September 22nd, 2008 08:19pm
Admin
Natural holistic dog food is advertised as being made with fresh, wholesome natural ingredients to provide complete nutrition for your beloved canine. People that purchase holistic dog food believe that they are buying premium health food for their dog. Protein sources come from chicken meal, fish meal and a medley of carrots, apples, spinach, egg, celery, ground brown rice, and alfalfa meal. This type of food is full of potent antioxidants like grape seed extract and is dense with essential vitamins, minerals, fats and fatty acids to optimize your dog’s health and prolong their life span. Natural food avoids substances that are difficult for your dog’s digestion like wheat, corn, dairy and artificial food coloring and flavors. The makers of these foods typically boast that their food has no chemicals, no fillers and no artificial ingredients.
The protein sources used come from select sources like high quality chicken meal. Chicken is derived from human-grade processing plants with any moisture and water removed for a more concentrated protein. Egg is also used as a protein source. Fish meal is also a quality protein source that is high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are beneficial to your dog’s coat and cardiovascular health.
Holistic food has many ingredients that are valuable to your dog’s digestive tract. The protein sources are easy to digest and Probiotics and beet pulp both promote a healthy digestive tract. Lactobaciullus Acidophilus is also present and lines your dog’s intestines with a delicate balance of friendly bacteria. Your dog, just like a human, will burn carbohydrates for energy and includes brown rice, which is perhaps the easiest carbohydrate for a dog to digest.
The manufacturers of holistic dog food know that healthy pet food is critical to the well-being and happiness of your dog. It’s not uncommon for poor dog food, loaded with additives or preservatives, to create health issues for your dog, sometimes even immediately. You could be paying a ridiculous amount of money for a medication to treat your dog’s itching when the underlying problem could be a skin irritation associated with the unnatural ingredients of many commercial dog food brands. It’s quite possible your dog may no longer need that expensive medication if their symptoms gradually disappear upon switching.
September 21st, 2008 08:18pm
Admin
Believe it or not, the dogs of our ancestors more than fifty years ago, weren’t fed commercially packaged dog food or kibble but instead thrived on natural dog food recipes. These natural recipes were most often comprised of food straight from the dinner table. No expensive gourmet blends but instead a recipe was made up of some leftover beef, chicken breast and vegetables. These days we are commonly advised that “table scraps” are harmful to our dog’s digestive system, yet, in 2007, with so many dog food recalls, consumers learned that we aren’t always getting the “natural” ingredients that are advertised on the package. In many cases, chemicals, hormones, preservatives, anti-biotic supplements and pesticides boost these natural ingredients. Think about it. Why would feeding your dog the same food that you feed you and your family be harmful? How could something that is essentially the equivalent of doggie fast food be healthier? It’s because the dog food industry has become big business, with thousands of advertising dollars poured into it, and consumers, even some veterinarians, have been fooled into believing the hype.
Compare the canned gunk and bland dried food that you pay entirely too much for to a natural dog food recipe that combines two ounces of shredded boneless pork loin chop (or a beef, chicken and lamb substitute) with four ounces of Tofu, two steamed carrots, two crushed garlic cloves, some broccoli spears, half a steamed green pepper, one cup of cooked spinach, eight ounces of cooked long grain brown rice, about two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil, a quarter cup of molasses, half a teaspoon of dry mustard and one teaspoon of bone meal. Put this concoction in the oven at approximately 325 degrees for 15 minutes and serve it to your dog. One serving of this natural dog food recipe is equal to a large can of dog food but healthier, all natural and easier to digest.
Here’s a test. Put a bowl of that kibble that you typically feed your dog right next to a plate of this recipe. Which meal do you think your dog will go for? There is a reason that your dog begs and cries at the smell of “people food”. Because our food better replicates the diet that a dog would eat in the wild, more so than the food being manufactured in a factory somewhere.
So many of the vitamins and minerals that humans have learned are healthy for our bodies are also healthy for a dog. In the natural dog food recipe above you likely noticed several peculiar ingredients. Garlic is an anti-inflammatory that may help your dog with arthritis and joint ailments. Garlic combined with fresh Ginger can even replace pricey medications that a veterinarian will often suggest for a dog suffering from an ongoing condition. If you were wondering why the dry mustard was included in the natural dog food recipe above, although used partly for flavoring, dry mustard also improves bowel function and digestion.
So, next time you are scooping up that awful smelling dry doggie food or cracking open a can of dog food, consider how much more your dog would enjoy a natural dog food recipe prepared especially for them… by you!
September 20th, 2008 08:17pm
Admin
Feeding your dog natural dog food may prolong the lifespan of your beloved four-legged companion. Cancer has become prevalent in dogs. Dogs were once much more inclined to die as the result of old age rather than cancer. Poor genetic breeding stock, environmental conditions and a diet full of poor protein sources and processed chemicals has changed that.
While genetics and environmental concerns are somewhat out of our hands we can control our dog’s diet and nutrition by feeding them natural food. We are paying more attention to our own diets these days. The world is much more familiar with vitamins and minerals that are essential to maintaining human health. It’s only natural that we start paying more attention to the nutrition of man’s best friend.
You can start by feeding your dog naturally instead of commercially processed grain-based food like kibble. Kibble contains a lot of chemically processed ingredients that are difficult on a dog’s digestive system, stressing their body and leaving them more prone to developing different cancers later in life. You’ll notice manufacturers marketing that kibble contains vitamins and nutrients but these vitamins might be destroyed by intense heat during storage and shipping. Kibble is also marketed as being high in protein for your pup but we’ve recently learned that this protein isn’t always coming from natural sources.
Within the past few years there have been many incidences of dog food recalls. More than 100 brands of pet foods were recalled in 2007. Tainted dog food resulted in making many dogs ill, unfortunately even resulting in the death of a few dogs from kidney failure. The reason? Melamine, a chemical agent used in resin products, was discovered in samples of white granular wheat gluten from China. To make matters all the worse, the manufacturers intentionally added this chemical to increase the protein count! Is there any better case for natural dog food?
Switching to raw food makes perfect sense. Many dog owners, fearful of store bought dog food, have turned to natural dog food comprised primarily of raw meat or mixes of pureed vegetables, brown rice, brown pasta and eggs. Before commercial pet food was heavily marketed and available to the general public, it wasn’t unusual for dogs to eat real people food. Yes, veterinarians in recent years have frowned upon feeding your dog “people food” but think about it. Dogs are hunters and chances are your dog’s ancestors would routinely feast on captured prey or edible plants. Dogs weren’t always fed bland dry or canned food.
By choosing to put your dog on a natural dog food diet, you are giving your dog variety and wholesome ingredients without potentially harmful processed ingredients.
September 18th, 2008 08:12pm
Admin
Some dog breeds are quite useful in the role of a hunting dog. Dogs are smart and have a natural hunting instinct that makes them good companions for a hunter.
There are specific breeds that are bred and trained for nothing else but hunting. Dogs like hounds, gundogs and terriers are the most recognized breeds. Many hunters consider a dog just as much of a necessity to their hunting as their shotgun!
When it comes to tracking and chasing down game there is no better hunter than the hound. Sighthounds use their keen eyesight and speed to follow, catch and kill game like deer, gazelle and hare. The Whippet is a popular sighthound used. Scent hounds, like the Basset Hound, are a different type of dog than the sighthound. They are usually slow but possess incredible endurance and a heightened sense of smell that allows them to follow prey for a long distance from their scent alone.
Gundogs are usually specialized in bird hunting. Retrievers can remember exactly where prey fall and return it to the hunter unmarked thanks to the dog’s soft mouth. Labrador and Golden retrievers are the most popular for this purpose. You can get these dogs as a pups with no training, younger dogs with some early fundamental training, or finished Field Trial Dogs who can hunt upland game birds, and compete in local, regional and national field trials.
Pointers and Setters use their bodies to point to the general direction of the prey and sit down when they have pinpointed exactly where the prey is. This gives the hunter a location to fire and score their game just from observing the behavior of the dog.
The Terrier is a well respected and is bred for hunting and killing vermin. This breed is hyperactive with an energetic no fear attitude. Terriers hunt prey like rats, rabbits and foxes, above ground and below ground. Beagles are especially efficient for rabbit hunting.
Just remember that hunting dogs, despite being so smart and useful, still need the attention, love, care and positive reinforcement of any other dog. The more time and training you put into your dog, the more their innate ability to hunt is fostered and cultivated. A good dog is not only there to enhance your game hunting but it’s also there to be a friend and companion as well.
September 18th, 2008 08:11pm
Admin
There is nothing more frustrating than figuring out how to train a dog to stop biting. Nobody wants an overly aggressive dog that is dangerous to house company, especially unsuspecting small children. Figuring out how to get them to settle down and be a bit more calm is easy once you establish yourself as the leader of the pack, earning your dog’s respect and obedience. It’s not about instilling fear into your dog or relying on medication or muzzles to keep them in line. In this article we will outline several ways to help you figure out how to get a dog to chill out.
Let us begin by reminding you that biting is in a dog’s nature. Even the most loving dogs will bite and nip, especially teething puppies! A puppy really can’t help biting when they are teething, however, it’s up to you as a responsible dog owner to break them from this painful habit as they mature. The dog is only going to get bigger and with size comes more serious and aggressive biting. Uncontrollable biters are sometimes euthanized at the dog pound if they become a terror on your street. This is why learning how to train a dog to stop biting is worth any time spent in research.
Permanently modifying the behavior of your dog depends on learning how to train a dog to recognize clear dominance roles within the house. Biting is usually a form of dominance that dogs use in pack relationships. Have you ever watched a litter of puppies play with one another? The biter is looking for the other dog to submit to prove that they have hierarchy within the pack.
You may think that you automatically hold hierarchy in the “household pack” whenever you bring a dog into YOUR home and they are dependent on you for food, water and shelter. Your dog on the other hand views you as just another pack member that they can easily dominate - especially a puppy that is vehemently trying to establish their position in the pack. Since puppies are so small and cute we initially think this behavior is cute and endearing since the biting doesn’t hurt very much. The teeth eventually become sharper, the dog gets bigger and stronger and the bites become a bit more painful and dangerous. Suddenly we are surfing the net looking for advice on training to stop biting.
Training a dog to stop biting can be as simple as letting out a high pitch cry whenever the dog bites, just like a litter mate would. Your dog will recognize that they’ve hurt you and back off. The same applies to letting out a firm “NO” to send a message to your dog that their biting is unacceptable. You can also use your hand to mimic biting the dog back but be aware that the dog can misconstrue this as playing rough and bite harder!
The above mentioned tips will temporarily ward off a biting dog but there is no permanent success unless other steps of alpha dog training are enforced. Learning how to train a dog for obedience is essential in ending their biting. Make sure that your dog is always following you and never leads the way. Get them to recognize specific commands. Make sure the dog knows that you eat first and their food comes only when you are finished. Most dogs want to make their owner happy and it’s important to remember this when figuring out how to train a dog to stop biting.
September 16th, 2008 08:10pm
Admin
A dog whisperer is someone that claims to have the ability to communicate with dogs at a level that a common person can’t. They can give you insight into your dog’s behavioral problems and help you and your dog co-exist in the same home. The recent phenomenon is the result of countless appearances on daytime television like Oprah Winfrey, late night shows like Conan O’Brien, plus celebrity whisperers on cable television like Cesar Millan from National Geographic. Cesar has been referred to as the “Dr. Phil of dogs” and is known to come into a family and mediate whatever troubling issues exist between the family and their dog. It’s his goal to get the family and dog to co-exist happily and problem free. Cesar often jokes that he rehabilitates dogs and trains people.
A dog whisperer tends to communicate with dogs just like a dog. People make an all too common mistake of trying to employ human psychology with their dog. For instance, we are taught that shouting is a way to get the attention of another person, and this is correct. Who doesn’t turn their head or pay attention whenever someone shouts? A dog doesn’t know this. They will either ignore you all together or be frightened and confused by your loud voice. The worst part is they have no understanding as to why you are yelling so you aren’t successfully modifying their behavior.
Some people think it is a joke or some kind of sensationalized overly-priced hoax. While there are a number of showbiz trainers that claim dogs communicate specific thoughts and feelings to them, one shouldn’t automatically frown upon a the whisperer. We can actually learn a lot from how a theyr approaches a situation. One being that they treat dogs like dogs and use a dog “pack” philosophy to reverse negative dog behavior. This is commonly referred to as “alpha dog training”.
They use this method of training whenever they enter a home where an undisciplined dog is running the show. The alpha dog training places the human as the leader of the pack, establishing the dog as a follower. Troubled dogs often believe that everything revolves around them and feel like they can do whatever they please around the house. They will teach the dog owner that he or she must become the Alpha of the household for their dog to fully understand who is in charge, whose commands they listen to and what is expected of them. This way your dog reverses behavior that is a nuisance or danger to others like biting, growling and barking. It also works with things that are dangerous to the dog itself like chewing on electrical chords, getting into the garbage for scraps or running out the front door. Not to mention typical issues like potty training.
So, next time you are watching them on television, remember that while some things are likely pure entertainment, there are still lessons to be learned from the dog whisperers interaction with the dog.
September 15th, 2008 08:08pm
Admin
Using a dog treat is a great way to reward your dog for good behavior and can be especially useful during training. The dog treat section of your local grocer or pet store is full of different dog treat flavors and brands. Browse the aisle and you’ll recognize that most of these treats claim to be full of some kind of vitamin or nutrient that will improve, maintain and optimize your dog’s health. Some will boast that they are good for things like your dog’s digestive tract, heart and lungs or coat. They are especially important when it comes to doggie dental care. A special treat is commonly used to clean and maintain your dog’s teeth. Treats are chewable and we all know that dogs love to chew. It’s also extremely healthy for their teeth. Rawhide snacks or a bone that is either store bought or from the local butcher will encourage your dog to use their teeth.
Protein is commonly found in many treats on the market today. You can find nuggets or biscuits that are rich in protein for your canine. This same treat will often include different vitamins and minerals. Usually something like Omega 3 Fish oils for your dog’s cardiovascular health. Read the ingredients and they shouldn’t differ vary much from the vitamins and minerals that are essential to human health. It’s good to get into the habit of reading the ingredients to ensure that your dog is digesting natural ingredients rather than potentially harmful chemicals and preservatives. Sometimes your dog can develop allergies to the hard to digest low quality protein sources or preservatives.
Many people opt to create homemade goodies for their four-legged friend. You can make some great tasting recipes from the comfort of your own home. Tasty ones can be made from thinly sliced pieces of steak, beef, chicken, small chunks of cooked hamburger, rice balls, vegetables or small pieces of cheese. ALWAYS AVOID feeding your dog chocolate, turkey, pork, onion, raisins, grapes, spicy food, acidic food and soy. These are incredibly hard for your dog’s digestive system and can make your dog sick.
You can typically find recipes online. There are many excellent sources on the Internet for tasty, nutritious and affordable homemade dog treats.
September 14th, 2008 08:07pm
Admin
Dog squirrel training for the sport of squirrel hunting is becoming more prominent as squirrel hunting gradually grows into one of the most popular canine sports for outdoors enthusiasts. Breeds like purebred Dachshunds and Terriers are often perfect candidates for squirrel training because it comes to them on instinct. There is also a broad group of dogs known as Curs and Feists, both of which have been bred for centuries specifically for squirrel hunting.
Rural southern states in the U.S. develop Feists for absolutely nothing else but squirrel hunting. There is little consistency in looks among Feists since there is no intention of them becoming show dog breeds. There is some similarity in appearance to a Jack Russell Terrier but Feists generally have shorter tails than the Jack Russell. Their legs are also longer than the Jack Russell. A Feist lacks the barkiness of a Jack Russell Terrier. Also, Feists get along fabulously with other dogs because their dog squirrel training trains them to hunt with other dogs in packs. Jack Russell Terrier’s tend to be very combative and unfriendly when it comes to sharing space with other dogs. So, while there are obviously similarities between the two, there are also many noticeable physical and behavioral differences, partly because the training develops a quieter, friendlier dog.
A Cur is also bred solely for its hunting ability, which is why most Cur breeds are considered “types” rather than a certain breed. This is because they are without a complete breed appearance standard that identifies them as one particular breed. They can look remarkably different from one another and a new Curd breed seems to appear every couple years. Several kennel clubs do register various Cur breeds based on their ancestry. It’s generally agreed upon that a Cur and Feist have terrier ancestry in their bloodline. The most well known Cur breeds include the Mountain Cur, the Leopard Cur, the Treeing Cur and the Black Mouth Cur. Mountain Curs are said to require very little dog squirrel training because they have an instinctual understanding of hunting for squirrels and they learn by watching the other dogs around them.
It wasn’t until recently when purebred Dachshunds and Terriers took to the sport and began dog squirrel training with experienced professionals.
The primary role of a squirrel dog is to cruise the woods, seeking out the scent of a squirrel, listening for scratches on the tree bark or the sound of tree branches moving as the squirrel leaps from tree to tree. The dog will bark at the base of the tree when they sense a squirrel.
September 13th, 2008 08:06pm
Admin
A dog shelter or animal rescue group is a good starting point in your quest to find the perfect four-legged companion. Many people rule adopting a dog from a dog shelter or rescue group because they fear that the dogs are damaged goods. An animal rescue group does take stray dogs from the street but a g shelter isn’t a place where bad or damaged dogs are discarded. In many cases, a canine will find themselves in a shelter because their owner can no longer accommodate them. This happens sometimes when people are forced to rent an apartment that will not accept pets, travel frequently for business, start a family or move into a city dwelling that isn’t suitable for their dog. Shelters, for many of these dogs, are their last hope for being put into a loving home. With a constant new stream of dogs, all in need of a home, there is simply no place to house every single dog and some may be put to sleep if a potential savior doesn’t step forward.
It’s good to keep a few things in mind before adopting a dog. First, make sure you are adopting from a legitimate source. Most dog organizations have storefronts. Many animal rescue groups operate from the owner’s home. There are untrustworthy wholesale breeders and dog brokers that become “a rescue shelter” because they don’t meet federal and state mandated requirements for breeders or shelters. Be sure to ask the animal rescue group for a tour of the premises so you can examine the conditions your potential dog has lived in. The conditions of the facilities should also be examined but animal rescue groups aren’t subject to the same type of state or local inspection that a shelter is subject to. Ask the manager or owner of the rescue group if they are incorporated as a non-profit in your state. Try to use the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) website to find a reputable dog shelter or animal rescue group.
These groups should interview you to ensure that their dogs are being matched with an appropriate owner. They will ask questions about your lifestyle, pet history, and knowledge of the dog breed you are interested in adopting. Distrust any dog shelter or rescue group that willingly accepts your money without getting a feel for who you are.
If a particular dog peaks your interest be sure to ask the dog shelter or rescue group how the dog was obtained. Were they checked for microchips or tattoos? Have they been examined by a veterinarian or placed into a foster home to access whether or not they are house trained, kid friendly, get along with other animals, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
September 12th, 2008 08:04pm
Admin
Dog dummy training is an important part of field training a retriever or hunting dog. The dummies used for training are typically comprised of heavy duty canvas and usually float. Dog bumpers are one kind of dummy used. Dog bumpers resemble the boat bumpers that are used to prevent neighboring boats from bumping together when docked.
Most of the dummies include an attached rope to simplify throwing and retrieving. Many dog dummies or bumpers will have rubber water valves for water to be added. The added water will make the dummy or bumper heavier in weight and buoyancy but have no fear! They can still be thrown a good distance to test out the retrieving abilities of your dog. The dummies have knobs that serve as treads or grips for the retrievers to easily pick them up. They can come in many sizes for both smaller and larger dogs. All construction materials are non-toxic. While the dummies may seem soft and elastic, rest assured that they are tough, durable and long-lasting.
You will notice that the bumpers in particular come in a variety of colors like black and white, orange, blue, yellow, all black or all white. The varying colors represent different levels of retriever training. It should also be mentioned that since dogs see contrasts rather than color, some of these color bumpers are easier for certain dogs to see than others, especially against certain color backgrounds. Retrievers do in fact see some shades of color but they see color very different than the human eye does. Nylon flags and streamers are sometimes used as a visual accessory to help your dog identify and locate their dummy or bumper. It’s all about helping your dog with their training.
Training dummies will also sometimes have the appearance, scent and feathers of a bird. They convincingly resemble the weight and softness of the body of a bird, providing your dog with some realistic prey. There are many manufacturers of dummies. Lucky Dog dummies are perhaps the most popular choice for training due to their quality and competitive price. Other manufacturers include Flagman, Neuman & Bennett, Dokken Dog Supply’s Deadfowl trainers, Hallmark, E-Z Rotational, DT Systems and Scott Dog Supply.
Previous Posts