One thing that I have witnessed dramatically change in the last 25 years is the food options for dogs. Growing up we had just a few dog food brands, Alpo, Kibbles and Bits, Purina and if you really wanted to treat your dog you would get them Cesar Filet Mignon! The dog food isle was small and limited up until the late 2000’s.

Now when you go to the pet store nearly half the store is dog food and there are multiple isles of not only food but supplements, treats and natural chews. Dog food is a BIG business.

How important is the food to your dog and its behavior though? It’s very important and can make or break certain behaviors, specifically the potty routine.

Here are some do’s and don’ts of picking a dog food…

1. Avoid ANY food that doesn’t start with a natural ingredient like meat, chicken, or fish.

2. Avoid ANY food that has tons of fillers like corn.

3. Avoid giving your adult dog puppy food.

4. Avoid switching your dog’s food too often and if you must switch do so slowly.

5. Certain breeds need certain types of food to avoid health issues (skin conditions, allergies etc). Do consult with your veterinarian if you believe that to be the case for your dog.

6. Do follow the our leadership feeding routine no matter what food you feed your dog.

Want to learn more? Contact your local certified Always Faithful Dog Trainer today!