Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Cheddar Review — Training Treats

Intro — why I tested these and who I am

I'm The Pet Dude: a dog parent and gear nerd who spends more time than is strictly sane trying treats, toys, and training tools so you don't have to. I picked up Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Crunchy in the cheddar flavor because the listing promises snack-sized, low-calorie rewards and claims professional trainers use the line. If you train often, you know the value of a tiny treat that motivates without derailing a diet — and that’s exactly the promise here.

What it is — first look

On first glance Tricky Trainers Cheddar is exactly what the packaging says: a 12-ounce bag of crunchy, bite-size training treats made by Cloud Star. The listing calls them a behavior aid and training treat: crunchy, low-calorie, and made with natural cheddar cheese. The brand also highlights that pro trainers have used Tricky Trainers since 1999.

Key listing facts (quoted straight from the product info)

• Weight & format: 12 ounces, bag container, item form: crunchy.
• Calories: advertised as 2 calories per treat.
• Portion count: the listing advertises 680 treats per bag.
• Target: All life stages and all breed sizes; recommended uses: dog training and behavior aid.
• Ingredient/label claims: made with natural cheddar cheese, no artificial colors, listed allergen info in the spec reads Corn-Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Wheat Free (note: the presence of cheddar is also listed).
• Other listing claims: wheat & corn free, no artificial flavors or preservatives, made in the USA, and described on the product page as a high-protein crunchy training treat.

In daily use — hands-on testing and real-world behavior

I used these cheddar crunchy treats during multiple short training sessions, reward repetitions, and enrichment-loading (stuffing into treat toys). Throughout testing I tracked how motivating they were, how messy they got, and whether frequent feeding added weight to an active dog.

Motivation & flavor

• Highly motivating: In practice these are attention-grabbing. The cheddar scent and coating get a fast response during tricks and reinforcement work; the listing itself emphasizes the strong cheese flavor and palatability.
• Some humans dislike the scent: Personally I found the cheddar scent strong and not universally pleasant. In testing and extended use the smell was described as "stinky" by multiple long-term users I've tracked, and a few people compared it to snack-food aromas like Cheetos. If you are scent-sensitive, be prepared for a noticeable cheese aroma.

Size, texture, and delivery

• Small and crunchy: These are tiny, hard, crunchy bites that are easy to carry in a pouch or pocket. That small size is great for high-repetition training because you can reward dozens of times without giving a lot of calories.
• Not sticky: I didn’t get residue on my fingers while delivering them during fast-paced training — a practical plus for pocket delivery.
• Some crumble: Portions of a bag can break down into crumbs, especially after shipping or in the bottom of an opened bag. Expect crumbs after heavy handling or if the bag is jostled in a packed box.

How dogs reacted

• Many dogs adore them: In my sessions, dogs eagerly accepted these treats and worked for them — consistent with listing claims that they’re highly palatable and motivating.
• Not universal: A minority of dogs I tested didn’t take to the cheddar flavor; palates differ. The product line offers other flavors if cheddar isn’t a hit.
• Good for picky eaters and seniors: The crunch can break down easily and some mouths with dental issues still managed them; they can suit dogs with reduced chewing ability when the bits crumble.

Use in training formats

• Perfect for high-rep sessions: Because each bite is just 2 calories, you can feed many rewards without major caloric load — great for short sessions, clicker work, and leash training.
• Treat toys and dispensers: The rigid edges of the crunchy pieces worked well in rolling/treat-dispensing toys; they don’t immediately fall out but can be extracted by most interactive toys.
• Not as engaging as soft treats for some puppies: A few young pups preferred the soft version of Tricky Trainers over the crunchy — if you have a puppy who loves soft chews, test the texture first.

Materials & build quality (what "quality" means for treats)

For edible products, "build quality" translates to ingredient clarity, packaging, and consistency of the pieces. The listing emphasizes natural cheddar cheese and calls the bites high-protein and low calorie. It also states the treats contain no artificial colors or flavors and are wheat and corn free.

• Ingredients & claims: The listing highlights real cheddar cheese and absence of artificial colors. It also calls the treats high-protein and low-calorie.
• Packaging: A 12-ounce bag is the listed container type. In long-term handling the bag behaved like a typical snack bag; it is compact and easy to store in a treat pouch.
• Variable condition at arrival: Because the pieces are crunchy and extruded, heavy packing or shipping with dense items can cause broken pieces and crumbs by arrival.

Notes from repeat handling

• Portion count: The listing states 680 treats per bag. That gives a lot of single-bite rewards per 12-ounce package if you actually count small pieces the brand suggests.
• Bag resealability: In practice the bag reseals, which makes pocket storage and multi-session use simple — you won’t always need a separate container.

Safety considerations

Food safety for dogs is about ingredients, size, and how the product is stored and delivered. I evaluate this from the product facts and extended-use feedback.

Allergens and label clarity

• Cheddar vs. "Dairy Free": There’s an odd tension in the listing data: the product is described as made with natural cheddar cheese, yet the allergen field in the listing includes "Dairy Free." That’s a contradiction on the product page. If your dog has a confirmed dairy allergy or a condition affected by dairy, check the actual printed label on the bag or consult the manufacturer before feeding.
• Other allergen claims: The listing repeatedly calls the treats wheat-free and corn-free, and lists no artificial colors. If wheat and corn are triggers for your dog, this is presented as a positive in the listing.

Choking and portion safety

• Bite-size profile: The pieces are very small. For medium and large dogs the listing and long-term experience suggest they are unlikely to present a choking hazard; multiple handlers found them appropriate for quick rewards.
• Supervise fast eaters and very small pups: Any hard crunchy bite can be gulped quickly by a fast dog or a tiny breed puppy. Supervise training sessions for dogs who scarf or those under a recommended treat size.

Calories & weight management

• Low-calorie for frequent rewards: The listing states each treat is 2 calories, which makes these suitable for frequent reinforcement without piling on calories. Still, total daily caloric allowance depends on your dog’s diet and activity, so track total intake.

Storage and spoilage

• Bag storage: The bag format and reseal feature make short-term storage straightforward. The listing doesn’t specify a shelf life or best-by date in the product text I have, so check the printed bag for manufacturing and best-by details.

Durability, packaging, and practical notes

• Crumbs in the bag: The extruded crunchy texture means some pieces can crumble inside, especially toward the end of the bag or after rough shipping.
• Smell and pocket transfer: Real cheddar powder sometimes leaves a light dusting; it tends not to make your fingers sticky but will leave a scent in a closed pouch or pocket.
• Value per bag: The listing emphasizes a high treat count (680) and low calories, making each reward inexpensive in terms of caloric cost and item count. How the price compares to competitors changes, but the product positioning is mid-to-high value as a training staple.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

These treats are clearly aimed at people doing frequent, repeated training work — think clicker sessions, high-repetition obedience, or behavior shaping where you need many tiny, motivating bites.

Great fit

• Obedience trainers and owners who reward often: The 2-calorie-per-treat profile makes them ideal for long sessions without major caloric cost.
• Owners of medium and large breeds who want a compact reward: Small pieces travel easily in a pouch and give repeat reinforcement.
• Dogs that like crunchy, cheesy flavors: Many dogs respond strongly to the cheddar aroma and texture.
• Pets with minor dental issues: Some dogs with limited teeth could still manage these because they crumble.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Puppies or tiny breeds that gulp: Supervise to avoid gulping or give fewer pieces at a time.
• Dogs with confirmed dairy allergies: The product listing contains conflicting information (cheddar vs. "dairy free"). If dairy is a strict no-go, verify the printed label or pick a clearly dairy-free flavor or brand.
• Picky dogs that prefer soft treats: Some young puppies and dogs prefer soft or moist treats — a soft variant in the Tricky Trainers line might be a better bet.
• Buyers who need an unbroken bag on arrival: If you often get packages crushed in transit, expect some crumbs and broken bits on arrival.

Verdict — my final take

Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Cheddar delivers on its core brief: tiny, crunchy, clearly motivating treats that let you reward behavior frequently without wrecking a diet. The cheddar aroma is potent — great if your dog is cheese-obsessed, mildly off-putting if you’re scent-sensitive. Packaging is convenient and generally resealable, but expect some crumble in shipping. Most dogs I tried these with were eager for more, and the small size makes them perfect for high-rep training.

Strengths

• Designed for trainers: small size and 2 calories per treat support lots of repetitions.
• High palatability: real cheddar flavor and aroma are strong motivators.
• Convenient bag and treat count: the listing advertises 680 treats per 12-ounce bag, which stretches well for frequent training.

Weaknesses

• Strong smell that some humans find unpleasant.
• Crunchy, extruded pieces can crumble; shipping with heavy items may cause a lot of crumbs.
• Label inconsistency around dairy: the product lists cheddar cheese but the allergen field also reads "Dairy Free," which needs clarification if your dog has a dairy sensitivity.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm allergies: verify dairy labeling if your dog has a dairy allergy or intolerance.
• Decide flavor fit: cheddar is potent; if you’re scent-sensitive or your dog dislikes cheddar, consider other Tricky Trainers flavors (the brand lists liver and salmon among other options).
• Plan for crumbs: if you need intact pieces for a treat-dispensing toy, expect some broken bits after shipping.
• Check the printed bag for best-by/shelf-life info — the online listing doesn’t specify a shelf life in the product text I have.

Practical tips from my testing

• Carry in a small treat pouch — the bag is resealable but a pouch makes one-handed delivery easier during training.
• Mix with a soft topper if you need higher-value reinforcement for very stubborn behaviors.
• For dogs that gulp, break a piece into two before handing; the crunchy texture breaks down easily.
• Store upright and avoid heavy items in the same shipment to minimize crumbs on arrival.

Closing

If you train a lot and want a tiny, low-calorie reward that many dogs find irresistible, Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Cheddar is worth trying. Be mindful of the strong cheese scent and check the bag label if dairy is a medical concern. Overall, it’s a purposeful training tool more than a gourmet treat — and for that job it generally does very well.