Dog Food - Teaching Your Dog Better 'Tricks'

Dogs should have a minimum of 18% protein for maintenance when they are adults, and 22% for reproduction and growth. Fat should be a minimum of 5% for adult dogs, and 8% for reproduction and growth. But the more fat that is in the diet, the more protein there should be. Fat makes dogs, as well as people, eat less by making them feel fuller. If they eat less, and there are less of other essential nutrients like protein and vitamins and minerals, the dog will not get the nourishment it needs.
Generally, commercial pet food is made according to the appropriate guidelines, but care should be taken if significant amounts of other food is added to the diet, and it is high in fat.
But whether you're feeding your dog commercial dog food, or home made dog food, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don't end up with a fussy dog:
* dogs should be fed once a day once they are no longer puppies, or two small meals, no more. Feeding your dog too frequently when he is older can turn him appear like a fussy eater, when he is actually full.
* feeding your dog too regularly can get him into the routine of expecting to eat at those times, too, and may lead to weight gain. Letting him get hungry, and feeding sensibly, will not harm him. In the wild, dogs would eat for once a day until they were completely full.
* Don't stand and stare at your dog waiting for him to eat. He will likely think something is wrong, or something else is coming, and won't eat.
* Don't give into your dog and give him something else straight away if he refuses his meal, as he's effectively training you and not the other way around!
* There's nothing wrong with feeding your dog a varied diet, but don't keep changing the food because he seems fussy and won't eat it. Make sure nothing is wrong with him physically first, then if he is healthy, take charge of the situation. Put his food down, leave him to it, and then 30 minutes later go and check to see whether it's been eaten. If it hasn't, take it away, then at the end of the day put down some fresh food. Repeat the process, and take it away 30 minutes later if it still isn't eaten. This way you'll train your dog to eat his food, and not reinforce his behaviour.
Brian Kilcommons has a very interesting method for teaching dogs to eat their food. When the above fails, he prepared the dog food in front of the dog, making lots of 'yummy' noises whilst he did it. He made it slowly, and when the dog still wasn't interested, he put it down in front of his face, then took it straight away and threw it out. He did this first at breakfast, then at dinner. At dinner, the dog in question was more interested, but he still threw it out after putting it in front of him. The next morning, the dog was jumping up and down whilst the food was being prepared. He put it down, pulled it away, then looked at him for about a minute, then left it for him to eat. That dog now eats anything put down for him.
* If your dog suddenly goes off his food, it could be because he has dental problems, or a stomach problem. Get him checked out by the vet.
* Some dogs do actually prefer a certain type of food, just as people do. Try your dog with a variety of foods, and if he only eats one type, and will starve himself if he doesn't get it, the best solution can simply be to feed him that type of food.
* Don't feed your dog a high fat diet, or junk food, including chocolate. It's not good for them.
References: Brian Kilcommons, Good Owners, Great DogsAbout the AuthorFor more information on feeding your dog a natural dog food diet, see this article: http://www.thedogsbone.com/articles/36/1/Guide-To-Feeding-Your-Dog-A-Natural-Dog-Food-Diet For information on commercial v's non commercial dog food that might shock you, see this article: http://www.thedogsbone.com/articles/35/1/Commercial-Versus-Non-Commercial-Dog-Foods Rebecca Prescott runs the website, http://www.thedogsbone.com/

7 Questions To Ask When Choosing Dog Food For Your Pooch

Question #1 – What Size is Your Dog? – First of all, you are going to need to ask yourself about the size of your dog. Do you have a very large dog, a medium dog, or perhaps a small or toy dog? The size of your dog is definitely going to influence the type of food that you buy. When you go looking for food, look for dog food that is specific to the size of your dog. Small dogs won’t be able to get their mouths around the food made for large dogs, and large dogs are going to need something more substantial than food designed for smaller dogs.
Question #2 – Does Your Dog Have Allergies? – You should also ask yourself whether your dog has any allergies when you are choosing dog food as well. If there are certain ingredients that your dog is allergic to, you will have to be cautious when making your choice. Make sure that there are no ingredients contained in the dog food that may cause an allergic reaction with your pooch.
Question #3 – What’s Your Dogs Age? – The age of your dog is another important consideration when you are picking out food for your dog. Is your dog an older dog, a young adult dog, or a small puppy? There are different foods available depending on the age of your dog. You can find puppy food for young puppies, adult dog food for adult dogs, and there is senior dog food available for the dogs that are getting older. A dogs needs are different as they age, so you’ll need to get the right dog foods for their age.
Question #4 – Are there Any Health Concerns to Consider? – Any health concerns that your dog may have can influence the type of dog food you purchase for your dog as well. Does your dog need some dog supplements in the food to help with health problems like eye problems, hip dysplasia, or even other joint problems? Also, some ingredients may not be easily digested by dogs that have health issues, so keep this in mind as well.
Question #5 – How Active is the Dog – You should also ask yourself about the activity level of your dog too. Is your dog very active or is your dog more on the sedentary side? There are dog foods available that are specifically for dogs that are very active. However, you won’t want to give this kind of dog food to a dog that is not as active.
Question #6 – Is There Real Meat in the Food? – Another question to ask is whether or not there is any real meat in the food that you choose. The meat should be in the first couple ingredients, and good meat includes fish, lamb, chicken, and duck. If there is no meat, there should at least be “meal” listed in the first couple ingredients.
Question #7 – Is the Food Made by a Quality Company? – The quality of the company that makes the food is definitely important as well. You want to be sure that the food comes from a company that you can trust and that will provide your dog with the nutritious food that is needed. Take the time to check into the company and their history before you choose food from that company.
So, before you choose any kind of food for your dog, be sure to ask all of these questions. If you are sure to ask each of these questions before you choose the dog food, you’ll be sure to get the type of food that your dog enjoys. Also, you’ll get food that is quality and healthy for your dog as well.About the AuthorDr. Mayra Alfonso, the author of the new ebook "The Nature of Dog Healing, The Definitive Alternative Guide for your Dog" has compiled a very useful resource on dogs, including the challenges they face in health and nutrition. This ebook is an excellent source for all those who want to know the real facts about their dogs’ health. Visit Dr. Alfonso's blog at http://www.cooldoghalloffame.com,to/ get the latest, fun and valuable information about dogs. Dramatically increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free report. I reveal all the secrets I’ve personally used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Go to http://www.DogNaturalHealing.com/83percent.html right now before we wise up and decide to no longer give this valuable report for free!