Nutrition Guidelines


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from wolf to dog

The human/ canine relationship is thought to have begun between 40 and 60 000 years ago when man began to use wolves as a “tool” in hunting. It is thought that these would have been raised from cubs or be marginalised individuals who would be more inclined to form a mutually beneficial relationship (food, care and shelter in exchange for “work”/hunting). Both natural and artificial selection played their part in the diversion of the two species. Larson et al made a study of comparing the DNA of 700 modern dogs with that of the Newgrange series to suggest a dual-origin for the dog at each end of Eurasia, though as the eastern Asian population grew with time it replaced the European population so became the root of the modern dog. It should be noted that the modern dog does not descend directly from the modern wolf but from the east and west Eurasian wolves that are now extinct. We have to go back approximately 20 to 30 million years ago to find the common ancestor of the dog, the east...
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At what age does a puppy’s critical learning period take place?

A puppy’s critical learning period takes place during its first 14 weeks of life. This is the time during which the brain is developing, and it is their experience during this period that will have the most impact on their personalities and behaviour. Scott and Fuller (Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog) carried out the 1st influential study in this field. They concluded that “dogs should be introduced gradually and sensitively to the circumstances that they are likely to experience during their lives.” (Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog, 1965) The critical learning period divides into a series of stages:   the neonatal (birth to 2 weeks) in which their mental capacity has yet to develop, the eyes and ears are still closed and nearly all their time is spent sleeping and feeding. Mild stress through gentle handling is very beneficial for the stimulation of the brain, and accelerates the development of motor and problem-solving skills as well as hair growt...
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On observing a dog's facial expression:

A dog’s facial expression allows us to see into and understand its mind and state of being. DogFACs (Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, n.d.) have identified 11 action units (the groups of muscles in the face used in expression) and 5 ear action descriptors to provide a framework to facilitate this understanding (Dahl, 2016). Where dogs have been selectively bred for certain characteristics the ensuing features can obscure these movements. A Bichon Frise with floppy ears has a very different relaxed ear position to a German Shepherd, nevertheless the ears do move with the underlying muscle groups, pinching in when fearful. According to Udell, founder of the Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab at the University of Florida in Gainesville, “the hackles of dogs bred for their coats, such as poodles, have their hackles or eyes obscured by their coats”. (National Geographic, n.d.)  similarly, the underbite of the bulldog means that the teeth are always showing and where ta...
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