What Are High Value Dog Treats? Best In 2024

Key Takeaways

• High value dog treats are flavourful and enjoyable for your pet, but they should be given infrequently. These treats are often made from meat rather than vegetables.
• The best high value treats for dogs are perfect training rewards for obedience and good behaviour. Check out tips from Wild Antler about when to use high value treats and when not to.
• Visit Wild Antler to choose from a selection of natural dog treats made from pure British venison, free from gluten, wheat, dairy, soya, and grains. Your dog will love them and won’t be able to resist!

What Is A High Value Dog Treat?

A high value dog treat is any special treat that your dog truly enjoys but doesn’t get to eat often. In other words, these are the rewards your dog eagerly wants during training and will do anything to receive. If you offer other treats, your dog will always choose the higher value one because it’s their favourite.

Some of the best high value treats for dogs often include those made from 100% quality venison, such as venison sticks, venison sausages, venison tendons, and naturally air-dried venison cubes. These treats are not only delicious but also high in protein, making them ideal as training rewards or healthy snacks for your dog.

Venison Training Treats 250g by Wild Antler

The Difference Between High And Low Value Treats

Some of the key differences between high-value and low-value dog treats lie primarily in taste, smell, and texture:

When it comes to taste, the best high value dog treats typically have a rich, meaty flavour. While each dog’s taste preferences may vary, most find it hard to resist treats with a strong, gamey flavour, like venison. In contrast, low value dog treats often have a bland taste, such as raw apples, raw carrots, or dried kibble.

Regarding smell, dogs are naturally drawn to treats that have a strong, meaty aroma. They tend to show a stronger preference for these over something plant-based. Since our Venison Treat Box is made from 100% British venison with no added ingredients—gluten, soya, and grain-free—the flavour and smell are very appealing, even for dogs with sensitive digestive systems.

Venison Treat Box for Dogs from 12+ Weeks of Age by Wild Antler

In fact, grain-free dog foods help promote better digestion, prevent diarrhoea or constipation, and reduce skin conditions. Learn more at “Benefits of Grain Free Dog Food: A Comprehensive Answer.”

As for texture, while dry biscuits may be convenient and acceptable, they’re not what dogs crave. Dogs love treats with a soft or chewy texture. Venison, in particular, offers a tender texture similar to beef but is leaner. Dogs also enjoy venison tendon, a long-lasting chew that helps clean their teeth and gums while releasing "happy" chemicals in their brain as they chew and feel satisfied.

Venison Tendon/Sinew by Wild Antler

When Should You Use & Not Use High Value Training Treats For Dogs

When To Use

High-value treats are ideal for rewarding your dog’s good behaviour and performance. As such, they make an excellent training tool, ensuring your dog puts in more effort, works harder, and responds more positively to achieve treats. Here are some great examples of when to use high value training treats for dogs:

• Teaching a new behaviour or command for the first time, such as fetching or sitting.
• Rewarding quick responses to cues, such as saying "come" and immediately giving your dog a high value treat the moment they turn and move toward you.
• Helping them overcome fears or behavioural issues, like rewarding dogs who are anxious around other dogs or people.
• Maintaining their focus in distracting environments, such as during outdoor recall training. If the treat isn’t something they truly love, they may prefer the smell of a rabbit over the treat.

Our Soft Venison Meat Sticks, with 79% protein and only 8% fat, are nutritious treats perfect for dogs that need extra protein without the extra calories, making them ideal for training or quick rewards. They are also suitable for puppies, seniors, and dogs with sensitive teeth.

Soft, Low-Fat Venison Meat Sticks 200g by Wild Antler

When To Not Use

While we always want the best for our furry friends, high value dog treats aren’t always the best option. If your dog is given these treats too frequently, they may lose their appeal, and your dog will no longer crave them during training sessions.

For daily training, lower value treats like the Venison With Sweet Potato & Mulberry are a better choice. It meets the high energy needs of active dogs while also providing Omega-3 to support healthy skin and coat.

Premium Venison with Sweet Potato & Mulberry by WIld Antler

Did you know that sweet potatoes are a healthy and safe snack for dogs? Explore “Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?”  to learn about the benefits of sweet potatoes and how to add them to your dog's daily diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Use High Value Treats For Recall Training?

Recall training is one of the most common behaviours to teach your dog—it can even save their life. The goal is to condition your dog to instantly respond to your recall word, turning and running back to you on command. Here’s how to train recall using high value dog treats:

• Choose your recall words, such as "here," "come," or "hurry up." It should be short, punchy, and only used during training.
• Ensure your dog is on a loose leash (about 4-6 feet long). Hold the leash in one hand and the high value dog treats for training in the other.
• Hold the treat within your dog’s smelling range. As your dog approaches, give the recall command and slowly back away as they follow. After five or six steps, reward your dog with the treat.
• Practise this a few times a day for at least three weeks. Gradually hide the treat behind you to teach your dog to respond to the command without seeing the reward.
• Introduce distractions once your dog responds consistently to test their recall under more challenging conditions.

Over time, this behaviour will become second nature, and your dog will reliably recall despite any distractions.