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Experiment: “Pavlow’s Dog” – This is How Behavior and Fears Are Learned

“Pawlov’s dog” is an experiment by the physiologist and physician Ivan Pavlov, who coined the term classical conditioning, which is still important in psychology today.

Short biography: This is what you need to know about Ivan Pavlov

The Russian physician and physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was born in 1849. He then spent his life and his school days in his birthplace Ryazan. He particularly appreciates being able to pay attention to his personal interests.

Influenced by contemporary thinkers and scientists, his interest turned to natural science. In order to expand his knowledge, he first studied at the University of St. Petersburg, then became a professor at the Imperial Military Medical Academy. In 1883 Pavlov received his doctorate in natural sciences.

His research was very diverse. He made remarkable advances in the physiology of the heart, nervous and digestive systems. He achieved a major breakthrough primarily through his behavioral research: he was of the opinion that all human behavior depended on reflexes. He examined this thesis in the famous “Pavlovian dog” experiment, which subsequently helped to mature his theory of classical conditioning.

Pavlov’s Dog: Pavlov’s Breakthrough

Pavlov’s study began by examining the digestive processes in dogs. However, his interest soon turned to the dog’s salivary reflex: from 1889 he focused on observing how the salivary reflex can be conditioned.

Most people know that the animal secretes saliva and gastric juice at the sight of the food. During his previous experiments, however, Pavlov noticed that the salivation would start as soon as the animal heard its footsteps. He suspected this was because it already associated the sound of footsteps with the food. This signal was habitually and firmly coupled with the increase in food, so that the saliva began to flow even then.

He called the automatic salivation that begins when the dog sees or smells the food the unconditional or unconditioned reflex. This reaction is quite natural and compulsive; it therefore requires no additional stimulus. The food itself acts as an unconditioned stimulus or unconditioned stimulus.

The conditioned or conditioned reflex

The conditional or conditioned reflex, on the other hand, means a coupling of a new stimulus or stimulus with the same reaction: the reaction is “learned”. Each time before the dog received his food, he rang a bell. After a few runs, it was observed that the dog’s salivation as a conditioned reflex started as soon as the bell sounded.

The principle can also be easily visualized:
beginning of the experiment
Food (unconditioned stimulus) => response (salivation, unconditioned response)
Ringing of the bell (neutral stimulus) => no response
After conditioning
ringing the bell (conditioned stimulus) => response (salivation, conditioned response)

Pavlov’s insights

The principle of conditioning that Pavlov found in the dog meant that he transferred this phenomenon to human behavior as well: not only animal, but also human behavior was to be made more understandable through the experiment. Conditioning is a very important basis, especially for understanding and developing learning processes.

The discovery that even neutral stimuli could be coupled to produce a conditioned response was revolutionary. The basis of the stimulus-response theory is the innate, unconditioned behavior. However, a certain contiguity of the stimuli is also required here: conditioning can only occur if they are close to each other in time. If a longer time interval elapses between a neutral stimulus and the unconditioned reaction, it is difficult or impossible to link them. According to Pavlov’s experiment, stable and sustained conditioning is only possible if the neutral stimulus occurs before the conditioned stimulus during the process.

Example: first bell ringing (neutral stimulus), then food (unconditioned stimulus) -> reaction (salivation, unconditioned response). The phenomenon of extinction was also remarkable for Pavlov: if a reaction was conditioned, this does not automatically mean that it will continue in the long run. Extinction means a kind of “erasure” of the conditioned stimulus-response behavior: If the neutral stimulus is not coupled to the unconditioned stimulus from time to time, the conditioned response no longer takes place either. So if he rang the bell at a few intervals without providing food afterwards, the salivation also stopped as a conditioned response. Using the generalization, Pavlov described the phenomenon that occurred when he rang other bells: when the dog heard a stimulus that was similar to the neutral stimulus, the conditioned response also occurred. So the stimuli were generalized by the dog to elicit the same response.

The meaning of the experiment

The Pavlovian dog experiment is well known today and of great importance for psychology. The findings can be easily transferred to human behavior: behavioral disorders or human fear reactions in particular can often be explained very well using the model of classical conditioning.

An example can illustrate this: John B. Watson, an American psychologist, attempted to condition an anxiety response in an 11-month-old boy. Also known as the Little Albert Experiment, the experiment was conducted in 1920. The child was shown a white mouse which, being a neutral stimulus, initially did not elicit a response. The psychologist then combined the pointing of the mouse with a subsequent loud crack as an unconditioned stimulus, which elicited startle and crying in the boy as an unconditioned response. After some repetition, the conditioning was so firmly entrenched that generalization took place: when the boy was older, he showed a fear of many different types of furry animals, and sometimes even of men with beards.

Uwe Wawrinowski described in his book The Observational Theory that it is also possible to bring about desired or undesired behavior in people with the help of classical conditioning. As a pedagogical method, he concluded that desirable behavior should be associated with a rewarding, enjoyable response. Conversely, unwanted behavior can be prevented by linking it to an unpleasant event or a ban.

Conclusion

The fact that the experiment is based on the reactions of dogs leaves open the question to what extent the results can be extrapolated to humans at all. The main criticism here is that the complexity of the human brain and all thought processes are not represented at all or only in a very simplified manner. In addition, conditioning carries with it a danger: educators or other authority figures could abuse the principle to their benefit.

A milestone for psychology was laid with Pavlov’s findings. Many other learning theories, fear explanation theories or behavioral explanations are based on the basic concept of classical conditioning.

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Warning to Dog Owners: This Toad Can Fatally Poison Your Dog

The cane toad originally comes from South and Central America. It is now spreading to other countries and often endangers dogs.

What makes the animal so dangerous for dogs?

In the 1930s, Australian farmers imported the animals to fight sugar cane beetles on the plantations. But the animals didn’t eat the beetles at all. Because the insects stayed in the tops of the cane, the toads couldn’t get to them. Instead, the animals ate snakes, birds and rats. The cane toad multiplies incessantly and gradually displaced native animal species. A female toad can lay up to 35,000 eggs. There are now several million toads in Australia alone. In the meantime even crocodiles fall victim to the toad. However, this is due to the extremely toxic secretion that the animals secrete.

Animal venom is a defense mechanism. The cane toad secretes it through its parotid glands when threatened. If dogs or cats mistake the animal for a toy and put it in their mouths or lick it, this can even be fatal. The four-legged friends can die within 15 minutes. Numerous animals have already died from the toad’s poison.

The voracious giant toads feel particularly at home in wet areas. Anyone who lives near streams, ponds or rivers should therefore be careful and prefer to walk the dog on a leash. Care should also be taken in the garden, as many cane toads settle there. It is still questionable how much the toads will spread and how their population can be contained.

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Already Dangerous? Why Your Dog is Panting – and When You Should See The Vet

When your dog pant, it’s nothing unusual at first. However, there are certain signs of a panting dog that you should seek advice from your veterinarian.

Why do dogs pant?

Dogs lack the ability to sweat because they hardly have any sweat glands on their bodies. A few are located in the area of ​​the paw pads and the nose. Dogs regulate their body temperature to a large extent through the upper respiratory tract, which includes the pharynx, nasal cavity, larynx, and trachea. Panting allows dogs to bring cooler air into their bodies, cooling themselves from the inside out. Panting increases the exchange of air between the mouth and the trachea. The sense and purpose of panting is therefore only in the increased evaporative cooling, which is caused by the constant draft. This eventually lowers the body temperature. Dogs breathe much shallower than humans and the increased saliva production, commonly referred to as “drooling,” prevents the tongue from drying out.

This type of cooling has other advantages for dogs:
Dogs can actively control the breathing rate when panting and thus the degree of cooling.
When panting, your dog does not lose vital salts through the skin, as is the case with sweating.
Panting does not produce odors, which could create disadvantages among conspecifics that communicate via scents. Because in addition to the sense of sight, hearing and touch, dogs also come into contact through scents and transmit messages.
Depending on the size, breed and physique of the dog, the amount of panting varies. Smaller dogs have an easier time regulating their temperature due to their physique and lower body volume. So they don’t have to pant as often and as much as their larger conspecifics. Larger dogs, on the other hand, have to pant a lot more to keep their bodies from overheating. Heavier drooling is also common.

With short-headed dog breeds, which include pugs, Pekingese or bulldogs, for example, heavy panting can occur even with little physical exertion. Their reduced turbinate and the resulting shortened airways make it difficult for them to breathe and pant. As a result, they have fewer opportunities to regulate their body temperature by panting. If your dog is one of these dog breeds, you should keep an eye on your dog when he’s panting so he doesn’t overheat. Before you get a dog, you should find out about the characteristics typical of the breed so that you do not unknowingly expose it to stressful situations.

When is panting normal in dogs?

Even a dog’s body needs to cool down after a long walk, an hour of agility training, or mantrailing, but it lacks the ability to sweat. This means that dogs cannot use the evaporative cooling that occurs when sweating on human skin like we humans can. They can shed a little sweat through the pads of their paws and the nose, but the cooling effect is very small and not enough to regulate body temperature. The low level of perspiration through the paws is primarily used to leave scent marks (pheromones) for conspecifics. When panting, dogs breathe shallowly and rapidly, up to 300 times per minute. This accelerates the evaporation of water on the tongue, in the mouth and in the upper respiratory tract. This effect helps your dog normalize its body temperature.

Tip: If you have a puppy or older dog, make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. The cardiovascular system could possibly be overtaxed. Make sure your dog always has fresh water available and offer him cool treats like watermelon or dog ice cream in the summer.

In addition to heat and physical exertion, emotions can also lead to increased panting. For example, if your dog is very happy when you come home or when he meets his playmates, it can upset him emotionally. Conversely, dogs can also experience stress when they feel overwhelmed in certain situations. Experts speak of a skipping action in which dogs, for example, scratch, bark or pant when they are stressed.

Many dogs also develop great fears of thunderstorms, lightning, or loud noises. In addition to volume, dogs also seem to sense a drop in pressure during thunderstorms. Darkening skies and gusts of wind can also frighten them. This can even lead to panic attacks, which are usually accompanied by rapid panting.

Tip: The most important thing is that you keep calm yourself, because your dog will sense your insecurity. Try to free your dog from the stressful situation as quickly as possible and have a calming effect on him. Move calmly and behave normally.

Intense sniffing is one of the favorite pastimes of many dogs. Hunting dogs, civil protection dogs or mantrailing use this ability to track down game, save people or set tracks. However, it also requires a high level of concentration in the dog and causes the salivation to be stimulated. Dogs can absorb significantly more scents through increased panting, but this also means a lot of effort.

Tip: Your dog performs at its best when it comes to nose work, which is why you should give your four-legged friend enough rest breaks after training.

If you experience these symptoms, you should seek veterinary advice

If your dog has been exposed to high temperatures and has been in the sun for a long time, it may have suffered from heat stroke. In addition to high outside temperatures, high physical stress through dog sports, running on a bike or being locked in overheated cars can also be reasons for heat stroke. Then, in addition to the strong panting, the following symptoms appear:
Vomit
Diarrhea
balance disorders
apathy
cramps
In the event of heat stroke, the entire dog’s body is affected. Due to the severe overheating, the dog tries to pant more and more to lower its body temperature. However, he loses more and more fluid, which means that the blood becomes more concentrated and can no longer flow through the body as quickly. The heart then has to do more work and severe circulatory problems can occur, which can lead to loss of consciousness and shock. In the worst case, dogs can also die from heat stroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate emergency care.
Important: Never leave your dog in a heated car. The inside temperature rises extremely quickly when exposed to sunlight and within a very short time the dog can no longer compensate for the heat.

gastric torsion or poisoning
If your dog shows other symptoms in addition to panting, such as restlessness, increased salivation and pale mucous membranes, it can also be a life-threatening stomach torsion or poisoning.

Gastric torsion is an absolute emergency that requires veterinary treatment within a few hours. The impending constriction of the blood vessels, as well as the entrance and exit of the stomach, is life-threatening. This prevents digestive gases from escaping and allows the stomach to inflate like a balloon. In addition to the stomach, other internal organs can also be affected, which is why immediate surgery is indicated.

Poisoning in a dog is also an emergency. Because if there is no treatment, dogs are threatened with long-term consequential damage or even death. The symptoms that dogs show when poisoned depend on the type and dose of the poison. In addition to panting, the following symptoms can also occur:
Vomit
fast or irregular pulse
restlessness
apathy
constricted or dilated pupils
Important: If you suspect poisoning in your dog, you should first try to calm your dog down. Also make sure that the airways remain free and bring the dog into the stable side position. If possible, you can bring a sample of the dog’s poison or vomit to the vet for testing.

Dogs can also react to heart problems with increased panting. If the heart no longer provides its full pumping capacity, the dog’s body can no longer supply every cell with sufficient oxygen. The lungs can also be affected by heart problems if fluid builds up in the lung tissue. This can result in the dog not getting enough oxygen.

Other symptoms that may indicate a heart or lung problem include:
Cough
Strangle
listlessness
Collapse
Pale or bluish gums
Attention: Panting in combination with pale mucous membranes can also indicate anemia, i.e. anemia or poor circulation.

Cushing’s syndrome is a disease of the endocrine system that results in increased cortisol levels. Poodles, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, terriers and boxers are particularly affected: If your dog shows the following symptoms in addition to excessive panting, you should take it to the veterinary practice:
Excessive thirst and urination
hair loss
Bloated stomach
Other causes of increased panting in dogs:

Allergic Reactions: In an allergic reaction, dogs can sometimes become short of breath, lethargic, or vomit.
Infections: In some cases, infections can cause pneumonia. In addition to panting, your dog will then develop breathing problems, coughing and possibly a fever.
Pain: Dogs are particularly good at hiding pain. First signs can be, for example, when your dog is restless and panting when he would normally relax. If severe exhaustion, a lack of movement or vomiting also occur, this can indicate pain.
Overweight: If your dog weighs too many kilos, his organism will also be under more strain. In addition, lighter movements are difficult for him. This can also manifest itself in increased panting. Since obesity in dogs can also cause secondary diseases such as arthrosis, diabetes or heart problems, you should discuss with your veterinarian how your dog can best lose weight.

Conclusion

In summary, the following points should be observed:
Dogs can regulate their body temperature by panting. High outside temperatures or physical exertion can trigger panting in dogs and is not initially a cause for concern.
Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water, because panting causes him to constantly consume fluid.
Some dog breeds pant particularly often. This is especially the case with short-headed dog breeds, as their airways are shortened, making it harder for them to breathe.
The size of the dog also plays a role, as large dogs have more body volume.
In addition to physical causes, psychological factors such as excitement, nervousness and stress can also lead to dogs panting more often.
If your dog is panting for no apparent reason, it could be due to illness, upset stomach, poisoning, fever and pain. You should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
If, in addition to heavy panting, other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, balance disorders, apathy or cramps occur when the outside temperature is high, this can indicate life-threatening heat stroke. Then you should immediately take your dog to a cool place and definitely consult a veterinarian.

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The Lion’s Den: Vegan Dog Nutrition

The tenth episode of the 6th season of “The Lion’s Den” is animalistic: three young female founders present their vegan dog food. Can you score with the lions with vegan dog food?

Vegan dog food? This works out!

The vegan diet is now a diet that more and more people live by. Tonight in the “Lion’s Den”, three young female founders want to prove that the renunciation of all animal products can also be applied to the diet of four-legged friends.

Tessa Zaune-Figlar (34), Valerie Hansen (28), and Lisa Walther (29) want to convince the lions with their vegan dog food “VEGDOG” and hope for 150,000 euros. In return, they offer ten percent of their company shares. Will this deal also taste good to the lions?

Healthy dog ​​thanks to vegan dog nutrition?

The inspiration for this unusual business idea was male Nelson: founder Tessa’s dog suffered for years from food intolerance, which manifested itself primarily in the form of gastrointestinal problems and itchy skin. Even after numerous hypoallergenic types of food had been tried without success, the dog owner Tessa, on the advice of a veterinarian, did not feed Nelson animal protein.

At first, the young founder herself was still skeptical: “In the beginning, I thought it was a joke. Feeding a dog vegan – how is that supposed to work? But the desperation was great and so I gave the whole thing a chance.” But the experiment was a success: the food was prepared according to special recipes, and after four weeks the dog was symptom-free and has been on a vegan diet for seven years now.

Vegan dog nutrition – a gap in the market?

However, since cooking for the dog turned out to be very time-consuming, the idea for “VEGDOG” was born. It is the first vegan and grain-free complete feed for dogs that were developed in a one-year development phase in cooperation with specialist veterinarians and specialist laboratories.

The different types of food provide the dog with all the essential nutrients and cover their needs. In addition, only regional, high-quality ingredients are used, which are processed gently and in compliance with the highest quality standards. “VEGDOG” is free from attractants, colorings, and preservatives and does not test on animals.

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Drive Safely with a Dog in the Car

Safe driving with a dog in the car is made easy. To ensure that driving up with a dog is safe, you should observe and heed a few tips. This makes driving in the car more pleasant for master and dog, and you can take your dog with you in the car more often once it has got used to the car properly.

Safe driving with a dog

You should slowly introduce young dogs to driving. It is advisable to let the dog spend the night alone in the parked car for a while, for example, so that it can get used to its surroundings and its new place.

1) Closed window for dogs

Do not drive with the car window open. The dog could get conjunctivitis. Of course, it is particularly dangerous if the window immediately next to the dog is open. So in case it gets very hot in the car in summer, opens a window as far away from your dog as possible.

2) Getting in and out of the car

Always let the dog get in and out on the opposite side of the road. Also, keep your dog on a leash when getting in and out of the car.

3) Drive calmly

Drive particularly calmly and carefully at first. You should be extra careful with the gas and brakes, especially if the dog reacts anxiously and with fright to driving. This can reduce unnecessary stress for you and your dog.

4) In the back seat

Large dogs definitely belong on the back seat or, better still, in the trunk in a suitable dog transport box so that they don’t injure you or themselves in the event of an accident.

5) Dog in the car does not bond

Never leash the dog in the car, otherwise, the dog could strangle itself in panic or an accident!

6) Park your dog in the car

If you park your dog in the car, you should definitely park in the shade, otherwise, the car will heat up very much and the temperatures inside will be unbearable for the animal. Make sure to leave a window, preferably two, open in the car so that the air can circulate and fresh air can flow in.

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Dog Training with Recall of Puppies & Dogs

A reliable recall is one of the supreme disciplines in dog training for puppies. If I later want my dog ​​to come back under any distraction, I have to teach the puppy what I want from him and that this command is not a request but a clear statement. The little puppy comes into the house and over time you want him to be reliable in following certain commands. Among other things, he should turn around and come immediately when we call him back.

Recall in puppies

After getting a dog, it is trained. In order to show the little one what we want from him, you have to combine a word of your choice with coming back. To do this, you first draw the puppy’s attention to you, for example by his name or noise. If he doesn’t react at all, quickly run away in the other direction and he’ll definitely come. If he is then on his way to us, you say the previously chosen command. When he gets to you, he will initially receive a reward. Treats are best here. Always remember to wait until the puppy is actually on its way to you. This is the only way he can combine the command with running back.

The process of dog training for puppies

In the beginning, you only practice in a low-distraction environment. Once you’re sure he’s connected the word correctly, you can start calling the pup’s name, followed immediately by the recall command. If he comes back, he gets another reward. Do this exercise with little distraction at the beginning. If the puppy is distracted by anything, turn around and run away quickly.

Increase distraction

If all this works without external stimuli, you can start increasing the distraction. In the beginning, if possible, only call when the little one is in your sphere of influence. If he doesn’t come when you call, you must intervene immediately. Now it depends on the type of dog and how to intervene.

For some, a strict word is enough, for others, you should throw the leash in the dog’s direction. If the puppy now looks in your direction, say the recall command again in a friendly but firm manner. For example, if the dog sniffs something and doesn’t come, you can go over there, nudge it, go back and call again.

Praise dog

Don’t praise your dog for being way too late. Then leash him and walk on without comment. If everything goes well, you should slowly reduce the treats. Also, learn how to housetrain your puppy and how praise will help.

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Make Your Own Dog Biscuits

If you go to a pet store to buy dog ​​biscuits and take a look at the ingredients list, you will be amazed at what you can find there. Carbohydrates and sugar can be found on almost all packages, there is often no trace of meat, or it was only measured in teaspoons and added to the biscuits.

These ready-made biscuits are rarely healthy! Homemade dog biscuits are not expensive, much healthier than those that you can buy in stores, individually adaptable in terms of the ingredients and they are durable on top of that.

What ingredients are allowed in the biscuit?

You can mix everything into the dog biscuits that you would offer your dog for healthy nutrition, e.g. include vegetables, meat, fish, and egg. Since many dogs have grain allergies, it is a good idea to use gluten-free grains such as rice flour, amaranth, millet, corn flour, buckwheat, or chickpea flour. Anything that your dog loves and naturally tolerates is suitable as a vegetable.

Our dog biscuit recipe

  • 220g potato flour
  • 1 tsp barley grass powder
  • 150g granulated cottage cheese
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

First, we need 220g of pure potato flour. Add a heaping teaspoon of barley grass powder and a pack of 150g granular cottage cheese. The empty pack of cottage cheese can be given to the dog to slurp on. Three eggs and a tablespoon of liquid coconut oil follow. It is recommended to get organic ingredients. The ingredients are placed in a bowl and mixed with a spoon or a hand mixer to form a smooth dough.

Baking in molds

Since the dough is liquid, you can either put it on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and cut it after baking, or you can put the dog biscuit dough in molds. Silicone molds, such as those used to make chocolates or ice cubes, are particularly suitable for this. Now put some dough in the middle of the mold and smooth it outwards until all the dough is distributed. When the preparations are complete, the biscuits are baked.

To do this, preheat the oven to 160°C and then bake the biscuits for 30 minutes. Depending on the size of the dog biscuits, if they are larger, they can be baked longer, if they are smaller, shorter.

What is the best way to store the biscuits?

With the right storage of food, it can be preserved for longer. Accordingly, release the biscuits from the mold after baking. But please be careful! If your dog is nearby, be sure to keep him away from the hot cookies or he could get badly burned. To dry, we recommend leaving the biscuits in a safe place out of reach of the dog for at least half a day. When the biscuits are completely dry, they can be fed or stored in cans for a while, as this will keep the biscuits crispy for longer. However, it is advisable to bake fewer biscuits and always prepare fresh ones and feed them.

Adjustment of the recipe

Of course, there are no limits to your imagination and you can add vegetables such as carrots or zucchini to the biscuits according to your dog’s preferences. You can also add meat. Stay creative and dare to try new things. Your dog will thank you!

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Find Dog Sitters & Cat Sitters Online

If you are looking for a dog sitter, a dog walker, a dog hotel, or a cat sitter, you can find the right dog sitter or cat sitter in your area here. We present animal sitter agencies that arrange dog sitters in Hamburg, Munich, Rhein-Main, Berlin, and nationwide.

If you cannot look after your animal around the clock for professional reasons or because of illness, help is often necessary. Sometimes only a dog walker is wanted to go for a walk, sometimes the cat has to be accommodated in a cat boarding house because the family is traveling. But where can you find the right care for your pet? A good way to find a pet sitter or boarding kennel is through internet pet sitting agencies such as B. the placement service.

Here you can search and find an overnight dog hotel, dog daycare, cat boarding kennel, private dog sitter (dogsitting), cat sitter (catsitter), and pet sitting for many other types of animals. To find a good pet sitter in your area, simply enter your zip code. On this Internet platform, you will find care for animals nationwide, regardless of whether you are looking for a dog sitter in Hamburg, Munich, or Berlin.

However, you can also publish an animal handler request here yourself, stating your personal ideas. You will then usually receive recommendations for various pet sitters and applications for the advertised pet sitter job with background information or references. You can then contact the applicants and clarify in a personal interview whether it is the right care for your animal.

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Make Dog Food Yourself with Recipes

Make varied dog food yourself without any additional effort with many healthy recipes for dogs. Whether rice, potatoes or oatmeal, meat, and bones, dairy products and eggs, fruit or vegetables, numerous foods are suitable for diversifying the dog’s diet. And all without any additional effort for you.

Well-tolerated staple food for dogs

One swears by ready-made dry food from the discounter, the other feeds his dog with fresh organic products. In between, there is a whole range of options for dog nutrition. But the dog is also happy if it doesn’t get the same thing in front of it every day. In every household, there are food preparation products that dogs also tolerate well and like and that can contribute to a varied diet. No matter what you feed, you can see the criteria for recognizing a good staple food for your dog in the animal itself. The dog:

  • has a shiny, non-greasy coat
  • clear eyes, wet nose
  • does not scratch excessively
  • has little and solid defecation, because he can digest the main part of the food
  • is neither ribbed nor fat

If these criteria apply, the main food is well suited for your dog. If the dog has food-related problems, the varied design of the menu is of no use; instead, a suitable main food must be found. Also note remedies for diarrhea and vomiting in dogs, as well as tips on bathing dogs properly.

Grain free dog food

Be careful with grain-based dog food. Most dry foods consist mainly of grains such as corn and wheat. So if you want to feed grain products such as boiled rice, pasta, or oatmeal, you should reduce part of the amount of dry food so that grain doesn’t just end up in the predator’s stomach.

Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs

Fruits and vegetables are good for dogs if they are pureed or boiled. It is therefore not a problem to add crushed potatoes, carrots, and small amounts of other vegetables to the dog. The fruit must be very ripe. It is best to always try out small portions, whatever the dog likes and tolerates well.

Meat for dogs

Meat can be fed raw or cooked, of course, a delicacy for the dog. You should avoid pork. Other meat must not be seasoned. Only give raw meat in small amounts at first and slowly increase it until the dog’s stomach acid production has adjusted to it again. Boiled chicken with rice and carrots is an excellent bland diet for dogs.

Bones for dogs

Contrary to popular belief, dogs can even eat chicken bones if, firstly, they are uncooked and, secondly, the dog is slowly getting used to them. The dog should get meaty bones that have a good amount of meat. Chicken necks or soft veal ribs are suitable for beginner dogs. Later, the dog will certainly be happy about a beef leg slice. Don’t overdo it with the bones as it can cause constipation. In addition, the dog should be given fresh, raw meat regularly for some time beforehand, so that the stomach is properly adjusted to the utilization of the food.

Other animal products

Quark and cottage cheese are also very digestible for dogs and very healthy due to the high calcium content. Eggs can also be fed. You should only give the egg yolk raw, but the dog can also have a whole egg including the crushed shell when cooked.

Rules for healthy dog ​​nutrition and feeding

Despite all the variety, a healthy feeding policy should be observed. On the one hand, the total amount of food must be adapted to the dog. The basic rule for the feeding plan is one-third each of meat, grain, and fruit/vegetables. However, this distribution does not have to be achieved on a daily basis but should be achieved on a weekly average. After a meal, especially with bloating feed such as fresh tripe, rest is the order of the day. Otherwise, the intestinal obstruction could occur. If possible, meat and grain should not be fed together, but should be given at different meals. The daily ratio is best spread over two to three meals.

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The Best Dog Transport Box for the Car

Many families go on vacation incl. four-legged friends abroad. The dearest four-legged friend should arrive at the destination in a well-considered manner, for this purpose a dog transport box for the car is recommended. This dog box is available in different versions. We will show you the best models for safely transporting your dog.

Why is a dog transport box useful?

Driving can be dangerous for people and animals. Adequate safety in the car is therefore essential. What buckle up is for humans, the dog transport box is for dogs. If your dog is not adequately secured in the car, there is a risk of serious injury. In the event of an accident, dogs can be thrown by the car and injured or even have a fatal accident. Therefore, you should transport your dog safely. A transport box is particularly suitable for larger dogs.

Which dog boxes are there?

The dog transport boxes for the car and travel are available online or from pet stores in different sizes and made of different materials. The most common materials that dog transport boxes are made of are aluminum, plastic, and fabric. Before buying, it is worth comparing the different transport boxes, as there are considerable differences in costs on the German market. DEKRA and TÜV test dog boxes for safety.

Consequently, when purchasing a dog transport box, you should pay attention to the analysis of these experts and choose dog boxes with the “GS” label for tested safety. This can usually be found on the dog box. Buying a dog transport box also has other advantages. Because you can use it as a means of transport or a retreat.

1) Dog transport box made of aluminum for the trunk

The safest way to transport your dog in the trunk is an aluminum dog box. Because it is very robust and light. And the good thing is, that you can easily remove pet hair and clean this type of box. In addition, the boxes are hygienic and odorless.

2) Foldable dog box

If you are thinking about getting a puppy, you should also consider buying a carrier. This is the only way to ensure adequately protected transport. On the go, in particular, you need flexible options for transporting the dog and offering it a place of retreat. Therefore, a dog transport box that is foldable is suitable.

3) Plastic dog transport box

Dog transport boxes made of plastic are also useful. These are often used to bring various pets safely to the vet. But you should note that this is not used for the trunk. Because in an accident, plastic splinters could injure your pet.

It is better to use the plastic transport box only for traveling by train or plane. Then you can fall back on the Amazon bestseller. This plastic box is easy to use and very inexpensive.

More tips for traveling with dogs

Choosing the right box is important so that you don’t have to be afraid when driving. And when you travel with your pet, there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind so that the trip is relaxing for both of you and you can reduce stress:

  • Schedule repeated breaks for a walk at a rest stop. Your dog can also lift its leg here.
  • Provide enough water for the four-legged friend so that the journey to the destination is relaxed for the owner and the dog.
  • Getting used to the dog crate is essential so that your dog feels comfortable in the crate, you should practice staying in the crate step by step.
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