Do we (aka, YOU) have a recipe for just plain old dog cookies? Needs to be something that is crunchy, like Iams cookies. Don’t need to break a tooth on it but I want something that I can make using a cookie cutter. I also don’t want it to crumble to pieces when it is in my pocket. No liver snaps, as in, I don’t want diarrhea. Oh, one more thing—these babies need to be addictive!
I do use other types of training treats made in USA. However, my dogs also like cookies. And yes, they did tell me so. 😉
I did a Google search and came up with some recipes. Most were some variation of wheat flour, water/broth, eggs, and some vegetable oil. I use a beef broth I made from some beef bones and scrap fat. I just simmered them for a couple of hours. The broth doesn’t have to be human quality either. Just some flavor from beef. You could use hamburger, etc.
Are you ready to “Get your Martha On?”
1. Purchase a food dehydrator, about $30. Use pieces of chicken liver or calves liver cut to size with scissors. BEWARE…..these create “Crazy Dog” syndrome! Iams can’t hold a candle to these! Takes some time, but you get a lot more for your $$$ than purchasing dehydrated meat.
2. Karen’s K9 Kitchen: Liver Snaps (this is a combo of fresh liver and canned sardines, BUT you could also use just canned chicken instead or a combo of chicken and sardines! The flour amount will vary. I can re-vamp the recipe if anyone is interested! 🙂
3. Karen’s K9 Kitchen: Steak Training Treats (this is the easiest one!)
TO PURCHASE:
4. THE HONEST KITCHEN: Smooches For Pooches have 2.4 calories (Barley Flour Chicken, & Eggs, 100% Human Grade), Pecks have .6 calories and are small bite size pieces for training (Barley Flour, Buffalo, & Eggs, 100% Human Grade), Nuzzels have 2.4 calories (Barley Flour, Duck, & Eggs, 100% Human Grade), and Wishes which have to be broken up (grain free, Icelandic Haddock, 100% Human Grade)
5. MULLIGAN STEW: Chicken Recipe Stew Sticks Dog Treats (there is one with beef too) Human Grade
Ingredients: Chicken, Brown Rice Flour, Oat Flour, Spelt Flour, Fructose (from Chicory), Cane Molasses, Salt, Cabbage, Brown Rice, Sorbic Acid (a natural preservative), L-Methionine, L-Cysteine, Horseradish, Beta-Carotene, Selenium Yeast, preserved with mixed Tocopherols (a natural source of Vitamin E).
6. THRIVE TREATS: Human grade ingredients, but these do not contain any meat. http://www.supertreats.net/Treats.html
The 3 above, that you purchase, contain some types of sweetener, like the Iams, such as molasses or honey, which the dogs’ LOVE. It is not bad thing if you are good about LIMITING your treats.
Happy Howie Gourmet Meat Rolls are my favorite dog treats. You can cut them into any size, they do not have a strong odor, they are not greasy, and they do not crumble. I also use to help wean puppies it is the food between mush and kibble.
http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Howies-Meat-Rolls-Mixed/dp/B004TGR9K0
Actually, I have a food dehydrator! I was hoping that the Guru had an actual biscuit recipe that doesn’t involve dehydrated meat. Crunchy cookie! If it is going into my pocket, I’d prefer not to include liver or sardines. What about something with ground up veggies instead of meat???
I’ve used Happy Howie and it is good, but not a dog biscuit. Happy Howie is much better than the Natural Balance that crumbles to pieces crap.
The Honest Kitchen, Mulligan Stew and the Thrive are all hard biscuits.
My Liver Snaps are also hard but I understand about the smell, so I’ll make a batch with canned chicken this week and then post the recipe!
Fromm’s also makes some nice treats! http://frommfamily.com/products/four-star/dog/treats 🙂
Carole a few of us remember a particular dog adamantly telling you that you had something in your pocket and you denying it! Until the top tracking dog went ahead and proved you wrong!!! I loved that! Good luck “Martha” LOL @ Karen
Misss you Carole!
You’re right, Karen. When a dog tells me something, I pay attention! Ronnie proved what happens if I don’t listen. Yeah, she who barely cooks anymore is going to start baking for her dogs. Go figure. I miss you too, Karen. Heck, I almost even miss Al! 😉 Hugs to both of you.
Do you want me to send you an apron Martha????
I love the idea of dehydrating tasty treats like liver, and I already have a food dehydrator at home. Do you store the dried liver in an airtight container, or in the freezer? Are the recommendations above suitable for my 8 wk old puppy, or will I need to prepare a special “puppy treat formula” for him? Also, I am concerned that offering him too many delectable treats like dried liver might make him less interested veggie treats. Should I mix it up? I was very impressed by the early training pic’s of little Batling using only the squirrel lure for “foosing.” I don’t remember a treat being used at all – didn’t he just love the occasional reward of getting that squirrel?
Hi There!
After they are dried, I just put them in a zip lock and keep in the frig for when I need them. They’ll keep forever! No need for anything extra whether pup or dog. If he is eating the veggies as treats, keep these for something REALLY special, like cutting nails, or some type of training that needs a little extra umpf! 😉
Thank you! I’ll be dragging that dehydrator out of the attic when we return home, hoping to get some made before we leave for Michigan. Those liver treats may help during the transition leaving his Mommy Kira, and all his litter mates. I like the idea of having various levels of treats, saving the best for those tougher challenges.
Hello Beverly,
The Batling has been trained in drive using his squirrel on a rope or his ball on a rope. I have both configured so that it can be put on the stick or just on the rope with no stick. He will also work for food. In other words, Batman will just plain work for anything.
Considering the similar genetics, it’s very likely we’ll be blessed with the same level of drive in Dutch!
My recommendation is you move your food dehydrator to the garage or 3 season porch while making anything with liver.
Oh, thank you so much for that advice! If I stunk up the house, it would be the last time my husband would want me to make liver treats! I still remember those nasty smells coming from my mother’s kitchen when she’d prepare culinary delights for Duchess!