Friday, 27. November 2009
Dogs are considered to be like best friends to many pet owners. These pet owners might not even think about the quality of the food that they serve their dogs. Many pet owners are confused by the health issues that their dogs face. A lot of times the owners have no idea why the health problems occur.
Fortunately, there are alternative options for those in search of dog information regarding a healthy diet. For one, you could opt to make your own dog food. If you want a healthier dog, and are trying to improve your dog’s energy level and appearance, you should try Flint River Ranch dog food.
A number of people will turn to professionals for dog information. Sometimes, the first suggestion will be supplements or pharmaceuticals. However, this may be unnecessary. If you have been feeding your pet grocery store brands, all you may need to do is switch to a premium food. The results will be quickly apparent. Many dog foods contain the scraps and waste left from food processors. It doesn’t sound very appetizing, and is not considered the healthiest type of food.
There are alternatives for those dog owners that are seeking dog information regarding a healthy diet. One option is to make your own dog food. You can use the foods you prepare for yourself and your family. Simply cool the food to room temperature in the refrigerator before feeding it to your pet. Nevertheless, there are some drawbacks to be aware of regarding this arrangement.
Most importantly, unless you are knowledgeable regarding dog information and nutrition, there’s no guarantee that your dog is getting the proper nutrients from your diet. Additionally, it can be time consuming and costly to feed an extra mouth at your table. A dog food containing human grade, natural ingredients would be a good alternative. The food for pets given by Flint River Ranch, is made under controlled conditions.
This food is digested easily and contains high degree of important vitamins and minerals. The dog food prepared by Flint River Ranch is of good quality that a person’s dog would enjoy eating. Consider Flint River Ranch pet foodstuff if you want to perk up your dog’s physical condition, liveliness levels and looks. The owners of Flint River Ranch not only offer superior product quality but also have solutions and give support to pet owners who want the most excellent, healthiest existence for their pets.
Great dog information online, includes information on homemade dog food, or the excellent dog food known as Flint River Ranch.
Posted in Pets by Jennifer Poultson -
Thursday, 26. November 2009
Almost everyone starting to reduce the amount of money they spend today. But your pooch doesn’t understand money and just notices that they are not receiving as many toys to play with lately. Give your dog some happiness with some cheap dog toys.
The fact that we often work for long hours at a time will often leave your pet home alone with no one to play with. The solution is therefore to provide them with a toy or toys to play with as most dogs will get bored and will no doubt need these toys to pass the time. After all we have all seen those movies that show man’s best friend making a huge mess while while the protagonist is awayisn’t paying attention to them This can be avoided in real life by purchasing a cheap dog toy. There is a wide range of toys to choose from; they come in different sizes, shapes, colors brands to name a few. In fact the options are so wide you may be left wondering what you will choose.
Unless your dog is really sick one thing is common among all breeds, and that is that they love to play, especially puppies. That’s the main thing that they will want to do. You and your family must play with your dog to keep them happy. And for the times that you are not around, there are toys to keep him or her entertained.
Heading to your local pet store to get these toys may not be the answer, as normally these stores will cost too much. If you have more than one dog, your expenses will start to add up. The solution is to buy at wholesale prices. This is great if you have more than one dog as you will save money on buying in bulk. But if you only have one furry friend then your best option is hang out with family or friends that also have dogs. Whether you have one dog, or even two or three this is a fantastic way to save money for you and your friends and family while still buying cheap dog toys.
Another reason to pick up cheap dog toys is that they probably will not last very long. Dogs tend to destroy all toys relatively quickly, whether they’re expensive or cheap so you will get the same results in a short period of time If a toy that has been ripped up is longer usable or safe.
Again in these times not only do you need to watch your budget but you must take care not to neglect your beloved pooch. A wonderful source of finding cheap dog toys is via using the internet. Using the internet to shop for anything is easier than you might expect, and you can get fantastic prices.
You may be trying to save money, but your doggie deserves toys as much as the next dog. Get some cheap dog toys to keep them entertained.
Posted in Pets by Erin Tally -
Thursday, 26. November 2009
If you own a poodle, you will find that one of the expenses that will start eating away at your pocket book is grooming them! Many people are finding that grooming poodles themselves can both help them save their money and help them get to know their pet a little bit better as well. While the art of poodle grooming might seem a little esoteric, the truth is, anyone who has a bit of patience and a willingness to help their pet look the best that it can can do a fairly accomplished job.
When you are looking to groom a standard poodle, you will find that the job takes about three hours once you have mastered it. You may find that when you are getting started that it is best to let the job proceed at intervals over the space of a few days, and this will give you and your poodle a bit of a break. If you feel that the trouble and the time investment are not worth it, remember to find a professional that you trust and take the time to network with other poodle owners to help you figure out what you need to know.
When considering grooming poodles, you’ll find that you should think about what kind of trim that you prefer. Your poodle’s coat can be shaped into a number of different looks, all of them attractive, but remember that the longer and more shaped that your dog’s coat needs to be, the more maintenance that it will need. Similarly, if your dog is a show dog, you’ll also find that you need to have some sort of variation on the lion cut, which does require a fair amount of upkeep.
If you have a show poodle, remember that it will have a lion cut of some sort. A lion cut has three standard variations, including a puppy cut, an English saddle cut and a continental cut. You’ll find that these all have ths ame standard look and they all come from a time when poodles were used to retrieve birds that had been shot into the water, as the long ruff of fur on the chest would protect the lungs and the fur on the legs would protect the bones.
If you are not going to show your dog, you’ll find that you have quite a few more options when it comes to making sure that your dog looks tidy. You can do an all-around short trim, which is ideal when you are considering how to make a good grooming job last, but if you are looking for something more flashy, consider looking at pictures online and in books to get some ideas.
When you are considering grooming poodles, you’ll find that clipping the fur on the feet, face and the bottom of the tail very short for hygienic reasons, because it will allow for less food to get trapped there. You’ll find that when you clip the that things don’t get trapped between their toes, and you’ll also find that the shorter the coat is, the easier it is to cut and dry. Remember to wash your poodle before you groom it to keep your tools in good shape, and the better the equipment you get the better off you’ll be.
To discover more details about grooming poodles as well as information on poodle training, see Toy Poodle Information.
Posted in Pets by Geraldine Dimarco -
Thursday, 26. November 2009
Training dogs has many methods and one of these methods is called Dog Clicker Training. It is used to train dogs, but was first introduced to train dolphins. It allowed the use of a clicker or a clicking sound to communicate to the dolphins as they swam under the water. The clicker method was found to be useful for other animals as well, including puppies, fish, elephants and other animals.
A clicker is a simple metal gadget that creates a click sound that does not waver in volume or pitch. It is a quick single sound that animals are not afraid of and can respond to quickly. This type of training is one of the most humane ways to train a dog. It does not hurt the body of the dog or injure the dogs ears. Dog clicker training is used to associate the sound of the clicker with the desired behavior the trainer or owner seeks.
With the sound of the click the dog instantly knows what behavior was commendable and will associate the click with the good behavior. When a treat is given without the click a puppy or dog can get confused as the treat is given when the dog has already changed behaviors. If the click is given immediately and then a small treat, this will help the dog know immediately what exactly he was doing to deserve the click, and then the treat.
The owner, or trainer will want to start with allowing the dog to get used to hearing the click and immediately receiving a small treat. Soon, the owner will want to allow the dog to do a small task, one that the dog already is doing or has already learned. An example of this is if the dog is on a walk, and the dog urinates outside as opposed to inside. Immediately after the dog uses the outside for its waste, the clicker is used and the dog receives a treat. This reinforces this behavior in a positive way.
Also, this is good to modify the dogs behavior if the dog has an issue with barking at people when they come to visit . This behavior is unacceptable and will not be rewarded but once the dog stops this negative behavior it is rewarded with the sound of the click once again.
Once the dog learns to wait for the positive reinforcement of the clicker, he will learn at a quicker rate than just with voice commands or treats. Dog clicker training, voice commands with body language can all be used together to help the dog learn at a faster rate.
Dog clicker training can teach good habits and deter bad habits. It is the owner’s responsibility to raise a dog in a positive environment making happy dogs and happy owners and neighbors.
Learn more about puppy training. Stop by by Judy Steven’s site where you can find out all about dog clicker training and what it can do for you.
Posted in Pets by Judy Stevens -
Wednesday, 25. November 2009
The incessant whining that is part and parcel of some dog owners’ experience with canine companionship is soon sure to sap the last bit of love and affection out of the relationship and in some cases will also sour the neighborly ties of homeowners living adjacent to your vociferous canine. Of course, whining happens in even the most well behaved dog, but there are some tips and tricks to learn from dog owners who have been through it!
1. Listen to the different “voices” of your dog. Your dog is not whining or barking for no reason. Has he spotted another animal? Did someone enter your backyard and your dog is defending his territory? Maybe he needs food or water?
2. Whining is a distinct sign that your dog is in distress. Many alert owners have saved their dogs from harm by investigating when their dog was whining.
3. Dogs whine when they are feeling lonely. Dogs are very social animals, in their natural settings they live together in packs. If you have been gone all day your dog may be whining out of loneliness. Set aside the first 10 minutes when you get home from work to play and socialize with your dog and you will stop the whining in it’s track. It is also a stress relief for you to interact and love your dog after a stressful day at work.
4. having your dog locked out in the back yard is a surefire way to make him whine, and to make your neighbors hate you. Your dog wants to be with you and misses your companionship which is had inside the house. Your dog may be whining until you take him in whether that happens within the next 10 minutes or 10 hours. For the sake of your dog and your neighbors, leave your dog inside the house when you are away.
Attempting to discipline a distressed dog is rarely a good idea although a dog that incessantly whines even after all of its needs are met will benefit from a stern “no” that is immediately followed with eye contact and a turning over onto the back in a submissive position. Do not hit your dog or simply put it outside as this will not solve the problem but actually make the behavior a lot worse.
Training a miniature dachshund puppy? or need help training your dog not to bark? Dog and puppy training can be a lot easier with the right information. Visit us at catsdogsandpets.com for the resources you need.
Posted in Pets by Sonia Kekkonen -
Wednesday, 25. November 2009
Sure, we all love our dogs. The indoor poop and the pee spots are unfortunate incidents that happen to come with the package. Wouldn’t it be great though to not have to deal with cleaning up his mess anymore? With your patience and these tips on potty training dogs, it can be done.
Not a lot of people jump for joy at the mention of house training dogs. As a result, some people who adopt older dogs will be surprised to find them still untrained in ‘doing their business’ outside. While it may be easier to teach puppies to eliminate properly; adult dogs can still be taught correct toilet behavior anytime.
If you plan to teach your dog to not do something anymore, good luck. You won’t encounter much success. Instead, you should unseat the wrong behavior in his daily activities by substituting it with a new pattern. In this case, its learning to go outside for eliminating.
Choose an area for this specific purpose. Around ten to fifteen minutes after meal times, go out and walk him around the designated spot. As you walk back and forth around the spot, clearly speak out a phrase that relates to this particular activity like, ‘go potty’. Say it repeatedly until he finally ‘goes potty’. Praise him enthusiastically right after to let him know he’s done a good job. Do this for a few weeks, always using the same toilet area. Remember house training dogs require consistency in the patterns you set.
Once in a while you will still come across the dreaded mound of discharge inside your house. If he is in the middle of potty, stop him quickly and bring him outside to finish his business. Give him treats when he discharges outside successfully. If you do find the poop without the pet nearby it will be no use to yell at him anymore. He will not understand your reason for being upset and this will only serve to confuse him. To ensure this doesn’t happen again, be extra vigilant after meals.
In case it happens, clean the accident immediately as thoroughly as possible. Use a solution that combats odor to get rid of any residual smell it might leave behind or else the dog will revisit his spot and use it to eliminate again. Remember in potty training dogs, they do not like sharing their sleeping area and their toilet area; so keep their cage or crate as small as possible without it being too cramped for them.
Do not feed him or put water and food inside his cage at night so your sleep will not be disturbed. You can take him outside to discharge in the morning or even after he wakes up from a short cat, I mean, dog nap. When you have succeeded in teaching him how to go out for this particular activity, see to it that leaving the house is as convenient as possible for him. A swinging dog flap installed in your doors or a cage near an open back door will do the job.
Potty training dogs is every responsible pet owner’s priority. This will keep your dog disciplined and mentally stimulated- a good preparation for other obedience tasks. More than that, your home will welcome the change and thank you for it.
Geraldine Dimarco enjoys house training dogs. Get free information on great tips for Potty Training Dogs today.
Posted in Pets by Geraldine Dimarco -
Monday, 9. November 2009
Dogs aren’t actually stubborn. However, they at first don’t understand correctly what they’re supposed to do. To make this clear, you need to establish the alpha status up front. Be prepared to practice patience and determination and firm force to establish the behavior wanted. This can be very challenging when teaching the command “come”.
It’s natural for dogs to probe their surroundings. They will smell anything and everything, dig, turn things over, and pick up little items. When doing a teaching session minimize any distractions by arranging to be as far away from other people and voices as practical. It’s a good idea to use an area that is clear of impediments or a space without small objects on the floor.
Be sure to use any instinctive behavior you see. For example when you notice the dog coming at you, give a verbal command along with a hand sign to support this behavior. Try to use a word and gesture that you don’t normally use during your training sessions.
Put the dog in a sitting position facing you. Reinforce the command of ’stay’ as you move away. Use hand gestures and voice commands. Praise the dog if the behavior is correct. Do not reward the dog for an incorrect or partial response.
This activity should be repeated with you stepping back. If the dog tries to come too quickly, reinforce the command of sit/stay. If the dog does not move at the ‘come’ command, entice him with a treat or a toy.
Reluctant or slow learners might need collar training or leash training. Put the dog in the sit and stay position. Start moving away, letting the leash go slack. If the dog does not obey you, tug the leash gently with the appropriate hand and voice command.
If the dog is too eager to come to you, use either a long leash or a rope which should be wrapped around a tree or fence rail. If the dog tries to move, the leash should be tugged as you say ’stay’. This training can be done with the help of another person, but the dog is going to get confused about whom to obey. That is why it is sensible to have the dog’s focus on just one trainer.
During instructing, steadfastness and patience is crucial. Dogs don’t automatically understand the usefulness of ‘come’ or any other human-induced behavior. Speaking harshly when the dog messes up or is a little distracted is normally counter-productive. Develop your alpha role with tone of voice, body language and determination to wait for compliance. Physical discipline or leading is a less helpful technique.
Dogs respond extremely quickly to praise when they execute proper behavior. You need to be resolute and make sure that they come when you order them to.
Learn to pick the right Dog Bedding for your dog. Don’t let Puppy Potty Training become a time consuming or frustrating experience.
Posted in Pets by Mitch Rodolfy -
Sunday, 8. November 2009
Unless we put the Persian cats into particular category it will be impossible to recognize them as in recent times they are coming with a mixture of different color coats.
Hence to achieve this eases these families that the Persian cat has been assigned to, are mainly governed by the color of their coats. For instance the Golden Shadowed, Silver Shadowed, Cameo Shaded, and then there are the Red Persian cats.
You will discover that most of the Persian cats have white layer of underlying coat with various colored tips which are technically called ticking. But you will discover that there are number of unusual colored cats like blue cream which is the result of mixed breeding.
Likewise another color that has evolved for the Persian cat is red which now accepted is to be the color that occurs in normal cats unlike albino whites which are considered very rare. It is not a vivid screaming red, rather an almost orange or rather ginger color, which can vary. This means that the cat could either be all red or could have traces and hints of either white or brown ticking. Mostly however, red Persian cats tend to be completely red.
The lips and chin of the cat are the same color as that of the hair. Its paw pads and nose leather is a brick red color and unlike Silver Shaded and Chinchilla Persian cats whose eye color is either green or blue-green, the Red Persians eye color is of a bright copper color. But it does, like the other Persian cats, have the blackened rimmed eyes that give off an impression as if the cat is wearing eye makeup.
You would see that red colors can occur with patches of different colors like cream, white and cameo also. Let us take the Smoke Tortoiseshell Persian that has a layer of white under coat and deep black tips which stand out conspicuously with random patches of red and cream on the tips too which makes it look like a tortoiseshell.
The extent of color patterns that you can find in this breed of Persian cat is incredible and there are cats of this variety with blazing red or cream tips on the face which many people find attractive.
The Tortoiseshell Persian cat is the only one along with the Red Persian cat category who are pedigree with copper colored eyes. While the other families of the Persian breed, like for instance the Silver Shaded, Golden Shaded or Chinchilla have originally green or blue-green eye color.
The only dissimilarity that you will find in Red Persian cats is that they have fluffier and longer mane but as far as other physical characteristics are concerned like punched face, short and thick legs, solid body, dark rimmed eyes are similar to the other Persian breeds. The chin and lips have similar shade as its coat.
Black persian catsare amongst the most highly prized varietiesof all Persian cats. If you would like to know more about red coloured persian cats follow the hyperlinks contained herein.
Posted in Pets by Cynthia Turner -
Thursday, 5. November 2009
Let’s face it, your dog will eventually be infested with fleas. It might not happen today, it might not happen tomorrow, but it will always happen at some point. Here’s a few tips to keep in mind for when that day does come.
The easiest way to spot fleas will be at the base of their tails and also behind their ears. For some reason that ear location is pretty popular amongst fleas, so keep an eye out for it. You can also try to keep an eye out for their droppings, which look like strange bits of dust/dirt and will probably accumulate near your dogs stomach
Most people who are first-time pet-owners will ultimately want to call their vet the moment they suspect their dog has fleas. While the advice of your pet’s doctor is always a good thing to confer with, don’t be alarmed if he recommends you handle getting rid of the fleas on your own. In-Office flea treatments have been under a lot of scrutiny lately due to the high cost and toxic chemicals typically associated with the practice. Using over-the-counter products is a simple and easy way to get the same results for half the cost.
It’s important that you should treat your home and car regularly in order to kill off the larvae or adult fleas. Fleas like toasty areas so you need to pay extra attention to those rooms of your home such as the carpet beneath the radiators,the living-room and the bedroom. Please remember to treat all pet bedding as well. If you only treat the animal and not its environment then you will be leaving all the eggs to hatch out and re-infect the animal all over again.
Fleas love all pets. Really, they do. Whether you’re a stray mutt that escaped from the pound or a prize-winning pedigree poodle, they’ll eagerly attack either with the same ferocity. To a flea, your pet is just another meal-ticket. To your pet, the flea is a painful unwelcome visitor. The worst part about any flea infestation is that it raises the risk of tapeworms.
At one time flea infestations were confined to the summer months but nowadays with more and more homes being centrally heated this is no longer the case. Fleas like warmth and will lay their eggs in the gap between the skirting board and the carpet, between the floorboards, in the pile of fitted carpets and in the dogs bedding and basket.
Contrary to popular belief, fleas don’t actually live on your pet, they only use them as a source of food. They’ll primarily live in small places all around your home and car. This way they can lay in wait for their next victim, whether it’s your pet or even if it’s you. To a flea, you are just as tasty looking as your canine companion.
So what’s the secret to flea prevention? It’s simple: Vacuum. Do it often and do it everywhere. By keeping a clean home and auto you’ll be safeguarding both your pet’s health as well as maintaining the cleanliness of where you live. Your best tool to combat flea infestation is by preventing it from even happening.
If you want to find out more about Cheap Flea Control, then visit Jeff Conner’s site where he regularly posts links and resources to all the best pet care products found typically at lower-than-retail prices.
Posted in Pets by Jeff Conner -
Wednesday, 4. November 2009
Our pets share the same instinct that we as humans have. We have an innate reaction to a threat that we have been born with. It’s a flee, flight or fight reaction to a dangerous situation; real or perceived.
An automatic reaction to a fearful situation is a trait we are born with. Our dogs are the same and they experience some of the same reactions as we do. Abnormal behaviors displayed in your dog, over time, can be changed.
Your dog can exhibit symptoms of anxiety in ways such as excessive barking, uncontrollable urination or whining. These are triggered by either visible stresses or separation. The most common stress a dog experiences is separation anxiety.
Loud, sudden noises like fireworks or thunder claps can cause your dog anxiety. Your dog might have a phobia which can be described as a unjustifiable fear of sudden sounds. Dogs can be trained to “unlearn” this behavior by observing signs of the onset of this patterned behavior and stopping it.
The older your dog gets the more he might experience anxiety to separation. Memory loss and loss of thinking can cause these reactions to being alone. Dogs between 12 and 36 months are beginning to socially develop which is when these anxieties typically will begin. Withdrawal or severe fear is normal in pups between 8 and 10 months.
Some signs that your dog might be suffering some phobias or anxieties can vary. Tails tucked, withdrawn behavior or trembling can be identified as signs of mild fear. Some fears and anxieties are hard to diagnosis due to no identifiable stimulus.
What causes your dog to develop these conditions? Illness or a physical condition that causes pain can contribute to the development of phobias, fears or anxiety. Puppies not given proper social exposure until the age of 14 weeks may become fearful.
Many abandoned dogs who are adopted out by a new family will suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs coming from abusive situations might have fear phobias. These precious animals need a lot of love and positive reinforcement and can eventually live happy lives.
As with any issue concerning our pets, we do suggest that you visit your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis when possible. Some dogs affected might respond to behavioral modifications but it’s not a guarantee. Many of these behavioral issues can be treated with medication but those sometimes can take up to 2 weeks to take effect.
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Posted in Pets by Catherine V. Testaratti -