PONS and humans, have a body, mind and
spirit connection and when all elements are in
balance, optimal health and well-being will
take place. If this balance is disturbed,
disharmony in body function and ill health
may result. If left alone for too long
periods of time, a PON will become nervous
and frustrated. This breed has a strong
personality and needs a lot of interaction
with human beings. Socialization as a young
puppy can make the difference between a well
adjusted PON and one which has behavior
issues. Neurotic behavior often takes place
in the form of aggressiveness or extreme
shyness
.
Studies have shown that healthy bodies
are better able to fight illness and
exercise maintains body weight, which
lowers the risks of diabetes, joint
problems and heart disease as a dog
matures. If your PON leads a sedentary
life, you need to downsize the amount of
food he receives or be faced with an
overweight PON that is at high risk for
a wide range of health issues. When was
the last time you thought out of the
kibble bag ? Do some independent
research and discover foods which offer
nutritional benefits. If you aren't able
to switch away from kibble, consider
adding pumpkin, green beans, yogurt,
etc. to your PON'S daily diet.
How often do you take your PON on
regular walks or set aside special play
sessions ? PONS are a herding breed and
need daily exercise in order to maintain
physical as well as mental health. A
busy PON is more likely to be
healthier than a PON who spends most of
it's time sleeping. If your PON is alone
for long periods of time on a regular
basis, leave a veggie filled "Kong" toy
to work on while you are away. Make sure
you spend quality time together and plan
activities you will both enjoy. Visits
to local parks or long walks in the
morning will make a big difference to
the mind, body and spirit of your
beloved PON.
Informed owners may be able to make a
difference to the well being of PON's
who are experiencing stress (due to
relocation, showing and other factors)
by considering an alternative option,
which is just becoming popular these
days. Canine massage has been proven to
contribute major benefits by encouraging
relaxation and relieving tension. A
gentle caring human touch will release
innate feelings of health, well being
and vitality.
Other benefits of canine
massage include:
* Reducing arthritis
pain, hip dysplasia, and joint tension
* Aiding recovery time
from injuries, improving performance
and activity
Courses and seminars on
canine massage are not always
conveniently located and owners need to
educate themselves by doing independent
research on the topic of canine massage.
The following books are available on
amazon.com. Enjoy !
