The Best Dog Treat: Homemade Chicken Bites for Puppies
Have you recently welcomed a new furry member to your family? The ages between 12–16 weeks are a golden window in a puppy's life. The world is an open book, learning happens at lightning speed, and you’ll find yourself going through a massive amount of treats! But what is safe for a puppy’s sensitive stomach while keeping their motivation sky-high?
In this post, we share a Train'N'Treat favorite recipe and essential tips for a smooth start to your journey together.
Recipe: Gentle "Mini-Chicken" Training Treats
Store-bought treats can often be too rich or processed for a young puppy’s developing digestion. These homemade chicken bites are pure, lean, and so delicious that your puppy will do just about anything for a single piece!
You will need:
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2–3 Chicken breast fillets (unseasoned/plain)
Instructions:
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Chill: Place the fillets in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This makes it much easier to slice them into neat, tiny pieces.
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Dice: Cut the chicken into very small, pea-sized cubes. Remember: a puppy treat should be small enough to swallow instantly so they can get back to focusing on you.
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Bake: Spread the pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 100°C (210°F) for about 45–60 minutes.
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Check: The treats should be fully cooked and slightly springy to the touch, not rock-hard. This ensures they are gentle on sensitive gums during the teething phase.
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Storage: Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge (for up to 5 days) or freeze them in small batches to take out only what you need for the day.
5 Golden Rules for Puppy Life – Keep These in Mind!
Puppyhood is wonderful, but it can be challenging. To ensure your life together starts on the right paw, the whole family needs to be on the same page.
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Consistency is Key: If the puppy isn't allowed on the sofa, they aren't allowed there ever—not even when they look "too cute." Dogs get confused if the rules change from day to day.
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Sleep is Sacred: A 12–16 week old puppy needs 18–20 hours of sleep per day. When the puppy is sleeping, they must be left completely alone. This is an especially important rule to teach children.
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The 10% Rule: Remember that training treats are part of the daily caloric intake. Reduce the amount of treats from the puppy’s main meal portions to ensure they grow at a healthy rate and don't become overweight.
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Keep it Simple: Puppies don't understand long sentences. Use short, clear cues (like "sit" or "come") and reward instantly (within 0.5 seconds) when the puppy does the right thing.
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A United Front: It is vital that every family member uses the same words and rules. Otherwise, the puppy will quickly learn who they can "negotiate" with!
Is Begging at the Table Allowed in Your House?
Disagreements over dog rules are one of the most common causes of family friction. One person says "no," while another secretly slips a piece of sausage under the table. Clear rules make for a balanced dog and a much easier family life.
To help you out, we’ve developed a brand-new tool: House Rules for the Dog.. It’s a fun, visual way for the whole family to agree on shared rules regarding feeding, walking, and sleeping arrangements. Once the rules are written down and signed, everyone stays committed! When everyone follows the same guidelines, the dog learns faster, daily life becomes easier, and common behavior problems can be prevented before they start.
Check out and buy here: Click here and start your dog’s life with your family the right way.