TOP DOG: Newton resident makes natural, homemade dog treats

It must be “ruff” for the five pups of Five Dog Bakery. Benelli, Gunnar, Remi, Minnie and Archie work day in and day out as taste testers, letting owners Marianne Vriezelaar and Chelsea Bird, Vriezelaar’s daughter, know just what they think of any new creations. From donuts and cookies to cakes and bagels, the dogs are putting in the time to make sure all of their furry friends get the best when it comes to treats.

Already a cake baker, Vriezelaar was approached by a friend if she would be interested in making training treats for her new boarding and training facility. After a bunch of research Vriezelaar took the jump and started making a new kind of treat: for dogs.

“We are AG and state licensed, all recipes have full analysis and are 100 percent all natural ingredients homemade in our kitchen and tested by our five super experienced taste testers,” Vriezelaar said. “They take their jobs very seriously.”

Treats are made with ingredients people can eat including pumpkin, carrots, peanut butter, yogurt, applesauce and carob.

“Carob is good. I came home one day and had some red ones wrapped in foil and my boyfriend said ‘Those red candies you had on the counter, I think they are going bad.’ I didn’t know what he was talking about until I saw them and told him those are dog treats,” Vriezelaar said. “I eat it when I am making the treats. A lot of people eat it when they are allergic to chocolate.”

For a special occasion or just because, Vriezelaar can personalize treats with the pup’s name. Cakes for birthdays or events are also available to be personalized.

Five Dog Bakery is available at Earthwise in Newton and Pella and online at fivedogbakery.com. Vriezelaar also attends a variety of craft and vendor shows to sell her treats.

Vriezelaar is continuing to add treats, as well, and her next creation will be a favorite for everyone.

“The next thing I am making is pizza crust,” Vriezelaar said. “It is all human food and it tastes just like real pizza crust.”