Feeding German Shepherds - The Raw, BARF, Or Bones And Raw Foods Diet

RAW, BARF, what's the difference?
There are probably as many ways to define and describe the diet as there are people feeding it to their dogs. Several typical titles are RAW, Bones And Raw Foods, and Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

How Does It Work?
Implementation of the raw diet is probably just as varied as the titles you'll hear. Some owners alternate between high quality dog food (also known as kibble), and others feed 100 percent raw meats and bones. Some believe that only muscle and bones should be fed, while others agree that organs and intestines are also important.

Why is This So Complicated?
Feeding RAW can be as simple or as complex as owners want to get. It certainly does not have to be complicated, nor should it. Just remember that dogs have ancestors, and those ancestors did not go down to the local grocery store for their food. They hunted for it! Large dogs like German Shepherds and Rottweilers are much closer to their ancestors than say, a poodle, so it stands to reason that feeding them the foods their close ancestors ate would be more beneficial than the chemical and preservative filled commercial kibble.

So How Do I Do It?
It's very easy to get started. Just give a pound of raw meat to your dog and watch what happens. You can feed chicken, beef, lamb, or anything you find on sale. Even puppies will get excited, and growl and tug at the meat! It's hilarious to watch puppies act tough as they eat the raw meat, and also interesting. They certainly don't act like that about their boring dry dog food! The more often you feed RAW, the more you will learn. It is OK to alternate between RAW and kibble, but buying high quality, grain free kibble is important to your dog's health.

What Will It Do For My Dog?
The first thing you'll probably notice is that your dog is finally enjoying what he or she is eating. Most large breeds get excited and eat really fast when fed raw meats and bones. Not to worry, this hoarding is instinctive. In the wild, dogs compete for their meal with other dogs in their pack and also other predators, so they eat fast and with vigor.

Health issues may get better or vanish. This is because commercial dog food is not the right food for dogs. It is full of chemicals, preservatives, and grains that dogs just don't need. By converting your dog to raw foods, you are providing the nutrition that their bodies need to thrive.

Your dog's coat (fur or hair) will probably start to appear healthier, with more shine and gloss. This is because your dog is getting the nutrition it needs to keep the skin and growing hair healthy.

Overweight dogs may slim, while underweight dogs may gain weight. Overweight dogs may be particularly affected by the grains in kibble while underweight dogs may be deterred by the dog food you are currently feeding. Be careful though, because too much of a good thing is also bad. An overweight dog may have developed a habit of overeating, trying to compensate for the lack of nutrition in their foods. Savvy owners will limit how much RAW is fed to an overweight dog.

Exactly How Much RAW Should I Feed My Dog?
This is the million dollar question. All dogs are different, and owners must watch their dog to determine how much food to present to each animal. Some dogs require more than others to keep them at the ideal weight. The smart owner will attend to each animal as an individual and adjust the feedings as necessary. To get started, try giving the dog the same amount of food in weight as you have been in kibble. If the dog is underweight, you can increase a little. If the dog is overweight, try sticking to the amount you've been feeding. Overweight dogs may slim down because they are no longer eating all those processed grains that was never meant for canines.

Author is Tammie Earl, webmaster of http://anotsolazranch.com/. Tammie is the mother of two children in elementary school and the proud wife of an enlisted Marine. She is currently pursuing her Master's of Arts in Education Degree at Central Michigan University and is a school volunteer and cub scout leader. She manages several other websites, including her own personal site, http://sweettspad.com/.

A Not So La-Z Ranch is owned and operated by Stephanie Ward. On her ranch, she raises her own free range turkeys and egg laying hens. She is the owner and manager of Von Ward Kennels located in Campo, California, east San Diego County. Stephanie raises German Shepherd Dogs for their loyalty, temperament, and large, intimidating size. She has several high quality dams to choose from and if she doesn't have a litter on the ground, she takes deposits and maintains waiting lists for future litters.

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Engaging Your Dog

So you can tell your dog is bored but it's way too hot out or it's pouring rain, or maybe you've caught a cold.

There are many reasons why you may have to skip your walk today, but now your dog has much excess energy and you need a way for him to let loose.

Provided you aren't just making an excuse so you can be lazy, although a day or two here and there of being lazy doesn't hurt anyone, here are a few ways to keep your dog occupied and allow him to burn off some of that energy.

1. Play Hide and Seek

No don't go and hide and expect your dog to come find you, after all he'll probably just follow you there anyway. Put your dog in another room, then go and hide some food in certain areas around the house.

Not too much food that he eats too much and becomes over weight, but a little here and there. Make sure the places are easy to get to, but have one or two that may require a little effort.

At first you may have to show your dog what you are doing, by taking him around and acting all surprised by what you find. Then eventually, after some practice, your dog will catch on and it will be a fun game for him to play.

2. Call up a Play Mate

Now this is assuming you don't have another cat or dog for your dog to play with. Simply call a friend or family member who has a dog, that your dog gets along with and likes to play with.

Now the two of them can chase each other up and down the hall, burning excess energy and having social interaction at the same time.

3. Food Dispensing Toys

Here's another fun way to keep your dog occupied. Get a few food dispensing toys, a couple that aren't so complicated and then a few that are a bit tougher.

Then start off by giving your dog the easy ones and let him figure out how to get the food out, as he rolls it around on the floor or tries to tear it open. Next as he starts to get used to it and finds them easier and easier to get into, up the complication a bit and make it a bit tougher.

This not only burns off his energy, but builds on his intelligence as well. Although a smarter dog may not be what you looking for if you want to keep him from doing such activities, such as climbing on the counter.

4. Go for a Drive

Yeah it's not much exercise for your dog, but if he likes car rides, this option at least will provide your dog with plenty of amusement.

5. Do Some Training

Yeah it may not be a whole lot of fun for some dogs, but if you remain positive and give plenty of treat rewards then your dog may soon learn to like it.

Plus this way you are, hopefully, improving your dogs behavior and at the same time providing your dog with some much needed exercise and one on one time.

6. A Good Old Fashion Game of Fetch

Get a ball and find a hallway and then just have some fun. Now your dog may not want to bring the ball back but eventually he'll learn that if he brings it back you'll throw it again. Or maybe your dog will just find the fun in keeping the ball away from you.

These are all good ways and there are plenty more. You can even make up games and other activities yourself. But what you want is something where you know you'll remain positive, burn that excess energy your dog has and something that is generally fun for your dog.

Personally, depending on the dog, money situation, etc., I'd recommend getting your dog a friend. That way your dog will always have someone to play with, whether you are around or not, sick or whatever else.

You don't necessarily need another dog, as some dogs like playing with cats just as much as another dog.

But then most cats don't like to play once they get a bit older. Although there is the odd exception, such as a Savannah cat, one of those will where your dog out and still have plenty of energy.

But that all depends on whether you want and/or can afford another pet. If not just use these and other fun ways to keep your dog occupied on those days where you come up with an excuse not to go for a walk.

And that's the lets Face it Facts.

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My Dog Is Chasing His Tail! Why Is He Doing This And What Can I Do About It?

If you want to learn why your dog is chasing his tail, and what you can do about it - then this guide was written with you in mind! Specifically, we are going to address some of the main reasons why your dog may be acting like this.

The most common reason is simply down to excitement! During they day they may become frustrated, as their energy levels bulid up without an outlet - especially if they have been inside the house for most of the day. It can also be something to do when they are bored, and they just don't have anything else to do!

Also, some breeds of dog are more likely to develop this behavioral trait than others - especially dog breeds that are known for being constantly full of energy. There is also reason to believe that it helps them "train" to catch smaller animals, such as rodents and other small creatures.

But if this behavior has become excessive, what can you do about it? The first step is to determine the reasons why it is happening. Is you dog bored? Cooped up all day? Has no interesting toys to play with? All of these reasons can create a habit such as tail chasing.

To summarize, this article has given you a quick overview of the tail chasing behavior that some dog breeds display, as well as the reasons as to why they do this - and some simple steps you can take to determine why it is happening and what you can do about it!

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Dog Liver Cancer - Is Liver Cancer In Dogs Treatable?

There are two types of dog liver cancer - a primary liver cell cancer, and a secondary tumor which has spread from another part of the body such as the mammary gland. In this article, we will only discuss primary liver cancer.

Cancer of the liver occurs most frequently in elderly dogs. In fact, over 80% of dogs affected by this type of cancer are over 10 years of age. In almost one-third of dogs that are diagnosed with primary liver cancer, they have no symptoms of the disease. Their cancer is an incidental finding when they are taken to their veterinarian for some other reason.

Diagnosis

Those dogs that do have symptoms of cancer show signs of liver disease. These include vomiting, increased thirst and yellowing of the skin, gums and conjunctiva. As the tumor grows, their abdomen may appear swollen.

Your veterinarian will suspect some form of liver disease based on these symptoms, and will run some blood tests to make sure they are on the right track. They are looking for high levels of liver enzymes in your dog's blood. This may not mean your dog has cancer, but definitely indicates that their liver isn't working properly.

The next step in getting an accurate diagnosis is to have an ultrasound of your dog's abdomen, so their liver can be examined. Dog liver cancer can show up in two forms. Firstly, there may be many small cancerous nodules distributed throughout the liver. Secondly, there may be one large tumor affecting just one lobe of the liver.

A biopsy of the liver tumor will identify the exact type of cancer, and give you a better idea of your dog's prognosis. This can be done in two ways. Firstly, a biopsy needle can be guided by ultrasound into the tumor, and a sample removed for examination. The second method is by fine needle aspirate biopsy. This is safer for those dogs with extensive dog liver cancer, because if the liver isn't working well it can affect the ability of the blood to clot. A fine needle biopsy has less risk of hemorrhage.

Prognosis

If the cancer is confined to one lobe of the liver, the median survival time for dogs suffering from primary liver cancer is around 3 years. The mass can be surgically removed and the patients tend to do well for quite some time.

The outlook for those with the nodular form of liver cancer isn't good.

If you own a senior dog, and they start to become unwell with vomiting and excessive drinking, it's important to rule out dog liver cancer.

Has your dog been diagnosed with liver cancer? "My Dog Has Cancer...Now What?" is a special book that will help you understand the treatment options available for your dog. Inside the book, you'll find individual chapters that cover surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and alternative therapies.

Please don't waste another minute! Download this important Dog Cancer Treatment book today at: --> http://dogcancers.org/

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Doberman Pinscher Training Tips

It is your responsibility as the leader to take the time to teach your dog what behavior is acceptable and what is not. If you do not take the time to do this, you cannot expect your dog to act the way that you want him to. Dobermans are very trainable so a little invested time goes a long way.

From the minute that you bring your Doberman home, you should start with house training. Take him to his special place in the yard every single time and offer a command word so that eventually your dog will know what is expected of him simply by hearing the word. Keep in mind that accidents will happen but like a child, he should never be punished for them. Just because he understands what is expected of him does not mean that he can always hold it until he is let outside.

Obedience commands are a huge part of training Dobermans. These dogs require mental stimulation so they are happy to learn as many different commands that you take the time to teach them. With the naturally aggressive nature of this breed, obedience commands are vital in controlling them. They are loyal dogs that, when trained properly, will always look to you for their next command of what they should do to make you happy.

Some Doberman owners find crate training helpful. However, the crate needs to be used to provide the dog with his own safe place and never to inflict punishment. Also, if you happen to have a Doberman with separation anxiety, a crate is not the answer to the problem, especially if he has never been in one. You need to deal with separation anxiety issues in an effective way, not with a crate.

One of the trickier Doberman Pinscher training tips to master is walking on a lead. Once they understand exactly how you want them to walk, they are generally quite well-behaved, it is getting to that point that is challenging. Most owners find a pinch collar effective but only after the dog is six months old and only if you fully understand how to properly use it. A doberman that has been properly trained on how to walk on a lead will be able to enjoy his walk much more because he is able to be relaxed rather than feel as though he has to be in control.

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Quit Dog Barking

Bark Off is a tool designed to quit dog barking in your dog. This is exactly what to know about it in terms of how it works.

Shock collars have gotten bad publicity in recent years as it's been debatable as to how much damage it actually inflicts on your pet. Rather than simply retraining bad habits, some people ask at what cost do these refined habits come and just how much emotional as well as physical damage does it cause in terms of long-term damage.

Bark Off has changed all of that because rather than inflicting physical damage by shocking your dog, the device emits sound waves which are higher pitched than humans can hear but which your dog can here a comfortable and safe level which rather than shocking or scaring them simply commands their attention, thus breaking the barking habit very quickly.

After repeated use, your dog equates the sound with a time when it should be quiet so device is ideal for retraining bad habits in different scenarios rather than getting your dog to keep quiet altogether. This is important because a lot of people own dogs in the first place because of the protection and safety aspect so this ensures your dog remains as loud as ever in times when it matters and quiet in the times in which you want peace and quiet.

Barking and barking alone triggers the sound waves, so all you've got to do is switch the device on and as long as your dog is within the 20 foot radius of the device when it's barking, you'll see an immediate difference straight out of the box.

The fact that it is battery powered means that you can take it anywhere you take your dog which means that you don't have to dread bringing your dog along on long car trips because of the noise which you'll have to put up with. I know some people who even use the device on their unwitting neighbor's dogs next door.

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German Shepherd Dog Training - Tips For Speeding Up The Process

The biggest mistake people make with German Shepherd dog training is starting out with basic commands like sit, stay, lay down, and the like.

This is a major oversight and will only result in what amounts to parlor tricks, if you haven't already established your role as the leader in your dog's eyes.

This type of training starts the first day you bring your new puppy home, and it must be practiced on a daily basis for the maximum effect.

Put yourself in the position of pack leader, then all the novel training just becomes a matter of time and practice.

The first thing you can do to train your dog to obey and follow you, physically and mentally, is to enter and exit every door first, whether it's interior or exterior.

Putting your shepherd in this physical following state, will naturally and instinctively begin to form a following mentality too.

This is the first step, no pun intended, to getting the most out of your GSD's famous obedience and loyalty traits.

One other early thing to watch for and correct is biting, because German Shepherds are very mouthy dogs, even if they are just playing.

You are not a chew toy, and any biting, chewing, or teething on your or any other person should be stopped immediately, and replaced with an actual toy, bone, or rawhide.

This will take some patience, especially during the early teething stages, but consistency and persistence are key to any type of training.

Once you've mastered these two basic concepts, it's time to move on to one more abstract form of training: socialization.

German Shepherds are very loyal dogs, and without proper training, this can lead to them being over-protective and aggressive toward other animals and guests.

While I rarely recommend dog parks, because of the irresponsibility and unpredictable nature of many owners and their pets, they are great for socializing your dog, even if you just walk them up to the fence and around.

If you feel comfortable with the dogs, and there aren't too many, then letting them in can help their social skills, as long as they are learning from other well-behaved dogs.

No matter where you take them, getting them around other people and animals is essential and must be done as often as possible. If you see any signs of aggression of over-protectiveness, stop and correct them immediately.

Use calm and assertive commands, never violence, because that will only escalate the situation now or in the future.

Once you've got this foundation laid, the tricks and basic commands become a cinch.

The most useful are sit, stay, lay down, and heel, because they can be used in public situations by you or others to keep your dog in control at all times.

German Shepherd dog training is well worth the effort, because it can really make your GSD shine, while providing physical and mental stimulation for both of you.

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Dealing With Doberman Separation Anxiety

People purchase Dobermans without fully being familiar with the breed and assume that they are fine left home alone like other breeds. Unfortunately, they soon find that separation anxiety is a huge problem that causes them to whine, bark, destroy doors, furniture and everything else and even go potty in the house, despite the fact that they are housebroken.

Dobermans that suffer from separation anxiety will typically follow you from room to room, become stressed when they know that you are leaving and act overly excited when you come home as if you might never walk through the door again. Chances are, if your Doberman displays any of these traits, you need to properly address separation anxiety.

You may feel like your dog is acting out when you leave out of spite because he has been left home alone. This is actually not true. A dog suffering from separation anxiety is stressed because he is without his leader, not because of your actual absence. Causes of separation anxiety include any type of change in your family's normal everyday routine, separation or divorce, death of a family member or another pet and a new addition being brought into the home such as a spouse, baby or additional pet.

If you are giving your dog an enormous amount of attention when you come home because you feel bad for leaving him, you are dealing with separation anxiety issues completely wrong. What you really should be doing is ignoring your dog's excited behavior for the first few minutes until he calms down. After he is completely calm, offer him a generous amount of affection. This way, he is not associating the attention that he getting with your absence but rather with his good behavior.

Of course, this is easier said than done because many people have a difficult time ignoring their dog and end up giving in. However, once you do it a few times and stand your ground, you will see that it really does work.

Also, if you are dealing with Doberman separation anxiety, it is helpful to spend a day or weekend leaving and coming back all day. Begin by staying gone for five minutes and increase your time more every time you leave. Each time you come home, be sure to ignore the behavior until your dog is calm. Many people have had success using this method in as little as one day. The goal is to teach your dog that just because you leave, does not mean that you will be gone for a long time. This is important because most destructive behavior actually takes place in the first few minutes of you being gone.

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Top 10 Doberman Tips

If you are thinking about bringing a Doberman home or if you already have one but are having a few issues, below are some tips that you should find quite helpful.

1. Always ignore your Doberman when he jumps on you by standing perfectly still or by continuing on with what you are doing. Never block the dog with your feet, knees or arms because not only can he misinterpret this as a playful gesture, the dog can be injured. Giving him any attention, good or bad will only encourage his behavior.

2. Approach housebreaking with a schedule, a command word and a designated area in the yard. These three things combined will make it much easier for your Doberman to understand what is expected of him.

3. Become the alpha leader and hold your position through constant training and using basic commands such as "wait" to remind your dog that you are always in charge.

4. Socialize your Doberman immediately and continue to do so regularly. Your dog will be a better protector and pet if he is comfortable with new people, animals and surroundings because he will be confident.

5. Always make sure that your dog is relaxed before allowing anyone to approach you. Learning your Doberman's body gestures will enable you to clearly recognize when he is unsure of a situation.

6. Never allow your Doberman to bite or chew on you. Always replace your skin with a toy and praise him for chewing on it. Doberman puppies that are not taught that this behavior is unacceptable grow up to be dangerous adults that still think that biting is allowed.

7. If you plan on using a crate, make sure that it is the appropriate size and used for the right reason. Crates are never an acceptable means of punishment.

8. Don't leave your Doberman home alone for long periods of time. These dogs are prone to separation anxiety and really prefer to be by your side as much as possible.

9. Provide your dog with daily mental stimulation and physical exercise. They need both to be happy and calmer and you will decrease your chance for destructive behavior.

10. Out of all of the Doberman tips, the most important one to remember is to treat your dog with respect. Dobermans are very sensitive and will treat you the way that they are treated.

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