The Best Natural Dog Training Treats And How To Make Your Own

We always want our dogs to live happy and healthy lives. Giving them a delicious treat is one way to make those tails wag, but you may wonder how healthy those treats you give them are. In this guide, we’re going to take a look at some of the best natural dog training treats you can use.

One of the best ways to motivate our dogs to learn or to respond to our commands is with treats. Especially tasty ones that they don’t have very often. However, if we give them too many the usefulness of that treat may wear off, and your dog may also gain a little weight.

With natural dog training treats, we can reward our dogs and make them happy without giving them something that may not be very healthy for them.

Below, we’ll look at a host of examples of different natural dog treats. We’ll also look at how to make your own and which types of treats are best for puppy training.

Jump to the section that interests you the most by clicking below:

What Are Natural Dog Training Treats?

Natural dog training treats are simply delicious little foods we give to our dogs as a reward for good behaviour or a completed command.

When we refer to the word “natural”, we can include a variety of foods, but ones that are all generally fresh, nutritious and pure.

• Fresh meat like pork or liver and even insects!
• Or fresh fish such as anchovies and sardines.
• Vegetable-based dog treats, such as potato, chicory root, blueberry and rice.

There are a variety of brands that make natural dog training treats. They usually come in pre-weighted portions and are generally bite-size which makes it easy for giving quick and small rewards to your dog.

However, it’s possible to make your own natural dog treats and on this site, you can find some recipes and instructions. We also discuss some ideas below too. You can also check out this great video all about dog training treats.

Are There Benefits To Using Natural Dog Training Treats?

There is some scientific evidence that supports the use of natural dog training treats as a training tool. One study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that dogs preferred natural treats over artificial ones, and that using natural treats resulted in a faster and more efficient training process.

Another study published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition found that dogs that are fed a diet of natural ingredients had better overall health and were less likely to develop chronic health conditions.

Additionally, natural dog training treats can be beneficial for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, as they are less likely to contain ingredients that cause adverse reactions, like additives.

It’s also important to note that using natural dog training treats is not a substitute for proper training, but it can be a helpful tool for reinforcing desired behaviours and building a positive association between the dog and the trainer.

There are other benefits to using more natural treats for dog training. They include:

• They tend to be healthier for dogs as they are made from natural ingredients and do not contain artificial preservatives, flavours, or colours.
• They are less likely to cause allergic reactions or digestive issues in dogs.
• They are sometimes more palatable to dogs, which can make training more effective.
• They can be a more sustainable and ethical choice, with some brands using locally-sourced, organic ingredients.
• They can be a better choice for dogs with dietary restrictions, such as those on a grain-free or low-fat diet.
• Using natural dog training treats can be an easy way to incorporate more whole-food ingredients into your dog’s diet.
• They can be a good option for dogs who are sensitive to certain ingredients, like artificial preservatives or fillers.

Should You Use Treats For Dog Training?

If you’d like to train your dog, using natural treats is one good option. However, it very much depends on your dog, what they like, and what they respond well to.

For example, some dogs, like Border Collies, love playing with balls or toys. For them, throwing a ball for them to chase and catch is a much bigger reward than a fancy dog treat.

Other dogs, however, respond very well to treats. Luna, for instance, will never leave your side if you have treats to hand. She quite literally sprints across our local park’s field to meet the dog walkers she knows have treats.

So knowing what your dog responds well to will help you put together a more effective training strategy. And if your dog loves natural treats, then you may find training them a whole lot easier.

How To Make The Best Natural Dog Training Treats

There are all different types of natural dog training treats that you can make. Once you know the types of ingredients that carry nutrition and that your dog loves to eat, you can set about creating your own.

Here are some quick recipes for some of the best natural dog training treats that I created:

• The Carrot Kong – this is a very simple but great natural dog treat. You simply chop off either end of the carrot, then using a knife, carefully hollow it out. You’ve now created a carrot Kong, fully edible and nice and healthy. You just need to fill it up with stuff. You can use some of the innards of the carrot (which is soft and dogs seem to love it), paste (like beef or chicken), or even standard dog food. Once stuffed, you can give it to them right away or freeze them (which will see that they last longer)
• Chicken Ice Cubes – this is a super easy natural dog training treat, especially useful in the summer months. If cooking chicken by boiling it, rather than pouring away the chicken-rich water, put it into an ice cube tray. Freeze it and then you have a batch of delicious ice cubes. Dogs go crazy for them.
• Liver Cake – this one takes a little more work. You need a liver, eggs, and flour. First, blend the liver and eggs in a food processor or blender. Then mix it with flour (spelt or wholemeal is good), and then add it to a greased baking tray and cook for 30 minutes. Once cooked and cooled, you can chop it up into small treat-sized chunks. Store in an airtight container. It lasts for up to 3 days in the fridge or it can be frozen for up to 3 months too.

What are the healthiest treats for puppy training?

We’ve covered a good few natural dog training treats here, but what about those specifically for puppies?

You have to be careful about the foods you give to puppies; they’re still developing and some foods can be too rich for their little stomachs. Here are some ideas:

• Their own kibble – puppies generally love any and all food. If you can up your excitement game to lead them to believe you’re giving them something special, they’ll still gobble it up with gee
• Liver cake – you can chop these up into extra small chunks
• Carrots – little chunks of cold, juicy carrot is a great treat, though some dogs can grow bored of the taste
• Pure peanut butter – make sure it’s 100% natural
• Watermelon – they love the juiciness and rich flavours
• Rice – you can make little rice balls to give them
• Chicken ice cubes – great for the summer weather

Please remember that all dogs are unique. Some may have allergies and others may carry intolerances to certain foods. Test any new food in small quantities and always get advice from your vet.

What food shouldn’t I use for training treats?

Not all foods are good for dogs. We’ve paid a trip to the vet more than a few times after Luna has gobbled something she shouldn’t have—namely mince pies.

So when it comes to working out what foods to use for your natural dog training treats, these are a few things to avoid:

• Chocolate – One of our favourite foods as humans, chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and even death. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are the most toxic.
• Grapes and raisins – Even a small amount of these pesky foods can cause kidney failure in dogs, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and dehydration. Watch out for mince pies and anything with sultanas in it.
• Onions and garlic – These foods contain compounds that can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia, leading to symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
• Xylitol – This is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candy, and baked goods, which can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to a severe drop in blood sugar, seizures, and even liver failure.
• Avocado – This popular fruit contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs.
• Macadamia nuts – This food can cause lethargy, vomiting, hyperthermia, and tremors in dogs.
• Alcohol – It goes without saying that you shouldn’t get your dog drunk. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, tremors, comas, and even death.
• Caffeine – Just like with humans, caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and even death in dogs.
• Fatty foods – These foods can cause pancreatitis, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and even death in severe cases.

What Are The Best Natural Dog Training Treats That You Can Buy?

Let’s take a look at some of the top-rated natural dog training treats that are currently available to buy.

Pooch & Mutt Health & Digestion Dog Treats

These dog training treats have received excellent ratings and are highly regarded for their digestive health benefits. They contain a blend of prebiotics and probiotics to help promote healthy digestion, as well as high-quality, natural ingredients like chicken, parsley, and chicory.

Dog owners have left comments saying how much they love that these treats are made with all-natural, grain-free ingredients and are free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives.

Find out more here

JR Pet Products Pure Training Treats

These dog training treats are made with 100% pure meat and are highly recommended by dog owners and trainers alike. They come in a variety of flavours, including chicken, beef, lamb, and turkey, and are free from any artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.

They also have curious flavours too like kangaroo and ostrich.

These treats are low in fat and high in protein, making them an ideal choice for training dogs and helping them maintain a healthy weight.

Find out more here

Coachies Natural Training Treats

Coachies Natural Training Treats are another highly rated option for dog owners looking for a healthy, all-natural training treat.

These treats are made with chicken and lamb, as well as natural grains like wheat and oats, and are free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives. They’re also low in calories, making them a great choice for dogs who are watching their weight.

Find out more here

Natures Menu Real Meat Treats

Natures Menu Real Meat Treats are made with high-quality, natural ingredients like chicken, duck, and beef, and are free from any artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.

They’re a great choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies, as they’re hypoallergenic and free from grains and gluten. These treats are also soft and chewy, making them easy for dogs to digest and great for training.

Find out more here

Lily’s Kitchen Training Treats

Lily’s Kitchen Training Treats are a popular choice among dog owners looking for a healthy, natural training treat.

These treats are made with ingredients like cheese and apple and chicken liver and are free from any artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. They’re also low in calories, making them a great choice for dogs who need to watch their weight.

What sets Lily’s Kitchen Training Treats apart is their small size and soft texture, making them easy to break into smaller pieces for training and rewarding good behaviour.

Overall, these top-rated dog training treats are all great options for dog owners looking for healthy, natural treats to use for training and rewarding their dogs. Each of these products has received excellent reviews for their high-quality ingredients, digestive health benefits, and low-calorie content.

Learn More About Natural Dog Treats

Thank you for reading this guide on some of the best natural dog training treats. Below, you can find some other guides that you may find useful covering topics like dog care and dog food.