Training Treats

When training your dog, a great motivator is food! It might take a little trial and error to figure out what makes your dog go crazy, but you can have a lot of fun trying different "recipes". Some of my favorites are on the link below. I've included my "go-to" dog training cookie recipe here.

Liver Cookies

• 1 LB raw liver, defrosted (any kind is fine, my dogs prefer beef or chicken)
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup flour (any kind)
• 1/4 cup water (can increase to 1/2 cup if needed for consistency)
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1-2 eggs
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (optional, makes the cookies a little greasy but the dogs love it!)

Take a baking pan/cookie sheet with low sides and line it with aluminum foil. Spray with cooking spray.

Blend the liver in a food processor or blender until liquefied. Add remaining ingredients, moist first, blending each until well combined. The consistency will be like loose cement. If it is too thick, add another egg or a bit more water. It should not be runny but not thick as mud. Spoon mixture into pan and spread evenly. Bake 30-45 minutes, test by inserting a toothpick in the thickest part -- it will come out clean when the cookies are done. Remove from oven and cut into small bite-sized squares. Allow to cool and peel cookies off the pan. Remove foil and put the cookies back on the pan, put in the freezer until hard. Store in the freezer for several months or in the fridge for 3-4 days. Thaw at room temperature when you need them. Dogs also love them frozen!

• Dog training treats cookbook