Thursday, June 18, 2009

Tips For Choosing A Healthy Dog Food


Your dogs nutrition is critical for leading a long, healthy and happy life. There are so many different types of dog foods available to you that it is sometimes difficult to determine which one is the right one for your dog. Just because a dog food is expensive, does not always mean it is the best food for your dog.

IMPORTANT One thing that is critical to the health of your dog is to know what NEVER to feed him. Some foods that humans can eat can be hazardous or even fatal to dogs. Some of these foods you need to avoid are: alcohol, baby food that contains onion powder, bones from fish, cat food (too high in protein), chocolate, coffee or tea, grapes or raisons, citrus oil extracts, onions, garlic, table scraps, mushrooms and more. Some of these are toxic and could cause death, whereas some will cause less severe health issues, such as diarrhea and vomiting.

There are quite a few more human foods that dogs should not eat. Research any food you plan to hand over to your dog. Trying to satisfy your dogs desires, could be a devastating result. In fact, chocolate is lethal for your dog, especially dark chocolate. The ingredients in chocolate are digested and excreted by a human in as little as three hours, but the same amount of chocolate in a dog can take up to 18 hours to leave a dogs body. Here are some of the symptoms of dog chocolate poisoning: vomiting, excessive urination, hyper, diarrhea, seizure, coma or death.
Read the labels of their dog food. Dogs diets should be rich in meat protein.

If you choose to have canned dog food, look for chicken, turkey meat or pork because they will help keep your dogs coat smooth and healthy. Give the foods that have a high vegetable protein level because these foods are more easily digested and give the dogs energy. They should also receive an adequate amount of carbohydrates, such as rice, corn, oatmeal and wheat.
Dont give your dog a bone! Once bones are gnawed to where they are soft enough to eat, they will feel like splinters inside a dogs throat and this could cause them to choke.

A natural dog food diet is a great way to increase your dogs overall health. People who have tried the natural dog food diet have been very happy with the outcome. They report that their dogs have shinier coats, their eyes are brighter, they have more energy and their breath is better. The idea of a natural dog food diet is to feed your dog quality human food, not just your leftovers. If you do not take care in what type of human food you feed your dog, than instead of making him healthier, you could be leading him down the path of degenerative diseases or diabetes. Many people are beginning to give their dogs more natural dog food diets.

Some people are making the meals right in their kitchen. However, the dog food industry has recognized that owners want to give their babies a variety of healthier foods, so you can find more natural dog food manufacturers on the internet. If you do choose to make your own food, be prepared to spend a little time in the kitchen. Prepare the food ahead of time, so that you are not tempted to give in to their desires of your leftovers. This can happen if you are simply too tired to get up and make your dogs meal after spending all that time making your own meal!
There are many different dog foods available. Be sure you are choosing a dog food that is high in meat protein. Before you prepare any meals for your dog from quality human food, check to be sure that the food is not toxic to your pet.

After feeding your dog his meal, take him on a walk. This will help to ensure a healthy lifestyle for you and your dog. Bring along the pet stroller so that he can have a relaxing ride back from the park after all of the playing. He will likely be ready for a nice long nap in his dog bed after his big meal and playtime!

Friday, June 12, 2009

All about a Rottweiler

A Powerful Dog

The Rottweiler is black with beautiful tan markings on the muzzle, cheeks, chest, eyebrows, and legs. The markings are typically clearly defined. There should not be any white or straw colored markings on the dog. An unusual coloring could indicate that the puppy may be a mixed breed.

The one most prominent feature of this breed is the head, which appears to be a little over-sized. Giving the dog its look of being alert, the forehead is wrinkly. Even the coat of this breed is special, being of medium length with an undercoat that is waterproof. The coat requires only minimal brushing to stay healthy and shiny. Rottweiler puppies really don’t come into their voices until they are 2 or 3 years old so if you’re looking for a puppy that doesn’t bark too much you should consider a Rottweiler.Although a Rottweiler is born with a tail, these are generally docked extremely short. The reason is that Rottweilers used for working can have problems with the tail breaking and then getting infected from being in the field.

Rottweiler dogs are great watchdogs. The size and strength of the breed makes them a great watchdog. Even though this dog does not bark often, when feeling threatened or afraid, the powerful voice is heard. Rottweilers are known to be fiercely protective of their property and their families and are vigilant about protecting what they love.Rottweilers are known to be exceptionally courageous and will put themselves in danger to protect their loved ones.

Rottweiler puppies are easy to train. Rottweilers as a breed are very attentive and like to learn and stay active. Rottweilers are known for their intelligence so if you want a dog that is more intelligent than most other breeds and is easy to train and will be obedient and respectful of your authority then a Rottweiler is the dog for you.

Rottweilers were bred to be working dogs and they love to be given tasks. They need a job to do in order to be truly happy. If they are not given work to do or kept busy Rottweilers will get bored and can be destructive so make sure that your Rottweiler gets lots of exercise.The Rottweiler dog is loyal, intelligent and desires to please. Rottweilers are also proving to be outstanding therapy dogs and recognized as excellent service dogs for the physically challenged.

Socialization is crucial for Rottweiler puppies. Rottweiler puppies should start being socialized within a year. Because of their strength and size it's important to start training early and to socialize early. They need to be taught what acceptable behavior is and how to behave around family members, kids, the general public and other dogs. If the dog is socialized young, handled with a firm hand, and introduced to various situations it will make a wonderful, devoted pet that is great with children and other animals.

Next to socialization start training early. Start teaching your pup to sit, down, stand, stay, heel and come. The most important activities are playing, eating, sleeping and social contact between you and your dog. Control the games, take charge of the sleeping areas, put your Rotti on a feeding schedule and don't let your dog demand your attention. Just like children Rottweiler puppies enjoy having a routine and thrive when they are given lots of training, lots of exercise, and a solid routine.

Rottweiler dogs often gravitate naturally towards children. It’s important to socialize Rottweiler puppies around children and to always supervise a Rottweiler that is around children because Rottweilers are very large dogs and could injure a child without meaning to. As a breed Rottweilers usually bond very strongly to children.

All dogs require exercise. Rottweiler's are very intelligent dogs and also require a mental workout. After you have given your dog some physical exercise also spend some time letting your Rotti use his brain.

Selecting a Rottweiler should be done with great care. While it’s true that Rottweilers are not the right dog for everyone, but if you are the right kind of person then owning a Rottweiler can have a lot of benefits. If you want a dog that can help you around the farm, protect your property, and do other jobs then a Rottweiler will be a good fit for you. To ensure the correct breed temperament look for an AKC registered litter.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

The True Temperament of the Rottweiler


By: Charles Kassotis

Looking at the Rottweiler, there's no doubt that this dog has some mastiff in his ancestry. The breed dates back at least several centuries and was probably used in several capacities during the Middle Ages. There's no real evidence as to why, but it seems that the breed became less popular about a century ago, and was probably fairly near extinction when efforts to save the integrity of the breed finally came about.

In those early years, the Rottweiler was probably used mainly for herding. Today, Rottweilers are most often used as guard and watch dogs, though they can also be trained to herd, hunt and to perform in obedience trials. Rottweilers are also sometimes used in police, military and rescue work.

They have a reputation for being aggressive. Remember that the early breeders sought to enhance the protective nature of the dog in order to ensure the safety of the herds they were responsible for. That means there are some aggressive tendencies in this dog, but socialization and training can make them a very safe animal.

By the same token, the dog can be trained when to bring those aggressive tendencies to the forefront. Poor training, mishandling and mistreatment may also make this breed a very aggressive animal. When engaged in a fight, the Rottweiler seems impervious to pain. This has made them a very popular dog for dog fights. The reputation as a dog that will attack has prompted some cities to ban the animals from the city limits.

The Rottweiler is typically a large dog and adult males may attain a weight of 120 to 130 pounds. They have a very compact body, large neck and squared off head. As a rule, the Rottweiler will be black with some brown markings on the chest, face and legs. Most breeders dock the tails and dewclaws (if present), depending on the region in which the breeder lives. Some countries have banned docking and clipping ears.

When socialized well and trained properly, the Rottweiler is a very calm dog, but also very protective of his family and territory. They love to play, but are usually content to leave playtime outside - making them a good choice for the person with limited indoor space who wants a larger dog. As long as they're given the chance to get outdoors often to work off their energy, they'll usually be happy laying around inside.

Though territorial to a great degree, the Rottweiler will tend to greet those he knows with great affection. These are dogs that don't like to be left alone for great periods of time. They really need interaction with their people, whether it's walking, swimming, playtime or naptime. The natural intelligence of the breed and their tendency to be anxious to please make them ideal for obedience training and for learning new tricks.

Training is everything with this dog and most who regularly handle these dogs seem to agree that firm training must begin very early. Because these dogs achieve a very large size fairly early, it's easy to let a Rottweiler's natural aggressiveness take over his personality.

Monday, June 1, 2009

How To Be A Responsible Dog Owner


What does it mean to be a responsible dog owner? For starters, it means getting a dog for the right reasons. Dogs are meant to be our companions and to share our lives with us. The right reasons to get a dog are to help him become all that he can be. To properly feed and exercise him. To spend quality time socializing and training him. But there are many wrong reasons to get a dog. Some of these include as a means of protection or to be a hobby breeder. When dogs are purchased as a means of protection, most people think this means keeping them away from other dogs and people to make them more protective. By doing this, your dog is not getting the socialization that he requires and as a result ends up fearful, aggressive, and destructive.

What invariably happens is the dog bites someone and ends up getting euthanized. Reputable breeders generally breed their dogs as a profession. They have studied genetic lines and ensure that their puppies are healthy and of good temperament. Breeding dogs is often very expensive, and most hobby breeders are not ready for what they are getting themselves into. Also, there is already an overpopulation of dogs in this country. It is best to leave breeding to the professionals.

Responsible dog ownership begins BEFORE you get your dog. Make sure to properly research which type of dog is right for you. Make sure to discuss with your family who will be responsible for caring for your dog. Talk with your veterinarian about what kinds of costs you must consider throughout your dog's life. Make the commitment that your dog will be cared for by you for the duration of his life. By doing your homework before you even bring your dog home, you are ensuring that you and your dog will be a good match, you know what to expect financially, and that your dog will have a forever home.

Responsible dog ownership means properly socializing your dog. Young puppies need to be exposed to a variety of other dogs, people, and sensations to help them learn to not be afraid of new situations. Puppies also require a lot of time and training. Responsible dog owners understand that the demands of puppy hood will be many. Puppies need to be housebroken, a task which often requires a lot of time and patience. They need to learn basic commands and manners and you need to learn how to properly communicate with them.

Responsible dog ownership means taking your dog to the veterinarian for regular healthy pet checkups. Usually at this time, your dog will be vaccinated as well. All good owners know that dogs need to be vaccinated on schedule to help protect them, the public, and other dogs that they come into contact with. Your dog will also need to be tested for intestinal parasites periodically. Responsible owners know that by preventing and treating parasites they are keeping their dog healthy and protecting their families as most parasites can be transmitted to humans. Another facet of good dog ownership is knowing when your dog is ill. It is your responsibility to keep your dog in optimum health.

When you take your dog for a walk or to the dog park, pick up after him when he goes to the bathroom. Not only is this common courtesy, but fecal matter can be harmful to humans or other dogs. If you do not have a fenced in yard, always keep your dog on leash. Not only are there laws in many states requiring you to do so, this will also ensure that your dog will not get loose and bite a person or another dog, or dart in to traffic and get injured or killed.

Spend as much quality time with your dog as possible. If you happen to have an employer that allows it, take your dog to work with you. Go jogging with your dog. Find a sport like agility, flyball, or sledding that you can do with your dog. Participate in community events such as dog jogs and dog fests. All of these things will enhance your relationship and are a factor in responsible dog ownership.

Common sense, proper socialization, training, and spending good time with your dog are all a part of responsible dog ownership. By displaying these traits, you can help others learn about how to be good dog owners.