Last updated: June 20, 2026 · 7-minute read
How Do You Make DIY Dog Training Treats? The Short Answer
To make DIY dog training treats, blend a few dog-safe ingredients—like oat flour, xylitol-free peanut butter, and mashed banana—into a thick dough, roll it into pea-sized pieces, and bake at 325°F for about 15 minutes. Homemade rewards let you control exactly what your dog eats, and they pair perfectly with 100% natural, single-ingredient chews that are fully digestible, made from 100% real meat, contain no rawhide, and are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms.
Key takeaways
- The best training treats are tiny, soft, and high-value so your dog can eat them fast and stay focused.
- A basic, vet-friendly recipe needs just oat flour, unsweetened peanut butter (xylitol-free), and a ripe banana.
- Always avoid toxic ingredients: xylitol, chocolate, raisins, grapes, onion, and garlic.
- Bake low and slow (325°F for ~15 minutes) and store in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Combine homemade treats with single-ingredient chews for a balanced, no-rawhide reward system.
What Makes a Great Dog Training Treat?
Great training treats share three traits: they're small, they're soft, and they're high-value. Small means pea-sized—your dog should swallow it in a second so you can keep the session moving. Soft means no hard crunching that slows things down. High-value means your dog actually wants it enough to work for it. Reserve your best rewards for training only, so the treat itself signals that something fun is happening.
Which Ingredients Are Safe (and Which to Avoid)?
Stick to simple, whole-food ingredients you can pronounce. Below is a quick reference for building safe homemade treats.
| Safe & dog-friendly | Never use (toxic) |
|---|---|
| Oat flour, rice flour, pumpkin | Xylitol (any sweetener) |
| Unsweetened peanut butter (xylitol-free) | Chocolate / cocoa |
| Banana, blueberries, apple (no seeds) | Grapes & raisins |
| Cooked chicken, sweet potato, eggs | Onion & garlic |
| Plain pumpkin purée | Macadamia nuts |
What Is the Easiest DIY Training Treat Recipe?
This three-ingredient recipe is soft, freezable, and easy to break into tiny pieces. It makes a big batch of pea-sized rewards.
Ingredients: 1 cup oat flour (grind whole oats in a blender), ½ cup unsweetened peanut butter (xylitol-free), 1 ripe mashed banana, and a splash of water if needed.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dough by combining the oat flour, peanut butter, and mashed banana into a thick paste. Add a splash of water if it's too dry.
- Shape the treats by rolling the dough into small, pea-sized balls, or press flat and cut into a tiny grid.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, until firm and slightly golden.
- Cool and store completely, then keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week (or freeze for up to three months).
How Many Training Treats Can a Dog Have?
Treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories. Because homemade training rewards are tiny, you can use a lot of them in a single session—just reduce meal portions slightly on heavy training days. Use the guide below as a starting point.
| Dog size | Pea-sized treats per session | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 20 lbs) | 10–15 | Short, frequent sessions |
| Medium (20–50 lbs) | 15–25 | Trick & obedience work |
| Large (50+ lbs) | 25–35 | Longer recall sessions |
What Should You Pair With Homemade Training Treats?
Homemade treats are perfect for fast, repeatable rewards, but dogs also need longer-lasting chews for downtime and enrichment. We recommend pairing your DIY treats with single-ingredient, fully digestible chews—no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. Try our 6-inch standard bully sticks for everyday chewing, 12-inch monster bully sticks for heavy chewers, or beef cheek rolls as a rawhide-free alternative. For variety, dogs love cow ears, beef trachea tubes, beef tendons, and tripe twist sticks. Browse the full natural dog treats and chews collection to stock up.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best treats for training a dog?
The best training treats are small, soft, and high-value—pea-sized homemade bites your dog can eat instantly. Reserve special treats for training only so they stay motivating.
Can I make training treats without peanut butter?
Yes. Swap peanut butter for mashed sweet potato, pumpkin purée, or a little plain cooked chicken to bind the dough while keeping it dog-safe.
How long do homemade dog treats last?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months. Because they have no preservatives, refrigeration matters.
Are homemade treats healthier than store-bought?
They can be, because you control every ingredient and avoid fillers and additives. Pair them with single-ingredient chews for the cleanest possible reward system.
What ingredients are toxic to dogs?
Never use xylitol, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, or macadamia nuts. Always check that your peanut butter is xylitol-free.
How small should training treats be?
Aim for pea-sized or smaller. Tiny treats keep calories low and let you reward frequently without filling your dog up mid-session.
Can puppies eat homemade training treats?
Yes, as long as the ingredients are puppy-safe and the pieces are tiny. Introduce new foods gradually and watch for any digestive upset.
Do I still need chews if I make my own treats?
Yes. Soft training treats reward behavior, but dogs also need long-lasting chews for enrichment and dental benefits—single-ingredient, fully digestible options are ideal.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at June 23, 2026 23:59
