Posted on Nov 26, 2008 under small dogs |
Were you aware that there are literally hundreds of distinct dog breeds? When you decide to get a dog, choosing the right dog breed for you and your family is essential. With so many different dog breeds available, this can become a very daunting task. Luckily, there are ways in which you can narrow down your options somewhat, making the whole thing a lot easier.
First and foremost you should be considering one major factor….. How much space do you have? If you live in an apartment there is little point in getting a large dog that takes up a lot of room and may also need a lot of exercising. For living areas with limited space, consider the Toy group of dogs such as the Terrier Group or Miniature Pinscher. Also the cost of keeping your dog should be evaluated. Very large dogs may eat significant amounts of food whereas smaller dogs will eat very little in comparison. Try doing a rough calculation of cost for several different dog breeds over a twelve month period. Take into consideration food and regular visits to the vet for inoculation, worming etc. You will see that larger dogs are very often much more expensive to keep.
If you have children, you may want to consider what dog breed would suit them. Children can be quite heavy handed with pets sometimes; getting a Chihuahua for example may not be such a good idea as they are delicate animals. Similarly, having a Great Dane or Saint Bernard marauding around the house could be dangerous for a child. The age and number of children you have should definitely be considered as this will affect what type of dog would best suit your circumstances.
Another major point to consider is how much exercise you can offer your dog. If you have a reasonable sized yard, fencing it off will provide a good space for your dog to exercise itself. If you live in an apartment, consider getting a dog that requires very little exercise. An excitable Border collie would be a poor choice for an apartment life. Also, how much exercise can YOU put up with? There is no point getting a dog that requires lots of exercise such as a Hunting or Sporting dog breed if you cannot keep up the exercise regime. Try and get a dog that suits your lifestyle.
Grooming you dog is something to think about. If you do not have a lot of spare time in your life try to avoid dog breeds like the Standard Poodle which will need very regular grooming sessions. The short haired Terriers or Whippets make a good choice for somebody who has little time to sit and groom for hours at a time. Conversely if you have a lot of free time, regular grooming sessions with your dog will provide you both with a lot of quality time that you will both enjoy.
When choosing your dog, take a look at the bigger picture. Try to resist the temptation to go for the cutest, cuddliest, adorable dog you can find. Consider your lifestyle, your home, your family and try to find a dog breed that fits best with your life. After all, your new dog will be sharing your life with you for many years to come so making sure that you are both happy is an important thing to consider.
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Posted on Nov 26, 2008 under puppy training |
Housebreaking any new pet can be a difficult chore, but with repetition and practice the challenge will become easier and easier. If you want the puppy to listen only to you, then don’t allow him to play with other persons. Potty training your new puppy is a necessary evil.
You must do the same routine every single day and it is important to give your puppy a lot of extra attention as this will make the house breaking process much easier.
Your pet is living in a human world full of confusing things and behavior he can’t understand. It is better to create good habits in the beginning, if you start early you can stop behavior problems such as biting or jumping on furniture.
Every dog owner knows that when he/she treats the dog with praise the dog will get greater satisfaction and will execute the command more readily than if the dog receives discipline in another fashion. So when training your dog needs positive reinforcement.
You can train a dog on your own, or you can join an obedience training class and get instruction from professionals. You will find many resources online and most of the online sites are free and you will find many tips and secrets to dog training.
If you really want to train your puppy you will need to put some effort into it. And some type of dog is trained just for that.
Having a dog that can perform tricks and is very obedient and well trained is the pride and joy of every dog owner. While they are generally warm, loving and loyal, they can be trained to be more obedient. Even if you only have your dog inside for a short amount of time he or she must be trained not to leave a mess.
The correct position for the heel command is your dog at your left side with his shoulder and front leg aligned with your left leg. When you and your dog have a good relationship and training will come very easily. As your dog progresses in his training, youâ??ll be able to give him a command in the middle of a crowded area and heâ??ll obey you.
When training your puppy make sure you use positive experiences because negative experiences might affect your puppy, so make sure you make the training positive and fun. And this training requires frequent, consistent, and appropriately timed positive reinforcement. Unlike man, dogs do not know how to differentiate between positive and negative attention.
Your dog will its best when it receives praise, so using positive words and reinforcement you dog will do it best when training him/her. There are two elements at work here: positive reinforcement and intermittent reinforcement. All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during training.
When training your pet you can use the treat system, this system is training with a treat by rewarding your dog with his/her favorite snack for following your commands or doing something good. Try to go outside with him at least every thirty minutes or so, and make sure you praise or reward him for relieving himself outside.
Properly crate training your puppy is one of the best things that you could possibly do.
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Posted on Nov 23, 2008 under small dogs |
Most dogs go through a phase where they will chew on anything that will fit in their mouth. There are also dogs that donâ??t even grow out of the chewing phase. There are even some breeds that have a tendency to chew more than other breeds.
It may be cute at first when your puppy begins to chew on your shoes or socks but can be very dangerous. If your dog gets into something poisonous or swallows an object it could lead to death.
Puppies typically will chew more than an older dog and will chew on pretty much anything. It is much easier to teach dogs not to chew at younger ages than it is an older dog. Use this to your advantage.
The first thing to do when training your dog not to chew is to put the items he likes to chew out of reach. It is important to keep these away from your dog at all times. The less exposure the dog has with the items, the less likely he is to chew on them at later times.
When you get everything out of your dogâ??s reach give him something that you donâ??t mind him chewing on. This can be a chew toy, rawhide bones, or rubber bones. Buy one of each and see which one your dog prefers. It may take a while before you dog will stop wanting to chew on other things such as your shoes but be patient.
After your dog has something good to chew on is when you want to start training him. If you catch your dog chewing on something it isnâ??t supposed to you need to let them know that what they are doing is wrong. You can tell your dog this by speaking in a sharp tone and giving him a gentle tap on his head.
Remember to be persistent, dogs are not stupid, if they know they can get away with something they will keep doing it. You should also refrain from yelling at your dog or hitting him at all times, no matter how frustrated you get. When you yell at or hit a dog it only prolongs the dogâ??s learning.
You can even practice with your dog by putting him on a leash and putting an object in front of him. When the dog gets the urge and moves too close to the object give the leash a small jerk. This will teach the dog that you do not want him to chew on the object.
When you are training the dog with a leash make sure to stand off to the side. You do not want to be standing directly behind the dog when you jerk the leash, it could cause damage to their throat. Remember, leash training is not to hurt or punish the dog; it is to simply tell the dog that his actions were wrong.
Training your dog will take a lot of time and persistence. Do not give up, if you do your dog will never learn. Remember to be patient, your dog will not stop chewing over night, it may take weeks or even months.
Posted on Nov 23, 2008 under puppy training |
Puppy name choices usually just have to do with what sounds cute or what fits your puppy or what you find funny or whatever pops into your head. And of course, that’s fine. But before you land on a puppy name and stick with it, you need to think about some puppy name considerations.
Here are two important puppy name considerations to keep in mind:
1. Remember that your puppy name needs to be unique to your puppy. When you choose a puppy name that sounds quite similar to some other word that you use, your puppy will be confused. Puppies (and dogs) don’t know the meaning of words or names. They just know sounds. They associate sounds with actions or objects.
Because you use your puppy’s name often, your puppy learns to associate the sound with him. He begins to understand that when you are speaking to him, you use this particular sound, his name.
Female puppy names, for example can sound like some dog training commands. Stacey, for instance, can sound a lot like “Stay.” Dawn can sound quite a bit like “Down.”
Be sure you pick a name that won’t be confused with some command you plan to give your puppy. Female puppy names are easy to choose without getting to close to a command.
2. Your puppy name must be chosen with the public in mind. Male puppy names that might sound fun at home might not work in public.
For instance, the male puppy name, Boner, might make sense at home because your puppy loves bones, but that word has another meaning in society’s sexual vernacular. You might not want to stand in the middle of a park and yell out, “Boner!”
Keeping these two considerations in mindsimilarity in sound to another word and acceptably used in mixed companyis a good idea when you choose your puppy name
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Posted on Nov 20, 2008 under small dogs |
The Collie dog makes an excellent sporting dog, and can be taught to do the work of the Pointer and the Setter, as well as that of the Water Spaniel and the Retriever. He can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds. He is clever at hunting, having an excellent nose, is a good vermin-killer, and a most faithful watch, guard, and companion.
Little is known with certainty of the origin of the Collie, but his cunning and his outward appearance would seem to indicate a relationship with the wild dog. Buffon was of opinion that he was the true dog of nature, the stock and model of the whole canine species. He considered the Sheepdog superior in instinct and intelligence to all other breeds, and that, with a character in which education has comparatively little share, he is the only animal born perfectly trained for the service of man.
At the shows this type of dog is invariably at the top of the class. He is considered the most tractable, and is certainly the most agile. Second to this type in favour is the smooth-coated variety, a very hard, useful dog, well adapted for hill work and usually very fleet of foot. He is not so sweet in temper as the black and white, and is slow to make friends. There is not a more graceful and physically beautiful dog to be seen than the show Collie of the present period. Produced from the old working type, he is now practically a distinct breed.
The skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon combined length of skull and muzzle; and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent.
The muzzle should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour of the dog may be, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound and level; very slight unevenness is permissible. The jaws Clean cut and powerful. The eyes are a very important feature, and give expression to the dog; they should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a brown colour except in the case of merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together but on the top of the skull and not on the side of the head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening.
The neck should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched. The body should be strong, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins very powerful. The dog should be straight in front. The fore-legs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. The hind-legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together.
In general character he is a lithe active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be a fair length on the leg, giving him more of a racy than a cloddy appearance. In a few words, a Collie should show endurance, activity, and intelligence, with free and true action. In height dogs should be 22 ins. to 24 ins. at the shoulders, bitches 20 ins. to 22 ins. The weight for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs., bitches 40 to 55 lbs. The smooth collie only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.
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Posted on Nov 20, 2008 under puppy training |
Just like babies, puppies have no control of when or where they “unleash their goods”. Having a puppy urinate inside your house is definitely not going to make you happy and it won’t do any good for your puppy when you get mad with him/her.
It’s important that you tackle this issue early on in the pup’s life and teach them some discipline. You may be surprised to hear this, but it’s true that a dog that has an authority figure and learns right from wrong will lead a more prosperous life and will make your job of caring for them much easier.
It’s not too difficult to correctly potty train your puppy, however keep in mind the process can take anything up to 1 year.
So how exactly do you potty train your puppy? Read on to find out the basic techniques and a lot of useful advice.
Restrict the Puppy’s Freedom
You should restrict the area in which the puppy can move around. What this will do is decrease the chance of the puppy urinating in a place, which they shouldn’t. Lay the potty paper in an area outside and then put a fence around so the puppy cannot roam elsewhere. It’s not supposed to be a jail so make it large enough so the puppy can run around and have fun. Of course you can take the puppy inside occasionally but you need to make it clear that the area is their home for the time being.
Wet the Potty
When setting up your potty you should place some of your pup’s urine on the paper and then walk them to it so they can smell it. This will give them the idea that the area is where they should be urinating.
One Potty,One Place
Many people who try to potty train their puppy have great difficulty, so they decide to set up multiple potty areas in hope that the puppy will use at least one of them. This is a bad idea as it will only confuse your puppy and they will not learn to use a potty effectively. You should only ever need one potty area.
It Takes Time
Younger pups need to go to the toilet every few hours, so put a leash on them and take them to the potty area and give the puppy 10 minutes to do their thing. If they don’t need to go, take the puppy back to its area and then try again in about 20 minutes. You should not play with the puppy until it uses the potty, once they do, you should reward them by playing with them, praising them or feeding them.
Reward Good Behavior
Whether you feed them or praise them, it’s essential that you reward your puppy for their good behavior. Rewarding a puppy will make them happier and teach them discipline and a happier dog in the long run is going to listen to you. A good idea is to reward them every time they use the potty.
Make a Potty Journal
By keeping a journal of the time it takes your puppy to urinate after eating, it will make it easier for you to train them and understand their habits.
Mistakes will Happen
Please remember not to get angry with your puppy if they urinate in the wrong area. At an early age they lack many skills that older dogs have much like how a toddler may urinate before they make it to the toilet. The best thing to do if your puppy urinates in a wrong place, is to simply say “no” or “bad dog”and then walk them to their potty area.
All in all, by following the above advice, your puppy will be well on there way to being potty trained and you will have a well mannered and obedient dog because of it. However make sure you give it time, it’s not something that most puppies can learn in a week or so.
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Posted on Nov 17, 2008 under puppy training |
The Golden Retriever is truly one of the most beautiful dogs on the planet.
They have a beautiful coat, an amazing face, a strong, sleek, and muscular body, a fantastic personality, a tail that never stops waging, and they are a joy to watch at work, when flushing a pheasant, swimming in the water, or chasing a Frisbee.
The Golden Retriever was originally bred as a hunting dog in Scotland, around 1908, but is now very popular as a house pet, a therapy dog in convalescent homes and childrenâ??s hospitals, and is used by law enforcement for drug detection.
Although they do not make very good guard dogs, they will bark loudly if a stranger approaches.
If you have children the Golden Retriever can be the perfect pet. Because of their natural nurturing instincts, and very gentle nature they make the perfect companion.
In 1974 President Gerald Ford made the First Family dog a Golden Retriever named Liberty.
If you are considering getting a Golden Retriever puppy, you need to find a reputable breeder that specializes in breeding Golden Retrievers.
There are plenty of pet shops and back yard breeders that are selling Goldens, that may have serious breed problems ranging from aggression, to hip and eye problems, and a host of other problems that may not be noticeable at the puppy stage.
A reputable breeder will check the blood lines of the parents carefully to make sure they do not have a history of these problems, before breeding. This will be your best chance at having a trouble free pet.
Training your Golden Retriever is not as hard as you may think. These are very intelligent dogs, and eager to learn. They want to please you, and hate to be scowled.
The first thing to remember is that puppies will be puppies, so donâ??t expect too much too soon.
You can start to bathroom train right away, but if there is anything around you care about within the puppies grasp like shoes, or your favorite slippers, I would put them away, because your puppyâ??s going to chew them if he gets them.
Give your puppy something of his own to chew. They are teething, and want to naturally chew things because their gums hurt. Make it clear early on that he or she is to chew what you gave them, and nothing else.
If you expect your Golden to respond to your commands, then you want to avoid confusing him. Itâ??s easy to forget that they do not understand the English language.
They respond to certain sounds, or words, based on your body language, and tone of voice. The trick to making the training as simple as possible is to use a few basic words and stick with them.
If you want your Golden to get out of the trash, and you say â??noâ? one time, and â??stopâ? the next time, and then â??heyâ? the next time, they never really get what you are telling them.
The six words that I have found over the years that work best are â??NOâ? â??SITâ? â??DOWNâ? â??COMEâ? “HEEL” and â??STAYâ?. I find they work best if said without the dogs name. These are discipline words, and are better left by themselves.
Itâ??s important that you show your Golden Retriever that you are the boss. You must establish that you are the leader to be successful with his training.
If you give one of your commands, and he does not comply, reinforce the command with a little different tone of voice until he complies.
If that still doesnâ??t work, donâ??t just walk away. That will send a bad message. Stick with it until you get the desired results. It will happen.
Never yell at your pet or hit them, or raise your hand in a gesture to do so. You also never want to use anything like a rolled up newspaper, or a belt, or any object of this type to discipline them.
This will only scare and confuse them, and loose their trust, which will make it much harder to achieve the results you are looking for.
If you use the word “No” Firmly, to stop him from what he is doing, or gently show him you want him to â??Sitâ? or lay â??Downâ?, or use the word â??Come” when you want him to come to you, or say â??Outâ? when it is time for her to go outside - I think you will be very surprised at how fast he or she learns.
Whatever words work for you are fine, as long as you keep them simple, and stay with the same words all the time I think you will get surprising results.
And donâ??t forget the most important word of all, GOOD. Using that word combined with boy or girl, or the dogâ??s name such as â??Good Sammyâ?, can work wonders.
They learn to like that real fast. Saying Good Boy, or Good Girl, or What a Good Girl, with the right tone in your voice, combined with a pat on the head, a biscuit, or a rubbing of their belly, will practically send a Golden Retriever into orbit.
They are beautiful animals. Just be patient, and you will have a great friend for many years.
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Posted on Nov 17, 2008 under small dogs |
The dog clothing market is huge. People used to buy dog clothes for a specific function such as a warm sweater, for a tiny dog to wear in cold weather. Some dog fashions are beneficial for our dogs. There are dog boots that protect your little dog’s feet from ice, cold, snow or even rock salt. Some dogs just do not like their feet getting wet, so rubber boots are great for them. Dog coats and dog sweaters protect our tiny companions from losing heat in the cold weather or from indoor air conditioning. Dogs such as the hairless Chinese crested need clothing to protect them from the cold or sun, so having a wardrobe for your little dog is necessary for some pets.
Many people buy wonderful clothes for their beloved pet strictly for fashion. Some just want their pampered pooches to look as good as they do and feel money is no object. Celebrities certainly were instrumental in making dog clothing popular, by showing their pets wearing fantastic outfits and accessories. Clothes designers have got on the bandwagon. They are now designing and making fabulous clothes for our wonderful dogs.
Many dog owners love special holidays such as Easter, Christmas and Halloween, so they can dress their pampered pets in Santa suits, ghost outfits or even as cupid. Often pets enjoy the attention they get from their owners dressing them up and pampering them.
Unlike years ago, there is a huge, varied selection of pet clothing and accessories because of the market demands. No longer just for smaller breeds of dog, there is clothing available for both large and smaller dogs that keep your pet dry, warm or fashionable. Our pets are such a valuable and loved member of our household and give us unconditional love. In return, we feed and shelter them and love them back. We have now added â??clothe them’ to this. Because domestic breeds have adjusted to our environment standards, they require more protection from bad weather just as we do. Many of the smaller breeds lose body heat fast, so protective clothing helps reduce this loss.
When shopping for dog clothes remember there are dog boutiques and shops that specialize in everything from daywear dog fashions, designer dog clothing, cold weather wear, to unique and fabulous evening dog clothes. Make sure you have extra room in your drawers or closets for your pets clothing. Better yet buy them their own dresser to store your pampered dog’s outfits.
Many of the doggie clothing boutiques allow owners to bring their pets in when they are choosing clothing for them. This way you see what the outfit looks like and have the fun of seeing others with their cute dressed dogs. Just like our clothing, dog’s outfits come in sizes from extra, extra small to extra large. Make sure that whatever outfits your decide to purchase, they fit your dog properly. Safety is extremely important, so dog outfits should have nothing that a dog can pull off or injure him or herself on.
Posted on Nov 17, 2008 under dog training |
Many people have begun the task of getting there dog or puppy
into a dog training school. There are a lot of aspects that are
gone over in dog training classes. Unfortunately, one part of
dog training that is not gone over very well in dog training
classes is chewing.
It is hard to go over a chewing problem in dog training classes
because dogs often have nothing to chew on or destroy while in
the class! If you are one of those people who are in dog
training classes, but you still need help with chewing, please
read on.
This type of dog training can be for dogs young and old. Many
people find this part of dog training to be more common in
puppies. But older dogs have been know to need this type of dog
training because they love to chew things up while their owners
are away!
To begin this type of dog training, you must first realize that
all dogs chew. Dogs need to chew. So when you begin, make sure
you have several things that are ok for your dog to chew on.
Then begin your dog training by keeping all of your dogs chewing
toys in one location.
This way, your dog will learn to associate this spot with his or
her chew toys. You must do this in order for this type of dog
training to work. Try to have the dog toys in a “toy box” for
your dog.
During this dog training, never spank or hit your dog if you
catch it chewing on something it is not allowed to. Instead, for
effective dog training, praise your dog and pet it when it chews
on what it is supposed to chew on.
It has been shown that dogs respond much better to positive
praise and positive dog training. If the dog continues to chew
on things that it shouldn’t, verbally reprimand it. Your tone of
voice will be enough punishment and is the only punishment
necessary for this kind of dog training.
Another method of dog training you can try is to put a taste
deterrent on the items your dog shouldn’t chew. This Dog
Training chew deterrent is called “bitter apple” and it is
available at most pet stores.
These are the most effective means of dog training that will
teach your dog not to chew on inappropriate things. If you
follow all of these aspects, your dog training should go more
smoothly.
Dog training can be a fun and rewarding experience…as long as
all of your favorite things aren’t chewed up in the process!
Keep calm and be patient to achieve good results
Posted on Nov 14, 2008 under small dogs |
Most dogs will begin to be less active and will self-exercise less as they age. Some breeds are naturally more likely to gain weight and be couch dogs rather than active pets, so it is important to help them eat only the food they need, not all that they want. Some dogs are naturally able to regulate their food whereas other dogs simply eat until they can’t hold another bite. Understanding how your dog eats and how much they eat can help you determine how to best help them manage their weight or how to effectively help them lose weight.
To get your dog started on a lifestyle change and diet that is needed to help an already overweight dog start to get in shape consider the following:
· Cut out all snacks, treats and food items other than the actual dog food. This means no high carb or sugary treats, no extra little scraps from the table or even any dog cookies. High quality treats can be reintroduced to the diet on a very limited amount once the weight has been lost.
· Unless there is a reason why your dog must be on wet food switch to a high quality premium dry food only, but not necessarily a weight loss formula. Most dogs will lose weight even on regular kibble provided all the other aspects of the plan are followed. Ask your vet for recommendations for foods that would be beneficial to your particular dog. Switch the food slowly and gradually to avoid digestive problems. Don’t worry if the dog refuses to eat the dry, especially if it is a picky eater, it will eat when it gets hungry. If the dog does not eat for two days and you are exercising the dog as outlined contact your vet before proceeding with the food selection.
· Increase exercise - and this involves your participation. Most dogs, especially those that are overweight, simply do not exercise themselves. Putting them outside in the yard for an extra hour doesn’t count since they will likely take a leisurely stroll around the yard, find a comfortable spot and rest. You must make them keep moving. Take them on a leash for a walk around the block at least twice a day. Once they can do one block, increase to two and keep increasing the distance and the pace of the exercise. Start slow and gradually increase to avoid stressing both the dog and yourself!
· Increase play times. Try throwing a ball or a stick for the dog, or playing a game of tag or chase. Start slow, even just rolling the ball to get the dog involved. Lots of praise and attention during the game will help keep them motivated and engaged.
· Plan a regular “play date” for your dog with another dog if he or she is an only dog in your house. Running and playing with another dog is great exercise and gives you a chance to supervise and relax.
· Cut down on the dog food by a quarter to start. If you are normally feeding 1 cup twice a day feed ¾ of a cup twice a day. Never cut out a meal, simply cut down on each meal. It is recommended to feed two smaller meals rather than just one meal to keep blood sugar better regulated for the dog.
· Check your yard and house for hidden food items. Many dogs have learned to get into the garbage, get into cupboards and raid the treat boxes or even get into candy dishes left on the coffee table. Remove all sources of food from where the dog can access.
Keep on the plan for two weeks, decreasing each mean by one quarter and doubling a reasonable level of exercise. You should notice a slight weight loss in this period. You can either weigh the dog by using a standard bath scale or, for large breeds, simply use a measuring tape around the widest part of the their body. If you have followed the plan and are decreasing food, increasing exercise and cutting out all treats and do not notice even a slight decrease in weight after two weeks see your veterinarian immediately to rule out any medical problems.