Salmon training treats for dogs: how to use them

Use salmon training treats in pieces about the size of a fingernail, one piece per correct rep, and snap them down before the session starts. A medium piece of freeze-dried pink salmon is a lot of reward for one sit, so the habit that stretches the pouch is also the habit that keeps training clean: break every piece first, then hand over a single small bit at a time.

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Why small pieces work

Training is repetition. Ten or twenty good reps in a few minutes means ten or twenty rewards, and if each one is a full piece the dog is full before the lesson is. Crumbs and snapped bits also get eaten fast, which means the dog is back looking at you in a second or two instead of chewing. That is the whole trick: the reward has to be strong enough to matter and short enough to repeat.

Freeze-dried fish suits that job because it has a strong smell and breaks along its own lines. Our pieces start medium sized and split by hand, which is why we suggest preparing a handful ahead of time. Keep the broken bits in a pocket or small container so the pouch itself stays closed.

A simple way to run a session

1. Start in a quiet room. Fewer distractions means you need fewer treats.
2. Mark, then reward. Say your marker word or click, then give the bit. Salmon is a good fit for new or difficult cues because it is more interesting than a plain biscuit.
3. Keep sessions short. Several rounds of a few minutes beat one long round, and you will use fewer pieces.
4. Finish while your dog still wants more. Put the pouch away before the dog loses interest.
5. Mix rewards. Use salmon for the hard work and an everyday treat or part of a meal for easy cues.

Introducing salmon to a new dog

VCA's treat guidance recommends introducing new foods gradually, in small portions, and one at a time for dogs with sensitive stomachs (VCA, Dog Treats, opened 2026-10-16). In practice that means a few tiny bits on day one, not a full training session. If your dog has a medical condition or a prescribed diet, ask your veterinarian before adding any new treat, and this one is raw salmon, so that conversation matters twice over; the product page explains what the Merck Veterinary Manual says about raw salmon.

Count the calories

Small pieces still carry calories. VCA's general rule is that treats should be about 10 percent or less of a dog's daily calories, with the rest coming from complete and balanced food (VCA, Dog Treats, opened 2026-10-16). The label on our pouch gives about 85.6 kcal per ounce, and the pink salmon page has a calculator that turns your dog's daily calories into a treat budget. On a long training day, take the treats out of the dog's regular meals.

As a topper

Crush a piece over kibble or another meal. The label lists it as a treat or topper, not a complete diet. If your dog is on a special food, ask your vet before adding anything.

Cats

The pouch is listed for dogs and cats. For a cat, snap off tiny bits or crush a piece over its regular food. More at salmon treats for cats.

Handling and storage

• Fresh water out, and stay with your dog while it eats.
• This is raw salmon, not cooked, so treat the pouch like raw pet food. The FDA's guidance is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds afterward and to clean and disinfect the bowls and surfaces involved (FDA, Get the Facts! Raw Pet Food Diets can be Dangerous to You and Your Pet, opened 2026-10-16). That includes the pocket or container you used for broken bits.
• Close the pouch after every opening; somewhere cool and dry is best.
• The University of Minnesota Extension notes that freeze-dried foods pick up moisture readily, which is why the pouch should stay sealed between sessions (UMN Extension, Freeze-drying, opened 2026-10-16).

When the pouch is sold out

Training does not have to stop. The Sniff and Shift store lists other fish treats that are in stock, and many break down for rewards in much the same way. Introduce any new fish gradually, as above.

On the scorecard Sniff and Shift uses for its own treats, salmon rates 4 out of 5 on training value and 3 out of 5 on crunch. That is the store's rating, not a measurement.