Lining up beside one of Australias best

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Finding A Decent Commercial Dog Food Part One Ingredients First

The phrase "healthy dog food" means a lot of different things to different people. Dry dog food is by far the most common and easy to use, but also is the most processed, and carbohydrate-heavy dog food you can find. Personally, I home cook a balanced diet for my dog, Dexter. This allows me to truly customize his dietary needs, and he receives a healthy, fresh, preservative-free meal at every feeding. You too can learn how in, Whats For Dinner, Dexter?

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Today, I want to help you make the best dog food decision for your dog and your lifestyle. One that makes sense for you. This dog food blog is just meant to shed a little light on how to choose a commercial pet food if thats your choice. I will cover a raw diet, canned dog food, and dry dog food. My food recommendations will provide you with some ideas, and companies to look into, it is by far not a complete list. But, hopefully, my tips, and what to look for will teach you how to read and understand pet food labels.

So, here we go. First up, the ingredient list. This is such a crucial part in determining the actual meat portion of your dogs food. So often, people are swayed by the images of the pet food bag, celebrity endorsements or their friends. But, Im asking you to put those images, and endorsements aside, and flip over the bag and read the ingredient list.

The label. Dogs need meat. Dogs need a good portion of meat. When I home cook Dexters meal, I shoot for 70% meat, 15% fruits and vegetables and 15% healthy grains or beans. If you are reading a pet food label, and looking for a high-quality, meat-rich diet, minimally the first 3-5 ingredients listed should be a named meat source such as salmon, turkey, chicken or beef. This can be followed by a few fruits, veggies, and grains. Remember, a label is listed by weight, so you want your meat up there at the top. If you have a meat source or two, followed by a potato or grain, you are losing your meat.

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Heres an example taken from Primals Duck Formula: Duck, Duck Necks, Duck Wings, Organic Kale, Duck Hearts, Duck Gizzards, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Duck Livers, Organic Broccoli, Organic Apples, Blueberries, Cranberries, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Parsley, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Salmon Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Quinoa Sprout Powder, Dried Organic Kelp, Alfalfa, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (natural preservative).

Heres an example of Merricks Duck Formula: Deboned Duck, Duck Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Duck Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Potato Protein, Organic Alfalfa, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate), Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Can you see how one ingredient list is much heavier in meat? Then take a look at the squash, potato, pea list. Not that any of those items is bad in themselves, but the shear quantity of Merrick vs. Primal. That means there are a lot of carbohydrate foods vs. meat.

Lets look at yet another pet food label. This dog food doesnt even have meat as the first ingredient. There are also lots of potatoes and peas.

Natural Balance Potato and Duck Formula: Potatoes, Duck Meal, Duck, Canola Oil (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols), Potato Protein, Potato Fiber, Natural Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, L-Carnitine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid

Finally, we can view one of the worst dog foods out there, Beneful. You might be shocked when you read the ingredient list and, unfortunately, there are plenty of other low-quality, dog foods out there, just as bad.

Beneful Original Formula: Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, rice flour, beef, soy flour, meat and bone meal, propylene glycol, sugar, tricalcium phosphate, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, animal digest, sorbic acid (a preservative), mono and dicalcium phosphate, dried spinach, dried peas, dried carrots, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, Red 40, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, copper sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, calcium pantothenate, Blue 2, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.

I honestly want to cry when I read that list. Some of those ingredients are not only unhealthy, but actually toxic! Look a few up for yourself. You can start with propylene glycol. Beef is the only real meat in there, and that is so far down the list. I highlighted animal, meat and bone because they are not named items. Meaning, animal, meat or bone is very likely your neighborhood dog that was euthenized! Yes, that is a true statement.

Here are 10 ingredients that are never in any of Dexters food or treats.

1. Flavors of any kind, natural or artificial- No artificial or natural "flavors" of any kind.  If it says "flavor" in the ingredient list, back on the shelf it goes.  Its not real food guys.  And if its not a real food ingredient, it  has no place in my dogs treat, or dog food.
2. Added salt, regular or sea salt- Nope, no reason to add salt in my dogs treat.  Every living creature needs sodium in their diet, but too much can cause problems such as seizures, diarrhea & extra water intake.  A lot of foods have natural occurring sodium, so you do not need extra salt added to treats.
3. Sugar or any kind including high corn fructose, corn syrup or cane sugar- I shouldnt need to tell you this.  If we add sugar or high corn fructose we are truly just adding empty calories.  Not only are these ingredients bad for our dogs health, they will also hop them up & they can become hyperactive. 
4. Sorbitol-A sugar commonly found in berries, but prepared synthetically.
5. By-products or digest- Ewww  I want to make sure my dog receives healthy food not what is left on the floor of some meat manufacturing plant.  Or carcasses from veterinarian practices!  Scary, isnt it?  Again, I want to know what is in that bag of treats.
6. Coloring, artificial or natural- Why?  Why would a pet treat manufacture put dye or coloring in my dogs treat?  To please the consumers eyes of course.  Especially when we are talking about artificial food coloring.  Artificial anything is a chemical process & has a long list of possible side effects.  And dont be fooled by "natural food coloring".  Natural can be made by things like bugs & rocks!
7. Animal fat or anything "animal" "meat"- What kind of animal or meat?  Again, what the heck is in there anyway?  When I read it, I should have a very clear picture of what it is.
8. Chemical Preservatives - Chemical preservatives of any kind should be avoided.  Healthy does not equate to chemicals.  No BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), Ethoxyquin, TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone), Propyl Gallate, Propylene glycol, Sodium Nitrite.  BHA, BHT & Ethoxyquin  are banned in human foods.
9. Corn, wheat or soy-A lot of our dog friends are allergic, or have a low tolerance to these ingredients.  According to PetCareRX, that excessive soy may contain estrogen that might provide some estrogen-like activity in your dog & contribute to slightly lower thyroid hormone levels.
10. Glycerin, vegetable glycerin or glycerole-Glycerin or glycerole can actually be produced as a by product of diesel fuel!  It will be unlikely you will know the difference from reading the ingredient list (although vegetable glycerin is plant based, not from fuel).  This is an ingredient in dog treats that helps make a treat soft & sugary.  It is not uncommon for dogs to get a big case of diarrhea from eating treats with this product.  Dexter is one of them.

Food for thought, for sure. Stay tuned for my next installment, which will cover the processing of dog food. Dont miss out, sign up for my newsletter and follow me on Facebook.

Do you need extra dog training help?  I offer in-person,  phone consultations, weekend dog retreats and public seminars.  Contact me today for details.

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

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Named One Of The Top Ten Dog Trainers In The United States

Recently, I was named one of the TOP TEN dog trainers in the United States.  Wow.  What an honor.  I did not even realize I was on the dog training radar!  But, what a privilege to be named, and among some greats like Ian Dunbar, Kyra Sundance, and Zak George.

Dogs have ALWAYS been #1

I started my dog training career almost two decades ago.  Believe it or not, I was actually looking into graduate art programs but realized something was missing.  Art was more of a hobby, not a passion.  So I took a deep look into what made me happy, and what I wanted most out of life.  Two things popped up to the top of the list, helping people, and dogs.

I dropped out of my last year in art school and took kennel position at the Capital Area Humane Society in Columbus, Ohio. My heart was feeling good.....but maybe not so much. The sadness started to creep in; there were so many animals without a forever home. My manager advised me that, if I got my job done, I could spend the rest of my time walking the dogs. So I did. But I didnt just walk them, I started to train them. I would work with the dogs on confidence building skills, polite manners, and play. These seemed to be the areas where the dogs needed the most help.

But it still didnt seem like I was doing enough. What else could I do? Why did people drop off their dogs here? What could I do to prevent the dogs from getting to this point in the first place?  These questions lead me into dog training, and eventually specializing in canine anxiety and puppy development.  Prevent, and fix.

Now, almost 20 years later, I succeed in helping thousands of dog parents build happy, long-lasting relationships with their dogs using only humane, kind, and positive dog training methods. I am devoted to helping dogs, and their guardians, live together in health and harmony. I volunteer at both local and national rescue groups providing a variety of pro-bono services. 

On a global level, I provide online dog training services via phone and internet. I also provide a dog training seminars globally.  I offer professional staff training and other pet industry training services and even weekend dog retreats and camps.  Ive authored 3 dog behavior books....and counting.

variety of dog workshops, dog behavior lectures, and

I consider myself very fortunate to be able to help so many dogs and so many dog parents.  My dog training career can be very stressful at times, but in the end, there are certainly more pros than cons, and more happy endings that not.

Having this recognition as one of the best dog trainers, just fuels my soul to keep on going.  There are many more dogs to save, and owners to educate about the use of positive, effective, and sound dog training.  Thanks to everyone for their support, and I look forward to the next 4 decades!

Do you need extra dog training help?  I offer in-person,  phone consultations, weekend dog retreats and public seminars.  Contact me today for details.

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

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Kids Dogs Part One Walking The Dog

This will likely be an ongoing topic since there are so many nuances on how kids & dogs should interact, be actively supervised by adults & safe games for kids and dogs to play together.  I already wrote an article on How Kids Should Greet Dogs, so please check that out.  Plus another article Please Dont Stare which are two other good topics when teaching kids to be safe around dogs.

I will say once again, that two of my personal favoritethings in life are dogs & kids.  Over my last 16 years working professionally with families & dogs I have truly enjoyed working with these two fun & living souls.  But that does not mean they arent challenging!

Primary Focus On Her Dog

Todays post was sparked by my recent (10 minutes ago) walk with my own dog Dexter.  While Dexter and I were casually strolling our neighborhood, we saw 3 young children (guessing first grade) walking a 25lb or so dog.  I proceeded to start to give them more distance as I always do for dogs I dont know & as they approached, I could see the one girl grip the leash tighter.  As we passed she said how her dog doesnt like other dogs & growls & barks at them.  Thankfully Dexter tends to be so neutral that a lot of dogs do not respond to him & their dog just walked past like we werent even there.

Wow!  My mind was just in overdrive as Dexter & I continued to walk home.  There are so many things with this scenario that makes my hair stand on end.  So lets breakdown the idea of kids walking dogs WITHOUT an adult with them.

At what age should a child be allowed to take the family dog for a walk without an adult?  As you can imagine there is not a gold standard in age.  But I wouldnt even consider a child under 12 to take a dog for a walk without an adult.  There needs to be some social maturity holding that leash.  Then I would look at a few key factors before making a decision.  You should be able to answer YES to all the questions below without any hesitation.

v     Does the child respect & always treat the dog kindly?

v     Will the child be able to handle the dog if he does get excited?

v     Will the child prioritize the dogs needs above their own?

v     Does your child know to pick up the dogs poo?

What about the dogs behavior & personality?  Once you have come to the conclusion that your

Photos Courtesy of Kelly Chalfant

child is mature enough to walk a dog without an adult, we need to look at the dogs personality & behavior to see if he is a suitable candidate.  You should be able to answer YES to all the questions below without any hesitation.

v     Is the dog well behaved in public & on a leash?

v     Does the dog pretty much ignore small critters such as bunnies, cats, & squirrels? 

v     Does the dog care less about passing traffic, noises & booms?

v     Does the dog listen well to the child?

v     Is the dog friendly with all strangers, but not too overly excited?

v     Does he ignore other dogs?

Where will your child be walking the family dog?  Even if your child is mature & your dog is low key & responsive to your child, the environment can play a huge factor in your decision making.  I am sad to report that I know a handful of children who where appropriate & their dog was appropriate whos dogs were attacked by other off leash dogs.  This is so terribly upsetting to me on so many levels.  Yes, I did write an article on What To Do If You Run Into An Off Leash Dog, one of my most popular articles to date, which unfortunately says a lot.

This is something  you really should think long & hard about.  As a parent you are making a decision for your child that could affect the rest of their life both emotionally & possibly physically if anything should go wrong.  I would like to say it doesnt happen that often, or only happens in "bad neighborhoods" but in my personal experience that has not been the case.

So now what?  I know I am not a parent to a human child, but I have been working with parents, their children & dogs for quite some time now to have a good grasp on what is safe behavior & what is risky behavior.  Im not a risk taker when it comes to people or dogs in my care.  So what this means to me is that I would urge you to walk WITH  your children & dogs as a family outing.  This is a wonderful time to bond with your children & to continue to teach them life lessons on dogs & dog responsibility.  Leave the ultimate responsibility of your dog & children in your hands not theirs.  

Enjoy your family & get out walking!

Need some extra help?  I offer both in person & online, web, video instruction!

Please feel free to contact me for details.

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

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One of Australias up coming XC riders

This is what I saw when I looked over my shoulder!

I was going for a smash session around Bunya this morning & looked over my shoulder to see this little dude wheel sucking! It didnt take me long to recognise him as a podium finisher at the junior, short course race that Tailwind Promotions ran in conjunction with their Merida 24 hour. Ty (Tear Their Legs Off) Powell

Needless to say I had to stop & have a breather. Ty pulled over & I asked if I was ok. What an opportunity. "Can I get a photo with you Ty so that everyone will believe I went for a ride with a legend?" After a telling me I should "Toughen up princess & keep riding!" he agreed to a photo.

After the photo opportunity, Ty gave me a few pointers on how to attack on the climbs & suggested I read the Jaman book of tactics if I wanted to learn how to rip legs off other riders.

Thanks Ty!

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