The Modern Bark | Dog Training Tips

Supplementing Your Dog's Diet Is your dog enjoying a well balanced diet? If he eats the same dry food, day in and day out, year after year, chances are he’s missing out on a few things. Despite most manufacturer’s claims to the contrary, no one really knows exactly what constitutes a complete canine diet. The FDA, AAFCO and many vets recommend regularly rotating your dog’s diet between several brands to help maintain a balanced diet. However, changing your dog’s diet from one brand to another can result in unpleasant stomach upset and digestive issues. Here are some healthy, homemade ingredients you can add to your dog’s daily intake, without any extra effort, that will add variety and help fill in the nutritional gaps. And better yet, they won’t impact your wallet. As with any food, portion control is the key to healthy dog snacking. Kitchen Scraps That Make Healthy Dog Snacks Romaine Lettuce: Romaine lettuce is low in calories, high in protein (in fact it’s 17% pr...

A dog’s diet should consist of 20 percent vegetables consumed on a daily basis. With these 3 easy home cooked recipes you can add that much needed vitamin and mineral fix to your dog’s diet with a minimum of effort.  Better yet, these dog treats store in the freezer from 2-4 months.  So with a little bit of effort, you can serve Fido healthy snacks for months to come as easy as 1-2-3! 1 - Fast, Simple and Healthy Dog Apple Crisp Treats These dog treats are simple to make (you’ll be done in 45 minutes start to finish) and are super nutritious.  Smear them with a little peanut butter for an extra tasty treat! Ingredients: 2 apples pealed, cored and sliced into 3/8” slices 2 Tablespoons Lemon juice 1 cup water 1 tsp cinnamon Instructions: 1.      Preheat oven to 350° F 2.      Combine the lemon juice and water in a small bowl. 3.      Place a...

Source: Courtesy of PDPics.com Dogs are omnivores with scavenging tendencies; t his means they are open to eating almost anything that appears edible,  and that can lead to bouts of diarrhea.  Diarrhea is defined as loose or watery stools; it is the system's attempt to quickly eliminate something distressing from the intestinal tract that is poisoning the system. Causes of Acute Diarrhea in Dogs Acute or sudden onset diarrhea The dog may have picked up a bug or virus The dog has eaten something that does not agree with him Internal Parasites  Change in Diet Poison Causes of Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs Food allergies such as gluten or main protein ingredient allergy Inflammatory Bowel Disease Kidney, Liver or Thyroid Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome In most instances, diarrhea does not necessarily warrant a trip to the vet.  If the dog appears to be in good health otherwise, then you can treat his symptoms at home with some simp...

By  federico stevanin , published on 08 November 2008 Stock photo - image ID: 1001821 As scientists of various disciplines investigate the topic of dirt eating, or more accurately clay eating, they are discovering that it is more prevalent across geographic regions and species than previously imagined.  Humans, primates, dogs, cats, parrots, buffalo, deer and even fruit bats engage in clay eating or geophagia, a subset of pica. Until now it has been assumed that the animals engaging in geophagia were either malnourished or suffering from a form of obsessive compulsive disorder originating from boredom.  New studies indicate that there may be other factors at work in the age old practice of clay eating. In our list of five reasons your dog eats clay, we offer up three traditional explanations as well as two new explanations that are gaining credence in the international dirt-eating research community. Eating Soil From Boredom, Habit or OCD It has been noted tha...

Comparing dog food ingredients, once you look at the paragraph on the side of the bag, may seem like it requires a PHD to decipher.  Protein meals, by-products and tocopherols abound.  Many authorities on dog food and nutrition recommend that buyers avoid any dog food containing by-products while others eschew grain based products.  Understanding dog food ingredients and their legal definitions as well as the guaranteed analysis will help you to better compare dog foods and find the best value and nutritious diet for your four legged companion. Dog Food Ingredients Comparison 101: The ingredients are listed on the food packaging by their weight, in descending order.  Ingredients are listed on an “as fed basis,” which can make interpretation of ingredient lists difficult, as key ingredients are regularly added with differing moisture contents. Meats contain more moisture which results in greater weight per volume, and therefore they may be listed first on t...

According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent an estimated $52 billion dollars on their pets in 2012, with an estimated $19 billion of that being spent of pet food.  Clearly Americans love their pets, and as pet food recalls have heightened pet owners’ concerns about pet food safety and nutrition, many “Premium” foods have entered the market, competing for those dollars.  With the typical pet super market containing 6-8 aisles of dog food and 4-5 aisles of cat food, how is the health conscious pet owner to decipher the labels and choose the best food for their pet with a reasonable price tag? The Cover Story: Food, Recipes and Flavors – What’s in The Bag? The FDA and the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) have regulated guidelines for how pet foods products may be labeled and marketed.  Many so called premium dog foods have found creative marketing tactics for dodging these regulations while luring consumers with promis...

Canned pumpkin tops the list of the most nutritious fruits and vegetables!  Rich in Vitamin C and E, high in fiber as well as antioxidants, it also helps to control loose stools.  Add to that a teaspoon of cinnamon, an anti-inflammatory that improves blood circulation and helps regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol,  and you have a super  nutritious and inexpensive treat for your best friend.  This is a gluten free recipe that's great for dogs on a limited ingredient diet . Also, dogs suffering from diabetes or arthritis will benefit especially from this recipe. Preparation time 5 minutes: Ingredients: 3/4 Cup Dry Rolled Oats 1 - 15 oz Can of Pumpkin (not the spiced pie filling) 1 - Teaspoon Cinnamon 1/2 Cup Dry Powdered Milk 2 - Tablespoons Water 2 - Tablespoons of Molasses - optional Place dollops on a greased (or Pam sprayed) cookie sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes at 300 degrees. D...

As with humans, healthy canine immune systems begin in the gut. Unfortunately, canine digestive issues are the second most common health issue, with skin disorders being the most common cause for a trip to the vet.Whether your pet is experiencing temporary digestive upset or you suspect a food allergy, these resources can help bring your pet relief from diarrhea, gas and bloating, skin allergies as well as yeasty ear infections. Resources For Dogs With Runs or Constipation What to Do If Your Dog Can't Poop? The causes and cures for chronic or temporary canine constipation. 5 Home remedies that quickly clear up irritable bowel symptoms.  The 5 Best Probiotics for Dogs with Diarrhea and Allergies Reviewed Probiotic supplements bring healthy bacteria to the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients and remove toxins from the system.  Discover which brands offer the best relief for either occasional stomach upset or ongoing digestive disorders. What to...