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Your Dog's Health Starts with Proper Nutrition
What you feed your dog shapes their health. Cheap kibble can cause weak joints, poor muscle growth, and premature aging. Some brands even face lawsuits over harmful ingredients.
If raw feeding is not an option, choose the best kibble you can. Research ingredients and avoid fillers. Your dog depends on you.
What you feed your dog today will shape their health for years to come. A poor diet can lead to serious problems, including:
Weak joints
Stunted muscle development
Improper physical growth
Slower mental development
What’s Wrong with Cheap Kibble?
Many low-quality kibble brands are packed with ingredients that do more harm than good:
Indigestible fillers that provide no real nutrition
Unbalanced ingredient ratios that mess with your dog’s system
Deficiencies in key nutrients like protein and vitamins
Preservatives and additives that speed up aging
Some of the biggest dog food brands are facing multiple class-action lawsuits because their products have been linked to premature aging, cancer, and even early death.
That’s not my opinion… it’s in the legal records. But I won’t name names because these companies have a habit of going after trainers who speak up.
Why Some Vets Won’t Talk About It
Not all vets are the same. Some genuinely care about your dog’s health. Others push cheap food brands because it brings in extra revenue. If your vet gets defensive when you ask about nutrition, consider that a red flag 🚩.
What Should You Feed Instead?
I’m not here to shame anyone for feeding kibble. Raw feeding isn’t for everyone, and that’s fine. But there are high-quality kibble brands out there... ones with real meat, balanced nutrition, and no garbage fillers. If raw isn’t an option, invest in the best kibble you can afford.
And don’t take my word for it. Research the food you’re giving your dog. Check ingredients. Look up lawsuits. See what independent nutritionists recommend.
I’m not a vet, so if you need expert advice, consult a canine nutritionist or a vet with a specialization in animal nutrition.
Your dog relies on you to make the right choices. What you feed them today will impact their health for life.
Dog Parks Are a Disaster for Your Dog
Dog parks are unpredictable. Untrained dogs and clueless owners create chaos.
One bad experience can undo months of training. Fights and stress can cause lasting issues.
Health risks are real. Parasites, bacteria, and poor maintenance lead to illness.
Better alternative: Choose controlled environments for safe, quality socialization.
Dog parks seem like a great idea.
An open space for dogs to run, play, and socialize. But the reality? They do more harm than good. Here’s why:
1. No Control = High Risk
Dog parks are a free-for-all. You can’t predict who or what will be there.
Untrained dogs + clueless owners = chaos.
Aggressive dogs? You won’t know until it’s too late.
Bad habits spread fast—especially when there’s no control.
What to do instead: Don’t assume a dog park is a safe space. Choose semi-controlled environments where you can manage interactions.
2. One Bad Experience Can Undo Months of Training
All it takes is one bad encounter to change your dog’s behavior for the worse.
A fight at the park can turn your dog reactive for life.
If you’ve put in time training a rescue dog, one negative experience can erase months of progress.
Dogs don’t need more socialization; they need quality socialization.
What to do instead:
Be picky about socialization. Set up controlled playdates with dogs and owners you trust.
Socialization is not just about your dog meeting other dogs.
It’s about exposing your dog to:
New environments
New sights
New scents
New sounds
New people
3. Health & Safety Risks Are Real
Dog parks aren’t just playgrounds—they’re breeding grounds for illness and injury.
Parasites, bacteria, and viruses spread easily.
Many parks are poorly maintained, increasing the risk of infection.
Dogs can pick up bad behaviors—like excessive rough play or guarding.
Why avoiding dog parks works:
You skip expensive vet bills.
Your dog stays healthy.
You prevent unnecessary training setbacks.
The Bottom Line
Dog parks create more problems than they solve. If you want a well-balanced, social dog, focus on controlled environments where you can guide their interactions.
Stay smart. Train with intention.
Follow me for real, effective dog training advice.
— Marc Windgassen
No Drive... No Joy.
THE CURRENT STATE OF PUGS IS HORRIFYING!
Unethical breeding has led to severe health issues in pugs, including respiratory problems and hip dysplasia. Ethical breeding practices, like health testing and prioritizing functional traits, are essential. Educating dog owners on choosing responsible breeders can improve pug health and well-being.
This breed has fallen victim to dare I say, unprecedented levels of backyard breeding by unethical breeders. This has reduced dogs of this breed to ones with an inadequate respiratory system especially when it comes to its nostrils due to the flat face and an insufficiently sized skull which causes both neurological problems as well as the eyes to bulge and even pop out of their sockets as they age.
Don't even get me started on the unstable genetics that's a result of poor breeding practices such as inbreeding, specifically trying to bring out recessive genes, or just a straight up disregard for any sort of proper research and investigation into lineage.
Pugs currently face several health problems such as:
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) - This condition is related to the short and flat skull shape, causing severe breathing problems.
Hip Dysplasia (Coxofemoral Dysplasia) - A genetic disorder where the hip socket does not fully cover the ball portion of the upper thighbone.
Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) (Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis) - A fatal inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) - Also known as "Dry Eye," where there is a deficiency in tear production leading to corneal damage and discomfort.
Luxating Patella (Patellar Luxation) - A condition where the kneecap dislocates or moves out of its normal location.
Stenotic Nares - Narrowed nostrils that cause breathing difficulties.
Entropion - A condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea.
Hemivertebrae - Malformations of the vertebrae, often seen in the screw tails of pugs, which can lead to spinal problems.
Elongated Soft Palate - Excess tissue in the soft palate that obstructs the airway and causes breathing issues.
Dermatitis - Skin inflammation, often due to skin folds trapping moisture and leading to infections.
Thankfully some good hearted breeders are trying to restore the legacy pug with a longer muzzle and proper skull structure with stable genetics but this will take time as well as mass education of the current and future dog owner community. As a dog trainer and someone who above all else has the best interest of dogs at heart, it pains me to see people encourage and support these unethical pug breeders.
It's imperative that we, as a community, start holding breeders accountable and push for stricter regulations and standards in breeding practices. Educating potential dog owners on the importance of choosing ethical breeders and the long-term health benefits for the dogs is crucial.
Ethical and responsible breeding practices are crucial to improving the health and quality of life for pugs. This includes:
Health Testing: Breeders should screen breeding dogs for genetic conditions like hip dysplasia and PDE.
Prioritizing Function over Form: Selecting for longer muzzles and less extreme brachycephaly can significantly improve respiratory health.
Outcrossing: Introducing genetic diversity into the breed can help to reduce the prevalence of inherited diseases.
We must advocate for the health and well-being of these animals and work towards eliminating the demand for poorly bred dogs. By doing so, we can ensure that future generations of pugs, and all dogs, can lead healthier, happier lives.