La Prairie Canine

05/12/2026

Phoebe is definitely a water dog!

05/12/2026

Adult kids feeling the cool breeze this morning

05/12/2026

Been preaching this for years, feeding the same food every day is not ideal for optimal health.

A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Animal Science found that nearly half of dog owners feed the exact same dog food every day, same brand, same flavor, little to no rotation. Researchers also found that protein source, especially chicken🐓, heavily influences purchasing decisions.

While consistency may help some sensitive dogs short term, long-term dietary monotony can reduce microbiome🦠 diversity and create a less resilient gut ecosystem over time. Different proteins, fibers, and plant compounds feed different beneficial bacteria, so repetitive diets may contribute to dysbiosis, weaker gut resilience, lower postbiotic production, and a greater risk of sensitivities and inflammatory issues.

The takeaway? Convenience and routine may come at the expense of microbiome diversity and long-term gut health.
If you cannot change your food, adding a variety of foods like veggies can also help nourish the microbiome by providing different types of fiber and plant compounds that feed beneficial gut bacteria. Probiotics as well can help support microbial diversity, strengthen the gut barrier, improve digestion, and increase resilience during stress, antibiotics, and dietary changes.

If you’re looking for a science-backed probiotic option for your dog, check out 👉🏼 proactivepaws.com

05/11/2026

Heel position
With a young puppy I create the behavior before I utilize a leash. Once the behavior is solidified, I can easily add the leash to heel training to build a simple association that when the leash goes on, Heel position is in affect.
When you know what you’re doing, results speak for themselves.

05/07/2026

More playing

05/07/2026

Just entertaining to watch but often play can imitate a functional behavior that serves a canine a purpose.
Pepper plays with three males at once here, and it’s all fun and games, but it’s practice defending off threats if they were real.
Playing is practice, sharpening skills, often to kill or be killed, natures way in their mind.
Playing during youth increases confidence and gives a dog tools and a fighting chance to defend themselves if attacked.

05/07/2026

It’s a windy one this afternoon in dog country. Got puppies, geriatrics, and a bit of everything in between.

05/06/2026

Big Momma is officially named Phoebe, or until her new owners change it.

I’m down to two names for Little Momma and I need help choosing.
#1 - Sydney
#2 - Penny
Comment your choice please!

05/05/2026

My two favorite breeds for families are…

05/05/2026

Today has mostly been a ball of red fur in the yard. These girls are going to be exhausted tonight. 🤞🏻

05/04/2026

Big Momma has a sweet side, it’s just shadowed by her drive/energy. It takes more to wear her out but when she is you get kisses and cuddles 😍