Welcome to the season of celebration and merriment! As we embrace the festivities, it’s equally important to ensure our furry companions revel in the holiday spirit. One way to engage them is through healthy holiday dog treats that add joy to training sessions while maintaining their well-being.

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Characteristics of Dog Training Treats

In any dog training routine, the importance of choosing the right training reward is very important to the reinforcement of the training.  After all, would you work for a rice cracker?  Probably not.  It’s important to choose a treat that your dog enjoys and will work for, but is healthy, appropriately sized, and cost-effective.

There are tons of recipes out there for training treats and pyramid pan treats (in fact, we also have several posted.  See  Pyramid Pan Beet Turkey Dog Treats, Wholesome Rewards: Creating Blueberry Liver Training Treats or Homemade Liver Training Treats: Elevate Your Dog’s Training Experience).  It can be fun for both you and your dog to mix it up every once in a while.  When it comes to that special time of year, why not make something festive with your dogs in mind? 

Turkey, Cranberry, Pumpkin, and Sage Dog Treats

Combining the rich flavours of turkey, the tanginess of cranberries, the nutritional goodness of pumpkin, and the aromatic touch of sage creates a delectable and health-boosting treat for your furry friend. These ingredients not only infuse festive vibes into your dog’s treats but also offer a range of benefits.

Turkey, a lean protein, is an excellent source of nutrients like phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and vitamins B6 and B12. It supports muscle growth, aids in tissue repair, and helps maintain a healthy immune system.

Cranberries bring a burst of antioxidants to the mix, aiding in urinary tract health, reducing inflammation, and potentially fighting off bacteria.

Pumpkin, a fibre-rich ingredient, aids in digestion and can alleviate both constipation and diarrhea in dogs. Its beta-carotene content also supports eye health.

Sage, an herb known for its aromatic qualities, not only adds flavour but also possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially benefiting your dog’s overall health.

These homemade treats serve as a healthier alternative to store-bought options, ensuring your dog enjoys the festive season without compromising on their well-being. Remember, moderation is key; these treats should complement your dog’s balanced diet and training routine.

Basic Ingredients and Supplies

To prepare homemade liver training treats, you’ll need a few basic ingredients. Apart from the liver itself, you may choose to incorporate additional ingredients to enhance flavour and nutrition. Common additions include whole wheat flour, eggs, and even grated vegetables for added fibre.

A food processor or blender will be handy for blending and mixing the ingredients, and molds make it very easy to make thousands of appropriately sized treats in a short time.  We used pyramid pan molds and silicone mini ice cube trays, but you can use any oven-safe appropriately sized molds.  If you don’t have molds available, you can spread thinly (about 1/4 inch or half a cm or slightly thicker) in a baking tray with a lip and cut the treats after baking. 

Substitutions and Variations

If you have been following this blog, you may know that this type of treat is one of our favourites.  This is largely because of the size, but also because it is so easy to make 1000 treats in a short time period, without the tediousness of rolling, shaping and cutting. 

The other reason that these are a favourite is because they are highly customizable.  Following the basic ratios, you can make almost any dog-safe substitution and the treats will turn out well

• Meat: This recipe uses ground turkey, but you could substitute it with another type of ground or minced meat or even fish.  You could also use organ meats or even canned meat.  Only make sure that the meat is bone-free, as bones may splinter when cooked
• Flour: You can use whole wheat flour, or another healthy option like buckwheat, chickpea or oat, or any other dog-safe flour
• Fruit and Vegetables: We are using pumpkin and cranberry in this recipe, but you could use squash, sweet potato, applesauce, carrots, spinach, Brussel sprouts, or any other dog-safe fruit and/or veggies
• Herbs and Spices: We chose to add sage to this recipe, however any other dog-safe herb (parsley, cilantro/coriander, basil, camomile, dill, ginger etc.) would work, or you can omit the herbs from the recipe

Festive Turkey Cranberry Training Treats Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30-40 mins (depending on preferred crispness)

Yield: About 1500 small

Recipe Notes

• Cooking the ground meat a little beforehand, while not necessary for the recipe itself, helps to make it easier to blend and spread into the mold by breaking down the sinew a bit
• Batter that is slightly thinner is often easier to spread and can also be easier to remove from the molds after baking, but bake time may need to be increased
• If you don’t have a mold, use a rimmed baking sheet or any baking dish with a rim and cut the treats after baking
• Treats should fall out of the molds fairly easily once baked and slightly cooled.  If they don’t, you may need a bit more baking time or a bit thinner batter
• If your molds are small enough (like silicone mini ice cube trays), this recipe can even be made in a microwave!  Try microwaving for 4-6 minutes.  This method makes for super squishy treats, so you may prefer to spread them onto a baking sheet and cook them for 15-20 minutes after microwaving to give them a little crispness 

Ingredients

• 1 cup / 250g / 1/2 a package of ground turkey
• 1 cup / 250mL pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup cranberries (frozen, fresh or dried)
• 1 cup (250mL) dog-safe flour
• 2 tbsp (30mL) olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 2-2.5 cups (500-625mL) water or broth
• Sage (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C
2. Over low-medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil to a frying pan.  Add turkey and cook gently, moving it around frequently, until meat loses its pink colour (this will only take a few minutes).  Remove from heat. 
3. In a blender, or using a stick blender, mix all ingredients except flour and water until smooth
4. Add flour and about half of the water and blend
5. Add additional water, a small amount at a time, until consistency is between cake mix and pancake batter
6. Place molds on a baking sheet
7. Pour mixture into molds and spread to cover using a spatula or scrapper
8. Gently lift mold and tap against the counter to remove any bubbles
9. Spread to cover and gaps and remove any excess batter from the molds
10. Bake for 30-40 mins, until the treats begin to rise and lift slightly
11. Allow to cool slightly before removing from molds
12. If desired, spread on the baking sheet and bake for additional crispness
    • Note: by baking further you remove additional moisture, helping the treats to last longer out of the freezer.  Some dogs prefer a moist treat, some prefer a crispy treat and some have little preference.  Bake to your dog’s liking!
    • For mini ice cube trays, I baked them for an additional 10 minutes, turning them once.  For pyramid pan molds, I baked for an additional 5 minutes
13. Cool completely before storing

Storage

Store in the fridge between 3 and 7 days (the more moist the treats are, the shorter the storage time) or in the freezer up to 3 months. 

Tips for Incorporating Healthy Treats into Training

Positive reinforcement using these treats is key. Time the rewards effectively during training sessions, ensuring they align with your pup’s learning milestones.  When using these delightful treats for training, remember the following:

• Portion Control: Treats should be small to prevent overfeeding and maintain a healthy weight.
• Consistency: Use the same treats consistently for training to reinforce positive behaviour.
• Timing: Reward your pup immediately after the desired behaviour to reinforce the action effectively.
• Length: Keep training sessions fun and engaging by using a combination of treats, verbal praise, and play.

Safely Introducing Festive Treats to Dogs

Gradual introduction is essential; monitor their reactions to new ingredients and consult a vet if necessary. Remember, each dog is unique in its tolerances, preferences and allergies.

Conclusion

This holiday season, cherish the moments with your furry friend while providing them with healthy indulgences. Creating homemade treats not only adds a personal touch but also ensures your dog enjoys the festivities without compromising on their health.

Crafting these nutritious treats is a rewarding way to bond with your dog while instilling good behaviour. Ensure to consult your vet regarding any dietary concerns or allergies before introducing new ingredients.

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