If you’ve ever watched a bright-eyed puppy tilt its head and wait expectantly for that little “click”… you know there’s magic in timing. Clicker training isn’t just about teaching your puppy “sit” or “stay” — it's building trust, communication, and a relationship rooted in clear signals and rewards. And when that reward is the right treat, the difference between confusion and a tail-wagging, eager learner can be huge.
Choosing the right treat for clicker training can seem simple, but it’s an art — especially when you’re working with a young puppy whose attention span is short and whose taste buds are sharp. In this post, we walk you through exactly what makes a great training treat and highlight several of our favorite options from Plato Pet Treats that shine during clicker sessions.
Why Treat Choice Matters
Clicker training works because the “click” marks the exact moment your puppy performs the desired behavior, and the treat that follows rewards them for it. Clicker training taps into how dogs learn best — by reinforcing the behavior you want immediately after it happens.
That means your treat needs to be more than tasty: it has to be quick to eat, easy on their puppy-size mouth, and irresistible enough to keep them motivated. If treats are large, hard, or slow-eaten, your puppy may lose interest — and miss the link between click and reward.
What Makes an Excellent Clicker Training Treat for Puppies
When selecting a treat for clicker sessions, many trainers look for the “3 S’s”: small, soft, and smelly. Small treats ensure your puppy doesn’t fill up too fast or slow down the session. Soft texture means easy chewing and swallowing — no lag time between click and reward. And a strong aroma or flavor adds extra motivation, especially in distracting environments or when your puppy’s focus needs a boost.
Another factor: moderation. Puppy treats should not make up more than about 10% of your pup’s daily calories — especially if you’re doing frequent training sessions. Overuse of treats may interfere with regular feeding or lead to overfeeding.
Top Picks from Plato Pet Treats
Here are some of our favorite treats from Plato Pet Treats — ideal for clicker training sessions with a new puppy, and well-suited to rewarding progress with flavor, texture, and big tail-wags.
When you want small, soft morsels perfect for repetition, Small Bites With Lamb deliver tender, protein-rich bites that puppies devour in seconds — ideal for high-frequency clicker sessions. For a fish-based option, Small Bites With Salmon bring a rich smell and taste dogs often find irresistible, great for commands like “come” or “stay” even in distracting environments.
If you’d rather reward with chewier texture after a productive session, perhaps as a calmer treat for relaxation or crate-training, then something like Thinkers Lamb Meat Stick Dog Treats or Thinkers Chicken Meat Stick Dog Treats offer a longer-lasting chew — ideal when you want to shift from active training to calm bonding time.
And for variety (which trainers often recommend to keep pups excited and motivated), mixing in occasional crunchy or fish-based rewards such as those from Single Ingredient Fish treats can rekindle enthusiasm and work as special “jackpot” rewards when your puppy nails a new cue.
Tips for Effective Clicker Training Sessions
Keep training sessions short — about 5–10 minutes — especially when your puppy is just starting. Their focus can wane quickly, and short bursts help keep them alert and motivated.
Click exactly the moment your puppy performs the desired behavior — not before, not after. Treats should follow immediately to reinforce the exact action you want them to repeat. Consistent timing is key to building the “click = reward” connection.
Use high-value treats early on (small, soft, smelly) to build interest. Once behaviors are reliably repeated, you can start to vary treats — sometimes “jackpot” with a bigger or chewier treat, other times using smaller rewards — to prevent treat fatigue and build reliability.
Putting It All Together
Clicker training offers a wonderful, positive-reinforcement way to teach your puppy good behaviors and build a trusting relationship. When paired with the right treats — small, soft, flavorful, and puppy-friendly — it becomes not just training, but bonding time filled with tail wags, happy pants, and clear communication.
At Plato Pet Treats, we believe in treats that respect your puppy’s size, taste, and training energy. Start with gentle, quickly consumed bites like our Small Bites, reward consistency with chewier treats from our Thinkers line, and keep sessions joyful and effective. With a little patience, clear timing, and a bag of great treats by your side, your puppy will be on their way to a lifetime of good behavior — and maybe a few extra snuggles along the way. Happy training!
