Training Yorkies? Tiny Treats Under 3 Calories Work Best
Yorkies need tiny, soft treats for fast training. Keep calories under 3 for lots of reps. Rotate flavors like Zuke's Mini Naturals to maintain interest.
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Best Overall: Zuke's Mini Naturals. Only 2 calories per treat, tiny size perfect for Yorkies, made with real chicken, and no c.
Best Soft Treat: Blue Buffalo Blue Bits. Soft texture that breaks easily, real meat first ingredient, no chicken by-product meals,.
Best for Puppies: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites. Specifically formulated for puppies, soft and chewy, made with DHA and omega fatty acids,.
Best Single Ingredient: PureBites Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast. 100% pure chicken breast, no additives, can be broken into tiny pieces, and high in protei.
Best for Weight Management: Hill's Natural Baked Light Treats. Only 1.5 calories per treat, crunchy texture helps clean teeth, and made with natural ingr.
Best Novel Protein: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnows. Single ingredient fish treat, low calorie, and great for dogs with chicken or beef allergi.
Our top three picks for Yorkshire Terrier training treats are: 1) Zuke’s Mini Naturals (low-calorie, small size), 2) Blue Buffalo Blue Bits (soft texture, real meat), and 3) Wellness Soft Puppy Bites (gentle on tummies).
What to consider for a Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs with big personalities. When selecting training treats, size matters—tiny treats prevent overfeeding and keep training sessions productive. Look for low-calorie options (under 5 calories per treat) since Yorkies gain weight easily. Soft, chewy textures are ideal for quick rewards and are easier on small teeth. Avoid high-fat treats that can cause pancreatitis. Also, consider allergies; many Yorkies have sensitive stomachs, so limited ingredient treats are a safe bet.
How we picked
We evaluated treats based on size, calorie content, ingredient quality, and palatability. We consulted veterinary nutritionists and tested treats with real Yorkies. Only treats with natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives, and appropriate size for a 4-7 lb dog made the list. We also prioritized treats that can be broken into smaller pieces without crumbling.
Yorkies respond best to tiny, soft treats that can be consumed quickly. Keeping treats under 3 calories allows for multiple training repetitions without weight gain. Rotate flavors to maintain interest.
The Options
Types Explained
Soft & Chewy Treats
Moist, easy-to-break treats that can be given quickly during training sessions.
Best for: Quick rewards and puppies with sensitive teeth
Freeze-Dried Treats
Single-ingredient, crunchy treats that can be broken into tiny pieces.
Best for: High-value training for stubborn Yorkies
Crunchy Biscuits
Hard, baked treats that help clean teeth and provide a satisfying crunch.
Best for: Dental health and longer-lasting rewards
Training Bits
Specifically designed tiny, low-calorie treats for repetitive training.
Best for: Frequent training sessions without overfeeding
The Rankings
Top 6 Picks
#1
Best Overall
Zuke's Mini Naturals
View on Amazon
Only 2 calories per treat, tiny size perfect for Yorkies, made with real chicken, and no corn or wheat.
Yorkies need only 150-200 calories daily, so treats should be under 3 calories each to avoid overfeeding.
02
Size and Texture
Treats should be dime-sized or smaller and soft enough to chew quickly without choking or excessive chewing.
03
Ingredient Quality
Look for named meat sources as first ingredient, avoid artificial preservatives, and choose limited ingredient options for sensitive stomachs.
04
Allergen Considerations
Many Yorkies have food allergies; novel proteins like fish or duck can be good alternatives to chicken or beef.
05
Training Purpose
Use high-value treats (like freeze-dried meat) for new commands and lower-value treats for maintenance training.
Living With It
Care, Cost and Maintenance
Portion Control
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your Yorkie's daily caloric intake. Measure out a daily treat allowance to avoid overfeeding.
Storage
Store treats in a cool, dry place. Soft treats should be kept in resealable bags or containers to maintain freshness. Freeze-dried treats are best kept in an airtight container.
Training Tips
Use small pea-sized pieces for rapid reward. Break treats into smaller bits if needed. Rotate between high-value and low-value treats to keep your Yorkie motivated.
Pro tip
Freeze a bit of peanut butter (xylitol-free) in a small silicone mold for a long-lasting, low-calorie training reward that your Yorkie will love.
Frequently asked questions
How many treats can I give my Yorkie per day?
Limit treats to 10% of daily calories. For a 5 lb Yorkie needing 200 calories, that's 20 calories from treats—about 7-10 tiny treats.
Can Yorkies have rawhide treats?
No, rawhide can be a choking hazard and is hard to digest. Opt for soft chews or dental sticks designed for small breeds.
Are grain-free treats better for Yorkies?
Not necessarily. Unless your Yorkie has a grain allergy, grain-free isn't required. Focus on high-quality ingredients instead.
What treats are good for Yorkie puppies?
Soft, small treats like Wellness Soft Puppy Bites or Zuke's Mini Naturals are ideal. Avoid hard treats until adult teeth come in.
Can I use human food as training treats?
Yes, small pieces of cooked chicken, carrot, or apple (no seeds) work well. Avoid grapes, onions, garlic, and chocolate.
How do I prevent my Yorkie from gaining weight from treats?
Use low-calorie treats, break them into smaller pieces, and reduce meal portions slightly to account for treat calories.
A note on advice: This guide is general information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or care routine, especially if your dog has allergies, kidney disease, pancreatitis, obesity, heart disease or any other medical condition.
Transparency
How we made this guide
How we chose. We compared the options on the factors that matter most for Dog Treats, using manufacturer specifications, aggregated verified owner reviews and editorial comparison. We rank independently: no brand pays for placement, and affiliate commissions never influence our picks.
How it was written. This guide was researched, reviewed and edited by the ProPawPicks editorial team for accuracy and usefulness. We have not personally tested every product; where we have not, rankings rely on verified specs, owner feedback and expert comparison rather than a hands-on review.
Affiliate disclosure. ProPawPicks is reader-supported. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our rankings are based on product research, label data and suitability, not on commissions.
