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Your Questions About Dog Training Collars
Ruth asks…
What is the purpose of a training collar?
I’m trying to get my dog not to pull and lead, so I got a Sporn Halter. After going online, people said that I should combine the halter with a training collar. But I can’t find a good explanation of what it is. Also advice on what to do? Thanks
admin answers:
It is a device people use so they don’t have to actually train the dog.
Throw the harness out and TRAIN the dog to walk nicely on a leash. A basic obedience class can help you with that.
Michael asks…
Can you tell me some positive experiences you have had with electronic dog training collars?
I know many people don’t like the idea of using electronic shock training collars. But I also know most people don’t know how to train their dogs properly which results in dogs biting people, running away and getting hit by cars. Tell me some positive stories.
admin answers:
In 43 years of owning, training, breeding and showing dogs, I have used an electric collar once.
We live on 180 acres, but do have a country road on 2 sides of the property. Our dogs are kept in our fenced yard unless we are working, playing or walking them.
My one dog was about 3 years old. Trained for agility and competing..basic “companion obedience”. He would come when called, would “heel” or “side” when told, when released, would trot ahead of me 50 feet or so, stopping and checking periodically to make sure I was still coming. If I turned and walked the other direction, he would turn too, run to me. He would “wait up” when told, and “down” at a distance when told.
In other words: he was HIGHLY trained. I had put a LOT of time into him. And he KNEW what was allowed, and to “obey”
Well, one day, at around 3 years old, as I said, he and my daughter’s dog kicked up a jack rabbit…and off they went. To the end of our property into the neighboring orchard…they would not call off. To me, this is absolutely NOT ALLOWED! Because it is dangerous. The rabbit could have run a different direction across the road….
So, I borrowed a friend’s E-collar.
Only because I KNEW my dog KNEW what “Micah, come” meant.
Took a week of walking daily until we kicked up another rabbit. Off he went. I called, in my normal happy voice “Micah, come!”…no response. Gave him another chance, “Micah! COME” louder. No response. Hit the button, he stopped and jumped. Again, I said “Micah! Come” still in a happy voice. He came, I told him him “Good Boy”.
End of story. Never used it again.
But…..remember, I only used it because I KNEW he KNEW what “come” meant. He was simply too caught up in the chase and chose to ignore me. And by ignoring me, he could have gotten killed.
Micah is gone now. I lost him to cancer in old age. Dear, sweet, fun buddy boy.
I have a 3 year old BC now…..who I have also invested a lot of training in and continues the tradition of our walks. So far, she has called off groound squirrels immediately.
I would never use an e-collar for “training”. I do not feel it is right, nor fair to shock a dog if the trainer hasn’t already taught the dog “what to do”….If I didn’t think I could control my dog off leash, I would not allow my dog off leash, as I had not done my job.
Susan asks…
How old to use an electronic training collar?
At what age can I begin using an electronic training collar to work on training my black lab for bird hunting, etc.?
admin answers:
A-er,,,,, I forgot ,,,,, ROFL
What you didn’t say is how old your pup is now.
We use a set program with our dogs starting with ENS at three days of age. Http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html
Then at 5 weeks we start introductions (water, birds, gunfire,etc) before fear memory develops (11-12 weeks)
From 12 weeks through 6 months all training is kept on a fun only basis. It is important during this time not to get heavy handed in any way because the puppy lacks the cognitive skills to understand a correction. The pup is completely food oriented so take advantage of it and cookie train during this time frame. Do easy single marks in the field, and work on the three foundation actions in the yard (sit, kennel, recall)
Between 6-7 months of age the pup will develop a newfound independence and self awareness. This is your signal that the pup is no longer food oriented and has developed other motivations (should not need an explanation). The pup also will have developed the cognitive skills to understand corrections and formal training can now begin with a good “basics” program.
Get either “10 minute retriever” by Amy Dahl, or “Smartworks for retrievers” by Evan Grahm to use for a basics program guide. Both of these books will discuss “collar conditioning” and “proofing” the pups foundation. I proof in reverse order of what the foundation actions were taught, recall first, kennel, and sit last. I also start FF at the same time teaching the delivery (drop) first, then “hold” then “fetch”. Consider 3HC as a conclusion of fetch and you will be on your way to teaching your dog to handle.
A good source for training books and information is www.dobbsdogs.com
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Bolivian Usda Organic Shade Grown Coffee – Decaf – 1 Lb (Whole Bean) French – Dark Roast
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Your Questions About Organic Dog Food Delivery
Sandra asks…
Does anyone know how to make or mix my own garden soil?
Since very few veggies want to grow in my Florida “sand” yard, I want to make raised beds (about 24″ tall as bending over is highly overrated once you zoom past 50 🙂 and will need a LOT of dirt – its way too expensive to haul home bags and getting it delivered would involve a $60.00 delivery fee and hiring someone to help me schlepp it all around the house to the back area. I read years ago how to mix garden soil using dog food and large bags of stuff (I think alfalfa pellets and cat littler were in there but not sure) but didn’t keep the article. If you know how I can build up a LOT of good dirt without spending a fortune I’d be grateful.
admin answers:
Surely if you make what you need from ingredients such as those that you have suggested you’ll still end up bringing home the same weight of material but in a more expensive form? (I’m sure dog food and cat litter cost more than a bag of soil if you measure it by weight!)
Anyway, soil is basically a mix of sand, clay and silt, plus the humus that gardeners love to dig into their soil of course.
As your soil is mostly sand from what you say, you would need to add clay soil to it to up the clay and silt percentage. Check the link to the soil texture triangle to see what I mean. You can check what your soil is made of at the moment using the other link but I think you already know that!
Then you’d need to dig in the organic matter, such as used mushroom compost or farmyard manure to up the humus content of the soil.
I think all in all it’s going to be a lot easier, and probably cheaper, to get a big pile of soil tipped out the front and barrow it round the back to fill your new raised beds. Sorry I couldn’t be more help 🙁
PS Dog food scattered all over the garden just sounds like a recipe to grow rats to me!
Nancy asks…
Homemade food for babies/toddlers?
I make a lot of food for my 12 month old that is easy to freeze and re-heat…baby “hot pockets”, mini meatballs, different pastas, little pot pies, etc. I use mainly organic ingredients and all of the foods are baby friendly, tasty, and healthy. I have been thinking about setting up at the local farmer’s market, but am not sure if it is worth my time and effort…you have to undergo kitchen inspections by the health dept. and become a certified food handler, etc. i figure there are lots of moms who don’t have the time or energy to make the meals for their kids that they like and this would be a great alternative to mac n cheese or the gerber graduate meals. So what do you think? Would it sell???
admin answers:
YES!!! I would buy it for sure, save me the time of doing it.
EDITED:
After reading some of the other responses, I feel that the suggestion of delivery is a great one.
On another note, I have no concerns whatsoever about the cost of feeding my kids. AT ALL, as far as we are concerned, our children should eat as naturally, healthily (is that a word?) and organically, as possible. We already pay extra for wild meat, and organic foods. To be honest, they do get ‘treats’, like hot dogs, etc, but thats rare.
I think your idea is a great one. Try it out on friends. Have them buy the ingredients (to save your $$$) and prepare them some baby food. See if it works, then consider public. I think the market may be not the ideal choice. When I think market, I think hippies. I don’t know why….
Perhaps, run out of your home, you could choose a day (Saturday.???) that people could come pick up their food for the week, or for an additional fee, you could deliver on another day.
Don’t give up on this idea, it obviously flies, or Heinz and Gerber wouldn’t exist.
Sharon asks…
Does this sound legit? I posted an ad on Craigslist looking for a toy breed and she responded. Is it legit ?
Hi
Bella and Kenny are still available. They are hand raised and
home trained with all papers, has been fully checked, KC Registered
and have a good relationship with other pets and well trained too, they
are close ringed…closed bonded and vet checked with up to date vet records.
I am looking for a good home and will meet up any
requirements if need to be for delivery…they are micro chipped, will come
with a pedigree and they are 12 weeks old, they are already KC Tested..
they will be going out with a free cage and other
accessories like toys, blankets, food menu and organic food etc.
I am giving them out because I am here for an assignment and my
job requires a lot of time so I immediately realized that they are
going to be lonely. that is why I have decided to give them out to a loving
and Caring home where they will be loved and will be given all the
time they need.
Temperament of BELLA and KENNY.
They are good companion puppies..Courageous,
extremely lively, proud and enterprising, they give
and demands affection. Bold and saucy. they are
strong-willed, intensely loyal and become very
attached to their owners.
When strangers are present, they follow their owner’s
every move, keeping as close as possible.. .
they are intelligent, learn quickly, and
respond well to proper, gentle (positive reinforcement)
training. They are
well-socialized with strangers and other puppies so if you are really
interested and wants to take care of them, get back lets see how they
get home,
I just have a few questions for you;
where are you located…………..?
Will you be taking both of them? if not, then the male or the
female…………?
Do you have a large yard where they can play…………………?
Do you have a vet that you will take them to if
needed……………………….?
if there is any other thing you will need to know about Bella and Kenny please
do feel free to send me an e-mail OK. Thanks and awaiting
your response asap.
Greeting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
admin answers:
Anyone who would respond to a craigslist ad and wants you to pay to have the dog shipped to you, that is a scam … And it is not just cameroon people, many people right on this continent are doing that scam too … They may not have asked for the shipping money yet, that will be in the next email and if you are not using an anonymous web-based email, they can even use your email from your internet provider to steal your identity … Do not reply, this is 100% a scam … And look for a small breed rescue where you live … There is one where i live that has only toy breeds for three hundred dollars … Some are puppies, some are adults already trained, all are vetted …
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Your Questions About Dog Training Boulder
Daniel asks…
Know Anything About The Humane Society?
I have recently filled out an application online for a volunteering job at my local Humane Society? How will I be notified? How long will it take?
admin answers:
It depends entirely on the one you actually went to. At the Boulder Humane Society they have a process. You apply to be a volunteer and then you must attend the volunteer information session, which is posted on the website with date and time. Volunteer apps can be completed online, on paper, before the session or at the session.
Next, you get a phone call within a few days asking you to attend a volunteer interview. They group the volunteer interviews based on which jobs/projects you want to work on at the shelter (kennel assistant versus, say, special events assistant), and at your interview they get some more information on you, you get more information on them, and you find out when the trainings for your area of interest are. So, for a kennel assistant, you’d need to go to the dog or cat center trainings before you can start actually volunteering. For some positions, they have different training or no separate training session (especially ones without any animal contact).
Some of the Boulder HS’s communications are by phone and some are by email.
So for you, go to your local Humane Society’s website and look for information on volunteering, or at least to get the contact number for who to ask. If you can’t find a volunteer coordinator contact, just call the shelter and whomever answers the phone should be able to connect you to the right person to ask.
Mary asks…
What do you hear in nature?
A description of what would you see hear and feel if you spent some time alone in nature.
admin answers:
Having spent a good amount of time hiking in woods and fields around the state of NY, I’ll tell you what I usually hear and feel:
Crunching of leaves as small animals like squirrels sneak around on the ground
The swishing/whispering sound of the wind blowing through the needles of an evergreen tree
The cold, frigid wind blowing south along the Hudson River valley as I was climbing Breakneck Ridge and, a little later, the first warming rays of the sun as it broke over the horizon on that cold November morning.
The sound of my heart pounding as I ran down the other side of this mountain, when there was no one else around.
The sound of a pilated woodpecker hammering on a tree somewhere nearby looking for insects to eat.
The cautious steps of several deer, as they walked farther down the trail, looking at me warily as I walked along the trail and observed them there.
The excited panting of my hiking companion, my german shepherd dog, as he struggles to climb the mountain with me, and the sound of his nails scraping against the rocks and boulders we are climbing.
The low level rumbling and clack clacking of a long freight train slowly making its way south along the tracks on the west side of the Hudson river.
The flapping of an American flag someone has placed at the top of the mountain I am climbing this morning.
Chris asks…
i am looking for the poem ‘the night train’ where can i find it?
this is the night train crossing the border
admin answers:
Night Train (Commentary for a G.P.O. Film, July 1935) by W.H. Auden (1907 – 1973)
This is the Night Mail crossing the border,Bringing the cheque and the postal order,
Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,
The shop at the corner and the girl next door.
Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:
The gradient’s against her, but she’s on time.
Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder
Shovelling white steam over her shoulder,
Snorting noisily as she passes
Silent miles of wind-bent grasses.
Birds turn their heads as she approaches,
Stare from the bushes at her blank-faced coaches.
Sheep-dogs cannot turn her course;
They slumber on with paws across.
In the farm she passes no one wakes,
But a jug in the bedroom gently shakes.
II
Dawn freshens. Her climb is done.
Down towards Glasgow she descends
Towards the steam tugs yelping down the glade of cranes,
Towards the fields of apparatus, the furnaces
Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen.
All Scotland waits for her:
In the dark glens, beside the pale-green sea lochs
Men long for news.
III
Letters of thanks, letters from banks,
Letters of joy from the girl and the boy,
Receipted bills and invitations
To inspect new stock or visit relations,
And applications for situations
And timid lovers’ declarations
And gossip, gossip from all the nations,
News circumstantial, news financial,
Letters with holiday snaps to enlarge in,
Letters with faces scrawled in the margin,
Letters from uncles, cousins, and aunts,
Letters to Scotland from the South of France,
Letters of condolence to Highlands and Lowlands
Notes from overseas to Hebrides
Written on paper of every hue,
The pink, the violet, the white and the blue,
The chatty, the catty, the boring, adoring,
The cold and official and the heart’s outpouring,
Clever, stupid, short and long,
The typed and the printed and the spelt all wrong.
IV
Thousands are still asleep
Dreaming of terrifying monsters,
Or of friendly tea beside the band at Cranston’s or Crawford’s:
Asleep in working Glasgow, asleep in well-set Edinburgh,
Asleep in granite Aberdeen,
They continue their dreams,
And shall wake soon and long for letters,
And none will hear the postman’s knock
Without a quickening of the heart,
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
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Your Questions About Organic Dog Food Reviews
Lisa asks…
What type of do food is the best to feed my dog?
I don’t no what type of dog food to feed my new dog. Please help.
admin answers:
Not all pet food is made equally. A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff. A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to the dump cheap leftovers and things that aren’t safe for human consumption (from human food processing plants) into their foods. Will it kill your dog? No, it has to be nutritionally complete and safe to even be marketed. Is it healthy? Not by a long shot.
Corn is a low quality ingredient you never want to see in your pet food. Corn and low quality grains are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to food allergies in our pets.
Thankfully, there are some excellent dog foods being made these days that include organic, human grade ingredients rather than trash not fit for human consumption.
Examples of low quality foods to avoid: Anything you can find in a grocery store will be low end, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Kibbles n’ Bits, Beneful, Ol’Roy.
Examples of high quality foods to look for: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae All Life Stages, Fromm Four Star, Merrick, GO Natural, Nature’s Variety Prairie, Nature’s Logic, Artemis Fresh Mix, Timberwolf Organics.
Although the high quality foods are more expensive, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Less filler material means more concentrated nutrients… This means you typically need to feed far less of the high quality food than you would of the low quality one. Which also means less poop!
Before following your vet’s food recommendation, keep in mind that vets get /very/ little nutritional training during their schooling. Besides that, what training they /do/ get is usually sponsored or taught by the crappy pet food companies! They also often get paid to sell some of their products at their clinics (Science Diet, Royal Canin etc.)
A great option is to go with an entirely grainless diet. Many of the high quality foods now put out grainless formulas. Some good grainless diets include: Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Blue Wilderness, Nature’s Variety Instinct, Orijen, Horizon Legacy, Merrick Before Grain, Canidae Grain Free All Life Stages, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now! And Sold Gold Barking At The Moon, Taste of the Wild.
Some pretty decent foods can even be found in common pet stores. Petsmart carries Blue Buffalo products (such as the excellent grain free diet Blue Wilderness). Petco carries Wellness, Solid Gold, Natural Balance, Eagle Pack Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Castor & Pollux Organix, Pinnacle, and Halo. If you can’t find a food, most of the high quality food brands have websites with store locators on them.
Another option, if you can’t find anywhere around you that sells good foods, is to order your pet food online. Here’s an excellent place to do so: http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/
Remember that foods should be switched gradually (mixing new slowly in with the old over about a two week period), especially when switching to a higher quality one, so as not to upset tummies.
Another option for feeding dogs is to feed raw. This is something that should be thoroughly researched before being attempted:
http://www.barfworld.com/
http://www.rawfed.com/
http://www.rawlearning.com/
http://www.wysong.net/controversies/rawmeat.shtml
More on dog food:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Learn how to determine the quality of your dog’s food.)
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Dog food reviews. Four stars is a decent food, five stars is a great food, and six stars is an excellent food.)
Steven asks…
I am feeding Science Diet but want something better- What should I look for in dog food?
After some research, I’ve found that Science Diet isn’t a good dog food. Since my vet recommended it, I’d thought it would be fine!
So, I want to switch my Papillon and Yorkie’s food to something healthier and with better ingredients.
Any suggestions? When I look at the ingredients and nutrition, what should I look for or avoid?
admin answers:
Read the ingredients before you buy.
Here is my “short list” of rules when I am looking at dog food ingredients:
1) When I chose a dog food, I chose one high meat content. I want to see preferably at least 2-3 out of the top 5 ingredients be meat or meat meal (first ingredient must be!). Meal is simply the meat with the moisture removed.
2) I want to see higher quality grains, such as barley, brown rice, and oatmeal, instead of seeing wheat and corn. Or an alternative starch/carbohydrate such as potatoes or sweet potatoes.
3) I don’t want to see any byproducts.
4) I don’t want to see a lot of fillers.
5) I don’t want to see preservatives that are believed to be carcinogens (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin).
6) I don’t want to see artificial colorings such as the Red, Blue, and Yellow dyes.
7) I don’t want to see added sugars (sugar, corn syrup).
8) I don’t want to see mystery meats (meats identified only as “meat” or “poultry”.)
Here is an article about byproducts:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=ingrd
And an article on what ingredients to avoid:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients
—
There is no food that is the *best*, different individual dog may thrive on different foods. What is best for one may not be the best for the next. And just because a food is good quality, it doesn’t mean it will jive the best for your dog.
What you want to find is the HIGH-QUALITY food that *your dog* does best on.
Here are some examples of GOOD dog foods:
* Artemis Fresh Mix
* Blue Buffalo
* California Natural
* Canidae
* Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
* Eagle Pack Holistic Selects
* EVO
* Fromm Four Star
* Innova
* Merrick
* Nature’s Variety
* Orijen
* Solid Gold
* Taste of the Wild
* Timberwolf Organics
* Wellness
* ZiwiPeak
Or check this website; the 4, 5, or 6 star rated foods are all good foods. Http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/
—
Higher quality food may seem more expensive at first, but it evens out. The higher quality the food, the less fillers eaten (and therefore the less poop comes out the other end). Your dog eats more of a low-quality food to try to get the nutrition it needs, and most of the food just passes right on through. Also, higher-quality food will make your animals healthier, so you save money on vet bills in the long run.
—
What *NOT* to buy:
Stay away from grocery stores brands. They are low-quality foods chalk full of fillers, preservatives, dyes, etc.. (Grocery store foods are those like Beneful, Old Roy, Alpo, Pedigree, Purina, etc.)
Beware “premium” foods. “Premium” does not always mean good nutritionally, and is not a nutritionally high quality food. Most of these foods have the same types of ingredients as grocery store foods, just a bit better quality of those not-so-good ingredients. (Premium foods are those like Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Bil-Jac, Royal Canin, etc..)
Another thing to be wary of: A lot of vets will recommend what they sell in their office. They get profit from the brands they keep on their shelves, that’s why they push it. Truth is, vet schools don’t focus a lot on nutrition. It’s not saying that a vet is a bad vet because he recommends those foods, a lot of vets just are told “this is good food”, so they pass the message along without proper nutrition knowledge. Also, some dog food brands (like Hills) support vet schools, so vets have heard of it from the time they start college, which makes them think it’s good as well.
Hills company, the makers of Science Diet, are heavily involved in vet schools. “Hill’s scientists author more than 50 research papers and textbook chapters each year and teach at leading schools of veterinary medicine” (Source of quoted section: http://www.hillsvet.com/zSkin_2/company_info/company_info_general.jsp?JSESSIONID=HMz2B3Jn3hv0rnSoxCobfbBhOec35ODG7yh5t3P0vcvhOtzRlQ9M!598359213!167846923!7005!8005&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026072&bmUID=1196192566575 )
—
“Big box” petstores like Petco and Petsmart rarely have quality foods. (There are some higher quality foods at those locations, but most of the foods aren’t.)
* Blue Buffalo
* Castor & Pollux
* Eagle Pack Holistic Selects
* Natural Balance
* Solid Gold
* Wellness
Also, grocery stores and Walmart aren’t good places to buy food either.
Your best bets for getting quality dog food are:
– small, locally owned petstores
– holistic pet food stores
– dog boutiques
– farm supply stores
—
When switching foods, do it gradually. I do this over about a two week timespan:
1/4 food A, 3/4 food B
1/2 food A, 1/2 food B
3/4 food A, 1/4 food B
all food A
.
Maria asks…
what is the best brand of dog food for a a very small puppy?
right now im feeding him science diet but its more expensive then other foods and it comes with less? I hear that science diet is a scam that they dont give you what you pay for.
what is a good brand of dog food that my dog would like and i would be good for him?
im just interested in dry food.
admin answers:
Science Diet is a poor quality diet despite being expensive! You got a lot of horrible dog food suggestions here, but a couple of really good ones too.
Not all pet food is made equally. A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff. A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to dump cheap leftovers in. Will it kill your dog? No, it has to be nutritionally complete and safe to even be marketed. Is it healthy? Not by a long shot.
Corn is a low quality ingredient you never want to see in your pet food. Corn and low quality grains are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to food allergies in our pets.
Thankfully, there are some excellent dog foods being made these days that include organic, human grade ingredients rather than trash not fit for human consumption.
Examples of low quality foods to avoid: Anything you can find in a grocery store will be low end, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Kibbles n’ Bits, Beneful, Ol’Roy.
Examples of high quality foods to look for: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae, Fromm, Merrick, GO Natural, Nature’s Variety, Nature’s Logic.
Although the high quality foods are more expensive, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Less filler material means more concentrated nutrients… This means you typically need to feed far less of the high quality food than you would of the low quality one. Which also means less poop!
A great option is to go with an entirely grainless diet. Many of the high quality foods now put out grainless formulas. Some good grainless diet’s include: Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Blue Wilderness, Nature’s Variety Instinct, Orijen, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now! And Sold Gold Barking At The Moon.
Some of the high end foods can be found in common pet stores. Petsmart carries Blue Buffalo products (such as the excellent grain free diet Blue Wilderness). Petco carries Wellness and Solid Gold. If you can’t find a food, most of the high quality food brands have websites with store locators on them.
Remember that foods should be switched gradually, especially when switching to a higher quality one, so as not to upset tummies.
Another option for feeding dogs is to feed raw. This is something that should be thoroughly researched before being attempted:
http://www.barfworld.com/
http://www.rawfed.com/
http://www.rawlearning.com/
http://www.wysong.net/controversies/rawmeat.shtml
More on dog food:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Learn how to determine the quality of your dog’s food.)
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Dog food reviews. Anything with five or six stars is a great food.)
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Your Questions About Dog Training Classes Denver
Linda asks…
How can I raise some money to meet my grandfather?
I never met my biological grandfather on my mother’s side and i just found him. I want to go take a trip down to where he is but it will cost $700 and I don’t have a job. I am a mature teen and I would love to see him. Is there any ideas as to how i could raise that kind of money? I did take a babysitting/ cpr training class at the red cross but i need to update my cpr this april and i probably should take first aid too.
I dont feel comfortable asking him to pay for anything because i never met him before and he only knew my mom had 3 kids
My parents can’t afford to give us allowance since we are tight on money and none of my neighbors has children since they are either grandparents or have kids my age or older
admin answers:
You can make up to $20 an hours as your own business picking up dog droppings in backyards. It is a job no one likes doing, and are willing to pay to have it done. A woman in Denver is making $75,000 a year doing it. You just need a small garden rake, a handle dust pan, plastic bags, and transportation, which can be a bicycle.
Robert asks…
Dog agility question????
What are the requirements for entering my dog into the stock show in January? You know, the one in Denver that happens mid-January every year. I have a Border collie who will be 9 months old next year in January, he was born March 6th of this year, and I want to enter him, but how old does he have to be? And how old do I have to be? I’m 13, I already have agility classes set up, so he should be ready by then, but he’s a Border collie/Aussie mix, can you tell me the requirements for entering him into the competition? Thanks!
admin answers:
Most agility/obedience clubs won’t let your dog start classes and especially competitions until the dog is at least a year old. I’m not sure about larger breeds, but I have a Papillon I plan to do agility with and we have to wait until he is a year to avoid joint development issues from the jumping and hard running.
Contact your local agility/obedience club, most of them will have agility training courses in stages for you to take with your dog. I found the club we are going to sign up with through Google, most have websites now. Usually the clubs also host competition/events, so when you sign up for courses, after you have completed the basic and beginner level agility training, the club will have lots of information on how to sign up to complete within the club, and also at other events in your area. Or just contact the organization that runs the event or visit their website, I’m sure they have lots of sign-up information on-line.
Lisa asks…
What kind of dog should I get?
Hi, within the next couple years I plan on getting a dog. I am trying to do all my research to get the best one. I am looking for a 3 year old female since I know in my heart I am really not up for the commitment and time it takes for an active puppy, and I really want a girl. With that said, this is what I am looking for.
under 20 pounds because of apartment restrictions, but not necessarily really tiny.
low energy but can still fetch a ball a bit. I also plan on giving a 10-15 minute walk mid-day and a 30-45 minute walk in the evenings.
on the quiet side because of below.
can handle being alone about 4-5 hours a weekday. I work all day and live alone but my apartment is close enough to come home for lunch.
fairly long lived since I am already getting an adult. (12-15 years ideal)
I want an affectionate dog that is really loyal and enjoys cuddling, but am told the more independent ones are better for being alone.
I prefer not to have a dog that has to go to the groomers or at least doesn’t have to go often, but have no problem with daily brushing/grooming myself.
I do not like the terrier personality and look for the most part.
I have taken bunches of quizes on dog breeds and of all the ones I like, the pug keeps coming up. What do you think? I also am mildly interested in some other breeds but most of them are prone to separation anxiety according to their descriptions. I had a dog as a small child but never one as an adult so I don’t think I would do well with a dominating or aggressive dog.
I am not adverse to getting a mixed/pound breed but it is harder to make sure all the above criteria is met. I would love some ideas.
also, I don’t care if it sheds or is hypoallergetic, drools, snores, etc that is all part of having a dog for me lol.
I live in a large suburb and it does get in the triple digits in the summer here, but my dog will live in a nice air-conditioned apartment. Also, when I mentioned the exercise I was willing to give, that is the max, I am quite happy with a dog that takes less.
admin answers:
Pugs have about the best personality of any dog, period, towards humans. (I speak as a non-pug owner – I have an awesome corgi, but we get outside a lot more than you do, and I’m home all day.) They’re ideal for the kind of apartment living you want. They are real people lovers, and don’t need a lot of exercise or space. The thing to keep in mind about pugs is that their heads are too big for their own birth canals, so they can’t give birth naturally. They have to have a c-section. That eliminates backyard breeders from the mix pretty much completely. As a result, with only ‘real’ breeders raising pugs, habits of aggression, etc have been bred out. They really do have great personalities.
The flip side is that, with all the inbreeding, they’re genetic disasters, with all kinds of health problems, inward sneezing, water on the brain, weak bones and joints, etc. You’ll have to keep this in mind, and have any new dog carefully checked out – not that that should stop you from adopting a dog with a few difficulties, but keep it in mind.
You might consider a pug-something mix for the health benefits. I’m only familiar with puggles, pug-beagle mixes, but that’s WAY too active for you. The one I know, admittedly a pup, gives the local jack russells a run for their money. On the subject, one drawback of pugs is that, with such fragile hips and bones, they can be easily injured in a dog park by bigger dogs just playing, so if you have a local dog park that you want to attend (it can be fun, and a good way to meet people) that has a fair share of bigger dogs like Labs, etc., be warned. Sounds like you’re in a city, but I don’t know if it’s Manhattan or Denver – big difference in dog park dogs.
This (head too big, great personalities) also applies, though not quite so dramatically, to Boston terriers, which you should also consider. Really, I’m not sure many pugs can keep up for a 45 minute walk, especially once they get past 8 or so. Boston terriers top out at 25 pounds, but there are classes of them that top at 15 and 20 pounds too, and female dogs are often smaller than the boys, so you might well find a winner there too. Don’t let the ‘terrier’ in the name fool you, or their origin as fighting dogs – these are happy apartment people-loving dogs that don’t require more exercise than you plan.
If you are really looking for a three year old dog, you’re pretty much locked in to a shelter or a rescue dog. Your first plan should probably be to figure out what kind(s) of dog you want, just as you’re doing – the more you’re ok with, the better your odds – and then visit your humane society pretty often. It may take a dozen visits to find the dog you want.
Three year old dogs are pretty much in the prime of their lives, though, so the most likely way to find one who hasn’t been abused or completely untrained at that age would probably be to contact a rescue club for the breed(s) you’re interested in. They are more likely to find dogs that an elderly person might have to give up, or someone who is moving into a building that doesn’t take dogs, etc. Right now, with the economy as it is, you probably are more likely to find much-loved and well-trained dogs in both spots than normal – a lot of people are moving from their own places into rental spots or relatives’ homes and can’t take the dog.
Don’t lock yourself into a three-year-old, though – a 6 year old is still plenty young, in a smaller dog. Fortunately for you, dog longevity is very strongly correlated with size. ‘Giant’ breeds like Great Danes or St Bernards usually make it to 7 or so; ‘toy’ breeds often make it to 16 or 17 or even more. (My mom’s neighbor’s 18 pound Italian greyhound just died, but almost made it to 20, and ran every day of her life with her ‘dad’ until the last week or so.) Any dog under 20 pounds is likely to make it to 14 or 15, maybe more, if there is no particular health issue and you don’t let it get fat.
One thing you haven’t mentioned is your climate. Both of the dogs I mentioned are short muzzled dogs which don’t do well in a lot of heat because of that short muzzle; at the same time, both are short haired, so they don’t do so well if it’s really cold, either, though of course they can wear coats and booties for walks. Keep your climate in mind as you pick.
You should also consider a bichon frise. They’re full of energy, especially when young, but have a wonderful personality, are super easy to care for (though they do have to have their hair cut every 6-8 weeks or so; you can do it yourself, though, with a little training and patience and a pair of clippers). Since you’re going for a mature dog, a 6 year old Bichon would be just great. And unlike the other two, you can let the hair grow out in winter, and clip short in summer, and they have a long muzzle, so they’re fine in any climate within reason. They don’t have the inbreeding problems that the big head guys do, either. They are notoriously slow to house train, but that shouldn’t matter in a mature dog.
One thing to keep in mind, as you ‘interview’ dogs, especially mutts, is that while you do want a fairly independent dog (ruling out some toys), you don’t really want a smart, inquisitive dog either. You want one who loves you, then is OK lying around.
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Your Questions About Organic Dog Food Brands
Charles asks…
What dog food should I buy my puppy?
I can’t get out to a pet store now and I’m planning on ordering my dog food from now on so I’m going to go to Walgreens for now to get some. Which dog food in the best out of the ones they have available for now? BTW I know they all suck but I now it will take a few days to get the food if I order it online.
Cesar
Kibbles ‘n Bits
Pedigree
Pet Shoppe
Purina
admin answers:
WHAT IN GODS NAME IS GOING ON HERE? Lol All these people are feeding their dogs this stuff??? Number 1 you should NEVER just go to a store and grab some brand. You should always research this. If you do you will learn how to read a dog food label. You will learn what is good for them and what isnt. Trust me 3 months ago I was asking this question myself (well not with these brands), but what dog food is best? After careful research we chose:
BLUE BUFFALO
Yes, it cost a COUPLE (seriously a couple) of dollars more than the crap on the grocery store shelf BUT it has no fillers, its organic, so good for them, and a meat product, not to mention my dogs LOVE IT!!!
Betty asks…
What it the best/healthiest brand of dog food for yorkie pups and pug pups?
For Christmas I am getting a Yorkie and my husband is getting a pug. We really want to do whats best for them and keep them healthy. Does any one have any recommendations on the best/heathiest food or food brand we should buy for them?
admin answers:
This talks about dog food. If you don’t want to read it all just scroll down and it gives a list of good foods and a list of bad foods. The lists are in green so they are easy to find.
Http://www.dogster.com/forums/Food_and_Nutrition/thread/518898
I recommend raw. Its the best thing you can feed a dog. It can be cheaper than kibble but its more time consuming but there are so many benefits so its worth it. My dog has white teeth, lots of energy (he acts like a puppy even though he is 10 years old) his fur is soft and shiny, he doesn’t have that dog smell and his poops are very small and are not very odorous. Do lots of research if you want to feed raw. That website that I gave a link to has tons of into on raw.
You don’t have to get organic meat. You can just get any meat. Dogs don’t need veggies and herbs. I feed my dog veggies sometimes for treats and when he poops them out they are the same as when they went in. Dogs cannot digest veggies.
Its actually safer to feed raw. There have been a lot of recalls from contaminated kibble and thousands of dogs have died because of contaminated kibble. While nothing you give your dog to eat is 100% safe, raw is the safest. Here are some myths.
Http://www.rawfed.com/myths/
People say its dangerous to prevent other people from switching to raw or people say raw is dangerous because they didn’t bother to do research and just listen to what other people tell them.
Daniel asks…
What is the best brands for all natural or organic dog food?
No brands that abuse animals to test their food please! I thought Iams was good food because thats what my vet recommended : (
I was using Iams Naturals, but then i saw that they abuse the animals they test their food on.
admin answers:
Nutro makes excellent food. They have 3 lines: Max, Natural Choice, and Ultra. With all three lines you will get an all natural, human grade food with added vitamins and minerals; no ground yellow corn, which is a filler and a big allergen among pups; no by-products, which can include heads, feet and intestines; and no artificial flavors or colors. Nutro also has the highest levels of essential fatty acids (Omega 6) to help promote healthy skin and coat and also reduce shedding. And all of their foods are 100% guaranteed! Max is your basic premium food, and from what I’ve seen, the lowest priced premium food on the market. Natural Choice has taurine added and is more geared towards dogs with specific needs (i.e. Sensitive skin, sensitive stomach, allergies, etc.). And Ultra is a holistic food with more fruits and vegetables, also known as super foods, which help with your pups immune system, joints, heart, vision, brain, etc.
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Your Questions About Dog Training
Charles asks…
what is the best dog training book to read for an apbt puppy?
i recently ordered pit bulls for dummies, and will soon acquire a copy of dog training for dummies.
the lady that lives downstairs from me gave me a book titled ‘Smarter than you Think’ and it tells you to throw things at your dog to teach it to come, and to stick a match in its butt to poop, and not trust dog food companies, and all this weird stuff, not too sure about that book.
any other suggestions? or tips?
admin answers:
When I had just got my APBT I went to my local library’s site and in the keyword box i put Pit Bull and it came up with alot of good books that were really useful so try looking up your library. They have alot of info on APBTs. Good luck
William asks…
What to put on a dog training registration form?
i have a little dog training business and i use to have this form on hand but it has somehow gone missing. i know what information i need from the owners and what not but i cant remember what i put in the release/waiver at the bottom. any ideas?
admin answers:
I would employ an attorney to draft the release language for you. In today’s society, people will sue you for just about anything. You want to be as well-protected as possible in case there is a mishap and a dog or person is injured or killed (so, not only making sure the release language is legally sound, but also carrying an appropriate amount of liability insurance for your business). To me, it is worth the expenditure to have something professionally done that is specific to your business in instances like this.
Lizzie asks…
Which do it yourself dog training ebooks are the best?
I want to learn a positive approach to dog training I can do myself.Which do it yourself dog training ebooks are the best?
admin answers:
In my opinion the best e-book so far that I found on the web regarding dog training is secrets to dog training.
It will teach you how to train your dog like a professional trainer, so you can have your dog obey you no matter what the situation and solve any specific problems that you may have with your dog – this is truly cutting-edge material!
Over 63,997 dog owners worldwide, just like you, have used this unique course to fast-track their dogs learning, while having loads of fun in the process. To see what “Secrets to Dog Training: Stop Dog Behavior Problems!” can do for you, in just 3 easy steps.
Http://jack-dogtrainingreview.blogspot.com/
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Your Questions About Organic Dog Food Grain Free
Nancy asks…
What is the best dog food to feed a champion pit-bull terrier?
A dog that takes all the medals in show-off?
admin answers:
A high quality one.
Not all pet food is made equally. A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff. A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to the dump cheap leftovers and things that aren’t safe for human consumption (from human food processing plants) into their foods. Will it kill your dog? No, it has to be nutritionally complete and safe to even be marketed. Is it healthy? Not by a long shot.
Corn is a low quality ingredient you never want to see in your pet food. Corn and low quality grains are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to food allergies in our pets.
Thankfully, there are some excellent dog foods being made these days that include organic, human grade ingredients rather than trash not fit for human consumption.
Examples of low quality foods to avoid: Anything you can find in a grocery store will be low end, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Kibbles n’ Bits, Beneful, Ol’Roy.
Examples of high quality foods to look for: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae All Life Stages, Fromm Four Star, Merrick, GO Natural, Nature’s Variety Prairie, Nature’s Logic, Artemis Fresh Mix, Timberwolf Organics.
Although the high quality foods are more expensive, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Less filler material and higher quality ingredients means more concentrated nutrients… This means you typically need to feed far less of the high quality food than you would of the low quality one. Which also means less poop!
Seriously on a budget? Two of the most affordable of the higher quality foods would be Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul and Canidae All Life Stages.
Before following your vet’s food recommendation, keep in mind that vets get /very/ little nutritional training during their schooling. Besides that, what training they /do/ get is usually sponsored or taught by… You guessed it, the crappy pet food companies! They also often get kickbacks from the companies for pushing these products at their clinics (Science Diet, Royal Canin etc.)
A great option is to go with an entirely grain-free diet. Many of the high quality foods now put out grain-free formulas. Some good grain-free diets include: Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Blue Wilderness, Nature’s Variety Instinct, Orijen, Horizon Legacy, Canidae Grain Free All Life Stages, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now!, GO Natural Grain Free, Sold Gold Barking At The Moon, Ziwipeak, and Taste of the Wild.
Some pretty decent foods can even be found in common pet stores. Petsmart carries Blue Buffalo products (such as the excellent grain-free diet, Blue Wilderness). Petco carries Wellness, Solid Gold, Natural Balance, Eagle Pack Holistic Select, Blue Buffalo, Castor & Pollux Organix, Pinnacle, and Halo.
If you can’t find a food, most of the high quality dog food brands have websites with store locators on them that will help you find the store closest to you which supplies their products. Simply type the dog food brand’s name into Google, go to their website, and type your zip code into their store locator.
Another option, if you can’t find anywhere around you that sells good foods, is to order your pet food online. Here’s an excellent place to do so: http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/
Remember that foods should be switched gradually (mixing the new slowly in with the old over the period of about week or so), especially when switching to a higher quality one, so as not to upset tummies. For example:
Days 1 & 2: 75% old food, 25% new food
Days 3 & 4: 50% old food, 50% new food
Days 5 & 6: 25% old food, 75% new food
Day 7: 0% old food, 100% new food
Another option for feeding dogs is to feed raw. This is something that should be thoroughly researched before being attempted:
http://www.rawfed.com/ (RawFed)
http://www.rawlearning.com/ (Jane Anderson’s Raw Learning Site)
http://rawfeddogs.net/ (Raw Fed Dogs)
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/ (Raw Meaty Bones)
http://rawfed.com/myths/preymodel.html (Raw Prey Model Diet Vs. BARF Diet)
http://community.livejournal.com/rawdogs/profile/ (Raw Dogs Livejournal Community, excellent raw feeding information on the profile page and overall helpful community for raw feeding questions)
http://www.rawfed.com/myths/index.html (Myths About Raw Feeding)
Also remember that freefeeding (leaving food down) is the fast lane to canine obesity. Make sure to have scheduled feeding times loosely based on the feeding guidelines on your dog’s food. Adult dogs are typically fed two meals a day.
More on dog food:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Learn how to determine the quality of your dog’s food.)
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Dog food reviews. Four stars is a decent food, five stars is a great food, and six stars is an excellent food.)
Darksong~
Paul asks…
What is the best dry dog food?
I have a one year old 8 lb Papillon! He’s my whole world, i want a dry dog food that is has the best nutrition! So he can be healthy and happy forever! I want the best dog food that is out there! I have heard many different! Science Diet, Iams, Purina Pro Plan, etc.. I would appreciate a vet or vet tech’s expert opinion! But any opinions would be great! Thanks in advance!
admin answers:
All the brands you mentioned are full of by products and other junk. My dogs deserve only the best which does not include supermarket brands.
Take a look at how to grade your dogs food, as you can see Iams doesn’t even compare to the better brands.
How to grade your dog’s food:
Start with a grade of 100:
1) For every listing of “by-product”, subtract 10 points
2) For every non-specific animal source (“meat” or “poultry”, meat, meal or
fat) reference, subtract 10 points
3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
4) For every grain “mill run” or non-specific grain source,subtract 5 points
5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five
ingredients (i.e. “ground brown rice”, “brewer’s rice”, “rice flour” are
all the same grain), subtract 5 points
6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats
in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3points
9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil,subtract 2 points
11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic
to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to
wheat), subtract 2 points
14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point
Extra Credit:
1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or
nutritionist, add 5 points
3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points
9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than
the first one; count “chicken” and “chicken meal” as only one protein
source, but “chicken” and “” as 2 different sources), add 1 point
13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are
pesticide-free, add 1 point
94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 = F
Here are some foods that have already been scored.
Dog Food scores:
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
Dick Van Patten’s Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
Foundations / Score 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 B
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables / Score 110 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
Purina Benful / Score 17 F
Purina Dog / Score 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A
Sharon asks…
what is a good type of dog food for pitbulls?
we have a dog who is half pitbull and half beagle.
and we give her PetPride. but afterwards, she eats grass. so i looked this problem up and it said “dont give them corn”. and that food had corn. so we need a good dog food for her that does not have corn or anything to get her sick.
suggestions?
thanks in advance!
admin answers:
~Quality foods:
Innova-meat and quality grains, California Natural-simple ingredient food for sensitivities, EVO-grain free, Karma-95% organic; all made by Natura- http://www.naturapet.com/
Wellness-meat and quality grains with several formulas, Wellness Core-grain free; made by Old Mother Hubbard- http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/
Orijen-all grain free with several formulas; made by Champion foods-http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/products/
Canidae- are meat and grain- http://www.canidae.com/
Merrick-meat and grain, Merrick Before Grain-grain free- http://www.merrickpetcare.com/store/
Artemis-meat and grain with a variety of formulas- http://www.artemiscompany.com/products.asp?cat=fresh_mix
Taste of the Wild-grain free- http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/products/
Nature’s Variety- Raw frozen diet- offering chicken, beef, lamb, venison, rabbit, and organic chicken, Instinct-grain free, Prairie-meat and quality grains- http://www.naturesvariety.com/
Solid Gold-Barking at the Moon-grain free, several other formulas with meat and grains- http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/products/showcat.php?cat=0
Now!-grain free, Go!-quality meat and grains and grain free formulas; all made by Petcurean- http://www.petcurean.com/index.php
Eagle Pack Pack Holistic-meat and quality grains, Eagle Pack-meat and low quality grains including corn- http://www.eaglepack.com/Pages/EP_Products.html
Timberwolf-grain free and meat and grain formulas- http://timberwolforganics.com/pet-foods
AvoDerm-meat and quality grains, Pinnacle Holistic-meat and quality grains, allergen free; all made by Breeders Choice- http://www.breeders-choice.com/dog_products/
Formm-grain free formula- http://www.frommfamily.com/
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Your Questions About Dog Training Denver
Carol asks…
Do you think breed banning laws are an appropriate response to dog aggression?
Denver and the UK have banned pit bulls. Chicago is considering this after a pit bull attack in one of our suburbs involving pet dogs that were not trained to be aggressive. Do you think dog laws should target specific breeds? If not, how would you handle cases where dogs were raised properly and “turned?”
admin answers:
I think laws that ban specific breeds in ineffective and inappropriate especially with non-pure breads. I just adopted a dog that I’m told it is a boxer lab mix but looks like a pit bull, who is to say what it is.
A more effective use of legislation would be to require all dog owners to take courses and train their animals at the risk of loosing their pets. But ultimately law makers want a quick fix that they can sell, and educating people, unfortunately, is not quantifiable over night.
Thomas asks…
Is it better to get a Rottweiler as a puppy or as a full grown?
I am looking to buy a rottie and are unsure if I should get a puppy or purchase one that is already grown and trained. Any advice?
admin answers:
Puppy puppy puppy. I am a big advocate for the Rottie rescues, but if this is your first time owning this breed… Get it as a puppy. Most rotties who are full grown aren’t trained. Most, not all, but most are given up because they snapped at someone or something like that because the original owner didn’t devote the time and attention to the dog as a pup.. Therefore, the dog has to be handled differently as an adult. If you own a Rottie, you know what I mean. They have a certain personality that if you have raised one from a pup you can turn a rescued dogs life around… If not… Then start with a pup so that when you come across a characteristic that you have to correct you can take the time to find out what to do because if it is only a 40 lb dog doing it, you have some room to learn with it. A 150lb dog… You better know what your doing from the get go.
If you get a Rottie… Be sure you really have the time to socialize with him/her. They need social interaction with other animals and small children at a young age. They are not attack dogs they are German farm dogs. Do not train them to attack! They will protect you without having to be shown how. They instead need a loving family/person with enough time in the puppy years to really bond.
They are the best dogs in my opinion.. But really research them first. Talk to other people who have had them. Find a reputable breeder and really talk to them about how to raise the pup.
They are time intensive… But well worth it. They are the best dogs IMHO. Ours lived to be 11 – thankfully only getting cancer once and it was removed and over with. (rotties are prone to cancer). We now have a yellow lab, who we love very much… But when he passes on we will be getting another rottie.
Take your time… Do your homework and these dogs will be a great joy in your life.
Edit:
I have to politely differ with the person who said that a person needs a lot of doggy time under their belt to own this breed. It would be like saying that people should take care of a few very compliant well behaved children before ever attempting to have their own.
My hubby and I (we were only dating at the time) got our rottie at the ages of 19 and 21. It was the first dog we ever owned. We did our research though and really were diligent about how we raised him. This is not a scary breed or a difficult breed.. Hell.. We own a lab now and this dog drives me nuts!!! He is 6 and still chews mouse holes in our fence and chews toys.. And it isn’t cause he is bored.. I am a sahm and am playing with him literally all day.. And when my older kids get home from school they take him out to play. It is just who he is, ugh. Like I said before… If you haven’t owned this breed before… Get a puppy. It isn’t rocket science… It is a dog. Just don’t be a fool and try to make him aggressive. I literally never even heard ours bark until he was almost 2. We really didnt think he could bark – which was fine with us. (Come to find out… Rotties dont bark for no reason) I was alone one night – we lived in a bad part of Denver, CO and it was about 12 midnight. Zues (our rottie) was on the back porch because I had just gotten home from seeing my dad in the hospital and had let Zues out while I was going to take a shower. We had NEVER taught him any protection stuff, or attack stuff or anything aggressive. All the sudden, I just happened to be looking out the window and saw this guys legs come over the top of our fence… Zues got up and started barking and knocked the guy back over the fence. I was very grateful to him, but was scared to let him in because he had sounded so vicious. LOL… Needless to say… He slept in bed with me from then on. (Hubby worked nights)
Paul asks…
Are beagles ment to be outdoor dogs in the winter?
I have a beagle and we have to keep it outside because of 2 little babies in our house and the dog is just to wild for them. Should we get a room were she can stay without bothering the babies?Or let her stay outside.By the way, weve got a lot of snow here in Denver this winter.
admin answers:
Obviously you know the answer. No dog should be an outside dog. Its called training. Laziness results in just sticking a dog outside. Have you heard of crate training? Yes bring them into the house. Beagles were bred as pack animals and it is cruel to force them to a life away from their masters.
Read this regarding backyard beagles
http://www.houstonbeaglerescue.org/education/beagles101.htm
Regarding dogs outside in general
http://www.arescuemom.org/OutsideDogs.html
http://www.greatdanecluboflasvegas.org/trouble_with_outside_dogs.html
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/qualityoflife.html
Training
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/retrain-dog.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/Puppy-chewing.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/positive-reinforce.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/Inout-dog.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/nilif.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/dest-chew.pdf
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Your Questions About Rough Collie Rescue
Maria asks…
How do i apply the law of attraction to get a dog?
i love dogs and my mother HATES them. i always wanted 1. i want a rough collie, but i don’t know how to apply the secret on a case like this. plz help!!
admin answers:
I know how you feel, my father also hated dogs. Our dog of 16 years died last month and i have been very upset about it, and just yesterday my dad went to the humane society and looked at dogs and somehow fell in love, and he said we can have the dog if we rescue him from there. I couldnt believe it because my dad never ever liked dogs. But because i was upset he went in there and then he fell in love with this dog. So maybe you should try taking your mom to a shelter and then she might have a different perspective, i know for a fact if this dog didnt need help my dad would not have wanted one. But because he needed help he jst fell in love
Michael asks…
Will a border collie get along with a chihuahua?
We’re getting a new dog tomorrow, she’s a border collie rescue, 2 months old. Right now we have a chihuahua and she is four years old. I’m wondering if they will they get along well with each other? Especially since the new dog is just a puppy, i’m thinking they’ll be fine, but i just want to make sure. (our other option is a 2 month old yellow lab) Is there a chance they will “turn” on each other later on, even if they seem to be good friends?
admin answers:
It depends on your chihuahua really. You’re getting the BC as a young pup, so YOU can socialise him with all other dogs and animals to make sure he grows into a well balanced dog. If your chihuahua likes other dogs then I don’t see why there would be a problem.
I have a BC cross who loves little dogs – he is just a little too rough playing with them!! However if this puppy grows with a smaller dog I’m sure it will know how to play perfectly with a smaller dog 🙂
Get ready to do lots of training and socialisation! BC need a ton of exercise, but mental stimulation (such as chewing bones, eating meals from plastic bottles / food releasing toys etc) is just as important for this breed!
Betty asks…
How do you get a border collie puppy to stop chasing cars?
We have a five mth old border collie that we love and want him to stop.
When I take him for walks he barks and lunges for cars ( he is always on his leash) I am afraid he will one day get away and get killed by car. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
admin answers:
I agree with much of what michael C had to say. As a Border Collie, aussie and rough collie owner and trainer of my own dogs I can tell you that instinct is definatly working against you. That said the problem is certainly fixable. Training goes a long way.
Enroll your dog in a good positive training class with a trainer who is experienced with border collies. Border collies do especially well with clicker training, harsher methods that may work with other breeds don’t fair well with the intelligent and sensitive breeds such as the border collie. They can actually create problems and you can end up with a timid unresponsive border collie. They have been breed to work in unison with their owner (shepherds) not as a subordinate, they thrive when they know that they are getting something out of the deal.
You will be suprised by the improvement you will get in your car chasing problem if your dog is obedience trained. Training helps the dog to pay attention to you in all situations. So when he goes to chase cars, squirells, kids, you can give him a firm NO, or Leave it. Distract him with a high value treart (tiny pieces of cheese or meat) Praise him when cars go by and he ignores them on his own.
His drive will likely never go away, but this way you will have tools to control it. And do concider a dog sport when he gets a little older like herding, agility, Frisbee, flyball, Rally-O, obediance, tracking, backpacking, search and rescue or therapy work. A tired border collie is a well behaved border collie and those brains are too good to waist ;).
Good Luck!
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Your Questions About Organic Dog Food Recipes
Robert asks…
What is the best/ healthiest dog food out there?
I have an eight pound chihuahua and he is my baby! He is one and a half years old and is short -haired. I’m looking for a different brand of food for him. I currently give him Beneful, but I’ve read that it contains corn/ fillers. What’s a healthier alternative? Thanx a bunch and Happy Holidays!
admin answers:
Changing it’s dog food is a good idea, but do it gradually so you don’t make your dog sick. Start with 3/4 old food and 1/4 new and see how your dog tolerates the new. If no problem after a few days, increase the new amount to 1/3 new and 2/3 old and after a few more days, 1/2 and 1/2, then reverse the order until the dog is on the new food.
If your dog is under a year old, you could consider some of the following brands and see what’s available in a bite size for your tiny dog:
Innova Evo, Canidae, Royal Canin “Baby Dog” or one made specifically for chihuahua, Newman’s Own Organics, Wellness-
These are a few brands that are better quality. For highest quality you could consider looking into Dr. Pitcairn’s recipe’s for dogs (home cooked). Then you know exactly what goes into the food and what the quality of the product is.
Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!
Mandy asks…
What are some good finger food receipe for toddler?
My daughter is 18 months and she loves to feed herself. She like baked potatoes (but cut info like a fry), Chicken nuggest, Pasta, Organic (hot dogs), pizza. But i want more FINGER FOOD idea’s and homemade receipes. Thanks
admin answers:
You really don’t need any special recipes. She can eat whatever you guys are eating for meals. I do grill chicken once a week with red peppers and cut into strips and freeze so if we are eating something she doesn’t like, she can have that. I also make homemade mac and cheese w/ chicken and veggies that I freeze into individual portions. My daughter doesn’t like ground beef, so if we have hamburgers, taco’s etc, I can pull on of those from the freezer for her.
My daughter is 22 months, and has pretty much been eating what we eat since she was about 13 months old.
Nancy asks…
Where can I find homemade dog food?
looking for recipes for homemade dog treats and foods?
i don’t feed my dog table scraps i am looking for recipes….for dog bones and sytuff like that, less chemicals
admin answers:
Never feed your dog too many dinner scraps or the same family menu, because ‘human’ food can contain ‘unfriendly’ components that are no good for pets… Homemade dog food is excellent when chosen and prepared correctly.
The recipes are usually so good, that you’ll want to try them yourself… Go ahead, it’s normal food… The types of ingredients are the main consideration, usually organic and additive free.
I have supplied a source link below to a few easy-to-prepare dog food recipes and treats… Your pooch will absolutely love them!
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Your Questions About Dog Training Boulder
Carol asks…
is a 5 month old American Staffordshire Terrior to young to take running or on hikes?
admin answers:
No really, but what you are going to want to do is start to condition your dog. Taking him out now on an eight mile hike or 45 minute run is going to stress him out! Start slow – Begin a training regime by running or walking your dog around your
neighborhood increasing the distance as your dog gets in shape.
Remember that your pup is still developing, and he’s going to have to go go go attitude known in his breed 😉 It will be up to you to make sure he doesn’t over do it.
Don’t let the pace get too strenuous and while on those hikes don’t let him jump over a lot of logs and boulders (keep the joint stress down)
Also make sure you warm him up and cool him down before and after – and stretching is a must!
James asks…
what are some good places in Las Vegas that will entertain my brother,sister,mom, and especially dad/?
we’re going there and i am the only one whos has recently been there. however, i forgot some places. and i want to go to some new ones. i am 13, sister 12, brother 10, mom 31, dad 36. give adresses please. would enjoy more than one place
admin answers:
Shark Reef (Mandalay Bay)
The Lion King show/play (Mandalay Bay)
Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo (Flamingo Hotel across from Caesar’s)
“The magic and tigers of Rick Thomas”…(Sahara)
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas…(Venetian)
Dad, mom and you(?)…can experience the rides at the (Stratosphere)
Visiting the Hoover Dam as a family is an excellent idea…(Hoover Dam, Boulder City, NV)
and OF COURSE…experiencing Circus Circus..their Adventure Dome rides, shows etc are a great fun time!
Of course….also see all the free kid shows at the hotels, shops and along Las Vegas Blvd (water fountains, etc)
Extra/Bonus ideas…
***Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater (Starts around $10/ticket…very funny, trained dogs and Cats!…that he has rescued from shelters!) We have booked this show for a corporate event of all adults (Vet industry!) and they loved it and were Amazed!)…(Planet Hollywood)
***Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden…(Mirage Hotel) The white tigers (two new tiger cubs!), white Lions(!), dolphins, etc should not be missed by any kids visiting Vegas!
***Don’t forget the pools…the only place(s) that can beat Vegas Hotel Pools…are water parks..and some properties here have up to 5 pools inter-laced with lazy rivers (bring your own inflatable tubes/rafts and save some good bucks…don’t blow them up till your in the pool area, easier to carry and won’t count as luggage on a plane! LOL!!!
***Gameworks for kids into video games and ‘party food’ stuff (Just outside of the MGM Grand)
***Coca Cola world next to the M&M world! (Just outside of the MGM Grand)
&
***”IF” you are a “daring” group of family members…you could try “Vegas Indoor Skydiving”…it’s NOT CHEAP…but a VERY Unique experience!
Sandra asks…
Why can’t people see things in a logical manner?
In this country there are over 5 million, it’s one of the most populer breeds and as been for over 100 years, with only 556 deaths in the past 15 years due to dog attacks and those being caused by 56 breeds why do people think that there is danderous pit bulls around every conner. This should prove that most pits are owned by people who take the time to train and keep thier pet pits the right way. If they were as bad as what the news and others make them to be then there would be a death by them everyday and a whole lot more attacks. Over 5 million, you have better odds of getting killed by lighting or attacked by a shark than by a pit bull. I las Vegas there as been no deaths caused by pits for over 20 years and only 5 bad attacks. We have a huge dog fighting problem in N. Las Vegas would you not think our numbers would be higher. These numbers include las vegas, N Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Nellis air forice base, Puramp, and Mopa
That is 15 years not 100 sorry
admin answers:
Media hype and knee-jerk reactions by people (including politicians) who don’t understand the problem at all.
Discrimination and banning breeds is not the answer. Ask your local lawmakers to pass laws to prosecute the owners of any dog that is allowed to run loose. If someone has a vicious dog of any pure or mixed breed and it menaces or bites someone, that owner should be punished the same way as if he left a loaded gun lying around and a child shot himself with it – make it a major felony!
Physically, almost any dog is capable of killing a child. Even a Golden retriever accidentally killed a child this past winter – the child was sent out to play wearing a scarf. Tragically, the dog thought this was for him to play tug-of-war with and the child died of strangulation.
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Your Questions About Organic Dog Food Petsmart
Linda asks…
What is the best type of dog food, not just taste, but quality too?
My dog has had puppy chow, purina one for puppies, beneful for puppies, and now i feed him kibbles and bits for adults, is there a specific brand out there that tastes good, but it also good for my dog?
admin answers:
Puppy Chow, Purina ONE, Beneful, and Kibbles n’ Bits are all very low quality foods!
Not all pet food is made equally. A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff. A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to dump cheap leftovers in. Will it kill your dog? No, it has to be nutritionally complete and safe to even be marketed. Is it healthy? Not by a long shot.
Corn is a low quality ingredient you never want to see in your pet food. Corn and low quality grains are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to food allergies in our pets.
Thankfully, there are some excellent dog foods being made these days that include organic, human grade ingredients rather than trash not fit for human consumption.
Examples of low quality foods to avoid: Anything you can find in a grocery store will be low end, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Kibbles n’ Bits, Beneful, Ol’Roy.
Examples of high quality foods to look for: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae All Life Stages, Fromm Four Star, Merrick, GO Natural, Nature’s Variety Prairie, Nature’s Logic, Artemis Fresh Mix.
Although the high quality foods are more expensive, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Less filler material means more concentrated nutrients… This means you typically need to feed far less of the high quality food than you would of the low quality one. Which also means less poop!
A great option is to go with an entirely grainless diet. Many of the high quality foods now put out grainless formulas. Some good grainless diet’s include: Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Blue Wilderness, Nature’s Variety Instinct, Orijen, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now! And Sold Gold Barking At The Moon, Taste of the Wild.
Some of the high end foods can be found in common pet stores. Petsmart carries Blue Buffalo products (such as the excellent grain free diet Blue Wilderness). Petco carries Wellness and Solid Gold. If you can’t find a food, most of the high quality food brands have websites with store locators on them.
Remember that foods should be switched gradually, especially when switching to a higher quality one, so as not to upset tummies.
Another option for feeding dogs is to feed raw. This is something that should be thoroughly researched before being attempted:
http://www.barfworld.com/
http://www.rawfed.com/
http://www.rawlearning.com/
http://www.wysong.net/controversies/rawmeat.shtml
More on dog food:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Learn how to determine the quality of your dog’s food.)
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Dog food reviews. Anything with five or six stars is a great food.)
Steven asks…
What is the best adult dog food? puppy food?
What is the best dog food for my 2 dogs? One is 2 yr old a 60 lbs German Shepard! One is a 2 yr old 14 lb Dachshund! I want a good dog food that will help keep them healthy! I want one that doesn’t have all the fillers and crap in it! I also have a 3rd 8 lb (full grown) 8 mth old Papillon! What would be best for him? Thanks In Advance!
admin answers:
Some awesome foods with no fillers:
Blue Buffalo (Available at Petsmart), Innova, Chicken Soup, Newman’s Own Organics, and Timberwolf Organics. Nutro ULTRA (Available at Petsmart and Petco) is good but the other Nutro formulas do have some questionable ingredients (such as soy or wheat).
For your German Shepherd, you want to make sure you’re feeding a large breed adult formula, or that the basic adult formula you feed has glucosamine and chondroitin in it—both are good for maintaining joint health (though there’s yet to be a scientific journal published about its benefits for pets)–of course those ingredients are also good for ANY animals…your large breed formulas will simply have a higher concentration of them.
Foods to AVOID: Eukanuba, Science Diet, Iams, Nutro Max, Purina, Authority, Maxximum, Ol’ Roy, Kibbles and Bits, ect. (basically anything you can find at Walmart or a grocery store will be BAD).
And yes, some people will tell you that they feed their dogs crap like Science Diet and they do fine, however, it does not necessarily mean their dog is getting the -best- nutrition and could not be doing -better-. Nutrition is one of the easiest things to control for our pets and it’s a HUGE preventative for so many illnesses.
I recommend checking labels…avoid corn, by-products, brewer’s rice, soy/wheat (allergens for most animals), DHT, and other ‘bad’ ingredients. Look for a meat source first (chicken, lamb, beef, ect) and a meat MEAL second (chicken meal, lamb meal, ect.), and whole ground brown rice as a fiber source.
Mary asks…
What can I do about my dogs breath?
I have a 3 year old miniature schnauzer with very bad breath. The groomer told me to change his diet to a healthier dog food. So I went from Purina Bentifull to Iams. After a few months still no difference. He just had a check up and the vet said there were no problems except for a little plaque.
Any advice?
admin answers:
Iams may be slightly better than Beneful, but honestly, both are terrible quality dog foods! I’d switch to a high quality dog food. If the vet has checked his teeth and doesn’t feel he needs a professional dental cleaning, I’d just start brushing his teeth. Purchase doggie toothpaste and a doggie tooth brush at the pet store and start brushin’!
Not all pet food is made equally. A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff. A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to the dump cheap leftovers and things that aren’t safe for human consumption (from human food processing plants) into their foods. Will it kill your dog? No, it has to be nutritionally complete and safe to even be marketed. Is it healthy? Not by a long shot.
Corn is a low quality ingredient you never want to see in your pet food. Corn and low quality grains are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to food allergies in our pets.
Thankfully, there are some excellent dog foods being made these days that include organic, human grade ingredients rather than trash not fit for human consumption.
Examples of low quality foods to avoid: Anything you can find in a grocery store will be low end, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Kibbles n’ Bits, Beneful, Ol’Roy.
Examples of high quality foods to look for: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae All Life Stages, Fromm Four Star, Merrick, GO Natural, Nature’s Variety Prairie, Nature’s Logic, Artemis Fresh Mix, Timberwolf Organics.
Although the high quality foods are more expensive, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Less filler material means more concentrated nutrients… This means you typically need to feed far less of the high quality food than you would of the low quality one. Which also means less poop!
Before following your vet’s food recommendation, keep in mind that vets get /very/ little nutritional training during their schooling. Besides that, what training they /do/ get is usually sponsored or taught by the crappy pet food companies! They also often get paid to sell some of their products at their clinics (Science Diet, Royal Canin etc.)
A great option is to go with an entirely grainless diet. Many of the high quality foods now put out grainless formulas. Some good grainless diets include: Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Blue Wilderness, Nature’s Variety Instinct, Orijen, Horizon Legacy, Merrick Before Grain, Canidae Grain Free All Life Stages, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now! And Sold Gold Barking At The Moon, Taste of the Wild.
Some pretty decent foods can even be found in common pet stores. Petsmart carries Blue Buffalo products (such as the excellent grain free diet Blue Wilderness). Petco carries Wellness, Solid Gold, Natural Balance, Eagle Pack Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Castor & Pollux Organix, Pinnacle, and Halo. If you can’t find a food, most of the high quality food brands have websites with store locators on them.
Another option, if you can’t find anywhere around you that sells good foods, is to order your pet food online. Here’s an excellent place to do so: http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/
Remember that foods should be switched gradually (mixing new slowly in with the old over about a two week period), especially when switching to a higher quality one, so as not to upset tummies.
Another option for feeding dogs is to feed raw. This is something that should be thoroughly researched before being attempted:
http://www.barfworld.com/
http://www.rawfed.com/
http://www.rawlearning.com/
http://www.wysong.net/controversies/rawmeat.shtml
Also remember that freefeeding (leaving food down) is the fast lane to canine obesity. Make sure to have scheduled feeding times based on the feeding instructions on your dog’s food.
More on dog food:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Learn how to determine the quality of your dog’s food.)
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Dog food reviews. Four stars is a decent food, five stars is a great food, and six stars is an excellent food.)
Darksong~
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