I thought due to the recent IAMS/Eukanuba recall I’d write about dog food, appetites large and small, and the concept of switching foods on dogs. There are finicky eaters and then there is the human-created finicky eater! I have seen it all–the owner who cooks for their dog and the passive aggressive people-food-giver, who, albeit unintentionally, creates the occasional diner who will hold out for the steak scraps before touching his dog food.

Self induced torture? Well, for some dog owners, this is a constant emotional battle whether to (essentially) train their dog to beg or simply feed them the dog food they are paying for anyway and allow that to be enough. Could it be that simple? Actually, yes. Unless your dog is sick and usually a healthy eater and then decides not to eat. This is your indicator to take your dog to the vet. Otherwise, finicky eaters get created by humans. Time feeding your dog helps create a normal appetite along with no human food. Dog treats? Sure! Dogs will follow any rules you give them. If you are feeding your finicky eater wet and dry food, it’s best to mix the two together for a delicious meal. Sprinkling some treats and mixing it in the kibble helps, too. Another trick is to take a dog vitamin and crush it on top of the dry food, this makes a liver-flavored seasoning that dogs love–and it’s healthy.

As for those owners such as myself having to deal with the recent dog food recall yesterday? If you are switching your dog’s food to a new brand, do so over several days, slowly adding the new food in with the old!

Here are my thoughts on dog training using food, treats or any other form of snack: Be sure that it does not become a bribe!  You need to be careful not to use it as a lure. Rewards like treats are great but they can wear off over time. If used with incorrect timing and as bait you might get a false result. Many trainers, dog people and new owners get confused when referring to the catch phrase “positive reinforcement,” thinking the kindest and only way to train a dog is by using food alone. Not true.

I will tell you what I tell all of my clients over the years (including my celebrity clients): make sure to vary the times that you give your dog a treat. For example, I often give a treat while the dog is holding a command (such as stay) and not just when the command is over! Praising your dog in a happy voice and giving him/her a pat or a hug for a job well done is equally good! The timing of when you give your dog a treat is key.

Another example is when taking pups out for potty breaks, don’t take a treat outside with you! The smell of the treat will distract your new puppy from going potty. Give him/her a treat indoors, “Just because!” Get it? It’s not if you should give a treat, it’s when.

More coming your way… Stay tuned!

Click above to play Inger’s Paws For A Minute™ Quick Tip!

I’d love to thank my fabulous friends over at Bowsers Pet Products for providing me with one of their super chic dog bowls for my television segment on Cityline which airs next Wednesday morning, May 26th at 9 am!

This Meshidai Pet Feeder is the ultimate in trendy for the dog owner who likes a clean, urban feel when it comes to home decor. Your guests may not even realize that these bowls are for the dog!

The feeders come in your choice of double or single, and in two colors of black and mocha. The heavyweight white ceramic bowls are lead-free and dishwasher safe. The wood veneer is waterproof and easily cleaned, and all feeders have slip-proof feet. Available in four sizes to fit every pooch’s need! Get more details here and check out the other amazing dog products that Bowsers offers, such as state of the art beds, furniture, home accessories and even a few cat products!

This morning I stumbled upon an article at TIME.com featuring an interview with Marion Nestle (professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University) discussing the $18 billion pet-food industry and the release of her latest book, Feed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat (Free Press, 2010).

I found it interesting that Nestle was surprised with the lack of research on the pet-food industry, as most of us dog owners can relate to with the multitude of choices on the shelves. She states that pet-food companies do not perform research on the longevity of dogs and cats based on what kind of food they eat. This fact is what drove she and her colleagues to investigate the difference in quality of life among pets that ate raw, vegetarian, premium, or complete and balanced diets.

When it comes to choosing a food for your dog or cat, the process can be overwhelming, I know. I have been in the same boat many times throughout the several generations of dogs that I’ve owned. Thankfully, Nestle dispels a common myth that you and I have been challenged with when standing amongst the endless rows of kibble in Petco: Mainstream pet-food products (such as IAMS, Purina or Pedigree) WILL meet your pet’s nutritional needs. Her team found no evidence that complete and balanced pet food is harmful to cats and dogs, unless mistakes were made in the production.

However, Nestle stands by the fact that it is OK to give your dog table scraps. As a dog trainer and behaviorist, I must disagree. This practice can lead to a variety of issues that dog owners create for themselves by feeding their dogs scraps, and then have to call me to undo the bad habits. Begging, coaxing, whining, counter surfing and snatching food at dinner parties are all habits that are owner trained, which can create finicky eaters due to human snacks. But that topic is another blog post all together.

Nestle recommends in her latest book that pet-food labels should be changed to resemble human-food labels, making the ingredients and nutrients easier to read. I agree, and wish I could have the hours back that I have stood there deciphering the writing on 30 pound bags of dog food.

What do you feed your dog?

In my years of training people and their dogs, teaching parents how to include children into caring for the family dog in a safe manner has always been my emphasis. The following quick tip for parents may appear like basic common sense, however parents need to guide their children in an activity that the parent and child do together. New, adopted dogs that are not young pups should NOT participate in this tip until properly evaluated as to their behavior around children and food.

Paws For A Minute™ Quick Tip!

Make feeding your new puppy a family affair! Help your children make a feeding chart for your dog with colorful markers. Include the days of the week, a photograph, and the time you feed your dog every day. This process will create a fun, daily schedule for your dog and the whole family.

Formalize this event by having your kids help you measure the proper amount of puppy food. Remember, this will vary according to age and breed of your dog.

Is your puppy ready for adult food? Many dog owners have questions about when to switch their puppy to adult dog food. The general rule goes like this: A puppy’s nutritional needs change at approximately one year. To avoid upsetting your dog’s intestinal tract and creating major bathroom problems, make the change from puppy formula to adult food slowly over a period of four days. Check with your local vet about what’s best for you and your dog.

In the dog world, the rule of thumb is always age before beauty. We could learn something from that philosophy! To me there is something very special about senior dogs. The word “perfect” comes to mind. They have seen it all, over a 10 year span. Our ups and downs, good times and bad. Large breed dogs can sometimes age more rapidly than toy breeds. What exactly constitutes “old” in the dog world? Dog owners should begin to prepare for the “golden years” when their dog is around 6 years old. Don’t get depressed. Prepare!

This awareness and preparation will empower you. This dog owner awareness could also save your dogs life, aid in your dog being able to grow old gracefully, prevent a child from being bitten by mistake or even save you thousands of dollars!

I can tell you that over the many years of my career as a trainer and behaviorist,  I have discovered cancerous tumors while cuddling with clients dogs and even encountered behavioral issues that were in fact, due to medical ailments. Therefore, I have devised a checklist that could possibly save your dogs life.

Dog Owner Checklist for Senior Dogs

1. When your dog turns 6 years old have a complete medical examination with your vet.

2. Examine your dog occasionally when cuddling for lumps and bumps.

3. Have your dogs teeth cleaned. This can prevent major problems in the future. This is very important! Especially for toy breed dogs.

4. Speak to your vet about your dogs food. Nutritional needs change over time. Adding a few supplements or even changing your dogs food to a senior diet could be a great idea.

5. Aging dogs sleep longer and deeply. Parents need to know that even the nicest dog can snap at a child when sleeping. Note changes in your dog. If you have young children, creating a baby gated space for your aging dog to sleep will protect both. Parents need to be aware of this aging process with dogs.

6. Do some training on a leash! Yup, bring back the puppy in your older dog. The leash will formalize this fun exercise and really create the focus and attention that your older dog will love. Then go through some old tricks. Your older dog will love the attention and praise for this accomplishment. Training also enables you to see if your dog is hearing or seeing properly. As your dog ages it is common to go into “dog owner denial” and think our dog is just being stubborn, when really other changes might be taking place.

7. Become aware of your dogs water intake. This can be an indicator of changes on the way. Always check with your vet.

What does dog food have to do with dog training? The answer is… Everything! I know, it’s a billion dollar industry with an ever expanding menu of options and opinions. It gets very confusing for dog owners to decide which food to buy, and why, when and how to feed it. What does that mean in regards to training your dog? How, when, where and what your dog eats can have direct impacts on peeing and pooping in your house, how your dog gets along with other animals in your house, an array of behavioral issues, health concerns, potential allergies (leading to medical bills) and even how your dog interacts with your children! It all begins with you–the dog owner! No pressure… It’s also a topic I will address often in this blog!

O.k. so let’s get to the meat of it: dog training, dog food, how it correlates and why? In general, most people in my practice are confused when to feed their dogs, how often, and what kind of food. Owners of dogs who are finicky eaters often give too many options of meals and human treats leading them to beg their dogs to eat! Yes of course, there are those dogs I call “hoovers” who have no issues whatsoever as far as what and when to eat. If you fall into that dog owner camp, don’t stop reading because there is something called bloat. This is cause for concern and it has to do with feeding your dog.

What is bloat? Please ask your vet for more information on this topic. According to my research and first-hand experience, it is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer. The technical name is “Gastric Dilatation Volvulus” or (GDV). This is where the dog can swallow too much air while eating rapidly. Drinking water or stress can be a significant factor in swallowing air. As the stomach swells, it can twist and obstruct the veins leading to shock, damaging the internal organs and quickly killing your dog. The breeds of dogs this can affect may surprise you. Dogs that are at risk for bloat are usually deep rib caged breeds, big and small. Lucky me… my breed of choice is (of course) number one on this list: the German Shepherd Dog.  Golden Retrievers, Labs, Dachsunds, Pekingese, and even Miniature Poodles can be at risk!

I will cover this topic extensively in a future post, but for now I want you to be aware of this potential risk. The point is that even the dog who has a heathy appetite has some training tips that could save its life. Training your dog to eat slower is a healthier option.  Finicky eaters need to learn to eat in one sitting which will in turn help with housebreaking issues, potty accidents, child safety around dog food bowls, and will ward off potential dog fights in multiple dog households. All around, this is a better option for your dog and you.

Here’s my recipe for success:  Paws For A Minute™… general feeding tips!

1. Choose a brand of dog food that’s right for you, then stick with it. Switching brands constantly is not good for potty training or your dog’s digestion.

2. If you do graduate to adult dog food or feel you need to switch brands, do so gradually. The switching of brands needs to be done over a 3 or 4 day period, gradually adding in the new food.

3. All dogs (even puppies) should be time fed. Meaning: put the food down for 20 minutes. If they don’t finish, “Sorry Charlie!” until the next feeding. Leaving dog food out just creates a finicky eater. Your dog will learn to eat in one sitting if you structure it this way.

4. Occasionally hand feed your dog. Don’t get out of hand with this tip. I do not mean hand feed your dog every day! Once in a while, take a few handfuls of dog food and give it to your dog. This socializes your dog to accept sharing its food and not being territorial over it.

Please note *if your instincts say that you cannot do this tip then please DO NOT. If your dog growls or snaps or is in any way aggressive, that’s YOUR signal that you have a major problem! Do not ignore the problem and seek help with a trainer.

5. Feed your adult dog at the time of day that is convenient for you! Dogs are social animals, often they want company while eating. If you live in a really busy household and have a busy schedule,  feed your dog when you are having a cup of coffee or tea and not rushing around. This will help you time feed. Or baby gate your dog near you and serve the meal. This helps your dog to be a part of things and also not have the need to follow you around. This is specially helpful in teaching puppies who are easily distracted by movement to eat in one sitting.

6. Check to see if your breed of dog is at risk for bloat. If so, feed your dog several small meals a day. If you own multiple dogs: gating or separating the dogs while you feed them will help slow down the competition to finish first. Gulping food is what you want to modify. Also watching rapid water intake before and after feeding is important. No exercise before or directly after meals for one hour. Feeding your dog indoors will also help cut out the gulping urge. Calmer atmospheres will slow down the eating pattern of eating fast.  I will have more on the subject in later posts, but for now, awareness is important.

7. Wet food or dry food? Here is my general rule on that issue: If you want to feed both wet and dry food that’s fine but know that the nutrients are in the kibble. Wet food contains moisture and feeding exclusively wet food can present dental issues down the line, especially for toy breeds. Dog foods are really advanced and use premium ingredients these days. So mix in the wet with the dry if you want, but it’s not necessary.