As a trainer I am usually swapping food for behaviors, but sometimes I enjoy creating something special just to see the joy it brings my dog to eat it.
One of my favorite ways to do that is by making homemade goodies.
Also, my personal dog has issues with skin allergies, so by making homemade treats I can control what ingredients go into the recipe and minimize any possible reactions or allergens.
Many products on the market that are listed as “hypoallergenic” can be misleading since dogs can be allergic to different things. Ingredients that may be hypoallergenic for one dog can cause a big reaction for another.
Feel free to adapt these recipes so they fit your personal dog’s dietary needs.
Frozen Pumpkin, Yogurt, and Peanut Butter Dog Treats
This first recipe is a frozen treat that is perfect for hot weather, but your dog will still love it if it’s cold outside.
It is also very simple to make and takes only a few minutes. I like using silicone dog molds in fun shapes because the treats pop out easily, but you could use ice cube trays or anything you have at home that you can put into the freezer.
I recommend using a size container that is appropriate for the size of your dog as well.
- 1 can Pumpkin Puree (make sure it’s just pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1 cup Plain Yogurt
- ¼ cup Peanut Butter
Mix all ingredients in a bowl or in a blender. Spray your mold with non-stick spray or grease lightly with coconut oil.
Pour the mixture into the molds and freeze.
Once frozen you can pop them out and store in a different container. The only thing left is to serve and watch your pup enjoy!
I always recommend supervising your dog if they are eating anything new.
DIY Tiny Training Treat
This next recipe is designed for bite sized training treats and I use them to teach behaviors.
There are many recipes that seem to come together very nicely in these molds that involve small amounts of flour, but based on my dogs allergies I stick to meat based recipes.
These recipes can be a little harder to get because of the consistency, but I find it less expensive and higher quality than many store bought brands.
If interested in recipes that involve flour you can find a ton here:
Salmon Crisps
Preheat oven to 350
- 1 small can of salmon (not drained)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon of water (if needed)
Blend salmon, egg, and water togetherSpread batter evenly over your dot panBake at 350 for 20 minutesTurn off oven and leave treats in the oven for one hour (leave them in the dot pan)
Enjoy!
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