The focus of this Unit is to first, get everyone oriented to the course, and then dive right into some foundational work. This means starting to “Think like a Nutritionist” – that is, in terms of nutrients/requirements, what a dog requires, how to supply them in homemade diets  – what are the sources for our knowledge?  What is AAFCO, FEDIAF, the NRC?  and overall, build a strong foundation of reliable, science-based, nutrition knowledge.

Digestion

There are many common myths and misperceptions regarding canine digestion! This Unit will cover the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system, and empower you with knowledge you need to truly understand why we feed the way we do…what can go wrong, and how to avoid/correct problems related to digestion.

Energy

The starting place for feeding dogs, the basis of all dietary formulation, is energy – calories – how much to feed. While there is an established range of caloric requirements for all life stages, individual dogs may vary greatly in the amount that works for them to maintain weight/prevent obesity. Understanding caloric needs is the first step in home feeding, and very important for those using commercial diets as well.

Fats

Fats and fatty acids can be tricky to understand, but this Unit will make it much easier! There is a requirement range for total fat, but the type of fat matters; we also need to understand fatty acids -which are essential, what foods supply them, how much is needed. You will come away from this Unit with a much clearer grasp of the role of fat in the canine diet.

Carbohydrates

Possibly THE most debated and controversial topic in canine nutrition social media these days (and for some time now) this Unit will empower you with the facts- no more confusion! You will learn, as always with my approach, the pros and cons of feeding carbs-problems with excess and with starch, gluten and lectins; but also, that used correctly, carbs perform important functions in the canine diet, are well digested, and much more than inflammatory “fillers” as is often stated. Dogs are individuals and their response toc arbs will vary, but the right type, amount and preparation are key to incorporating them into a cooked or raw diet.

Vitamins

While there is flexibility with the three macronutrients – protein, fat and carbohydrate-micronutrients – vitamins and minerals- have more precise guidelines.  Many if not most home prepared diets, whether raw or cooked, are seriously low or high in these essentials, often with consequences for the dog. In Unit Seven we take a deep dive into vitamins – what they are and do, food sources, how to supplement if needed, signs of excess or deficiency. What about adding multis to a commercial diet? Will a multi cover all gaps in a home made recipe? All this and more on the topic of Vitamins.

Commercial Diet

Research tells us that as many as 90% of all dog owners feed kibble, canned or other type of commercial   diet – and with all the foods available to choose from these days, it can be overwhelming for owners to know what is best – ideal for their own dog. Should we use grains, or stay grain free? How much protein is best? Is it true most allergies are to chicken, and should always be avoided?  Should foods be rotated or is it best to stick to one?  What can we use for “toppers? Label claims and marketing techniques can be very misleading!  These and many more questions will be covered in this information packed, science-supported Unit.

Home Cooked Diets

Although this Introductory course cannot teach Formulation – I have a separate course on that topic  – it’s important for students to understand the pros and cons, challenges and benefits of cooking for your dog. Did you know that most generic recipes you purchase online will not be A) balanced to NRC standards or B ) ideal for your unique individual? Fresh food/cooked diet, is great for dogs on many levels, but there are also risks, and some can be serious, associated with feeding unbalanced recipes, especially over time. We will cover key points regarding cooked diets – how they should be put together, how to supplement if needed all the options available to you.

Raw Diets

Here we will take a brief look at the history of raw feeding and evaluate the most popular methods, including BARF, Prey Model, and NRC balanced raw. As with cooked diet, raw feeding has pros and cons, and we will cover what can go wrong as well as the many benefits to choosing raw for your individual.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy and lactation are unique life stages, that entail careful dietary management. During both these stages, the mother’s nutrient needs increase, but not excessively, and with specific schedules of both increase and decrease. We will cover these changes and the current science behind them, for optimal support of your own dog, or to help you advise others safely and optimally.

Performance Nutrition

Modern dogs engage is a wide variety of activities, from working dogs who guard sheep, to canine athletes competing in agility, flyball and more, to long distance dogs, such as sledding either as a “day job” or competitively. Endurance dogs have different nutrient needs from sprinters (lure coursing, for example)  and that’s what this unit will cover. We’ll look at feeding all kinds of canine athletes and include a section on supplements to support joint health, reduce inflammation, and much more.

Geriatrics

Senior dogs often require lower overall energy, which in turn means they likely require supplementation to ensure their nutrient requirements are well met. Older dogs, like dogs of any age, are individuals, with digestive and metabolic changes that suggest lower or higher fiber, lower fat , support for the heart, joints, cognition, digestive system and more. Understanding the changes you may see in your dog, and how diet can address them all, can help you make the most of this precious time together, whether you are home feeding or simply searching for the right commercial products.