Dog Health - Creative Dog Food Recipes

by
Michael Russell

Most vets and dog experts will tell you to stay with one dog food and wean your dog off the old one if you start a new one. Contrary to the belief that dogs don't care about variety, variety may just be what your dog needs. I know my dog gets tired of the same old food after a while. Also, I believe there is nothing wrong with mixing in some table scraps with dry kibble. I would even recommend it if the food (for example is meat or chicken) is cooked by itself and no oil or flavoring added. Chopped up raw or cooked vegetables is an excellent addition, as is a tablespoon of rice each meal for your dog's health. You will be surprised at how much your dog will enjoy vegetables. If he doesn't eat it, it may not be chopped up finely enough.

Dry dog food is a must for healthy teeth and digestive tract. Canned dog food and scraps should never be an option. Mix canned and dry food if necessary. If the dog only picks out the canned food or scraps, leave the left over food out. If the dog is hungry enough, he will eventually eat it. If he consistently leaves the food, check the ingredients to see if corn is listed first. If it is, you may need to upgrade to another variety like lamb and rice for a healthy dog.

Dogs and chickens bones in most cases are a dangerous mix and should be avoided. But if and only if, you are very careful, chicken bones can be a safe and wonderful treat for your dog. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

If you do try this, you should start with drumstick bones. You should not start off by just throwing a bone to your dog. At first, hold the bone to them and let them chew off the ends only. Hold it so your fingers are blocking the middle portion and let them have one bite. Feel the middle of the bone. If it is hard or if the bone splinters when the dog bites it, don't give the rest of it. If it feels soft, let him have another bite and watch to see if he chews it very well. If he doesn't and just swallows it, don't give it again. This cannot be taught. The dog should instinctively chew it well. Never leave a dog a bone unsupervised and be ready at any time to stick your finger in their mouth and swipe it out if they start to choke on it. If that doesn't work, try to get them to drink water or give them some food you know they will eat and this should unblock it.

If you have a small dog or have a certain breed, chicken bones may not be for them. In time, you will feel comfortable giving different types of chicken bones to your dog and it will be one happy camper and healthy dog.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dog Health



Article Source: http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/258458/dog-health--creative-dog-food-recipes.html

Pet Health Alert! Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs

by
Greg Cryns

Cocoa beans, cocoa bean shells, cola and tea contain a natural ingredient called theobromine that can kill your pet when ingested. Dogs often cannot metabolize this fast enough to avoid poisoning. The amount of bakers chocolate to produce the adverse reaction is about 1 ounce for every 2 pounds of dog weight.

If your dog has symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting along with lethargy and muscle tremors you should want to take him to the vet quickly. If you are sure your dog has eaten chocolate do not wait for the symptoms to appear. In that case poisoning is very likely to occur and you may lose your pet if you hesitate to take action.

Dogs love sweet products. Make sure to keep your chocolates in tightly closed containers placed high up where they cannot reach them. Be particularly careful on holidays like Christmas or Halloween when dogs can easily pick up chocolates off the floor.

Cocoa bean mulch also contains theobromine. Garden retailer suppliers do wash this product before selling it but the best practice is not to allow your dog near this product.

The ASPCA now has a new service providing pre-recorded information on more than 125 petcare topics, including health issues and behavioral problems: 1-888-252-7387 (24hrs)

Greg Cryns is the owner of http:http://www.gochihuahua.com Go Chihuahua addresses issues for chihuahuas and other dog breeds Greg is also the founder of http://www.nursingprogramsonline for nurses and http://www.go-law-school for lawyers



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Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog to Sit On Command

by
Michael Russell

Besides the excitement of getting a puppy, one of the most challenging parts of dog ownership is teaching the dog to be obedient and establishing yourself as the dominant one in the dog-owner relationship. One of the basic obedience training points relevant in this regard is teaching your dog to sit on command.

As with every other dog training procedure, it is important to note that dogs are not humans and thus do not share your language or pattern of communication. It is important to bear this in mind, so that you will appreciate the essence of patience. For any reasonable results with dog training, it is important to be patient and repetitive with the training. Repetitions enable your dog to establish connections between your verbal commands and the action required of it. You should also learn to praise your dog every time he gets it right. Finally, the training sessions should not be boring to either of you. It is a good idea to keep the lessons short to start with and increase the time as you continue.

There are several training techniques to teach your dog to sit on command. Most dog trainers believe that you can start training your dog to sit at around three months old.

The first technique is simple and very good for young puppies. When you see your puppy about to sit, say the command 'sit' firmly and when your dog sits, praise him for getting it right. In no time, your puppy learns to associate the verbal command with the act of sitting and you can then get your puppy to sit just by saying it.

The above technique might not be that effective for older puppies. With older puppies, you can practice this second technique. With your dog in front of you, hold a tasty treat and pass it across the dog's nose and continue over his head a few centimeters high. In the process of trying to follow the motion of your hand, your dog assumes a sitting position. As soon as your dog plants his behind on the ground, say the word 'sit' firmly. If he sits down, reward him for it. Later you will not need the treat to make your dog sit on command.

Getting your dog to remain sitting shouldn't be as difficult. The idea is that when you command your dog to sit, he should remain sitting until you tell him to leave the sitting position. All you have to do is make your dig sit until you say a 'release' word that signifies that he is free to go. When in the sitting position, call your dog's name and add the 'release' word/statement. Your dog should come to you. With time, the dog understands that the word means he can stop sitting. During the training sessions, if your dog gets up before the release word, show him your disapproval and make him sit again. This way, the dog understands that he is supposed to sit until you say the release word.

These are just a few of the several techniques that can help with your dog training. Again, remember that you may not get instant results, but repetition, patience and rewarding your dog every time he gets it right, will work in the end.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training.



Article Source: http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/259248/dog-training-teaching-your-dog-to-sit-on-command.html

Can You Control Who The Alpha Dog Is When You Own Two Dogs

by
Adam Katz -

A dog owner named Beth writes:

Dear Mr. Katz,

I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie)is almost two and spayed. The buff male (Peanut) is just one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut was rescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He is incredibly devoted, a very good listener and quick learner. He is the ideal dog as he is very eager to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent and stubborn dog I have ever encountered (you've probably seen worse). She used to only listen to commands when she wanted but I have put a stop to that. I have had numerous problems with her dominant tendencies but have come a long way. She now views me as the alpha and only displays aggression when she is in pain - specifically when I brush her. She has been diagnosed with allergies, is on allergy shots and has bad skin. This is not my problem though as I think I can work through this one with the use of the training collar.

ADAM INTERJECTS: It's very difficult to correct pain-response aggression. It's more of a reaction than anything else. Use the muzzle and restrain the dog when you need to give her shots. Other times (just so that she doesn't build a negative association to the muzzle) put it on, take it off, and then give her a cookie. Do this at random times.

BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of dominance aggression toward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone near her and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I always feed her first, give her treats first, pet her first but Peanut just doesn't seem to get it. He will walk through the door before Cassie but after me. He is always one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Further, I think he is trying to challenge her because the playing time more recently has turned into fighting. It's more barking than anything -- to date there has been no blood. However, Cassie usually is on top of him, pinning him to the ground, and he lets out this barking/yelping noise when she releases, he goes right after her again until I break it up.

She also displays the same aggression toward the cat. If the cat comes into her "area" when she is comfortable in front of the fire or if the cat even walks by one of her bones she goes crazy. She'll chase the cat away with growling and quickly running after her.

ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You can correct this behavior. She will learn not to chase the cat in the house.

BETH CONTINUES: So here's the big question. What do I do? Do I continue to treat Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let them fight it out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing the cat? HELP!

Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Your book is great by the way....

Regards,
Beth

Dear Beth:

Thanks for the question.

There is ONE big point you're not conceptualizing: You can only affect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both dogs. Or you can be dominant to only one dog. Or you can be viewed as the Omega dog (the most submissive one) by both dogs.

However, you cannot control how your dogs view each other. This is a topic I've written about in past issues of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your benefit:

A subscriber wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. 'We determine who will be the alpha dog.' Correct? "

My reply:

"No, no no! You cannot do this! It's impossible!!!

The dogs' temperaments are inherent. Only you can determine if you're dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you cannot work it out for them.

You can control the dogs' behaviors and not allow any scuffles if you:

- are the alpha dog in the pack.

and

- you have voice control.

But as soon as you leave the dogs together-- unsupervised-- and go out for dinner... all bets are off. The dominant one will still be the dominant one.

Think of taking a group of four kids.

Kid#1 will grow up to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral.
Kid#2 will grow up to be a fierce criminal defense attorney.
Kid#3 will grow up to be a middle management executive for a large firm.
Kid#4: will grow up to be a peace activist and a socialist.

Now, when you leave the house every day for work, you may say, "Kid#4... you're in charge." And as long as you're around, Kid#4 may get the privileges of being the "so-called" top dog.

But as soon as you leave...

It's going to be a given that kid#3 and kid#4 are going to be the bottom dogs, and kid #1 and kid#2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "top dog." Their genetics (and to some extent, upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this. But it is the toughest kid who will become the group leader.

Even though kid #2 may be fairly tough in his own right, he will test kid#1... but will ultimately lose... as kid#1 is too tough.

Now, if kid#1 gets sick and has to stay in bed, then kid#2 becomes the new kid#1.

In other words, the "Alpha dog."

Until you get home. Then you're the alpha dog, and he becomes the beta dog.

Get it?

Beth, as far as you've described your dogs' interactions... it doesn't sound to me like you've got a problem. It sounds just like play, or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, without seeing the dogs in person it's impossible to tell for sure.

That's all for now, folks!
Adam

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com


Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: www.dogproblems.com



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Strengthening the Human – Dog Bond

by
Jack Hartley

There is no doubt that it is a joy to see a well trained dog. A dog that has been trained is well mannered and can be relied upon to stay calm in even the most distracting of environments.

Statistics also show that a well trained dog is far more likely to have a home for life, usually with the same owner. Well trained dogs do not tend to end up abandoned and living at the local rescue centre.

If we draw the comparison to any relationship in our life – the most successful ones we have are those where there are clear boundaries; where each party to the relationship knows and understands what behaviour is acceptable and what is not. By training a dog, the owner is teaching the animal where the boundaries of acceptable behaviour are and this in turn means that the dog is no longer a liability or an embarrassment to the owner.

There is no reason why owners should not train their dogs at home or by attending classes. For some of the less teachable dogs, there are even boot camps available. The key to successful training wherever it takes place is a consistency in approach. The owner, or the trainer, must determine what acceptable behaviour is and consistently reward the dog when that behaviour is demonstrated. Equally, unacceptable behaviour must not be rewarded.

If you do not want your dog to sleep on your couch – he must never sleep on your couch. Keeping him off the couch is not to be reserved for training sessions. It is very easy to separate training sessions from every day life but it is essential that the training continues so the dog is absolutely clear about what is expected of him (or her).

Dogs have no way of differentiating between training lessons and everyday life and for the owner to demonstrate inconsistent behaviour just leads to confusion for the dog.

You will want to train your dog to be sociable without making the first move. Whilst you as the owner may not mind your dog climbing all over you, there are many people who will not feel the same way. It is important that your dog learns that it is not acceptable to jump up to greet people – if he or she does this with a child it could result in an inadvertent injury.

It is important that your dog learns to behave well when socializing with other dogs. There is nothing worse than having a dog that can never be released from the leash simply because the owner cannot trust him or her around other dogs.

Few people are lucky enough to live in an area where dogs can be walked off the leash all the time. For this reason it is important that your dog is trained to walk nicely on the leash – without pulling.

The ‘sit’ ‘stay’ ‘down’ commands do nothing more than teach your dog obedience – they reinforce boundaries and go a long way to ensuring that your dog will comply with your instructions.

The number of dogs that end up in rescue centres and are ultimately destroyed every year is a tragedy caused in the main by irresponsible dog owners. If you are going to take a dog into your home please view it as a long term commitment and understand that the dog will need to be taught to please you.

The rewards of taking the time to train your dog are immense; A strong human – dog bond that lasts a lifetime.

Jack Hartley is passionate about dogs and provides a wealth of free information and resources for dog owners to encourage them to learn more about their dog in order that they might forge a strong bond with their pet. He can be found at http://www.just-about-dogs.com He also posts regular musings at his blogspot http://justaboutdogs.blogspot.com



Article Source: http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/259651/strengthening-the-human-–-dog-bond.html