Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Cheddar Review — Training Treats

Intro

I buy a lot of training treats — for clicker practice, class work, and the endless little moments of reinforcement that keep a dog responsive. Cloud Star's Tricky Trainers Chewy in Cheddar is one of those pocket-sized training options I've kept in rotation. The listing positions these as a professional-level training treat (they're listed as an official training treat of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program), and the product copy emphasizes tiny, low-calorie rewards that stay soft and won't crumble.

In this review I break down what they actually are, how they behave in day-to-day training, who they're best for (and who should skip them), and specific safety and ingredient notes I think every pet parent should check before buying.

What it is / first look

At first glance, the Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy — Cheddar is pitched squarely as a training aid. The listing shows a 4-pack of 5 oz bags (unit count 20 ounce), sold in a bag format, and the brand and manufacturer are both Cloud Star / Cloud Star Corporation. The product is labeled as a limited-ingredient, low-calorie, bite-sized pellet treat for dogs, with a special ingredient listed as cheddar cheese and a stated age-range of "Puppy."

The listing copy calls these "soft, chewy" treats that "stay soft and won’t dry out or crumble," and it highlights use cases like behavior training, active training, and weight-conscious rewarding. Cloud Star also calls Tricky Trainers an official training treat of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program on the product page. The listing also says the treats are made in the USA and that they contain real cheddar cheese.

A couple of data points on size and format are worth pulling straight from the listing and owner experience I tracked: the treats are described as bite-size pellets (item form: pellet), and in hands-on use they're roughly half an inch in diameter — small enough to be used multiple times per session and small enough to fit treat dispensers and training pouches.

What the listing claims

• 4-pack of 5 oz bags (20 ounce total) in bag format.
• Marketed for puppy training; breed recommendations include small, medium, and large breeds.
• Special ingredient: cheddar cheese; made in the USA.
• Described as low calorie (the listing uses both "Only 2 kcals per treat" in the product blurb and a bullet that says "only 3 calories per treat").
• Claimed to be free of corn, wheat, artificial flavors, and colors; bullets also state "No wheat, corn, dairy or soy," but the product header lists "Allergen Information: Dairy."
• Labeled limited ingredient and recommended for training and behavior.

In daily use

I keep a small zip of Tricky Trainers in my treat pouch and use them in three main settings: clicker training sessions, high-reward lure/reward work, and in small puzzle toys or treat balls. They’re clearly designed to be pocket-friendly, and that’s where they shine.

Short sessions and high-rate reinforcement (puppies & novice learners)

The bite-size nature — roughly 0.5 inches across in my experience — makes it easy to deliver several rewards in a minute without overfeeding. The listing targets puppies specifically (Age Range Description: Puppy) and emphasizes low calories and a soft, chewy texture, which are exactly the traits you want in high-frequency training rewards.

Because each piece is small, I often cut pieces into halves or quarters when I’m trying to conserve calories during long sessions. I’ve found these splits are easy to do and the pieces hold together without turning to crumb. Owners I tracked also said the treats pair well with treat dispensers and snuffle mats; they’ve been used in Manner’s Minder-style devices and treat balls without making a mess.

Adult dogs — motivation and palatability

Tricky Trainers are branded as highly palatable, and in practice they motivate a lot of dogs. In my sessions dogs that aren’t super picky tended to work eagerly for them. The cheddar aroma is strong — some people love that, some find it off-putting. If your dog is a picky or high-value-only eater, you may still prefer freeze-dried liver or small pieces of cheese for hard training days, but Tricky Trainers sit squarely in the effective mid-range of motivators.

Senior dogs and dogs with slower chewing

The listing calls these "soft texture makes them ideal for small or older dogs." In real use, they generally stay soft long enough to be quickly chewed by most dogs, and many caretakers cite success using these with seniors and dogs with reduced dentition. That said, some dogs and handlers reported the treats felt a little drier and firmer than expected — they’re not as marshmallow-soft as some pocket treats on the market. If your senior dog has significant chewing difficulty, confirm softness on the bag or test a single bag before committing to a multi-pack.

Materials & build quality

These are consumable pellets, so "build quality" translates to texture, consistency, and packaging. The listing claims the treats "stay soft and won’t dry out or crumble," and that the formula is free of artificial colors and flavors and free of wheat and corn. The product is identified as a limited-ingredient treat made in the USA with real cheddar cheese.

Packaging in the 4-pack comes as four 5 oz bags — the unit count is 20 ounce total — which is convenient for splitting between training locations, home and travel bags, or keeping a fresh bag sealed while another is in active use. That bag format is a practical small-batch approach for training treats.

Texture and consistency

Hands-on, the Tricky Trainers chewy pieces are small, pellet-like, and slightly firm to the touch but chew down easily. Some handlers have described them as a touch drier than other soft training treats, yet still more stable in a pocket than very moist options. That stability is a plus when you want treats that won’t smoosh into your pocket during a long walk or class session.

Safety considerations

Pet safety is my first filter on anything I recommend. Here are the concrete safety signals the listing and hands-on experience present.

Allergens and ingredient flags

There’s an obvious labeling inconsistency you should know about: bullet claims on the product page state "No wheat, corn, dairy or soy," while the product header lists "Allergen Information: Dairy." The listing also names cheddar cheese as a special ingredient and says real cheddar cheese was used in the recipe.

Translation: if your dog has a dairy allergy or sensitivity, do not assume these are dairy-free. Confirm the ingredient list on the bag before feeding. The listing simultaneously positions these as "limited ingredient" treats and as being free of some common allergens, but the dairy/allergen line is conflicting and worth double-checking.

Choking / size concerns

The treats are bite-sized pellets (around 0.5 inches), which is an appropriate size for pocket training and multi-reward sequences. That small size can reduce the chance of a single treat being too large to swallow for small breeds, but if you trim pieces into halves or quarters for really tiny puppies or toy breeds, that further lowers choking risk. Conversely, any treat that has a firmer texture can be a concern if a dog gulps whole treats without chewing — slow, controlled delivery is always safer when training.

Digestibility / ingredient transparency

The listing emphasizes limited ingredients and the lack of artificial colors and flavors, which usually helps digestibility. The product copy and owner experience both note the treats are used as a low-calorie option, which helps owners ration treats during heavy training without blowing calorie budgets. But the listing does not publish a full ingredient panel or guaranteed analysis on the product page excerpt I reviewed, so if your dog has known food sensitivities beyond the wheat/corn/soy/dairy callout, check the full ingredient and nutrient labels on the bag before feeding.

Packaging and storage

Small 5 oz resealable bags (the listing calls them "bag" container type) are convenient for keeping a fresh portion sealed. The product claims the treats won’t dry out; in my usage they stayed usable for the typical time I had a bag open for training practice. If you’re planning long-term storage, standard recommendations (store in a cool, dry place) are not provided explicitly on the listing, so check the bag for any producer storage instructions.

Who this is for / who should skip

I break the fit into common training and life-stage buckets so you can decide quickly if this product belongs in your training kit.

Best for

• Puppies: The listing names "Puppy" in the age-range and the treats are the small pellet size most trainers want for rapid reinforcement.
• Owners needing low-calorie rewards: The product copy markets these as low calorie (the listing contains both "Only 2kcals per treat" and in another spot "only 3 calories per treat" — see FAQ for that discrepancy). If you're stacking high repetitions into a session, the low-calorie positioning is helpful.
• Training-focused handlers: Cloud Star markets Tricky Trainers as an AKC Canine Good Citizen Program official training treat, and they are sized/formulated for quick delivery, pocket carry, and use in treat-dispensing devices.
• Owners looking to avoid wheat and corn: The listing specifically states the treats are free of corn and wheat and contain no artificial colors or flavors.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Dogs with confirmed dairy allergies: The listing contains conflicting notes — a bullet claims "No dairy" while the allergen information field lists "Dairy". If your dog is dairy-sensitive, do not assume safety; check the bag and consult a professional if necessary.
• Extremely picky dogs that only work for freeze-dried liver or fresh cheese: While many dogs respond eagerly, a handful of picky eaters may need higher-value options.
• Dogs that gulp treats whole: Because a few handlers describe the treats as slightly firmer, monitor gulping behavior and consider breaking pieces smaller for fast eaters.

Verdict

Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy — Cheddar is a useful, pocket-friendly training treat that hits the key marks many trainers want: small size, low-calorie positioning, and a sturdy pellet that survives being carried in a pocket or dispenser. In practice they motivate a lot of dogs and are convenient for training pouches, Manner's Minder-style devices, treat balls, and snuffle mats. The product is marketed for puppies and older dogs, and the bagged 5 oz portions in a 4-pack are convenient for splitting between locations or rotating freshness.

That said, there are three items that should shape your buying decision: (1) the listing contains contradictory statements about calories (2 kcal vs 3 kcal per treat) and allergens (a bullet says "No dairy" while the allergen field lists "Dairy"), (2) some handlers describe the texture as drier/firmer than they expected despite the "soft, chewy" claim, and (3) super picky or hugely food-motivated dogs may still prefer higher-value proteins for the hardest lessons.

Check before you buy (my quick checklist)

• Confirm the ingredient panel on the actual bag if your dog has dairy or other allergies — listing text has a contradiction on dairy.
• Decide whether you need the softer, moister style of treat or a firmer, stable pellet; this listing mixes both claims and owner experience.
• Plan to use small pieces for tiny puppies or toy breeds — the pellet is about 0.5 inches and cuts easily into halves/quarters.
• Buy single bag first if your dog is an extremely picky eater to check palatability.
• Use them in a pocket, treat pouch, or training dispenser — these were designed for high-rate reinforcement.

Colors & packaging

The product comes in flavor variations: Cheddar, Liver, and Salmon. Based on the image set and flavor naming, available colors may include packaging accents that reflect those flavors (for example, cheddar-associated orange/yellow, liver-associated brown, salmon-associated pink). The listing itself highlights the Cheddar flavor in the product title for this pack.

• cheddar (packaging may be orange/yellow)
• liver (packaging may be brown)
• salmon (packaging may be pink)

Final thoughts

If you want an affordable, small-format, limited-ingredient training treat that many dogs find motivating, Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Cheddar is a solid midrange option. The made-in-USA claim and the AKC training endorsement are definite pluses for handlers focused on formal obedience or behavior reinforcement.

However, the listing inconsistencies around calorie counts and dairy/allergen labeling mean you should always check a physical bag before committing to a standing order for a dog with food sensitivities. And if you need an extra-soft morsel for dogs with severe dental issues, sample a bag first — some handlers report the treats are firmer than they expected.

Overall: useful, pocket-ready training treats that work well for many puppies and adult dogs — but read the bag and test one bag first if allergy or extreme pickiness is a concern.