First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘Pet Tips’

A healthy canine is a happy one. While the attention you give him will be a constant source of joy for him, the foods you provide are just as important to his long-term happiness. Sadly, many owners never learn how to best provide for their dog’s nutritional needs. Sometimes, they’ll serve the wrong foods and starve their pooch of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are critical to his health. In other cases, owners serve meals that are too big, or they serve them too often; indeed, canine obesity is a growing problem.

Here we will address some common questions that dog owners ask about their dog’s nutritional needs. You may discover that your own dog’s diet needs a few minor modifications.

“When Can My Puppy Eat Adult Meals?”

Puppies grow quickly, so the ingredients that are used in their food are formulated to support that growth. You should begin making the transition from puppy to adult meals when your pup has reached 80% of his full adult weight. That typically happens at the 9-month mark. It’s worth noting that all breeds are a little different. Puppies from a few larger breeds may need an additional 3 to 9 months before making the switch.

“How Much Food Should I Provide?”

Take your dog’s age, lifestyle, and size into account when you are trying to figure out how much and how often to feed him. Until a puppy reaches 3 months of age, feed him four times daily. Then he should have three meals each day. Full grown dogs will be fine if they’re fed twice each day. The more active your canine, the bigger meals it will need. If he gets very little exercise, serve smaller portions.

“Does The Brand Of Dog Food Matter?”

Yes and no. The brands that are sold in your local grocery store will normally be fine for your dog’s health. They’ve got the protiens, fats, vitamins, and nutrients he needs. That said, the brands that are more expensive will usually provide higher-quality dog food. You might need to visit a pet supply story or go online to buy them since they are seldom sold in grocery stores.

“Are Scraps From The Dinner Table Fine?”

It’s best to avoid giving your dog scraps. Even though millions of owners do so, it can have a long-term health impact. It is because of fat content. Scraps are typically fatty and they can wreak havoc with your canine’s digestive system. Meanwhile, he won’t have access to the nutrients that he needs to stay healthy. Instead offer your dog healthy bully sticks dog treats, that he will enjoy and not fell left out of your family dining experience.

Left to his own devices, your dog will eat foods that are not healthy for him (similar to a person eating pizza). He relies upon you to provide meals and dog treats that contain the ingredients his body requires. Over time, you’ll enjoy the benefits of his health through his loyal companionship.

A well-trained canine makes a better companion. Obedience classes might help your dog learn to adopt the behaviors you expect from him. He’ll be able to adapt more easily to his environment within your home as well as interact more socially with your family and friends. A properly-trained dog is a pleasure to be around.

It’s impossible to overstate the value of enrolling your pooch into obedience classes that are taught by a professional trainer. Not only will that person use effective methods that yield long-term benefits, but your canine will also have a chance to interact with other pets and their owners.

That said, there’s a lot you can do at home. Below, we’ll provide three dog training basics that you can use to help your canine become a well-adjusted member of your family.

Have Fun

First, keep your sessions short – no more than 15 minutes. Otherwise, your canine may lose interest and begin responding poorly to your commands (frustrating you in the process). The key is to create a training environment that is enjoyable for both of you. If you don’t feel like participating, wait until you do. Also, to help motivate your dog for future sessions, end every session by giving him an easy command and then provide him with dog treats when he responds correctly.

Eliminate Negative Reinforcment

Owners often react negatively when their dog fails to repsond to their commands. For example, they might strike or yell at them. It’s important to realize that positive reinforcement methods are far more effective when you train your pooch. Remember, he wants to please you. If he responds to your commands favorable, reward him with a treat. If he doesn’t, withhold the dog treats. He will get the message and modify his behavior accordingly.

Teach The Long Stay

Canines get antsy, especially if you’re nearby. Sitting can prove to be a large obstacle. When you command him to do so, your dog may have no trouble sitting for 10 or 15 seconds. However, most dogs will fail to sit for longer periods. It is important to teach your dog self-control.

You’ll need to train him by starting with a short period of time and gradually extending it as he succeeds. For example, start with 20 seconds and give him a treat when he succeeds. Once he’s done this. Continue doing this until your pooch can sit still with you nearby for 60 seconds. Also, it’s helpful to teach him a specific word (for example, “easy”) that you can say to him in order to calm him.

There are few experiences more rewarding than owning a well-trained dog. While professional training is important, you can use the above tips at home to help your pooch become a better companion.

When left to their own devices, dogs love to engage each other in a bout of playing. To the uninitiated owner who observes the interaction, the behavior can seem cute, odd, and even worrisome if things seem to be getting too rough. The fact is, canines enjoy this type of contact with each other and rarely does the contact get out of hand. In a way, it is a social dance they perform with one another from the time they are puppies through adulthood.

Below, we’ll explore why canines play with each other. You’ll learn about their motivations and triggers as well as the types of play in which they engage.

Understanding The Motivations

Pack animals play within their group when they are young. However, once they reach adulthood, they usually stop. Dogs are sort of different. For some reason, they never lose their juvenile tendencies. Even well into adulthood, assuming they are not prevented by an illness or other health issue, canines will continue playing with one another.

Some vets suggest that dogs interact this way because they are rehearsing their roles as adults. For example, you might observe puppies wrestling over resources or with each other – behavior that may be necessary later in their lives. You will also see them biting or humping.

Another motivation is a simple desire to engage their mind and body. Your pooch needs mental stimulation and exercise in order to remain happy and healthy. Playing with another dog is a perfect outlet.

Social Interaction

Just as young people must learn to interact with each other without exceeding acceptable social limits, canines must also learn proper social skills. This type of playing occurs most frequently when they are puppies. They’ll roughhouse, chewing and biting playfully. If one of the “players” goes too far (for example, bites too hard), the other will let him know. This is how they learn what is acceptable.

Sexual Interaction

When dogs play sexually, their interaction usually manifests as mounting. Studies have shown that if a pooch reaches adulthood without having had sufficient mounting experience, his initial attempts at mating can often prove unsuccessful. Dogs will mount furniture or even people’s legs if there is no play partner present. The latter is undesirable in an owner/dog relationship because mounting is a dominant act.

Dog as Predator

Canines are, by nature, predatory pack animals; certain characteristics are imprinted upon their brains. These characteristics manifest during play through chasing balls, sticks, and other objects. You’ll often see dogs jumping and pinning things that are moving only to release them before attempting to pin them again. They sharpen their predatory nature in a playful environment.

Your dog has a playful streak that is nearly impossible to suppress. As his companion, provide him with an environment that gives him the chance to enjoy himself, build his skills, and interact with playmates. Always reward your dog for good behavior with healthy dog chews and dog treats.  Bully Sticks are an all natural treats that your dog is sure to enjoy.