The perfect homemade high-value dog treats for training. Easy, inexpensive, and irresistible to dogs. Your pup will do anything for these things. Also cat friendly–your cat would probably be willing to trip you for one.
It’s really important to me that my pets be good citizens. Okay, my cats are both jerks, but my horse and my dog have great manners.
One of the ways I manage this is that I’m definitely the strict, uncool pet parent, but the other way is through sheer bribery. All of my pets know that if you do something good, you’re going to get a treat.
This is great for them but expensive for me because with the concerns about toxic treats coming from overseas, it’s increasingly important to purchase high-quality treats from companies you trust.
So, tired of spending $$$$ on treats I go through like water, I’ve started supplementing the store-bought treats with some of my own like my Carrot Oat Applesauce Treats for Dogs and Horses, Horse and Dog Gingerbread Treats, and now these High-value Dog Treats.
What does “high-value” dog treats mean? It means they are extra appetizing so dogs will do anything for them. They are meaty, fishy, chewy, and a little smelly which makes them absolutely irresistible to dogs and the perfect homemade dog training treats.
I taught Ella to “sit pretty” using these over the last couple of weeks. She’s not a particularly athletic dog, so this was a tough one for her, but look how good she’s getting at it!
Ella LOVES these treats and I love them too because they are so easy to make (did you watch the video above?). You just puree a can of tuna in your food processor, add an egg, a little flour, bake and cut. For training, you can cut them small so they are eaten in a second, and they don’t crumble in training pouches* or bags in your pocket.
The best part is that they are just smelly enough to be suuuuuuper appetizing to dogs but not so much that it’s going to gross you out touching them–maybe it’s just me, but some commercial treats are so greasy and smelly that I hate sticking my hand into the bag.
They’ll keep in the fridge for about a week (I store mine in a mason jar with one of these storage caps* so they’re easy to get in and out of), or you can keep batches in the freezer for months. And they cost about $2 a batch (even less if you buy your tuna in bulk).
They are also cat-friendly. I’ve had to start leaving the lid on the treats when I have them out because the cats hear the jar open and will come and try to dump it over to eat them all (like I said, jerks)!
I’m always really cautious introducing new things to my cats’ diets because I find them to be way more sensitive to new foods than dogs. My cat who will throw up at just about anything new ate these with no problem, but take care with your own pets and always talk to your vet if you have any concerns!
High-value Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 3.5 oz can tuna fish (oil or water is fine, do not drain)
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- In a food processor or blender, combine tuna, egg, and flour and process until until a thick paste forms.
- Spread paste evenly over about an 8x8 square on your prepared baking sheet (it doesn't need to be exact or pretty). Bake for 15 minutes, until mixture is set.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing into 1/2-inch squares (1/4-inch for cats).
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Recipe Adapted From Instructables
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Joseph Jordan says
IT STINKS GOOD!
Just what I was looking for. I show my dog and need her to stack for extended periods while in the ring. Meat and most other goodies are just too tasty, she loses her composure. Tuna and sardines are part of her regular dietary supplements so she knows that smell of the tuna. These treats are very fragrant, as my dog would say “It STINKS GOOD!” Yet not sticky in the pocket and chewy enough to allow her to nibble while holding in her stacked position.
Tracy says
Lol, the highest compliment!!
Beverley says
My first batch, my James bond labrador just love them
Miki says
I tried a different recipe before but couldn’t find it. I honestly found it difficult, because I’ve never seen 3.5 Oz tuna cans. 5 or 12oz is all I could find, so I used 12oz tuna 2 1/2+1/8 cup flour (12/3.5 = 3.6, so I used 3.5 as the multiplyer for all the ingredients according to the size difference in our cans) and 4 eggs. The treats still ended up dry and my dog much preferred the other recipe, apparently she loved that it stank and never minded either. As for actual ease and simple ingredients and method, I dig it. Next time I use your recipe I am going to tweak it for more tuna less and a little less flour.
Anna says
I just finished this recipe! I don’t have food processor so used my vitamins to blend a can of tuna in water with the eggs and then I hand mixed in the flour. I took one treat to put in the freezer so I could give my little Rory immediately and she loved it! The rest are still cooling but this recipe is amazing!! Thank you so much
Tracy says
I’m so glad to hear Rory approves! Thanks for reporting back!!
Paula says
So glad I have just found this recipe. My 11 month cavachon barks at every dog he meets. He wants to play but its driving me crazy. I have spent a fortune on training treats but nothing gets his attention away from.the dogs. Hoping these will work. Oh by the way I also have two jerk cats that beat my barney up all the time Haha
Tracy says
Hopefully he will find these sufficiently distracting! And I’m so glad I’m not the only one with a couple of jerk cats! LOL
Karen Teeling says
Your High Value Dog Treats (tuna, egg and flour) – how long can the be outside the fridge? Volunteering at a local humane society event and want to bring some treats with for my fellow volunteers dogs and we won’t have a fridge. So need to know about how long they can be OUT of the fridge before I should worry. Thanks in advance
Tracy says
Hi, Karen, I wouldn’t leave them at room temperature for more than half an hour, and never some place hot, like a car. If you need them out for longer than that, I’d just pack them in a bag/lunchpail with a couple ice packs or baggies of ice. Packed with ice, they should be fine until the ice melts. Hope that helps!
Jayne says
Hello, you did say they were chewy, not hard biscuits, correct? Going to try in a bone mold.
Tracy says
Hi, Jayne, they’re kind of gummy. Not chewy chewy like a fruit or meat snack, but they’re definitely not a crunchy-type treat. Hope that makes sense!
Suzanne Quinn says
Hi, thanks for taking the time to post this recipe!! Can I substitute WW Flour for the All Purpose?
Tracy says
Hi, Suzanne, it should work. I’d start by mixing in 1/2 cup and then sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 cup slowly, until you get a spreadable paste. If the mixture begins to get crumbly or dry looking, stop adding flour, even if you haven’t used it all. Hope that helps, and please let me know how they turn out!
Mary says
I made these for my 6-month-old cattle dog mix and she loved them! I substituted 1/4 cup of coconut flour and an extra egg for the 1 cup of flour, and I think the texture held together. This was my first go at homemade trips, and they were so easy! Happy to make inexpensive treats with items I already have in the pantry 🙂
Tracy says
So glad your girl enjoyed them, Mary!
joanne says
Was wondering if anyone has made this recipe in one of the silicone molds in the shape of bones or paws? I think I will try it! sounds like a great training tool/treat!
Tracy says
Hi, Joanne. I haven’t heard of anyone doing that, but it should work just fine.
Dale says
Wow these are so good! We bought expensive treats and our pup really cared less about them; these she will do anything for – as in, her first and only recognizable word is ‘treat’ and she sprints to the fridge. Thank you!
Megan says
Made these last night to shake things up with my sheltie puppy’s training and these absolutely grab her attention! Maybe a bit too much since she’s bouncing everywhere as soon as I pull these out of the fridge! Our two kitties are also huge fans and chewed a hole in the side of the bag as soon as my back was turned. Definitely be making these again! Thanks so much!
Tracy says
Lol. Happy to hear all the furry family members are enjoying them!
Amber says
My dogs loved them. Made them for my chiweenies 4th birthday today. Super easy and quick to make! 🙂
Tracy says
So glad they enjoyed them! And happy belated birthday to the pup! 😉
Matt says
Just made a batch of these and my spaniel loves them. Quick question – do they need to be kept in the fridge or can they be kept in an air tight container out the fridge ?
Tracy says
Glad your pup enjoyed them! These should be stored in the fridge.
Jennifer says
I love how adaptable this recipe is! I’ve been making these with sardines (in water) rather than tuna fish, and with the Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour. I had to adjust the recipe slightly for amounts, but basically just add enough flour to soak up the moisture and make a “play dough” consistency after mixing the fish and egg. For the batch that’s in the oven atm, I also added some ground flax seed and some buckwheat flour. Next time I plan to try making it with the canned chicken, as my mom’s dog is allergic fish. These don’t last long as my my dog, and the roommates cat, and all the dogs at the dog park LOVE them.
Jennifer says
Sorry, that was supposed to say Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 **gluten free** baking flour.
Tracy says
I’m so glad these have worked out for you, Jennifer. And thank you for leaving such a detailed description of the changes you made!! It’s really helpful!
Shelley says
What I’d any meat besides fish can you use as I have dogs with allergies and myself allergic to fish could I substitute chicken or beef
Tracy says
Hi, Shelley. I would try canned chicken, the same size as a standard size can of tuna. I’ve never tried it, so I’m not positive it would work, but it would probably be the best substitution option. If you try it, please let me know how it works out!
Shelley says
I will