Training treats for Samoyed with allergies

Training a dog with environmental allergies adds a real layer of complexity — you're already managing their immune system, and the last thing you want is a treat that piles on more inflammation. The most effective training treats are pea-sized, smelly, and high in protein so the dog stays focused and swallows in one bite rather than chewing and drifting. They need to feel like a genuine reward, not just a biscuit. Tell me about your dog — how big are they, what are you training for, and which proteins are you trying to avoid?

That makes sense — chicken and beef are the two most common proteins in commercial treats, so you're right to be deliberate here. For a 25kg dog working on recall and loose-lead, you want something with a strong scent pull that she'll lock onto from a distance. With chicken, beef, and wheat off the table, you're looking at novel proteins: venison, duck, salmon, or rabbit. Salmon is great but can get oily in a pocket. Venison is ideal — high protein, genuinely novel for most dogs, and it dries down to a firm texture that's easy to break small. Can I ask — has she had venison before, or would this be a first exposure for her?

First exposure to a novel protein is actually ideal in your situation — her immune system hasn't been sensitised to it, which is exactly the point of going novel. For a 20-minute session, you want treats that are consistent in smell and reward value from the first piece to the last, and venison holds up well there. I'd go with Forthglade 100% Natural Venison Treats. They're single-ingredient dried venison lung, wheat-free, grain-free, no additives — completely clean label. They're light and airy so you can break them to pea-size easily, they have a strong smell Samoyeds respond well to, and they're low enough in fat that a full session won't upset her stomach. They tick every box for your situation: novel protein, no cross-reactive ingredients, high value, and practical to use.

Good instinct to track it. The standard guide is treats shouldn't exceed 10% of daily calorie intake. For a 25kg Samoyed, that's roughly 200–220 calories total per day, so 10% is around 20 calories from treats. Forthglade venison lung treats are very low calorie — around 2–3 calories per piece at full size. If you're breaking them to pea-size, you're looking at under a calorie each, which means you can easily get through 30–40 reward moments in a session without coming close to the limit. Just reduce her main meal slightly on heavy training days to keep things balanced.

Great choice for her situation. Start the first session with just a few to confirm she takes to the smell — most dogs are immediately sold on venison, but it's worth a quick check before you rely on it for recall. Keep them in a small sealed pouch or tin to hold the scent. Good luck with the training.