Using Dog Treats: For Training & Rewarding

Dog treats are often seen as simple rewards, but they can play a much bigger role in your dog’s daily routine. From training and bonding to calming support, understanding how to use dog treats effectively can help you get the most out of every interaction.

Whether you’re teaching a new puppy, settling in a rescue dog, or reinforcing everyday good behaviour, treats are one of the most versatile tools available. Choosing natural, high-quality options, like our new Natural Cuts range, means you’re not only rewarding your dog, but supporting their wellbeing too.

Why Natural Treats Matter

When using treats regularly, quality really matters. Our natural dog treats are less processed and made with simple ingredients, making them a great choice for frequent use.

Our Natural Cuts range is designed with this in mind. These treats are:

• 100% natural and minimally processed (just air-dried)
• High in protein and grain-free
• Made from single-source ingredients like chicken, beef, pork, and fish
• Designed to engage your dog’s natural chewing instincts

With a variety of textures, smells, and flavours, Natural Cuts help keep treat time exciting, while offering functional benefits like mental stimulation and longer-lasting enjoyment.

Always keep an eye on your dog while they enjoy their treats, this helps keep them safe and reduces the risk of choking. And make sure fresh drinking water is always available.

Using Dog Treats for Training

Training is the most common use for treats, and one of the most effective. Reward-based training helps dogs learn faster by associating good behaviour with positive outcomes.

Treats are especially useful when:

• Teaching basic commands like sit, stay, and recall
• Practising loose lead walking
• Encouraging calm behaviour at home
• Helping puppies and rescue dogs settle into new routines

Using a “treat to train” approach keeps your dog motivated and focused, especially in distracting environments.

Our Natural Cuts can play a role here too, particularly when you need something more engaging to hold your dog’s attention.

Types of Dog Treats for Training

Different training situations call for different types of treats. When deciding what to use, consider:

• Smell and taste (more enticing = better focus)
• Texture (soft vs chewy vs crunchy)
• Size (smaller treats allow more repetition)
• Nutritional content

For example, training at home may only require small, low-calorie treats. But in busy outdoor environments, you may need something more exciting, like a natural, air-dried chew with a strong aroma.

1. High Value Rewards for Dogs

High value treats are irresistible and should be used when you really need your dog’s attention.

They’re best for:

• Teaching brand-new behaviours
• Training in high-distraction environments
• Reinforcing recall
• Building confidence in nervous or rescue dogs

Natural Cuts products, like air-dried beef tripe or chicken necks, work particularly well as high value rewards because of their strong scent, natural flavour, and satisfying texture. Their minimally processed nature helps retain nutrients and taste, making them especially appealing to dogs.

2. Daily Training Rewards

For everyday training, lighter treats are a better option. These allow you to reward your dog frequently without overfeeding.

They’re ideal for:

• Reinforcing known behaviours
• Practising commands at home
• Rewarding calm, polite behaviour

Smaller, soft treats are often most practical here, but Natural Cuts can still be incorporated by breaking them into smaller pieces or using them for occasional reinforcement to keep things interesting.

How Many Treats Per Day for Dogs?

A key question for owners is: how many treats per day for dogs is appropriate?

Treats are for special occasions and should only play a small part in your dogs balanced diet. We recommend 1 treat per day but adjust their main meal to maintain a healthy weight.

To manage this:

• Adjust your dog’s main meals if using more treats
• Choose smaller portions where possible
• Opt for natural, high protein treats that offer nutritional value

Because Natural Cuts are rich and satisfying, they can often be given less frequently while still delivering a rewarding experience.

Using Dog Treats for Bonding

Treats are also a powerful way to build trust and strengthen your relationship with your dog.

You can use treats to:

• Hand-feed and encourage closeness
• Reward your dog after walks or shared activities
• Create positive associations in new environments
• Reinforce calm, relaxed behaviour around you

This is especially helpful for shy or newly adopted dogs. Natural, flavourful treats, can make these interactions even more rewarding, helping your dog associate you with positive experiences.

Remember, bonding isn’t about giving treats constantly, it’s about using them intentionally to create meaningful moments.

Using Dog Treats for Calming

Dog treats can also support your dog during stressful situations. While they’re not a medical solution, they can help create comfort and encourage relaxation.

They may be useful during:

• Fireworks or thunderstorms
• Car travel or public transport
• Vet visits
• Time spent alone

Natural chewing behaviours play an important role here. Chewing releases saliva and can have a naturally soothing effect, helping dogs feel more settled.

This is where Natural Cuts really stand out. Designed to engage your dog’s instinct to chew, these longer-lasting treats can:

• Provide mental stimulation
• Help reduce boredom
• Encourage calm focus
• Keep your dog occupied during stressful moments

For example, chews like pig ear strips or chicken feet offer a satisfying, longer-lasting experience that keeps your dog engaged while you relax.

You can also combine treats with enrichment tools like puzzle toys or safe chew setups to further support calm behaviour.

Natural Cuts: A Treat for Every Moment

Our new Natural Cuts range is designed to support multiple treating occasions, making it easy to use across your dog’s daily routine.

Whether you need to:

• Train and reward good behaviour
• Keep your dog occupied and mentally stimulated
• Support calming through natural chewing

There’s an option to suit all pups.

With both meaty cuts (like beef tripe, chicken feet, and pig ear strips) and fish options (like air-dried whole fish rich in omega oils), the range offers variety while staying true to what dogs naturally love.

It’s all about giving your dog something natural, engaging, and satisfying, just as their instincts intend.

Dog treats are far more than simple rewards, they’re a versatile tool that can support training, strengthen your bond, and help your dog feel calm and content.

By understanding how to use dog treats effectively, you can:

• Train with confidence
• Reinforce positive behaviour
• Build trust and connection
• Support your dog in stressful situations

Choosing natural, minimally processed options like our Natural Cuts range means you’re supporting your dog’s wellbeing while making every treat count.

Explore our full range of natural dog treats to find the right option for every moment, from training sessions to calming chews and everyday rewards.