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5 Best Training Treats for Dogs That Won't Pile on the Pounds in 2026
Reward your dog effectively without ruining their diet — we tested the treats that deliver high-value motivation with low-calorie impact.
By: Dr Alice Athow-Frost MRCVS, Head of Veterinary Research at Scooch
Updated: March 2026
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The Hidden Problem with Most Training Treats
Training is one of the most important things you can do for your dog. But most training treats come with a hidden cost: excess calories that add up fast
Think about it; during a training session, you might give 20-30 treats. Multiply that by the calorie content of many commercial treats, and you've just undone your dog's carefully balanced diet.
The result? Weight gain, which can lead to joint problems, reduced mobility, increased disease risk, and a shorter lifespan
At Scooch, we believe training should build a better life for your dog—not undermine their health. That means treats that deliver high-value reward with low-calorie impact.
What Makes a Great Training Treat
✅ Tiny Size — Training treats should be small enough to eat in a second. Big treats interrupt training flow and add unnecessary calories.
✅ Low Calorie — You'll use many treats per session. Low calories protect your dog's diet.
✅ High Value — The treat needs to motivate your dog. Low-calorie doesn't mean low-interest.
✅ Soft Texture — Quick to chew and swallow, keeping focus on training rather than chomping.
✅ No Artificial Additives — Artificial colours and flavours can contribute to hyperactivity in sensitive dogs—the opposite of focused training.
✅ Healthy Ingredients — Why not make treats functional? Superfood ingredients add value beyond just motivation.
How Some Training Treats Fail
Too Big — Large treats interrupt training rhythm as they need chewing
Too High Calorie — Meat-heavy, high-fat treats quickly exceed daily calorie allowances.
Artificial Additives — Colours and flavours that can trigger hyperactivity or allergic reactions.
Low Palatability — "Healthy" treats that dogs won't actually work for.
One-Dimensional — Just calories and flavour, no additional health benefit.
How We Tested
Our canine nutrition and behaviour team evaluated training treats across five key areas:
1️⃣ Training Effectiveness – Does It Actually Motivate Dogs?
High-value appeal
Suitable for high-quantity, high-frequency use
Maintains dog’s focus during sessions
2️⃣ Calorie Impact – Is It Diet-Friendly?
Number of calories per treat
Suitable for frequent training sessions
Weight management compatibility
3️⃣ Size & Texture – Is It Suitable for Training?
Tiny enough for quick consumption
Soft texture for fast eating
Easy to break smaller if needed
4️⃣ Ingredient Quality – Is It Actually Healthy?
Superfood or functional ingredients
Free from artificial additives
Human-grade quality
5️⃣ Value for Money – Is It Sustainable for Regular Training?
Price per treat
Cost per training session
Bulk/subscription options
The Top 5 Best Training Treats for Dogs
Score: 98/100
Scooch takes a functional approach to training treats—making every reward count for more than just motivation.
The tiny, high-value bites deliver the motivation dogs need with minimal calorie impact. Unlike most training treats, they're also packed with superfood ingredients that support overall health.
In our testing, dogs showed excellent motivation for Scooch treats, with trainers able to use high quantities without exceeding calorie guidelines.
The plant-based formula is ideal for dogs with meat sensitivities, and the soft texture allows quick consumption without disrupting training flow.
Why Guardians Love Scooch for Training:
Tiny, high-value bites — maximum motivation, minimum calories
Superfood ingredients — every treat adds nutritional value
Plant-based, hypoallergenic — suitable for sensitive dogs
Soft texture — quick to eat, keeps training flowing
Human-grade quality — ingredients you can trust
Pairs with puppy starter bundle — perfect for critical socialisation period
The Scooch App: Your Dog's Health Companion
Every Scooch purchase includes free access to the companion app:
Rio AI companion — tracks weight and activity patterns
24/7 video vet access — training and nutrition questions answered
Wellness score & reminders — maintain training consistency
Pros
Ultra low-calorie (suitable for high-frequency training)
Superfood ingredients add nutritional value
Plant-based, hypoallergenic
Soft, quick-eating texture
Human-grade quality
No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives
Free companion app with AI health tracking, 24/7 video vets, and reminders
Pairs with Scooch puppy and adult products
Cons
Premium pricing
Plant-based flavour may not suit all dogs
Key Specifications
Feature
Format
Calories Per Treat
Key Ingredients
Allergen-Friendly
Artificial Additives
the free Scooch app
Details
Tiny soft bites
Ultra-low
Superfood blend
Plant-based, hypoallergenic
None
✅ Included free
Score: 85/100
Pooch & Mutt offers natural training treats in small sizes with functional benefits—some formulas include calming ingredients, others focus on skin and coat.
The UK brand is widely available with good palatability. Dogs showed good motivation during training sessions.
Higher price point than generic options, but quality ingredients justify the investment for many trainers.
Pros
UK brand
Small training-appropriate sizes
Natural ingredients
Many different flavour options
Some formulas with functional benefits (calming, skin, postbiotics)
Cons
Higher price point
Smaller pack sizes
Limited trainability data
Not all formulas are ultra-low calorie
Key Specifications
Feature
Format
Size
Functional Options
UK Availability
Details
Soft chews / bites
Small (training-appropriate)
Calming, skin support
Widely available
Score: 83/100
Lily's Kitchen is a widely available UK natural brand with training treats in small bite sizes.
The natural ingredients and brand recognition make these accessible for many dog owners. Dogs generally show good motivation for the flavours.
Less transparency on calorie content per treat, and not specifically positioned as "low-calorie" for high-frequency use.
Pros
UK brand recognition
Natural ingredients
Small bite sizes
Widely available
Cons
Not specifically low-calorie
Less transparency on amounts to give per day
Key Specifications
Feature
Format
Size
Key Focus
UK Availability
Subscription Options
Details
Soft chews / bites
Small
Natural ingredients
Supermarkets, pet retailers
Limited
Score: 82/100
Pet Munchies offers natural meat training treats with high palatability for meat-motivated dogs.
The chew/stick format works well for training, and dogs show excellent motivation for the meat flavours.
However, the meat-based, higher-fat formula means more calories per treat—requiring portion awareness during high-frequency training.
Pros
High palatability (meat-based)
UK brand
Good motivation value
Simple ingredients list
Cons
Meat-based (higher calories/fat)
Some flavours have multiple meat types included which is not suitable for meat-sensitive dogs
Added sweetener
Limited nutritional transparency
Not low-calorie
Key Specifications
Feature
Format
Protein Source
Key Focus
UK Availability
Subscription Options
Details
Soft chews / sticks
Meat-based
High palatability
Pet retailers
Limited
Score: 78/100
Ziwi Peak offers premium, air-dried, high-meat training bites for dogs who need maximum motivation value.
The air-dried format preserves nutrients well, and high-drive dogs respond excellently to the rich meat flavour.
However, these are significantly higher in calories per bite—suitable for occasional high-value rewards but not ideal for frequent training sessions where calorie control matters.
Pros
Air-dried (nutrient preservation)
Excellent high-value motivation
Premium quality
High-drive dogs respond well
Single protein source (venison) and no carbohydrates
Cons
Expensive
Not ideal for frequent training
Key Specifications
Feature
Format
Protein Source
Calorie Content
UK Availability
Best Use
Details
Air-dried bites
High-meat concentration
Moderate
Online retailers
Occasional high-value rewards
Product Comparison
Feature
Scooch
Pooch & Mutt
Lily's Kitchen
Pet Munchies
Ziwi Peak
Ultra low-calorie
Superfood ingredients
Plant-based option
Hypoallergenic
Some
Human-grade
Some products
the free Scooch app
Why Our Team Chose Scooch as The #1 Pick
1. The Low-Calorie Sweet Spot
Scooch delivers high-value motivation with minimal calorie impact—the perfect combination for frequent training sessions without diet disruption.
2. Superfood Nutrition
Every treat adds nutritional value, not just empty calories. Training becomes an opportunity to nourish, not just reward.
3. Plant-Powered & Hypoallergenic
No meat proteins that can trigger sensitivities. Suitable for dogs who need allergen-conscious training rewards
4. Perfect for Puppies
The low-calorie, nutrient-dense formula is ideal during the critical socialisation period when puppies need hundreds of training rewards.
5. The Guardian System
Rio AI tracks your dog's weight and activity. If training treats are affecting weight, you'll know early. Smart training support.
Conclusion
Training is essential, but it shouldn't undermine your dog's health. Scooch Superfood Training Treats deliver high-value motivation with ultra-low calorie impact—making every training session nutritious, not just effective.
It's the only training treat we tested that combines superfood nutrition, hypoallergenic formulation, and the free Scooch app for complete training and health support.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary or behavioural advice.