Top 8 'Can't-Resist' High-Value Treats to train a lightning-fast recall in your easily-distracted dog - Goh Ling Yong
You see it happening in slow motion. Your dog, who was just happily trotting by your side, catches a scent. His ears pivot, his body tenses, and then he’s off—a furry missile locked onto a squirrel, a forgotten sandwich, or another dog across the park. You call his name. Once, twice, a third time with growing panic. It’s like you’ve suddenly become invisible. This frustrating phenomenon, often called "selective hearing," is a challenge almost every dog owner faces, especially those with easily-distracted companions.
A reliable recall isn't just a neat party trick; it's one of the most important safety commands your dog can learn. It can prevent them from running into traffic, getting into a scuffle with another animal, or becoming lost. But how do you compete with the thrilling, high-stakes world of smells and sights that constantly vie for your dog's attention? The secret lies in becoming more interesting than the distraction. And the fastest way to do that is with a currency your dog simply cannot refuse: the high-value treat.
Forget the dry, crumbly biscuit you give for a simple "sit." We're talking about the five-star, Michelin-guide-worthy delicacies of the dog world. These are the treats so special, so aromatic, and so delicious that they make your dog’s brain short-circuit, forgetting everything else and making a beeline straight back to you. Using these powerful motivators exclusively for recall training transforms your "come" command from a hopeful suggestion into an irresistible invitation. Here are the top 8 "can't-resist" high-value treats to build a lightning-fast recall.
1. Freeze-Dried Liver (Beef or Chicken)
Why it works: Freeze-dried liver is the gold standard of high-value training treats for a reason. It’s pure, single-ingredient meat, which dogs are biologically primed to crave. The freeze-drying process locks in the intense, meaty aroma and flavour while creating a light, crumb-free texture that won't leave your pockets greasy. It's the perfect combination of potent and practical.
The scent is a huge factor. A dog's sense of smell is thousands of times more powerful than ours, and the rich, concentrated smell of liver cuts through the noise of other environmental odours. When your dog learns that the "come" command is associated with this incredible smell, they are far more likely to tune out distractions and focus on the jackpot waiting for them with you.
Pro-Tip: Don't hand over a whole chunk. Break the liver pieces into tiny, pea-sized bits. For recall, you want to deliver a "jackpot" reward—a quick succession of 5-10 tiny pieces, one after another. This extends the rewarding experience and makes the recall feel like a much bigger win for your dog than a single, quickly-gulped treat. Keep it in a sealed bag to maintain its powerful aroma.
2. Plain, Boiled Chicken Breast
Why it works: Sometimes, simplicity is king. Plain, unseasoned, boiled chicken is a universally loved treat that is both highly motivating and gentle on most dogs' stomachs. It’s real meat, warm and juicy, offering a textural and aromatic experience that’s vastly different from their everyday kibble. The novelty and quality make it a five-star reward.
Preparing it yourself also gives you complete control over the ingredients. You know there are no added salts, sugars, onions, or garlic powder, all of which can be harmful to dogs. In my training sessions, as Goh Ling Yong often advises, we find that some of the most effective rewards are the ones that are closest to their natural, whole-food state. Chicken fits this bill perfectly.
Pro-Tip: Boil a few chicken breasts at the start of the week, let them cool, and shred or dice them into small, training-sized pieces. You can store them in the fridge for a few days or freeze them in small batches. For an extra boost, use a tiny bit of the salt-free chicken broth to rehydrate kibble for a special meal, but save the actual meat pieces exclusively for recall practice.
3. String Cheese or Small Cheese Cubes
Why it works: If your dog is a cheese fanatic, a little bit of the good stuff can be an incredibly powerful motivator. The high fat content and strong smell make it a decadent, high-value reward. String cheese is particularly convenient because it’s individually wrapped, portable, and easy to peel off in tiny, quick-to-eat shreds.
The key with cheese is moderation. It's rich and can be high in calories and fat, so it’s not an everyday treat. This actually works to your advantage for recall training—its scarcity increases its value. If your dog only gets that delicious, cheesy goodness when they come sprinting back to you, the association becomes incredibly strong.
Pro-Tip: Check that your dog isn't lactose intolerant before using cheese as a high-value reward. Start with a very small amount. Use low-fat mozzarella or cheddar and cut it into tiny, pencil-eraser-sized cubes. The goal is a quick taste that leaves them wanting more, not a heavy snack that will fill them up.
4. Hot Dogs
Why it works: This is the "break glass in case of emergency" treat for many dog trainers. Hot dogs are soft, smelly, and have a salty, meaty flavour that most dogs find absolutely irresistible. They are often considered a "nuclear option" for dogs who are not typically food-motivated or are facing extremely high-level distractions.
Of course, hot dogs aren't a health food. You should use them sparingly and with care. However, for the crucial task of building a life-saving recall, their motivational power can be unparalleled. The goal is to create such a positive and powerful association with the recall command that it becomes an automatic, instinctual response for your dog. A tiny piece of hot dog can help forge that connection.
Pro-Tip: Choose the highest-quality hot dogs you can find—look for all-beef or turkey options with no added nitrates, nitrites, or questionable fillers. Slice the hot dog lengthwise, and then slice it again, dicing it into tiny, pea-sized morsels. One hot dog can yield a hundred training treats. Because of their high sodium and fat content, these should be reserved only for the most challenging recall scenarios.
5. Freeze-Dried Salmon or Minnows
Why it works: If you really want to leverage your dog’s sense of smell, fish is the way to go. Freeze-dried salmon, smelt, or minnows offer an intensely fishy aroma that is distinct and highly enticing. For many dogs, this pungent smell is even more captivating than beef or chicken.
Beyond the smell, these treats are packed with beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your dog's skin, coat, and joint health. This allows you to offer an incredibly high-value reward that also provides a health boost. They are typically single-ingredient and lightweight, making them another easy-to-carry option for walks and park visits.
Pro-Tip: These can be a bit crumbly, so it's best to keep them in a small, hard-sided container rather than loose in your pocket. You can use whole minnows for a big jackpot or break up larger pieces of salmon into smaller bits. The fishy residue left on your fingers can even be used as a lure to get your dog's attention before giving the recall cue.
6. Squeeze Pouch Treats (Meat Paste or Dog-Safe Peanut Butter)
Why it works: Sometimes, the value is in the delivery system. Squeeze pouches, filled with things like liver paste, meat-flavoured gels, or xylitol-free peanut butter, allow for a rapid-fire reward. Instead of fumbling for a treat in your pocket, you can simply present the tube and give your dog a few quick licks.
This method is fantastic for several reasons. It’s clean—no greasy fingers or crumb-filled pockets. It’s fast, which allows you to maintain momentum during a training session. Most importantly, it allows you to control the duration of the reward. A quick lick for a simple check-in, or a longer, 5-second lick-fest for a stellar recall from a huge distraction. This variability keeps your dog engaged and excited.
Pro-Tip: You can buy pre-filled tubes from pet supply stores or make your own. Reusable silicone travel tubes (for shampoo) are perfect for this. You can fill them with anything from pureed wet dog food to a mix of cream cheese and baby food (meat flavours like turkey or chicken), or xylitol-free peanut butter. Always double-check peanut butter labels for xylitol, as it is extremely toxic to dogs.
7. Homemade Tuna Fudge
Why it works: This is a legendary recipe in dog training circles for one simple reason: its scent is off-the-charts powerful. Tuna fudge (which contains no chocolate) is a soft, cake-like treat made from canned tuna, flour, eggs, and a little garlic powder (in very small, dog-safe amounts). The smell is potent enough to make a dog turn on a dime from 50 yards away.
Making your own treats gives you a cost-effective way to produce a large batch of high-value rewards. You can cut the "fudge" into hundreds of tiny squares, perfect for jackpotting. Because you made it yourself, you know exactly what’s in it. The soft texture is also easy for dogs of all ages to eat quickly.
Pro-Tip: A simple recipe is two cans of tuna in oil (don't drain it!), two eggs, 1.5 cups of flour (whole wheat or oat flour work well), and a dash of garlic powder. Blend it all into a paste, spread it thinly on a baking sheet, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes until firm. Let it cool and cut it into tiny squares. It freezes beautifully!
8. Green Tripe
Why it works: We've saved the most potent—and for humans, the most pungent—for last. Green tripe is the unprocessed stomach lining of a ruminant animal like a cow or sheep. To us, it smells absolutely terrible. To a dog, it smells like heaven. It is full of natural digestive enzymes and probiotics, and its unique, earthy aroma taps into a dog's primal instincts.
This is not the bleached white tripe you might find in a grocery store. True "green" tripe is minimally processed. Its sheer stink-power makes it one of the highest-value rewards you can possibly find. If your dog is ignoring everything else, the scent of green tripe can often break through their focus and bring them running. Here at Goh Ling Yong's blog, we understand that sometimes you need to bring out the big guns for serious training challenges.
Pro-Tip: Handling canned green tripe can be a messy, smelly affair. For training, your best bet is to use freeze-dried green tripe treats. They offer all the aromatic power in a much more convenient, dry, and easy-to-handle form. Because of its intensity and richness, this is another treat that should be reserved exclusively for your most important recall training.
The Golden Rule of High-Value Treats
The power of these treats lies in their novelty and exclusivity. The golden rule is this: your dog should only get this specific, ultra-high-value treat when they successfully respond to a recall command.
Think of it as creating a treat hierarchy. Their kibble is their "paycheck" for existing. A dry biscuit might be a "bonus" for a simple sit. But freeze-dried liver or a piece of hot dog? That's the "lottery win," and it only happens when they drop everything and come back to you. This exclusivity is what builds a lightning-fast, reliable, and enthusiastic recall, even in the face of the most tempting distractions.
Training a reliable recall is a journey, but with the right motivation, you can transform a frustrating chase into a joyful reunion. By becoming the source of something truly amazing, you strengthen your bond and ensure your dog’s safety, giving you both more freedom to enjoy your adventures together.
What's your dog's ultimate "can't-resist" treat? Share your secret weapon for recall training in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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