Home made dog treat recipes

As a dog trainer for Best Friends Pet Care, I do not train with treats. I want them to be consistent by command not by cookie. However that's not to say we can't ever give them a treat. We just need to make them EARN it. Work with them for your training session, get your time and training in and then give them a treat. A treat, not 6 or 7!

As a pet owner, I too give my dogs treats. (not for training!). I would prefer to go as natural as possible. I like to know what it is that's going in to them just as much as the next conscientious pet owner. I've compiled a list of home made dog treats for all discernible tastes. I hope you AND your pets enjoy them. (they make wonderful holiday gifts too, bake up a pan and make up a doggie cookie tray)

Liver Bread
Here is a recipe that's quick, easy, cheap, keeps well, etc. and dogs LOVE it.
· 1 lb of any kind of liver, pureed
· 1 cup of any kind of flour
· 1 cup of corn meal
· 2 Tbsp of Garlic powder (amount optional)
· 1 Tbsp of oil
Puree the liver and mix in the other ingredients. Spread on a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan (I line a pan with foil and oil it). Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Cool and break in pieces. I divide into bags and freeze. It thaws very quickly or the dogs will eat it still frozen. They care not.

Tuna Training Treats
· 2 6-oz. cans tuna in water, do not drain
· 2 eggs
· 1 to 1 ½ c. flour (rice flour is best, but any kind will do)
· 1 Tbsp. garlic powder · parmesan cheese
Mash tuna and water in a bowl with a fork to get clumps out, then liquefy in blender or food processor. Add extra drops of water if needed to liquefy completely. Pour into bowl and add flour and garlic powder; consistency should be like cake mix. Spread into greased or sprayed pan; I find that a round pizza pan or square cake pan is perfect. Sprinkle with LOTS of parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes; edges will pull away and texture will be like putty. Use a pizza cutter and slice into teeny squares. These freeze beautifully, and the dogs love them...and, no liver to mess with!

Go Bananas Treats
· 3 cups oatmeal
· 1 1/4 cups flour
· 2 eggs
· 1/4 cup oil
· 1/2 cup honey
· 1/2 cup milk
· 2 mashed bananas
Blend liquid ingredients, eggs and mashed bananas, making sure to mix well. Add flour and oatmeal. Mixture will be similar to cake mix. Spread into a well-greased pizza pan and bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes. Cut into tiny squares or strips using a pizza cutter. Keep refrigerated; store unused in freezer. The Scotties give these two paws up!!!

Turkey Treats
· 1 lb. ground turkey (pure turkey, NOT turkey sausage)
· 1 cup oatmeal
· 1 egg
· parmesan (I used 1/2 cup)
· garlic powder
Mix all ingredients together using hands and pat into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool *thoroughly*, then cut into thick strips (these do not hold together when slicing into small squares); freeze unused portions and keep the portions you're using refrigerated. Has the consistency of meatloaf.

Peanut Butter Treats
· 2 tablespoons corn oil
· ½ cup peanut butter
· 1 cup water
· 1 cup whole wheat flour
· 2 cups white flour
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add Flour 1 cup at a time, then knead into firm dough. Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut with small bone shaped cookie cutter. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Makes 2½ dozen.

Dog Cookies
· 3 cups whole wheat flour
· 2 small cans dog food or cat food
· 1 egg
· 1 ½ to 2 cups liquid (I make sure it isn't to dry or to wet so you may have to make your own judgment as to how much liquid to use. I also use left over gravy or broth as the liquid).
PreHeat oven to 375 degrees. Stir together all ingredients and drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes. These can be stored in refrigerated and also frozen.
After these are cooled down I cut them into small pieces with kitchen shears then put them in freezer bags and store in the refrigerator.