Bully Max, Author at Bully Max

Best Sources of Protein for Dogs

Posted on December 6, 2016April 10, 2023 by Bully Max

Want your dog to grow big, strong, and healthy? Then you need to feed them enough protein to build lean new muscle while keeping their body nourished and healthy.

Protein is an essential nutrient if you want your dog to thrive. Without enough protein, your dog can have all sorts of health issues. Some of the common signs of protein deficiency include:

Low energy or lethargy
Unwanted weight loss
Dull coat or chronic skin problems
Behavior problems
Weak/deformed bones
Slow-healing wounds
Weakened immune system

It’s important to realize that not just any protein will do. After all, what’s important isn’t how much protein your dog eats…it’s how much they digest. That’s why the best proteins are easily digested—they have a high “biological value.”

“Biological value” refers to how easily a protein can be digested. A food with low biological value means that your dog can’t absorb the food, and it will pass through their system undigested and wasted. A food with high biological value means that your dog can easily break down and absorb the food, using the protein to stay strong and healthy.

Protein ratings of ingredients commonly found in dog food & supplements

By using the protein rating chart below, you can determine the quality of the protein source in your dog food or supplement.

If a particular brand advertises a high protein content, it doesn’t necessarily mean the protein is beneficial.

Plant protein is inferior to meat protein and the protein found in quality dog supplements.

Food or Supplement	Protein Ratings
Whey protein Isolate	159
Whey protein Concentrate	104
Whey protein	96
Chicken / Turkey	79
Fish	70
Lean Beef	69
Unpolished Rice	59
Oatmeal	58
Brown Rice	57
Peas	55
Whole Wheat	49
Soy beans	47
Whole-grain Wheat	44
Wheat Gluten	40
Corn	36
Dry Beans	34
White Potato	34

The Best Protein Sources For Dogs

It should come as no surprise that the best protein sources (with a high Biological Value) come from real meat sources like chicken, fish, and turkey.

Chicken, Fish, & Other Poultry

Real lean meats are a great source of low-fat, high-quality protein that dogs love. Poultry is one of the most natural, healthiest, and easily digested sources of protein you can feed your dog. Some of the most common sources of poultry include chicken, turkey, and duck. Fish also offers the benefit of omega 3 fatty acids, a healthy source of fats that encourage a shiny, healthy coat.

Other Real Meats

Beef, venison, and liver are just a few more examples of real meat that serves as a great source of protein for dogs. When evaluating these meats in your dog food, the most important thing is to make sure that you’re getting real meat—and not meat by-products.

Meat Meal

Meat meal is one of the most understood forms of meat in dog food. It can be called by many names, including meat and bone meal, chicken meat meal, and others. Many people confuse “meat meal” with “meat by-products,” but as you will learn, meat meal is actually a much healthier form of meat and a great source of protein for your dog. Meat meal is a dried form of meat in which the water has been removed, leaving a highly concentrated source of high-quality, easily digested protein.

High Quality Meat Meals include:

Chicken meal
Lamb meal
Duck meal
Turkey Meal
Buffalo Meal
Beef Meal

The Worst Protein Sources For Dogs

If the best protein sources come from real animals, the worst protein sources with low Biological Value come from plants and unhealthy by-products.

Plant-Based Protein

Plant foods—like corn, wheat, and gluten—contain a small amount of protein, but it is not a good source of quality protein. For one thing, your dog’s digestive system was never meant to digest a large number of foods like gluten or cornmeal. And to make matters worse, these protein sources do not contain the full spectrum of essential amino acids (like real meat does).

Meat By-Products

If meat meal is a great protein source, meat by-products are on the exact opposite side of the spectrum. When an ingredient label says “by-products,” it’s telling you that the ingredient has been stripped from an animal carcass. Meat by-products will contain a small amount of real meat, but they will also include other animal parts including horns, hooves, hair, feathers, beaks, and claws.

Make The Right Choice For Your Dog

Now that you know the difference between good and bad protein sources for your dog, all that’s left is to make the right choice when picking out your dog food. In general, stick to the real & natural rule: any protein source that’s made from real, natural meat is sure to be a great choice.

If you care about your dog’s health, it’s important to feed them high-quality food that will nourish and help your dog to grow big, strong, and healthy. Be sure to check out our all-new Bully Max Dog Food, our 100% natural formula that received a 5-star rating from DogFoodAdvisor.com. Learn more about Bully Max Dog Food.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best protein sources for dogs?

Some of the best protein sources for dogs include real meats such as chicken, fish, turkey, venison, beef, and liver. Real meat is a superior form of protein because it is easily digested by dogs, which means more of the protein is actually digested. Just make sure that the ingredient label clearly specifies the type of animal that the meat comes from.

What are the worst protein sources for dogs?

Inferior protein sources for dogs include plant-based proteins like wheat, corn, and soy, which do not contain the full spectrum of essential amino acids. Another poor protein source is the mysterious ingredient called “meat by-products,” which can contain animal by-products like claws, hair, and hooves.

Is meat meal a good protein source for dogs?

Meat meal is a great source of protein for dogs. Meat meal is made by drying out the meat to remove the water, creating a highly concentrated source of nutrients and easily digested protein. It could come in different forms, such as meat and bone meal, chicken meat meal, and many others.

Is meat by-product a good protein source for dogs?

Meat by-product is an inexpensive and unhealthy ingredient that should be avoided in a dog food. Meat by-products have been stripped from an animal carcass, which means that in addition to meat they also contain other animal parts including horns, hooves, hair, feathers, beaks, and claws.

The Truth About “Meat Meal” In Your Dog Food

Posted on November 8, 2016April 30, 2023 by Bully Max

The Truth About “Meal Meal” In Your Dog Food (And Why Some Are Healthier Than You Might Think)

Have you ever read through the ingredients in your dog food and noticed an ingredient called “meat meal”?

It could come in different forms, such as meat and bone meal, animal by-product meat meal, chicken meat meal, and many others.

Many people see these ingredients and automatically assume that they are low-quality ingredients—less healthy than real, whole meat. But is that actually true?

In many cases, the truth is the exact opposite: that a high-quality meat meal can be MORE nutritious than whole meat.

How can that be, you wonder? Well, let’s start by recognizing one little-known fact:

Whole Meat Is 70% Water

We tend to assume that whole meat is the best source of protein there is. But as you can see in this chart, whole chicken consists of 70% water by weight…and just 18% protein.

This makes sense, after all. Our bodies are made of about 70% water…so it makes sense that real, whole meat would be too.

And this is where high-quality meat meal can actually prove to be an even better source of nutrition for your dog than whole meat.

Meat Meal Is 65% Protein

Meat meal is mead through a process called “rendering.” In this process, the meat is cooked until all the excess water evaporates…leaving you with highly concentrated protein.

Whereas whole chicken has roughly 70% water and 18% protein, chicken meal flips that ratio on its head—it contains just 10% water and a whopping 65% protein!

In other words, meat meal contains nearly 300% more protein than whole meat.

Is Meat Meal Healthy?

While meat meal does have more protein, that’s not the end of the story.

Some varieties of meat meal are extremely high-quality, giving your dog a dense source of nutritious, natural protein…

…while other types of meat meal are made up of waste materials including animal heads, hooves, bones, and other waste that you would NOT want your dog to eat.

The bottom line is: a meat meal can only be as healthy as the ingredients that were used to make it.

What Kinds Of Meat Meal Should You Look For (And Which Should You Avoid)?

Low-quality meat meal is unspecific and does not clearly identify the type of animal it’s made from. Additionally, any meat meal with the words “by-product” in the name is also a bad choice.

Make sure to avoid these meat meals:

“Animal meal” or “Animal by-product meal”
“Meat meal” or “Meat by-product meal”
“Chicken by-product meal”
“Meat and bone meal”

So what should you be looking for? Just the opposite: any meat meal that clearly identifies what type of animal it comes from is likely to be a healthy, high-quality dog food.

These meat meals are all great choices:

“Chicken meal”
“Beef meal”
“Venison meal”
“Lamb meal”
“Duck meal”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meat meal?

Meat meal is a form of ground-up meat that has been dried and cooked to remove the extra water content. The result is a highly concentrated source of protein. Some varieties of meat meal are extremely high-quality, giving your dog a dense source of nutritious, natural protein, while other types of meat meal are made up of waste materials including animal heads, hooves, bones, and other waste that you would NOT want your dog to eat.

How is meat meal made?

Meat meal is mead through a process called “rendering.” In this process, the meat is cooked until all the excess water evaporates…leaving you with highly concentrated protein. Whereas whole chicken has roughly 70% water and 18% protein, chicken meal flips that ratio on its head—it contains just 10% water and a whopping 65% protein!

What are some examples of good meat meals?

Look for any meat meal that clearly identifies what type of animal it comes from. Some examples of healthy, nutritious meat meals include:

“Chicken meal”
“Beef meal”
“Venison meal”
“Lamb meal”
“Duck meal”

What are some examples of bad meat meals?

Low-quality meat meal is unspecific and does not clearly identify the type of animal it’s made from. Additionally, any meat meal with the words “by-product” in the name are also a bad choice.

Make sure to avoid these meat meals:

“Animal meal” or “Animal by-product meal”
“Meat meal” or “Meat by-product meal”
“Chicken by-product meal”
“Meat and bone meal”

The Sport of Dog Weight Pulling: How to Train Your Dog to Weight Pull

Posted on November 7, 2016March 8, 2023 by Bully Max

How does it work?

It’s pretty simple, really. You attach a special harness to your dog. The other end of the harness is tethered to a wheeled cart with concrete or bricks on top. The goal is for your dog to drag the load down a 16-foot-long track. The dog who drags the load the fastest is the winner.

Think of it like tractor pulling…only your dog is the tractor.

How to get started in the sport of weight pull

Improves Your Dog’s Behavior

One of the main benefits of dog weight pulling is one you probably wouldn’t expect: improved behavior.

According to the American Pulling Dogs Association (APDA), weight pulling helps improve many behavioral issues in dogs.

Their website cites a paper written by Geraldine Dawson, Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks, which states that “increased aerobic exercise can significantly decrease the frequency of negative, self-stimulating behaviors that are common among individuals with autism, while not decreasing other positive behaviors.”

The issue, according to the APDA, is that many owners aren’t able to give their dogs the exercise they need. And that makes sense when you think about it. A dog who doesn’t get enough exercise (which could mean being walked for several hours a day) is liable to have excess energy that manifests itself as bad behavior, such as:

Chewing on furniture, shoes, or other hosehold objects
Aggression
Obsessive compulsive behavior (spinning, tail chasing, fence running, self-mutilation, hallucinating (fly biting), circling, hair/air biting.)
Shyness
Pacing
Excessive barking

The benefit of weight pulling, specifically, is that it allows you to give your dog the exercise it needs in a way that requires much less time from you—without a huge investment of money or equipment.

Strengthens the Owner-Dog Bond

Worried that your dog might resent you for making it pull all that heavy weight?

Don’t be.

In fact, many owners who have experimented with dog weight pulling report that it does an amazing job of strengthening the owner-dog bond.

This is because the owner acts as the dog’s coach during weight-pulling sessions. While the dog pulls the weight, it’s customary for the owner to encourage and congratulate the dog until it reaches the finish line.

It turns the two of you into a team, which helps to foster a greater sense of camaraderie and trust.

Builds Lean Muscle

Finally, weight pulling is one of the best exercises for dogs out there when it comes to building lean, healthy muscle.

Other exercises—like running, jogging, and swimming—are primarily cardiovascular in nature. They give your dog a great workout, but they don’t stimulate muscle growth the way weight pulling does.

The reason is because weight-pulling is one of the few dog exercises that allow you to incorporate progressive overload (adding more resistance over time). Once your dog is able to pull a given amount of weight, you can increase the weight a little bit next time—triggering new muscle growth and building a bigger, stronger dog.

Some dogs have been known to pull weights in excess of 11,000 pounds (like White Dragon and Sancho from the world famous Dela Cruz Bloodline:

5 tips for getting started in the sport of weight pull

If you want to take part in weight pulling, either competitively or just at home, make sure to follow these simple and important guidelines:

Start with a light load to improve your dog’s conditioning over time
Give your dog a 5 – 10 minute break between each pull
Keep your dog hydrated, but in moderation. Too much water between sets can upset their stomach.
Use a harness that is tailored for your dog’s specific size. Harnesses that are too small or too large can lead to an injury.
Always end your training sessions on a positive note

Finally, for best results, supplement with Bully Max or Gorilla Max. The ingredients in these formulas will give your dog all the fuel they need to repair and rebuild their muscles after each workout.

Bonus Tip:

One Last Recommendation

If you’re interested in weight pulling for your dog, we recommend paying a visit to your veterinarian to make sure your dog is healthy enough to compete. By establishing a vet, you’ll also be able to immediately get your dog in for treatment if they sustain any injuries.

Dog Losing Weight? Causes Of Sudden Weight Loss in Dogs & Solutions

Posted on November 2, 2016January 23, 2020 by Bully Max

Just like your own body weight, that of your four-legged friend is bound to vary throughout the course of the year. Regardless of the breed you own, from Chihuahua to Great Dane, your dog will go through periods of weight gain and weight loss. However, it is important to accurately identify when your dog is losing and gaining weight for normal reasons, and when weight loss in your dog is abnormal.

Not all pet owners are familiar with the causes for weight loss in their dog, and even fewer no how to solve these problems on their own. The good news is that you can identify some of these issues on your own at home with a relative degree of ease, but determining the proper solution requires a little extra knowledge. Throughout this article, we’re going to lend you a hand by identifying some of the common reasons for weight loss in dogs, help you determine when to see a vet, and develop a proper diet regime with a solution that involves healthy food sources.

Top 10 Reasons for Weight Loss in Dogs

Dogs, like people, are not one-size-fits-all when it comes to diagnosing the issues affecting their health. Just as your doctor would run multiple checks to determine the specific illness impacting your life and/or resulting in weight loss, so too should you be on the lookout for multiple potential causes of weight loss in your dog. The following sections run through the top 10 reasons most vets cite when reporting weight loss in dogs.

1.) Malnourishment

Before we get too far, let’s be clear that poor nutrition and malnourishment are two different concepts in the health of a pet. Poor nutrition, as cited by Dogs Life magazine, is indicated often by a dull, lifeless coat, extra layers of fat, poor dental hygiene, and even issues with poop. Malnutrition on the other hand occurs when a dog has lost more than 10% of its total bodyweight.

While poor nutrition is often the result of eating too much food, not getting enough exercise, and/or eating poor quality food, malnutrition is a lack of adequate food supply. In some cases this is the result of abuse, though in other cases it is simply a lack of knowledge about a dog’s proper nutritional needs. Signs of malnourishment include:

Physical appearance (bones of the ribs and shoulders visible)
Gastrointestinal issues (odorous gas and inconsistent bowel movements)
Low energy levels
Susceptibility to illness

2.) Diabetes

Diabetic issues in a dog are no different at the root than human diabetes. Low insulin and the inability of the body to absorb sugar from blood can lead to increased appetite in your dog, even though they are still losing weight. Senior dogs and those whose body weight is on the verge of obesity are the most prone to developing diabetes, though like in humans, diabetes in dogs can be genetic.

3.) Anxiety

Stress or anxiety in your four-legged friend can rob them of their appetite. Dogs need to feel safe in order to eat their food, which means if they are anxious about their surroundings or the people within their environment, they may not feel safe enough to eat on a daily basis. According to the ASPCA, signs of anxiety (resulting from separation) include:

Defecating/urinating in the home
Incessant barking/howling
Chewing/digging/destructive tendencies
Escaping

4.) Tapeworm/Parasites

One of the more common, and harder to detect, causes of weight loss in your dog could be a tapeworm or other internal parasite. Dogs with parasites often exhibit rapid and sudden weight loss. A dog suffering from an intestinal tapeworm, for example, suffers from a lack of nutrients and loses weight because the tapeworm is consuming all of the food eaten by the dog.

5.) Liver Disease

Dogs suffering from liver disease are dealing with a lack of essential carbs and sugars provided to the body by the liver. When a dog suffers from liver disease, it does not get the crucial nutrients needed from the liver and the body starts to consume its fat deposits as a result, as well as muscle tissue, in an attempt to replace the lost nutrients. According to PetsMD on WebMD.com, signs of liver disease in a dog include:

Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Diarrhea or vomiting
Increased thirst
Increased need to urinate
Confusion
Yellowish eyes, tongue, and/or gums
Blood in urine or stool
Seizures

6.) Dental Problems

One of the simplest reasons your dog may be losing weight can stem from dental issues. If your dog is suffering from a dental abscess or other issue related to the health of its teeth and/or gums, it may simply be too painful for your dog to eat. As a result of this lack of eating, your dog will begin to lose weight. Unlike some other issues, a trip to the veterinarian is the easiest way to identify a dental problem with your dog.

7.) Thyroid Problems

A dog’s body is controlled by hormones, just like your human body. Imbalances in the hormones in your dog’s body can be the result of a thyroid issue. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that results in a rapid metabolism that leaves your dog at risk of extreme weight loss. No matter how much they eat, the rapid metabolism of their body quickly breaks down, or even inadequately breaks down, the nutrients it is receiving and passes them through the system without absorption. A vet’s assistance is required in detecting thyroid issues. Once that is achieved, thyroid problems can be easily managed with the help of meds.

8.) Addison’s Disease

This is an adrenal insufficiency in your dogs’ body that results in a steroid hormone deficit. Signs of Addison’s disease include vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and low blood pressure. PetMD points out that additional signs include a lack of appetite, shaking, increased frequency of urination and an increased thirst.

PetMD goes on to point out that Addison’s disease among dogs is relatively rare, but it is most often seen in young to middle-aged dogs, females, and those breeds from the Bearded Collie, Standard Poodle, Portuguese water dog, West Highland white terrier, Rottweiler, and wheaten terrier lineages.

9.) Mouth Lesions

Mouth lesions, like dental issues, can result in weight loss in your dog because it is just too painful to eat food. The best way to detect these issues is by visiting your vet the moment you notice a lack of interest in food and significant weight loss as a result.

10.) Pregnancy

Pregnant dogs can go through an early period of nausea during pregnancy, just like human females. It is not uncommon for a pregnant dog to lose weight in the first stage of pregnancy due to a lack of appetite stemming from the nausea. While this alone is not cause for concern, it is important to be aware of other issues that could accompany pregnancy.

Other symptoms could be behind the loss of weight during pregnancy, and range from anxiety (lack of appetite) to neuromuscular disease, poor digestion, cancer, or heart disease. If you notice poor muscle function, dull coat, dry skin, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy or depression, it is crucial to pay your vet a visit.

Evaluating Possible Causes and Determining the Need for a Vet Visit

As you no doubt noticed in reading above, many of the common reasons for weight loss have similar warning signs or symptoms. Evaluating the possible causes of your dog’s weight loss starts with these symptoms, and in many cases it may lead to the need to call your veterinarian for assistance in improving the health of your four-legged friend.

Where to Start

If you’ve noticed that your dog is looking too thin or has been losing weight with no obvious reasons, it’s time to evaluate some of the circumstances surrounding their current condition. You can start by asking yourself the following four questions:

Is your dog ill? If your dog is currently ill or has recently been ill, this could be the cause of weight loss. Where you need to exercise caution is the longevity of said illness and symptoms. Prolonged, chronic illnesses can lead to dramatic weight loss. Organ system failure, such as the pancreas or liver, can result in weight loss but can also be reversed if diagnosed properly.
Is your dog’s coat sparse, coarse, or dull? A dull coat could be a sign of poor nutrition, malnutrition, or an intestinal parasite.
Is your dog on medications? If your dog is taking medications for an illness, the weight loss could be the result of the side effects of the illness itself or a lack of appetite as a result of the medications.
Has your dog suffered head trauma? A dog can suffer a concussion just as a human would, and the resulting dizziness and nausea could lead to a lack of appetite and noticeable weight loss in a short period of time.

Didn’t Help? Look Here

If those questions didn’t help guide your evaluation, or you already know some specific root cause of your dog’s weight loss, then perhaps you should consider the following information regarding specific conditions.

First and foremost, if you have a dog that appears too skinny after giving birth that might not necessarily be cause for concern. VetInfo points out that a female dog is likely to appear skinnier after having puppies, but that her bulk over the ribs should not feel thinner nor should you be able to feel the ribs. This is a point in time when superior nutrition is required as the mother is producing milk for her puppies, and will be required to do so in high demand for 3 to 4 weeks.

Additionally, if you notice that your dog is losing weight despite otherwise eating normally and/or even behaving normally, VetStreet has some ideas that could point to this condition which include:

For pets with occasional weight loss, most of the conditions are benign and include a change in diet that puts less appealing food in front of your dog, changes in daily habit or movement to a new home, and even regular aging. Senior dogs losing weight is not uncommon as part of the aging process.

These conditions can often be reversed in the home by assessing whether or not changes have occurred in your daily routine, living arrangements, exercise schedule, or the diet of your dog. However, if you cannot pinpoint one or more of these as the root cause and you notice that weight loss is persistent and dramatic, you may have another condition on your hands.

If your dog suffers from persistent and dramatic weight loss, which again is defined as 10% of more of its body weight, then you may be looking at some of the serious conditions covered earlier. Be aware that even some benign symptoms, such as increased thirst coupled with weight loss, can be a symptom of kidney failure or diabetes. This is the point at which your pet should be taken to the vet for a full, comprehensive checkup.

The Solution

Helping your dog to maintain a healthy weight starts with understanding how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Believe it or not, your dog requires different caloric intake depending on the time of year (winter vs. summer) and the type of breed you own. For example, working breeds often require higher calorie nutrition to maintain a healthy weight. The following grid should help you quickly identify the caloric needs of your dog:

5 lb (2.3 kg)	120	180	200	150
Dog’s Weight	Summer Needs	Winter Needs	Puppy & Working Dog Needs	Dieting Needs
10 lb (4.5 kg)	420	630	700	270
20 lb (9 kg)	700	1050	1200	470
30 lb (13.6 kg)	930	1400	1400	580
50 lb (22.7 kg)	1350	2000	2000	880
70 lb (31.8 kg)	1680	2500	2500	1100
100 lb (45.4 kg)	2400	3600	3600	1380

Miracle Vet™ offers a high-calorie liquid-diet supplement that will help your dog put on healthy weight, while also adding strength and endurance to provide sustained energy for your dog’s day. If you simply need to add a few healthy pounds, Miracle Vet™ can be added to your dog’s dry foods or administered by mouth with a syringe for those dogs recovering from extreme weight loss and battling malnutrition.

Whether your dog is recovering from an illness or disease, or simply needs to gain more weight because their diet to date has not been sufficient, there are means available to help you get your dog up to a healthy weight quickly.

This product is safe and effective, and was developed by a physician with 30 years of experience in the industry. Miracle Vet™ delivers the vitamins and minerals your dog needs for a healthy life, and helps them put on weight in a healthy manner with ingredients such as:

Fish Oil: Omega 3 fatty acids help revive your dog’s appetite, renew its energy, and increase its stamina.
Whey Protein: Improves their muscle strength, increases metabolism, and increases exercise performance so your dog can put on weight and still maintain an active, energetic lifestyle.

Most importantly, Miracle Vet™ DOES NOT include many of the same ingredients you’ll find in common, big-brand dog foods. There’s never any soybean oil, propylene glycol, glycerin, or Yellow #5 – Tartazine in Miracle Vet™. Your dog gets only the vitamins and minerals it needs for a healthy, natural lifestyle and sustainable weight gain. Get more info on Miracle Vet™ at: https://bullymax.com/product/dog-weight-gainer/

How to Build a Cat Mill (Jenny Mill)

Posted on September 26, 2016January 28, 2020 by Bully Max

A jenny mill or cat mill is a large piece of exercise equipment providing friction free weight training for dogs.

The jenny mill resembles a miniature version of a horse walker. The dog is harnessed to one of three spokes that projects from a rotating center shaft. A lure is attached to a spoke just in front of the dog. The lure brings out the dog’s natural prey drive and entices them to run on the track.

Many years ago, cats were placed in cages as a form of bait. This is how it how it got the name cat mill. We do not recommend using any form of live bait.

What are the benefits of using the jenny mill?

The benefits of exercising your dog on the jenny mill include better cardiovascular health, increased muscle build, and improved mental health.

It’s an excellent tool for releasing pent up energy. Some of the unwanted behavior that is associated with pent up energy includes chewing on furniture, digging holes in the yard, excessive barking, jumping, and mouthing / play biting.

How to build a jenny mill / cat mill (Blueprints)

A car or truck rear end / axle is used for the rotating center shaft. This part can be found at your local junk yard, on craigslist, or on Ebay. We recommend finding a local source to avoid shipping costs.

A car rim or steel pipe is attached to the axle as a base for your spokes (2″ square tubing).

Eye bolts are used on the ends of each spoke (For the lure, chains, and to attach the cable to the dog’s harness).

Get all of the blueprints on one file

How to prepare the ground / track

By taking your time and prepare the track properly, you will avoid injuring your dog’s pads.

Remove rocks, sticks, or any hard objects from the track.

Once the track has been cleared, spread hay over the surface. On top of the hay, spread cedar chips.

Preparing the track this way will provide the dog with a soft surface to run on with minimal strain on their joints.

If you want to upgrade to a premium surface, we recommend using rubber mulch as an alternative to the cedar chips.

The benefits of using a rubber mulch surface VS cedar chips:

Provides a softer surface
Does not attract termites
Reduces weed and mold growth
Provides excellent drainage

Best practices

Do not use chains to harness your dog to the jenny mill. Chains can get tangled under the dog’s legs and cause injury. Instead, use a cable with good elasticity.
Keep your dog hydrated during exercise and follow up with a quality recovery meal.
The location of the jenny mill should be in an area with excellent drainage. Ideally, it should be placed on a level surface on the top of a hill.
By adding the hardware used on a traditional spring pole to the lure, the jenny mill can also act as a spring pole — Keep your dog attached to the jenny mill and give them the lure to pull on.
After workouts, reward your dog by giving them the lure.

Can all breeds use the jenny mill?

Yes! As long as your dog shows willingness to play on flirt poles and spring poles, they will likely enjoy using the jenny mill as well.

What kind of lures can you use?

We recommend using cow hides for the lure. However, you can use just about any toy that your dog shows interest in.

To increase your dog’s interest in the lure you can use some of the tips seen here.

How often should you use it?

You can use the jenny mill 2-3 times per week.

Let your dog run until they show signs of exhaustion. On average, dogs in good health will run 5-10 minutes. When they’re tired, take them off of the jenny mill or give them the lure to tug on until their breathing returns to normal.

As your dog begins to build stamina, increase the length of their workout sessions to 15-20 minutes.

How old does my dog need to be in order to use the jenny mill?

The jenny mill should be used on dogs that are fully matured. Using the jenny mill on puppies can lead to injury and can affect their development. The best exercising tool for puppies is the flirt pole.

Tips for increasing your dog’s interest in the flirt pole

Posted on September 23, 2016June 18, 2018 by Bully Max

If you missed the article on how to build your own flirt pole, you may want to check out this article first.

While most dogs chase the lure on the flirt pole immediately, other dogs may need some additional motivation.

Dogs look at toys the way wolves look at their prey. This is why they’re naturally drawn to toys that taste like food, make noise, or can be torn apart.

Three ways to increase your dogs interest in the flirt pole:

1.) Use a dog toy that squeaks

One theory is that the squeaky sound resembles the noise that a frightened or injured prey would make, appealing your dog’s hunting instincts. By using a toy that simulates prey, it will increase your dog’s natural prey drive.

2.) Use a piece of cow hide

Dogs are naturally drawn to the scent and taste of cow hides.

You can purchase raw cow hides from your local butcher. Cut the cow hide into strips, hang the pieces outside, and let them dry out.

Once they’re dry, you can attach a piece of the cow hide to the end of the flirt pole and use it as a lure.

Cow hides are also a great motivational tool to use with spring poles and Jenny mills (also known as cat mills).

3.) Use verbal encouragement

Dogs are social creatures. When we’re excited, they get excited. By encouraging your dog verbally, you can increase their motivation to chase the lure.

Flirt pole lures that you should avoid using

Avoid toys that are very hard: Dogs show less interest in toys that are hard to chew or manipulate.

Avoid old toys: Once dogs become familiar with a toy, they often show less interest in it.

Avoid using rawhides: Rawhides pose a choking or blockage risk. If your dog swallows a large piece of rawhide it can get stuck in your dog’s esophagus or other parts of their digestive tract.

Video on how to use the flirt pole:

Dog Weight Chart: How to Determine Your Dog’s Ideal Weight

Posted on September 1, 2016January 25, 2023 by Bully Max

How to determine your dog’s ideal weight

There’s not a set rule on what a certain breed should weigh. Going by only the “Breed Standard weight” can be completely inaccurate. Within every breed, there are dogs that are naturally smaller and naturally larger than the breed standard.

That being said, it’s best to evaluate your dog and determine whether your dog needs to add weight, lose weight, or is currently at their ideal weight.

By using the weight chart below, you can determine your dog’s condition score. Depending on where they stand, you may need to increase or decrease their calorie intake.

How to determine your dog’s activity level

Overweight: You can determine if your dog is overweight by using the chart shown above. If you have determined your dog is overweight, we recommend increasing your dog’s activity level and/or reducing their calorie intake.

Senior: Since dogs are classified as seniors at different ages, depending on their breed, we recommend visiting the following website: Is your dog considered a senior dog?

Inactive: Dogs that are inactive are typically low energy breeds, senior dogs, dogs with arthritis, as well as any dog that spends the majority of the day resting.

Typical: Walks 2-3 times per week (15 – 20 minutes walks). Plays an average of an hour a day. Is up and moving frequently throughout the day.

Active: If your household has multiple dogs or a child/children, your dog will likely remain active much longer than they will resting. Daily walks (45 minutes to an hour). Plays quite frequently (tug, fetch, runs with dogs at dog parks, ect.).

Highly active: Highly active dogs take daily walks for longer than an hour. They also remain active the majority of the day. They play intensely and play often. If your household has a child, multiple children, or multiple dogs, this can contribute to a high actively level as well.

Working Dog (light duty): Light duty working dogs are dogs that exercise daily using exercise tools such as the treadmill, flirt pole, or spring pole. Aside from workouts, they also take daily walks (45 minutes to an hour).

Working Dog (moderate duty): Moderate duty working dogs include dogs that partake in the following activities 2-3 times per week: swimming, running on treadmills or slatmills, and exercise using one or more of the following exercise tools: the spring pole, the flirt pole, weight vests. Aside from the exercises listed, they also take daily walks for an hour or longer.

Working Dog (heavy duty): Heavy duty working dogs participate in sports that burn a significant amount of calories for multiple hours a day. Some of these activities include but are not limited to sled racing, weight pulling, schutzhund, and dock diving. If your dog has built up a significant amount of stamina and is able to run on the treadmill or slatmill for multiple hours daily, they would also fall into the heavy duty working class.

4th of July Pet Safety

Posted on July 2, 2016June 11, 2020 by Bully Max

Article by: Nate Houston

There are few things better than having a BBQ with friends and family while watching or setting off fireworks. Where we can relax and de-stress the opposite can be true of our furry friends. According to the ASPCA, the 4 th of July weekend sees more dogs run away than any other time of the year. Fireworks and other loud noises combined with a lot of unfamiliar people can easily scare dogs and send them into a panic. We would like to share a few tips for keeping your dog safe and happy over the upcoming holiday.

1. Keep your dog inside or on a leash.

If you want your dog to enjoy the festivities with you outside be sure that you are holding their leash at all times or the area is enclosed with sturdy and secure fencing. If you are hosting it may be easier to put them inside with the doors closed for the duration of the fireworks show.

2. Nobody is responsible for your dog except you.

If you are hosting, don’t expect all your guests to look out for your dog. Your pet is your responsibility and your neighbors may not notice a pup slipping in and out of the house or yard.

Keep an eye on all exits to make sure a guest does not leave anything open.

3. Keep your dog away from food.

You may have guests or be at a party where not everyone knows your dog’s eating habits. Make sure that you are keeping an eye on your pup so nobody mistakenly throws them a chicken wing or anything that may be harmful.

4. Tire them out earlier in the day.

With so many new and maybe familiar faces around at a family party, it is important to get your dog’s exercise in beforehand. A well exercised dog will be more calm than a pooch that has sat indoors all day.

5. Check their tags

The goal is to have a safe and fun day. But if your dog does get out and run from the fireworks having your pet micro-chipped and kept updated tags on their collar will help in the effort to find your lost family member

6. Know who will be there and if they are bringing a dog

Make sure to ask your friends and family about any other dogs that may be around. Unfortunately, not everyone in the dog-owning community is as responsible as most of us. If you know of a dog that may not play well with others consider leaving yours at home.

Hopefully, we can all use our common sense and have a safe, happy holiday where we remember our nation’s founding.

Top 7 Dog Muscle-Building Tips: How To Bulk Up Your Dog

Posted on March 31, 2016April 12, 2023 by Bully Max

Is your dog the runt of the litter? A scrawny pup? Does he or she run and hide behind your legs whenever a bigger dog walks by?

Then it’s time for your dog to do some bulking up!

Just as it’s possible for skinny humans to pack on pounds and add lead muscle to their bony frames, even a rail-thin dog can evolve into an impressive physical specimen with a little work.

Just imagine: Lean, rippling muscle. A strong, shiny coat. Your dog—bristling with energy and vitality. It’s enough to make strangers stop and congratulate you on raising such a beautiful beast.

Top 7 Dog Muscle-Building Tips

These 7 tips come from straight from champion breeders and dog trainers. It doesn’t matter if your goal for your dog is to compete in weight-pulling, take first place at dog shows, or just intimidate would-be burglars.

Follow these 7 tips and your skinny dog will be a muscle-bound beast before you know it.

Everything Starts With A Good Diet.

Your dog’s diet is the foundation of his physique. So if your dog is a runt, the most likely culprit is inferior dog food.

Many dog foods make wild health claims on the package…only to fill their food with cheap ingredients like corn and meat byproducts.

Don’t believe the hype on the front of the bag! Always take time to examine the nutrition label and find out what’s really in that dog food.

Look for whole meats and lots of protein. Remember that the ingredients are listed in order from highest amount to lowest amount, so the ingredients that are listed first are present in the highest percentages.

Supplement With Bully Max To Fill In Nutritional Gaps.

So you’ve beefed up your dog’s diet, and now he’s eating much more nutritional food. That means he’s getting all the vitamins and nutrients he needs to grow, right?

Wrong!

Unfortunately, even the best dog foods are incomplete at best. Some foods are better than others, but there simply aren’t any that provide 100% of all the nutrients your dog needs to achieve optimal health.

That’s where Bully Max comes in.

Bully Max is formulated by veterinarians to fill in all the nutritional gaps in your dog’s diet. It adds extra protein to fuel lean muscle, along with dozens of trace vitamins and minerals to support healthy joints, a shiny coat, a strong immune system, and improved energy & vitality.

Combined with a healthy diet, Bully Max is the best way there is to give your dog a full dose of all the vitamins & nutrients needed to pack on pounds of lean muscle fast.

Browse Bully Max Products Now »

Get Daily Exercise.

When bulking up your dog, it’s important to make sure he gets at least 30 minutes of brisk walking per day–and preferably more. Remember, if you increase your dog’s diet without adding exercise to the mix, your dog is more likely to gain fat than muscle.

Talk To Your Vet.

Talk to your vet before adding more advanced exercises, especially if your dog is under one year old. It’s important to let puppies fully develop before adding the strain of weighted exercises.

Add Weight Vests For An Extra Challenge.

The next level of exercise is to incorporate a weight vest during walks. This adds the extra resistance your dog needs to really ramp up its muscle-building into high gear.

Make sure to start light and work your way up to heavier weight vests. You should begin with 5% of your dog’s body weight, and over time work your way up 20% of your dog’s bodyweight—never more than that.

Remember, some resistance will stimulate muscle-building in your dog, but too much resistance can lead to overtraining and even cause injuries.

Graduate To More Advanced Exercises.

Once your dog has built up some strength by wearing a weight vest, he’s now ready to graduate to more advanced exercises. Some of the possibilities at this stage include:

* Proper weight-pulling with a harness

* Spring pole training with the weighted vest

* Treadmill running (only with your vet’s approval)

* Swimming, if your dog likes water

Give Time For Muscles To Recover & Develop.

Always remember: exercise breaks muscles down. It’s during the recovery phase that your dog’s muscles actually repair, recover, and grow stronger.

So be patient and safe. Increase your dog’s exercise gradually, and always make sure he’s getting the nutrition and rest he needs to grow, grow, grow!

As a dog owner, few accomplishments are more satisfying than transforming your best friend’s physique for the better. With a little time, love, and of course Bully Max, you can take your animal from a little runt to a strong, happy, confident dog in just a few short months.

Ready to begin? There’s no better way to get started than to sign up now for the Bully Max 30-Day Challenge!

Top Dog Muscle Building Exercises | Bully Max

Posted on March 21, 2016March 14, 2020 by Bully Max

Want to build some serious muscle in your dog? Here’s where you should get started. Think of these as the most effective muscle-building exercises out there for your bully:

1.) The Spring Pole

What Is A Spring Pole & How Does It Work?

If you’re looking for ways to give your dog more exercise, the first place you should start is with a spring pole. A spring pole is basically a spring connected to a rope that hangs down from a tree branch or a wood beam.

The beauty of the spring pole is that it allows your dog to play tug-of-war with himself!

This makes it incredibly convenient, since you don’t have to actually be there. It’s a great way to provide your bully with countless hours of entertainment and fun, while allowing them to expend excess energy (which results in a better-behaved dog).

And, of course, a spring pole will also go a long way in helping your dog to develop bigger, stronger muscles and more energy & vitality, along with a high-quality dog food.

[bullymax-banner slug=”spring-pole-on-shopify”]

Here’s a video that shows you how to build a spring pole in just a couple minutes at home:

How to Use Your Spring Pole

Once your spring pole is completed, the next step is to hang it from a very sturdy tree branch or wood beam overhead. Look for a convenient spot where your dog will be able to use it when he or she is out in the pen or tied up outside.

You should start with your spring pole about 4 feet off the ground. As your dog grows bigger and stronger, you can raise the spring pole over time to give your dog a greater challenge. Many dogs love to play with spring poles that are 6 feet high or more!

At first, your dog may not understand how to play with the spring pole. If that’s the case, try shaking the spring pole to entice your dog to jump at it. You can also attach a cowhide to the rope to make your dog more interested.

If that doesn’t work, here’s a sure-fire way to get your dog started:

Lower the spring pole to the ground, and play tug-of-war with them. Once your dog gets the idea, you can gradually begin to raise the rope. Before you know it, your dog will be having the time of its life playing with its new spring pole.

Still want more info on spring pole?

Get more tips here.

Here’s a video of ACE from DarkDynastyK9s going to work on the completed spring pole:

2.) The Flirt Pole

What Is A Flirt Pole & How Does It Work?

Think of the flirt pole like a giant cat toy.

It consists of a long stick with a string attached to it, and a rope or other toy at the end. All you have to do is wave it around and your dog will naturally chase after the end of the rope. It’s a simple & cheap tool that is easy to use for the owner…while giving your dog an amazing workout.

This toy taps into your dog’s natural hunting instincts, and is a great way to train your dog’s ability to spring, jump, and change directions.

Finally, the flirt pole is a great way to tire out your dog when he or she has too much energy. You can use the flirt pole to tire them out after a walk (if they didn’t get all their energy out), you can tire them out before a walk (so they’ll be better behaved), or you can use it to tire them out instead of going for a walk (if you just don’t have the time).

Before using a flirt pole, it’s important for your dog to already know a few basic commands. (Otherwise, you may have a hard time getting your dog to cooperate.) Those commands are:

Sit
Down
Stay
Leave It
Drop It

Here’s a quick video of Fred Duran from Primo Line Kennels showing you how to make a flirt pole at home:

How to use the flirt pole:

3.) The sport of weight pull

What Is Weight Pulling & How Do You Get Started?

Weight pulling is exactly what it sounds like: it’s where your dog pulls weight (usually bricks or concrete) by means of a harness.

Because it’s the only form of weighted, resistance exercise available to dogs, weight pulling is quite possibly the #1 exercise to build lean muscle in dogs. It’s also a more rigorous and demanding form of exercise, so you should always check with your vet before getting started with weight pulling. Also be sure to progress slowly, and make sure your dog gets the rest they need to fully recover from each weight pulling session.

Many owners find that participating in weight pulling is a great way to strengthen the owner-pet bond.

Because you act like your dog’s coach in this sport, it really bring the two of you together as a team.

Here’s a quick video from Sam Eusebio from Dungeon Kennels 5150 teaching you how to get started with weight pulling:

Get the Most from Your Workouts with Bully Max

You’ve just learned how to give your dog a great muscle-building workout. Now why not get the most benefit possible from those workouts?

Real muscle is built after exercising, when the body recovers from that exercise & repairs its muscles to be bigger and stronger. And having the right nutrients & vitamins is essential to this muscle-building process.

Bully Max is the #1 muscle-building supplement for dogs in the world. Nothing else in the world comes close to Bully Max’s power-packed formula with its high amounts of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that your dog needs to build lean, solid muscle.

So use the exercises above to give your dog a great workout, and then give your dog Bully Max to help them make the most out of their exercise.