Summer Treats

I have been dehydrating apricots one of our family favorites. Dehydrator out and ready for action, what about some dog treats?

Does your dog like chicken jerky?

Try this recipe (and save some for yourself!).

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Dog-friendly seasonings (parsley, rosemary, sage) fresh and chopped very fine

Directions:

1. Rinse the chicken breast and remove any fat,which slows down the dehydrating process and will shorten the jerky's shelf life.

2. Slice the chicken into strips about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick; slicing with the grain will make the jerky even chewier.

3. Coat the strips with oil and seasoning.

4. Place the strips on the dehydrator tray, spacing them evenly; make sure they do not touch. The drying process depends on adequate airflow between the strips.

5. Put the tray in the dehydrator, turn it on and set the temperature for 140 degrees (if you have a temperature setting, mine does not).

It will probably take between 3 to 12 hours for the strips to fully dry, depending on how thick you cut them and the exact temperature of your dehydrator. After the first hour, you might start checking the strips on an hourly basis. To determine the dryness level, remove one strip from the dehydrator, cut into it with a sharp knife and examine the inside. When the meat is completely dried, you will not see any moisture and it will be the same color throughout. If it needs more time, put it back and check every half-hour.

When your chicken jerky is done, store it in air-tight containers; zip-lock bags work great for this. Refrigerate the containers for an even longer shelf life.

Another treat: Sweet Potato Chews

Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Slice the sweet potato into 1/4 inch slices by cutting down the middle lengthwise.

Dehydrate at the highest setting until done. Drying approximately 6-8 hours will leave them with a chewy texture. For crunchier treats dehydrate longer until the desired consistency.

Bon Appetit!

Save Your Fingers!

Does your dog grab treats so that you fear for your fingers?

Here is a way to teach your dog "EASY" when offering a treat:

First, try to work this lesson when your dog is well-fed and somewhat tired.

Start with medium value treats that your dog likes but does not go crazy over. Visibly place a treat in your palm and close your hand.

Ignore when your dog paws and nips your hand trying to get the treat. Once the dog stops to figure out what might work, capture this moment and open you hand as you say, "EASY".

Repeat until your dog understands that that only calm grasps earn the treat.

Extend the behavior by holding the treat between your fingers and reminding your dog, "EASY".

Ball Game

Is your dog ball crazy?

Loves to retrieve a ball?

Or is happiest with a ball or two in his mouth?



Try a different ball game; "roll a ball"

First use a ball too big to fit in your dog's mouth.

Tell your dog to stay while he watches you place a small treat on the floor by the ball. Then roll the ball forward to almost cover it.

Stand close behind the ball so it rolls toward you and release your dog to get the treat.

As he takes it, the ball will roll. Say, "Yes!" and reward by tossing a treat behind him. He will turn away from the ball to get that treat. Place another treat under the ball.

Repeat this several times, encouraging him to push the ball toward you to get the treat, rewarding with a tossed treat. He will expect a treat under the ball and will quickly return to push it again after collecting the tossed treat.

At this point, quit putting the treat under the ball and just encourage him to push it. Dog s are optimistic - he will look for the treat and the ball will roll. You might use, "Yes, roll the ball," and reward with a tossed reward treat. Soon your dog will understand that pushing the ball earns treats. Gradually stand farther back from the ball, and he will learn to roll it a longer distance.

Turkey Day Treats

You can include your dog in your Turkey Day celebration with this canine-friendly sweet potato recipe.

These dog treats are not hard and crunchy; they are more like cookies in texture. You can keep them in an airtight container for up to three days; to store them longer, put them in a zip-lock bag in the freezer.

If you like, use 1 1/2 cups mashed, cooked sweet potato or pumpkin in place of the canned.

Sweet Potato Dog Treats

1 15 ounce can sweet potatoes, drained
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
blend in.....
2 cups barley flour
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup nutritional yeast

Turn dough out onto lightly floured counter, and knead two or three times if necessary to completely incorporate the ingredients. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness, cut into shapes, and transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Scraps may be rerolled and cut. Score large cookies with a fork, if desired. Brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees until firm and lightly brown.

Makes about 12 large treats.

Peanut Butter and Dogs

Have you given your dog peanut butter?

Dogs LOVE peanut butter.

I have always put peanut better in Ebony's Kong which is a super-strong rubber toy that is hollow. It is claimed to be the "World's Best Dog Toy." What I know is that Ebony is busy and happy with a Kong full of peanut butter. Some people freeze it which definitely adds time to the dog's enjoyment!

Try these recipes for homemade dog treats with peanut butter:

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups white flour

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour, one cup at a time, forming a dough.
3. Knead dough into firm ball and roll to 1/4 inch thickness.
4. Cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces. You can use cookie cutters if you like.
5. Place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.


Peanut Butter Bones

1 package dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup milk
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup chicken stock 1 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rye flour
1/2 cup rice flour
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose white flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 ° F (165 ° C).

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in water. In a large saucepan, mix together the potatoes, milk, molasses, stock, and peanut butter. Heat, stirring frequently until boiling. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add yeast mixture. Gradually blend in the egg, wheat, rye, and rice flours. Add enough white flour to form a stiff dough.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Shape the dough into a ball and roll to 1/2-inch (12 mm) thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out biscuits. Place on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1/4-inch (6 mm) apart. Gather up the scraps, roll out again, and cut additional biscuits.

Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool overnight. Makes several dozen bones that freeze well--and have the consistency of pizza crusts, a favorite snack for most spoiled dogs!


Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

½ cups water(add more water later if required)
½ cup oil
2 eggs
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
½ cup cornmeal
½ cup oats

Directions:

Blend wet ingredients together. Whisk dry ingredients together and mix into wet mixture to form a ball of dough. Roll out and shape. Put onto a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased one. Cook 20 minutes at 400 F. Turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool in oven until crisp and hard. Store in airtight container.


Peanut Butter n' Honey Crunchies

1/4 cup honey
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 cups chicken broth or water
1/3 cup peanut oil 1 cup rolled oats
1 cup oat bran
3-4 cups oat flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 ° F (180 ° C).

In a small dutch oven or large saucepan, combine honey, peanut butter (try to find a brand that has no added suger, salt or other ingredients; ideally it should only contain peanuts), chicken broth, and peanut oil. Heat, stirring often, until mixture begins to simmer. Remove from heat. Stir in rolled oats and oat bran and let cool until lukewarm -- or cool enough to work with. Gradually blend in oat flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough.

Transfer to a floured (oat flour or rye flour) surface and knead until smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Shape the dough into a ball, and roll to 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick. Use a mini-cookie cutter or cut into small squares. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1/4 inch (6 mm) apart. Gather up the scraps, roll out again, and cut additional biscuits. If the dough becomes too crumbly to work with after a few rollings, sprinkle with a little water to bind it together and knead it for 30 seconds or so.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn over. Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides. After you finish baking all batches of biscuits, turn off the oven, spread all the biscuits in one baking pan and set them in the oven to cool for a few hours or overnight. The extra time in the oven as it cools off helps make the treats crispier. These make a more delicate crunchy biscuit.

Makes several dozen small treats that keep and freeze well.


Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 20 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container.

Cookies and Pupcakes

Now you can give your dog a cookie or cupcake without guilt.

Here are two dog friendly recipes:

Cheese Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 ¼ cups cheese
1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 to 5 Tbsp water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 Fahrenheit.
Mix all ingredients well.
Bake for 10 minutes.


Banana Pupcakes

Perfect for doggie Birthday parties!

Ingredients:

2 cups water
2 bananas
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
1 Tbsp baking soda
1 egg
3 Tbsp honey

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mash bananas add the rest of the ingredients to the mashed bananas.
Mix well.
Pour batter into cupcake pans.
Bake for 20 minutes

I wonder if Ebony would share? These sound tasty.

Holiday Dog Treats

I came across these recipes for dog treats, but they sound good enough for me to eat. I wonder how they taste? I am sure my dog will love them; maybe I will too.

Stay tuned........

Noel Nibbles

2 tablespoons honey
3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cups white flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon nutmeg
2 3/4 cups water
1/4 cup unsweetened chunky applesauce
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup coarsely chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix together honey, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add water, applesauce and egg and stir, mixing well. Add nuts. Spoon into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup two-thirds full. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on a rack and store in sealed container. Makes 16 muffins.

Festive Holiday Cookies

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups water
3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, combine applesauce, egg, peanut butter, vanilla and water. Mix well. Add flours, corn meal, oats and peanuts and mix well to form a dough. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until thoroughly mixed together. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes. Place on greased baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on rack. Makes 30 cookies.

New Year Delights

2 tablespoons honey
2 3/4 cups water
1/4 cup unsweetened chunky applesauce
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, slightly beaten
3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup dried apple chips
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix together honey, water, applesauce, vanilla and egg. Add flour, apple chips, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix thoroughly, scraping sides and bottom of bowl to be sure no dry mixture is left. Spoon into greased muffin pans so that each cup is three-quarters full and bake for approximately 1 hour until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container.
Makes 12 muffins.

Favorite Dog Treat

No more left over turkey?

No problem, this recipe can be made with ground meat.

Dogs love it!


Jerky Turkey Dog Treats

Ingredients:

1 lb. raw ground turkey (or chicken)
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh herbs such as thyme or parsley (optional)

Instructions:

1.Preheat oven to 225 degrees F.
2.Combine all ingredients in a food processor and puree the mixture.
3.Line a jellyroll pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper (it makes clean-up easier) and pour the mixture into it.
4.Spread evenly.
5.Bake two hours with the oven door slightly ajar to allow the moisture to escape.
6.Remove from oven and using a pizza cutter or knife, cut into small, individual-sized portions.
7.Place pieces back in the oven, flipped over, and bake an additional one to two hours, or until the treats are dry and leathery.
8.Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Healthy Dog Treats

Here are some healthy alternatives for dog treats.

Anyone who's ever seen a dog eat grass or greens knows there's a vegetarian side to your pet. Before domestication, when dogs hunted for their living, they ate the entrails of their prey, which contained a considerable amount of digested vegetable matter. Most animals still want some of this vegetation, but can't digest the tough fibrous components on their own. Try offering your dog some cooked green beans, carrots or peas. Many pets love them, and you can even mix them into their regular diet.

I planted an extra row of peas in the garden for my Golden Retriever.

Another favorite for many pets are rice, popcorn and pasta. A bit of a rice cake or some air popped popcorn is a great substitute for a high fat treat. Cooked rice can be added for bulk to a weight control diet. It's a way of giving your pet more food without adding a lot of fat calories. Cooked pasta is also great. Many pets relish a few elbow macaroni or other plain pasta.

Ebony knows when the popcorn maker comes out of the cupboard.

A cooked egg is a great protein treat; hard boil a few and keep them on hand. A little dab of cottage cheese or plain yogurt substitutes for licking that ice cream bowl!

Cool Your Dog This Summer

Here is a clever idea..........

A quick and easy icy treat maker for your dog. What a cool idea! (No pun intended.) You actually put some treats and small toys inside then freeze it. Later, you have a giant doggy popsicle filled with yummy treats and toys that will keep your dog cool and hydrated. It's really fun, but more importantly it will keep your dog cool and hydrated during these hot summer days.



Check out the Kool Dogz.

Basic Gourmet Dog Treat

Looking for an easy to make

and good tasting dog treat.

Ebony rates them four paws.


Basic Gourmet Dog Treat

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup water or broth (chicken or beef broth {avoid bouillon with onion})

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix together all ingredients.
3. Gently roll out to ¼ inch thickness.
4. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter.
5. Bake 30 – 40 minutes
6. Allow to cool and store in a tightly sealed container.