Puppy Care : How to Choose the Right Puppy Food

There are many people that are very concerned with the food their dogs eat. It is a known fact that the foods that are consumed affect their health. With keeping their health in mind, many dog owners feel that it is best that they feed their beloved pets a holistic dog food.
This is a food that is filled with natural ingredients and don't have any artificial additives. When a person looks into a holistic dog food, it is not just about the expense of it or the outward benefits of the food. The biggest thought that these owners have is the concern for their pet's long term health.
The ingredients used in holistic dog food are very high quality. When these foods are processed and made, there are no artificial colors, preservatives or fillers used.
With the high quality of ingredients found in it, these foods are rich in useful nutrients. Many dog owners find that this type of dog food provides all the nutrients their pet needs to live a healthy and happy life.
Because this is so rich in nutrients, dogs absorb more of the food into their bodies thus dog owners find that their pets are producing fewer stools. Instead of a dog eating a lot of food that doesn't benefit them, they are eating a food that gives their body the nutrients it needs.
Dog lovers also find that when their dogs eat holistic dog food, they have fewer allergies.  When additives and artificial ingredients are removed from their diet, their health improves immediately and permanently if they continue to eat a diet that doesn't have these irritants added.
The cost of holistic dog food isn't something that stops many dog owners from buying it because it is offset by the lowered cost of vet bills and fewer medicines that have to be bought for their beloved dogs. Many people see their pet's health improved dramatically and state that the cost of the dog food is worth the benefits it is giving their pet.
When a dog is introduced to a family, it becomes a member of the family. To keep their family healthy and happy, many people want to feed their dogs the best. Many families find that the benefits of holistic dog food serve their purpose of keeping their four legged family member healthy.

Visit To The Vet

                                            My Rollie in one of his usual sad poses

Today my Rollie visited his vet, Dr Gobinathan for his 2nd vaccination. Rollie took it like a real boy, no fuss whatsoever but one thing though , the vet was a bit concern about his body weight. He has gained 5kg in the last month. The vet realised that I was feeding him fresh chicken liver for all his 3 meals on a regular basis. 

He said I should try not to feed the dog with animal's internal organs especially those that act as filters eg the liver and kidneys. Though we may not the see the side-effects immediately, while they are still young, but as they grow older they will have all kinds of sickness.

Another thing the vet advises against is:  
NEVER FEED YOUR DOGS WITH CHICKEN BONES!

It may punture their intestines and it will be costly to treat it, furthermore the dog may eventually still diefrom it.

So be careful what you feed your dog with!

How To Choose A Healthy Puppy

Researching a breed should be one of the top priorities when looking to get a new puppy for your family. Once a breed has been selected, you want to ensure your new puppy is healthy and is free of parasites and other diseases. A dry puppy nose is typically a good sign of a healthy puppy, however, when selecting a good animal, there are other signs to look for to make sure you are getting a fit new dog.

A puppy can come with various issues when you first pick them up from the place they were born or housed. Just the fact that they were probably rolling around and wrestling with other puppies, they can pick up many diseases and develop issues after you have brought them home. So having a good sense of which ones are less likely to have health issues will save you and your family stress and money in the long run.

Things to look for when acquiring a puppy is their energy level, eyes,
ears, nose, mobility and to make sure that the puppy can stand upright 

or keep their balance on all their four legs .

In summary, it is always a good idea to consult your local veterinarian after purchase to check out the dog for any real issues. Make sure you have a clause in your agreement to return the animal if issues do arise that would prevent you from keeping the dog. A reputable breeder should have no issues in guaranteeing their puppies.

My Dear Rollie Mollie

My Rollie is always busy chewing things around the house

Rollie was given to us when he was about 8 weeks old. He was very round and fluffy and that is how his name came about. He's quite an adorable little doggie, learning things rather fast eg simple instruction like SIT, SHAKE HANDS, FETCH AND JUMP. At the moment I'm teaching him to ROLL, this I'm having a bit of a problem. Today he'll be going for his 2nd vacination...poor Rollie.

Dog As Man's Best Friend

It has been said all throughout history that a dog is man's best friend. Dogs are always by his masters side, even when the times are rough. I do believe you have come across that specific time in your life when you are lonely and got nobody else to talk to. They are always there, ready to listen and to complete you. Rewarding them with proper love and care would make them one happy friend, also you can look into training your dogs. .

Learning the basic approaches in dog training is the best way to teach them how to behave themselves. Do not forget that when you train dogs, human rules do not apply. Communication is vital between owner and pet, so that commands can easily be learned by the dog. To add, do not forget to make sure that the dog is rewarded for every good " job" and to correct him if it does otherwise.

7 BASIC COMMANDS
1. Up                                                2. Heel          
3. Sit                                                4. Down
5. Close                                           6. Recall
7. Stay

Before proceeding with training your dog, you must first know if he suffers from a certain condition. Also, some dogs suffer from separation anxiety which ultimately results to violent behavior. Some dogs might even bite or bark due to some communication issues between its master and the dog. If your dog suffers any condition mentioned above you are in need of a professional dog trainer.

Read some tips below on how to train your dog effectively:

• Set limitations when setting a rule and implementing it on your dog, be consistent with it and never let him break the rules or else all your efforts are useless. Unless you implement the rules sternly, the dog won't take the training seriously.

• Assert the role of leader of the pack so that he will follow your every order.

• Make sure he knows when he doesn't do a good job .

• And never reprimand him for whatever reason, he may become bitter on you and even consider it as a traumatic experience .

• Be patient. Patience is the key to successful dog training. Do not forget that your words will come as gibberish to your dog so it will be hard for him to understand you right away. It takes time for him to be familiarized with the guidelines and the command.

• Keep the training short and fun. Try to focus on one particular command every session so it will be easier for him to remember and don't forget to give him treats for every good job done. Praise your dog every after training for a job well done and try to spend some quality alone time with him to reinforce your bond as owner and pet.

• And the last, remember to be positive. Don't lose hope when it seems too hard. When you see that your dog has problems learning during sessions , look on the bright side. Someday, he may get it and you will be one pleased master. Always use positive reinforcement so your dog will not get traumatized.

How To Train Your Dog To Sit

Having The Right Mindset About Dog Training

Your approach to dog training has a big impact on the actual training results that you will get. As long as you have the right mindset about dog training, you can be sure that your puppy will grow into a well-mannered dog that you can be proud of. Aside from having the right mindset, you would also do well to follow the most useful tips and tricks of dog training. Here are the top five dog training tips that will help you mould your dog into a positive addition to your family.

1. Show your dog that you are the pack leader.

Dogs are pack animals and naturally look to their pack leader for guidance. Therefore, you will have to establish your role as pack leader in order to gain control over your dog's behaviour. Pack leaders normally control the food supply, so a good way to establish leadership would be to always feed your dog only AFTER you have eaten. You should also set a feeding schedule and stick to it.

2. Use positive reinforcement.

Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. One of the best ways to ensure success in dog training is to reward good behaviour and ignore unwanted behaviour. This will encourage your dog to repeat those behaviours that earn him praises and treats, and refrain from exhibiting behaviours that get him nothing in return. Be careful not to use punishment in training your dog, as this will only alienate him and make him regard you as an adversary. Rewards and positive reinforcement not only help ensure success in dog training, but also helps strengthen your bond with your dog.

3. Set realistic goals.

You can't ensure the success of your training unless you have a concrete goal to start with. Of course, you will have to keep your goals realistic; otherwise, you will just be setting yourself up for failure. For example, it is okay to expect your dog to master the "sit" command in two to three days, but you can't expect him to jump through hoops within the same time frame.

4. Learn proper timing.

Proper timing can spell the difference between success and failure, where dog training is concerned. When you see your dog sniffing and circling around, immediately give a firm NO and then lead him to the designated elimination area. If you wait until he has done his business before scolding him, he won't understand that he is not supposed to make a mess inside the house. In the same way, you should praise your dog or give him a treat the very moment he exhibits a good behaviour. This will make him understand that he has just done something that pleases you.

5. Be patient and consistent.

Stay calm even when your dog makes mistakes. Yelling and showing impatience will get you nowhere. Give your dog enough time to learn each command, and always use the same words and hand signals when you give these commands. Consistency and patience are the keys to successful dog training.