Articles

Training

Basic rules of dog training

There are certain rules that your dog needs to master in his everyday living with humans. Ideally, you should start training him as early as possible. Be patient but consistent. Do not ask too much of your dog during a workout. It is much better to practice several times a day than in a single, lengthy session. During breaks from training, you should allow your dog to do whatever he fancies, whether that be sniffing around, running, swimming or just sleeping. When you begin training your dog, make sure that you give clear signals so that your dog can differentiate between different commands and always knows what you expect of him.

Health

Does my dog need nutritional supplements?

These days, virtually all balanced premium staple foods are enough to satisfy a dog’s minimum daily vitamin requirement. However, there are certain situations throughout a dog's life that will increase the need for vitamins and this is where nutritional supplements come into play. For instance, stressful situations such as travelling, relocation or new people and pets can all lead to an increase in the amount of vitamins they require. Pregnant and lactating bitches also need an extra helping of vitamins. Furthermore, any disruptions to the animal's metabolism, temporary illnesses such as diarrhoea and parasitic infestations or even long-term diseases (for instance of the pancreas) also increase the amount of vitamins required. Your vet should be happy to advise you on this and recommend over-the-counter supplements.

Health

Ideal Body Shape

Unfortunately, there are no set rules as to whether your dog has the ideal body shape and weight, as these depend not only on the breed and the size of your dog but also on your dog’s individual body structure. However, there are a few tips and guidelines that you can use as pointers to establish whether your dog’s weight is normal or whether he is too fat or too thin. Examine your dog closely and run your hands over him. His weight is considered normal if you can feel his ribs beneath a thin layer of body fat. The same goes for the bones at the base of the tail. When viewed from above, you should also be able to observe a clearly defined waist.