Earthborn Hollistic Dog Food

Question
I saw your post on what a quality dog food should contain.  I think I got that part, but at the end you mention that you only recommend one formula of holistic food.  I just started feeding my bulldog Earthborn Holistic Dog Food (I'm starting with the puppy formula), and just wanted to make sure I am feeding it quality food.  I also ask this, because I am having EXTREME problem with my dog licking the walls to the point where he makes holes in them, so if it is due to a poor nutrition I want to make sure I fix this problem ASAP.  I've tried everything for the dog to stop making holes on my walls, but he just moves from one spot to another... it is being quite unbearable...

Answer

Hi Jose,

The person you directed your message to declined to answer it, which is how I came to have it. I am another expert in the category of dogs.

Earthborn Holistic Dog Food is a REALLY good quality super-premium dog/puppy food. Your puppy's problem isn't caused by diet, it's due to the fact he's a baby, and puppies are unbridled bundles of energy that don't know right from wrong.

You didn't say how old your puppy is. Be sure you're providing adequate exercise. A puppy or dog that does not receive enough exercise will develop behavioral problems. You didn't say if you leave your puppy alone for long periods of time. Many times these sort of behavioral issues are due to anxiety, boredom, or pent up energy. Increased exercise can help, especially if you give your puppy a brisk workout just before you leave for the day, but your puppy needs additional forms of mental stimulation to occupy him during the day.

Whenever you can't be supervising your puppy (including when you leave your home, and overnight) your puppy needs to be contained, preferably in a dog crate, so he can't destroy your home and also for his own safety. Depending on how old your puppy is, will dictate how long he can be safely and comfortably crated. The general rule is the dog's age in months, plus one. Using that rule, you'd find that a three month old puppy shouldn't be crated for more than four hours, with a maximum crate time of 6 or 7 hours for a house trained adult dog.

If you have no choice but to leave your puppy alone for longer than the recommended crate time, you should contain your puppy to a small room, or part of a room by using a child gate or two. If your puppy isn't house trained, lay a thick layer of newspaper down over the entire containment area. Don't be surprised if your puppy destroys the paper. Within the containment area, you need to cover the walls to prevent your puppy access. Left alone, without your supervision, your puppy WILL chew the walls, if this has become his habit! He can't be stopped, so you must prevent him access. Go to a hardware store and get large sheets of something to act as a "puppy shield". Until your puppy learns not to chew the walls, the puppy shield will need to be used.

Another good option to the crate is to use an indoor dog pen. This would be good for your puppy because you can place it in an area where your puppy wouldn't have access to a wall. There are many styles and sizes of dog pens, this is an example of the kind dog pen I'm talking about:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16677

Rotate the toys you leave with your puppy, when you leave him alone. This will keep them seeming exciting and new, which means he'll actually spend time using them. A particularly good toy is a Kong or BusterCube. These toys are hollow, and you stuff them with the dog's food or treats. The dog must work at getting the food out, which translates into time better spent on the toy, than your walls! For persistent chewers, fill the toy with food (sticky foods like peanut butter work well!) and freeze it, making it harder to get the food out. Give your dog the toy just before you leave the house.  

Your puppy would benefit from a walk at some point during the day. If you are unable to get home, ask a friend, neighbor, or family member if they could walk your puppy. Another option would be to use a "doggie day-care" service a couple of days out of the week.

When you're at home, if you see your puppy going after the walls, startle him into stopping by clapping your hands loudly while telling him "NO!". Alternatively, you could fill an empty soda can with a few coins and shake the can loudly as you tell him "NO!" The very moment he is distracted by the loud sound, praise him and give him a chew toy. If your puppy isn't phased by the loud noise, get a water pistol or spray bottle and give him a squirt right in the face the very moment he starts to go after the wall. Again, the instant he's distracted and stops chewing the wall (however brief) praise, and give him a chew toy. When you're home, if you can't be supervising your puppy, he needs to be crated or put in his containment area. Until your puppy understands your house rules, he can't have the run of your home.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti