Here are a few things to look for…

All dog foods are labeled with the ingredients in order by proportion. That is, the material that forms the largest percentage is listed first, followed by the second and then others.

One of the attributes that makes cheap dog food less preferable is the high percentage of ‘waste’ animal parts. When you see ‘by products’ on the label, it’s better to avoid these brands. If it does appear on higher quality dog food, which is rare, it will be listed near the bottom indicating a small proportion.

Those ‘by products’ consist of parts that were not considered usable for human consumption. That fact doesn’t by itself make the product dangerous, but the lower quality will have a long term effect on coats, muscles and bones, and overall health.

Just as one indicator, dogs with healthy coats (particularly, long-haired breeds) will look shinier and shed less. Assuming proper bathing and brushing habits, of course.

Some experts put the proper ratio of meat, vegetables and starch at about roughly 40%, 30%, 30% respectively.

Common meats used are chicken, lamb and beef. These provide readily digestible sources of protein – essential to healthy coats, muscles, etc.

Vegetables provide minerals and vitamins that help produce proper hormone and enzyme types and amounts, as well as compounds for good bone health and other functions. Carrots and squash, for example are both excellent for almost all dogs.

The starch content is often provided by brown or white rice. Either is an excellent source of carbohydrates. These compounds are broken down in the body to form the basis for energy and cell repair.

As with any food substance, some dogs have special conditions that make special diets necessary. Many Golden Retrievers, for example, are sensitive to wheat products. Corn meal is hard to digest for some dogs.

Look for these on the label and discuss with your vet whether it’s necessary to avoid them. Some indicators are soft stools, excessive scratching and frequent gas.

Some dogs will find dry dog food more enjoyable if prepared with a little water and microwaved for about 30 seconds. Feed dry at least occasionally, though, to help scrub teeth and gums.

Needless to say, go easy on the treats. Even quality treats tend to be high in fat content – one of the reasons the dogs enjoy them so much. One or two per day isn’t harmful, but go for the quality brands.

The price differential for good food is sometimes considerable – with higher quality dog food often twice the cost. But considering the effects on health you’ll likely make up for it in lower vet bills, or at least a healthier dog.

The shine of the coat, the clarity of the eyes and other less obvious indicators will show in the long run. And, in the final analysis, the health of your dog is priceless.

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Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your dog requires following some basic principles.

When It Comes To Food, Quality Not Quantity

To make sure your dog is healthy, take care in feeding him or her a high-quality, nutritious diet. Just as you need a nutritious diet that includes balance and natural ingredients, so does your pooch. Veterinarians recommend a dog’s diet be roughly 40% meat or protein, 50% vegetables and 10% carbohydrates. Look at the ingredients listed in your dog’s food and make sure that protein sources, such as lamb, chicken, or venison, are listed in the top five ingredients. Dogs also benefit from whole grain, low fat dog food. In this one area, spending a little more on a more nutritious brand of dog food really will provide long-term health benefits for your pet.

Regular Exercise

Making time for regular exercise is also a key component to a dog’s healthy lifestyle. Dogs do not have the ability to understand the positive benefits of exercise so it is up to you, the owner, to make sure your pet is in proper physical shape. If you are unsure about how much exercise is right for the age and breed of your dog, ask your veterinarian for their recommendation.

Walking your dog is the easiest way to keep it healthy. A 10 – 15 minute walk around a nearby park or your neighborhood can help a dog calm down before bedtime or be a great start to a day. Swimming is also a fun, easy way to get your dog out and active during the summer months. If your dog is social, consider taking them to a dog park for a game of fetch.

During exercise time, make sure you monitor your dog closely for any abnormal changes in breathing or gait. Make sure not too push your dog too hard too fast, and keep his or her exercise pattern as regular as possible. As you start or change your dog’s exercise routine, make sure to take note of any eating habit or sleeping pattern changes and notify your veterinarian.

Owner Care

Providing loving, regular attention to your pet is the easiest element to forget but often times is the most crucial to keeping your pet happy and healthy. Loneliness and aggression are common in dogs that have not received proper care and socialization. Dog experts have even found that a dog that has not been socialized in a caring, trustworthy environment by the time they reach sexual maturity may never have close, trusting relationships with people or other animals. As you walk your dog, throw a ball around together or simply curl up together on the couch, be assured that the time together is well-spent and necessary to your dog’s health.

The best way to make sure your dog is happy and healthy is to care for it as you do yourself. A nutritious diet, regular exercise and time and attention, coupled with regular veterinary visits, will keep your dog happy throughout its life.

~Ben Anton, 2008

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A huge amount of dogs get returned to breeders and shelters every day. Worse yet, a lot of dogs are abandoned and left to the mercy of the environment, just because they are no longer cute puppies, and as dogs they just proved to be ‘too much’ for their dog owners.

I’m not here to paint a picture of doom and gloom, but one of reality. The point I’m trying to make is that just like with everything else in life, if you invest a little bit of time into researching and planning before you made your decision, you are giving yourself and your chosen pooch a much better chance of long term relationship…

Then when you’ve made sure you are a good match, you can dive into the whole raising a loving dog thing, and your chances of swooping success are tenfold!

So here are my top secret tips on how to ensure that you raise a happy and healthy dog, that will be a pleasure for you and your family.

1. Make sure to consider each dog breed and its characteristics, to allow yyou to pick the one that suits:

Your lifestyle; Your personality type; Your budget capabilities; Your living space; Your time availability.

2. Consider which obedience training method you want to use.

This is important because there are so many out there, and you should try sticking to one method only. Consider each of these, and then decide which ones suit you and your dog most. Avoid flipping between methods as this may confuse your dog.

Clicker Training Dog Whispering Method Ultrasonic Whistle Method Positive Reinforcement Method

I would personally recommend using the Positive Reinforcement Method as it allows you to train your dog, establishing authority, but maintaining a loving healthy relationship that relies on cooperation, rather than fear.

3. Consider what main bits of training you need to take care of to ensure your puppy grows up to be a well balanced dog.

There are some things even I didn’t think of when I first got a dog, so this one is worth a few minutes of research or at least ask your vet about these.

Potty training House training Crate training Proper socialization Training in basic obedience commands right from day 1 – like SIT, GO POTTY, NO, OK, COME. Creating special feeding times, nap times, potty times, and play times – all part of your dog’s routine, and all very important for his mental and physical health. Training him right from the start not to jump on you, nip or bite you, bark excessively, chew or dig in unwanted places.

4. Plan ahead for your puppy’s health care.

I don’t need to tell you that your puppy’s health is very important. What you may not have considered is the different parts of his health care you need to provide for. So t make it easier, here is another brief list for you:

His first vet appointment His required vaccinations His routine treatments like flea, worm, and tic prevention pills Any other vaccinations you may want to consider His daily health and care (grooming) – like brushing his teeth, grooming his coat, baths, and monitoring his overall well being Accident and emergency treatments if needed Taking care of chronic illnesses

I’ve listed everything very briefly above, so that you can use this a checklist when you are looking after your puppy or dog. Go though the list and dig deeper into the items you feel you’re unsure of. You can always research on the internet – there are many excellent puppy and dog training sites. And when you’re unsure of something, or you need specialized advice – ask your vet for direction and advice.

Just remember that a puppy can be with you for up to 20 years of your life, so you owe it to him and yourself to make sure as much as possible that you and him are a good match – the rest is up to loving and caring, and fun…

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A happy healthy dog deserves the best dog care you can afford to give to him or her. Of course, you will need to consider the type of dog you have in order to care for it properly. Different dog breeds have different vises and virtues in temperament, personality and character traits. Some dogs make excellent family pets, while others are more apt to bond with only one person for their entire life.

If you own a dog, you more than likely took the time to determine the right dog breed for you and your family. However, if you do not already own a dog and would like to have a dog, you need to do a bit of research on the various breeds of dogs in order to make the best choice for a canine companion. In order to give the dog you choose as a pet the best home you will need to consider various things. For instance, you need to determine the amount of time you and or your family members will be able to spend with your dog.

Just considering the basics your dog will need a nice warm and safe place to sleep, your dog needs its own space. Your dog will also require food and water. The amount of food and water your dog needs every day will depend on the size and breed of the dog as well as the amount of exercise it gets daily. A dog also requires the services of a veterinarian to attend to any shots and vaccinations as well as its health care whether it is during regular check-ups or during an emergency. You will need to consider your lifestyle as well as your budget when your have a great desire to have a dog as a companion.

Another thing you need to consider when you have a dog is its grooming needs. You can choose to groom your dog yourself and save money. Dog grooming tools are available and affordable in the marketplace today. On the other hand, if you do not feel secure about grooming your dog, you can hire a professional dog groomer to do it for you. Eventually, you will also need to consider having your dog spayed or nurtured. Then again, you may face the decision of whether or not you should allow your dog to breed and produce a litter.

There are many more things to consider when it involves proper dog care, when you choose to include a dog in your family and into your home. Responsible dog owners make all of these decisions. Be sure to make the best decisions for your dog and its dog care needs.

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