Training Treats in Bulk: A Buying Guide for Dog Trainers - ValuePetSupplies

Where should dog trainers buy training treats? If you go through treats every week, buy them by the pound in bulk instead of in small retail bags. Our 10 pound bag of beef lung cubes works out to $17.20 a pound, compared with $41.99 for a single pound, and you can order it direct with no account needed.

Trainers hand out a lot of rewards. Group classes, private lessons and board-and-train dogs can empty a treat pouch fast, and buying small bags at retail adds up. This guide covers which single-ingredient treats to keep on hand, how bag size changes your cost per pound, how much to order, and how to turn chew sales into a little extra income after class.

What makes a good training treat for a training business?

A treat that works for a busy trainer is easy to carry, easy to break into small pieces, and simple to explain to clients. Single-ingredient treats check those boxes, since the label is one item and owners know what their dog is getting.

  • Beef lung cubes. Light, dry and easy to break by hand into smaller pieces for quick rewards. See beef lung cubes.
  • Freeze-dried chicken breast. A higher-value option to save for hard skills or distracting settings. See freeze-dried chicken breast.
  • Sliced lamb lung. Thin slices you can snap into small bits. See sliced lamb lung.

Many trainers keep two levels in the pouch: an everyday treat for repetitions and a higher-value treat for the moments that need it.

How much can you save by buying training treats in bulk?

The bigger the bag, the lower the cost per pound. Prices below are today's prices on ValuePetSupplies.com, with free shipping to US48 street addresses.

Treat Bag size Price Cost per pound
Beef lung cubes 1 lb $41.99 $41.99
Beef lung cubes 4 lb $88.99 $22.25
Beef lung cubes 10 lb $171.99 $17.20
Beef lung cubes 20 lb $339.99 $17.00
Freeze-dried chicken breast 1 lb $69.99 $69.99
Freeze-dried chicken breast 2 lb $109.99 $55.00
Freeze-dried chicken breast 8 lb $279.99 $35.00

Cost per pound is the bag price divided by the pounds in the bag, rounded to the cent.

How much should a trainer order at a time?

Start with how many pounds you use in a month, then pick the bag sizes that cover it. The usage below is example numbers to show the math for a trainer who goes through about 8 pounds of lung cubes a month across classes and private lessons. Track your own use for a few weeks and plug in your number.

How you buy 8 lb Bags Total cost Cost per pound
1 lb bags 8 × 1 lb $335.92 $41.99
4 lb bags 2 × 4 lb $177.98 $22.25
10 lb bag 1 × 10 lb (2 lb carried into next month) $171.99 $17.20

In this example, one 10 lb bag costs less than two 4 lb bags and leaves you a head start on next month. Most in-stock orders ship from our Livingston, Tennessee warehouse the same business day, with typical delivery in 2-7 business days via USPS, FedEx or UPS, so reorder when you're down to about a week or two of treats.

Can trainers sell chews to clients after class?

Yes, and it's a simple add-on. Students often ask what to give their dog at home, and a small shelf of bagged chews by the door answers that question. Pre-bagged resale packs arrive ready to sell, so there's no counting or bagging. The shelf prices below are example numbers to show the math, not suggested retail prices.

Resale pack Pack price Cost per bag Example shelf price Profit per bag Margin
Thin 6" bully sticks, 80 bags of 5 $399.99 $5.00 $10.99 $5.99 55%
Medium 6" bully sticks, 40 bags of 10 $518.98 $12.97 $24.99 $12.02 48%

Cost per bag is the pack price divided by the number of bags. Margin is (shelf price − cost) ÷ shelf price. Browse all bully stick resale packs, or add collagen chew resale packs for another option.

How should you store bulk training treats?

Keep the bulk bag sealed in a cool, dry place and fill your treat pouch from it each day, rather than carrying the whole bag to class. A lidded bin or a resealable container makes refills quick and keeps the main supply closed. Write the date you opened each bag on the label so you use older stock first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way for a dog trainer to buy training treats?

Buy larger bags. At today's prices, ValuePetSupplies beef lung cubes cost $41.99 a pound in a 1 lb bag and $17.20 a pound in a 10 lb bag, with free shipping to US48 street addresses and no account needed.

Do I need a wholesale account to buy bulk training treats?

No. Anyone can buy bulk bags directly on ValuePetSupplies.com. If you plan to resell chews in volume, approved resellers get wholesale pricing and 400-count wholesale packs, with a $500 minimum order.

How often should a trainer reorder treats?

Track how many pounds you use in a typical month and reorder when you're down to about one to two weeks of supply. Most in-stock orders ship the same business day, with typical delivery in 2-7 business days.

Ready to stock up?

Our take

Treats are one of the few supplies a trainer uses every single day, so it pays to buy them like a business. Pick one everyday treat and one higher-value treat, buy them in the biggest bag you'll use up, and set a simple reorder point. If students keep asking what you feed in class, a small shelf of bagged chews is an easy next step.

— The ValuePetSupplies family, Livingston, TN

Questions?

Call our Tennessee team at 800-825-8373 or email support@valuepetsupplies.com. We've been helping pet businesses stock natural chews since 2004.

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