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EATING DROPPINGS

Almost without exception when a dog eats his own waste matter or indeed that of another animal, the owner is appalled and revolted, thinking perhaps that he has a perverted dog on his hands! The correct term for this practice is coprophagia and not only is it common, it is also normal! It is not a sign of illness and depravity, it is a normal part of the food gathering process. Remember that your dog is a carnivore, he would kill and eat any animal in the wild and that includes the contents of the bowel.

The feces of an animal are a rich source of enzymes and microorganisms and once these elements reach the stomach of the dog they aid digestion. The live microorganisms are killed when they reach the stomach and their fats, proteins and vitamins are then absorbed by the dog. Dogs fed on an artificial diet are more likely to eat their own droppings plus the droppings of other animal. Dogs fed on a natural diet will rarely eat their own droppings as the waste eliminated from a natural diet is simply powdered bone and this has little nutritional value. They may still eat other animals droppings.

Bearing in mind that the dog needs the elements contained in the feces you could feed your dog a bowl of animal droppings a couple of times a week! ......not sure about that! However a much better way to give your dog the probiotics he needs is to give him yogurt, cottage cheese and eggs. He may still like to eat the natural source sometimes-----remember its normal! You may also notice that your dog likes to eat soil. This is for the same reasons as eating droppings: he will gain important elements and nutrients from the soil so don't worry about it.

ROLLING IN IT

Rolling in animal droppings, or indeed any other foul smelling substances is another example of how our dogs unwittingly offend us. we think of it as dirty, disgusting behavior but to a dog it is a normal instinctive part of his canine personality. One of the most commonly accepted reasons for this behavior is that in dog language the more pungent he smells the more superior he appears to another dog. This desire to smell more powerful than other dogs reverts back to when dogs were wild and hunting in packs. The pack leader would wish to impress on his subordinates that he was still top dog, or perhaps a dog lower in the pecking order would attempt to challenge the pack leader and so to give him added courage he would first roll in strong smelling animal droppings.

Although our pet dogs have been domesticated for centuries the desire and instinct to cover themselves in to us evil smells is still very strong even though they may not know why they are doing it. It could occur if you are still having a tussle with your dog as to who is boss, so the dog reverts to his instinctive behavior to impress you.

Our reaction to our smelly dogs is firstly to reject them, not wanting them to get near us and secondly to bath them as soon as we can to get rid of the smell. This can in turn heighten the desire for the dog to repeat his rolling actions as soon as he gets the chance. If this behavior really bothers you then you can get a special collar which emits an odour offensive to the dog, when activated at the appropriate time by a hand held remote control.

Because of this belief, now a dog will feel full when fed, satisfied and content, and will overcome being a finicky eater. They will want to eat their food, love their food, and even want more. They will become healthier in body, mind, and spirit. There actually is a breakfast for the dog along with dinner. Instead of just picking a flavor for a meal, this holistic canned dog food is actually gourmet food that will rival humans. The meals are designed to be twice a day instead of one large meal. The food can be used as toppers for those finicky eaters.

What is the secret to feeding your dog so that he can reap the benefits of longevity and quality of life? Do you want to maximize the time that you and your family can spend with your dog? I have a personal theory of food for dogs which I will share with you. It may challenge your everyday thinking about how you feed your little friend. Dogs and man have cohabitated for many years, most likely beginning to follow and help in the hunt and later resting together by fire and possibly in caves. Dogs most likely were fed scraps and some of the same food that our early ancestors ate and shared with them. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating feeding your dog table scraps or even prepared human food which we eat.

What I would like you to consider is the leap that was made from dogs sharing real food with man to the tinned meat which we designate as dog food. Sometime during the 50's, canned dog food came into being. Prior to this, for thousands of years, canines simply ate ood. Much has been made about the dead, diseased and dying meat which is put into much of commercial canned food and how most commercial dry dog food is laden with pure animal fat to entice dogs to eat it. If you are feeding your dog either canned food or dry food from a supermarket shelf, I suggest you think about whether this is the right thing to do for your dog. Would you want to eat the same mixed meat from a tin can every meal? How about dried kibble made mostly from grain that dogs are not supposed to have, then drenched in fat? But he's a dog, you say. Yes, he is an animal. And animals should eat food.

Now, there are many very good brands of dry dog food and some canned as well, mostly available at veterinarians and better pet stores. In fact, I do supplement my dogs' diets with a very comprehensive high-grade dry food. But for the most part, my dogs simply eat food. Just like you and me. A typical meal (fed twice daily) for my dogs might consist of cottage cheese, brown rice and boiled or baked chicken or turkey breast. Mid-day, they are fed snacks of crisp carrots, apples and dehydrated chicken jerky, turkey or other high quality treats made from reputable sources in the USA. Our dogs also enjoy small bits of avocados, melons and even blueberries. If you are unsure which fruits or vegetables are safe for dogs to eat, there are many guides available on the internet listing certain foods to avoid such as mushrooms, certain nuts, grapes, raisins, etc., and of course chocolate.

Although I don't subscribe to the raw food diet, I know that many do, and don't have anything to say negative about it, other than I only occasionally feed raw meat. Dogs definitely enjoy the trimmings from a steak (prior to seasoning) and a little raw ground round added to their plate. In your quest to give your dog real ood, don't mistake that for food which is seasoned and cooked for the human palate. Many common herbs and spices can cause serious digestive problems in dogs and allergic reactions. While you can start with many of the same ingredients for your own dishes, foods for canines should be unseasoned and not cooked in sauces or other flavorings.

When using dog treats to let your dog sample flavors, always do so in small quantities and never all at once. Rather than give your pet five different flavored treats in a sitting, offer only one during each treat session. Gauge your pet's reaction to determine which flavors are ideal. Also watch for negative reactions, such as vomiting and diarrhea to avoid a disagreeable flavor.

What is the secret to feeding your dog so that he can reap the benefits of longevity and quality of life? Do you want to maximize the time that you and your family can spend with your dog? I have a personal theory of food for dogs which I will share with you. It may challenge your everyday thinking about how you feed your little friend. Dogs and man have cohabitated for many years, most likely beginning to follow and help in the hunt and later resting together by fire and possibly in caves. Dogs most likely were fed scraps and some of the same food that our early ancestors ate and shared with them. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating feeding your dog table scraps or even prepared human food which we eat.

What I would like you to consider is the leap that was made from dogs sharing real food with man to the tinned meat which we designate as dog food. Sometime during the 50's, canned dog food came into being. Prior to this, for thousands of years, canines simply ate ood. Much has been made about the dead, diseased and dying meat which is put into much of commercial canned food and how most commercial dry dog food is laden with pure animal fat to entice dogs to eat it. If you are feeding your dog either canned food or dry food from a supermarket shelf, I suggest you think about whether this is the right thing to do for your dog. Would you want to eat the same mixed meat from a tin can every meal? How about dried kibble made mostly from grain that dogs are not supposed to have, then drenched in fat? But he's a dog, you say. Yes, he is an animal. And animals should eat food.

Now, there are many very good brands of dry dog food and some canned as well, mostly available at veterinarians and better pet stores. In fact, I do supplement my dogs' diets with a very comprehensive high-grade dry food. But for the most part, my dogs simply eat food. Just like you and me. A typical meal (fed twice daily) for my dogs might consist of cottage cheese, brown rice and boiled or baked chicken or turkey breast. Mid-day, they are fed snacks of crisp carrots, apples and dehydrated chicken jerky, turkey or other high quality treats made from reputable sources in the USA. Our dogs also enjoy small bits of avocados, melons and even blueberries. If you are unsure which fruits or vegetables are safe for dogs to eat, there are many guides available on the internet listing certain foods to avoid such as mushrooms, certain nuts, grapes, raisins, etc., and of course chocolate.

Although I don't subscribe to the raw food diet, I know that many do, and don't have anything to say negative about it, other than I only occasionally feed raw meat. Dogs definitely enjoy the trimmings from a steak (prior to seasoning) and a little raw ground round added to their plate. In your quest to give your dog real ood, don't mistake that for food which is seasoned and cooked for the human palate. Many common herbs and spices can cause serious digestive problems in dogs and allergic reactions. While you can start with many of the same ingredients for your own dishes, foods for canines should be unseasoned and not cooked in sauces or other flavorings.

If a pet owner has a dog that is a finicky eater, finding food for him or her can be quite troublesome. The other problem in finding food is it healthy for them? A person might finally find something the dog will eat, but it will not be healthy for them. Most finicky eaters eat canned pet food. For a dog needing holistic canned dog food, there now is a solution. Holistic canned dog food will be all natural but feeds not just the dog's body but also their mind and spirit. A company that claims this must have the pet food certified under rigorous inspections. Every single ingredient that is used to make the food and even packaging is considered. A vet named Dr. Jane Bicks created holistic canned dog food with the belief the food's ingredients need to serve a purpose along with using only natural ingredients makes the dog's food more healthy and if advanced nutrition is used, a dog will be healthier and have a longer life expectancy.

Because of this belief, now a dog will feel full when fed, satisfied and content, and will overcome being a finicky eater. They will want to eat their food, love their food, and even want more. They will become healthier in body, mind, and spirit. There actually is a breakfast for the dog along with dinner. Instead of just picking a flavor for a meal, this holistic canned dog food is actually gourmet food that will rival humans. The meals are designed to be twice a day instead of one large meal. The food can be used as toppers for those finicky eaters.

The Turkey and Shrimp Breakfast in Broth has actual ingredients that are used in an omelet. There are red skinned potatoes, eggs, cheddar cheese, red bell peppers, turkey, and shrimp. When its dinner time, how about Chicken and Crab Dinner in Sauce? There is sweet apples complementing peas, carrots, red skinned potatoes, and eggs, along with crab and chicken that is organic. This means the chicken is hormone free and raised and fed naturally.

This holistic canned dog food comes also with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and omega fatty acids. There will not be one drop or trace of artificial colors or flavors, corn or corn gluten, and wheat or wheat gluten. The beauty about this holistic dog food is it can be fed to puppies that are ready for some real food. It will depend on the breed and age of the puppy. The recommendation is to feed about twice the amount to the puppies than the adult dog. The dog should eat between three to four cans a day based on their body weight. So, every fifteen pounds, a dog should have one can for breakfast and one for dinner. The dog or puppy should of course have plenty of water to drink when eating.

For a lot of dogs, the food in the dogs' bowl next to them is always more appealing. When feeding several dogs at once, put their food in all their bowls before putting them down on the floor for them to eat. Then, in a large room, place the bowls on the floor as far apart as possible calling the appropriate dogs name as you place his bowl down. Do this rapidly and position yourself in the middle of the bowls, reinforcing, like a traffic cop, with voice and gesture which food belongs to which dog. Occasionally, you'll get a dog who is very food aggressive and this technique won't work with him. Feed him separately in another room, by himself.

EATING DROPPINGS

Almost without exception when a dog eats his own waste matter or indeed that of another animal, the owner is appalled and revolted, thinking perhaps that he has a perverted dog on his hands! The correct term for this practice is coprophagia and not only is it common, it is also normal! It is not a sign of illness and depravity, it is a normal part of the food gathering process. Remember that your dog is a carnivore, he would kill and eat any animal in the wild and that includes the contents of the bowel.

The feces of an animal are a rich source of enzymes and microorganisms and once these elements reach the stomach of the dog they aid digestion. The live microorganisms are killed when they reach the stomach and their fats, proteins and vitamins are then absorbed by the dog. Dogs fed on an artificial diet are more likely to eat their own droppings plus the droppings of other animal. Dogs fed on a natural diet will rarely eat their own droppings as the waste eliminated from a natural diet is simply powdered bone and this has little nutritional value. They may still eat other animals droppings.

Bearing in mind that the dog needs the elements contained in the feces you could feed your dog a bowl of animal droppings a couple of times a week! ......not sure about that! However a much better way to give your dog the probiotics he needs is to give him yogurt, cottage cheese and eggs. He may still like to eat the natural source sometimes-----remember its normal! You may also notice that your dog likes to eat soil. This is for the same reasons as eating droppings: he will gain important elements and nutrients from the soil so don't worry about it.

ROLLING IN IT

Rolling in animal droppings, or indeed any other foul smelling substances is another example of how our dogs unwittingly offend us. we think of it as dirty, disgusting behavior but to a dog it is a normal instinctive part of his canine personality. One of the most commonly accepted reasons for this behavior is that in dog language the more pungent he smells the more superior he appears to another dog. This desire to smell more powerful than other dogs reverts back to when dogs were wild and hunting in packs. The pack leader would wish to impress on his subordinates that he was still top dog, or perhaps a dog lower in the pecking order would attempt to challenge the pack leader and so to give him added courage he would first roll in strong smelling animal droppings.

Although our pet dogs have been domesticated for centuries the desire and instinct to cover themselves in to us evil smells is still very strong even though they may not know why they are doing it. It could occur if you are still having a tussle with your dog as to who is boss, so the dog reverts to his instinctive behavior to impress you.

Our reaction to our smelly dogs is firstly to reject them, not wanting them to get near us and secondly to bath them as soon as we can to get rid of the smell. This can in turn heighten the desire for the dog to repeat his rolling actions as soon as he gets the chance. If this behavior really bothers you then you can get a special collar which emits an odour offensive to the dog, when activated at the appropriate time by a hand held remote control.

Some dogs are just born picky. They may have specific flavors they simply do not like. However, some canines become selective eaters due to a lack of variety. You may find your dog no longer wants to eat the dog treats or food you have been offering him or her for months. Put yourself in your pet's position. Would you grow wary of eating the same exact thing every day for months or even years? The solution is to add some variety to the diet. This could require a complete food or dog treat change, or simply the addition of a few new items to your pet's diet. You might even find that the variety or change makes your pet willing to go back to their old diet later on.

Mealtime is probably the most anticipated event of the day for most dogs. Feeding a group of dogs used to different food, a variety of food bowls and the individual rituals that many pet owners have at meal time requires knowledge, resourcefulness and absolute authority over your guests. Mealtime at a home dog boarding establishment can be trying.

A dogs' diet should not be changed when being boarded. This can often cause an upset stomach. The first task the home owner must do is question the pet owner about their dogs feeding time, food, snacks, whether their dogs food is left out to eat throughout the day (range feeding), rewards for finishing their food etc. If a dog is used to range feeding, this can be substituted with giving the dog five or six opportunities to eat during the course of the day. It is not unusual for a dog to get fresh chicken breast or meat mixed in with his dry food. When that is the case, that dog should be fed separately, away from the other dogs, because his food will be too enticing and cause a disruption among your other guests. Also, feeding wet food to some dogs and dry food to others should be done in different areas for the same reason.

For a lot of dogs, the food in the dogs' bowl next to them is always more appealing. When feeding several dogs at once, put their food in all their bowls before putting them down on the floor for them to eat. Then, in a large room, place the bowls on the floor as far apart as possible calling the appropriate dogs name as you place his bowl down. Do this rapidly and position yourself in the middle of the bowls, reinforcing, like a traffic cop, with voice and gesture which food belongs to which dog. Occasionally, you'll get a dog who is very food aggressive and this technique won't work with him. Feed him separately in another room, by himself.

One method you can use to get to get everyone to eat is to sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese (any mild cheese) on all their dry food. They often think they're getting the same food, along with enjoying the new taste, and don't try to wander over to their neighbors bowl. Also, since dogs eat at different paces when one is finished with his food make it clear to him with a stern no that he can't pilfer someone else's food if he wants to.

For the most part these home dog boarding feeding techniques work but since dogs are individuals that come from different homes there are many variables to watch for. Some pet owners hand feed their dogs and are ashamed to tell the dog boarder. You should ask how and where they feed their dog because their dog might be trained to only eat a certain way and may not be capable of eating any other way. Some dogs will only eat when alone while others will only eat when a person is standing over them. I had a dog who would only eat off a blanket. Some dogs will only eat out of a shallow dish while others will only eat out of a deep one. I had another dog who would only eat after hearing his tag clink on the edge of his metal bowl giving him permission to eat. Some dogs will only eat outside, while others will only eat inside. And so on...

It is not unusual for a dog to skip eating for a day or two when first arriving at his new temporary home. If it goes on longer than that you should be concerned and try feeding him in different surroundings and circumstances. Don't try to entice him to eat by changing his diet without talking to the owner first.

Many dogs are quite sensitive and often take days to adjust to their new environment, feel safe and find their niche among their new friends and family. It's okay to give them a little more attention and protection than your more gregarious guests while being mindful of not invoking jealousy between your boarders.

In the vast majority of times, your guests will adjust to their new pet sitting environment and join in on the activities and find their place in the pack. They'll make best friends and casual acquaintances. As long as the home owner makes it clear that they are the boss that cares, protects and provides for everyone, you'll have doggy guests that are happy to see their owners and also thrilled to be back for their next visit.