Natural training treats for Springer Spaniels

Moving away from commercial treats is a smart call — most are packed with fillers that don't add much training value anyway. The most effective training treats are pea-sized, smelly, and high in protein so the dog eats them in one bite and stays focused. They need to feel like a genuine reward, not just another version of their kibble. To point you in the right direction: how big is your Springer, what are you training for, and are there any dietary restrictions I should know about?

Recall training with a high-drive Springer is exactly the situation where treat quality really matters — you're competing with every scent in the environment, so the reward has to be worth it. For a dog her size with no dietary issues, I'd go with dried meat treats rather than something soft and baked. What protein were you thinking — chicken, beef, fish, or are you open to suggestions?

In that case, I'd go with Forthglade Natural Meaty Treats — specifically the lamb or chicken liver variety. They're single-ingredient, air-dried rather than baked, which means they hold together well in a pocket and have a strong smell that cuts through outdoor distractions. They're pea-sized out of the bag, so no breaking required. For a Springer doing recall work in the field, the liver option in particular has a scent intensity that tends to outcompete the environment. You can find them on Amazon UK easily, and a 90g bag lasts a reasonable amount of time when you're training sensibly rather than using them as snacks.

For a 20kg dog, aim for no more than 20–25 treats in a session, and keep sessions short — 10 to 15 minutes is plenty for recall work. Because these are high-value, save them exclusively for training; if she gets them at other times they lose their power fast. Factor the treats into her daily food intake — roughly reduce her meal portion by about 10% on heavy training days. The goal is that she associates that smell with something worth coming back for, every single time.