
Making homemade dog training treats is a great way to reward your furry friend without breaking the bank or filling them with artificial ingredients. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create healthy and delicious treats that will motivate your dog to learn.
One key benefit of homemade dog training treats is that you can control the ingredients, ensuring they're safe and healthy for your dog. As we'll see in the recipes below, many of these treats use peanut butter, which is a great source of protein and healthy fats.
Here are five simple recipes to try, each using ingredients that are easy to find and fun to use. From sweet potato chews to banana bites, these treats are sure to be a hit with your dog.
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Recipe Ideas
The "leave it" or "no" command is extremely helpful in preventing your dog from eating anything toxic. This command is best taught using Peanut Butter Treats or Cheesy Bone Treats.
Peanut Butter Treats are a great option for training your dog to leave things alone. They're easy to make and require just a few ingredients.
Cheesy Bone Treats are another great choice for teaching the "leave it" command. They're shaped like bones, which makes them fun for your dog to eat.
Homemade Dog Biscuits are perfect for teaching the "watch me" or "look" command. This command helps your dog focus on you, even in highly stimulating environments.
Sweet Potato Fries are a tasty treat that can be used to reward good behavior. They're also a great option for dogs with food sensitivities.
Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:
- Peanut Butter Treats: peanut butter, flour, and eggs
- Chicken Dog Treats: chicken, oats, and honey
- Two-Ingredient Dog Treats: peanut butter and banana
- Homemade Dog Biscuits: flour, eggs, and cheese
- Sweet Potato Fries: sweet potatoes and olive oil
- Frozen Apple Dog Treats: apples and honey
- Cheesy Bone Treats: cheese, flour, and eggs
Cooking and Preparation
Your homemade dog training treats will easily fall out of the mold once cooked, so pour them into a bowl to cool down.
To ensure your treats are safe to eat, follow the cooking instructions carefully.
Step by Step Cooking Guide

Cooking and Preparation involves several key steps. Your homemade dog training treats will easily fall out of the mold once cooked, so it's essential to pour them into a bowl to cool down.
To ensure your treats cool properly, you can line the bowl with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent them from sticking. This will make it easier to remove them once they've cooled completely.
Your treats will be ready to use once they've cooled down. You can store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh for a longer period.
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Supplies Needed
To make homemade dog training treats, you'll need a few essential supplies. A food processor is a must-have for blending ingredients together smoothly.
You'll also need a blender to further process the mixture, making it easy to mix and combine all the ingredients.
A mixing bowl is necessary for combining wet and dry ingredients separately before mixing them together.
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You can use a mixing tool, like a spoon or spatula, to mix the ingredients until they're well combined.
To portion out the treats, you'll need a plastic bag to scoop and fill the treats.
Measuring cups are crucial for accurately measuring out the ingredients.
A sheet tray is necessary for placing the treats to be frozen, making it easy to transfer them to a storage container later.
A silicon mold is a great tool to have, as it allows you to shape the treats into fun shapes and sizes.
Here's a list of the supplies you'll need:
- Food processor
- Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Mixing tool
- Plastic bag
- Measuring cups
- Sheet tray
- Silicon mold
Ingredient Focus
Let's focus on the key ingredients that make our homemade dog training treats truly special. Peanut butter is a great source of protein and can be used as a healthy alternative to traditional treats.
Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-rich ingredient that's easy to digest, making them perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs. They're also rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Carrots are a crunchy and healthy addition to our treats, providing a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They're also low in calories, making them a great choice for dogs who need to watch their weight.
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Dehydrated Goodies
Dehydrated Goodies are a great way to preserve ingredients for your dog's treats. You can dehydrate a variety of foods, including chicken, beef, and liver.
If you have a dehydrator at home, the possibilities are endless. Slice thin and let the dehydrator work its magic! Dehydrated liver is a great option for dogs who love strong-smelling treats.
Some other foods you can dehydrate for your dog include liverwurst and sweet potatoes. These ingredients are perfect for making healthy and tasty treats.
Here are some foods you can dehydrate for your dog:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Liver
- Liverwurst
- Sweet potatoes
Dehydrated goodies are easy to store and can be kept in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. This makes them a convenient option for dog owners who like to make their own treats in bulk.
Peanut Butter Recipe
As I've learned from The Woks of Life, peanut butter is a fantastic ingredient to focus on when it comes to homemade puppy treats. You can use all-natural peanut butter, but be sure to choose a brand that's free from xylitol.

To make the Peanut Butter Puppy Training Treats, you'll need 3 TBSP of peanut butter, which is a generous amount that's sure to please your pup. In fact, the recipe calls for 3 TBSP, which is a significant amount of peanut butter.
Here are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this recipe:
- 2.5 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- 3 TBSP peanut butter
The recipe yields ~100 training treats, which is a great number to have on hand when training your new puppy. With this many treats, you'll be well-prepared to motivate learning and help training stick as a positive reinforcement tool.
Two-Ingredient Recipe
This two-ingredient recipe is a game-changer for pet owners on a budget. It's amazing how much you can accomplish with just two simple ingredients.
You can use organic whole-leaf flour as the base of this recipe. It's a staple that can be found almost anywhere.
The second ingredient is pureed baby food, which comes in a variety of flavors. Blueberry- and sweet potato-flavored purees are especially popular among pets.
To make this recipe, simply mix two cups of flour with two jars of pureed baby food. The mixture can then be frozen in molds for a couple of hours or overnight.
You'll have a delicious and healthy treat for your pet in no time.
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Peanut Butter Treats

Peanut Butter Treats are a great option for making healthy dog treats at home. You can use regular peanut butter, but make sure it's free from xylitol, as this ingredient is toxic to dogs.
To ensure your peanut butter is safe for your furry friend, choose all-natural peanut butter or check the ingredient label for xylitol. According to the recipe for Peanut Butter Puppy Training Treats, using all-natural peanut butter is best, but even then, it's crucial to check for xylitol.
The amount of peanut butter you'll need can vary depending on the recipe you're using. For example, the Peanut Butter Puppy Training Treats recipe calls for 3 TBSP of peanut butter, while the Healthy Soft Dog Treats Recipe with Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter uses ½ cup of peanut butter.
Here's a quick rundown of the peanut butter amounts in the two recipes:
Keep in mind that the baking time may be affected by the thickness of the dough, so be sure to check the treats frequently to avoid overcooking.
Chicken Treats
Chicken treats are a great way to get your dog's attention and reward good behavior. Almost every dog loves chicken, so it's no surprise that it's a popular ingredient in homemade dog treats.
You can make chicken treats at home using ingredients like diced chicken, cooked rice, rice flour, parsley, and an egg. Mix everything together until fully combined and bake for about 30 minutes. These treats are best for teaching basic commands like sit and stay at home.
If you have a dehydrator, you can also make dehydrated chicken treats by slicing thin pieces of chicken and letting the dehydrator work its magic. You can also dehydrate other ingredients like beef, liver, and sweet potatoes for a variety of treats.
Here are some options for dehydrating chicken and other ingredients:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Liver
- Liverwurst
- Sweet potatoes
These homemade treats are a great way to reward your dog and teach them new tricks. Just remember to train them how to sit and stay on cue at home, as these treats melt fast.
Tuna Treats
Tuna Treats are a great option for a tasty and healthy snack. They're made with a mixture of flours, including whole wheat flour and white flour.
You'll need a silicone baking sheet or mold to shape the treats perfectly. A silicone baking sheet with little pyramid divots in the bottom is ideal, but you can also use a regular silicone baking mold or even cook the mixture flat in a pan.
To make Tuna Treats, you'll need to mix together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of whole wheat flour, 2 cups of white flour, and 1/2 cup of cornmeal. You can mix the ingredients by hand or use a food processor.
Once you've mixed the ingredients, spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet or mold. Then, bake the treats at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients and their quantities:
What Makes Good Treats?
Good treats start with high-quality ingredients, like fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants and fiber.
Using wholesome ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is essential for creating nutritious treats. Whole grains, for instance, contain more fiber and nutrients than refined grains.
Selecting ingredients that are free from artificial additives and preservatives is crucial for maintaining the overall healthiness of treats. This is especially important for pets, as they can be more sensitive to these substances.
The right balance of macronutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, and fat, is also vital for creating well-rounded treats. A treat with a balanced macronutrient profile can provide sustained energy and satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do most dog trainers use for treats?
Most dog trainers use a variety of healthy treats, including boiled chicken, yogurt, peanut butter, pumpkin, apple slices, and fresh vegetables, to reward good behavior and motivate learning. These nutritious options are often preferred over traditional kibble due to their high palatability and ability to stimulate a dog's senses.
How do you make high value dog treats?
To make high-value dog treats, simply combine pureed tuna, an egg, and flour, then bake and cut into bite-sized pieces. This easy recipe is perfect for training treats that are both healthy and irresistible to your furry friend.
Sources
- https://rockykanaka.com/homemade-dog-training-treats/
- https://www.tailsofconnection.com/trendingblog/diy-how-to-make-your-dog-homemade-treats
- https://ibiyaya.com/blog/7-best-homemade-dog-training-treats/
- https://www.love-my-puppy-dog.com/dog-training-treats.html
- https://www.rubyandthunder.com/how-to-make-dog-training-treats/
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