German shepherds are known for being incredibly smart and obedient. These adorable companions are naturally eager to please their humans. But, like all dogs, they need to be trained, and since the best way to train a puppy is to use positive reinforcement, treats are a must.
Training isn’t the only reason you may be looking for a dog treat for your German Shepherd, however. Some treats are designed to help clean your puppy’s teeth or relieve teething irritation.
In this article, we share reviews of the 9 best treats for German Shepherds in 2023, including their uses, and their pros and cons.
A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2023
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Best Overall
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Wellness Soft Puppy Bites |
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Milk-Bone Original Puppy Biscuit Dog Treats |
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Premium Choice
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Wellness Core Brainiac Puppy Beef & Turkey Soft Training Treats |
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N-Bone Puppy Teething Ring Dog Treats |
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N-Bone Puppy Teething Sticks |
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The 9 Best Treats for German Shepherd Puppies
1. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites– Best Overall
| Good For: | Training |
| Amount: | 3-ounce pouch |
| Flavor: | Lamb and salmon |
| Texture: | Soft |
Specially formulated for puppies, Wellness Soft Puppy Bites are made of natural ingredients only. The recipe does not contain grains, meat by-products, corn or soy, wheat-gluten, or artificial flavors or colors. These treats are naturally rich in DHA—which helps with your puppy’s brain development.
All the nutritional benefits of these puppy bites, combined with their soft and chewy texture, make them the best overall choice for your German Shepherd puppy.
A potential downside of this choice is that they do contain cane molasses and garlic powder in small amounts—something you should be aware of.
2. Milk-Bone Original Puppy Biscuit Dog Treats – Best Value
| Good For: | Training |
| Amount: | 16-ounce box |
| Flavor: | Beef, Meat |
| Texture: | Crunchy |
When it comes to value, Milk-Bone Original Puppy Biscuit Dog Treats are easily the best puppy treats for the money. These dog biscuits contain DHA and omega 3 to promote healthy brain development, and they’re fortified with 21 vitamins and minerals—including calcium and vitamin D.
The crunchy texture of the dog biscuits helps to remove plaque and tartar from your puppy’s teeth, leaving their mouth feeling clean and fresh.
Unfortunately, just as people have preferences, dogs do too, and not every puppy will find these dog biscuits appetizing! Though if your German Shepherd does like them, they make a great reward!
3. Wellness Core Brainiac Puppy Beef & Turkey Soft Training Treats – Premium Choice
| Good For: | Training |
| Amount: | 5-ounce bag |
| Flavor: | Beef and turkey |
| Texture: | Soft and tender |
Wellness Core Brainiac Puppy Soft Training Treats are bite-sized soft and tender turkey and beef-flavored reward treats. These treats have been made with puppies in mind—they contain omega-3 to encourage healthy skin and coat, and DHA to aid with your puppy’s brain development.
This recipe does not contain grain, corn, wheat, or soy, making them ideal for puppies with delicate tummies.
The only downside to the Wellness Core puppy treats is their price—which is a little on the pricey side. As a premium option, though, they make a great training treat for German Shepherds!
4. N-Bone Puppy Teething Ring Dog Treats
| Good For: | Teething |
| Amount: | Three or six rings |
| Flavor: | Chicken, peanut butter, pumpkin, or salmon |
| Texture: | Chewy and pliable |
If you’re looking for a teething chew for your German Shepherd puppy, then these N-Bone Teething Ring Dog Treats are a great option. Available in four different flavors, the chews are designed to alleviate teething pain. These treats are corn, wheat, and soy-free, so even puppies with sensitive tummies can enjoy them. Fortified with DHA and beneficial fatty acids, these teething rings will promote the health of your little one.
Beware, however, that while they may be great for younger pups, as your German Shepherd grows, they may get through these rather quickly, and the treats do get a little sticky. If you don’t mind the mess though, your puppy will probably love it!
5. N-Bone Puppy Teething Sticks
| Good For: | Teething |
| Amount: | Count varies;74-ouncebag |
| Flavor: | Chicken |
| Texture: | Soft and pliable |
Made in the USA, these teething sticks are soft and pliable in texture to protect your puppy’s delicate new teeth. They’ll relieve teething pains as well as count as a delicious chicken-flavored treat for your puppy.
The downside to these chews is that some German Shepherds can break them up into smaller pieces, which could cause a choking hazard. They also contain wheat, which may cause a tummy ache in puppies with sensitive stomachs.
6. Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Natural Savory Chicken Puppy Treats
| Good For: | Training |
| Amount: | 4-ounce bag |
| Flavor: | Savory chicken |
| Texture: | Soft and meaty |
Specially crafted with puppies in mind, Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Natural Savory Chicken Puppy Treats are soft and meaty little bites—perfect for puppy training. These treats are free from wheat, soy, corn, propylene glycol, and meat by-products.
The only downside that some German Shepherd parents may find is that the treats are quite small. Blue Buffalo products also tend to be a little higher priced when compared to other options.
7. Nylabone Healthy Edibles Puppy Turkey & Sweet Potato Flavor Dog Bone
| Good For: | Occupying chew treat |
| Amount: | 16 bones |
| Flavor: | Turkey and sweet potato |
| Texture: |
German Shepherds are energetic and lively, so an occupying chew treat is perfect for keeping their intelligent minds busy for a short while. Formulated with DHA and free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, the Nylabone Healthy Edibles Puppy Turkey & Sweet Potato Flavor Dog Bone treats make for a tasty and healthy treat for your puppy.
Each bone contains calcium and flaxseed, too, to help maintain healthy bones, skin, and coat. Unfortunately, they also contain wheat, which can cause some puppies with sensitive tummies to have diarrhea or a stomachache. Though if your puppy can tolerate wheat, these bones are a tasty way to keep them occupied for a little while!
8. Get Naked Premium Puppy Care Chicken & Apple Flavor Dog Treats
| Good For: | Nutritious snack |
| Amount: | 7 bones |
| Flavor: | Chicken and apple |
| Texture: | Soft and chewy |
These treats are fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, calcium, and DHA. Get Naked Premium Puppy Care Dog Treats are free from grains, so they should be fine for puppies with sensitive tummies, too. Some people don’t like the way these treats smell, and they do tend to make a bit of a mess! These treats contain natural oils that could stain your furniture. That said, puppies don’t seem to mind the smell, and they certainly don’t mind the mess!
If you’re looking for a healthy snack for your German Shepherd puppy, these treats will help promote a healthy brain, bones, coat, digestive system, and skin—just make sure you cover your furniture before giving one to your puppy!
9. Old Mother Hubbard by Wellness Classic Puppy Natural Mini Oven-Baked Biscuits
| Good For: | Training rewards |
| Amount: | 20-ounce bag |
| Flavor: | Oatmeal, chicken, apples, and carrots |
| Texture: | Crunchy |
These classic dog biscuits are delicious and nutritious. The recipe for Old Mother Hubbard by Wellness Classic Puppy Natural Mini Oven-baked Biscuits is fortified with vitamins and minerals while containing no artificial preservatives or meat by-products.
These treats do contain cane molasses, which—as a byproduct of sugar extraction—is not ideal for a dog’s health in large amounts. As long as you’re treating your German Shepherd intermittently to supplement a healthy and balanced diet, they should be just fine!
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Treats for German Shepherd Puppies
When it comes to finding the right treats for your German Shepherd puppy, there are several factors to keep in mind, including the purpose of the treats, the types, flavors, and ingredients.
Puppy Treat Type
You may opt to get more than one type of treat for your puppy—in fact, you may have two or three types around your house. For example, while soft and meaty reward bites work well for training, you may also have a box of dog biscuits for daily treats or a dog chew for keeping your puppy occupied.
Crunchy Treats
These come in the form of biscuits, in a variety of shapes and sizes. They’re good for everyday rewards, as long as they are made from high-quality ingredients. When buying a dog biscuit, check the ingredients list to make sure there are no low-quality ingredients, such as meat by-products, artificial ingredients, or sugar.
Soft & Chewy Treats
These meaty treats are perfect for use as a training reward. Puppies usually find them delicious, so they can be used instantly to reinforce good behavior. The soft and chewy texture is easier on a puppy’s young teeth and gums.
Dental Chews
Dental chews are designed to promote good oral health for your puppy. As your puppy gnaws on these chews, they will hopefully scrape the plaque and tartar off your puppy’s teeth. That said, these chews are not a substitute for tooth brushing—rather, they complement a good oral hygiene routine.
Long-lasting Chews
Long-lasting chews are great for keeping your puppy occupied for a short time. Not only that, it’ll hopefully discourage your puppy from chewing on other things—like your furniture! Long-lasting dog chews can help alleviate anxiety and stress too.
Some chews are specially formulated for teething puppies. These teething rings and sticks are often soft and pliable to protect your puppy’s sore gums.
Puppy Treat Size
When it comes to the size of the treat you’re giving your dog, usually, tiny flavorful bites are used for instant treats when training, while chews are used to keep your dog occupied for a long period. For chews, the treat should be larger than your puppy’s mouth. Always keep an eye on your puppy when they’re gnawing on their chew, in case they break and cause a choking hazard.
Ingredients
When you’re choosing a treat for your German Shepherd puppy, make sure to check the listed ingredients. If your puppy has any allergies, choose products that don’t contain any ingredients that could make them sick. It’s always a good idea to read the ingredients before giving your puppy a new treat, to see how it suits them—if they show any digestive issues, it could be a reaction to a new ingredient.
Conclusion
Overall, the best treats for German Shepherd puppies are the Wellness Soft Puppy Bites. These tasty meaty treats will help you train your clever German Shepherd, while supplementing their diet with DHA and omega-3. For the best value, you can’t go wrong with a big box of Milk-Bone Original Puppy Biscuit Dog Treats. If you’re looking for a premium option, Wellness Core Brainiac Puppy Beef & Turkey Soft Training Treats are irresistible for most puppies!
Whether you opt for soft and tasty meat bites, dog biscuits, chews, or all three—we hope that our reviews help you find the perfect treat for your puppy!
Featured Image Credit: Alexander Naglestad, Unsplash
