Sunday 24 June 2012

Treat Time for Dogs


Treats are a great way to reward your dog for good behaviour and are a good aid when training your dog to be obedient. Instantly rewarding correct behaviour is the best way to reinforce that behaviour and condition your dog to obey you.
Don't overdo the treats; as much as you love your pet, treats should be just that, an occasional treat. Treats for dogs, like for humans are often richer than normal food, and so should be fed sparingly. They shouldn't make up more than ten percent of the calorie content of your dog's daily food intake. Too many treats can cause an upset stomach.
There are treats that have specific health benefits too, so they are definitely worth looking at if your pet has certain needs. Perhaps your dog has bad breath? You can get treats that freshen the breath. You can get treats that contain oils to help give your pet a glossy coat, and treats with glucosamine and chondroitin in, for healthy joints. Older dogs with sensitive teeth may well enjoy a more moist treat. If your pet is overweight, you needn't feel that you cannot reward him with a treat as there are plenty of calorie-controlled treats available for just such circumstances.
Crunchy treats can be very good for your dog's teeth, as they help to remove plaque and tarter, keeping their teeth clean.
When you're training your dog, a small treat is best. You need to be able to quickly reward him for correct behaviour, and he needs to be able to eat it quickly before carrying on with the training. You don't want to fill your dog up on large treats, or have to wait for your dog to finish eating. You should be able to find small treats quite easily. Looks especially for those that are meant to be put inside a treat dispensing toy. They are usually smaller than usual in size.
If you dog has allergies, avoid the brightly coloured treats and opt for something natural. Some dogs are sensitive to artificial flavours, colours and preservatives, and even when you have them on a special diet; it's easy to forget when it comes to buying treats. There are plenty of healthy vegetable based treats available that are free from artificial additives.
If you worry that your dog is bored, then a chewy treat is a great idea. They last much longer than a biscuit type treat, and you can pick up a small chewy stick from a pet shop for pennies. However, as they are hard to chew, they are meant for dogs with fully developed teeth and are best avoided for puppies. You can buy them in a range of flavours and they're very good for your dogs' dental hygiene too.
Dogs love treats and there are so many different types on the market you will soon find the best treats for your pet. A handful of treats in your pocket is very handy for rewarding good behaviour when out for a walk.
For high quality dog food and dog treats visit http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk today.


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