popcorn when training dogs. They love and it’s cheap and easy. Remember: just plain, no butter or extras
Try Newman’s Organic Training Treats. They look like a beef jerky stick almost and can be broken into bite size pieces. Our shih tzu loves the Newman’s training treats and peanut butter treats.
Posted by California Kush
I have an 11 1/2 week old pomeranian and i got these:
I get the bacon flavor and my dog LOVES them. She goes crazy for them. They are small and soft, but i cut them in half to make them even smaller because i don’t want her to be to full to eat her food.
Edit: Plus they are healthy. They have added vitamins and nutrients for dogs. I highly recommend them.
I have had the best luck with the Zukes brand of treats. My dog loves them, and you can get the mini ones (which I cut up even once more), or the bigger ones which can be cut up a lot as well. My dog also prefers soft treats so I know what you mean.
Some ones you can get at a grocery store are called “Good Bites” and they are so your dog won’t gain weight, but I don’t know too much about the quality.
I personally create a treat training bag mixed with his normal kibble, good bites, and zukes.
For the time will love them as training tool like in while thing like every time he will if you can or some puppy doesnt usually have he does trick would get sick or some puppy food like in while thing like every time will if you are easier on my dogs sensitive stomach.
From K8tbug
I trained my dog with the same dry dog food we were feeding him for dinner. Anything they get to eat, they consider a treat.
Posted by walking lady
Wellness makes a terrific soft treat called Wellness WellBites. They come in several flavors and dogs love them. You could also try chicken jerky. It’s made for dogs and chicken breast is the only ingredient. They’re not exactly soft but the strips are really thin. You just break it apart - your puppy would go wild for them! Bits of cheese are also ok - just in moderation. (I would not give a puppy bread - not all dogs tolerate wheat well and there’s no nutrition there for a dog.)
Posted by Ali M
Use jerky strips.
Posted by ♥♣♥Ashley♥♣♥
yogart! lol plain yogart is a great healthy treat though it might be hard to train with it. my dogs are kindof unussual i train them with ice, yogart and vegitables. you could try strawberries they are good for the digestive system. or if you want at petsmart they have “puppy” treats or wet dog food there are tons of things. just no people food it is extremly bad for them.
DO NOT USE WET DOG FOOD, it can be very bad for the anal glad and the dog will have tough times, and you will have to help he/her do there buisness. “soft chews” dog treats are very usful, baby food works great too, it shouldnt upset there stomach or make them sick/have the scoots.
best of luck
i hope training goes well
I am sorry but my dog has terrible diarrhea from Zukes Peanut butter flavored mini treats…I am going through the same issues and narrowed it down to these treats. I love the size of them, etc. but just gives my pup the runs.