Turn Game Meat Into Chew Treats

Are you shocked by the prices for dried, meat chew treats at your local pet or feed store? Have exorbitant prices caused you to bypass these 100% natural, no preservative, protein packed snacks for your trusty four legged hunting companion? Do recall scares from dog treats made in China scare the begeezes out of you? Do you still have a freezer full of game such as venison, duck, pheasant, quail, etc from last season? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions I have the perfect remedy. It will save on your wallet and better yet, your dog will love you even more for making him or her some seriously tasty morsels right in your very own kitchen!


Open Country 500watt Food Dehydrator



The more research I did, the more confident I became that I could actually make homemade dried treats for my dog. I purchased an Open Country 500watt dehydrator machine from Gander Mountain for $149.99. Even at such a low price this particular dehydrator received rave reviews from customers who were more than satisfied with their purchase. I must admit, I am no gourmet chef and far from making any earth shattering culinary delights. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could easily make some pretty darn good chew treats. A wagging tail, a puddle of drool, and a lip smacking good time from my dog was proof positive that my first attempt was a success. Come to find out I can now make something that even my human friends say is tasty! Drying meat is very hands off and not very labor intensive. I cut and load the meat before bedtime. Let the dehydrator run all night and then(depending on the batch) it is usually ready by mid morning. The base and trays are dishwasher safe so clean up is hassle free! Drying meat is not rocket science but does involve some trail and error.

Lessons I have learned along the way:

• Choose lean meats or trim away all excess fat/cartilage. Fat can go rancid quickly.
• Cut all pieces the same size. 1/4" width by 4-6" long is perfect.
• Place meat in freezer for an hour before cutting. This makes slicing much easier.
• Check your drying process every few hours.
• Different types meats and environmental factors can vary the drying time. Keep a log book of successful batches for future reference
• If using oily meats, pat drying pieces with paper towel every two hours to remove excess.
• To make VERY chewy jerky(for dogs) cut the meat with the grain.
• To make LESS chewy jerky(for humans) cut across/against the grain.
• Allow the jerky to cool and air dry for 2-3 more hours before packaging
• If drying wild game or poultry, FIRST cook in oven for 30 minutes at minimum 160 degrees to kill possible salmonella or other bacteria.
• Always prepare and dry meats in a clean, sterile environment.

The process of drying meat is a fun and economical way to produce healthy treats for both you and your dog. Meat is not your only option as sweet potatoes are just one of the hundreds of fruits and vegetables that can dried to make healthy, natural treats that your faithful gun dog can enjoy. The best part of dried foods is they are easy to make and even easier to pack for extended hunting trips. Owning a dehydrator has now emptied my freezer and saved a ton of game meat from prolonged freezer burn. In turn, I have already saved hundreds of dollars on dog chews and Dewey could not be happier! Better yet, I can honestly say that all of my homemade dog treats are "tested on humans" first! Have fun experimenting with your own dehydrator. I just wish I had taken the time to try this years ago!
Please feel free to comment on this post below or drop me an email directly at northupland@yahoo.com. I will personally respond to all your questions or comments. Thank you for reading.
Best of luck out there. -Mark

Paw & Pad Protection

As the saying goes, "where birds live, a bird dog's nose will surely follow." And follow they will into some of the nastiest environments this country can provide. Each geographic location poses it's own unique set of variables. Gulf coast marshes are littered with sharp cat n' nine tails and razor blade grass. The upper midwest has forest floors covered in both frigid snow and prickly pine cones. The harshness of a west Texas hunt are omnipresent where everything bites, scratches, stabs, poisons, or cuts(some all at the same time). A day spent hunting chukar on the walls of Hell's Canyon, Idaho will leave you and your dog bloody, sore, and dead tired. As hunters we outfit ourselves with serious leather footwear and chaps to help stymie the cacti, thorns, and other such nasty items we will trample upon during the course of a hunt. But what about our four pawed hunting companion? He doesn't have the luxury of flipping through a Cabela's catalog and mail ordering a new pair of his own hunting boots. It is up to us to furnish them with the best possible solution to their paw protecting problem. There is nothing that can shorten a great hunt then your dog injuring a pad. Even the smallest cut can be painful and stop the hardest headed pointer right in his tracks. Hopefully the following tips and products recommendations will help.

• Workouts in the off season should be in similar cover conditions that you will likely hunt. This will keep his or her pads conditioned and toughened up. Hanging out in the backyard's clean cut grass and tossing the ball around just doesn't cut.


• Give your dog enough Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids in his or her daily diet. These nutrients help the pads stay moisturized(to prevent cracking) as well as help grown new layers of skin to keep them healthy.


• Long walks on pavement and/or sidewalks. This acts is like a fine sandpaper. Over time it helps to toughen the pads up as well as naturally grinding down the toenails.
  

There are hundreds of products on the market to help a dog traverse severe conditions. Manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make "dog booties". My biggest concern is boots may cause dogs to run in an awkward gait. I believe it is possible that they can injure their joints through long term repetition of such unnatural gait changes. In addition, a velcro or strap attached boot could cause a dog to become entangled when hunting thick cover. In a panic this could cause further injury as the dog tries to escape. I believe the only exception to wearing dog booties is if the dog was introduced to them at an early age and/or it is imperative that they wear them to protect against unavoidable and harmful ground cover such as nettles or cacti. Rest assured, for generations there has been other way to help protect a working dogs paws. These two great products have been around for years and for good reason. They have stood up to the very best test...time!

Mushers Secret is not a well known product but it should be! According to their website "Musher's Secret is a dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog's paws. Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs, it provides tenacious protection even in the most extreme conditions. Made from a blend of several food-grade waxes, then refined according to our our own special formulations, Musher's Secret is the safe, non-toxic way to protect your dog's paws. The semi-permeable shield is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration escape through the toes. Musher's Secret is NOT just for the winter! It protects from hot pavement and sand as well as any irritants your pet may walk through. Click on the image for more information or to place an order


Another great product and one I use regularly on my pointer is Nutri-Vet's Sport Pad Guard. It even comes with a 100% guarantee! How many dog products you know of can stand behind that sort of claim? According to their website Sport Pad Guard is "A safe, non-toxic wax that safeguards paws from the effects of gravel, asphalt, sand, hot pavement, ice, snow, salt and chemically treated roads and uneven hard surfaces. Helps heal cracked pads and abrasions. Provides protection for dogs of all ages" Just like all Nutri-Vet products it is made with high quality, natural ingredients such as Mineral Oil, Beeswax, Paraffin Wax, Silica, Orange Essential Oil. Click on the image for more information or to place and order.

Adding a wax barrier to your dog's pads is an asset to his or her ability to hunt in extreme hot or cold conditions. Vision your dog's paws are like a "built in" pair of athletic running shoes. The only problem is they can't replace them if they fail. On a side note to pad protection, keep your dog's nails trimmed tight as possible. In addition to pad cuts, a torn nail can put your gun dog on the injured reserve for weeks. Best to keep the nails as short as possible to avoid tears or breaks. I advise each of you(if not already) to invest in, and use these products. They will keep your four legged partner happy, healthy, and hunting hard!

Best of luck out there. -Mark

What is Probiotics?

To most gun dog owners "probiotics" might sound like a word straight out of a science fiction movie. It could even be a term used at a congressional hearing regarding performance enhancing drugs in professional sports. I can easily understand how probiotics could be a word to describe a mixture of robotics and steroids. Fortunately, that is not the case. In this post I hope to shed some light on exactly what is 100% natural, probiotics and how it can directly benefit our trusty hunting companions.

In actuality, probiotics are "good bacteria" that aid in digesting food and absorbing nutrients more completely. If you have ever seen an Activia Yogurt commercial staring Jamie Lee Curtis? This is exactly the same but for dogs. When your four legged friends large intestine is colonized by a healthy amount of probiotic bacteria, there isn't any room left to be occupied by harmful bacteria. Probiotics act as a natural protective barrier which keeps such harmful pathogens such as Salmonella and E-coli from proliferating. Probiotics for dogs also helps to bolster the canine immune system by increasing antibody levels. Another "buzz word" and not to confused with probiotics is prebotics. Think of prebiotics as health food for existing intestinal probiotic bacteria. Probitotic bacteria will feed on prebiotics and become even stronger. For more complete information on prebiotics visit my post written last year, What is Prebiotics?

Dogs both young and old benefit from daily supplements of probiotics. It keeps them healthy, happy, and hunting hard!

OK, so lets get down to the blue collar explanation of probiotics. Working gun dogs are exposed to all sorts of harmful bacteria in the field. Whether it be retrieving a bloody pheasant or muck covered mallard our best friends are exposed to a myriad of nasty microcritters. Without doubt, a gun dog needs to be supplied every available weapon to fight off possible illness after being exposed to these circumstances day in a day out. An increase of probiotics adds a first line defense by increasing the strength of the dog immune system. This occurs because the good bacteria helps the intestine stay health and absorb more of the nutrients in your dogs daily diet. Conversely, it helps your dogs internal engine burn cleaner and more efficient -i.e they are supplied the ability to digest their food more completely. Secondly, probiotic cultures wage a nonstop war against harmful gastrointestinal bacteria that can proliferate quickly if not held in check. Has your dog ever suffered through an awful bout of diarrhea or has been diagnosed with a chronic sensitive stomach? That is where probiotic cultures can come storming into play like a superhero in time of need. They are your dogs intestinal and immunity police!

Supplemental probiotics can be given to your dog in various forms. The two strains of direct fed micro organisms that can currently be used in dog food are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium. These days there are a number of reputable food producers that add probiotics into their dry kibble formula's. Dog foods such as Blue Buffalo, Castor & Pollux(both of their NutriMix and Organix brands), and Wellness have all been at the forefront of the probiotic food ingredient movement. In addition, there is a wide variety of over the counter powder supplements that can be sprinkled in powder form on top of your dogs existing food. Check out Fastrack by Conklin for super premium probiotic supplements.

If you have any further questions regarding probiotics or nutritional issues please do not hesitiate to contact me. I can be reached directly at northupland@yahoo.com or post a comment below. I will personally respond to each and every question. Thank you for reading.

Best of luck out there. -Mark

It's Like Gatorade for Gun Dogs

A few weeks ago I briefly touched upon a product called REHYDRATE in my Summer Sun & Hot Dogs post. The outpouring of questions and interest from you, my readers, was simply amazing. I thank each of you for taking the time to email me your questions. Today's post will elaborate in greater detail about this wonderful product in hopes of answering all of your inquiries. The advent of a liquid electrolyte supplement made specifically for our gun dogs is truly monumental. It's like Michael Jordan juice for our canine hunting partners!

According to their website "REHYDRATE was developed in conjunction with a doctor of veterinary medicine who specializes in animal nutrition at a leading university in the United States. REHYDRATE is designed to give canines a more effective hydration system than drinking plain water. The effervescent tablet that dissolves in water is formulated to replenish any lost electrolytes (i.e. sodium, chloride, potassium, etc.) due to aerobic activity.
Also included are Vitamin C and other antioxidant minerals geared to promote general wellness. Each tablet is also flavored to enhance the palatability to promote optimum hydration and water intake. During prolonged exercise, humans that do not hydrate will experience increased heart rate, increased core body temperature and a reduced sweat rate. This is caused by dehydration and the body attempts to retain all available fluid without any additional way to cool down.
Dogs on the other hand do NOT sweat as profusely as humans do; they rely on their tongue and the pads on their feet to regulate and dispel heat. In this regard, regulation of fluid levels becomes more important to control heart rate and core body temperature. By helping to maintain normal heart and temperature conditions, the animal is less likely to suffer from the fatigue associated with exercise."

The nutritional effects of REHYDRATE is well documented by vigorous testing and professional testimonials. But I ask, what separates REHYDRATE from a good old bowl of fresh water for our gun dogs?

"Water has no flavor so it is difficult for most active dogs to consume enough to stay well hydrated. Our research has shown that dogs will consume more of a flavored drink than that of just plain water. In addition, water contains no electrolytes and therefore cannot help to replace electrolytes such as sodium, chloride and potassium. Veterinarians use fluid replacement frequently to treat dogs that suffer electrolyte loss through diarrhea and vomiting. They create an "isotonic" solution that will mimic the ion levels found in the blood stream (285 mOsmol/kg of water) and essentially rebalance the system by imbuing the plasma with any lost ions. Rehydrate can be used therapeutically at a two-tablet dose to provide the best hydration for animals that have pronounced fluid losses."

I believe the most undervalued aspect of our gun dog's health and performance is proper hydration before, during, and after the hunt. To jettison back to my past, I was once a NCAA Division 1 college hockey player. I understand the importance of staying in top shape and providing my body the ability to recover quickly from tough workouts and hard fought games. The advent of an electrolyte water supplement for our four legged hunting partners nutritional intake is not to be overlooked as just marketing hype. This is the real deal. I urge all gun dog owners to visit the REHYDRATE website to learn more. Clicking on the logo link(left) will take you directly to a cool video type presentation and home site. It is worth the few minutes of your time to check out!

I hope this has helped answer your questions and concerns. I feel very strongly about the positive impact of this product and hopefully you see the value in providing your gun dog with adequate hydration. As we train and condition during the summer months it is critical to resupply your dog with adequate electrolytes. Please don't forget the winter months zap your dogs ability to retain hydration and supplements such as Rehydrate become even more essential.

Best of luck out there. -Mark