Many of you probably landed here because you’re a new dog parent and are a little confused about how much exercise your dog needs everyday. Some of you may just want to compare notes to see if you’re on the right track. And there is another group. You’re fully aware that you’re not giving your dog enough exercise, indicated by yet another pair of your favorite shoes left chewed up in the corner of a room.
So fortunately for you, I will have something of value to offer everyone.
There is no cut and dry answer to this question. But the bright side is that it’s not that complicated either. Here at The Dog Care Guide, we want to offer you sustainable tips for providing care for your beloved pups.
So even if you are the dog parent of a high energy working dog, don’t worry, I won’t suggest that you run five miles a day to meet your dog’s exercise needs.
Because that’s not sustainable unless you’re an athlete, and it’s apart of your daily routine. And running long distances may not be healthy for your dog. Also some dogs have boundless energy so they often require more than just physical exercise.
So skip the exercise calculator and breed exercise charts. A computer can’t determine how much exercise your dog needs. But you and your vet can.
So continue reading as we explore how you can determine how much exercise your dog needs and a simple way to implement a workout into your dog’s daily routine.
The founder of The Dog Care Guide, and Dog Mom. Also a lover of delicious food, a good laugh, and traveling, including via electric scooter around NYC!
Or, if you missed part one, I would suggest that you check out part one here. Part one lays the foundation for understanding the dog’s natural diet, which ultimately makes choosing one so much easier.
Otherwise, let’s get started. At this point, you should have already ordered or conducted your Embark Breed + Health Kit and are awaiting the results.
Again, taking the test will inform you of any potential health risks that your dog may be predisposed to. And sharing the results with your vet will help you determine the best appropriate care for your dog, including what kinds of foods may or may not be suitable for your dog.
With that in mind, let’s dive right in and learn about what’s one of the best kinds of diets for dogs on the market today.
The founder of The Dog Care Guide, and Dog Mom. Also a lover of delicious food, a good laugh, and traveling, including via electric scooter around NYC!
I don’t think people hear themselves when they ask that question. And while there is some subtle judgment implied along with it, I try not to judge the inquirer back.
But sometimes I carry on an inner dialogue that goes a little something like:
So yes, we’ve been feeding our dog Mina “real food,” “human food,” or “people food,” as many refer to it, and proudly so.
We recently purchased an Embark Dog DNA Breed + Health kit, which cleared Mina of all 181 conditions common for her breed. And she’s 11 years old.
She also gets rave reviews after every vet visit. Mainly for her shiny coat of hair and her pearly whites. She’s a true and blue “people food” eater, or “real food” as I like to call it.
And I think the care that we provide for our girl speaks for itself. And the foundation for exceptional health begins with a balanced nutrient-dense diet.
So in short, the answer to the question is yes, it is okay to feed your dog “people food.” But the key is to understand why it’s okay and how to do it properly.
In this post, I will share a few key concepts with you, including:
These concepts will lay the groundwork for helping you to understand what to consider when selecting a diet for your dog.
The founder of The Dog Care Guide, and Dog Mom. Also a lover of delicious food, a good laugh, and traveling, including via electric scooter around NYC!
Is that a puppy Greyhound or an Italian Greyhound? Are those Cairns? I’ve never seen them with all-black faces before! In my line of work, I get questions like these daily.
I can barely get down the street without being stopped by someone who wants to say hello (to the dog) and inquire about their breed. And now, more than ever, pet parents and aficionados want to know what’s the genetics behind these cute and impressive looking dogs.
And with the plethora of DNA tests for dogs on the market, the answers are just a few clicks away. However, some may argue –what’s the point?
So in this post, I’ll provide you with some insight into the tremendous value that DNA tests for dogs can offer you as a dog parent. I will also share with you what’s one of the best DNA tests for dogs out there on the market today.
The founder of The Dog Care Guide, and Dog Mom. Also a lover of delicious food, a good laugh, and traveling, including via electric scooter around NYC!
When it comes to deciding to adopt a dog, there are mainly two points of contention to explore. The first is whether or not you’re a good fit for dog parenting. The second is to determine if your dog of interest is a good fit for your temperament and lifestyle. The first point (if you’re a good fit) is of vital importance because it naturally precedes your choosing a potential dog. It also requires much more analysis.
Failing to thoroughly assess your fitness for dog parenting often results in your regretting the decision to get the dog, your lack of providing quality care, and finally, the relinquishing of your dog to a dog shelter, or worse, a friend or family member.
I say worse because when you give someone a dog that you adopted, these second-hand pet parents have higher rates statistically for returning pets to shelters. And it naturally makes sense because they weren’t the ones who initially wanted to adopt a dog in the first place.
Of course, this is not the case for all second-hand pet parents. Especially if they were actively looking to adopt a pet, and took advantage of the opportunity to choose your lovely dog.
I’m talking about when someone convinces a friend or relative who otherwise had no interest in adopting a dog to take on their dog. Sure, this may help the person feel better since they did not return the dog to the shelter. But It fails to consider if it was a good idea for their friend or relative to take on this responsibility.
I believe it’s best to do your due diligence before you decide to adopt so that no one returns a dog that needs a home back to a shelter.
So the goal of this post is to help you avoid becoming one of these statistics at all costs! As we drill down through the questions, by the end you will be able to confidently conclude whether becoming a dog parent makes sense for you.
The founder of The Dog Care Guide, and Dog Mom. Also a lover of delicious food, a good laugh, and traveling, including via electric scooter around NYC!
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