Your Dog Deserves Something Better Than Fancy Treats
If you’ve trained your dog to do everything from fetching a stick to barking to the tune of ‘Advance Australia Fair’, then you know the importance of treats for reinforcement. However, your dog needs the strength to chase the discs that you train him or her to run after. Don’t just rely on treats, as what he or she needs most is a well-balanced diet. Brands like Advance Dog Food often have enough of the recommended nutrients to ensure your dog’s health. Your vet may recommend a dog food brand to complement a diet plan for your dog, depending on its breed and age.
You must follow a routine feeding schedule, though. You’re not really doing your dog a favor by indulging him with treats every time he asks for it. Even though your dog is pleased with the treats you give him, he has to learn that these are just given to tide him over to the next meal, not the next meal itself. Feed your dog three square meals a day if he’s still a puppy, and slowly wean the amounts until he adjusts to two meals a day as an adult. Once you’ve worked out a meal schedule, follow it religiously so your dog can warm up to it. If he skips a meal because you overlooked the chore, don’t make up for it with extra servings on the next one. Aim for the appropriate serving each time; your dog becomes obese if he overeats, and he’ll surely scavenge the kitchen trash bags for food if you starve him.
If your dog drools or moves around a lot, it’s also important that he always has fresh water from his designated water bowl. Even with brands like Advance Dog Food that have moist and semi-moist varieties, you would still need to provide your dog with water to get his food properly digested.
Treats start to become less appealing to your dog once he or she starts getting used to these regular and nutritious meals. Usually a healthy, well-fed dog won’t tire out easily and he or she will also have a very shiny coat of fur and an easy disposition. If the diet doesn’t agree with him, you’ll notice the difference through the stool. Your veterinarian can prescribe to change the diet if food is the source of the problem. Dogs are naturally appreciative, and with proper feeding, they’ll actually have something to be thankful for.
