aurora_natrix
Posted : 5/21/2006 4:00:56 AM
sorry it took me so long to get back. each dog is different as you know. my old man zippy (german shep mix) would inhale his food. my little girl suki eats her food very delicately and slowly. there is a danger of bloat that occurs more frequently in some breeds than others, and that can be a trigger of it as glenda mentioned.
as for alpha training, taking a dog to classes might make it obedient, but it won't necessarily make the dog view you as a leader. my old dog was the alpha in the house and i never knew it. he was trained and knew how to sit, lay, come and heel, but honestly he was the boss in the house. one thing that is important is to never react to a dog's growl by turning away, but you have to catch it in the beginning. this is how it starts. example: if you're playing tug with your dog (not a good idea) as a puppy and the dog pulls and growls and then wins the toy he/she has proven themself the leader over you. dogs are continually testing their boundaries and this can be just a starting point to lead to further aggression down the line. i'm not saying you shouldn't play with your dog. just that you should choose your activities wisely, and always make sure you finish in control of your dog, and not with your dog in control of you.
as for raw food it's important to note that if you decide to give your dog raw bones they should be replaced every 1-2 days.
on a side note: glenda, do you mind if i email you for that recipe? i've been thinking about switching my girl's diet.