Fantastic Treats and Where To Find Them
As a dog trainer and walker, a significant part of my job involves rewarding lovely doggies for great behaviour. As such, it’s imperative that I carry a pouch full of treats that suit the taste buds and dietary needs of a variety of dogs. It’s also important to me that these treats don’t impede on the dog’s diet – as an owner whose dog has intolerances, I know all too well what it’s like to be studying the list of ingredients. I also don’t want to worry too much about their calorie count, I want to be able to hand out treats with almost reckless abandon because they’re just such great dogs! When they’re with me, every recall, every sit and every wait matters.
In doing puppy training packages, I notice that many clients will spend lots of money on expensive dog treats, only for their puppy to turn their nose up to them in their sessions.
It takes a little time to figure out what works, so I’ve compiled a list of my favourite treats to help you that are not only healthy but get your pup’s attention – tried and tested with a variety of breeds, drives and ages.
JR Pet Products Pure Paté
£3.49 for 400g
This is the all time favourite of the Fetch Club dogs. Comes in 3 different size sausages and 7 different flavours - duck, chicken, beef, lamb, salmon, rabbit and turkey. I like it because it’s a single source protein, meaning you can avoid certain flavours if you know your dog has an allergy or intolerance. This is a healthy treat with no additives whatsoever, just 100% meat. Keeps in the freezer, it can be defrosted when you need it and cut up into dozens of cubes ready to use as training treats, or stuffed into kongs and lickimats. It can go a little squidgy in warm weather if you keep it in a treat bag all day, so try to keep it cold.
Quality: 10
Popularity with dogs: 10
Ease of use: 5
Price & attainability: 9
Overall score: 34/40
Thumpers Pet Supplies
£9.99 for 500g
Thumpers Pet Supplies make large pouches of dry, grain free treats in either poultry or fish flavour. These treats have no additives or preservatives and are suitable for dogs on a hypoallergenic diet. These treats come in a large quantity but are very small – good for ‘reps’ to help solidify a behaviour but they might not work if you’re trying to give a really high value reward.
Quality: 5
Popularity with dogs: 9
Ease of use: 10
Price & attainability: 8
Overall score: 32/40
Cocktail Sausages
£3 for 595g
I can’t imagine these are excellently healthy, but if your dog is working hard, perhaps they deserve a naughty treat! These are excellently high value and will grab your dog’s attention FAR more than most expensive designated dog treats. Chop them up into cubes or if you’re going for true dog trainer style, break them up as you go!
Quality: 3
Popularity with dogs: 10
Ease of use: 9
Price & attainability: 10
Overall score: 32/40
Dried Sprats
£2.99 for 85g
Yep, they’re stinky! I mean really, really stinky… So naturally, dogs love them! These are good as a high value, healthy treat – they’re low fat and packed with omegas! Too many can lead to an upset tum so make sure to give a sensible amount.
Quality: 10
Popularity with dogs: 10
Ease of use: 2
Price & attainability: 8
Overall score: 30/40
Raw Carrots
£0.49 per kg
Raw carrots don’t offer much, if anything, nutritionally to dogs but they are good fun for them to chew. They’re also cheap, easy to find and straight forward to cut up into bite size pieces. Pro tip: Peel and freeze a whole carrot for a fun, cooling activity to give to your dog on a hot day. Particularly great if you have a teething puppy! Also, if you want to make carrots nutritionally viable for dogs, you could blend it or lightly steam it.
Quality: 7
Popularity with dogs: 5
Ease of use: 7
Price & attainability: 10
Overall score: 29/40
Apples
£0.13-£0.30 each
Apples are a big hit with most dogs! They’re a wonderfully healthy, affordable snack that are easy to get hold of and cut into training treats. Make sure you don’t feed the core or seeds, and feed in moderation as they are quite sugary and high in fibre… Which will upset your dog’s tummy if they eat too much at once!
Quality: 7
Popularity with dogs: 6
Ease of use: 4
Price & attainability: 10
Overall score: 27/40
Nature’s Menu Treats
£2.19 for 60g
Available in 3 flavours, (chicken/beef/lamb and chicken) these are 60g packs of jerky-like treats. Great to keep in the cupboard - they’re extremely easy to use as a grab and go bag, in case you forget treat prep and you’re running late to training class. Although they’re gluten free, have no artificial colouring or flavours, these do contain a small amount of preservatives. Serving-wise I find its best to break these in half, which is easy enough on the go.
Quality: 4
Popularity with dogs: 10
Ease of use: 8
Price & attainability: 5
Overall score: 27/40
Dried Liver
£2-£3.50 per kg
This one takes dedication, and preparation! But many dogs go mad for liver! (Remember, Dalmatians and dogs with purine intolerances should not be fed liver. Please consult your vet if you are unsure). You can buy liver from your local butcher or supermarket – ask the butcher at the meat counter if you need help. Generally you can find chicken, lamb or pork liver in shops. Cut it up into small pieces, bearing in mind it will shrink. Spread out on greaseproof paper on an oven tray, set your oven on the lowest heat setting and cook for 2-3 hours until crisp. Warning: the smell is strong! Your dog will thank you though (and probably dance around the kitchen while it cooks!) Store in a resealable bag or tub and watch for signs of spoilage – this has no preservatives and will go off in the same way normal food does!
Quality: 7
Popularity with dogs: 8
Ease of use: 1
Price & attainability: 10
Overall score: 26/40
You can find many of these options and more in our online shop. Visit the website here.
