Training Treat Showdown: A Week-long Experiment with Fiona

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase through the links on our site, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only review/recommend products that I have personally tried.

As any dog owner knows, finding the perfect training treat can make all the difference in your pup’s obedience training. With so many options on the market, deciding which ones are the best can be challenging. To help navigate this, I conducted an experiment with my dog Fiona, testing five different training treats over five days. We performed the same obedience skills each day to ensure consistency. Based on Fiona’s excitement, food drive, and performance, we ranked the treats from first to fifth place. Here’s how they fared.

**First Place** Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Training Treats

Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Training Treats took the top spot in our experiment. From the moment I opened the bag, Fiona’s tail was wagging furiously, and she was eager to start training. These treats have a soft texture and are small, making them perfect for quick rewards during training sessions. Fiona’s performance was outstanding, responding to commands with enthusiasm and precision. Her excitement and the treat’s appeal made these the clear winner.

**Excitement: 10/10**

**Food Drive: 10/10**

**Performance: 10/10**

**Second Place** Zuke’s Mini Naturals

Next up were Zuke’s Mini Naturals. These treats are known for their natural ingredients and small, convenient size. Fiona showed a high level of interest when she got a whiff of the treats. While not as immediately excited as with the Bil-Jac treats, she was still highly motivated and focused during our training session. Her responses were quick and accurate, demonstrating a strong food drive.

**Excitement: 9/10**

**Food Drive: 9/10**

**Performance: 9/10**

**Third Place** Blue Buffalo Bits Training Treats

Blue Buffalo Bits Training Treats came in third. Fiona was excited to try them, but her initial enthusiasm waned slightly compared to the previous treats. These treats are also soft and small, ideal for training, but their flavor didn’t seem to captivate Fiona as much. Despite this, her performance remained solid, with quick responses and good focus.

**Excitement: 8/10**

**Food Drive: 8/10**

**Performance: 8/10**

**Fourth Place** Stewart Dog Treats Beef Liver

Stewart Dog Treats Beef Liver landed in fourth place. These freeze-dried treats are larger, requiring some breaking apart for training use. Fiona was intrigued by the strong scent and taste of the liver, but the texture seemed to slow her down a bit. While she enjoyed the flavor, her overall excitement and quickness in performing commands were slightly less than with the other treats.

**Excitement: 7/10**

**Food Drive: 7/10**

**Performance: 7/10**

**Fifth Place** Merrick Power Bites

Finally, we tried Merrick Power Bites. These treats have a chewy texture and are made with high-quality ingredients. While Fiona liked the taste, her enthusiasm wasn’t as high as with the top contenders. She performed well but lacked the extra spark and eagerness seen with the Bil-Jac and Zuke’s treats. Nonetheless, they are still a good option for training, but they are just not her favorite.

**Excitement: 6/10**

**Food Drive: 6/10**

**Performance: 6/10**

Finding the Perfect Training Treat

This experiment made it clear that not all training treats are created equal, at least not in Fiona’s eyes. Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Training Treats emerged as the top choice, sparking the most excitement and best performance. Zuke’s Mini Naturals and Blue Buffalo Bits were also strong contenders, offering natural ingredients and good motivation. Stewart Dog Treats Beef Liver and Merrick Power Bites, while still effective, didn’t quite match up in terms of enthusiasm and performance.

When choosing training treats, consider your dog’s preferences and how they respond to different textures and flavors. The right treat can make training sessions more enjoyable and productive, strengthening your bond with your furry friend. Happy training!