Did you recently get a new addition to the family in December? Fast forward 3 weeks to mid January; Are you suffering from a lack of sleep and do you wonder “do I have a bad puppy”. I have heard it all; “My Puppy is so bad he ate my favorite shoe, knocked over my family, chewed through my carpet, pooped in the house, got out of the fence, stole the steaks, peed on my bed ….”
There are no bad puppies, you just need to learn how to manage them. How much / or how little time and effort you put it is can be a measure of how much Trouble they get into. Don’t feel too bad about this, most of us can still be outwitted by a ten week old puppy with boundless energy…
So where can you start. Believe it or not, Food can directly affect mood and behavior. Poor nutrition can lead to grouchy, hyper or lethargic pets, too much corn/wheat can lead to hyper unfocused and out of control dogs, high amounts of difficult to digest protein can lead to increased aggressive behavior and other signs can be high levels of nervousness and stress. Nutrition is a key factor into getting that “Bad puppy” under control.Training and stimulation are also important. Equip yourself with the right treats(healthy is the best) and a training plan. Spending focused time with your Pet will foster a strong bond and address issues. Squeaky toys alone are not enough to stimulate your Pet’s brain. You can check out products such as hide a squirrel, a kong filled with fruit and vegetables or interactive toys. Chewing is a natural behavior, it stimulates the brain and also allows pets to work out excess energy. You know the old saying, if you don’t get them something for your Puppy to chew on, they will find somthing on their own (like your favorite shoe). For more advice on foods, toys or chews visit your local independent Pet store. Natural Pawz is the largest independent pet store with 7 locations in Houston. Our mission is to provide Natural and Healhty food, treats, toys and supplies.
Here are a few articles that you may be interested in; Nutrition and your puppy -
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-nutrition-affects-your-dogs-behavior.html
http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/diet3.htm
