Below, we’ll address four common questions that owners ask about meeting their canine’s nutritional needs. Every dog is different – so you might notice that your dog’s diet needs some tweaking.

“How Soon Can My Puppy Eat Adult Food?”

Puppies grow quickly, so the ingredients that are used in their food are formulated to support that growth. You should begin making the transition from puppy to adult meals when your pup has reached 80% of his full adult weight. That typically happens at the 9-month mark. It’s worth noting that all breeds are a little different. Puppies from a few larger breeds may need an additional 3 to 9 months before making the switch.

“How Much Food Should I Provide?”

Take your dog’s age, lifestyle, and size into account when you are trying to figure out how much and how often to feed him. Until a puppy reaches 3 months of age, feed him four times daily. After that, he should have three meals each day. Fully-grown pooches will be fine if they’re fed twice each day. If your canine is active, you’ll need to serve bigger meals. If he gets very little exercise, serve smaller portions.

“Does The Brand Of Dog Food Matter?”

Yes and no. The brands that are sold in your local grocery store will normally be fine for your dog’s health. They’ll contain the proteins, fats, vitamins, and nutrients that he needs. That said, the brands that are more expensive will usually provide higher-quality dog food. They are seldom sold in grocery stores; instead, you may need to visit a pet supply store or go online to buy them.

“Are Dinner Scraps OK?”

It’s best to avoid giving your dog scraps. Even though a lot of pet owners do it, it canhave a long-term health impact. The reason is due to fat content. Scraps are often fatty, and they can be bad for your doggie’s tummy health. Meanwhile, he won’t have access to the nutrients that he needs to stay healthy. Instead offer your dog healthy bully sticks dog treats, that he will enjoy and not fell left out of your family dining experience.

Left to his own devices, your dog will not make healthy eating choices (like you might rather have pizza than a salad). He relies upon you to provide meals and dog treats that contain the ingredients his body requires. Over time, you’ll enjoy the benefits of his health through his loyal companionship.

It’s impossible to overstate the value of enrolling your pooch into obedience classes that are taught by a professional trainer. Not only will that person use effective methods that yield long-term benefits, but your canine will also have a chance to interact with other pets and their owners.

There is a lot you can do at home. Below, we’ll provide three dog training basics that you can use to help your canine become a well-adjusted member of your family.

Have Fun

First, keep your sessions short – no more than 15 minutes. Otherwise, your canine may lose interest and begin responding poorly to your commands (frustrating you in the process). The key is to create a training environment that is enjoyable for both of you. If you don’t feel like participating, wait until you do. Also, to help motivate your dog for future sessions, end every session by giving him an easy command and then provide him with dog treats when he responds correctly.

Eliminate Negative Reinforcment

Owners often react in a negative manner when their dog fails to respond to commands. For example, they might strike or yell at them. It’s important to realize that positive reinforcement methods are far more effective when you train your pooch. Remember, he wants to please you. If he responds to your commands correctly, give him a treat. If he doesn’t, withhold the dog treats. He’ll get the message loud and clear and modify his behavior accordingly.

Teach The Long Stay

Canines get antsy, especially if you’re nearby. Sitting can prove to be a large obstacle. Your pooch may have no trouble sitting for 10 or 15 seconds when you command him to do so. However, most dogs will fail to sit for longer periods. This is an important lesson to teach your dog to instill self-control.

You’ll need to train him by starting with a short period of time and gradually extending it as he succeeds. For example, start with 20 seconds and give him a treat when he succeeds. Once he has done so 3 or 4 times, extend the time to 25 seconds. Continue doing this until your pooch can sit still with you nearby for 60 seconds. It might also help to teach specific words (like “easy”) that you can say to calm him down.

There are few experiences more rewarding than owning a well-trained dog. While professional training is important, you can use the above tips at home to help your pooch become a better companion.

Below, we’ll explore why canines play with each other. You’ll learn about their motivations and triggers as well as the types of play in which they engage.

Understanding Motivations

Pack animals play within their group when they are young. Once they grow up they usually stop. Dogs are different. For some reason, they never lose their juvenile tendencies. Even well into adulthood, assuming they are not prevented by an illness or other health issue, canines will continue playing with one another.

Some vets suggest that dogs interact this way because they are rehearsing their roles as adults. For example, you might observe puppies wrestling over resources or with each other – behavior that may be necessary later in their lives. You might also see them biting or humping.

Another motivation is a simple desire to engage their mind and body. Your pooch needs mental stimulation and exercise in order to remain happy and healthy. Playing with another dog is a perfect outlet.

Social Interaction

Just as young people must learn to interact with each other without exceeding acceptable social limits, canines must also learn proper social skills. This type of playing occurs most frequently when they are puppies. They’ll jump on one another, chewing and biting playfully. If one of the “players” goes too far (for example, bites too hard), the other will let him know. This is how they learn what is acceptable.

Sexual Interaction

When dogs play sexually, their interaction usually manifests as mounting. Studies have shown that if a pooch reaches adulthood without having had sufficient mounting experience, his initial attempts at mating can often prove unsuccessful. Dogs will mount furniture or even people’s legs if there is no play partner present. The latter is undesirable in an owner/dog relationship because mounting is a dominant act.

Being A Predator

Canines are, by nature, predatory pack animals; certain characteristics are imprinted upon their brains. These characteristics manifest during play through chasing balls, sticks, and other objects. You’ll often see dogs jumping and pinning things that are moving only to release them before attempting to pin them again. They sharpen their predatory nature in a playful environment.

Your dog has a playful streak that is nearly impossible to suppress. As an owner, try to provide him with an environment that gives him the opportunity to enjoy himself, build his skills, and interact with playmates. Always reward your dog for good behavior with healthy dog chews and dog treats.  Bully Sticks are an all natural treats that your dog is sure to enjoy.