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Feeding your dog requires some decisions. Proper nutrition is one of your dog's basic needs, and it goes beyond brand. Read solutions to common dog feeding questions.

Best Dog Food?

So many commercial dog food brands make choosing one overwhelming. AAFCO-labeled dog foods are "complete and balanced." This signifies the food fits a dog's basic nutritional needs for its life stage. Dog food isn't all equal. Ingredient quality affects your dog's health and happiness.

When choosing dog food, prioritize:

How crucial is feeding natural, entire ingredients? Consider natural or therapeutic veterinary diets if this is important. Consider a home-cooked meal (with guidance from your vet, of course).

Cost influences your decision? Natural and therapeutic diets cost more. If you're on a budget, choose a mid-range dish.

What's your cooking time? A home-prepared diet may be desirable if you have the time.

Your dog:

Special veterinarian diets may help overweight or ill dogs.

Consult your veterinarian before choosing a commercial diet for your dog. Consult experts and other dog owners. Ask your vet for a veterinary nutritionist referral. Dog nutrition opinions vary widely.

Some owners prefer homemade diets to commercial ones. Work with your vet to establish a complete and balanced diet for your dog. Visit BalanceIt.com and/or PetDiets.com to start a homemade dog diet. A dog's health can suffer from a poor diet.

What should my dog eat?

Dog food intake relies on several factors.

Your dog's age (puppy vs. adult) (puppy vs. adult) Dog's health Activity level Dietary calories and nutrients

A dog food calculator helps estimate your dog's daily calorie needs. Discuss your dog's health and weight with your vet.

When should my dog eat?

Most experts recommend twice-daily feeding for mature dogs. A dog eating once a day is lengthy. Three to six times daily, puppies should eat (small puppies need food more often to prevent low blood sugar). Discuss a feeding schedule with your vet.

Best Dog Bowl?

Experts recommend avoiding plastic dog bowls. Your dog can develop an allergy or sensitivity, causing a rash or acne on the chin and face. Plastic bowls may contain bacteria or other microbes that can irritate your dog. Micronized crevices and holes in plastic bowls harbor germs. Food and water bowls should be metal or ceramic.

Canine snacks?

When can I train my puppy?

Your puppy learns constantly. Every interaction with your puppy is training. You'll start housetraining, teaching manners, and socializing your puppy from the day they arrive. In certain cases, pups get formal training before going to their new home, such as housetraining, greetings, and how behaviors can lead to incentives.

Puppy learning:

Puppies learn by doing what works. From their perspective, they'll do what's effective. Dogs repeat positive behaviour. If it leads to a treat, attention, a toy, a desired engagement, the puppy will do it again. Positive reinforcement is the greatest way to train pups. Effective and safe puppy training involves management, supervision, and positive reinforcement. Waiting until the puppy does something wrong before punishing it might cause avoidance, fear, and uncertainty.

Learn what your puppy likes, then reward her when she does something you like. Simple concept, tough to implement. Always consider the puppy's perspective while rewarding or reinforcing.

What if my puppy likes petting? My pet climbs on me, so I push him off and say "off." We repeat his jumps.

I ignore the puppy, he jumps up, and I pet and chat to him. Success! Puppies don't misbehave to annoy or rival us. From their perspective, they do what works.

What should my puppy learn?

Consider what you want your puppy to do in a situation or in response to a cue. Example:

When the puppy meets a person, hears her name, sees another animal, hears the doorbell, and sleeps. • How to get his leash and/or harness on

Once you know how you want your puppy to act, teach him tiny steps. You want your puppy to come to whoever called him and wait near them. Luring, capturing, and shaping can train this reaction. This is our model.

Why use luring?

Lure training uses a reward or something else the puppy will follow to train it. Luring helps educate new behaviors when initially presented. Once the dog understands, the lure fades quickly.

The lure should draw and keep the puppy's nose. Where the puppy's nose travels, the body follows. Easy lures are treats. Use high-value pencil-eraser-sized snacks.

Where the puppy's nose goes, the body will follow.

My doggie sniffs nearby. I call his name and put a treat beneath his nose. When his nose is drawn to the goodie, I draw a slow, steady line toward my body and back up a few paces, offering him tiny licks or bites.

Slowly increase the lure to sit a puppy. A puppy's rump sits when his nose goes up and back.

For a puppy to walk to his bed or kennel, the bait should be at nose level so he can follow it, and he should get a lick or bite every few steps until he reaches the goal.

What if my dog doesn't bite?

If the bait is too fast or out of reach, the puppy may lose interest and try to paw, jump, or bite it. Make sure the bait travels at an easy-to-follow speed, the puppy can reach it without jumping or grabbing, and regular licks or bites are given to sustain interest and attachment.

Captured?

Understanding dog behavior and teaching your dog acceptable behaviors will deepen your relationship and improve your lives.

PREPARE

To have a healthy relationship with your dog, train him/her to live amicably in your home. Learning how to train your dog can improve your life and theirs, increase the human-animal link, and be fun.

If you want a well-mannered dog, teach him a few tricks. Your dog should know how to "sit" and "lay down" to regulate his/her desires and stay safe. When sitting, your dog can't jump up, beg at the table, or greet visitors boisterously.

Good, straightforward communication is crucial to teaching dogs. Your dog must know how to behave. Reward good behavior with food, praise, and pats. Reward bad behavior. It's easy to ignore good behavior (like lying quietly) and focus on bad behavior (i.e. jumping up). This is a great technique to teach your dog bad habits. Reward good behavior. Set standards for how you want your dog to behave and be consistent. All family members should be consistent in rewarding your dog's excellent behaviors and not rewarding undesirable ones.

Instructions

Train at least twice a day.

5 to 10 minute sessions are ideal.

Positive endings are best.

One task every session (e.g., "sit" or "bed").

Training your dog takes time and work, but it's fun for you and your dog. You and your dog can accomplish much with patience and determination.

Reward your dog with something he/she enjoys. Different dogs will work for different things, such as dry kibble, chicken or cheese, a toy, or off-leash time at the dog park.

Reward your dog with verbal and tactile praise.

A cute puppy is one of life's greatest delights. Everyone can enjoy enjoying and caring for your new puppy. Our team and veterinarians know this is an exciting and unique moment for you, and we want to give your new puppy the finest start possible. Your early time with this puppy will affect your relationship for the next 12-15 years.

First vet visit: maximize it

We'll do a thorough physical and gather information from you at your puppy's first appointment. This is your chance to learn everything you need to know about puppy care to be a responsible, caring caregiver. Bring everyone in the family who will be involved in the puppy's care to the initial appointment. First visit topics:

Vaccine schedules

Diagnosing and treating dog parasites safely

Symptoms

Castration

Basic behavior training

Puberty

Dog food

Our vets will evaluate your puppy's breed, age, lifestyle, and any health or behavioral difficulties before making suggestions.

Quality puppy food matters

Responsible puppy care includes understanding puppy feeding. Your puppy's growing physique will affect his or her long-term quality of life. Choose a puppy meal that's made for growing dogs. Always look for an AAFCO declaration to guarantee your puppy food meets or exceeds nutritional needs.

Small and medium-sized dogs can be weaned off puppy food between 9 and 12 months.

Large dogs should eat puppy food for a year.

Early in the day, give your puppy plenty of fresh water to help him digest his food and stay hydrated. Regular feeding and walking will aid toilet training. Puppies will learn and enjoy a routine.

Follow a puppy feeding program. Discuss this with a vet at your next appointment to ensure you're feeding your puppy properly. Puppy feeding schedule:

6-16 weeks: 3-4 meals (4 meals only for very small breeds)

3-6 months: 2-3 meals

6-12 months: 2 meals

Do not feed your dog from your plate. Puppies will beg for whatever you're eating, and it's tempting to feed them. While it's not hazardous for children to eat most of what you eat, it's hard to break because they'll assume they should always share.

Successful dog training is rewarding and a great way to bond with your pet. All dogs, young and old, can learn simple commands. Sit, down, stay, and depart are here…

Training my dog's perks

Teaching your dog basic obedience, such as sit, wait, and come when called, allows them to run off leash and come with you to meet friends and family while being safe and under control.

Dogs are bright and love to learn, so training helps prevent boredom.

Dogs learn how?

Reward-based training is essential. When you give your dog something they appreciate, like food, toys, or praise, they're more inclined to repeat the behavior.

Discover your dog's likes and dislikes. Favorite delicacies are beef or cheese. More your dog enjoys training, the higher the incentive.

Training suggestions

Start new tricks lessons in a quiet room away from distractions.

Short, consistent training sessions won't overwhelm your dog.

Just like humans, dogs learn at varying rates, so don't worry if yours is slow.

Always end the session with something your dog knows.

Training your dog is a delightful way to bond.

The essentials

Our guides can help you train your dog, but we also encourage dog training classes, especially for clicker training.

Consult a behaviorist if you have problems. They specialize on barking, aggression, destructiveness, and phobias. Alternatively, you can hire a dog trainer.

Dog training can range from simple obedience commands to complex feats.

As with humans, dogs must be properly trained. Everyone benefits when the dog follows rules.

The dog is included.

Dogs crave approval. It's eager to please (mostly). It can't do it without training.

You can teach your dog tricks and tasks throughout its life. Optional. Every dog owner should consider the following training important. It's also crucial to know what not to do while training a dog, as it can swiftly ruin training efforts.

TOILETS

Indoor dogs need toilet training for obvious reasons. Toilet training is stressful for everyone. Be patient, apply good training tactics, and you'll succeed.

Start at 3 to 4 months. Your dog won't have enough bowel and bladder control any earlier. Training will take longer if you start later.

Start training by limiting the puppy to a small area, such as a room, tethered lead, or crate. As your puppy learns to go outside, you can progressively expand its range.

Toilet training tips:

Mealtimes. During toilet training, feed your puppy regularly. No munching! Dogs shouldn't have access to food between meals.

Frequent toilet breaks. Allow your dog to go outside often. Every 30-60 minutes throughout the day, go outside. After a nap or food, take your puppy outside.

Familiarity comforts. Always walk your dog in the same spot. Your dog will smell it and go more easily.

Walk your dog. When you take your dog outdoors to potty, stay with it until it's done or it's clear it doesn't need to go. Don't let the dog outside alone.

Congratulations! Praise your dog when it's good. Offer the dog a treat or a stroll.

obedience training

Teach your dog basic obedience. Disobedient dogs are just as annoying as obedient ones.

If you desire, you can advance your dog's training. Your dog should know the following commands at a minimum:

Sit. This basic command helps you control your dog in any scenario, so teach it first.

Drop. Your dog learns to drop anything it's holding. (Could save your dog if it eats anything poisonous.)

Stay. Teach your dog to stay steady and calm.

Teach your dog to walk beside you, with or without a leash.

Come. Trains your dog to come when called. Once your dog knows its name, teach it this command. This command may protect your dog.

Positive reinforcement is the greatest dog-training strategy for teaching these instructions.

Positive reinforcement encourages desired behavior over punishment. This training method makes learning fun for your dog and strengthens your bond.

BASICS FIRST

Teaching your dog obedience will make your home happier.

Your dog will be pleased because it wants to please you and be well-behaved. Your dog will be more manageable, enriching your life.

Visitors will appreciate not having to deal with a misbehaving dog.

Show dogs must look the part, from sporting toy breeds.

Susan Hamil, a dog show veteran, says Miss America doesn't eat chips before a pageant. "Show dogs are similar." Bloodhound fancier and judge Hamil is one of four dog show specialists who shared their suggestions and dog care regimen.

The well-groomed canines may make it look easy, but they labor hard behind the scenes.

Your dog may not be a show dog, but they're Best in Show in your heart. These grooming suggestions will make your dog look good.

Let's Talk

Show dogs learn to like the attention, which boosts their self-esteem. Dogs feel their best when in shape, thus they need exercise. Susan Hamil, Bloodhound judge and breeder, says show Bloodhounds swim 45 minutes with a weighted vest to stay in condition.

Investigate dog food

"I tell West Highland White Terrier owners to study dog food. People expect a formulaic answer to Westies' skin troubles, but it's not that simple. Yeast in dog food is unhealthy for Westies. It grows in their armpits and pads; my Westie buddies gnaw themselves raw. Sad. People think it's allergies, but it's not. Too much sugar or carbohydrates can fuel yeast. Always study pet food and consult your vet. Breeder and fancier Vanessa Skou.

Learn to groom your dog

Dog owners must spend time teaching their pets to tolerate grooming. Putting a dog on a countertop, touching their feet, and brushing their coat helps them grow acclimated to being handled. My dogs hang out on the grooming tables. They'll say, "My turn!" Sweep me. If you make it fun, the dog will relax. Master Groomer, Bichon Frise fan Lindsey Dicken.

Learn your dog's coat type.

Understanding your dog's coat is helpful. Shih Tzus have long, flowing coats. Shampoos used to clean Shih Tzus might dry up their skin, therefore they need conditioner after a bath. Because of pH changes, use dog shampoo, not human shampoo. Shih Tzu breeder/fancier Michelle Jones

Bloodhounds are all-weather. Sebum waterproofs their coats, so they can shrug off water. You shouldn't remove your dog's natural oils when cleaning. Regularly use mild shampoo. Conditioner or crème rinse are also used. I brush out the dog's dead hair before wash time. I prefer an individual-bristled rubber brush. Bloodhound expert Susan Hamil

Don't neglect dental hygiene

Large dogs must be managed early on. You can massage and clean their teeth by lifting their lip. Use a finger brush or soft, rubber-bristled toothbrush to massage their gums. Always brush your gums. Dogs can have all the same dental problems as humans, but they can't brush after eating. Bloodhound expert Susan Hamil

I give my dogs a firm cheese chew to help clean their teeth in addition to brushing. They're easy for small dogs to hold. They don't produce a mess or get sticky. I recently discovered duck feet. Only twice a week. Their teeth are spotless, and they love them." Shih Tzu expert Michelle Jones.

Trim nails and remove foot hair

NAILS

Every bath, I inspect my dogs' nails. People neglect to cut the nails of Shih Tzus and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels because of their foot hair. Not so. Overgrown nails impact feet, walking, and movement.

TOENAILS

"Shih Tzus and other toy breeds require their bottom foot pads trimmed. Keeping that area clipped and clean can prevent foot irritation. It provides traction so they may use their foot pads on varied surfaces." Shih Tzu Expert Michelle Jones

Grooming

BEHAVE BETWEEN GROOMINGS

"As a pet groomer, I urge owners to brush out their pet's coat. It's the best thing you can do for your dog since they must understand it's not awful. They won't have to brush out four to eight weeks of knots at the groomer. Both the groomer and dog are unhappy. When an owner brushes their dog at home, it maintains the coat and gets the dog used to being handled. It makes grooming easier and the dog more comfortable. Bichon Frise expert Lindsey Dicken

THEY'LL GET POKED

Shih Tzu owners must maintain attractive puppy trims. Regularly trim nose hair. As hair develops, it can poke a dog's eye and cause irritation. Shih Tzu Expert Michelle Jones

Checkup

"I pet my dogs constantly. I hold them. I groom and watch them often. Do they have a growth? What's up? I watch my dogs' bodies closely. Observant people can spot problems before they worsen. –Vanessa Skou, WHWT Expert

Floppy-eared, droopy-eyed breeds need special care

EARS

"Ask your vet for a gentle ear cleaner and clean their ears based on wax buildup or debris. Clean and dry their eartips. If you live in a city, their ears pick up sidewalk dirt.”

EYES

"Make sure the eyes are clear. The breed's droopy eyes may be pink. Never crimson or angry. No constant tearing or discharge. Consult your vet.” Bloodhound expert Susan Hamil

White-coated dog care

"I bathe and dry my displaying dogs once a week." I use colorless shampoo. Westies have color-absorbing hair. Using purple shampoo will turn your hair purple.

"Clean and dry" Pets make things harder. Even wiping their feet with a hand towel when they come in can help." –Vanessa Skou, WHWT Expert

SHAMPOO-WHITENER