Bowie’s Delicious, Healthy and Easy Beef and Berries Dog Training Treat Recipe

A VIP Recipe...

Training your furry friend can be an exciting and rewarding experience (as Lauren would have agreed!), and what better way to motivate them than with delicious homemade treats? By preparing your own training treats, you have control over the ingredients, ensuring that they are not only tasty but also healthy.

Catch up on the Youtube demo here, too 

Hello, my name is Riesa, and I am a proud dog mama of a 7-year-old Labrador called Bowie. I love creating MasterChef meals for Bowie and sharing recipes and nutrition tips with other dog parents on our Master Bowie website and social media. I have recently published a recipe book called Bowie Drools Over the Alphabet focusing on a whole foods diet for dogs. I strongly believe in the healing power of whole foods and that good health starts with good food.

In this blog post, I will share an easy-to-make recipe for beef and berries training treats that not only taste delicious but also provide a healthy boost of superfood goodness for your furry friend.

Let's get your MasterChef’s hat ready!

Ingredients

• 500g lean beef mince
• 50g beef liver
• 1 egg
• 100g fresh or frozen berries (you can use strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or mixed berries)
• Optional: A small handful of fresh garden herbs (such as parsley, coriander or mint leaves)

Directions

1. In a food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Scoop the mixture onto a dehydrator rack lined with baking paper.
3. Place another sheet of baking paper over the mixture and using a rolling pin, flatten the mixture into 3-4mm thick.
4. Dehydrate in 70C temperature for 10-12 hours or until both surfaces are completely dry. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can bake in the oven at a similar temperature.
5. Let cool completely and chop to your desired treat size. 
6. Store in an airtight container/bag in a dry, cool place for up to 2 weeks or in the fridge for up to a month. You can also put a food-grade silica gel packet to help keep the treats dry.

Benefits of Beef and Berries Training Treats

• High-Quality Protein: Lean beef mince and egg are a rich source of high-quality and complete protein, essential for muscle development, growth and overall health in dogs.
• High Nutritional Value: Beef liver is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin A, B vitamins (such as B12 and B6), iron, zinc, copper and niacin.
• Superfood Berries: Berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fibre, promoting a strong immune system and aiding in digestion.
• Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs not only add flavour but also provide additional nutrients and help freshen your dog's breath.

Tips for Training Treats

• Portion Control: Adjust the size of the treats based on your dog's size and dietary needs. Small, bite-sized pieces are ideal for training sessions.
• Training Reinforcement: Use these treats as rewards during training to positively reinforce desired behaviours in your dog.
• Variety: Feel free to experiment with different proteins, fruits and vegetables to add variety to your dog's treat options.
• Freshness: Monitor the freshness of the treats and discard any that show signs of spoilage. Use lean meat as fat can become rancid easily and make sure to let the treats dry and cool completely before storing.
• For more training tips and resources, make sure you check the rest of the Dog Mum Mindset blog.