The Amazing Life Changes Of The Growing Puppy
From the moment he was conceived to the time he is born, a puppy is being fed directly by his mother and without any effort on his part. From the time of birth until about 6 to 7 weeks later, his mother's milk will be his primary diet that will provide him with the energy and will fuel his growth. By the time the puppy turns 6 weeks old, his mother will start to discontinue her role as the main source of food and turns over the job to you, the dog owner.
The first six months of your puppy's life is the time when rapid growth takes place. Depending on his breed, a healthy puppy will gain an average of 15 to 40 times his birth weight during this period. By his first birthday, he will have gained about 30 to 60 times his birth weight!
As the puppy grows and reaches his mature age, the amount of energy and nutrients that his body needs will gradually decrease. He will display a change in behavior such as reduced appetite, decreased activity, and less curiosity of the world around him. These changes, however, are perfectly normal and inevitable as the puppy approaches the end of his growth stage and the beginning of his mature stage.
These changes in his behavior also serve as an indicator to the owner that it is time to change the dog's diet . The dog no longer requires the kind of food that was suited for him during his growth stage. What he needs now is a diet that will enable to support him as he reaches maturity.
The adult dog needs several nutrients in order to live, have energy, and maintain a healthy life. These nutrients are found in the food he eats. There are six types of nutrients that the dog must have in order to remain healthy and maintain a strong body. These are: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
He must meet the Minimum Daily Requirement (MDR), which is the least amount of nutrients that his body needs in a 24-hour period that will enable him to stay healthy. The MDR changes as the dog goes through different stages of life. These stages are: the growth stage, the maintenance stage, the work stage, the pregnancy stage, and the lactation stage.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Stressed Out Dog - Natural Remedies
Dog Health – Natural Ways To Calm The Overexcited & Stressed Out Dog
Does your dog become anxious and extremely fearful for no apparent reason at all? You have probably researched and read a lot about dog psychology and behavior issues that result from aggression or fear, however, sometimes the problem is not as complicated is we make it out to be.
Anxiety and fear are not necessarily the result of improper behavior or lack of training. Oftentimes your dog can feel better with less stress levels by using natural therapy. Many dogs like this also have a tough time sleeping at night due to their anxiety. Here are a few tips that you can try to use in order to help your dog relieve his fear and stress:
1. Try feeding your dog any food that has wheat in it. Reports have shown that the byproducts from digesting wheat can help act on certain centers of your dog/s brain which helps make him feel calm.
2. In other way to activate the calming function of your dog's brain is to feed him warm milk with a little bit of natural honey. Add a dog biscuit to the mix and you have a great meal that is a healthy and natural way for your dog to relieve his stress and fear.
3. There is a natural herb called kava which can be found in most health food stores. Try adding a few drops of this herb to your dog's water bowl. Kava has a natural relaxation-inducing effect and is perfectly healthy for your dog to ingest. It can also be purchased as a dry herb which can be added to your dog's food. Please do not use more than the recommended dosage that comes with the package.
4. Since we are on the subject of natural food in order to help relieve your dog's stress and anxiety , simply give your dog small snacks to nibble on during the day instead of one or two big meals. Research has shown that nibbling on food in very small amounts can also create a calming effect on both animals and humans.
5. Last but not least, there is another supplement that is very similar to Kava. It is called Bach's Rescue Remedy and can be found in most health food stores. Dosages vary but of course be sure to read the label for accurate amounts to feed your dog. We suggest that you opt for the liquid form of Bach's that does not contain alcohol and simply add it to your dog's water bowl.
Does your dog become anxious and extremely fearful for no apparent reason at all? You have probably researched and read a lot about dog psychology and behavior issues that result from aggression or fear, however, sometimes the problem is not as complicated is we make it out to be.
Anxiety and fear are not necessarily the result of improper behavior or lack of training. Oftentimes your dog can feel better with less stress levels by using natural therapy. Many dogs like this also have a tough time sleeping at night due to their anxiety. Here are a few tips that you can try to use in order to help your dog relieve his fear and stress:
1. Try feeding your dog any food that has wheat in it. Reports have shown that the byproducts from digesting wheat can help act on certain centers of your dog/s brain which helps make him feel calm.
2. In other way to activate the calming function of your dog's brain is to feed him warm milk with a little bit of natural honey. Add a dog biscuit to the mix and you have a great meal that is a healthy and natural way for your dog to relieve his stress and fear.
3. There is a natural herb called kava which can be found in most health food stores. Try adding a few drops of this herb to your dog's water bowl. Kava has a natural relaxation-inducing effect and is perfectly healthy for your dog to ingest. It can also be purchased as a dry herb which can be added to your dog's food. Please do not use more than the recommended dosage that comes with the package.
4. Since we are on the subject of natural food in order to help relieve your dog's stress and anxiety , simply give your dog small snacks to nibble on during the day instead of one or two big meals. Research has shown that nibbling on food in very small amounts can also create a calming effect on both animals and humans.
5. Last but not least, there is another supplement that is very similar to Kava. It is called Bach's Rescue Remedy and can be found in most health food stores. Dosages vary but of course be sure to read the label for accurate amounts to feed your dog. We suggest that you opt for the liquid form of Bach's that does not contain alcohol and simply add it to your dog's water bowl.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Increase Your Dog's Energy Levels
Natural Ways To Increase Your Puppy's Energy Levels
Does your puppy have the attention span of a two-year-old child? And does he seem a little too fatigued and tired throughout the day? If you have already taken your dog to the veterinarian for a full examination and he checks out okay, you may want to take it upon yourself to help increase his energy levels and attention span by going the “natural” route.
Of course animal medicines do have their place, but if your veterinarian does not see a major health problem then your best choice is to follow some of the guidelines below to get your puppy feeling better and acting more alert:
1. As long as your puppy is more than six weeks old, try reducing his feeding times to only twice per day. In an attempt to keep our puppies growing and healthy, some dog owners make the mistake of overfeeding the little pups, which can result in lethargic energy levels as well as very short attention spans. You can help your puppy by cutting back on his meals.
2. Check the food labels and be sure that the food you are feeding your puppy has a complete digestibility level of at least 85% to 90%.
3. Protein is a very important nutrient for good health and energy in dogs. Unfortunately, many dog foods sold in stores are made up of mostly carbohydrates. Dogs need meat and lots of protein to be at their best. This is especially true of young puppies. So be sure that each meal has a high level protein source when feeding your puppy.
4. As far as supplements are concerned, is always smart to first check with your veterinarian. But we have a recommendation that may help your dog and that is to supplement his food with brewers yeast. Brewers yeast is chock full of B vitamins and protein.
5. Last but not least, the latest trend in supplements for both people and animals are omega-3 fatty acids . But there is good reason for this popular trend and that is because these oils are extremely healthy and are known to raise concentration levels in dogs as well as create a healthy shine on their coat. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils and flaxseed oils .
Does your puppy have the attention span of a two-year-old child? And does he seem a little too fatigued and tired throughout the day? If you have already taken your dog to the veterinarian for a full examination and he checks out okay, you may want to take it upon yourself to help increase his energy levels and attention span by going the “natural” route.
Of course animal medicines do have their place, but if your veterinarian does not see a major health problem then your best choice is to follow some of the guidelines below to get your puppy feeling better and acting more alert:
1. As long as your puppy is more than six weeks old, try reducing his feeding times to only twice per day. In an attempt to keep our puppies growing and healthy, some dog owners make the mistake of overfeeding the little pups, which can result in lethargic energy levels as well as very short attention spans. You can help your puppy by cutting back on his meals.
2. Check the food labels and be sure that the food you are feeding your puppy has a complete digestibility level of at least 85% to 90%.
3. Protein is a very important nutrient for good health and energy in dogs. Unfortunately, many dog foods sold in stores are made up of mostly carbohydrates. Dogs need meat and lots of protein to be at their best. This is especially true of young puppies. So be sure that each meal has a high level protein source when feeding your puppy.
4. As far as supplements are concerned, is always smart to first check with your veterinarian. But we have a recommendation that may help your dog and that is to supplement his food with brewers yeast. Brewers yeast is chock full of B vitamins and protein.
5. Last but not least, the latest trend in supplements for both people and animals are omega-3 fatty acids . But there is good reason for this popular trend and that is because these oils are extremely healthy and are known to raise concentration levels in dogs as well as create a healthy shine on their coat. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils and flaxseed oils .
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Dog Crates - Multiple Uses
Dog Crates – Why Using A Crate Is An Invaluable Dog Training Tool
Having the right dog crate when you start raising a new puppy is essential for various reasons. Some puppies do not yet know how to cope with large open spaces since they are new to the home and a perfect size dog crate can help calm him down. Dog crates are also a fantastic way to easily housebreak a puppy. All in all, a good dog crate is an invaluable training tool regardless of what type of puppy you have.
Dog crates are also a perfect solution to puppies that become overexcited. All you have to do is put your puppy inside the crate in order to help him relax. If your dog has to be left in the house unattended for a few hours, then having a crate is a stress-free way for you to be gone from the house and not worry about your puppy getting into trouble around the home or soiling the carpet.
Dog crates are also a great way to feed your puppy in case he becomes easily distracted. Simply put his food bowl inside and off he goes in an enclosed area where he can focus on eating his meal.
And here are a few more tips when it comes to using a dog crate :
1. Make sure that you get the appropriate size crate based on your dog's height and width. This is especially important if you are housebreaking your puppy with a dog crate. If the box is too large then your puppy may use the bathroom on one side, but keep sleeping on the other side, which defeats the purpose of crate training in terms of potty training.
2. If you have a fast-growing puppy, then consider buying a large crate that is meant for an adult dog but that has a divider built into it. This way you can divide the crate in half so that your puppy will be able to lie down comfortably and still be able to turn around if needed. A divided dog crate can also be used for your larger puppies by removing the division bracket.
3. One last aspect of using a dog crate that you should consider is the type of bedding that you place on the floor. Some dog owners have noticed that their puppies still use the bathroom inside even though the crate is the appropriate size for potty training. In most instances it turns out that the bedding that they laid down was a little too thick and had a tendency to induce urination in dogs. Instead, try to lay down less comfortable bedding that your dog does not consider to be used for urination, like newspaper for example.
Having the right dog crate when you start raising a new puppy is essential for various reasons. Some puppies do not yet know how to cope with large open spaces since they are new to the home and a perfect size dog crate can help calm him down. Dog crates are also a fantastic way to easily housebreak a puppy. All in all, a good dog crate is an invaluable training tool regardless of what type of puppy you have.
Dog crates are also a perfect solution to puppies that become overexcited. All you have to do is put your puppy inside the crate in order to help him relax. If your dog has to be left in the house unattended for a few hours, then having a crate is a stress-free way for you to be gone from the house and not worry about your puppy getting into trouble around the home or soiling the carpet.
Dog crates are also a great way to feed your puppy in case he becomes easily distracted. Simply put his food bowl inside and off he goes in an enclosed area where he can focus on eating his meal.
And here are a few more tips when it comes to using a dog crate :
1. Make sure that you get the appropriate size crate based on your dog's height and width. This is especially important if you are housebreaking your puppy with a dog crate. If the box is too large then your puppy may use the bathroom on one side, but keep sleeping on the other side, which defeats the purpose of crate training in terms of potty training.
2. If you have a fast-growing puppy, then consider buying a large crate that is meant for an adult dog but that has a divider built into it. This way you can divide the crate in half so that your puppy will be able to lie down comfortably and still be able to turn around if needed. A divided dog crate can also be used for your larger puppies by removing the division bracket.
3. One last aspect of using a dog crate that you should consider is the type of bedding that you place on the floor. Some dog owners have noticed that their puppies still use the bathroom inside even though the crate is the appropriate size for potty training. In most instances it turns out that the bedding that they laid down was a little too thick and had a tendency to induce urination in dogs. Instead, try to lay down less comfortable bedding that your dog does not consider to be used for urination, like newspaper for example.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Dog Breeding - Part 2
If you browse through the free dog sales advertising websites you will notice that there are hundreds of puppies for sale every day. Many of these offers are made by professional breeders who have a reputation for being extremely passionate about what it is they do. On the other hand, most of these puppies for sale that are out there are being offered by people that decided to breed their dogs, but lack the experience needed to make dog breeding a lifelong endeavor.
If you are one of these people who do not take great interest in dog breeding for living, yet are considering breeding your dogs in order to make a few extra dollars and maybe even keep a puppy or two, it would behoove of you to read the following cons when it comes to dog breeding:
1. Professional dog breeders know the importance of sacrificing their time so that the puppies are born as healthy and strong as possible. This amount time can take hours and hours of devotion each and every day. You may want to reconsider dog breeding if you are not prepared to give up a large chunk of your freedom.
The largest part of your time will be spent on advertising and handling phone calls and inquiries from interested buyers. Men and women who are interested in the types of puppies you have available will have all sorts of questions and you must be ready to answer these questions at any given time. 95% of those who contact you with interest in your puppies will just ask questions or come by and look at the dogs, but will not end up buying one. Some new dog breeders do not have the patience for dealing with people like this.
2. Dog breeding also requires a great interest and knowledge about genetics, as well as knowing what steps to take to prevent genetic diseases. The process of dog pregnancy and how to assist with the whelping phase is one that you must be prepared for.
Dog breeding is a lot more than just putting a male and female together in hopes that they mate. You must be aware of the different ways to prevent health problems and educate yourself on the proper nutritional needs of the new puppies as well as the pregnant mother's food needs throughout the pregnancy.
If you are one of these people who do not take great interest in dog breeding for living, yet are considering breeding your dogs in order to make a few extra dollars and maybe even keep a puppy or two, it would behoove of you to read the following cons when it comes to dog breeding:
1. Professional dog breeders know the importance of sacrificing their time so that the puppies are born as healthy and strong as possible. This amount time can take hours and hours of devotion each and every day. You may want to reconsider dog breeding if you are not prepared to give up a large chunk of your freedom.
The largest part of your time will be spent on advertising and handling phone calls and inquiries from interested buyers. Men and women who are interested in the types of puppies you have available will have all sorts of questions and you must be ready to answer these questions at any given time. 95% of those who contact you with interest in your puppies will just ask questions or come by and look at the dogs, but will not end up buying one. Some new dog breeders do not have the patience for dealing with people like this.
2. Dog breeding also requires a great interest and knowledge about genetics, as well as knowing what steps to take to prevent genetic diseases. The process of dog pregnancy and how to assist with the whelping phase is one that you must be prepared for.
Dog breeding is a lot more than just putting a male and female together in hopes that they mate. You must be aware of the different ways to prevent health problems and educate yourself on the proper nutritional needs of the new puppies as well as the pregnant mother's food needs throughout the pregnancy.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Dog Breeding - Part 1
Are you tempted to start breeding your dogs in the hopes of adding a couple of new puppies to the family and/or making a few extra dollars by selling the other pups? I think everyone who owns a dog has thought about it at some time or another. Unfortunately, there are some downsides to breeding your dogs that you may not feel comfortable with.
Dog breeding is considered to be a “way of life” for those professionals that are passionate about their animals. These people live, eat, and breathe dog breeding. However, the same is not true for 99% of the other people out there that just decided to have puppies for the fun of it or for the possibility of smalltime profits.
Here are a few reasons why you might want to reconsider dog breeding unless you are 100% committed to the process and to the health of the new puppies:
1. Breeding can be a bit expensive. To begin with, the costs that you will have to absorb can get a little pricey with veterinarian checkups and care for all of the puppies, which include prevention of heartworms , fleas , and regular worms . In addition, you need to budget enough money to advertise the new puppies once they are born. For most people that are not professional breeders, you may barely make enough money back to cover your investment.
2. Breeding puppies yourself can also be emotionally heartbreaking. This is one downside of breeding that most people do not expect. For example, it is not unusual for the mother to die due to whelping complications. What is even more depressing is that many times one or more puppies from the litter will pass away as well. These kind of circumstances are not something that every family can handle so please keep these possibilities in mind should you begin to breed your dogs.
3. A third downside to breeding your dogs is that the entire process is a huge responsibility. This should be quite obvious with even just the above two examples given in terms of your investment and emotional participation. Once you decide to breed your dogs and bring new life into this world, you are now entirely responsible to ensure that those puppies are given the utmost in high quality attention and health care. Breeding new puppies is not a hobby and therefore you must understand that your time and energy must be devoted to the process 100%.
Dog breeding is considered to be a “way of life” for those professionals that are passionate about their animals. These people live, eat, and breathe dog breeding. However, the same is not true for 99% of the other people out there that just decided to have puppies for the fun of it or for the possibility of smalltime profits.
Here are a few reasons why you might want to reconsider dog breeding unless you are 100% committed to the process and to the health of the new puppies:
1. Breeding can be a bit expensive. To begin with, the costs that you will have to absorb can get a little pricey with veterinarian checkups and care for all of the puppies, which include prevention of heartworms , fleas , and regular worms . In addition, you need to budget enough money to advertise the new puppies once they are born. For most people that are not professional breeders, you may barely make enough money back to cover your investment.
2. Breeding puppies yourself can also be emotionally heartbreaking. This is one downside of breeding that most people do not expect. For example, it is not unusual for the mother to die due to whelping complications. What is even more depressing is that many times one or more puppies from the litter will pass away as well. These kind of circumstances are not something that every family can handle so please keep these possibilities in mind should you begin to breed your dogs.
3. A third downside to breeding your dogs is that the entire process is a huge responsibility. This should be quite obvious with even just the above two examples given in terms of your investment and emotional participation. Once you decide to breed your dogs and bring new life into this world, you are now entirely responsible to ensure that those puppies are given the utmost in high quality attention and health care. Breeding new puppies is not a hobby and therefore you must understand that your time and energy must be devoted to the process 100%.
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