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Training Treats — NZ Brands Only

 

🍖 Treats · NZ Brand Spotlight

Training Treats — NZ Brands Only: Which Works When

The Thorncombe Team · 5 min read · Last updated June 2026

We stock four NZ treat brands intentionally. Each one's good for something different. Here's the honest breakdown of which to use for what — and how to combine them across a training week.

The short answer

Answer firstThe four NZ training treat brands we recommend serve different purposes: Whinny & Co (single-source protein, most-reordered, daily training go-to), Good Noze (functional ingredients — joint, calming, immunity — for ongoing health alongside training), Platinum Ranch (single-ingredient freeze-dried, highest-value reward, for new skills or distractions), and Woof Treats (everyday Kiwi baked and soft treats, perfect for puppies and high-frequency training). Most owners benefit from having two on rotation.

Whinny & Co — the daily workhorse

What it is: Single-source protein treats made in NZ. Most-reordered range in our shop.

Best for: Daily training, scent work, snuffle mat filling, KONG stuffing.

Why it works: Single protein source means low allergy risk. Strong natural scent that engages dogs without artificial flavours. Small piece size = lots of rewards per bag. Made in NZ to known standards.

Use cases:

  • Training sessions where you'll deliver 30+ treats
  • Scatter feeding through a snuffle mat
  • Filling KONGs alongside kibble + wet food
  • Calm-time treats during settle training

Good Noze — functional ingredients

What it is: Treats with targeted functional benefits — joint support, calming, immune support, digestive health.

Best for: Daily treats for dogs with specific health considerations.

Why it works: Treats your dog wants anyway, doing real nutritional work. Useful for owners who want their daily training rewards to do more than just reward.

Use cases:

  • Senior dogs — joint-support varieties as daily training treats
  • Anxious dogs — calming varieties pre-stressful events
  • Recovering dogs — immune-support during illness or post-surgery
  • Dogs with sensitive stomachs — digestive varieties

Platinum Ranch — the high-value reward

What it is: Single-ingredient freeze-dried treats. Concentrated flavour and protein.

Best for: New skills, high-distraction environments, recall training.

Why it works: Freeze-drying intensifies the flavour and aroma. Dogs work harder for these than for regular treats. Save them for the moments that need the highest value reward.

Use cases:

  • Teaching new tricks (where motivation matters most)
  • Recall training in distracting environments
  • Vet visits and grooming sessions
  • Counter-conditioning around triggers
  • Scent work level 3+ — the highest difficulty

Woof Treats — everyday Kiwi favourite

What it is: Baked and soft NZ-made treats. Everyday-friendly, accessible price point.

Best for: Puppies, high-frequency training, large dogs who need substantial pieces.

Why it works: Soft treats work well for puppies and seniors with reduced chew strength. Baked treats are great for slower-paced reward situations. NZ-made with transparency on ingredients.

Use cases:

  • Puppy training (soft texture, easy to break into tiny pieces)
  • Loose-leash walking (high reward frequency)
  • Multi-dog households (cost-effective volume)
  • Visitors who want to give your dog something

How to combine them

A typical training week with one dog might look like:

Activity Treat to use
Daily 10-min training session Whinny & Co (volume-friendly)
Snuffle mat breakfast Whinny & Co or daily kibble
New trick teaching Platinum Ranch (high value)
Daily senior dog treat Good Noze joint support variety
Pre-fireworks/storm Good Noze calming variety
Puppy reward training Woof Treats soft variety
Recall training outdoors Platinum Ranch (highest value)
Calm-down lick mat Whinny & Co spread over the mat
The treat-to-kibble ratio Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories for healthy dogs. Adjust kibble portions on heavy training days to compensate. For weight-management dogs, use a portion of their daily kibble as training treats — same reinforcement value, zero extra calories.

Shop NZ training treats

Whinny & Co, Good Noze, Platinum Ranch, Woof Treats — all stocked, all tested in our team's training routines.

Shop Treats

Frequently asked questions

Which brand is best for sensitive stomachs?
Single-ingredient or single-protein options work best — Whinny & Co and Platinum Ranch are the go-tos. Avoid multi-ingredient mixes if your dog has known sensitivities.
Which is most cost-effective for high-volume training?
Woof Treats and Whinny & Co provide best value per piece. Save Platinum Ranch for moments that need the highest reward.
Are these treats safe for puppies?
Yes — all four brands are puppy-safe. For very young puppies (under 4 months), Woof Treats soft varieties are easiest to break into tiny pieces. Always introduce new treats gradually.
Do Good Noze functional treats actually work?
For mild support, yes — joint-supportive varieties provide green-lipped mussel or glucosamine in palatable form; calming varieties contain ingredients like chamomile and l-theanine. For severe symptoms, dedicated supplements deliver higher doses. Good Noze works well as a daily reinforcement.
How long do these treats keep?
Most bags 3–6 months unopened, 4–6 weeks opened (stored in airtight container). Freeze-dried treats keep longest; soft treats shortest.
T
The Thorncombe Team
Backed by dog people. We stock these brands because we use them ourselves.
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