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Crate training your pup has so many benefits for both you and your dog. Treats are a big part of successful crate training, including long-lasting treats that you can leave with your pup while they’re in their crate. This helps to make their crate time more fun, preventing boredom and building that positive association with their crate.
With advice from the BreedAdvisor staff, discover the 5 best treats for crate training.
The KONG Stuff’N Easy Treat Peanut Butter Recipe is 1 of the best long-lasting dog treats for a crate when it’s paired with a treat dispenser like the KONG classic or a lick mat. You simply spread the delicious peanut butter flavored treat on the toy, and your dog will be licking away for hours.
You can even freeze it on your dog’s toy to make it last much longer (something I find useful during summer with my dogs). The ingredients are high quality and trans-fat free, making it very digestible for your dog’s delicate tummy. This treat is suitable for all breeds and is a mid-range price.
The Himalayan Pet Supply Natural Cheese Dog Treats are truly 1 of the best long-lasting dog treats for a crate trained dog. They are made from 100% natural ingredients, making them extra healthy for your dog. Their tough texture will stand up to hours of chewing, even from the most aggressive of chewers.
My springer spaniel enjoyed the taste of these chews and each 1 lasted for days at a time. These chews come in a range of sizes to suit all breeds. While their price is on the higher end of the range for 1 chew, I feel they are well worth the money.
The Nylabone Edibles Natural Nubz Chicken Flavor Dog Chew are an excellent option for small breeds who are crate trained. They’re long-lasting and made from real chicken, making them extremely tasty for your pup. They even have raised nubs to clean your dog’s teeth as they chew.
While bigger breeds could enjoy these treats, they wouldn’t be particularly long-lasting for large, strong mouths. They’re ideally suited for small and toy breeds (my small breeds loved them). They even come at a great price and you get multiple treats per packet.
The SmartBones Large Peanut Butter Chew Bones Dog Treats are 1 of the best crate-safe dog treats, with a tough texture making them very long-lasting. They’re made with natural ingredients and are 100% rawhide free, making them safe and high-quality for your furbaby.
These chews are mighty in strength and big in size, designed for large and giant breeds. My dogs enjoy the smaller version of this treat to suit their size, with the same great taste! They’re even a very affordable price with 3 treats in 1 bag.
The HotSpot Pig Ear Dog Treats are an excellent all-natural option, high in protein and low fat. While they’re suitable for all breeds, these pig’s ears are more likely to last longer for small and medium breeds. Large breeds with strong mouths may munch them quite quickly.
My dogs loved these pigs ears; the taste and texture kept them occupied for long periods. Best of all, for owners, each pig’s ear comes at an amazingly low price.
When you’re looking for a treat for your crate trained dog, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help you make the best choice (see also ‘4 Alternatives To Crate Training Your Dog’):
Choosing a treat made from high-quality ingredients is better for your dog’s health. Ideally, natural ingredients are best. Selecting teats made from excellent ingredients ensures that your beloved friend is getting the best quality possible.
It’s always important to choose a treat that is the correct size for your dog so they can chew it comfortably. When selecting a treat for your dog to eat in their crate, size advice changes slightly because your dog will potentially be unsupervised.
Ideally, you should choose a treat the next size up. This ensures they can’t chew the treat down to a small size, which could then pose a choking risk.
Any treat you give to your dog while they’re alone in their crate should be long-lasting. This ensures that they’re safe and keeps them occupied for longer, which is the goal.
When you give your dog a treat in their crate, especially if you’re in the process of crate training, you want the treat to be high value. This means extra tasty treats, so that your dog learns that great things happen when they are in their crate.
Many treats will provide additional benefits, which are always worth keeping an eye out for. For example, hard chews can help to clean your dog’s teeth, while other treats may include ingredients that are good for your dog’s coat or joints.
Some owners may worry that crate training is cruel, but in fact, it’s highly beneficial to your dog and you! In the wild, your dog’s ancestors would naturally search for small, cosy spaces to rest in. Dogs today still have that instinct and often feel much more settled in a small space.
The American Kennel Club states: “Most veterinarians, trainers, and breeders recommend crate training dogs from a young age.”
Let’s go over some of the benefits of crate training. Crate training:
Giving your dog a long-lasting treat while they’re in their crate keeps them calm and gives them something positive to focus on. It makes their time alone more enjoyable. This is even more important when you’re first crate training your dog, as it helps them learn that the crate is a positive place.
If this is the first time you’re crate training a dog, make sure you do lots of research first (see also ‘What Is Crate Training For A Dog? (& How To Start)‘). There are lots of great guides online, like this 1 from the American Kennel Club.
Some basic tips for crate training are included below:
It’s always important to supervise your dog the first time they try a new treat. Once you’ve watched them and feel that the treat is safe, you can leave it in their crate with them. Always choose long-lasting or spreadable treats to avoid choking or blockage.
Choosing a treat of the right size and strength for your dog is vital. Size up to make sure your dog never has a treat small enough to choke on. Don’t use rawhide or bones, as these can cause splinters and blockages, which can be fatal.
Yes, adult animals can be left alone with a dog treat as long as you follow the safety guidance discussed above.
Unless it’s overnight. If you are home, and your dog is sleeping, you shouldn’t leave your dog in their crate for more than 4 to 6 hours at a time. For a puppy, 4 hours is an absolute maximum length of time.
Ideally, it should be less than 4 hours at a time, even when you’re at work. Just like you, your dog needs to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs. If your dog is home alone longer than that, it’s vital you get a dog walker or a loved one to take them out.
No, it’s not cruel to crate your dog as long as it’s done using appropriate training. It can actually be much safer and less stressful for your dog to be crate trained. Learn more about crate training your pup.
Crate training your dog can have so many benefits. Choosing the right dog treat for your crate trained pup can entertain them for longer, resulting in a happy pup and owner. Best of luck!
Kaitlyn Arford, (2019), “Crate Training Benefits: Why A Crate Is Great for You and Your Dog”. American Kennel Club.
Shannon Sharpe, (2019), “How to Crate Train Your Dog in 9 Easy Steps”. American Kennel Club.
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