My Hero

This dog is "The Dog"

Deadly Snacks

Many people feed their dogs the same foods that they eat without a second thought. Not only is this not nutritional but it can be deadly too. After investing your time and effort in researching quality foods that are healthy and have nutritional value for your pet, why would you ruin it by feeding them table scraps or other tidbits. Just because you have a snack, it doesn’t mean that your dog has to have the same thing.
Your dog develops a daily routine just like you do. Regular feeding time using a quality foodshould not be jeopardized by feeding your dog table scraps. He will get used to it and soon begin to shun his own food. This is not a healthy habit and you will soon regret it when your pet refuses to eat his regular food.
Another bad habit is feeding your dog tidbits or pieces of your own snacks. The reason for this is because sometimes without thinking about it, you will offer your dog something that can be deadly. Instead, feed him quality foods that have been especially formulated just for him.
One example of a food that is toxic to dogs is chocolate. Chocolate is made from cocoa beans which contain a chemical called Theobromine. It is from the same family as caffeine which can increase your dog’s heart rate to the point of no return. Another toxic food is grapes or raisins. They can cause kidney failure which will not allow your dog to naturally rid himself of the toxins that have been ingested. Although there are many other substances that are toxic to your dog, the last one that we will mention in this article are nuts. Although some nuts are not toxic, it is best to be safe. Avoid giving any type of nut to your dog.
What is the antidote for these toxic substances? Unfortunately, there is no magic elixir available that will reverse the toxic reaction. The best solution is to induce vomiting using hydrogen peroxide. An acceptable formula is one tablespoon for each twenty five to thirty pounds of body weight. Of course your dog won’t be very cooperative so the best way to accomplish this is by using a syringe without a needle. Fill the syringe with the appropriate dose, insert it into the dog’s mouth towards the back and force the solution out of the syringe. If vomiting hasn’t occurred within about five minutes, repeat the procedure again. After vomiting has taken place, follow up with activated charcoal which will help absorb the remaining toxin. If activated charcoal is not readily available, you can make your own by simply burning some toast and feeding the dog the charred pieces. After this has been accomplished, you will have to determine whether to take the dog to the vet. Depending on the amount of toxin ingested, it may not be necessary. However, it may be very difficult to determine just how much the dog has eaten so as always it is better to be safe.
Keep this in mind; Only two ounces of chocolate can be fatal.

Dog Allergies

Allergies among dogs have become very common of late but unfortunately the causes and consequently the remedies for these allergies are hard to pin down. With the growing number of chemicals used in everything from pesticides to plant food, it has become increasingly difficult to determine exactly what causes certain allergies and what treatments to use. Some dogs develop rashes and itching skin, constantly scratching and biting at the annoying areas. This can be caused by contact with grass or soil that has been fertilized. Chemicals can also be transferred from street surfaces. Oil, coolant and grease can all be irritants to your pet. One good treatment for this is a moderate antihistamine which seems to temporarily calm the dog to the point where many times they just sleep until the effects wear off. Another good preventative measure are dog booties available at your favorite pet shop. If your dog just can't stand the booties, try an alternative like Musher's Secret All Natural Paw Wax 200 gbut these are just temporary treatments and not a cure. In order to help your pet, you must find the cause.
One opinion is that many dogs are actually allergic to their food. Many low quality dog foods contain corn as the first ingredient followed up with byproducts of many kinds. What are byproducts? Basically they are the left over parts. For example, chicken byproducts might consist of ground beaks and feet. Beef byproducts might consist of ground hooves, horns and tails. Other grains and soy are also used as fillers. The point is that this type of food is not healthy for your dog and may be the cause of his allergies.
Switching to a quality food which contains real meat as it’s first ingredient may be the cure that you are looking for. Slowly wean your dog off of his old food over the course of about 15 days. Start with a mixture of 30% new food to 70% old food for about 5 days. Then mix 50% new food with 50% old food for about 5 days. Finally mix 75% new food with 25% old food for the last 5 days. Now you can feed your dog 100% of his new healthy diet. Monitor his condition. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that this cures his allergies. Don’t forget that your dog will enjoy a variety just like we do. After all, you wouldn’t want the same food for dinner every night.Once in a while, give him a snack. It’s just like when we have desert.

You are Going to Want One

A Great Way to Wake Up

For the Love of Boxers

It is said that dog is man’s best friend. Originally designed to prosper in a natural environment, we have removed the dog from the wild and domesticated him to the point where he is no longer self-sufficient. With this we have inherited the responsibility to provide all of the necessary care for our new best friends. This starts with the education and knowledge of how to properly care for your dog. This is especially important for a first time dog owner with little or no experience. There are many good books providing a wealth of information on this subject including several by the dog whisperer himself.
A dog essentially has the same needs as a human. Water, food, exercise, discipline, companionship and love are necessities of life for a human as well as a dog. The more knowledge we have about each one of these, the closer we will be to achieving the well-being that our dogs deserve.
First on the list of essentials is water. Do you drink tap water that is possibly laced with contaminants? Then why do you give it to your dog? Your dog should receive the same nutritional benefits that you do including filtered or even bottled water if necessary. Always keep their bowlsclean. There are even elevated bowls that have been ergonomically designed just for your pampered pooch.
Secondly, food quality varies dramatically. Most inexpensive brands start with corn as a main ingredient. This is followed by chicken and poultry by-products and other fillers which provide little or no nutrition. In fact there is ongoing debate that many dog allergies can be attributed to this low quality food. There are reports of skin rashes, hair loss, constant coughing and sneezing, constipation and lack of energy. Constant chewing of the paws can also be a symptom. QualityFood is essential to your dog's health and well being. They are specifically formulated for adult dogs as well as puppies to include all of the nutrients and anti-oxidants that your dog needs to remain healthy. But don't forget, our dogs need variety just like we do. Wouldn't you get tired of the same food day after day? So mix it up. Different flavors and textures (dry kibble and wet food) will keep your dog happy and also help to maintain a healthy appetite. A snack every now and then is a welcome treat.
Third is exercise. Dogs need exercise just like we do. Primarily to stay healthy, but also to keep from being bored. That’s right – Our dogs can get bored just like we do at times. To avoid this, take them for a daily walk. A ride in the car every once in a while doesn’t hurt either. And always have their favorite toy available for playtime.
Next is discipline. It is probably the hardest part. No one likes to scold or be stern with their dog but it must be done. After all, you are still the boss and your dog must respect this. While there may be a delicate balance to discipline and love, a dog will not waiver in his faithfulness.
Self discipline will work but for those who lack the patience, there are many other alternatives includingThe Dog Whisperer . Finally, there is companionship and love. But you have got that covered. After all, we do love our dogs.