Why would you want to take the time and effort to make your dog's food? You have to shop for the ingredients and then you have to cook the food, and God knows, you already have enough to do with the job, the kid and their activities, and keeping the house together. Why not just buy a commercial food? There are plenty of commercial healthy dog foods, aren't there? Maybe yes and maybe no.
Have you ever read the ingredients in a can of dog food? Do you know what all of the ingredients are? For example, do you know what BHA and BHT are, what meat by-products are, what fish meal is? If you're going to give food containing these ingredients to a member of your family - and your dog is a member of your family - you really should know what they are.
BHA and BHT are antioxidants used to preserve fats. Seems okay. However, they have been banned from human use by many countries because they may possibly be human carcinogens and have been demonstrated to be carcinogenic in animal experiments. BHA and BHT use is still permitted in the U.S.
Meat by-products are clean parts of slaughtered animals, not including meat. These include lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, blood, bone, and stomach and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, or hooves. If the source isn't specified, it can be from "downer" animals, animals diseased, disabled, or dying before slaughter. It can also be from any animal other than a cow, and it can even be from animals euthanized at animal shelters.
Fish meal is the clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil. If the source isn't specified, you never know the type or quality of fish, and if the fish meal isn't specifically stated to be of "human quality" it has probably been preserved with Ethoxyquin. It has been linked to a number of illnesses, including cancer.
You wouldn't deliberately eat any of these things yourself. Why would you knowingly feed them to your dog? Hopefully, you wouldn't. If you make your dog's food, you know the quality and nutritional value of the ingredients you use. The truly 100% safest healthy dog foods are the ones you make yourself.
Click Here to learn how you can give your dog a longer, healthier, and happier life. And read about these ingredients you should avoid feeding your dog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hank_Hanson
If you like these articles go to my website at:
http://derek893.bezoogle.com/pp/dog-training/
just copy the address & paste it into your Nav bar in your browser.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
3 Dog Training No Nos
So you have decided to train your dog all by yourself huh? Well, there are dog training no no's that you have to be aware of.
1. Not Having The Right Breed of Dog Suitable for Your Type of Person
A lot of people do not know that this is pretty important when it comes to training your new best friend; for instance if you are a very active individual, it sure makes sense to get an active breed of dog. On the other hand, if you are not an active individual, it will be alright to get an inactive breed of dog. Just think about it, do you honestly think that it would work out if you are one of those people who just love to stay indoors with the remote control permanently glued on one hand and you have a dog that really loves the outdoors? And it is also not going to work if you are an outdoor lover and your dog just can't keep up with you - in a nutshell, get a breed that will suit your lifestyle perfectly, whether you are active, inactive or whatever.
2. Dog Accidents? - Do not Rub Their Noses In It!
Dog training experts will tell you this for a fact "Accidents happen!" For no reason should you threaten or be violent to your dog! Yes, they are animals but they do have feelings too. So cut out the yelling, spanking or anything of that nature - trust me, it does not work and FYI, it is cruel! What you need to do is to clean up the mess (calmly) and take your buddy outside, ensure that you reward with appraise when the dog goes to potty outside - it's not magic, it is actually easier than you think. When you start training your dog, you will need patience and lots of it and in no time, you dog will get it and will no longer be afraid of you.
3. Do Not Yell, Scold or Be Extremely Loud and Hostile
This particularly frightens dogs and makes them totally afraid of you. Most people who train their dogs themselves admit to this act. Many people tend to have a pretty heavy tone in their voice when they are correcting their dog. Yes, dog training includes correcting your dog but there are a lot of better ways to do this without instilling fear into them.
You need to know that dogs are quite keen on reading one's body movements, the anger in the tone of one's voice and the intention behind it. Dogs are known to sense things that we humans are not even aware of. Dog trainers suggest that the body language and tone of voice is at a pretty low threatening manner. You will of course want your dog to understand the command "NO" and clear reason behind it without frightening them.
When training your dog, never ever be violent him/her and this includes the following:
· Hitting
· Tapping
· Striking
· Punching
· Kicking
· Throwing
· Grabbing
· Tossing
· Smacking
· Poking etc
There is most certainly no reason for this kind of behavior.
Are you looking for the best Dog Training? Visit http://www.dogtrainingbros.com today for more information!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_D._Ingram
1. Not Having The Right Breed of Dog Suitable for Your Type of Person
A lot of people do not know that this is pretty important when it comes to training your new best friend; for instance if you are a very active individual, it sure makes sense to get an active breed of dog. On the other hand, if you are not an active individual, it will be alright to get an inactive breed of dog. Just think about it, do you honestly think that it would work out if you are one of those people who just love to stay indoors with the remote control permanently glued on one hand and you have a dog that really loves the outdoors? And it is also not going to work if you are an outdoor lover and your dog just can't keep up with you - in a nutshell, get a breed that will suit your lifestyle perfectly, whether you are active, inactive or whatever.
2. Dog Accidents? - Do not Rub Their Noses In It!
Dog training experts will tell you this for a fact "Accidents happen!" For no reason should you threaten or be violent to your dog! Yes, they are animals but they do have feelings too. So cut out the yelling, spanking or anything of that nature - trust me, it does not work and FYI, it is cruel! What you need to do is to clean up the mess (calmly) and take your buddy outside, ensure that you reward with appraise when the dog goes to potty outside - it's not magic, it is actually easier than you think. When you start training your dog, you will need patience and lots of it and in no time, you dog will get it and will no longer be afraid of you.
3. Do Not Yell, Scold or Be Extremely Loud and Hostile
This particularly frightens dogs and makes them totally afraid of you. Most people who train their dogs themselves admit to this act. Many people tend to have a pretty heavy tone in their voice when they are correcting their dog. Yes, dog training includes correcting your dog but there are a lot of better ways to do this without instilling fear into them.
You need to know that dogs are quite keen on reading one's body movements, the anger in the tone of one's voice and the intention behind it. Dogs are known to sense things that we humans are not even aware of. Dog trainers suggest that the body language and tone of voice is at a pretty low threatening manner. You will of course want your dog to understand the command "NO" and clear reason behind it without frightening them.
When training your dog, never ever be violent him/her and this includes the following:
· Hitting
· Tapping
· Striking
· Punching
· Kicking
· Throwing
· Grabbing
· Tossing
· Smacking
· Poking etc
There is most certainly no reason for this kind of behavior.
Are you looking for the best Dog Training? Visit http://www.dogtrainingbros.com today for more information!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_D._Ingram
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
How To Stop Your Dog From Digging - 4 Steps To Success
Most people don't like the fact that their dog tends to dig all over their yard. Digging is a natural activity for dogs and unfortunately one of their favorite pastimes and is considered one of the top 10 canine behavioral issues. Some breeds, because of their heritage, are natural born diggers. Breeds like dachshunds and terriers were "designed" to dig for small animals, but almost any dog will send dirt flying if they think they're hot on the trail of a potentially tasty/entertaining quarry. So try to stop them from doing something that is natural to them is like asking a human to stop spending money. However, I do have a potential solution, and here it is:
Don't try to stop them digging, try teaching them where it is ok to dig!
This is a simple inexpensive method and with a little time your dog will soon be digging where you want it to rather than all over your yard. Just follow these four steps:
Step 1: Storage Bin. First you will need a storage bin. Go to your favorite store and purchase one of those plastic storage bins. It's probably best to get the biggest and deepest one you can find. This will be your dig pit. If you have a real big dog, don't worry. Later in the article, I provide an alternate method for real big dogs.
Step 2: Provide a Suitable Digging Place. Find a suitable place in your yard where you are going to allow your dog to dig. Dig a hole in the shape of the bin and deep enough for it to be buried with the top flush to the ground. Drill lots of little holes in the bottom for drainage then fill about 3/4 full with paver sand. I don't recommend the sand you can find for children's sand boxes because it very fine and your dog will be getting it all in its coat.
Step 3: Doing the training. My dog took to using the dig pit pretty quick, and hopefully yours will too. Whenever you dog starts to dig, move him/her to the sand pit and encouraged them to dig there. If you have a hard time getting your dog to use it, try playing with the dog's favorite toy and then bury it in the sand. Let them see you do this, then encourage them to dig it up and reward them when they do. Burying their favorite treats in the provided dig area may also help in the training process.
Step 4: Maintaining the pit. It's a good idea to keep the sand moist in the summer. Dogs like to dig into moist sand/dirt then lie in it to keep cool. I have a drip watering system for my hanging plants, so I installed the bin under one of the pots. Now the sand gets a dose of water every morning. Just remember your dog is going to dig all the sand out of the box, so you'll have to rake it back in every once and awhile.
Tips & Warnings
* If your dog is still digging holes around the yard, bury their poop in it and cover it up. Though gross sounding, they most likely won't dig there again!
* Discipline them only if you catch them in the act of digging. If it is not done right when they're in the act, they won't know what they are being scolded for.
* For big dog owners you might want to try this option if you can't find a very larger bin. Dig a hole about 2 ft deep, sloped on the sides. Then cover the sides and bottom with about 1 1/2 inches of concrete. For drainage, push straws through the concrete before it sets. Cut the straws flush once the cement is dry and then fill the pit with sand. The cement option has the added benefit of keeping the dogs nails trimmed.
Dealing with a dog that constantly digs holes in your yard can be very nerve racking. Rather than trying to get them to stop digging, try teaching them where it is OK to dig. You'll need a big storage bin, a suitable place to bury it, and some time spent teaching your dog that this new spot is where it is OK for them to dig.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=T_Campanaro
Don't try to stop them digging, try teaching them where it is ok to dig!
This is a simple inexpensive method and with a little time your dog will soon be digging where you want it to rather than all over your yard. Just follow these four steps:
Step 1: Storage Bin. First you will need a storage bin. Go to your favorite store and purchase one of those plastic storage bins. It's probably best to get the biggest and deepest one you can find. This will be your dig pit. If you have a real big dog, don't worry. Later in the article, I provide an alternate method for real big dogs.
Step 2: Provide a Suitable Digging Place. Find a suitable place in your yard where you are going to allow your dog to dig. Dig a hole in the shape of the bin and deep enough for it to be buried with the top flush to the ground. Drill lots of little holes in the bottom for drainage then fill about 3/4 full with paver sand. I don't recommend the sand you can find for children's sand boxes because it very fine and your dog will be getting it all in its coat.
Step 3: Doing the training. My dog took to using the dig pit pretty quick, and hopefully yours will too. Whenever you dog starts to dig, move him/her to the sand pit and encouraged them to dig there. If you have a hard time getting your dog to use it, try playing with the dog's favorite toy and then bury it in the sand. Let them see you do this, then encourage them to dig it up and reward them when they do. Burying their favorite treats in the provided dig area may also help in the training process.
Step 4: Maintaining the pit. It's a good idea to keep the sand moist in the summer. Dogs like to dig into moist sand/dirt then lie in it to keep cool. I have a drip watering system for my hanging plants, so I installed the bin under one of the pots. Now the sand gets a dose of water every morning. Just remember your dog is going to dig all the sand out of the box, so you'll have to rake it back in every once and awhile.
Tips & Warnings
* If your dog is still digging holes around the yard, bury their poop in it and cover it up. Though gross sounding, they most likely won't dig there again!
* Discipline them only if you catch them in the act of digging. If it is not done right when they're in the act, they won't know what they are being scolded for.
* For big dog owners you might want to try this option if you can't find a very larger bin. Dig a hole about 2 ft deep, sloped on the sides. Then cover the sides and bottom with about 1 1/2 inches of concrete. For drainage, push straws through the concrete before it sets. Cut the straws flush once the cement is dry and then fill the pit with sand. The cement option has the added benefit of keeping the dogs nails trimmed.
Dealing with a dog that constantly digs holes in your yard can be very nerve racking. Rather than trying to get them to stop digging, try teaching them where it is OK to dig. You'll need a big storage bin, a suitable place to bury it, and some time spent teaching your dog that this new spot is where it is OK for them to dig.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=T_Campanaro
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Early Puppy Training Tips - 3 Tips For Those Who Are Just Starting Out Training Their Faithful Dogs
If you think it's about time to start training your dog, then you have certainly come to the right place to start learning how to go about it.
In this particular article, we're going to go over what you should do when you're first starting out with the training, a common issue that confronts new dog trainers, and why you should be training your dog yourself. By the end of this article, you should be better prepared to start training your dog to more obedient.
The first thing you should do when training your dog is to teach it to sit on your command. This is no easy task, as prior to this, your pup has probably had little to no training whatsoever. So, this may take a bit longer than you might anticipate. Be prepared!
Training your dog to sit on command is the foundation for pretty much every single one of your future training units that you choose to use with your puppy. You can get yourself on the inside track towards completing this step of training by offering a reward (like a treat) to your puppy whenever they successfully sit on your command. This is due to your dog's associative memory.
Dog's have terrible short term memory retention. In other words, you can't simply tell a dog to sit and expect the pup to sit. After all, your dog may be the most amazing dog in the world, but it certainly does not speak your language, does it?
You need your dog to associate whatever words you are telling it with some physical object. In this case, you should help your dog to associate sitting with a treat by offering a treat after the dog sits properly.
Above all else, make sure you do the training yourself! Why would you want to pass over such an important time in your life with your dog to someone else? The time you and your dog spend together during training will bring you and your faithful companion even closer together, and in the long run you will find that your dog will be even more obedient to you than you ever had expected.
Additionally, if you are looking to quiet you or your neighbor's dog barking, head on over to bark off reviews. At http://www.barkoffreviews.com you will find resources for some of the best devices to use for dog barking control.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hank_Gilbert
In this particular article, we're going to go over what you should do when you're first starting out with the training, a common issue that confronts new dog trainers, and why you should be training your dog yourself. By the end of this article, you should be better prepared to start training your dog to more obedient.
The first thing you should do when training your dog is to teach it to sit on your command. This is no easy task, as prior to this, your pup has probably had little to no training whatsoever. So, this may take a bit longer than you might anticipate. Be prepared!
Training your dog to sit on command is the foundation for pretty much every single one of your future training units that you choose to use with your puppy. You can get yourself on the inside track towards completing this step of training by offering a reward (like a treat) to your puppy whenever they successfully sit on your command. This is due to your dog's associative memory.
Dog's have terrible short term memory retention. In other words, you can't simply tell a dog to sit and expect the pup to sit. After all, your dog may be the most amazing dog in the world, but it certainly does not speak your language, does it?
You need your dog to associate whatever words you are telling it with some physical object. In this case, you should help your dog to associate sitting with a treat by offering a treat after the dog sits properly.
Above all else, make sure you do the training yourself! Why would you want to pass over such an important time in your life with your dog to someone else? The time you and your dog spend together during training will bring you and your faithful companion even closer together, and in the long run you will find that your dog will be even more obedient to you than you ever had expected.
Additionally, if you are looking to quiet you or your neighbor's dog barking, head on over to bark off reviews. At http://www.barkoffreviews.com you will find resources for some of the best devices to use for dog barking control.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hank_Gilbert
Sunday, April 4, 2010
How To Get Dog To Speak In "3" Easy Steps
When learning how to get dog to speak, there are a three steps you need to know. If you want to learn how to get dog to speak fast then just apply these really simple steps. I think it speeds things up if you set aside a particular time of the day that you are able to learn how to get dog to speak. You and your dog will only benefit from setting aside some time to practice. When you start teaching the dog, it is important to remember that learning how to get dog to speak does take time and there is no one dog that learns at the same pace as another. Let me give you the steps that I used and was successful with when learning how to get dog to speak. My dog that is, picked this up in two or three days, just giving ten or twenty minutes of practice in during each of those day.
So what your going to do to learn how to get dog to speak is this. Step one, practice in a distraction free room in your house. You want the dog to only focus on you and what you are teaching him. Step two, use a treat to tease the dog, something small so that he does not get full easily. Every time he barks or whines you treat him. You will also be telling him to "speak" at the same time. Now, step three, after you treat him and he stops barking, say something along the lines of "quiet," this way when he learns how to speak, he will also learn to be quiet when you say so and that is all there is to it.
There is this free dog training video lesson in the link that I included below, it maybe of more help to you, but it is definitely worth checking out.
To Watch a Great Free Dog Training Lesson just hit the Link now! FREE VIDEO LESSON
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacqui_Lanier
So what your going to do to learn how to get dog to speak is this. Step one, practice in a distraction free room in your house. You want the dog to only focus on you and what you are teaching him. Step two, use a treat to tease the dog, something small so that he does not get full easily. Every time he barks or whines you treat him. You will also be telling him to "speak" at the same time. Now, step three, after you treat him and he stops barking, say something along the lines of "quiet," this way when he learns how to speak, he will also learn to be quiet when you say so and that is all there is to it.
There is this free dog training video lesson in the link that I included below, it maybe of more help to you, but it is definitely worth checking out.
To Watch a Great Free Dog Training Lesson just hit the Link now! FREE VIDEO LESSON
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacqui_Lanier
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