Help Your Dog to Lose Weight

Dogs are not that different from human beings in that if they eat too much of the wrong kinds of food and don't get enough exercise then they put on weight.. having put on weight they are even less inclined to take exercise and so put on even more weight.

Some dog owners like to give their pet snacks and treats to help in training, and some just to show their love for their dog. Too many treats of the wrong kind can upset a dog's natural dietary inclination towards high protein foods like neat and direct them increasingly towards an unhealthy diet that's high in carbohydrate.

An unhealthy diet and lack of sufficient exercise conspire to make a dog overweight with the same kind of health risk that overweight humans run. These risks include furring up of arteries leading to heart trouble, diabetes, joint and ligament problems, and premature death. If you over feed your dog with the wrong kind of food you will certainly shorten its life span and make its latter years miserable.

Dogs, like humans need a balanced diet with plenty of protein for growth and maintaining muscle mass, and also vitamins and fibre. They get energy from both fat and carbohydrate in their diet, although can even convert protein into energy if required. A healthy dog, like a healthy human, should have a diet as natural as possible with a minimum of processed food.

For the sake of convenience and practicability, it may not be possible to feed your dog on 100% home cooked food of course, but there are plenty of good quality dried foods that are available that can be mixed with meat to provide the right diet. Relying on canned dog foods is not a good idea because they often bulked out with too much carbohydrate, or are made from the lowest quality meat sources including animal organs.

If your dog is all ready overweight then you need to instigate a plan to gradually alter its diet to make it less reliant on carbohydrate and more protein rich, coupled with a gradual increase in the amount of daily exercise. Special weight reduction dried foods are a little more expensive than the ordinary but are higher in nutrition and lower in calories, so are worth the investment. A good idea is to cover kibble for ten minutes with hot water before serving, as this causes the food to swell and makes the dog feel fuller and be less likely to overeat.

In -between meal snacks should be curtailed as much as possible, and should be protein, not carbohydrate based. Do not allow your dog scraps from the table or any human junk foods like biscuits or cakes, as these are a sure way to put weight on your dog. It is a good idea to feed your dog first before sitting down to dinner yourself, as that will help minimise begging at the table.

Exercising your dog more can be fun and shouldn't be seen as a chore, although as a pet owner from choice, you do have the responsibility to see that your dog gets enough exercise. Provided you have a nearby open space, a medium or large dog can run up and down to fetch a ball or stick, a pastime that most dogs love. Some owners will jog with their dog, reaping the benefits of exercise for themselves as well. Unfortunately many people, when thinking of getting a dog, underestimate the amount of exercise that they need. If you doubt that you can walk or run a couple of miles a day, it is better to go for a smaller breed of dog that you can cope with.

It is all too easy to "kill with kindness" if you are a dog owner, but by sticking to a sensible healthy diet, and giving your dog the daily exercise it needs you will be rewarded with a fit animal that you can be proud to be seen with, and you will be giving it the quality of life that it deserves.

The author is a dog owner who wants to improve the lot of dogs generally. There is much more information about weight loss and nutrition for dogs at http://weightlossfordogs.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Esmund

Help Your Dog to Lose Weight

Methods to Stop Dog Licking

Suggestions

One of the most crucial tips a dog owner should know is that from their first days of puppyhood and into their adult doggy days, it is vital that the owner remains persistent and trains their dog to act towards them as they would want them to behave towards other people. When an owner permits the dog to jump up on him, the dog will not realize that is is not permissible to do the same to visitors. Likewise, should the owner permit the dog to lick his hands or face, it will not comprehend that it is not allowed to lick the hands and face of another person. The secret to training a dog successfully is persistence, teaching the dog what behavior is acceptable and praising him for his obedience regularly.

While the owner may believe that it is a wonderful thing for the dog to lick him when he comes home, evidencing excitement and attention, there are many better behaviors besides licking which are more apropos for the dog to exhibit. One approach an owner could use to prevent licking would be to ignore and avoid their dog each time they attempt to lick them. An owner needs to avoid any eye contact with their dog and ought not to pay any attention to them until the licking has come to a stop. As soon as a dog regains a tranquil disposition, the owner can then offer their dog commendation and consideration for behaving so well. Lest a dog should be prone to licking people's hands, the owner needs to stop this by retracting their hand and avoiding the dog entirely, thus providing the dog with a chance to calm himself down.

With reinforcement of the correct behavior, the owner is at the same time training the dog to stop licking when visitors come into the home. When the dog understands that he will not receive attention from the owner by licking him, it is unlikely that it will attempt to lick others when they are in the house. The dog owner also needs to inform others who come into their home of how they should respond when the dog tries licking them, displaying and bolstering those same manners that the owner implements to prevent licking.

Learn more at: stop dog licking.

Dog training is designed to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. James is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods, as for example stop dog licking.

Additionally, he studies the training of puppies in depth. He has also has great tips and a free guide to help you start your dog training: http://www.puppy-training-advice.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_John_Johnson

Methods to Stop Dog Licking

Vaccinating Puppies - The Basics

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Along with "house breaking" part of raising a puppy is making sure they get their "shots".

We people often believe vaccines make our pets (and us) completely immune to specific diseases.

True or false?

Some of both. In reality it's complicated... and not precise.

How Do Vaccines Work?

Pets (and humans) have an immune system. It's function is to defend against invaders. It's a survival mechanism. Without one your pet would quickly be overwhelmed by diseases that would ultimately kill it.

The purpose of vaccines essentially is to "teach" the immune system to defend your dog against specific germs.

Vaccines contain "antigens" - foreign invaders. When the immune system detects invaders, it responds by producing "antibodies". Antibodies attach to the foreign invaders making them inactive.

Vaccines use a small enough amount of antigen to illicit a defensive response but not overwhelm the immune system. This process forms a "memory" in the immune system that allows it to quickly recognize that germ in the future by mounting a strong defense. The ability to defend against a particular antigen is consider "immunity".

The Downside of Vaccinations

This process is neither precise or individualized.
You give the puppy a dose - all be it a small dose - of a virus. Maybe he can defend against it, maybe he can't.

Next, vaccines can contain "adjuvants". Adjuvants are foreign proteins that stimulate a general immune response. Adjuvants are used as "insurance" - if there isn't a strong enough specific immune response to defend against the vaccine, a general immune response may be enough.

Next, preservatives such as thimerosol (very high in mercury) and aluminum are used. These are carcinogens.

Last, vaccines tend to come in "cocktails"... multiple vaccines in one dose. With multiple antigens hitting it at one time, the immune system can become overwhelmed and confused.

Decrease vaccination risks by:

- Don't vaccinate a puppy when their immune system is compromised which is the case if they are sick or having surgery (such as spay/neutering).

- Don't vaccinate if they're receiving pharmaceuticals especially steroids

- Minimize the number of vaccines at one time.

- Only vaccinate against diseases your dog is at risk for.

- Decrease stress before and after vaccination.

- Maintain good nutrition.

Learn the history of vaccination for dogs and cats, the risks, the current science and recommendations from leading Vets at DogAndCatZone.com Get the best information to make the wisest care choices for your companion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patti_Clark

Vaccinating Puppies - The Basics

All About Dog Toys

Just like children's toys, dog toys can also be harmful, easy to destroy and may end up being very costly. Below are some helpful ideas for purchasing dog toys that your pets will enjoy and will not put a strain in your wallet.

Safe Toys Your Dog can Enjoy

For large dogs who have a lot of 'chew power', it's better to invest your money in toys like 'Kong' toys because they come in all sizes and tend to be very durable. Besides being very safe, dogs love them! Tennis balls are very good to fetch with but again take care that the size is suitable for your dog. Another popular toy are "rope" toys that you can play tug-a-war with your dog. Bones and raw cow hide can also be a form of toy because they can keep your dog content for hours by themselves.

Safety Tips for Buying Dog Toys

When you purchase toys, buy them according to the size of your dog and any habits they may have like chewing, fetching or pulling. Avoid toys with parts your dog can swallow or choke on. Examples are price tags, ribbons, staples or strings. Stuffed animals seem like a good idea but keep in mind they can be dangerous because of the eyes can be chewed off and the stuffing can be eaten. This is the same idea if you buy toys that are too small for big dogs who may end up swallowing them,

Home-made dog toys

If you are a crafty person, especially one that enjoys sewing, perhaps making your own home-made dog toy is something you'd be interested in. Toys can easily be made by gathering some old tough material and cutting them into any shape you desire. Make sure to cut two of each shape. Be careful for the size of your dog and make it big enough for them to play with without being able to swallow. Sew the edges of your duplicate and cut shapes then stuff the toy with padding. Once the stuffing in in, sew closed with a needle and thread the open end. If you are not so crafty and can't sew if your life depended on it, then another good idea is to take that same old tough material, loop and tie it in a knot before giving it to your dog. Remember, dogs don't care how pretty the toy is, they just want you to play with them.

To a dog, a toy can be anything as long as they can chew it, tug it, fetch it, and destroy it. If your looking to avoid spending too much money on toys, a good kind to buy for large to medium sized dogs are 'Kong' toys. These are durable and dogs love them! Making dog toys are also inexpensive and very easy to do with an old sweater or sweatpants. Just remember to buy toys that are safe and the proper size for your dogs. No matter what kind of toy you decide to bring home, your dog will love it no matter what as long as it can keep them entertained and allows you to play with them as well.

Learn more about dog car seat covers and pet car seat covers

Anna Sandpakdee owner of a pug and a mother of two and who loves to cook and eat Thai and Laotian food.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Sandpakdee

All About Dog Toys

Maggie Fishing - A Feather

Maggie Fishing - A Feather

How About Those Irresponsible Dog Owners Who Don't Clean Up After Their Dogs?

I live in a rather large apartment complex. One of my neighbors is a young man in his 20s that has a mixed breed dog of medium size. He is the WORST dog owner I have seen in a long time. The poor dog, who is only about 1 to 1 1/2 years old gets very little exercise. The owner, who by the way is home all day and night long, only takes her outside long enough for her to do 'her business' and then he drags her back inside again.
I hate to watch this as I feel SO sorry for the poor girl. She is young and wants to walk and explore and of course, run. He practically has to drag her back inside. Now to my point. This guy is very lazy and refuses to clean up after his dog. Here in Sweden it is the law that you must pick up dog poop from public places. They sell black 'poop bags' in every store and they are very cheap. There are also special doggie doo-doo receptacles placed all around and we have several here in the area that dog owners drop the bags into. This guy did, in the beginning, pick up the poo, but now he simply does not.
My partner ran into him a week or so ago while out with our dog Maggie and told him directly that he must pick up the dog poop. He only stared at her and turned and went back in with his dog. It was mentioned also to him that if we saw this habit continuing that we would call the apartment complex to complain. Our point is that since it is a privilege to be able to have a dog here in a rental building, his negligent behavior could jeopardize things for every dog owner who rents from this company.
Well, as the days passed, the dog poo piles outside that entrance door have grown. He simply is too lazy to pick up after his pet. So...today a call was made to the main office of the rental company. The woman on the other end of the phone said that she would call him and give him a warning.
We hope it changes things. Not only is it unsightly to look at, it could end up putting all dog owners who rent from this company in danger of not being allowed to keep their dogs in the apartments.
What do you think? I personally feel that this person's dog should be taken away from him. He only does the bare minimum with the dog. He is NEVER seen out walking or playing with the dog.

How About Those Irresponsible Dog Owners Who Don't Clean Up After Their Dogs?

Adopt a Shelter Dog and Save a Life

Many dog owners turn their pet dogs over to local shelters for a variety of reasons. Sometimes when people re-locate they are not allowed to keep pets in their new homes or apartments, while others discover that family members have become allergic to the dog and they are forced to find a new home for their beloved pet. There are some dog owners out there that just do not feel they have the time and/or the resources to keep the dog any longer and feel forced to give it to the nearest shelter for re-adoption. Whatever the reasons, the fact is that there are tens of thousands of dogs sitting in shelters today all across the United States who are waiting to be adopted.
If you have been thinking of getting a dog, instead of looking through your local newspaper for puppies for sale, consider giving a shelter dog a home instead. Sadly, most shelters are extremely over-crowded which means that the if the dogs are not adopted within a couple of weeks, the shelters will be forced to euthanize the dogs. I took a tour through a large dog shelter in Michigan a few years back and the tour included a peek inside the 'freezer room'. This room was nothing more than a walk-in freezer which contained dead dogs and cats, wrapped in plastic, stacked as high as the ceiling, awaiting burial somewhere in a mass grave. Although that scene stuck in my head for many years, I totally understand why shelters are forced to put thousands of dogs asleep each year-they simply do not have the room to keep the dogs nor the resources available to build bigger shelters. Dog shelters are faced with rather strict budget restraints and they often get their funding from volunteer donations. Most of the folks that work at the shelters are donating their time and are caring for these abandoned pets out of the goodness of their hearts. Shelters all over the U.S. are overflowing with adult dogs that only need a second chance in life. The dog shelters do their best in assessing the dogs they take in to see if they are used to being around other dogs and pets, if they are good with children and whether or not they are housebroken and trained to walk on a leash. You may be surprised to find out that a great many of these dogs would indeed make outstanding pets and that they were abandoned by their original owners for reasons well beyond the dog's control.
Adopting a dog can save you an incredible amount of money compared to buying a purebred from a breeder. Often shelters will charge you for only for the cost of vaccinations and the basic care they have provided. You can often walk away from a shelter with a wonderful and deserving dog for less than $100 and sometimes for less, depending on the circumstances. You may be pleasantly surprised too that the shelter has micro-chipped your dog to ensure that he or she will be returned to you if it happens to wander away from your home or yard.
So, instead of looking online at young puppies for sale, please do consider getting in your car and driving to your nearest dog shelter. The dog shelter that I visited told me that whenever new people come in to view the dogs that are up for adoption that the shelter staff does not allow the visitors to look at the puppies until they have viewed all of the adult dogs up for adoption. This is done for obvious reasons as people find puppies irresistible and won't even consider looking at a full grown dog when there are puppies up for adoption at the shelters.

Adopt a Shelter Dog and Save a Life