High-Value Dog Treats: What they are & when to use them

image of dog pate high value treat for dogs on grass background

Treats are a training essential but if you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your dog ignores the treat and goes their own merry way or thought that your dog just isn’t motivated by food… you could be using the wrong treats!

Not all treats are created equal. 

When you’re working on important skills or trying to motivate your dog in challenging situations, you need something that really grabs their attention – enter high-value dog treats. 

These irresistible rewards can make all the difference in your training sessions. 

In this blog, we’ll explore what makes a treat ‘high value,’ when to use them, and highlight 7 excellent choices to try with your dog.

What is a High-Value Dog Treat?

A high-value dog treat is essentially a food your dog finds irresistible. These treats are often tastier, smellier, or more unique than your dog’s everyday food or kibble. 

They might include moist, meaty options like cooked chicken, cheese, or specialised training treats designed to be extra appealing. The key is that your dog will go the extra mile for these rewards, making them the top choice for high-stakes moments in training.

The value of a treat can vary from dog to dog. For some, a crunchy biscuit might be enough to grab their attention, but for others, only the juiciest, smelliest piece of meat will do. Knowing what your dog loves most is key to finding their high-value treat.

When to Use High-Value Dog Treats

High-value treats are best reserved for situations where your dog needs extra motivation or when you’re working on particularly challenging behaviours. 

Here are some examples of when to bring out the good stuff:

  • Training in distracting environments: Whether it’s a park full of other dogs, a woodland full of interesting smells, or a busy street, high-value treats can help keep your dog focused on you.
  • Teaching new or difficult skills: When you’re working on something your dog finds tricky, a high-value reward can motivate your dog to put in the extra effort.
  • Reinforcing recall: Coming back to you instead of chasing a squirrel or exploring a fascinating smell deserves an epic reward – kibble or biscuits just won’t cut it.
  • Celebrating big wins: Achieving a major milestone in training is always worth a special treat.

By saving your top notch treats for the moments that matter most, you’ll ensure they remain highly motivating for your dog, so they work when you need them too! 

7 super tasty high value dog treats

1. Finer by Nature Pure Pate

Slice ‘n’ Dice Pure Pate is a versatile high value treat that your dog will love! You can use it to stuff kongs and lickimats – and chop it into tiny treats to use for your training. 

Available in 5 flavours, it’s made from 95% pure meat with sweet potato and vitamins for extra nutrients. 

This pate combined with a root chew is a gamechanger for calming your dog down (especially when out and about). 

2. 100% meat dog training treats 

These Paddock Farm training treats are made from 100% meat and are available in chicken, venison, duck, rabbit, beef, and boar flavour. They’re high value, only slightly smelly, and are perfect for filling your treat bag for training out and about. 

These treats are a perfect choice to encourage your dog to ignore distractions, and to nail a reliable recall – they’re a top tier reward for inspiring your dog to focus on you.  

3. Venison pate

Yes, it’s another pate… Because it’s such a versatile high value treat! Venison is high in protein and low in fat – so a great choice for dogs with sensitive tummies or dogs who need to watch their weight! 

4. Antos Mini Bones 

These semi-moist training treats are easy to break up into small pieces so you can reward your dog heavily without them piling on the pounds! Available in 5 tasty flavours including game, lamb, and tripe, they’re the perfect treat for training in low distraction environments. 

5. Cooked meats & cheese

Yes, you can simply open your fridge and find high value treats that your dog will go barmy for! Cooked meats like ham, chicken or beef can be chopped into small tasty treats – or opt for small pieces of cheese and your dog will likely do anything you ask! 

Do be mindful of the salt content in processed meat and cheeses – keep your treats small and opt for dog specific treats minus the additives when you can. 

6. Beef Pizzle (aka Bully sticks)

Now this is a chew rather than a training treat but if you’re looking for a high value treat your dog can’t ignore, this is it! They are smelly, yummy (to dogs), and are low in fat. 

If you’d like your dog to settle down when guests come over or when you want to chill out in the evening – a long lasting chew like a beef pizzle (aka bully stick) is an easy way to make it happen! 

7. Lamb braid chew

If you want a low odour dog chew that’ll keep your dog out of mischief and help them settle down, these lamb braids are the answer! They don’t smell, are made from 100% lamb and are low in fat. 

Added bonuses?!  Chewing can help keep your dog’s teeth and gums free from tartar and produces happy endorphins. 

Treat your dog right & get better results

The secret to successful training lies in how you treat your dog – both in terms of training and rewards! By understanding what makes a treat ‘high value’ and knowing when to use them, you can supercharge your dog’s motivation and set the stage for success. 

Whether you’re teaching recall, working through distractions, or taming your dog’s impulse control skills – the right rewards are crucial. 

Learn more about how to motivate your dog with my guide to how dogs learn here. 

Read Next:

Impulse control training for dogs: tame your dog’s wild ways

How to stop your dog jumping up (& encourage 4 paws on the floor)

7 surefire signs your dog trusts you (& how to grow more of it)

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Becky Milne East Coast Dog Training with Border Terrier

Hi, I’m Becky

I’m an ethical and positive dog trainer who wants to help you create a fantastic relationship with your dog.

I offer fun and effective dog training that makes you WANT to train.