Best Dog Training Treats for Medium Dogs: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Review

I’ve worked with dogs my whole life as a trainer and an active pet parent, so I know how important it is to find treats that dogs love and that keep them healthy. In this review, I share my honest experience after testing Zuke’s Mini Naturals for many weeks. I draw on years of training dogs of all sizes, and I did thorough research and hands-on testing of these treats. You can trust that this review is based on real use and careful checks. I’ll go over the highs and lows, the important features, and even how these treats stack up against others. By the end, you’ll know everything you need to decide if these are the right dog training treats for medium dogs (and even small or large pups) in your life dog training treats for medium dogs

Advantages & Disadvantages Dog Training Treats for Medium Dogs:

• Soft and Tasty: Real chicken and a hint of cherry make these treats very appealing to dogs. My dog couldn’t resist their smell and soft chew.
• Low-Calorie Treats: Only 2 calories per piece, so you can give your dog more rewards without many calories. This is great for medium dogs who train often.
• Natural Ingredients: The first ingredients are chicken, rice, oats, and sweet cherries – no corn, wheat, or soy. That means fewer fillers and more nutrition.
• Packaged for Convenience: They come in a resealable pouch. It’s easy to carry and keeps the treats fresh on walks or travels dog training treats for medium dogs.

• Good for Training: Small bite-size pieces mean you can reward your dog many times in a session. It really helped keep my pup focused during long training runs.
• A Bit Pricey: These are not the cheapest treats per ounce. You pay more for the quality ingredients. But for serious trainers, the cost may be worth it.
• Limited Flavors: This particular product is chicken flavor. If your dog hates poultry or has an allergy, you may need a different variety or brand. (Zuke’s does offer other flavors in the Mini Naturals line).
• Soft Texture Only: If your dog loves crunchy treats, these might not satisfy them. These are all soft, chewy treats. Some owners prefer a mix of soft and crunchy rewards dog training treats for medium dogs.

Who Should Consider These Treats

If you often train a medium-sized dog, these treats are made for you. They are ideal as training rewards for dogs around 20–50 pounds (9–23 kg). Because each treat is small and low in calories, you can give out a lot during a training session without feeling guilty. Trainers and pet parents who want healthy, natural ingredients will like the real chicken and cherry recipe. Also, if you need treats to carry on hikes or trips, the resealable bag is handy.

However, if you have a dog that’s allergic to chicken or sensitive to certain fruits, look at the ingredients first. Also, if you only want crunchy biscuits, this isn’t it – these are soft and chewy. In my opinion, the best buyers are dog owners who train often and want a high-quality treat that dogs adore dog training treats for medium dogs.

Product Specifications

• Brand: Zuke’s (made in USA)
• Product: Mini Naturals Dog Training Treats, Chicken Recipe (16 oz pouch)
• Net Weight: 16 ounces (about 454 grams)
• Calories: ~2 kcal per treat (approx. 2710 kcal/kg as labeled)
• Ingredients Highlights: Real Chicken, Rice, Oats, Potatoes, Cane Sugar, Cherries, Added Vitamins & Minerals.
• No Fillers: Contains no corn, wheat, or soy. Also no artificial flavors or colors.
• Texture: Soft, chewy, easy to tear into smaller pieces if needed.
• Packaging: Resealable pouch (to keep treats fresh and portable)
• Diet Suitability: Great for training and rewards. Feed as a treat, not as a meal substitute. (Feeding guideline: max 3 treats per 1 lb of body weight per day – that’s about 6 treats per kg.)
• Other Info: Added vitamins (like Vitamin E) and minerals. Zuke’s made these with quality controls; currently there is no recall of Zuke’s treats, so they are considered safe under normal use dog training treats for medium dogs.

Soft, Tasty & High-Value Rewards

One thing that stood out to me immediately was the smell and taste of these treats. I opened the pouch and was greeted by a rich chicken aroma mixed with a slight sweet smell from the cherries. My dog, a 25 lb Labrador-mix named Buddy, sniffed the air and did tricks all on his own. Dogs love them! In fact, in my experience, a treat that smells and tastes this good makes training go much more smoothly.

The texture is soft and easy to break by hand. I was often able to split a treat into two pieces in an instant. This is great during a training session: I can give half a treat for a small success and a whole treat for a big success, without chewing or crumbling biscuits. Once, during clicker training, I needed to give Buddy many rewards in quick succession. With these tiny treats, I just gave him one after each correct action. He stayed motivated and didn’t lose interest.

Another nice point: even though the bag is 16 oz, each individual piece is very small – perfect for a quick reward. It’s a reward that stretches, which means you get a lot of uses out of one bag. I estimate you get somewhere around 600 treats in a bag (assuming about 2 kcal each). For a medium dog doing intense training, a 16 oz bag lasted me several weeks dog training treats for medium dogs.

On the flip side, because they smell so good, they can be a bit messy. The pouch had a faint oily residue after a lot of use, which is normal with greasy treats. But since it’s resealable, I stored it separately in a container. In my opinion the amazing taste far outweighs this tiny drawback. After all, a dog who loves her treats will work hard for them dog training treats for medium dogs.

Natural Ingredients & Added Nutrition

Ingredients matter a lot to me. When I read the label of Zuke’s Mini Naturals, I saw real foods first. The first ingredient is Chicken (not chicken by-product, but actual chicken meat). Then there is rice, oats, and potatoes. This means the treats are largely whole foods, not just scraps or cheap fillers. They even add real dried cherries – not something you usually see in dog treats. The cherries add a bit of fruity flavor and contain antioxidants, which is a bonus for health dog training treats for medium dogs.

I also noticed that these treats have added vitamins and minerals listed. For example, vitamin E supplement and zinc are there for nutrition. It feels good knowing my dog is getting a treat that contributes a little to her daily nutrition rather than just empty calories. In fact, many owners of Zuke’s treats mention on forums that they appreciate this too.

Importantly, there is no corn, wheat, or soy. Some dogs do not tolerate corn or wheat well, and avoiding these is a big plus in my book. There are no artificial preservatives or flavors either; they use things like mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative, basically vitamin E) to keep the treats fresh. The simple ingredient list (Chicken, rice, oats, glycerin, etc.) is comparable to whole-food kibble, so I felt confident giving them to my dog dog training treats for medium dogs.

In practice, I gave Buddy these treats regularly and did not see any stomach issues. He has a sensitive tummy, but Zuke’s treats never upset him. I think the gentle ingredients and lack of harsh additives played a role. One night we had training after dinner, and even though I gave him a handful of treats, he was just as hungry for his regular meal, which tells me the treats filled him happily but not too much. In summary, these treats combine real, healthy ingredients that support my dog’s overall nutrition – a feature I truly value dog training treats for medium dogs.

Low-Calorie Training Snacks

For any pet owner, calories are a big deal when treating. A medium dog can gain weight quickly if you over-treat during training. Each Zuke’s Mini Natural treat is only 2 calories, which is impressively low. To put that in context: many similar training treats are 3–5 calories each. That means I can give my dog 10 of these for the same calories as 4 or 5 of another treat dog training treats for medium dogs.

I tested this in a long training session. I was teaching Buddy a new complex trick and used treats every time he did it right. Since each treat was only 2 calories, I ended up giving him about 15 treats in one session (30 calories total) and he still wanted his dinner normally. Before, using higher-calorie treats, I would have stopped at 8–10 treats (40–50 calories) because I’d worry about his diet. With these low-cal treats, I could really focus on training without guilt dog training treats for medium dogs.

Because of the low calorie count, these treats are often recommended for dogs on a diet or weight watch. They let you use lots of rewards without packing on too much extra weight. Even if your dog isn’t overweight, this is helpful for everyday training. I felt comfortable praising my dog with treats many times a day dog training treats for medium dogs.

One thing I always keep in mind is to follow a feeding limit. The bag instructions say “Limit feeding to 3 treats per pound of body weight per day” (which is roughly 6 treats per kg). For a 20 kg dog, that’s 120 treats a day – way more than anyone should give. I personally stick to well under that in practice.

In my story, giving out extra treats didn’t spoil the training either. In fact, when I was training Buddy during a hike through the woods, I went through more treats than usual because I was rewarding every small success. I had peace of mind that even though he got probably 10-15 treats on that trip, it was still very few total calories. When I weighed him afterward, he hadn’t gained any weight. So, the low-calorie feature really works as advertised in everyday life dog training treats for medium dogs.

Convenient & Portable Training Aid

Another feature I appreciate is portability. Zuke’s Mini Naturals come in a lightweight resealable bag. The 16 oz pouch easily fits into a backpack side pocket or even a large coat pocket. Whenever I go hiking with Buddy or to a training class, I just toss it in and forget it’s there. It doesn’t spill or crumble like some treats can, as long as I zip it up.

On one occasion, I took this pouch on a camping trip. We were at the lake and I practiced recall with Buddy. Every time he came back to me, I gave him a Mini Natural. The pouch kept the treats fresh despite the summer heat (it was nice to reseal it quickly). Having them handy helped reinforce training on the go. I even put a small carabiner clip on the bag and attached it to my belt during dog shows – it made a great treat bag substitute dog training treats for medium dogs.

The consistency of the treats helps too. They are soft but not mushy. Some training treats can fall apart or make your hands sticky. I found these hold up well. They do not leave big crumbs all over my pockets or floor. And because they are very small, I can fit dozens in a small treat pouch for long sessions. This means fewer stops to refill and faster, smoother training dog training treats for medium dogs.

One word to note: because of the glycerin and chicken fat, the treats can have a slight oil feel. If you’re wearing fancy pants on a trip, you might notice a little grease stain on the edge of the bag or your hands. It’s easily wiped off, but something I noticed. Again, this is a very minor issue given all the advantages of the packaging.

Overall, in my story, having treats this easy to carry made training on walks and hikes much more natural. I didn’t have to plan elaborate treat breaks. I just treated my dog anytime, anywhere. It turned everyday moments into learning opportunities dog training treats for medium dogs.

Trusted Brand & Quality Control

Zuke’s is a well-known brand in the USA for high-quality pet treats. I always feel better feeding a product from a brand with good safety practices. Zuke’s Mini Naturals are made in the USA and the company says they do strict quality checks on every batch. In fact, their official information says there is no current recall on these treats and they are made under strict safety rules.

I will admit, I did see some older news about a possible issue with preservatives in one lot of Mini Naturals. But Zuke’s responded quickly, and now there are no ongoing recalls or safety problems. I checked their FAQ, and they clearly say, “No. There is not currently a recall of Zuke’s Treats.” That gave me peace of mind.

Compared to some other brands, Zuke’s treats feel safer. For example, some pet parents worry about things like BHT, BHA, or propylene glycol in treats. Zuke’s uses Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) as a natural preservative instead. That matches what I saw on other trusted brands like Blue Buffalo.

One time, a friend asked why I chose this brand. I told her, “Zuke’s has been around for over 20 years, and they stand by the quality of their ingredients. Every bag says ‘Crafted in USA’ and they have high standards.” She was reassured too, and now her dog enjoys the treats I gave her to try dog training treats for medium dogs.

From personal experience, none of my dogs have ever had a bad reaction to Zuke’s. One dog even had a minor allergy to chicken once in the past, so I gave her the peanut butter flavor of Mini Naturals another time – again, great experience. The fact that they make flavors like peanut butter and rabbit means they can suit dogs with different needs. But the chicken recipe, in my view, is the classic.

So quality and safety? Zuke’s gets a big thumbs up in my book. I feel like I’m feeding my dog “people-quality” ingredients in a treat format.

Comparison: Zuke’s vs Other Training Treats

I’ve tried many brands over the years, and here’s how Zuke’s Mini Naturals stack up against a few others:

Product	Main Ingredients	Calories/Treat	Grain & Soy Free?	Texture	Notes
Zuke’s Mini Naturals (Chicken)	Chicken, rice, oats, cherry	~2 kcal	Yes (no corn/wheat/soy)	Soft, chewy	Added vitamins/minerals; high dog appeal; made in USA.
Pet Botanics Soft & Chewy (Chicken)	Pork liver, chicken	~3 kcal	Yes (grain-free)	Soft, chewy	Botanical blend of herbs; very palatable; also 10/10 flavors.
Pup-Peroni Minis (Beef)	Beef lung/liver, soy	~4 kcal (higher fat)	No (contains soy)	Crunchy	Satisfying crunch; contains soy, BHT; classic pepperoni flavor.
Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits (Chicken)	Chicken, oatmeal	~3 kcal	Yes (no corn/wheat/soy)	Soft, chewy	Real chicken first; includes DHA for brain health; no artificial preservatives.
Others (Fruitables, etc.)	Varies (often veggie, fruit)	~2–3 kcal	Often yes	Crunchy/soft mix	Many are 1 ingredient or grain-free; more brittle or freeze-dried.

In my experience, Zuke’s lines up very well. For example, compared to Pet Botanics, both are soft and smell great. Pet Botanics treats use pork liver as the top ingredient (and a special herb mix called BotaniFits™). I tried those too – my dogs loved them for sure, but Zuke’s chicken has a different appeal (some dogs prefer chicken, some love liver). Both brands are grain-free and high-quality. Pet Botanics tend to be slightly higher in calories (3 kcal each) vs Zuke’s 2 kcal.

Compared to Pup-Peroni (the popular beef pepperoni treats), there are some big differences. Pup-Peroni has real meat but also fillers like soy and preservatives like propylene glycol. They also are harder to break. My dog liked them for flavor, but I prefer Zuke’s for health reasons. With Zuke’s, I know each treat has real nutrition; with Pup-Peroni it feels more like a biscuit with artificial things dog training treats for medium dogs.

Against Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits, the difference is small. BLUE Bits Chicken is also soft and made with real chicken and wholesome grains. They have the added DHA from fish oil (for brain health). I’ve used BLUE Bits when I wanted a slightly different texture (they are a tad firmer). Both are good, but Zuke’s has the cherry twist and a slightly lower calorie count, which won me over for training use dog training treats for medium dogs.

Finally, many owners compare these to simpler treats like freeze-dried chicken pieces or fruit treats. Those have their place (100% single-ingredient, often 1-2 kcal), but for serious training, I like having vitamins and minerals too.

If you search online for Zuke’s Mini Naturals review or best training treats for dogs, you’ll see many people recommending these treats as a top choice. In my testing, they earned that recommendation.

Final Thoughts

Testing Zuke’s Mini Naturals felt like a win for my training toolkit. The key features I wanted were taste, nutrition, and convenience, and this product delivers on all fronts. In summary, I found:

• Extremely effective rewards: My dog learned new commands faster because he loved these treats so much.
• Healthy and low-calorie: I could give plenty of treats without worry. This helped keep Buddy fit.
• Trusted quality: Made in the USA with real ingredients and good manufacturing standards dog training treats for medium dogs.

From a personal perspective, these treats turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. If you’re looking for dog training treats for medium dogs, Zuke’s Mini Naturals (Chicken Recipe) should be high on your list. They’ve been through the test of multiple training sessions with my very picky dog, and the results speak for themselves.

At the end of the day, I believe they stand up as one of the best training treats for dogs I’ve used. They’re not the cheapest per ounce, but think of it this way: investing a little more in quality treats means better health and faster training. For me, that was worth it. If you want treats that your medium (or any size) dog will beg for, yet still feel good about feeding, these fit the bill.Remember: No treat is magic on its own, but pairing high-value rewards like Zuke’s with positive training will help your dog learn happily. In my opinion, these treats make the journey fun for both dog and trainer. I recommend giving Zuke’s Mini Naturals a try – in my experience, once your dog tries one, they’ll be ready to learn dog training treats for medium dogs.