4 Ways to stop a dog begging for food

Begging for food is an irritating habit that many dogs have, and when it results in passing the dog food scraps, it can also become a problem, both in terms of the dog’s health and their behaviour.

Dogs see their owners as their pack, and in order to stay friendly and loving they must understand their own place in that pack is below humans. One way for them to understand this is by feeding them last. If you pass scraps whilst you and your family are eating, you are indicating to the dog that they are as high as you in the pack which can lead to aggressive and dominating behaviour on their part. Furthermore, food for humans is often totally inappropriate for dogs who will have trouble digesting it and could lead them to gain weight and even develop other serious illnesses down the line.

Here are 4 ideas on how to stop your dog begging for food:

1. Remove him from the dining area. This is simple yet affective as it removes temptation from the dog’s path. If you don’t let him back in until everything has been cleared away, there is no chance he can get at any scraps or leftovers.

2. Feed him after everyone else. This emphasizes his position at the bottom of the pecking order. Dominant dogs are more likely to beg for food as this is a way of asserting their position. Always make sure they know their place as the omega dog in the pack.

3. Make them sit and stay whilst you eat. This reinforces his place in the pack and teaches him that quiet behaviour during mealtimes is necessary.

4. Never feed them scraps. This is very important as giving in could affect their behaviour and their health. It also encourages them to keep begging as they learn it works and they get rewarded when they do it.

Begging can be “trained” out of a dog, and it is important that it is. Not only is it a very annoying habit, it can also be detrimental to their health and cause your dog to become more dominant in the house. A happy dog is one that knows their place as the omega pack member, not the alpha pack member.

If any of your have had success from stopping your dog from begging, send in your thoughts, we’d love to hear them!

How to slim down your dog

Obesity is becoming a bit of a problem in dogs with more and more cases reported each year. The trouble with an overweight dog is that they are at a high risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and joint problems which leads to trips to the vet and large bills. It is really vital that an owner doesn’t let it happen, but if it does to get on the top of the problem straight away. It may take a year for your dog to return to a normal healthy weight but it will be worth it.

You know when a dog is at the right weight when you can feel the ribs without there being any excess fat covering and from the side the dog’s belly looks as though it is tucked up. Looking at the dog from the above, you should be able to see a ‘waist’ in front of the dog’s hips. You should be able to count how many ribs your dog has by feeling, although not by looking as this may be a sign your dog is underweight.

Feeding your pet table scraps is the main reason a dog gains weight and it is strongly recommended that you don’t do this at all. Furthermore, many foods that we can enjoy are toxic to dogs such as onions and garlic.

To help slim down your dog, you should stick to your normal feeding schedule, yet simply decrease the size of the portions. Give the dog just 3/4 of the normal amount. If your dog gets a little ‘whiney’ about this, you can add a bulky vegetables to the dog food to increase the size without adding calories. Alternatively there are lower calorie foods available for dogs - your dog may not like these at first, however eventually they will get used to them.

If you feed your dog just once a day, it may be worthwhile trying out a new schedule of 2 smaller meals a day instead. Once they have eaten, take the bowl away immediately, even if there are a few biscuits remaining. Treats are completely banned if you are wanting to slim down your dog, unless you offer it a carrot or an apple which is fine.

Take weekly measurements of your dog to track the progress and watch closely the eating patterns. If your dog only nibbles at food, but does so all day long, it may be they are eating more than you thought, and in fact more than a gobbler would!

Exercise of course is important and dogs needs at least 2 walks a day. If your dog is really overweight, make sure they don’t overdo it in the exercise department at first. You can work up to a nice long walk eventually.

Do any of you have any comments or tips on how to slim down an overweight dog? Send in your comments below.

Foods that are dangerous for dogs

Although it is tempting to give your dog scraps off the table or leftovers from your own supper, there are a few foods that really are very hazardous for your dog and should not be offered under any circumstances. Some food that is suitable for humans will cause havoc with a dog, in mild cases causing indigestion, in severe cases causing illness and even death.

Here is a list of some of the foodstuffs that should never be given to dogs.
Alcoholic drinks - can cause intoxication, coma and death
Baby food - often contains onion powder that is toxic to dogs
Bones from chicken or fish - obstruction or laceration of the digestive system
Cat food - too high in protein and fats generally
Chocolate and Caffeine - very toxic, especially for small dogs. Can cause heart problems
Citrus - can cause vomiting
Fat trimmings - can cause pancreatitis
Grapes and raisins - has shown to cause damage to the kidneys
Vitamin supplements containing iron - these are likely to hurt the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs too
Liver - can be eaten in small quantities, but can cause vitamin A toxicity which affects the muscles and bones
Marijuana - causes vomiting and changes in the heart rate
Milk and dairy products - can cause diarrhoea due to insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase which is needed to break down the lactose in milk
Onion and garlic - raw, cooked, in a powder, it is all dangerous for dogs, especially onions. They contain sulfoxides and disulfides which damage red blood cells and cause anaemia.
Mushrooms - contain a variety of toxins that in large quantities can result in shock and death
Mouldy food - very likely to cause vomiting and diarrhoea
Raw eggs - these decrease the absorption of vitamin b in the body which is needed for a healthy coat and skin
Raw fish - if this is fed regularly to a dog, they have a high chance of developing seizures, or even death
Salt - electrolyte imbalances are common when salt is given in large doses
Sugary goods - obesity, dental problems and diabetes can occur (just the same as with humans in this case!)
Yeast dough - expansion in the stomach or intestines can cause pain and even rupture

This is not a completely exhaustive list of foods to not give your dog, however it is reasonably complete. If you have fed any of these to your dog in the past but haven’t noticed any problems then the chances are they are fine. If you are worried, take your pet to the vet for some advice.

Have any of you experienced any problems with a particular type of food? Send in your comments below.

Supplements for your pet

Supplements are designed to compliment diet and ensure bodies maintain a normal biological function. They work for us, so why not our pets? The pet supplement market has been growing recently and research suggests that at least 17% of pet owners regularly include supplements into their pet’s diet.

Pet supplements range from multivitamins to encourage excellent overall health to targeted formulas that are designed to alleviate specific problems such as joint problems or cognitive dysfunction.

If your pet is suffering from a condition, even a serious one such as cancer, there are supplements available that can help. Alpha lipoic acid for example, a powerful antioxidant can be used to alleviate pain and suffering of your pet. This particular supplement also helps prevent cataracts and even restore numerous biological functions that are diminished with aging.

It is very important however to talk to your veterinarian before administering supplements as self prescribing can sometimes be dangerous. Furthermore there are a number of products available to buy that do not deliver all that they promise and are of overall poor standard.

There are 4 things that as a pet owner you should look out for when selecting supplements:

• Quality - How much of the active ingredient is in the product? Use the telephone number on the product to ask questions about the product.
• Efficacy - What, if any is the scientific basis behind the supplement? Ask about what studies have been carried out and where you can find the results.
• Tolerance - Check all the ingredients as a product may contain something that your pet is allergic to or will react with other medications.
• Safety - Make sure the safety of the product has been proved. Phone the company or check their website if you want to know what safety tests have been carried out.

Have any of you used supplements for your pet? Have you seen a positive change overall or perhaps even dramatic changes? Send in your comments below.

What is the best diet for your dog?

Pet owners want to provide their dogs with the very best diet available, but conflicting information can often be a cause of confusion. How much protein should a dog get? What dog food is the best and/or the most healthy?

The natural diet of a dog is one that is high in protein and high in water. Just as we consider the case for ourselves, scientists also say that ensuring your dog eats a good variety of whole foods is very important to gain the most in terms of nutritional value.

Traditional tinned or dried dog food is a popular method of feeding our pets however not all the products on the market provide a good balanced meal. Just like pre-packed and processed food for humans there can sometimes be a few nasties lurking in some brands that should be avoided if possible.

• There should be no generic fat listed in the ingredients. Look for sources such as “chicken fat” or “lamb meal” instead of “meat meal”.
• Avoid foods that use corn gluten meal, a cheap waste product from the human food industry that provides incomplete protein for dogs.
• Another sign of low quality food is that which contains BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin which are all artificial preservatives. Likewise avoid products with artificial colours, sugars and sweeteners such as corn syrup, sucrose or propylene glycol.
• A whole-meat source should be one of the very first ingredients on the label, if not there could be too many grains and too little meat contained within.

There isn’t really one definitive “best diet” for a dog. The trick is to ensure your pet receives a variety of foods. Try choosing 2 or 3 different brands of dog food that use different protein sources and every so often, rotate. Adding fresh foods into the diet will also undoubtedly have a positive effect. Fresh wholesome items to be included could be eggs, raw meat (or cooked), canned fish and even healthy leftovers from your own meals such as vegetables.

Do any of you have tips or suggestions about the ideal diet for a dog? If you have any comments, please feel free to add them below.