Unlock the Key to Your Dog’s Heart

There are many things in life that dogs love, but something that’s ranked very near and dear to their hearts are treats. Just mentioning the word “treat” to a pet will send them into a tail-wagging frenzy of excitement. Dogs love any treat flavor whether it’s liver, beef, chicken, onion or even cheese. They love each flavor individually and are not picky. Pets in New York City, especially dogs are very pampered and live a life of luxury. They are treated like children! If you walk into any pet store, you’ll see designer pet clothes and shoes, the hottest toys, pet beds, and of course the specialty treats. Gone are the days of rewarding a dog with a simple boring cardboard colored unhealthy Milkbone. The times are definitely changing!

If you haven’t seen dog treats lately, you’re in for a real surprise. I came across a dog bakery called Canine Confections that is based out of San Francisco, California. The company sells delicious (for dogs!) treats online that will make your pooch jump for joy.  They deem themselves the “Lady Godiva of the dog treat world!” Remember when bakeries were where people picked up sweet treats for themselves? Move over, the dogs are taking over! These are not just any treat though, of course. The yummies are free of artificial colors, no chemical preservatives, free of un-identifiable by-products, and are wheat, corn, and soy-free. The ingredients are natural, human grade and organic. Canine Confections sell bulk treats, but you can also purchase a gift box of dog treats that look like a box of candy! These treats are in the shape of hearts, circles, squares, and more. Each treat is hand-crafted and decorated meticulously. They almost look like candy, but don’t try to eat these! Any dog will gobble these up instantly. If you’re planning on having a birthday party for your dog, the furry guests would love if these showed up on the food agenda.

Some organic bakeries create over the top treats that are even hand decorated with dog-friendly icing! The treats could be in the shape of a flip-flop, a cell phone, a squirrel, or even a dog bone. Of course all of the treats are a different flavor as well. The treats almost look like a real cookie you would buy at your local bakery, they are adorable!  Why not make your pet happy and reward them with organic treats? They will thank you for a delicious treat that is healthy for them!

If you don’t live near any doggy bakeries, I found the perfect organic dog treat recipe for you to make your four-legged friend at home.

Peanut Butter Goodness Dog Treats

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups white flour
1/2 cup peanut butter (all-natural or organic)
1 cup water
2 tablespoons oil

Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour, one cup at a time, forming a dough. Knead dough into firm ball and roll to 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Peanut butter’s high protein content makes it a preferred treat for owners whose dog is not on a restricted calorie diet and the oil and fat content can add luster to the dog’s coat.

If you don’t have time to bake, stop by a pet store that sells natural treats and pick up a great natural brand, such as Ark Naturals.

Indulge your pet with fabulous treats and you can bet you’ll receive some sloppy kisses in return! Any occasion is a good time to show your pet you care for them with their favorite treat.