How to Love Your Dog Its Not What You Think!

Think that your dog likes hugs and kisses? Well if he is like most dogs, then he does not enjoy this type of human affection. Children want to show love to dogs by giving hugs and kisses, because this how they show affection to people they love. Hugs are not a natural form of canine interaction to show affection. To show your dog that you love him, learn to give him the things that he really does like and teach your kids to do the same.

Most dog bites are to children, by the family dog or another dog known to the child. Hugs and kisses are a major cause of facial bites to children. Doggone Safe offers suggestions for safe ways to love your dog that the dog will appreciate.

Children (and adults too) often want to show love to dogs the way we show love to each other, through hugs and kisses. Dogs do not naturally understand this, or even enjoy it. Hugs and face-to-face contact can be very threatening to dogs. The dog may tolerate this for a while, but at some point may bite or snap to protect himself once he has exhausted all his means of more subtle warning. Some dogs do enjoy a hug from a special person, if it is on their terms and done with some extra scratching on the chest. Few, if any dogs enjoy hugs the way young children do this, which is to clasp around the neck and hang on. Parents, teach your children to avoid face-to-face contact with any dog (even their own dog) and to show love to the dog in ways other than hugging and kissing.

Doggone Safe offers the following suggestions for Valentine’s Day about how to love your dog in a way that the dog will appreciate.

Touch Your Dog

• Invite your dog to come to you for attention. If your dog turns away or moves away, respect his wishes and leave him alone. Many dogs like to be near you, but not necessarily to be touched.
• Scratch your dog on the side of the neck or on his chest.
• Avoid hugs and kisses. People enjoy this, but most dogs don’t like hugs and kisses. They might tolerate it, but few actually enjoy it.
• Invite your dog to sit with you while your read or watch TV. Let him lean on you or put his head on your lap on his terms.
• Some dogs enjoy a scratch behind the ears. Most dogs don’t enjoy hands coming down on the top of their heads.
• Pet your dog and then stop. If he tries to get you continue then you will know he likes it.

Play With Your Dog

• Play games like fetch and hide and seek that do not involve chasing or rough play.
• Take your dog for lots of walks.

Understand Your Dog

• Learn to read dog body language so that you can understand what your dog is trying to tell you.
• A happy dog pants and wags his tail loosely. He may wag all over.
• An anxious dog might show a half moon of white in his eye or he may lick his lips or yawn. He may turn his head away or walk away. He wants to be left alone.
• A dog that suddenly goes stiff and still is very dangerous and might be ready to bite.
• A dog with his mouth closed and ears forward and/or with his tail held high is busy thinking about something and does not want to be bothered.

Reward Your Dog

• Look for things your dog does right and give him a treat or praise, petting or play. Never hit or yell at your dog.
• Give your dog a stuffed Kong or Chewber or other long lasting chew treat to enjoy while he lies on a mat or in a crate.

Visit our site to download this information as a handout

Read a previous blog post for more about why dogs dont like hugs and kisses

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Canidae Large Breed Dog Food – Its a Big Deal!

The sponsor of this blog, Canidae Natural Pet Foods, announced its new Large Breed formulas for adults and puppies just last month. They report that the response from both large breed pet owners and retailers across the country has been tremendous. In fact, Frank Hon, the companys Vice President of Global Sales (and large breed dog owner) said, "It may be the most successful new formula we have ever launched!"

What is all the fuss about? Well, there are several things that make Canidaes new large breed formulas different from anything else out there – features that really hit home for large breed dog owners. Lets take a look.

First, the Canidae Large Breed dry formula for adults and Large Breed dry formula for puppies both feature delicious duck meal. Whats so special about that? Duck has higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids compared to chicken alone. (Chicken is the primary protein in most other large breed formulas on the market.) These high levels of Omega 3 play an important role in reducing inflammation within the body, including within the joints. Good joint health is very important when it comes to these large breeds.

These formulas also contain yummy lentils! Lentils are a great non-grain source of carbs which help satisfy the big appetites of large breeds who sometimes want to eat too much. Lentils are so satisfying because they are low-glycemic, releasing energy into your dogs body more slowly than some other ingredients. This "slower release" helps to satiate big appetites and provide healthy all-day energy.

Proper weight control is important for large breed dogs, which is why Canidae made their formulas with low protein and fat levels. This helps large breeds achieve and maintain optimal weight and appropriate growth.

But Canidae didnt stop there.

These new foods also have the right calcium and phosphorous levels, along with vital amino acids from duck meal, to support the ideal development of bones and joints – especially critical for large breed puppies.

What about glucosamine and chondroitin? These are important for adult large breed dogs joint health, which is why Canidae included high levels of both in its adult formula.

Have you ever heard of L-Carnitine? Canidae includes that too, because it helps large breed dogs burn fat for energy. Combined with the great amino acid profile found in duck meal, these formulas help build fit and lean muscles.

Did you know large breed puppies have special nutritional needs when it comes to cognitive development? Its been shown that DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) – which is a special type of Omega 3 – when present in the diet of large breed puppies helps them develop key cognitive capabilities, getting them off to the right start in life. Its brain food!

And of course, like all of Canidaes dry foods, these new Canidae Life Stages Large Breed formulas have HealthPLUS Solutions in Every Bite™ – a powerful trio of nutrition Canidae adds to every kibble after cooking to ensure potency. This trio includes: Probiotics (like those found in some yogurts) for healthy digestion, antioxidants for a healthy immune system, and of course Omega 6 and 3 for a beautiful skin and coat.

Canidae also created matching canned formulas to go with these great dry foods which feature chicken, duck, lentils and brown rice.

Several of the Canidae office staff have large breed dogs, including a couple of beautiful adult Bernese Mountain Dogs who love getting the dry formula for breakfast and dinner, with a can of the wet food for a mid-day snack!

Most Canidae retailers across the U.S. and Canada are receiving their first deliveries now, so be sure to ask your local retailer for yours today.

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