Title: Dog Health Food – Are Preservatives Killing Your Best Friend?
Author: Mark Syme
Dog health food is fast becoming a vital part of having a
healthy dog. Knowing what is really in the food that
you're dog is vital to help your dog live a long and full
life. By avoiding the preservatives and additives in
commercial dog food, you could be adding years to your
dog's life.
With dog food labelling laws much less strict than human,
it can be hard to find out what really is put into our
dog's food. If a particular nasty ingredient doesn't
appear on the ingredients list, unfortunately that doesn't
mean it isn't there. Some preservatives such as Ethoxyquin
are routinely added to fish meal, which is then added as an
ingredient but you won't know what went into the fish meal.
It's a bit like those restaurants that can proclaim `no
added msg' because it's only the ingredients and sauces
that they use which contain it.
There are so many loopholes, which are exploited, in human
food that I shudder to think about what really goes into
the food we give our dogs. For example the preservative
Ethoxyquin has been banned for human consumption for
decades, but it's still legal to put it into our dog's
food. Insiders have confirmed that road kill is often added
to increase the protein amount, but that's not the worst by
far. In addition to toxic preservatives, there have been
reported cases of pets being recycled back into dog food
after being put down, complete with the lethal drugs still
in their flesh!
Tumours that have been removed from dying dogs have been
put into commercial dog food. So it's no wonder that
cancers, kidney failure and chronic allergies are fast
becoming an epidemic in the dog world. So when you see
`animal' meat or `animal' protein on a list of ingredients,
run a mile!
There are many, many forms of protein, which can
legitimately be put into dog food but are not really much
better than poison. And even offal, which isn't too bad as
a rule, can be quite harmful. Offal is mainly produced from
inedible organs but these organs can often have a high
concentration of pesticides and hormones from the animal
they came from. Basically, anything that can't be sold as
human grade food seems to find it's way into dog food, and
then promoted as being healthy!
It's no surprise that the incidence of severe food
allergies is rising either. Lots of corn and wheat gluten
is being used to fill out the bulk of dog food. This isn't
anything like a natural part of a dog's diet and their
digestive system doesn't really cope with it. Not many
dogs have a food intolerance when they're born, but they
can develop one later in life.
Allergies can lead to poor coat condition, bloating and
wind, low energy, aggression and even organ damage. While
often the effects are initially minor, if they are ignored,
they can develop into more serious health problems. And all
the time, your best friend can't tell you if they feel sick
after every meal they eat.
With all these things potentially making your pooch sick,
dog health food is fast becoming a vital part of having a
healthy dog. Making your own dog food is easy and fun, but
if you don't have the time, then there an increasing
variety of all natural foods being produced that you'd be
happy to give to your best friend.
About the Author:
Our dogs rely on us to provide them with the best possible
food and care. To keep your best friend healthy and add
years to their life, subscribe to our dog health food
newsletter. You'll find out exactly what goes into
commercial dog food and how to make your own at home,
cheaply and easily. Click here to subscribe
http://www.dog-
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Dog Health Food - Is Your Dog Food Hurting your Best Friend?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Pet Euthanasia: A Compassionate Guide to Help Make a Difficult Decision a Little Easier
Pet Euthanasia: A Compassionate Guide to Help Make a Difficult Decision a Little Easier
by Rebecca Kimes
Your animal companion is no longer the healthy, vital,
energetic companion he once was. In fact, he is suffering
and you are agonizing over the decision to have him
euthanized.
How do you know when the right time really is?
How do you know you are making the best decision for you
pet?
Are you being selfish in deciding to end the life of
another being?
These questions and others like them are never easy to
answer. Your animal companion has been and still is an
important part of your life and family. Saying goodbye is
never easy much less having to make the determination of
when your pet's life will end.
As you consider when/if you should euthanize your pet the
following guidelines will make the process a little easier.
1. Enlist the help of a trusted family member, friend,
advisor, coach or veternarian. Use this person as a
sounding board to help you reflect back feelings, ideas and
fears.
2. Set the intention that no matter what you have your
pet's best interest at heart.
3. Ask your Expanded Self to help you release any feelings
of guilt, shame or blame.
4. Consider the state of your pet's health by carefully
answering each of these questions. Is he able to get
around by himself or does he need help? Can he get outside
to relieve himself? Is he eating properly and maintaining
weight? Does it hurt to touch him? Is he interested in
things he used to love to do?
5. Consider your financial means. Do you have the
financial resources to properly care for an aged or ill
pet? Will this situation put a burden on you and your
family.
6. Consider your emotional being. Do you have the time
and energy to devote to your pet at this time? Is it fair
to the rest of the members of your family?
7. What are your main reasons for deciding to have your
companion euthanized?
8. What are your main reasons for deciding not to have
your companion euthanized?
9. Connect with your companion and have a conversation
with him about how he is feeling and what he would like to
see happen. This is much easier than you think...and you
are more than capable of doing this.
10. After you've considered all your options and reasons
give yourself a deadline for making a decision.
Making a decision about having your pet euthanized is never
easy. Following these 10 guidelines can help you put your
pet's welfare in the forefront and allow you to make a
heart-centered decision that is best for everyone involved.
About the Author:
Becky is a Divine Animal Healer who helps people strengthen
the bond they share with their animal companions. If you
need to make a euthanasia decision she can help. Visit her
at http://divinehealin
people cope with pet loss using Divine Openings. Divine
Openings frees people from negative emotions like
depression and guilt thus allowing people to live lives
with more grace, ease and joy.
Dog Health Food - Don't Poison Your Dog By Giving Him The Wrong Food
Dog Health Food – What Is Safe And What's Dangerous For Your Best Friend
Without knowing what dog health food is, you might be
feeding your best friend foods that are harming them. Some
foods can really do a lot of damage to the health of your
dog and it's important to know what's safe and what's
dangerous.
This boils down to the individual dog and their
physiological makeup. Just because you know of another dog
that ate macadamias and was fine, doesn't mean that it's
safe for your little pooch!
Here's a list of the really nasty ones that all dogs need
to avoid:
Chocolate
Most of us know about this one these days, and it really is
amazing how little chocolate can be deadly for dogs. Dark
and cooking chocolate are the most dangerous with milk
chocolate not as bad. But at the end of the day, make sure
your dog just doesn't get chocolate, unless it's specific
dog chocolate which doesn't have theobromine (the nasty
chemical in chocolate)
Onions
These damage red blood cells causing anaemia. One big
serving or regular small ones can both be harmful for a
dog. Cooked onions are safer, but still not a good idea at
all. Thankfully, dogs don't seek onions out like they do
with chocolate, but if they are getting food scraps, make
sure that there isn't any onion in it, cooked or not.
Macadamia Nuts
Can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, usually short
lasting thankfully. Just about all other nuts should be
avoided because there's too much phosphorous for a dog to
handle. Peanuts are alright because they're quite different
to other nuts.
Tea And Coffee (especially coffee grounds)
Both have a similar effect to chocolate, but often dogs
don't eat them of their own accord, so it's not such a
problem. But it's still important to make sure that your
dog doesn't get into compost that has coffee in it.
Raisons or grapes
Can cause kidney failure in even fairly small amounts, so
make sure that you don't let them too close to these either.
Taking note of this list could easily save your dog from an
early and painful death, just by being a little bit more
aware of dog health food is. A lot of the other foods that
are only potentially harmful, need to be given in large
amounts to be harmful. I hope this helps to clear up a few
misconceptions and helps your dog live a long a healthy
life.
About the Author:
Did you know that not being aware of what goes into your
dog's food could be making them sick and could even rob
years from your best friend's life. To find out exactly
what goes into dog food and how to make your own delicious
dog health food, subscribe to our newsletter, chock full of
great tips to make your dog's life a long and healthy one.
Click here http://www.dog-
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Dog Health Food - Don't Accidentally Poison Your Dog
Dog Health Food Could Save Your Dog's Life
Dog health food has the same purpose as health food for
humans. Often our dogs health is a direct reflection of our
own. But what about the additives that we aren't even
aware of, that are being put into our dog's food? Labelling
laws are much more relaxed with dog food than human, with
many loopholes that are exploited to save money.
In the production process of dry food, once the biscuits
are made and look ready, most dogs wouldn't eat them. But
to make it more appetising, a spray of animal fat is then
applied. That's what your dog's smelling when they're
eating commercially produced kibble. That's the smell you
get when you first open a bag of dog food.
You probably don't have to think hard to come up with
something that you've seen a dog eat which you would never
even contemplate eating. So in that light, what gets put
into dog food that even a dog wouldn't eat it without a
tempting coating? Most people who've looked into the
ingredients in dog food would agree that it isn't really
even food. Often there's just nutritionally useless filler,
with a small proportion of protein and additives to put
some minerals and vitamins into it.
This is also why most dogs are always hungry, their food
has so little nutrition in it, it's no surprise they're
hungry. It's a bit like if you were to eat McDonalds for
every meal and expect to get the nourishment you need. You
wouldn't expect it for yourself so why would it work for
your dog?
A dog's metabolism needs much more animal protein and it
can't effectively process too much carbohydrate. So when
there's too much in the way of starch and carbohydrates in
a dog's food, it gets converted to fat because the dog
can't process it. They aren't getting enough protein so
they're always going to be hungry. Begging for scraps five
minutes after being fed. Does this sound like any dogs that
you know?
By changing this so that your dog is getting all of the
nutrients they need, your dog won't just be surviving,
it'll start to really thrive. And in case you've been
feeding your dog on `premium' or `ultra premium' foods
thinking that you are giving them the very best, that's
necessarily the case. Often there's very little, if any
difference in the actual ingredients of the food, just
different packaging.
So you need to make sure that there is a proper breakdown
of protein, fats and carbohydrates in the food your dog
eats. And also there is a big variation in the quality of
the protein. The regulations about what makes a complete
food suitable for dogs only concerns the gross amounts of
protein and fats, not the quality of the protein.
There are many different types of proteins, road kill and
beef are not the same quality, so you want to make sure
that there are named meats and not `animal' meat in your
dog food. Another method that is becoming more and more
common is to make your own so that you know exactly what
goes into the food the your dogs' eating.
It doesn't need to be a long winded chore and is often a
cheaper option. It's also a great way to vary your dog's
diet so that they get plenty of the nutrients that they
need. Mixing up some ground beef, vegies and oatmeal is a
great way to cover the nutritional bases that your dog
needs. You can really let your imagination go, just make
sure you avoid foods like onions, raisons and chocolate in
your recipes.
Dog health food is a lot about knowing what goes into your
dog's food and making it yourself is a great way to be 100%
certain of what you're feeding your best friend. By taking
a little time to find out what really goes into your dogs
food, you can give your dog more energy and a longer,
healthier life.
About the Author:
Our dogs rely on us to provide them with the best possible
food and care. To keep your best friend healthy and add
years to their life, subscribe to our dog health food
newsletter. You'll find out exactly what goes into
commercial dog food and how to make your own at home,
cheaply and easily. Click here to subscribe
http://www.dog-
Monday, October 26, 2009
Revealed: Dog Health Food Could Cure Your Dog's Allergies
Who Else Wants To Cure Their Dog's Allergies With Dog Health Food?
Allergies in dogs are becoming more common everyday and
many people are turning to dog health food as an
alternative. By being aware of exactly what is really going
into your dog's food, you can spare them suffering and pain
and even add years to their life.
There's heaps of grain, by-product and preservatives going
into your dog's food too. It can be hard for us to figure
out if we have an allergy, so how much harder is it when
your dog can't even tell you if they're feeling sick from
their food? Allergies can make us all miserable and our
dogs too.
So what does a dog suffering from allergies look like?
Unlike humans the allergy usually comes out through the
skin rather than the nasal passage. Not sneezing but
itching and chewing. Often they will suffer from poor coat
condition, sometimes there's greasy layer to the coat and
an unpleasant smell. Often the dog's coat will be in a bad
way Also your dog can get hot spots. These are itchy areas
that often cause quite a lot of distress and irritation for
the dog. They'll end up as open sores that can take a long
time to heal. And short haired dogs can get these just as
much as long haired ones. They are most common at the base
of the tail, but can occur anywhere.
Some dogs can really benefit from regular bathing in a
hypoallergenic shampoo, as this will strip off the dirt and
bacteria that can cause or contribute to the allergic
reaction. If this is combined with a treatment to soothe
the skin it can bring a lot of relief to your dog. Doing
this every day is a good way to break the cycle in severe
cases.
One more common way for allergies and sensitivities to
exhibit is a constant scratching and worrying at particular
area. This is something that is distressing for your dog
and we want a solution right now to give them some relief.
Dogs can be allergic to the same sort of things that humans
are like pollen, dust mites and mould. So a good first
step is to simply make sure that your house is kept clean,
from dust and mould.
Another allergy that dogs can develop is food allergies.
It is rare for dogs to be born with a food allergy and it
usually develops to a certain ingredient in the food that
they are having. Often this is a grain that is being used
to bulk out the food. These grains are commonly corn and
wheat gluten that is a useless by-product of the human food
industry. It is then put in our dog food and supposed to
be healthy! There is not any real nutritional value in this
and it isn't surprising that it causes allergy and
sensitivity, especially after years of consumption.
While it is important for our dogs to have some sort of
vegetable matter to give them the complete nutrients that
they need, grains should only make up a small part of the
total diet. Meat proteins and animal fat are much more
important parts of the canine diet.
In many foods there is a preservative called Ethoxyquin
which has been linked to many allergies and even cancer.
So reading the ingredients list is really important to your
dog having the best health possible. But the problem is
that sometimes the nasty preservatives can be hidden or
added before the final processing, so it won't appear on
the list of ingredients.
It's more important today then ever to be aware of what is
really going into the food that we feed our dogs and dog
health food is a great way of giving the best to your
pooch. By making sure that we only give them the most
nutritious food, we can add years to their life and more
energy everyday. It's really a little effort for a
fantastic and lasting pay off.
About the Author:
Our dogs rely on us to provide them with the best possible
food and care, so it's our responsibility to know what goes
into the dog food that we give them. To keep your best
friend healthy and add years to their life, subscribe to
our dog health food newsletter. You'll find out exactly
what goes into commercial dog food and how to make your own
at home, cheaply and easily. Click here to subscribe
http://www.dog-
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Dog Training Courses - Which Method is Right for You?
Dog Training Courses - Which Method is Right for You?
Dog training courses can mean the difference between having
a happy dog and happy life - or not. Dogs are happier,
healthier and safer when they have loving boundaries set
for them and that's what dog training courses help you
learn to set for your dog.
First let's take a look at the overall methods that dog
training courses use. If you find a method that suits you
best, you will know the type of course that will best for
you and your dog.
Types of Dog Training Courses
Reward Training: Emphasizes positive reinforcement --
instead of punishing or yelling at your dog for what you
don't want him to do, you reward your dog for doing what
you want him to do. Rewards consist of praise and petting
as well as treats. Treats are especially used in the early
learning stages of a new behavior.
Dog Whispering: Dog Whispering is more of a general
philosophy than a method. This is a more advanced method
that should taken on by dog lovers who feel very confident
in their connection with their dogs and are interested in
learning about canine behaviors, motivation and body
language.
Choke or Check Collar Training: Choke collars are collars
that slip over a dogs head onto it neck and tighten down on
the dogs neck when it pulls too hard on its leash. Choke
collars were designed for professional trainers and for
limited use - there is a health risk to your dog's neck and
trachea when using them. In general, dog training courses
that emphasize choke or check collar training are not
recommended.
Prong Collar Training: Don't even think about this method.
A prong collar has metal ends that stick into a dog's flesh
and digs into its neck when it pulls on its leash. Inhumane
period!
Head Collar Training: Very humane collar that gently
redirects a dog's attention or the way you want him to go
instead of punishing or hurting him as the two methods
directly above do. Very effective especially when used with
Reward Training.
Clicker Training: This method takes a hand-held clicker,
which oddly enough makes a "clicking" noise when squeezed.
During clicker training, a dog is reinforced in behaviors
with doggie treats paired with the clicking noise. At some
point, the treats will be eliminated and the dog will know
it has done something right simply by hearing the clicking
noise. Very effective.
Electric Collar Training: As the name implies, this type of
training involves your dog wearing a collar in which you
are able to administer an electric shock to discourage
certain behaviors. this method should only be used by
professional trainers in the most extreme circumstances. If
you are reading this blog, collar training is not for you
-- or your dog.
Ultrasonic Whistle Training: You know of the dog whistles
that you can't hear but a dog can - right? This method uses
these whistles to get your dog's attention as well as to
train him. You will need to be trained in this method first.
About the Author:
Barry Sowder owns an older rescued terrier-mix, Spencer,
and a young pure-bred Collie, Olivia. Find the best dog
training courses for you and your dog at his blog,
available at: => http://www.dogtrain
Friday, October 23, 2009
Dog's Head out the Car Window: A Dangerous Habit
Dog's Head out the Car Window: A Dangerous Habit
For most pups, the best part of a car ride is feeling the
breeze in their furry faces as they stick their head out
the window. Despite the feel good nature of this
pleasurable experience, it's actually a very dangerous
habit.
In the early days of automobiles, most cars did not have
windshields and their top speed was approximately 45 mph.
Given those conditions, drivers wore goggles to protect
their eyes. Now that we have windshields to protect us,
you wouldn't consider sticking your unprotected head out
the window at 45 mph. Then why let your dog?
Allowing your dog to let it stick its head out the window
is a very dangerous habit. Their eyes are exposed to dirt,
rocks, dust and other debris. These materials can easily
puncture and scratch your dog's eyes. A line of pet
goggles have come out which are to help prevent these types
of injuries. However, even if you can train your dog not
to paw them off their heads, there are still many other
dangers when your dog's head is out the window while
driving.
Damage to the ears is another big concern. When the dog's
ears flap in the wind, their soft earflaps (pinnae) can
easily become irritated, swell and become very tender. The
constant and rapid flapping of the pinnae against your
dog's head from high-speed winds causes trauma to the ear
and results in swelling. Repeated trauma such as this can
cause lifelong problems for your pup.
Allowing your dog to stick its head out the window can also
lead to more severe outcomes, such as falling out of the
car or getting their head stuck in the window opening.
Taking a turn a bit too fast, traveling over bumpy terrain
or an overly excited pup can cause your dog to lose balance
and easily fall out of the window. These types of incidents
occur more frequently than one might imagine and can cause
severe injury or death to dogs.
It should go without saying; but another very dangerous
idea is to allow your dog to ride in the bed of a pickup
truck. All of the dangers of sticking its head out the
window from inside the car are increased, since the bed of
a pickup offers little or no protection from wind, debris,
or falls. In addition, a pickup's metal bed can reach
dangerously high temperatures on hot days, which can cause
damage to the soft tissue on a dog's paws.
The best place for your dog to ride is in the back seat or
cargo area of your vehicle, properly restrained of course.
Utilizing a pet safety belt, car seat, vehicle pet barrier,
or a travel crate is the best ways to ensure that your
pup's travels are happy and safe. Sure, crack the window,
but no heads out!
About the Author:
Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of
TRIPSwithPETS.
and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Kim is a
veteran of the travel industry - formerly serving as
Director of Internet Marketing for Certified Vacations. Her
mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe
in their travels. Visit her company website at
http://www.tripswit
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
5 Additives That Could Be Poisoning Your Dog - Dog Health Food Is A Great Alternative
5 Additives That Could Be Poisoning Your Dog – Dog Health Food Is A Great Alternative
Dog health food isn't just a luxury anymore if we want our
best friends to be as healthy as possible. It's not just
human food that is full of additives and fillers. Often
the leftover food that has little or no nutritional value
is being put into our dogs food. Here's 5 of the top
things to avoid in the food that you're giving to your dog.
1. Generic Fats And Proteins
If we want our dogs to eat well, why would we even consider
giving them food with "animal meat' as a primary
ingredient? Would you buy `animal meat' from the
supermarket and serve it to the rest of your family? I hope
not!
Generic meat can hide all manner of substandard animal
parts that you wouldn't knowingly give your dog. So to
keep using the cheapest parts they label them with a very
vague term like animal meat. This could always be a nice
cut of meat, but let's face it, if there was beef in the
food, they'd be labeling that way, not `animal'.
While it's true that dogs in the wild would eat just about
all the parts of an animal. Not too many wild animals
would have concentrated growth hormones and pesticides in
their organs. We've all heard of things like roadkill and
pet bodies being put into our dog's food, but we're never
quite sure. There's a whole bunch of nasty things that can
be put in under the term `animal' so it's probably the most
important thing to avoid in your dog's food
2. Corn Or Wheat Gluten Meal
These are cheap by-products of the human food industry that
have been put into dog food. These forms of protein are
incomplete for a dog so they aren't put in there for the
dog's dietary needs, just because it's a cheap way to fill
out dog food. This is also a handy little rule of thumb to
judge the quality of the rest of the food. Either of these
ingredients is a pretty good indicator that the food is
going to be poor quality overall. There's also a higher
chance that there's cheap but toxic preservatives and
additives in there too.
Rice and soy protein concentrate are slightly higher
quality but still have the problem in that they're
incomplete proteins. For a dog's nutritional needs there
is a vast difference between a pant protein and a meat
protein
3. Meat By-Product Or Digest
These are usually parts of the animals that are considered
unfit for human consumption. Why would we want to feed to
our dogs something that we wouldn't even consider? Quite
apart from that, usually those parts aren't eaten because
they are places that toxins concentrate within the body.
Some by-products may be listed as fit for human
consumption, but unless this is specifically stated it's
pretty safe to assume that it's no good.
4. Ethoxyquin
This is a cheap and commonly used preservative that extends
the shelf life of the dog food by stopping the fat from
going rancid. However this particular preservative has
been banned for human consumption and has also been linked
to many pet health problems.
There have been many cases of dogs developing skin and coat
problems from having foods containing Ethoxyquin added to
their diet. Conversely it has been noted that within days
or weeks of stopping the consumption of foods containing
Ethoxyquin, serious long-term health problems have cleared
up. And this is just the most researched effect of
Ethoxyquin, with plenty more possible nasty side effects.
5. Too Many Grains
While some grains are actually a good source of minerals
for dogs, often there's far too much of them to be healthy.
Grains can fill out the bulk of the food without meeting
the nutritional needs of your dog.
Grains and grain by products are often the waste from the
production of human food and although there is a certain
amount of protein in grains and cereals, it really isn't
the same as animal proteins. Meat is the type of protein
that dogs will get the most nourishment out of. Grains on
the other hand are not something that dogs would be eating
the wild and so their body has a hard time digesting it
properly. This leads to them overeating because they're
not getting enough nutrients but at the same time getting
too much in the way of carbohydrates that they can't deal
with. This often leads to dogs getting obese.
With all the sneaky labeling on commercial food, knowing
about dog health food is really a key component to giving
your dog the very best. Giving them the best possible
nutrition is vital and will add years to their life and
they'll be much more healthy and have more energy. It's up
to us to get educated and give our dogs what they really
need for the best nourishment.
About the Author:
Did you know that not being aware of what goes into your
dog's food could be making them sick and could even rob
years from your best friend's life. To find out exactly
what goes into dog food and how to make your own delicious
dog health food, subscribe to our newsletter, chock full of
great tips to make your dog's life a long and healthy one.
Click here http://www.dog-
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Bad Dog Training Tricks - Training Tricks for Dogs and Owners
Bad Dog Training Tricks - How to Correct Bad Dog Behavior
Training a dog in obedience is not a simple task when the
dog's owner has not received proper training himself. The
majority of dog owners do not know how to train their dog
and expect the animal to think like humans, which lead to
quite a lot of disappointment. There are simple methods
that can be learned by reading obedience training books or
watching dog training DVDs in addition to attending dog
training classes with a qualified dog trainer, dog and
owner together.
The most important thing in training a dog is to use basic
communication that the dog has learned to understand and
obey. There are 5 basic commands accepted as standard in
English, that all dogs should respond to: sit, down, stay,
heel and come. The command words used are not important but
consistency in their use is. The same words in Spanish will
be understood by a dog that has been trained in the
corresponding language.
The purpose of training a dog is to have the animal behave
properly when around members of the family, invited
strangers and other pets. It is recommended to begin
training when the puppy arrives in its new home to correct
unwanted dog behavior and teach discipline. Basic training
classes with a professional trainer start with puppies of a
least 3 to 6 months old, and before that time, the owner
should prepare himself and read a few books on the subject.
Training a dog is all about good communication between the
dog and the owner. The dog has to understand and obey
simple commands while the handler has to interpret the
dog's signals when it is nervous, excited, confused or
happy. Obedience training is to train the dog, according to
the owner's perspective, what behaviors are good and which
are bad.
There are four signals used by dog trainers to communicate
with the dog:
- The reward signal for correct behavior, letting the dog
know it has earned a reward.
- The keep going signal for correct behavior, telling the
dog it has to carry on in order to get a reward.
- The no reward signal for incorrect behavior, to tell the
dog to try something new.
- The punishment signal for incorrect behavior, to tell the
dog it has earned a punishment.
These signals can be sent with simple words or with a
little mechanical clicker.
Obedience training is most of the time a short course of 6
to 10 weeks when the owner learns how to communicate and
train his animal with a few basic commands. Breeds like the
Doberman Pinscher or the German Shepherd are easier to
train than others with a minimum amount of time but all
dogs can be trained, even the most challenging.
About the Author:
Michel Gerard is a freelance author based in Asia. His
expertise is wide and varied in a number of topics. Visit
the Bad Dog Training Tricks website and stop your bad dog
behavior before it is too late =>
http://www.baddogtr
Monday, October 19, 2009
Pet Vaccines - Are You Helping Your Pet or Hurting It?
Pet Vaccines - Are You Helping Your Pet or Hurting It?
Every responsible pet caretaker wants to take the best
possible care of their companion. This includes
preventative care including a proper vaccination schedule.
Once animals are given their core vaccines they are
typically given a yearly booster. In the case of horses, a
twice per year booster is usually recommended.
Have you ever wondered why people get vaccinated only as
children for most diseases, yet animals need to be
revaccinated every year, sometimes twice a year, for life?
For years now holistic veterinarians have voiced objections
to yearly vaccines. However long practiced habits and
routines are hard to break.
Recently there has been much scientific evidence showing
that yearly vaccines could be hurting your pet more than
helping it.
The practice of vaccinating pets began in the 1950s when
rabies and distemper were all to common and very lethal.
At that time, little was understood about the natural
immune system of animals and vaccines were in their infant
stages.
Today our understanding of the immune system has vastly
improved. In addition, the potency of vaccines has
increased immensely. For example, many vaccines are now
available for dogs and cats which protect against six or
seven viruses in a single shot.
To understand how vaccines affect your animal you must
first consider how they work. Essentially vaccines deliver
antigens, something that the body considers an invading
organism, into your pets body. This stimulates the body's
immune system which produces specific antibodies or
protection against the foreign antigens.
Yearly boosters can easily over-stress your pet's immune
system. Especially since todays vaccines introduce
multiple antigens (protection for different diseases) all
at the same time. If your pet's immune system is currently
fighting some sort of problem like an ear infection or
allergy it is all too easy to cause more problems than you
are trying to prevent.
Evidence of over-stressed pet immune systems is increasing.
Today dog allergies are the number one cause of
veterinarian visits. An allergy is simply a misguided
immune system. For example, if you dog is allergic to
corn, it isn't the corn thats the problem. The problem is
that your pet's immune system thinks corn is an antigen and
is "properly" responding to the invader.
In the mid-1990s, cats began developing malignant tumors
between their shoulder blades--right where they are
typically vaccinated. The correlation is all too clear.
Current research shows that the immunity created from a
vaccination shot lasts 3-4 years. So why are some
veterinarians still recommending yearly boosters?
Vaccines are an important tool in disease prevention and
keeping your pet healthy. However it is your
responsibility and right to have a candid conversation with
your veterinarian about creating a vaccination schedule
that properly supports your pet's health.
About the Author:
Becky Kimes is a Divine Animal Healer and Pet Loss Grief
Recovery Coach. If your pet is suffering from a poor
immune system or plagued with allergies Becky can help.
Visit her at http://divinehealin
schedule a complimentary 15 minute consultation to discover
how she can help your pet return to optimal health.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Potty Training For Puppies and Adult Dogs
Potty Training For Puppies and Adult Dogs
When you have made the decision that your family needs a
new member and you've opted to adopt or purchase a puppy,
you are going to have to make some changes to your routine.
It is a time consuming but necessary process, that of
beginning to potty train a puppy.
We start out each day with a fresh diaper and go from
there. Many puppy owners also use this method to assist
them in training their new pet to control their bladder and
eliminate large messes. You can approach this task in
several ways. One of the most successful seems to be one
which involves crating.
Dog crates aid in the potty training process by allowing
the pet owner to keep an animal isolated, particularly
during the day when the owner may be at work or otherwise
away from the animal. At these times, it is usually
difficult for the puppy to hold its bladder.
Before crating became popular, most new puppy owners were
forced to try to put their pets in a confined area and put
newspapers down to try to keep their carpeting or floors
from being destroyed. Now, special puppy training pads are
made to help with the issue. They are much more absorbent
than newspaper. There is a very large industry that has
been created, trying to aid dog owners in their quest for
full potty training, beginning with their young puppies.
First the puppy owner should take precautions to let their
puppy know that they need to do their business outside. The
quickest and easiest way to get the puppy to do this is by
taking the puppy outside as frequently as possible and
encouraging the dog to go to the bathroom while they are
outside. When your puppy goes outside and does their
business, praise them.
It is easier to get the puppy to realize that this is where
they should be going to the bathroom when you encourage
them and reward their positive behavior. Many puppy owners
take their dogs out once an hour to make sure that they
understand what to do and where. Many people use treats as
a reinforcement to praise.
It is wise to place some of the puppy pads on the floor in
your home, even when you are at home, so that if there are
any accidents, the animal will hopefully learn to keep them
on the pads. Even though it is not ideal for the animal to
go to the bathroom on the pads, it is still a better step
than them using the bathroom on your floors or carpeting.
For this reason, you may wish to reward your dog for going
on the pads, as well. Once your puppy realizes that he or
she will be going outside soon, it is easier to get them to
hold their needs. There's no quick and easy way to potty
train a puppy, but taking these steps should definitely
help.
About the Author:
Find out more on Potty Training by consulting more experts
and pick up a Free Mini-Course.
http://www.allabout
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Dog Health Food Could Cure Your Dogs Dermatitis And Arthritis
Dog Health Food Could Cure Your Dogs Dermatitis And Arthritis
Dog health food could be the answer you've been looking
for. By making your own or getting truly natural food for
your best friend, you can avoid the potentially life
threatening side effects of commercial dog food. Labels
with misleading terms can make it almost impossible to wade
through the ingredients list and find a truly nutritional
dog food.
So when was the last time that you actually looked at the
ingredient list on your dog's food? Go ahead and have a
look now. Do you know what meal is exactly? What about the
preservatives? What are they doing to your dog?
Well, from a nutritional point of view you need a certain
ration of protein, fat and carbohydrate to give your dog
their full spectrum of nutrients. Often you'll see ratios
like 40% meat 50% vegetables and 10% grain. While not
wrong, this can be a bit confusing. The actual ratios that
you want to achieve are based on protein (25-30%), fat
(30-35%) and carbohydrate (35-45%). Then you need to look
at exactly what ingredients make up those ratios. I mean,
lean meat isn't going to add much to the proportion of fat,
compared to a really fatty type of meat.
Often you'll also see carbohydrates being dismissed,
however they are an important part of a dog's health, but
it's when they are the main ingredient used to fill out the
bulk of the food that it becomes a problem.
Sometimes, pet food companies use cheap grains as a filler
for the food so the ratio might be more like 70-80%
carbohydrates, so this isn't going to be the best for your
dog in the long run. And can lead to allergies and
dermatitis just like in humans. After all it's a bit hard
to imagine a German shepherd grazing on the African
savannah isn't it? They aren't herbivores so we shouldn't
feed them like they are.
And what about preservatives? A common and hotly disputed
one is ethoxyquin. This is used to preserve that fat
component from breaking down, but it has been linked to
problems ranging from dermatitis to cancerous tumors and
dramatically shortened life spans. Unfortunately pet food
labeling requirements aren't as strict as human ones, so
some companies are adding this horrible preservative but
aren't actually listing it on the label. Which makes it
pretty difficult to track down, if you want to keep using
commercial dog food but keep your dog healthy. This is one
of the most dangerous additives but not the only one that
is routinely added to dog food and hidden.
But what about the actual protein and fat content? What
exactly are the proteins used? Some research has found a
range of horrible animal parts that have been put into dog
food. Offal and by products of other animals and even
euthanized pets, their plastic tags and lethal chemicals
intact! So just because there's 30% protein, that doesn't
mean that it's something you'd be wanting your dog to eat!
It's easy to see why more people are beginning to make
their own dog food. In many cases it'll be cheaper and far
better quality. You can give your dog a variety of meats,
you can control the quality and you can eliminate all those
nasty chemicals. And it doesn't take long either. Many
people cook up a batch once a week and freeze it. Or you
can opt for a baked biscuit type of food with all your
dog's favorite goodies in there.
Dog health food is fast changing from a luxury for pampered
pooches to an essential component of keeping your best
friend healthy. They trust us to give them what they need,
so it's up to us to get educated about what really goes
into their food.
About the Author:
Did you know that not being aware of what goes into your
dog's food could be making them sick and could even rob
years from your best friend's life? To find out exactly
what goes into dog food and how to make your own delicious
dog health food, subscribe to our newsletter, chock full of
great tips to make your dog's life a long and healthy one.
Click here http://www.dog-
