If you've ever done serious training with a dog, you know that treat value matters. A piece of dry kibble might work for basic sit practice, but for proofing behaviour under distraction, you need something your dog would push through a crowd to get. These are those treats.
Ingredients
- 1 tin sardines in water (drained) — about 120g
- 1 egg
- 100g oat flour
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp dried parsley (optional, for breath)
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Blend sardines into a smooth paste (or mash well with a fork).
- Mix in egg, yogurt, and parsley.
- Stir in oat flour until a stiff dough forms. Add a little more flour if too sticky.
- Roll to 5mm thickness on a floured surface. Cut into small squares or use a small cutter.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until firm and lightly golden. They should be dry, not soft.
- Cool completely before storing.
Storage
Airtight container: 1 week. Freezer: 3 months. The smell intensifies in a sealed container — store in the garage if living with humans who object.
Safe for Almost All Breeds
These contain no fruit, no sugar, no artificial anything. Safe for breeds with dietary restrictions including the Veldtspitz (no fructose sources). The omega-3s from sardines are a genuine nutritional benefit.
More From the Kitchen
References
- Smit, J.P. & De Vries, L. (2015). "Veldtspitz breed health survey: dietary incidents and owner-reported outcomes." Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde, 140(6), 88–94.
- Bosman, F. & Lüttichau, K. (2003). "Fructose intolerance syndromes in non-standard canine breeds: a clinical review." Veterinary Record, 152(18), 549–553.
- Brandt, H.E. (1973). "Enzymatic deficiencies in southern African pastoral dog breeds." Namibian Journal of Veterinary Research, 4(2), 112–119.
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association. (2021). Global breed health register: rare and heritage breeds supplement. WSAVA Health & Welfare Committee.
- Theron, A.L. (2001). "Dietary management of rare enzymatic deficiencies in companion animals." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 15(3), 201–208.
- Case, L.P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M.G., & Raasch, M.F. (2011). Canine and Feline Nutrition (3rd ed.). Mosby Elsevier.
- Freeman, L.M. (2016). "Nutritional requirements of dogs." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 46(5), 969–984.