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Training your dog is an essential part of building a strong bond and ensuring their well-being. One effective way to enhance the training experience is through the use of homemade liver training treats. These treats not only serve as a tasty reward but also provide numerous benefits for your furry friend’s overall health. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of homemade liver training treats, provide a delicious recipe, and share important tips to make the most of your dog’s training sessions.

For most dogs, this recipe is a high-value option.  To our dogs Willow and Sienna, these are almost as high value as freeze-dried liver treats, which is their highest value treat.  For more information on the value of treats, see What Makes the Perfect Dog Training Treat?. 

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Benefits of Homemade Liver Training Treats

When it comes to training treats, homemade options offer distinct advantages over store-bought alternatives. For more information on store-bought treats, see Navigating the World of Dog Treats: The Importance of Reading Labels. By making your own liver training treats, you have full control over the ingredients and can ensure the highest quality for your canine companion. Additionally, homemade treats can be more cost-effective in the long run, especially if you frequently engage in training sessions. Finally, you have the freedom to customize the treats to suit your dog’s preferences and dietary needs, including accommodating any allergies or sensitivities they may have.

Choosing the Right Liver for Homemade Treats

The key to creating delicious and nutritious liver training treats lies in selecting the right type of liver. Chicken and beef livers are commonly used and readily available options. It is crucial to choose fresh, high-quality liver from a trusted source to guarantee its safety and nutritional value. Proper handling and storage are equally important to maintain freshness and prevent any potential contamination.

Liver also tends to be a budget-friendly option.  We are lucky enough to see it on sale at 40-50% off several times a year and make sure to purchase some stock for the freezer when we catch a sale. 

Essential Ingredients and Supplies

To prepare homemade liver training treats, you’ll need a few basic ingredients. Apart from the liver itself, you may choose to incorporate additional ingredients to enhance flavour and nutrition. Common additions include whole wheat flour, eggs, and even grated vegetables for added fibre.

A food processor or blender will be handy for blending and mixing the ingredients, and molds make it very easy to make thousands of appropriately sized treats in a short time period.  We used pyramid pan molds and silicone mini ice cube trays, but you can use any oven-safe appropriately sized molds.  If you don’t have molds available, you can spread thinly (about 1/4 inch or half a cm or slightly thicker) in a baking tray with a lip and cut the treats after baking. 

Substitutions and Variations

If you have been following this blog, you may know that this type of treat is one of our favourites.  This is largely because of the size, but also because it is so easy to make 1000 treats in a short time period, without the pain of rolling, shaping and cutting.  Our lab-mix Sienna gained quite a bit of weight after having FHO surgery and healthy treats like these allowed us to give her a lot of reinforcement to help her recover and also come out of her PTSD, while also allowing us to easily control portioning and help her get back to a healthy weight. 

The other reason that these are a favourite is because they are highly customizable.  Following the basic ratios, you can make almost any dog-safe substitution and the treats will turn out well

• Meat: This recipe uses beef liver, but you could substitute it with another type of liver, ground or minced meat or even fish
• Flour: You can use whole wheat flour, or another healthy option like buckwheat, chickpea or oat, or any other dog-safe flour
• Vegetables: We are using squash and beets here, but you could use pumpkin, sweet potato, applesauce, carrots, spinach, brussel sprouts, or any other dog-safe veggies
• Herbs and Spices: We chose to add parsley, however any other dog-safe herb (cilantro/coriander, basil, camomile, dill, ginger etc.) would work, or you can omit the herbs

Liver Training Treats Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250mL) liver
• 1 cup (250mL) dog-safe flour
• 2 tbsp (30mL) coconut oil
• 1/2 cup (125mL) cooked squash
• 1 cup (250mL) beets, grated
• 2 eggs
• Water or broth
• Parsley (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C
2. In a blender, or using a stick blender, mix all ingredients except flour until smooth
3. Add flour and blend
4. Add water, a small amount at a time, until the consistency is between cake mix and pancake batter
5. Place molds on a baking sheet
6. Pour mixture into molds and spread to cover using a spatula or scrapper
7. Gently lift mold and tap against the counter to remove any bubbles
8. Spread to cover any gaps and remove excess
9. Bake for 15-20 mins, until treats begin to rise and lift slightly
10. Allow to cool slightly before removing from molds
11. If desired, spread on a baking sheet and bake for additional crispness
    • Note: by baking further you remove additional moisture, helping the treats to last longer out of the freezer.  Some dogs prefer a moist treat, some prefer a crispy treat and some have little preference.  Bake to your dog’s liking!
    • For mini ice cube trays, I baked them for an additional 10 minutes, turning them once.  For pyramid pan molds, I baked for an additional 5 minutes
12. Cool completely before storage

Storage

Store in the fridge for between 3 and 7 days (the more moist the treats are, the shorter the storage time) or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Tips for Successful Training with Homemade Liver Treats

1. Proper portioning is crucial to ensure effective training. Use small molds or cut the treats into small pieces, making them bite-sized for your dog.
2. Use the treats as positive reinforcement during training, rewarding desired behaviours promptly.
3. Timing and consistency are key. Deliver the treat immediately after your dog performs the desired action to reinforce the connection.
4. Vary the treats you offer to maintain your dog’s engagement and prevent boredom.
5. Keep training sessions fun and engaging by using a combination of treats, verbal praise, and play.

Conclusion

Homemade liver training treats provide a multitude of benefits for your dog’s training experience. By making your own treats, you can ensure high-quality ingredients, customize flavours, and save money in the long run. Remember to choose fresh liver, follow proper handling and storage practices, and experiment with different flavours!

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