When you're training your pet, you'll need something to motivate and reward him. Praise and attention are great rewards, but they may not motivate your pet to do something he doesn't understand. These homemade training treats for dogs may be just what you need to persuade your pet to follow your commands.
Tempting your pooch with treats is the most common and fastest way to achieve results when training. Professional trainers highly recommend using treats to motivate your pet, and any experienced dog owner has certainly seen the benefits of using food when working with dogs.
However, using regular dog treats is not a good idea. Most commercial dog treats are high in calories. You can purchase dog training treats that are specifically formulated to be low in calories yet tasty enough to tempt the dog.
The cost of commercial treats can add up, and recent recalls are pushing pet owners to pay more attention to what they're feeding their pups. Making homemade training treats for dogs will ensure that the snacks are safe, healthy and budget friendly.
Homemade Training Treats for Dogs
The only way that you can be sure you know the exact ingredients in your dog's treats is by making them yourself. Doing so allows you to cater the treats to your dog's needs. If you need low protein treats, low fat treats or just homemade training treats for dogs, you can customize your recipes to meet these needs.
PrintHomemade Training Treats for Dogs
Switching to homemade dog treats will save you time and money, plus you won't have to worry about any unhealthy ingredients. Did you know that hundreds of pet food products are recalled every year? Many of these products are treats that are recalled for contamination issues or due to harmful ingredients.
These homemade training treats for dogs aren't just healthy, they're low in calories. You can use these treats during every training session without having to worry about your pup gaining unnecessary weight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: about 250 treats 1x
- Category: Training Treats
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup pumpkin purée, canned or fresh
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix until a dough forms. Roll the dough out on a floured surface. Roll it until it's about 1/8-1/4-inch thick.
Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into small squares about the size of your pinky fingernail. Place the treats on an un-greased baking sheet.
Place the treats in the oven and bake them for about 25-30 minutes. They will darken and begin to crack when done.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 4
- Sugar: less than .1 gram
- Sodium: less than 1 mg
- Fat: less than .1 gram
- Carbohydrates: less than 1 gram
- Fiber: less than .1 gram
- Protein: less than .2 grams
- Cholesterol: less than 1 mg
How to store: Store the leftover treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Remember that homemade treats do not have the preservatives that store-bought products do.
They will not last as long. If you'd like, you can freeze these treats in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treat recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips, and advice, see our “Recipes” section.
If you're new to home-cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.