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Archive for January 19th, 2011

Giving treats to your dog

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
posted by Jim Murphy

dog-treatYou should give your dog treats every now and then.  Dog treats reinforce that special bond between you and your dog.  They help with training and reinforcing positive behavior. When you select a treat for your dog, consider how many treats that you’ll give him, his age, health, allergies and overall preferences.  Treats should consume no more than 10% of your dog’s diet.  Puppies prefer smaller treats and senior dogs with chewing problems would prefer softer treats.

Treats should not affect your dog’s eating habits. They should be given when the dog does something good or between meals. This will prevent him from  begging for table scraps which could cause him to gain weight.  Table scraps can also cause picky eating habits and contribute to digestive problems.

If you’re using the treat for training purposes, choose a small treat that your dog could consume  quickly.   Natural treats are high in protein and may be a good choice for health purposes. Rawhide is good for the teeth but can cause choking in some cases. Ask your vet which treats would be best for your type of dog.