While summer is approaching and some of us may be looking to narrow our waistlines, how’s your dog’s?

While I admit, it’s hard to be disciplined with myself, I can be a bit more so with my dogs.  But, even now and then I slip them an extra treat as it makes them so happy!  But, since we are the one in charge of how much, when and what they eat – they need us to be consistent and provide them with healthy choices.  
So here are a few tips on how much to feed your dog.

Age:

• Newborn pups under 3 months of age – 4 times a day
• Puppies 3 to 6 months of age – 3 times a day
• Adult dogs – once or twice a day

The serving size will depend on the brand you are using.

Quality:   There are customized foods for size, age, health, and even certain breeds!   There’s dry, wet, raw food, freshly prepared foods to name a few with more choices it seems on the market everyday.   If you do switch brands or type of food, introduce it gradually in your dogs dish for at least 2 weeks with a little bit more of the new and less of the old everyday.

Routine:  Dogs like routine and it’s best if they are fed about the same time each day and be diligent about sticking to it.  That way it’s easier to monitor how often they need to go out as well to fit your schedule.

Speaking of routine, my dogs got on this habit of getting a treat after every time they go out.  While greyhounds don’t have to worry about a weight problem, they still need healthy food.  I give them a Dogswell treat every time because they are so varied in style and my dog’s love them.

Nutrition is critical to a dog's health and we all want our dog to live as long as possible!

About the Author: 
As the DogSexpert, and Founder of www.LeashesandLovers.com, Sheryl Matthys talks with dog lovers on how their dogs impact their personal relationships.  Leashes and Lovers offers online connections (www.FetchaFriend.com) where dog lovers can search and connect around the world for friendship, doggie playdates, same breed of dog, and possibly love!              

For most of the country, wintertime is not as active for our dogs or us. I love the renewal of spring and along with that a fresh start on organizing, exercise, and health. Here are some tips!

Organize: Either create or tidy up a drawer/closet where you have your dog’s items. Have separate baskets for hygiene items like flea/tick medication, heartworm pills, and any nutrients/vitamins. Then in a different basket, place a toothbrush and paste. Ideally, it’s good to brush your dog’s teeth everyday as they get plaque just like we do. While I don’t necessarily get to it every day, I mark on the calendar Sun./Wed./Fri. as my dogs grooming days. While organizing their baskets, toss anything old and make a list of supplies needed (medications, new collar, new ID tag where your contact info is easily readable and up-to-date.)

Exercise: When it’s cold, it’s a challenge to stay in a routine. Spring is a great time to refresh a schedule. Designate a time of day, and select days for a nice walk – at least 30 minutes. I have on my calendar 30 - 45 minute walks on Monday, Thursday, and Saturdays. Fifteen minute walks on the alternate days. Plan out what’s best for you and your dog based on health and age. Aim to exercise either morning or evening hours avoiding the heat of the day. And, remember even little dogs need exercise. It’s easy to forget that the “purse dog” needs to stretch those legs too for optimum health.

Health: Do you know your dogs ideal weight? You should actually be able to feel your dogs ribs and see a waist tapering in front of the hips if your dog isn’t too furry. If not, guess what? Your dog probably needs to shed a few pounds. While it may look cute to have a somewhat pudgy pooch, this could lead to diabetes and arthritis.

About the Author: 

As the DogSexpert, and Founder of www.LeashesandLovers.com, Sheryl Matthys talks with dog lovers on how their dogs impact their personal relationships.  Leashes and Lovers offers online connections (www.FetchaFriend.com) where dog lovers can search and connect around the world for friendship, doggie playdates, same breed of dog, and possibly love!

Sheryl has two children, two greyhounds and is a certified dog trainer. 

The Holidays are in the air – It’s the time to reflect and express the joy of giving, hope, peace and cheer. 

It’s also time to celebrate, visit family and friends, and share some yuletide joy in the way of food, treats, and gifts!  But what to get everyone?  Well, I’m here to help at least  offer some ideas for your four-legged friend and some insight to keep it a safe holiday for all.

Why not get Fido a new collar, portrait, or party hat!  Photos and paintings are the perfect keepsake and here are some businesses I can personally recommend to help you with just. 

Photos and Paintings:  AmelieArt, JTYost, Arlene Horton, Fetching Dog Photos, Jimmy Dog, Petographs, PhoDOGraphy, Poochtography. 

And, what dog can’t use a fresh collar, clothing, bed, or chew toy for the New Year!  Check out these sites to have one Posh Pooch this season.

Collars, Clothing, Jewels: Andrea Levine Jewelry, Bully Ware NY, Buddy G’s, Bowchies, Charming Pet Products, Chic Paws, Dolores Piscotta, Doggy Apparel, The Salty Paw, Pet Centre, Petropolis, Puppy KIsses, TORU, Walters Pet Styles, Dog Bed Works

While many of us love to decorate, eat sweets, and indulge in a tad too much drinking – the festivities can pose hazards for our pooch.  Chocolate can be dangerous, tinsel and other decorations can obstruct the bowels, and splintered turkey bones can damage the intestine.

We’ve long heard Poinsettias and Christmas Cactus could be poisonous to pets, but many vets say they will mostly just cause an upset stomach.  If your pet does ingest either of these, don’t feed them much for the next day to help calm their stomach.  

While we may be inclined to sneak our dog some rich holiday food as a special treat, we’ll pay the price later mostly with their unpleasant gas and diarrhea – not “a good thing” for your guests!  Chocolate and macadamia nuts on the other hand can become toxic for your dog.  While a little bit of chocolate won’t kill your dog, it’s the theobromine in chocolate that can cause neurological and cardiac concerns.  Baker’s chocolate is nearly 10 times more potent than milk chocolate.  Vomiting and diarrhea are the first signs of trouble to take your dog to your vet.  Macadamia nuts too can bring on fever, vomiting and possibly rear leg paralysis.  The severity of the toxicity depends on the size of your dog and how much it consumed.

Here are 5 tips for Pooch Party Precautions:

1. Decorate with your dog in mind – Leave the bottom tree branches free of ornaments, tinsel, and lights up so your dog can’t damage them and hurt themselves.  Hide batteries so they don’t become chew toys that can block the intestines or create an ulcer.
2. Drink alone - Well, with other humans.  Alcohol has the same effect on dogs as it does people, but dogs are even more sensitive to it. 
3. Electrical Cords – Use a cord wrap and/or tuck cords out of the way to prevent your dog from chomping on them.
4. Make a Getaway - Create a special place for your dog to escape when adult guests and children become too much.
5. Spend time as well as money – A quality moment and walk will help everyone feel better with all the activities, excitement and a tinge of stress in the air.  Time together is priceless.

About the Author: 

As the DogSexpert, and Founder of www.LeashesandLovers.com, Sheryl Matthys talks with dog lovers on how their dogs impact their personal relationships.  Leashes and Lovers offers online connections (www.FetchaFriend.com) where dog lovers can search and connect around the world for friendship, doggie playdates, same breed of dog, and possibly love!

Sheryl has two children, two greyhounds and is a certified dog trainer. 

A new addition to the family is always an exciting time, but it may draw mixed reactions from your family pet. As co-founder of www.LeashesandLovers.com, I strive to strengthen the bond between owner and pet, and those around them. And as the DogSexpert, I talk to people about how their dogs affect their personal relationships.

So what about bringing your new baby home? Will your dog bark at the idea? I've always had pets in my life so my story starts with the startling fact that I married a man who just "wasn't into dogs." (People can change!) Then after years of marriage, together we selected our 1st - a retired greyhound, Shiraz. I think it's important not to force a dog onto a family member. And, because we made this decision together, this dog improved our relationship on so many levels.

For one, Shiraz helped fill that void of a "baby" as it just never seemed like the right time to have one. Secondly, in so many ways, a dog's and a baby's needs are really quite the same. There are feedings, shelter, clothing, poo duty, cuddling, loving, bathing, etc. After having Shiraz a few years, we decided to take the big plunge. But, did we really want to end our freedom as my parents lead me to believe! Then, nothing happened. So while we waited, we adopted another greyhound, Buffett. Jump ahead to today, two children, and two greyhounds - we have become quite the happy pack.

Before the baby arrives:
1. Get the dog acquainted with the smells and sounds of a baby. Open baby items like lotions and shake a rattle.
2. It's a great time to take your dog to the vet for a vaccination against parasites and other pertinent shots.
3. Visit a friend with a baby so your dog is familiar with infant cries and smells.
   While at the Hospital:
4. Bringa couple of baby's items home prior to its arrival for the dogs to sniff
   Arriving Home:
5. If possible, have someone else carry in the new baby while you greet the dog to prevent jealousy and create a positive first time interaction.
6. Allow the dog to greet the baby on its own without forcing or calling the dog over.
7. Create positive interactions between the dog and the baby such as being happy and praising the dog's good behavior with words and a treat.
8. Avoid negative associations between the dog and the baby such as yelling "no" when the dog sniffs or goes near the baby.
9. Don't leave the baby and dog together unattended.
10. I learned this the hard way, don't leave a dirty diaper within your dogs reach!