my dogs personality

Question
QUESTION: I own a 7 months old German Shepherd.People often comment on the dog saying the height of the dog is not good.When I asked my vet,he said the same.I am really worried about his height.And it is also quite thin.
    My dog weighs 35lbs(approx) and 45-55cm of height.

    We are vegetarians and i feed the dog only egg and rice twice a day.Once in the noon and next at night.I think it effects the height and personality of my dog.

    I request you to please look on this message and suggest a few measures we can take.

ANSWER: He absolutely must have a better diet.  I think it may be possible to maintain good nutrition for a dog without feeding meat, although I don't like the idea.  One of the cheapest and easiest things would be to feed a corn based chow such as the regular Purina.  I know it has some meat byproducts in it.  They are much more expensive and perhaps not as well tested, but there are special vegetarian dog chow sold.  A bigger pet store might stock them or be able to order them.  When you read my answer, there may be ads on the page.  Whatever you do, try to find a chow you are comfortable and meets AAFCO standards.  Read the label of the bag.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sir,

I am really thankful to you 4 your reply but we stay in India and we do not get such stock here.

My dog also has a habit of chewing what ever it gets.I have tried chew bones but in a few days it leaves them and starts chewing our footwear and furniture.

It also starts biting me some times when it is too exited.I tried to discourage it by beating it but after a few minutes it again starts doing it.

I will be grateful to you if you help me solving my problem.

Thanking you

Nitin


Answer
I don't trust most of the people advocating home made diets. This site may be better than some.  At least they don't suggest raw meat, http://www.secondchanceranch.org/

Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about
biting.  You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting
another one or themselves.  I am not even sure they realize that when they are
alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten.  At 3 to 4 months
they are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking
moment biting or chewing.  One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth.  Then freeze it.  The cooling will soothe the gums.  Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it.  I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another
Lab.  Otherwise they settle for any person they can.  They keep hoping to find
one that won't yelp,  jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens.
Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones.  Avoid things they can
chew pieces off and choke on them.  Keep them away from electrical cords.
Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.  

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages.  If you are not
there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs.  Keep a
close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
pieces.  Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
I don't trust any of the consumable chews.  The dogs just gnaw them down to a
dangerous size too quickly.  These problems are the worst with, but not
limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds.   Ones I made
lasted much better.   Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
foot.  Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope.   Melt the ends, and tie  knots in it.   Get
them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer.  Watch
carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

Accidents and damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy.  When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys.  In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''.  Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.


A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.