Regardless of what anyone says, I think treats are a necessity for dogs. Especially for young dogs who are in the process of being trained. A treat is a reward for good behavior. A treat can be our way of doing something nice for our dog to show them that we love them. If you enroll your dog in a trainer class, most of the time the trainer will advise you to keep some small treats in your pocket to reward your dog with when he masters a good behavior.

Some people enjoy giving treats, while others believe it is up there with table scraps and contributes the weight gain. I say as long as it is done in moderation and only given when called for, treats are great for your dog.

There are many kinds of treats. There are the biscuits that are great to use for dog training and other situations. Then there are rawhides, or pig ears for your dog. You can make your own treats and there are even stores out there that specialize in pet treats.

I always make sure I keep my dogs treat box full of biscuits. I usually will give him a treat after he does his business outside and on other occasions. If we have company and he is good and does not get over excited, he gets a treat. When we have, what I call our review time for things he learned at the trainer all those years ago, he gets a treat. I even keep some treats in my pocket for when we take walks and he knows to come to a full stop at a street corner. I buy your basic treats. I don’t get any of those treats that say they are going to cure bad breath, or fight tarter for my dogs teeth.

Some dog owners make their own treats. Some of the loyal followers of the raw food diet will make their treats based on the diet. Some recipes are easier to make than others and if I make mine treats as I do once in a while, I try to stick to basic easy to follow recipes. A favorite of my dog has been peanut butter and yogurt. I just melt the peanut butter and mix in the yogurt and then freeze it overnight. A big benefit of homemade dog treats is that you know exactly what is going into your dogs mouth because you are the one making it for him. It sort of follows the same point of following the raw food diet. You can find books that contain dog treat recipes and there are even some on websites. A few of my favorites are:

HOMEMADE DOG TREATS
1 cup warm water
1 ½ tablespoon canola oil
1 ¾ cup flour
1 ¼ cup oatmeal
¼ cup of all natural peanut butter

Mix oil and water together and add other ingredients. Shape into a tube a child for one hour. Slice into ¼ biscuits and cook at 300 degrees for 50 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

FROSTY PAWS
1 32 oz container of vanilla yogurt
1 mashed banana
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter.

Mix all ingredients together and fill a muffin tin. Freeze for a few hours and then store in an airtight container. Heat in microwave for a few seconds before serving.

Cheesy Dog Cookies
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup canola oil
4-5 tablespoons of water

Combine everything but the water you can mix in a food processor until it has the same consistency of cornmeal. Then add in the water until a ball is form. Roll into ½” thickness and cut into biscuits. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet.

There are countless more that you can find and even talk to your vet about. I tend to stick to the easier recipes due to the time constraint but there are more gourmet recipes out there for you dog.

There are times when I have to step up the treats and give my dog a rawhide bone. There are many conflicting opinions out there on rawhides. Some feel that they are the best treat because they help fight plaque and tarter on your dogs teeth. Some feel that they are great for puppies because they stimulate the growth of their adult teeth. Even better, your puppy will chew on the bone instead of your shoes.

On the flip side, some feel that rawhides are dangerous for your dog. For starters rawhides are not digestible by your dog and in some extreme cases can cause a blockage if a particular large piece or pieces was swallowed. There can be a choking hazard associated with rawhides. Large pieces can get wedged in a dogs throat. Some people say that the rawhides treats will scratch your dogs throat when they are digested.

I have always given my dogs rawhides treats and have never had a problem. There are instances where problems have arisen and there are many different circumstances around them. Sometimes the dogs that are what I like to call chew hounds, tend to inhale the rawhides and are at the most risk for choking. If you have a dog that is a chew hound, you might want to keep rawhides from him or at least give him the kind that are twisted or knotted. These are a little harder to chew because they are thicker. You also have to make sure you have the right size bone for your dog. A large breed dog is not going to do well with a small rawhide. That is why dogs choke, they chew on bones that are not meant for them.

How about pigs ears? Yes, they usually are real pig ears and they can smell awful but our dogs gobble them up. This is another favorite subject debate amongst many dog owners and vets. Some people refuse to give them to their dog because there have been instances in the past where pig ears that came into the USA had salmonella poisoning. Though steps have been taken to reassure that this does not happen again people are very hesitant to give their dog pig ears as treats. Some people claim that pig ears are to fattening for their dogs.

On the other end of the fence, pigs ears are all natural pork which is a big selling point for some owners. Another pro that has been said about pig ears is that they are tasty and tantalizing. I’m not sure what pet owner tested them to see if this is true or not, but I’ll take their word for it. As for me, pigs ears are going no where near my mouth. Another pro is that they will not splinter or crack which is a big problem with some rawhides out there. Some people also feel that the fat content in the pig ears is good because it promotes a healthy coat and healthy skin. Pig ears are also 100% digestible so there is no need to worry about any sort of blockage.

I will admit, I hate the smell and touching pig ears, but my golden absolutely loves them. They are special treats that I reserve for every now and then. He does not get one everyday. A lot of people say that giving a pigs ear once a day is fine, but my dog gets one a few times a month and that is it.

Last year, in the winter of 06, there was a big uproar about a brand of treats called “Greenies” allegedly killed nearly 13 dogs. Greenies are a brand of dog treats that are designed to help clean teeth. They come highly recommended by vets and my vet swore by them when I complained about my dogs breath. What happened with these Greenies nearly 2 years so is that the treat became lodged the dog’s esophagus and intestine and do not break down. Greenies were always marketed as being 100% digestible, but at that point, there was doubt about how digestible these treats really were. There were also instances where the dogs were choking on the Greenies. The company that makes Greenies states that the treat is 100% safe as long as people are giving their dog the correct size. Add to the fact that they save dogs lives by preventing periodontal disease which can lead to death in dogs. Greenies come in at least 5 to 7 different sizes for different size dogs. It was a tough time and it still is a tough decision to call if you should give your dog Greenies.

As for me personally, I gave my Golden Greenies a few times and I never noticed a difference in his teeth. Then again I’m no vet, so I do not know what to look for, but I can tell you that his breath still stunk even after the Greenies. To me, they are no big deal. My dog loved them. He devoured it in about 7 minutes flat. Even though I know if helps with their teeth, I watch I give my dog to eat now to prevent any sort of teeth problems. Occasionally if I’m feeling really daring, I will brush his teeth

Treats are a very important part of dogs nutrients I think. Almost all pet owners gives their dogs treats. It is our way of showing our dogs they are special and that we love them. It is a way to show them that we love them. Have you ever really watched a dog when he gets a treat or just before he gets one. Their tails are usually wagging triple time and you can see the anticipation on their faces. It is a great sight. Why deny your dog treats? As long as you are not overdoing the treats, there is no reason for your dog to gain any extra weight from them which can put your mind at rest when you are giving your dog treats.

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It is bound to happen and it is never fun when it does. Suddenly one day we notice that our dog does not come bounding to the door to greet us as often as he once did. Instead he is curled up sleeping in his favorite spot. Or one day we notice that he tires out faster on a walk or does not want to play his favorite game outside. You might even notice on the darker fur dogs, shades of gray coming through on their coat? Your dog is entering the final stages of his life, and that is becoming a senior.

When should you consider your dog a senior, is it when the above symptoms start happening or is their a guideline to follow? Your vet will tell you that your dog is considered a senior when they are in the last third of their life expectancy. A Golden Retriever that is expected to live until they are roughly 13 usually enters senior hood around 8 or 9 years old. Poodles usually live 15 years enters their senior hood at around 10 years old. Other changes you might see that will clue you in to your dog’s age is that you might find your dog being a little bit clumsier then before. It is not uncommon for sudden blindness and hearing loss to accompany a dog on their trip through the senior years. It is not a bad idea to see your vet to make sure that this is what is going on with your dog and not something else.

Once your dog gets older, you will also notice a decrease in activity. They simply do not have the energy they once did. You might want to cut back on the amount of food you were feeding your dog to help prevent weight gain in those last years. You can if you really want purchase a specially formulated senior diet dog food. But double check with your vet. Some of those diet foods or senior foods can contain a lot of protein and if your dog is in renal failure, you do not want to give them any extra protein.

Your dog also has more of a chance of becoming constipated once it becomes a senior. Their stomach and digestive system do not work as well as it used to. So make sure you have plenty of fiber in your dogs diet. A good amount of fiber is between 3% and 5%. Also make sure they have plenty of fresh water. Water can help with the constipation. Make sure you take note of your dog when they are trying to do their business. Is it harder for them than usual? If so, talk to you vet to find the best solution to help your dog.

Keep feeding your dog supplements. It is a known fact that there a lot of breeds are prone to arthritis once they become seniors. It is one of the fears we have for our golden retriever. Golden Retrievers are known for developing arthritis and hip problems later in life. You want to make sure you keep those joints healthy so they can get around. Most vets will recommend a daily supplement containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Both of these nutrients will help your dog’s arthritis. Vitamins also work because older dog’s bodies tend to absorb fewer vitamins and electrolytes through their intestinal tract and lose them. Also some dogs will eat less once they are older and are depriving themselves of much needed vitamins. You also want to make sure you give your senior dog plenty of essential fatty acids. These can help with the effect of arthritis.

One of the most common problems owners of older dogs report is how hard it is to feed their dogs . Their dog will suddenly stop eating and a frantic call to the vet is placed. While it could be something serious, chances are it has to do with your dog’s teeth and mouth. Their teeth are getting old and they may have a hard time chewing food like they used to. You could try giving them smaller kibble or moistening the food with water to soften it up a little bit.
Sometimes an older dog will no longer find their food as appealing as it once was. Try adding a little bit of cooked chicken and broth or boiled eggs to the food. Some vets will give you the ok to add very small amounts of bacon drippings, or hamburger grease to your dogs food.

When your dog has reached its senior years, it is not the time to skimp on dog food. Give him the best dog food you can afford. Some people report beginning to try the BARF diet (bones and raw food diet) because the raw food is easier for seniors to chew and the vegetables that are part of this diet are usually pureed, therefore easier for them to eat. The BARF diet is an excellent diet to follow because of all the natural nutrients that are included and some people say that the BARF diet has helped their dog gain back some of its energy. Other benefits include helping with arthritis and weight gain that seems to be so common in older dogs. Of course not all seniors will take to the raw food diet, so it really is up to you on what to do. Though again, the benefits greatly out way the chance that they might not like it, so it is worth a shot.

Some people tend to up the table scraps for their senior dogs. A part of them feels almost guilty that they know the end of their time together is approaching and wants to indulge them those last few years. While their hearts are in the right place, it is really not a good idea to do this. This could cause more problems in your dog then it might already have.

Watching your dog grow old is not always an easy thing to do, giving him the best diet possible might help make this a more comfortable time in his life.

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Your dog is in heat and you notice the stud next door eyeing her up. They are left alone for a few hours and chances are they mated. So how can you tell if your dog is pregnant? There is no missed period, and no mood swings. There is not even a home pregnancy test that dogs can take. Not only do they not make them, but a dog will go through the same hormonal changes whether she is pregnant or not so there is no HGC produced in a dogs body. So a blood test is out also. There are though signs you can look out for. If your dog’s stomach looks swollen or she looks like she had sudden weight gain and her nipple area seems swollen these are all signs that your dog could be pregnant. The most definitive way of knowing is by going to your vet. Your vet will do an ultrasound to determine if your dog is pregnant.

So what can you expect now that your dog is expecting? For starters it is a quick pregnancy. A dog is only pregnant for anywhere from 60-63 days. Sounds like a dream come true. Your dog usually will not need any extra nutrients through out most of her pregnancy. In fact you might find that your dog will lose some of her appetite and vomit a few times in the beginning of her pregnancy. It is just like our morning sickness only it lasts a week or so and it usually comes about 2 to 3 weeks into your dogs pregnancy.

During the last 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy you might want to increase her food slowly so that by the time she delivers she will be eating only about 25-30% more than she was before hand. That really is not a lot. Make sure you add this in slowly and try not to overdue it. You do not want your dog gaining to much weight. A lot of well meaning pet owners start increasing their mommy’s to be food intake right from the get go because they are under the assumption that they need the extra calories to grow their puppies. This is not true at least not for the beginning and middle of the pregnancy. It is only in the last few weeks. The reason why you are going to wait until the end of the pregnancy to increase her food intake is because that is when the puppies really begin to grow. Your dog will need more nutrients and energy to grow these pups. Some vets will recommend you switch her over to a growth/puppy food because it will provide the nutrients for her growing family. Other vets will suggest your put her on a nursing/lactation diet.

It is up to you on how you want to feed her. You may want to feed her two small meals throughout the day. It might be hard to feed her in one feeding because her puppies may be taking up a lot of room and she might not be able to eat it all at once. You might even want to break the rule of not leaving food in your dogs bowl all day for these last few weeks. It might be beneficial to your dog if you do this, but make sure you are watching what she eats. Dogs can develop toxemia or eclampsia late in their pregnancy if they do not eat enough or have a poor diet. Again some doctors will have give your dog vitamins during pregnancy and others will not. Do not add any vitamins or minerals on your own to your dogs diet. It can de deadly to both the mom and the pups. Especially calcium which can increase the chance of eclampsia and even a milk fever after birth. Milk fever is when the mother does not have the ability to move calcium into their milk without taking it from themselves.

A pregnant dog can still exercise, in fact it is recommended to keep her on a light exercise program. This will not only keep her muscles tone but it will also help with the weight gain. Just as with humans, obesity in pregnancy can cause some serious complications.

Right before you dog is about to deliver, she will probably stop eating a day or two before delivery. This is one of your first signs that delivery is immediate. You might want to keep some food out for her though, just in case she wants to nibble here and there to keep her strength up.

Once she has given birth and all is well you are going to see a remarkable increase in her appetite. She is nursing after all and lactation brings upon more demands on her body. Expect her nutritional needs to multiple by 3 or 4 times. This does not happen at all once. Expect to see an increase the 20 to 30 days following the birth and the puppies grow and nurse more. By the time the puppies are a month old, your dog should be eating at least four times of what she did before she was pregnant. Keep an eye on her, it she seems to be getting to thin you can supplement the food more with some flavored canned food. Once 6 to 8 weeks have passed since delivery you should start weaning the pups and getting the mom back to normal.

To wean puppies you have to help the milk supply dry up. Withhold food and give her half of the water she normal drinks for one day. The next day give her only a quarter of what she was eating before she got pregnant and half her water. From then on, give her all the water she wants and slowly over the next five days increase her food until she is eating what she was before her pregnancy. By the time she is back on her pre pregnancy food, her milk supply will have dried up and the puppies will have been weaned.

So for a short while she will be feed more than normal, there is no reason to start going crazy with the feeding of your dog when she is pregnant. Keep her on the same schedule until the last month or so of her pregnancy. If you are unsure of when conception took place, your vet should be able to make an estimated guess for you and you can use that as a guide line. Even before your dog gets pregnant you should make sure she is eating a balanced meal and is not overweight.

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