alpha sheltie

We're just finishing off a bag of innova. It's a great food I guess. The ingredients are wonderful but my shelties aren't thriving. Kai (who was on raw before) now has a dull coat and is constantly getting diarrehea. He was doing much better on raw. Kaedyn, my other sheltie, has only been on innova since we've gotten him and is doing okay on it. His coat isn't great, his teeth aren't great either, and his breath stinks. I'm switching back to raw after we finish this pack.

From the obedience aspect, shelties are for you. They're very easy to train because they're very intelligent, loyal and very willing to please. I'm a first time dog owner, and now own two shelties. As for everything else, they're not for you. They're an active breed (mentally and physically). They shed like crazy (less if regular combing happens...I comb everyday to minimize shedding). They're barkers unless taught not to...therefore making GREAT watch dogs. They're horrible guard dogs though...they like to warn intruders but if anyone came into my house, they'd greet them with licks. They aren't huge but they aren't small. Alot of pet quality shelties are over the breed standard (13-16 inches). Mine stand at 17 inches and 15.5 inches. They're compact enough to go around with you but big enough to consider a medium sized dog. So overall, they're probably not the best breed for you unless you consider the obedience part the most important. I don't know half as much on other breeds so...sorry I couldn't really help.

[b]"Do I have to grind up the veggies? I just dumped the frozen veggies in with the ground round, along with some yogurt... "[/b] If you want your dog to digest the veggies, yes. I don't grind them when I give veggies as a treat though. [b]I'm a little worried about giving her raw chicken! And extra worried about the chicken bones!! Can't the splintered bones get caught??? [/b] Some barfers grind the bones until they're pretty much powder because they're worried about it. I think Billinghurst mentions this in his book. The dogs usually get chicken bones over any other bones because for one, they're cheaper and two, chicken is one of the best meats to feed your dog..although, variety is still key. [b]Are supplements really necessary? (The husband bought in on the fresh food approach but is not happy about spending $$$ on supplements). Can the yeast infection get cured without them? [/b] I'm not sure about the yeast infection...I know some barfers do give supplements but it really depends on the specific dog and foods your giving. A holistic vet may be able to help you with this one. [b]Since my goal is to stop the suspected yeast infection and itching, is there a certain combination of foods to give or more of something, like yogurt?[/b] I don't know about the infection but yogurt is a great food to give. When I fed barf, I gave kai a teaspoon everyday. [b]How long before I can expect to see an improvement? [/b] I saw improvements in a few weeks. I don't know if you've already gotten this book but I'd like to recommend "give your dog a bone" by ian billinghurst. For me, it was a bit pricey but worth every cent.

I'm glad BARF is starting out well for you! This is the only thing my dogs will gobble down in seconds lol

Hope your dog enjoys it! Mine sure do. :D