Marketing For Veterinarians

State-of-the-art Ionic Air Purifier - Overlooked Bird Flu CounterShield?

2008-10-29T07:51:00.001-07:00

27 August 2008 may prove to be a pivotal point in mankind's war against the much-feared bird flu pandemic. On that day, Sharp Corporation unveiled its latest technological weapon against the unseen enemy! Incorporated in its ionic air purifier, the Plasmacluster Ion Technology (more on this in a later post) has just been scientifically proven to be 99.9% effective in eliminating the bird flu virus known as H5N1.

With increasing regularity, the press reminds us that bird flu is the prime suspect to cause mankind's next pandemic. Pandemic does not just sound terrifying. It is. That’s when a highly contagious and deadly virus goes global, in a very negative sense. 50 million people may die in a global pandemic. No way, you say. But its happened before, during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic! That was blamed on the H1N1 virus which was only recently confirmed on 5 October 2005 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be a bird flu virus.

PANIC STATIONS! PANIC STATIONS?

Not quite, not yet anyway. WHO statistics (updated up to 10 Sep 2008) tracing back to 1996 when the H5N1 virus first surfaced in China shows a relatively low death toll of 245. So what’s the fuss? Scientists monitoring the virus fear that it may mutate into a form that transmits from human to human. As of now, there has been only one probable case of human-to-human transmission recorded in Thailand in September 2004. But if the dreaded virus mutation takes place, you can expect pandemonium on a global scale.

Countries around the globe are conscientiously preparing for the worse (more on this in a later post). At our individual level, we should start doing some homework too.

Ok, so what’s all this got to do with Sharp’s ionic air purifier. Isn’t it just another ionic air purifier? Yes, it's ordinary in that it takes care of the usual stuff that we look for in an air purifier – dust, dirt, smoke, dander, pollen, cuisine and pet odours, pollutants, allergens etc. But if we can get protection from all these and more in one ionic air purifier, especially one that is a tested defense shield against a potentially deadly virus, why not? With Sharp's Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier, the whole complete package is promised.

Obviously, for the value-conscious, the next logical question would be “yes, that makes a whole lot of sense but at what cost”? Sharp claims that it's at no extra cost! Sharp contends that it is cheaper than any other competing ionic air purifier when measured over 5 years. Wow, value for money sure gets my attention! But, how is this possible in this nothing-is-for-free world?

Yes, its possible, claims Sharp. For instance, in its Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier Model FP-N40CX, Sharp contends that it is undoubtedly better value for money as there is no filter replacement costs for the first 5 years. Upfront costs at US$399 for the Sharp model is higher than the typical competitor's US$160. But the latter requires annual filter replacement costs of US$100, adding to a total cost of US$560 over 5 years.

If you have relevant data, be it on Sharp or the competitors, I would greatly appreciate your input. Just email me if you have actual data.

In the meantime, I'm going to investigate intently the Sharp Plasmacluster Ion Technology. Now is the time to research, while bird flu is still not quite at pandemic proportions.

Its never too soon to get ready. I have been there. Imagine thousands of frantic people going from drugstore to drugstore looking for the same face mask. The N95 mask was touted as the only effective weapon as a near-pandemic scare gripped Asia. SARS! Four letters that struck terror in Asia. The SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus started spreading from Asia, infected 8,096 people around the world, resulting in 774 fatalities. Being well prepared is half the battle won.

Watch this space as we track exciting developments in our pursuit of safe, pure and clean air with nothing more than an ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

Here's A Quick Way To Potty Train Your Puppy

2008-10-28T12:22:00.003-07:00

You may have just brought home an adorable new puppy pal! Beside enjoying your little pal, you also want to protect your home so your furnishings and carpets aren't ruined. Now what are you going to do?

One of your first jobs is to teach your puppy where to relieve himself so your home won't be damaged. How can that be accomplished?

Grab your free dog training course and learn more about how to house puppy train.

Dogs act mainly from habits that have been developed over a period of time and that fact can help you as a dog owner. As the dog owner, you need to install the habits of your choice. Don't let your pet create his own habits that you might not appreciate. Puppies have limitations it would be well to keep in mind. Your puppy's bladder is very small, so he can't wait very long before having to urinate. Understanding and patience will help you deal with your puppy's limitations.

Yelling or screaming at your puppy if there is an accident won't help. You need to keep in mind that patience is critical while training your new pal. If your puppy has an accident on the living room carpet, be gentle with him. Tell him "no" in a gentle way. Then pick him up and place him where you do want him to go potty. Then tell him to go potty in that place in your own words.

Dogs don't want to soil their beds, so if you use a crate for him to sleep in, that will help your puppy potty training efforts. Your dog may enjoy owning his own dog playpen as you train him.

Be aware that there are certain times when your new pal is more likely to want to relieve himself. First thing in the morning is one of the times when your puppy will need to relieve himself. Your little pal will need to go potty after eating -- such as right after breakfast or after any other meal. Be sure to take your puppy to his designated toilet area before he goes to bed at night. Right after romping around for a while, your pal will probably want to go potty.

Your new pet needs close supervision. If he goes potty on his own outside, be sure to praise him immediately. If he should go potty inside the house, you need to gently but sternly let him know that isn't the right place to go. Be sure to praise your puppy when he does go in the correct place. He really needs your approval.

Your puppy will often let you know when he's about to relieve himself. Wandering off, sniffing and circling are signs that your puppy is ready to relieve himself. You might catch him waiting by the door.

Patience and kindness goes a long way in dog training. Be sure to spend time training your new pal to urinate or deficate where you have chosen for him to go. The time and effort you put into training your new pal will be worth it when he knows the right time and place to relieve himself.

Watch free dog training video plus discover effective dog training potty techniques.

Helping Your Dog When It Has Had A Stroke

2008-10-28T12:22:00.001-07:00

It may come as a shock to you to find out that your dog has suffered from a stroke. Unlike humans, when a dog has a stroke, he often won't become paralyzed or display any of the human signs of stroke. In fact, with the right care and attention, chances are he will bounce right back within a short period after suffering from a stroke, especially if he has a little help.

How To Tell Your Dog Has Had A Stroke?
Often, there are a few signs that will tell you that your dog is suffering from a stroke. These usually include loss of sight, falling over, and tilting and turning of the head. If you notice your dog displaying these symptoms, you should take him to the vet to rule out other serious health problems such as brain disease, which may be the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Often, pet owners are not aware that their dog has suffered from a stroke. If your pet is advanced in years, seems off color, or acting strangely, he may have suffered a stroke. The best way to find out for sure is to take him to the vet for an examination. Once there, the vet will put your dog under anesthesia, and run some tests to find out what is causing your dog to act strangely.

My Dog Has Had A Stroke, What Should I Do?
If your dog has had a stroke, it is important to remember that dogs don’t suffer as badly from strokes as humans do, and they will recover faster than humans. Once your dog has had a stroke, there is not a lot that your vet can do for him. In most cases, there is no magical cure, or special pill, all your vet will do is confirm that it was a stroke, and rule out the dangerous diseases that may be causing your dog to suffer from the strokes.

However, there are some things that you, the owner of your dog, can do to help with his recovery. Because you share a close owner-pet bond, your dog will recover faster if you are around to care for him, and cheer him on as he starts getting better. Make sure that he has a warm cozy place to rest, and plenty of encouragement, and love from you, to remind him of why he wants to get better.

You may also need to encourage your pet to eat, and drink soon after he has suffered from a stroke, and help him onto his feet, and encourage him to take bathroom breaks outside. Exercise, especially strenuous exercise, should be avoided. Once your dog is feeling well enough, he will soon tell you when he is ready to start going on walks again. After a matter of weeks, he will be starting to get back to his old self.

Don’t forget that once your dog has recovered, he will still need plenty of love, and encouragement, and may not be as agile as he was before the stroke. Strokes can keep reoccurring in dogs, so keep a close eye on him.

To find out more about pet health visit Natures Healthy Pet

Taking care of special horses

2008-10-27T16:47:00.009-07:00

Have you ever seen the fast horses galloping in the races? Well, these horses are called Standardbreds, and they are well known for their skill in harness racing, being the fastest trotting horse in the world. In many part of Europe (England not including) all harness races are conducted between trotters. Standardbreds have shorter legs than the American pedigree racehorses and longest consistences. Often their hindquarters are several inches taller than their withers, which provides them with the power and thrust necesary to trot or pace at high speeds. Standardbreds are any color, usually chestnut .

Standardbreds are the horse of choice for the Amish, because they often find these inexpensive, sound horses at local auctions or right off the track. The horses handle the change from the busy racetrack environment to the farm roads of the country. Standardbreds can be found ridden for pleasure or show in many disciplines: jumping, dressage, equitation, trail, team penning, endurance, gymkhana events, saddleseat, and even sidesaddle. There are even growing associations for racing Standardbreds under saddle -- trotting or pacing just as they do in harness. Standardbreds race as either a pacer or a trotter. Trotters, as the name implies, race at the traditional trot.

Standardbreds are known for their skill in harness racing, being the fastest trotting horse in the world. Usually these horses require good food and good protection during the winter and rain, breeders recommend using Rambo horse blankets or Turnout horse Blankets to protect this unique animals. Standardbreds are any color, usually chestnut, black, or brown; they average 15 hands (60 in./160 cm) in height and weigh near 1,000 lb (450 kg). Standardbreds will trot in a few races in which they need to trot out very chop-chop while asseverating their instinctive pace. If the horses break gait and do not return immediately, they are disqualified from the race.

Standardbreds have a wide range of height, from 14.1 to 17 hands (57"-66"), and most a great deal is coloured or the blacker fluctuation of bay called "brown," although other colors such chromatic and blackamoor are not rare. Gray and roan are also found. Standardbreds are a relatively new breed, dating back just over 200 years, but it is a true American breed. Standardbreds are bred for racing and require training before general riding. If trained correctly and consistently, they will adapt well to other tasks after retiring from racing.

How To Buy Your First Ferret

2008-10-27T16:47:00.007-07:00

If you wish to have a ferret, you will likely have more luck buying them from a breeder or a animal shelter instead of a pet shop. This is because it takes some time and effort to care for these animals specially since they want constant attention.

For those who chance to find a breeder using either the paper or the net, it is always best to ask for some pictures first before you make any decision to purchase your pet. If you do make up your mind you like it, then you will have to fill out some paperwork and then pay for it and it will be ready to be taken home on the same day.

Ferrets can be bought at any age. If you want to raise a new born ferret, make sure to ask the breeder about ferret care. Although these enchanting little pets can already see, their sight is still very limited. You will have to keep there cage clean at all times, this will help to prevent any illness or accidental injuries. As they get older, it is best to toilet train them.

Adults on the other hand are quite different but just the same, they have to be toilet trained and your house has to be ferret proofed to prevent any chewing damage to your home.

The cost of a ferret will depend on their size and age. On average, they cost approximately $75 to $125. Aside from that, you will also have to buy a a couple of other items like a cage, litter box, toys and you should visit your veterinary for any inoculations that are necessary.

Another thing you need to know before going to buy a black-footed ferret, is finding out if it is legal to have one where you live. You can do so by checking with the local wildlife and game department, so if you need to get a license, this needs be done to avoid any problems later on.

When purchasing a black-footed ferret, give close attention to the eyes, their coating and their behaviour. The more active the animal is the better. If you are worried that the ferret might reproduce later on, there is no need to worry because they are usually neutered.

Once your black-footed ferret has been bought, the job of taking care of the black-footed ferret is in your hands and although it sleeps for more than 18 hours a day, once it is awake, it is very active and you will need to let it out of its cage and let it run about and have its daily exercise.

To keep your pet healthy, you will want to find a veterinarian that is qualified to deal with such an animal. If the one near where you live is not able to do the job, ask about for someone that can.

Food is one of the most important things to consider, since they need to eat poultry or meat products that are high in protein and have low levels of fat. You should also avoid giving any food to your black-footed ferret that is rich in carbohydrates and sugar. You must never substitute their diet with food that is intended for other animals, this is done to prevent health troubles that may come about because of a incorrect diet.

Ferrets Out are cuddly pets. If you have seen one on TV or in the pictures and wish to have one, then simply search the cyberspace and you are assured to find plenty of ferret sellers there.

For further FREE information on All About Ferrets or How To Buy Ferrets Online Visit Free Ferret Help

Hyper-advanced Ionic Air Purifier - Plasmacluster Ions vs Bird Flu Virus

2008-10-27T16:47:00.005-07:00

Japanese Sharp Corporation releases a press statement on 27 August 2008 that did not grab any headlines. But one day, it may be on Page One of every newspaper on earth! Incorporated in its ionic air purifier, the Plasmacluster Ion Technology (more on this in a later post) has just been scientifically proven to be 99.9% effective in eliminating the bird flu virus known as H5N1.

Every now and then, the press reminds us that bird flu is the prime suspect to cause mankind's next pandemic. Pandemic does not just sound terrifying. It is. That’s when a highly contagious and deadly virus goes global, in a very negative sense. 50 million people may die in a global pandemic. No way, you say. But its happened before, during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic! That deadly killer flu was confirmed on 5 October 2005 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be caused by H1N1, a bird flu virus.

Do I have your attention now? Is it time to PANIC?

Not now. "Only" 245 people infected by the H5N1 virus, as per WHO data as at 10 Sep 2008, have died since 1996 when it first surfaced in China. So what’s the fuss? A bird flu virus that attains human-to-human transmission capability is the ultimate horror of the scientific community. As of now, there has been only one probable case of human-to-human transmission recorded in Thailand in September 2004. But if the dreaded virus mutation takes place, you can expect pandemonium on a global scale.

With increasing momentum. many countries are conscientiously preparing for the worse (more on this in a later post). At our individual level, we should start doing some homework too.

Ok, so what’s all this got to do with Sharp’s ionic air purifier. Is it not just another ionic air purifier? It is ordinary in that it performs the usual functions of the run-of-the-mill air purifier by getting rid of dust, dirt, smoke, dander, pollen, cuisine and pet odours, pollutants, allergens etc. But if we can get protection from all these and more in one ionic air purifier, especially one that is a tested defense shield against a potentially deadly virus, why not? And that is precisely what Sharp is telling us; get the whole package with their Plasmacluster Ion Technology.

Obviously, for the value-conscious, the next logical question would be “yes, that makes a whole lot of sense but at what cost”? At no extra cost, Sharp claims! Sharp contends that over a 5-year period, it is cheaper than any other competing ionic air purifier. A case of over-delivering by Sharp? But, how is this possible in this nothing-is-for-free world?

Sharp says that its definitely possible. Using the Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier Model FP-N40CX as the basis, Sharp contends that it is great value for money as there is no filter replacement costs for the first 5 years. At US$399, the Sharp model compares favourably against a typical competitor's ionic air purifier that may cost US$160 upfront but over 5 years cost a total of US$560 due to annual filter replacement costs of US$100 each.

If you have relevant data, be it on Sharp or the competitors, I would greatly appreciate your input. Just email me if you have actual numbers.

My next step will be to learn as much as I can about the Sharp Plasmacluster Ion Technology. Now is the time to research, while bird flu is still not quite at pandemic proportions.

Join me in my quest. I have been there. It was like a horror movie that ran for months. Paranoia abounded in crowded places even as people commuted to work on buses and MRT trains. Taxis cruised empty as stories were told of the infected travelling in them to hospital. It was near pandemonium in many Asian cities as pandemic fears took hold. It was the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus. Originating in Asia in 2003, it eventually infected 8,096 people around the world and resulted in 774 fatalities. We all know that being well prepared is half the battle won.

Watch this space as we track exciting developments in our pursuit of safe, pure and clean air with nothing more than an ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

Conquering Leash Aggression And Educating Your Dog to Stay

2008-10-27T16:47:00.003-07:00

How to Train a Puppy

What makes good dogs turn aggressive the second you put a leash on them? Having a dog that pulls and lunges at dogs and people presents a danger to others and a roadblock to your training efforts.

Skipping walks is not an option and may exacerbate the problem. Can you curb leash aggression so your daily walks aren't nightmares?

If your dog seems like he is about to become aggressive, divert him with a command like sit or down. This will keep him occupied and should reroute his attention.

If you are about to pass another dog, don’t tense up or pull the least taut. Your pet will be able to tell and he will think that you are scared, so aggression is much more likely. Animals pick up on our signals – just remain calm and relaxed.

Try using a muzzle or a gentle leader when walking your dog. This should only be a temporary measure but if you are concerned your dog may lunge or bite, these can be very helpful.

Some dogs will persist at lunging despite your best efforts. If this is the case with your dog, consult with a professional trainer. You don't want to let the behavior go unchecked; your dog will become a danger to your neighborhood. as well as to himself.

Many dogs pull and lunge when on a leash. If your dog displays this very natural reaction to being on a leash, it is vital that you take action as soon as possible so it doesn't become either an irritating habit or a dangerous one.

The stay command is one of the most useful for your dog. While indicative of a well-trained dog, the stay command can also keep your dog safe in different settings. To help facilitate teaching this command, use treats and praise liberally. Dog obedience training can help you gain even better control over your dog.

First, tell your dog to sit or lie. When he does, put your hand, palm towards the dog, and say, "Stay." Use a firm voice.

When your dog stays, praise him immediately. Likely your dog will only be able to stay for a second or two at first. This is great; it's a terrific beginning, and he will be able to do it for longer periods as he practices.

In addition instruct him the release command so he learns when it is time to get up. "Ok" or "Come" are often used. Again, kudos and treats make training easier. Praise and treats help alot when it comes to puppy training.

Gradually work on the length of time that your dog sits and stays before you give the release command. Make him work for that treat!

Optimal training should last about five to ten minutes at a time. Any more than that will strain your dog's attention span and counteract your efforts.

Any longer and your dog will feel like he’s in a marathon – he’ll get tired, cranky, and won’t want to listen. At first, you may have to repeat, "Stay," often to remind your dog, especially if they’re excited about their treat.

As you continue training, your dog will be able to stay longer, even when you are not in the room. You will not always have to provide a treat, but do always praise your dog and his accomplishments.

Carry on learning about puppy training tips.

Eye Infections In Pets

2008-10-27T16:47:00.001-07:00

Pet owners want the best for the pets and that includes keeping their pets healthy by trying to prevent diseases and illnesses and treating them when they occur. Unfortunately eye infections are fairly common in pets. They can crop up on their own or occur when something lodges in the eye. They can also occur when the surface of the eye, called the cornea, gets scratched.
The common warning signs to look out for that your pet has an eye infection are: eye discharge, squinting, redness, cloudiness, and trying to rub and scratch the eye.
Rubbing or scratching of the eye can make things worse for your pet. One of those cone shaped instruments that covers the head will prevent your pet from rubbing their eyes and further irritating the condition.
Eye discharge may be ugly, but it’s a valuable warning sign that something is wrong. This is important because infections can progress very quickly and even in some cases cause permanent eye damage. Discharge is a telltale sign of infection and will often be thick, yellow, gray, or green. Any off-colored eye discharge that persists for longer than 48 hours without improvement should be seen by a vet.
Infections of the eye and surrounding structures are common in pets and usually involve the conjunctiva, leading to conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” Causes of infections include various bacteria, viruses like the Herpes virus, foreign material or irritants in the eye and even Lyme disease. Eye infections may become chronic if not treated and can cause permanent damage such as blindness if neglected.
Some dog breeds are more likely to get eye infections than others. Before you get a dog, research its breed to see if they are more prone to eye infections.
If you think your pet has an eye infection, you should get them examined at the Vet for a test, treatment, and to prevent permanent damage from occurring.
Vets often recommend applying an antibiotic ointment made especially for the eye. Other treatments besides an ointment are eye drops and all natural herbal treatments. Medications can be received from the Vet and there are also many websites that offer medications for dog and cat eye infections, some being homeopathic or all natural medications. If you want to save money, you can usually get medications cheaper online than at the Vet.
To sooth the painful side effects of an eye infection, there is a product called Newtons Homeopathics Eye Irritation. It relieves pain, itching, dryness, swelling, redness, tired eyes, pink eye, and thick yellow discharge of the eyes.
Sometimes your pet will get an eye infection no matter what. You just can’t prevent it. However, there are steps you can do to help prevent your pet from getting an eye infection and to maintain optimum eye health. The steps are:
* Always keep your dog head inside moving vehicles
* Check your dog's eyes on a regular basis
* Make sure its annual veterinary checkup includes a thorough eye exam.
* Keep your dog's eyes clean by wiping away any discharge that may accumulate. There is a product called Halo Herbal Eye Wash which will keep your pet’s eyes clean, open tear ducts, and sooth irritated tissue.

How To Buy Pink Dog Bed From Discount Online Pet Store

2008-10-26T00:04:00.009-07:00

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A dog should have a bed for napping during the day and sleeping in at night. A bed gives warmth and comfort to your dog. A proper dog bed supports arthritic joints, prevent calluses, gives comfort and a sense of security to your dog.

Are you wondering how to select a best dog bed and blanket for your pet?

You need to do some research on your dog sleeping habits and try to find answer to following questions.

1.Does your dog hang his head over the edge?

2.Does he like to be able to rest his head with a view of the entire surroundings?

3.Does your dog sprawl and stretch out completely?

4.Does he like to stay warm under the blankets?

5.Does your dog shed or have any other disorder that will cause the bed to need constant cleaning?

6.Does he avoid the bed because he needs to cool off? In this case, you should buy cooling dog bed

Several varieties of dog beds are available. Your selection depends on your choice, budget and size of your pet. You can use your old pillow or fancy wrought-iron frame with a lace canopy.

Top dog bed styles

1. Inexpensive flat pads or mats

2. Doughnut-shaped beds are circular bolsters with a removable center pillow.

3. Washable beds are good for outdoor use.

4. Cot style raised dog bed is good for old and large dog

What are the features you should have for an old or ill dog bed?

You should buy orthopedic bed with medical-grade foam and/or box-spring construction for old or very large dog.

You can use heated bed which helps to maintain body warmth

Why you should have a washable dog blanket?

You also should use washable dog bed cover and blankets because it can keep your dog warm and you can wash it whenever it is necessary. Personally I like modern dog bed like memory foam dog bed.

You can visit online pet supply to find the best dog bed and blanket for your dog. Online shopping is also a good way to get all your other dog supplies as well from other dog furniture like dog houses to dog supplies, including treat and shampoo, and you can even purchase dog clothes and collars as well.

Help For Making A Purchase Of A Dog Training Collar

2008-10-26T00:04:00.007-07:00

When you are making a purchase of a dog training collar, the myriad differences in the specific brands and the choices of collars inside each brand can be overwhelming. Sometime manufacturers tout their differences from the competitors and its difficult to tell how much is real and how much is advertising. One of the ways to determine the real differences is to find and a read dog training collar review. There are several such dog training collar reviews on the internet.

There are other resources to tap to help in making this choice. One of the resources is a local vet, could help you with their opinion. They can give you a view of which choices you should most definitely not make, as not all collars are right for all dogs. Also, many obedience class instructors have and use many of the dog training collars and could give you their opinion or allow you to try the different choices during a training class. Each of these individuals could give you an opinion on the dog training collar review information that you obtained.

All dog training collar review information is not equal, as some are sponsored by the manufactures of the different collars. Once you have your dog training collar reviews, read through consumer reports and customer’s comments on the products you are considering. Amazon.com provides sales of an amazing amount of items, and they keep customer review and many of them, trying visiting their site to check.

Discount any collars which are clearly out of your price range. Do not feel bad about this, there is absolutely no sense in spending more than you can afford when the simple collars can provide what you need. Unless you have a disability that requires you to choice a very high-end choice, you can consider the dog training collar reviews inexpensive choices that may require a little more work on your part.

Check with a local vet or a local obedience trainer and see if they agree with the choice you made. The most likely have experience with the products.

Don’t Do’s In Purchasing

Don’t buy the first dog training collar you see in a store, no matter what the store expert tells you. Always do research in the information they provide, and don’t assume that you got all the salient facts. Even if a dog training collar review agrees with the store expert, spend just a little more time. Store experts may get a commission for certain manufacturers and a dog training collar review may be sponsored by a company.

A last note, if you have a smaller dog make sure what you are looking at is a small dog training collar. You need it positioned correctly on a small dog.

Gasen Redeye is the webmaster of My Dog Collars where you will get more Dog Training Collar information.

SitStayFetch Review – How To Stop Bad Dog Behaviour

2008-10-26T00:04:00.005-07:00

Dogs particularly from young should be trained to stop bad dog behaviour. I recommend SitStayfetch by Daniel Stevens if you want to learn how to train your dog fast and effectively.

Dogs are loyal companions though sometimes they can misbehave especially young puppies. This may be in the form of barking non-stop, biting things around the house, or digging holes in the back yard. No pet owner wants to have to deal with bad dog behaviors like this. It´s not only frustrating, but it´s time consuming as well, if you don´t know how to effectively correct the problem.

Adopting an animal when it is very young usually helps to initiate a lasting bond. Once a small puppy is taken from its mother, it relies on its owner for direction. It is at this stage that you want to start reinforcing certain things.

One of the most troublesome bad dog behaviors is playing with items the animal shouldn´t be. Typically this is slippers, or small kids´ toys, it can even be expensive purses or shoes. The dog has no idea what is and isn´t a toy, so it just assumes everything is.

The owner should be mindful of what it left within the dog´s reach and if he or she notices the dog picking up something it shouldn´t be, a firm "no" always helps. Repetition is often necessary to ensure the dog understands the rule and to correct this type of dog behavior problems.

Accidents in the home sometimes occur and if they aren´t dealt with swiftly, the problem can be a persistent one. Many puppies relieve themselves wherever and whenever the mood strikes them. This is one of the bad dog behaviors that can really impact your life. It´s important for the owner to take the dog outside at regular intervals when it is young so it becomes accustomed to not going inside the house. If that´s not possible, you can paper train the dog, which is also very helpful.

Biting is another issue that some dog owners find themselves facing. Typically it´s not that the dog is meaning to bite anyone. It´s more that the dog is playing and nips at the person. This is especially troubling if you have young children in the home. Correcting bad dog behaviors like this is really important. You don´t want to end up having a dog that bites people who are at your home visiting. This could have very serious results so you need to work with the dog, by scolding it when it does attempt to play in this fashion.

It´s so nice to have a pet for the entire family to enjoy. With a little work and commitment you can train your dog to be a wonderful and loving companion for years to come. Dog behavior problems can always be corrected if you take the right approach.

I highly recommend SitStayFetch by Daniel Stevens if you want to put a stop to your dog bad behavior. It is one of the best dog training course I have brought.

Why Having A Backpack Dog Carrier Will Make Travelling With Your Pet a lot more Convenient

2008-10-26T00:04:00.003-07:00

If you have a small dog and need a carrier, you no longer need to carry it in your hands. There are now enjoyable backpack dog carriers on the market. The first products of this kind are on the market and available commercially. You can purchase backpacks which are collapsible, for easy storage. Your dog will have a comfortable and convenient place to ride and you will have a cool, outdoor look.

Functions of Backpack Carriers

Good backpack dog carriers should have a bed that is removable and washable for easy cleaning. There should also be a safety collar attachment clip to make sure that your pet will not jump out. Some carriers double as car seats, for pets that have difficulty in the car. Your pet’s carrier will be securely in place and then can be easily used as a backpack when you arrive at your destination.

Some backpack dog carriers are combined with a wheel around and car seat. These are especially useful on commercial airlines if they are an approved carrier. They are fairly lightweight, with most of them coming in at approximately eight pounds.

Backpack carriers are meant to keep your pet securely in place while you are traveling, without restricting the use of your arms. Both dogs and cats may have difficulty with this process, because they are unfamiliar with the environment they are in. Choosing a carrier with some luxury features may help ease their ride. They will come in handy whether you are taking a long trip or just going to the store.

Materials and Design Concepts

Backpack dog carriers should be created of a soft yet strong material, such as nylon. Frequently, a Denier nylon fiber is used. This fabric is resistant to tears, abrasions, and breakage. The fabric is sporty and water resistant, to protect your pet in case of problems. Make sure that you choose a carrier with good shoulder straps, to protect your back and keep you comfortable.

When you purchase a dog carrier, consider any essentials that you would need to bring with you. Many carriers come with pockets on the outside to store such material. Make sure that the sides of the bag are a wide mesh, so that your pet has plenty of aeration and visibility. See if the bag is constructed with a horizontal design, to ensure maximum comfort for your pet.

More luxurious backpack carriers can be found for your dogs and cats. They are often made with materials like black Microfiber or cotton weaves.Liners could be made of a washable lambskin. Check the entry to the bag before you buy. Side entries are a convenient way to get your pet in and out.

Many commercial airlines have approved a pet backpack called the Sherpa Bag. It resembles a normal sports backpack and comes in different colors. It is a trendy and popular way to tote your pet. Whichever you choose, keep the comfort and safety of your pet in mind.

Wooden Doghouses – Where To Place Your Dog House

2008-10-26T00:04:00.001-07:00

Whether dogs in fact prefer wooden dog houses or a different material is unclear, however the most universal dog house is built of wood, the same as our houses!

Most little dogs live inside so a little dog house is not usually an issue. Medium sized and large dogs usually live outside in their own wooden dog houses.

Finding a large dog house or an extra large dog house is what most people have troubles with. You can find plans on the internet for wooden dog houses, as-well-as free plans for wooden dog houses. Acquiring the blueprints insinuates a do-it-yourself approach or obtaining an individual to put it together for you.

You can locate pre-built houses locally occasionally, like people houses. This is the preference of many dog owners, but it may take a little detective work.

The best location for an outdoor dog house is not always the most common location. Most people seem to locate their wooden dog houses toward the rear of their back yards. This is not only inconvenient for you, but it is very undesirable for the dog.

Dogs are extremely social creatures and rather than be placed in the back of your yard, you might consider close to a backdoor, a side yard or the front yard. The dog will mainly want to be anywhere that people often congregate, especially if the dog owners frequent that area of the yard.

The dog house should be raised up off the ground, maybe with bricks near the foundation, thus the wooden dog houses trap airspace below them to aid in insulation.

To keep winter chill off the dog, you should have some sort of wind block in front of the dog house entrance. An "L" formed dog house, or a flap which is minor may work suitably also, whatever thing that will deflect the bitter wind from your dog.

So the dog does not suffer a flea infestation and tick control is required. Consult with your veterinarian about methods to achieve this.

Dogs enjoy the dog house locality to remain orderly so getting rid of dog waste and keeping the locality tidy will leave your dog more contented. Always try to permit dogs to have a good view of the wooden dog houses section. These are many aspects that are essential to have a satisfied dog in a cheerful dog house!

Offering a dog runway is perfect, it allows a dog to run and still be restrained. Similar to two sizeable posts approximately 30 feet away from each other with durable rope extended between them. Fasten the dog harness to the cord so that it slides the whole length between the poles. Dogs love this extra freedom.

Keep wooden dog houses cool in the summer, warm in the winter, clean and dry, and no direct wind blowing in on them. Keep food and especially water near their wooden dog houses. Find a good dog food that keeps your dog nourished and healthy. Never feed him/her cooked chicken bones - they splinter.

Pay a visit to their wooden dog houses. What they like best is exercise and regular owner contact!

Allow dogs to have playthings and chew bones near their wooden dog houses. Have a happy dog - play with him/her often!

Learn more about why wooden doghouse are the best. Discover where to buy cheap wooden doghouse on my dog house site.

A Professionals Guides To Dog House Training

2008-10-25T11:43:00.005-07:00

Before you start any dog or puppy training program, think only of what you're hoping to gain, instead of the behavior you want to avoid. As you get ready for each new class or training day, you need to have clear understanding of exactly what you want to happen, and picture it having already happened. Never give a second thought to the actions and behavior that you want to avoid.

If you're not sure what you want, how are you going to get it? That's true of most things in life, and it's true of dog training tips too

It's very easy to fall into the trap of concentrating on things that we don't want. This is particularly relevant with regards to training dogs as well. Not wanting our dog to pee anywhere inside our house is right up there, or start chewing slippers, or run away when we call, or start barking incessantly when older members of the family come to the house.

But consider this for a second. Especially if you're thinking of getting a new puppy in the home. Are you actually considering spending the next eight to fourteen years reprimanding your dog for things you didn't want him to do? Isn't it easier and more satisfying to teach your dog correct behavior from the beginning?

A prime example springs to mind is when we think, "I really do not want the dog to chew the furniture," try, "My dog will chew and play with his own squeezy toys." Rather than, "I don't want the dog to embarrass me when I have guests," change it to, "I would like my dog to sit to greet people."

By concentrating on what it is you want to achieve, you will have a much clearer path to successfully training your dog. That's a great way to start your training journey.

Let Him Know When He's Been Good

Probably the best thing that has happened in housetraining puppies during the last decade is a move in focus from highlighting corrective action, or penalizing mistakes, and moving towards rewarding good behavior.

Most trainer now favor the practice of rewarding a well behaved dog especially for puppy potty training tips. A fundamental reason for using rewards is that when you punish your dog, for whatever reason, the results could be very demoralizing for both of you. If your dog is of a particular temperament, he may react to being punished by becoming aggressive or fearful. Other dogs shut down. They seem to lose their sense of adventure. Some may simply curl up and shy away all the time.

Using rewards training methods also makes you feel good. It's a great feeling to be the bearer of rewards and praise for a well behaved pet.

But the icing on the cake is that rewards based dog behavior training works a treat. It's due to the fact that this approach to behavior training builds confidence and reassurance. As soon as she discovers that rewards come for a particular action of behavior, your dog is more likely to exhibit that behavior again in the future. By learning how to apply that simple rule, you will be able to use this method for pretty much any training goal you want to achieve.

A Dog in One Pack- Jack Russell Terrier

2008-10-25T11:43:00.003-07:00

A Dog in One Pack- Jack Russell Terrier

We basically want to find companions who would give us most of the benefits we think we need. Well, if you are looking for a dog breed that is somewhat a one-in-package pal, you might find Jack Russell Terriers interesting enough.

This dog has a history that is somehow loomed to give rise to the breed.

It was said that the breeder of this dog, a young Theologian student of Oxford University named John Russell once met a milkman with a white terrier that has spots on his eyes and ears. This dog became his interest which later proved to be his foundation for breeding a new dog breed that many has learned to love as pets. The dog he first saw was named "Trump" from which another 60 breeds of terriers were later bred from.

With a terrier's basic nature to go on and over the ground (terrier by the way came from the Latin term "terra" which means earth), Jack Russell terriers also have the disposition to hunt and scour for hunting. Thus, they should be given enough grooming so as to set off the dirt they gather from digging soil to either bury a treasure or to recover a hidden treasure kept long ago.

An excellent ratter, Jack Russell Terriers proves to be good "housekeepers" since they keep most rats away from home. Any unlucky rat that happens to be inside the quarters of this terrier is sure to meet its instant doom. Thus, owners find themselves with both a dog and cat in one pal.

One basic character of this breed of dog is its disposition towards strangers. They can easily figure out who must be kept away from their homes and who can be accepted inside the house. This very attitude also makes them good watchdogs. They were designed specifically to be aggressive on preys. And while they can be very vocal, many of them only barks when they find good reason to.

They do not appear vicious though. But once they smell threat, they can show off aggressiveness that could serve as warning towards the strangers. However, once the stranger is let into the house by the owner, a Jack Russell can already tolerate his or her presence.

This terrier is also a family dog and desires for human companionship. And their love for children is significantly interesting. However, once they are abused or had been shown improper treatments, may it be intentional or accidental, they can react through aggressive behaviors. Their aggressiveness is further manifested with their lack of fear towards larger dogs which can unfortunately lead to injuries, some can even be fatal.

They are also marked for their intelligence and good spirit. These characteristics can be highly observable through their curiosity in things. Thus, they require supplementation on formal training unless you can tolerate difficult behaviors. The good thing though with Jack Russell is that it can acknowledge training and do well in most of them. In fact, they are known to champion various ring shows and other similar competitions.

The Hollywood has recognized the disposition of these dogs too. Coupled with feisty and good physical characteristics, this pal has already made names in the screens. If Wishbone, Milo (from The Mask) and Eddie (from the Frasier) ring the bell on you then there is no doubt that you can recognize this dog.

Jack Russell fair well with grooming. A dog of relatively small size, this breed will not tax you with grooming needs.

A Glimpse on the Various Terrier dog breeds

2008-10-25T11:43:00.001-07:00

A Glimpse on the Various Terrier dog breeds

Whatever your dog preference is, you are sure to find terrier dogs among the candidates for a pal. You'll get energy you want with little grooming and added wit.

Basically bred for hunting and killing vermin, Terrier dogs are now known to offer wide spectrum of features and characters that you might find lovable. They are not as cuddly as toy dogs (while there are some terrier dogs in the toy and companion dog brackets) and they may not be as intelligent like other breeds but they set off these lacks with various things that only they can offer.

Let us discuss in brief some of the terrier dog breeds that you may find interesting:

Less aggressive but definitely not timid. This best describes Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. They are definitely alert and very spirited, but when the call for steadiness arrives, they are sure to show you some air of confidence and steady disposition.

This dog type too is gifted with intelligence which makes them very responsive with obedience training.

Parson Russell Terrier is a dog breed that exhibits boldness, cleverness, affection and exuberant disposition. While many may find this a playful pal, it is still not advisable for everyone to take Parson Russell home. In fact, formal obedience training is a must for owners since this dog type is more likely to display mischievousness and too much playfulness that make this a very independent pet. For people with active lifestyles and those who can tolerate explorative disposition, this scamp is the best for you.

The Norwich Terrier, on the other hand, is a type of dog that resulted from breeding small Terriers with other smaller breeds, possibly Yorkshire Terriers. Maintenance of Norwich Terrier is minimal and they are content with modest living quarters. They have active disposition though and can be affectionate and fearless. Additionally, they are also known to display stocky and happy personalities which make them ideal pals.

Much like the Norwich Terriers, Norfolk Terriers are also well-spirited, fearless, charming and always ready for game. While both may have some similar physical characteristics, Norfolks can still be distinguished through their folds in the ears.

Basically workman-like dogs, Kerry Blue Terriers are excellent watchdogs and work well in farm settings. This dog got its name from its blue-shade coat color which was originally black during puppyhood.

Wire Fox Terriers are of great interest since they display power through its excellent endurance capabilities and speed. Alertness and quick movements are the dominant expressions of this dog type. It is advisable though that the owner trains this dog and should be given enough doses of daily exercises.

Meanwhile, Smooth Fox Terriers are the frolic and lively types of dogs that are ideal in both country and city living. Displaying intelligence and cleverness, this dog makes good trainees and must be well credited by that. They are also likely to show great affection towards their owners.

These are just some of the many terrier dog types that can be considered as your next pets. In general, this dog type has good dispositions and makes ideal home pets. While some may display obscure aggressiveness, this still does not negate the fact that most types have the capacity to develop affection and keen expression of their attachment to their owners. Be warned though that some dog types in this breed can be very playful and should be given enough amount of attention and time during obedience training and exercises.

A Golden Retriever Might be the Right Addition to Your Family

2008-10-24T01:14:00.007-07:00

A Golden Retriever Might be the Right Addition to Your Family

Selecting the right dog breed for you and your family is an important decision. There are several hundred breeds of dogs from around the world so your choices are virtually limitless.

The American Kennel Club categorized the different breeds by groups with each group having distinguishing characteristics that are shared by all the breeds in it. The Golden Retriever is in the Sporting Group.

The Sporting Group is made up of some of the oldest and most popular dog breeds. Many of the dogs in this category were bred for hunting although most people who own sporting dogs only keep them as family pets, rather than hunters. The hunting traits, however, create some of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a sporting dog. Goldens are natural retrievers, so you can enjoy them fetching a tennis ball for what seems like forever. Another trait is their outgoing personality, making sporting dogs enthusiastic and responsive partners.

The Golden Retriever was bred to be tough and strong. Don’t let the happy, silly face fool you. While any Golden will delight in lazing around the house or wrestling on the floor with your family, the dog breed is particularly adept in the field.

As puppies, Goldens are full of energy and can be especially mouthy. Make sure you direct your puppy's need to chew to appropriate chew toys. Remember, puppies aren't fussy and don't discriminate. A chair leg works as well for them as a sterilized bone. Goldens are very trainable, athletic, and good-natured. They have a keen desire to please. You can find them performing with tails wagging and eyes shining in the obedience, agility, and fly ball arenas. They are also excellent with children.
The Golden Retriever is generally light yellow to deep golden honey in color. The coat tends to get a little deeper in color after the first year. They tend to be about twenty-four inches tall at the withers (shoulders), with females being slightly shorter. Their coat should be long and either flat or wavy. They'll need to be brushed properly or their coat will form thick mats

So, if you are looking for a loyal companion that will be great with kids or adults, you should definitely find a local breeder and spend some time getting to know a Golden.

“Hybrid” dog – Isn’t that just another word for Mutt?

2008-10-24T01:14:00.005-07:00

“Hybrid” dog – Isn’t that just another word for Mutt?

Every day we hear more about the new “hybrid” dogs, or “designer” dogs. Each feature is accompanied by pictures of adorable puppies that are examples of this new “breed of dog.”

Of course they’re cute! All puppies are! Should you pay hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars for one? Certainly not! The offspring of a mating between two purebred dogs of different breeds is a mongrel, a mutt. And if you have one, you should love it, train it and care for it as if it had the bluest blood of the canine kingdom.

Every dog breed, and there are hundreds in the world, was “created” by humans. Each breed was developed for a specific purpose – whether that original job was guarding the flock or being the ideal lap-dog. There’s no reason that development shouldn’t continue. If there is a need for a dog with particular characteristics, enterprising individuals will come forward to fill that need.

However, it takes many generations to “breed true.” Compare yourself to your siblings. Do you all have the same looks, same personality, same interests and strengths? Chances are, you don’t. Each of you has some of the “best” traits of your parents. But those may not be the same traits. And each of you has some of the worst.

Two of the best-known mixed-breeds out there now are the “Golden Doodle” and the “Puggle.” The thinking behind these crosses is fairly obvious: wouldn’t it be nice to have a Golden Retriever’s personality and willingness to please combined with the Poodle’s non-shedding coat and intelligence? Wouldn’t it be equally delightful to have a small dog without the breathing issues of a Pug, but quieter than a Beagle?

But there is no way of knowing you won’t get a high-strung, noisy, stubborn, slobbering mutt who sheds like the dickens!

If you are considering spending the kind of money that these “hybrids” are commanding, be sure to research all of the traits of the contributing breeds. You will get a mixture of the two. And an equally adorable mixture may be waiting for you at your local shelter – the size you want, with the coat you want and the adorable face that melts your heart.

If you require certain characteristics in your puppy – whether a family member has allergies, or you have a very small, or no yard, or your household requires a quiet, “easy keeper,” or if you wish to fully participate in the world of canine competition, consider a pure-bred dog. There are over 150 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Research them at www.akc.org. Surely one of them is right for you.

Custom Cedar Dog House – Advantages Of Building Your Own Wooden Dog House

2008-10-24T01:14:00.003-07:00

No one knows whether dogs actually prefer dog houses or not. But cedar dog houses are one of the most common materials used to build dog houses.

If you have a large sized dog in your home, then a custom cedar dog house is needed. However, buying large wooden dog house is often not easy as not many pet shops or online stores sell large custom dog houses.

The most practical way is to do it yourself. There are several doghouse plans you can find online. You can then simply pass it to your contractor to build one for you or do everything yourself.

One advantage of building your own custom cedar dog house is that you can decide on how big or small your doghouse should be. You can even build a custom cedar wooden dog house large enough to accommodate two or more dogs.

So after you build the dog house, where should you place it? Most people put their doghouse at the back of the house.

However, it may not be a good idea. This is because dogs are social animals and love to be near humans. By placing your doghouse at the back of the house or away from humans, most dogs may not even want to stay in their dog house.

That is why I recommend placing your dog house in front of your house or at the side of the home.

The dog house should also be jacked up off the ground, preferably with slabs underneath the foundation to trap airspace. It aids in insulation and can help keep your doghouse warm during winter months.

For wind insulation, you can install a flap in front of the dog house.

Lastly, make sure to keep the doghouse clean by making sure waste material and urine are not near the doghouse.

If you want a comfortable home for your large sized dog, then building and maintaining a custom cedar wood dog house is recommended.

Learn how to build custom cedar dog houses online at my wooden dog house site. Visit http://www.woodendoghouse.net for more information.

Arthritis in Cats

2008-10-24T01:14:00.001-07:00

Cats can suffer from arthritis just as we humans do, and it mostly affects older cats. There might not be any cure (depending on the type of arthritis), but there are always treatments. Most cats are naturally exceptionally nimble and athletic animals, but as you might expect their joints, ligaments and bones are susceptible to accidental damage, and to the wear and tear of everyday life. On the other hand, giving thanks to their buoyancy, sense of balance, ability to land on their feet and built-in shock absorbers - their forelegs are not connected by bone to the rest of their skeleton, cats do not suffer from as many orthopaedic troubles as they might if they didn’t have all of these great qualities. Arthritis conditions in cats take place most generally as an end result of accidents.

Cats can suffer from different kinds of arthritis, which plainly means joint inflammation. However, arthritis is much more compound than a simple inflammation, so this plain name is relatively confusing. For example, check out the wide range of signs of arthritis in cats:

·    Stiffness
·    Limping
·    Favoring One Limb (especially after resting)
·    Not Wanting to Climb Stairs or Jump
·    Noticeable Pain
·    Different Gait than Usual
·    Nervousness
·    Aggression
·    Depression

If you notice more than one of these symptoms in your cat, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Usually, as the owner, you notice these things right away and know that something isn’t quite right.

Causes

Many things can cause arthritis in cats. Main reasons are old age, trauma, infections, immune system disorders and even developmental disorders.

Cats most commonly suffer the following two forms of arthritis. One is traumatic Arthritis and this may be caused by a sudden injury to a joint, such as following a vehicle accident, the consequence of a fight or play with another cat or animal, or because of an awkward fall.

The second is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is well thought-out by professionals to be the end result of a joint failure that can occur for nearly any reason. Cats’ shoulder and elbow joints are those most regularly pretentious in older cats. Common causes are repeated episodes of traumatic arthritis, and also joint dislocation or fractures involving joints that occurred in the past and made the joints more vulnerable to disproportionate wear and tear.

What to Expect During Your Trip to the Vet

Your vet will conduct a regular examination, and comments from you on your cat’s problems. Your vet might take some tests to rule out anything else such as blood tests, radiographs, ultrasound, etc.

Treatments

If your cat is diagnosed with arthritis, there are many treatments available. Some you can do at home such as gentle massage, weight control, exercise, and warmth. Some medications may be prescribed for your cat such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Corticosteroids, Vitamin C, and/or NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs).

There are numerous different kinds of joint diseases that your cat could have, too. These include:

Feline progressive polyarthritis (which affects more than one joint)
Dysplasia
Bacterial Arthritis
Oseoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Luxating Patella
Hip Dysplasia
Intervertabral Disc Disease
Hyperparathyroidism

Although most forms of arthritis has no cure to rid your feline of the disease, there are plenty of treatments available. Your cat can live out the rest of his or her life with less pain, more activity, and just being generally happier!

What is the Green Bean Dog Diet?

2008-10-22T09:40:00.001-07:00

For some time now people have playing around with the idea of the green bean diet for dogs. You may have already know about this and are considered trying it. Let's take a look at the green bean dog diet and discuss some of the problems and advantages of it.

If you decide to feed your dog the green bean diet, you should know that you can not only feed your dog green beans. By only giving your dog this green vegetable diet would not be the right healthy decision for your dog's diet. Pet owners should find the balance between dog food and green beans that will produce the desired results.

The green bean dog diet is standard kibble for your pet mixed with a amount of green beans. These green beans are a healthy way to keep your dog full between meals. Adding some green beans to the food at meal times will help your dog's diet and keep your dog feeling full and happy between meals.

Should all dogs be eating the green bean diet? No not all dog's should have green beans added to their meals. The green bean dog diet is ideal for dogs who should lose weight. Many pet owners continue to use the green bean dog diet to help keep a healthy weight for their pet, This is after the initial weight loss.

It is not often that your dog will turn there nose up at the green beans. Dogs feel fuller and will have more of a happy attitude towards you. Also a increase in health and vitality.

One down side to think about when you decide to change your dog's diet over to the green bean diet, is the larger amount of fiber your dog will consume. Some dog's systems can react to this, so you will need to monitor your pet's outputs. Begin adding the green beans a little at a time and gradually increase the amount. Some pet owners find it helps to only add the green beans to there dog's diet at one meal time during the day, this is done keep there dog's potty schedule in order.

If you do decide to use the green bean dog diet as your dog's diet, then there are a few tips to keep in mind. You will need to purchase a re sealable lid to cover the open can of green beans, this is for easier storage in between meals. You should measure the amount of green beans in your dog's diet just the same as you would measure kibble or treats that you give your dog.

When ever possible you should purchase your canned green beans with no added salt. This is a healthy option for your dog's diet.

The green bean dog diet has many advantages. But you will need to monitor your dog's intake of them to help prevent unforeseeable outputs. The green bean dog diet will help to lose and maintain weight while keeping your pet healthy and happy.

5 Great Tips On Building A Dog House

2008-10-21T17:43:00.003-07:00

5 Great Tips On Building A Dog House

Over 50% of the population allows their dog to stay indoors and sleep on the couch or in their owner’s bed. For those of you who are interested in building a dog house for you beloved pet here are some simple rules to follow when considering what type of shelter you want to provide.

1. You should begin your dog house building process by making sure the house is big enough to accommodate your animal’s potential adult size. Humans enjoy having about 2 feet of air above us in a room in order to live without feeling claustrophobic. Your dog will probably also enjoy having that much room. The comfort zone for both humans and dogs is about 1/3 of their standing height. To figure out how much room the dog will need get out a tape measure and measure your dog. Measure him standing straight up, sitting on his haunches and above all measure the full dimension of the dog when he is the most comfortable, relaxed and stretched out position he can get into. Your dog should be able to look out the front entrance while both standing up and sitting. So the dog will not have to significantly lover his front shoulders or scrape his belly make sure that entrance is high enough. Stand over the dog and measure the width of the widest point of the animal’s shoulders.

2. Remember to raise the dog house several inches from the ground to allow air and water to flow underneath. To dissuade pests from invading the dog house and taking your dogs health into consideration remember how important ventilation is. Put in a few nickel-sized holes in the walls under the eaves. Install a wind block inside the house so the dog can use the heat of its own body to warm up the area if it is really cold or windy outside. Consider adding a partial wall which will allow your dog to escape the bad weather. Your animal can choose to just sleep in the entry room or go around the inner archway maze wall into the inner sanctum. Your beloved pet would probably love having a pillow or some sort of bedding to sleep on.

3. To avoid rain coming into the dog house make the floor just a bit slanted toward the doorway and build the roof a little bit slanted, as well. Make sure the house is well insulated but you should not paint the inside.

4. In the United States most storms come from the south and west so make sure the dog house faces a different direction. Most dog house plans suggest that the dog house door faces east. The cold air will not be able to whip through the entryway then.

5. It is suggested that you put hinges on the roof of the dog house. This makes it easier for you to clean out your dog’s home. You should clean the dog’s house as often as you give your dog a bath.

If your dog lives outside then he deserves to have a comfortable place to sleep and get out of harsh weather. Hopefully these easy tips on building a dog house will help you get started.

Some Straightforward Dog Behavior Training

2008-10-21T17:43:00.001-07:00

One of the many things you have to deal with in bringing your pet into your house is the problem of dog behaviour training for destructive chewing

Dogs carry out destructive chewing for three main reasons, they are simply bored, they find it pleasurable to do so, or they find it helps get them through emotional times. The nearest human equivalent for which might be to consume a bar of chocolate!

Anything that gets in the way of this chewing normally ends up in poor state. Beware that your dog's mouth has a lot of sharp teeth in it which will chew into most things.

Chewing is most annoying when it is your own possessions that are the subject, always stop this behavior straight away.

How To Avoid Your Possessions Being Destroyed

The first tip for dog behavior training is to not place valuable objects in the way of temptation. If you have had a baby then you know all about making your house safe of loose items. Never put temptation in the way when it can be avoided.

In addition, when hiding things be aware of just how agile your dog is. Your dog can reach a surprising height when on its hind legs?

Consider that common targets in the home include books, eyewear, clothing, shoes, garbage, and small appliances like cameras, cell phones, and remote controls.

I am sure you do not need telling that food needs putting away securely. A sensible thing to do with food is to always make sure it is stored either in high cupboards or locked away in airtight containers.

The phrase prevention is better than cure applies to dog behaviour training too, if your dog is not given the opportunity to discover the delights of chewing a forbidden item then it is a lot easier for her to learn your house rules.

Never weaken your position by allowing your dog to chew items you no longer need, for instance old shoes. Once she has the taste do not be surprised to find shoes you care about being treated to the same destructive chewing.

Why not buy some doggy toys to show your pet what it is she can play with. Take a look around your local pet store for tough items such as rubber bones and balls etc. Buy a few and rotate their use as a way to keep your dog behaviour training interesting.

Some final advice on dog behaviour, when you catch your dog chewing something inappropriate be sure to interrupt her immediately and provide a suitable alternative and give lavish praise when this is accepted as a way of reinforcing good behaviour.

American Pit Bull Terrier Training: How To Train An Aggressive Dog

2008-10-20T16:14:00.001-07:00

American Pit Bull Terrier Training: How To Train An Aggressive Dog

Aggressive Pit Bulls can become a very serious problem if not dealt with in a proper manner. New laws exist that state if a dog bites or attacks someone, the dog’s owner will be held responsible and the dog put down. This is just another reason that Pit Bull owners should invest the time and energy to properly train their dogs.

There are many different reasons why a Pit Bull terrier may become aggressive. Here are a couple of the most common that I see:

- Your dog may feel that his territory is being invaded
- Your dog may feel threatened

When a dog exhibits signs of aggression, they usually come from a lack of confidence and feelings of insecurity. Basic obedience training won't solve your Pit Bull’s problem with aggressive behavior, the only solution is serious dog training. Keep in mind that an aggressive dog doesn't just bite, he barks and lunges at people as well and he could also attack another pet.

I would strongly recommend seeking the services of a professional dog trainer if you're having a real problem with aggression. Training an aggressive dog is a challenge and can prove to be expensive, but it is a small price to pay when you consider you'll be saving your Pit's life and possibly the life of some other animal or individual. To find a professional trainer who handles cases of aggression, contact your local veterinarian and ask for referrals.

Be sure that you do your homework and thoroughly investigate the schools which are recommended. Look at their facilities and learn what methods they use when training dogs. The last thing you want is for your Pit Bull to exhibit worse behavior after going through training school than when he first entered.

I applaud your decision to be a responsible Pit Bull terrier owner and have your dog trained. An aggressive Pit can halter the relationship that you have with him, hurt other people, hurt other animals, and give this fabulous breed a bad reputation. After it is all said and done, I'm certain you'll agree that having your Pit Bull trained was a fantastic decision!

A Guide To Dog Training

2008-10-19T08:08:00.001-07:00

A Guide To Dog Training

Before starting dog training, it is best that you know your options well. These days you can find many types of dog training, in many different places. These trainings vary in price and each one them has something different to offer.

The first type of dog training is known as puppy preschool. This is a dog training course meant for puppies that are about 6 weeks to 5 months old. These puppy preschool classes generally last for no more than 6 to 8 weeks. In these training sessions, your puppy is essentially taught how to socialize with people and as well as other puppies. Here your puppy also begins to learn how to sit down, stay at a place, and how to come.

The second type of dog training course is meant for the dogs that are at least 5 months old. This type of dog training is known as the basic dog training. The duration of these classes is usually about 8 to 10 weeks. This is the basic course, where your dog is taught the art of walking properly on a leash, sitting, staying, coming and heeling.

The third type of dog training course is known as the intermediate dog training. This dog training aims at teaching the dog mostly the same things that are taught in the basic training course, in a more detailed form. Here the dog is trained to stay for a longer span of time, and is also taught to follow the orders given by other people.

The intermediate dog training generally lasts for about 8 to 10 weeks, and is meant for those that are no less than 5 months old. It is essential for the dog to have completed its basic dog training course, or to be accustomed to the basic commands that could have been taught by the owner.

The next type of training course is known as the advanced dog training course. Here, once again, the course is quite similar to its previous one, i.e., the intermediate dog training course, except for the fact that this time it is more detailed. Here, the dog is taught how to sit even without you in the view.

This training course is about 8 to 10 weeks long, and is meant for those that have completed their intermediate training. Here, they are also trained to walk beside their owners without a leash. Moreover, it gradually prepares the dog to take the Canine Good Citizen training course. The Canine Good Citizen training for dogs is the last course. To pass this course, your dog will be taught the 10 necessary aspects.

This course is strictly meant for those dogs that have completed all the previous courses. The test is quite tough and can only be passed if the dog is really well behaved. Depending on whether your dog can pass, the course can last for several weeks.

Keeping this information in mind, you should be able to decide the dog training course best suited for your dog. However, you may seek the opinion of your local dog trainers to know more. Many trainers consult for free. So now you should be at least a step closer to introducing your dog into a training course!

Common Health Problems Of Cats

2008-10-18T14:13:00.001-07:00

Common Health Problems Of Cats

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.

In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.

Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.

A Look At the different Cat Breeds

2008-10-17T21:43:00.007-07:00

A Look At the different Cat Breeds

Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the beginning, they were used for one purpose - hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Now days, there are several different breeds of cats - which you can tell if you look closely.

These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries. There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history. Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat. Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper. Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions. Persian cats can be very expense, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.

Alley cats are the most common in North America. There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats. They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence. Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped. Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless - and have nothing to do but breed.

The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be. Some people choose to go by color, although color isn’t as easy to identify. Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats. Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their color and their eyes. Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair.

Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along. Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular. Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet - including dogs. No matter breed of cat you get - you’re sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.

Things To Know About Abused Cats

2008-10-17T21:43:00.005-07:00

Things To Know About Abused Cats

Cats that have been abused can appear severely maimed and damaged all over their exterior. Some may appear to be in perfect shape on the outside, although all of the damage they sustained may be internal or emotional. Even though physical damage is bad, emotional damage is much tougher to fix. Cats who have physical abuse will still answer to a soft touch and soft voice, as long as they know that the abuse has come to an end.

When you have a cat that has been emotionally abused, you’ll need to wait until the cat comes to you. You’ll need to use patience, as the cat will be confused and not know if you plan to hurt him or not. If you take your time and let him know that you are nothing to fear, he will eventually come to you. When he starts to come to you, you can let him sniff you and pet him. After a while, he will learn that he can trust you and he will come to you when you call him.

Yelling, raising your voice, or using disciplinary tools such as flyswatters or water guns the wrong way can lead to emotional damage. If you continue to use the wrong means of discipline on an emotionally damaged cat, the cat can become mean or lethargic. When a cat turns mean, it’s not always a bad thing. Meaner cats are easier to reach, as they still care a bit about what happens to them – while lethargic cats could really care less.

Cats that have become lethargic won’t play, take treats, or respond to anything you say to them. With a lethargic cat, the ideal way to get him to respond is to bring in a companion cat. Over time, a lethargic cat will eventually look for attention, normally a scratch or a pat. When this happens, you should always use a soft voice and snuggle with him. Never raise your voice at this point, and make sure you let the cat know that his behavior is a lot better.

You should make slow movements around a lethargic cat, as he is still quite traumatic. Once he is coming around and letting you touch him again, he is getting back to his normal self. Keep in mind that it may take some time, which is to be expected with this type of situation. If your cat starts to get upset again or if you raise your voice, he will hide again. If you continue to use a soft voice and have patience, your cat will eventually get past this. If you get a cat that is lethargic, you should prepare yourself for a long and very intensive healing period.

Angry or mean cats on the other hand, will either fight and scratch with you, or simply run away from you. With mean cats, the best thing to do is use gentle treatment with a soft voice. You can never try to raise your voice or use strict discipline, as it will only make the cat meaner. Never attempt to trap the cat either, as trapping it will only make the cat react. If you take your time and let the cat know that you are there for him, he will eventually calm down.

Abused cats are truly a sad thing, although they are out there. Abused cats can be a sad thing to see indeed, especially those that were physically abused. Abused cats need a loving home and a loving owner who will give them the type of lifestyle they deserve. Always remember that if you are dealing with an abused cat – you should always be as gentle as you possibly can.

Tips for training your puppies

2008-10-17T21:43:00.003-07:00

Tips for training your puppies

All of us dream of parenting the perfect dog, a pup that is a CGC or canine good citizen and is well behaved and dependable at all times. Well dreams do come true if the training is done with care and dedication. Remember pups learn from day one and need to be taught what is right, what is wrong, and proper socialization.

Pups are like children, they need constant supervision and training. Training a pup need not be an ordeal all you need to keep in mind are a few simple rules:

•   Until your pup learns you need to keep an eye on him at all times. When you cannot then you must crate him. Create a schedule for the pup this will help the pup settle down quickly. The schedule must include things like hourly bath rooming visits, eating times, rest periods, walks, play time, training, and so on. A pup that has a busy day has no time to be bored and get into mischief.

•   Teach the pup to respect you. Dogs live in packs and instinctively follow a leader. If you establish your leadership in no uncertain terms then training will become easy as the pup will obey you at all times and not challenge your authority.

•   Use only positive training methods. Never shout at, hit, or punish a dog. It is not just cruel but can lead to behavioral problems. Use of electric shocks, prong collars, sprays, and so on could hurt the animal.

•   Teach the pup “nothing in life is free.” This is a system that is widely acknowledged as a useful training tool. If you practice this, the pup will learn that to get something like love, a walk, or treat, he must behave well.

•   Teach the meaning of “No,” from day one. Do not encourage behaviors like jumping, mouthing, tug-o-war, barking, or running out of open gates and doors. Praise good behavior and ignore or walk away when there is bad behavior. The pup will learn that if he misbehaves he will loose his companion/playmate.

•   To correct a behavior you must catch the pup in the act and startle him by rattling a can of pebbles. Once you have done this make him correct his behavior and immediately offer him a treat and praise. Pups do not recall what happened earlier so scolding him after an event is of no use.

•   Always call/use his name positively. Never say “Bad TOM,” or “No Tom,” this will cause confusion and the pup will think that if you call his name then it is something bad. The pup must associate his name with happy events like hugs, petting, walks, treats, and such. If this happens he will come willingly when you call out his name.

•   Create a training schedule that is short and sweet say 10 minutes thrice a day. Long repetitive lessons can be boring and the pup will loose interest in learning. Make learning fun and use trick training to teach commands like sit, down, come and so on.

•   Bond with the pup and both of you will enjoy your lessons. The pup must look forward to spending time with you and not avoid you by running away or hiding. Be sure to socialize the pup early. Socialization is one of the most important lessons. The pup must learn to be around other animals, people, sounds, vehicles, and other activities. So, slowly introduce the pup when he is little to everyday activities and sounds. Take him to the mall/ park, introduce him to children and other pets, and make him unafraid of the vacuum and garden hose.

•   Learn all about crate training, leash walking, house breaking, as well as food training. These are kindergarten lessons that every pup must master. Know about all the idiosyncrasies as well as peculiarities of the breed this will give you valuable insights on how to successfully train the pup.

As a pet-parent you have many choices. You could choose to train the dog yourself or register at a professional training school. Training a dog has many stages: kindergarten, obedience training, doggy sports, showing and conformation, as well as other aspects like therapy dogs, hearing dogs, and so on. What level you choose to train depends on you as well as the learning abilities of your dog. As you know, different dog breeds like humans have varied talents. Choose well and both you and your pup will have fun times together.

5 Tips For Training Dogs Successfully

2008-10-17T21:43:00.001-07:00

5 Tips For Training Dogs Successfully

Training dogs is not a hard. You just need patience, dedication and some simple tactics and you will teach them successfully.

Here are five top tips on how to train your dogs successfully:

1. To avoid your dog getting confused and so that they can learn to recognize commands easily only one person should be responsible for training the dog initially. If too many people are trying to train the dog at the same time this can stop progress in its tracks.

2. You should use positive reinforcements. If the dog does something good, you should reward this behavior so that he will know that what he did was right. If the dog cannot understand or follow your commands, never push him. Dogs are not as intelligent as humans, they make mistakes. What you should understand is that they won’t easily understand your commands in just one teaching, it takes repetition to train a dog successfully. Do not scold your dog as he might develop fear which will hinder his learning and willingness to be trained. You can use treats in order to encourage your dogs, although don’t overdue it.

3. Teach commands one at a time. Try to teach him one command after the other. If he cannot absorb it, try to stay on that command only because adding additional commands will just confuse the dog. Start with the basics.

4. In executing commands, you should keep your voice cheerful so that the dog will happily follow your commands. Dogs will respond to a low and coaxing voice. If you shout out loud, he may become startled and unresponsive.

5. Train your dog in various places. If you keep your dogs in a certain place like your home, he will not be able to adjust with the environment new people. Take him to the park or through the neighborhood. This will help your dog associate with other dogs and people.

Training your dog can sometime be tough, but it will be worth it. In the end, you will be the one to benefit when your dog is trained. You don’t know he might even save your life one day and pay back everything you taught him.

Cats That Bite: What You Can Do

2008-10-16T09:38:00.001-07:00

Learning to bite and scratch is a main part of a cat's development. These accomplishments are especially essential for cats that live mainly out-of-doors, as they provide their sole means of defense. These two activities will also form the main staple of your cat's leisure time, playing out conflicts with toys, other cats or humans.

If you do not want to be bitten by your cat, the 1st rule of thumb is to train your cat not to bite your hands. If your cat thinks your hands are play toys, their little talons and fangs will soon grab hold of some skin.

However, if it is too late for that rule, there are some steps you are able to take to minimize the damage done from cat biting attacks.

First of all, as you train your cat to behave in new ways, you should trim his claws (don't declaw, as this is severely painful for the cat). This will take a lot of the razor-sharpness away and make your playful encounters less painful.

Once your cat grabs on to your hand, make your reaction known with a loud and firm, "Ouch!Don't scream, and don't pull your arm away quickly or your cat may think it is playtime and follow it again. Remove your hand slowly from his mouth after your determined "Ouch!"

Most of the time, your cat is scratching and biting because he is bored and would like to play. Using time set aside to play with a fun cat toy should help relieve boredom.

Aggression is an inherent aspect of your cat's predatory nature: behaviors like stalking, chasing, leaping, pouncing, swatting, and biting are all common displays, and are always a major component of any play session.

Usually, this does not constitute an issue: it's just how cats play, and catering to your cat's predatory behavior can be pretty fun. When your finished, your cat will give you a break so you can watch som Animal Planet on DirecTV.

American Pit Bull Terrier: Is It The Right Dog Breed For You?

2008-10-15T20:46:00.005-07:00

American Pit Bull Terrier: Is It The Right Dog Breed For You?

If you’re thinking about owning a Pit Bull terrier, it is important to understand the characteristics of the breed as well as your current lifestyle. Caring for a Pit Bull is a long-term commitment that needs to be taken seriously, not just a simple hobby that you participate in when time permits.

Unfortunately it is very difficult for many dogs to find a second home in the event that their owners “change their minds” and decide they don’t want a dog after all. The situation is even worse for Pit Bulls due to their reputation in today’s society.

Do you have the time and the energy to commit to a high energy breed such as a Pit Bull? Pit Bull terriers have very high exercise requirements and are happiest when they get plenty of play time.

If you are interested in owning a Pit Bull, you should possess a similar sense of adventure. A day at the beach, a park, or just playing frisbee in the backyard are all excellent things to do with your four-legged friend. These activities will also strengthen the bond between you and your dog and make ownership even more rewarding.

If you’re more of an inside person however and don’t enjoy exercising daily, you should seriously rethink your idea of Pit Bull ownership. There are many other excellent dog breeds that will probably be more suitable to your lifestyle and it isn't fair to penalize your dog simply because you are too selfish to get an alternative breed.

If you still are set on owning a Pit Bull, it is important that you begin training your dog as soon as you bring him home. Pit Bulls who aren’t properly trained can become more than a handful. On the other hand, a well-trained Pit can regularly impress others with good behavior.

6 easy ways to find a good dog training professional

2008-10-15T20:46:00.003-07:00

6 easy ways to find a good dog training professional

Finding a good dog training professional
With so many people advertising in the field of professional dog training today, trying to determine who's truly qualified to look after your dog can be overwhelming. What to look for when choosing a professional to help you with dog training :

1) A good reputation, ask around and get recommendations from your vet, other dog owners, or local kennel clubs.
2) Experience. - Inquire about their background, i.e. number of years experience.
3)A genuine love of and devotion to dogs.
4) Extensive and up to date knowledge. Dedicated trainers keep themselves updated by attending dog training and animal behaviour courses, conferences, seminars and workshops.
5) Their training methodology and handling skills. A good trainers first concern should be the dogs well being.
6) Memberships with reputable associations, organizations and training clubs.

General dog obedience tips

Training should be a positive and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. If you are not in the right mood for training, don’t even begin. Always reward your dog for obeying your commands promptly! A reward is anything that your dog wants and is willing to work for. Treats are an obvious reward but other rewards could be verbal praise and toys. Several shorter sessions are usually better than one long one. Training should not involve any negative components or punishment . There should be no shouting, no hitting or smacking, no chain jerking on choke chains or collars, and absolutely no electric shocking! Each training session should be enjoyable and positive with rewards for jobs well done.

Training with head collars
Pulling on the lead is one of the few unpleasant experiences of bringing up a new puppy or dog. Using a head collar for dog training has become very popular over the last few years. Training with a head collar does have some advantages over the traditional training collar. Although very simple to use, it is important that head collars are fitted correctly and your dog properly introduced to the collar. Head collars are generally more intuitive to use than a traditional training collar. Head collars are very effective when controlling dogs in difficult situations.

A look at Siamese cats

2008-10-15T20:46:00.001-07:00

An In Depth Look At Siamese Cat Breed

The exotic and somewhat mysterious Siamese cat hails from the country of Thailand. They had always been a popular breed of cats, some even residing in royal palaces. Siamese cats, in the past, were trusted to protect royal palaces and monasteries from evil spirits. These cats were also thought of as bringing good fortune to their owners as well.

During the year of 1884, the very first Siamese cats began to make their way to England, when they were given as gifts to a British general. After that, they eventually made their way over to America. Now days, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized of the breed. Siamese cats are without a doubt the most popular short haired cat and among the top 3 in the entire breed of cats.

Even though there are several different colors to this breed, some questions what makes a cat a true Siamese cat. These cats have always been known for their bodies which are lighter in color, with darker areas throughout. The more darker areas found on their bodies are normally around the feet, tail, legs, or face. They can weight anywhere between 6 - 16 lbs, with bright eyes that are normally slanted - which is another clue that the cat is a true Siamese.

Traditionally, Siamese cats are robust, with round heads and a truly muscular build. They are well known throughout the world for their color points and unique personalities. Unlike other breeds, Siamese breeds have a talent for communicating with people. If you are looking for a cat that is nice and quiet, you wouldn’t want a Siamese cat. These cats love to play, love to make noise, and they also happen to be the most social breed of cats out there.

Siamese cats demand a lot of attention, because in their minds, they believe that the world revolves around them. For this very reason, they can tend be quite dependant on their owners. They love to play, and crave interaction. If you leave them alone for too long, they won’t like it. They like to get attention, love to play, and hate to be left by themselves.

Even though Siamese cats are emotionally high maintenance, they don’t need a lot of maintenance They need a minimum amount of grooming, which involves bathing every once in a while, and brushing maybe once or twice a month. If you like cats with minimal maintenance, Siamese cats are perfect. Their hair is short to their skin, so a gentle brushing is all you need. They can get sick however, which is to be expected with any breed of cat.

Siamese cats have a life span that is similar to other cat breeds, which is normally around 15 - 20 years, sometimes even longer. As long as you feed him on a daily basis and take him to the vet for his regular checkups and shots, he will be around for years and years to come. Most people who have their Siamese cat for over 10 years, find the cat to be more like a child than a pet.

No matter how you look at it, a Siamese cat is a great pet. Although the Siamese cat breed does require a lot of attention, they are excellent pets that you can spend a lot of time with. They are great for kids as well, simply because kids can spend a lot of time with them. As long as you give your pet the attention he craves - he will be your life long friend for as long as you have him.

Cats And Ring Worm

2008-10-15T20:44:00.001-07:00

Cats And Ring Worm

Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that can be problematical in cat care. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any type of worm. It’s actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.

With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm cases. Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease. If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.

If you are caring for cats that are under a year old in your home, you should always use precaution, as they are more susceptible to ringworm. Kittens can easily contract the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside. They can easily come in contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease. Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more apt to get common disease such as ringworm.

The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the head or the paws. Ringworm can easily be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed. There will also be broken hairs around the patch of scaly skin. This area is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it will hurt your cat.

If you notice any of the above symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet. If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets. What he describes however, will determine on how serious the ringworm is. If he prescribes tablets as part of your cat care routine, you should give them with meals. Ointment on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat, topically. You should always use what your vet prescribes on a daily basis, to ensure that your cat heals. The healing process will take time, normally around six weeks or more.

Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as infectious. If you have children in the house, you should keep them away from your pet. Whenever you handle your cat, you should always use gloves. Ringworms are contagious, and you should always use caution. Even though it’s a mild disease, ringworm can result in serious problems due to the slow recovery time and fact that it’s contagious.

Things To Know Before Breeding Your Cat

2008-10-14T05:08:00.003-07:00

Things To Know Before Breeding Your Cat

The population of cats is the United States alone is unbelievable. Nearly all experts will tell you that you should spay your cat instead of breed it. No matter what experts have to say, a lot of people want to have a litter of kittens from their cat. Before you decide to breed your cat, there are a few things that you should think about.

The first thing you should know is that breeding cats takes time. For the next two months after the litter is born, you’ll need to clean the area on a daily basis. You’ll also need to watch over the kittens as well, and keep a close eye on how they are developing. If you plan to breed a litter of cats, you won’t have time for much of anything else.

Breeding cats will also require a good degree of space as well. If you have a small apartment, you shouldn’t attempt to breed a cat. You should also make sure that your family agrees with the idea, as it isn’t good for the kittens if you keep them locked up. Keep in mind that kittens like to see things; they’ll end up going all over your home as well.

Breeding cats also requires a degree of responsibility as well. You should always have a plan of approach, including homes for the kittens to go that you aren’t planning to keep. Keep in mind that things can change, someone who wanted a cat may change his mind once the litter is born. In this event, you must decide whether or not you can keep a kitten that doesn’t have a home.

Breeding also requires some education as well. You should be prepared for any problems along the way, as well as what takes place during birth. From cutting umbilical cords to delivering early, you’ll need to be well prepared. You should also have the proper supplies, and know how to handle things in the event of a c-section. You’ll also need to know what to feed pregnant cats, as their diets are very important if you are breeding.

Breeding will also cost money as well, with kittens costing a lot more money than you may think. The food isn’t the only thing that’s expensive, as the vet bills can also get expensive. Even though you may go through the entire pregnancy without going to the vet, you’ll still need de-worming and vaccination medicines as well.

In short, there is a lot to think about where cat breeding is concerned. If you have your mind set on it and you want to breed, you should be sure that you have the proper knowledge and everything you need before hand. You should always be ready to handle anything associated with breeding – and prepare yourself for the worst possible scenario.

Tips For Stopping Spraying

2008-10-14T05:08:00.001-07:00

Tips For Stopping Spraying

Anytime your cat backs himself up to a door or other object in your house, lifts his tail, and releases urine – you have a problem. This problem is known as spraying, and is very common with all the different cat breeds kept indoors. Even though it is a very annoying problem, it’s a problem that can be solved.

Contrary to what many think, spraying isn’t a litter box problem, but rather a problem with marking. Cat urine that is sprayed contains pheromones, which is a substance that cats and other animals use for communicating. Pheromones are much like fingerprints with humans, as they are used to identify the cat to other animals.

When a cat sprays something, he is simply marking his territory through his urine. The spraying is simply the cat’s way of letting others know that the territory is his. Even though it may make you mad and annoy you, getting angry with your cat will solve nothing. If you raise your voice or show angry towards your cat, it can very well result in more spraying.

No matter what the breed of cat, cats that are in heat are easily attracted to the odor of urine. For cats in heat, spraying is more or less an invitation for love. Often times cats that spray while in heat results in a litter of kittens that are born in just a few short months. Keep in mind that cats not only spray during heat, as some will also spray during encounters with other cats, or when they are feeling stressed.

Although spraying is a way of communicating for cats, the smell for people is horrible. The good thing here is that most cats will do a majority of their spraying outdoors. If you have an indoor cat that never goes outside, spraying can indeed be a problem. If you’ve noticed spraying in your home, you should take action and do something about it immediately.

The most effective and also the easiest way to stop spraying is to have your cat either neutered or spayed, which of course depends on the sex. Most male cats that have been neutered will stop spraying the same day they have the surgery. If you don’t want to get your cat neutered or spayed, you should look into other options. If you hope to one day breed your cat, you certainly don’t want to have him neutered or spayed.

The best thing to do in this situation is to talk to your veterinarian. He will be able to give you advice, and possibly even solve the problem without having surgery. There may be a medical problem present that is causing the problem, which your vet can identify. You should always do something about spraying the moment it starts – if for nothing else other than simply because cat urine stinks and it can leave stains all over your home.

A Look At Cat Breeds

2008-10-13T04:08:00.001-07:00

A Look At Different Cat Breeds

Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the beginning, they were used for one purpose - hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Now days, there are several different breeds of cats - which you can tell if you look closely.

These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries. There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history. Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat. Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper. Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions. Persian cats can be very expensive, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.

Alley cats are the most common in North America. There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats. They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence. Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped. Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless - and have nothing to do but breed.

The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be. Some people choose to go by color, although color isn’t as easy to identify. Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats. Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their color and their eyes. Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair.

Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along. Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular. Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet - including dogs. No matter what cat breed you get - you’re sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.

3 Important Things To Remember When Training Your Puppy

2008-10-12T20:13:00.009-07:00

3 Important Things To Remember When Training Your Puppy

There are as many ways to raise a puppy as there are to raising a child. In fact, one way per family in general! But most of us agree that when it comes to children, certain things are universal and undisputed. Here are three things that a lot of people just do not think of when it comes to raising their dogs, however. How many times have we heard, "My dog just won't listen to me", or "He just won't behave!"

1. Dogs do not understand English until we teach them.

The thing we all love about puppies the most is the way they live for us, the way they focus all they have on us, the way our lives become theirs. in the beginning, they study us to learn our body language, our facial expressions and our language. Until we teach them the English language, it's all they have. If we say, "Wanna go out?" one day, "Have to go potty?" the next day, and, "Hafta pee?" the third day, if they DO figure out what we want, it is because we have picked up the leash and moved toward the door with a happy face! If you want to speed up his training by three-fold, teach him YOUR language. Pick a command for EACH behavior and stick with it. Tell all in your family to use the same words and commands, and your puppy will amaze you at how much faster he learns.

2. A young puppy's metabolism is racing along faster than we think.

The younger your puppy is, the faster he is growing, the more food and water he needs to fuel his metabolism, and the more often he has to go potty. Do not punish your puppy when he makes a house-breaking mistake. These are YOUR fault. Your puppy's age in weeks and his breed size determine how often he must go out. Once an hour is not too often for a large 6-week old puppy, especially if it is summertime. Dogs love the exciting smells outdoors, so there is no excuse to not have him housebroken by 7-8 weeks of age. Right after a nap, after he eats and after grooming are the key times, and he will signal you. If he is happily chewing a toy and gets up suddenly with his nose to the floor, move quickly! And every time he goes potty outside, praise him to high heaven! "What a good BOYY!", "GOOD go potty!" and the like. Dogs love our happy faces, and they will do anything to get it.

3. Dogs live for our facial expressions and body language.

Because of this, the worst punishment you ever need to give your dog is a scowl and to turn away from him. You can see his tail fall down and his face get so sad. He will learn the lesson, I guarantee it. But his attention span is only 3-5 minutes, so do not scorn him any longer. Love him up and give him your happy face again. Physical punishment is never necessary. Use consistent commands and loving praise and he will know what you want of him before you know. He will become a master of your body language and facial expressions in no time at all.

Naturally there are many aspects of training your puppy well. Loving kindness works just as well for puppies as it does with children, creating a happy, well-adjusted and obedient dog for life. These three important tips, used consistently with confidence, will start him well on his way.

3 easy to teach dog tricks

2008-10-12T20:13:00.007-07:00

3 easy to teach dog tricks

To teach your dog tricks even easy ones you need to have some small reward treats, be in a quiet suitable place and keep the training sessions to 10 - 15 minutes or your dog will start to get board, remember when he gets something right lots of praise and a reward treat, just be careful not to get him over excited or he will loose concentration.

Getting your dog to give you his paw, first get your dog to sit, then as you say the word 'paw' take your dogs paw in your hand, give the dog a treat, repeat this, after a few times do not take his paw so quickly, say the word, count to one then take it, you should notice he is bringing his paw up as you say the word if he does not go back to saying it at the same time, do it a few more times then slow your response again. After 2 or 3 sessions most dogs pick this one up quite happily.

The high five, like a lot of tricks the high five is a progression of an earlier trick, in this cast the paw trick. Hold a treat in your fingers and raise your hand slightly higher than you would for the paw trick. You dog will think you want to do the paw trick and will reach for the treat with his paw as we taught him earlier, as he reaches up you say “high five” and give him the treat. Once your dog has mastered the paw trick this one should be very easy to learn and with just a few sessions he will be doing it on hand signal rather than voice control.

Getting your dog to jump through a hoop, before you start this one I would just like to ask you to be a little sensible and not hold the hoop too high as you do not want your dog to heart himself while doing the trick. Sit your dog on one side of a hoola hoop, get the dogs attention on your hand on the other side of the hoop take a treat in your hand and give the dog the command to release him from the sit, at first he may attempt to go around or under the hoop, if this happens start again, your dog wants the treat and will soon learn that going around or under does not get it so he will soon start going through it, when he does say hoopla and give him the treat. He will soon be jumping through the hoop on the command of hoopla. When I started doing this trick I had a medium sized dog (a Labrador) so I started with the hoop 6 inches from the ground and slowly raised it to waist height, if you have a smaller dog you might want to start with the hoop touching the ground so the dog just goes through the hoop and then slowly raise it as he gets used to the trick.

Do you Know How to Find a Good Priced Dog Training Collar?

2008-10-12T20:13:00.005-07:00

Do you Know How to Find a Good Priced Dog Training Collar?

Should you invest in supplies to train your dog?

Some people are willing to invest a lot of money and time.

It is perfectly okay to buy very expensive dog collars if you prefer doing so. However, you will find there are a great deal of choices for you to choose from that do not cost as much. Collars range anywhere from fancy fashion dog collars, studded collars to a wide variety of others. However, for some owners it is never practical to spend so much for an item that could be obtained at a lesser price and also have the basic functions needed.

If you have a dog with a lot of energy or is highly curious you can find it stressful to train them, as you learn to deal with all his behavior patterns.

After investing for your dog’s training without satisfactory results, many owners tend to cut down from spending too much on other things that contribute nothing to improving the behavior of the dog. One good example is the dog training collar.

For many owners it does not make much sense if the dog does not respond well to training to buy accessories, especially when the dog has begun nibbling on the corners of the dog collar. What is more important to remember is the improvement of the behavior and not really on how expensive or sophisticated the collar and other accessories look.

While dog collars are instrumental in gaining better control and correcting lesser unwanted dog behaviors, the expensive ones could still put a dent in the budget of the owner. To help stay within a manageable budget you don’t have to sacrifice quality because there are a lot of good functional collars that will work well without the high cost.

When shopping for the right collar you should also check its durability and functionality before you even begin to look at the price. It is a common mistake among buyers to use the cost as the basis for assessing the value, rather then basing it on the function and reliability.

Cost is a good margin for getting the right collar, but it should not affect the way one sees the item. You can find remarkable good dog training collars marked at an exceptionally good price. However, since it is tagged with a low price the buyer might immediately conclude that it does not perform well.

Don’t give into the mind set that pricing equals quality. People may think that the more money they spend will automatically mean that they are getting a better quality training collar for their dog. This usually happens but it is not always the case. So be sure to find the best bargains at their best prices.

If your collar is integrated with advanced technologies will obviously be more expensive. The popular electronic dog collar is a good candidate. Electronic dog collars can run in price range from $100 - $1000 depending on what options they come with. You can expect a lot higher prices when more advanced technologies are used in making the collar.

Dog collars can cost a few hundred dollars and many people find it very impractical to buy items with such outrageous price tags. So if you are someone wanting to be practical while trying to get a cheap dog training collar, it is best to do your homework.

Feliway Refills

2008-10-12T20:13:00.003-07:00

Now, you are easily knowledgable of Feliway, the cat pheromone creation that makes amazing things for ameliorating your cat's stress and changing a hectic home significantly more peaceful and stopping inappropriate urination, at least by the cats, that is! You've purchased a diffuser and now must have a Feliway refill so as to make the system wholly operational.

A Feliway diffuser refill unit is simply the essential oils distilled in a liquid form in a glass bottle containing the spray solution. These are mostly placed together in a 6 pack package, for bulk buying. When installed into the diffuser unit and plugged into a wall outlet, the element warms up in order to cause evaporation, diffusing through the room. Each piece can cover about 60 square feet. You should make sure they are not set behind curtains or furniture, since this will stop the evaporate from circulating throughout the place and eliminating the benefit desired from getting them period. Definitely be sure that the diffuser is open to the air because the heating element can end up quite warm and you should ensure this does not end up a problem. Used safely, they are quite beneficial to for animal health care issues.

Each Feliway refills package is designed to be good for a time of some 4-6 weeks. It's a helpful means to keep continuous circulation of the calming and soothing feline pheromones constantly circulating throughout your cat-friendly rooms. Use of a few different diffusers spread throughout any boarding facility will help to keep the kitten population contented, calmed, and unstressed, which helps keep you from going crazy. For this reason the 6 pack Feliway diffuser refill, which yields 288 milliliters total measure, and makes it simpler to buy and receive. It's much better to order in bulk, instead of finding it necessary to order single packages more often.

The vials are often sold combined with the diffuser, however it is quick enough to locate them available in onesies as well, if you already bought a diffuser and simply must get the Feliway diffuser refill by itself, or of course the 6 packs that are also quite typically available.

Caring For Persian Cats

2008-10-12T20:13:00.001-07:00

Caring For Persian Cats

These days, Persian cats are among the most popular of all the different cat breeds. Well known for their gentle and sweet personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features. They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very demanding. Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian breeds need very little attention.

Although white is the color normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in a variety of other colors as well. During competitions, they are divided into seven color divisions – solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan. No matter what color of Persian cat it may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long and flowing coats.

Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house, to protect their coat. If they travel outside, they can easily damage their coat. They will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which will lead to hairballs. You’ll need to bathe your Persian cat on a regular basis as well, to help protect his coat. Bathing works best when the cat is young, as it will get him used to it. Bathing should never be overlooked, as it will keep your cats coat looking clean and healthy. Although some breeds can maintain their coats on their own, Persians can’t. Their fur is long and dense and you’ll need to groom them daily to ensure their coat stays healthy.

The Persian breed is gentle and sweet, getting along great with everyone – including kids. They have a pleasant voice that is always good to hear. Using their voice and their eyes, they can communicate very well with their owners. They are very playful, yet they don’t require a lot of attention. They love attention however, and love being admired. Unlike other cats, they don’t climb and jump much at all. They aren’t destructive either; they just love being admired and lying around. A majority of the time, Persian cats love to bask in the sun and show others just how beautiful they truly are.

Although most breeds can be kept indoors or outside, Persian cats should always be kept inside and never allowed to go outside of the house. Keeping them inside with protect their coats and also keep diseases and common parasites away from them as well. You won’t have to worry about cars or dogs either if you keep your pet inside.
To ensure that your Persian pet stays healthy, you should always take him to the vet on an annual basis. If cared for properly, such as grooming, shots, and checkups, Persian cats can live as long as 20 years. One thing you’ll need to be aware of that’s common with Persians is their eyes. Their eyes are very big and can sometimes be too much for the cat to clean. This is a common healthy problem with the breed, and should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it doesn’t get out of control.

When you compare Persians to other breeds of cat, you’ll notice that the Persians are among the easiest to keep. You don’t have to worry about things like jumping or climbing, as Persians don’t like to do either. All you’ll need to do is feed your cat and groom him or him on a daily basis. Even though grooming can be quite a bit of work in the long run – it’s well worth it when you have a healthy an beautiful Persian cat.

'Sit Up' Buddy: Training Your Dog To Sit Like You

2008-10-11T12:44:00.001-07:00

'Sit Up' Buddy: Training Your Dog To Sit Like You

The trick of “sitting up” is easily taught to small dogs, but should try not be included in a big dog’s education, as it is difficult for them to preserve their balance.

The training of sitting up is one of the first tricks to teach and forms the groundwork for many other dog tricks. To train a dog to sit up, prepare some treats as a reward, and set your dog on his haunches in a corner, so that he cannot fall either backward or sideways and has very little or no space to lose balance.

Keep him from pitching forward by holding one hand under his chin and with the other hand hold the treat above his nose and keep repeating distinctly and deliberately say, “sit up.” Do not make him sit up too long at any one time, but repeat the lesson frequently and reward him often with plentiful of praise and treats.

During his first lesson he will require considerable assistance from your hand to prevent him from pitching forward, but as he gets control of the balancing muscles and understands what you want, he will depend less and less upon your hand to keep him in position and you can gradually render him less assistance until you will only have to keep one hand in position two or three inches from his neck or chin, so as to be ready to prevent him pitching forward; later on you can withdraw this hand entirely and simply hold the treat just above the level of his head.

By constant practice he will sit up well after you set him up; then he should be set up against the wall, so as to afford him a support for his back only, and after he has been well schooled at this and can keep his position easily, practice him against chair legs, cushions or other objects that afford him less and less assistance, until finally he learns to preserve his balance and sits up without anything to lean against.

During all these lessons the words “sit up” have been impressed upon his mind by frequent repetition, and now comes the final lesson to teach him to sit up as soon as he hears the words, and the chances are, if he has been diligently drilled, it will be necessary only to call him out in the room, show him a treat, hold it up a suitable distance from the floor, say “sit up” and he will do so, when he should be given the treat while still in position.

The only necessity to perfection is to practice him several times a day until he will sit up at the word and without being shown a reward; that can be given him after he has obeyed.

You have now a foundation for many other tricks. He can be taught to beg by moving your hand up and down just in front of his paws, which he will move in unison with yours. He can also be taught to salute by bringing one paw up to the side of his head, or to hold a wooden pipe in his mouth, or to wear a cap on his head or other articles of wearing apparel.

In teaching a dog to submit to being dressed up, do not attempt to get him to wear too many things at once; try him at first with a cap and after he becomes accustomed to that you can put on a coat and gradually accustom him to the other clothing articles.

Enjoy teaching your dog the “sit up” trick and most importantly have fun along the way!

Water Safety for Dogs

2008-10-11T12:43:00.001-07:00

Water Safety for Dogs

Many people love their dogs and take them with them everywhere they go. People who enjoy boating and want to take their dog with them should seriously consider purchasing a water life jacket for their dog. If you are like me, your dogs are just as important to you as your children. You would never let your small child near deep water without a life jacket on, and then the same should be said for your dog wearing a life jacket too.

Dog life jackets look like a waterproof dog coat, and allow your dog all of the freedom of movement that a regular dog coat allows them, so they can swim, or ride your jet ski or partake in whatever water activity you both enjoy. Dog life jackets also have a handle built in on the dogs back so that you can grab hold of it and pull your dog out of the water in an emergency.

A life jacket for your dog could very well save his or her life, and I would recommend that all dogs wear one when at the beach, lake or near deep water. Many dogs become distracted easily and this can create problems if they are on a boat or even a wharf, pier or jetty. They can be distracted by birds, other boats, surfers and any number of things that can cause them to accidently fall off the boat or pier. If that happens and they have a life jacket on, then you will be able to bring them to safety easier and faster or it will give them a better chance to swim to safety.

Dogs that love water also love to play in it and can get very excited while playing in or around it. Many dogs have drowned when playing in the water with a ball or some other item in their mouth. If they are preoccupied with the game and playing with you, they can end up getting into trouble because they get too tired. A tired dog can very easily fall victim to a strong current or a rip tide.

Wearing a dog life jacket will give you the time you may need to rescue your dog from a current or rip tide, or allow him to remain afloat to ride the tide back to shore. You can get a good dog life jacket by searching the internet for such items or you can even order one special from your local pet store if they do not already carry them in stock. Dog life jackets are available in sizes to fit all dogs.

Things to Know Before Considering a Career in Dog Training

2008-10-10T21:53:00.003-07:00

Things to Know Before Considering a Career in Dog Training

Some people choose a career in dog training simply because it is a popular choice, however, there are those who are really passionate about canines in a way that their life’s direction has led them towards loving dogs even more.

Do you fall in the category of people who pursue their career in dog training just because someone said it is a good thing to do, or, because you have fallen so in love with dogs and want to fall even deeper?

Back to Basic Principles

Before choosing a career in dog training you should know it not only requires a love for dogs, you also need knowledge about their basic behaviors, and you will need the skills on how to handle and discipline them properly. Experienced dog trainers have a good working relationship with many dog owners, dog handlers and of course their pets.

What is your "Dog Division"?

There are two types of careers in the dog world: the pet service training and the dog training. Both have relatively high demands in the market but there are a lot more opportunities in pet dog training than in service training.

Pet dog training usually involves dogs that function merely as pets and as companions therefore, most commonly they are taught obedience training, agility training, potty training and training to eliminate unwanted behaviors like barking and biting.

Dog Service Training is geared towards helping people with certain disabilities or working with people undergoing therapy. Some service dog trainers teach dogs to be search and rescue dogs such as the ever important police dogs or even hunting dogs.

Each of these take a large amount of dedication and patience on the trainers part as they are very intense fields of specialize divisions.

Understanding of Canine Psychology

Learn all about dog behavior - their thinking, their behaviors and their reaction to stimulus. Training adheres to conditioning the thinking of the dog to make specific responses. Trainer should understand the basics of associative conditioning.

What about Dog Training Education?

Careers in dog training require you have the skills to train and handle dogs. Currently today, there are no colleges or universities that offer the ability for people to get degrees in dog training. The good news is that there are dog ’academies’ or ’schools’ that provide the basic training you will need. Often, the best dog trainers are often self taught and have natural inclination to dog handling.

Some people learn by practical experience while others just have a certain natural talent with dogs. You can also find a number of dog training organizations or books with great techniques on training dogs.

A good dog trainer works with both the attitudes of people and dogs

Dog training involves training the handlers of the dog as well Therefore if you are pursuing a career in this field, it is very important that you have good people skills and that you can tolerate all types of people.

There are impatient owners who expect fast learning from their dogs, and they are reluctant to taking advice openly, however, others are relatively open to suggestions. During your career in dog training you will be working with both types of dog handlers and many other personality types too. So as you can see, a good dog trainer will not only be working with dogs but with their owners and handlers too.

Dog training is not limited to "training" alone; there are also certain aspects that you should be knowledgeable of, like the maintenance of proper dog hygiene, nutrition and grooming.

Having a vast knowledge of what accessories to use and training aids that are available will help during dog competitions. You will also need the ability to distinguish different types of dog breeds and know what the fundamental differences are.

You don’t have to be a master in dog training to be an excellent trainer; you only have to develop certain skills necessary in working with dogs and their handlers, by using sufficient knowledge on theories, then have the capacity to use them in a practical way.

The Miniature Poodle

2008-10-10T21:53:00.001-07:00

In general, poodles are dogs that love fun and have a nice reserved temperament, if you need to have a pet that your family will love, then you might want to consider getting a miniature poodle. Read on and find out more information on the miniature poodle and use these as guides for making your decision in addition to knowing what you can expect when you bring the miniature poodle home.

Concerns

There are a few concerns that you may have about owning a miniature poodle and one of them is grooming. The poodle's hair tends to be curly and thick, so it will be necessary for you to make sure that your poodle puppy is groomed regularly or as often as possible. For puppies the standard grooming cut is normally short hair all over the body, and this may need to be done every month so that your miniature poodle looks great. The colors of the miniature poodles vary from brown, white, black and cafe-au-lait, and these are on many occasions displayed in the pet stores. In addition to this you can also have your poodle's coat temporarily dyed for special occasions or events. These can come in a variety of colors like apricot, red, blue, gray or silver which are the normally accepted colors for poodle coats. Such coloring or dyeing normally do not damage the miniature poodles hair.

Learning about your dog's temperament is also ideal before you buy your miniature poodle. You may have to socialize your dog as a puppy, since poodles tend to be very reserved when dealing with strangers. Miniature poodles tend to bark a lot as well, which means that will do a good job of alerting you if something goes wrong in the home. In most cases, your dog will like to play with children, but some poodle varieties can be a little high-strung, so try to see the parents or even grandparents of the puppies you are considering before taking them home. Your miniature poodle will also be great at learning tricks in most cases, which means you can entertain family and friends.

The life span of a miniature poodle is relatively long compared to other dogs, so it will be essential for you to look out for any genetic issues that could possibly arise. Cataracts are common problems that occur in all varieties of poodles, and blindness could be caused by retinal atrophy, so you need to regularly take your miniature poodle to the vet to be checked up for vision and nervous system problems. Often it may also be necessary for your pet to be checked for you ear infections and runny eyes. Finally, the poodle's skin tend to be very sensitive, for example skin rashes and allergies may occur with the use of certain shampoo or dyes, and in addition the use of clippers may also cause skin conditions to occur.

For more great information on how to care for your miniature poodle, visit www.petguidelines.com.

10 Items To Be Avoided In Dog Food

2008-10-08T15:41:00.003-07:00

What dog foods and food ingredients should you avoid feeding my dog?

Are you concerned about the health of your dog? I compiled a list of 10 foods and ingredients which you should not feed your dog.

1. You should not give chocolate to your puppy because it contains the alkaloid theobromine, caffeine which is toxic to dogs.

2.. Dog’s digestive system can not digest the protein and sugar in dairy products. Hence you should not feed dairy products like milk, cream, butter, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, whey, sour cream, kefir, casein, and ice cream.

3. Dogs are very sensitive to oils so always avoid the same. Even you should be extra careful before you apply oil to dog for aromatherapy or massage.

4. There is a recent report regarding toxicity due to grape and raisin ingestion so avoid them.

5. Some houseplants are toxic so you should avoid houseplants till you train your dog properly on chewing. If you like, you can provide a pot of fresh wheatgrass for safe nibbling.

6. You should avoid onions and garlic because they might irritate the gastrointestinal system.

7. Salmon poisoning is an infectious disease caused by a rickettsia that uses a parasitic fluke on salmon as a host. It can cause serious illness and death.

8. Soy contains compounds that may harmfully affect dogs by interfering with nutrient absorption, normal growth, thyroid function, and hormonal development.

9. Sugar comes in many forms, including beet, raw, brown, cane, fructose, corn sweetener, corn syrupdextrin, dextrose, glucose, lactose, maltose, barley malt, molasses, honey, and maple syrup. Sugar in any form should be avoided.

10. Most dogs can not tolerate Yeast. Yeast may cause allergic reactions, bloating, digestive and urinary problems.

Commercial dog food you can use?

Preparing dog food is not the simplest of solution because the nutrition needs for puppies and dogs are quite different from ours. The most recommended solution is to find a dog food that contains only human-grade, natural ingredients.

Flint River Ranch offers dog food that is prepared under controlled conditions, resulting in a food that is easily digested, and has a high degree of absorption of vital vitamins and minerals. Flint River Ranch dog food is a premium quality pet food that your dog will love and keep them healthy.

Dog Crate Training

2008-10-08T15:41:00.001-07:00

Crate Training For Dogs

To begin crate training your dog you need to let them get used to it before locking them inside. You could walk away from him or watch him as he calms down inside. If he shows any signs of protest, you should not let him outside. Be patient and let him calm down and then you can let him out. You will need to do this process several time until they learn to enter and leave the crate by themselves.

Many people protest against crate training a dog because, according to them, it is similar to solitary confinement. Still, the benefits to crate training your dog mentioned in this article, and several other benefits that we will not take the time to explore, show this to be a good method for both the owner and their dog.

People who take the right approach to crate training puppies will help their dog or puppy realize it to be a safe place for them to rest and not something to fear.

Crate training is based on the instinct of the dog to find some security with den nesting places that are isolated from all distractions. Dens are what dogs naturally seek for in a home. Your dog will respond well to your patience and use of correct techniques when training them to use the crate.

Benefits of Using a Crate

a) There are times when you can not let your dog run around freely and a crate is a great way to keep them with you, while controlling them at the same time.

b) The dog will feel relatively safe inside the crate especially when located in places where they are most vulnerable.

c) They would have a place for solace when they wanted to rest or when feeling under stressed where no one could bother them.

d) A crate could also be used to limit dogs with problem behaviors.

e) Puppies respond well to crate training as a way to teach them potty training skills and what not to chew on or to not bite people.

f) If your dog has separation anxieties, once they become familiar with their crate they will be able to calm down better.

g) Another advantage is that it keeps the dog safe whenever you bring him outside the home.

h) Dogs feel safe and secure inside their own familiar crate.

i) Crates could enhance training by giving the dog a better sense of direction for routine activities.

Size Does Matter

You will need to choose a crate that allows the dog enough room to stand up and lie down comfortably, without him hitting his head or body against the walls or door all the time. It is also important to know that if you plan on traveling you will want to consider purchasing a slightly larger crate.

However, when a crate is used for just training purposes, they do not need to be so large that the dog can move around in it and maybe do something undesirable inside it.

How to introduce the crate to the dog

Once you feel your dog is ready for the crate, that is the best time to introduce them to it. After buying the right crate, you could place it somewhere in the house where it would catch the dog’s attention. The first week you should remove the door and just let him explore it at his leisure.

If he does not show any sign of interest, try leaving some of his favorite treats inside. Once he becomes more familiar with the crate, try feeding your dog inside it. This will condition his mind that the crate is for him and he can safely go inside it without fearing any harm.

Are spot-on treatments the best flea treatment for your pet?

2008-10-07T03:03:00.001-07:00

When a flea hitches a ride on your cat or dog, you have big problems about to happen. The life cycle of a flea takes no time for the little pest to produce eggs that soon have your home infested with the biting insects. Your pet is miserable and covered in the little creatures, and you and your family might even find yourselves with flea bites on your ankles or stomach.

Then it’s on to Project Deep Clean. Your whole house is going to have to be treated, with special attention to the areas that your pet loves the most. Your sofa will need to be sprayed, your bedding washed, your carpets steam cleaned and your pet washed and treated with insecticidal products. The house will end up being spotless, but you’ll have spent a great deal of time, money, and effort and there will probably be a lingering odor of chemicals. Joy.

Spot-on treatments can be the best, easiest prevention method to these flea headaches. These small vials carry a product that you apply to your pet’s skin once a month. The liquid covers a small spot and then your pet’s natural movements distribute the product over the animal’s body for flea prevention. If your pet has long hair or lives in an area prone to fleas, spot-on treatments are the way to go.

The packages are color coded so you can choose the one right for your pet’s type and weight, reducing the risk of misapplication. However, spot-on flea treatments are in fact chemicals so it is important not to be complacent and to exactly follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. If you do not, you could give your pet an overdose making him very sick.

As pesticide treatments go, spot-on flea treatments are more effective than flea collars which just tend to treat the fleas around the neck and work for a limited time only. Powder can be messy and there is no way of avoiding it becoming airborne and breathing it in, which to say the least is unhealthy. Sprays also are breathed in by their very nature and animals can resist spraying, particularly cats.

However, pesticides are still pesticides and if they can be avoided they should be. Spot-on flea treatments are recommended for animals with severe flea allergies if nothing else has worked because the consequence of the allergy is worse than the risks associated with chemical exposure. Topical flea treatments enter your pets’ bodies through the skin and go to the liver and kidneys before the intestines. Exposure such as this to chemicals has the effect of weakening an animal’s immune system and they may be more vulnerable to health problems as a result.

Sometimes simple, effective and easy is still not the best way. It is important to choose a flea eradication method that is also safe. Take some time to learn about the alternatives available to you before exposing your pet unduly to chemicals.

Find out more about removing fleas from your pet and your home at kill fleas now

Three Principles on Dog Obedience Training

2008-10-06T05:06:00.005-07:00

Simple Principles in Dog Obedience Training

Even dogs with some of the best well breeding or dogs that are well adapted to humans still need some basic obedience training, because these skills are not something they pick up on their own. Obedience training requires the use of some principles which differentiate effective training, from training without results. Principles to Learn:

Principle One: CONSISTENCY

The first rule in obedience training is to be consistent. You need to be consistent in the words you use, the tone they are spoken in and the actions that accompany them. Before you begin training you will need to come to an agreement with the dog owner on what it is they are wanting the dog to learn and how to accomplish it.

For example saying the word "come", does not make any sense to a dog. It is only reasonable to conclude if he does not understand the way humans are, then he does not understand our language. It is important to make the training effective, by being very consistent in attaching the same voice tone, body movement or hand jester with every command that is given to your dog.

Another example would be, if you are using the command "come", make sure that everyone in the household use it in a same type of manner. When using the word command, "Come", you should work with the dog to understand this means to approach the giver of the command. When you are using this command be sure not to use any signals or body movements that would be confusing to the dog.

Don’t be deterred in your training efforts if the dog does not come to your right away, be patient and don’t force or scold him. If you punish the dog over and over after giving the command they will begin to associate the word with the punishment. The dog will not want to follow the same command because in his mind it leads to punishment.

Consistency also covers the use of the same dog commands by all people. For example, if you are using the command "come", other people in the household should not replace it with words like "here" or, "come here boy".

Second Principle: Keep It Short

Both the amount of time you spend training and the words you use as commands should be kept short. Keep in mind that the attention span of dogs is very short and that getting them engrossed with a specific activity can be very hard, if not impossible. Puppies usually react to a specific stimulus, but not for a very long time, they may begin to chase a moving toy, and quickly lose interest, then move on to the next thing.

They simply don’t possess the same amount of interest they had when they started the activity and they become easily bored. The same thing happens in training therefore, it should be limited only to 10 minutes to 15 minutes of regular training.

Third Principle: No Punishment or Force Allowed

A trainer should never hurt the dog in any way, you should make it a goal to have the training be a positive experience for all involved. Also, never force the dog to follow the command if he is not prepared for, or punish a dog for something he did during training that he did not understand.

Don’t push the animal too hard while dog training. A good trainer realizes dogs do not learn things instantly and so they are very patient and show understanding towards the animal they are working with. All he knows is that you are mad.

So do not use force as this does not communicate your meaning properly, instead gives a negative reinforcement. If he knows that he is praised when he does something right, he should not be praised when he does not follow a command.

Cats With A Kindney Problem Should Be on A Cat Kindey Diet

2008-10-06T05:06:00.003-07:00

Does your cat have a kidney problem? Then you are not only going to need to learn more cat information in general so that you can comprehend the animal better but as well you are going to need to produce a proper feline kidney diet.

By changing your cat to a feline kidney diet you are making sure that your cat is receiving all the nutrition they require to strive. A feline kidney diet needs to include special vitamins and minerals than you do not generally get in a regular feline diet because there are kidney problems.

Where to begin

To understand what is going to help your cat and what dietary changes it will require you need to understand the cat. Cats are naturally carnivores, and the greatest way to formulate a feline kidney diet plan is to make sure to comprise foods that the cats would eat out in the wild, as this is where they initially come from.

The next step is where it gets tough. You are going to need to understand how to read a pet food ingredient label, so you can make sure that you are selecting the correct food for your cat. The current labeling system for pet foods is gravely deficient in functional information and looking at the list of ingredients will tend to give an imperfect picture of what is in fact in the food in terms of the quantity of each ingredient.

Even though you may have heard different, the majority if not all of the so-called prescription diets that are sold in veterinary hospitals are not formulated for most favorable health of a carnivore. Most people believe that corn, wheat and soy should be included in a cats diet but this is not true.

If you want your cat to live a long healthy life, you are going to need to make sure that they are eating all the right foods. Drinking enough water and getting enough exercise is as important as having a proper feline kindney diet.

You will want to do as a great deal investigation of your own, so that you can find out more about cats in general and as well about your cat in particular, what their health problems are and what you can do to obtain care of them and get them to a most favorable condition of health.

Got Fleas? 7 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Them

2008-10-06T05:06:00.001-07:00

Fleas are pesky critters that can transmit a variety of diseases and illnesses and make life miserable for your pet as well. Getting rid of these pests is essential for a healthy, happy home for all of its two-legged and four-legged inhabitants. Here are seven easy ways to prevent and control the flea population around your house.

Prevention is Key
The best method in the fight against fleas is preventing an infestation in the first place. Since they thrive in heat and humidity, be sure to check your pet frequently during the hotter months as well as in the fall or autumn. Another critical preventative measure is keeping your yard trimmed and free of weeds and to keep the foliage pruned as much as possible. It’s also wise to wash the pet’s bedding in very hot, soapy water on a weekly basis as this is the most likely site for flea eggs and larvae.

Keep an Eye on Your Pet
It should go without saying that it’s necessary to watch your pet for commons signs and symptoms of a flea infestation. Keep an eye out for excessive biting and scratching, particularly around the tail and lower back areas. Watch for raw patches of skin where your dog or cat may have been scratching at fleas for some time. Another bit of evidence is “flea debris,” specks of dried blood that are black in color.

Ask for a Professional
Consult with your pet’s veterinarian for their thoughts on flea control. They can recommend a few treatment options for you to decide which would be best for your particular situation.

Flea Collars and Powders
If you have caught the problem relatively early, it may be possible to eliminate fleas by simply using flea collars and powders. There are several brands and types to choose from, and many contain a special comb with fine teeth that is designed to remove fleas from fur.

Flea Baths
It’s helpful to bathe your pet frequently using a specially formulated soap or treatment. It’s necessary to take into consideration the type of fur or coat your pet has when bathing. This is particularly true for dogs as some breeds have essential oils that shouldn’t be washed away with soap and water more than once or twice a year. If bathing in a flea bath isn’t an option for your pet, consult your vet for other alternatives.

Monthly Medication
There are pills available for your pet to take on a monthly basis that will prevent fleas from reproducing, but they do not kill the ones that have already reached adulthood. There are also multi-purpose medications and products available that are designed to prevent fleas from reproducing as well as controlling heartworm, hookworms, whipworms and roundworms.

An Unconventional Method
This simple home remedy is touted by many as a sure cure for a house infested with fleas. At nighttime, simply fill a few bowls of plain water and place them underneath a lit flashlight. It is said that the fleas will be attracted to the light, jump into the water and drowned.

Get more information about how to get rid of fleas from kill fleas now

Building the Perfect Dog: The Golden Labrador Retriever?

2008-10-05T21:14:00.001-07:00

Lots of people have known for a long time that certain crossbreeds of dogs are an improvement on each of the original breeds. It's a question of finding which breeds cross best with other breeds. Many of these crossbreeds end up becoming considered pure breeds themselves. The Golden Labrador Retriever is an example of this, bred from Labrador and Golden Retrievers. Even at an early age, they readily show the best of both the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever.

The Best Dog?

Both Labrador and Golden Retrievers are dogs that really love to be around people and are eager to please. Keep in mind that not every one is alike, and improper training will always make for a rowdy, fearful dog (regardless of breed), but on the whole, a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is a born people pleaser. They are fascinated by people and seem to easily bond with them. They also have a lot of strength and stamina, which comes in handy for service and search and rescue dogs.

Great Dogs For Helping the Blind

According to service dog experts and charities that train seeing eye dogs in England, the best dog for the job is a Labrador/Golden retriever crossbred. There is an excellent breeding program run in England by Guide Dogs to raise dogs to be seeing eye dogs. A Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is first tested at about eight weeks of age to see what his personality is like.

Their training never really stops. Often times the puppies will fail their training and be put up for adoption as a pet. It costs about $70,000 US Dollars to take a Golden Labrador Retriever puppy and turn it into a specially trained service dog. They work until old age or illness forces them to retire, and then they are placed in care homes for the remainder of their days.

Other Facts

Although many online Labrador puppies information web sites will say that a Golden Labrador is always yellow, this is not true. Every now and then there is a black or chocolate Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy born. You can register your Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy with the American Canine Hybrid Club.

Each day, there is a newborn Golden / Labrador Retriever puppy who makes that first step to being a specially trained service dog. They all can rescue us from ourselves and our selfishness and help give our souls back to ourselves.

Popular Commands for Dog Training

2008-10-04T21:09:00.007-07:00

Dog Training Commands One of the first commands to teach your dog is to "Come". Next you can teach them to "Heel".

We are often awed at watching fine bird dogs in movies and in action. These finely trained bird dogs never fail to heed their owners’ commands. When you see them perform you may begin to ask yourself, how did they do that? Perhaps bird dog training can bring out the best in you dog.

Training them to be a bird dog will bring out the best in your dog if you are willing to work consistently with them.

There are some breeds that have a natural lineage, giving them the ability to becoming a good bird dog. Teaching them to obey basic commands is the best place to start. Professional dog trainers know how very important it is for dogs to understand what it is their owner wants from them. In this type of training, there are main commands that should be mastered by both the owner and the dog.

First is for them to learn the "Stay" command.

The most basic command is "Stay"

As the dog follows these commands completely, it is a clear picture on how obedient and respectful he is to his master. Complete obedience is shown by obeying the command no matter how far the distance is between the giver of the command and the dog.

Using the command ’Whoa’ or ’Easy’ is very useful for dogs that get excited about flushing out birds, because they may begin to get out of control, and start mouthing or playing with the birds. Once they obey your command it would be good to go to him and praise or reward them for a doing a good job.

Commanding them to ’Come’

This is a simple command used to train your dog to come to you every time you give it. The uses of this command are rather simple. Say for example, retrieving would be a lot easier if the dog would come to you the instant you tell him to do so. Some dogs can be stubborn and may want to play or even begin to go off in another direction. Giving this command will help cut down on the distance between you and your dog in case he decides to do things his way.

The ’Heel ’Command

If you want your dog to walk by your side, the right command to teach your dog is, ’Heel’.

Another command that is often used after the ’Heel’ command is the one word command ’Ok’ or to ’Go’. This will let him know that he has performed favorably and he is again allowed to hunt for you.

Each and every time your dog performs correctly for you as he was instructed, always reward or praise him generously. Dogs are born with the desire to make their owners happy. When you begin to reward your dog in this way, let him know he is behaving correctly and that you want him to continue that type of behavior. Over a period of time, he will learn to do the same actions for which he was rewarded and praised.

Bird dog training is not easy. This is the reason why there are not many bird dogs around. Always be confident that your dog can become a fine hunter if you do what it takes to make him successful, by showing him patience in teaching him to obey basic commands.

Dog Training Secrets

2008-10-04T21:09:00.005-07:00

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By Jim Nettleton

If you’re as much of a dog lover as I am, you’re well aware that a dog plays a special role in a home. He is part of the family. Just as we train and teach our kids, we should also teach and train our dog. It is a proud feeling to have a dog that is well mannered and obedient. The dog appreciates it too, knowing that he’s pleasing his human friends. It does not come naturally for them to obey. Hence, they need to be shown, through firmness and kindness, but never through physical pain. Never, ever hit or smack a dog as it will only make them more nervous or aggressive, not to mention that it’s cruel. Instead you need to have a lot of patience and perseverance as well.

Whether you decide to train your dog yourself, with the guidance of someone else, or a handbook training course, please remember the most important thing - any type of action has to be done again and again. It is only when it is repeated that he will get the hang of it. Humans aren’t the only species that is forgetful, dogs are too. They need to be reminded often and instructions need to be repeated again and again. But once he is trained, he will hardly need any instruction again. The training will be permanently imbedded. He will be well behaved and will possess a good temperament. Everyone loves a dog that follows its master's commands and is well behaved. For in depth training information, visit my training site through the link in my resource box below.

Also when you train him, make him understand who is boss. Dogs have a tendency to take over and try to be the boss, if they realize that the owner is not taking the initiative. Training together also brings you both closer together and strengthens your relationship. There are many good schools in case you want to send him elsewhere to be trained. It is this training that could save his or yours. It is when a trained dog knows what to do, that he will salvage a situation. It is also every important to understand his speed of learning and his overall ability to learn, as many dogs possess varying levels of those qualities. And if you want him to be well trained, then understanding his feelings and taking them into consideration is a big part of the package.

Many training regimens are good for the dog in many ways. Fetching, for example, gets your dog much needed exercise. The dog also enjoys it because he recognizes it as play and, therefore, fun. Truth be told, it’s fun for humans, too. And we as a group can also certainly use the exercise.

About the author:

Jim Nettleton is a radio and TV professional and a lifelong dog lover. Visit his training site at: http://www.jaynetinc.com/DogTrainingSecrets.

Senior Dog Diets-Just Why Are They So Very Important?

2008-10-04T21:09:00.003-07:00

You hate to admit it, but your furry pal is getting a little older. You want to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy for many years to come. You have heard all of the hype about the new dog diets for older pets. Is there really a difference between dog food for adult dogs and kibble recommended specifically for seniors? How do you know when to switch your pet to a different diet?

The best resource for advice about dog diets is your pets vet. Only you and your trusted vet know the particular needs of your pet. Talk with your vet about any concerns and questions you may have. Your will vet help you with any changes, that is if any, need to be made to your dogs diet.

If your senior dog does not have any health troubles and keeps a healthy weight, then there will be no need to change your dogs diet from adult to senior dog food. But, on the other hand, if your dog has trouble keeping there weight down or digestive problems, you may need to switch diet. If weight is the only problem, then consider lowering the amount of dog food you give to your pet. This may be all the change your dogs diet needs.

A senior dog is classed as a dog in the last third of their life. Larger dogs, such as Great Danes, live to be about 9 years old. When they reach the age of 9 years old, you may want to think about a senior dogs diet. On the other hand, a Poodle will not reach senior status until about age of ten, this is due to the longer life expectancy. The decision to alter your dogs diet should be based on there health condition, rather than there actual age in years. Your vet will help you to decide when the right time is to change your dogs diet.

Dog food especially prepared for senior dogs typically has less calories. This helps to combat any weight issues. The senior dog food also contains more fiber for the different needs in your dogs diet. As dogs age, they tend to suffer from constipation, this extra fiber will help remedy this problem.

Renal failure can be a health problem for senior dogs. How can your dogs diet help with this problem? Cutting down the amount of protein in your dogs diet will decrease the work load of the kidneys. For the most part, this is the reason, senior dog food often has lower protein content than regular adult formulas.

You should when possible, give your dog to eat dry dog food to encourage excellent dental health. Dry kibble helps to reduce plaque and any tartar buildup. If your senior pet rejects the food dry, then try moistening it with water or you could the purchase moist canned varieties.

When your vet recommends supplements may be a help as part of your senior dogs diet. It Is because, some pets are unable to eat properly due to dental problems. many other older pets are not able to gain all of the nutrients from their food, this again is for various health reasons. Supplements such as, vitamins given everyday and glucosamine can be a great help to maintain a healthy diet for your dog.

Glucosamine helps joint health. For senior dogs, glucosamine can help to fight arthritis and hip displasia.

Vitamins C, A, and E, help reduce the natural aging process and encourage better health for senior dogs. You should talk to your vet about adding such supplements to your dogs diet.

We all want what is best for our pet. Your senior dog should have a diet that meets their nutritional needs. You and your vet should work together to determine what is the best diet for your senior dog. Your dogs diet will directly affect their health. Take care of your pet by supervising your dogs diet closely with the help of your veterinarian.

For further free information try visiting Free Dog Diet Tips

Hairballs and Prevention

2008-10-04T21:09:00.001-07:00

As a pet friend probably you probably are knowledgable of a every day issue that targets cats: cat hairballs. But what are you aware of a hairball's symptoms, root causes, and reliefs?

What Causes Cat Hairballs?

A hairball is caused by the tough exterior of a feline's tongue yanking out free hairs during the process of cleaning themselves. The hair is then ingested and drawn into the digestive tract. Typically, this hair would not get digested, but would get pooped out when the kitty uses the litter box or goes outside. After all, cats are killers, and are evolved to be able to accept ingesting fur, like from any poor rat it catches. When hair congeals into a ball, the kitty will certainly end up with the messy experience of vomiting it back up. In some situations however, this might not happen and it might become stuck inside your cat, potentially causing serious health concerns.

Hairball Health Concerns

Cat hairballs are a hassle all by themselves, but can also induce many related problems, quickly growing dangerous if not expelled or cured promptly. Aside from the open and unpleasant puking, of course, the unexpelled hair can precipitate digestion problems and constipation. Your cat well could cease eating and become lethargic as the hairball multiplies in size, while they are still unable to expell it. Their guts can bloat and this can certainly create many kinds of harmful problems that you'd not like to be stuck with. This condition could even end up requiring surgery to remove the hairball, which is a dreadfully large financial impact and imperilment to your pet, certainly considering the simplicity of preventing it in the first place. Left untreated, it could end up in a fatal illness.

Curing Hairballs

Cats instinctively try to self treat by throwing up. They can do this by consuming grass, which often makes cats to vomit due to the irritating fiber content. Other ways to treat cat hairballs use petroleum or mineral oil based products intended to lubricate the intestinal tract so as to ease the natural elimination of the hairball. Products such as cat Laxatone or Petromalt have been created to eliminate hairballs in cats. They are a semi-solid crème that you give your kitties before meals. This moves the impediment through the system and would also be helpful to ease non-hairball induced constipation in addition. They tend to be available in a cornucopia of flavors like tuna or catnip flavoring. One dose each day for two to three days, and your issue should be solved.

Prevention of Hairballs

Hairball prevention is achieved by certain different means, some of them complementary. One is a half dose of Laxatone or Petromalt two to three times per week. Cat Laxatone comes highly approved by vets and pet owners alike. There are specific "hairball prevention" diets available. A large degree of hairball prevention is to be sure correct grooming. Always brush your short-haired cats but comb your long-haired felines regularly. They adore it and it's a super means to spend time being sure your feline stays happy and healthy.

Western Saddles - Used Is Good

2008-10-03T08:23:00.005-07:00

horses for sale

If you are looking for good, highly quality Western saddles, then the best place to go would be the markets where there are horses for sale, as well as pre-owned horse tack supply items. You should be able to find some great used saddles and to choose the one that suits the horse and yourself the best. Pay very close attention to the fit of the saddle, as this is what matters when you ride; if it is too loose or too tight, leave it. Go for soft buffed, used leather that not only looks good but also is very comfortable.

When you are looking for proper pre-owned saddles, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, such as the brand of the saddle, the model of the saddle, the fit to the horse and the present status of the saddle. The brand and the model of the saddle will tell you the actual quality of the saddle. Good brands saddles, no matter how old, are as good as gold. The fit and status of the saddle is important, as this will influence your ride; the horse will not listen to your body language if it does not accept the saddle. This is why it is very important that you find a saddle that not only matches perfectly with what you have in mind, but also is comfortable for your horse.

Keep your options open when you are looking for Western saddles and do not rush headlong to the first Western horse tack shop you find in your path. You want value for money, so go to the markets where they sell horses. Look for the 'horses for sale" sign and check it out. The saddle should be tested on the horse, and closely inspected for any problems. In this manner you will get the best deal for your money.

You want value for your money when you buy Western saddles, so go for used or pre-owned ones. These saddles should only be bought after they have been inspected in person. If horsemanship is important to you, then you know that a lot depends upon how you ready the horse for the ride; therefore, the saddle is an extremely important factor, as it influences the way the horse reacts to the rider.

Does Your Dogs Diet Contain Enough Fatty Acid?

2008-10-03T08:23:00.003-07:00

Does your pet's skin and coat look shiny and healthy, if not this could indicate the need for more fatty acids to be in your dog's diet

A dog's diet affects every aspect of his body as well as the skin and coat. If your dog's diet has the right amount of fatty acids, then his coat and skin will appear healthy. Fatty acids in your dog's diet will prevent dry skin and dandruff. A dull coat may well mean you need supplements of fatty acids in your dog's diet.

Do not just assume that adding fatty acid supplements to your dog's diet is always the best thing to do. If your dog's coat is already in a good condition, adding more EFAs will not help improve your dog's health. The fatty acid supplements, such as omega 6 and 3, should only used for dog's with diagnosed skin problems. Always take advice from your vet before adding any supplement to your dog's diet. Your vet will be happy to talk with you about the best form of EFAs and let you know the appropriate dose you should add to your dog's diet.

You must provide EFAs to your pet through your dog's diet, as fatty acids are not produced by your dog's body. If your vet advises additional supplements of fatty acids, you should consider asking about linseed or sunflower oil.

Within a short period, such as four weeks, you should see a big improvement in your dog's coat and skin. Watch the miracle of fatty acids work in your dog's diet. When seven weeks have passed, you should see a dramatic change for the better in your pet's health.

Omega 6 fatty acids is present in manufactured dog food at effective levels. Supplementing omega 3 will help to improve the ratio and make a difference in your pet's health. Fish and flax seed are very good sources of omega 3 fatty acids. But always be cautious and ask your vet before you do any form of supplementation. Also take note that some forms of fish may not be safe to be part of your dog's diet.

Supplementing your dog's diet may not be necessary. The only way to decide if your dog's diet does need extra fatty acids is to visit your vet, so you can both talk about your pet's health. Never decide to medicate your dog without first seeking the advice of a professional, this is because your dog's diet needs to contain the right balance of nutrients. Good sources of EFAs are flaxseed, linseed, and sunflower oil. Your dog's diet is the first step in giving your pet overall health and a happy life with your pet for years to come.

Your Dogs Diet Should You Avoid Table Scraps?

2008-10-03T08:23:00.001-07:00

A dogs diet should not contain any table scraps. A dogs nutritional needs are not the same as a ours. Yes we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet table scraps is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. A dogs diet does not need all the added ingredients we put into our own meals.

People have often have weight problems like obesity. Well a dog can have this problem also. If your dogs diet involves mostly table scraps, then the chances are that your dog will not maintain a healthy weight. Even a few pounds over weight can make a large difference in the quality of health and length of your pet's life.

When you have a dog that is not to particular what it eats, it can be very easy to let your pet become your garbage disposal at home, but really, this is a very bad idea. Certain foods we eat can harm your dog and therefore should never be considered to be part of your dogs diet. Grapes are one example, grapes have been known to cause serious problems for dogs. Chicken bones can also be a problem for your dog. Large quantities of chocolate can be very dangerous if allowed in a dogs diet.

When your dogs diet is not the best you can give it, then your pets outputs will be greater in size, smell, and mess. You will see the benefits of choosing a healthy diet for your dog, as you will notice that your pet is healthier and happier.

There are the odd occasions when a supplement or treat from your kitchen may be okay to use, but never in excess. You should talk to your vet about the use of healthy snacks for your dogs diet. Many vets recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to snack on between there regular feeding times. By providing your pet these healthy alternatives to people food gives you the chance to choose the right healthy and nutritious snack for your dogs diet.

The next time your pet starts eyeing your food, what you need to do is redirect there attention. Do not use your table scraps. Instead give your dog a refreshing ice cube to munch on. A baby carrot will keep your dog happy and make you feel good about the right choices you have made for the nutritional value of your dogs diet. If you follow these steps you will know that you are your pet a high-quality.

Useful Ideas To Find Proper Tack Supplies

2008-10-03T08:22:00.001-07:00

tack supply

While some people seem disinterested when it comes to owning horses because of their high maintenance, horse lovers and ranchers alike think otherwise. Having horses around them somehow gives them a feeling of satisfaction. That is why they are open and willing to provide the right tack supplies to these well-loved animals.

Horse clippers are primarily used for keeping different parts of a horse neatly trimmed or shaved, whether for vanity or showing purposes, or for health reasons. That is why it is important to think about the important aspects of choosing the right horse clippers before you finally decide to buy. There are hundreds of types and brands of these clippers available today; however, there are four things to take into consideration, which include the motor, the size, the power and the speed. Clippers with decibel ratings are also efficient since most horses are easily startled by loud and strange noises.

Tack trunks are also very important tack supplies. There are a lot of beautifully designed tack supply trunks sold these days and your options are really endless. But regardless of the design and overall look, the functionality of tack trunks is also very important. Find those that have built in wheels so that you can easily maneuver them around without worrying about heavy loads. Since these trunks are designed to keep and properly organize your horse equipment, it is normal to see them with compartments. These compartments are basically add-ons to a trunk but they are very useful as well, especially in storing horse tools like combs, accessories, grooming tools, and a whole lot more.

The lids of tack supply trunks also matter. These tack supplies should have well padded lids designed for sitting. There are also those that are made for standing on. Normally, these types of lids have a treaded rubber cover and are suitable for horse owners who need an extra height to groom or braid a horse's mane. Remember that in any case, finding the right trunk can get confusing because of the many brands and types available. Be sure to choose the one that suits you best.

clean clumping cat litter

2008-10-01T23:02:00.005-07:00

A Review Of Clumping Cat Litter Foes' Arguments

Lately, there have been some people arguing that clumping cat litter is dangerous – even deadly – to our cats and kittens. If this is the claim, should we all instantly change our litter for a different type – maybe a biodegradable one as the articles suggest? What are the real facts in the situation? Let's review the clumping cat litter information.

The Pet Owners' Claims

Pet owners claim that there are two components of clumping cat litter that cause problems for cats. First, there is the sodium bentonite. This is the “expandable cement” that absorbs the cat urine. It can swell to 15-18 times the dry size. It makes it wonderfully absorbent for a litter box, but the pet owners worry about the litter if the cat ingests it. This is a logical concern, as cats do lick themselves to clean off after using the litter box.

Also, the dust from these litters can give the cats respiratory problems, as they can coat the cat's lungs when they breathe it in. This component, sodium bentonite, is dangerous for humans to ingest, why should we think it would be safe on our cats and kittens?

The other ingredient some pet owners are concerned about is the quartz silica. This substance is a known carcinogen, and not considered safe for humans. It likely isn't safe for the cats, either.

Reviewing these clumping cat litter complaints shows some seemingly valid concerns. What do the opposition say?

The Critics' Rebuttal

The manufacturers of clumping cat litter, upon reviewing the claims of damage, state that they are very careful with their litter, and go to great lengths to keep pets safe. Also, they manufacture some brands of clumping cat litter that are clean, with much less dust. It is wise to choose one of these “dust free litters.

The Scientists Say...

While there are several anecdotal stories and claims, scientists state about clumping cat litter that after review there was “no post-mortum, no hisopathology findings, or any scientific data presented.” They fully believe these clumping kitty litters to be safe.

Take Home Message

The “take home message” is that each pet owner needs to act in harmony with their gut instincts. If the anecdotal stories scare you, or if you've had a similar situation involving your own pet, you will probably want to change your cat's litter. There are plant-based materials available as kitty litter, made from corn cobs, newspaper, cedar, or pine shavings.
If, on the other hand, reviewing information about clumping cat litter has settled some of your fears, perhaps you don't need to jump ship quite yet.

The Pros And Cons Of Leather Dog Collars

2008-10-01T23:02:00.003-07:00

They're attractive, fashionable and occasionally questionable. They come mass made and some with designer labels. They also make unbelievably high priced chew toys for a lot of puppies and dogs. They're leather dog collars, once the standard dog gear and now a luxury thing. Is a leather dog collars right for your pet?

Benefits

A few of the benefits of getting leather dog collars are that they last a long time provided you take care of them correctly. Even though they are more expensive initially than other collars, they can sometimes last longer than the life of your dog. A lot owners of dogs who get good and muddy like to use leather dog collars and leashes than of other materials because it is so durable.

One of the other advatages is that leather always goes with your dog's fur, whether it is brown leather or black leather. Leather has a timeless look and a great smell, provided you take care of the leather properly. There are now a wide variety of leather dog collars in different patterns, colors, with rhinestones or other additions. There are even famous designers of people fashions who are getting into pet fashions.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of leather dog collars is that it's made out of very tasty animal hide. At least, your dog thinks it’s tasty. You can’t tell your dog that it's not good to chew on the $100 rolled leather dog collar but it is good to chew on rawhide treats. They are made of nearly the same stuff. Dogs will chew on leather, although with patience and persistence, they can be trained not to.

Other disadvantages are having to clean and condition the leather dog collar and leash. This is something you do not have to worry about with nylon or rayon collars and leashes. You can throw them in the bath along with the dog. But prolonged exposure to soaking water will destroy leather. You need to get special soaps and conditioners for them. You might need to have the leather collars worn only on special occasions.

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, than you are already trying to cut out all animal-based products from your life. Killing cows for dog collars might not sit well on your conscious. But there are handsome man-made leather dog collars that are just about as tough as leather on the market. As an added bonus, they don't have the strong smell that attracts dogs looking for a quick snack.

Does Your Barking Dog Drive You Mad?

2008-10-01T23:02:00.001-07:00

For some people it is an offence to have a barking dog around them, they think that dogs should be seen and not heard. This is slightly unfair given that the bark is a dog's voice and like yourself it uses it to communicate.

In some instances of course you want your dog to bark loudly such as when a suspected burglar approaches or if you fall into trouble of some sort and need urgent assistance. In most cases your dog is just trying to talk to you, perhaps he is just happy about something, dog obedience training will help you to find this out for sure.

The problem is that the language barrier between barking dogs and humans is well nigh impenetrable. Therefore, you are forced to resort to the facts of the situation in which your dog is barking and try to understand from its body language just what it is trying to say.

Apart from that many people ask just why do dogs bark? Your dogs bark is its voice, it is the best way it has of communicating with you.

Naturally they will bark when they are happy about something such as greeting you on your return or perhaps they are happy about running around in the park.

Some dogs having barking bred into to them such as toy dogs or sporting breeds where they are trained to bark in order to notify their owners of the presence of a particular quarry being hunted. Other dogs like the guarding breeds are trained only to bark when a threat is perceived.

There are many reasons to explain why a dog barks, these can include something as simple as just being lonely through to it just needing to go to the toilet.

Again the context of the situation will help you to decide the likely cause. But of course it is not fair for you to try to shut the dog up. She may be communicating for a very good reason, you just need to spend some effort in understanding her.

However, dogs are not stupid animals there are situations where they realise that they can use their bark to annoy or force their owner into a particular action. It is important that you communicate to your dog exactly who is boss to stop it learning that barking will make you give in every time it wants something.

For instance you dog may have decided that it is time to play and continues barking until you give in and drop what you are doing to amuse her. The problem here is that the dog then learns that all she has to do is to bark whenever she wants something and you will oblige.

This can get very wearing after a quite short period of time. The best approach would have been to show the dog that it cannot get its own way by giving it the cold shoulder.

Ignore it, do not even say anything just turn your back. After repeated actions your dog should eventually get the message.

A gentle reminder that walks and playtimes are to be had at your convenience, not when your dog barks to demand them. This teaches your dog respect and hopefully makes for a quieter household with limited barking dog problems.

Consult a good book on dog obedience training like SitStayFetch to solve many of the problems you will encounter when you are training your dog.

Puppy Training 101

2008-10-01T15:04:00.003-07:00

Bringing a new puppy into your home can be an exciting experience, but also will inevitably provide many challenges for the new dog owner. Puppies are as law abiding as they are old. Puppies tend to compensate for their anything goes behavior with oodles of cuteness that results in the owners pandering to the pups, and thus not training them properly. Many will think they have the will power to withstand the cuddly cute manipulations that puppies are famous for, however few will succeed. The key to training puppies is to lay out several ground rules for you, and abide by them daily. This is why professionals often refer to puppy training, as in all truth being people training instead.

Designate off limits zones in your home before, or during the beginning of dog ownership. Puppies tend to operate on a free style basis that allows them to go, sleep, and urinate wherever they please. Remember that dogs typically mark their territory through urination. So the more you make your house feel like the puppies new home, the more the pup’s going to want to a whiz in it. So the first step to avoid such a problem is creating off limit zones. Typically the easiest way to make this happen is close the doors to any and all rooms that are unavailable for the puppy to be in. Once you have created off limit zones for the dog it will limit your pee patrol to a few rooms, and once you get the dog trained to go outside you’ll be in really good shape.

Choose and portion food wisely for your new canine friend. Dogs like to eat as much as they can, as often as they can for no particular reason. Be sure to make eating a daily routine in which you serve the dog the food, thus the dog understands who is in control of the food. Food can be your biggest weapon in training a dog.

Fence in your yard if it’s not fenced yet, this will be the easiest way to train your dog. With a securely fenced in yard dogs will have a controlled environment to play, go to the bathroom, and sit when they are not wanted inside. Without a fenced in yard dogs will be forced to abide by your walking rules, which can vary in time and duration, and often don’t occur enough. Trust me, it’s much easier to let a dog outside in the fenced in yard than to walk them 5 times a day.

Take pride in your duty as a dog trainer. Don’t be afraid to really get involved in training your dog, and becoming an interested participant in your dog’s growth. As with most anything in life, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. This is key with training puppies, the dog will be very responsive to your efforts if you take pride in training it. As long as the dog sees you working as hard as it is on abiding by rules, and working towards a routine the easier it will be to train the puppy in the long run.

Be sure to purchase a book on the breed of the puppy you have purchased. Breed books are typically right on target when discussing dog habits, issues, and personalities specific to the puppies particular breed. Owning a dog book will give you insight on how best to train your new puppy.

Ferrets-They Become A Passion

2008-10-01T15:04:00.001-07:00

Would you like to know more about ferrets but just do not know where to begin or look? There are millions of other ferret owners who are overwhelmed by the large volumes of information available to them, about this charming and often comical furry creature.

You may be trying to get a pet ferret, or living with someone who already has a ferret. You may all so simply be interested in the behaviour of these musk-producing mammals, here are a few basic things that you can consider first, before you get started with keeping a ferret and it becomes a passion.

Ferrets like skunk’s are also able to produce musk. Some countries allow you to remove the glands responsible for their musk production, this obviously will stop them smelling so much. But in countries like the United Kingdom and Australia you will find that this is not really necessary.

There fur is shiny and smooth to touch because of the natural oils produced by them. Regular bathing will remove some of these oils, which is not a good thing for your pets health. They also grow long nails, so a regular nail-cutting session will be in order for ferret owners.

There are many different colors and breeds available for pet owners. Breeding them is quite easy, especially when the ferret is mated with a pole cat, this was often done in ancient times. The younger the ferret is, the more difficult it is to look after. But then if you are able to obtain one that is still a kit, you will have the advantage of training it from a very young age.

As they grow older, they will need the company of other ferrets. Older ferrets will often will display domination or superiority to the younger ferrets. They also have the tendency to develop very close almost family like cliques and may not be as open to accept new ferrets in their circle easily. .

Regulations vary from country to country, so when you are caring for your ferret, always make sure that you are properly acquainted with the regulations of the country you live in. You will find that some countries do not allow ferrets to be domesticated and become house pets, while other countries have no restrictions on keeping them as pets.

By nature, ferrets are adventurous and curious creatures. you will need to interact with your pet at least once a day, this will help satisfy there curiosity and for them to be happy under your care. They also like to dance in a strange manner when excited and this may often look like they are ready to attack, but in reality, they are just expressing their enjoyment.

Since ferrets are extremely adventurous creatures, you will have to keep an eye on them frequently. They have the tendency to swallow objects that can be poisonous or damaging to their digestive system. On top of that if they are not constantly supervised, they may be prey to some other animals like snakes and hawks on there daily roam about,

Ferrets became popular as pets in America only in the 1980’s. Ferrets have been used for hunting for many years, mainly rabbits and rats, this is because they are well capable of entering rabbit warrens and tiny spaces. Their natural curiosity and lack of fear, makes them really effective aids to hunters. Even the Romans found many uses for them.

Nantgwinau Welsh Cob Stud

2008-09-30T05:02:00.003-07:00

As we stood looking at Carys standing so confidently beside her beautiful mother, Geler

Rosann, we had absolutely no idea that the seeds of the Nantgwinau Stud were being

planted. We had no thought of buying a filly at that time, nor of starting to breed cobs,

but we did agree that she was definitely the sort that we would like to own. A year later

Carys was for sale - we bought her with hardly any hesitation - and our lives were changed

forever!

Always supremely self-confident and sure of her place in the great scheme of things,

Carys accepted her "translation" from Llangwyryfon to North Bedfordshire with good

grace, quickly becoming a very important family member. Her first 3 colts were born in

England, but in 1990 we were able to realise our dream of moving to Wales and ended up

only 30 miles from her birthplace.

Carys produced 3 more colts after our arrival at Pantycelyn - all by Derwen Desert

Express. Sadly, whilst carrying the last of these, the first symptoms of arthritis and

laminitis appeared. These two afflictions caused bouts of severe pain over the next few

years and we felt she was never fit enough to put in foal again. In September 1999 the

hardest decision was taken and Carys was laid to rest in the sunniest corner of a favourite

field. We remember her as a tremendous personality and a true Cob mare who was a joy to

know. Her sons are listed below.

* 88 Stillborn colt by Nebo Prince
* 89 N Sioni Du by Nebo Prince - sold to Mrs Anderson, Wrestlingworth, Beds, for driving
* 90 N.Harri by Fronarth Flash Harry - now owned by Val Spinks, Cheshire
* 92 N Desert Spark by Derwen Desert Express - now owned by Kim and Craig Hunt, Cobblethrift Stud, Nr Ammanford
* 93 N Flyer by D Desert Express - owned by Geoff Waghorn, Swnynant Stud, Sennybridge
* 94 N Llwynog by D Desert Express - sold to D Steed Ebbw Vale

As many horses change hands several times in the lives, it is a sad fact that breeders often

lose track of their stock, and have no way of knowing how they have developed. If anyone

owns or knows of any Nantgwinau Cobs, or their offspring, we would very much appreciate

news of them.

Two Unusual Rare Cat Breeds

2008-09-30T05:02:00.001-07:00

There are many types of cats, you have your exotic cats, you have your domestic tabby cats and then you have your more unusual rare cat breeds. If you are looking for a rare cat breed then you have a few options that your can choose from. Here we will discuss the Sphinx and the British Shorthair, both rare and both very beautiful cats.

Sphinx

The Sphinx is a rare cat breed that you might want to think about and one of the most unforgettable since they are hairless. In fact the Sphinx is not always completely hairless there can be a fine down on the body, similar to that on a newborn baby.

One of the features that make them so extraordinary is the surface of the Sphinx skin. It has been compared to a suede-covered hot water bottle of heated chamois. These are impressive cats which are medium sized and strong. They characteristically have strong boning and superior muscle development and the adult cats tend to be bigger than the female cats.

As well, this rare cat breed requires a particular cat diet, so you are required to make sure that you are feeding them the correct foods if you want them to be healthy and do their best.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is another rare cat breed that you may be fascinated in. These are considered as being the oldest English breed of cat, one which was first appreciated for its physical strength and hunting capability.

Soon they became known for other reputable characteristics, and they are recognized as being a comparatively rare cat in the United States and other areas of the world.

These cats continue to get more and more popular and because of their easygoing nature and intelligence, they are one of the most well loved breeds of cat.

Here are just two types of breed which would make incredible pets and are considered as being rare. Whether you are just interested in the look of these types of cats or just want a cat that is going to make for a fascinating conversation, going with one of these rare cat breeds is a fantastic idea.

Just make certain that you are equipped for the cat prior to bringing it home. You are going to need to have toys for it to play with, healthy food for it to eat, and a trainer if you want the cat to be well behaved.

Strange Cat Behavior– What To Be Concerned About

2008-09-30T05:01:00.003-07:00

Cats are capable of being fascinating companions. The majority of the time they can be wonderful to have around, but there are some strange cat behavior that can irritate even the most enduring owner.

Missing The Litter Box

You know that there is something wrong when a cat or kitten has a problem when they being to urinate in places other than their kitty litter or the place in which they have been taught to go. The first step is to clean out the litter box on a regular basis so that it is nice smelling. No one likes an unclean toilet! This could possibly resolve the crisis. If not, take your cat to the vet for a once over. Your cat could have a physical problem that might be making it hard for them to make it to the box in time. After having your cat looked at by a veterinarian for possible physical problems which could have caused this strange cat behavior, there are other ways in which you can assist your cat back to toileting where it is supposed to.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- Can Your Cat Have This Problem

Did you know that a few cats develop behaviors that are obsessive compulsive, like tail chewing, excessive licking, wool-sucking, or fur-pulling? Characteristic physical problems could be something as negligible as fleas or as major as neuropathy. So having your cat looked at by its vet is a smart first choice.

Excessive Fear Or Inhibition Results In A Scaredy Cat

There are a few cats that have an excessive fear or inhibition around people. If you show patience and love the cat can grow out of the timid state. But do not rush this process, as you can make it worse and it can result in a cat behavior that is violent and bites or scratches.

The majority of kittens are socialized as they grow up, by being held by a variety of different people who smell different and act different. If your kitten didn’t get this advantage, it may grow into a reserved and nervous adult cat. Give it time to come out, then reward “showing up” with a food treat it likes. You will be able to coax it out with a trail of food leading to its bowl, moving the bowl a bit each day. Talk tenderly to it, letting it warm up slowly. While your cat may never be fully socialized and welcome contact with others, it can still be a nice family pet.

Anxious And Apprehensive Cats

You will find that there are a few cats that feel a lot of stress and anxiety. This stress can lead to additional cat behavior problems, like depression or litter box avoidance. If these symptoms (of stress and anxiety) become visible unexpectedly, first make sure the cat’s heath is ok with the vet. If your cats health is ok, then you would want to look at the cat’s environment could be contributing to the stress level.

What Is Feliway for Cats?

2008-09-30T05:01:00.001-07:00

While Feliway sounds like a way to repel cats, it is in all reality a pheromone scent intended to stop felines from urinating in inappropriate places. When Fifi decides to elminiate outside the litter area, you will have a problem, since cat urine is one of the highly terrible pet smells. Feliway uses the facial pheromones to avoid litter box issues, but also Feliway has a pronounced relaxing effect for relaxing nervous cats.

How Does Feliway for Cats Work?

Feliway Spray is consists of the feline Pheromones mixed with an ethanol compound. These exact same facial pheromones are used in a constant manner by all cats to show their territory. Other felines in the area can sense these pheromones from a distance and be aware of claimed territory. Felines usually don't to spray to mark territory when it's already been sprayed, so this will reduce inappropriate urination. Kitties place these pheromones onto objects by rubbing their face or foot pads across certain areas. If you've ever had your little friend rub their cheek against you, now you know specifically what was really happening. When people say their moggies own them, that's exactly the case. Feliway in a nutshell duplicates this effect.

What Will Feliway for Cats Fix?

Urinating not in the litter box
Spray marking of territory by non-spayed/neutered pets
Helps calm those who are stressed out
Can stop constant disagreements
Helping bring in cats to new places

A usual view by satisfied users on the web are that it's a incredible product. Don't forget however that these inappropriate urination can come about from external factors, so you know that Feliway for cats isn't a wonder solution though it ought to reduce the symptoms. Pets can act strangely that we can't grasp how to accept, but it's a sure bet that Feliway will help.

Cat Eye Care-Why It Is Important?

2008-09-29T01:50:00.001-07:00

Cats eyes have often been used in horror films. But as a pet owner, you will know that the cats stare is really the complete opposite of what is portrayed in films. That is why cat eye care, is so very important for you to know.

How do cats say I love you? well this is through their eyes, of course. This is why you should never be frightened by there gaze. So how does this work? First of all, the cat stares at you for a long time. And after that, it blinks its eyes slowly. Some people call this the cats kiss. But you should also know that this is your cats way of showing you that it loves you.

But how do you return the favor? This is easy, all you need to do is follow your cats lead. Stare at it for a long time and then slowly blink your eyes. See? Cats eyes have also be used for romantic films as well.

Do not believe the horror films you see. Cats do not and never have had a third eye. Their eye sight is really far better than a humans. Instead of a third eye, what cats have is a third eyelid. This is called a nictitating membrane.

This inner eyelid protects the eyes of the cat from harm and also from dryness. You will always notice that when a cat is sick, this membrane will be some what closed. This should always alarm enough for you to call your vet or get your cat to them fast as possible.

But this third eyelid will also show once a cat is happy. So you will know what kind of mood your cat is in just by looking at the membrane.

You should always observe the pupil of your feline friend. A change in size of one of the pupils can often be an indication of an inflammation. It can also be a sign of a kind of a neurologic, disorder, this is called Horner's Syndrome. Or worse, it can also indicate tumors or injuries in the central nervous system.

Never believe what others say that cats are color blind. They do see some colors. They may not see them as clear as human do, but its not true that they cannot see any colors at all.

Cats can also see clearly over long distances. There vision is very different from peoples. There vision will blurry if they are looking at objects that are very close to them.

Yes it is true, cats do have the nocturnal vision. But they can not see in complete darkness. Do you see the muscles on their iris that surround the pupils of their eyes? They are constructed in a way that it narrows into a vertical split when they are exposed in the bright lights. And it opens fully when they are in a quite dim light.

This feature of the cat may be traced back to their roots. They can use this feature to hunt for food during the night, that is if they were left out in the jungle or left with no one to care for them.

So you must forget about the horror movies that you have seen. Now it is time to put some effort into your cats eye care. Never let a minor ailments worsen. Always call your vet immediately when you think there is something not right or amiss. You do not want your cat to lose their sight or even worse lose their lives. Just remember it is always better to be safe than blind.

Owning Cats and Raising Kittens

2008-09-27T22:33:00.001-07:00

I chanced upon Cat Ownership 101: Secrets of Buying & Raising Cats recently and was intrigued, so I made an investment and paid for it. It turned out to be a awesome acquisition, and by any accounting at $9.99 had little downside to it. It is an easy reading but detailed look into what you need to learn about choosing a cat breed and cat raising. It's easy to make huge missteps when choosing a cat as pet and end up grievous when it fails to work. Some study in advance of the fact goes quite a long way to paving that onward road with joy instead of disappointment.

The book leads off with a survey of many of the more common cat breeds. Are you looking for a highly active cat that will run the whole day? Are you looking for a friendly cat that likes to be cuddle? Do you hope for a shy cat or friendly one? After this is a overview of the pros and cons of male, female, neuter or no, hair type - long or short, pure bred or mixed, and the time-honored subject of buying a kitten vs buying cat. This discussion will put you on the road to selecting the cat breed that's perfect to fit your desires.

From there we move on into some useful tricks on cat-proofing your abode, helping your cat or kitten adapt to your home and family, adjusting them into the swing of things cautiously and in a consistent manner. Felines can freak out with change and newness, so pushing them along into new places can have bad consequences for the settling in period. You will learn all about what supplies you should have to take care of your new cat and the items you need to acquire to make sure everything is prepared.

The next interesting and informative topic is the exercisingand feeding of your pets. From feeding too little to that growing kitten to a proper diet for the grown cat and means to keep them fit, you find many helpful tips and tricks listed. We move to cat health issues there, where you will be taught about the usual sicknesses that your cats can be afflicted with, all about visits to the vet, shots, spaying, neutering, grooming points and what to do to keep them happy and healthy.

The next main piece of the book covers expected feline behavioral patterns. What does a cat's non-verbal cues tell you about it's mood? Ear and tail cues along with vocal patterns can help you communicate with your felines, and until they learn people's communication it's going to be your means of choice. Why do they knead their loved ones? What does clawing mean? From here you will read how to assist shape how your cat will act and help protect them from dangerous acts.

In the end, the book finishes up with a directory of cat support groups that you will find useful and a informative dictionary of cat related words and acronyms that refer to felines and detailed explanations you will need to understand. Overall, I was definitely impressed with the book and found it greatly informative. I wholeheartedly recommend this convenient and useful book, and it's definitely a steal at only $9.99! Visit the Cat Ownership 101: Secrets of Buying & Raising Cats website for further details and how to order. It is a simply put but thorough study of what you should understand about buying kitten and raising a cat that you certainly must read!

Strange Cat Behavior– What To Be Concerned About

2008-09-26T21:34:00.001-07:00

Missing The Litter Box

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- Can Your Cat Have This Problem

Excessive Fear Or Inhibition Results In A Scaredy Cat

Anxious And Apprehensive Cats

Horse Breeds: A Variety of Useful Horse Types Developed

2008-09-25T18:11:00.007-07:00

The planned mating of horses that is directed by humans has given rise to a number of special breeds of horses. Breeders, the persons who help facilitate healthy horse breeding, seek to bring about an enhancement in the physical performance abilities of the offspring or foal even more than improving their appearance. This matching of ‘form to function’ is a successful means of development of different healthy and (functionally) superior breeds.

People from all over the world have owned horses for various reasons. This is just the reason why various breeds of horses had been developed over the years to provide improved efficiency at particular tasks. Horses can now be classified into three main categories- pony, light and heavy. There can, however, be created further subcategories like draft horses, gaited horses and warmbloods.

It is by learning about these various breeds that an idea can be formed on the kind of horse best suited for a situation and a particular type of work. Some horses are best suited for children to ride on them while some are right for the whole family’s riding purpose. Again, some other horses may be appropriate for racing- the race horses while some others may prove to be helpful on the ranch.

There are a number of popular breeds of ponies the smallest among which is the Shetland pony which is given to children as their first horse to ride on. For older children the Connemara pony is recommended. This being larger than the Shetland is suitable for older children. The Welsh pony little larger than the Connemara is a good breed of horse for young adults and young teens to ride on.

Among the light horse breeds are the Miniature Horses. Though this may seem like a pony but it is not actually one. It does not have the characteristics of the pony. This horse serves as a companion for children and also acts as a guide for the disabled. The adored Arabian horses also come into the category of light horses. These are attractive, loving, graceful and speedy horses. The Arabian horse is perceived to be a perfect breed. Not only does it possess the required speed and endurance for racing but it also has got a kind and noble disposition.

The popular light breed horse Thoroughbred is a descendant of the Arabian horse. This being a fast horse is well suited for racing purposes. For ranching a Quarter Horse, an American breed, is most appropriate. The Morgan Horse, a family friendly and hardworking horse is another smaller but useful horse.

Besides these there are also the heavy breeds or heavy horses which include the draft horses or the horses that were used in battle at a time. The Percheron is a small and powerful heavy horse which is easier to train while the attractive Clydesdale is the most famous of the draft horses which were bred to work on farms or pull carts and wagons.

The Different Types of Chickens

2008-09-25T18:11:00.005-07:00

Chickenauctions.com

The number of chickens in the world outnumbers the other birds by a vast majority, and can be found spread out around the entire world. Some of these chickens boast names from specific villages or towns such as the D'Uccle chicken, named after a town in Brussels, Belgium or the Pekin chicken named originating from China and named according to their culture. Because there are so many breeds, it is almost impossible to acknowledge all of them, but as to determining their worth or value, there are mainly three types of chickens, and their breeds are dependant on what they are good at.

If you are looking for good chickens to use for egg layers, these are most often referred to as laying hens. The breeds vary, but the top breeds that show above average success in egg production are the Leghorn breed which lay good white eggs or the Rhode Island Reds which are known for their spectacular brown eggs. Although there is no difference between white or brown eggs except the color, some people prefer one color over the other. Choosing more than one from each category would give your hen houses' egg production some variety. A rooster is not a necessity for your laying hens to finish their jobs. They will maintain good egg production without a rooster on site.

Chickens being raised mainly for consumption, or for meat are referred to as fryers or broilers and require a different type of diet as well. To ensure the best quality of meat from them, it is necessary to determine early on in the raising process, what type of feed is the best and what extra supplements they will need to produce the meat you prefer. The age of the broilers and fryers does affect the quality of the meat and whether it will be used as stew meat or otherwise. Keeping your eye on the market demand for different ages of chickens is necessary to determine the best selling time for your coop inhabitants and when to purchase new ones. Some of the best breeds for production of meat are the Ross, Peterson, and the Arbor Acres chickens.

Perhaps you want to raise chickens for both means, to lay eggs and as meat consumption. There are some specific breeds that are the best choices for this type of bird. The Wyandottes, New Hampshires, and the Plymouth Rocks are the best in both classes for producing good eggs and excellent meat consumption. Keeping these chickens healthy is quite as simple as keeping them in their housing. A healthy diet with focus on nutrition is needed, but for the most part the rest simply falls into place.

Knowing the market for buying and selling chickens is a must when you start to begin raising them for the purpose you have in mind. Knowing and understanding the supply and demand issues in your local area is easier to begin with and as time passes, you will understand the breeds you have chosen, better, and will be able to handle them more expertly each time around.

An online auction site, where it is FREE to buy or sell anything from real estate to chickens. It was started by my daughter and I, to give people a place to display their birds for sale.
Stop by and register for free at my website, which is at http://www.chickenauctions.com

The Simple Way To Incubate Hatching Eggs

2008-09-25T18:11:00.003-07:00

Chickenauctions.com

When attempting to begin hatching eggs using the incubation method, it is necessary to first be certain you have attained the highest quality eggs available. Some tips to consider when gathering the eggs desired for incubating are as follows:

do not use eggs that are either extremely large or small
dirty eggs should not be used
- check for thin or cracked shells, as these should be avoided as well.
- try to keep the eggs varied and non-related (sister, brother, etc.)
do not wipe or rub the eggs prior to incubation, this wipes germs into the shell through the pores.
- start with the cleanest eggs available

Once you have taken the advice listed above, you are ready to begin readying your eggs for the incubation period. Since the embryo is starting to develop at an early stage, the right care is necessary and important. Gathering your eggs on a regular daily basis is advised, beginning with three times daily unless the outside temperatures rise above 85 degrees. If this happens to occur, you should gather the eggs at least four times daily.

Choosing the best incubator is an imperative step in caring for the eggs, and knowing the basic types will aid you in your choice. The most common types of incubators are forced air and still air. The smaller of the two is the still air incubator and it has no fan for air circulation. An entry base allows for fresh air to come in once the rise and escape warmed air process is finished. The larger and better style incubator is the forced air style that will include a fan to circulate the air inside. These can vary in size from large to industrial and the proper temperatures for the best hatching conditions vary between the two models.

When using the forced air incubator the recommended temperature is 100 degrees F . If this temperature is not followed or rises and lowers during the incubation period, chances are the eggs will be ruined and will not hatch. The improper temperature is the most common cause of poor hatching. Some other common reasons for not hatching are poor sanitation, lack of ventilation and neglectful egg turning.

The still air incubator requires an internal temperature of 102 degrees F for good hatching conditions. Because this temperature is higher, it makes it necessary for frequent temperature checks, and the use of only the best thermometers. The control of the humidity is important during the incubation process, and is an extremely important factor in the eggs development. if the humidity is too high or too low, the proper forming of the shell and the embryo will not be possible and will also result in poor hatching.

Along with the temperature being an important factor, is the oxygen supply. Good amounts of oxygen for the embryo's growth and development will be necessary as well as turning of the eggs. A good flow of oxygen should be made available, especially in still air incubators without affecting the temperature. Following this is the turning habits. In the still air incubator, this is done manually and requires a gentle hand and is necessary 2 to 3 times a day. In a forced air incubator, this will be done automatically, but will still require monitoring.

An online auction site, where it is FREE to buy or sell anything from real estate to chickens. It was started by my daughter and I, to give people a place to display their birds.
Stop by and register for free at my website, which is at http://www.chickenauctions.com

Stopping Dog Aggression

2008-09-25T18:11:00.001-07:00

There is always a reason for aggressive behavior in dogs. If you can discover the reason for the aggression, you can usually correct or at least control a dog's aggression. Some breeds of dogs have gotten a really bad reputation of late; pit bulls, rottweilers, and chows, for example. Some breeds are even forbidden in certain communities. This is just sad. Aggressive dogs are MADE and not born. All puppies come into this world completely innocent. They are like blank slates that have yet to be written upon, and they become products of their environment and training, or lack thereof.

There are many breeds of dogs. There are large breed dogs and small breed dogs; long hair dog breeds and short hair dog breeds; but there are simply not aggressive breeds and nonaggressive breeds.

Dog aggression is caused by health issues, environment issues, or training issues. There are, of course, several subheadings under all of these causes for dog aggression.

If you see that your dog is aggressive or is becoming aggressive, the very first thing to do is to take him to see his veterinarian. The vet will examine the dog to see if he has any health issues that are causing him pain or discomfort.

If the dog doesn't have any underlying health issues that are causing his aggressiveness, the next thing to consider is his environment. Is the dog being walked with a gentle lead? Does the dog have a crate that he calls home? An environment that the dog considers unsafe or uncomfortable will often be the cause of his aggressive behavior.

If the dog is healthy and if his environment is good, the next thing to consider is the structure of his pack. You see, dogs are pack animals. They need and expect order. You may have inadvertently put the dog in charge. He thinks that he is the alpha dog and as such is responsible for the pack (the family). Aggression caused by a dog's belief that he is the alpha dog can be easily changed by simply providing obedience training and convincing him that he is NOT the responsible party.

Finding An Exotic House Cat

2008-09-24T15:48:00.003-07:00

There are many varieties of cats on the market but f you are interested in getting an exotic house cat, the first thing you will need to do is understand about the variety of exotic breeds that are out there, large domestic cat breed and other, and then use a few tips to help you decide which particular exotic house cat is going to be right for you.

The world of exotic felines is so exciting and yet can definitely be very confusing as well, especially because there are so many different types out there. There are quite a few different exotic house cat types and each breed has several levels or generations within the breed. Of all these, here are a few of the most popular and which you are going to want to seriously consider as your choice.

The Bengal

The Bengal is absolutely a favorite exotic house cat, as not only are they incredibly rare but stunning in appearance as well. These are a cross between the Asian Leopard cat and a domestic cat, and the breed has been in existence for over two decades now. If you decide on a Bengal, keep in mind that the quality of these cats will vary significantly, so it all depends on what you are looking for and the amount of money that you are going to be willing to pay.

When it comes to the size of these cats, most females get to around ten pounds, males twelve. Their personality is playful, intelligent, and affectionate.

The Savannah

Another exotic house cat that you may want to consider here is the Savannah. This breed is a cross between an African Serval and a domestic cat, and they are incredibly rare. Most Savannahs cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000, and they are tall, lanky cats with a solid spot over a basecoat color that will range from warm golden orange hues to cool silver.

They are gorgeous cats to look at and are definitely worth thinking about and keeping at the top of your list if you are looking for an exotic cat to bring to your household.

Just make sure, as you should with any other type of pet that you are sure they are going to make a good addition to your household, taking into consideration other animals and children if there are any. The last thing you want is to bring in a cat or other animal that is going to be mean or aggressive, especially if you have pets or kids in the home.

Sources For Domestic Cat Health Advice

2008-09-24T15:48:00.001-07:00

If you are a cat owner, staying in touch of health issues associated with cats is a vital step in providing your pet with superior care. Ensuring your cat has fresh water, good food, and loving surroundings to play in are a key role in the happiness and well being of your cat. But for you to understand and recognize the signs of probable health troubles that could be plaguing your cat you many need to ask for domestic cat health advice. This is a necessary part of having a cat in your home.

Reasons For Domestic Cat Health Advice

There are various reasons you many need to seek domestic cat health advice these include basic questions concerning at what age should a cat be spayed or neutered, what type or brand of food will promote the best health in your cat, are vaccinations necessary for cats kept indoors, does a cat need to have their teeth cleaned, how do you administer medications to your cat, what do you need to do if your cat is exhibiting unusual or odd behavior, is it necessary to call or take your cat to the veterinarian if your cat is only periodically displaying unusual behavior or bad habits and are there specific or special needs necessary regarding senior cat health.

Seeking Domestic Cat Health Advice

The primary person to contact when seeking domestic cat health advice is your veterinarian. Having seen the cat over a period of time, they know him or her and have an ongoing history of vaccinations, check ups, illness or any problems or issues the cat has experienced during their lifetime. If your cat has not been to a veterinarian in a long time or maybe he's never been at all, then no current medical history has been established and this needs to be rectified for the future well being of your cat. If your cat has not been to the veterinarian in a while or ever and is showing signs of behavior that could signal he's not feeling well, ask friends or family for the name of the veterinarian they take their pets to and then make an appointment for your cat to get a check-up, vaccinations, flea preventative and anything else he might be needing.

Additional Sources for Domestic Cat Health Advice

To keep yourself informed and up to date on information concerning domestic cat health advice, there are books related to pet health at the library, stores specifically catering to pet care and the local humane society. All are sources for information but none should supercede or take the place of the proper domestic cat health advice you will receive only from your veterinarian.

Encountering Senior Cat Health Problems

2008-09-23T12:46:00.005-07:00

What do we do when we are not feeling well? Well when we are sick we go to the doctor who detects what's wrong with us and if required will give us some medicine to make us feel better. When we get home we take the prescribed medication and perhaps go to sleep. For our elderly cats when encountering a senior cat health problem, the steps are the same only that the elderly cat must depend on its human friend to understand they aren't feeling well, pack them into the cat carrier and whisk them off to their own doctor to find out what is making them fill ill and then get medicine so they can feel better.

Observing Senior Cat Health Problems

Even though a cat can be solitary and independent creature, it's important to be familiar with and be aware of your cat's behavior. A couple of issues that can signal distress in your cat include constant scratching, for example, which could stem from an active flea problem or your cat could have allergies. Something else to look for is drooling, shying away from anything that gets too near to the face and the inability to eat dry food. This can signal that the cat has a bad tooth that could need to be extracted. Check their paws for splinters that can become infected or broken nails.

Recognizing A Severe Senior Cat Health Problems

Observing your cat repeatedly going to the litter box with no results can signal a cat urinary health issue. This health problem can be found in both male and female cats and can be caused by sediment building up in the tract making it impossible for the cat to pass any urine. This can quickly become a dangerous illness for your cat and should you observe this behavior, call your veterinarian immediately and apprise them of the situation. In most cases an immediate visit to the doctor is required so the veterinarian can place a catheter in the cat to empty the bladder. If this is not done, the urine can back up into the kidneys.

Treating A Severe Senior Cat Health Problems

Deciding on a course of treatment for your pet once a cat urinary health issue has arisen will be determined by your veterinarian and can include a change in what type of food your cat will be able to eat along with medication to help keep the problem from reoccurring. Keeping up to date on all information relating to senior cat health problems that your feline may be experiencing along with cat related health problems in general will help you in recognizing the signs of distress when your cat is not feeling well. Understanding their behavior enables us to better care for their overall health and well being.

Cat Health Information: Common Diseases In Cats

2008-09-23T12:46:00.003-07:00

When it comes to cat health there is a lot of information available out there, even down to the health information of different cat breeds. Possibly the most important cat health information regardless of the breed is the common cat diseases your pet may be at risk of getting. There are a few very common diseases all cats can get and we will explore a couple of them here.

It is vital that you are aware of the potential risks your cat may face so you can be prepared should you notice any symptoms developing. There are two commonly occuring cat diseases you should learn more about from the outset.

The risk of cancer

Similar to the occurance in humans, cancer is fairly common in cats. Unfortunately it also has much of the same effects on their organs and bodies. And much the same as it does in humans, the cancer will either develop slowly or very rapidly. Some of these cancers can be treated medically and other treatments are being dicovered all the time. Diagnosing cancer early is crucial to the success of any treatment.

The risk of rabies

Knowing the possible risks of rabies and how this will affect the health of your cat is crucial information you should be aware of. Rabies is a fatal condition caused by a virus that attacks the brain.

If you have ever seen a rabid dog you will know what rabies can do to an animal. It is less common in cats but should nevertheless be taken very seriously. Rabies vaccinations are the best way to prevent this disease. They are safe and effective and should be administered by a vet when the cat is still a kitten.

The symptoms of rabies are unfortunately quite similar to the symptoms resulting from other unrelated diseases making it difficult to look out for. Things to look out for are a change in the cat's temperament, drooling and any drastic changes to appetite. Seeking the help and advice from a vet is the best thing to do if you think there is cause for concern. The risk of the animal biting either you or a family member is not worth it.

Information about your cat's health is every bit as important as knowing about your own health. Whether you have a dog or cat or pet goldfish, you will need to take the responsibility of finding out all the health risks they may face in their lifetime. To ensure your cat enjoys a healthy and long life learn all you can from experts like veterinarians and trainers.

Different Breeds of Bantam Chickens

2008-09-23T12:46:00.001-07:00

Chickenauctions.com

To better understand the numerous types and kinds of bantam chickens, we need to understand the actual definition of the word. When used in relation to fowl or chickens, bantam is used for any extremely small fowl. The way most people have understood this rating is by understanding that for most of the regular breeds of chickens there are some bantam counterparts. These are most often one-fourth to one-fifth the size of the standard chickens, thus earning them the addition of miniature or bantam to their original name.

When taking into consideration the original namesake of bantam, this chicken or fowl has no standard counterpart. The most popular and commonly known bantam chickens are the Dutch bantam, the Sebright bantam, the Japanese bantam and the Dutch bantam. Due in part to their size and ease of care, bantams have rapidly risen to the top of the list as pets used primarily for shows or competitions. Because of their size, they require far less food, space, and maintenance resulting in their previously mentioned status as preferred pets.

Some of the most widely known breeds of bantam chickens are the Cochin, Japanese Bantams, common Bantam, Barnevelder, Old English Game, Polish chicken, D'Uccle, Pekin, Serama and the Sussex bantams. The following are brief descriptions of them:

The Cochin bantam is one of the largest breeds of bantams with the male known for weighing in at a surprising 5 Kg. (11 pounds). This particular bantam breed was introduced in China as the Chinese Shanghai and later exported to America and Britain. Another bantam breed closely related and developed from this breed is the Pekin bantam.

Japanese bantams most commonly referred to as Chao, are literally spread world wide. These chickens are mostly used in shows and as pets.

Barnevelder bantam is among the most popular breed of chickens for shows, carcass, and egg production. Producing rich brown eggs is their specialty and they are natural foragers on top of being a medium heavy breed which makes them excellent for either gaming or food.

Old English Game bantams also make excellent pets for children and are a source of special shows in the United Kingdom for this specific popular breed. This bantam breed is almost opposite to it's standard counterpart, the Old English Game chicken in that it lacks an aggressive nature.

The Polish chicken is mainly bred for show abilities due to the fact that their appearance is beautiful. Boasting such colors as pink, purple, and blue, these bantams do not sit on eggs, but produce stark, white eggs.

Uccle is a town on the outskirts of Brussels, Belgium and is the namesake of the Barbu D'Uccle bantam with soft feathers. This chicken received it's name from the French, translating as Bearded of Uccle.

The Pekin bantam, which has feathers on their legs and feet together with plumage that hangs to the ground, have been referred to as a "walking tea-cosy". Noticeably smaller, measuring in at 15 - 35 centimeters and are commonly known for their mothering instincts.

The Serama bantam breed of chickens is basically still in production. Although they are currently known as the smallest chickens in the world, their breed has not been bred true as of yet, which means breeding them can result in any color, shape, size, etc.

The Sussex bantam is one-quarter the size of it's standard counterpart, better know as the most common of backyard chickens in different countries around the world.

How To Raise Gamefowl The Easy Way

2008-09-22T13:49:00.001-07:00

Awesome Rooster

Choosing to raise gamefowl can be an gigantic undertaking, but with the right research and information you will be able to handle it like a pro. Knowing your breeds is perhaps the first and most important step to beginning the process. Have you decided if the gamefowl will be raised for game or food only? These are important questions and information you will need to be aware of before commencing onto the next steps involved to breeding or raising gamefowl.

If you have decided for certain you are going to raise them, the next step is educating yourself on the different breeds and types of wild fowl available for domestic raising. The main types that are available in the United States are quail, pheasant, partridge, ducks, and chickens. Far too many to name individually, but there are excellent sites online that give you specific information for any certain breed/type you are searching for. These gamefowl are mostly available through alot of means, whether trained or not and most of them at just about any age. If you are considering placing your gamefowl in competitions you may want to acquire younger fowl to allow for ample time for training and a healthy growth rate.

When it comes to feeding your gamefowl with the best nutrients and vitamins necessary to promote their health and well being, selecting good grains, corn, wheat and feed is important. Once again, knowing the exact information of your fowl (breed/type/main activity) is also necessary to this selection of food and is one of the determining factors in the fowls general health and success. Specific diets are available for different uses, such as cockfighting. It requires a different diet to maintain the strength and stamina of the cocks being raised for it as such, where as quail, pheasant, or ducks being raised for food will need a specialized diet to best prepare their carcass for consumption. All forms of diets to best suit your purposes are available in books at your local library, or online using a specific title in a search engine.

Clean water is quite nearly the very essence of all fowl, whether gamefowl or not. This is one of the most important points for all fowl, that they have sufficient clean, fresh water daily. Just as with the nutrition, the hydration of your fowl is also dependant on the training or use you have planned for them. Strict training requires less water at one time, but offered several more times during the day. If you are solely raising your chickens for eating, the hydration practices will be different from training your fowl for cockfighting or otherwise. This can also be researched online or in the library.

All in all, it is important to be completely versed in the facts and information surrounding the raising of gamefowl for whatever purpose you choose to do so. Embarking on this mission can be fascinating, educational, and fun filled. Being well prepared with the best information you are able to locate is the best way to get started and an good step in the right direction to your success with your endeavor.

Buying Live Chickens -- What to Look For

2008-09-21T11:51:00.001-07:00

Chickenauctions.com

Now that you have decided to raise some chickens, how do you know what to look for and which ones to purchase? It is imperative that you know at least the basics when it comes to choosing the best birds for your coop whether they are laying hens or broilers and fryers. Purchasing chicks is one way of getting a head start on giving your birds the healthiest diet and raising possible for the best egg production or meat consumption. With so many different breeds and types to choose from, having some knowledge about them will help to make the best decisions possible.

There are tons of websites that are good sources of information on many of the different types of chickens and which breeds are the best for the purpose you are raising them. Depending on your intentions you may need to purchase one specific breed over another to best suit your plans. Gathering information about the many types and brreeds of chickens and what breed is best for either egg laying or meal production will greatly benefit you when the time comes to buy your chickens.

If gathering eggs for your personal use or for selling is your main goal for raising chickens, you will need to consider the best breeds for that type of production. Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds are most often preferred for excellent egg production, and the laying hens do their job well. Getting a rooster is not a must to the egg laying production unless you want fertilized eggs for hatching. If not, opting to forego purchasing a rooster will save you time, money and hassle. When choosing a good laying hen, watch for signs of bad health. The eyes should be bright eyed, and alert with the chicken moving around often. Their feathers should be in good condition with excellent color and definition. Avoid purchasing laying hens that tend to sit still frequently, or do not walk in the usual peppy manner known to chickens.

When choosing chickens solely for food and meat consumption, the most common breeds that will provide good quality meat are Ross, Arbor Acres, and Peterson chickens. These three breeds are the most commonly preferred for their meatiness and provide proper amounts of nutrients as well. Purchasing these chickens requires a good eye for healthy specimens or good quality chicks from healthy laying hens that are able to be raised healthy to produce the best quality meat when the time arrives.

Saving money is a good idea, but when it comes to buying the least expensive chicks, laying hens, broilers, or fryers is not always the best idea. Sometimes those cheap chickens are cheap for a reason and that reason could be an un-noticed disease or a sickly bird that could infect an entire coop, leaving you with dead or damaged chickens. If you find a good supplier that produces top quality specimens, sticking with them would be wise and perhaps working out variations of deals or payments can be made with consent to continue purchasing from them exclusively. Finding a supplier is not difficult, but finding a trustworthy and excellent one can be. Trust your gut instinct and for whatever else you don't know -- learning is the key.

Timothy A. Crane has an online auction site, where it is FREE to buy or sell anything from real estate to chickens. It was started by my daughter and I. Stop by and register for FREE http://www.chickenauctions.com

Cat Diabetes-And How You Should Treat It

2008-09-20T11:06:00.003-07:00

If your cat has diabetes then cat care is important to your pets health. You will need to take the appropriate steps to make sure your pet can lead a normal life. It is unfortunate that pet cats have there own form of diabetes. It is important as a pet owner you learn how this will affect your pet and how you can help your cat lead a normal healthy life.

There are two types of cat diabetes, that could affect you pet. The first type is caused by the lack of production of insulin, while the second type is the inability of the cats body to process insulin as it should do. just like in humans, diabetes can affect a cat at any age. But it normally appears in a pet in its later years.

Your cat will start to display symptoms that will tell you there is something wrong. These symptoms are very similar to the one in humans, You would start to notice your cat would require more fluid and would also urinate more. Because of your pets inability to process any glucose, then you will start to notice some weight loss.

Other symptoms you may see your cat are vomiting, loss of appetite and general weakness. Diabetic cats also start to have poor skin and coat condition, as well as breathing problems

If your pet cat starts to display the above symptoms, it would be very wise of you to take your pet to your local vet. This way you can have your cat tested for sugar levels in there blood as well as in their urine. it is better to have both tests done, because any cat that feels under any form of stress, will show a spike in there blood sugar levels. By having both tests done, you will be able to confirm if your pet cat really has diabetes.

There is no cure for your cats diabetes as of yet. There diabetes can be controlled through a various means, and for cats it is done by diet and weight control. Giving your pet a diet high in fiber and carbohydrates would be ideal for diabetic cats, especially if they are over weight.

By using this type of diet, you will control your cats weight and blood sugar levels. There are also some oral medications available that your trusted vet may recommend. These should help to maintain a suitable blood sugar level.

Owners of diabetic cats, also will need to monitor their pets glucose and insulin levels. This is for those pet owners who will have to give there cats insulin injections for their diabetes. But be warned, you need to be carful to avoid giving an overdose of insulin as this will be fatal to your pet.

Cat care and diabetes should always go together, this will ensure that your pet can lead a normal healthy life. If you provide the right care for diabetic cats, then you will still have many happy years to come with your pet.

Bird Feeders: Creating a Bird Haven with the Right Feeders

2008-09-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

Having bird feeders is a wonderful way to enjoy having birds frequent your garden, yard, or any place in which you may live. The type of bird feeder that you choose depends on where you live. There are some basic features to watch for when purchasing or building your bird feeders. You also need to know how to maintain your bird feeder to keep your feathered friend coming back to spend time with you.

Types of Bird Feeders

The type of bird feeder that you purchase or build depends on the type of birds that you want to attract, the type of food needed to attract the birds and the area where the bird feeder will be placed. Hummingbirds for example require a liquid food called nectar. Hummingbird feeders are usually plastic or glass and bright red or have parts that are bright red. Plastic and glass feeders are easy to clean. Glass feeders usually have a tub that the hummingbirds can drink from. These types of feeders are made to hang. They can be hung from trees, overhangs, windows and other areas. Suet feeders are wire mesh or plastic mesh feeders that hold suet. These feeders hang from a pole or trees. Examples of the type of birds attracted to these feeders are woodpeckers, jays and others. Thistle feeders for small birds such as goldfinch and redpolls have tiny holes that allow these birds to eat the seeds. Thistle feeders may be hung from a tree or a pole. Hopper feeders are great because they can hold a large amount of bird seed that is kept dry and protected. It is recommended to place this type of feeder on a pole approximately five feet from the ground. Hopper feeders provide you with a variety of different birds. You may have large birds such as cardinals eating from the hopper and what is dropped to the ground is then eaten by smaller birds. Sunflower seed tube feeders are hung at least five feet from the ground. This is the type that you see hung close to windows and are easy to see. These maybe used by people who are not able to get out as often. This is one feeder that easily allows them to enjoy watching birds.

Maintenance of Bird Feeders

It is essential that you maintain your bird feeder. Bird feeders that are not kept clean may harbor diseases that can be passed on to other birds. The best way to maintain your bird feeders and prevent the spread of infection is to “immerse the feeder in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water” (Audubon Society). Cleaning up old seeds and hulls from under and around bird feeders can also help. One other item to consider with feeders is avoiding overcrowding. This will also make the maintenance of your bird feeders easier. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned with a solution of mild soap and water, rinse them thoroughly and dry. Due to the use of nectar for feeding hummingbird feeders have to be cleaned more frequently

Placing several different types of bird feeders in the area that you have chosen will bring different types of birds. Enjoy hummingbirds, song birds, finches, chickadees, woodpeckers and many others. Finding out what types of birds there are in the region where you live makes the process of choosing the correct feeders easier. Maintenance of your feeders is not hard when compared with the benefits and enjoyment. This is a fun and exciting project that the whole family can enjoy. Have fun and make new feathered friends!

Good Dogs Bad Owners

2008-09-19T09:45:00.001-07:00

Top Dog Breeds

How often do you hear an owner shout, 'Bad dog' when what really needs to be said is 'bad handler'. The feeling is very irritating when a dog jumps on you and puts paw prints over everything you're wearing. When your front yard is the chosen venue for the next door dog to leave his many calling cards, this is also frustrating. The dogs are no worse than the children of the neighbor. What else other than bad behavior can you expect from animals and kids when the concerned adults have no idea what they are supposed to do?

The dog ought to be given pre-set behavioral limits when inside or when it is taken to public places. Sensible owners take the help of dog trainers who teaches them proper handling methods without breaking the natural spirit. Your vet office or local pet stores can put you in touch with trainers who hold group discussions with the owners along with their pet; or enroll in an online course to tackle any problems instantly.

A section of this training is involved with tutoring the owner how to handle his pet. There is a saying amongst trainers however that it is far easier to train dogs than the people that own them! Dogs need to practice when they are taught to walk with leash when they are taken out and for this they need to walk around in a yard or any other area. Owner and other residents get irritated when these animals bark even if it is a typical occurrence. When they bark, they are simply communicating with us; a reprimand him might give them the wrong signal and confuse them.

So why does a dog bark? Well, just like a young child or baby, it needs attention, food or something to drink. A dog barking can alarm the owners of a burglar intrusion so attempting to stop him from doing this may work against you. It is wrong to encourage a puppy to bark and then punish him for barking when he attains adulthood.

Trainers teach you how to promote the dog behavior you prefer by praising your pet and giving them the occasional treat. How do you make your puppy stop the undesired behavior? Well, simply learn to reward him when he does something which is 'desired' behavior. You can not teach a dog some behavioral pattern which contradicts his natural breed. To make your pet follow specific behavioral training, you ought to choose one from a breed with can give you what you need. Dedication, patience and a loving attitude are needed if you wish to train a dog.

Useful Tack Horse Equipment Tips

2008-09-17T22:01:00.003-07:00

tack horse equipment

Having a riding horse is glamorous and fun, yet there is also a lot of care and maintenance involved in owning such an animal. All serious riders know the importance of tack horse equipment. The tack consists of riding accessories, such as the saddle, bridle, bit, girth and many other items, all of which makes it easier for the rider to sit on the back of the horse and control it, while the horse is protected from possible pain or injury during the ride. There are two major types of tack: the Western tack and the English tack. Most people prefer the former since it is simpler. If you are new to these terms, then it would be a good idea to consult with an experienced horse rider, as well as researching a little off and online, before you decide on which type of horse tack supply gear would suit you best.

Buying and owning a horse is a great investment and responsibility. The quality of the equipment you use will determine the quality of your rides and the comfort of the horse during your rides. Therefore, there should be no compromise whatsoever when you buy horse tack equipment for your animal. If you are low on finances, then you could always buy everything you need from the pre-owned market. In fact, a good number of people choose this market to get equipment at a fraction of the cost of new, and the bonus is that it does not need to be broken in.

Each item in the tack horse repertoire is important. However, the saddle and the bit seem to be a little more vital than the rest. The saddle has to be perfect in terms of fit and comfort, for both the rider and the horse. You need to learn how to lay the saddle in such a manner that the horse is not inconvenienced when you ride it or it might be inclined to throw you off. The bit too is another important tack horse equipment item, as it gives you control over the animal.

The tack horse equipment is what makes a ride perfect. You cannot afford to make any mistakes, nor neglect anything. You need to make sure that you understand how each piece of equipment is used and how it should fit. This will not only ensure your comfort but also your safety, as there could be some serious accidents, as a direct result of ill-fitting horse tack.

Salt Water Fishes

2008-09-17T22:01:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya5nUbzIdPo

Repeat Buyer Program

Saltwaterfish.com is very pleased to offer a Repeat Buyer Program! We would like to thank the tens of thousands of you that constantly make repeat purchases from our company. So many of you continue to purchase from us again and again, many of whom have passed the 50 order mark, and we wanted to offer you something in return for your loyalty. We have designed a Repeat Buyer Program that entitles you to free fish, corals, or inverts for each of your repeat purchases.

The way the program works is each live goods purchase places you into a corresponding "Level". Each Level (1,2,3, etc.) will offer you a choice of different free items each time you order. Our system will recognize you once you've logged into the shopping cart and notify you of the level you've reached, along with your choice of free items. The free items will change from time to time. Please remember that the free item may occasionally be substituted if we run out of stock on that item, and the free item is not part of the guarantee program.

We're dedicated to bringing you the best possible live fish, corals, and invertebrates from around the world and we want to thank you for recognizing that with your repeated purchases from our company. We look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.

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Balanced Food Makes Your Pet Healthy

2008-09-17T22:00:00.001-07:00

Pet food is typically sold in pet stores and supermarkets and is one of the most highly regulated of all food products.based on the nutritional needs the pet food is formulated. Pet food is one of the worlds most synthetic edible products, containing virtually no whole ingredients.

Products that are substantiated to be "complete and balanced" by feeding trials will have the statement "animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition. Products that are formulated with ingredients to meet the established nutrient profile would include the following statement. Products meant for intermittent feeding are labeled "Complementary feedingstuff or "complementary petfood" while products with an ash content of over 40% are labeled "Mineral Feedingstuff". Products labeled as premium or gourmet are not required to contain any different or higher quality ingredients, nor are they held up to any higher nutritional standards than are any other complete and balanced products. Cat is very fragile compared to dogs, some food is not good for them.

There are also some dry pet foods that make the claims to aid dental health, such as ROYAL CANIN Oral Sensitive range. Amount to feed each day according to body weight: Dog weight Food 5 kg 270 g 10 kg 460 g 15kg 620 g 20 kg 770 g 25 kg 900 g 30 kg 1000 g * A vitamin supplement can be used instead of the liver**Bone meal can be found in certain healthfood stores and is an excellent source of calcium. Dull or unhealthy coats are a common problem with cats and dogs, and poor diet is usually the cause, according to many veterinarians and breeders.

Natural dog and cat foods with only natural, wholesome ingredients and nutrient-dense with vitamins, minerals, fats, and fatty acids which are essential for the optimal health of your dog or cat. NaturalMoves for Pets For regular bowels and digestive system. Natural remedy to promote digestive health and integrity. Natural dog and cat food Quality pet food with only natural, wholesomeingredients and nutrient dense with vitamins, minerals, fats and fattyacids which are essential for the optimal health of your dog or cat. Natural cat food saves time and power. CHICKEN AND RICE (Diet Roll) A natural healthy way for your dog to lose weight.

Each ingredient in pet food is there for a reason and to serve a nutritional purpose.Spoilage and contamination will increase with more pet food produced nowadays. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms (see Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 113).Modern dog and cats suffers illness and have dangers of early death due to processed pet food say vets. However, that is not to say that the practiseof using this material in pet food is condoned by the CVM. The risk of household pet exposure to TSE from contaminatedpet food is more than three times greater than the risk forhamburger-eating humans. The nutritional value of pet food is increasingly top-of-mind, particularly in the wake of the 2007 melamine-tainted pet food recall.

5 Easy Steps to Cureing Dog Ear Yeast Infection - Cure Dog Ear Yeast Infection Fast

2008-09-16T23:00:00.003-07:00

A dog can be plagued with any type of infection on any area of the body, but usually yeast infection affects a dog’s ears more than any other part of the body. I guess it is because of how the ear is positioned; it is close to the head and if not properly cleaned can develop an infection.

Dogs that have floppy ears don’t get enough circulation and dogs that do not get enough sunlight are susceptible to dog ear yeast infection. Yeast is developed in areas that are moist and dark. If a dog has had a bath, the area behind the ears needs to be dried properly. Putting the dog out in the sunlight will help to dry behind the ears.

Look for any excessive scratching behind the ear and notice any type of redness, swelling or discharge as well as any unusual odor coming from the animal. These are some of the signs of dog ear yeast infection.

Taking your dog to the vet is the best possible reaction to these symptoms. However, some dog owners have found natural methods that work even faster than anything that the vet may prescribe for the animal. So in cases where the problem still persists, you can opt for natural cure of a dog’s ear yeast infection.

Here are some options you might want to consider to cure dog ear yeast infection:

Change your dog’s diet to foods that will help to build up the immune systems. Dogs are pretty much like humans who get sicker when the immune system is low. Do not give your dog only the scraps from your leftovers to eat. There are different types of dog foods that target the immune system. Go to your local pet store to see what you can find. You can also give your dog Vitamin C and anything that will improve the health of your dog.
As discussed before, make sure that your dog’s ear is clean and dry because yeast grows more when it is in a moist area. If you have a dog that has ears that stand up, it is easier to maintain because nature (sunlight) will dry it for you. However, if the dog has droopy ears, then more care needs to be taken to keep it clean and dry. Try to see if your dog will let you put a headband that pulls the ear forward so it can have a chance to dry properly. Do this when the dog is lying down. Trim any excessive hair growth behind the ears. Use diluted vinegar to wipe behind the ears.
Stay away from giving your dog too much antibiotics. Antibiotics are a friend to yeast infection in both humans and animals. The body has a natural flora balance and the antibiotics disrupt the flow to cause yeast to grow.
Use anti-microbial herbs, if possible, which you can get at your local health food store. Pau d’arco is a great natural anti-microbial that you can try. Check with your vet first.
Chorhexidine is a good substitute for prescription treatment as well as the ointment known as Cotramizole.

Your dog is depending on you to take care of its dog ear yeast infection. If you follow the tips above, it will help to cure dog ear yeast infection, but make sure you do your own research and get medical help when needed. To get more dog ear yeast infection tips, CLICK HERE.

Pink leather dog collar

2008-09-16T23:00:00.001-07:00

It Shouldn’t Happen To A Dog: Pink Leather Dog Collars

Pink leather dog collars exemplify all that is wrong with modern society, and not just on an aesthetic level. You do have to wonder what the dog thinks when made to wear a monstrosity like a spiked pink leather dog collar. Dogs must really love us in order to not kill us for having to go out in public dressed like that. Although dogs aren’t color blind, they also don’t seem to care what color they wear. It’s only people that insist on pink designer leather dog collars.

Trying To Improve On Nature

Not that Pepto-Bismol pink leather dog collars aren’t an assault to the eyeballs, but they also show the arrogance of the human race. Leather is an incredible material. It’s tough, it’s attractive and it smells good. It also is very comfortable, once you break it in a little. But it does not come in pink. Although leather is often superior to other clothing materials, because it is not in pink makes it not good enough.

Just stop and think about all of the wasted materials, labor and effort that go into making pink leather dog collars – or pink leather anything, for that matter. You have to have the land to raise crops to feed the cow or sheep. You then have to raise the cow or sheep and then kill it, skin it and have the leather go through a special process called “curing”. You also need to stretch and condition the leather during this time.

And then, you have to coat it in pink. Generally, you have to cover the leather in another material (usually not as tough) in order to just make the leather pink. This often cracks off long before the leather underlay wears out. But hey – it’s pink!

Other Canine Fashion Faux “Paws”

I you are going to insist on making your dog wear a pink leather dog collar, then please be sure your dog is a girl. They say dogs can’t understand human language beyond a few words, but they sure know when they are being laughed at. Once a human starts to snicker, that human’s dog then joins in to tease the boy dog that is forced to wear pink because the owner thinks it’s “cute”.

On a more serious note, please do not get any kind of dog collar with rhinestones, diamonds or small sparkly things that can easily pop off of the collar. Dogs are like babies in that they explore the world through their mouths. Dogs have been known to choke to death on the shiny attachments that have come off of fashion dog collars.

Feliway plug

2008-09-15T21:59:00.009-07:00

A Feliway diffuser is the simplest method to get a continuous flow of cat facial pheromones into the air and surrounding areas of your humble abode. The Feliway diffuser means to, as is obvious, diffuse into your room the Feliway for cats. Plug in the Feliway diffuser to your outlets to enable the diffusion relaxation for your stressed out feline friends and they will once again be relaxed Cats.

A Feliway plug in will be part of a large array of aids for many common pet ailments relating to cat stress.To be sure, Feliway is a synthetic feline facial pheromone that eases and calms irritated kitties. Locales where your animals sense this pheromone are recognized as peaceful and familiar, rather like moving to your warm location in the location of the diffuser. Feliway plug ins are good at stopping ignoring of the litter box, easing your precious moggies during trips or getting used to to unusual places, when new cats to each other in a cat-crowded household, and typically reducing conflict that we may find when so many cats are in too little proximity. It should be said that this will certainly contribute to a lessening in the stress level of family who may be not enjoying stress issues of said felines, as well.

While you want to employ the Feliway plug ins spray on specific, particular locations where your pet has urinated (not, of course, the litter box!), the Feliway plug in is used to provide area coverage for a more general sense of calming and relaxation. The Feliway diffuser goes into the outlet, and you install a vial of the Feliway spray. This works in a very similar fashion to plug in air fresheners, except you don't smell it. By the way, using a spray other than the intended will definitely cause problems with the diffuser, as it is arranged to work with that specific spray and not others.

Used to combat urination or spraying problems, the Feliway electric diffuser ought to go in the room where the urination concern has occurred, and a intense cleaning of the place done. Remember, cats can sniff out traces of their urine well after it is gone from your attention, and you want the Feliway plug ins to prevent that.

For mood difficulties and eating problems, you ought to put the Feliway diffuser in the location that cats are ordinarily in. It ought to be placed in an clear area so the spray can adequately diffuse, so be sure not to put it behind furniture or curtains. It needs to go out in the open. A Feliway plug ins can cover a room of up to 650 square feet.

For issues with new cat integration or aggresion concerns in the cat-crowded household, you may think about using repeated Feliway diffusers and put them in disparate areas where the cats typically congregate. It is not required to smother the whole house with the Feliway diffusers, though of course the common areas and any areas where particularly discomforted cats typically remain should be covered so as to provide the largest advantage, with a Feliway Comfort Zone Plug-in each area.

Another issue to be aware of with the Feliway plug in is that they tend to get a bit warm in the area of the actual diffuser. Feliway plug ins device is designed such that it's surface is warmed to encourage the spray to evaporate throughout a room. Keep it away from the furnishings and curtains or draperies, or your cats joy may be the least of your worries. It's always good to be prudent with your Feliway plug and your home.

Should You Install Invisible Fence?

2008-09-15T21:59:00.007-07:00

Keeping your dog safe is always a priority. This is why many responsible dog owners buy an Invisible Fence system.

Invisible Fence is a wireless pet containment system. An electrical wire is laid underground along the perimeter of an area. A special electronic collar is placed on the dog. When the dog approaches the perimeter, a warning beep sounds. This gives the dog the chance to back away from the perimeter. If the dog ignores the beeping, a mild electric shock is delivered via the electronic collar to the dog's neck.

Some people feel this containment technique is cruel, but it's not. The shock is very mild, as the power comes from batteries in the dog's collar, not from the buried wire. It's the surprise that gets a reaction. And the shock level is adjusted according to the size of the dog — smaller dogs get a much smaller shock.

Note that Invisible Fence, like all electronic pet fences, doesn't work its magic in a vacuum. The dog must be conditioned to run away from the perimeter when the warning beep occurs. Little flags are placed along the perimeter to act as visual cues during the training, which initially occurs with a leashed dog. The collar is also placed into training (no shock) mode.

Conditioning is done quite simply. The owner approaches the boundary with the dog. As soon as the dog passes the flags that mark the perimeter, the collar will start beeping. The owner immediately tugs on the leash and walks quickly away from the perimeter, calling the dog's name. With lots of praise, the owner makes it a fun game for the dog.

Done over several training sessions, the dog learns to immediately leave the boundary area as soon as the beeping occurs. Eventually the training is done without a leash and with the collar in its normal mode. If the dog ignores the beeping, the first shock it receives is usually enough to cause it to heed the collar's warning the next time it approaches the boundary.

Obviously, not every dog needs to be contained with an Invisible Fence system. But it works surprisingly well for those that do.

Dogs with Yeast Infection find Natural Cure for Yeast Infection

2008-09-15T21:59:00.005-07:00

Rex was a very playful dog. He loved to have you throw him any small object and he would run and get it. Sharon's kids loved Rex. They would come over to my house with Rex and my boys would also enjoy playing with Rex.

One day the boys came over and Rex was not with them. When I asked why, they hesitated to tell me. The older boy hung his head and told me to call his mom, Sharon and she would tell me. I called Sharon only to learn that she too was ashamed to tell me that Rex had yeast infection.

I asked her how he got it and she explained that the vet told her that Rex had dog ear yeast infection, which was a primary yeast infection that affected the skin and because his immune system could not resist the bacteria that causes yeast infection, he had contaminated it from other dogs in the neighborhood that he might have been playing with.

Dogs with yeast infection

Sharon sounded so sad and so were the boys. My boys also missed Rex and were asking me so many questions that I could not answer.

Sharon told me that she did not want Rex to be around the kids because he had all kinds of skin rashes and he just wouldn't stop scratching.

I decided to go on a research to find out what I could do to help this family since Sharon told me that what the doctors were giving Rex was not helping at all.

Curing a dog yeast infection

I did some extensive probing online and found a book written by Sarah Summers, titled 12 Hours to Natural Cure of Yeast Infection." I wasn't sure if this book could help since it seemed to target human beings and not canine yeast infection.

I sent an email to Sarah Summers, not sure if she would answer me back. Lo and behold, I got an email from her within a few days. She confirmed what I had hoped for. The natural methods that she had in her book had been well researched, she reported, and could help any type of yeast infection in men, babies, women and dogs.

I still wasn't sure, so I asked her if she could give me the email or phone number of someone who had tried it for their dog. I was sure now that she was going to give me a negative answer. I had pushed her in a corner.

To my amazement, she told me she would get back to me within an hour. I got an email a little over an hour later and was given the name and phone number of someone who had used her method to cure dogs yeast infection. However, before I made the phone call, I wanted to be sure that I wasn't just given the name of just any person so I did a reverse phone search to make certain that the phone number belonged to that person and that was when I made the phone call.

To make the story shorter, within 4 days of purchasing Sarah Summer's book online and getting the natural treatment for the dogs yeast infection, Rex was his old self again and that yeast infection was gone and never returned.

So it is from that standpoint that I can recommend Sarah Summer's book. If you would like to know more about how to get a copy of this book, go to 12 Hour Natural Cure for Yeast Infection Now.

Keeping Degus as Fascinating Small Pets

2008-09-15T21:59:00.003-07:00

A small caviomorph rodent native to Chile is the degu. The caviomorphs are characterized by their large heads, plump bodies, slender legs and short tails. They are also distinguished by the formation of their jaws and massafer muscles. The degu is sometimes also called the glitter-tailed rat though it is not related to the rat family.

The rodents are highly social creatures living in burrows. They dig together communally to make larger and more elaborate burrows than what they could do individually also. There are chains formed by degus digging together and coordinating their activities. The social behavior is also observed in case of the females who live in the same group who not only nest communally but also nurse the young of each other.

Caring For Degus Kept As Pets

The degus can indeed become very tame if handled from an early age. It is best however that they be kept with other degus as they are social animals. These are playful creatures and are active during the daytime i.e. they are diurnal.

If encaged, the degus need a large cage. A couple of degus ought to be kept in a cage that has the minimum length, breadth and height of 24 inches, 18 inches and 24 inches respectively. The larger the cage the better it is. The cage should be made of wire so that the degus who are avid chewers cannot chew and damage the cage. However, the floor should not be made of wire and should be solid and shelves and ledges should also be made of solid material. This will ensure that the degus do not have foot problems.

It is important that a solid surface exercise wheel is introduced in the cage of the degus. There can be thick branches placed in the cage helping the degus climb on to them and chew them for fun and exercise. There can also be placed thick cotton ropes for climbing purposes. Within the cage the use of ceramic dishes that are chew proof and a water bottle with sipper tube with chew guard is required. Since degus love to chew very much some chew toys can also be placed in the cages.

The degus need regular dust baths to keep their skin and coat in good condition. So, a shallow bowl is to be placed in their cage with an inch or two of sand a couple of times per week and left for around half an hour for the degus to enjoy sand bathing.

To feed the degus high quality food, chinchilla or guinea pig pellets can be given together with rodent blocks. Grass hay like timothy hay should be made available for munching of the degus all the time. A little of alfalfa hay can also be provided. Small hay racks to keep the hay stocked can be arranged for in the cage. Fresh vegetables may also be given to the degus preferably in small quantities because otherwise they may be causing diarrhea. The vegetables which are members of the cabbage family should be fed in very small quantities if not avoided altogether. The water in the bottles placed should be changed on a regular basis.

How To Easily Build A Chicken Coop

2008-09-15T21:59:00.001-07:00

Chickenauctions.com

Before purchasing the fowl or fowls of your choice, it is necessary to have cages or coops to keep them in. These are not necessarily difficult to build, but must follow certain guidelines to be useful. If you are planning on building your own chicken coop, with the proper supplies and materials you can have an excellent coop built in very little time.

Choosing the best location is a necessary factor in egg production, warmth, and over all presentation. If you live in a closely populated area you may want to consider the look and style of your coop. Although it is not a law, it is common courtesy to make it look presentable so as not to cause hard feelings between you and your neighbors. You don't have to let their likes and dislikes tell you the type and form of your housing, but as far as the smell and exterior appearance, it should be made presentable. A backyard shed or small garden house makes great chicken housing, but building your own is the only way to make sure you get what you want.

The type of coop is dependant on your surroundings as well. The predators where you live, either domestic or wild, should not be able to access the chickens in their housing. The kinds of predators you have in your area will determine whether you will be able to free range chickens or whether they must be kept in an enclosed area not just for their protection, but also to keep them from wandering.

An ideal coop allows for four to four and a half square feet of space per chicken kept, meaning the larger the number of birds you intend to raise, the larger your coop will need to be. Try to determine whether or not you will be expanding in the future or whether you intend to simply raise a few at a time. If you plan on expanding your chicken holdings, it may be necessary to build a large building from the start and section it off to allow for future expansion, rather than be forced to put off expansion plans until the coop is built to specifications.

Most domestic chicken coops are mainly small in their keep and do not include plans for building a feeding and watering system into the building, but it is possible. Complicated but possible. Most chicken farmers opt for store purchased feeding and watering systems that are made available at most feed stores, and can be ordered at those that do not carry them. View all your options before settling on any one system.

Allow for plenty of room for a full sized adult bird to move around in the pen for cleaning and egg gathering purposes as well as good ventilation for the chickens. Keeping the floor covered with at least four inches of suitable covering (Hay, wood shavings, corn husks etc.) ensures cleanliness and keeps the chickens from ingesting their own droppings. Whether or not you build an enclosed area or simply allow them to roam free, the chickens will need plenty of room to scratch and dig for bugs. The best amount to have is about twice the size of the housing.

Whatever style or design you settle on should work best for you and the chickens you will be raising and enable you to keep them safe, healthy and warm when necessary.

Types Of Small Aquarium Sharks - Two Of The Most Popular

2008-09-14T20:58:00.007-07:00

When setting up an aquarium people quickly find out that there are many tropical fish to select from. There are school fish such as Guarmis and Tetras and there are aggressive fish such as Oscars and Cichlids. But a fish that has recently become more popular for the small home aquarium is the small aquarium sharks. If you want to take care of your new shark here is some information on how to maintain them in your home aquarium.

The Epaulette Shark

The Eqaulette shark is one of the more ideal small sharks for a small aquarium as they like to live in small confined areas. They are usually white with brown spots all over their body. Unlike most sharks they do not swim around the tank but prefer to swim on the tank floor all day looking for food. At times they look like eels with their slender bodies, their bodies allow them to slip around the rocks and other aquarium decorations.

Although they are not the smallest of the aquarium sharks, they are also not the largest. Eqaulette sharks can grow quite large, an adult can grow up to eleven inches long. So when selecting one ensure that your tank is large enough for them to move around when they grow.

The Epaulette shark eats mainly on small crabs and worms. They may even eat shrimp and other small fishes. They have very small teeth, so larger pieces of food should be avoided. They can bite and chew, but their teeth are not designed to cut the food. So, keep their food pieces small at all times.

The Red Tail Shark

One of the most popular small aquarium sharks is the red tail shark. This small shark is semi-aggressive fish its unique beauty is a definite plus in any aquarium. They have a solid black body with red tip tail which is easy to identify. These sharks are not very social so it is recommended that you only keep one per tank.

Red tails love hiding as it provides them with a sense of safely and security, so provide them with nice little hiding places. As they are an aggressive fish and will pick on other fish you need a tank that is large enough to accommodate all the fish

Like the Eqaulette Shark Red tails like to search the bottom of the tank for food. They will eat most fish flakes, live food or other food that ends up at the bottom of the tank. They like to eat at least once per day.

There is a large variety of sharks at the pet shop to choose from but two of the most popular are the Epaulette shark and the Red Tail shark for small aquariums. Do some research if looking to buy one for your own tank as they are not like other fish, they do require specialized attention. Even so they are a wonderful addition to any aquarium.

Rules in Dog Training

2008-09-14T20:58:00.005-07:00

dog training collar

A dog owner should set his mind in the right frame if he wants to train his dog. This would prevent him from violating any dog rules, an act that could really detriment the dog's interest on learning.

Following the rules of training will also prevent the owner from doing the things that could harm his relationship with the dog. There are certain rules in dog house training that must be followed including the following:

Stay focused

Incompletion of a task usually leads to confusion. Make certain that when a command is given, both you and your dog will follow through. Try not to be distracted whenever you order a command.

Say you are asking your dog to sit. Once you give this command, be sure that both of you will see the end of it. Do not tug on the collar of your dog and stop halfway and be distracted. Always finish one command first then move on to the next.

The dog should sit completely and not just bend his rear legs. If you do not make this happen, the dog will think that next time you give the command it would be okay for him not to complete the task or to ignore it completely. Always stay focused, this way, you would eliminate the possibility of confusion and maximize the obedience to a command.

Rewards and punishments

Many owners are anxious to let their dogs hear a string of praises or be rewarded with several cookies instead of one whenever a command is accomplished. On the other hand, a lot of owners give too many punishments on a single wrong thing that the dog did instead of punishing him just once. Both could adversely affect the training of the dog.

Don't over emphasize the rewards or punishment due to the dog's behavior. If you are using praises as reward, do not over praise the dog. Praising your dog will make the dog realize that you are in favor of his abilities. This should be said immediately after the command is accomplished.

In the same way, a single pulling of the check cord will be enough if the dog did not follow your command. A signal will be sent to the dog to inform them that something is wrong.

The dog will become distracted from learning if you continue to offer rewards or punishment. He would only remember the praises or the punishments and not the thing he did or he did not do.

End with a positive note

For every training session, make it a point that the training will end with a positive praise. The dog will welcome the next session as they will feel the need to please you. Also, ensure to it that the last command was accomplished correctly so that the dog is oriented properly to following commands.

Never lose your patience

Often trainers become impatient with the dog when the results are not achieved. Then they do something really stupid that could spoil the training.

Canine dog training should be an enjoyable experience for you and your pet. If it starts to make you lose your temper and your dog a lot more disobedient, you should try to assess your pitfalls.

Dog training is really a difficult business. If you are not prepared for it, you could get help from dog training classes and instructors.