Best training treats for Yorkie puppies
Treats for Yorkies must be carefully chosen so as to not affect their health. It is also important to know which treats are worth buying from markets and which treats can be made at home.
Dogs love treats and they always get excited on seeing their favorite treat come out of the bag. Training treats are like a tool for teaching your dog new behaviors. These treats should be given at regular intervals to reinforce positive behavior. If you want to train your dog something new, then you should give him a reward every time he learns something new. For example, if your dog loves to play fetch, give him a treat every time he brings back the ball. He’ll soon get the idea that bringing the ball back means he gets a reward. This way, your dog will associate his good behavior with a tasty reward and become more interested in learning new things.
Are you looking for some great training treats for your puppy Yorkie? But Yorkies are prone to hypoglycemia and dental issues. So you need to be careful when choosing what treats to feed your pup. Well, look no further because I’ve got you covered. We have carefully curated the best training treats for your Yorkie which you can either buy or make at home.
What to look for when choosing Treats for Yorkies?
Just like humans, different Yorkies are allergic to different foods. Food allergies in Yorkies must be taken seriously as it often leads to diarrhea, swelling, vomiting, etc. So, if you notice any symptoms after giving any treat, stop giving that immediately and consult a vet. Depending on your pup’s likes and dislikes, you can include their desired food in their treats and remove the food they hate. Moreover, From a dental perspective, it is always advisable to give dry foods instead of wet foods. However, for training treats, give some semi-liquid treats to motivate your Yorkie.
Moreover, While looking for a treat, you must always check
- Country of Origin (preferably USA, Europe or India, and in no case China)
- Ingredients used (look for natural ingredients)
- Size and Calorie count (Yorkies need half calories compared to other breeds)
- Crunchiness (use crunchy & chewy snack as treat)
What do Yorkies Like to Eat?
This has a direct impact on what they like and what they should eat. They are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), so feed them four times a day with a diet consisting of carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and protein.
Yorkies like to eat chicken, beef, salmon and turkey; but feed them herbs, potatoes, brown rice and carrots too occasionally as they provide required nutrition. Yorkies generally love Chew Bones, soft chews, Dog Cookies and freeze-dried treats sliced into small bits as treats. They love wet canned food like juicy beef as treats but give them dry ones as much as possible. If they still insist, mix a bit of canned food into dry kibble.
What Ingredients should you Avoid in Treats?
Avoid all-wet treats as it will instill a bad habit among your Yorkie. Also avoid grains, wheat, chocolates, grapes, sugar-free candy or gum, dairy, walnuts, onions, garlic, bread dough with yeast, raw eggs, cat food, cooked beans and corn as treats since they are not beneficial for their health. If you find food containing any artificial coloring, synthetic chemical sweeteners, preservatives or ingredients like calcium propionate, potassium sorbate or ethoxyquin, it is best to not buy them. Some manufacturers also use Humectants to prevent food from drying but it leads to digestive problems in Yorkies.
Note: It is important to understand that not all treats available in markets are safe to eat for your puppy. First found in 2007, there are some ingredients originating outside of the US, especially China, which causes illness among many puppies. Since then, the FDA has issued many warnings against using products made in China as they have been reported to contain melamine, pesticides, glycerin and antivirals. You may check out the entire report here.
6 Best store-bought Treat Recommendations Available for Purchase for Yorkies
- Overall best dog treat for Yorkies
Full Moon All-Natural Human-Grade Dog Treats
If you ever wondered why dog treats are not as good as human food, here you go. Full Moon goes by the formula ‘If the food is not good enough for us, it’s not good enough for our dogs.’ They use only natural ingredients, non-artificial preservatives and home grown meats.
- Best treat for Yorkie puppies
Jiminy’s Cricket Protein, Sweet Potato, and Pea Dog Training Treats
If there is something that can provide the most nutrition to your growing Yorkie, then it’s this treat by Jiminy’s. Besides being rich in protein, vitamins and iron, they have low calories making them perfect for your small puppy.
- Best training treat for Yorkies
Pupford Freeze-Dried Sweet Potato Training Treats
Pupford Freeze dried Sweet Potato Treats are not only loved by Yorkies but they also come with less calories which means you can feed your dog multiple times without having the tension of overfeeding them. Made with sweet potatoes, they do not have any artificial preservatives and are highly nutritious for Yorkies.
- Best treat for Yorkies that lasts long (for Heavy Chewers)
Himalayan Dog Chews: 100% Natural Hard Cheese Chew
Himalayan Dog Chews are one of the best available for Yorkies who are heavy chewers. Made with natural ingredients, these chews last much longer than most treats out there. Moreover, they do not produce a foul smell and save your home from stinking.
- Best Treat for Yorkies with Bad Breath
Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Treats
Bad breath and dental issues in Yorkies are common. Pedigree Dentastix is one of the best treats available for reducing tartar and plaque build up, and for freshening the breath of your Yorkie. For grown puppies above 5 lbs or 2.27 Kg, it is advisable to feed just 1 stick daily and results can be seen within a week. It also has a mint flavor which your puppy will, most certainly, love.
- Best treat to help Clean your Yorkie’s Teeth
VetIQ Minties Dental Bone Dog Treats
Dry foods are the best for Yorkies as their brittle and crunchy texture helps clean their teeth while wet foods can cause them dental issues. VetIQ Minties are grain-free and are specially meant for small-sized puppies like Yorkies. Yet, take proper care of calorie intake when giving it to your dog.
BAGEN Dog Toothbrush Stick
It is recommended to use a stick for cleaning your Yorkie’s teeth. Bagen Toothbrush sticks are one of the best, known for their design and quality. The stick shaped in chews works for puppy Yorkies who hate brushing. It is hollow in the center and is filled with dozens of tiny nubs around it that help in cleaning the pup’s teeth while it is busy chewing.
Best Homemade Yorkie Treats
Homemade treats are also a very good option for your Yorkie. Make them Liver snaps with chicken and they will definitely like it. Even Chicken cookies and Apple, Cheddar & Bacon delights are also worth trying. If you want to go for the simplest ones, give your Yorkie frozen fruits & vegetables, peanut butter & yogurt cubes, or sweet potato sliced into small bites.
So, these were some of the tips for your cute pup. Let us know in the comments section if you have any doubts.
