How to provide treats and chews for your puppy

Written by: Karan Arora

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Time to read 3 min

Rewarding your puppy for good behaviour or training is very important, and along with this, it is also essential to choose the right treats at the correct times. Several treats can be used for your new puppy based on your pup's age and type of treat. 

Crunchy Biscuits & Cookies: Dog biscuits, cookies and even kibble are great treats for puppies. Since the treats are dry and crunchy, they can be broken down into smaller pieces and also take longer for your puppy to consume. Kibble is a very good reward for training in very young puppies. - https://supertails.com/collections/dog-biscuits-cookies

Dehydrated Treats: Jerky treats are dehydrated meats, fruits and vegetables. They are favourites as treats due to their strong smell. It is advisable to check the packet before purchasing to identify treats with minimal preservatives. -https://supertails.com/products/chip-chops-diced-chicken

Dental Treats: Dental treats and long-lasting bone-like chews are suitable for keeping your puppy's teeth healthy and strong while also keeping them occupied for longer periods. These treats are made of meat or plant-based digestible material and not animal bones. Although good for maintaining oral health, it is important to ensure that an appropriate size is chosen for your puppy. If the treat is too hard, it can cause bleeding gums or broken teeth. If the puppy swallows a sizable chunk of the treat, it can also cause an intestinal blockage which will need to be surgically removed. - https://supertails.com/collections/dog-dental-treats

Rawhide and Bones: We strongly advise against giving your puppy rawhide or animal bones - raw or cooked. They can cause broken or chipped teeth and lead to intestinal blockage or perforation as bones can splinter when consumed. - 

Human Food: Most table food or snacks we consume are unsafe for dogs. Chocolates, sweets, salty and spicy foods are not suitable for dogs. Fresh foods such as carrots, apples, cooked meat muscle can occasionally be offered as long as it is not seasoned. Other common treats given to puppies include small quantities of yoghurt, peanut butter or very rarely a piece of cheddar cheese. Most dogs are lactose intolerant and gluten intolerant, and it is always important to check with your veterinarian before offering home-cooked or human food to your puppy. 



Properly feeding your dog treats with a positive reinforcement approach is very healthy for the relationship between you and your pet. This way, you can develop better communication or connection by understanding each other's feeding habits. 

Here are some of the right ways to feed treats to your dog:


  • The foremost step towards the right approach is to provide your dog with the best food supplements such as dry dog food, dog biscuits, etc., which you can get from reliable online pet stores like Supertails. The pets will receive their amazing treats. Try to avoid treats with too many artificial flavours or preservatives. Healthy home treat options include - small pieces of vegetables or fruits like carrot, apples, banana, papaya, etc.
  • Feeding style matters a lot when you give food to your dog. Feeding too much can lure your dog to get up instead of maintaining the position you are reinforcing him to be at. If you lift your hand further, you might encourage him to jump to grab the food. Also, feeding him a little low will give him the impression to lie down. If you are feeding too close, you are likely to invade his space and the dog may back off or hurt you with his sharp teeth and claws.
  • A common technique to feed your dog is to offer treats at a distance of one inch away from your pet's mouth. 
  • Teach your dog to accept treats as gently as possible. Consider a soft and calm 'ouch' to let your dog know when hurting you. With repetitions of the same act, your canine will understand your feelings and minimize such encounters. This way, you can teach him the perfect way to have treats without hurting anyone, especially the feeder. 

These are some important tips to keep in mind while feeding your dog and make him adjust to good practices. However, it depends upon the dog's breed, size, and nature to grasp things efficiently.


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