I strongly recommend that all my clients microchip their pets. For what it is worth, it is so inexpensive, yet it works so well. It costs roughly $30 – $40 at most vet clinics and comes with a registration for the lifetime of the pet. It is quick and relatively painless, about like getting a shot.

How it works: A microchip transponder is placed in a needle and injected just under the pets skin on the back between the shoulder blades. The device, just about the size of a grain of rice sits dormant until it is pinged with the scanner device. The scanner reads a number from the transponder. This number can then be called into a toll-free national database (staffed 24/7). The service then immediatley connects the lost dog with the owner.

The chip does a number of things; first, it helps quickly return a lost pet to the owner. Many police officers and sheriffs carry the scanners in their cars, and all shelters and vet centers have them. Further, it is policy in most all animal shelters to scan pets when they first come in, and again before any disposition (placement or euthanasia) of the animal. What’s more, in some shelters, if a dog is microchipped, they will often waive any fines or fees associated with picking up your pet, if they are microchipped. Finally, the microchip can help prove the ownership of the dog if ownership is in question.

All this is well worth $40 over the lifetime of your dog.

 

 

 

What is the best dog food to feed and what’s the best way to feed a dog? There is no single “right” way, but let me explain my thoughts on the matter. First, it is critical for the dog’s overall health to feed a quality dog food. For an excellent article on this see The Pet Center’s article on The Best Food for Dogs. Look for a food that is meat-based, has a minimum protein level between 26% and 30%, a minimum fat level between 14% and 18%, and contains 0.8% calcium and 0.67% phosphorus. Also, look for food which contain also contain omega fatty acids and vitamin E. Don’t substitute large quantities of low quality food (often corn or grain based) for smaller amounts of high quality food. You can’t go wrong with Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, or Black Gold.

Second, follow the recommended feeding amounts on the bag. Reputable dog food manufacturers have tested their products and know the correct amounts. The vast majority of dogs I see are overweight. I believe this is first, a result of overfeeding (including table scraps), and second, lack of exercise.

Third, feed twice a day. The reason I do this is to have more positive interaction with the dog. Feeding time is one of the most pleasurable blocks of the day for a dog. Make the most of it, feed twice a day. Take a moment as you feed to work on obedience, pack order, and building your relationship. Before putting the food bowl down, make the dog sit and stay. Put the bowl down in front of them, and make them wait for you to give a release command for them to commence eating. Once finished, take a minute to interact again. Alternatively, have them “kennel” or “unload.” Pet them, praise them, give them a minute to romp around the yard and a moment to empty out. Then give the bowl a quick soap and water wash in the sink.

The worst I can think of is the automatic feeders. They allow the dog to eat as much and whenever they want. This inevitably leads to obesity. Most importantly, it allows you to ignore your dog. As I have written several times before in other blogs, if you are just going to lock a dog up in the backyard and ignore it, why have a dog?

To maximize your dogs mental and physical wellbeing, feed quality food, in the correct amount twice a day. Make the most of the valuable moments at feeding times to interact with the dog.