Food & Play Queries

Hi all,

Duke is doing pretty well overall, plays nice with other puppies (although loudly) and has switched to Innova dry food painlessly. Recently though he's had a bit of dry skin/dandruff and after some research I've read that canned fish is really good for the skin and coat. I went out and bought sardines, tuna and salmon cans in olive oil, just wondering if it is safe to give him a small can a day mixed into his meals and should I drain the olive oil or leave it in?

Secondly he seems to be having some issues playing with my mum's Maltese x, Alby. He runs straight up to him and starts jumping on him and nipping, which seems pretty rude to me. Alby growls and barks at him and runs away. Of course Duke chases and we have to remove him or it just escalates into a face to face barking contest I know that usually older dogs should put the younger dogs in place with either a nip or paw however Alby doesn't seem to be aware of this lol. Any advice on how to teach Duke some manners with older dogs would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Nudgie.

Here is a link on body language you may find usefull. They play a little rough sometimes but yes normally they older dog is able to convey they don't approve. Most of the smaller breeds won't let Suki get away with anything and are quick to tell her off.

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dogbodylanguage.html

I give my two some canned fish, but I don't give them a whole tin at a time. I will quarter the tin, then I get two meals for each out of a tin.
Also bear in mind, depending on the size of the tin, you maybe want to lessen the amount of dry food, as you don't want to be overfeeding your pup.

jstaff gave a good link regarding the body language

I wouldn't give a whole tin a day, either. Don't drain it - he can have the oil as well as the fish! Keep tuna to a minimum.

If the play is too rough & Albi won't (or can't) tell Duke off, then you must step in. Keep Duke's lead on & when he misbehaves tell him firmly "No, steady!" and pick his lead up & take him away. Make him sit, give him a treat & try again. It will take several repetitions to get through to him, but it'll be worth it in the long run!

Sardines are excellent for dogs skin and coat, by all means leave the oil in there this will benefit the dog joints too as well as his coat.

Rocky has a little fish in with his dinner about 2-3 times a week he dosn't really need it everyday. A raw egg is also good for a healthy shiney coat, occasionally.

i feed sardines but stay away from tuna due to the possibility of murcury content not good

I usually add around one large sardine with a little oil to Tyson's evening meal.

My pup is 14 weeks. He`s been around 3 dogs quite alot.

1) My uncles Great Dane. My pup nips, barks & try`s to hump her leg, until she holds him down with her paw and he calms down. The Great Dane sometimes puts Ralph`s(my pup) whole head in her mouth lol.

2) Neighbours lab. My pup barks, bites and jumps all over it, he`s full grown lab and seems to love it, and does same back. They have to be broke up every 5 mins for a time out. Ralph also try`s humping this dog.

3) My mates Jack Russel. My pup does pretty much the same as above, including trying to hump, but the Jack Russel loves him chasing her until she tires him out, and they then lay together and get on fine.

It seems my pup plays hard, and doesn`t seem to give up until he gets tired. It`s not that great to watch as he also has no manners, so i have to shout stop, come here, lay down, which he does for a few mins then wants to play again. I am not to worried as it`s all good socialising, he`s very young and excited and will learn. As people have said though, Staffs do like to play hard lol.

Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated!

The canned fish are the small 90 gram sandwich ones. I'll probably give him half a can each day mixed with the Kibble.

As for the play, I guess I just have to give him plenty of timeouts until he understands to take it easy lol.