All about cute pets and animals

Air Travel and Pets

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:24:57 PST

Do you have to travel by air in the near future? If you do, are you a pet owner who needs to bring your pet along with you? Although most of us leave our pets at home, you may not want to do so or your purpose for travel may be to move, as opposed to taking a fun filled vacation. Regardless of your reasons for wanting or needing to travel with your pet or pets, there are a number of important points that you will need to keep in mind.

The first step in traveling with a pet is to make sure that you can do so. Although a good number of airlines will allow pets on their planes, not all will. You may be in a predicament if you plan to depart from a small airport with only one or two airlines. If they do not accept pets or if their rules and restrictions are too much for you to handle, you will want to examine other nearby airports, especially those that are larger in size.

When traveling by air with your pet or pets, it is important to remember that you will be charged an additional fee. Unfortunately, many first time pet travelers believe that they can use their pets and their pet carriers to count towards as a carry-on bag or a checked bag. This isn’t how it works though. You will, almost always, be charged an extra fee for traveling with a pet. This extra fee will likely depend on the airline in question and well as your pet’s location, such as in the cabin or in the baggage compartment.

That leads to another important point. Even with some of the airlines that allow pets, like cats and dogs, aboard their flights, not all allow pets to be in the cabin with other passengers. This is particularly common on small planes where allergies may be a big concern. If you cannot part with your pet, be sure to search for an airline that will allow you to keep him or her in the cabin with you. With that said, remember that the size of your pet will also play a huge factor in your options.

Regardless of where your pet is stored for the plane ride, you will need to have a pet carrier or crate for them. Many airlines have specific rules and restrictions on what type can be used. Resections often include materials used, as well as size. Most will provide you with that information when asked. Speaking of pet crates and carriers, it is important to make sure that you give your pet enough room to stand and move around a little bit. In fact, most airlines will refuse to transport pets that they feel are unsafe from small pet crates and carriers.

It is also important to make sure that you get your pet checked by their vet. You will want to make sure that your pet has all required vaccinations and that they are fit for travel. Also, all airlines require that you receive a health certificate, which will state that your pet is healthy and safe for travel.

The above mentioned points are just a few of the many that you will want to take into consideration when traveling with a pet. Added tips include booking direct flights, making sure your pet’s collar is marked with the proper identification, as well as their pet carrier.

Poodles: Uncertain Origins

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:14:54 PDT

Poodles: Uncertain Origins
by: Lisa B Collins

Everybody loves Poodles for their intelligence and despite being called yappy dogs that sometimes show signs of being nervous and which sport haircuts that are a bit out of this world, the Poodle is nevertheless a breed which will show its devotion to its master and it can even overcome its highly strung nature to make a great family pet dog. The Poodle has been around man for many centuries, though there is still not enough documentation to show where it originated. From what is known, it was once bred as a water dog that retrieved game from the water.

Poodles are also much loved and admired for their intelligent nature and also for their somewhat unusual appearance and they have at various times even been used as circus dogs because audiences really take to these dogs because they can perform many cute tricks. In addition to these antics the Poodle is also well loved for its sweet disposition and so it is well suited as a pet dog that will become greatly attached to its owner, and so are often considered one-man dogs.

Although Poodles are somewhat unusual in their appearance and do not look like most other dogs, they are still pleasing to look at and have square bodies. Of course there are various types of poodles as well including the standard, miniature and toy poodle. Also, Poodles have dark and oval eyes that are set apart and their ears generally hang down below the level of their eyes with muzzles that are long as well as straight.

A Poodle also possesses a long and muscular neck and it shows off an air of dignity not generally found in other breeds. However, the Poodle is set apart from other dogs by its fur and the color of their fur may range from black to white to gray to brown and a few other colors as well. The fur is generally curly or corded while it is normal to dock (cut) its tail to half of what its original length was. The Poodle also requires extensive grooming which may even warrant its coat to be professionally groomed.

All in all, Poodles are wonderful pets that typically are good natured as well as intelligent and they like to get a lot of attention while they also bond well with their owners. The Poodle is also reluctant to being left on its own and because he always is in need of attention and love, he expects to be around people most of the time. Poodles are also eager to learn new things and are very proud of the tricks they can do and discoveries that they make and will readily show off these abilities.

Poodles also love stability as well as routine and can also be considered one-person and even one-family pets and they are also often known to become shy in the presence of strangers. Though because they will bark at those they do not know or recognize, they will make good guard dogs as well as wonderful pets, and in addition you need to allow them some time to settle into their new homes.

About The Author

Lisa Collins loves small dogs and has long experience in keeping them and is the right person to teach about raising, breeding as well as caring for small breeds. A http://www.officialpoodleguide.com/ Poodle is an attention grabbers and though somewhat unusual looking, are intelligent though sometimes even stubborn to train. If you are looking for http://www.officialpoodleguide.com/Poodle.php Poodles information, this article has some useful tips that will better acquaint you with the breed.

Golden Retrievers

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:13:41 PDT

Golden Retrievers
by: David Beart

Originally bred to hunt in 1800s England, the golden retriever has retained much of its natural curiosity and hunting behaviors. The breed has maintained its standing in the top ten most popular dog breeds in the US partly because of the dog’s gentle nature, fierce loyalty and friendly personality. They’re the quintessential family pet due to their patience with children.

The female golden weighs approximately 55-65 pounds, and stands a couple of inches shorter than her male counterpart, who stands about 24 inches at the shoulder, and weighs in at 65-75 pounds. Females tend to have smaller, more delicately-shaped heads than males. They come in a range of colors, from deep coppery auburn to light cream. Their coats also differ in appearance. Field goldens, or hunting goldens, are more likely to be darker and sleeker than show goldens, whose honey-colored coats are thick and fluffy. Goldens have two coats: their top coats are hardy and water-repellent, while their undercoats are thick and dense. These dogs shed most of their undercoat in the spring, and grow it in preparation for the chill of winter. Regular grooming can help control excessive shedding. Their ears are soft and floppy, but they perk up at the sound of, well, almost anything. Their eyes are brown and very expressive.

Their bodies are very well-engineered to excel at agility contests. Thanks to their hunting background, they’re strong and muscled, yet quick and agile. Don’t let their gentle nature fool you. They are also incredibly strong dogs. Seventy pounds of golden on the end of a leash can take down even the strongest person if he’s not prepared.

They need plenty of regular exercise. If it were up to them, they’d walk for hours. Daily walks, romps in the yard and trips to the dog park can help it work off some of that golden energy, which is never in short supply. They rarely get tired of playing fetch. They excel at finding objects hidden in the yard. They also love to swim, and will retrieve from water all day if you let them.

From a temperament standpoint, goldens are extremely agreeable. They’re neither very shy nor extremely aggressive. This tolerant nature makes them a good choice for any home, including those with children. They’re loyal and loving, as well as outgoing and friendly. They thrive on human interaction, and are happiest when they’re around people. They never get tired of belly rubs and head pats. In fact, if the petting stops, many of them will nudge their masters, as if to say, “Don’t stop!”

Though they’re usually the center of attention, they still need training. Their exuberance can be mistaken for misbehavior, and it may be a few minutes before they calm down. Consistency and firmness are important when training a golden. They need to be taught that their master is the leader of the pack. However, they are eager to please, and can learn their role quickly with positive reinforcement tactics. No one is prouder than they when they complete a task successfully. Though they love showing off their tricks, they also love learning new ones. Teaching new tricks is a great way to combat boredom during the training session. Though they’ll fetch all day, they won’t sit still for a training class longer than they have to. The key is to make it fun and make it rewarding, all in short bursts of time throughout the day. Goldens are game players, so if you play with it in order to teach commands or tricks, your dog won’t even know the difference. It’s just happy to have your attention.

This is one reason goldens are one of the most popular breeds of therapy dogs. As much as they love to play, they also love to have a job to do. Besides being fast learners, they’re also very gentle. They can learn verbal commands or hand signals, and once they are on the job, they can be calm and focused. They also make good seeing-eye dogs for this reason.

This breed is not without its health issues. Goldens are prone to hip dysplasia and allergies. This is partly due to irresponsible breeding. Backyard breeders, eager to cash in on the popularity of the golden retriever, breed unhealthy dogs that pass on congenital diseases. Hip dysplasia occurs when the bones of the hip joint don’t develop correctly, and they rub painfully against each other. Sitting still is not something goldens are happy doing, so though these dogs may continue to move around and play, they’re in pain and should be treated.

Treatment consists of pain management, in mild cases, or in more severe cases, surgery. Though complete rehabilitation can take 12 weeks, the dog is up and moving within days. This procedure can so dramatically improve a dog’s life that it’s well worth the work to see your golden get its spark back, and run and play like the puppy that it thinks it is.

These dogs also suffer from skin ailments and allergies. The golden’s thick coat makes it hard to see small skin irritations unless they’re specifically sought out. It’s important to inspect your pet regularly for any sore areas. A vet can run tests to try to identify the source of the irritation, and prescribe treatment, which might include frequent baths with hypoallergenic shampoo, oral medication and/or allergy shots.

Even though this is one of the most popular breeds of dog, thousands of them are relinquished to shelters or rescue organizations every year. Most people would never think they’d find a purebred golden at a shelter, but it’s not uncommon. In fact, the popularity of the breed may be the very reason so many of them are found in shelters. Sometimes people don’t research the breed, and don’t know that goldens need a lot of exercise and a lot of human interaction. They’re also not prepared to train a dog. Unfortunately, when people like this get goldens, more than likely, they end up surrendering them to a shelter or a rescue organization.

Though the average life expectancy of golden retrievers is 11 years, sometimes they forget they’ve gotten older, and maintain their puppy-like playfulness throughout their lives. As they age, they may slow down a bit, so it’s important to adjust their food and treat intake accordingly. It’s nearly impossible to resist their sweet faces as they come looking for a treat, but it’s for their own good. As obesity rates in humans have skyrocketed, so they have in dogs. Thankfully, this is one disease that is completely preventable. If your dog is already obese, it’s 100% treatable. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise will get your golden into fighting shape before too long. It might also prevent the onset of canine diabetes, joint problems and other weight-related issues.

Overall, this breed has one of the most agreeable dispositions you can find in a dog. Goldens are also gorgeous, friendly, obedient, loyal and loving. The downside, which pales in comparison to their wonderful attributes, is that this is a breed that sheds, needs a lot of exercise, and needs to be around people. If your home can handle the relatively minor considerations, the benefits you’ll reap from loving a golden retriever are immeasurable.

About The Author

David Beart is owner of the http://www.professorshouse.com Professors House, a site dedicated to family, relationships, http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/dogs/breeder/dog-breeders.aspx dog breeders, and household issues.

Pet Checklist - 12 Points To Consider When Buying A Pet

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:10:49 PDT

Pet Checklist - 12 Points To Consider When Buying A Pet
by: Derek Rogers

When you and your family are making the decision to purchase a pet, you will want to go through a checklist in order to make sure that it is the right decision for everyone involved. It is a major life event when bringing a pet into the home and the decision should not be taken lightly.

With a set guideline or checklist ahead of time, you will ensure that you are making the correct choice and there will be no anxiety once your pet comes home to meet his new family. Nothing can be more gratifying than having a family pet grow and thrive with you and your family over the years.

1- Room: Is there space for a pet in your home? Larger animals need space for exercise each day while smaller caged animals need just a small desk or counter-top. Depending on the type of ample space you have will portray what type of pet you will be able to house.

2 – Lifestyle: Does a pet fit your lifestyle? For many busy families a pet will not fit into their schedule. You will need to be sure that there is time for a new companion in your home that may need walking each day, or just a few minutes of simple contact in order to thrive in your home.

3 – Cost: How much are you willing to spend on a pet? Are you financially able to maintain that pet if such things as vet bills become high? Determining your budget will show if you can really afford the maintenance such as yearly exams, periodic vet bills in the event of illness, etc.

4 – Regulations: Are you able to legally own a pet? Some families who rent are not able to have animals in various apartment buildings or condominiums, while some town homes and condominium associations have stipulations on what size of animal is allowed on the premises. Checking out all the necessary rules before purchasing your new family member.

5 – Pet Supplier: Will you be choosing a pet shop or local breeder for your pet? Some people decide on animals that are at local animal shelters. Be sure to do extensive checks on where your pet comes from, especially if they claim to be purebred.

6 – Traveling: Do you travel a lot? Are you able to travel with your pet or would you have to find alternative arrangements for your pet while you are gone.

7 – Veterinarians: Do you have a vet close by that you can consult in times of need? If you do not have a licensed animal care provider it may discourage you from choosing an animal that needs regular care.

8 – Activities: What type of activities do you enjoy doing as a family? Are these activities the type that you will be taking your pet with you? A pet is a member of your family and should not be left at home if you are enjoying time outside where they could be as well.

9 – Allergies: Do you know anyone with pet allergies? This can have a direct result on the type of pet you decide on if you get one at all. Some may find that it is not feasible since their mother visits each year for 2 weeks in the summer and is highly allergic to animals.

10 – Other pets: Do you have other pets that need to adapt to a new member? If so, this can be a very touchy situation when bringing in other animals into a ‘1 pet home’.

11 – Previous Pet Experience: Do you have any experience with owning a pet? If not, are you willing to do the necessary research in order to know how to take care of your pet properly?

12 – Responsibility: Is the responsibility of this new pet yours alone or will it be a shared family task? Be sure to set ground rules with everyone in the family so that it is a decision everyone is happy with.

If you are still considering a family pet even after going through this simple checklist and finding out that what you are looking for is a companion and a friend then you are ready to go out and purchase your new pet. After going through this list you will be well equipped with some basic knowledge about what you need to know when purchasing a new animal for your home.

Different Ways Of Transporting Your Pet Safely

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:09:41 PDT

Different Ways Of Transporting Your Pet Safely
by: Derek Rogers

There are many ways to transport your pet. Depending on the reason for the transportation, it can be a quick and easy trip for both of you, or it can be a lengthy excursion that needs detailed planning in order to work for both of you. You will want to be sure to take any necessary steps to ensure the safety and comfort of your pet during any traveling.

For making those short trips by vehicle, you have various options to choose from. Some large dogs that are typically put in the back of a truck can still be stationed there safely with a manufactured harness built especially for keeping them safe in the back box of a truck while the vehicle is in motion. For smaller animals such as smaller dogs or cats, there are seat belts that can be adapted for the inside of your vehicle in order to keep them stationary and safe.

If you have a pet that does not stay stationary during travel or might harm themselves or others around them if being secured, you may want to invest in a carrier. By using a carrier they are free to relax inside during their short venture and are still able to see what is happening around them without posing a threat in a moving vehicle. There are many styles and sizes of carriers to choose from, so you have many options when it comes to colour, design or even ease of mobility.

For those larger trips in some countries there are pet transportation services. These companies do all the necessary work in order to prepare and transport your pet safely and efficiently to their destination. This type of company can be helpful if you have never transported a pet before and are unaware of the regulations for air or train travel for a live animal. They will have completed everything for you so you can relax knowing that your pet is in good hands and will see you at your final destination.

If it is a bird that you are transporting, you would be fine to use a small cage or even a cardboard box with air holes through it, but you would need a type of harness in order to eliminate the possibility of your bird flying away in fright once it has been released at the destination. There are a variety of harnesses or suits to fit birds of all sizes for this very reason. Your pet is part of your family and you will want to protect them from any dangers on the outside.

No matter which option you choose for your type of travels you will want to make sure that you are not sedating your pet. According to veterinarians, sedation can be harmful, and sometimes even fatal, for animals during travel. Do not feel that sedating them will make their trip, or yours, any easier. A pet that is well traveled with his owner will become accustomed to it and be a great companion on the road as well as at home.

About The Author

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For transporting pets, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of http://www.seapets.co.uk/ pet supplies.

Pet Care - Your Essential Checklist To Caring For Your Pet

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:08:22 PDT

Pet Care - Your Essential Checklist To Caring For Your Pet
by: Derek Rogers

The decision to bring a pet into your home for you and your family should not be taken lightly. A pet will become a member of your family and not just a fixture in your home. Pets are not meant to come and go, but to remain as part of your home for years to come. Unfortunately for some, pets are disposable items that will be moved if they are an inconvenience. This should be avoided since unstable homes can make unstable pets.

A checklist for pet care can be an essential tool when you first bring home your new pet. For many people, a new pet is their first experience at being a full-time pet parent, and for those this list will be most useful. Preparing yourself, your home, and your pet for those first few months in a new environment will make the change go gracefully and help everyone adjust easily.

1. The first thing you want to be sure of is that your pet has all of their vaccinations up to date. It is important that your new pet is protected from such outside irritants as fleas, tics, ringworm, or many other ailments such as distemper or rabies. The health of your pet is one of the most important aspects of ongoing care. Wellness exams each year are important for your pet. A veterinarian will perform a thorough exam on your pet looking at such things as their vital signs, ears, eyes, mouth, the heart and lungs, as well as the reproductive organs and their skin. This step is a very important preventative measure for your pet each year.

2. Getting your home ready for your new pet can be a big task, but one that is essential for the big day that your new friend comes home. If it is a small caged animal, a small space that is quiet is fine for them to be used to their surroundings. You will not want to take your new friend out just yet, but let them get used to the sounds and smells of their new home before you start introducing them outside of their immediate surroundings. If it is a larger, self-sufficient animal such as a cat or dog, you will want to make sure that they have their own space, a blanket or pet bed for retreating to, out of the way in case they are too overwhelmed at the beginning.

3. Regular physical routine is essential for any pet. This is their exercise routine since they are not like us and do activity regularly without the help of us. Larger pets such as dogs must be walked every day, smaller animals like cats, ferrets, guinea pigs, and birds can be trained to play with anyone in the family. Toys such as balls, bells, tubes, or even apparatuses are useful in helping your pet achieve physical activity during the day while you are away or even you interacting with them while they are exploring.

If you follow some simple guidelines, your new pet is sure to adapt to his new family in no time at all. Regular checkups, physical activity and preventative measures can not only make your pet more comfortable, but also extend the life of your pet. A pet is an investment so you will want to be sure to take care of him for the benefit of everyone.

About The Author

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For pet care, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of http://www.seapets.co.uk pet supplies.

Tips for Handling a Dog Who's a Whiner

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:07:23 PDT

Tips for Handling a Dog Who's a Whiner!
by: Kristi Carter

Puppies are very similar to babies - when babies are not content, they cry. When puppies are not content, they whine. If they think they are starving, if they are hot or cold or if they are tired they whine. This is the way that they communicate with their mothers, who promptly respond with something to eat, a cuddle or two and security. As the mother responds continuously, the puppy begins to realize that her whines bring help from her mother, so the puppy will continue to whine, knowing that the mother will respond. Adopting a puppy at 8 to 10 weeks will bring her a possible new realization. The whining doesn't necessarily work with her new 'pack,' or that her whining brings her new mother (you) to her aid.

This is why many people will tell you to allow the puppy to sleep by herself. When you respond naturally to her whining with comfort and sympathy, she will learn that she gets attention and love when she whines. Therefore, she will continue to whine. If she is truly upset for some reason, of course you should respond to her whines. She may be truly scared that she has been moved from her familiar location and is with a new family in a new place. Here's the trick. Wait until your puppy is not whining so that you can cuddle, love her and give plenty of attention. This way, your puppy doesn't correlate the whining with the attention she's getting.

When she realizes that the whining isn't getting her anything, she will not do it anymore. You might have a really hard time ignoring her whining and you will want to pick her up and give her some comfort, but doing this could lead to a hard road! Now, it's important to realize that some puppies will not just stop whining. If your puppy is one of those, grab an instant when she's quiet to give her some attention. Even if she only stops whining for a second, that's when you should respond. This way, you are not allowing her to be completely miserable and neglected, but you are not teaching her that whining gets what she wants.

Adult Whiners

While most dogs will not continue to whine after half a year of age or so, many of them do continue to whine. If yours does, there are a few different reasons. One of them is that your dog is whining and truly doesn't realize that she's doing it or that she's learned that this is the way to get what she needs or wants. There are a few reasons your dog may whine and some of those include the fact that your dog is in pain or hurting, he or she is feeling a bit lonely, it's potty time or he or she is nervous or scared.

In order to figure out how to respond, you need to figure out why she's whining. There are times when there is a legitimate reason and times when it's simply because she is craving your attention. Here are some of the ways that you can respond depending upon why your dog is whining.

A Whine That Says, "I'm in Pain!"

If your dog begins whining suddenly, or with a sharp yelp and then continues on for a while she may be in pain. There are many different things that might cause pain for puppies, younger dogs and adult dogs. You need to check the obvious things to see if there is a reason she is whining. For instance, checking to see that she's holding any paws up or if she is acting strangely. Then you can check her body for injuries of any kind to see if there is something present which is causing the pain. After that, feel her limbs, especially around the joints to see if you feel any swelling or strange differences in her. Be sure to be very gentle as you don't want to cause more pain. If you simply can't find anything, don't rule out the possibility that your dog may be in pain. A trip to your veterinarian is a good idea.

A Whine That Says, "I'm Bored!"

There is a significant demeanor that you may notice in your dog who is whining because she's bored. She may pace around the room or follow you throughout the house. She will whine to herself and seem miserable! One great tip is to give her some quick exercise. Take her for a run, play a half hour game of fetch or do something else that she loves to do. You may also want to make sure that she starts getting more play time each day - whether you are exercising her or taking her out and about while you run errands. Either way, you will create a solution to her boredom and hopefully stop the whining. Spend more quality time with your pooch, cuddling, loving and showing attention!

A Whine That Says, "I'm Scared."

If your dog is afraid of something, the whining will be different than the other reasons. For instance, she may look in one direction while she's whining. If there is a lot of lighting or thunder during a storm and she looks toward the windows, whining, she is probably frightened. She may also be anxious if there is no direction to her whining. Pause and determine your own mood as dogs often pick up on the stress and tension in their pack leaders. If this is the case, you should never try to punish your dog to make him or her stop whining. In fact, it will most likely make it worse. The key is to tune her out. Sure, it sounds terrible but when you do it, you teach your dog that she is scared or anxious for no reason. Running to comfort her and give her attention will confirm her feeling of fear or anxiety. Rather, ignore her until she stops whining and then give her the attention she needs!

A Whine That Says, "I Need to GO."

This one is an easy one. If your dog is whining because she needs to go to outside, she is obviously potty trained. She really needs to go but knows that the place to do it is not inside the house. She will probably stand by the door, looking at you and then looking back at the door. She may also have the look that owners come to recognize in their dogs after a while. The look says, "I really need to go!" Simply let her out - no big deal!

About The Author

Kristi Carter

Is your dog traumatized when you leave him alone? Don't get mad or frustrated. He may be suffering from dog separation anxiety. Learn proven and humane tips to help him overcome dog separation anxiety once and for all! Visit http://www.dogseparationanxiety.net today!

Dog Training: What You Can't Afford To Miss Before Getting Your New Puppy

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:04:20 PDT

Dog Training: What You Can't Afford To Miss Before Getting Your New Puppy
by: Dr. Mayra Alfonso

Few things bring greater pleasure to a family than taking home a young pup. Even so, there are as well, fewer affairs that can cause a more immense headache at times. Choosing what sort of canine to take home may comprise an extremely difficult task.

You could choose on bringing home a big dog suchlike a Labrador retriever, which is highly popular and is well-known to act as an absolute good household dog. Or you could resolve to take home a little, lap dog as a Shih Tzu or an average sized dog similar to a Cocker Spaniel. As you consider what sort of pup to bring home, you want to consider your life-style and your livelihood arrangements. Do you reside in a flat, where small dogs suchlike the Shih Tzu would match fine, or do you require having a large fenced backyard for your large Labrador retriever?

A dog such as a Labrador pup would comprise a great alternative for an individual looking for a dog that may work easily with the household members, experience fewer health problems, and offer a life of companionship. Small dogs, similar like the Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso or Chihuahua appear more appropriate for households where they will be allowed indoors and where the owner will be capable to allow for an great amount of interaction and physical contact. These little guys are as well exceedingly lovable, devoting and are outstanding companions, but they're not equally as good, guard dogs as big dogs could be. It is crucial to determine early on about what sort of domestic dog you wish to have. Are you seeking a lap dog, a safeguard dog, a watch dog, a sporting dog, a hunting dog, or a working type dog?

Please think of the fact that your puppy will grow up and mature and will impart you for several years to come, with love, companionship, dedication and a great deal more. Arriving at your dog's pick decision ought to be an intelligent one whenever it suits your life style. Whenever the dog does not fit for your way of living, your dearest companion could become a big headache, and he is not to blame. Therefore, before adopting your new puppy or relocating to a brand-new living space, please be sure that, that it will be fine with your landlord if you rent, and if you own your home make certain that the dog have the space it needs and that he will be safe in the home.

If you want a big dog like a Labrador retriever, do you've the time to dedicate to the dog in order for him to get the proper amount of exercise? Do you have a large backyard where the dog can romp or play games with you? Big dogs, in particularly, necessitate tons of physical exercise or otherwise they'll show behavioral troubles. Labs, for instance, are extremely energetic and active, and are amenable to play catch with a ball or Frisbee for endless periods of time. Whenever they don't get the required physical exercise, they'll become bored and could make a great deal of damage to your home, particularly if the dog remains indoors for a certain amount of time.

The outdoors exercise that a big dog gets is what maintains it in shape. The owner must be ready to to play with it. For a big dog to stay fit and healthy, the owner must be amenable to spend time outdoors with it by playing the dog or taking him for long walks. A Labrador pup, for instance, will have an added up level of vigor and the owner must be gear up for that.

If you choose a small or medium sized dog, are you sure that you are willing to own a dog that might like to be sitting on your lap day in and day out or at a minimum very drawn to you? As a whole, small and medium dogs likewise require physical exercise, though not equally as much as bigger dogs. Will you be able to take your little guy or girl for a regular daily walks? Are you amenable to bring the dog for grooming if you get a long haired dog? Will you possess the time to brush your dog's coating on a daily basis or on a regular basis as a minimum? Will it be okay with you whenever the dog casts off a lot of hair?

These above-named factors and numerous others need to be taken into account prior to acquiring your new fellow. A potential owner must weight down all these dog's traits and decide which the right dog is for his or her, as that will determine the happiness of both the owner and the dog in the long haul.

Before acquiring your brand-new pup you'll like to perform an exhaustive and complete search on the final size of the dog when matured, how much dog grooming and dog training will it require? Will it need professional dog grooming and how often? You would like to know what diseases is the dog inclined to, how does the dog act with other dogs, with cats, with children? These are barely more or less illustrations of matters you must take into account before getting your new puppy.

About The Author

Dr. Mayra Alfonso

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's http://www.cooldoghalloffame.com/dog-training/dog-training-the-one-thing-you-dont-want-to-miss-before-getting-a-dog/ dog training blog right now…

Essential Guide to Choose And Buy A Pet Parrot

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:03:19 PDT

Essential Guide to Choose And Buy A Pet Parrot !!
by: Jimmy Lee

4 Essential Parrot Buying Tips to choose the right parrot !!

All bird lovers listen up!! Do you know how many bird species are there in the world? Answer: Over 9000 species. And out of which the parrot group itself consists of about 330 species and are particularly popular with pet owners.

If you are also thinking of keeping a pet parrot, read below for the tips I am going to provide for selecting the suitable parrot for yourself and the family.

Parrot Buying Tip (1) -- Buy a young parrot

Rearing a new parrot from young helps to facilitate taming. An older parrot can also be tamed just that it takes more time and patience. However, the tricky part is in determing the age of the bird. However, some basic things to look out for are the scales on its legs, color of the eye and the color of the body. A young parrot often has a dark gray iris that becomes white or brown when it grows up. The scales of young parrots are also much smoother than that of mature birds. Their body color also appears initially to be much duller than when they are matured.

The best option is to buy one which is newly born which is independent of its parent.

Parrot Buying Tip (2) -- Choose the right species of parrot

Do you know the characteristics of the parrot you are interested in buying?

Do they
-make tremendously loud voices which can cause huge disturbance to the neighbours?
-have powerful beaks that can damage your personal belongings if let free in the house?
-need special accomodation, which will potentially incur higher costs for you. Bigger birds would require bigger cages made of metal so that the parrot cannot damage it.
-need special nutritional foods? Some birds such as the lorikeets need special foods since they feed on nectar. This also relates to cost.

Parrot Buying Tip (3) -- Check the condition of the parrot

If possible, ask for a certified health certificate by the veterinary so that you have assurance of buying a healthy parrot home. If that is not available, dont worry, you can check out the below factors for some tell-tale signs on the conditions of the bird.

i) Inspect the living conditions of the bird. Dirty or poorly maintained perches, food and water containers, excess fecal wastes in the cage, all show poor management of the birds leading to bad health. The eyes should also be clear and not showing any discharge. Also look out for any swelling signs which will indicate rising health problems.

ii) The bird feathers should be tidy and clean. Any bald areas on the parrot body could indicate an infection which is very unsightly and may not be able to cure, or it may also be due to the parrot being a feather plucker which means it is getting very bored. This activity may stop when you start to show it more attention. Then again, it is better to stay clear of such birds, since they could be carrying diseases on their bodies which you dont want it to spread to your family members.

iii) Support the bird on its back and check the vent for cleanliness. Also check for any crusty appearance on and around the beak which could indicate a mite issue subjecting from unclean environments.

iv) Also feel the flesh on both sides of the breastbone, and ensure it is solid and not hollowed. If protruding, it also indicates a nutritional deficiency, and should be avoided.

v) Ensures all claws are there. There should be 2 toes pointing forward, 2 facing backwards. Check for any protruding leg scales as they could be potential sources for leg mites.

vi) Beware of birds that act aggressively towards you when you try to approach it. Symptoms include fluffing up feathers and eyes dilating when you try to move your hand close to it. These birds are probably not young birds, and they will likely bite you if you cross its safety zone.

Parrot Buying Tip (4) -- Buy from reputable, reliable sources

Buying from well-established and reputable pet shops assures you the best quality services, and often the pets you are buying through them have been certified to be in good health before they release it out for sale.

Avoid open markets, and buying through mail order. It is always good to see and feel what you are buying so that you dont regret your buying decisions later. If you dont, how do you implement parrot buying tip 3?

Conclusion

To summarize, it is great to have parrots as pets, as they can be good source of fun and companionship. However, it is important to know some essential tips on selecting and buying the right parrot, and this can be categorized into 4 great tips namely to buy a young parrot, choose the desired parrot species, check condition of the parrot, and always buy from reputable pet shops.

Hope you enjoy this article !!

Orginally Written Article @ http://parrotalk.blogspot.com/

Lonely Dogs and How to Handle Them

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:02:19 PDT

Lonely Dogs and How to Handle Them
by: Kristi Carter

Dogs belong in packs and when they are domesticated, they still look at their families as their 'packs.' They need to be social and they need attention. The way dogs have been domesticated has created a bit of a problem. Allowing your dog to spend time with other dogs is not satisfactory. They need time with their human friends. Sure, we have lives that are extremely busy, so it can be difficult to give our dogs as much attention as we need. As we rush around like maniacs trying to get important things done, trying to spend time with our dogs can feel like a burden.

When you're feeling like this, spending time with your dog sure can seem like more of a chore than having a relaxing, fun time with your four legged friend. Taking him or her for a walk can feel like a chore among a million chores that you have to accomplish. This definitely lessens the quality of the time you spend with your dog. It shouldn't be this way but sometimes it seems like life has you by the collar!

The way that we live really does affect our dogs. For instance, if we are stressed out all the time, what kind of personal time we have, our general demeanors really have a lot to do with our dogs' temperament. The dogs sometimes take on their human companions' moods and feelings - to the point that if you're depressed or stressed out all the time, your dog can be anxious and depressed as well. Also, if we are busy with certain things, walking the dog or spending time with him can be pushed to the back burner and your dog will truly suffer because of this. There are a few things that you can do to make time for your dog so that he or she is not lonely!

* Take your dog with you when you are out doing the normal daily tasks. Whether you have to go pay bills, drive your children here or there or even going out for a drive, take your dog. He or she will love going, even if she has to sit in the car. Getting out of the house and having something different to look at is a great thing for your dog to get a chance to do. If you will have other people in the car, for instance if you will be driving your kids around or picking up friends, this is a great way for your furry friend to socialize. One thing you should be sure of is to never leave your dog for more than a half an hour in the car and you should NEVER leave your dog in the car on a hot day. This could result in fatal injuries due to the heat.

* Let your pooch sleep in the bedroom with you at night. He or she doesn't have to sleep on the bed - they can have a cozy spot in the corner. Still, just the time together with you is enough to put him or her at ease. Neither one of you have to do anything but you're spending time together anyway. This is a great thing to do. If you've noticed how dogs lie together when they are puppies, you will understand that dogs have an instinct to be close to the pack during times when they are vulnerable, like sleeping. This helps them to feel secure and safe. So, for an easy way to keep your dog happy and healthy, allow them to sleep in the bedroom with you at night. * Try exploring different areas with your dog. Becoming accustomed to the same old route can also become boring. Although dogs like familiar surroundings, they also appreciate exploring new areas and seeing new things. Taking your dog through the woods or down a new path or even to the beach would be a great idea. You could even take your dog on a hike. The key is for you to enjoy the time you spend together as well because then you will want to do it more often and that will help the relationship between you and your dog!

* Spend time with your dog while you're doing other things. You can multi-task and you won't have to feel guilty that you're not spending time with your dog. For instance, while you are watching television, you can brush and groom your dog. Or, if you're ready for a relaxing nap, allow your pooch to hop up on the couch and snooze along with you (unless of course he or she is a large breed dog - then you might get pushed off onto the floor!) Doing simple things like this can be very enjoyable for your dog and doesn't take much extra effort and no extra time from you!

* Encourage the other members of your household to play with your dog and spend time with him or her. If you live alone, you could hire a dog walker a few times a week (someone that you fully trust with your pet) and allow your dog the chance to interact with others and have a good time. If the dog lives in a house with children, this is great because children usually have tons of time and energy. Make sure that your dog understands that he or she is not dominant over the children and that the dog will obey the children's commands before you allow the child to play with the dog alone. Not only will this help keep your dog happy and well-adjusted, but it takes some of the responsibility off of your shoulders as well.

While you still need to spend a good amount of time with your dog, giving him or her attention, making sure that he or she is healthy and happy, you can make your life easier in some ways using the tips and tricks above.

About The Author

Kristi Carter

Is your dog traumatized when you leave him alone? Don't get mad or frustrated. He may be suffering from dog separation anxiety. Learn proven and humane tips to help him overcome dog separation anxiety once and for all! Visit http://www.dogseparationanxiety.net today!

Recognizing, Preventing, And Handling Dog Aggression

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:01:12 PDT

Recognizing, Preventing, And Handling Dog Aggression
by: Darrin Donaldson

A dog is an instinctively aggressive creature. In the wild, aggression came in very handy: dogs needed aggression to hunt, to defend themselves from other creatures, and to defend resources such as food, a place to sleep, and a mate. Selective breeding over the centuries has minimized and refined this trait significantly, but there’s just no getting around it: dogs are physically capable of inflicting serious harm (just look at those teeth!) because that’s how they’ve survived and evolved. And Mother Nature is pretty wily – it’s hard to counteract the power of instinct!

But that doesn’t mean that we, as dog lovers and owners, are entirely helpless when it comes to handling our dogs. There’s a lot that we can do to prevent aggression from rearing its ugly head in the first place – and even if prevention hasn’t been possible (for whatever reason), there are still steps that we can take to recognize and deal with it efficiently.

- Different aggression types -

There are several different types of canine aggression. The two most common ones are:

- Aggression towards strangers

- Aggression towards family members

You may be wondering why we’re bothering categorizing this stuff: after all, aggression is aggression, and we want to turf it out NOW, not waste time with the details – right?

Well … not quite. These two different types of aggression stem from very different causes, and require different types of treatment.

- Aggression towards strangers -

What is it?

It’s pretty easy to tell when a dog’s nervy around strange people. He’s jumpy and on the alert: either he can’t sit still and is constantly fidgeting, leaping at the smallest sound, and pacing around barking and whining; or he’s veerrrry still indeed, sitting rock-steady in one place, staring hard at the object of his suspicions (a visitor, the mailman, someone approaching him on the street while he’s tied up outside a store.)

Why does it happen?

There’s one major reason why a dog doesn’t like strange people: he’s never had the chance to get used to them. Remember, your dog relies 100% on you to broaden his horizons for him: without being taken on lots of outings to see the world and realize for himself, through consistent and positive experiences, that the unknown doesn’t necessarily equal bad news for him, how can he realistically be expected to relax in an unfamiliar situation?

What can I do about it?

The process of accustoming your dog to the world and all the strange people (and animals) that it contains is called socialization. This is an incredibly important aspect of your dog’s upbringing: in fact, it’s pretty hard to overemphasize just how important it is. Socializing your dog means exposing him from a young age (generally speaking, as soon as he’s had his vaccinations) to a wide variety of new experiences, new people, and new animals.

How does socialization prevent stranger aggression?

When you socialize your dog, you’re getting him to learn through experience that new sights and sounds are fun, not scary.

It’s not enough to expose an adult dog to a crowd of unfamiliar people and tell him to “Settle down, Roxy, it’s OK” – he has to learn that it’s OK for himself. And he needs to do it from puppyhood for the lesson to sink in.

The more types of people and animals he meets (babies, toddlers, teenagers, old people, men, women, people wearing uniforms, people wearing motorcycle helmets, people carrying umbrellas, etc) in a fun and relaxed context, the more at ease and happy – and safe around strangers - he’ll be in general.

How can I socialize my dog so that he doesn’t develop a fear of strangers?

Socializing your dog is pretty easy to do – it’s more of a general effort than a specific training regimen.

First of all, you should take him to puppy preschool. This is a generic term for a series of easy group-training classes for puppies (often performed at the vet clinic, which has the additional benefit of teaching your dog positive associations with the vet!).

In a puppy preschool class, about ten or so puppy owners get together with a qualified trainer (often there’ll be at least two trainers present – the more there are, the better, since it means you get more one-on-one time with a professional) and start teaching their puppies the basic obedience commands: sit, stay, and so on.

Even though the obedience work is very helpful and is a great way to start your puppy on the road to being a trustworthy adult dog, really the best part of puppy preschool is the play sessions: several times throughout the class, the puppies are encouraged to run around off-leash and play amongst themselves.

This is an ideal environment for them to learn good social skills: there’s a whole bunch of unfamiliar dogs present (which teaches them how to interact with strange dogs), there’s a whole bunch of unfamiliar people present (which teaches them that new faces are nothing to be afraid of), and the environment is safe and controlled (there’s at least one certified trainer present to make sure that things don’t get out of hand).

Socialization doesn’t just stop with puppy preschool, though. It’s an ongoing effort throughout the life of your puppy and dog: he needs to be taken to a whole bunch of new places and environments.

Remember not to overwhelm him: start off slow, and build up his tolerance gradually.

- Aggression towards family members -

There are two common reasons why a dog is aggressive towards members of his own human family:

- He’s trying to defend something he thinks of as his from a perceived threat (you).

This is known as resource guarding, and though it may sound innocuous, there’s actually a lot more going on here than your dog simply trying to keep his kibble to himself.

- He’s not comfortable with the treatment/handling he’s getting from you or other members of the family.

What’s resource guarding?

Resource guarding is pretty common among dogs. The term refers to overly-possessive behavior on behalf of your dog: for instance, snarling at you if you approach him when he’s eating, or giving you “the eye” (a flinty-eyed, direct stare) if you reach your hand out to take a toy away from him.

All dogs can be possessive from time to time – it’s in their natures. Sometimes they’re possessive over things with no conceivable value: inedible trash, balled up pieces of paper or tissue, old socks. More frequently, however, resource-guarding becomes an issue over items with a very real and understandable value: food and toys.

Why does it happen?

It all boils down to the issue of dominance. Let me take a moment to explain this concept: dogs are pack animals. This means that they’re used to a very structured environment: in a dog-pack, each individual animal is ranked in a hierarchy of position and power (or “dominance”) in relation to every other animal. Each animal is aware of the rank of every other animal, which means he knows specifically how to act in any given situation (whether to back down, whether to push the issue, whether to muscle in or not on somebody else’s turf, etc etc).

To your dog, the family environment is no different to the dog-pack environment. Your dog has ranked each member of the family, and has his own perception of where he ranks in that environment as well.

This is where it gets interesting: if your dog perceives himself as higher up on the social totem-pole than other family members, he’s going to get cheeky. If he’s really got an overinflated sense of his own importance, he’ll start to act aggressively.

Why? Because dominance and aggression are the exclusive rights of a superior-ranked animal. No underdog would ever show aggression or act dominantly to a higher-ranked animal (the consequences would be dire, and he knows it!)

Resource guarding is a classic example of dominant behavior: only a higher-ranked dog (a “dominant” dog) would act aggressively in defence of resources.

To put it plainly: if it was clear to your dog that he is not, in fact, the leader of the family, he’d never even dream of trying to prevent you from taking his food or toys – because a lower-ranking dog (him) will always go along with what the higher-ranking dogs (you and your family) say.

So what can I do about it? The best treatment for dominant, aggressive behavior is consistent, frequent obedience work, which will underline your authority over your dog. Just two fifteen-minute sessions a day will make it perfectly clear to your dog that you’re the boss, and that it pays to do what you say.

You can make this fact clear to him by rewarding him (with treats and lavish praise) for obeying a command, and isolating him (putting him in “time-out”, either outside the house or in a room by himself) for misbehaviour.

- If you’re not entirely confident doing this yourself, you may wish to consider enlisting the assistance of a qualified dog-trainer.

- Brush up on your understanding of canine psychology and communication, so that you understand what he’s trying to say – this will help you to nip any dominant behaviors in the bud, and to communicate your own authority more effectively

- Train regularly: keep obedience sessions short and productive (no more than fifteen minutes – maybe two or three of these per day).

Why doesn’t my dog like to be handled?

All dogs have different handling thresholds. Some dogs like lots of cuddles, and are perfectly content to be hugged, kissed, and have arms slung over their shoulders (this is the ultimate “I’m the boss” gesture to a dog, which is why a lot of them won’t tolerate it.) Others – usually the ones not accustomed to a great deal of physical contact from a very young age – aren’t comfortable with too much full-body contact and will get nervy and agitated if someone persists in trying to hug them.

Another common cause of handling-induced aggression is a bad grooming experience: nail-clipping and bathing are the two common culprits.

When you clip a dog’s nails, it’s very easy to “quick” him – that is, cut the blood vessel that runs inside the nail. This is extremely painful to a dog, and is a sure-fire way to cause a long-lasting aversion to those clippers.

Being washed is something that a great many dogs have difficulty dealing with – a lot of owners, when confronted with a wild-eyed, half-washed, upset dog, feel that in order to complete the wash they have to forcibly restrain him. This only adds to the dog’s sense of panic, and reinforces his impression of a wash as something to be avoided at all costs – if necessary, to defend himself from it with a display of teeth and hackles.

Can I “retrain” him to enjoy being handled and groomed?

In a word: yes. It’s a lot easier if you start from a young age – handle your puppy a lot, get him used to being touched and rubbed all over. Young dogs generally enjoy being handled – it’s only older ones who haven’t had a lot of physical contact throughout their lives that sometimes find physical affection difficult to accept.

Practice picking up his paws and touching them with the clipper; practice taking him into the bath (or outside, under the faucet – whatever works for you, but warm water is much more pleasant for a dog than a freezing spray of ice-water!), and augment the process throughout with lots of praise and the occasional small treat.

For an older dog that may already have had several unpleasant handling/grooming experiences, things are a little more difficult. You need to undo the damage already caused by those bad experiences, which you can do by taking things very slowly – with an emphasis on keeping your dog calm.

The instant he starts to show signs of stress, stop immediately and let him relax. Try to make the whole thing into a game: give him lots of praise, pats, and treats.

Take things slowly. Don’t push it too far: if you get nervous, stop.

Dogs show aggression for a reason: they’re warning you to back off, or else! If your dog just can’t seem to accept being groomed, no matter how much practice you put in, it’s best to hand the job over to the professionals.

Your vet will clip his nails for you (make sure you tell him first that he gets aggressive when the clippers come out, so your vet can take the necessary precautions!). As far as washing and brushing goes, the dog-grooming business is a flourishing industry: for a small fee, you can get your dog washed, clipped, brushed, and whatever else you require by experienced professionals (again, make sure you tell them about your dog’s reaction to the experience first!)

For more information on handling aggressive and dominant behaviors, as well as a great deal of detailed information on a host of other common dog behavior problems, check out SitStayFetch.

It’s a complete owner’s guide to owning, rearing, and training your dog, and it deals with all aspects of dog ownership.

To get the inside word on preventing and dealing with problem behaviors like aggression and dominance in your dog, SitStayFetch is well worth a look.

About The Author

Darrin Donaldson
You can visit the SitStayFetch site by clicking on the link below:
http://www.k9-secrets.890m.com/aggression

What Are The Characteristics Of A Doberman Pincher?

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:59:49 PDT

What Are The Characteristics Of A Doberman Pincher?
by: George Adams

In the movies, the Doberman is portrayed as an aggressive dog that lunges at people with vicious eyes. In truth, Dobermans are loyal, intelligent family pets.

The American Kennel Club places the breed in the working group class along with dogs such as the Great Dane and the Boxer. They were originally bred for police work and even used in the German military (which is not surprising since the sight of these powerful dogs could make a person anxious.)

Physically, the Doberman is square with a strong chest and a bullet shaped head. It can weight around 55 to 90 pounds with a height of 24 to 28 inches. The coat is black, red or fawn with tan markings. Some Dobermans have a small section of white fur on their chest. The eyes are almond shaped and dark and most owners dock the tail to prevent painful accidents in the future.

The Doberman is a very energetic dog. They do need a lot of exercise so an apartment setting is not suitable. Even if you do have a yard, Dobermans enjoy time with their owners and need to be walked daily.

This breed is a family dog. They are eager to please and can be trained successfully. If you have a puppy in the same house as a small child, you might want to be a little more vigilant because the puppy doesn’t know its own strength yet and can knock the child down.

Begin training as soon as you bring the dog home. Dobermans are smart. They can get into trouble if left alone. If you have a puppy, enroll it in puppy obedience class while still young and easy to control.

Nutritionally speaking, the Doberman pincher needs plenty of food and the food must be specially formulated for large dogs to ensure it gets the desirable nutrients.

As a breed the Doberman are prone to becoming overweight when they get older. Check with the doctor to ensure your dog is on the right track. Other possible afflictions are heart disease, hypothyroidism and a hereditary disease called Von Willenbrand’s disease.

It is relatively easy to groom your dog. All that is required is to brush the it once a week to remove dirt and cut their nails when they get too long.

In truth a Doberman Pincher is a pleasure to have in the family. If you want a dog that can guard the home and still be loyal and loving then you should definitely consider the Doberman.

About The Author

George Adams is a staff writer at http://www.pets-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.recreation-digest.com..

Pacific Crest Trail – Critter Problems

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:58:40 PDT

Pacific Crest Trail – Critter Problems
by: Rick Chapo

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is a must for serious hikers on the west coast and through much of the world. While it can be great, you need to keep an eye out for potential critter problems.

Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail stretches from the Mexican border to Canada. It contains some of the most beautiful scenery you will see anywhere. The trail is set up in such a way that as much as 80 percent of it can be done with day hikes, which makes it a very attractive option for long weekends.

Since the Pacific Crest Trail is so easy to day hike, many hikers fail to take into account the animals that cross the trail on a daily basis. Of course, this can lead to small inconveniences or horrendous disasters you read about in the newspaper. Here’s a list of critters you should keep in mind.

1. Mosquitoes – Where there is water, there seems to be mosquitoes. The sections of the trail in Southern California aren’t too bad, but northern areas can be horrendous. As spring comes on, the snow in the mountains starts to melt and you get standing water. During these periods, there can be absolute clouds of mosquitoes in some areas. The area around Klamath should be avoided at all costs in June. Just don’t go.

2. Snakes – Most snakes are not confrontational. On the southern sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, you are definitely going to see rattlesnakes. When you do, just calmly walk away from them.

3. Mountain Lions – Mountain lions can be a bit troubling. They are much bigger than you think, weighing as much as a couple hundred pounds. They are also known to track humans on the trail, but attacks are extremely rare. If you do happen upon one, do not run away or start screaming. Mountain lions are predators, so don’t act like prey. Just stand there or calmly back away. Try to grab a stick or even a can of mace if you have one.

4. Bears – Black bears can be found in mountain areas, but are fairly harmless. Unlike what you see in movies, these bears tend to eat plants and you don’t look appetizing. If you see cubs, absolutely leave the area as calmly, but quickly as possible. Mother bears are very aggressive if they think cubs are in trouble. You don’t want to face off with an angry bear.

5. Humans – As with all aspects of society, there are scumbags on trails. If you objectively feel you can handle yourself, don’t worry about it. If not, it is best to travel with another hiker you know well on the odd chance you run across a jerk.

In retrospect, that may all sound rather horrific. In truth, those hiking the Pacific Crest Trail rarely run into problems. Just make sure you keep in mind you are in the wild, not your local canyon.

About The Author
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals for hiking, backpacking and camping. Writing journals are great Christmas gifts for him or her. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more hiking articles and stories.

Camping Critters and What To Do About Them

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:52:16 PDT

AH! The great outdoors, fresh air, sunshine, open spaces, critters.

Yes critters…you know those uninvited little guests that can turn a fun camping trip into a less than pleasant experience. But despair not; with a little common sense and a few precautions you can keep the vermin at bay.

Mosquitoes, Flies, and other flying insects

There’s probably no other pest that can wreck a campout like these guys. They’re more tenacious than a piranha in a gold fish bowl.

Keep these guys where they belong, using a bug spray or lotion if you going to be away from camp products with deet work very well.

Citronella candles around the campsite will work but effectiveness decreases after a couple of yards or so.

If you don’t like to use one of the chemical preparations like deet many campers rely on the natural approach using products that contain essential oils from plants, for some this seems to do the trick.

Bees, Wasps and Hornets

The best thing to do for these guys is don’t panic, run, swat, throw stuff etc.

More times than not they will buzz around for a while and just leave.

A common mistake I see campers and people in general make here is leaving a can of soda or a drink uncovered. Bees and such just love climbing inside of an unattended drink (hey they’re thirsty too!). A word of advice …buy yourself one of those thermal cups with a top on it, they can be used for hot or cold beverages and they keep the bugs away. Don’t forget the trash containers, ones with a top will do wonders for keeping flying insects away from camp.

Ticks

By now everybody knows that ticks can carry Lyme disease. The best protection against these is to stay out of tall grass and brush. Applying a bug repellent will work to some degree but wearing clothing that covers exposed skin is better yet. During warm weather this may not be possible, so check yourself often.

If a tick is found remove it, being sure to get the head out.

Scorpions

If you happen to live in the southwest you already know about the all to common scorpion. A bite from one of these is guaranteed to ruin your day. When found it is best to leave them alone if it isn’t near camp. If it’s in your tent or immediate surroundings you’ll have to take action and remove it. They do have a supply of venom in their tail that is used to immobilize their prey, and they elderly and the very young are the most at risk. Capturing them or getting them to leave is somewhat tricky; the general idea here is to persuade them to crawl inside of a container so they can be removed. Be careful and use common sense to avoid the stinger in the tail.

Snakes

As with the scorpion, snakes get more active when the weather turns warm.

Just because that guy on the TV show picks them up and plays with them doesn’t mean you should. The best rule of thumb is to leave them alone.

While hiking remember that snakes are often found on the backside of logs or in crevices. If encountered in camp or on the trail back off. If bitten get immediate medical attention.

Chipmunks, ground hogs, skunks, squirrels etc

But they’re so cute you say? That may be true but they can bite if provoked and may carry rabies. Take your photos but don’t attempt to make them the camp pet. Make sure your trashcan has a cover on it, I have awakened in the middle of the night by the sounds of loud rustling noises only to find out a raccoon or skunk was going through our neighbor’s garbage.

With a little common sense, awareness & cooperation your camping trip will be without incident. Remember WE are intruding on THEIR homes.

How To Choose A "Critter Sitter" For Your Pet

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:51:40 PDT

Going out of town and taking a break from the city's busy life for a week is a nice and relaxing thing to consider. However, you become hesitant because you do not want to leave your dog home alone. Now you can get a pet sitter and treat yourself to a vacation without having to worry about your pet. When choosing the right pet sitter for your dog, you have to consider the following: experience, trustworthiness of the sitter, safety of your dog and how your sitter will care for your dog.

Experience is one of the most important things to consider in choosing the right pet sitter for your pet since this will be your assurance that your pet is well taken care of while you are away. It is also best for you to choose a pet sitter who is insured because this will protect you should an accident occur while you are away from home. However, experience is not only the guarantee for you not to worry about leaving your dog with a pet sitter. You should always check references and do as much of a background check as possible before you hire because you are not only entrusting your pet to the sitter, but also your home and personal belongings.

Leaving your dogs with a stranger is a big step and requires some thinking and checking into the pet sitter's background. It is not easy to trust people especially if you are going to leave them with your valuables and the pet you dearly love. Make sure you do as much of a background check as possible and always check references. Ask the former clients they listed as a reference about their personality and overall performance since they already have experience with their services. Don’t be afraid to ask for an appointment with the pet sitter before you entrust your pet to her. This is a great way for you to get to know the pet sitter you are looking to hire. Once you feel like that the pet sitter can be trusted, ask her how she is going to go about carrying for your dog.

The purpose of you getting a pet sitter is for your pet to have somebody to look after her when you are away. The pet sitter's main tasks are to provide your pet with fresh water, food and plenty of attention, playtime and outdoor time. She may also turn lights on and off, collect mail and take out the trash for you if make arrangements for them to do so. Most importantly, she should be able to assure you of the safety of your dog while you are away. Make sure you discuss everything you expect of your pet sitter to avoid misunderstandings.

The number of visits of your pet sitter to your pet will depend on the kind of pet you have. If you have a dog, pet sitters usually suggest two visits per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. For healthy cats one visit per day will do. Still these will be open to changes depending on your arrangement with your pet sitter. You should not forget to leave a contact number of the place where you are going to stay in order for your pet sitter to reach if ever there are emergencies that will arise. Lastly, inform your pet sitter of some special care you have for your pet before you leave your pet to your pet sitter.

Entrusting your pet to your pet sitter or any body else for that matter entails risk. However, be sure you take into consideration the experience, insurance, trustworthiness and personal care before hiring a pet sitter in order to minimize risk. If you do not want to entrust your pet to a personal sitter, then you may want to consider a secure boarding environment. Today’s boarding facilities offer a much improved, more securely regulated environment than before.

Canine Parvovirus - A Serious Cantagious Disease in Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:00:37 PDT

Canine parvovirus, sometimes known simply as 'parvo,' is a serious contagious disease caused by a virus. This illness is spread when dogs come into contact with the feces of infected animals. Dog parks, highway rest stops and popular walking trails in cities are areas where dog feces are often found, and where an unvaccinated dog may pick up the virus. Humans may also unknowingly bring the virus home on the bottom of their shoes or on their car tires, so dogs who never go outside the yard can still be infected with this disease. The virus can live in the soil or other contaminated surfaces for as long as six months.

Most animal shelters and kennels make every effort to avoid the spread of contagious diseases by cleaning the kennels with bleach, but any time that large numbers of animals are kept in close quarters, there is a possibility of infection, so keeping up on your dog's vaccinations is always a good idea.

Although puppies are more commonly affected by this illness than adult dogs, both my brother and I once owned adult dogs who became seriously ill from canine parvovirus. Both animals had been vaccinated while in our care, but they were acquired after the dogs had reached adulthood, so they may not have received proper vaccination as puppies. Both dogs recovered, but only after several weeks of intensive in-hospital care.

Since this virus attacks the lining of the dog or puppy's digestive system, the symptoms of the disease are diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, and bloody, foul-smelling stools. In addition to severe abdominal discomfort, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, the dog may also have a high fever, and congestive heart failure is possible. Severe symptoms may follow several days of gradually decreasing appetite. Illness usually becomes apparent from three to 12 days after the dog was exposed to the virus.

Obviously, this is a very serious disease, and immediate medical care is required to reduce the risk of death. The veterinarian will make sure to keep the dog from becoming dangerously dehydrated, which can keep the dog or puppy alive long enough for its own immune system to fight the disease. Antibiotics are not effective against this virus, but they are usually given to an infected animal to help prevent the occurrence of secondary bacterial infections, which can cause shock or septicemia. Secondary infections can occur without antibiotics because parvovirus suppresses the dog's ability to make white blood cells. A blood test showing a low white blood cell count is one of the ways a veterinarian can make a diagnosis of canine parvovirus.

Because the illness causes severe dehydration, the dog will also be put on intravenous fluids, and the animal will probably need to stay under the doctor's care a week or more. Because the gastrointestinal tract has been affected, the veterinarian may withhold food and water from the dog until the virus has come under control.

Unfortunately, some dogs and puppies who survive a bout of parvovirus can be affected by symptoms six months or more after the original symptoms, particularly if the virus has infected the heart.

To prevent infection, puppies must be vaccinated under the proper schedule, and they should not be taken outside the yard or introduced to any other dogs until at least two weeks after the last puppy shots are administered. Some veterinarians and dog breeders suggest that you avoid dog parks entirely, even after your puppy has been vaccinated, because of the possibility of picking up this or other contagious canine illnesses. If you adopt an older dog from the local shelter, you should take him to your veterinarian for a checkup and ask that he be vaccinated, unless the shelter administered routine vaccinations while the dog was in their care.

About The Author
Jonni Good writes about dog health and older dogs on her website at http://www.older-dog.com

The Melody Of Brushing And Combing Your Shih Tzu

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:30:36 PDT

These five steps are the fundamentals of Shih Tzu and any dog breed grooming procedure is:

1. Brushing and Combing
2. Bathing
3. Blow Drying
4. Ear Cleaning
5. Nail Trimming

The Shih Tzu is typical of a longhaired breed requiring constant coat care and most frequently require services of a professional groomer.

Brushing and combing melody:

Brushing out the coat of a Shih Tzu is the most important step in Shih Tzu dog grooming. The importance of regular Shih Tzu brushing is underscored by the fact that a Shih Tzu can be made presentable by brushing alone. Brushing your Shih Tzu is the foundation for all that follows and more time and effort should be devoted to it. The main ingredient to brushing the coat of a Shih Tzu is “manual labor.” Thorough Shih Tzu brushing is mandatory before bathing since wetting a tangled, matted coat will only cause the coat to tangle and mat more. Combing out the Shih Tzu coat is a close second step to brushing. Combing the Shih Tzu coat should be considered an accompaniment to brushing, thus creating a melody of brush and comb, brush and comb, brush and comb the beautiful coat of your Shih Tzu.

Brushing and combing techniques:

The approach to your Shih Tzu consists of starting each step from the hindquarters. The theory behind this approach is if the Shih Tzu cannot see what you are doing, he will be less likely to object. Staring from the hindquarters proceed to groom the Shih Tzu systematically, part by part, step by step.

The actual technique of correct Shih Tzu coat brushing and combing is to first grasp the left rear leg of your Shih Tzu and while holding part of the hair in one hand brush the other part. To get to the undersides of your Shih Tzu’s leg, lift the leg of your Shih Tzu up and while holding firmly with one hand, brush the undersides.

Lay down your brush and pick up your comb. The main function of the comb is to find and remove tangles, mats or knots left in the Shih Tzu coat after brushing. Run the comb through the leg coat you just brushed out. If you find a knot in the Shih Tzu’s leg coat, hold the bottom part of the knot firmly with one hand and comb or tease out the knot with the other.

When you are finished brushing and combing both hind legs of your Shih Tzu, do exactly the same with the two front legs of your Shih Tzu. When all four legs of your Shih Tzu are done, go back to the hindquarters of your Shih Tzu. This time, you will concentrate on the tail of your Shih Tzu. Proceed to do the entire body coat of your Shih Tzu, first left side, then right side, then underside, then the front or chest areas of your Shih Tzu. The most systematic way of brushing out the body coat of your Shih Tzu is from rear to front, layer by layer, lifting up with one hand a layer of Shih Tzu coat and brushing down to the skin with the brush hand.

The final step is the head, including the ears. The heavy furnishings on the head of your Shih Tzu are part of their beauty. No effort should be spared in thoroughly brushing and combing this area of your Shih Tzu. You now have the face of your Shih Tzu to do. Once you have mastered the technique of the brushing and combing melody, no area of your Shih Tzu should present a problem. Combing your Shih Tzu is always the final, finishing touch.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

About The Author

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. Purchase Shih Tzu Puppies and sign up for FREE Shih Tzu newsletter at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com Pet care articles at http://smalldogs2.com/ShihTzuCastle Visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

Shih Tzu Topknots, Eyes And Ear Care

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:29:55 PDT

The standard coat of a Shih Tzu should be luxuriously long and dense with a good wooly undercoat. The hair on top of the head may be tied up. When a Shih Tzu is completely brushed and combed the Shih Tzu should have a sleek look. The beard comes to a point and a long, luxuriant moustache flows over the beard.

Method of making a Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppy topknot:

1. Part the hair from the ear on both sides of the head.
2. Gather up in one hand the hair in the middle and slip on a latex band at the base.
3. The band may have to be wrapped around twice to make it secure.
4. A ribbon or barrette is recommended to be attached to latex band.

How to make your own Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppy bows:

1. Cut one yard of ribbon. The ribbon can be any width you desire.

2. From this yard of ribbon, cut another piece about 5” long. Splice this in half lengthwise.

3. Cut the remainder of the yard in half. This material should give you enough for two ribbons or bows.

4. Wrap one of the long pieces around two fingers. Slip the folded ribbon off your fingers and double it over.

5. With a utility scissors, snip off a piece at the corners in a “V” shape, but not a sharp V, for you will lose any thread of support. There should be a piece of ribbon left at the centerfold to hold it all together.

6. Take one of the spliced pieces (5”) and tie the ribbon at the centerfold securely.

7. Separate each fold by gently pulling out and twisting each fold out from the center. Do both sides. When all the folds are pulled out and twisted, the bow is completed. All that remains is to fasten the bow to a tuft of hair, using the ends of the center splice to tie the knot. Cut off any excess ribbon that remains.

Care of the Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppy’s ears:

Because of the long hair covering the Shih Tzu puppy’s ears, problems can develop when the ear gets little air. Clean the excess hair out of your Shih Tzu puppy’s ear canal (not the ear flap) to improve air circulation and help prevent infection.

Care of the Shih Tzu’s eyes:

Shih Tzu generally has large eyes with shallow sockets. A Shih Tzu’s eyes are more prone to injury than most other breeds. If your Shih Tzu puppy’s eyes are red or cloudy or tear excessively, or if your dog squints and rubs at his eye, have a vet look at your Shih Tzu puppy’s eye to determine the cause.

Professionalism in Shih Tzu grooming:

The word professional means “one skilled in a profession, craft, or art. The word professionalism is defined as “the methods, manner, or spirit of a profession.

To become professional at anything, one must have the skills appropriate to the art, craft or profession and must conduct themselves professionally.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

About The Author

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. Purchase Shih Tzu puppies and sign up for FREE newsletter at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com Collection of Pet Care articles http://smalldogs2.com/ShihTzuCastle Visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

Do Alternative Therapies Work For Pets?

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:29:06 PDT

Natural and holistic therapies are not new but even their use in humans has only recently gained popularity in the UK. More and more people are shunning traditional medicine not only for themselves but for their pets. According to Direct Line Insurance over 750 000 of the UK's dog owners use alternative or complimentary treatments - with 30% doing so on recommendation from their vet.

So, why have some of the oldest and most natural treatments only recently seen a revival and do they actually work?

Part of the answer is they never went away. Holistic treatments such as acupuncture and herbs are still the mainstream in many eastern countries such as China, inclusive of their pet population. It seems to be a predominantly Western attitude to have adopted traditional medicines as we know them. Some orthodox medics frowned on them as 'quack' methods, a seemingly odd approach as many of the pharmaceutical drugs available today are derived from plants - the basis for herbalism. However, they have stood the test of time and been documented throughout history, one of the oldest books of acupuncture in animals, is 'bo le zhen jing' (Boles Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture) an equine acupuncture book believed to have been written between 659B.C and 621B.C.), so is it likely they would still be mainstream in other cultures if they didn't work?

The main objection to natural therapies by most opposing doctors and vets, are that they are untested, unproven and unregulated. That may have been true once but now as more veterinarians are aware of the impact of modern life on pets and the need to treat the 'whole' not just the symptom, alternative therapies are being more widely used by those best able to judge their worth.

The limitations of orthodox medicine particularly with long standing conditions has caused some vets to look for alternatives and as a result it seems many are being more readily adopted as essential first point of calls rather than as solely 'complimentary'. - "Within months of qualifying in 1992, while still in Beeford, I was beginning to question the wisdom of conventional medicine. I could not help thinking, "Is that all there is to treat animals?" says Nick Thompson, a qualified vet from Bath, who uses herbs, acupuncture and homeopathy in both small and large animals.

Acupuncture - is already recognised by the American Veterinary Medical Association as suitable for the 'treatment of numerous conditions in animals' It also says 'Veterinary Acupuncture and acutherapy are now considered an integral part of veterinary medicine' (1)

It's very effective in managing pain and research in 1989 reported that out of 191 dogs with disc disease in their spines that out of those treated with acupuncture

* 85 dogs with only back pain - 94% recovered
* 37 dogs with back pain, lack of 'hind leg co-ordination and use' - 89% recovered
* 59 dogs with paralysis, unable to stand or walk or bear weight, but pain response present - 79% recovered
* 10 dogs with paralysis, unable to stand or walk or bear weight, and pain sensitivity absent - 20% recovered (2)

Homeopathy - is based on the concept 'like cures like'. Hippocrates is credited to be the first to use it in 400B.C.when he noted that herbs given in a low dose tended to cure symptoms that they created when given in a large dose. (Not unsimilar to modern day vaccination principles). There is very little research so far, but of the trials completed there is positive evidence for its use in kennel cough in dogs, Cushing's Disease in dogs and horses and in conditions found in other animals. A more dramatic use featured in the case of a Collie with ivermectin (a wormer) poisoning - his prognosis was poor - but the 'like cures like' principle was used and the vet gave a homeopathic dilution of the poison. The dog's condition improved rapidly and the dog recovered within a week. (3)

Herbs - have probably seen the greatest acceptance into conventional care. Their potency has been acknowledged by the National Office of Animal Health issuing license under its Controls of Animal Medicines to the Dorwest Herbs range. Before an animal medicine can be sold in the UK it must be approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate who must be satisfied that 'the product is safe, it works, and that it is of good quality'. The range of conditions treated is varied and includes epilepsy - given in conjunction with orthodox drugs, veterinary surgeons have found that it is possible to reduce the quantity of epileptic drugs required and thereby the side-effects often experienced.

In light of some of the startling results being seen in the veterinary profession, the objections that just because alternative medicines were seen as 'natural' did not mean they were safe, seems to have some ground.. Some herbs such as garlic, valerian and ginseng can cause problems such as bleeding and low blood sugars when a patient is given a general anaesthetic (4). With the potential to have undesirable effects, their adoption into mainstream veterinary care can only be seen as a positive move, even by their opponents. As research slowly catches up, whether it is undertaken by those who wish to disprove it as bunkum or those who want confirmation of its abilities the outcome can only be of help to our pets.

Ref:
(1) Sarah Probst, University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine
(2) Janssens and Prins, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (1989) 25, 169-174).
(3) R J Optimeer. How The Similia Principle of Homeopathy Resolved An Emergency. Case History of Ivermectin Poisoning in a Collie. (1997) 122, 36-9)
(4) The Journal of the American Medical Association 2001;286:208-216.

Research:

Day CEI. Isopathic prevention of kennel cough – is vaccination justified? J Int Assoc Vet Hom 1987; 2: 45-51.
Elliott M. Cushing's Disease: a new approach to therapy in equine and canine patients. Br Homeopath J 2001; 90: 33-6.
Tijdsrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 1997

Direct Line Insurance Press Release - research carried out 11-15 May 2006

http://www.noah.co.uk - National Office of Animal Health
http://www.holisticvet.co.uk - Nick Thompson BSc.(Hons), BVM&S, VetMFHom, MRCVS. Research papers and further information on the HolisticVet practice can be found at his website.

About The Author

Sarah Fields writes articles on natural remedies for pets and other pet related subjects http://www.woofnwhiskers.co.uk/healthcare-natural-remedies-for-pets-c-57_87.html

According to Direct Line Insurance over 750 000 of the UK's dog owners use alternative or complimentary treatments - with 30% doing so on recommendation from their vet. So, why have some of the oldest and most natural treatments only recently seen a revival and do they actually work?

Traveling with Your Pet; Some Useful Tips

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:28:04 PDT

Remember to bring along your pet's rabies and health certificates if you are taking your pet on vacation with you. It is also a good idea to have the name of someone who would be willing to come and get the animal in case of an accident. If you are staying at hotels, you would do well to research which ones accept pets (many do) and which ones do not.

Some airlines will let your pet ride in the cabin with you for a $50 one-way fee, but it must be small enough to fit in a crate that will then fit under the seat in front of you, and your pet will count as one piece of your carry-on luggage.

And just like children, pets DO get carsick! If you are planning a long trip with your pet and he isn't used to traveling in the car much, you might want to take him out for a bunch of rides - gradually lengthening the trip each time. Also putting the animal toward the front of the vehicle will sometimes help with a dog that does get carsick (less motion than at the back).

How many times have you driven down the street to see a car go by you that has a dog hanging out the window? Or sitting in the driver's lap? Not only is this a probable accident waiting to happen, but the dog's head and eyes are in danger of being injured by debris. It is always a good idea to restrain your dog when he is traveling in the car with you - either with a harness or in a crate. If you use a harness, you might consider covering the seat with a seat cover or an old blanket that you can take out and wash.

And last but not least, under no circumstances EVER leave your pet in the hot sun in the car (even with the windows down). It is akin to putting them into a 120° oven!! Have fun with your pet and enjoy your summer.

About The Author

Written by Linda Bonney, owner of many dogs for the past 30+ years. My kids and I have loved pets (especially dogs) forever. Just make sure you have good dog leashes and a snappy pet t shirt to wear while traveling with your favorite pet. Visit me at http://www.bestanimallovers.com.

How To Keep Your Python Happy

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:13:08 PDT

Once you decide on owning a pet python, you want to learn more about what your pet is like. Starting from what it feeds on to habits of the reptile. It is important to know about a python's behavior patterns and how to keep your pet happy.

In the wild, Pythons roam the jungle; their skin provides a perfect camouflage. They are excellent swimmers and swim in search of prey or stalk in water.

Like other wild animals Pythons don't know how to exhibit their happiness to humans. With experience though, you'll be able to notice anything 'out of the norm' for your python thru its body language ... signs that it may be feeling sick or uncomfortable, though this will be a little difficult to see at first.

The two most important things you can do to make your python happy have to do with the SUN and SWIMMING.

The Sun

Most pythons enjoy basking under the sun. Therefore, if you provide your pet a good hide box and a heat spot, it will use the hide box to rest most of the time, or just coil around the heat spot basking. A warm python is usually a happy python!

Swimming (exercise)

Given the narrow confines of the cage we provide them, pythons don't get much of the exercise they would otherwise get in the wild forests.

The best exercise for pythons is swimming. True, it is not possible to take the python to a swimming pool or an abandoned pond for security reasons.

But you can use a kiddy pool or a large plastic tub to create a python swimming pool.

Just fill the pool or tub with warm water and let your python in it. You will watch it move around happily, keeping its head above the water.

Make it a point to clean the tub or kiddy pool with disinfectants every time.

Swimming is definitely one of the best ways of entertaining your pet python.

Other ways to keep your python happy

Mating your python when it is ready is also another important way you can make your pet Python happy.

The above is an excerpt from the free newsletter on "Python Secrets" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.

To subscribe to the newsletter, click on the link below:

http://www.pythonsecrets.com

Here's to a happier pet-owing experience!

Jessica Harrison
Geostar Publishing & Services LLC
6423, Woodbine Court,
St. Louis, Missouri,
63109, USA

http://www.pythonsecrets.com
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About The Author

Jessica Harrison is the author of the best selling eBook "Python Secrets" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.

How Long Do Dogs Live

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:10:42 PDT

From the time we bring them home as wriggling bundles of joy, we all want our puppies to live forever. As they bond with us and grow into full fledged family members, we tend not to think about the end of their life or how many precious years we have with our canine friends.

However, when picking out our new puppy it is rare that we give adequate consideration to the average lifespan of the dog. There are distinct factors that play into whether our puppy will be with us until our children graduate from high school or if they give us a few good years.

Most experts agree that small breeds tend to outlive large breeds. The general rule of thumb is the larger the dog the shorter the life span. Large medium to large breed dog tend to live about ten years, although there are exceptions to every rule. We have a feisty-willed large breed mutt who is determined to see his fifteenth birthday.

Smaller breeds tend to live longer, anywhere from twelve to fifteen years. Occasionally you will run into the nearly twenty year old Scottie, but most don’t make it past their sixteenth year.

Again, every rule has its exceptions. The Irish Wolfhound isn’t expected to make it more than six or seven good years although there really isn’t a conclusive reason as to why this is so. Of course these figures are taking into consideration overall good health and quality care. Genetics play a vital role in longetivity, but those we can’t control. There are a few factors in our favorite little guy’s life we can do to help him get to his ripe old age. Some of them can even combat predisposition to genetic diseases.

One of the fastest ways to shorten a dog’s life is to keep him outside all the time. Dogs that live outside tend to be missing a few key ingredients in their overall care that impact their life span.

Even with a shelter available, dogs do wear down and age quickly when they are dealing with constant element exposure. While some can adjust, most dog bodies find the extremes the environment can dish out at them to be exhausting and threatening.

Dogs who permanently reside outside tend to receive less over all care. Since people spend the majority of their time at home inside, often small health problems go unnoticed until it becomes an overwhelming problem. Even the responsible pet owner can forget to feed or water the dog who is permanently engaged in outdoor activities when the lifestyle inside the home becomes stressed or busy.

Outdoor dogs also lack the essential strong emotional connection with their owners that indoor dogs benefit from. Having their human friends to please and play with goes a long way in their overall happiness and health. Often a sick dog who has no emotional connection will stop eating and caring for themselves long before those who have families who love and care for them. If you want your little guy to live a longer, fuller life, bring him inside and let him be part of the family lifestyle.

Whether you are bringing home a purebred puppy or a distinguished gentleman of questionable descent, their life span can be about the same. Barring any health problems, each should live as long as the other and it really just comes down to personal preference.

From birth to about two years old your puppy is learning and growing. Every day your little guy is reaching new miles stones and his body is very busy. High quality puppy food packed with nutrition can help set him on the foundation for a healthy life. These foods are a little more expensive, but they can be well worth the cost when considering the effects of malnutrition.

If your little guy comes from a family or breed history of hip and back problems such as hip dysplasia, excessive exercise in the first two years can put added stress on the joints in question and actually exacerbate the potential for later problems. Exercise is good, over doing isn’t.

Regular veterinary check ups and of course vaccinations during the first two years can help to catch problems early on, which will increase his overall health. This is the time when your puppy really needs you to watch out for him, whether his body is having health problems or he is ingesting things that can cause long term problems, staying on top of him now reduces health effects in his later years.

From his second year through his fifth we can consider this his basic years of good health and maintenance. Watch for signs of growing obesity and make sure he is receiving ample exercise and fun play time. If he is a healthy dog then these years should be stress free.

Keep at least annual appointments with the vet for check ups and updated shots. His food should be a high quality protein based variety, but if he’s showing signs of to much happy eating either cut back on his portions or switch to a low calorie variety.

Once he gets into his fifth to eighth year we can consider him a middle age to aging dog. These are the years when small but manageable health problems are likely to show up. If he’s a really good eater but hasn’t shown signs of obesity before, these are the years when his activity will slow down some and he may develop a weight problem now. Again, a good low calorie food and a few perhaps coaxed walks should be enough to help him keep his youthful figure.

Other problems such as cataracts, arthritis, or even heart murmurs are most likely to show up during these years. They are not catastrophic events and can typically be handled with a trip to the vet and either simple procedures or medication. Ignoring problems now however, are likely to grow into unmanageable problems quickly. Stay on top of his check ups and vaccinations to ward off any potential disasters looming about. Most dogs that are generally healthy should make it through these years just fine.

Depending on the size, breed, and overall health of your not so little guy, once he reaches eight years old he may be starting to push toward borrowed time. Smaller breeds won’t get there until about ten, but even medium dogs are now starting to wear down.

Just because he’s getting old doesn’t mean you have to start thinking about euthanasia. There is a possibility that he will have health and happiness for a few more years to come. However now is the time when health problems can erupt quickly and strike hard. Eight years old and beyond is when you are most likely going to face making tough decisions about your faithful canine’s quality of life. The care you gave him as a puppy is now doing its part to take care of him as he ages.

Some older dogs need to be encouraged to eat. If your once upon a time eating machine is suddenly losing weight, switch to a higher protein, higher fat content dog food to help him maintain his energy.

Our care for our dogs all the way through their lives can make a huge difference in how long they live a full and happy life. When bringing a new puppy home remember that how you treat his body right now will carry a direct effect to his life span down the road. Many dogs outlive their life span and are happy and energetic the whole way through. A little love and responsibility can go a long, long way. Any dog that has touched your life will certainly live forever.

About The Author

David Beart is the owner of http://www.professorshouse.com. Our site covers pets, dogs, finances, family, cooking and other household issues.

Dog Flea Remedy – What Effective Products Available?

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:24:34 PDT

Summer brings holiday joy for most people but not exactly so for dog owners. In fact, it may well be the busiest time of the year for all dog owners and the cause of this is Fleas!

Dog Owners are most likely to see their dogs scratching frantically and having skin rashes at its worst during this time of the year which prompted them to desperately go in search of a dog flea remedy. But there are hundreds of dog flea products in the market so, which is the “best dog flea killer” among all.

If this is the dilemma that you are facing right now, then read on as we reveal some dog flea and tick treatment that are reported to be effective.

If you are thinking of trying some flea powder and flea collars, forget them, these are products of the past and are simply not effective.

Flea combs have been around for a long long time but have always been overlooked to be an effective first line of treatment for dogs with fleas. True that you won’t be able to eliminate all fleas simply by combing your dog’s fur but it helps in reducing the flea population greatly. It’s the safest way to keep flea infestation in your dog under control not to mention that it’s also cheap. Value these “grooming sessions” as it also helps in building a mutual bonding between your dog and yourself.

Use of dog flea shampoo is common among dog owners. As with flea comb, flea shampoo would not eradicate fleas completely as they will be washed off shortly leaving no residual effects. But, again, it’s effective in helping to control flea population and it helps keep the skin of your dog clean and prevents secondary infections especially when inflammation develops from the constant scratching

The use of dog flea medications has increase in popularity in recent years. Firstly, they are highly effective flea killer, which have reportedly been able to kill off 99% of the flea population within 24 hours after application. Secondly, these new range of flea medicines have long lasting effects enabling a single application to last for up to a month. Of these, the most popular ones are Advantage, Revolution, Frontline, Frontline plus and Advantix. Each of these is unique and the choice of which to use on your dog depends on what your dog is infested with. Revolution is labeled not only for use against fleas but also are also active against ear mites, scabies mites and heartworm while Frontline Plus controls both fleas and ticks.

Added on to the list are the oral flea pill like Program and Sentinel. These are growth inhibitors, which serve to interrupt the life cycle of fleas, and it serves as long term preventive in flea control.

To equip yourself with more information about the various types and forms of flea products before heading to get one suitable for your dog, make sure you check the section on "Flea Treatment For Pets" within my website at http://www.all-pets-info.com/fleacontrol/Flea-Treatment-For-Pets.html which covers in detail the advantages, effectiveness, side effects, how they should be used and what you should look out for when using any of them.

About The Author

Ann Wong owns an animal shelter housing 150 dogs and cats. Understanding the difficulty and frustration of pet owners in getting rid of fleas, she has publish a website on "Flea Control" at http://www.all-pets-info.com/fleacontrol with the purpose of helping people especially pet owners solve this problem completely.

How To Clip Your Dog's Nails

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:52:38 PDT

You can tell if your dog's nails are too long by that 'click click click' sound when Fido walks across the tiles in the kitchen. You mustn't put off clipping even if you are scared of hurting your dog, because this is essential for your dog's health and comfort. And a comfortable dog is a happy dog!
You need to clip your hound once a month minimum. I do Chocolate every 20 days or so as she is still young and growing fast. Scissor or guillotine clippers are both fine. You'd be wise to have a little bottle of canine blood clot power too in case you nick too deep.

Let your dog snuggle up, and take his paw in your left hand. If he doesn't like this, get him used to it with treats and gentle words. Now slowly and gently start to clip, starting at the end and working back. Use a 45 degree angle, and be prepared to make lots of small clips, rather than 1 big one. Be sure not to go to far - be careful around the 'quick' - the bit of the nail with blood vessels and nerves. If you cut into this he won't like it!

If you make this mistake, use the clotting powder and a cotton swab with firm pressure for a few seconds. A lot of dogs have 'dewclaws' - a tiny claw just inside the front leg. Clip these too and be VERY careful! Chocolate finds this the most ticklish part! Ultimately, make it fun, and your dog will LOVE to be clipped, which will make life better for everyone!

Dogs And Pets Provide Health Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (shoppingscent) — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:51:29 PDT

Do dogs provide health benefits? Believe it or not they do! Did you know that owning a dog and pet ownership in general, can help a person in many ways? Owning a pet can improve your mental wellness, reduce your visits to the doctor, improve your cardiovascular health and allow for faster recovery time from surgery as well as higher survival rates. Recent research suggests that dogs may be able to detect cancer on a person's breath! Lets' explore these amazing health benefits of pet ownership:

It has been proven that dog owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. These factors, in turn, reduce the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, just stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a study from the New York State University concluded that these benefits continue even without the pet being present!

Hospital studies have shown that senior citizens and recent post-op patients respond better to treatment and recover faster while in contact with dogs and other therapy animals. Did you know that dog owners have a greater chance to survive a serious illness than non-dog owners? In fact, a study revealed that a pet affected a person's survival rate even more than the presence or company of family members or friends!

Studies conducted at Cambridge and UCLA concluded that there is a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved overall health, which leads to fewer visits to the doctor. The Journal of American Geriatrics Society notes that pet ownership has a positive effect on a senior's physical and emotional well being. Additionally, a Medicare study of elderly patients also shows that people who own a dog have fewer doctor visits than patients who do not.

Pet owners have better emotional health and mental wellness than people who do not own a pet. Pets offer unconditional love and affection and their presence alone helps reduce loneliness. For people who are isolated, disabled or handicapped, a pet offers friendship and can even add a element of safety to their lives. Dogs are used as a form of therapy in hospices, nursing homes and as companions for the disabled and blind. In fact, there are studies that prove that people with a major illness fight the stress of having the illness better by having a dog as a pet.

There is new research that suggests that dogs may be able to detect certain types of cancer. Researchers at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California and the Polish Academy of Sciences exposed dogs to breath samples from breast and lung cancer patients and samples from healthy people. They claim that the dogs were able to detect cancer with astonishing results and accuracy. The dogs were able to identify 99% of lung cancer breath samples (which included early stage cancer patients) as well as 88% of breast cancer samples. The study, which has been met with skepticism, will be released early in 2006 and published in the March edition of the Journal for Integrative Cancer Therapies. Experts agree that this holds promise, but must be evaluated and researched further.

As you can see pet ownership or having a dog comes with many benefits for an individual. Owning a pet encourages social interaction, reduces stress levels, boosts self-confidence and self-esteem and encourages exercise. Having a pet is a great investment, not only in the joy and pleasure that the animal brings into your life, but the many health benefits that come with the territory!

About The Author

Robert Benson operates http://www.ezshoppinghere.com a website devoted to helping shoppers find unique gift ideas in unique places. Shop at one of our malls or try our specialty shops and find Irish jewelry, nesting dolls, wildlife sculptures, vinyl records, plus size apparel, and much more.