How many times a day should you feed your dog?

Representatives of the dog variety with the humorous name “yard terrier” can be found in almost every Russian yard. These animals have no pedigrees or documents; their blood has been mixed several times. Just one street dog can contain the characteristics of up to 5 different breeds, so a mongrel is a dog whose character and appearance are diverse and unusual.

Mongrel (dog): description, care, education

Mongrels are chosen by people who are not chasing titles and purebred pets, but are looking for a loyal friend and companion in a dog. A homeless street dog, who was taken from the street to a family, fed and loved, will be many times more loyal than dozens of purebred dogs. People often treat “yard terriers” with contempt. And breeders loudly insist that you should choose only purebred dogs for your family - they are more docile and predictable. However, these stereotypes mean nothing to animal lovers, and life proves that street dogs are reliable and faithful pets.

A dog that is treated with understanding and love will obey its owner unconditionally

How did mongrels appear?

It is easy to guess where the “yard terriers” began their history. This was facilitated by unreliable owners who, without remorse, threw puppies and adult dogs into the street just because they were tired of them. Dogs, left without proper human control, began to actively reproduce and produce offspring. Babies born from the mating of a mongrel with a wolf become especially dangerous. They are aggressive, cunning and brave, and are not afraid of humans. Such individuals often gather in packs, attack other animals and even people, and it is almost impossible to fight them off without outside help.

Important! Thanks to uncontrolled reproduction, mongrels have achieved good health. “Yard Terriers” can even suffer distemper, a terrible viral disease with many different forms. Of course, complications are possible, but cure is possible even with delayed treatment.

Wolf dogs are dogs born from the union of a shepherd dog and a wolf.

Description and character of “yard terriers”

If you meet a “yard terrier” on the street, especially a well-groomed and well-fed one, you may not immediately identify the breed. For purebred dogs, it is extremely important to conform in appearance to established breed standards, which is why they have to change genetically. To consolidate a trait in a breed, breeders cross closely related dogs with each other, which results in genetic diseases. For “yard terriers” such sacrifices are not relevant: they can be what they are.

Mongrels in winter: being permanent residents of the street, these dogs can find food for themselves

Exterior

Mutts always look different. However, even in the same region, the external features of street dogs can overlap with each other and change over time. In addition, the fashion for purebred pets, widespread in one period or another, also influences the characteristics of dogs. For example:

• in the 50s in Moscow there were mongrels similar to hounds and huskies - in those years breeders actively bred these breeds;
• in the 90s, shepherd-like mongrels spread throughout the country, as German shepherds were popular;
• Currently, a mongrel can look like any breed, so it is impossible to predict what exactly will grow out of a street puppy.

Breed standard for dogs

A dog's appearance may be dominated by characteristics of one breed or several. Thus, some shepherd-like mongrels are almost impossible to distinguish from a German shepherd. A pregnant bitch can bring several completely different puppies: smooth-haired and fluffy, with semi-erect or protruding ears, very small and large, and also different in color. The lifespan of a yard dog is from 9 to 12 years. Some individuals, under favorable conditions, can live up to 20 years.

Outbred puppy

Video - We took a dog from the street

Character

Mongrels are not capricious at all; they can quickly get used to new living conditions. They adapt to any circumstances and are able to withstand any hardships. However, “yard terriers” experience a change of owner or his death very hard. They become very attached to the person who feeds them, especially if that person took a stray dog ​​from the street and gave him love and care. These dogs hope and believe with all their hearts that they will live with their owner for the rest of their lives. The character of the mongrel can be described as follows:

• flexible and loyal, for which the puppies were popularly nicknamed “Royal Court Terrier”;
• mischievous, playful, sociable, perfect for a family with children or as a friend for an elderly person;
• Possessing a lively grip and courage, they can stand up for their owner at any time.

Experienced dog breeders claim that only East European Shepherds can be more sociable than mongrels, and in playfulness, mongrels have surpassed even Giant Schnauzers and Rottweilers. They will be very eager to bring a stick to their owner or push a ball with their nose.

East European Shepherd watches mongrels brought from a shelter

The best place to live for a “yard terrier” would be a private house. They need to go outside often and get exercise.

Important! Of course, such a character will develop in a pet only with proper upbringing. A dog that has lived on the street for a long time and often participated in fights, or a puppy whose owner does not give proper training or beats him, will grow up to be aggressive.

Mongrel plays with owner

Health of "yard terriers"

Mongrel dogs have good immunity and are able to resist most diseases. They calmly tolerate weather changes and sudden temperature changes. Purebred dogs, as opposed to street dogs, often come from crossing related individuals, which is why their health suffers. And mongrels are only becoming healthier from generation to generation. Good health is also explained by the fact that genetically, each representative contains the characteristics of several breeds at once. In addition, on the streets where most mongrels grow up, strict natural selection often occurs.

Mongrels have good health

However, yard dogs can pick up diseases from the breeds with which they were crossed. So, among mongrel dogs the following are common:

• diseases of the ears, eyes , throat;
• infectious diseases;
• lesions of the musculoskeletal system ;
• gastrointestinal diseases .

As a rule, individuals in infancy, older dogs and animals with weak immune systems are susceptible to diseases. Infectious diseases develop quickly and can be fatal. Distemper is the most common disease among mongrels, which mainly affects unkempt dogs that live in unsanitary conditions, or stray dogs.

A dog with distemper

Video - 5 most dangerous dog diseases, including distemper

Intelligence

Yard dogs are very smart and able to understand people. You can talk to the dog, tell him about your successes and defeats - he will listen with pleasure and support you with a deep look. The “Yard Terrier” can watch a person for hours, remembering his movements and actions. A good memory helps a dog remember the owner’s daily routine and the actions that a person performs in a given situation.

You can even “talk” to a stray dog

Walking rules

It is advisable to walk your dog in the morning and evening. The first exit will be short: half an hour or an hour. The second one is long-lasting; all the accumulated energy will be spent on it. Here the owner can train the pet, cultivate discipline and obedience. Following commands, the dog will not have enough time for pranks and hooliganism, he will get tired and go home happy.

During the walk, the pet must have time to:

• go to the toilet;
• to be with others like you;
• run;
• communicate with the owner and carry out a number of his commands.

Only if all points are completed can the walk be considered successful.

Keep in mind! On the street, the dog gets to know the world around him, establishes contact with the owner, receives positive emotions, and releases excess energy.

If the owner decides to take his pet for a walk, then a number of rules must be followed:

1. Don't leave the animal alone. This can end badly for both the dog and those around him. It is possible that you will go out onto the roadway or into a pack of wild dogs. Also, your pet may eat something poisonous or spoiled, resulting in poisoning. Often, untrained dogs rush at passers-by, and this is already punishable by law.
2. Find a good place to walk. Avoid areas where there are garbage dumps, roads, schools, and kindergartens. In the absence of special sites, a park or square is preferable.
3. Do not allow your animal to eat anything outside. Food may be poisoned or contain pathogens that will lead to various diseases.
4. If the dog feels unwell, do not burden it with active training, give it the opportunity to just take a walk and relieve itself.
5. When going out into a crowded place, put a muzzle on the dog and keep it on a leash.
6. Do not allow your pet to interact with sick and ill-mannered dogs. He will take on all the bad qualities and may become infected with some kind of illness.

Remember that walking should not be a burden for your pet. If he enjoys it, then he will feel good.

Famous representatives

The lack of a unique breed did not prevent many mongrels from becoming real stars. Among them were the first Soviet cosmonauts Belka and Strelka , as well as many four-legged assistants who, without hesitation, threw themselves under enemy tanks with mines on their backs and transported the wounded during the Great Patriotic War.

Military dogs

Outbred but loyal pets were also mentioned in the literature. Chekhov's Kashtanka, whose fate brought millions of people around the world to tears, was also a mongrel. Eduard Asadov dedicated a very sad poem to a red mongrel dog, and Bulgakov wrote a whole story “The Heart of a Dog” about a stray dog. Obviously, the absence of titled parents does not become a serious disadvantage for a four-legged pet. These are unique animals that are distinguished by unique health, unconditional loyalty to the owner and good intelligence.

The mongrels Belka and Strelka are the first Soviet cosmonauts

Advantages and disadvantages

When choosing a noble dog as a pet, the owner has an idea of ​​what he will be like as an adult. Thus, Pekingese dogs become good companions on evening walks in the park, especially for older people. Caucasian puppies grow up to be excellent guards. But when choosing a mongrel dog, you don’t have to be guided by breed standards, because it can grow up either very affectionate and sociable, or overly aggressive and distrustful. Many people do not pay attention to these factors, trying to focus on the benefits of dogs. The advantages and disadvantages of outbred pets are presented in table form.

Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages of yard dogs

The love of a mongrel for its owner is a different story. A person who has adopted a dog from the street into his home can be 100% sure that the pet will love its owner endlessly for the rest of its life, will be loyal and grateful. These dogs are generally easy to train. After all, mongrels are a blank slate on which you can draw anything. This is what distinguishes them from purebred dogs, which have been bred for decades for a specific purpose. If individuals of noble blood are always trained according to a certain scenario, then such schemes are not embedded in the genes of yard dogs.

The love and loyalty of a mongrel to his owner has long been considered legendary.

Wet dog food

Another option for feeding dogs, besides dry food, is special canned food for animals. If the label of such a product contains a note about complete nutrition, then you can give it to your pet daily, as the main menu. This is an important point, because some dog foods in cans and pouches are simply treats and are not suitable for everyday nutrition, as they do not provide the pet with the full range of vitamins, minerals and other essential substances.

There is no fundamental difference between complete dry and wet food: it is only in the liquid content (7–10% versus 60–80%). Of course, this is only true in cases where we are talking about products of equal quality. We wrote earlier how to determine quality food.

The basic requirements for the composition of dog food are dictated by the fact that they are carnivores: high meat content, enough animal fat and a minimum of carbohydrates. It’s best when grains are not in the list of ingredients at all: if they are often added to dry food for technological purposes (to form stable granules), then in wet food they always play the role of a cheap filler that increases calorie content and volume, but does not provide any particular benefit to the body predator.

Metis and mongrel: what is the difference?

Mixed breeds, like yard dogs, are animals without a clear breed. But why are they called differently and how do they differ from each other?

1. Metis. This is the name given to animals whose appearance clearly resembles their purebred parent. These are representatives who are hybrids of one/two/three accurately guessed breeds.
2. Cur. An animal whose appearance makes it difficult to determine the breeds involved in crossing.

Any hybrid dog is officially called mixed breed. So, even if the baby exactly copies his noble father or both parents, his passport will still indicate “mestizo” without specifying the details.

Labrador mix

Fashionable mestizos: how did designer breeds appear?

Unlike random matings, which have long become commonplace, purposeful mating of different breeds is now called designer mating. Such dogs can no longer be called mongrels, but they still do not have a specific breed. However, not all mestizos can be considered designer: only puppies obtained from crossing purebred individuals with worthy ancestors are considered; designer mestizos have reliable documents and receive good marks at exhibitions.

Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador and a poodle.

The term “designer dog” was first used in the 80s. The breeders thought of crossing a poodle and a Labrador in order to create a professional guide for blind owners. Then their success was simply crazy: puppies were sold for $2,000 apiece. The breeders quickly developed their own fan club and, as usual, hundreds of opponents of such breeding. Currently, “fashionable” matings continue in the world. You can determine the breeds that participated in the birth of the puppy not only by its exterior, but also by the name of the hybrid. For example:

Spagle - a cross between a spaniel and a beagle.

Jobs is the result of crossing a Jack Russell terrier with a pug

Pitsky is a mixed breed of pit bull and husky.

Chow-chow is a cross between a chow-chow and a German shepherd.

Myths about "yard terriers"

A certain set of stereotypes and characteristics has formed around mongrel dogs. And some of the qualities that people who do not know them attribute to a yard dog are nothing more than myths. They were listed and refuted by the writer Denis Dudinsky in his book “The Most Famous Misconceptions about Quadrupeds.”

Myth No. 1. Insufficient mind

A few dog handlers speak contemptuously of mongrels, claiming that they are completely stupid. However, this is far from the case: yard dogs can compete in intelligence with many noble dogs. Thus, 85% of the surveyed educators of mongrel dogs confirmed that their pets are ahead of their noble fellow tribesmen in terms of intelligence.

Mutts successfully perform in circus performances along with purebred dogs

Myth No. 2. Insufficient affection

It is believed that yard dogs show less sympathy for their owner than their purebred fellow dogs. In reality, this is not so: animals choose one owner for themselves and suffer greatly if the owner has to part with the pet. Their focus on people is higher than that of terriers or “Caucasians”. However, the experience of dog handlers shows that only wayward “Caucasians” are ahead of mongrels in terms of independent behavior. This independence of behavior affects the level of devotion: for example, mongrels are still not as attached to their owner as Dobermans, Rottweilers, collies, German shepherds, and boxers.

A devoted “yard terrier” hugging his owner

Myth No. 3. Street dogs have better training abilities

Mongrels train well and quickly remember commands, but still do not have the best training abilities among other dog breeds. Denis Dudinsky, already mentioned above, compiled a rating of the 10 most trainable dogs, which looks like this:

Table 2. Top 10 most trainable dogs

Thus, yard dogs occupy only 4th place in the ranking. They can be considered capable of training, but it cannot be said that they are the best at this.

Myth No. 4. The mongrel is the kindest creature in the world

Many people associate a mongrel with the kindest dog who looks at a person with deep eyes full of devotion and would never attack his own kind. And, it’s true, most mongrels do not show strong aggression towards other animals without a breed. However, when compared with the characteristics of other breeds, it turned out that “yard terriers” behave more angrily towards other animals than East European shepherds, boxers, giant schnauzers and collies. A rating was also compiled based on the level of aggressiveness towards children. Mongrels were in 5th place, behind Caucasian and German shepherds, black terriers and Rottweilers.

Mongrels are generally peaceful towards children.

Myth No. 5. Yard dogs are bad guards

Many argue that mongrel dogs cannot be relied upon to protect your home from enemies. Experience shows that in mongrels the ability to immediately bark at an unfamiliar citizen is not well developed, as is the reaction to fussing outside the doors. The qualities necessary for a defender are less developed in the mongrel than in representatives of service breeds. Despite this, the qualities of guarding the territory and their owner are better developed in mongrels than in boxers, Dobermans and “Scots”. According to testing of yard dog owners, 23% of “yard terriers” have excellent bodyguard skills, and 47% are excellent guards of dachas, apartments or houses.

The mongrel protects his owner's property well

How to feed puppies

For a puppy, you need to immediately decide on the type of feeding - natural or industrial, so that later you don’t have to transfer it from one type to another. The digestive system of a growing organism will be formed under a certain food and will begin to produce the appropriate enzymes. A radical change in feed will inevitably lead to stress in all body systems.

If a natural type of food is chosen, then from the age of one month the mongrel puppies can be supplemented with natural food. Until the age of one, you need to gradually introduce healthy ingredients into your pet’s diet - vegetables, berries, herbs.

When using ready-made food, from the age of one month the puppy can begin to be fed canned wet food; at 3–4 months, dry food can be soaked and gradually introduced into the diet. High-quality dry food can be used as the basis for feeding when the puppy’s teeth have completely changed.

It is important to understand that keeping any dog, regardless of breed, will require financial costs, so you need to take this point into account and decide on the method of feeding before you bring a pet into your life.

True dog fans will always provide their pets with comfortable conditions for a full life, regardless of the breed, and owners often lovingly call a faithful mongrel dog not a mongrel, but a noblewoman.

To learn how and what to feed your dog, watch the following video.

Training "yard terriers"

So, we have already managed to find out that in terms of mastering various techniques and commands, “yard terriers” are only in 4th place. However, these smart puppies sense their owner well and understand his mood. Therefore, we can confidently say that the logic of training and the owner’s perseverance can turn a mongrel into a disciplined and noble friend.

Even a child can handle training a “yard terrier”, but until you are sure of the dog’s good behavior, you shouldn’t leave them alone

Important! Before starting training, it is advisable to find out from which breeds this particular representative of the “noble family” came from. This way you can find out which abilities are already inherent in the dog’s genes, and which ones need to be developed.

Nuances of training and education

A dog learns easily and quickly, but only with a good example. The owner needs to show the pet how to behave and how it is strictly forbidden. The algorithm for training a puppy is similar to raising purebred dogs and looks like this:

1. Before a dog arrives, a personal place must be prepared in the house, where everything will be provided for comfort and good development. This can be a separate corner with a lounger, toys and bowls if the puppy lives in an apartment. If you plan to immediately place the dog outside, it is necessary to provide a comfortable kennel and a strong chain so that the dog does not break free from its leash.
2. First of all, the puppy must remember his name, and also learn the basic rules of behavior that the owner sets. Since mongrels usually live in a kennel on the street, the list of rules most often includes prohibitions on loud barking and attacking strangers during walks.
3. After the puppy begins to respond to his name, you need to start teaching the simplest commands - “Come to me!”, “No!”, “Sit!” , "Lie!" . If to train purebred dogs, the owner quite often has to resort to the services of specialist dog handlers, then training a “yard terrier” puppy on his own is very fruitful.

Important! The level of intelligence in an adult dog is similar to the level of development of a three-year-old child. Dogs of the “noble breed” are able to understand about 200 words, and guess the rest from the actions and voice of a person.

Training a mongrel

Choosing food for your dog

Before getting a dog, you should decide what it will eat. The choice is between natural feeding and dry food. The choice should be made based on your own convenience, as well as the breed of the dog. When making a choice, you need to take into account that good quality food is quite expensive. However, eating good food is also not cheap at all, and preparing food from it takes precious time.

REFERENCE! According to veterinarians’ answers to the question of how to properly feed a dog, feeding natural food is optimal for dogs.

Any breed of dog can and should be fed this way, from large shepherds and Alabais to toy terriers and Yorkies.

Natural feeding

Preparing dog food takes a long time and is expensive. The owner needs to work hard when preparing a diet for his pet, calculating the proportions of the necessary substances. Natural food differs from dry food primarily in its composition. The owner can always be sure of the freshness and naturalness of the products from which he cooks, and he definitely will not add salt or additives that could harm the pet.

Natural nutrition should consist of the following categories of products:

• - Meat, offal, cartilage.
• — Fermented milk products with minimal fat content.
• - Fruits vegetables.
• - Cereals.

The main thing that the owner needs to do is to correctly calculate the proportions of these food groups, otherwise the dog can be deprived of the substances it needs. The ratio of ingredients in a dog’s diet is compiled separately for each specific case. This takes into account the dog’s weight, age, and breed. The difference lies in the types of dishes.

In general, the ratio of ingredients is approximately the same for everyone:

• 50% meat (offal);
• 30% cereals;
• 5% fermented milk products;
• 10% fruits and vegetables;
• 5% additives.

The proportions described are optimal for any dog:

• Meat takes up the bulk of a dog's diet. It is better if it is lean meat (beef, rabbit, turkey, chicken). You can also use offal (liver, heart and others) instead of meat, but not more than 2-3 times a week.
• Fermented milk products are also important in a dog's diet. They contain a lot of protein and calcium. Every day you should offer your dog fermented baked milk or kefir. But yoghurts with all kinds of additives should not be given to dogs. If the dog refuses fermented milk products, it is allowed to give eggs 2 times a week.

What should you not feed your dog? You should not give dogs baked goods, as they contain nothing healthy, but contain a lot of simple carbohydrates.

• But vegetables and herbs can and should be given to dogs. The exceptions are potatoes, corn and legumes. You can safely feed your pet all other vegetables.
• Porridge is a must for dogs. They are boiled in water, just like for themselves. You should not give dogs only semolina, corn and pearl barley, as they are not digested by the body.
• Supplements should also be present in the dog's diet. These include bones and fish.
• The bones must be raw - boiled ones should not be given to dogs. They are also not allowed to eat tubular bones, but they can eat soft bones that, when bitten, cannot cause harm to health.
• Fish , on the contrary, can be given to dogs only in boiled form. Only sea fish without bones is suitable. It is recommended to give it 2 times a week, replacing meat feeding with it. There is no need to salt food for dogs. Veterinarians also advise giving special vitamins for natural feeding dogs.
• Water should always be freely available to the dog.

"Yard Terrier": benefits for humans

Dog service specialists claim that mongrels are inferior to their noble brothers in discipline and keenness of smell. Despite this, “yard terriers” can be of great benefit to humans. For example:

• they show themselves well as search dogs for searching for drugs, missing things or a person;

Mongrel - search dog

• are excellent dedicated guards, ready to protect their person in any situation;
• As guards, many breeds of service dogs are passed ahead, but boxers and “Scots” are ahead of them.

Owners who expect their pet to perform narrowly focused tasks are still advised to give preference to purebred service dogs. However, outbred specimens show themselves no less successfully in the service of humans.

Mongrel bitches that have whelped are often used as nurses for orphaned babies of other animals.

Is the mongrel truly evil?

Some believe that street life must turn a mongrel dog into a fiend of hell, attacking other dogs and passers-by for no reason. To refute this fact, animal psychologists conducted a series of observations and found the following:

• most “yard terriers” do not show any aggression towards other yard dogs;
• mongrels are more wary of dogs with a pedigree that are different from them in appearance than Doberman Pinschers, Scottish and East European Shepherds, and Giant Schnauzers;
• “yard terriers” tend to show aggression towards humans more noticeably than Dobermans, boxers and collies, but they are inferior to special dogs in this ability;
• mongrel dogs are practically not inclined to show unreasonable aggression towards other dogs while walking: this ability is at the same level as that of friendly collies;
• For children, mongrels are not the most dangerous dogs: according to the rating of hostility towards children, they are inferior to Rottweilers, Caucasian Shepherds and “Germans”.

Mongrels show virtually no aggression towards their own kind.

Outbred guards in numbers

Scientists say that mongrels quickly react with a loud bark to the appearance of a stranger or walking outside the front door. This important ability is more noticeably developed in them than in “Scots”, Dobermans and Boxers. Canine tests regarding the protective characteristics of mongrels revealed the following figures:

• 55% of breeders confirmed that yard dogs are excellent watchdogs;
• 47% of respondents say that their dogs successfully guard private houses and summer cottages, which means they can keep large areas under control;
• 25% of owners call mongrel dogs excellent bodyguards.

Many dog ​​owners believe that letting a mongrel dog into the house is the best and most profitable solution for creating good protection. Perhaps they are a little inferior in some qualities to service dogs, but they quickly adapt to changing weather conditions and are unpretentious in food.

Mongrels on security duty

Purebred puppy VS dog from the street: who to choose?

The question of choice is quite difficult, given all the advantages and disadvantages of both representatives. It is impossible to say with certainty what type of animal should be chosen, since this can only depend on the character and needs of the owner. To make the right choice, you need to analyze the capabilities of both purebred and outbred puppies.

Table 3. Comparison of dogs of noble blood and mongrel dogs

Little puppies are adorable, now the choice is yours

The final decision depends only on the owner. No standards or descriptions oblige the dog to blindly follow them. Thus, buying a purebred puppy with a pedigree will not guarantee success: the puppy may not realize all the advantages of its noble ancestors. And a dog that has been picked up from the street, warmed and fed, does not have to be flexible and love its owner unconditionally.

Video - Purebred dog or mongrel?

What is the best time to feed your dog?

It is best to feed dogs at the same time every day. They quickly establish a conditioned reflex precisely at this time of feeding, and gastric juice begins to be produced in the stomach. But what’s interesting is that my eldest - Yorkshire terrier Jessie - somehow also knows the time at which I usually soak dry food (it’s better to soak dry food 30-40 minutes before meals and even 1 hour with warm boiled water and cover saucer so that it swells - you should not feed the dog dry food, it is only good for extreme cases - on the road, or if you overslept). My Jessie, precisely while soaking the food, if for some reason I hesitate, begins to show anxiety, stomp, make a “toad” - open her mouth displeasedly, and even bark... Adult dogs are usually fed twice a day. I know breeders who leave dry food for their older puppies for the whole day (not soaked, since soaked food should sit for no more than 3 hours, after which it is no longer useful, if not harmful) and then go to work or on business. and the puppies ate a little of this food throughout the day. I would like to warn you right away that if you bought a puppy that was raised without this habit, then I do not advise you to leave the puppy food and go to work. Try experimenting on Saturday and Sunday, when you are at home and can watch your puppy, otherwise he will overeat out of habit, especially if he has a good appetite, and - at best - will develop a severe stomach upset, and at worst - volvulus.

Some owners of large breed dogs feed their pets once a day. In general, this is wrong. No matter how much a dog eats, digestion of food in an adult dog lasts 6-8 hours and then the dog will still be hungry for the rest of the day. It happens that the dog sets its own feeding schedule. In this case, don't argue with her, even if she prefers to eat once a day.

Dogs' appetites may change over the course of their lives - this is normal.

When is it better to feed your dog - before or after a walk? A few years ago it was believed that either 40 minutes before a walk or 40 minutes after a walk. When we were training cocker spaniels, it was even believed that if you walk (actively) immediately after eating, your back may sag, which is unacceptable in the breed’s exterior. Now there is no consensus on this matter. A well-fed dog may not pick up anything on the street, but it may be less obedient. A puppy, especially during the period of toilet training on the street, should definitely be fed before meals and immediately taken outside. You just don’t need to actively run - walk around, do things, and go home - you’ll finish your walk later. Since there is no consensus on what is healthier for an adult dog, feed him what is most convenient for you.

And one more thing - a dog needs rest after eating. If she sleeps peacefully in her place (and a puppy’s sleep is simply sacred!, like a child’s sleep) - do not pester her with games and commands and categorically forbid your children from disturbing her.

How to choose the right mongrel dog?

Most breeders don’t see much difference in where to look for a mongrel pet. They are bought at the market, found on the Internet, taken from the street or from friends. To prevent the arrival of a new family member from becoming an annoying mistake, when choosing one, you should adhere to the following algorithm:

1. Explore the area where the dog lives. This could be an apartment or a shelter. If the habitat is dirty and unsanitary, the dog may develop health problems.
2. Assess the health and appearance of the puppy. The dog should have clean eyes without pus, a moist nose, and a calm belly without bloating. There should be no white or black lumps on the fur, which indicate the presence of fleas and lice eaters .
3. Observe the dog's temperament and character. A puppy that shakes, hides in a corner, or runs away at the sight of a guest will never become a good friend. Perhaps in the future he will get used to the new owner, but will show aggression towards any unfamiliar person or object.

A cowardly pet in adulthood will be very dangerous, as it will begin to bite, and mongrel dogs that rush at a person who comes to visit and try to grab his clothes cannot be re-educated by any means. You need to choose a puppy that greets strangers in a friendly manner, but is also cautious. After a few minutes of communication, he can approach a person and allow himself to be stroked, while wagging his tail and licking the guest’s hands. Such a pet has an adequate psyche and will grow up to be a good friend.

Choosing a puppy is a responsible matter

Mongrel is a free, loyal friend

You can adopt a mongrel from the street completely free of charge, and the owners of such dogs often give away their puppies for a symbolic price. For many four-legged lovers, this advantage becomes the main thing when choosing a pet. After all, the prices that breeders of purebred dogs set for their puppies are often 2-3 times higher than the average wage. This should also include the costs of maintenance and feeding, which are not relevant for mongrels.

Often the owners of “yard terriers” themselves are ready to pay extra to the new owner to take the next puppy. Some people give away all their belongings along with the pet, including toys, leashes, and collars. Therefore, the new owner always has a choice: take home a mongrel puppy or feed an adult dog from the street.

Mongrel is a faithful friend

Do I need to feed my dog ​​on a schedule?

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Do I need to feed my dog ​​on a schedule?

Previously, we touched on the topic of feeding pets on a schedule, talking mainly about cats. And they practically didn’t talk about dogs, which, in fact, was pointed out by some of our inquisitive readers who recently became owners of wonderful puppies. Today we will definitely correct our “mistake” and talk about everything in detail!

Cats and dogs are still quite different animals. Even when it comes to issues of their feeding and diet. You can leave your cat a bowl filled with food in the morning. During the day, the animal will come and eat as much as it deems necessary. The danger of overeating is practically eliminated: the cat, feeling full, will move away from the bowl and do other things.

Another thing is a dog. No matter how much you give her, she will eat everything and ask for more. The origins of this behavior should be sought in the wild: dogs always eat enough to survive the lack of food. In greenhouse home conditions, of course, animals are not in danger of starvation. But systematic overeating quickly leads to obesity. Obesity, in turn, inevitably brings with it a whole bunch of concomitant diseases.

Therefore our answer is “yes”. The puppy must immediately be accustomed to feeding on a schedule. The training will take some time, but will only benefit you. It’s up to you to be consistent in this matter. No favors!

Another undoubted argument in favor is the possibility of teaching the puppy to do his business on time and where it should be. After feeding your baby, know that a bowel movement will follow in about 20-30 minutes. Accordingly, go for a walk (or use a corner equipped at home).

By dosing the amount of food (of course, in strict accordance with the pet’s needs), you will be completely sure that the animal has consumed the calculated amount of calories. With chaotic episodic nutrition, you lose the ability to somehow control the process. The result: either underweight or overeating. Both are harmful. Just no snacks, okay?

When is the best time to feed a puppy? The question is not too fundamental. It is important that the animal receives its calculated norm. It is better to give food in equal shares at regular intervals. Dogs get used to the feeding schedule, as practice shows, quite quickly. If you have a habit of gathering at the table with the whole family (at the same time), then it is advisable to feed your pet at the same time. He will take care of the meal and will not distract the owners from eating.

There is a lot of hassle and unnecessary fuss in our world. We are always in a hurry somewhere, late for something. It's easy to get overwhelmed and feed your pet at the wrong time! If you recognize yourself in the lines above, then set “reminder” signals on your phone. The puppy must receive food strictly at the prescribed time.

A good habit is to feed your pet twice a day, every 12 hours. Some respected authors advise applying the so-called “rule of sevens.” That is, in the morning (at 07:00) the first feeding, then a walk, in the evening (19:00, or seven in the evening, whatever) - the second, evening feeding plus a walk. Of course, you can vary this time to suit your work schedule.

Finally, resort to the help of modern gadgets. Large chain pet stores now offer automatic programmable “feeders” for dogs and puppies. It is very convenient when you are at work all day, you are prone to “forgetfulness”, etc. All you need to do is simply fill the required amount of food into the device. The gadget will do the rest itself, at a time strictly defined by you. And there will be one less problem in your life!

Photo: cuteness.com

What to feed the mongrel?

Outbred dogs do not have a pampered stomach and do not require a special diet, unlike purebred dogs. Mongrels can eat almost anything. This dog will be simply happy if it is fed porridge with pieces of meat cooked in meat broth twice a day. Despite the pet’s pickiness, you need to ensure that its metabolism is not disturbed. To do this you need to include in your diet:

• porridge;
• meat;
• cottage cheese;
• vegetables.

The dog will also eat ready-made dry food with pleasure. The choice of food is huge and depends only on the thickness of your wallet. When the family sits down to dinner, the dog will constantly beg for food from the master's table. The pet must be weaned from this habit immediately.

Important! Under no circumstances should dogs be given chocolate or other sweets. Sugar will destroy teeth, and theobromine, which is part of chocolate, can lead to coma.

The puppy is not yet accustomed to dry food

Disadvantages of ready-made feeds

Expensive dry food, as a rule, contains all the substances a dog needs and at the same time saves the owners time. On the other hand, even the best meat pads are digested worse than natural products and can lead to constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. One of the most significant disadvantages of such nutrition is the inability to find out what the food is made of. And it may contain artificial dyes and other additives, as well as meat production waste, which is not the most nutritious for the dog.