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Month: December 2010
Correctly Train Your Puppy Inside or Outside of a Dog Crate
The old school idea was that you have to place your pet on a lead and even pressure the dog to behave by means of pushing and pulling your pet all over the place. In case the leash did not work then a choke collar or possibly a spiked collar was used. Dog crates were utilized for a location of punishment and also associated with unfavorable actions.
Quite a few old school pet trainers employed negative reinforcement in addition to intense punishment whenever training not necessarily very many decades ago. This technique has failed and merely made the pet terrified as well as disobedient to the owner. To get benefits which will work with the puppy, you need to be involved daily.
A pair of 5 to 10 minute teaching periods using gentle but firm voice commands will certainly accomplish a higher amount of obedience minus the fearfulness. As the owner of your puppy, you need to act like the pack leader. Among the finest and most well known voices of this method is Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer. You should be relaxed, consistent and fair. Do not burst out and yell at your pet or uglier still begin to hit the pup. Yelling only leads to fear and your puppy will cower in the corner and build resentment towards you. Hear yourself when you begin to yell at anyone about something. It seems a good deal like the neighbor’s barking puppy.
That’s the reason you might want to maintain your voice a normal tone and show your pet with hand signals along with body gestures simply what it is you desire him to do. One tip I came to find ended up being to snap my fingers to get his or her attention. After you have his or her focus then you can offer a command. Without their total attention, you may as well forget it. You want your dog to admire you not fear you. Reward good behavior. You will not always have to utilize a goody, but it is a terrific way to obtain his primary attention. Later, you are able to cycle out the treats and reward with praise.
Young puppies will do a lot of cute things which become frustrating down the road, so be cautious about what you reinforce. Don’t reward poor conduct. You should have a specified place for him or her to escape into when your puppy desires rest, and believe you me, pups do love to snooze. That’s where a dog crate comes into play. The dog crate is a location where your dog will be able to go and be safe and sound. It is not an area where he potties. Before offering him or her the command to crate, make certain that your dog has had ample time outside to relieve himself within the specified area. They will naturally go to the very same place unless of course it becomes too soiled with fecal material. Keeping this particular spot fresh can be a huge and smelly job that falls on you the master, yet it is worth it.
Correctly Train Your Puppy Inside or Outside of a Dog Crate courtesy of Dog Articles
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Adopting A Shelter Dog
Bringing home a shelter dog can be great for you and the dog, but it can be a challenge, too. Many times you don’t know much about the dog’s history or background. You don’t know if he has behavior problems. You may not know the real reason why he was turned in to the shelter.
When you bring your shelter dog home you should give him time to settle in. Things will be new to him and probably not what he’s used to. He may have been in the shelter for a short time or a long time — you may not know. Life in a kennel run is very different than living in your home so he may be rusty on any housetraining at first. Help remind him about housetraining by taking him outside frequently. If he has already been housetrained this should help put him back on track. If he hasn’t been housetrained yet you will need to work on that from the start.
Your shelter dog may be happy and start adjusting to you and your family right away — or not. Some shelter dogs can take a little time to adjust to their new life. Your dog may be shy at first and seem very quiet. That’s okay. Give him some time to observe things and slowly fit into the family. This period may last for a few days. As long as he is eating and drinking, even a little, keep giving him the time he needs.
Your shelter dog may also react by being a little clingy. Some shelter dogs may latch on to you and see you as a savior. If you spend time petting your dog and taking care of him, this kind of dog will probably be devoted to you forever. In fact, he may have problems with separation anxiety later so, when possible, you should encourage him to interact with other family members and take him for walks outside. Let him see other things and meet friendly strangers. This will help discourage the tendency to focus completely on you which, as flattering as it may be, is not good for your dog.
Regardless of how your new shelter dog acts in the beginning he will begin to relax a little and you will be able to get a better idea of his real personality. You can start finding out if he’s outgoing and friendly, if he’s always shy, if he’s active or neurotic. Some dogs end up in animal shelters through no fault of their own. Their owners may not be able to keep them when they move or the dog may not get along with the cat. Other dogs, however, may have some behavior problems then lead to them being in the shelter. You will probably find out if your dog has any of these behavior problems after a few days. These problems can include house soiling, excessive barking, jumping on people, nipping — the usual behavior problems. If your dog is an adolescent dog he may be particularly prone to exhibiting these problems. There are solutions to all of these problems but they will take work on our part.
Getting a dog from a shelter can be a great thing to do. As exciting as it always is to get a new dog you should take your time and try to choose a dog that will fit you and your lifestyle. Try to find out as much as you can about the dogs from the shelter staff. Admittedly, this isn’t always easy because the staff is eager to get the dogs into new homes. They aren’t always forthcoming about a dog’s issues. Good shelters will try to help you choose the right dog because they don’t want you to have to return the dog.
Take your time with your new dog and get to know each other. You may have discovered a diamond in the ruff.
Adopting A Shelter Dog courtesy of Dog Articles
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Pregnancy In Dogs
What are the signs of canine pregnancy and what special considerations should be made for pregnant dogs? Here are a few things to consider when caring for your pregnant dog.
The early signs of pregnancy in a dog are vague and non-specific, and include a change in normal behavior, a loss in appetite, weight gain, possibly some vomiting, and perhaps a noticeable increase in the size of her nipples. Your dog may also become more clingy and affectionate. These changes take place during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
If you want to know for sure, you’ll need to visit your veterinarian. A pregnancy test can be performed as early as twenty-six days after a bitch (female dog) has been bred. Your vet will perform a simple blood test to look for a hormone called relaxin, which remains in the bloodstream of pregnant dogs throughout pregnancy and up to two weeks after whelping.
Your vet can often feel puppies in your bitch’s abdomen after five weeks, and an ultrasound can determine whether your dog is pregnant after only three weeks. After seven weeks, the doctor will be able to see how many puppies are there and check their size, to make sure you’re both prepared for any potential delivery complications.
A dog’s pregnancy lasts between sixty-three and sixty-five days. During this time, she may prefer smaller, more frequent meals, since the puppies will be taking up space in her abdomen and there’s less room for her stomach. A balanced diet is important for pregnant dogs, and calcium supplements should be avoided to eliminate the risk of eclampsia while she’s feeding her babies. If you supplement calcium during pregnancy,you switch off her body’s natural calcium regulation system. So, when she needs extra calcium to produce milk, her body can’t meet the demand straight away. This results in trembling and seizures, and can be fatal.
The size of the litter and the size of your bitch will determine how firm or distended her abdomen looks and feels. As the weeks go by, she will gain weight and her abdomen can become quite pendulous. You can often feel the puppies moving during the last couple of weeks of her pregnancy. Her nipples may leak a little milk as she gets closer to her delivery date.
Exercise is important during pregnancy, but it should be gentle and not too strenuous, similar to that for human mothers approaching the final stages of their pregnancy. If any bleeding or vaginal discharge develops, or if your dog stops eating or becomes very lethargic, it may be time to call a veterinarian for advice.
In the final days before delivery, your bitch will become restless and begin her nesting behavior. That’s an indication that it’s time to provide her with a proper whelping box for the birthing process. Towards the end of her pregnancy, your dog’s temperature will drop from a normal 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit to between 97 and 99 degrees. This is a sure sign that she will deliver her pups within 24 hours.
Pregnancy in Dogs courtesy of Dog Articles
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Raw Food Or Kibble? Who’s Right?
If you have a dog you’ve probably heard these debates: should I feed my dog raw food or should I feed my dog kibble? Which one is better? Who’s right? Who knows? Who can say? They both claim to be right but then you hear good and bad about both sides. There is so much confusing information. Who knows what you should do?
The truth is that people who feed both kibble and raw food diets can have healthy, happy dogs but making sure your dog is getting the proper nutrition on either diet can take a little effort.
Feeding dry food or canned food may seem like an easy solution but there are so many different kinds of foods these days that it can be difficult to choose wisely for your dog. You can buy every kind of dog food from gourmet to food made from the cheapest filler ingredients. Your dog’s health can have a direct relation to the ingredients in the food you feed.
The best way to judge if what you are feeding your dog is good for him is by your dog’s health and appearance. Does your dog look good? Is he a good weight or is he too fat or too thin? Is his coat shiny and healthy-looking? Does he have greasy-looking coat or bald patches? Does he have dandruff? Does he itch and scratch or otherwise seem to have allergies? Does he have ear infections? Are his eyes clear? Does he have good energy for his age?
If you have any concerns about any aspect of your dog’s health or appearance you should look at what you’re feeding your dog. If you’re feeding a kibble (dry food) you should read the label. Check the ingredient list. What are the first five ingredients? Do you see named sources of protein among the first several ingredients? Protein sources like chicken meal, lamb meal, fish meal, and eggs are good sources of protein for dogs. Since they are named protein sources you know exactly what your dog is eating and your dog can digest these protein sources easily, getting maximum nutrition from them. Other protein sources, such as “animal meal” and “animal digest” are sketchy and can include many undesirable parts of unnamed animals. Corn is often used as an inexpensive protein source but it is not as easy for dogs to digest. Dogs can only digest about 54 percent of the nutrition in corn. The rest passes through them to be deposited as waste in your yard.
Many people have become interested in feeding raw since the pet food recalls in 2007. They like having the feeling that they are controlling what their dogs are eating and that they are fixing the food themselves. They can assure themselves that the food comes straight from a butcher or from the meat counter of their own supermarket — the same places where they buy their own food.
On the other hand, feeding dogs a raw diet does require some extra effort. In order to keep costs down it’s often necessary to buy in bulk. This means, for many people, that they need to purchase a small extra freezer to store meat. Feeding raw also means that you may need to purchase a meat grinder to grind meaty bones for your dogs. You may have to make some investment in these appliances if you wish to continue to feed your dogs a raw diet.
In order to make sure your dog is having all of his nutritional needs met you will also need to provide supplements to his diet. Your dog can’t live on protein and the calcium in bones alone. He’ll also need vitamins and minerals.
As you can see, there is no one right way to feed your dog. Your dog can receive good nutrition from both a kibble diet and from feeding raw if you are prepared to go some research and make the effort.
Raw Food or Kibble? Who’s Right? courtesy of Dog Articles
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10 Of The Best Dog Movies
10 of the Best Dog Movies Once a household pet, the man’s best friend now reins supreme as the new star of Hollywood. Our furry friends can handle anything their paws touch. From action heroes in the form of Underdog and Rex the Firehouse Dog, to our favourite American football champion Buddy. The world has gone barking mad for four pawed celebrities. Defeating villains, saving humans and showing loyalty amongst breeds, please be spoilt for choice as we celebrate canine cinema.
10. Lassie (2005) Kick starting the countdown is the classic Lassie, which sets beautiful dogs against beautiful scenery. A timeless tale of loyalty, dedication and faith charts the story of the Carraclough family. Young boy Joe, bullied at school, seeks comfort in his furry friend Lassie. When his father’s mine is decommissioned, Joe is left more miserable as his father is forced to sell loyal Lassie to the Duke. Plagued by ill treatment by the Duke’s servant, Lassie ventures home time after time. Taken to the Scottish highlands for holiday season, Lassie must embark on the toughest journey home yet. A true educational journey earns Lassie credibility and respect. Teaching our generation of kids about the tough times with our fluffy friends make Lassie an obvious family favourite.
9. Underdog (2008) An accident in Dr. Simon Barsinister’s lab gives ordinary beagle Shoeshine the extraordinary ability to talk. Complete with superhero costume, Underdog must save the city from crooks Barsinister and henchman Cad and sweep Spaniel Polly Purebred off her paws. Droopy eared cutie Shoeshine and posh Polly make quite the dashing duo. They’ll have to watch out for my dog Max though. His eyes were hooked on pretty Polly….I think he has a crush… Put your paws together for this insecure beagle come dazzling super dog.
8. Homeward Bound The Incredible Journey (1993) The legendary Homeward Bound sees a truly wonderful dog cat dog trio embark on one mighty journey. After their owner Bob has to leave for San Francisco, Shadow the Golden Retriever, Sassy the cat and American Bulldog Chance are left at a friend’s Oregan ranch. Becoming increasingly concerned for their owner’s safety, the brave trio venture across the stunning Sierras facing a host of dangerous animals, a cascading waterfall and a terrifying dog pounds. Strength and love conquer all as the heroic threesome reunite with their family. The humorous trio combined with the power of their spirited drama will have all the family hooked. Chance wins best character for me with his witty lines that will win over parents and children alike.
7. Firehouse Dog (2007) Hollywood icon Rex is living the high life until an aerial movie stunt goes wrong and the pampered pooch turns to sorry stray in the city. Rescued by troubled 12-year-old boy Shane, whose struggling father captains the ragtag crew of a rundown fire station, Rex learns that true happiness in life comes from loyalty and friendship. When the fire station is hit by an arson attack, the courageous canine rescues the boy bringing the family closer than ever. Prepare to shed a tear as Hollywood owners of the famous firedog claim him back…only to smile again as fake hero turned real hero is returned to Shane and father. Watch out for Rex’s stylish quiff and his paw-rilliant swing down the fireman’s pole!
6. Beethoven (1992) After narrowly escaping being dog knapped by two thieves, a St. Bernard puppy sneaks into the Newton family home. Later named Beethoven, the family take him to the vet for a routine medical, unaware that Dr. Herman Varnick wants Beethoven for deadly animal experimentation and employed the thieves to seize him. As father George grows more concerned about Beethoven’s ways, his family grow more attached to their slobbery addition. Cruel Varnick plots to retrieve Beethoven for his evil ploys, leaving his family to convince father George to rescue the poor pooch and put the baddies behind bars. With loads of follow on Beethoven movies, this gorgeous slobbery fella has earned the hearts of millions. An incredible family classic that will have the kids after a Saint Bernard! Check out the huge hound on the vet’s table….
5. Turner and Hooch (1989) This countdown would not be complete without the Hanks and Hooch team. Hanks plays cop Scott Turner, who bags slobbery Dogue de Bordeaux Hooch, key witness to the Amos Reed murder case Hanks has taken on. In true doggie style, the wrinkly lump of fun destroys Turner’s house and car but uses his canine intuition to help Turner win love interest Emily Carson. The Hanks and Hooch duo uncover a money-laundering act led by Turner’s Chief Howard Hyde. A scene both of honour and sadness to us doggie lovers sees Hooch give his life for his master. Happiness prevails when Turner and Emily marry and cute Collie Camille gives birth to puppies. The Hooch legacy lives on in the form of puppy Hooch look-alike. Hooch is undoubtedly the red carpet star of the show! If only there were Dogscars…
4. Air Bud Golden Receiver (1998) Scoring points with all the family is Buddy, a fit and fast golden retriever who strikes gold on the Timberwolves pitch. After his basketball player owner turns quarterback, Buddy is desperate to join and the team soon discover their star player. Trouble strikes as word spreads about the skilled sports dog and Russian circus owners plot to dognap the pooch. Donning his own helmet and uniform, Buddy, Josh and new father figure Patrick team up to overcome the villains and lead the Timberwolves to the state championship. Many, many doggy moments have earned Buddy his spot in the top five! From his cool Buddy in hat and shades look to the cheeky Buddy burps. Check out monkey Mortimer skateboarding too! Villain Natalia is a less convincing version of Cruella de Ville and even has de Ville-esque moments when she and clueless sidekick fall into a muddy lake. The movie is a tad corny in places but we can forgive those.
3. Hotel for Dogs (2009) As orphans Andi and Bruce struggle to keep dog Friday under wraps from their guardians, they discover an abandoned hotel. With the help of their trusty companions, they transform the old building into a fully-fledged 5 star pad for their growing brood of furry residents. Shed loads of dogs, awesome gadgets and the love between siblings make this a spectacular dog movie just edging Buddy. My dog couldn’t keep up watching the ultimate dog race through the city! Watch out for Lisa Kudrow’s funny performance as Andi and Bruce’s guardian. Wannabe rock star earns her place alongside partner as the hotel entertainment. Not sure the doggy residents quite feel the vibe…
2. The Shaggy Dog (2006) Just missing out on the top spot is The Shaggy Dog. Deputy District Attorney Dave Douglas is unaware that his latest client, Dr. Cozak, is in fact a criminal carrying out tests on mutant animals. When Dave is bitten by 300-year-old Shaggy the sheepdog, he is infected with a top –secret serum that sees him morph into a loveable sheepdog. Realising that he is both defending a criminal and letting his family relationships slide, he must join forces with the mutant animals to prove Cozak’s evil ways and restore his treasured relationships with his family. Starring meditating sheepdogs, rabbits and mice, a snake with a furry tail and a bulldog with a frog body, this movie is one of a kind. The mutant crew crammed in the car with Douglas is ingenious with fellow road users shocked. Tim Allen’s canine capers will have parents and children alike in stitches. Make sure you watch the extras also. Dogtastic!
1. 101 Dalmatians (1996) Please be upstanding for the ultimate dog movie: 101 Dalmatians. Perfect Dalmatians Pongo and Perdita and their owners Roger and Anita are overjoyed when Perdita gives birth to 15 puppies. When the news reaches evil Cruella De Ville’s ears, she and her goofy sidekicks Jasper and Horace conjure up a plan to steal the dogs. Dogs of the city come together to find the dogs and get them home. But 15 puppies don’t return…101 Dalmatians do! Glenn Close perfects the villain role with her daft associates bringing laughter throughout. Doggie lovers will melt at the sight of all those dogs! With their trusty pals across the city, the movie is super loaded with dogs of all breeds! A mega treat for the dog fan! The Dalmatian wedding is one of my ultimate favourite scenes in canine cinema. Another favourite will have all the family chuckling as bike-riding Roger is dragged by Pongo around London in search of Perdita only to dodge through numerous crowds, braces himself down steps and ultimately land in a dirty lake. That’s doggy love for you.
10 Of The Best Dog Movies courtesy of Dog Articles
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Dogs and Diabetes
It may surprise you to learn, but dogs can develop diabetes just as people can. Diabetes is a life-threatening illness so you will need to closely monitor your dog’s blood sugar and provide him with the correct medication. You will also need to carefully manage his diet.
As with people there are two types of diabetes in dogs: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is also divided into two types, Type I diabetes which can occur in the early years of a dog’s life and which is also called juvenile dog diabetes. And Type II diabetes. This kind of diabetes usually appears in elderly dogs. It is most often characterized by the dog’s dependence of insulin.
With diabetes mellitus dogs typically have an insulin deficiency. The dog’s body is unable to metabolize sugar very well. This is the more common and the more dangerous kind of diabetes in dogs.
With diabetes insipidus there is a lack of vasopressin. This is an anti-diuretic hormone that controls the kidney’s absorption of water.
As dogs age they are more prone to acquiring diabetes. Larger dogs are also more likely to get diabetes. Overweight female dogs are also very prone to diabetes. Diabetes will depend on the dog’s pancreas secreting the correct level of insulin to use all of the glucose produced by the body. If the pancreas doesn’t produce the right amount, then the diabetic problem occurs.
Symptoms of diabetes can include:
Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration, and sudden cataract formation
Diabetes is an endocrine disease and it is also influenced by heredity. Being controlled by the endocrine system, it is also considered an autoimmune system disease and when diabetes occurs it can lead to other autoimmune system problems. Early diagnosis is very important. Your vet will need to perform a sugar blood test to get a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, you will need to continue to monitor your dog to make sure he stays in stable condition.
You will need to talk to your vet about medications and your dog’s diet. He or she can tell you what foods will be good for your dog and which kinds of food to avoid. You will need to make regular visits to your vet so he or she can monitor your dog’s health.
Depending on your dog’s case, medication may be needed to help with the diabetes. Insulin injections may be needed. They can often help a dog live a normal life and extend his life for many years.
Diabetes can sometimes lead to other diseases, such as heart problems. There can be circulatory problems. You should watch your dog for signs that he could be developing other health problems, but with the proper diet and medication he should be able to live a reasonably normal life.
Dogs and Diabetes courtesy of Dog Articles
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Dog Breeding Tips
Breeding dogs is very tempting if you’re a dog lover. You’ll get to spread your passion for the animals and you can even earn an income. Even so, there is a lot to think about before you get started.
The first thing you need to realize is that your dog might not fit the bill. You should breed dogs that are from the highest pedigree. It is also important to make sure they have an even temperament and are without any genetic defects.
For the good of the puppies, never breed a dog that has these problems. Even if you sense a problem with the uterus you should make sure your pup can cope with the litter and is at least two years old. If not, it’s not a good idea to breed.
If your bitch meets all the requirements you almost have a green light. Next, you need to consider the puppies that would come out of the breeding. It is important to be sure you have enough room for 12 puppies in a space that can handle the noise level.
It can be very stressful being there for the birth of these puppies and the process can take over 12 hours. Beyond that you need to be there to clean up after the dogs, wean them, and feed them. This food and other materials can end up costing a lot of money. Don’t forget about the vet bills either.
Beyond the first weeks of care you need to figure out what you’re going to do with the puppies. Whether they are mixed breed or pedigree you may want to sell or give them away. Obviously, a pedigree dog is worth a lot more money to prospective buyers than a mutt.
Make sure you don’t just give the puppies away to anyone that walks into your facility. You need to make sure they are going to a good home. If you find that they were taken to an undesirable location you might even need to take them back in.
If you’ve made up your mind that breeding is what you want to do then you can start to look for a stud dog. If your bitch is pedigree then you want to make sure the stud comes from the same quality background. You can also examine the female dog’s weaknesses and find a stud that will make up for those weaknesses. For example, one might not have a beautiful coat but you can make up for it with the other.
Just remember that money is not the ultimate goal here. Breeding quality animals and making sure they have a wonderful life is. You can have a very fulfilling time as a dog breeder as long as you follow these guidelines.
Dog Breed Tips courtesy of Dog Articles
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7 Reasons To Get Better At Dog Grooming
Grooming your dog is an essential part of dog ownership. Many people are familiar with the basics such as removing tangles and shampooing for a great, clean shine. It’s worth looking further into the world of dog grooming because there are many benefits you may not have considered before.
The first thing to realize is that grooming is not just for improving the look of your dog’s coat. There are also many health benefits if you groom regularly. You’ll want to start right away because:
1. Grooming will take away dead hair and skin. This will not only remove an unsightly and unwanted mess, it will also improve that air circulation to your dog’s coat. This is essential in the summertime when it’s hot and humid.
2. You’ll also find that grooming increases the blood flow to hair follicles. In turn, this will improve the health of your dog’s whole coat.
3. Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, which is similar to the results a human would get from a deep tissue massage.
4. Another benefit of grooming is that it will put your dog in a great mood. Combine this with your gentle voice and you’ll be helping to strengthen the bond that is between you.
5. A benefit that many people don’t think about is that you will become more familiar with your dog’s body while grooming. That means you will be able to detect many health problems that might occur.
6. You may find ticks or other insects that are attached to your dog. These can be very deadly so keep an eye out for them.
7. While you are grooming your pet you will also want to clip their nails. This will give you a chance to check the pads of their feet to see if there are any problems.
If you don’t have the essential grooming materials you can certainly find them at your local pet supply stores. If you would rather shop online there are many stores that offer the equipment for sale as well. As an added bonus you will also find a lot of great information and advice on the web.
For those who want to know more, your local community college may offer a program to teach dog owners how to groom. Dog clubs and other dog related groups might offer training as well.
If you move beyond the basics and become an excellent groomer you might even want to think about starting your own service. There are many pet owners who don’t have the time and know-how to groom their dogs themselves, but know it is a necessity. Turn their ignorance into dollars as you groom others’ pets part time or even full time.
Even if you don’t opt to start your own service you will be able to rest assured that your own dog is being properly cared for. There are obviously many rewards that go hand in hand with grooming, so start as soon as possible.
7 Reasons To Get Better at Dog Grooming courtesy of Dog Articles
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Diet And Exercise Is Important For Any Dog
When you own a dog it is your responsibility to look out for the care and health of your dog. An important part of your dog’s health is his exercise and diet. If these are not monitored very closely and he is not given a proper nutritionally balanced diet and exercise, your dog can become hyper and destructive (which can lead to giving up ownership because the dog is no longer manageable) or it can become lazy and obese which is very dangerous to any dog because weight issues compound much faster on a dog than it does for a human. Obesity in dogs can greatly reduce the dogs lifespan and shorten the time you have to spend with your best friend.
It is our job to control the amount and what he/she eats to be sure that it is a healthy amount of a good, well balanced diet. Some dogs know no limit to the amount to eat and will make themselves extremely sick and obese if we don’t do our part to keep them healthy. Every food is different varying greatly as far as the recommended amount to feed and not all food bag suggestions are accurate for every dog. Your vet would be the best person to consult for more assistance in diet recommendations. Giving your dog table scraps can not only create an ill behaved beggar but can contribute to obesity and other health problems.
A dog should be kept lean and trim, he should not be all ribs and bony, neither should he be roly poly. When a dog is much heavier than he should be, or obese, he should be given more exercise and less fat intake and fillers and more protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. He should not be allowed to freely graze but rather given a set amount of time to eat what he needs and then the food should be removed until the next meal time. All table scraps should be discontinued as they lack any nutritional value and contribute to weight gain. Your dog should be sent away and kept away from your table when you are eating so that he is discouraged from begging.
You can help him get used to this change by feeding him first in another room. Not all dog foods are healthy. It is necessary to research the food before giving it to him to be sure that it contains a balance of the necessary proteins, grains, vitamins, vegetables fiber and minerals and a strict amount of food should be supplied for him at a set time. Some fats are necessary in a dogs diet, the objective is to pay close attention to which ones you are providing him or her with and the amount you giving him. Human foods and sugary foods can convert to fat in a dog’s digestive systemleading to additional weight gain. A senior dog should be kept on a low calorie, high fiber diet. An older dog that refuses to eat or is disinterested in food, may be encouraged to eat by first moistening his food, then if that hasn’t worked, try an all natural gravy supplement or as I’ve found to be tried and true, (only if you are sure that your dog is not lactose intolerant) very small amounts of cheese, scrambled eggs (minus the butter) or peanut butter.
When a dog is too skinny, he may be given extra food that is nutritionally balanced and by supplementing with an all natural gravy diet supplement, you can help him reach his recommended target weight. Once he reaches this goal, you can return to regular recommended feedings. Maintaining a healthy weight for your dog is a series of constant slight adjustments through his lifetime. When he is too skinny or underweight, feed him a little more and when he is overweight, cut back. By paying close attention to this and making these adjustments you will keep your dog healthy and have your best friend around a whole lot longer.
Walking or jogging with your dog or playing with him and throwing balls or Frisbees to make him run and chase them are great ways to help your dog burn calories and aid in weight loss. Letting your dog play with other well behaved, vaccinated canine playmates is another great activity that will help him as well.
Diet and Exercise is Important For Any Dog courtesy of Dog Articles
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