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"I thought my dog was healthy and looking good… until I started feeding Pro Pac."
 
  
 
  
 
 This is the reaction we hear all the time from pet owners who have moved their dog onto Pro Pac food.

• coats become much shinier and softer
• skin problems, rashes, redness and allergies all disappear
• that offensive 'doggy smell' goes
• stools are smaller and firmer
• dogs develop greater agility (especially older dogs)
• weight becomes normalised and easier to control.
• dogs develop a calmer, happier nature

So what is it that causes such an improvement in so many dogs? What is Pro Pac's "secret" that has made it one of the fastest growing pet foods in history, without a huge marketing and promotion budget?

It comes down to one word: ingredients.The things you feed your dog are going to have a far greater impact on its health than anything else. The healthier the ingredients of what it eats, the healthier the dog. And the happier too!
The quality of Pro Pac - and the effect on dogs - is becoming more and more recognised around the world. In fact, several other pet companies, including Hill's Science Diet and Eukanuba, have recently changed their formulas to be more in line with Pro Pac which highlights even more the leadership Pro Pac has shown in dog nutrition.

Here are just some of the features of Pro Pac that contribute to its superior health benefits:

• High meat concentration. Pro Pac has as much as four times the amount of meat in Pro Pac as other vet and pet shop 'super premium' brands.
• No by-products. By products are all the parts of an animal left after the meat has been removed. Deemed 'unfit for human consumption' they are commonly added because of their cheap cost. Pro Pac refuses to use any by-products. "If it's not good enough for humans, it's not good enough for our pets" is the Pro Pac philosophy.
• Corn or rice as the carbohydrate energy source. Research has shown corn to be possibly the best energy source for dogs and in the form used in Pro Pac is 99% digestible. It's one of the main reasons dogs on Pro Pac have smaller, firmer stools, have more stable energy and have a softer and glossier coat that stands out from other dogs.
• No artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives. Pro Pac is made from totally natural ingredients and because there is such a high concentration of real meat there is no need to bolster the food with flavourings to get the dog to eat it (this is very common amongst low grade foods).

The most common reaction we have from owners who try Pro Pac with their dogs is,
"I wish I'd put my dog onto Pro Pac earlier. I would not have believed what a difference a food could make."To see the benefits of Pro Pac with your dog, order from Petfood Direct at www.petfooddirect.co.nz or call toll free on 0800 DOG FOOD. You will certainly notice the Pro Pac difference.

One of the most common reasons people give for their choice of dog food is because the dog "will eat it" or "likes" it. But this is a very bad idea.
Frankly, this is the worst way to choose a dog food - and you could be harming your dog's health by doing so.

Your response to this is likely to be one of the following:

"Well my dog is fussy - and it has to eat something or it will starve"

"How could the food I use be harming my dog?"

"How do I get my dog to eat something then if it just downright refuses?"

There is a simple answer to each of these, which I will cover here. But firstly, why is it such a bad idea to only feed a dog what it "wants" to eat. Simply put, many dog foods contain poor ingredients that can harm your dog over the short and long term. The include grain wastes, cereals and all sorts of by-products to name just a few. They are a cheap form of bulk that, if you served to a dog in their raw form, you would see just how unappetizing and inedible the stuff actually is. So to make this palatable to the dog, manufacturers use flavorings that can cause all sorts of health problems, both short term and long term.

The food is, in reality "junk food" for dogs.If you find this hard to believe, consider human "junk" food. Would you feed your children a constant diet of burgers, fries, chocolate bars and sugary drinks and expect them to stay healthy? Even if they told you they were the foods they wanted to eat and that they preferred them to vegetables and fruit? "Junk" food is perfectly legal (and some claim to be healthy) but you certainly now that it's harmful in anything other than small doses.
You probably wouldn't have too much of a discussion about it with your children and you wouldn't allow them to only eat junk food. You know what is good for them and they will do what you tell them.

So why aren't people the same with their pets? Why do people get more concerned when their dog seems to be fussier than their children? It all comes down to the 'myths' which pet food companies spend vast amounts of money to perpetrate.When you are considering what food to feed your dog, remember the following:

1. Most dogs are not fussy (yes, that includes yours!). If a dog is being offered a decent food, there is no reason why it should not be palatable and enjoyable to them. Fussy dogs are the result of the attitude and behavior of the owner! We have proven this to be the case with literally dozens of dogs.
2. A dog will not starve itself if food is offered. Dogs are natural scavengers and will (like every other creature on the planet) eat virtually anything to survive. If your dog is going for days about eating it is because you are sending it confusing messages about eating. However, eventually (if you don't give in first!) it is going to eat.
3. The best way to ensure your dog is going to he happy and healthy is to feed it a good food. And the only way to tell a good food? Look at the ingredients. Don't look at the front of the bag, look on the back! Go for a food that has a high meat content, where a named meat is the first stated ingredient, preferably in meal form. Avoid foods with any by-products, wheat, beef, cereals - and of course anything artificial.

Pro Pac and Earthborn Holistic are two greats food with only quality ingredients - very high meat content, and no by products or cheap fillers and waste products. They are foods that you can feel safe are providing the best nutrition possible.

However, if your dog is showing any fussy behavior let us know and we can help. It's almost certainly going to be something in your approach to feeding, not the food itself.For peace of mind with your dog' s health feed Pro Pac or Earthborn Holistic, avaliable from www.petfooddirect.co.nz.

One of the most common problems that dogs suffer from is excessive scratching and biting. Many dogs seem to do this almost constantly. It is not only obviously stressful to the dog, it can be very irritating to the dog owner. It can be annoying to see your dog scratching itself all day!
Unfortunately, it is such a widespread problem that many dog owners have come to see a scratching dog as acceptable, and perhaps even almost normal. However, it is neither natural or normal for a dog to scratch more than just occasionally. Think of yourself: if you were constantly scratching your own skin you would think there was something wrong. It is the same with a dog.

A dog that scratches itself on a regular basis is showing clear signs of a skin irritation. Other ways a skin problem can be expressed are if it licks or bites its paws or rubs itself against surfaces such as a piece of furniture or even the ground. All of these are signs of great discomfort for the dog as it attempts to get rid of the irritation. Of course, the problem is that by scratching, biting, chewing or rubbing it will probably only make the situation worse. That is why it is so important to find the cause of the problem and eliminate it.So what is it that actually causes these skin irritations in the first place? When confronted with the problem, the first thing that most dog owners think of is fleas. It is true that fleas can cause this, but it is actually not one of the major causes by any means. However, it is simple to eliminate fleas as the cause. Simply check the dog's coat and skin carefully with a flea comb (available from most pet shops). If you find any evidence of fleas, including flea excrement, then there are many solutions readily available from a vet or pet store that should eradicate the fleas
However, in most instances of skin problems in dogs, you won't find that fleas are the cause at all. The major cause is going to be some sort of allergy. There are many things that a dog can have an allergic reaction to. It is obviously very important to identify what the specific problem is for your dog and eliminate it from its life.

It's important to realize that because allergies are the main cause of skin problems, simply applying a cream or shampoo is not going to solve the problem. It may alleviate the symptoms for a short while, or even give the dog some temporary relief, but it is not going to eliminate the cause of the issue. It will also cost you unnecessary time and money in vet visits and creams, lotions or shampoos. It's far better to isolate the true cause of the problem. Once identified and eliminated the symptoms will disappear of their own accord.Some of the most common sources of skin allergies in dogs are:

1. Their environment. Is there something that your dog comes in contact with on a regular basis that does not agree with them? It could be something artificial that you have around your home such as air freshener, furniture polish or a household cleaning product. Alternatively, it could be something natural such as a grass or plant or something in the air. If the problem occurs only at a particular time of year (such as spring), it could indicate a pollen or dust allergy, as these are more prevalent at certain times of the year.
2. Their food. There are a huge range of dog foods available on the market these days. Many of these contain ingredients that can cause problems for some dogs. Dogs have a different digestive system to humans and they react to different types of food in different ways. This is why it is very important to be aware of what you are feeding your dog and the affects it may be having.

By a simple process of elimination it should be possible to identify what is really creating the skin irritations that are causing your dog to scratch and bite itself. It may take some time, but your dog will thank you for it.

If you would like more details on a quick and natural method to eliminate your dog's skin problems and stop it from scratching and biting, read renowned dog health consultant Milan Franks' acclaimed book, “The Dog Allergy Cure: The Natural Way to Stop Your Dog Itching, Scratching and Biting.” For more information visit www.dogallergycure.com.

The time around Guy Fawkes can be quite stressful for animals. The unexpected sights and sounds of fireworks can be very frightening and it can result in panic attacks and erratic behaviour. Although you can't control the fireworks happening in your neighbourhood, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the pain of the experience for your pet.

Remember that the stress is caused by the dog's fear of the unknown. It simply doesn't know or understand what is going on. Therefore, trying to 'explain' to it not to be scared is both pointless and a waste of time. It sounds obvious, but many owners attempt to soothe their dog by talking to it as they would to a child. You want to comfort your dog, but talking logically to it is not the way to do it!The first thing to do is to minimise the sights and sounds of the fireworks in your dog's environment. You can do this by closing the blinds or curtains so the dog does not see the fireworks in the air. Also, consider turning on some music or turning up the volume on the TV or radio to reduce the impact of the noise of the fireworks.
Also, keep your dog inside and make sure their bed is handy (if they don't have a bed you could make them one). This will create a safe place for the dog where it can go to relax if it wants to. This is especially important if you are intending on going out for the evening yourself and leaving them alone.

One of the most important ways to prepare your dog for Guy Fawkes night takes place earlier during the day. If you can, take them for a nice long walk. This will both tire them out and make them more relaxed. Early in the evening is the best time, soon before all the 'action' is going to start happening. Then, when you return after the walk, continue to maintain a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the house; don't get the dog excited over mealtime, for instance.If your dog starts to show signs of stress when the fireworks start happening, there are things you can do to calm him down. Most importantly, remember your dog is looking to you for guidance and trust. Dogs are pack animals and instinctively want to rely on someone else to make their decisions for him. (In fact, do you really want to make your dog happy? Simply let it know that you will make all of of its decisions).
So above all you must display calm yourself and show your dog that that is how you want it to behave also. Let it know that you are in charge and that it will come to no harm. To do this, do not react to your dog's stressful state. This includes trying to comfort them which can in fact make things worse. Instead, calmly yet firmly hold your dog by the collar. Stay very calm yourself and do not react to anything the dog is doing. Do not say anything or use any soothing words. If you maintain this state, in time your dog will begin to calm down and sit or lie down. Let go of them only when they lie down and seem quite relaxed.

This may take a few minutes. However, by keeping a calm yet unwavering attitude yourself, your dog is going to eventually see that you are in control and that there is nothing to fear. If it shows signs of stress again you can repeat the process.Guy Fawkes is one of those times that is simply not 'dog friendly'. However, by doing the above you can make the experience at least tolerable for your pet while still having fun yourself.

Walk time is the highlight of the day for many dogs - and also for many owners! It's a time when you can not only give your dog exercise and the stimulation of new things to see and smell, but it's an opportunity to connect with your dog in a special way. You can make every walk a new and fun adventure for the both of you, as well as enjoying some fresh air and exercise.
It's a pity, then, that the daily walk is often a stressful time for both dog and owner. Pulling on the leash, not coming back when called, even aggressive behaviour - these and other issues can make a walk seem more like a duty than a pleasure.

However, even if your dog is well behaved, the chances are you are missing out on a valuable opportunity, not only to bond more closely with your dog but to improve its general behaviour and performance as well. Here are some ideas to help you take dog walking to the next level.Firstly, remember that the walk actually starts well before you put the lead on and head out the door. It is critical you establish the right attitude towards walking for your dog. A dog is naturally a pack animal and is much happier when it is not having to make its own decisions. You will have a much calmer, more settled and relaxed dog if you can make it understand that you are the boss and that it need not 'worry' about deciding what to do in any situation. You do this by establishing your authority and by determining what your dog does and when - not the other way around. Far too many owners react to what their dog does in any given situation (including when and what it will eat, what it barks at and when it wants attention). If you react to a dog it will take it to mean that you approve of its behaviour - and of course, in its desire to please you, it will do more of the same!
An excellent time to establish your authority is when getting ready to go for the walk. Don't respond to your dog's excitement and rush out the door as quickly as possible. Be calm, put on your shoes and wait until your dog's excitement dies down. Then you can put the leash on in a relaxed manner. By doing this you are sending a clear message that you will go walking when you decide, not when your dog does. Using such patience to establish your control is going to pay off later when your dog is off leash and you want it to come when called. You will now be the boss!

Maintaining this relaxed frame of mind is equally important on the walk itself. Maintain discipline and be sure to let the dog know that you are in charge of when and how you walk. "Free time" (including off the leash) should be your dog's reward for good behaviour, not the result of you giving in because of frustration! If the dog continues to pull, gently but firmly remind it that you are in charge. You can usually sense when a dog is testing you and most will continue to do so until they realise that they're not going to win. It's just like with children - the 'battle of wills' is going to require some effort in the short term, but it's going to save on more battles in the long run!The message you leave your dog with at the end of the walk is as important as the one you give at the start. Finish as you began, on a positive yet calm note. Again, wait until the dog is calm before you let it off the leash when you arrive home. Give it a pat or a cuddle as a thanks for a great time. It will have it looking forward to the next one - whenever you decide that will be.
Like people, every dog is different, and some will take longer to get the message that you are in control. However, with a little bit of persistence you will find a noticeable improvement in your dog's behaviour on walks - and it will become the fun time for both of you that it's supposed to be.

For more advice and tips on training your dog the right way we highly recommend Brainy Dogs.