by Mary Kearl (Subscribe to Mary Kearl’s posts)

Jul 28th 2010 @ 2:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Animal Nutrition

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You know you’re not supposed to feed your dog chocolate, onions, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts and avocados. And you monitor for sensitivity to common food allergens such as meat, corn, wheat and soy.

But you’re only human, and sometimes it’s hard to resist your dog’s sweet stare as he begs you with his eyes to share some of your delicious homo sapien cuisine. When you want to give him a treat from your table, do you know which “human” foods are safe to feed your pup?

To find the answer, we called upon Liz Palika, author of “The Ultimate Pet Food Guide,” and Susan Lauten, animal nutritionist, to explain which fresh, frozen and canned foods people typically eat that are safe for dogs to consume too.

1. Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all healthy options for your pooch. “My dogs will take me down over cantaloupe,” says Lauten. “I am required to share the whole thing with them.” Consult animal poison control before feeding your dogs any of the more exotic melons.

2. Sunflower seeds (shelled): Skip the salt if possible, or serve in moderation, recommends Lauten. “Remember, treats should not comprise more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake. If your dog gets 500 calories a day, 50 calories could come from treats.”

3. Peanut butter: Peanuts don’t appear to cause allergies in dogs like they do in people, says Lauten. “I have some highly food-sensitive dogs for whom peanut butter is a large part of their diet.”

4. Berries (fresh and frozen): Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, huckleberries or raspberries — all are good for your furry friend for the same reason they’re good for humans: free-radical-fighting antioxidants. “A lot of dogs like them frozen,” says Lauten.

5. Cooked chicken: Ran out of your dog’s regular food? Whether boiled, baked, served rotisserie-style or grilled, this food is a healthy substitute. “Dogs will eat a freshly cooked chicken any way they can get it,” says Lauten.

Healthy dogs can handle cooking oils and seasonings. Just be sure to avoid adding onion or too much garlic. If you’re concerned, non-salt seasonings can be used, but that matters more for the human eater than the dog, explains Lauten. Scrambled eggs, hamburger, rice, pasta and/or oatmeal can serve as meal replacements in a pinch, adds Lauten.

6. Cheese: This is a safe snack for dogs, but just like humans, they can experience lactose intolerance, so monitor your dog’s reaction. “Many families use a dollop of cottage cheese with every meal,” says Lauten. To avoid overfeeding, consider giving your dog low- or reduced-fat dairy products.

7. Bananas: “My dogs love bananas and I share mine with them regularly,” says Lauten. “All fruits have phytonutrients and required nutrients. They are good for all of us. If the foods are healthy for me, they are more apt to be healthy for the dog,” says Palika.

8. Apple slices: Lauten recommends serving your pup seedless, organic apple slices, because apple seeds naturally contain cyanide. Citrus fruits such as oranges are good too, but leave off the rinds; they contain many oils and could be too strong for a dog’s digestive system.

9. Baby carrots: Fresh, crunchy vegetables are good for your dog’s teeth, says Lauten. Plus, it’s a bit easier not to overfeed with veggies. “If you’re giving your dog vegetables, you can give a lot more in volume,” because these are low-calorie foods.

10. Green beans: Because this veggie fills dogs up, weight-management programs often include green beans, usually canned with no salt added, says Lauten. “An entire can of green beans contains 70 calories. What a bargain, and filling too!”

Of course every dog is different and you and your vet know best if he or she has any food sensitivities, weight issues or other health concerns that should guide your dog’s diet. It is always a good idea to check with your pet’s doctor if you are planning on changing what your dog eats. Also keep in mind that it is best to introduce new foods to your dog slowly. You don’t want your pooch to get gas, bloating, soft stools or other digestive problems.

The Shih Tzu has a long documented history that is at least 1,000 years old! Shih Tzus were bred as a companion dog in Tibet, and were a prized and beloved pet to most of the Royals of the Ming Dynasty. The Shih Tzu is one of the few breeds that has remained in the service of what it was originally intended to be - a companion. And, while no one knows for sure, it is believed that Shih Tzus were created by crossing a Lhaso Apso, a Tibetan Mountain dog and a Pekignese.

Discovered during World War II by British Soldiers the dogs were brought to the United Kingdom and the United States. Shih Tzus were not registered with the American Kennel Club until 1969, however, they have since soared in popularity, and are now in the AKC’s Top 10 Most Popular dogs, according to the Club’s registrations.

Shih Tzus are among the heartiest of the Toy Breeds, and are very playful, outgoing, and affectionate with sweet dispositions. The breed is intelligent and responsive making them relatively easy to train if you are patient, consistent and use praise and reward-based training. Shih Tzus are more likely to respond to a kind voice, vs. a stern one, so be mindful of that when training, or trying to get your dog’s attention.

The Shih Tzus petite, compact bodies should not fool you. As they are not as delicate as they look, and they can be quite strong for their size and weight. In fact the name Shih Tzu, quite literally means Lion Dog, and it is appropriate as these little dogs are courageous, and unafraid to stand up for themselves. While the breed is usually not dog aggressive, it is a good idea that you pay special attention in situations where other larger dogs are present as Shih Tzus are not likely to run and hide if they are attacked, or aggressed upon even if the other dog is 10x their size.

The Shih Tzu puppy is a handful but a lovable handful at that. If you chose your puppy correctly, this dog will delight you and your family for a long time. The life span of a Shih Tzu dog is usually about 15 years – time in which they will create an exceptional bond with you and with all the members of your family – including your other pets. The Shih Tzu puppy cares to socialize and play and will always aim to be the center of attraction.

When caring for a Shih Tzu puppy, you will realize that it will need a lot of rest and hence, when it naps you should respect its time off if you do not want to have a cranky puppy. This puppy is exceptionally intelligent and agile – however, you will find that he has a mind of its own and it will be extremely hard to housetrain it. The puppy will listen only if it is profusely praised and repeatedly taught with positive reinforcement that it is best to relieve itself outside. The crate training will be an excellent aid for this.

Focus on the Basics

One of the most important aspects of the Shih Tzu puppy care would be the vaccination schedule. You will need to make your appointments accordingly and ensure that your Shih Tzu puppy gets all the vaccines that are recommended by the vet. As a precautionary method, you should buy the puppy with an understanding that if you find a serious defect in the puppy within 48 hours, you will have it returned. Hence, a visit to the vet is must as soon as you bring the little powder puff home.

Until your puppy is properly vaccinated and you vet okays it, do not let your puppy mix with another dogs, sniff outdoors where other dogs may wander or mix with other animals in the home. This will ensure that it will not catch any stray virus from anywhere before the vaccination is through. The vet will also tell you how to ensure that your Shih Tzu puppy has adequate protection against fleas, ticks and lice, as well as intestinal worms.

You should arrange to have a trainer come to your home as soon as the Shih Tzu puppy gets comfortable in the house – a good time would be in about every three days. An alternative Shih Tzu puppy care method would be to take it to obedience school. Remember, it is very difficult to house train this dog, and the sooner you start the faster it will learn.

Unless you are very serious (and you know what you are doing) about breeding the Shih Tzu puppy, you should have it neutered or spayed as early as possible. This will eliminate the troubles that come with territory marking and coming into heat.

It is not really very challenging to care for a Shih Tzu puppy at home. It is great to start preparing for your Shih Tzu puppy well in advance, so the problems would be minimized, if any.

• Alerting behavior, such as when a stranger is at the front door.
• To show excitement, like you would see during an active play session.
• To communicate with you when he wants something, as in, “Let’s go outside!”
• To communicate with other dogs when he wants to say hello or something else.
• Separation behavior, such as when dogs bark, bark, bark when their owners are gone.

Some herding breeds, like the Shetland sheepdog, will also bark when something is moving. This can be caused by excitement or a desire to herd the object. You’ve mentioned several situations that sound like moving objects are an issue, including cars, falling leaves, vacuum cleaners, brooms, snow, and other dogs.

Here are two tricks to try to handle movement driven barking:

1. Teach your dog to bark on cue. When the dog is barking, be ready with some treats. When the dog is quiet, say, “quiet,” and give the dog a treat. Whatever you do, don’t give the dog the food reward when it is barking.

2. Teach your dog how to do a reliable sit-and-stay. You can put the dog on the other side of the room when you start to sweep. If the dog is quiet, go to the dog, say, “Good boy, quiet,” and give him a treat. In the beginning of training, there should be some distance between him and the broom, but eventually, he will be able to be closer. We call this a “sit and watch” procedure.

These tips and others are described in more detail in our book “Citizen Canine: Ten Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know.”