The Best Homemade Training Treats for Puppies & Dogs
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When I first started training my rescue dogs, Billy and Cricket, I quickly learned how important the right treat is to keep them motivated. But I wasn’t comfortable with the ingredients in store-bought treats, so I decided to make my own. Not only are homemade dog treats healthier, but they’re also a great way to show love while reinforcing good behavior. In this blog, I’m sharing my favorite homemade training treat recipes that are easy to make and perfect for keeping your pup engaged. Trust me, your dog will thank you! Happy home cooking!
Highlights
Why Homemade Training Treats Are the Best Choice 5 Recipes to Try for Your Dog Benefits of the Ingredients How Much to Feed Your Dog How to Serve the Treats Dog Child Products Dog Child Recipes Using These Ingredients Related Reads for Dog Parents Featured Products Sign Up for More Fresh Food Recipes FAQ About Homemade Dog Treats Conclusion
Why Homemade Training Treats Are the Best Choice
Store-bought training treats often contain preservatives, artificial ingredients, and fillers that can cause problems for your dog's digestion and overall health. By making treats at home, you have control over the ingredients, ensuring that your dog is getting fresh food without the unnecessary extras. Plus, homemade dog treats are easy to customize to suit your dog's preferences, whether they love peanut butter, sweet potato, or even liver. The best part? You get to share the joy of creating something delicious and healthy for your pup!
Fresh food for dogs is always a better choice, and the treats you'll find here are healthier and more natural than anything you’ll find on store shelves.
5 Recipes to Try for Your Dog
I’ve developed several simple and healthy homemade dog training treats that are not only delicious but also easy to make. Here are some of my favorite recipes for you to try at home:
Cheese Puff Parm Rinds
These one-ingredient treats are incredibly simple to make. Use leftover Parmesan rinds, microwave, and your dog will love the cheesy, crunchy reward.
Sweet potatoes are perfect for homemade dog treats. Slice them thinly, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and bake until crisp. They’re a healthy alternative to processed chews.
Packed with protein and flavor, liver treats are a high-value reward. Just bake thin slices of beef liver in the oven until they’re dry and crispy. Perfect for training sessions!
A sweet, healthy treat your dog will go bananas for! Simply slice bananas, bake them on a cookie sheet, and let them cool.
Homemade Plain Popcorn
Air-popped popcorn (without butter or salt) is an easy, low-calorie treat you can share with your dog. It’s light and crunchy, making it perfect for rewarding your pup during training.
Benefits of the Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and carbohydrates, making them a powerhouse ingredient for homemade dog treats. They provide slow-releasing energy, perfect for keeping your dog fueled during training sessions.
Beef Liver
Liver is a high-value training treat for dogs, packed with protein and iron. Dogs love its strong aroma, and it’s an excellent source of essential nutrients, making it one of the best options for training treats.
Peanut Butter
Most dogs go crazy for peanut butter! It’s a fantastic source of healthy fats and protein, perfect for boosting your dog’s energy during long training sessions. Just make sure to use a version that doesn’t contain xylitol, a sugar substitute toxic to dogs.
How Much to Feed Your Dog
Even though homemade dog treats are healthier, moderation is key. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. For training treats, aim for small, bite-sized pieces—pea-sized for puppies and dime-sized for adult dogs. This ensures you can reward your dog frequently without overfeeding.
How to Serve the Treats
When serving homemade dog treats, break them into small pieces to keep your dog focused and motivated during training sessions. Softer treats like sweet potato or liver can be easily cut with scissors into tiny training bites. Store any leftovers in an airtight container or freeze them to maintain freshness.
Dog Child Products
At Dog Child, we’re all about fresh food for dogs. That’s why we offer Organic Oats & Berries Meal Mix to help you feed your dog the best. Packed with antioxidants and fiber, this meal mix is perfect for boosting your dog’s overall health.
Explore our shop to discover more wholesome products like our organic meal mixes and supplements. These are perfect for adding variety to your homemade dog treat recipes.
Dog Child Recipes Using These Ingredients
If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate fresh, nutritious ingredients into your dog’s meals, check out our Dog Child Recipes. Whether you’re making homemade dog treats, meal toppers, or entire meals, you’ll find easy-to-follow recipes that your dog will love.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our Learn Blog to dive deeper into the benefits of fresh food for dogs and how to create a balanced, homemade diet.
Related Reads for Dog Parents
For more insights and tips on feeding your dog fresh, home-cooked meals, explore these blog posts:
Ensuring Harmony When Bringing a Puppy into a Multi-Cat Household
10 Nutritionally Complete Homemade Dog Food Fish Recipes
Featured Products
Enhance your dog's meals with these nutritious and tasty products from Dog Child:
Sign Up for More Fresh Food Recipes
Want more homemade dog treat recipes? Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive recipes, tips, and updates on how to keep your dog happy and healthy with fresh food.
I hope these simple, homemade training treats—Parmesan rinds, air-fried liver, sweet potato bites, and even popcorn—give you plenty of options to keep your dog motivated and happy during training sessions. Each treat is easy to prepare, healthy, and perfect for rewarding your pup, whether you’re teaching new tricks or reinforcing good behavior. Billy and Cricket love them, and I’m sure your dog will too! So get creative in the kitchen, and remember, a little fresh food goes a long way. Happy home cooking!
FAQ About Homemade Dog Treats
How do I store homemade dog treats?
Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or freeze them to keep them fresh longer.
Is peanut butter safe for dogs?
Yes, peanut butter is a favorite among dogs, but make sure to use one that does not contain xylitol, which is harmful to dogs. Or make your own here.
Conclusion
I hope these simple, homemade training treats—Parmesan rinds, air-fried liver, sweet potato bites, and even popcorn—give you plenty of options to keep your dog motivated and happy during training sessions. Each treat is easy to prepare, healthy, and perfect for rewarding your pup, whether you’re teaching new tricks or reinforcing good behavior. Billy and Cricket love them, and I’m sure your dog will too! So get creative in the kitchen, and remember, a little fresh food goes a long way. Happy home cooking!
