Buyer guide · Editorial
Best training treats for Yorkies
Reward-heavy training without wrecking a tiny calorie budget — what to look for, and how to keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Editorial guide — commission never decides a pickLast reviewed 2026-07-11
Start here
Pick a treat you can break into tiny, soft, low-calorie pieces so you can reward often without overfeeding a small dog.
Training a Yorkie works best with lots of small rewards, but a five-pound dog has almost no calorie room to spare — so the treat itself has to be tiny and low-calorie or a good session quietly overfeeds them. The best training treats are soft (so you can tear them smaller), low-calorie, and simple, ideally around 1–3 kcal each.
A quick, honest note on “best”: we don’t assign star ratings, we haven’t run a lab test, and nobody paid for a spot here. “Best” on this page means “a short list of sensible options worth comparing” — chosen for editorial fit, not commission — not a lab-tested winner. Some links are affiliate links, which never change our picks. For anything health-related, your veterinarian’s advice comes first.
What to look for
Aim for treats around 1–3 kcal each so you can reward often and still stay inside the 10% treat budget.
Soft, tearable treats let you pinch off a pea-sized reward — a Yorkie doesn't need a whole biscuit.
Keep the ingredient list short and simple to avoid upsetting a small stomach during long sessions.
Trim the day's meals a little on a big training day — treats count toward the daily total.
Some “treats” are just food you already have: a single pea-sized piece of plain cooked chicken works well.
Who each option suits
Best for the busy trainer
You reward many times in a session, so you need small, soft bites your Yorkie can eat fast and keep working.
Best for the calorie counter
You want treats light enough to stay within roughly a tenth of your dog's daily food without wrecking their diet.
Best for tiny mouths and teeth
Soft, small treats are gentle to chew and easy to break down further for a 4-to-7-pound dog.
When to skip this entirely
- You want a long-lasting chew rather than quick training rewards.
- Your dog is on a strict vet diet where extra treats are off the table.
- You are looking for a complete meal food, not a training aid.
Options to compare
A short, honest shortlist — the use case, real reasons, and the trade-off you should know. No invented ratings, prices, or stock claims.
Zuke's
Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Treats
Best for: High-frequency, low-calorie rewards for a Yorkie on a tight calorie budget.
- Soft, pea-sized pieces are easy for a small mouth to eat quickly and keep training moving.
- Low calorie per treat (Zuke's lists about 2 calories each), so many reps stay within a toy breed's budget.
- Available in several single-animal-protein recipes such as chicken, salmon, and pork.
Worth knowing: Being soft, they can dry out or crumble if the bag is left open.
Affiliate link · Info last checked 2026-07-15
Category example
Small Soft Training Treats
Best for: Reward-heavy training sessions where you need many treats without blowing the calorie budget.
- Tiny, soft, low-calorie pieces let you reward often during training without overfeeding a small dog.
- Soft treats can be torn even smaller — a Yorkie doesn't need a whole biscuit to feel rewarded.
- Look for treats around 1–3 kcal each so a full session stays inside the 10% treat budget.
Worth knowing: Treats still count toward the daily 10% treat allowance — a productive training day can quietly use it all up, so trim the day's meals accordingly.
Affiliate link · Info last checked 2026-07-11
Category example
Pill Pockets for Small Dogs
Best for: Getting medication into a Yorkie without a wrestling match — pick the small-dog size.
- A soft, mouldable treat hides a tablet or capsule so a suspicious dog swallows it whole.
- Small-dog sizes exist so a single pocket isn't a large share of a tiny calorie budget.
- Less stressful than pilling by hand for both of you.
Worth knowing: They add calories and some contain ingredients not suited to every dog — check the label, and confirm with your vet or pharmacist that your specific medication can be given with food.
Affiliate link · Info last checked 2026-07-11
Before you buy — quick checklist
- Choose treats you can break into pea-sized or smaller pieces.
- Favor soft treats a small dog can eat quickly between reps.
- Check the calories so treats stay under about a tenth of daily food.
- Keep the ingredient list simple, especially for a sensitive stomach.
- Have a pouch or pocket ready so rewards come fast during training.
- Cut back on meals a little on heavy training days to balance the extras.
Frequently asked questions
How many treats can a Yorkie have in a day?
Keep treats to roughly ten percent of daily calories. For a tiny dog that is very little, which is exactly why breaking treats into small pieces lets you reward often without overdoing it.
Soft or crunchy treats for training?
Soft usually wins for training because your dog eats it fast and stays focused. Crunchy treats take longer to chew and can break into crumbs. Crunchy still has its place for other moments.
Can I use my dog's kibble as training treats?
Yes, and it is a smart way to avoid extra calories. Set aside part of the daily kibble for rewards. Mix in a few special treats for hard lessons where you need more motivation.
Shop this category
See current options on Amazon
We don't quote prices or star ratings — they change. Tap a category to check what's available and priced right now.
Soft training treats
Tiny, low-calorie, easy to break smaller for a light training session.
Shop on AmazonToy-breed dental chews
Small enough for a Yorkie mouth, counted into the daily treat budget.
Shop on AmazonLick mat
Spread a thin topper for calm enrichment without many extra calories.
Shop on AmazonPill pockets
Makes medicine time easier — small size for toy breeds.
Shop on AmazonThese are Amazon search links, not specific product endorsements. As an Amazon Associate, Yorkiefood earns from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices or star ratings here — check the current details on Amazon.
First published 2026-07-11 · Last reviewed 2026-07-11