My eBook "A Guide to Raw Feeding" 3rd Edition is now available in the K9 Instinct online shop! This is an electronic book delivered in .PDF and mobi formats that you can conveniently read on your computer or eReader.

This eBook covers everything you need to know about feeding your dog a raw food diet. I explain the details on why a raw food diet is the very best food option for our canine companions, while discussing the benefits of a raw food diet and how dogs are biologically designed to consume and digest raw meat, raw bone and raw organ.

You will learn exactly how to feed this diet, where to buy your meat, how to feed your dog cheap (for less than $1 a day!) and how to calculate exact food amounts per meal. Everything you need to know to feed this species appropriate, balanced diet is available in this eBook!

Click here to visit the K9 Instinct Shop to learn more about this informative how-to eBook!

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Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

There is nothing better than homemade dog treats!

Made from nutritious coconut flour to help nourish the skin and coat, these grain-free cookies are perfect for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities. They are flavoured with real peanut butter and made entirely from whole foods. It cost me a mere $4 and some change to make a large container of cookies, which makes them extremely cost effective! On top of that, they only took approximately 30 minutes to make. These cookies are big on flavour and small in the cost and time department!

You can substitute the coconut flour with whole wheat flour if that is your preference. Be aware that coconut flour absorbs more liquid than your typical grain flour. This means you will have to add more water to accommodate the potentially dry batter.

Homemade Grain-Free "Peanut Butter Bite" Dog Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 cup of smooth or crunchy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup of hot water (add more if needed!)
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 360 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl combine the coconut flour and baking powder.
3. In a separate bowl add the eggs, honey, water, oil, and the peanut butter and then whisk everything together until combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture and combine.
5. Place the batter in your size and shape of preference on a cookie sheet on parchment paper (or a non-stick pan).
6. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

If you notice that your cookie batter is too crumbly and dry, just add some more hot water until it's just right. The coconut flour is a fantastic alternative to grain flour but you can never know for sure just how much water you'll need to add to make the batter just right.

Shape these however you want since this is a versatile cookie batter. I always make the bite sized balls, approximately one inch in size. Perfect bite sized pieces for a big German Shepherd mouth!

These are definitely Hunter's favourite cookies. He leaves a pile of drool behind when he is done snacking on these delicious peanut butter treats!

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Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

My new eBook "Homemade Dog Food Recipe Book" contains 25 complete and balanced homemade dog food recipes, the perfect companion for someone new to the homemade dog food lifestyle. This recipe book is also a great addition to a seasoned homemade dog food chef's arsenal of delicious recipes!

Designed to promote health and well-being in your dogs, these recipes are clean and wholesome combinations of meat, vegetables, protein and sauces that are simple to make at home.

This recipe book is not only for homemade dog food chefs, but also for those looking to supplement their dog's current diet with home cooking straight from your kitchen. Many of the recipes in this book are ideal for sick dogs or dogs recovering from surgery or illness. Designed to sooth the soul and nourish the body.

You can purchase this recipe eBook and other informative eBooks at K9 Instinct's online shop!

Don't forget to follow K9 Instinct on Facebook to get blog updates and news!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Herbs and spices are nature's way of providing us with natural ways to promote health and well-being in our lives. These healthy, all natural herbs not only benefit us but are an excellent addition to your dog's food bowl. These little nutrition powerhouses can be grown in your own garden or purchased fresh or dried from the grocery store. They are full of vitamins, minerals, healing properties and preventive attributes that can have a wonderful effect on your dog's overall health.

There are many wonderful herbs and spices that are safe for your dog, but be sure to double check with a reputable source before you introduce it into your dog's diet. Simply add 1/8th of a teaspoon to your dog's food to enjoy the benefits. You can mix herbs and spices into moist carriers such as plain yoghurt, cottage cheese, kefir or peanut butter if that is readily accepted by your dogs.

Parsley
Parsley contains protein, Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and K, fiber, calcium, riboflavin, potassium, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus. Parsley can act as a nutritive, diuretic, carminative, and can lower blood pressure, help reduce arthritic inflammation and act as a breath freshener. Avoid parsley in pregnant dogs or if a dog is suffering from inflammation of the kidneys.

Sage
Sage contains Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and zinc. Sage is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, but it is also an anti-oxidant powerhouse. Sage is also known for aiding in the digestion of fats and proteins.

Rosemary
Rosemary is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folate, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and is full of anti-oxidants. Rosemary is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti fungal, anti-septic and can help the body both fight and prevent disease.

Thyme
Thyme contains Vitamin K, iron, manganese, calcium, fibre and tryptophan. Thyme also contains phytochemicals and anti-oxidants. Thyme has anti-spetic, anti-spasmodic and anti-bacterial properties. It is good for the skin, the respiratory system, good brain function and gastrointestinal health. Thyme has also been said to have anti-cancer properties.

Oregano
Oregano contains Vitamin K, anti-oxidants, iron, manganese, fibre, and is a natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Oregano is renowned for it's anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties.

Fennel
Fennel contains protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potasssium, zinc and copper. Fennel also contains Omega-6 fatty acids. It acts as a detoxifier and strong digestive aid.

Turmeric
Turmeric contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, Omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants. Turmeric has excellent cancer fighting properties and is also anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is good for heart health and is powerful detoxifier. Turmeric also is a blood thinner, so cease use prior to surgical procedures.

Ginger
Ginger contains protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, folate, choline, betaine, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, manganese and selenium. Ginger also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as fiber. Ginger is a digestive powerhouse; It helping with digestion, soothing an upset stomach, soothing nausea and assisting in fighting diarrhea. Ginger is also known to help ward off cancer.

Kelp
Kelp (seaweed) is another nutritional powerhouse, containing Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, folate, fiber and protein. Kelp is also rich in iodine, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. Kelp benefits thyroid function, promotes heart health, helps fight and prevent cancer, is a powerful anti-oxidant and aids in healing skin disorders and problems. Kelp is magnificent for skin and coat health, and simply has too many benefits to list!

There are many reasons some dogs need to put on more weight, and there are both slow and quick ways to do so. A recipe was created specifically for the purpose of putting weight on dogs very quickly, and that recipe is for a "weight supplement" called Satin Balls.

Satin Balls are perfect for underweight working dogs, or emaciated dogs coming in to rescues. Satin Balls were designed to put weight on a dog very quickly and are loaded with calories. While fast weight gain (and fast weight loss) is not very healthy for the body, some dogs need a calorie boost quickly to push them towards regaining a balance of health.

Satin Balls as traditionally made with grains, but I will provide a grain free recipe for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

Satin Balls (With Grain)
10 pounds of ground beef
1 box of Total cereal (NO RAISINS!!) or Shredded Wheat
1 box of oatmeal
1 jar of wheat germ
1 1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/4 cup of unsulphured molasses
10 raw eggs with the shells
10 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
A pinch of salt

Satin Balls (With Grain) SMALLER RECIPE
1 pounds of ground beef
1 cup of Total cereal (NO RAISINS!!) or Shredded Wheat
1 cup of oatmeal
1/4 cup of wheat germ
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup of unsulphured molasses
1 raw eggs with the shell
1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
A pinch of salt

Combine all of the ingredients, roll into 1-inch balls and feed them raw! Portions can be frozen for future use, as well.

Grain-free Satin Balls
10 pounds of ground beef
1 large tub of 4% fat cottage cheese
500g of cream cheese  
1 1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cup of unsulphured molasses
10 raw eggs with the shells
10 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
A pinch of salt

Remember to monitor your dog's weight-gain closely so that you can cease using the satin balls or drastically reduce the amount you feed when your dog reaches their ideal weight.

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Angel Leandres
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

The Kong is a universal toy enjoyed by dogs everywhere, and is likely one of the most infamous dog toys on the market. The kong is a durable, safe chew toy for puppies and dogs and can also be used for feeding and providing your dog with a snack!

While there are many different treats, kibbles and pre-made fillings to put inside of your dog's kong, nothing beats a nutritious recipe you can make right at home. The great thing about making your own kong filling is that you can control the nutritious ingredients your canine companion will enjoy! Adding yoghurt or cottage cheese can add a boost of probiotics that have proven themselves very beneficial for our dogs!


Yoghurt and Peanut Butter Crunch!

• 2 cups of plain, unsweetened yoghurt
• 1 cup of crunchy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons of freeze-dried liver treats

Combine the yoghurt and peanut butter until they are mixed together well, then lightly fold in the freeze dried liver treats. Fill the Kong and feed it either cool or frozen!



Cheesy Potato Delight!

• 2 cups of mashed sweet potato
• 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 cup of cottage cheese
• Two tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese

Combine all of the ingredients and fill the kong! Feed either warm or frozen!



Pumpkin and Grilled Cheese Bites!

• 1 cup of pure pumpkin (not the pie filling)
• 2 cups of grilled cheese sandwich cut into bite sized pieces

Use whole wheat bread and cheddar cheese to make the sandwiches, then cut them up into approximately 1-inch bite sized pieces. Combines the grilled cheese bites with the pumpkin and fill the kong. Feed frozen or warm!



Cream Cheese and Cookie Snack!

• 1 cup of cream cheese
• 1 cup of plain yoghurt
• 1/2 cup of your dog's favourite cookies, broken into small bite sized pieces

Combine cream cheese and yoghurt, then fold in the cookie pieces. Freeze and serve!


Fruity Parfait!

• 1 cup of plain yoghurt
• 1 small mashed banana
• 2 tablespoons of blueberries

Fold the banana and blueberries into the yoghurt, then freeze and serve!



Delicious Pumpkin Pie!

• 1 cup of pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter
• 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 of a banana

Combine all ingredients by folding them together, fill the kong and serve either warm or frozen!

Try any of these recipes and you can be sure your dog will love them! They are healthy, homemade and delicious!

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Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

There is no better sight than that of an obedient and respectful canine companion following its owner's command out in public. The understanding and clear communication between handler and dog is a sight to see, something highly valued and unfortunately quite rare these days.

So how does your average pet owner achieve this level of obedience in their pet? The answer is simple: time and effort! You need to put the work in to enjoy this level of trust and reliability in your dog. The result, however, is more than worth the time.  The product of spending the time to properly train and reinforce obedience is a well trained, reliable companion you can count on to behave appropriately and follow orders willingly.

We achieve this level of training first by establishing a good foundation in obedience.  Start in your home and in your backyard where there are minimal distractions. Teach the basic commands and ensure your dog understands what is expected of him when you give the verbal cue. Once you can be certain your dog understands what the commands mean, you then move on to adding distractions. Try training outside in a quiet park or in a parking lot that isn't busy. Over time, as your dog succeeds, add more distractions. A busy park or the pet store contains a higher level of distractions. Only move on to these higher levels of distractions when your dog is consistently succeeding in the previous and current phase of training.

Don't rush. Rushing your dog through training can create issues and be frustrating for both you and your dog. Move forward only when you both are ready for it. Be patient and set your dog up for success.

Be creative with your distractions. Have a friend train their dog close to you and yours, or train outside of a busy dog park. Use other dogs and owners to your advantage by training wherever dog owners take their pets. Training near other dogs and very exciting, stimulating situations allows your dog to learn how to ignore those distractions and focus on you and your commands. It teaches them to work under pressure and understand that no matter what is going on around them, they must always obey your command and behave appropriately.

My own dog, Hunter, is currently at the stage where we work with the highest distractions surrounding him. Although he is still a work in progress, I trust him 100% in public and can rest assured that he will obey any commands given to him. That is the result of time and effort, and I am happy to say it took me less than a year to get him there! He is currently only 20 months old and is very trustworthy and reliable.

It is so very worth it to proof your dog's obedience. There is no better feeling than being out in the world with your dog and having them do as you ask when you ask it. Regardless of what is going on around them,  you have established a powerful working bond and clear communication between you and your dog.

Lead and they will follow you.

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Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Some days all we can manage is taking our dogs for a quick walk around the block and the rest of the day will have to be spent inside. Whether you're sick, working long hours or the weather is utterly monstrous outside; Some days we just can't get our canine companions out for enough physical exercise.

There are lots of ways we can keep our dogs busy inside the house and rotating these ideas will keep things exciting and entertaining for our pets. From toys, to long lasting treats, to interaction with us we can find a way to tire them out for a day without needing the great outdoors.

There are several very cool puzzle inspired toys to offer your dog on days where you can't get them outside enough. The toys I am about to discuss are thinking toys, which means even though they are fun to play with, they require the dog to think about how to play with them. This mental stimulation is the key to tiring your dog out when they need to stay indoors for the day.

The Tricky Treat Ball is a very popular, fun toy with many craters all around it and one hole to put treats and cookies inside. As the dog plays with the ball and pushes it around, treats fall out. Dogs can roll the ball, pick it up and shake it, toss it around and roll around with it to get the treats inside to fall out. Since the inside of the toy retains the scent of treats, this toy can keep dogs interested for a long time!

The Kong Wobbler is another fun puzzle toy, which encourages the dog to bump and knock the toy around in order to get the treats out. Once they figure it out, they can be entertained with this cool toy for quite awhile! Not only is it a treat puzzle toy, but it is also simply fun to play with! Dogs love batting it around, nose bumping it and making it roll!

Kong also has it's famous classic kong toy, which is a red or black rubber toy with the center hollowed out. This toy is best used when a liquid or pureed food is stuffed inside and frozen. Take peanut butter and yoghurt or cottage cheese and some broken freeze dried liver treats, fill the kong and freeze it! Freezing the kong will keep the dog working at the toy for quite awhile! This is a great opportunity to get some healthy probiotics in your dog while entertaining their nose and bellies!

Toys aren't the only way to entertain your dog inside the home! Consider long lasting chew treats like dried beef tendon, dried beef trachea, bully sticks, elk antlers, Himalayan cheese, or raw knuckle bones.

The best kind of mental stimulation can come from training, so teach your dog a new trick or work on formal obedience in the house. Spin, shake a paw, formal heeling, perch work and similar complicated exercises will be both rewarding and entertaining!

There is a game called "find it" that you can teach your dog and use to entertain each other on a day indoors. You will take one of your dog's favourite toys and put all of the others away. Keep your dog in another room and hide the toy, then release your dog and tell him to "find it". The goal is to teach your dog to use his nose and eyes to find the toy, and the reward for doing so is either a treat or playing with you and the toy. Start off with very easy finds, where your dog can easily see it and get it. Then reward your dog immediately, making the reward fun and intense so that he knows if he finds it he will get a really exciting reward.

Even though we may not be able to provide our dogs with adequate exercise outside every day out of the year, we can always find ways to provide mental stimulation and a light version of exercise that will keep them happy and balanced. While there is no true equal substitute for physical exercise outdoors, we can make those days we are stuck inside the home enjoyable for our canine companions.

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Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Socialization is a vitally important part of raising a dog. Socialization should never be missed, as a lack of socialization can cause serious problems for the dog later in life. Behavioural issues, fears, anxieties, aggression and the lack of ability to deal with stressful situations all result from poor socialization.

So what is socialization? Socialization is the act of safely exposing puppies and dogs to different, strange and potentially stressful situations in a way that always provides a positive experience. Socialization sets a puppy or dog up for success when dealing with the world and the many experiences he or she will be exposed to during their lifetime.

The key to successful socialization is exposing your puppy or dog to new and strange situations and always making it a positive experience. As the handler you should make sure you control as many of the situations as possible. You want to provide only positive experiences when possible, and should negative experiences occur you should find a way to make it positive.

Socialization is an on-going thing, but the critical time for exposure and learning is between the time you bring your dog home at 8 weeks of age to 16 weeks of age. You should expose your puppy to a wide variety of dogs, people, children, equipment, footing, and more.

You should be sure that any dogs you expose your puppy to are friendly, predictable and healthy. Any bad experiences with aggressive or very rough dogs can create aggression or fear in your puppy. The goal is to teach your puppy that dogs are positive experiences, and that there is no reason for fear or aggression on their part. Safe exposure to dogs also promotes the hope that your dog will not see other dogs as a threat, meaning you won't have to worry about bad behaviour in the presence of other dogs.

When exposing your puppy to people, choose large crowds and friendly faces. Make sure that nobody causes your puppy any harm, fear or panic. Let your puppy experience gentle handling by strangers, play with strangers, treats from strangers (provide your own treats!), and petting. Expose your puppy to children that are under control and able to handle or pet your puppy safely and gently. Never overwhelm your puppy or stress your puppy out, but apply age-appropriate socialization with people.

Take your puppy to a playground with equipment and take him through the tunnels, down the slides, up the slides, all from the safety of your reach. Play on the equipment to expose your puppy to different surfaces and textures, while making sure your puppy doesn't fall or have the chance to panic and hurt itself. Walk your puppy over hardwood floors, sand, carpet, fencing laid on the floor, bubble wrap, plastic bags and other unique surfaces.

Remember to keep the exposures fun and positive, while keeping your puppy safe and excited about trying new things. Make sure you control the environment as much as you can to ensure safety. All positive experiences, that's what socialization is all about! When negative situations arise, remove your puppy promptly and create a positive experience with some play and bond building.

It is important to make sure that you never praise your dog when he or she is exhibiting fear, insecurity or other bad behaviour. By offering praise and attention, to reinforce bad behaviour and bad responses. Ignore negative responses from your puppy, and reward once the desirable response is present.

Never forget that your puppy feeds off of you, so be sure to always remain calm and positive. Calm, happy voice should accompany a gentle hand. This reassurance will set your dog up for success!

To get you started, here are some ideas on places you can take your puppy or dog for socialization. Please make sure your puppy has the appropriate vaccines first!

• Farmer's Market
• Public Park
• Downtown City
• Train Station
• Pet Stores
• Any stores that allow leashed pets
• Parades and Festivals
• Car Rides (Weather permitting)
• Dog Socialization Play Groups
• Houses of accepting friends and family
• Visit apartment buildings and ride the elevators
• Walk around the outside of the mall

One of the keys to raising an amazing family companion or working dog is proper socialization and the result is a solid, reliable dog who trusts you and can be taken anywhere and asked to do anything.

Here is a video of my working German Shepherd, Hunter, preforming some obedience in a new location with many strange objects. His confidence and capability is a result of both genetics and great socialization.

Dental health has a major impact on a dog's over all physical well-being and poor oral condition can lead to many different kinds of medical conditions and diseases. With veterinarians pushing their dental chews, dental kibble and expensive surgical dental cleanings, it is hard for pet owners to decipher the best way to promote oral health in their pets.

Good oral health will help your dog live longer, and will make it more pleasant to receive their loving doggy kisses! There are several steps you can take to maintain good dental health with your dog and there are many all natural options for cleaning!

Diet is a major contributor to dental health in dogs. Feeding your dog a species appropriate raw food diet is the very best option for creating good dental health. Dogs who are fed raw food have visibly whiter, cleaner teeth and fresher breath. The reason is that the dog's teeth are being manually cleaned by the act of chewing and crushing bone. The action of chewing scrapes the teeth and stimulates the gums. On top of that, raw food doesn't leave any 'left-over' food in the mouth the way kibble does. Due to the texture and composition of commercial kibbles, the kibble crumbles and sticks to the teeth and all of the areas in between. Many chemicals and oils in the kibble will help the food particles bind to the teeth and promote the build-up of tartar which inevitably leads to oral disease.

"Dental kibble" formulas provided by your veterinarian will not help clean your dog's teeth. Regardless of the marketing behind these expensive vet formulas, kibble will still crumble and turn to mush in your dog's mouth. That mush becomes the debris that clings to your pet's teeth and turns into tartar and plaque. Think about when you eat crackers and you feel mushy left overs sticking to all your teeth; The same thing is happening with kibble plus the added issue of the oils that make it even more sticky.

Giving your dog things to chew on is the best way to start cleaning the teeth and keep them clean! Consider healthy chews like bully sticks, beef tendons, dried knuckle bones, raw knuckle bones and elk antlers. When a dog chews and gnaws on these items, they scrape the teeth clean and assist in breaking up any residue to be swallowed instead of hanging around in the mouth.

There are many toys that act as great chews to promote oral health by also cleaning the teeth. I really like Nylabone products for the added benefit of the flavour infused in the material, which encourages dogs to chew on them. Nylabone breaks off in tiny shavings making it safe to pass through the digestive system without causing any issues. Flossy chews are rope toys that also help clean the teeth as the dog chews and plays with them.

Brushing your dog's teeth is the next best option. All you need is a soft toothbrush or a finger brush designed for pets and some sort of toothpaste. It is important to never use human toothpaste, as there are ingredients in those products that can make your dog very ill. The Triple Pet EZDOG Toothpaste is the most popular one due to being more of an all natural product. I personally like to use extra virgin, unrefined coconut oil as a toothpaste because of all the amazing benefits of this oil. Learn more about the benefits of coconut oil here!