I adopted a puppy five days ago. I have to admit it was fun starting a new adventure!

On our first day together, this beautiful three-year-old girl recently named Tonza pointed out something to me: how strongly expectations will influence a new relationship, any new relationship.

When adopting a new pet, one may have some preconceived expectations about their new best friend and companion. I know I did! Typical expectations that people may have of a new dog include:

• Instantly become friends with the new partner.
• Develop immediate mutual loyalty and trust.
• Expect the dog to meet certain standards of behavior.
• To start enjoying sharing the good times, start when you leave the animal shelter.
Along the way, these are reasonable expectations.

But every dog, like you and me and every other human being, is different with its own characteristics, circumstances, and provisions. Each will react differently to the same environment and situation. Each person or animal has a different past, full of baggage and challenges. The bottom line is that your new friend has to learn to live with you just as much as you have to learn to live with him. As in any relationship, you will find that at some times your expectations are exceeded while at other times they are not fully met.

It is interesting to note that human relations experts say that the biggest problem in any relationship today is expectations. Whether it’s a romantic, friendship, or professional relationship, we often wait too long too fast. And that can spell disaster.

So how can you avoid waiting too soon? How do you know when to hold on and when to let go? Experts say it all comes down to a few old-fashioned statutes:

1. Don’t rush, but let the relationship slowly deepen.
2. Be open to those who don’t fit your “ideal” without sacrificing your standards.
3. Think about what you bring to the relationship, not what you get out of it.
4. Solve the problems to have a stronger relationship in the end.
5. Be patient!

Managing your expectations will free you from getting caught up in heartbreak, frustration, and heartbreak. Relationships don’t always go as planned, but if we can learn to cope with our expectations, we can learn to make the most of every relationship around us.

I am very grateful for this reminder from my new partner Tonza about expectations. I hope to have more learning moments with him.

What is the most memorable lesson your pet has taught you?

Puggles are a relatively new breed and whenever you are looking for Puggle puppies for sale, you will likely find something different each time. Although this breed of dog has only been around for a little over ten years, not much is known about the first Puggle that was created or where it was raised. There were probably some Puggles made back in the day that were only considered stray dogs, but today we consider that a mix of a purebred Pug and a purebred Beagle is known as a Puggle. There is a bit of history about Puggles that some people know about. First of all, we know that they originated somewhere in America because the first Puggle litter was established in Wisconsin by a breeder who goes by the name of Wallace Havens. This was the first man who decided to establish a place where he would have Puggle puppies for sale, and he is also credited with giving the breed the name “Puggle”.

There are a few different ways to create a Puggle. The first and most common way is to take a male Pug and a female Beagle to create a Puggle. This is known as the true way to create a Puggle. If someone wants the specific characteristics of a Pug or Beagle to be more prevalent in their specific Puggle, they can breed a Pug or Beagle with an existing Puggle. For example, if you wanted your Puggles to look more like a Pug, you would breed a Pug with a Puggle. This would make the Pug the dominant gene source in new Puggle puppies for sale.

The last way to create a Puggle is to breed two existing Puggles with each other. This is not actually done very often because combining a Pug and a Beagle tends to create a dog with better overall health than mixing two Puggles. This is a common occurrence that has been noticed by breeders. Hybrid dogs generally seem to be in better overall health, so mixing a Pug parent with a Beagle mother is more prevalent than mixing two Puggles together. When looking for different Puggle puppies for sale, you should ask how the Puggles you are looking at were raised.

Although they are not a purebred dog, Puggles will generally sell for more than a Pug or Beagle. This is because Puggles are known as designer dogs and they are quite unique in the pet world. Not many Puggles are raised compared to Beagles and Pugs, so there are fewer for everyone. The demand for Puggles seems to be increasing as more and more people are looking for unique pets that not many other people have.

Many owners think that the kennel training puppy is unfair, mean and cruel. The terms “puppy kennel trainer” and “training a puppy in a crate” are synonymous and simply mean teaching and conditioning a puppy to sleep or wait safely in a cage, such as in a burrow. The truth is, puppy crate training can help both the puppy and the owner. It’s a great solution to dog separation anxiety, helps with puppy potty training, and certainly helps prevent damage during the puppy’s chewing phase.

In the wild, dogs and wolves live in personally dug dens more often than in caves. The area has space for members of the pack to enter and for each individual to have an assigned place to sleep. There is little space, but the animals are safe and fearless. It is your place of refuge and rest!

One of the things that makes puppy training more difficult is that dogs naturally sleep together, not alone. Litter separation is therefore difficult for a puppy. Then when you, your new pack leader, leave her alone for a long time or a short time, it can cause more feelings of separation anxiety. A place of safety is a key to solving this.

I was well aware of these issues before buying my 8 week old Labrador Retriever puppy. I decided before bringing her home that puppy training would be necessary until I could trust her alone in the house. So I bought a dog cage and a simple wool blanket liner.

When I first brought my puppy inside, I only allowed him to smell the areas of the house where he would initially be kept. Until she had clearly completed her puppy’s potty training, she wasn’t going to be on the loose in the house. It certainly wouldn’t be unsupervised either until after the puppy’s chewing phase was past.

I left three of the puppy’s favorite toys in the kennel. Two or three toys is the correct number for comfort and to reduce boredom, but more than that causes confusion and increases anxiety. At the front of the cage I placed a sturdy container with fresh water.

I covered the top, back, and three sides of the kennel with a folded, lightweight cotton quilt to make it feel comfortable and secure, like a den. Your “safe place”. (As a bonus, that also made it more attractive around the house.) You can use any sheet, beach towel, cloth, or buy a kennel cover. There are some impressive box accessories, covers and liners on the market, including some insulated for colder climates.

I put my little lab in his puppy crate the first night. For three days, she cried when they left her alone there. After that, however, it only woke me up when I had the urge to urinate or urinate. Then I quickly pulled her out and placed her on the grass to do her own thing. That made puppy house training a piece of cake, and we only had two or three accidents in the house, ever!

The way you do things is as critical as the act itself. I was very careful to put my puppy in the cage with nonchalance, not with hugs and kisses. The more accurate you are, the easier it is to get what you want from a dog.

The most important thing to remember is not to let your puppy get out of the dog crate when he is crying (unless, of course, he has a real need to leave). She must have limits from the beginning. Limits give you security and limits give you the respect and control you need as Owner and Master, your “Leader of the Pack.”

Crate training a puppy can be a bit bumpy at first, but it sure goes a long way: reducing dog separation anxiety, puppy chewing, puppy potty training, protecting your home , and much more! So give your cuddly the comfort and security he wants and needs. Give it a “safe haven” of its own. You will learn to love him and run to him as if to proclaim: “It’s MY lair!”

Even the cleanest and seemingly safest home or apartment can lurk a threat to your dog’s health. There are many common household items that we all keep that can be a threat to your dog, either making him sick or killing him.

Did you know that an environmental toxin could be any substance found outside of an animal’s body and, if ingested or otherwise exposed, can cause a harmful biological change?

We live in a world that we try to go “green” and yet many of our homes are full of things that can harm our dogs.

Did you know that secondhand cigarette smoke can cause cancer in dogs? Rotten food found in a trash can has the potential to cause illness or fatality.

The substances found in a home that can become a lethal threat range from insecticides and contaminated water that pollutes the environment to a host of other things that seem small and insignificant.

I hope this article opens the eyes of readers in some way and possibly prevents a dog or other pet from having to suffer illness or die.

Dogs, as you know, are one of the most curious household pets, a monkey may be more curious, but when it comes to putting things in their mouths, I think dogs have all other creatures beaten.

Since a dog has no hands to figure things out, his first choice is his mouth and whether it tastes good or not, he gets into his mouth. I have never read anywhere that dogs are gourmet eaters. It seems that their philosophy is that, if possible, it can be chewed and / or swallowed. The problem with this philosophy is that toxins in objects can cause illness and / or objects can cause serious obstructions within the dog’s body.

So what should a dog owner do? First of all, there are some simple rules to follow that will prevent some accidents from happening. Especially if you have a puppy or dog that loves to chew, keep small things out of your dog’s reach. Things like small rubber balls, jewelry, medicine bottles of all kinds (glass or plastic), ant or mouse poison containers, household cleaners, live wires lying on the floor that can be chewed, containers with insecticides, fertilizers, liquids of automobiles such as antifreeze, power steering fluid and the like. Anything you don’t think you would like to swallow, consider it a “no-no” for your dog.

There are many foods that can cause a toxic reaction in a dog:

– Alcohol, in addition to causing intoxication, can cause a coma or even be fatal.

– Avocados: a fatty acid found in avocado leaves, fruits, seeds and rind called “persin” can cause shortness of breath, abnormal accumulations of fluid in the chest, abdomen and the sac that surrounds the heart.

– Chocolate: this and any product related to chocolate, such as cocoa powder, cocoa beans, cocoa mulch, are very dangerous for dogs. These products contain caffeine and theobromine, both of which are nervous system stimulants, and since dogs metabolize theobromine more slowly than humans, it can cause a multitude of problems, including death. Dark chocolate has the highest concentration.

– Coffee, tea and cola: they contain caffeine and can cause caffeine toxicity, in addition tea and cola contain theobromine.

– Grapes and raisins – they are highly toxic to dogs – we do not know the toxic component, but eating large amounts can cause kidney damage or failure.

– Macadamia nuts: another toxic mystery, but a dangerous food for dogs, it can cause depression, hyperthermia, weakness, muscle stiffness, tremors and increased heart rate.

– Mushrooms: contain toxins that can be fatal if ingested by a dog.

– Nutmeg – I did not know this would affect a dog, but it is on the list of very dangerous foods for dogs, and if a dog eats enough it can be fatal. I don’t know what is enough, so keep it away from your dog.

– Onions and garlic: It is not known how many onions or garlic a dog (or cat) should consume, but they are considered dangerous because they contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can break down red blood cells and cause anemia. According to what I have read, consumed in large quantities can result in severe anemia and even death, if not treated by your veterinarian.

– Xylitol: This is a sugar substitute found in some chewing gums and sugar-free candies that is extremely harmful to dogs. If a dog eats enough candy, it can cause life-threatening low blood sugar, loss of coordination, depression, liver damage, collapse, and seizures.

Yeast Dough: Rising yeast dough can cause gas to build up in a pet’s digestive system, causing the stomach or intestines to rupture. Do not feed your dog raw dough that contains yeast. Once cooked, a small amount of bread or muffins is fine for your pet.

Some plants are also very toxic to dogs. Puppies are often the most curious, but dogs that love to dig can get in trouble too.

The following plants generally cause the same amount of problems and these are the symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, depression, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, drooling, tremors, seizures, and an upset stomach.

Amaryllis, Azaleas, Autumn Crocus. Christmas pine needles, chrysanthemum bulbs, cyclamen, daffodils, some ivy, holly, kalanchoe and lilies, sago palms, oleander, poinsettia, tulip and daffodil are the most common found in our gardens. However, the castor oil plant contains a highly toxic protein and one bean can kill a human and four beans can kill a horse, so I would remove my garden from such a plant just to be safe. If a bean can kill one of us, I’d bet a serious bite from a puppy or dog could be lethal.

Also new to the garden circle is the cocoa bean mulch that smells like chocolate, the dogs are drawn to it and eat it. It can cause a lot of trouble including death, stick to our regular mulch to be safe.

Do not allow your dog to swim in standing water or in any water that you are not sure is free from contamination.

Dogs are like children, they are very curious and are attracted to things because they smell good. If it smells good, it must taste good and that’s where the problem lies.

All dogs are at risk when it comes to chewing or swallowing a toxic or obstructive object, especially old dogs and young puppies. It is a good idea to make your home “baby proof” by keeping things out of your dog’s reach, and when you are outdoors, a careful look can prevent mishaps.

Invest in an emergency first aid kit for your dog. Must contain:

– a new bottle of hydrogen peroxide (3%) to induce vomiting

– a turkey syringe or a large syringe to administer the peroxide into the dog’s mouth

– saline solution for the eyes

– artificial tear gel to lubricate the eyes after rinsing

– forceps (tweezers) to remove stingers

– a muzzle to protect against bites induced by fear or arousal

– Mild dishwashing liquid that cuts grease to bathe the skin after any contamination.

– a can of your pet’s favorite wet food

– a pet carrier

Keep your vet’s phone number close to your phone and also keep the ASPCA poison control number at 888-426-4435 (there is a charge for this service). The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website has an alphabetical list of the most common plants, with information about their safety.

If at any time you think your pet has ingested a toxic substance, call your veterinarian immediately. Time is of the essence and the life you save will be that of your pet.

Most everyone will agree that small dogs make excellent companions. Most of us would also agree that we don’t want the little animal to bark at us when it visits us or jump into our laps as soon as we sit down. Small dogs need both obedience and behavior training just as much as larger dogs.

When I was little, I don’t remember anyone who had a small dog. All the dogs I remember were medium or large-sized animals that lived outside. We did not have domestic dogs. I don’t remember a time when my mother let a dog into the house. Most of the dogs defended themselves and stayed for human company. When we were children, we would play with them and sometimes share our food with them, but they were not allowed into the house.

Over the years, our dogs have become valuable members of the family, sharing the home and sometimes even our beds. I have also noticed that over the years our dogs have gotten smaller. First with a dachshund, then a toy poodle, and finally a Lhasa mix. There seems to be a trend towards small breeds that do nothing more than provide companionship. But the fact is, regardless of the size of the dog, training is important to making them likeable members of the family.

Each breed of dog is unique and will have characteristics that will become challenging when you try to train, breed and train your dog. It is fortunate that dogs of a common size will tend to have similar behavioral characteristics and habits that you can study and learn to facilitate training your small dog.

Training small dogs is not an easy task and many people who adopt small dogs ignore any type of training and the animal learns by trial and error what is expected of them. Usually bad behavior is punished and the animal becomes confused and sometimes even shows signs of fear. Sometimes small dogs are adopted based on the misconception that smaller dogs will be easier to treat. They are still growing and need training to become acceptable adult dogs.

Small dog breeds or toy dog ​​breeds including Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, and Lhasa Apsos have become very popular because they are small and most long for human companionship. They are always eager to please their humans and are always glad to see you when you come home. But small dog breeds can be stubborn, intelligent, and mischievous, and these traits can make them an even greater training challenge for a non-professional trainer.

Another trait that small dogs have is the inherent nature of compensating for their small stature by being overly aggressive and suspicious. Everyone has seen an overly aggressive Chihuahuas or small Pomeranian lose their minds in some situation that would cause a larger dog to just stare at them. This high intensity reaction to a situation can make it difficult for smaller breeds to train. Having a relaxed and calm small dog is essential to getting them to obey your commands and obedience training is necessary to keep some of them calm.

Small and toy dog ​​breeds are often very alert, intelligent, and aware of their surroundings. But as with all dogs, training these little ones requires patience and perseverance. You must be firm and consistent in your orders and avoid letting the cute little guy run the show. But once your little dog is properly trained and has the idea that you are the boss, you will have a faithful friend for life.

If you knew more about what raising a puppy or dog entails and the benefits it brings, would that be something you would consider? The primary goal of parenting is to temporarily house and prepare a puppy or dog for adoption. As with everything in life, there are pros and cons.

Decisions must be made before committing to raising an animal. Are you willing to make and keep the promise of time, energy, patience, and love? What do you prefer, a puppy or an older dog? Do you know the responsibilities associated with that decision? Do you know that some animals in foster care can have behavioral problems?

What race, mix, age, size, or gender would you be most comfortable with? Are you willing to bring an older dog? Would you consider a puppy or dog with a disability or health problem?

How does your family feel about parenting? If you have a pet, how would you react if another animal moved into your territory? Remember, everyone should feel comfortable with this decision.

For how long are you willing to commit? Some adoptees prefer short-term commitments. Others, for as long as necessary. Would you be able to give up the animal, especially knowing that it would go to a loving home? Would you be willing to adopt your adoptive, if his destiny is not a forever home?

There will be changes in your routine; most likely for the better. You will do more exercise!

You may have to provide the food. There are bailouts that occasionally help with food costs.

The most common complaint heard is how attached an adoptive has become to their animal. This is usually done with less experienced foster children. Those who have done it before have an easier time “letting go”. They are happy that their upbringing has found a loving family, a forever home. There is also another side to the attachment complaint. It is not unusual for the foster parent to decide to stay with his ward. They are all winners!

Most shelter dogs are medium or larger in size and / or mixed breeds. If there is a specific breed you prefer, check with rescues for that breed. They are overloaded and are also looking for foster homes.

Some of the animals in rescues and shelters have health problems, disabilities, or behavior problems. Would this be a problem for you? There are servants who prefer to take care of the tender and loving care of an elderly or terminally ill animal. They want to offer them the best quality of life, in the little time that they have left. They are undoubtedly extraordinary people. Congratulations to them!

The animal you breed may require basic obedience or housebreaking training. Are you willing to invest the time necessary to make them more adoptable?

You will most likely have to pass a background check and a home inspection. It is gratifying to know that you have met shelter or rescue standards and are eligible to provide a temporary home.

Most shelters / rescues will take care of necessary medication and veterinary expenses. Surprisingly, there is parenting that absorbs those expenses as part of its responsibilities. They deserve congratulations too!

By welcoming, you will be a less destroyed animal, creating a vacancy for the shelter / rescue to offer another puppy or dog a roof over their head and food on their belly, until they find their forever home.

Bottom line. You will earn the unconditional love and appreciation of the animal to whom you have opened your heart and home, however long it may be. You will have the gratifying feeling of saving at least one puppy or dog, of being destroyed simply because there are so many out there who need our help.

Buying a puppy or dog from rescue centers shows humanity and a true dog lover. However, buying a puppy or dog from a breeder is a personal choice. A breeder in the true sense is one who loves dogs and breeds them solely to earn money. A responsible breeder will be more concerned with the welfare of a puppy than with making money.

When you start looking for a good breeder, you are looking for a good breed of puppy. Although it may take a long time, you will be satisfied with the end results when you have a loving and playful companion at home.

Generally, people looking for purebred dogs are the ones who buy a puppy from a breeder. A purebred puppy must meet the following requirements:

• The puppy must have three or more family generations.
• The first two generations must be free of any disorder.
• OFA must have certified hips and elbows from both parents
• The eyes must be CERFed certified and must not have any genetic disorder.
• Certificate showing good characteristics and background and is covered by some warranty schemes.
• Provision of replacement dog in case any unsatisfactory result is found
• Adequate information on grooming and care.
• Behavior and temperament must match the breeder’s words at the time of purchase.
• A social puppy that adapts easily to the environment.
• A mentor who could help and assist you, if agreed by the breeder.

So there are many advantages to buying a puppy from a breeder. You get a purebred dog and also one that fits your lifestyle. In addition, you will get all the necessary help to raise the puppy in the initial stages. Above all, you will have a faithful and loyal friend for the rest of your life.

First of all, it’s not really a yorkie chewing problem. It is your Yorkshire terrier instinct to chew what is natural for them. They are not doing it to annoy you, but because it is normal for them. Like when a baby wants to put everything in his mouth. Make sure you never hit or severely punish your Yorkie for doing what comes naturally to him.

What you, as a teacher, should do is teach the Yorkie what is okay to chew and what is not. By providing your puppy with many varieties of chew toys (be sure to stay away from sharp ones), you are incorporating ways in which he will understand what is right to chew on and what is not. When your yorkie has chewed on the ends of his chew toys, they should be discarded. Don’t swap your puppy with cheap chew toys. They will easily break or chew in a matter of days.

There are also ropes that are designed for your pup to chew on, but watch them carefully as they are destroyed, you don’t want your yorkie to drown, take them as soon as you see the signs. Having a chew toy on hand at all times will allow you to quickly correct when you chew on something you are not supposed to do. Firmly tell your puppy “NO” and proceed to give him his chew toy. Reward him when he starts chewing on his chew toy with a treat, or praise him.

If your puppy likes to bite you or the kids in the middle of a play session, immediately pause all play and say ouch! In your mind, you should begin to learn that biting is not acceptable. Some dog chewing problems can be easily corrected with just the right intelligence. Keep items like shoes in locked cabinets, all children’s toys in the trunk, books, and other items should be kept out of the puppy’s reach. If you see a tempting item that your puppy likes, take the appropriate action.

Praising and rewarding your puppy will help to better understand what not to chew and what to chew on. You will start to wonder where your goodies and good guys are when you are chewing on the corner of the couch and you will understand that it is wrong.

It is one thing to teach your children not to roughly play with their favorite picture hanging in your home, but it would probably be much more difficult to teach your pets the same. Even the most educated dog does not know the value of a painting and accidents can happen.

Just look at this painting below. While a man and a woman were remaking the interior of their house, they took out their painting and left it on the floor for a second. In that second that the painting was lying on the ground, his dog walked by, and without knowing what it was, he stepped on the painting, creating this huge tear!

The poor dog didn’t know any better, but this unfortunate accident could have been prevented. With any type of pet in the house (cats, dogs, birds) you should always be more cautious! These are just a few tips to follow to prevent a similar type of disaster from happening in your home.

Thinking ahead! Placing it in a location that exposes the art, antiques, collectibles, or relic to danger is a bad bet.

Pets, skateboards, balls … while you’re standing there, it might be watched, but when does the phone ring and you’re distracted?

Use a piece of cardboard or somehow create a temporary protective barrier.

One of the big mistakes this couple made was putting their painting on the floor. When setting a painting aside, you never want to leave it lying on the ground, vulnerable to people’s feet, sliding furniture, or walking dogs. If you are only setting your piece aside for a short period of time, be sure to prop it up against something sturdy. It is a good idea to rest it on a piece of cardboard and put another piece of cardboard against the back as well. This will help prevent your feet from hitting and breaking the mat. However, even with these precautions, you should keep your painting in a low-traffic area, just to be safe.
Accidental stepping or kicking is not the only cause of rips and tears in paint. Another thing to watch out for is the way you hang your painting! If it is not hung properly and sturdy, your child or your dog or even you could crash into the wall and cause a disaster. If the cables are not positioned correctly, they can also break the paint. Here are some things to remember when hanging a painting on a wall:
-Quality large eye hangers that hold the wire.
-Thick wire, preferably plastic coated
-A nail in the wall hits a stud. Otherwise, use a multi-nail hanger made for drywall.
-Use the largest hanger possible
-Use Museum Wax on the bottom two corners to anchor the painting against the wall so it doesn’t “jump” off the hook when things start to shake.

Following these tips will not guarantee that your paint will not break in any situation, but following them will greatly reduce the chances of a similar accident occurring. Accidents happen at any time in the most random way, that’s why they are called accidents! While you can’t always prevent them from happening, being cautious will help the amount of damage and cost resulting from them.

To see more ways you can save your stuff, search the YouTube channel.

How we repair a torn fine art painting: Search “Repair a torn painting, Los Angeles,

PS: Birds can be loud too!

The philosophy behind the use of BARF is that the diet that a dog or cat evolved to eat, over many millions of years of evolution, is the best way to feed it. If you want to feed your dog BARF, it means not feeding your dog cooked or processed food. That is, do not feed your dog a diet based on cooked cereals. Artificial grain-based dog foods are claimed to cause countless health problems.

A raw diet is believed to improve nutritional value. The intense heat used to process commercial pet food reduces the nutrients. Studies with rats showed that the digestibility of amino acids in cat food changes significantly by thermal processing. Taurine, an essential amino acid for cats, is reduced or eliminated in thermal processing. Pet food manufacturers must add taurine supplements to cat food, which Barf advocates say is generally unnecessary on a raw diet. Some raw feeders believe that the supplements have reduced nutritional value compared to the same nutrients in raw foods. Some raw diets, however, include supplements like fish oil, vitamin C, and apple cider vinegar, among others.

To quote the UK Barf Club (which appears to be industry sponsored by Natures Menu, so not necessarily unbiased!) ‘Dogs and cats in the wild lived on whole corpses, including internal organs and stomach contents that usually contains ground, partially digested vegetation that contains essential nutrients …. A BARF feeding diet is the closest to nature that we can get with the right combination for your pets to live a happier and healthier life. ‘

Dr. Billinghurst himself has written ‘”BARF is about properly feeding dogs. The goal of BARF is to maximize the health, longevity and reproductive capacity of dogs and, in doing so, minimize the need for veterinary intervention. How to properly feed a dog? You feed it the diet that evolved to eat … Artificial grain-based dog foods cause countless health problems. They are not what your dog was programmed to eat during its long process of evolution. A biologically appropriate diet for a dog is one that consists of raw whole foods similar to those eaten by wild ancestors of dogs. The foods should contain the same balance and type of ingredients as those consumed by those ancestors These foods will include things like muscle meat, bone, fat, organ meat and plant materials and any other foods that mimic what they ate those wild ancestors. “

A pet on a Barf diet will eat as varied a raw diet as possible, with lots of raw meaty bones, for example chicken wings, chicken necks, rabbit, oxtail, minced meat, lamb thighs, eggs and their shells, liver, heart, fish, yogurt, vegetables (pulped), fruit, garlic, etc.

Health benefits are claimed for this type of diet:

• Reduction of dog odor.
• Clean teeth naturally, no need for toothbrushes, descaling work, helps prevent gum disease.
• The time it takes for a dog to chew on raw meaty bones gives the stomach time for acids to move.
• Produces firmer stools with reduced quantity.
• May reduce vet bills (healthier dogs)
• Economical to feed compared to commercial dog food.
• It reflects what nature intended them to eat in the wild.
• Puppies develop at a more suitable rate and fast-growing shoots are avoided. A GOOD breeder will want to stop the rapid growth of any puppy.
• The ripping and chewing that involves eating raw meaty bones builds the muscles in a dog’s jaw, neck, and shoulders.
• Better weight control that helps reduce the symptoms of arthritis and obesity.

There are plenty of tips on the web about feeding puppies, kittens, and adult pets a raw food diet (a Google search for BARF returned 4 million references) if this is something you are interested in.

However, it would appear that neither the American Veterinary Association nor the British Veterinary Association endorses the health benefits of raw foods. Both organizations warn that animals fed raw meat are at risk for foodborne illness. The BVA states that “there is no scientific evidence base to support eating raw meat and bones” and warns humans that they are at risk of exposure to bacteria such as salmonella. “

There is also the concern of providing a complete diet by eating this way. Commercial diets contain vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure they are provided in the correct amounts; a raw diet is more complicated in this regard and human vitamin supplements are not appropriate for dogs.

Veterinarian John Burns has written a critique of the BARF diet and ends with this comment: “I suspect that any claimed success for the raw food system is due to a much more mundane explanation than its grandiose but flawed philosophy. This is that any benefit is due to avoiding ingredients that cause food intolerance.

My main criticism of the BARF philosophy is its self-righteousness.

BARFism proposes a flawed theory with a certainty that can be compared to religious fundamentalism; does not tolerate dissent. He advocates a system that is not practical and does not fit well into the lifestyle of today’s society, denying the possibility of alternatives, thus condemning most pet owners to feelings of inadequacy for not following his teachings. ‘