Training treats for Dobermann & Chihuahua

Training two dogs with a size gap this big — a Dobermann and a Chihuahua — is actually a really common headache. The best training treats are pea-sized, smelly, and high in protein so the dog snaps them up and stays focused rather than stopping to chew. The trick in your household is finding one treat that's appropriate for both: small enough not to overfeed the Chihuahua, but still rewarding enough that the Dobermann takes it seriously. What are you training each dog on, and are there any allergies or dietary restrictions I should know about?

That combination — a high-drive Dobermann on recall and a calorie-conscious picky Chihuahua — actually points to the same solution. You need something really smelly and meaty so the Chi actually wants it, but low enough in calories that you can use it freely with her. How many training sessions are you doing a day, and are you training them separately or sometimes together?

That context is really helpful. When the Dobermann is watching, you need a treat with genuine smell and value so the Chihuahua stays locked on you rather than him. My recommendation is Zuke's Mini Naturals — the salmon or chicken variety. They're around 3–4mm, roughly 2.5 calories each, and they smell strong enough to hold a picky small dog's attention even with a Dobermann lurking nearby. For your Chihuahua, two sessions a day with 10–15 of these is well within sensible calorie limits for a small dog. For the Dobermann, the same treat works fine — he'll want more repetitions to feel rewarded, but they're soft enough he'll eat them instantly without breaking focus. One bag does both dogs, which keeps things simple.

It's a fair concern, but recall and loose lead work respond well to rapid-fire small treats — the frequency of reward matters as much as the size. With a food-motivated Dobermann, ten small treats delivered quickly during a good recall is more reinforcing than one big one. The salmon flavour in particular tends to hold up well with larger, more experienced dogs. If you find he needs an extra edge on recall days, you can mix in a couple of small pieces of cooked chicken alongside the Zuke's without disrupting the Chihuahua's routine — just keep them in a separate pocket.

Good plan. One bag handles both dogs, the calorie count stays manageable for the Chi, and the Dobermann will work for them. Good luck with the loose lead work — that one usually clicks fast once the treat value is right.