Nutritional Needs For Different Dog-types

Nutritional Needs For Different Dog-types

While the first dogs were undoubtedly kept as companions, it probably did not take long to realize the working value of this newly-made friend. Even before the history of dogs was recorded, these pets were helping man for a variety of purposes, mainly to hunt for food. In those days, however, hunting was not a sport, but serious hard work.

Today the dog still helps man in his quest for food, but the nature of the job has taken on a different form. The dog still helps man to hunt, but for a different reason. Whatever the purpose or nature of the job, the performance of work always requires time expenditure of energy. As a consequence, every working dog’s primary dietary need is increased energy. Whenever dietary energy is increased, those B-complex vitamins, minerals, and the water necessary for burning the energy must also be increased.

Except for this increased need for energy and the nutrients to burn it, working dogs require most nutrients at no greater levels than non-working dogs. When working dogs eat large quantities of ordinary maintenance dog foods to obtain all of the energy they need, they frequently consume some of the nutrients in excessive amounts. Paradoxically, they may also eat such large quantities that the digestibility of all the nutrients in their diet are adversely affected and some nutrients may actually be obtained in inadequate amounts.

In other cases, a working dog simply cannot, physically, eat all of a food needed to supply its energy needs. In these instances the dog suffers from the lack of total digestible energy, and loses weight. If the condition is allowed to continue, the dog will reduce its activities in order to reduce its caloric demands. If the dog is forced to continue working at the same pace, it will lose weight faster and laster, and eventually work itself to death.

Herd Dogs are the most common working dogs that are fed in the United States. Herd Dogs are dogs that wattle or protect animals use the least amount of extra energy of any of the working dogs. They seldom are required to expend energy in excess of normal activity for any duration of time. Even their short-term expenditures of energy are not very great. The only time herd dogs ever utilize large amounts of energy are when they are rounding up strays, lost or semi-wild animals running at large.

Justin Bryce is the Proprietor of http://www.dogtreatrecipes.com.au
Stop by for dog treats and recipes and fantastic dog health and care tips plus way’s to spoil your dog.

5 Effective Dog Training Tips

Whether you just got a new puppy, or you adopted an older dog, no doubt you want to train your dog to be well behaved. This can vary from house training your dog, to training your dog how to sit and stay. No matter what kind of training you are trying to do with your dog, there are some tips that can be very helpful to you. The following are five effective dog training tips that can help you train your dog in half the time.

Dog Training Tip #1 – Use Positive Reinforcement – Unfortunately there are many people who try training their dog by using negative techniques, and this is not an effective way to train your dog. Instead of yelling at your dog or giving him negative attention, it is important that you positively reinforce his good behavior when you are training him. Use praise, petting, and even treats whenever he performs well. You want the training to be fun for you and your dog, so make sure you use positive reinforcement for the best results.

Dog Training Tip #2 – Use Short Training Sessions – Just like children, dogs can be overwhelmed by a great deal of new information at one time. If you try to teach them too much in one setting, more than likely they will forget a good deal of it by the next day. It is best if you only have training sessions that last about 15-20 minutes with your dog. Every time you have a training session with your dog, try to focus on only one new command and reviewing previous commands that have been learned. This will help your dog better retain the information and training.

Dog Training Tip #3 – Use a Pleasant and Firm Voice – When you are training your dog the voice that you use is very important. You should be sure that you use a voice that is pleasant; however, you also want your voice to be firm and commanding as well. Make sure that your voice reflects that you are in control, but be sure that you do not sound mean.

Dog Training Tip #4 – Have Patience with Your Dog – If you are going to train your dog, you are going to need to make sure that you have plenty of patience. No doubt it will not be easy, but you need to make sure that you show your dog patience and not frustration. If you do not think that you have the patience to train your dog, then you may want to send him to obedience school or have someone else do it for you.

Dog Training Tip #5 – Avoid Any Distractions While Training – Another important tip to remember when trying to train your dog is to avoid any distractions while you are training your dog. If you happen to own any other pets, make sure that they are not around when you are trying to train your dog. You want the area to be free of distractions so your dog is focused on you and what you are trying to teach him.

Dogs for people with allergies – Part 1

There’s nothing worse than having to give your beloved dog a hug and then being overcome with horrific sneezing attacks, itchy watery eyes, and the feeling of suffocation. All you want to do is play with your pet whom is ever so faithful to you, but having an allergy holds you back.

I have always been an extremely allergic person. In fact, the allergy doctors exact words were: “You are allergic to life”. Being a huge pet lover this could have been heartbreaking, but I wouldn’t let it hold me back. I refused to give up my pets and was willing to suffer the discomfort in order to keep them around me. For a long time I just made sure to keep my pets out of my room, to wash my hands everytime i touched them, take countless allergy medications, and to vacuum incesantly. These actions did help the allergic reaction to my Golden Retriever, but the allergy was still always there and some days would come out worse than others.

About five years ago, my Golden Retriever died and we got a new dog. This time we got a Mini Schnuazer. He is a great and friendly little dog, and the best thing about him: Hypoallergenic! It is really quite amazing how he doesn’t seem to affect my allergies or asthama. His hair is very short and he barely sheds at all. I can pet him without running to wash my hands and he can even sleep on my bed! It was so amazing to not have to worry about the allergy attacks with him around. I have had him now for a good amount of time and have never felt that discomfort that I always do with other breeds.

Miniature Schnauzers are not the only hypoallergenic dogs out there either. There are many different breeds that produce such small amounts of dander that they will not bother those who are allergic to dogs. Many terrier breeds are included in this category, as well as the adorable lhaso apso, maltese, mini poodle, shih tzu, havanese, australian cattle dog, and many others.

It is such a wonderful thing that these hypoallergenic dogs are out there for all the allergy sufferers who love animals. Its a horrible feeling to be made sick by something you love. You can cuddle and play all you want with these hypoallergenic dogs and they will not make you miserable!

Just because you have a dog allergy, that doesn’t have to stop you from having one as a pet. Dogs provide so much joy in peoples lives and it is great that anyone can have them. Hypoallegenic dogs save many people from the heartbreak of being unable to have one, or having to give one up due to an allergy.

What is the Green Bean Dog Diet?

For some time now people have playing around with the idea of the green bean diet for dogs. You may have already know about this and are considered trying it. Let’s take a look at the green bean dog diet and discuss some of the problems and advantages of it.

If you decide to feed your dog the green bean diet, you should know that you can not only feed your dog green beans. By only giving your dog this green vegetable diet would not be the right healthy decision for your dog’s diet. Pet owners should find the balance between dog food and green beans that will produce the desired results.

The green bean dog diet is standard kibble for your pet mixed with a amount of green beans. These green beans are a healthy way to keep your dog full between meals. Adding some green beans to the food at meal times will help your dog’s diet and keep your dog feeling full and happy between meals.

Should all dogs be eating the green bean diet? No not all dog’s should have green beans added to their meals. The green bean dog diet is ideal for dogs who should lose weight. Many pet owners continue to use the green bean dog diet to help keep a healthy weight for their pet, This is after the initial weight loss.

It is not often that your dog will turn there nose up at the green beans. Dogs feel fuller and will have more of a happy attitude towards you. Also a increase in health and vitality.

One down side to think about when you decide to change your dog’s diet over to the green bean diet, is the larger amount of fiber your dog will consume. Some dog’s systems can react to this, so you will need to monitor your pet’s outputs. Begin adding the green beans a little at a time and gradually increase the amount. Some pet owners find it helps to only add the green beans to there dog’s diet at one meal time during the day, this is done keep there dog’s potty schedule in order.

If you do decide to use the green bean dog diet as your dog’s diet, then there are a few tips to keep in mind. You will need to purchase a re sealable lid to cover the open can of green beans, this is for easier storage in between meals. You should measure the amount of green beans in your dog’s diet just the same as you would measure kibble or treats that you give your dog.

When ever possible you should purchase your canned green beans with no added salt. This is a healthy option for your dog’s diet.

The green bean dog diet has many advantages. But you will need to monitor your dog’s intake of them to help prevent unforeseeable outputs. The green bean dog diet will help to lose and maintain weight while keeping your pet healthy and happy.

Dog Training Tips: How To Connect With Your Dog

Doges are possibly the best pets anyone could have. Although there are different breeds of domestic dogs, all puppies need proper training before their activities become unwanted and annoying habits. Proper training of your puppy will ensure they become well trained and “perfect pets”.

But dog training is no joke. There have been numerous research studies in this field and numerous titles have been published the world over which cover all aspects of dog training. Invariably, most of these titles contain some common dog training tips which can go a long way in making your puppy a smart pet.

Before getting into the details, you must be aware of some basics tenets of canine psychology. Having a solid foundation in understanding your dog is a big step in providing proper training that is specific to your dog’s needs. You most certainly cannot use dog training tips for police dogs on the training of your simple little Chihuahua.

You have lots of options when it comes to dog training equipment. But as you start employing the dog training trips, carefully consider which type of equipment is appropriate and worth the money. If there is a dog trainer in your area, you should consult him about how to best provide training. In the process, you might also find that their services are actually cheaper than buying training equipment yourself.

Read the dog training equipment reviews available online prior to utilizing them as they provide important feedback from others who have gone through the same thing you are going through. People’s experiences with dog training tips is much like other’s recommendations for recipes, they will give you insight on what works and what doesn’t based on their own use of the tips.

Throughout the entire process of dog obedience training you must be sure to emphasize rewarding your dog’s good behavior and progress. This is because when training first starts, the behaviors and situations simply do not make much sense to your dog and his instincts. Therefore, you must consistently offer enticements to reward him for properly behaving.

In the end, training your dog can be as much of an enjoyable experience as taking your dog for a walk in the evenings. Your pet’s personality and habits will become an extension of your own once the training regimen is complete. Regardless of the dog training tips you may have read or seen, you will see many of your own as you progress.

Dog breed: Mini pincher

The Miniature Pinscher

HISTORY

The word “pinscher” is German for biter and it is often refers to the dog’s habit to jump on and bite his quarry. Many years ago the Miniature Pinscher was used as a barnyard ratter. And believe it or not, the Miniature Pinscher is not a smaller version of anything. And to those who argue that the Min Pin was bred down from the Doberman, it wasn’t until 1890 that Louis Dobermann (who the breed was named after) bred his first authentic Doberman.

Most people have assumed the larger well known Doberman Pinscher is a clear relation to the smaller Mini Pinscher. However, they both most likely descended from the Old German Standard Pinscher, which is attached to many German breeds. The Mini Pin is a very old breed because it has been found pictured in old paintings and sculptures. In 1936, a German writer named Dr. H. G. Reinchenbach stated that the Miniature Pinscher was mixed with Dachshund and Italian Greyhound.

However, the Min Pin is clearly part of the larger German Pinscher family, which includes Schnauzers and Affenpinschers. And in the 1800’s people began to break the group down even further by not breeding two different coat types together. Toward the late 1800’s, the Min Pin boomed in popularity in Germany until about 1914. It was first seen in dog shows in Germany in 1900. And at that time Min Pin’s were unknown outside of Germany. After 1918 was the time when Mini’s became known in Scandinavian countries.

Miniature Pinschers made it to the United States in 1919 and the very first one was AKC registered in 1925. In 1929 The Miniature Pinscher Club of America, a national breed club was started. During the AKC events they stayed in the Miscellaneous group until moving to the Toy group in 1930. And in 1972 they received their official name Miniature Pinscher.

BREED INFO

The Min Pin is a well balanced and sturdy dog. They appear to be proud of themselves and are extremely fearless. Even in old age they will still remain playful. Their hackney-like gait has been known to charm people as soon as they see them. Min Pin’s are very easy to train and when they are on guard they can be very possessive of his owners, making him an outstanding guard dog.

The Miniature Pinscher has undergone some changes over the years, but his overall character, his love of children, has yet to change. He is an ideal playmate for both older and younger individuals. Since his nature is that of a larger dog you will receive

Dog Care Tips for Grooming Your Dog

The best way is start grooming your puppy is when he first comes home with you, but if you have an adult dog who balks at grooming here are a few dog care tips.

The first time you bring out the nail clippers hold the clippers in your hand next to the dog’s paw and give him a treat with praise. The next time hold the dog’s paw and place his nail in the nail clipper but don’t cut. Again praise him and reward with treats. When the dog calmly accepts you holding his paw and bringing the clipper to his nail, and placing the nail in the clipper, then cut the nail quickly and confidently. Don’t be nervous because your dog will pick up on that emotion. Praise your dog and give him a treat.

Do this with the other dog grooming tools as well. The dog will associate being groomed with praise and treats. Keep your first grooming sessions short. Right before his dinner is a good time. Your dog will be alert and hungry which means he’ll be more motivated. He’ll start to associate grooming with dinner as well as treats.

Don’t lose your temper. Keep a smile on your face and the sessions as pleasant as possible.

Most dogs don’t mind having their teeth brushed and actually like it. If your dog struggles, use the same method with the toothbrush as you did with the nail clippers. Your first session, hold a treat in one hand and the toothbrush with a bit of dog toothpaste by his mouth. Give him the treat and lots of praise. Then gently lift his lip, again reward with a treat and praise. Finally lift his lip and gently scrub his side teeth. The dog should get a taste of the toothpaste and your struggles will be over. Don’t overdo the toothpaste, a little is enough.

Veterinarians say that the most common pet health care problem is their teeth. If your dog has tarter it could turn into a serious problem resulting in infection, loss of teeth, and at the very least, very bad breath. Tarter is that yellowish soon to turn brownish hard build up next to the gum line. Prevention by brushing is much easier than getting rid of tarter. Most of the time that means a professional cleaning and it’s expensive. Dogs don’t sit still to have their teeth cleaned like people do, so they have to be under a general anesthetic and that’s costly.

One method that seems to work with some dogs to get rid of a mild case of tarter is gently swapping their teeth with a piece of gauze soaked in medicinal strength (not hair bleach strength) hydrogen peroxide every day.

When brushing your dog’s coat, hold the hair with one hand on the skin side of a tangle and use the brush with your other hand to brush out the tangle. That way your dog won’t feel the pull of the brush as much. Use a people hair detangling spray to make the brushing even easier.

Use these dog care tips for grooming your dog and the sessions should be fun for both of you.

Dog Training Tips: Protecting your Dogs While Traveling by Car

Dogs need to learn the proper behavior for traveling in a car. After all, not only do you want your dog to enjoy his ride, but also, you want to make sure that he is safe. Additionally, you want your dog to learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.

The most successful way to teach this is to be consistent from the very beginning. Always use the same method for restraining your dog so that he learns that will be his place while traveling by car. If your dog understands what you expect of him while traveling in the car, he will be happy to oblige.

The simplest way to restrain your pet is to use a harness that has been designed for use in the car. It allows the dog owner to clip his pet to one of the seatbelts in the back seat. If you plan to have the dog in your car on a regular basis, you might want to consider getting a special window guard. The guards are designed to allow your dog, or other pets, to have access to fresh air without any risk for injury. The window guards prevent your pet from falling or jumping out of the window.

If your dog is small, a collapsible cage that fits easily into most cars is an excellent choice. The cage needs to be placed on a flat surface to provide your pet with a smooth and safe ride.

If, on the other hand, your dog is large, you can consider getting a divider that will separate the car into an area for human passengers and one for animals. If the car does not have a hatchback or open access trunk such as those found in station wagons, you can always separate the front seat from the back seat. When placing the divider in the car, make sure that it is secure and will not become loose with a little activity or jostling.

No matter how you decide to secure your dog for traveling by car, it’s important to do so. A dog that is permitted free access to the car can easily become a distraction or a hindrance to the driver. Additionally, shop around and look at the different models and styles that you have to select from among to get the option that best suits your needs.

Healthy Dogs: Three Basics For Raising a Happy Dog

Just as we have to follow a healthy lifestyle if we want to be physically fit, so to do our pets. Dogs require a combination of good food, exercise, and love and attention from their owners in order to live healthy lives. It doesn’t take a lot of money to give your puppy everything it needs to maintain a healthy mind and body. It just takes some care and attention by a loving owner.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your dog requires following some basic principles.

When It Comes To Food, Quality Not Quantity

To make sure your dog is healthy, take care in feeding him or her a high-quality, nutritious diet. Just as you need a nutritious diet that includes balance and natural ingredients, so does your pooch. Veterinarians recommend a dog’s diet be roughly 40% meat or protein, 50% vegetables and 10% carbohydrates. Look at the ingredients listed in your dog’s food and make sure that protein sources, such as lamb, chicken, or venison, are listed in the top five ingredients. Dogs also benefit from whole grain, low fat dog food. In this one area, spending a little more on a more nutritious brand of dog food really will provide long-term health benefits for your pet.

Regular Exercise

Making time for regular exercise is also a key component to a dog’s healthy lifestyle. Dogs do not have the ability to understand the positive benefits of exercise so it is up to you, the owner, to make sure your pet is in proper physical shape. If you are unsure about how much exercise is right for the age and breed of your dog, ask your veterinarian for their recommendation.

Walking your dog is the easiest way to keep it healthy. A 10 – 15 minute walk around a nearby park or your neighborhood can help a dog calm down before bedtime or be a great start to a day. Swimming is also a fun, easy way to get your dog out and active during the summer months. If your dog is social, consider taking them to a dog park for a game of fetch.

During exercise time, make sure you monitor your dog closely for any abnormal changes in breathing or gait. Make sure not too push your dog too hard too fast, and keep his or her exercise pattern as regular as possible. As you start or change your dog’s exercise routine, make sure to take note of any eating habit or sleeping pattern changes and notify your veterinarian.

Owner Care

Providing loving, regular attention to your pet is the easiest element to forget but often times is the most crucial to keeping your pet happy and healthy. Loneliness and aggression are common in dogs that have not received proper care and socialization. Dog experts have even found that a dog that has not been socialized in a caring, trustworthy environment by the time they reach sexual maturity may never have close, trusting relationships with people or other animals. As you walk your dog, throw a ball around together or simply curl up together on the couch, be assured that the time together is well-spent and necessary to your dog’s health.

The best way to make sure your dog is happy and healthy is to care for it as you do yourself. A nutritious diet, regular exercise and time and attention, coupled with regular veterinary visits, will keep your dog happy throughout its life.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Importance of a raw food diet for your dog

Dogs have been eating raw food for centuries. Living in a pack, they used to hunt for survival and feed on raw meats and bones. Then dogs encountered humans, they were domesticated and they began to eat what humans used to eat. Fast forwarding to modern times, dog food was created to make feeding fast and easy. With dog food companies becoming a multi million dollar business and owners feeding their dogs conveniently, not much thought is therefore given about questioning if such foods are the appropriate for our canine friends.

With the recent dog food recalls, and as people are more educated about the negative effects resulting from additives, grains and preservatives, many owners have looked for alternate feeding methods. When it comes to feeding your dog healthy as nature intended, therefore, nothing is better than bringing dogs back to what their bodies were made for.

Many owners have noticed remarkable improvements after feeding raw particularly in their dog’s over all health, their dog’s skin condition and their over all well being. Itchy, allergic dogs have miraculously been able to finally wean off allergy shots and anti-histamines. Dogs have been able to maintain bright, plaque free teeth from gnawing on bones. Coats have become glossy and healthy within weeks. Energy levels and stamina returned dogs to an almost puppy hood state. Even stools became less smelly and less bulkier as dogs absorb better the nutrients found in raw meat. Stoolsalso seem to decompose easily as they become similar to a white ash like powder due to the presence of natural calcium.

While many owners have reverted their dogs to a raw diet, some owners may still be nervous about their dogs ingesting bones. The truth is that raw bones are much more safer than cooked bones. On the contrary of what people think, raw bones do not splinter as much as cooked bones do. However, it is never bad to be overcautious and only feed specific raw bones that are less likely to cause problems.

There are several guidelines to follow when providing a raw diet. An eye must be kept on providing the correct amount of minerals. Particular attention must be paid to calcium/phosphorus ratios. Also not all meats and bones are good for dogs. For instance, too much raw liver may cause vitamin A toxicity. Good research is key to a proper andbalanced raw meat diet.

Once upon a time there was a healthy dog. Now modern times have created a weak canine specimen chewing its paws raw and itching and scratching from food allergies. Also other diseases have greatly increased such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease andAddison’ disease, just to name a few. Vets offices are more and more full of sick, weakened dogs with dull coats. Modern times seem to have cast a spell even on man’s best friend.

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