Insulin Injections

Depending upon your dog’s needs, insulin injections will be given one to two times daily. The amount of insulin used for each dose and how often these doses are given will depend upon your veterinarian. Some dogs will be able to take tablets instead of being given shots.

Insulin doses are typically given in smaller amounts at the start of treatment so that the blood sugar levels can slowly stabilise. Under extreme circumstances this may require your dog to be treated in the hospital for a few days. If his diabetes is more stable, then your dog may receive outpatient treatment.

During this period, your dog’s blood sugar will be monitored every hour in order to determine the exact dose of insulin he will need on a regular basis. Once the correct measurement of insulin has been reached, your veterinarian will instruct you to monitor your dog by testing his urine and/or blood.

The Right Diet

With diabetes, there is nothing more important to increase your dog’s life expectancy than with a strict diet. In fact, it is so important to your dog to eat accordingly when he has this disease, that there is a chance that his diabetes can go into full remission just from the change of diet alone.

You should be feeding your diabetic dog meals that are high in fibre and low to moderate in carbohydrates, such as High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition. Now is the time to start cooking your dog’s meals from the home with meats and other raw ingredients.

Before you decide what to feed him, it would be wise to consult with a holistic veterinarian or nutritional expert who can offer expert advice. Your goal should be to utilise food as “medication” so that hopefully one day your dog can stop taking “official” medication.

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Our diet should include the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals that is necessary to acquire optimum health. We also need an unlimited supply of water to keep our body functioning and alive.

Similar to humans, dogs need to be fed according to their age, size, shape, and lifestyle. For example, a sheep dog that is working in a field will have a different diet then little Chihuahua that is living in a small house.

Similarly, a pregnant female dog will have a different diet than that of an average male dog, and her puppies will require a higher amount of nutrients in order for them to grow healthy and strong. The aging dog will require different levels of nutrition than that of a growing puppy.

Therefore, it is crucial to know what type of food to give your pet, as well as the type of food to avoid. It is also important that you do not overfeed your dog. Although you may think that you are being a good owner by giving him big meals and lots of tasty snacks, what you are actually doing is harming the animal.

By giving your dog more food than what his body requires, you are encouraging obesity and paving the way for illnesses such as diabetes.

There are many different kinds of dog food on the market today. The majority of these foods contain the right amount of nutrients that your dog needs for a well-balanced diet. The three types of food that you can choose for your dog are canned foods, semi-moist foods, and dry foods.

In addition to his regular meals, there are also a wide selection of snacks and treats that you can give him for those times that he is well-behaved and during training sessions.

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Dogs, by and large are less active today than they were 40 or 50 years ago. That is, if our own lifestyles are anything to go by. Less need for us to exert ourselves physically and certainly less of a desire to do so in the absence of that need.

Changing Times

Our dogs don’t need to hunt and so they expend less energy in pursuit of their food. In times gone by our dogs would hunt in order to feed, in order to give enough energy to hunt again. This is clearly not the case in modern times.

Most dogs get used to being routinely fed and they actually acquire tastes of their own rather being happy to simply eat what’s available to provide them with enough calories to simply exist.

Modern dogs don’t gorge in order to stock up on calories and they can afford to be more picky with their dietary regime (this is still quite rare though, most dogs will still try to stuff themselves, but they no longer need to).

Already we can spot various reasons why the canine diet has changed. They no longer need large amounts of fat to stay warm, our houses do that for them; they no longer need huge amounts of energy to hunt with, so their survival requirement for protein is diminishing and they no longer need to gorge on a day’s worth of food as we provide it to them in nice, pre-proportioned amounts on a regular, daily basis.

There is a significant difference between humans and dogs in their need for carbohydrates and in their ability to digest them.

The digestive tract of a human is longer than that of a dog, and the formation of jaws and teeth is entirely different.

Digestion

A dog’s digestion starts in the stomach.

Dogs’ teeth - all 42 of them - are built to tear flesh apart. Dogs gulp their food as fast as they can, which then reaches the stomach with no digestion having taken place at this stage of the process.

Human digestion starts in the mouth. A human chews food with 32 teeth, which have flat surfaces for grinding and breaking down food. Enzymes contained in the saliva contribute to this breakdown of the food, which is being digested before it even reaches the stomach.

What Are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates come in two forms, simple and complex.

Simple carbohydrates come from grains such as wheat, corn, rice, oats, soy and millet. They break down into starches and sugar when properly cooked. Complex carbohydrates come in the form of various fibers such as brans, hulls and peanut shells from the outside of plants. A small amount is needed for proper digestion and stool formation. Nutrients are obtained from both sources, but most come from simple carbohydrates.

The main source of carbohydrates are acquired in plants. There is also one source of carbohydrate that comes from meat called glycogen, but it is only found in small amounts in the liver and muscles. If your dog is not getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, the liver has to do extra work to make glucose from proteins. On the other hand, when your dog is getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, his body will not have to use proteins to get its required amount of glucose, therefore, saving these precious proteins to be used to for other jobs that they are required to do.

Vitamins

Vitamins are not considered to be building blocks, and they are not necessarily required for the production of energy. However, they are important in your dog’s health in a number of ways described below.

1. Dogs need vitamin A for healthy skin and coat. Skin conditions and poor coats have been associated with lack of vitamin A and/or vitamin B.
2. Vitamin B is responsible for a healthy immune system.
3. Studies have concluded that vitamin C prevents dogs from getting hip dysplasia.
4. Dogs need vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones. Deficiency in this vitamin produces weak teeth and brittle bones.
5. Vitamin E is an excellent source of antioxidants. Deficiency in vitamin E can lead to heart problems and several types of cancers.
6. Vitamin K is used for blood clotting.

Minerals

Unlike other nutrients, minerals are used by the body in a more comprehensive way. Below are examples of some of the ways minerals benefit your dog:

1. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorous are required for strong bones and cartilage.
2. Minerals are needed for the nervous system to function properly.
3. They help promote muscle metabolism.
4. They are used in the production of hormones.
5. Minerals transport oxygen in the blood.

It is important to know that too much or too little of a certain mineral can affect the functions of other minerals in your dog’s body. In addition, there are also cases where the action of one mineral depends upon the action of another mineral. For example, the minerals iron and copper work hand-in-hand to produce hemoglobin. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells while copper is equally important for hemoglobin formation. One will not be able to function properly without the help of the other.

Evolution Of The Canine Diet

Dogs have evolved as meat eaters and although they need some grains, their health and longevity tend to be better served on a diet containing more animal protein than protein derived from grains.

Think about the origin of the dog. It is unrecorded in history that wolves lit fires and cooked grains picked in fields! But there were whole carcasses available which did contain everything needed for wolves to survive, including predigested vegetable matter in the intestinal tracts of their prey. The perfect ‘ready meal’ for the canine consumer, if you will.

Allergic reactions to grains can occur in dogs which is why it pays to always question whether you are feeding your dog the most appropriate diet.

Modern Pet Food

The pet food industry today is vastly different to the one operating just 10 or 15 years ago.

More competition for your business in the grocery aisles means pet food manufacturers simply have to produce a wide range of products catering for a whole host of different canine dietary requirements.

After all, if you feed your dog on a commercial product and it results in your pet’s behaviour changing, large, runny stools being produced, excessive weight gain or weight loss or even worse, it’s to be expected that you’d reevaluate what you were feeding and you’d more than likely take your custom to another product.

5 Top Tips

Learn to understand pet food labels:

Many diets are developed with a particular dog in mind i.e a Middle aged, low activity large breed. If a formula developed for a low activity large breed is being given to a highly active, small Terrier it goes without saying problems can ensue and, at the very least, the dog would not be getting an ideal diet.

Speak to manufacturers:

Most of the pet food companies nowadays operate help lines, in many cases operated by full trained (if not slightly biased) dietitians. Use this to your advantage. Call them and quiz them on why their food would be perfect for your dog. Ask if they have specially formulated products which might not be readily available in the high street, and if not, where can you purchase them from? Call a range of different companies and make a genuinely educated decision on what the most suitable nutrients your dog requires.

Don’t rely on pot luck:

You wouldn’t feed yourself by pot luck i.e. going to the shops, picking the food with the most colourful packaging or the one with supported by the most charming advertising campaign as your staple diet for evermore. It’s incredible how many dog owners do just this though. Educate yourself to know exactly what your dog needs in their individual diet, learn what it us you should be looking for on the label, what you should be looking to avoid and then go find it.

Mix and match:

Variety, as they say, is the spice of life. This applies equally to your dog. Whilst it’s understandable that commercial pet food make for a convenient life and it’s certainly true that pet food standards have evolved enormously, don’t be afraid to mix and match occasionally with your dog’s diet. Raw meat now and then will often be seen as a welcome treat. Be careful not to feed it as well as a normal meal but don’t be scared to add some variety to your dog’s feeding regime. Some owners occasionally miss a whole day once in a while simply to keep their dog’s primal, hunter/scavenger instincts primed.

Make feeding fun:

For many dogs, their whole day is focused around food. They get so excited at the mere thought of receiving their meals, treats and expeditions to the fridge. Once you know what your dog should be eating in a day, why not consider splitting it up into smaller meals and making your dog really work for it? Hide food, scatter it, ask your dog to ‘perform’ for it, use it as treats when out on a walk rather than using other foods as rewards in addition to their daily required intake which could lead to obesity.

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Are you looking for the ideal natural diet for your dog?

High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

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The city offers many options for exercising your dog. Owners should view the city as a vast playground. Often, it is a matter of using your imagination. One of the best ways to take advantage of your city area is to go running with your dog. When an owner runs with a dog, it is a beautiful thing to watch.

Many breeds of dogs were meant to run. Why not share a runner’s high with your dog? Good advice when running with your dog is to run with him on leash and to observe the rules of the street, of course. I know runners don’t like to stop at street corners with their dogs while they are running, but I hate to see a dog being taught that he can run across the street without stopping and not given the proper cross command. As a runner, you have to stop at street corners with red lights while running in place, so do the same thing whenever you arrive at any given corner.

It is not advisable to take a young puppy on a run since it will be hard on his hips and his bones are too soft. But when a puppy reaches his ninth month, he should be able to go safely on long runs with you. Check with your vet to find out when your dog is ready to start running with you.

If you run in the park, you don’t have to worry about crossing at different streets. But you will have to teach him to stop at strategic areas along the path, such as cross paths, parking lots and other congested areas. Keep a leash on your dog so that it will be a smoother run. There are too many distractions around, and your run will be interrupted if he starts chasing a squirrel or rabbit.

Running teaches your dog to follow you since he will be running at your side. Your dog does not have to be at a perfect heel during a run. What you basically want to share with your dog is a good rhythm. If you are using a harness, he can run in front of you.

Running is also great for developing the musculature structure in dogs. Just take care that you don’t run on days that are too hot for your dog. You will also want to inspect his pads after a run since they can take a beating on asphalt.

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High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

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1. Play with bright balls: Dogs don’t see colours very well, so it doesn’t matter very much what colours the balls are that your dog plays with, as long as they’re not green or red, colours which are hard for them to see. Also, they should be brightly colored rather than muted. Most of a dog’s vision comes from structures in the eyes called rod receptors. Rods are only sensitive to black and white. Brightly coloured balls stand out more against the background and are easier for dogs to see.

2. Throw balls across their line of sight: How many times have you tossed a ball right at your dog, only to watch him lose sight of it? There’s a reason for this. Dogs’ eyes are set farther apart than ours. They can easily see movement off to the sides, but they have a lot of trouble seeing things that are right in front of them. They’ll have more fun with balls when you toss them across their line of sight rather than right at them.

3. Set aside some throwing time: Some dogs are born chewers and will work over a ball as enthusiastically as they’ll splinter a stick. Most dogs, however, won’t even notice a ball that’s just sitting there. If you want your dog to get the most fun out of his ball, you have to set aside some time for throwing it.

4. Replace food with balls for dog training: Since dogs often go bananas for balls, you can use them as motivators when you’re doing basic training. Training with balls is actually better than training with food. Balls have no calories. They make it easy for dogs to get a lot of exercise. And they help dogs get used to watching your every move, which is essential when you’re teaching obedience.

Balls are especially useful for teaching the “come” command. This command is tricky because dogs who are playing and having a good time aren’t always paying attention to the person at the other end of the yard. When you’re holding a ball, however, you can be sure you’ll have your dog’s undivided attention.

5. Here is sample training technique using 2 balls: Hold one of the balls in your hand so that your dog can see it. When his eyes are riveted on you, tell him “come.” Wait until he comes and sits in front of you. Then throw the ball. Maybe he’ll bring it right back, and maybe he won’t. It doesn’t matter too much because you’ll be holding a second ball. He’ll want that one just as much as he did the first one. Tell him “come” again, have him sit, and then swap balls for another throw.

Dogs love this game because they get a chance to run, retrieve, and play with you. After a while, they’ll come running whenever they hear the word come, whether you’re holding a ball or not.

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High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

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Don’t just guess at the problem and throw a home remedy at it. See your veterinarian. You’ll probably save money in the long run, and you’ll certainly spare your pet some misery. After your dog checks out OK on the medical front, you need to start addressing the other necessities of his life:

Mental Exercise

Training is for life. Your dog needs to keep learning, and keep using all he has been taught. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to make formal obedience sessions a permanent part of your life. Think, instead, of creative ways to expand your dog’s working vocabulary and integrate the skills he has learned into your life together.

For example, make him do a “sit” or “down” before you take the ball from him. Put him on “stay,” throw the ball, and then send him. Have two family members play recall games with him in the house: One calls and praises, and then the other does. These games keep him engaged, and they also help enforce his place in your family, which makes him feel confident and secure.

Physical Exercise

Probably one of the biggest contributors to dog behaviour problems is that dogs don’t get nearly enough exercise. (Lack of exercise is also a big contributor to health problems: Too much food and not enough exercise make dogs fat.) By enough exercise I don’t mean a walk around the block, stopping and sniffing at every shrub, street light, and fire hydrant. These outings are important, too, for your dog’s mental health, not his physical one.

Instead, your dog needs 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise that gets his heart pumping, and he needs it three or more times a week to stay fit, burn excess energy, and alleviate the stresses of modern life, which for many dogs starts with being a latchkey pup. This kind of exercise is especially important for dogs with a working heritage such as sporting or herding breeds. They need to move!

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High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

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Exercising Your Dog

All dogs need exercise, especially young puppies. And it is very unlikely for your dog to get the sufficient amount of exercise he needs just by sitting around the house, which is what most dogs do when they are left alone for many hours at a time.

If you are planning on getting two or more puppies, they will move and play around with one another. But a puppy by himself won’t do much more than make an occasional tour around the house, check the area, and then lie down.

You have to include a daily exercise routine if you want a dog to stay fit. Puppies, in particular, need exercise for their muscular development and as part of their socialisation process. A physically fit puppy will grow up to be a physically fit dog that is healthier, happier, and able to live his life to the fullest.

Exercising your dog can be fun and simple. It doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time. For many dogs, daily walks around the block is enough to get their daily dose of exercise. In addition to these daily walks, your dog will also love an occasional run, a game of ball, or a trip to the dog park where he can run around freely and play with the other dogs.

If you are serious about your personal exercise needs, or enjoy vigorous outdoor activities with your dog, there are many types of dogs to choose from that fits within this category. The majority of sporting breeds, for example, has high levels of energy and will make an excellent jogging, training, or hiking partner once their muscle and skeletal development is complete at around 18 months of age.

Grooming Advice

Dog’s coat length and thickness all vary. Some are very hairy, others are practically hairless, and others fall somewhere in between. Dogs’ coat also comes in various textures, from soft to very coarse and sometimes overly curly. And just like us, dogs lose their hair in order to give way for the new hair to grow in. Most dogs shed all year long in small amounts while some experiences a period of heavy shedding twice a year.

If grooming your dog is not something that you enjoy doing, or if you want a dog that doesn’t shed heavily, choose one that has a short or medium length coat. Curly-coated breeds do not shed much and can sport a short clip, which you can get away with a once or twice a week brushing. If, on the other hand, you are the type of person who loves to play hairdresser, you’ll appreciate a long-haired or double-coated breed.

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High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

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Did you know that dog sports are a great way to have fun and show off your pet’s skills and intelligence? Whether you’re into earning titles or just looking to have a good time, you and your dog can have tonnes of fun with dog sporting events.

From basic obedience to splashing in a lake, active breeds can succeed at almost any canine sport. Most energetic breeds possess stamina, strength, courage, drive and a willingness to please their owners.

Do not underestimate your own dog’s intelligence and ability to learn new things, including complex maneuvers that will earn you top titles in competitive events, or at the minimum the family appreciation award at home after an exciting day playing outside.

Competitive Obedience

The first sport we’d like you to learn about is called competitive obedience trials. Does your dog have the perfect “sit”? Well this is the perfect sporting event to show it off. Your dog will perform a series of exercises in a ring while a judge evaluates the performance. The rules are strict – you can’t give treats, extra commands or encouragement to your dog as it performs.

In general, the types of breeds best suited for these sporting events are Labrador Retrievers, Irish Setters, Pointers and Spaniels. These dogs make excellent obedience dogs because of their willingness to please, but are sometimes a little difficult to train because they can have a stubborn streak.

Competitive obedience consists of several increasingly difficult levels – Novice, Open and Utility. Novice-level competition primarily demonstrates the dog’s ability to heel on and off leash, stand for exam, come, and stay in a site and down position.

In the Open Class, your dog will perform retrieving and jumping exercises in addition to off-leash heeling and long sits and downs; in the Utility Class, your dog must also discriminate between scented articles and retrieve specific items.

To earn titles, your dog must score no less than half the points allotted for each exercise. For most titles, he must earn three “legs”, or qualifying competitions, in which you must earn at least 170 points out of a possible 200. He must be able to consistently follow a variety of basic and advanced commands (sit, stay, stand, come, heel) to be a successful obedience dog.

The best way for a novice to learn to compete is to find a professional dog trainer that specialises in competitive obedience training. Simply look under “dog training” in the phone directory or on the internet and you will find plenty of qualified individuals and schools at your disposal.

Flyball

Does your dog love to fetch tennis balls and run? If so then why not put the two together and add hurdles - now you’ve got flyball - a fast-paced, team relay sport! Not only is flyball an excellent form of exercise for your pet, it also is a great way for you and your pooch to bond.

Of course not all dogs are cut out for this event, but most active sporting breeds are, and that includes common household pets such as the Labrador Retriever, Pointers, and various Setter breeds.

A flyball team consists of four dog-and-handler pairs. Each dog runs one at a time over four hurdles to a flyball box; steps on the box’s lever which ejects a tennis ball into the air; catches the ball; then returns back over the hurdles so the next awaiting dog can be released by its handler.

Flyball is said to have originated in the 1970s after Herbert Wagner invented the first tennis-ball launcher. Dogs earn titles according to the number of points scored per run. For example, if a team’s time is faster than 32 seconds, each dog on the team earns one point. If the team’s time is faster than 28 seconds, each dog earns five points.

A flyball team earns points when it makes a qualifying run – so beating another team’s time is not required to score points. Each team’s hurdle height is adjusted according to the height of the smallest dog (at the shoulder) on the team.

The best way to get started in flyball is to spark your dog’s interest in catching and retrieving tennis balls, which is a naturally rewarding activity for most dogs, especially for the active, sporting breed-types. Your dog will also need to learn to jump hurdles going toward and away from you. If you can combine both skills together you may have a potential flyball champion.

As in all canine sports, mastery of basic obedience commands is a must, especially a solid recall (the come command), so that your dog doesn’t just take the ball and run. In addition, your dog should be in good physical shape (not overweight) and cleared by your veterinarian for strenuous jumping.

Look for dog trainers or flyball clubs in your area that may specialise in training for flyball.

Sporting events are considered the most engaging activity that any proud owner of a sporting breed can enjoy. Complete and total stimulation for the mind and body, your dog will get the exercise of its life while becoming a smarter and more obedient companion.

Even dogs without registration papers can compete and earn titles in most activities. To compete in the American Kennel Club (AKC) or United Kennel Club (UKC) events, your dog will need an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) or Limited Privilege (LP) number, all of which can be easily obtained through these organisations.

Before you get started though, be sure that your dog is healthy and in good shape. Always have the veterinarian check your dog before starting any sports that require a lot of exertion or jumping. If you have a puppy, wait until it’s about 2 years of age (or is cleared by your vet) before competing in activities that can stress it’s growing joints, such as agility, flyball, flying disc or sledding.

Rally Obedience

Rally obedience, or rally, is best described as a cross between a rally car race and an obedience trial. Your dog must perform a series of commands, such as jumps and weaves around people or objects, in order as directed by a series of signs on a course.

At each station, the sign states which exercise to perform. Performances are judged on the proper completion of the course within the time limit, but judging tends to be looser than in formal obedience trials. Handlers can talk to their dogs as much as they want and may give multiple commands.

Rally is a great way for people and dogs who normally don’t like the rigidity of traditional competitive obedience to have fun and compete. When running a rally course, you must perform exercise such as a halt, right turn, send over a jump and a finish (a finish is a return to a site or the heel position). And like other types of competitive obedience, your dog will need 170 out of a possible 200 points to qualify for a leg.

To compete successfully in rally your dog should be familiar with basic obedience commands and should be able to heel on and off leash. Familiarity with some basic agility obstacles such as bar jumps and weave poles is also helpful.

As in formal obedience, taking classes with a professional trainer is a great way to get started in this sport. Trainers who specialise in obedience are often familiar with the training requirements for rally.

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Are you looking for the ideal natural diet for your dog?

High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

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1) Doga! All the benefits of Yoga, suppleness, flexibility and muscle toning and dogs can join in too. Take your dog with you on that journey for internal peace. You can both hold the ‘mountain’, ‘lotus’ or ‘cobra’ position, but don’t forget to warm up first.

2) An excellent work out for both human and dog is a good old ‘tug-o-war’. Although usually spontaneous, a five minute session will burn off as many calories as a brisk fifteen minute walk. Use an old rag or t-shirt and go for it. It is best if you crouch down to start with to avoid bending the back improperly. Your dog will love this one, but make sure you win, or you could be saddled with a very cocky young pup!

3) Short and often beats once a day. Walking the dog should never be a chore. Frequent, shorter walks are often more beneficial to you both than one long stroll a day. Bringing your heart rate up regularly, increases cardio-vascular fitness. A two minute jog completed by a five minute stroll four times a day will get results pretty sharpish.

4) Make minor diet adjustments. Replacing fizzy drinks with cordial will benefit a weight loss programme. Small changes that do not overhaul your lifestyle are easier to stick to. Changing an overweight dog’s portion size beats re-designing his whole diet plan.

5) Worming your pet is important all year round, however, for one hookworm in particular, Uncinaria stenocephala, there is a sharp rise from July to September. In heavily infested pups, it can have nasty results such as diarrhoea, anorexia and lethargy. By worming your dog every three months your pet will be protected.

6) Camp it up. A camping trip with your dog is fun and can offer lots of opportunity for exercise. It will give him a whole new world to sniff and the exercise happens without you even noticing.

7) Let him do all the work. If you are looking for an easy ride, but want your dog to get a work out get a Frisbee. All you need to do is toss the thing and he will (hopefully) bring it straight back. This will provide an excellent aerobic work out for him that will also relieve any boredom. If possible, incorporate water into the activity. Toss the Frisbee into the pond or lake (it will float) and let him swim for it.

A natural, high meat diet. A great way to maintain a healthy nutricious diet. Some people achieve this with a BARF diet, some with a more ‘human’ friendly way of sourcing a high nutrition value food from a supplier such as Burns Pet Nutrition.

9) Hide his toys. If you have a lazy dog, a good way to encourage exercise is to move his toys whenever you go upstairs. If he is loafing about down stairs make sure, the next time you go up the stairs that you take his favourite toy with you. It may only be a small amount, but any exercise is better than none. This can also be practised at meal times.

10) To avoid a soaking. Long haired breeds require frequent grooming. When showering or bathing your dog, always wait until the very end to wash the head. You will notice that your dog will only ‘shake out’ when his head gets wet.

11) For supple joints both of you should eat fish once a week. It is high in potassium and low in sodium. Cold water fish such as trout and salmon are both excellent for joints. Older dogs will benefit from a presence of fish in the diet.

12) For a healthy coat. Give your dog a daily dose of Safflower, Corn, Soybean or Cotton Seed Oil in their food (1 teaspoon) this really helps them to have a great looking coat and reduces hair loss. Now you can style your hair in that shiny coat.

13) In the summertime. Make sure nobody suffers from sunburn by being generous with the sunscreen. Even the dog should get some factor 12 on his nose. To keep him cool and burn free, a damp t-shirt will do him no fashion favours, but will keep him comfortable.

14) Water, water everywhere. An oldie but a goodie. Water is never bad for you, but it is especially good for the bipedal during the summer months. Six pints a day (not all at once) re-hydrate the skin and flush out many of your body’s impurities. It is always good for the dog to have a fresh water supply, as an over excited dog can become de-hydrated very quickly.

15) Regular Check ups. A great way to judge a dog’s inner health is by the state of his coat. A full, glossy coat spells a healthy, well looked after dog. But a comprehensive check up by you can be a huge help. You will be able to find any suspicious lumps, be able to tell if he is under or over weight (a thick coat can conceal this) and is a great way to bond with your dog. Once you get used to your dog, you are more likely to spot any alarming changes later on in life.

16) Back of the net! West Ham United star John Harley is famous amongst his football pals for training with his dog. You too can have a kick about with your mates and get the dog involved. He will love chasing the ball around at your feet and capitalizing on any schoolboy errors you may make defensively!

17) For the more dedicated sports person. Ed Moses, the world’s most successful 400m hurdles runner is making a return to athletics at the age of 48. He trained for the comeback specifically with his dog. You can do the same. Anything athletic will or at least should, appeal to a healthy dog. He will try and join you, but he will never defeat you, because you are the champ, aren’t you? Laps of a track are always good for endurance.

18) A winning smile can be achieved through regular brushing, and not much else. Despite what people might have you believe, biscuits or chews do not replace a good tooth brushing. To clean teeth sufficiently, there needs to be brushing action. Even he protests, get that brush working on those canine chompers.

19) Take a dip. Quite possibly the most beneficial exercise going. This works all muscle groups. The resistance pressure of the water is dictated by how fast you want to go, and if you get tired get Rover to pull you along with his tail, he’ll love it. Most dogs love a good splash about, you’ll spot the ones that don’t.

20) Get in line. If you stick to all of the above you both should be feeling pretty good by the end of the summer. This is when you take that last risk before winter comes round again. Get the skates on. Roller skating or in-line skating is a great way to burn fat, get around faster and provided you can stay vertical, it is a great way for you and your dog to have a good laugh on the park. Watch out for those posing so-and-sos who just want to whip by and make you feel slow.

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Are you looking for the ideal natural diet for your dog?

High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

Find Out More…

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Like the other Burns Adult formulations High Oats is low in protein and fat. The high digestibility means that the dog can feel satisfied by a small volume of food. Burns is intended to ensure excellent general health and part of that is ensuring the weight is correct.

Vegetables (cooked and raw) can safely be included to help fill the dog if you think that is needed

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Are you looking for the ideal natural diet for your dog?

High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

Find Out More…

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