How to Choose the Right Dog Treat or Chew for Your Dog
Walk into any pet store, or spend five minutes shopping online, and choosing a dog treat can suddenly feel much more complicated than it should.
Training treats. Bully sticks. Collagen chews. Yak cheese chews. Soft treats. Crunchy treats. Long-lasting chews.
So how do you know which one is right for your dog?
At Three Yellow Dogs, we don't think dogs need more stuff just for the sake of having more stuff. We would rather offer a smaller selection of treats and chews that serve a purpose, whether that's helping with training, providing enrichment, satisfying the natural desire to chew, or simply giving your dog something really good.
Here's how to choose.
First: Is It a Treat or a Chew?
Although we often group them together, treats and chews usually serve different purposes.
Dog treats are generally meant to be eaten fairly quickly. They're great for training, rewarding good behavior, reinforcing recall, filling enrichment toys, or simply telling your dog, "You're a very good dog."
Dog chews are designed to give dogs a longer chewing experience. Depending on the chew and the dog, they can provide enrichment and an appropriate outlet for natural chewing behavior.
Many dogs benefit from having both.
The important part is choosing something appropriate for your dog's size, age, chewing style, dietary needs, and intended use.
Best for Training: High-Value Training Treats
When you're teaching a new behavior, practicing recall, working with a puppy, or training somewhere distracting, you usually want something your dog considers worth working for.
That's where high-value training treats come in.
Look for treats that are:
- Small enough to give repeatedly
- Easy to chew quickly
- Made with ingredients you understand
- Appealing enough to hold your dog's attention
- Easy to break into smaller pieces when needed
Three Yellow Dogs' 95% Beef Training Bites and 95% Turkey Training Treats are the type of treats we like for exactly this reason. They're simple, meat-forward options that work well for training without requiring a large treat every time your dog gets something right.
Best Fit for Training Treats
Puppies learning the basics, recall practice, obedience training, walks, rewarding good behavior, and dogs who need a little extra motivation.
3YD Tip: Training treats don't have to be big. For most training sessions, your dog cares much more about receiving the reward than receiving a giant piece of it.
Best for Everyday Chewing: Bully Sticks
Bully sticks are a popular choice for dogs that enjoy sitting down and really chewing.
They can provide a satisfying chewing activity and are easy to bring out when your dog needs something constructive to do.
At Three Yellow Dogs, we carry Odor-Free Mini Bully Sticks, which can be especially convenient when you want a smaller chew rather than handing your dog something enormous.
Best Fit for Bully Sticks
Dogs that enjoy a satisfying chew, supervised downtime, enrichment, and situations when you want to redirect inappropriate chewing toward something more appropriate.
Keep in mind that "long-lasting" is relative.
A chew that lasts one dog 30 minutes may last another dog five minutes. Your dog's chewing style matters just as much as the product itself.
Best for a Different Chewing Texture: Collagen Chews
Collagen chews have become increasingly popular with dog owners looking for another natural chewing option.
They offer a different texture and chewing experience from bully sticks and can be a useful addition when you want to rotate the types of enrichment your dog receives.
Three Yellow Dogs carries a 6" Braided Collagen Chew, with the braided shape providing additional texture while your dog works through the chew.
Best Fit for Collagen Chews
Dogs that enjoy longer chewing sessions, owners looking for another chew option to rotate with bully sticks, and dogs that enjoy working through different textures.
Best for Dogs Who Love a Firm Chew: Nepalese Yak Cheese Chew
Our Nepalese Yak Cheese Chew is a dense, firm chew traditionally made using milk-based ingredients.
Because they are harder than many edible chews, dogs often have to work at them rather than simply eating them quickly.
That can make a Yak chew an interesting enrichment option for dogs that enjoy spending time working on a chew.
Best Fit for the Yak Cheese Chew
Dogs that enjoy firm chews, supervised enrichment time, and dogs that tend to work patiently on their chews rather than trying to swallow large pieces.
Because Yak chews are quite hard, they won't be appropriate for every dog. Dogs with dental problems, puppies with developing teeth, senior dogs, or dogs that aggressively bite down on hard objects may need a softer option.
When in doubt, talk with your veterinarian.
If you are just getting started with a new puppy, our guide to choosing safe toys for your puppy covers the same size-and-safety thinking that applies here.
Bully Stick vs. Collagen Chew vs. Yak Chew
Not sure where to start?
| If your dog... | Consider starting with... |
|---|---|
| Needs small rewards during training | Training Treats |
| Loves a traditional edible chew | Bully Stick |
| Enjoys longer chewing and different textures | Collagen Chew |
| Likes working on a very firm chew | Nepalese Yak Cheese Chew |
| Gets bored easily | Rotating several appropriate chew types |
| Is a puppy, senior, or has dental concerns | Ask your veterinarian which texture is safest |
There isn't one "best" dog chew.
There is a best choice for your individual dog.
What About Heavy Chewers?
If you live with a serious chewer, you already know that product labels such as "long-lasting" can be a little optimistic.
Some dogs methodically work on a chew.
Others seem determined to set a land-speed record.
For strong chewers, don't simply look for the hardest product available. Extremely hard chews can potentially damage teeth.
Instead, consider your dog's chewing behavior.
Does your dog slowly gnaw?
Try to bite chunks off?
Attempt to swallow things whole?
Destroy everything immediately?
Knowing how your dog chews is one of the most important parts of choosing an appropriate chew.
Choosing Treats and Chews for Small Dogs
Small dogs don't necessarily need completely different products, but size matters.
A chew should generally be large enough that your dog cannot easily swallow it whole. Treats can often be broken into smaller pieces, especially during training.
For small dogs, calorie intake can also add up quickly. Tiny training rewards are usually plenty.
Don't Forget About Calories
Treats are still food.
Even when they're made from high-quality ingredients, they contribute to your dog's daily calorie intake.
Veterinary nutrition guidance commonly recommends that treats make up no more than about 10% of a dog's daily calories, with the majority coming from a complete and balanced diet.
If you train frequently, breaking treats into smaller pieces can help keep rewards fun without unintentionally turning training time into an extra meal.
Dogs with medical conditions, food sensitivities, weight concerns, or prescribed diets should have treat choices discussed with their veterinarian.
Dog Chew Safety Matters
This may be the most important section of this guide.
No edible chew is completely risk-free, and no chew should be assumed to be safe for every dog.
Whenever you give your dog a chew:
- Choose a size appropriate for your dog
- Supervise chewing
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions
- Provide fresh water
- Remove pieces that become small enough to swallow
- Watch for cracking, splintering, or large pieces breaking off
- Know your dog's chewing habits
- Stop using a product if your dog tries to swallow large pieces
- Ask your veterinarian about appropriate chews if your dog has dental or medical concerns
And if something doesn't seem right, take the chew away.
Your dog may disagree with this decision.
We're comfortable with that.
Rotation Can Be Better Than Finding One "Perfect" Treat
Dogs experience the world largely through their noses, mouths, and brains.
Giving them appropriate variety can make everyday activities more interesting.
That doesn't mean filling a cabinet with dozens of dog products.
It might simply mean keeping:
Training treats for learning.
A bully stick for supervised downtime.
A Collagen Chew or Nepalese Yak Cheese Chew for a different enrichment experience.
The goal isn't more.
It's purposeful variety.
What We Look for at Three Yellow Dogs
We are dog people first.
That means we're pretty picky about what makes it into a Three Yellow Dogs box or onto our shelves.
We look for products that serve a purpose, ingredients and product information we can understand, and things we would feel comfortable giving our own dogs.
Because ultimately, Three Yellow Dogs isn't about filling a box with as many things as possible.
It's about helping dogs live happy, enriched lives while helping animals still waiting for theirs.
And 3% of every Three Yellow Dogs purchase supports animal rescue organizations.
So, Which Treat Is Right for Your Dog?
Start with the reason you're buying it.
Training? Choose a small, high-value treat.
Everyday chewing? Consider a bully stick.
Looking for another chewing texture? Try a collagen chew.
Have a dog that enjoys firm chews? A Nepalese Yak Cheese Chew may be worth considering.
Then factor in your dog's size, age, diet, dental health, and individual chewing style.
You can browse our full Dog Chews collection to see everything mentioned here in one place.
You know your dog better than anyone.
We're just here to help you make a more informed choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best treats for dog training?
High-value training treats work best when they are small, easy to chew quickly, and made with ingredients you understand. Our 95% Beef Training Bites and 95% Turkey Training Treats are sized for exactly this kind of repeated reward during a training session.
What is the difference between a bully stick and a collagen chew?
They offer different chewing experiences. A bully stick is a traditional edible chew, while a collagen chew has a tougher, braided texture. Many owners rotate between the two for variety.
Are Yak cheese chews appropriate for every dog?
No. Our Nepalese Yak Cheese Chew is quite hard, so it is not appropriate for every dog. Dogs with dental problems, puppies with developing teeth, senior dogs, or dogs that aggressively bite down on hard objects may need a softer option. When in doubt, talk with your veterinarian.
How do I choose the right size dog chew?
A chew should be large enough that your dog cannot easily swallow it whole. This matters even more for small dogs, since they can swallow proportionally larger pieces. Always supervise a new chew and remove any piece that becomes small enough to swallow.
How much of my dog's diet should come from treats?
Veterinary nutrition guidance commonly recommends that treats make up no more than about 10% of a dog's daily calories, with the rest coming from a complete and balanced diet. If your dog has a medical condition or a prescribed diet, check with your veterinarian first.
How can I tell which chew type is right for my dog?
Pay attention to how your dog actually chews. A dog that gnaws slowly is very different from one that tries to bite off chunks or swallow pieces whole. Knowing your dog's chewing style matters as much as the product itself when choosing a safe option.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not veterinary or medical advice. Every dog is different. Always supervise your dog with treats and chews, follow product instructions, and consult your veterinarian about appropriate treats and chews for your individual dog, particularly if your dog has dental problems, medical conditions, allergies, dietary restrictions, or a history of swallowing objects.
