1. Do not let your puppy get too heavy during the growth stages. They should be well covered but lean until their bones set.

2. No forced exercise: jogging, road-work, until the dogs are 2 year old and the bones are

set. Puppies are just that until at least 18 months of age, when dealing with the giant breeds. They are fragile and need supervised exercise in a fenced area or daily walks with you. The key is moderation and common sense in raising these "exotic" animals. The amount of food calories is directly related to the amount of exercise the animal gets per day.

3. Your puppy should not be crated more than 6 hours at time during the course of a day, and less is better. They should have a very large crate, one an adult male can stand up and turn around in. I prefer the "collossal" carte over the "dane crate" size. This is their den. Never punish and then put them in a crate--it should be their safe place. Their crate should be in a place where there is family activity so they don’t feel they’re being punished. If your puppy is crated during bedtime, and in the day time, 12 hours of his day is spent in a crate. You must keep that in mind when feeding. The amount of calories consumed and the amount burned off in the course of a day is directly related to the amount you need to feed. For strong bones, they need normal moderate exercise in order to develop the proper muscle to support the bone.

4. NO FREE CHOICE FEEDING. (leaving food down all the time) Some dogs over consume, some pick all day long and don’t ever get hungry enough to consume the proper amount of nutrition necessary.

5. Elevate your dog’s food and water as they grow. No great scientific reason it is more comfortable for them.

6. NO CALCIUM ( MINERALS) OR VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS or I will break your fingers.

The only exception to this rule is Vitamin C. Vitamin C is necessary in a diet. Dogs can make their own provided they eat naturally, as in the wild, ours do not so we must add Vitamin C. 1000-1500 mg a day. If you use the Daily Greens Plus it is already in the product. However, you can use "yogurt" type friendly bacteria’s (Daily Greens or FastTrack) and certain enzymes( Digestive or Anti-oxidant: Dismutase) which will not upset the balance of the diet.

7. Use a Heartworm preventative. For danes use Interceptor. This breed is a cross between a Greyhound and a Mastiff (hundreds of years ago). But if your puppy has a system like the Greyhound side of the pedigree, it will he sensitive to many things. Interceptor is better for danes than Heartguard, and it takes care of other worms except tapes. Never use a flea spray on a dane.

8. Watch the amount of "treats" you give your puppy, the calories add up. Break the Milkbone into several pieces instead of feeding 5 a day. Use carrots, or slice of apple, a couple of grapes as treats. This will not disrupt the balance of the diet and add too many calories to the diet.

9. Feeding Time: allow your puppy a safe, non stressful environment to eat in. I feed in a crate. Allow 10 minutes, if they do not eat in that time remove the food, and refrigerate until next time. They will not starve, do not try to beg them to eat. You are developing a bad habit if you entice them into eating. Do not let them linger or be distracted. My dogs eat in less than 5 minutes. If they don’t I know something is wrong, ( in season, false pregnancy, pyometria,, tummy ache.) Monitoring their food this way is an excellent way of telling when they are not feeling well. FORCE FEEDING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND SETS A SYSTEM UP FOR BLOATING.

10. Do not allow lots of running and exercise for 1-2 hours after a meal. This will aid in

digestion. This has nothing to do with bloat. It is just common sense, you would not eat a big meal the go out and jog......ugh!! that would feel awful. Well the same for your dog.

11. Always keep lots of fresh water available outside and inside so the animal knows there is water around , and is less apt to over-consume being worried it won’t be there at some point. Some breeders withhold water to house break a dog. This is cruel and ignorant. It sets up bad drinking habits (gorging) and bladder infections, potential dehydration which can cause muscle cramping. (and what is the largest muscle in the body?- the heart). I know of a whole litter of 5 week old puppies who died because the breeder was trying to keep their area clean and presentable for buyers, so she kept withholding their water. How would you like to not be able to get a drink when you wanted one? Again use common sense. If they are playing hard and start drinking, monitor them tell them "hey, take it easy", just a little and when they have calmed down they can have a little more.......just like a horse, you don’t water a horse until it has cooled down. I don’t leave water in a crate with a puppy during the nighttime when they are sleeping, they always spill it. But during the day they have it available all the time, clean fresh non-slobber water.

12. Amount to feed: this will be discussed per individual puppy or I have a chart on the following pages which is a guide for moderate protein/fat/calorie foods. A high protein/fat/calorie food does not mean a bigger animal. It may mean your puppy will develop nutritionally cause bone diseases (HOD, OCD or Panno). NO PUPPY or PERFORMANCE FOODS--they are high in calories and promote accelerated growth . It is important these dogs grow slow and even, so the bone develops at the same rate as the muscle. If not they may have growth deformities and early arthritis. By the same token NO LOW PROTEIN FOODS, they are not enough calories.

13. Toys/Bedding. You have to think like a dog, which things are you more apt to get into trouble with here! I use fleece beds for my crates, never use carpet, they are attracted to the glue and a continuous loop carpet can cause their bowls to strangle if they eat it. No cedar, pine bedding it causes allergies. No detergent, Carpet Fresh, Lysol, Murphy’s oil soap, fabric softener or anything that is a pine derivative. You are asking for allergies. Wash bedding in a mild solution of bleach, it will dissipate when dry leaving no residue. Same with cleaning crates, make sure you are well vented!! Use only dog shampoo nothing else for a bath. No pig ears, raw hide, string toys, booda bones or cooked bones. There are now things available that work, and Kong toys. Keep these around so they are not eating furniture and your best shoes. The most important qualities in a good owner is compassion and common sense and the ability to think like a dog.

DRY FOOD: a high quality, multiple protein based food of moderate protein and fat content and naturally preserved. (no puppy or performance foods for anything under 10 months).

List of quality foods:

Eagle Dog Food 1-800-255-5959

Back to Basics 1-800-219-2558

PHD (Perfectly Healthy Diet) 1-800-320-7062

Innova (switch over slowly) 1-800-532-7261

Precise 1-800-446-7148

Wysong (switch over slowly) 1-800-748-0188

Flint River Ranch (needs raw meat) 1-909-682-5048

Balance Diet (raw fermented diet) 1-888-777-0505

Nature’s Recipe 1-800-933-2880

DAILY GREENS PLUS: This product helps to fill the "holes" in all commercial dog foods. One small scoop provides the follow foods.

> yogurt type "friendly bacteria" actual name is Probiotics

> digestive enzymes

> Ester-C (fruits) 1400 mg Vit C per scoop

> Barley Grass (veggies)

MSM: nutritional sulfur, important in metabolism and the bodies electrical system. (See my article on Bloat/Torsion)

Daily Greens Plus and MSM order from Healthy Tek. 1-800-937-1104

Canned Meat: 3Tbs.- 1/3 of a can of a quality meat

Water On Food: commercial foods need to be fed with moisture so dogs don’t over

consume water after a meal and so the kibble does not pull moisture from the

dogs system in order to break down properly. Use "tepid" temperature water never

hot or warm and never soak your food as it breaks down and destroys nutrients. Mix up

and feed immediately. I use approximately 1-1 and 1/2 cups of water for adults

per each meal. Adjust accordingly for puppies. If puppies have loose stool you may be

using too much meat or more water than necessary. Adjust that before you panic and think

they are sick.

Drinking Water: it is very important to never withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let the cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently. Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause of bloat/torsion. (see my article on Bloat and Torsion for details).

Fresh Raw/Cooked Foods: (OPTIONAL) These include fruits and veggies, not in large amounts, a little is better than none. If you use raw meat, go slowly and in small amounts until the animal is used to these foods. We need to discuss this on and individual basis as some animals do better than others on fresh foods. No junk foods please.

Bioguard/ Dismutase: This is an anti-oxidant enzyme in a granular or tablet which can be sprinkled on the food. It is used to "filter" toxins (free radicals) from the system and helps to boost the immune system. It is particularly beneficial for arthritic conditions, to prevent

vaccine reactions or anesthetic reactions in animals and humans. It is also used to flush the

system when having an allergic reaction. I think of this as working on the joint areas .

Personal Note: I start using this product when puppies are weaned, to prepare their

system for vaccines, worming, and cropping surgery. We have had great success

using this product in preventing stress normally associated with these types of

procedures. Dismutase is terrific for arthritis and I use it on my middle-aged and elderly

animals, and me. Bioguard/Dismutase is excellent to use in conjunction with other joint

support products. To order: 1-800-368-5057

Phyto-spouts Plus or Bioguard Plus: This is another anti-oxidant enzyme product which includes dismutase plus other enzymes to "filter" the toxins and is particularly useful for reproductive problems as it tends to work on the soft tissues of the body. It can also be used before and after surgery to help with cleansing the anesthetic from the system. It boost the immune system To order: 1-800-937-1104

Co-Q-10 : This enzyme is a necessary part of every cell in the body and it is involved

in each cells respiratory chain and supplies energy to the organs. The older we get the less

our body has of this enzyme which protects the heart, lungs and the gum tissues. It is

an important part of the nutritional support for an animal/human with cardiovascular

problems (along with taurine and L-carnitine). 180mg is recommend for an animal with heart problems. I use 60-90 mg for normal maintenance dose. To Order: 1-800-937-1104

Source: This product is a series of blue-green algaes which provide micro-nutrients

often missing in all foods. Similar product is the Super Blue Green Algae product.

(800-937-1104)

Many individuals ask me what I feed my danes. This is what I use:

Eagle Natural Pack (23% protein -12% fat ): I use this product from weaning through adulthood including the elderly. If I have an animal that I am starting to show and they need more weight. I can safely switch to the Eagle Kennel Pack a higher caloric food. However, I do not switch until 10 months of age to a higher calorie as I want them to grow slow and even during the drastic growth stages. No showing or after showing, I use the Eagle Natural Pack as my basic food for all ages, all stages of life including my elderly dogs.

Eagle Kennel Pack (25% protein- 15% fat): I use this product from 10 months on if showing. I also use it for bitches who are pregnant and I start them on the higher protein half way through their pregnancy and continue until the puppies are 3-4 months so her body is repaired from the stress of the litter. I use this food if a dog is on the road showing so they consume less quantity yet still get enough calories to keep on the needed weight for showing. A "performance" food is appropriate for this use as well feeding a stud dog who is being used frequently.

As a general rule of thumb: (For Danes)

2 months 2-4 cups per day

3 months 3-5 cups per day

4 months 4-6 cups per day

5 months 5-7 cups per day

6 months 6-8 cups per day

7 months 7-9 cups per day

8 months 8-10 cups per day

9 months 9-11 cups per day

Young adult males may eat as much as 12- 14 cups per day until mature. I feed my mature bitches approximately 6 cups per day and mature males approximately 7-10 cups per day. Older dogs and bitches approximately 5-6 cups per day. Remember this is based on a moderate protein food and in my case the Eagle Natural Pack 23% protein/12% fat.

Eagle, like all dog food companies, make a series of products from puppy to lite formulas

for older dogs. I never use a light formula on a dog unless they have a pancreas problem

other wise it is just best to cut back the amount of food if the dog is getting overweight.

Or you can mix 1/3 of their diet with lite foods and the balance with their regular diet

other wise their coat and muscle mass suffers over a long period of time. Like wise stress

or performance foods, there are for pregnant moms and sled dogs. Older dogs should never be placed on a lite diet. Cut back the amount you feed rather than switch to a lower protein and lower fat. They need the nutrients and their coats will suffer drastically. The above chart is base the assumption that a dog may be crated or less active during the day while the owner is at work.

To feed an all natural diet requires time, dedication and good sources for food stuffs.

For those individuals interested in feeding an all natural diet:

Natural Selection (raw meat diet) (312-763-7524)

Sojourner Farms Diet ( grains and raw meat) (734-994-3974)

Balance Diet (888-777-0505) I prefer over the BARF diet

The BARF diet patterned after Dr.Ian Billinghurst book "Give Your Dog a Bone" which you can purchase from (800-368-5057). If you choose this way of feeding it is very important you read carefully how to do this properly or you will end up with an unbalanced diet. Many calls I receive are to correct this unbalanced diet. Note: I now have assisted several breeder/owners who had dogs bloat and had intestinal punctures due to eating raw chicken bones, which are part of this diet. I suggest having the butcher pulverize the raw chicken.

Arthritis:

Bioguard/Dismutase - antioxidant to flush toxins from the body (800-368-5057)

Hip Health - a glucosamine plus product for joint repair (800-624-5009)

MSM - nutritional sulfur (800-937-1104)

Vaccine Reactions:

To help prevent this problem, separate shots, especially the rabies. I wait as long as I can to give the rabies shot. Never before 6 months of age. I use these things from weaning until all shots are completed to help boost the immune system, and prevent vaccine reactions. Nothing is a guarantee but this is a step in the right direction.

Bioguard/Dismutase - see Enhanced Feed Program (800-368-5057)

MSM - nutritional sulfur, works on bodies metabolism (800-937-1104)

Anesthetics/Surgery

Bioguard/Dismutase- see Enhanced Feed Program (800-368-5057)

Heart Problems

Co-Enzyme Q-10 - an antioxidant for heart, lung support (800-937-1104)

Taurine and L-Carnitine - Amino Acids which support heart (800-368-5057)

Dosages are listed on the container. These are nutritional substances from food sources and do not conflict with medications.

Natural Care Catalog to Order

Healthy Tek Inc. (800-937-1104)

Morrills New Directions (800-368-5057) www.morrills.com

Fantasia Direct Sales (800-624-5009)

Bone Survey Update (HOD and other bone diseases)

Vegetable Soup (continuation of Bone Survey, 3 articles in one)

Interview with Eagle Dog Food Company (long)

Bloat and Torsion Article

Disease Prevention with Whole Food Nutrients (anti-oxidant story)

Interview: with Linda Arndt, Blackwatch Great Danes

Puppy Raising/Feeding Guidelines (chart)

Blackwatch Feeding Program

List of Quality Foods

A Guide to Recognizing Bone Diseases

"This is the feeding program I recommend for my puppy buyers. If you like it and it meets with your approval, you are certainly welcome to copy and share with others in hopes it will help our dogs to live long and healthy lives."

Linda Arndt, Blackwatch Great Danes

9000 E. Susan Lane, Albany, Indiana 47320

765-789-4519 GrDaneLady@aol.com