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Food and Health Q&As

October 20, 2023

Recommended How long does a treadmill need to be for my dog? She's a 14 month old Dutch/Belgian Shepherd.

Hi Cindy! I need to buy a treadmill for my dog and would like some advice on the size. I cannot afford a canine treadmill. The treadmill I am considering has a 'running space' of 104x39cm. It is for a Dutch/Belgian shepherd who is now 14 months. She is approximately 58cm from the top of her of tail to her shoulders. The treadmill is for walking only and only for a small percentage of total exercise. Would this treadmill be an adequate size for this dog? Also, would such a treadmill size be of...
100% (3 out of 3)
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August 5, 2023

Recommended I'm getting a puppy soon and the breeder told me that he has an umbilical hernia, would you still consider getting that pup or not?

Hi Cindy, I‘m about to get a male puppy in 2 weeks and the breeder told me now that the pup has a small umbilical hernia which is not congenital. Would you still consider getting the puppy or not?
100% (6 out of 6)
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January 23, 2023

What do you suggest we tell our vet about us not wanting to spay our female?

Hello Cindy, Our vet explained earlier today that we should have Olga spayed to prevent the likelihood of her contracting uterine or breast cancer. Really? We made a reasoned decision two years ago, before Olga’s first birthday not to have her spayed. What specifically do you suggest we tell him on this serious matter regarding our Olga, her health, and her longevity? Note: This is the third vet we have gone to with Olga over disagreements with a specific conventional veterina...
100% (3 out of 3)
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December 8, 2022

My 13 year old dog doesn’t seem to want to play tug outdoors anymore, is it too much to expect an older dog to play tug?

I am returning to training an older pet dog that I had stopped training due to work and personal difficulties. He is 13 years old and does not seem to want to play tug outdoors anymore. He will occasionally bring me a tug toy if I leave it on the ground in our room but he built a lot of bad habits playing informal games of tug with my mother while I was away. Is it too much to expect of this older dog that he play tug with me? He acts like he has been beaten when I show him a tug toy but ...
100% (1 out of 1)
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October 6, 2022

I want to prepare a raw diet for my GSD puppy but I’m not sure how to do it correctly, can you help? 

My gsd came to me on pedigree she is 17 wks now and I put her on hills large breed puppy food but I add cooked chicken, rice, veg, ground sirloin, bone broth etc 1/2 and 1/2 some days Ill add chicken hearts etc. point is I want her to eat raw but I dont know who to follow for nutrient/recipes. I want to prepare raw but not sure how to do it correctly. Thank you
100% (2 out of 2)
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September 23, 2022

Recommended My female German Shepherd is blowing her coat, how long until it will grow back?

Hi Cindy, my 1st DDR sable GSD: She’s now 16 mo, is undergoing her 3rd heat and seems to be blowing her coat in stages. My earlier 3 working line shepherds were West German & all were b & t with stock coats. This little female has had a very thick undercoat. Now it’s all gone & the outer guard hairs are being shed. Please can you give me some idea of how the coat comes back … how long it takes? She currently looks like a coyote! Thanks so much as always!
100% (4 out of 4)
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August 11, 2022

Do you have a DVD or reading for recommended dry foods for German Shepherds? I’d also like tips on raw food.

Do you have a DVD or other reading for some recommended dry foods for puppy to adult German Shepherds and whether to go with grains or grain-free? Also tips for raw foods for puppy to adult, thank you!
100% (2 out of 2)
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February 24, 2022

How much physical exercise should my 18-month-old dog have each day? 

I have an 18-month-old malinois/pyrenees mix. How much physical exercise is a good goal each day? We also do training a couple of times a day and mental stimulation. Thank you.
100% (4 out of 4)
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February 9, 2022

I have a lab/GSD cross and his left ear is down. What should I do to make it stand up?

Hello Cindy, I have a German Shephard cross labrador his ears was up within 2 months old but one has dropped and sometimes comes up he is 7 months old and his left ear is down could you advise what I should do to make it stand back up please. Thank you
100% (3 out of 3)
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January 19, 2022

My Rottweiler puppy is not finishing his food when I feed him meals. He eats food from my hands during training but will not finish his food in the bowl. Am I doing something wrong? 

Hi Cindy, my puppy (4 months Rottweiler) is having some problems eating his meals (2/day). During our training he eats easily his kibble from my hands but when it's time to eat from the bowl he eats something and go away. It looks like he want to be feed by hands. Our meal routine is easy: - I prepare the food (kibble) - he waits in a sit position for a few seconds - I release him and he eats Am I doing something wrong? I can't understand the reason. He's eating less than he sh...
100% (2 out of 2)
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November 18, 2021

My new puppy really isn’t into his food and will only eat it if it’s soaked with water. Do you know why this is happening?

Hi, my 10-week old puppy, since we got him, has never really been into food. We got the food the trainer suggested... didn't like it. Got a new brand, liked it for a day, then didn't like it the next. The only way he'll eat ALL of his food is if I soak it in water and let it sit for 30 minutes... Any suggestions as to why this is happening? Is it just a puppy thing...? Thanks!
100% (4 out of 4)
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November 11, 2021

How do you keep your dog’s teeth clean and when should I have my dog’s teeth cleaned by a vet?

Two Questions: !). What do you do to keep your dog's teeth clean? 2). I have a 2 y/o Belgian Malinois. When should I have his teeth cleaned by my Vet? What age?
100% (1 out of 1)
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August 16, 2021

Ed advises not to feed dogs sugar but are blueberries ok?

Hey Cindy, Ed advises not to give dogs sugar, but condones giving blueberries as treats. Is he referring to refined sugar like table sugar? Are the natural sugars in blueberries carcinogenic? Thanks
100% (1 out of 1)
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February 22, 2021

Do you have any ideas or recipes for affordable, high value treats?

Hey Cindy! I’m sure this question was asked but I don’t know where it is. I’m trying to find a way to make my own dog treats that are high value but affordable. Do you have any ideas on what I could do or a recipe?
75% (3 out of 4)
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September 28, 2020

Recommended What is the best food for puppy & adult malinois?

Hi Cindi- what is the best food for puppy & adult malinois? Thank you
100% (12 out of 12)
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January 31, 2019

I have a 3 year old GSD male who failed his first OFA hip exam, mostly because of poor positioning in the xray. Is walking good to help strengthen his hips?

I have a 3 year old GSD male who failed his first OFA hip exam, mostly because of poor positioning in the xray. I know how to correct the positioning, but is walking (maybe with a weighted pack) good to help strengthen his hips (build muscle mass)? I don't have access to a pool or lake for swimming. Thanks.
83% (5 out of 6)
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June 19, 2015

My 14 month old German Shepherd is usually very playful. About 6 weeks ago we moved and his behavior has changed. He has become cranky and has even snapped at my son. I corrected him strongly and now he just goes in his crate and sleeps. I don’t think he’s sick. Did I break our bond?

Hello, Cindy. I have a 14 months old GSD. He is usually very playful. Loves training and engages fairly well at home. About 6 weeks ago we moved out from our house due to remodeling. His normal routine used to be spending all day next to me while I worked at my desk, play in the evening. Since we moved it changed. At first he was fine with our moving. In couple of weeks he started to get cranky and edgy, even snaped at my son. I corrected him very strongly. By slapping him on his muzzle and p...
69% (176 out of 256)
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February 19, 2015

Recommended Every time I give my German Shepherd a bone to chew on he gets diarrhea. Can you suggest something for him to chew on that won’t upset his stomach?

Every time I give my German Shepherd a large bone to chew on from the local pet store it gives him major diarrhea. I give him these to keep him busy when I go to work or when I am busy and don't have time to play to keep him busy. He loves them and enjoys holding on to them while chewing on them. What is an alternative or what can I give him to prevent his stomach from getting upset and he still be able to enjoy his bones? I even tried what is called Busy Bones and they do the same thing. I n...
65% (60 out of 93)
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December 8, 2014

Recommended What do you suggest for preventative ear cleaning for a dog that swims?

I have a 1 1/2 year old working line GSD. I will take my dogs for a swim form time to time, by throwing a floating toy out for him to retrieve. When he jumps in, he will get some water in his ears, then when he grabs the toy, sometimes his whole face and part of his head will go in the water, so water is getting in his ears.?My questions are, is it really a bad thing to get water in the ears of GSD? and?what kind of a good wash solution can one make for general, preventive cleaning??I've hear...
100% (23 out of 23)
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December 3, 2014

Have you ever had a problem with moisture build up in indoor kennels during the winter? How did you handle it?

I live in Maine and have a 22' x 32' indoor kennel building with concrete floor and walls. There are 12 individual kennels inside. The building is heated and has floor drains. I have found in the winter, I get lots of moisture build up inside. I'm wondering if you have experienced similar problems and how you have dealt with the excessive moisture.
100% (6 out of 6)
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