The Only Training Treat Small Enough for Chihuahuas (No More Overfeeding!)

It’s easy to underestimate just how small a Chihuahua’s daily caloric needs are. A typical, healthy 5-pound Chihuahua might only need around 200-225 calories per day. Now, consider a popular, ‘healthy’ training treat that contains 5 calories. If you have a productive 15-minute training session and give your Chi 10 of those treats, you’ve just used up 50 calories—a full 25% of their entire daily food allowance! It adds up terrifyingly fast.

The Dangers of ‘A Little Bit’

For our tiny dogs, there’s no such thing as ‘just a little bit.’ Overfeeding, even with seemingly small treats, can lead to a cascade of health problems that are especially severe in small breeds:

• Obesity: Extra weight puts immense strain on a Chihuahua’s delicate joints and spine, increasing the risk of conditions like patellar luxation (dislocated kneecaps) and Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
• Pancreatitis: A sudden influx of rich, fatty foods can trigger this painful and potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas.
• Digestive Upset: Too many treats, especially those with fillers and artificial ingredients, can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and general discomfort.
• Nutritional Imbalance: If a significant portion of your dog’s calories comes from treats instead of their balanced dog food, they can miss out on essential vitamins and minerals.

Expert Tip: Think of treats as a currency for training. You want to have a lot of ‘pennies’ (tiny, low-calorie treats) to spend, not just a few ‘dollar bills’ (large, high-calorie treats). This allows for more repetitions and positive reinforcement without breaking the calorie bank.

The goal of training is to build a positive relationship and teach good manners, not to inadvertently compromise your dog’s long-term health. That’s why finding a treat that is truly, genuinely small is the first and most critical step.

Navigating the pet store aisle can be overwhelming. Labels scream ‘natural,’ ‘healthy,’ and ‘grain-free,’ but none of that matters if the treat is too big or packed with calories. Use this five-point checklist to become a master Chihuahua treat detective and find the perfect option for your pup.

1. Size is Everything (Literally)

This is your number one priority. You are looking for treats that are the size of a pea, a kernel of corn, or even smaller. Look for products specifically labeled ‘training bits,’ ‘micro rewards,’ or ‘mini treats.’ If you can’t find anything small enough, your next criterion becomes critical.

2. Easy to Break (or Already Tiny)

The perfect treat should be easily breakable into 2, 4, or even 6 smaller pieces with your fingers, and it shouldn’t crumble into useless dust. This allows you to turn one 3-calorie treat into four 0.75-calorie micro-rewards. Soft, jerky-style treats or freeze-dried options are often great for this.

3. Low-Calorie is Non-Negotiable

Flip the bag over and find the ‘Caloric Content’ information. This is usually listed as ‘ME (Metabolizable Energy) kcal/kg’ and, hopefully, ‘kcal/treat.’ You are looking for treats that are, ideally, under 2 calories each. If the ‘kcal/treat’ isn’t listed, you may have to do some math, but it’s often a red flag that the manufacturer isn’t targeting calorie-conscious owners.

4. Simple, High-Value Ingredients

High-value doesn’t mean high-calorie. It means the treat is super motivating for your dog. For most dogs, this means meaty and smelly! Look for a short ingredient list with a recognizable protein source at the very top. Single-ingredient treats are the gold standard.

• Excellent Choices: Freeze-dried chicken, beef liver, salmon, or minnows.
• What to Avoid: Vague terms like ‘meat by-products,’ artificial colors and flavors, chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT), and excessive fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.

5. Soft Texture for Quick Rewards

Training is all about flow and momentum. A hard, crunchy biscuit can interrupt that flow because your Chihuahua has to stop, crunch, crunch, crunch, and swallow before they’re ready for the next command. A soft treat is chewed and swallowed in a second, allowing you to immediately move on to the next repetition. This keeps your dog engaged and makes your training sessions far more efficient.

We’ve scoured the market and applied our strict checklist to find some of the best commercial options available for tiny dogs. Remember to always introduce new treats slowly to ensure they agree with your Chihuahua’s digestive system. Here are a few great examples of what to look for:

(Note: Always check the packaging for the most up-to-date ingredient and calorie information.)

Sometimes the very best, cheapest, and healthiest option is waiting right in your own kitchen. Making your own treats gives you 100% control over the ingredients and the size. You don’t need to be a master chef; the simplest options are often the best!

Super Simple Boiled Chicken Bits

This is the gold standard for many professional trainers. It’s high-value, healthy, and easy to make.

1. Get a plain chicken breast. No skin, no bones, no seasonings.
2. Boil it. Place the chicken in a pot of water and boil until it’s cooked all the way through (about 12-15 minutes).
3. Cool it down. Remove the chicken and let it cool completely. This is important for safe handling and dicing.
4. Dice it up. Using a sharp knife, dice the cooked chicken into tiny, pea-sized or smaller cubes.
5. Store it. Place your chicken bits in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for about 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in small batches.

Other Healthy ‘Cheats’

Don’t have time to cook? No problem! Many healthy human foods can be used as training rewards, as long as they are served in tiny portions and you know they are safe for dogs.

• Frozen Peas or Green Beans: A single pea is a perfect, crunchy, low-calorie reward.
• Diced Carrots: Cut into very small cubes. They provide a satisfying crunch.
• Tiny Apple Pieces: Ensure you remove all seeds and the core, as they are toxic to dogs.
• Your Dog’s Own Kibble: For many dogs, a piece of their regular kibble is exciting enough in a training context! It’s perfectly balanced and requires no extra prep.

Having the perfect treat is a game-changer, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. How you use that treat is just as important. Here are some strategies to make your training sessions with your Chihuahua even more effective and healthy.

Adjust Their Meals

On days when you know you’ll be doing a lot of training (like a puppy class or a long practice session), it’s a smart idea to slightly reduce the amount of food in their regular breakfast or dinner bowl. This helps to ensure their total daily calorie intake remains stable, preventing weight gain over time.

Incorporate ‘Life Rewards’

Don’t let your dog think that treats are the only reason to listen to you. Start mixing in other forms of reinforcement that your dog loves. This is called using ‘life rewards’.

• Ask for a ‘sit’ before you open the door to the backyard. The reward is getting to go outside.
• Ask for a ‘down’ before you throw their favorite toy. The reward is the game of fetch.
• Ask for ‘eye contact’ before you put their food bowl down. The reward is getting their dinner.

Use Praise and Play

Your excitement is contagious! A happy, high-pitched “Good boy!” or “Yes!” paired with a quick pat or a butt scratch can be just as rewarding as a treat for many dogs. For others, a 5-second tug-of-war with a special toy is the ultimate prize. Find out what truly motivates your dog beyond food and use it to your advantage.

The Golden Rule of Treating: The purpose of a treat is to mark a specific moment in time when your dog did the right thing. It’s a communication tool. The moment your dog’s bottom hits the floor in a ‘sit,’ mark it with a ‘Yes!’ and then deliver the tiny treat. The speed and timing are what make the connection in their brain.

By using a combination of tiny food rewards, life rewards, and genuine praise, you build a stronger, more reliable relationship with your Chihuahua that isn’t solely dependent on what’s in your treat pouch.