by Susan Mcdaniel

Created on: October 16, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

Sometimes the most valuable lesson learned at a dog obedience class is learned by the owner rather than the dog. For example, knowing that most dogs will stand on their hind legs and bark out "Jingle Bells" for a liver treat is invaluable. Unfortunately, liver treats are price prohibitive unless you make them yourself. What could be better than homemade healthy dog treats and obedience, too?

Those homemade healthy dog treat recipes are what could be better. They all sound good enough to eat because they are, for humans. Dogs, however, don't particularly like whatever smells good baking in the oven. Cinnamon and apple and carrot- based dog treats all sound yummy, but the truth is, dogs want disgusting dog stuff. Have you ever seen a dog with his head buried in the produce drawer? Now think about where you have seen your dog bury his head. Chances are it was in the garbage or dragging the hamburger off of the kitchen counter. That's what dogs do and that's what dogs want.

If you really are a dedicated dog aficionado, you won't mind making your dog homemade healthy liver dog treats, never mind the gore and mess. He will love you for it and you will have the best trained dog in the obedience class to boot. Your reward is that you personally get to eat the cinnamon apple dog treats you purchased at the county fair.

Homemade Liver Dog Treats by Martha Beth Lewis (adapted)

Slab of raw beef liver

One egg

Uncooked oats

Puree the liver and egg until smooth. Add enough oats to soak up the moisture and make a stiff dough. Scrape it all into a greased and floured glass baking dish. The mixture should be -3/4" deep so the size of your baking dish will depend on the size of the slab of liver. Bake at 350 degrees until set but do not overcook. Cool, cut into pieces, put pieces on a cookie sheet and freeze. Transfer the pieces to a zip lock bag once frozen and store in the freezer.

Alternatively, you can just bake the slab of liver for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Turn the slab over and let the oven cool completely. Then cut up the liver into pieces as above and freeze. Recipe author Martha Beth Lewis says, however, that when these thaw you end up with thawed liver in your pocket. Taking the easy way out has its drawbacks.

The following two recipes are not nearly as well received by dogs as the first, but they are passable. The first uses peanut butter so beware that they are a higher calorie treat. At least that recipe uses ingredients you probably have on hand. The final

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