Making your own training treats is a smart way to precisely control what your dog gets as a reward. Especially if you're looking for small, soft, and extra tasty morsels for short training sessions, you can do a lot with a few simple ingredients. The most important thing is not that they are pretty, but that they are small, quickly edible, and easy to carry.
On this page, you'll read what good training treats should meet, how to make them yourself, and which recipes work best in practice during training.
What makes a treat suitable for training?
Not every homemade dog treat works well as a training reward. For training, you usually want a treat that your dog eats immediately, so their attention stays on the exercise. Large, hard biscuits are therefore often less practical than soft or semi-dry rewards.
- Small size - a training treat should be eaten in a few bites, or preferably in one go
- Soft texture - this makes it quick to eat and usually crumbles less
- High reward value - a fragrant snack with meat or fish often works extra motivatingly
- Easy to carry - important for walks, puppy classes, or short practice moments at home
- Easy to portion - you often give multiple rewards consecutively during training
If you make your own training treats, it pays to think about their use during training and not as regular dog biscuits.
Want to be sure you're choosing the right size? Read small training treats: rewarding precisely.
The best base for homemade training treats
For many dogs, recipes with meat, fish, or egg work best because they are often more fragrant than dry biscuits. You don't have to make it complicated. A simple mix that you bake, dry, or cut into small cubes is usually enough.
Practical bases include:
- Cooked chicken or turkey - soft, neutral, and easy to cut into small pieces
- Minced beef or lamb - more fragrant and often extra appealing
- Tuna or salmon - strong in smell and therefore an interesting reward for many dogs
- Egg - useful as a binder in soft cubes
- Oatmeal or a little flour - only if you need a bit more firmness
Keep the recipe simple rather than full of extra additives. For training treats, ease of use is more important than a long list of ingredients.
Baking for a dog with allergies? Check out hypoallergenic training treats: how to choose them.
3 simple recipes for making your own training treats
1. Soft chicken cubes from the oven
This is a practical base if you want to make small, soft rewards.
- 150 grams cooked chicken
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oatmeal
Finely grind the chicken and mix with the egg and oatmeal to form a firm mass. Spread the mixture thinly over a baking dish or tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes at 180 degrees. Let cool and then cut into very small cubes.
These treats are especially useful for short training sessions at home or on the go, as they remain soft and are eaten quickly.
2. Tuna training treats
A strong-smelling treat often works well if your dog is easily distracted.
- 1 can tuna in water, well-drained
- 1 egg
- 2 to 3 tablespoons oatmeal or flour
Mash the tuna finely and mix everything into a compact batter. Spread it out in a thin layer and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 180 degrees. Then cut into mini cubes or narrow strips.
Make them truly small. During training, you prefer to give ten quick rewards rather than three large pieces.
3. Semi-dried meat snacks
If you want an even simpler version, you can cut lean meat into small pieces and slowly dry them in the oven.
- chicken, beef, or lamb in small cubes or thin strips
Place the pieces on parchment paper and dry them at a low temperature until they are firmer, but not rock hard. The exact time depends on the thickness and type of meat. Let them cool completely before storing.
This approach is useful if you want to make very pure, small rewards without many extra ingredients.
How to make homemade training treats truly practical
A recipe may look good on paper, but only during training do you realize if it works. With these choices, you make a difference:
- Cut smaller than you think - for many dogs, a mini cube is already enough
- Prefer soft over crumbly - crumbs in your jacket pocket or treat pouch are inconvenient
- Make flat baking recipes - you can quickly cut these into small pieces after baking
- Freeze small portions - this way you don't have to bake again and again
- Test a small amount first - then you'll immediately see if your dog truly finds it a top reward
For dogs with a sensitive digestive system: training treats and sensitive stomach: what is possible.
Storing and carrying
Soft homemade training treats usually contain more moisture than dry biscuits. As a result, they often have a shorter shelf life. Therefore, store them preferably in a well-sealed container in the refrigerator and preferably make small portions. What you don't use quickly, you can freeze in daily portions or training portions.
For on the go, only take what you need for that day. Especially on warmer days, this is a safe and practical choice. Also read: how to keep training treats fresh and soft.
When ready-made training treats are more convenient
Making your own training treats is fun and gives you control over the composition, but it's not always the most practical solution. For long walks, classes, or outdoor training, many dog owners occasionally opt for training treats for your dog that are already soft, small, and ready to use.
At Braaaf, you'll also find special training treats developed specifically for that use, such as soft rewards for quick reward moments. This can be useful if you want to combine the convenience of a ready-made snack with a conscious choice within the training moment.
FAQ about making your own training treats
How do you make your own dog snacks for training?
The easiest way is to make a soft base from, for example, chicken, tuna, or egg, bake it thinly, and then cut it into small cubes. For training, small, fragrant, and quickly edible pieces usually work best.
How can I make healthy treats myself?
Work with a short ingredient list and choose simple basic products that your dog tolerates well. Avoid recipes that mainly yield large, hard biscuits if you truly want to use them for training. Also read dog treat ingredients: how to read the label.
Can I make training treats in advance?
Yes, that's actually handy. Make small portions, store a part in the refrigerator, and freeze the rest per portion. This way, you'll quickly have something ready for the next training session.
What is better for training: soft or hard treats?
For most training, soft treats are more practical because your dog eats them faster and immediately refocuses on you. Hard biscuits are more often suitable as a snack than as a quick reward during exercises. If you want more background information on types and quantities, check out our information in the blog.
