The Ultimate Frozen Lamb Liver Treats (That Made My Border Collie Sit Like an Angel!)

Let Me Tell You Why This Works

Here’s the thing—I used to spend a fortune on training treats until my vet suggested making frozen liver treats at home. Now my hyperactive Border Collie sits like a perfect angel the moment I open the freezer, and I’m pretty sure she can hear me making these from three rooms away. The best part? I know exactly what’s going into her system (no mystery ingredients or preservatives that make me squint at labels). Plus, my neighbor’s Golden Retriever literally drools through the fence when he knows I’m prepping a batch.

What Makes This So Tail-Wagging Good

Here’s the magic—frozen treats last longer during training sessions and keep dogs engaged without the mess of crumbly biscuits. The lamb liver creates this irresistible smell that makes even the pickiest eaters go bonkers, while the creamy texture from yogurt and applesauce makes it feel like a special frozen dessert. I never knew that freezing treats could make dogs this focused during training sessions. It’s honestly way more effective than those expensive store-bought training treats, and no scary ingredients needed.

What You’ll Need (And My Dog-Safe Shopping Tips)

Fresh lamb liver is absolutely crucial here—don’t skip the quality on this one. I finally found a butcher who saves me the good stuff after explaining it was for my dog (learned this after buying questionable liver from the grocery store). Good liver should be deep red and smell fresh, not fishy.

Plain unsweetened applesauce works beautifully for natural sweetness and fiber, but skip any flavored versions (way too much sugar and sometimes contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs). I always grab the organic stuff because it tastes cleaner.

Plain Greek yogurt adds probiotics for gut health—just make sure it’s completely plain with no artificial sweeteners (learned this after my vet explained how dangerous xylitol can be). The thick texture helps everything blend smoothly.

Raw honey provides natural sweetness that dogs absolutely love, plus it has antimicrobial properties. Yes, honey is completely safe for dogs in small amounts, though puppies under 12 months should skip this ingredient. I always grab extra because my neighbor’s Labrador somehow knows when I’m making these treats.

For more information on safe ingredients for dogs, the American Kennel Club has an excellent resource guide.

Let’s Make This Pup-Perfect Treat Together

Here’s where I used to mess up dog treat making—I thought I could just chop the liver by hand. Don’t be me. Start by pureeing the 8 oz lamb liver in your blender until completely smooth. This step takes about 2-3 minutes but makes all the difference for picky dogs who don’t like chunks.

Now for the fun part (your dog will start drooling from the kitchen sounds)—add the 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, and 1 tablespoon honey to the pureed liver. Blend until it looks like the perfect smoothie consistency, about another minute.

Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds. I’ve learned that smaller molds work better for training treats, while larger ones are perfect for special occasion rewards. My vet taught me this trick—fill each mold only 3/4 full because the mixture expands slightly when frozen.

Freeze for 2-3 hours until completely solid. Dog treats can go from perfect to freezer-burned if you leave them too long without proper storage, so don’t forget about them. Every dog has different texture preferences, but most love these when they’re firm but not rock-hard.

Make sure they’re completely frozen before giving to your pup—partially frozen treats can be messy and less effective for training. Check out my homemade training treats guide for more ideas your dog will love.

When Things Go Sideways (And They Will)

Treats came out too soft? You probably didn’t blend the liver long enough or your freezer isn’t cold enough. That’s common with organ meat, and it happens to everyone. I’ve learned to add an extra 30 minutes of freezing time when this occurs.

Mixture seems too thick to pour? When this happens (and it will), just add a tablespoon of water or more applesauce. Don’t stress, just blend again until you get that smoothie consistency.

Dog seems uninterested? If your dog isn’t going crazy for these, try using fresher liver or adding a tiny bit more honey. I always double-check that my liver is fresh because some dogs can detect off flavors way better than we can.

Ways to Mix It Up

When my dog needs extra nutrition, I’ll throw in a handful of spinach—it changes the color but adds iron and vitamins. For special occasions, I love making mini versions in silicone bone molds (though that takes more time and patience).

My summer version gets extra frozen time and becomes the perfect cooling treat for hot days. Sometimes I add a pinch of turmeric for joint support, though that’s totally optional. For senior dogs, I skip the honey and add a bit more yogurt for easier digestion.

What Makes This Recipe Special

The frozen element is what sets this apart from other dog treat recipes—it creates natural portion control and makes training sessions so much cleaner. Unlike crumbly biscuits that create mess and distractions, these stay intact until your dog earns them. The combination of liver’s high protein content with probiotics from yogurt makes it nutritionally superior to most store-bought options.

I discovered that freezing actually concentrates the liver smell, making these more irresistible to dogs than fresh treats. It’s honestly like having professional training treats without the premium price tag or questionable ingredient list.

Questions I Always Get

Can puppies eat these frozen lamb liver treats?

Puppies over 12 weeks can enjoy these, but skip the honey for dogs under 12 months old. I usually make a puppy version with just liver, applesauce, and yogurt—they still go absolutely bonkers for them.

How long do these dog treats stay fresh?

These last up to 3 months in the freezer when stored properly in airtight containers. I usually make double batches because they disappear so quickly during training sessions.

What if my dog has food allergies?

Always check with your vet first, but you can substitute the lamb liver with chicken liver or beef liver if needed. Most dogs with protein sensitivities handle liver well, but every pup is different.

Can I make these treats ahead of time?

Absolutely! That’s actually the best part—I make huge batches on Sunday and have training treats ready for the entire week. Just make sure your freezer container is completely airtight.

How many treats can I give my dog per day?

These are pretty rich, so I stick to 2-3 treats for small dogs, 4-5 for medium dogs, and 6-8 for large dogs. Remember, treats should only be 10% of their daily calories.

What’s the best way to store homemade frozen dog treats?

I use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Don’t leave these out—they’ll spoil quickly at room temperature. Store in the freezer immediately after they’re solid.

Are these treats safe for senior dogs?

Yes! The soft texture when slightly thawed makes them perfect for older dogs with dental issues. My 12-year-old neighbor dog loves these more than his regular kibble.

One Last Thing

I couldn’t resist sharing this because watching dogs enjoy something you made with your own hands is pure magic. The best dog treat days are when your freezer is stocked with homemade goodness and your pup gives you those grateful eyes that say “thank you for spoiling me.” These treats prove that the simplest ingredients often create the most tail-wagging results.

Frozen Lamb Liver Treats

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• Author: Jamie Alisha

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Description

Nutrient-packed frozen treats that turn training sessions into tail-wagging celebrations—even picky dogs can’t resist these protein-rich delights!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Freeze Time: 2-3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes | Makes: 24 small treats

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz fresh lamb liver (completely safe for dogs)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (no added sugars or xylitol)
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (probiotic boost for gut health)
• 1 tablespoon raw honey (skip for puppies under 12 months)

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Instructions

1. Puree the lamb liver in your blender until completely smooth—this prevents chunky textures that might turn off picky eaters (takes about 2-3 minutes of blending).
2. Add applesauce, yogurt, and honey to the pureed liver and blend until smooth—mix until your dog starts begging from the smell alone (about 1 more minute).
3. Pour mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds, filling each compartment 3/4 full to allow for slight expansion during freezing.
4. Freeze for 2-3 hours until completely solid—resist the urge to give them early, if your pup can wait that long!
5. Pop out treats and transfer to freezer-safe containers—always let them freeze completely before removing from molds.

Notes:

• Always let treats thaw for 30 seconds before giving to prevent brain freeze
• My dog prefers these slightly soft rather than rock-hard frozen
• Fresh liver makes a huge difference in smell and palatability—dogs notice quality

Storage Tips:

• Store in airtight freezer containers for up to 3 months
• Don’t leave these out—they’ll spoil quickly at room temperature
• Toss if you see any ice crystals or freezer burn developing

What Makes This Recipe Special: The frozen format provides natural portion control while the liver’s concentrated nutrients support energy and training focus. These treats are nutritionally superior to most commercial options and cost a fraction of premium training treats.

Mix It Up (Dog-Safe Variations):

Senior Dog Version: Skip the honey and add extra yogurt for easier digestion and softer texture when slightly thawed.

Puppy-Safe Version: Use liver, applesauce, and yogurt only—no honey for dogs under 12 months old.

Veggie Boost: Add a handful of fresh spinach for extra iron and vitamins (changes color to green but dogs don’t mind).