So many times, people get a new puppy and are suddenly in the troughs of the, sometimes difficult task, of house-breaking. This task can be complicated if your new pup is on the wrong diet. All too often, dogs are sent home with the type of dog food that they've been eating at the rescue, breeder or store, which may not always be the best for your dog. Especially, if your puppy hasn't been with them for very long. Their little tummies will surely not have adjusted to whatever type of food they are being given yet, and can add intestinal distress to the mix of coming into a new home and learning the ways of proper doggie behavior.

You may think that you're doing it right, by giving them the food that's been suggested, but your pup's tummy may not agree. You might start noticing bouts of gas and/or diarrhea, which can really make your new dog uncomfortable, as well as making house-breaking unpleasant and more difficult.

The other issue you may notice is "ichy-skin". Excessive shedding, bald patches, hot spots and/or long, excessive scratching sessions, will be your clue that your dog's diet may not be providing enough vitamins, minerals, proteins or essential oils to give your dog the healthy skin and coat they need to be comfortable.

Finding the right dog food for your pet can be, not only frustrating, but expensive. High end dog foods and treats come with the price tag to match. So, all of a sudden, your new pup is costing you a small fortune! You want to give them treats, but you don't necessarily want to empty your wallet every time you visit the pet supply store.

A good alternative to shelling out big bucks on high-priced foods and treats is to make your own homemade doggie delicacies. Below are a few recipe ideas for making your own healthy dog treats at home.

Peanut Butter Biscuit Treats

Peanut butter is typically a favorite flavor with dogs, since most seem to have a natural "sweet-tooth". You'll want to be sure to use an organic peanut butter to avoid the unhealthy ingredients found in the processed brands.

In the Mix:

• 2 cups of flour (white or wheat, if your pup has no grain allergies)
• 1 cup of rolled oats
• 1/3 cup of all natural, organic peanut butter (smooth, not chunky)
• 1 tablespoon of organic honey
• 1/2 tablespoon of fish oil
• 1-1/2 cups of water

Prep & Cook:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°.
2. Mix the flour and oats together in a large mixing bowl. Pour in one cup of the water and mix until smooth. Add in the peanut butter, honey, and fish oil and mix until well blended.
3. Add the water a little bit at a time, until the mixture has a thick, doughy consistency. You many not need all of it.
4. Lightly flour your cooking surface. Roll the dough out to create a 1/4 inch thick sheet.
5. Use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes. Place the treats on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes.
6. Allow to cool completely before feeding.

Pro Tip: You can also make your own peanut butter by using shelled peanuts and blending until smooth.

Chicken Jerky Strip Treats:

Having cared for a diabetic dog, I completely understand the issues with finding treats that DON'T contain sugar in some form. The best dog treats I've found have been the treats that only have one or two ingredients, which typically are the most expensive on the shelves. Making homemade jerky treats is not only super simple but will save you a TON of cash!

In the Mix:

• 2 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Prep & Cook:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°.
2. Trim any excess fat or skin from the chicken. Turn the chicken breast on its side and use a sharp kitchen knife to slice the chicken into 1/8" thick strips.
3. Place the strips on a baking sheet and bake for 2 hours.
4. Check before removing from the oven. It should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy. Allow the chicken to cool completely before serving.
5. Store the jerky in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Pro Tip 1: You can substitute beef or sweet potatoes for the chicken in this recipe. However, sweet potatoes contain natural sugar, so check with your veterinarian if your dog has problems processing sugar before feeding them sweet potato treats.

Cheeseburger Slider Treat Recipe

Having dogs can be so much fun! How about making them some "cheeseburger slider" treats and invite them to your next barbecue?

In the Mix:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (or you can substitute ground turkey)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 pieces toasted bread, crumbled. (or you can substitute leftover breads, crackers, plain breadcrumbs, etc.)

Prep & Cook:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°.
2. Use cooking spray or oil to grease your mini muffin tins.
3. Mix all your ingredient in a large mixing bowl by hand, until well blended.
4. Pull off 1" sections of the mixture and roll into balls.
5. Drop into greased cupcake pans and lightly press to form.
6. Bake for 30 minutes and remove from oven. Remove sliders from pan and cool completely on paper towels.

Pro Tip: You can make these treats healthier by choosing the leanest blend of meat you can. Ground turkey breast will be very lean, but you can add 1/2 tablespoon of fish oil to the recipe to add more moisture to it as well as increase the health factor!

These are just a few homemade dog treat recipe ideas that will help keep your pooch happy and healthy. There are many, many more recipes available, so keep a look out for new homemade puppy treat ideas. As always, check with your veterinarian before switching your dogs food or treats. It's best to do any changes to your dog's diet gradually, to help eliminate allergy and digestive issues that you might discover by adding different foods to the menu.

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