Giving your puppy good food, healthy treats, and the necessary supplements will not only help him grow strong and healthy, but it will also affect his behavior and his ability to be trained to learn new things.

Every dog is different, and there are certain factors to consider when determining the diet program that will fit the needs of his growing body. However, there are also general rules that owners must follow to ensure that their pets are getting the balanced food and supplementation that their bodies require.

You May Want To Avoid Giving Your Dog Human Food

Most vets and breeders do not recommend adding table scraps to your dog’s diet. They will also likely tell you that the majority of commercial vitamin and mineral supplements that are available today are only a waste of money. When you give your puppy human food, he will not only get used to eating that type of food, but the difference in the taste of human food and dog food will cause him to reject his own food. He will become a finicky eater and it will be more difficult to get him back to eating his regular food.

Take It Easy On The Supplements

It is also not necessary to give your dog a separate vitamin and/or mineral supplement along with human food and his own food. The majority of supplements out there are ineffective and can even be dangerous to some level.

For example, providing your puppy with an extra calcium supplement is not at all beneficial. It doesn’t aid in bone growth, but actually does the opposite. In some cases, extra calcium in your puppy’s body can actually develop to certain types of bone problems. Adding a combination of supplements is just as harmful to your pet because they can create an imbalance to his diet.

Keep It Natural

Your puppy is better off with his own food, which is a good, commercial dog food specifically tailored to his needs (ask your vet for recommendation). In addition to the dog food, you may also give him a multivitamin such as Omega 3 oil and occasional liver tablets which, in my opinion, are one of the best treats you can give your dog. Omega 3 and liver tablets are available in most health food stores, pet stores, and online catalogs.

Other supplements to give your dog are natural, whole foods. A few examples of these are wheat grass, brewer’s yeast, bee pollen, and barley. These are food that contain nutrients from nature and will not interfere with the nutrients in your dog’s diet.

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Carbohydrates

The main source of carbohydrates are acquired in plants. There is also one source of carbohydrate that comes from meat called glycogen, but it is only found in small amounts in the liver and muscles. If your dog is not getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, the liver has to do extra work to make glucose from proteins. On the other hand, when your dog is getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, his body will not have to use proteins to get its required amount of glucose, therefore, saving these precious proteins to be used to for other jobs that they are required to do.

Vitamins

Vitamins are not considered to be building blocks, and they are not necessarily required for the production of energy. However, they are important in your dog’s health in a number of ways described below.

1. Dogs need vitamin A for healthy skin and coat. Skin conditions and poor coats have been associated with lack of vitamin A and/or vitamin B.
2. Vitamin B is responsible for a healthy immune system.
3. Studies have concluded that vitamin C prevents dogs from getting hip dysplasia.
4. Dogs need vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones. Deficiency in this vitamin produces weak teeth and brittle bones.
5. Vitamin E is an excellent source of antioxidants. Deficiency in vitamin E can lead to heart problems and several types of cancers.
6. Vitamin K is used for blood clotting.

Minerals

Unlike other nutrients, minerals are used by the body in a more comprehensive way. Below are examples of some of the ways minerals benefit your dog:

1. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorous are required for strong bones and cartilage.
2. Minerals are needed for the nervous system to function properly.
3. They help promote muscle metabolism.
4. They are used in the production of hormones.
5. Minerals transport oxygen in the blood.

It is important to know that too much or too little of a certain mineral can affect the functions of other minerals in your dog’s body. In addition, there are also cases where the action of one mineral depends upon the action of another mineral. For example, the minerals iron and copper work hand-in-hand to produce hemoglobin. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells while copper is equally important for hemoglobin formation. One will not be able to function properly without the help of the other.

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How does protein work in a dog’s body? Picture a string of beads and each string is needed to produce a complete picture or an artwork. The job of protein in your dog can be compared to this strings of beads. Each protein is similar to individual strings of beads. Just as these strings are put together in the right order to create a picture, different types of proteins have to go together to be able to produce a dog.

Each string is made up of different numbers of colored beads that are lined up in an exact pattern to produce certain body parts such as the hair, the nose, or the ear of the picture. The colored beads can be compared to amino acids, or substances that are connected to the strings to produce different proteins.

There are 23 amino acids that are the molecular building blocks of protein. A dog can produce 13 amino acids inside his body while the other 10 amino acids must come from an outside source and has to be consumed. A puppy will not grow unless he is supplied with the remaining 10 essential amino acids. Without them he will become sick and will eventually die. Similarly, if an adult dog is not getting the proper amount of these 10 amino acids, he will become weak and suffer nutritional deficiencies.

These 10 essential amino acids can be acquired from meat and plants, which offer the best sources because they contain the largest number of essential amino acids.

Not all proteins are the same, as some are better for your dog than others. The amount of protein a dog needs depends on how much of the essential amino acids are supplied by that protein. The protein’s ability to provide the dog’s Minimum Daily Requirement (MDR) of the 10 essential amino acids is referred to as its “biological value”.

Here are a few additional facts about the importance of protein for your dog’s health:

1. Proteins are the building blocks of your dog’s body.

2. Proteins are necessary for all aspects of growth and development and are very important in structural makeup and the immune system. In addition, they are burned as calories and can be converted to and stored as fat if needed.

3. They are required for healthy nails, skin, and coat.

4. They are necessary for the production of hormones in the bloodstream.

5. They provide a healthy immune system.

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It’s a real concern isn’t it! We all assume that the Dog Food that we feed our dogs is safe and surely they cannot come to any harm! The reality is sadly different and it’s one of the reasons we have put together a Free 7 Day eCourse Can Show You How to Protect Them and keep them healthy. To read more you can go to Healthy Dog Food and sign up or you can sign up for your Free 7 Day Course below:

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Socializing your pet to accept new animals into the household is not always an easy task. We all read the biblical account of Noah and his Ark and wondered just how he got the animals to survive in the ark together for five minutes let alone 40 days and nights of rain. The dog usually has its own ideas of its territory and home and is generally not a generous creature when it come to sharing but would much rather chase the intruders away. We have to reprogram the dogs thinking to make it understand that chasing the cat or iguana or whatever other pet you may have, is not acceptable. So how about some instruction on just how it’s done?

For the First tip, Insure the Safety of Both Animals and Yourself. To start, make certain that the new animal will be safe. Place the new pet in a pet carrier or some other sturdy structure that prohibits the dog from actually physically contacting the animal but still allows for both animals to see, smell and hear each other. This provides a way for both animals to acclimate to each other in a safe, though possibly a bit stressful, situation. In later steps, gloves might be advisable to avoid scratches from a nervous pet.

Secondly, Rewards Work Wonders. After the animals have both calmed a bit give them each a small reward, such as a morsel of some favorite food. Be sure to give the dog lots of verbal praise and affection when it is not barking or trying to get to the new animal as this will show the dog that you are accepting of the new pet’s presence and you expect him to be also. Repeat this process several times over the course of a week or so, until both animals seem fairly accustomed to the presence of the other and their aggressions seem to have subsided. At this point, you are ready to move on to the next step and tip number three.

The third tip to socializing your animal is Get Help. This step will require an assistant to help with one of the animals. Have the assistant leash the dog and hold him firmly on a very short leash. After instructing the assistant to maintain control of the dog, open the pet carrier and bring the new pet out carefully. Your dog will likely move towards the animal so be sure the assistant has the dog held tightly and be careful not to let the new pet panic and escape your grasp. Gradually bring them closer together and let them calmly adapt to each others presence. Repeat this step several times over the next few days and by the end of the week, these two animals should be like old chums.

Another tip to remember in socializing your pets is that, while the animals most likely won’t make an instant attachment to each other, there are those special picture perfect moments that you will want to cherish a lifetime. So keep the camera handy and loaded with film. The candid shots of training at its best provide memories that will last forever. Few things are more fun than looking at a picture of your dog with an iguana riding around the room perched on his back and telling a little white lie that you taught the two of them to do that.

Our Fifth and final point is remember that just like humans, not everyone is going to get along. There will be days where the dog and the cat are going to feud or the iguana will get cantankerous and slap the dog with his tail for the fun of it. Some animals were just never meant to live in harmony but with a lot of patience and a little direction you can make your household fairly peaceable most of the time. When things go sour, just take it in stride and put the animals in their separate areas for a bit and, given a cooling period, they will be friends again in no time.

With these simple tips you can be certain that life around your home will be much more harmonious and you might just have a bit more respect for Noah and his Ark.

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There are more and more concerns being expressed by dog owners about commercial dog food. What exactly does it contain? In the same way that we have become increasingly concerned about what is in the processed foods that we eat so dog owners are now becoming equally concerned!

Listen, nobody ever said you had to rely on a bag or can of food to feed your dog. You cook for yourself or your family all the time. Doesn’t your dog deserve similar treatment? Most owners say they’d love to cook for their pups but just don’t know where to start, and that’s where Homemade Dog Food Recipes comes in!

I have been looking around at what is available for concerned Dog Owners and you would not believe the price some people are charging! Well you probably would because at the moment a lot of people are expressing concerns and sadly some people seek to play on that! That’s why we have made Homemade Dog Food Recipes extremely affordable - your dog deserves it! Take a look by clicking on the links or on Homemade Dog Food Recipes.

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In today’s world the possibility of an emegency requiring evacuation of your home has become a reality we all have to live with. So we really need to think about what would happen if our family faced an emergency! Are you prepared? Have you made an evacuation plan in case of tornado, fire, hurricane, or any other natural disaster. What if there was an emergency evacuation of your area because of a chemical spill, again are you ready? Most people nowadays have thought of these things and prepared accordingly. However, have you thought about what would happen to your four legged family member? Being prepared for your dog’s safety is just as important.

How do you prepare to evacuate with a dog? Basically the same way you would for yourself. Think about what your dog needs every day. What about what he uses on a weekly basis. Does your dog take any type of medication? The following is a list of a few things that you might want to think about:

1. Food: You will need to pack at least a week’s worth of food (2 weeks would be even better). Don’t forget to pack some bowls as well. If you use canned food (or even if you don’t, you may have to use it in an emergency) remember to pack a can opener. Also any type of doggy treats that you use for your dog. This will help your dog feel a little more settled in what will be a very unsettling situation for him.

2. Medication: You will need to pack any prescription medication, if it needs to be refrigerated don’t forget to have an insulated bag to put ice in to keep it cold. Also think about any thing else your dog takes such as: heart worm medication, flea and tick controls, and ear medication. You will want to make sure to keep your pet healthy in an emergency situation.

3. Restraints: You will need to make sure you have a walking leash and a short leash (in case you are stranded in a crowd). If it is a possibility that you will be driving during an evacuation you will also need a harness to attach to the seat belt. Even if you don’t use one regularly, you may want to have a muzzle handy as well. You may have the most well behaved dog on the planet, but when everyone is running around, or in a crowd, you dog could very well misbehave with all the disturbance and excitement.

4. Bedding: Make sure you have a dog bed, blankets, and possibly a crate as a secure place to sleep. You will want your furry companion to be as comfortable as possible.

5. Familiar item: Just as you would when preparing for children, make sure you have some familiar toys for your pooch to play with. Not only will it possibly keep him occupied but may make him feel more secure away from home. A good tip is when you buy your dog a toy, buy an extra one for your emergency kit. Also in case you have to leave your dog in a shelter, an article of your clothing that you have worn may help your dog feel less insecure.

6. Important papers: Current shot records as well as registration papers should be sealed in a waterproof plastic bag. You may also want to include a recent photograph, in case you get separated from your dog.

7. Hotel listings: You may want to include in your kit a listing of dog friendly hotels with phone numbers. You may want to break this down into a 10 miles away, 20 miles away, 50 miles away, 100 miles away, etc. type list. In an emergency situation, you don’t want to be wondering which one to choose.

8. Basic care items: Don’t forget that your dog will need basic care just like yourself. Make sure to pack shampoo and brushes.

9. First aid kit: When packing your first aid kit don’t forget about your dog. Pack anything you may need to care for your dog if he is injured. Also you may want to talk to your vet about anything extra you will need to take care of your pet, such as what to use if your dog has an allergic reaction to something.

With some planning and forethought you can prepare for an emergency evacuation with your pet in mind. Your dog’s safety will depend on you, so plan well.

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It’s really exciting for you and your family when you bring a new puppy home isn’t it! However, in the excitement don’t forget to address the basic needs of your puppy. The way to make sure this does not happen is to have your puppy’s supplies already bought and on hand before the big day. So let’s take a look at some of the things your puppy will need from the start of his new life with you.

Obviously one of the absolute basic supplies that you will need is food. This should be obvious, but you would be surprised at how often this is overlooked. You will need to check with the breeder to find out what food your puppy is already eating. You will need a supply of this type of food. If you are planning to change to a different brand, you will need to gradually change it over the course of about seven to ten days. Just add a little of the new brand to the old brand, adding a little more each day, until your puppy is eating just the new brand.

Of course, to go along with the food, you will need food and water bowls. These need to be made from easy to clean material. They also need to be heavy enough that they will not be easily tipped over by an excited young puppy. Since some breeds chew more than others, you may also want to avoid plastic altogether, as these can splinter and cause problems. A set of stainless steal bowls will take care of this problem and they are easy to clean.

After food, one of the most important items you will purchase for your new puppy is his crate. These can be found in many different styles and sizes. If you are bringing home a large breed dog, you will either want to buy a crate that is adjustable or buy several crates in different sizes to accommodate your growing puppy. This crate will become your puppy’s special place. This is where he will sleep, stay, and get away from all the household hubbub. This can also be his “safe” place, especially if you have children. This will become your puppy’s own little “den”. When you purchase your puppy’s crate, you should be sure that it is the right size. Your puppy should be able to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie without being cramped. It should not be so large though that your puppy has enough room to relieve himself at one end while having room to sleep at the other, you do not want your puppy to get in the habit of relieving himself in his crate.

When your puppy is ready to be taken outside, you will need to have him in a collar and on a leash. Your puppy’s first collar and leash should be made of lightweight nylon or leather. If you start your puppy from the very beginning wearing a collar and leash, it will be less of a challenge when you start training. You will need to make sure the collar fits properly. The way to do this is to add two inches to the puppy’s neck size. As your puppy grows you will need to check the collar to make sure it is not to tight. To go along with your puppy’s new collar, you will also need to have an identification tag attached. This tag should have your name, address, and telephone number (make sure you include area code). If your puppy was to stray, it could make the difference in you getting him back or not.

Another item to have on hand to use right from the start is your dog grooming tools. Establishing your puppy’s grooming routine early in his life will eliminate a lot of challenges later on. Hopefully your puppy will start to look forward to this time as time spent one on one with you, so do everything you can to make it a special time. The brushes and combs and other grooming supplies will depend on the breed you choose. Check with the breeder to determine which grooming supplies you will need.

Another thing you will need to establish from the very start of your puppy being a part of your family is what he is allowed to play with. Having toys already on hand will help establish his boundaries for what to play with. If you find your puppy playing with something unacceptable, you can very easily distract him with the proper toy, if you already have the toy on hand. Some good toys to consider are any large rawhide piece (chips, logs, or bone shaped), large nylon chews, and hard rubber balls. You want to find something that is made for puppies and cannot be torn apart, swallowed or splinters easily. You will want to avoid any toys that will fit completely into your puppies mouth, this can pose a serious choking hazard. Also, do not use toys that are meant to encourage tugging, these can unintentionally reinforce aggressive behavior. One last note on toys, do not let your new puppy chew on any old shoes or clothing. Puppies do not know the difference between the old things you gave them and any thing they find laying around, to them it is all fair game. Not only the damage that could be done to your pocessions, but this could also cause some serious safety issues for your puppy. Little pieces could be torn off and swallowed, possibly causing obstructions in the digestive tract.

Thinking ahead and doing a little planning before your new family member comes home will make the transition a lot smoother. It is much easier to have what you need on hand before you even need it. Then there won’t be any mad dashes to the store because you were not prepared.

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A lot of times when we get a new puppy, we research to find the best food, toys, and supplies for him. But, do we really think about setting up our new family member’s feeding routine? This is an important component to your puppy’s development in his first year. When planning your new puppy’s feeding routine you will need to ask yourself: Where? When? and How much? These are the important building blocks to a good routine.

Where? This is important to your puppy’s eating comfort and your clean ups. Place the food bowls away from where everyone is. You don’t want your puppy’s eating area to be in a high traffic area. Place the bowls where it is easy for your puppy to get to. An ideal situation would be to have a special area just for puppy. Have his crate and eating area in this special area. It should be in an area that is out of the way, but is easily accessible to the main living areas where everyone is. The most important thing is that once you have established the puppy’s eating area is not to move it, unless absolutely necessary.

When? From about six to eight weeks until about six months you should have scheduled feeding times three times a day. A young puppy will eat all he is going to eat within twenty minutes. It is a good idea to remove the food bowl after this time. Doing this along with a balanced diet will be important steps when you are house breaking your puppy. Once your puppy is about six months old to maturity, you can reduce the scheduled feedings to twice a day.

How Much? This will be dependent on the breed of dog you have. One of the most common mistakes with larger breed puppies is to overfeed them. You will need to learn how to read the nutrition label on dog food. This will give very good guidelines on different sized dog breeds and how much to feed them. You can also check with your vet, he will be able to give some very breed specific guidelines.

One final thought on your feeding routine. Don’t change your puppy’s food. If you change your puppy’s food all of a sudden it could cause your puppy to have a very upset digestive system. Any time you do need to change your puppy’s food, do so gradually over a seven to ten day period. Just add a little of the new food to the existing food, adding more each day, until the puppy is eating only the new kind.

Taking the time to set up your puppy’s feeding routine will have great rewards now and in the future. Just remember to plan ahead to make your puppy’s feeding routine as easy on you and puppy.

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Today there are more and more scares for Dog Owners with reagrds to commercial foods. Which is why we have put together a Free Healthy Dog Food - Dog Food Recipes & Health Tips eCourse which covers:

Is food made at home healthier for your dog?
Does your dog need to go on a diet?
Which ingredients are best for your dog?
Selecting the safest toys for your dog
Preventing your dog from dehydrating
Healthy teeth for your dog
How often should you vaccinate your dog?

To grab your copy of the Free Healthy Dog Food click on: Healthy Dog Food

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