Amazingly Simple Dog Nutrition Tips

A natural diet can do wonders according to Jacki Bunn, HNC Canine Behaviour & Training. Plain and simple foods such as chicken, rice and vegetables, with as few additives as possible. It’s true for you so it’s equally applicable to your dog.

Every dog is different, and there are certain factors to consider when determining the diet program and the dog nutrition that will fit the needs of his growing body. However, there are also general rules that owners must follow to ensure that their pets are getting the balanced food and supplementation that their bodies require.

You May Want To Avoid Giving Your Dog Human Food

Most vets and breeders do not recommend adding table scraps to your dog's diet. They will also likely tell you that the majority of commercial vitamin and mineral supplements that are available today are only a waste of money. When you give your puppy human food, he will not only get used to eating that type of food, but the difference in the taste of human food and dog food will cause him to reject his own food. He will become a finicky eater and it will be more difficult to get him back to eating his regular food.

Take It Easy On The Supplements

It is also not necessary to give your dog a separate vitamin and/or mineral supplement along with human food and his own food. The majority of supplements out there are ineffective and can even be dangerous to some level.

Worth a Look:

Dog Food Nutrition

Amazingly Simple Dog Nutrition Tips

A natural diet can do wonders according to Jacki Bunn, HNC Canine Behaviour & Training. Plain and simple foods such as chicken, rice and vegetables, with as few additives as possible. It’s true for you so it’s equally applicable to your dog.

Every dog is different, and there are certain factors to consider when determining the diet program and the dog nutrition that will fit the needs of his growing body. However, there are also general rules that owners must follow to ensure that their pets are getting the balanced food and supplementation that their bodies require.

You May Want To Avoid Giving Your Dog Human Food

Most vets and breeders do not recommend adding table scraps to your dog's diet. They will also likely tell you that the majority of commercial vitamin and mineral supplements that are available today are only a waste of money. When you give your puppy human food, he will not only get used to eating that type of food, but the difference in the taste of human food and dog food will cause him to reject his own food. He will become a finicky eater and it will be more difficult to get him back to eating his regular food.

Take It Easy On The Supplements

It is also not necessary to give your dog a separate vitamin and/or mineral supplement along with human food and his own food. The majority of supplements out there are ineffective and can even be dangerous to some level.

Worth a Look:

Dog Food Nutrition

Housebreaking a Puppy

One of the most common questions new puppy owners have is what they need to know about house training a puppy.

One of the most frustrating things about new pups is their habit of answering to calls of nature almost anywhere they feel like it. Your bedroom rug, the drawing room sofa, your Persian carpet; everything seems as good a place as any for your little pup to go cool his bladders on.

If you have just brought your pup home therefore, buckle up and get ready to save your upholstery and carpets by means of a simple method we call Housebreaking.

Now, here’s what housebreaking is all about. We humans tend to visit the loo when we feel like we must relieve ourselves, in one way or the other (thank god for that!). However, our pooches don’t have mother potty training them at the age of 1, telling them to take a crap at some fixed time on a shiny blue potty, and hence they tend to treat everything like a big ol’ lavatory. And that would be ok if we were dogs perhaps but most average human beings tend not to like that sort of thing. So what we have to do is potty train our doggies ourselves. And this training, to cut a long story short, is what we call ‘housebreaking’.

Now, facts first. Remember,

• No pup is able to keep himself from peeing or …well…relieving himself in some other form, till about 12 weeks of age. Your attempts at training your dog therefore must begin before this.
• Most puppies need to engage in  bathroom related activities approximately 6-7 times a day
• Every time your dog seems to be following its tail rather slowly, and doing giddy rounds around a non-descriptive area put your shoes on to take it out cause it’s getting ready to relieve itself
• Take your dog out every time it has a meal because food immediately puts pressure on its colon and bladder.

The first lesson in housebreaking, ‘communicate with your dog’. Make sure you let your dog know that you don’t like him peeing all over the drawing room loud and clear. No there isn’t any need to use violence; just a loud “NO’ should do the trick. For best results catch him in the act so that he has no problem in associating the rebuke with the exact action.

Keep a keen eye on your pooch. As soon as he looks like he could do with a visit to the good old lavatory take him out. Once he relieves himself at the right place pat him to show how much you appreciate the fact that he didn’t pee all over your favorite rug. Give him a biscuit, and an appreciative nod and he’ll know.

See, dogs are like politicians, always eager to please. They will do anything to get cuddled and patted by their masters, thus it’s always easy to make them do things as per your requirements. You want him to pee outside? Show him how happy you are when he does so and he’ll do it always, you want him to crap every morning? Give him a friendly pat and he’ll bound off to be at it everyday. For your part make sure you know your dog’s habits, build your routine round his, try and find out what his usual urinating or defecating times are, is it after dinner? Before going to bed? Or right in the morning? Take him out accordingly.

Proper communication will ensure your pooch's proper health and your peace, and of course a clean bedroom rug.

Click for a full, in depth guide on house training a new puppy.

Housebreaking a Puppy

One of the most common questions new puppy owners have is what they need to know about house training a puppy.

One of the most frustrating things about new pups is their habit of answering to calls of nature almost anywhere they feel like it. Your bedroom rug, the drawing room sofa, your Persian carpet; everything seems as good a place as any for your little pup to go cool his bladders on.

If you have just brought your pup home therefore, buckle up and get ready to save your upholstery and carpets by means of a simple method we call Housebreaking.

Now, here’s what housebreaking is all about. We humans tend to visit the loo when we feel like we must relieve ourselves, in one way or the other (thank god for that!). However, our pooches don’t have mother potty training them at the age of 1, telling them to take a crap at some fixed time on a shiny blue potty, and hence they tend to treat everything like a big ol’ lavatory. And that would be ok if we were dogs perhaps but most average human beings tend not to like that sort of thing. So what we have to do is potty train our doggies ourselves. And this training, to cut a long story short, is what we call ‘housebreaking’.

Now, facts first. Remember,

• No pup is able to keep himself from peeing or …well…relieving himself in some other form, till about 12 weeks of age. Your attempts at training your dog therefore must begin before this.
• Most puppies need to engage in  bathroom related activities approximately 6-7 times a day
• Every time your dog seems to be following its tail rather slowly, and doing giddy rounds around a non-descriptive area put your shoes on to take it out cause it’s getting ready to relieve itself
• Take your dog out every time it has a meal because food immediately puts pressure on its colon and bladder.

The first lesson in housebreaking, ‘communicate with your dog’. Make sure you let your dog know that you don’t like him peeing all over the drawing room loud and clear. No there isn’t any need to use violence; just a loud “NO’ should do the trick. For best results catch him in the act so that he has no problem in associating the rebuke with the exact action.

Keep a keen eye on your pooch. As soon as he looks like he could do with a visit to the good old lavatory take him out. Once he relieves himself at the right place pat him to show how much you appreciate the fact that he didn’t pee all over your favorite rug. Give him a biscuit, and an appreciative nod and he’ll know.

See, dogs are like politicians, always eager to please. They will do anything to get cuddled and patted by their masters, thus it’s always easy to make them do things as per your requirements. You want him to pee outside? Show him how happy you are when he does so and he’ll do it always, you want him to crap every morning? Give him a friendly pat and he’ll bound off to be at it everyday. For your part make sure you know your dog’s habits, build your routine round his, try and find out what his usual urinating or defecating times are, is it after dinner? Before going to bed? Or right in the morning? Take him out accordingly.

Proper communication will ensure your pooch's proper health and your peace, and of course a clean bedroom rug.

Click for a full, in depth guide on house training a new puppy.

Symptoms of Canine Cushing's Syndrome

Learning how to spot the symptoms of canine Cushing's Syndrome could save your dog's life. In this article we will identify some of the common warning symptoms to look out for (and don't forget, you can get more information on Cushing's in dogs by accessing this free report (Cushing's Disease in Dogs).

Canine Cushing’s syndrome is a chronic (lifelong) illness that can affect any dog (yes, even YOUR dog). If left untreated it can rapidly and severely affect your dog’s quality of life and can lead to a range of more severe health problems and in certain cases, it can cause death.

Symptoms of Canine Cushing's Syndrome

Learning how to spot the symptoms of canine Cushing's Syndrome could save your dog's life. In this article we will identify some of the common warning symptoms to look out for (and don't forget, you can get more information on Cushing's in dogs by accessing this free report (Cushing's Disease in Dogs).

Canine Cushing’s syndrome is a chronic (lifelong) illness that can affect any dog (yes, even YOUR dog). If left untreated it can rapidly and severely affect your dog’s quality of life and can lead to a range of more severe health problems and in certain cases, it can cause death.

Churchill Cautions Dog Owners Over Festive Dangers

Pine needles, glass decorations, left over food and an abundance of chocolate - this might sound like your average family Christmas but for dogs and their owners it can be an extremely hazardous environment. A survey carried out by Churchill Pet Insurance and dog rehoming website Dogsblog.com has revealed Christmas to be a hazardous time of year for dogs and their owners. With alcohol, bad weather, crowded homes and Christmas decorations contributing most to the problem.

Almost half of all dog owners admitted over-feeding their dog during the festive season. Normal table scraps, that are fine in moderation, soon mount up over Christmas and Boxing Day and dogs are often the grateful recipients of the overspill, but DogsBlog.com founder Ryan O'Meara warns against giving your dog anything extra from the table.

Churchill Cautions Dog Owners Over Festive Dangers

Pine needles, glass decorations, left over food and an abundance of chocolate - this might sound like your average family Christmas but for dogs and their owners it can be an extremely hazardous environment. A survey carried out by Churchill Pet Insurance and dog rehoming website Dogsblog.com has revealed Christmas to be a hazardous time of year for dogs and their owners. With alcohol, bad weather, crowded homes and Christmas decorations contributing most to the problem.

Almost half of all dog owners admitted over-feeding their dog during the festive season. Normal table scraps, that are fine in moderation, soon mount up over Christmas and Boxing Day and dogs are often the grateful recipients of the overspill, but DogsBlog.com founder Ryan O'Meara warns against giving your dog anything extra from the table.

79% Of Dog Owners Chose Artificial Christmas Trees

79% Of Dog Owners Turn To Artificial Trees To Prevent Injuries

The word Christmas brings up a host of emotions and picture memories – presents, an abundance of chocolate, left over food, the perfect tree. This might sound like your average family Christmas but for dogs and their owners it can be an extremely hazardous environment.

A recent survey carried out by Churchill Pet Insurance and dog rehoming website DogsBlog.com has revealed Christmas has led to more than 79% of dog owners admitting they now prefer to put up a fake tree to avoid potential dangers for their dogs.

79% Of Dog Owners Chose Artificial Christmas Trees

79% Of Dog Owners Turn To Artificial Trees To Prevent Injuries

The word Christmas brings up a host of emotions and picture memories – presents, an abundance of chocolate, left over food, the perfect tree. This might sound like your average family Christmas but for dogs and their owners it can be an extremely hazardous environment.

A recent survey carried out by Churchill Pet Insurance and dog rehoming website DogsBlog.com has revealed Christmas has led to more than 79% of dog owners admitting they now prefer to put up a fake tree to avoid potential dangers for their dogs.

Dog Agility Introduction

1. Open Tunnel: Use one barrel or tunnel at first, then add two or three more as the puppy learns to move through them. Have a friend pick your puppy up and gently put him in the tunnel while you reach through the other end and coax him to you with a bit of bait or his ball. He will quickly learn to run through it on his own.

2. Closed Tunnel: Begin as you did with the open tunnel, but hold a sheet up at the end of the tunnel the first couple of times the puppy is sent through. As he reaches you the third or fourth time, let the sheet down. Each time, let the sheet down sooner until he can run through and push the sheet up by himself. Be sure to make sure he is secure each step of the way. Do not let the sheet get tangled around him.

3. The “A-Frame” Game: Put two leashes on the puppy. Get on one side of him and have a friend on the other. Use a piece of food and slowly coax him up and down the A-frame. Most puppies want to go over too fast, so be careful. A person on each side helps ensure that he goes up the middle.

If you found this useful, take a look at this excellent dog tips resource.

6 Tips for Introducing a Puppy to Other Pets

These handy 6 tips are a great resource if you're looking to introduce a new puppy to other animals (such as cats) in to a new home.

1. Before bringing puppy home, feed your established pet a partial meal.

2. When you bring the puppy home, bring your pet outside to greet the puppy. If you have a particularly dominant-type pet, arrange this meeting a block or so from your home.

3. Walk the pet with the puppy (however well you can get the puppy to walk!) and let the existing pet sniff the puppy all he wants. Stay outside for forty-five minutes to an hour.

4. Take the pet and puppy into the house and just walk around the house for ten to fifteen minutes, letting everyone get adjusted to a new body in the house.

5. Feed the established pet another partial meal and let puppy watch.

6. Feed the established pet again, and this time put a bowl down for puppy. If the other pet comes to the puppy's bowl, tell him "No." Whenever you feed your animals, feed the older ones first, but make them respect the puppy's bowl.

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