INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW DOG OWNERS
1. The
healthiest food that dogs can eat is a human grade dry food (Natural
Balance, Wellness, Fromm's, Eagle Pack, Solid Gold, Halo, Nature’s Variety)
mixed with cooked low fat ground beef or whatever other meat you are having
for dinner. The mixture should be 50% ground beef (or chicken or fish or
steak, etc) and 50% dry food. Dry food alone is not good for any dog.
Dogs are carnivores and need protein much more than we do. Their bodies
cannot process grain. Carbohydrates are not good for them and make them fat
(just like people), and carbohydrates are required to make dry food. This
is why treats should be things like freeze dried liver, or hot dog treats
(see recipe below), and not dog biscuits. You can buy human grade dog
food at Hackettstown Pet Supplies on Main Street (908-852-3151) or Morris
Sussex Pet Supply in Succasunna, NJ (973-927-7777), among other places.
PetSmart has only one human grade food that I know of and that is Blue
Buffalo (Blue Spa). Dry food should be purchased in small bags as it
quickly gets stale and should be rotated as well. After finishing the bag
of Natural Balance, then switch to Wellness, then to Fromm's back to Natural
Balance, etc. This is healthiest for your dog’s liver and will put some
variety in his meals (which all of us need).
2.
The most important thing you can know about dog food is to READ THE
INGREDIENTS (please see #8 below). If you see any of the following – do
not buy the food: Corn, Corn gluten meal, wheat or wheat gluten,
by-products of any kind. By-products are also called 4D protein sources.
The 4Ds stand for Dead; Dying, Diseased or Disabled. This is the condition
of the animals when they arrive at the slaughterhouse between the ages of 6
mos to a year old. The FDA will not allow By-products or 4D animals to be
sold into the human food chain because they know we would get many diseases
from these already dead or dying animals and die ourselves. But they allow
these animals to be sold to commercial pet food companies and used in pet
food.
3.
Missing Link Plus with Glucosamine: this is a super vitamin and
mineral supplement for dog's health and will give him a gorgeous coat and
keep his skin, eyes and organs healthy. It is a powder that needs to be
kept in the fridge after opening and mixed into his meals. You should
start out with a small amount in his food at first (it is high in fiber so
will also keep his colon healthy) and slowly add a little more each week
until you are up to the dosage that he should eat daily. You can buy this
at Hackettstown Pet Supply or Pet Value or on-line at
http://www.carealotpets.com/
(least expensive).
4.
Treats for reward and training: see hot dog treat recipe below, and
try out protein based treats (not biscuits) like beef jerky, venison jerky,
etc. until you find what she really likes
5.
We recommend Martingale collars (a cloth collar that expands and
contracts without choking a dog), and a harness. These cannot slip over
their heads so you will never have to worry about losing him. These are
not always easy to find and the larger chains don't have them. Hackettstown
Pet has some. You can find them online by searching for Martingale
collar. They are very popular with greyhounds. Everyone sells harnesses.
6.
Vaccines are required in the first year of life and Rabies are
required by law every 3 years after that. However, annual vaccines are
harmful and break down your dog’s autoimmune system and kidneys and liver
and contribute to early death. Dogs cannot fight off cancer or other
diseases with a compromised immune system. We suggest you research this
subject. Blood tests called titers will allow you to see if your dog needs
any updated vaccinations. Dogs and cats have a natural lifespan of 20+ years
but typically die between the ages of 8-14 in this country from diseases or
complications resulting from annual vaccinations and toxins in commercial
pet food.
7.
Heartworm medicine: Heartworm medicine has been linked to cancer.
Heartworm can be treated and cured, while cancer in most cases cannot. The
incidence of Heartworm in the northeast is less than 3% of the population,
so you should NOT give your dog Heartworm medication.
8.
There is a book by Ann Martin called Food Our Pets Die For
that you should read. Your will be amazed at the toxic ingredients that are
allowed to be used in pet food. You will learn all about the ingredients in
commercial pet food and it will help you understand what to feed your dog to
ensure they have a long and healthy life.
9.
Training: there are many people who call themselves “trainers” who
know absolutely nothing about animal behavior. In most cases these people
use force to make dogs do what they want because they don’t know enough to
be able to communicate with dogs so they can learn. Dogs are anxious to
learn and simply need someone who knows how to teach them. If you meet a
trainer who suggests you use a prong collar, “correction”, shock or any
other abusive methods, please know that your discomfort is something you
should pay attention to. If you want to know how to train your dog, please
read books by Patricia McConnell before you do anything else. She is one
of the very few certified Animal Behaviorists in the country and is an
incredible teacher. Her training is based on understanding how dogs
communicate, understand and behave. Her books will help you to understand
what to look for in a trainer so you’ll know a good one when you find them.
She will help you form a relationship with your dog that will help you
communicate and really train your dog and it will be based on trust and
love. Her website is:
http://www.patriciamcconnell.com
Recipe for
Hot Dog Treats (for training and rewards – dogs LOVE these)
1.
cut Turkey hot dogs (beef will burn) in half lengthwise
2.
hold the halves together and cut each hot dog into nickel sized
pieces
3.
put two paper towels on a ceramic plate
4.
spread the hot dog pieces out into one layer on the plate
5.
cover with a paper towel
6.
cook in the microwave for 9 minutes (or until they are dry and poof a
little)
7.
put into baggies and keep in fridge until needed