Congratulations to the following PetSmart “My Dog’s Mission”  winners, each are currently featured on a Eukanuba dog food package sold exclusively at PetSmart! Below are the winning entries and pictures:

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Congratulations K-9 Arras on being featured on a Eukanuba Large Breed Adult bag!

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K-9 ARRAS – Large Breed Adult Winner – “To Protect & Serve”

K-9 Arras was imported from the Netherlands in December of 2002 by Vohne Liche Kennels in Peru, Indiana. After I was chosen to be the next K-9 Officer by my department (Warren City PD, Warren, Ohio), a seasoned handler & myself made the trip to the kennels. We chose Arras from approximately 90 other dogs because of his incredible drive & fabulous personality. We then completed 6 weeks of rigorous training. Since then, we have been protecting & serving the citizens of our community by taking a lot of illegal drugs & bad guys off the streets. Arras also visits our schools, community meetings & children’s groups teaching them what being a police officer is all about. He is the best partner & companion anyone could hope for & I am truly blessed to have him. That is why he has been eating Eukanuba foods from the 1st bowl of food I gave him & will continue until the last )

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Congratulations Bella on being featured on a Eukanuba Adult Maintenance bag!

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BELLA – Adult Maintenance – Small Bite Winner – “Bella loves to volunteer”

Bella is a registered therapy dog, specializing in the reading education assistance program. Her mission is to improve the reading, comprehension and confidence in all the children that read to her. She also likes to show all the children that they are loved and special in her eyes. Schools, libraries, churches and care facilities are among the places she volunteers. Along the journey she has also learned to read. She can read a word on a card and do the behavior. She is up to eight words. She likes to do demonstrations for the children and then have me tell them “everyone can read, even a dog”. Bella loves to volunteer, she tries to inspire others to volunteer, to show that everyone has a gift or a talent they can share, including a dog.

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Congratulations Yogi on being featured on a Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy bag!

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YOGI – Large Breed Puppy Winner – “Yogi to the Rescue”

My name is Yogi, as in Yogi Bear. You might think my mission is to steal picnic baskets, but it’s way more exciting than that. At 1 week of age, I was promised to one family, but at 5 weeks of age they decided they couldn’t have me. Fate intervened, and on 12/27/10, I traveled to the home I was always destined to go to. Originally, my mission was to mend the broken hearts of my family who had suddenly, and tragically, lost their other dog. I decided right away to be the best dog ever so as to make things easier for them. Instantly, I showed them how smart and loving I was. I was house trained in 10 days, and learned simple commands like sit, lay, shake, stay and leave it in the first two weeks. I make my family smile constantly. They say I am the best medicine for whatever ails them. They really love my head to toe wiggle when I get really excited. I don’t just wag my tail, I wag my body. It makes them laugh every time. Mission accomplished!

Well, I thought I had successfully completed my mission, but I now know my journey has just begun. My family is so thrilled with my personality that they want me to become a therapy dog and share my love with others. They want me to visit nursing homes, hospitals, and especially the autism classes at the school where mom works. They know I can bring happiness to so many others. I’m in basic puppy training classes now, plus mom and dad do their own socialization training with me. They take me to a park and then to PetSmart every night. I walk the aisles in the store meeting new dogs and people. Mom and dad want me to be prepared for all situations, and to learn to hold back a little of my initial excitement when meeting new people. I’m working on that. If PetSmart had door greeters, I would be their guy. I haven’t met a person yet that I can’t make smile. Anyway, I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I couldn’t be happier.

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Congratulations Reba on being featured on a Eukanuba Adult Maintenance bag!

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REBA – Adult Maintenance  Winner – “Service Dog Producer!”

I started fostering Reba as a new brood dog for Guiding Eyes for the Blind almost 5 years ago. While an active breeder for this organization, she had 4 litters and from those litters produced 4 guide dogs for the blind, 2 wheelchair assistance dogs and a hospital facility dog, 1 explosive detection canine, 2 ATF dogs, and 2 therapy dogs and an autism support dog. She is a wonderfully goofy, always happy yellow lab who makes OUR life great, but she has also helped many, many others through her puppies! Now retired, she is “just” a dog. Just OUR dog, so her well deserved retirement includes getting her Canine Good Citizen certification and lots of long walks/hikes/trips to the dog park. AND she is a Canine Ambassador for Guiding Eyes for the Blind!

Super-skinny models might have food issues. So do the majority of children under the age of 4. Then, there’s your brother who hasn’t tasted a carbohydrate since 2001. He definitely has issues. But what if your dog won’t eat?

Your dog might be finicky. Or perhaps he possesses the appetite of a lumberjack. Wherever the problems lie, take heart. You can help your dog eat a nutritionally sound diet — without the aid of a high-priced doggie psychologist or canine chef.

What Your Dog Needs
Before we tackle idiosyncrasies, let’s step back and look at good dog nutrition. All dogs need a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates like those found in high-quality pet foods. Feed your dog according to its size, breed and stage of life.

Feeding the Dog That Won’t Eat
If your dog sniffs its bowl then rejects all but a few bites, analyze your dog’s behavior. Like kids, dogs will eat when they’re hungry. A few things could be happening:

• Too many snacks Is your dog fed people food or extra dog treats that suppress his appetite? Feeding table scraps is a no-no, and too many treats can dull your dog’s appetite for the nutritious food he needs.
• Illness Neither people nor canines eat if they’re ill. Make note of whether or not your dog is pooping regularly and playing normally. Recording such information in a notebook could help you and your vet determine a pattern and thus lead to a diagnosis. “Some dogs actually have a dental problem, and it’s painful to eat,” says Dr. Bruce Silverman of Village West Veterinary in Chicago. “These dogs need this problem addressed at the vet’s office before they can go back to their food dish and eat without discomfort.”
• Overfeeding Your dog might be eating all it needs and leaving the rest alone. Check to make sure your portions are on target.
• Yucky food Cheaper dog food brands might be made with low-quality ingredients that may not suit your dog’s palate — or his body. Your dog might not like the taste or likely has difficulty digesting it. “Some dogs are just picky eaters because they don’t love the food in front of them,” says Silverman. “If you haven’t experimented with different-quality diets, perhaps it’s a good time to do so.”

Feeding the Dog With a Big Appetite
We know Irish Wolfhounds that can pack it away — and Miniature Schnauzers that can keep up with them. If your dog seems truly hungry (you’ll know if he inhales supper in five minutes flat then begs you for more) there could be a reason:

• Food quality Is your dog getting the right kind of nutrition to feel satiated?
• Adequate portions Are you feeding your dog enough? If you’ve recently taken up cross-country skiing and your dog joins you in the adventure, he is burning more calories. Take a look at the feeding guidelines on the package or consult with your veterinarian.
• Water Like people, dogs often eat when they’re actually thirsty. Make sure your dog’s water bowl is clean and contains fresh water at all times.

If you’ve got this checklist down, then try a couple of other solutions. “I got my dog from the pound and noticed he wolfed down his food as if he was competing for it,” says attorney Shane Fischer of Winter Park, Fla. “Of course, 10 minutes after he ate, he’d barf it back up. I took a small bowl, turned it upside down and put it in his dog dish, which prevented him from scooping up a large amount of food at once. Then, I started feeding him in increments of one-third his normal rations. After he ate, I’d wait 15 to 20 minutes before giving him the next ration.”

Silverman also recommends training exercises with treats before mealtime (you can use the same kibble you use for food), both for dogs that won’t eat and dogs that overeat. “It gets dogs in the mood for eating, they respond better to the training exercises, and some of their appetite is satiated before they dive into the food dish,” he explains.

This article originally appeared on www.exceptionalcanine.com, an independent editorial source.

Did you want to attend the Eukanuba Breeder Symposium in Canfield, Orlando or Portland but were not able to?  Here are the proceedings that covered Behavior, Reproduction, Probiotics and Aging featuring:

• Margaret M. Duxbury, DVM, DACVB
• Russ Kelley, MS
• Robert Van Hutchison, DVM
• David J. Waters, DVM, PhD, DACVS

Click on the picture to download the Eukanuba Breeder Symposium Proceedings. Once on that page, you can click “File” then scroll down to download or simply read right there!

The adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was obviously invented by a cat owner. New tricks and activities keep senior dogs healthy, engaged and youthful. For all of us, a large part of the fountain of youth lies in being active — and this universal truth applies to dogs. When body and mind are challenged with daily exercise and mental stimuli, your aging dog will likely be healthier.

A thorough physical examination is the starting point for any new exercise routine. A checkup might seem inconsequential, but it is necessary to assess your senior dog’s physical stamina, weight, heart health, joint stability, and pain, along with any other possible medical conditions that could worsen with exertion. It also establishes safe expectations and achievable goals.

Watch for Signs of Arthritis

Most dogs do not reach their golden years without a few extra pounds or an achy joint or two. Weight and arthritis are common culprits for exercise intolerance.

Don’t ignore reluctance to exercise or intermittent lameness, which are signs of arthritis. Arthritis can limit joint mobility and overall flexibility, making exercise a dreaded chore. Treating painful joints with proper medications and supplements helps workouts become enjoyable.

Extra body weight strains joints and exacerbates arthritis. If your older dog needs to shed a few pounds, ask your veterinarian to recommend an appropriate food and calculate an accurate daily calorie limit. Don’t forget to include treats in your total count. Joint, ligament, and vertebral disk injuries are more common in overweight dogs; managing body mass will directly impact activity levels.

Tailor Activities for Your Senior Dog

Older dogs that live in households with younger dogs are typically more active. However, trying to keep up with young dogs can put pressure on a geriatric canine. To avoid accidents and injuries, group exercises should be tailored to your senior dog, and older dogs should be given areas for respite at home.

The best exercises for older dogs include walking, hiking, running, taking part in light agility work, playing fetch and retrieving games, and swimming. Low-impact, repetitive workouts are typically best. Your dog’s enthusiasm for an activity is often the best indicator of success.

Take These Precautions

If your dog has arthritis in its hips, avoid slick surfaces and jumping. Working on uneven terrain can be troublesome for dogs with vision deficits; dogs with spinal discomfort or severe joint pain may only tolerate swimming.

Levels of exercise tolerance and agility vary by dog, so try to understand your pet’s limitations. Gauge your dog’s tolerance by observing its respiratory effort, panting and willingness to continue. A good rule: Start with a 10-minute walk and determine if it’s too much or too little activity. Add a minute a day until you reach 20 to 30 minutes daily.

Watch for Overexertion

After exercise, your senior dog might be a bit sore and tired. Watch for stiffness, lameness, depression and decreased appetite — all of which are signs that your dog might have overdone it. Don’t forget: no ibuprofen or Tylenol. (Both are dangerous for canines.) The best remedies for tired muscles are a massage and a comfy therapeutic bed.

This article originally appeared on www.exceptionalcanine.com, an independent editorial source.

Read more: Prolong Your Senior Dog’s Golden Years http://www.exceptionalcanine.com/blog/senior_dog_healthy/#ixzz1n8uXOUOq