| is much to recommend feeding your dog homemade | | | | effectively training you and not the other way |
| dog food if you have the time to prepare it, and | | | | around! |
| make sure you have recipes that give the correct | | | | * There's nothing wrong with feeding your dog a |
| ratio of nutrients, as well as the vitamins and | | | | varied diet, but don't keep changing the food |
| supplements you'll need to add. These can be mixed | | | | because he seems fussy and won't eat it. Make sure |
| up in a bag, stored, and sprinkled in every meal. | | | | nothing is wrong with him physically first, then if he is |
| Dogs should have a minimum of 18% protein for | | | | healthy, take charge of the situation. Put his food |
| maintenance when they are adults, and 22% for | | | | down, leave him to it, and then 30 minutes later go |
| reproduction and growth. Fat should be a minimum of | | | | and check to see whether it's been eaten. If it hasn't, |
| 5% for adult dogs, and 8% for reproduction and | | | | take it away, then at the end of the day put down |
| growth. But the more fat that is in the diet, the | | | | some fresh food. Repeat the process, and take it |
| more protein there should be. Fat makes dogs, as | | | | away 30 minutes later if it still isn't eaten. This way |
| well as people, eat less by making them feel fuller. If | | | | you'll train your dog to eat his food, and not reinforce |
| they eat less, and there are less of other essential | | | | his behaviour. |
| nutrients like protein and vitamins and minerals, the | | | | Brian Kilcommons has a very interesting method for |
| dog will not get the nourishment it needs. | | | | teaching dogs to eat their food. When the above |
| Generally, commercial pet food is made according to | | | | fails, he prepared the dog food in front of the dog, |
| the appropriate guidelines, but care should be taken if | | | | making lots of 'yummy' noises whilst he did it. He |
| significant amounts of other food is added to the | | | | made it slowly, and when the dog still wasn't |
| diet, and it is high in fat. | | | | interested, he put it down in front of his face, then |
| But whether you're feeding your dog commercial dog | | | | took it straight away and threw it out. He did this |
| food, or home made dog food, there are a few | | | | first at breakfast, then at dinner. At dinner, the dog |
| things to keep in mind so you don't end up with a | | | | in question was more interested, but he still threw it |
| fussy dog: | | | | out after putting it in front of him. The next morning, |
| * dogs should be fed once a day once they are no | | | | the dog was jumping up and down whilst the food |
| longer puppies, or two small meals, no more. Feeding | | | | was being prepared. He put it down, pulled it away, |
| your dog too frequently when he is older can turn | | | | then looked at him for about a minute, then left it |
| him appear like a fussy eater, when he is actually full. | | | | for him to eat. That dog now eats anything put |
| * feeding your dog too regularly can get him into the | | | | down for him. |
| routine of expecting to eat at those times, too, and | | | | * If your dog suddenly goes off his food, it could be |
| may lead to weight gain. Letting him get hungry, and | | | | because he has dental problems, or a stomach |
| feeding sensibly, will not harm him. In the wild, dogs | | | | problem. Get him checked out by the vet. |
| would eat for once a day until they were completely | | | | * Some dogs do actually prefer a certain type of |
| full. | | | | food, just as people do. Try your dog with a variety |
| * Don't stand and stare at your dog waiting for him | | | | of foods, and if he only eats one type, and will |
| to eat. He will likely think something is wrong, or | | | | starve himself if he doesn't get it, the best solution |
| something else is coming, and won't eat. | | | | can simply be to feed him that type of food. |
| * Don't give into your dog and give him something | | | | * Don't feed your dog a high fat diet, or junk food, |
| else straight away if he refuses his meal, as he's | | | | including chocolate. It's not good for them. |