Most humans have at least one type of food that they won’t eat – either because they were ‘force-fed broccoli’ as a child and have never recovered from the trauma, or because they simply don’t like the taste. In the same way, pets can be fussy about their food, and if you smell the contents of a ‘budget’ tin of dog food it’s not hard to see why they would turn their very sensitive noses up at it! As well as being nutritious and full of the right essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, pet food should be appetising, encouraging your dog to eat regularly. But what can you do to encourage a truly ‘fussy eater’ to stick to a healthy diet?

What NOT to do…

The worst thing that an owner can do is indulge their pet’s fussy fads. Most dogs will eat whatever is put in front of them, but if they start getting too picky or choosy about their food, pandering to their demands reinforces negative behavioural patterns and can compound the problem. Not only could this get expensive if your dog develops a taste for organic chicken breasts, for example, but you could also be damaging their health by upsetting the balance of vitamins and nutrients your dog really needs. Fussy eating is in most cases, a psychological condition and this behaviour needs to be corrected. However, if your pet is off their food completely rather than just becoming merely fussy, consult a vet to ensure that there is not a more serious underlying health problem.

Changing behaviour patterns

As much as it goes against a pet owner’s nature, hunger is the best cure for a dog that’s become a fussy eater. Make sure that when you do put food down, it is appetising and encourages the dog to eat. Brands such as Eukanuba and Arden Grange use natural ingredients that are designed to be both nutritious and appetising. By introducing a ‘little and not too often’ routine for a couple of days, you should be able to cure your fussy eater of its habits very quickly.

Share This

Good dog movies are few and far between. Nevertheless, there are several must see dog movies available for you to catch. Bring a few home and be sure to have a good supply of hankies. Here, we look briefly at several classic dog movies made pre-1980 that no dog lover should ever miss.

• Lassie Come Home (1943)

Although there are human actors in this movie, its focus is on the dog star of the time. This is the incredible Pal, known in the film as Lassie. Lassie Come Home is a film created in that tried-and-true formula. It is about a boy and his dog.

The cast of the movie includes Roddy MacDowell (Joe Carraclough) as a young Yorkshire boy and Elizabeth Taylor (Priscilla), an interested party from a wealthy family.

• Old Yeller (1957)

If you enjoy crying, watch Old Yeller. The yellow lab is played by Spike, a former animal shelter dog. This tear-jerker also features a memorable cast. They include Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker and Jeff Young. Set in Texas in the late 19th century, ths is another heart-warming story about a boy and his dog.

• Benji (1974)

For a while there, everybody knew about Benji. This cute little dog established a role for small but tough loveable mutts. The role of Benji became a family affair. Higgins, the dog star of the movie, created the character then passed it on to his daughter.

Benji is about an orphan and an abandoned dog making their way in the world. It is about establishing friendships and standing up for what is right. There are good townspeople, kind children and despicable villains. Their roles serve to  support the performance of Benji.

• The Wizard of Oz (1939)

To some people, the Wizard of Oz is about Dorothy. To dog afficionados, the movie revolves around Toto. This is another deadly combination of child and dog. It is, after all, Toto who uncovers the fakery. It is Toto who launches the desire to leave Kansas where he is on less than good terms with the prototype of the Wicked Witch, Elmira Gulch (Edith Hamilton).

In this case, the dog role was played by Terry a Blue Cairn Terrier. Together with Dorothy (Judy Garland), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), the Scarecrow (Ray Bulgar), the Tin Man (Jack Haley) and Glinda the Good Witch (Billie Burke), they make this a classic movie for both humans and dogs to enjoy.

• The Incredible Journey (1963)

This is truly an animal story. It involves the adventures of 2 dogs and a cat. The incredible journey tells the tale of how these 3 beloved pets make their way across treacherous and dangerous country back home. The movie stars in this film are the animals. The dogs are named Luath and Bodger. The former is played by Rink, a Labrador Retriever. The older male , Bodger is performed by Muffy, a female bulldog. The cat, Tao is played by Sym Cat.

• Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Lady and the Tramp is an animated movie from the Walt Disney studios. It is the story of 2 dogs from different spectrums of society. It is a love story even the young children can enjoy. Lady is a purebred; Tramp is a street urchin. Together, however, they will forge a life together. This, however, can only occur after various adventures, including clashes with a villainous dog catcher.

• 101 Dalmatians (1961)

Lady and the Tramp was a sensation during its time. Children fell in love all over again with animated dogs some 6 years later with the release of another Disney Studios film – 101 Dalmatians. It focuses on the attempts of 2 dogs: Perdita and Perdo, to thwart the evil designs of Cruella de Vil. She wants to make a coat completely out of dalmatian dogs. Can the 2 courageous dogs save their new family of puppies? This was the movie that sparked an intense interest in Dalmatians, not for the best.

Content written by Steve Perry of ohmydogsupplies.com , the top spot to purchase dog clothes and accessories online.

Share This

Some of the nicest dog parks within the United States can be located in both small rural communities, as well as large metropolitan areas such as New York, California, and Florida.

Cedar Lane Dog Park: Best Dog Park For Hosting Social Events

All dog parks have an awesome atmosphere, but the Cedar Lane Dog Park is routinely  noted for its wonderful social setting. While the dogs are happily playing and running about, their owners can be seen sitting together, talking and enjoying hot coffee, tea, and muffins, which are all courtesy of the host facility.

You’ll even encounter dozens of devoted regulars of the dog park taking in the crisp winter air on a chilly Christmas morning. Now that is what I call dedication!  And there are tons of other social activities which are scheduled throughout each month. There is the annual dog-swimming contest as well as plenty of games and contests for all interested dog owners to participate in as well. You can find Cedar Lane Park located at 235 Cedar Lane, Ossining, N.Y.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park: Noted For Best Amenities For Dog Owners

Should you ever find yourself traveling through California with your dog, don’t forget to take a day trip to the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park. This incredible facility is not only renowned for its dog attractions, but also remarkable for having the best amenities for dog owners of any of the parks nationwide. 

After a day of gallivanting through the mud and intermittent dips in the water, your dog can be taken to the available dog washing center to rinse off – this facility boasts several such areas throughout the facility.  Should you be in the market for new doggie toys, equipment or snacks simply stop in at the doggie store and retail shop conveniently located inside the park area.

If you’re feeling a bit hungry yourself after a day chock full of outdoor activities, Point Isabel also has a plethora of food and beverage options for your enjoyment at the Mudpuppy’s Sit & Stay Cafe. No need to worry about your dog, the cafe also provides fabulous dishes that your pet can inhale that are both delicious and nutritious.  Look for the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park located at 1 Isabel St., Richmond California.

Bark Park, Located Inside Snyder Park: Best Safety In Mind For Troubled Times

Of the more than 700 dog parks within the United States, we know of only one unique facility that makes safety paramount over the other parks. Dogs will be dogs, and rough play is bound to happen in any park area between two or more dominant canines.

It often occurs when you least expect it. The owners hurry to the fight scene and endeavor to separate their dogs. Sadly, not only do the incidents bring to a close the day’s playtime activities for the dogs, owners can also get injured.

Imagine a recreation area for dogs where attendants are on-site charged with no other task than to monitor each dog and be on alert for negative or aggressive behavior? Such a luxury is in place and can be found at the Bark Park, inside of Snyder Park, in the state of Florida. Support for this enhanced safety and level of comfort is covered by a small annual fee paid for by each owner.  Bark Park can be found at 3299 S.W. 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Article written by Mike Richards of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, check for limited time specials on rectangle dog beds online.

Photo: SXC

Share This