Saturday, February 19, 2011

Proper Diet and How It Affects Basset Hound Training

By Hannah Downey


Helpful training technique is not the only foundation of good basset hound training. Neither the most expensive and popular dog training devices. Good health and proper diet are also key elements to achieve your goal of having a well-behaved canine companion.

Many canine owners choose commercial dog foods because it is the most popular and readily-available pet food. Some owners prefer homemade dog foods to be sure that their pets get only the best nutrition. When purchasing commercial dog foods for your beloved basset hound, ensure that it contains all the necessary ingredients your dog needs. To do so, go through the product label very carefully. Be aware that the ingredients in the product label are ordered according to its proportion. If the product label listed meat as the first ingredient and vegetables as the second ingredient, it merely means that the specific dog food contains greater percentage of meat than vegetables. If you see a dry dog food with by-products as its first or second ingredient, it is wise to take into consideration another dog food brand. Though most by-products are actually not threatening, the low quality dog food may impact your dog's coat, muscles and overall wellness in the long run. While dry dog food is said to help improve your pet's teeth and gums, some dogs enjoy dry dog food if prepared with a bit of water and microwaved for approximately 30 seconds.

There are also pet owners who, despite the convenience commercial dog foods offer, would rather make homemade dog foods for their little pets. Prior to making the big switch, it would be a good idea to consult your veterinarian first. Since protein is extremely important in keeping your pet fit during basset hound training, homemade dog food should contain 40% meat while vegetables and starch should be 30% each, the exact same with high-quality commercial dog food. Though homemade dog food may need more effort to prepare compared to commercial dog food, the result is worth it all since you can be sure that your pet gets the nutrients needed to make him physically and mentally healthy.

While dog treats are utilized during training, proper care ought to be taken not to give him more than what he needs since most treats are usually loaded with fat content that could certainly cause weight and other health problems.

So if you feel like you aren't getting positive basset hound training results despite of all the proven strategies you're using, better check out your pet's diet. Lack of much-needed nutrients may be the reason why he does not appear to behave as intelligent as other basset hounds.




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