Training Treats vs Chews: Picking the Right Reward

By Pet Shop Online | Published: 2026-10-16

Category: Comparisons

Training treats and chews solve different problems. Compare Nova Duck and Venison Training Treats with Zero Hide Collagen Duck Wraps so you can reward fast without overfeeding.

Quick answer

Use small, high-value training treats for repetition and quick rewards, and use chews for longer downtime or dental-style chewing. Nova Duck Training Treats and Nova Venison Training Treats fit the training slot because they are 100% natural, made from a single high-protein meat, and suitable for dogs from 8 weeks old. Zero Hide Collagen Duck Wraps suit the chew slot when you want a longer activity rather than a rapid-fire reward.

Why training treats and chews are not interchangeable

Training depends on timing. You need to mark and reward a behaviour within a second or two, which means the treat has to be small enough to swallow quickly and valuable enough to compete with distractions. A chew that takes minutes to work through breaks that rhythm, so it belongs in a different part of the day.

Chews are better for occupying a dog during crate time, after a walk, or when you need a calm activity. The trade-off is that a chew is not a fast reward, and it should not be used as one. Mixing the two roles usually leads to overfeeding or a dog who loses focus waiting for the chew to soften.

What to look for in a training treat

The best low calorie dog training treats are small, easy to break, and made from recognisable ingredients. Single-protein treats such as Nova Duck and Nova Venison keep the ingredient list short and make it easier to identify what your dog is actually eating. Both are free from artificial preservatives, colours, and flavours, which matters when you are handing out many rewards in one session.

High value dog treats for training do not have to be high in fat. A treat that is mostly protein gives you strong motivation without a heavy calorie load. If you are training several times a day, portion out the treats from your dog's daily food allowance rather than adding them on top.

How many treats to give during training

There is no single number that fits every dog, because it depends on the size of the treat, the length of the session, and what else your dog ate that day. A practical approach is to break each training treat into two or three pieces and count every piece. For a small dog, a handful of pieces across a ten-minute session is often plenty; a larger dog may need more pieces to stay engaged.

Watch the total, not just the session. If you use a lot of training treats on a heavy training day, reduce the main meal slightly or swap part of the bowl for the treats. This is where single-ingredient treats help: they are easy to account for because there are no fillers or coatings adding hidden calories.

When a chew is the better choice

Chew treats for dogs are useful when you want a longer, calmer activity. Zero Hide Collagen Duck Wraps are infused with collagen and described as low fat with no added salt and no synthetic additives, so they suit a dog who needs something to work on rather than a quick reward. Chewing also gives a dog an outlet that does not depend on your timing.

The trade-off is that a chew is not a training tool. If you try to use a large chew as a reward during a recall or a stay, the dog will disengage from you and focus on the chew. Keep chews for settling, crate time, or after training, and keep training rewards small.

Seasonal and novelty treats: where they fit

Some treats are designed for a moment rather than a training plan. Pigs In Blankets (Single) is described as a Christmas treat with chicken as the main ingredient, plus potato starch, tapioca starch, and bell pepper powder. It is a fun seasonal extra, but the ingredient list is longer and includes wheat flour and corn starch, so it is not the first pick if you are counting every calorie or managing a sensitive dog.

Use novelty treats sparingly and keep them separate from your training pouch. If your dog is on a weight-management plan or a limited-ingredient diet, the shorter recipes in the training range are easier to fit into a daily allowance.

Trade-offs at a glance

Speed of reward: Training treats can be broken into small pieces and delivered immediately, which supports precise timing. Chews take minutes to consume and cannot mark a behaviour. If you are shaping a new behaviour, reach for the training treats.
Calorie control: Single-protein treats such as Nova Duck and Nova Venison are easy to portion and count. A chew is a larger single item, so it takes up more of the daily allowance. Count every piece and adjust the main meal on heavy training days.
Duration and settling: Zero Hide Collagen Duck Wraps give a dog a longer activity, which is useful for crate time or after exercise. Training treats are gone in seconds. Match the reward to the job: quick for training, longer for settling.
Ingredient fit: Nova training treats are free from artificial preservatives, colours, and flavours and suitable from 8 weeks. Pigs In Blankets is a seasonal recipe with wheat flour and a longer list. For everyday training, shorter recipes are easier to fit into a routine.

Product facts

Nova Duck Training Treats 100g: Nova Duck Training Treats are 100% natural and made entirely from high-protein duck, free from artificial preservatives, colours, and flavours, and suitable for all breeds from 8 weeks and older. A single-protein recipe makes it easy to reward often during training without a long ingredient list, and the 8-week minimum covers most puppies starting foundation work.
Nova Venison Training Treats 100g: Nova Venison Training Treats are 100% natural and made entirely from high-protein venison, free from artificial preservatives, colours, and flavours, and suitable for all breeds from 8 weeks and older. Venison gives you a second single-protein option, which is useful if you rotate proteins or want to avoid the protein your dog already eats at mealtimes.
Zero Hide Collagen Duck Wraps - Large: Zero Hide Collagen Duck Wraps are infused with collagen, described as low fat with no added salt and no synthetic additives, and designed as a chewing activity. This is a chew, not a training reward: it suits calm downtime and gives a dog something to work on when you are not actively marking behaviours.
Pigs In Blankets (Single): Pigs In Blankets (Single) is described as a Christmas treat with chicken (50%), potato starch, tapioca starch, vegetable glycerine, wheat flour, corn starch, bell pepper powder, sweet potato powder, calcium carbonate, and rosemary extract. The longer ingredient list and wheat flour make it a novelty extra rather than a default training treat, especially for dogs on a limited diet.

Which should you choose?

Best for

Puppies from 8 weeks old starting foundation training with small, frequent rewards
Dogs who need a high-value reward for recall, loose-leash work, or distraction training
Owners who want a single-protein treat that is easy to portion and count

Not for

Dogs who need a long-lasting activity rather than a quick reward, who should use a chew such as Zero Hide Collagen Duck Wraps
Dogs on a limited-ingredient diet that excludes duck or venison, who should check the recipe before switching proteins
Owners looking for a seasonal novelty treat, who may prefer Pigs In Blankets as an occasional extra rather than a training staple