Unlocking the Potential of Gain Dog Food What You Need to Know

Reaching your full potential isn't out of reach: 10 tips to get moving

You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don't. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly. Rumi

Your full potential isnt a destination; its a path. Its a journey of liberation from your own limitations and the limitations that others (often with good intentions) put upon you. Reaching your full potential takes patience, courage, self-awareness, and a whole lot of grit.

If you were at the Iffley Road Track in Oxford, England, at 6:10 pm on May 6, 1954, you would have been among the few lucky spectators to witness a great moment of human potential.

It was a chilly spring evening with a crosswind blowing across the track. Earlier, it had rained, and the ground was still wet. At 6:10 pm, the gun fired, and what happened next is history.

Roger Bannister, a 25-year-old medical studentwho went against conventional training methods and developed his own training regimen. He then ran a mile in less than four minutes (three minutes 59.4 seconds).

Not only did he fulfill his personal dream, but in that moment, he also proved that it was possible for humans to break the contested barrier of the four-minute mile.

What Bannister accomplished wasnt a result of lucky coincidence, nor was it raw talent. In fact, early in his running career, he had had an ungainly walk and barely made Oxfords third track team. What he did have was a formula for success.

What follows are the building blocks for your own winning strategy. You, too, can make the impossible possible.

Build your foundation to reach your full potential

In 1943, American psychologist Abraham Maslow published a paper, "A Theory of Human Motivation", in the journal Psychological Review. In this paper, he described his popular hierarchy of needs model.

According to Maslow, if you want to get to the top of the pyramid and fulfill our full potential, youve got to build a solid base first. Below is a look at the building blocks of your foundation.

Physical security

The first two blocks relate to physical security. Its pretty difficult to consider running a sub-4 minute mile if you havent got enough food to eat or are struggling with poor health.

Emotional security

The third block in the pyramid relates to emotional security. A need to belong is a critical survival mechanism that keeps us safe and integrated into the family unit as a child.

As an adult, we no longer need the physical safety that family offers. But we are still social animals, and the feeling of belonging is critical to our mental wellbeing.

Environment

An environment that is rich in resources is another key factor. Roger Bannister was a medical student with access to information on human physiology and friends/colleagues he was able to share his ideas with.

Having access to information and resources that help us fulfill our full potential is a critical component for success.

Mindset

The final two blocks of Maslows pyramid relate to mindset.

Mindset is often the highest mountain to climb when it comes to reaching our full potential. When Bannister cracked the four-minute mile, he also broke through a psychological barrier, providing a vision of possibility that allowed other runners to follow in his footsteps.

What are your internal obstacles to reaching your full potential?

Ways to reach your full potential

Below, youll find 10 methods to unlock your full potential.

1. Develop a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset

American psychologist Dr. Carol Dwecks researchshows that embracing challenges, focusing on effort over outcome, and having a belief that you can grow and improve are critical components to reaching your full potential.

You can grow a growth mindset. Start by recording and celebrating your small wins. Work with a coach and/or therapist to accelerate this shift.

2. Combine reflection and action

Action and reflection, combined, build momentum. Turbo-charge this process by working with a coachor an accountability partner.

3. Focus on the big picture

What are the primary questions that drive your life? Unhappy with where youre at? The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions.

Make it a habit to step back and reassess.

4. Time management

Are you a time-master or a time-slave?

Not enough time is one of the biggest obstacles to reaching your full potential. Good news, though, time mastery can be learned. This is good, because time management is one of the most important elementsof self-management.

Check out David Crenshaws course on the fundamentals of time management.

5. Develop goals

In addition to your To do list, create a To be list.

Imagine youve already achieved your goal; in what way would it change you? Which of your strengths would you have had to leverage to get there? Visualize yourself as this new, improved version of yourself. Let this image guide your actions in the present moment.

6. Big Dreams and take small stepsto fulfill your potential

James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, outlines the powerful one percent changes that accumulate over time. Ultimately, allowing you to fulfill your potential.

Take an inventory of your micro-habits (things you do each day that take 30 seconds or less). Which ones support your goals? Which are working against you? If you were to take a small step toward your big dream, what micro-habit could you create?

7. Dont reinvent the wheel

Has someone already done what you want to do? If so, make it your business to learn their blueprint for success. Being willing to learn from the mistakes of others takes humility and an open mind, but the payoff can be exponential.

8. Practice discipline

In Angela Duckworths book Grit, her research shows that persistence and discipline trump raw talent.

Block off time in your calendar to work toward your goals. Taking time for reflection also allows you to strategize the best way forward.

9. Accept failure with self-compassion

No matter how we try to frame it, failure isnt fun.

Failures are an inevitable part of the journey toward your full potential. When they happen, try speaking to yourself as you would a close friend. Not only will you be able to pick yourself up and continue the journey sooner, but you will also be more likely to take brave steps that will move you forward faster. Remember that self-compassion strengthens resilience.

10. Take time to recharge

A journey toward your full potential is a marathon, not a sprint. In fact, its something youll be working toward your whole life. That means the finish line of life isnt something to rush toward.

Speaking of extending your life expectancy, if living a long life is part of your peak-potential plan, dont neglect sleep.

Research shows that sleep is critical for memory function, learning, reproductive health, and avoiding cognitive decline with age. If you want to scare yourself into sleeping more, check out Matthew Walkers nightmare-inducing TED talk Sleep is your Superpower.

What skills do I need to reach my full potential?

Imagine you are setting out on a long journey. You have a great map and an operational compass. But what supplies would you need to bring with you?

The following is a list of skills (all learnable and growable) that will sustain you on that road.

Collaboration

While Roger Bannister was considered a lone wolf due to his unconventional training methods and lack of a traditional coach, he was far from alone.

His friends, Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, aided him and acted as pace-makers. If you are interested in learning more about the power of collaboration and how it can super-charge your own path to success, check out Sean Achors book Big Potential.

Leadership

As you enter the dizzying heights of your personal ionosphere, you will find yourself wandering down paths less traveled.

Just as Bannister created his own strategic plan and rallied people to his cause, you, too, will need to leverage your leadership skillsto share your vision and bring people along for the ride.

Every great leader has a leadership development plan. Whats yours?

Work with a coachand/or do a leadership skills assessment to take stock of your current leadership strengths and areas of development. Map out a plan for continuous improvement.

Productivity

Whats your silver bullet? The Pareto principle states that 80% of results come from 20% of activities.

Can you skew this even further in your favor? Tim Ferriss has made it his lifes ambition to master the Pareto principle. If hes done it, so can you.

For extra inspiration, pop over to his podcastor check out his book The 4 hour work week.

Mindfulness

Its a common myth that mindfulness requires you to sit down in the lotus position and stop thinking. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Mindfulness simply requires you to be present in the moment. Mindfulness does not require that you stop thinking but that you observe your thoughts with patience, openness, and non-judgement.

Mindfulness training makes us more present and focused so we can better see and take advantage of opportunities.

The Scientific Method

Develop a scientific rigor as you reach for your full potential. Take yourself seriously, and log your progress.

What are your markers of success? What you measure, you can improve.

Humor

Last but not least, take yourself seriously, but not too seriously.

Remember, this is a lifelong journey, so make it fun. Find a question that inspires you along your path, such as what would make this more awesome? or how could this be more fun?

Ask yourself these questions (or one of your own making) on a regular basis. Someone once said that laughs are like wild mushrooms, you need to hunt for them, but they are well worth the effort. Make it your practice to hunt out those things that make you laugh. Enjoy lifes wonderful adventure.

As Bannister headed for the starting block, he was following his own path. There was a crosswind blowing that day, but he was walking into a headwind of cultural disbelief.

Despite this, he dared to believe he could win. With courage and determination, he stepped up to the starting block, ready to change the world. What do you dare to believe? How will you reach your full potential?

Best Food For German Shepherd To Gain Weight

There are many reasons why your German Shepherd may need to gain weight. The food your dog eats is key to their overall health, and there are some foods that will better help your dog gain weight. This article will explore the best food for a German Shepherd to gain weight as well as what to look for in a dog food for weight gain.

*This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links I get a small commission at no additional cost to you .

German Shepherd Weight Milestones

Every dog is different and they dont all grow at the same rate. But since German Shepherds have long been a standardized breed, there are established growth milestones theyre expected to achieve for every month of puppyhood and for each year of adulthood until theyre about three years old.

According to the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia, GSD males reach peak growth at around 3-4 years old, which is when they should weigh between 79 and 88 pounds.

On the other hand, females are considered fully grown at 2-3 years old, weighing approximately 57 to 70 pounds. As puppies, theyre expected to gain weight at the following rates:

These guidelines are useful because they provide a measurable basis for any German Shepherds health. Of course, some German Shepherds may fall outside of these ranges but this is a good guide to start with.

When you care for a GSD, you need to monitor their weight regularly and use the breed standards chart to determine whether theyre underweight or overweight.

If you have any concerns about your German Shepherd being underweight, talk to your vet to be certain.

Reasons Why Your German Shepherd May Need to Gain Weight

If your dog is underweight, your veterinarian should be able to help you determine the root cause and address it.

In most cases, it is only a matter of dietary adjustments. Youll either need to give your dog more food or shift to one with a better nutritional profile.

Unfortunately, sometimes, a German Shepherds inability to gain weight is a sign of an underlying health condition. They could have an illness that causes a lack of appetite, or, they could have parasites that deprive them of their foods nutrition. Sometimes, dental problems also lead to being underweight.

GSDs can also be underweight for a variety of other reasons. For example, stress caused by a change in their environment could affect not only their appetite but also their digestive system.

Additionally, dogs tend toeat less when theyre older, so senior German Shepherds might need to shift to a more appropriate food variant.

Issues Associated With Underweight German Shepherds

Some GSD parents are partial to leaner dogs because they simplyprefer the appearance or because lighter dogs are more agile. That shouldnt be an issue unless the dogs fall behind on their weight milestones. If they do, they might suffer from serious health issues associated with being chronically underweight.

Being underweight can compromise a German Shepherds immune system. This wont just lead to problems with their skin and coat but also makes them more susceptible to infections. Also, their wounds will heal more slowly, which further increases their risk of infections.

A chronically underweight dog is also susceptible to muscle loss.

Often, thats both because their diet isnt providing them with the right nutrition that will support muscle growth and also because malnutrition causes weakness, which leads to a reduction in physical activity. Over time, that could also affect your dogs bone density.

Your German Shepherds hormones are also severely impacted by malnutrition and being underweight.

A hormonal imbalance wont just cause infertility and reproductive issues but will also affect various essential processes in the body. For example, proper hormonal balance is required for water regulation, which affects every organ in the body.

Overall, malnutrition leads to a shortened life expectancy and possibly inferior quality of life. So, when a GSD doesnt hit their growth milestones, the most common recommendation is to make dietary changes. More specifically, they should be given food that will help them gain weight.

Things to Look for in a Dog Food for Weight Gain

When youre looking for the best dog food for German Shepherds to gain weight, the first thing you need to look at is the calorie content.

Youll want to find something that will increase your dogs daily calorie consumption. So, check how many calories theyre consuming through their current diet and find something that will give them more.

After calories, the most important thing you need to consider is the protein content. A high protein diet gives your dog access to the amino acids essential to maintaining healthy muscles, tissues, skin, and hair.

Also incrediblyimportant is the dog foods fat content, which is essential to energy production, nutrient absorption, and cellular health.

Your dog foods carbohydrate content is also something you need to pay attention to. Youll also want to find something that doesnt contain filler carbohydrates. These are ingredients that add bulk to your dogs diet without contributing any significant nutrition.

Carbohydrates should be an excellent source of energyand dietary fiber needed for a healthy digestive system. If carbohydrates are a principal concern for your dogs health, you might even consider switching to a grain-free diet.

Top 5 Dog Food Choices for German Shepherds to Gain Weight

The best dog food for your German Shepherd to gain weight will depend on the above factors, their nutritional needs and taste preferences. Here are the top 5 you should consider:

1) Crave Adult Dog Food (Chicken)

Crave is a premium dog food brand that prides itself in its recipes that most closely resemble the diet dogs would have had in the wild. That means more animal proteins thats as close to fresh as possible.

The beef variant of Craves adult dog food is among their most popular products. It boasts a formulation that lists real beef as its first ingredient.

Additionally, it is grain-free, so it doesnt contain any soy, wheat, or corn. Instead, it uses carbohydrate sources like peas and potatoes. It is alsonutrient-rich and calorie-dense, so its an excellent dog food for weight gain.

Pros:

• High in calories
• High in protein
• Grain-free
• Carbohydrates mainly from peas and potatoes
• 4 flavor options: beef, lamb, chicken & salmon

Potential Cons:

• 22 pound bag is the largest size
• Contains chicken meal chicken can be a common allergen in dogs

2) Bully Max 30/20 High-Performance Dog Food

Bully Max is an entire brand dedicated to helping dogs not just gain weight but also bulk up in the healthiest way.

The American Bully, which is known for its lean yet brawny physique, is the inspiration for their brand. But,they formulate their products to suit all breeds across all life stages.

The 30/20 High Performance Dog Food is Bully Maxs best-selling product and is used specifically for dogs to gain weight or maintain a muscular body. Thats because it is one of the most calorie-dense kibble you can find today.

For protein, it lists chicken meal as its chief ingredient and uses chicken fat to provide a particularlyhigh crude fat of 20%. Its primary carbohydrate sources include brown rice, dried beet pulp, and ground sorghum.

Pros:

• Extremely high in calories
• Good protein content
• High in natural fat
• Option for large 40-lb bag size

Potential Cons:

• High fat content may be harmful to dogs with poor digestion and pancreatic issues.
• Not suitable for dogs requiring a grain-free diet (Contains brown rice, ground sorghum, and pearled barley).
• Poultry is one of the most common allergens in dogs.

3) Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20

Purina has long been a trusted pet food brand. And, through their Pro Plan line, they provide advanced formulations meant to address not only dogs different flavor preferences but also their varying nutritional needs.

The Purina Pro Plant Sport Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula was specifically developed to address the needs of large, agile dogs like German Shepherds.

One of its major benefits is to boost oxygen metabolism, which increases dogs energy and physical endurance. But, it is also high in both protein and fat to help your dog gain weight and lean muscle

Additionally, it contains essential fatty acids and glucosamine to support your dogs bone and joint health as they grow heavier.

Pros:

• Formulated for active dogs.
• High in calories.
• Good protein content.
• High in animal fat.
• Supports bone and joint health.

Potential Cons:

• Not suitable for dogs requiring a grain-free diet (Contains corn gluten meal, brewers rice, whole grain corn, and corn germ meal).
• High fat content may be harmful to dogs with poor digestion and pancreatic issues.
• Poultry is one of the most common allergens in dogs.

4) Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe

Instinct is known for harnessing the nutritional value of raw food. In their pet food formulations, they use freeze-dried raw meats from top quality sources rather than animal by-products.

The Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe is composed of a nutrient-rich kibble thats high in protein and enhanced with pieces of freeze-dried cage-free chicken.

It is a grain-free recipe that uses tapioca and chickpeas as its primary source of carbohydrates.

Additionally, it has DHA for brain and eye health as well as phosphorus and calcium for strong bones and teeth. It also has the nutrients necessary for healthy joints.

Pros:

• High in calories
• High protein content
• Balanced fat content
• Grain-free
• Suitable for senior dogs
• Supports hip and joint health
• No preservatives and artificial colors

Potential Cons:

• Contains eggs, which some dogs might be sensitive to
• Poultry is one of the most common allergens in dogs
• 21-pound bag is the largest size

5) Victor Hi-Pro Plus

Victor prides itself in its pet nutrition expertise as well as its superior production standards. Among the values that make them unique is their commitment to sourcing local ingredients for most of its pet food recipes.

Although Victors entire line of dog foods has met incredible success, its Classic Hi-Pro Plus is a favorite among parents of all breed sizes. More specifically, it is a variant that supports the needs of high-energy dogs.

Although its caloric density is much lower than what you could get from other brands, its digestibility makes it superior. Additionally, its protein comes from a variety of sources (beef, pork, chicken, and fish) and it uses only gluten-free grains.

Pros:

• High protein content.
• High in animal fat.
• Suitable for high-energy breeds.
• Superior digestibility.
• Uses gluten-free grains.
• Option for large 50-lb bag size

Potential Cons:

• Other brands have higher-calorie foods.
• Not suitable for dogs requiring a grain-free diet (Contains sorghum and millet).
• High fat content may be harmful to dogs with poor digestion and pancreatic issues.
• Poultry is one of the most common allergens in dogs.

Feeding Strategies to Increase Weight Gain

Apart from switching to a dog food that could better support weight gain, these are some things you can doto help your dog achieve their growth milestones:

Feeding more frequently

Reducing their meal size but adding an extra meal time per day could be an excellent way to increase your dogs daily consumption.

For example, if they currentlyeat 4 cups of kibble per day over two meals, you can feed them 4.5 cups over 3 meals. That way, you dont risk indigestion and stomach upset due to larger meal sizes.

Giving healthy snacks

If you like giving your dog treats and snacks throughout the day, go for nutritious options like those that are high in protein or fiber.

Home-made or natural treats are also an excellent option.

For example, you can make your own fishy dog treats. Or, you can keep it simple by giving them dog-safe fruits like apples and bananas.

Adding to their meals

Topping their kibble with nutritious home-made foods is an effective yet inexpensive way to help your dog gain weight. You can add some rice or vegetables like squash and sweet potato.

You can even add boiled eggs, which is a wonderful source of protein and fatty acids, as well as several essential minerals.

Final Thoughts

Although there are health risks involved when your German Shepherd is underweight, theres no need to panic and try to have them gain their entire weight deficit all at once. A gradual weight gain is best so that the rest of their body can adjust and catch up properly.

As with any other health concerns, its always best to work with your vet. Any veterinarian should be equipped with the right knowledge to help develop a healthy and realistic diet plan or supplement for your underweight pup to gain weight.

How did you help your underweight GSD gain weight safely? Let me know in the comments!