Your puppy’s diet is first on our list. Puppies are on their mother’s milk until they are about six to eight weeks old. This weaning age is usually when breeders allow the puppies to be taken home by their new owner. Ask your breeder what the pup is currently eating and continue to feed him that. Usually they will be eating a soft canned food mixed with puppy milk replacer. Use less and less milk until your puppy is on pure canned food. You can do the same when switching to dry food by mixing in a little soft food and then cutting back a little each day until the puppy is on dry food only. Dry food is recommended as the best type of food for dogs as it has less fat content and keeps your dog’s teeth strong and free of plaque build up. This should happen gradually over the course of about 7 – 10 days. You should never feed your dog human food (ie: table scraps) at any time during his life. A dog’s diet requires a specific balance of certain nutrients and feeding your dog table scraps will upset this balance. Also remember to keep a water bowl filled for your pup at all times.

The next item on the list is vaccinations. If your dog’s breeder hasn’t taken care of the vaccinations, then it’s up to you to see that your dog gets immunized. There are three separate shots given to cover the “core” illnesses, which are: distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. The first shot is usually given at 6 weeks of age with the other shots following in three week intervals at 9 and 12 weeks. Your veterinarian will be able to take care of the vaccinations for you, as well as recommend any non-core vaccines that they feel your dog should have. The importance of non-core vaccines differs depending on your dog’s breed and where you live. You will need to return to the vet every year of your dog’s life for an adult “booster” shot. You should be aware that social interaction with other dogs is not recommended until after your puppy has completed his round of vaccinations, with an additional 5 – 10 days for the immunization to become effective.

Grooming is another important aspect of owning a puppy. Some dogs have stricter grooming requirements than others, particularly ones with long or curly fur. Certain breeds of dog are particularly susceptible to ear infections and require that their ears be cleaned frequently. All dogs should have their nails clipped periodically (usually when you hear their paws click on the floor you know it’s time for a trim!). It’s very important that this is done in the correct fashion using proper canine nail clippers, as cutting to deeply in your dog’s claws can result in severe pain and bleeding.

Last but not least is exercise. Puppies are energetic by nature and need an outlet. Take extra care to spend time playing with your pup and make sure he gets plenty of time outdoors (other than trips to relieve himself!). Boredom can often result in excessive chewing as well as destructive behaviour, so the more time you dedicate to wearing out your spirited companion, the happier he will be! A great exercise trick is to buy dog steps and teach your dog fun games that incorporate running up and down the stairs. Pet stairs are also handy to have around if you allow your dog on the couch or bed so he doesn’t have to jump to and from the furniture.

For more tips on raising a healthy pup, visit HelpYourPets.com.

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You must realize that all dogs require exercise. Whether you have a Pomeranian or a Great Dane, every breed and size of dog must maintain certain levels of activity on a daily basis. Think about your dog’s average day from beginning to finish. If you can’t bring it to mind, keep an eye on him for a few days and write down his usual activities. For my dog, I drew a time line of his average day. In my timeline I wrote down when he woke up, his meal times, his usual trips outside, nap times, etc. This really helps to put into perspective whether your dog is truly lacking exercise or if a change of diet is required.

One important thing to consider is this: does your dog get to spend regular time outdoors aside from potty breaks? If not, this could be a huge clue as to why your dog might not be looking as lean as he ought to be. Dogs love to be outside—it’s natural for them and it’s a good inspiration to be active. If you haven’t been able to take your dog outside in the past, set time aside for him or arrange for a friend or family member to do let him out several times throughout the day. Try to get involved with him when he’s outdoors to encourage him to move around. Throwing his favourite ball or toy around is great, as is a quick jog around the yard. If you aren’t in the best of shape yourself, you and your dog could go to a dog park or on walking trails and both of you can reap the health benefits of walking. This is also great for strengthening the relationship between you and your dog. You can even try getting a set of pet steps to train your dog on. Not only will he get a great workout from going up and down the steps, but being proactive will boost his happiness and confidence.

After you have made your assessment of your dog’s activity level, you might be surprised to find that he gets sufficient exercise but still doesn’t seem to be as lean as he should be. This is a very common scenario among people who feed their dog table scraps or gets a bit too liberal with the doggy treats. Regardless of the fact that human food is a lot more fattening to dogs, it’s also down-right unhealthy for them. A dog’s diet should consist primarily of meat, raw vegetables, and certain types of grain. Could you imagine a dog in the wild snarfing down some spaghetti? If you are guilty of feeding your dog human food—as most of us are—try to cut back on that altogether. If you don’t notice a difference in your dog’s weight, switching to a name brand kibble specifically designed for overweight dogs may be the right solution.

Any time you feel that there could be something amiss with your dog’s health, it’s always best to make an appointment with your dog’s vet to rule out the possibility of an underlying health condition.

For more great information about caring properly for a dog, or to buy a durable set of dog stairs, please visit Help Your Pets.

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Learning about dog training should be the first step you take prior to actually training your dog. Certainly there are plenty of sources one can access, but at times it just results in information overload.

Canine training isn’t really all that difficult. An important thing to remember is that almost all dogs simply want to make their owner happy. The problem is communication. Of course there is a language barrier, and you need to get your pet to understand what you want.

Dog training can be summed up with just a few tips. Lets take a look at some of the things that I have used in order to train my dog, making both he and I happier.

Try to avoid the negatives that often come with training. Hitting or striking your dog, either by hand or with an object will only teach the dog to fear you. A stern verbal NO, is OK, but don’t go any further than that, or you risk alienating the animal. Focusing on praise and rewards when your dog behaves as it should is the better way to go.

Praising your dog of course reinforces the correct behavior. Loving or petting your dog for acting positive behaviors is of course nice, but experience has shown better results happen when treats are distributed at the time the behaviors observed. Think about it, food motivates almost every animal, so to it works with our four legged companions.

Body language can also influence your dog’s reactions. Many canines can actually can actually sense and read your body language before any verbal communication is given. A method that works well in doing this is to match a verbal command with a particular movement of either the hand, arm, or even leg.

Never giving up is the final key to successful dog training. Sure at times it is frustrating. It would certainly be easier to give up, go sit on the couch and watch your DirecTV, but you need to persist in your training. Your dog is not going to train himself, and training always takes longer than you would like. It is so important to keep this in mind when things are difficult with your dog. Things will not always fall into place, so do not give up at the first sign of trouble.

Training your dog can be both a difficult and rewarding experience. Keeping these brief tips in mind will help you keep on track in your natural dog training efforts.

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If you have ever owned a dog before, you probably know about the joy that a furry pal can bring to your life. The best way that you can repay your pooch for his loyalty and companionship is to ensure that he leads a healthy way of life.

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There are many factors that can influence the health of your pet, but the single most important one is his  doggie diet . Many store-bought dog foods do not provide the highest-quality nutrients; while they will give your dog just what he needs to function, they do not support a healthy lifestyle.

In fact, does your dog show any of the following symptoms: large, smelly stool, gaseous, burps often, sheds constantly, prone to ear and skin infections, lack of energy, or hyperactivity. If these issues seem familiar, your dog is likely not getting enough nutrients from his food.

So,  what does a dog need in his diet ? Your dog needs 45 nutrients to function properly. Major groups for these nutrients are protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, as well as water. These nutrients have to be in the right amounts so that they are properly digested and absorbed by the body.

However, not all brands of dog food provide all of these nutrients. Even expensive, premium commercial dog foods often contain ingredients that are simply not good for your dog. For example, the first ingredient in a dog food may be meat, but what kind of meat is it? If the species isn’t specified, it could be just about anything: Animals that were dead or dying when they reached the slaughterhouse. Animals that were diseased. Cancerous tumors. In some cases, plants that supply pet food companies use road-kill and dead pets from animal shelters and veterinarians’ offices. You can read more about this by checking out the Confidential Dog Food Report.

The best thing you can do for your dog is to start reading dog food labels and take the time to find out which brands offer the most health benefits. Your dog depends upon you to give him the nourishment he needs; if you fail to provide that, you could be shortening his lifespan or putting a limit to his quality of life.

To learn more about dog food company cover-ups and how to find a healthy dog food, visit Dog Food for Life.

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Have you begun to notice that your dog has become overweight? Or maybe your vet has mentioned recently that your pooch could stand to lose a few pounds. Either way, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the source of your dog’s weight problem and create an effective (and safe!) form of weight loss.

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Read on to learn about the top cause of canine obesity and how you can help your dog drop that extra weight.

One of the main reasons for canine obesity is that dog owners feed their pet human food. It can be extremely difficult for us to resist the temptation to feed our dog leftovers to save it from going to waste, or for treating our dog with bits of human food. But in all honesty, we are seriously harming our dogs health.

While most people are aware that feeding a dog chocolate can be threatening to the animal’s health, there are other foods people do not realize can be harmful to a dog.

Here are just a few of the human foods which can cause severe harm and even death to your dog:

Onions, coffee, apple seeds, peach pits, cherry pits, and plum pits, as well as macadamia nuts.

Even though you may have fed these items to your dog before without resulting harm, you should be aware that continuing to feed your dog these foods could result in a medical issue that grows over time into a serious illness, possibly even death. You can obtain a much larger list of bad-for-dog foods at the Dog Food for Life website.

You may be asking yourself, What if I don’t feed my dog human food? How can he still be overweight? There are plenty of reasons why a dog may put on some extra weight. It could be anything from leaving his food dish filled so he can eat all day (usually an issue if you have an automatic dry food feeder) to an inactive lifestyle.

Dog Exercise

Remember that pets adapt to the lifestyle of their owners so if you aren’t getting enough exercise, chances are that your pooch isn’t either.

There’s a little-known trick to helping your dog feel full so that he doesn’t drive you crazy with whining from hunger! It s called the Green Bean Dog Diet. This diet involves mixing a portion of green beans with your dog’s regular food. The green beans have lots of fiber and only a few calories, so they are a healthy way to keep your dog full between meals.

If your dog is suffering from a lack of exercise, the obvious solution is to increase his outdoor activity. Although taking him out for a nice long walk is a great choice, it’s not the only one. If you aren t able to walk, try getting a ball, Frisbee, or one of your dog’s favorite toys, then grab a chair to sit in and play a good ole game of fetch with him. On days when the weather is particularly nice, you could also take him for a dip in the lake. Swimming is an excellent exercise and will be a blast for your dog!

For other tips on doggy weight loss, visit Dog Food for Life.

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Many people are unaware that although dogs rarely experience tooth decay (thanks to their naturally non-acidic saliva and habit of chewing on whatever they can find!), they can still be at risk for infection.

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If you have noticed that your dog’s breath seems particularly stinky, this could be a sign that your  dog’s gums  have become infected. This is often caused by tartar build up below the gum line which traps bacteria inside. If this is the case, you should take your dog to the vet immediately, as infection can be highly uncomfortable for your pet and could lead to serious gum and tooth problems.

The best preventative measure that you can exercise to keep tartar from building up is to brush your dog’s teeth. This may seem a bit funny at first, but it is an important part of hygiene for dogs, just as it is for humans. You can purchase a canine toothbrush at most pet stores or online, but you should be aware that using human toothpaste when brushing your dog’s teeth can be extremely harmful and should never be done. If you are going to use toothpaste, you can purchase some that is specifically designed to be used on canines.

As we were taught when we were first learning to brush our teeth, circular motion is the proper way to brush, and the same applies to brushing your dog’s teeth. After you have brushed all over your dog s teeth with a circular motion, follow up with soft vertical strokes.

A dog’s teeth should be brushed about three times a week. As mentioned before, dogs have a habit of chewing and gnawing frequently, in addition to their non-acidic saliva, which means that their teeth don t require cleaning as often as a human s. If you really want to dedicate yourself to keeping your canine’s chompers in pristine condition, try scheduling a scaling and cleaning session with your vet every two or three years. This will help your dog s teeth stay pearly white and strong for many years to come. You can also get a copy of the Dog Food for Life eBook, which has helpful information about doggy hygiene and diet.

I encourage you to visit Dog Food for Life for more information about canine hygiene and diet.

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Many people suffered through the lost of their beloved pets in 2007 due to dog foods that contained a harmful chemical called melamine. This was a wake-up call to many families who owned pets, and one that will not soon be forgotten!

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Due to pet owners growing distrust in the dog food production companies, many have begun to make their own dog food from raw ingredients that meet all of their canine’s nutritional needs. Besides, how can one be sure that the dog food they use today won t be on the recall list a few months from now? The common name for homemade  natural dog food  is the raw food diet for dogs.

The raw diet is not a new trend, though many pet owners think it is. This diet is basically mimicking what your dog would eat if he were out in the wild. Some people have even called it the BARF diet. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods and also for Bones and Raw Food Diet.

When putting together a raw food  diet for your dog , it’s important that you understand what your dog’s nutritional needs are and that you are capable of meeting them. This may include committing a bit of extra preparation time each day or week (depending on how often you make the food). You should be prepared to do some research and exercise common sense when preparing your dog’s food. You can find tons of tips in the Dog Food for Life eBook.

So, what foods should be included in the typical raw food diet? The answer is simple: meat and vegetables. Half of each meal should be made up of meat and the other half vegetables. If you can, try and get your meat from a butcher to ensure freshness. Start off with just meat for a few days when you are switching your dog food. Once your dog has settled into this you can start adding some bland veggies such as carrots. You should use a blender or food processor for your veggies, as this will make it easier for your dog to digest them.

Don’t be afraid to add raw meaty bones to your homemade dog food. You can use bones from chicken backs, wings, and necks, as well as turkey necks, but be sure that you do not serve your dog cooked bones, as they can splinter inside your dog and cause severe medical issues. Bones are a great way for your dog to exercise both his jaws and the muscles in his upper body.

Good luck with your homemade dog food! You can find out more information about which dog food ingredients should be avoided in store-bought kibble and other helpful information for creating your own dog food and providing hygiene support for your dog by visiting Dog Food for Life Here.

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Some basic dog training may be needed for dogs with separation anxiety. It is a fairly common problem but not always recognized for what it is.

Basic Dog Training Guide — Here 

Most dogs develop a deep and loving bond with their owners, so it makes sense that they would miss you when you’re gone, however there is a difference between this natural and healthy emotion and a much deeper problem. If your dog tries to dig out of your house when you are gone or is exhibiting severe issues about you not being around, he may be suffering from separation anxiety.

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In the way that a child can become severely stressed when their parents aren’t around, a dog can also exhibit extreme behavior during separation, usually due to a life change or a past traumatic incident. We’re going to give a few examples of situations that could lead a dog to develop an unhealthy neediness to be with their owners at all times.

A year ago, Roscoe was an abandoned puppy scared and lonely when his owner found him. He now lives a happy life with a very caring and loving owner. One would think that Roscoe s story is one with a simple, happy ending until Roscoe s owner leaves the house. Suddenly, the neighbors are complaining that Roscoe barks too much, and his owner often comes home to find furniture chewed, trash bins overturned, and scratch-marks on the door.

A dog can be trained out of this with the proper dog training and a litle patience

This is a very common case with animals with a past that includes abandonment. Although a rescued dog can live a happy life and be a great pet, they can still retain issues of feeling as though they will be abandoned again every time their owner leaves the house.

Max is usually a very good dog and rarely creates a fuss. He became a member of the family when his mom was pregnant. He was used to dad being gone at work most of the day, but was content to man the fort until dad got home to play. This had been the routine for about a year now. Then suddenly, mom starts disappearing during the day as well, and Max is scared and stressed at being left by himself all day.

Life changes can have a huge affect on a pet. This can be a number of things, such as the death of another pet or family member, changes in your work schedule (or the amount of time you re with your pet decreases), or moving frequently.

There are ways to treat this, but nothing will work instantaneously. These are psychological issues that take time to overcome. For tips on handling doggy separation anxiety, read the Dog Food for Life eBook. You can also read their free Confidential Dog Food Report, which explains the harmful ingredients that are found in many name-brand dog foods, as well as the brands of food you should avoid or pursue.

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Even if you have owned dogs before, it is possible that not all of your dog’s needs are being met, even if inadvertently. We’re going to talk about a few of the things that you should endeavor to spend extra time and attention on.

The Importance of Exercise

First, we’re going to talk about the importance of exercise. All dogs, no matter what breed, need a certain amount of exercise to be in optimum health. A common excuse among pet owners is the lack of time for exercise. What most of these people fail to see is that adequate exercise doesn’t have to be time consuming. Step into the backyard or visit a park for twenty minutes so you can toss your dog’s favorite toy around.

Let him fetch it and gain the exercise he needs while you don’t exhaust yourself. If you aren’t pressed for time, consider taking your dog on a nice walk in the mornings or evenings. This is a great way to wake up or wind down, depending on the time of day you walk, plus it shows your willingness to spend special time with your dog, which is terrific!

Companionship needs

One aspect of caring for a dog that a great deal of pet owners take for granted is that of the emotional sort. Dogs require a great deal of companionship, but they also need someone to take control or they will.

Spoiling a dog can be nearly as harmful as neglecting him, so it s important that you find a balance between the two. Set aside special time when you and your pet can chill out or play around. Let him know that you value him as a member of the family, but correct him if he becomes too demanding of you or another family member. Remember that dogs naturally move in packs, which is what your family resembles. If you do not establish yourself as the leader of the pack, the dog will attempt to. This is usually a concern among puppy owners.

Feeding

How and what you feed your dog has a big effect on your pet’s health and over-all behavior. There are so many commercially available dog foods to choose from that making the right decision can be somewhat impossible. For a change, look beyond the labels and advertisements and look into what exactly your dog food contains.

The five main items that need to be in your dog’s food are: protein, carbs, polyunsaturated and saturated fats, and vitamins and minerals. If the dog food label doesn’t list a source for these (ie: source of protein should be listed as beef, chicken, lamb, etc.), then the source probably isn’t very healthy.

You may want to include, for best nutrition a range of pet herbs and vitamin supplements to complement the dog food to ensure optimal health and to reduce the risk of dog health conditions deteriorating over time

Learn to read dog food labels by visiting Dog Food for Life and reading the Confidential Dog Food Report.

Try to make these minor adjustments to your dog’s life. It really doesn t take a great deal of time on your part and your dog will lead a much happier and healthier life.

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Dog Food for Life

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Getting your dog vaccinated is an important part of ensuring that he has a healthy life. It is important that you get your puppy vaccinated before he starts socializing with other dogs to minimize his chances of contracting an illness—much in the same way we vaccinate infants before sending them to preschool.

When a dog is feeding off of his mother’s milk, he is automatically being immunized through the antibodies in his mother’s milk, which is also known as “passive immunity.”  This is a great way for a pup to remain protected from diseases while he is still very young and his immune system is unstable, but this form of protection cannot be relied upon forever.

When the puppy begins to wean off of his mother’s milk and starts eating solid foods, he won’t get nearly as much antibody protection. He will have none at all after he makes the complete transition to regular dog food. Most vets recommend vaccinating puppies six weeks or older. You won’t have very good luck getting your dog vaccinated before this age as their immune systems are usually too weak to handle the vaccine. The first set of vaccines given around this age are referred to as the core vaccines, which cover distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies.

There has to be a certain number of weeks between each set of core vaccinations, and there are generally three in total. If your pup is given the first set at 6 weeks of age, you can expect to bring him back for the next two at 9 and 12 weeks of age. Some veterinarians will ask you to book an appointment at 15 weeks for a general checkup to make sure that your dog is faring well after the injections.

You may have heard of dogs receiving other vaccinations, commonly referred to as “non-core vaccines.” They are called this because they are usually for illnesses that aren’t as severe to all breeds of dog. Some breeds of dog are particularly susceptible to a certain illness, in which case the vet may recommend that they be given a vaccine as a preventative measure.

Some dog owners fear the side effects of vaccination for their pets. This is a valid concern, but the benefits of vaccination far exceed the risks. Effectiveness may not be guaranteed 100% but with the combination of proper nutrition and eating habits, a good and sanitized environment, vaccination is a great way to protect your dog and other of your pets as well.

In addition to getting your pet vaccinated, it’s important that you provide a healthy diet. Not all dry dog foods live up to their promise of providing the highest quality of ingredients. If you want more information about what’s really in store-bought dog food, visit Dog Food for Life to read the Confidential Dog Food Report.

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