Pets Care Tips and Guidelines

Bird Feeding: Attracting Woodpeckers To Your Bird Feeders

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:34:02 PDT

As September flies by, summer's natural abundance will drop off for all of our favorite birds and we prepare for autumn feeding. With their flashes of red, yellow and white, woodpeckers always make a great impression hanging at all angles from your feeders.

Woodpeckers are a wide ranging group that can be found just about all over the world (sorry Australia and Hawaii). Here in North America they can be found in forests, swamps, deserts, and best of all, in your yard.

You can attract these guys using seed feeders you already have. Woodpeckers are clinging birds and really like to perch on the sides of mesh and wooden feeders but they will also hang on regular perches if they see something that looks good. They love black oil, shelled sunflower, all varieties of nuts and even unshelled peanuts. Try putting out pumpkin seeds as well. Your woodpeckers will love you for it!

If there is one thing these guys love, it is suet! You can feed a variety of different suet in pre-made blocks or by mixing it yourself and applying it in hollow feeders or spread on trees. If you are afraid of squirrels getting at it you can buy special suet with cayenne pepper in it. Personally, I have had quite a few customers tell me that squirrels will stay away from the pure suet since there are no tasty nuts or fruit in it. The woodpeckers will still love eating it and it's a great source of energy during the colder winter months. If you are feeding these guys in warmer states, make sure to get "no-melt" suet that remains solid in temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. C & S Products suet are almost all "no-melt".

I recommend suet to a lot of our customers right now because of the high seed prices. It is relatively cheap and feeds the birds for quite a while. As an example, I feed my 5 usual woodpeckers plus chickadees, nuthatches and any other guests from 2 suet ball feeders. I can fill those for $6.50 each and have them last easily 4-6 weeks. It is pretty economical considering I have a bird or two on it all day everyday!

Having a lot of mature trees in the neighborhood is a huge plus in getting these guys to your feeders. Woodpeckers will use these trees to drill holes for nesting as well as looking for insect grub during the spring and summer. You can get nesting boxes specially made for woodpeckers as well but they also may appeal to other bird species like screech owls. You may have to keep guard for unintended residents.

If you are lacking some animated little flyers in your yard or just want to increase the frequency of their visits then the above tips and some quality bird supplies should get you results in no time.

Crinda Anderson - Owner, For the Wild Birds
Bellevue, NE

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6571122

African Grey Parrot: Facts And Information About This Species

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:32:55 PDT

African Grey parrots are a very popular choice for a pet parrot, but let's have a look at some of the facts of this bird.

When a person wants to keep a pet parrot it is a difficult decision to make when it comes to choosing which species of parrot they want to keep. Parrots have a long life span (up to 60 years) and taking on a pet parrot is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously.

If you like parrots, you more than likely really love so many different sorts that it is hard to decide which one to own. The colors appeal, but so do the different personalities.

Talking Abilities

African Grey's have an enormous ability to mimic people talking and they are a quick learner so the owner does need to watch what they say in front of the bird otherwise they will hear it straight back at them! They also love to imitate noises they hear, such a clock, a door bell or the telephone.

Parrot Size

The African Grey is a medium sized parrot which ideal for a pet. Both sexes tend to be about the same size but the female does have a slightly narrower upper body and head.

Colors

There are in fact two types of these birds. One is the Timneh African Grey which is darker grey on top, with a light grey chest and a maroon colored tail. The other is the Congo African Grey which has a light grey body, a very light grey on the side of the head and a bright red tail.

Intelligence

The African Grey is a very intelligent bird and needs to be kept stimulated. It loves company but if you cannot keep it company and it has to be left on its own during the day, then make sure that it has some stimulating toys to play with. Noisy and moving toys will keep them occupied. But so too will they enjoy some rough tree bark and leaves in their cage to chew on.

If they get stressed they will get into feather picking so this needs to be watched for as it can be a sign of loneliness, ill health, jealousy, sadness, or any other emotional problem that it could be facing.

Training An African Grey

These parrots love the interaction with owners and to this end they just love pleasing their owners and do this by their learning abilities with their training. They will enjoy being trained and they will enjoy showing off their new skills.

What to feed a parrot

It is best to give a parrot a mixed diet of pellets, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables and a mix of proteins. They may need to be encouraged to eat different foods but they do need to do this for their best state of health.

Make sure that the water is clean and it does need to be changed twice a day because parrots do have a habit of making their water rancid with seeds and excretions.

In warmer weather they will enjoy a light water spray but be careful not to drench them as they don't enjoy being soaked.

If you wish to buy an African Grey parrot do purchase from a popular breeder and avoid inherited problems from rogue breeders. So many ill-bred parrots get very sick and they will cost a fortune to look after and you just won't have a happy, healthy parrot.

For more valuable tips from an expert parrot owner and keeper visit http://www.petparrotsecrets.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6596595

Premier Scottsdale Pet Care Announces Launch of Its New Website

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:23:15 PDT

Premier Scottsdale Pet Care offers full-service pet care for a wide variety of animals, from dogs to horses to guinea pigs, with the option of care at their unique boarding facility - Casa Tranquila - or at the pet owner’s home. Now launched, Premier Scottsdale Pet Care’s new website will connect pet owners with services ranging from daily dog walking services ideal for busy professionals to in-home overnight care designed to provide travelers with peace of mind. The pet sitting company raises the bar on pet care with its fully insured and bonded facility, environmentally friendly practices, and sitters certified in pet CPR and first aid, and ability to handle pet emergencies as well as home emergencies for pet owners.

“I’m extremely excited about the launch of our new website,” says owner Robin Gallagher. “At Premier Scottsdale Pet Care, we pride ourselves in going beyond the call of duty for our clients. Our new site reflects the breadth of quality pet services we provide, and will help us to give more pets the care they deserve.”

Having an easily accessible website that accurately conveys Premier Scottsdale Pet Care’s vast expertise and unique services was a natural next step for their business growth.

“Well-cared for pets and owners is our specialty. Our goal is simply to provide pet owners with the best comprehensive pet care in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. This new website offers great potential for reaching pet owners with these much needed services. For existing customers, it conveys the level of care they’ve come to expect from us,” says Gallagher.

About Premier Scottsdale Pet Care

Premier Scottsdale Pet Care is a full-service pet sitting company located in Scottsdale, Arizona. We provide everything from dog walking to cat visits, quick potty breaks, pet taxi services, dog park trips, hikes, overnights in your home, training assistance, and much more. Whether you need someone to care for your dog or cat, or for your bird, turtle, frog, rabbit, or horse while you’re out of town or at work, Premier Scottsdale Pet Care can help. Our experienced team is committed to offering pets the best care possible. For more information, visit www.premierscottsdalepetcare.com.

Source: free-press-release.com

The World Pet Association Positively Impacted Communities through America’s Family Pet Expo

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:20:56 PDT

The World Pet Association finished another successful year of entertaining families and educating the public on pet care through America’s Family Pet Expo, held April 15-17 in Orange County, California, and July 8-10 in Puyallup, Washington. Known for its notable history of placing animals in forever homes and educating people on responsible pet care, this year America’s Family Pet Expo provided homes to 908 animals, raised $1251 for the Pets in the Classroom grant program, and offered a new opportunity for instructive insight through the “Aquatic Experience” exhibit.

At America’s Family Pet Expo in Puyallup, Washington, the World Pet Association donated 45 booth spaces to local shelters and rescue organizations, which resulted in the adoption of 226 animals. The adopted pets at this inaugural event included 133 dogs, 55 cats, seven ferrets, 14 goats and 17 birds. Pet adoption sponsor VCA Animal Hospitals provided certificates for a free first exam at its hospitals to ensure each adoptee joins their forever family with a healthy start. Combined with adoption numbers from the April event in Orange County, California, America’s Family Pet Expo donated 179 booths and helped facilitate 908 adoptions this year, equaling more than 7,308 animal adoptions since 1996.

In addition to donating booth spaces to local shelters and rescue organizations, the World Pet Association also donated booth space to the Pet Care Trust. The Pet Care Trust hosted a Betta Fish Toss to raise funds for their Pets in the Classroom program, a grant program supporting responsible pet care in schools by providing direct, no-hassle grants to teachers to purchase or maintain pets in the classroom. The booth raised $1251 for the Pets in the Classroom program and the money was donated in the name of Hikari USA.

Amongst the many educational opportunities America’s Family Pet Expo provided, the World Pet Association introduced a new educational exhibit to this year’s Expos called the “Aquatic Experience,” an innovative exhibit of 1,000 gallons filled with fish from different regions of the world. The Aquatic Experience featured a touch tank to encourage hands-on education as well as examples of how to incorporate aquaria in the home. Businesses that sponsored the “Aquatic Experience” included: Aqueon, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, CaribSea Inc, Clifford W Estes Company, Cobalt International, Hikari Sales U.S.A., Inc., Instant Ocean, Marineland, Quality Marine, Segrest Farms, Terrascapes, Tetra, Tetrafauna, The Pond Store, and The Volunteer Docents.

ABOUT THE WORLD PET ASSOCIATION

The World Pet Association (WPA), formerly the World Wide Pet Industry Association, is the oldest industry organization promoting responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services. As society’s “humanization” of pets grows stronger, WPA knows it is important to inform and educate the general public to ensure safe and healthy lifestyles for our animal friends. WPA plays host to America’s Family Pet Expo, the world’s largest pet and pet products expo, hosted annually in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Puyallup, Washington. The organization also holds SuperZoo (www.superzoo.org), an annual pet industry trade show that showcases a comprehensive collection of exhibits and offers a variety of informative educational seminars known as SuperZoo University. WPA also offers Pet Industry Briefs, a free weekly e-newsletter providing vital industry information at your fingertips. For more information on WPA or to sign up for Pet Industry Briefs, please visit www.worldpetassociation.org.

Source: free-press-release.com

Finding the Best Pet Transport Service

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:15:49 PDT

When you want your pouch or cat to accompany you on your family vacation, you need to get everything right to make the whole vacation a success. Finding the right person to manage the transport of something as dear to you as your pet can be a daunting task; here you will find all that you need to get you through this.

Special care is all what is needed when moving around with your pet. You need to make sure that any foreseeable danger is avoided at all costs. For us pet owners, a pet is not just any other animal. They are part of our family. Our pets have been with us when we got our first jobs; they were with us when we had our first break up and they will continue to be by our sides no matter what. This is why it feels so bad when we have to leave our pets behind when we go for a vacation. Luckily you will not have to endure a guilt ridden vacation if you can secure the right pet transport firm to handle your pet's safe arrival.

Pet transport services are the new way of making sure that you pet and you are never separated. You can always enjoy the company of your pet no matter where you go if you enlist the help of these professional animal transportation firms. The firms have specially designed equipment to handle the transportation of your pets. There are:

· Air Travel Pet Safety Equipment

· Road Travel Pet Safety Equipment

· Water Travel Pet Safety Equipment

All these pieces of equipments are meant to ensure the complete safety of your pets no matter where the destination is.

Additional Services

The next thing that you need to find out to determine if the firm can meet the required standards of pet transportation mainly revolves around the extra services they can offer. You should not just go for a firm that specializes in just moving your pouch from the house to the airport. There are so many more services that are associated with excellent pet transporting firms. Some of these services include:

· Veterinary visits: The ideal firm should have the ability to take your pet to a veterinary if the need arises

· Grooming services: This will ensure that your animal friend does not come out of the journey looking washed up.

· Feeding: As unbelievable as this may sound, not all firms will feed your pet throughout the journey.

With this information, you can securely attain the services of a capable firm to handle your pet on any journey.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6598410

Cat and Dog Eye Infections - The Facts

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:12:57 PDT

It is very important to maintain healthy eyes in your pets and watch for any unusual signs, to prevent diseases and illnesses from developing. Eye infections in cats and dogs are not uncommon and this article aims to give you all the information on how to spot and manage your pet's eye problem.

Eye infections are usually be attributed to of one of three different pathogens: viral, fungal and bacterial. Therefore, you will need to establish which one has caused the symptoms before administering the most effective treatment.

Symptoms of an Eye Infection

Eye infections exhibit various symptoms that you should be on the look out for. The most obvious sign is if your cat or dog is squinting. This is a sign that their eyes are causing pain. Often accompanied with this is inflammation of the eyes or discharge around the eye area. Here is a list of all the possible symptoms:

• Avoiding light
• Bulging eyes
• Closed eyes
• Cloudiness
• Discharge
• Excess tearing
• Redness
• Rubbing the eye
• Rubbing the face on the ground

If you notices any of these symptoms then you should consult your veterinarian immediately.

Treatment

There are usually several different treatment options available that will be effective in managing your pet's eye problem.

For eye infections with a bacterial cause, your vet will probably recommend antibiotic ointments. These will contain the infection and will usually clear it up completely. If the infection is viral then the treatment may be in the form of a topical cream. Great care should be taken when applying these creams as it is important not to touch the inner part of your pet's eye. To prevent further infections from developing in the future, your vet may also prescribe oral medications.

The length of treatment required will depend on the severity of the infection. Also viral infections are self-limiting, whilst bacterial infections will probably need one or two weeks of treatment.

To prevent your dog or cat having eye problems in the future, you should have a proper eye care regime in place. Using clean cotton balls dampened with lukewarm water, you should carefully wipe away dirt and dust that naturally collects around the eye area. You should do this once a week and always use a fresh cotton ball for each eye.

Diet is also of major importance in preventing infections of any kind in your pet's eye. This is because if they are not receiving the right vitamins, their immune system may suffer. To counteract this you should be adding leafy green vegetables, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds to their diet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6598698

Costs of Medical Treatment for Dogs and Cats

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:54:48 PDT

As a pet owner, you may have had an unexpected emergency that required immediate medical attention for your pet. If so, you may have incurred expenses which you hadn’t planned for, nor find it difficult to comprehend.

Cost of medical treatment for dogs and cats can be exorbitant. It is estimated that veterinary costs have increased over 70%. To this end, here are some case studies that will bring home the point that pet insurance is not only necessary, but a cost-effective necessity.

Polly is a seven-year-old-cat. She was diagnosed with a Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, which is quite common among cats. She requires lab work, diagnostic testing, and medications to treat the infection. Cost: $1,500.00
A 12-year-old Shar Pei named Dominic is diagnosed with a malignant tumor, and requires medical treatment. Cost: $950.00
Hazel, an eight-year-old Siamese cat has an eye infection that requires medical attention as well as prescription medication. Cost: $170.00
A six-year-old Retriever named Bailey has recently experienced an allergic reaction that left him with inflamed bumps in his neck and throat. If he had not been treated, he would have succumbed. Treatment for Bailey ensued and he survived. Cost: $2,096.00
Apollo is a three-year-old domestic short haired cat who ate a pair of his owner’s nylons. Removing the offending material from his stomach required surgery. Cost: $1,332.40

As you can see, veterinary treatments can run into the thousands. Now let’s take a look at the average costs for certain illnesses and/or accidents that may afflict your pet: Dogs:

Cancer treatments - $3,600
Hip dysplasia - $2,400
Ingestion of foreign bodies - $2,100
Motor vehicle accidents - $3,300
Bladder stones - $1,200

Cats:

Fractured legs - $2,300
Ingestion of foreign bodies - $1,200
Infection (not eye) - $1,000
Eye infection - $250

When you look at these figures, you might be persuaded not to purchase or adopt a pet, right? But this is the downside to not having pet insurance; the upside is that with pet insurance you need not worry about the cost of treating your pet – the benefits derived from pet insurance coverage will take care of all your pet’s needs. You may wish to bookmark and visit this website: http://www.insurance-rates.ca/pet-insurance-rates.html. Here you will be able to peruse the many benefits offered, as well as examples of claim calculations which will give you an idea as to the premiums, deductibles, and amount paid. This is a comprehensive site that will help you choose the best coverage for your beloved pet.

About The Author

Liane Wood is a chartered insurance professional and registered insurance broker specializing in personal and small business insurance. Visit her website at: www.Insurance-Rates.ca

Pet Medical Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:50:54 PDT

You certainly want what is best for your pet, and in choosing pet medical insurance you should research pet insurance policies to determine what is covered and what isn’t. In this way, you can find the best comprehensive coverage available.

A few reasons why pet owners may want to take a closer look at pet insurance include:

Peace of mind. Human nature being what it is we tend to avoid thinking of the worst case scenario involving our beloved pets as well as our loved ones. Pet insurance allows you to become proactive in your approach to protect your pets. By paying premiums, the worry that you will not be able to care for your pet in case of accident or illness can be dissipated.
Avoiding the decision. Many of us defer buying insurance, especially pet insurance because it is viewed as a frivolous expense. However, unexpected veterinary costs can be far more expensive than pet insurance premiums. Life seems to throw us a curve when we least expect it, and not being prepared for any eventuality can be a costly error.
Planning and financing your pet’s health. Pet insurance is an effective way to control and budget the cost of keeping your pet happy and healthy. Owning a pet is a major responsibility, and to this end pet owners should be able to feed and provide shelter for their pets as well as care for them in case of an emergency that may arise. Pet insurance enables pet parents to achieve ultimate care in an effective manner. The monthly premiums will come as no surprise, but you can be assured that the vet bills can.
Protection from the unexpected. Choosing a pet takes thought and careful consideration. Many aspects of the type of pet chosen come into play. For example, the gender of the pet, the breed, how compatible the animal will be to their lifestyle, and how the pet will interact with children. However, many people neglect to consider the many costs associated with becoming a pet owner. Several breeds of dogs, for example, are more prone to certain illnesses than others. Ear infections and urinary infections are quite common in many domestic animals. In addition, pets tend to fight, swallow objects, and like humans; have unexpected emergencies. Generally speaking, insurance protects the policyholder from needless expense and inconvenience. So too, pet insurance is no different. It also protects the pet owner, as well as the pet, from the hassles of unexpected occurrences. Therefore, it seems only appropriate that you would want what is best for your pet, and in choosing pet insurance you should research pet insurance policies to determine what is covered and what isn’t. In this way, you can find the best comprehensive coverage available. To find out more about pet medical insurance visit: http://www.insurance-rates.ca/pet-insurance-rates.html.

Abot The Author

Liane Wood is a chartered insurance professional and registered insurance broker specializing in personal and small business insurance. Visit her website at: www.Insurance-Rates.ca.

Pet Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:46:37 PDT

If you are a pet owner, one of the fundamental issues surrounding the care of your best friend is to find the appropriate pet insurance. To this end, there are specific questions you should ask when searching for a company that offers pet insurance.

Here is what you may want to ask:

• How much are the premiums?

• Is my pet covered for pre-existing conditions?

• Can I utilize the services of the vet I choose?

• Does the insurance cover my pet regardless of age?

• Does the policy cover diagnosis of my pet, or is it limited?

• Is there a flat reimbursement?

• What is the deductible?

• How long before payment is received?

• Do you offer discounts for insuring more than one pet?

• Are claims handled in an expeditious manner?

• What are the policy limits?

• Does the insurance cover accidents, illness, and routine care?

• Does the policy cover such diseases as cancer?

• Are surgical procedures covered?

• Does the policy cover emergency care?

• Is specialist care included in the policy?

• What are the exclusions, if any?

• Are you licensed by the province/state?

• What is the waiting period before the policy takes effect?

• Are prescriptions included in the coverage?

• Is there a limit on how much you will pay per incident?

• What are the payment options?

These are just some of the questions you may wish to ask several pet insurance companies so that you may compare and contrast before you decide who offers the best policy for your pet.

Let’s face it; our pets are family. Their unconditional love is a bond we treasure. To have a sick pet is not only heartbreaking, but leaves us feeling helpless. With the proper insurance, we can ensure our pets are healthy and safe for as long as they live. There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for our pets, and providing them with the best possible coverage is as important as ensuring our families are protected and well-cared for.

If you have just acquired a pet, or are thinking of adopting one, take the time to research the many pet insurance companies to ascertain who offers the most coverage for your pet, is willing to answer all your questions, is a reputable company, and handles claims with the utmost expediency.

There is nothing we wouldn’t do to protect our pets; and purchasing pet insurance and asking the right questions is the starting point in this most important endeavor.

About the Author

Liane Wood is a chartered insurance professional and registered insurance broker specializing in personal and small business insurance. For more information on pet insurance, be sure to visit: http://www.insurance-rates.ca/pet-insurance-rates.html

Panda Dog - a new 'hybrid species' or a cruel joke?

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:39:36 PDT

The Mysterious Panda Dog - What IS it (and how can I get one!??)

Obscenely cute and somewhat controversial - the Panda Dog has taken Japan by storm!

Is it a new hybrid species born of an innocent but forbidden love affair between a panda and a dog? (That's a mental picture that's difficult to erase from my mind.....)

Or maybe it's a photoshopped image some cruel and bored person created to pull our legs (and if so, will it one day be categorized with the Loch Ness and Bigfoot under 'mythical creatures'?)

Oddly enough - it's not so much a mystery as it is a tale of love, passion, rescue, and a big bottle of black (doggie-safe) hair dye....

Named after the quirky detective in the hit TV series 'Columbo', this Maltese-Poodle mix is the talk of the town in Tokoyo. His owner, Kensuke Hirakawa, adopted him after Columbo's previous owner abandoned him (reportedly due to his ugly looks...) and had sent him off to die.

Although Columbo was a bit aggressive and barked non-stop at first, Kensuke saw potential in this little droopy-eyed fur ball and took him in and he soon became tame. Poor Columbo had been through a lot and had the marks to prove it - a stiff back leg, tear-stained eyes and all his canine teeth had been removed (to prevent biting). But being a former beautician and pet shop owner, it didn't take long for Kensuke to hatch a crazy little plan for an Extreme Doggie Makeover!

Using completely safe (non-toxic) black hair color for dogs, Kensuke dyed parts of Columbo's dingy white fur in the striking pattern of the panda that most of Asia is so well known for.

And boy did he stand out! Once a mixed breed mongrel tossed aside because of his looks, Columbo is not only the most talked about and adored dog in the neighborhood (and probably all of Asia as well), he's also now the poster dog and mascot in a campaign to save the abandoned and abused dogs of Tokoyo. Kensuke only hopes that this will help teach others how to be responsible and love their pets. (I know there's a moral in there somewhere....)

Kensuke said that dying Columbo's hair just made sense - he'd always had stains around his eyes. And the good news is that the dye isn't permanent. Since it only lasts about a month, Kensuke can change Columbo on a whim! Who knows....maybe he'll show up as a tiger or leopard next month!

To see a short video clip of Columbo and Kensuke in action, keep reading!

But Wait! There's More.......!

Seems Columbo started a hip new trend - now Panda Dogs are popping upeverywhere!

http://agirlandherdogs.hubpages.com/hub/panda-dog

Things You Can Tell Your Friends If You Are Among the Many Who Succeed in Recovering Your Lost Pets

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:35:52 PDT

We think we live in a high tech society. Perhaps we do. When it comes to keeping your pets at home and helping them come home if they are lost, it is a low tech business.

Good fences. Good gates. Good windows. Good doors. Lots of pets run away when they are left in cars and manage to escape. They are typically lost far from home and away from everything they recognize. Please think 3 times before leaving your pet in an unattended car. It is dangerous in many different ways. You leave the window open so they don't get too hot. A car backfires. You aren't there. The dog wiggles free. Please think it over.

Neuter pets. You have been to the shelters. You have seen what I mean.

Be on guard when you bring a new pet into your home. It changes the balance if you have any other pets.

Add distractions. Rotate toys. Put a chew bone into the diet on occasion.

Add hinges to yard gates so they are always closed.

Take pictures of your pets. Store them digitally if you can (just shoot a roll and have it developed for $6 extra in floppy disk or cd rom form). It will shave hours off getting posters and mailers done if you ever need them.

Update all your pet tags. 2 telephone numbers with area code. At least 1 number that has an answering machine or voice mail. Your street address including city and state. Too many cars and too much mobility these days. Your lost dog can be 30 miles away within 60 minutes, in the hands of a kind stranger who wants to return it. Make it easy.

Try to read the information on the aluminum tag you bought at the engraving machine at the pet store. By now, most of it has worn away. It was not a good idea.

Order a new tag. The best ones are made of steel and slide onto the collar itself. You can also buy a collar with your phone number (including area code) on it. You may think your dog is friendly, but a stranger who is trying to help a frightened and confused stray and may not want to get under its chin to look at a tiny tag. Make it easy. Let them get your number without getting close to the dog's mouth.

I want to repeat this because it is very important. If your dog is lost, it's first line of protection in getting back to you is a collar with a tag that easily identifies where the dog belongs. A street address with city and state is nice, because it means a stranger can bring the dog back to you. When they are off from work. When they have a car. When they have a map. If language isn't a barrier. If they can find your home. 2 telephone numbers with area code mean that once you get the call, timing and transportation are in your hands too. Make it easy.

Will your dog let them get close enough to read the tag? Is the stranger afraid of all dogs? Has the information worn off the tag because you bought the aluminum tag from the machine since it was heart shaped and so cute?

Forget cute when it comes to tags. Steel or heavy plastic tag. Slip on the collar or on a strong link. Information printed on the collar as well so it is easy to read. On the tag, full address with city and state. 2 telephone numbers with area code (never hurts to have a back up).

Last, you can have a pet id implanted between the shoulder blades. Most shelters now have readers. The confusion among competing vendors seems to be quieting down so they are now becoming a practical tool. Shelters that have them read all pets, both living and deceased, that enter the shelter. For a pet that has lost its collar on the way, it is a straight line back to the owner. It's not a bad back up to have, but it will only come into play when the dog arrives at a shelter. That can be many days after it is lost.

I am hopeful that at some point in time, government run shelters will all put their information into a common database, so that registering a lost pet in one shelter will give you a registration throughout the country. It will make searching easier. It will return pets home more quickly. It may well cause the enormous number of pets who are destroyed each year to be rescued instead.

Imagine if someone found a lost dog, looked on the database and found its owner. The days of agonizing wait would be cut short. It is a low tech problem that would be resolved beautifully by a high tech solution. One day.

In the meantime, let's remember that most pets never run away. For those that do, only a tiny percentage fall into harms way. Most are returned to their owners, normally in 24 hours, sometimes with a week.

If you have lost your pet, I hope the information I have provided speeds your beloved pet home to you. And when it is safely back in your arms, you spend a little time helping to educate other owners on how best to avoid the sadness that you have experienced, and the elation that I hope is your joy too.

Source: petfinder.com

The Logical Steps to Take in Assisting Recovery

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:34:30 PDT

You have already done tons of looking. It hasn't worked yet. Take a deep breath. Let's start all over again.

Let's think about the most likely reason your pet ran away.

Let's think about the size and fitness of your pet.

Let's draw a circle around the spot you lost your pet. Half a mile? A mile? Five miles? You decide.

Let's think about the places in that circle where you pet would likely go to find company, comfort and food. A school yard? A house where your pet sometimes gets treats or has a buddy it looks at during walks? A stranger's open car door?

Let's think about all the people who live inside that circle, who go to school there, who play in the yards, who come and mow the lawns and deliver the mail and read the gas meters and deliver the packages. People who spend lots of time outside and are likely to see a lost dog. People who drive through your part of the world regularly as part of their work, who you don't know and who don't know you.

Let's get all of them looking for your lost pet. Let's add a thousand people to the search.

You need to make up big signs, colorful, eye catching signs. You need to include the word Reward in big letters, to make everyone understand that this is really important to you. You have to include a photo of your pet. If you don't have an appealing photo, then you can create one by copying an image off the internet. Use one of the major search engines, select images as the filter, put in a description of your dog and suddenly you will have dozens of images to choose from. Don't worry if you are borrowing someone's holiday photo of their dog - they will probably be only too happy to learn they are helping yours come home.

If you are in a bilingual community, put your sign in both languages. The major search engines on the internet translate your text immediately and for free.

Take your text on and your image of your pet on disk or in photo form to the local copy / print store. They can quickly turn it into a large colorful poster for a very small fee. Please help us find ….. She was last seen at the corner of ….. She is a Golden Labrador, 3 years old. She was wearing a red collar. REWARD of $300 for information leading to her return.

Have them print up 10 to 20 large signs, and 100 small versions that you can mail.

You want to put the signs where the most people who either live, work, or regularly travel through the circle will have a chance to slow down and see them. Major intersections controlled by traffic lights. Entry and exit to parks. Where all the school children get off the bus or are dropped off in the morning, so both parents and children can see them. Entry and exit to grocery store. The local espresso bar.

Now you have added a thousand people to your search.

The person who took your dog to their vet in the next city. The child who saw a dog in the back of their yard. The new neighbor who didn't know that was your animal. The truck driver who stopped on a route to pick up a lost dog, but couldn't do anything about it until he had finished his delivery, 2 hours down the highway. They are out there looking with you.

Go home. Open the yellow pages. You need to mail your small version to the groomers, vets, kennels, animal hospitals, animal shelters and pet stores in the area at least double the size of your circle. Don't be shy. While all of these places will notify the local animal shelter when a pet is found, you need to understand that animal shelters are under different city and county jurisdictions. They are, sadly, not unified. They do not share information. A pet store taking in a stray without a tag would have no way of knowing if that dog is 2 miles or 20 miles away from home. If they contact the animal shelter near them but far from you, your pet may be going to the wrong shelter in the wrong direction. Some shelters only hold a pet for 4 days, then give it out for adoption or destroy it. Maybe the pet store will solve the mystery correctly. Make it easy for them to get it right and help bring your pet home.

Now, get on the internet or find someone who can get you on the internet.

Many shelters are on line. They maintain lists of found pets. Some have photos of lost pets. Look over the ones in a huge circle from your home.

There are many rescue organizations which regularly publish current lists and digital photos of found pets at the shelters, as a way of helping them go home or be adopted.

Use a major search engine. Try pet rescue California and you will see them. These are wonderful dedicated people who are out there looking. Look over their lists and photos.

Use the internet to get the names and addresses of shelters in the 3 to 5 adjoining counties. Mail them your small mailer. Although officially they need you to come in and fill out their form, that is most often not practical without extended driving. But they will almost always post your photo mailer, which gives you one more chance to bring your pet home.

If you want to be more intensive with your mailer, contact a company such as sherlockbones.com, who for a fee will prepare a mailer and posters for you, and will send the mailer as a post card to 500 or as many as 1,000 homes in your circle. You can also look at the bulletin board of your local shelter to see what mailers look like and identify other companies offering the service.

The mailer raises the awareness in the community. It adds more eyes to the search. It helps connect your dog who wants to come home with you, who are desperately trying to find it.

You can run an ad in the local paper's classified section for lost pets. Please be careful of the people who call you. You are vulnerable. There are people who use these ads to con and scam reward money for pets they do not have. Check the found ads as well.

You have posted your signs. You have mailed your flyers. You have visited the local shelters. You are checking the internet postings once every day. You are watching the classified found ads.

It is time to start calming down.

It is OK to keep walking and driving in search of your pet, but set hours for yourself. The best ones are early morning before the traffic starts up.

Keep doing the normal things in your life. It isn't for your pet. It is for you. The wear and tear of all of this is substantial. The more you can keep to normal patterns for yourself, the more you can stay focused and productive.

As part of checking with the local animal shelter, you should consider checking the list they maintain of dead animals they have picked up. It may sound like a grim exercise, but every time you do it and do not find your pet, your hope has reason to continue. The substantial majority of lost pets are not on that list. The odds are in your favor. If your pet has passed on, you and those who care for you need to know.

And now, it is time for you to wait patiently as you continue your normal life. Most people get the call that their pet has been found. I did. I pray you do too.

Source: petfinder.com

Why Pets Run Away and Where They Often Go

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:33:08 PDT

Normally, pets run away from acute boredom or loneliness, to answer sexual urges if they have not been neutered, in response to sudden and unexpected events that frighten them, out of curiosity if doors, windows or gates are left open, or if they are new to a home and are looking for their former surroundings.

How far they run is just a function of how far their legs will carry them. Big strong dogs, especially young ones, can run 5 miles or more. Small dogs may be able to go half a mile at most. Most dogs are recovered well within a 2 mile circle of their home, especially because they normally will never run for an extended length in a straight line no matter how strong or fast they are.

If it is an outgoing dog, it will be looking for other dogs and for other humans who are friendly and likely to comfort, feed and shelter it. Neighbors' yards and public parks are spots it will like. If it is a shy or older pet and not trusting of strangers, it will hide. Bushes and under cars are good spots.

Most likely, your pet will have tried to return home, but it will have failed. In a certain minority of cases, the dog has been in harms way. A car or a predator will have gotten to it. Odds are much greater that someone has seen your pet and taken it in.

Let me explain that some 40% of households have pets. People in those homes will respond favorably to a lost pet. More households do not have a pet but include someone who previously had a pet. Strong chance of positive response. More households again do not have a pet but have children, who will be eager to take in a lost pet. That is a lot of eyes and ears. That is a lot of strangers who are on the side of finding and helping your pet return home.

In many cases, someone will take in your pet. They will be driving by and have your dog jump in their car. They will be working in the neighborhood. They may live down the street. More often than not, they will not be equipped to house your pet. Their home is not set up. Their parents will not allow it. They don't want to bring a strange dog into the yard with their dogs.

If you have a tag on your dog with a current phone number including area code, that has a working answering machine or voice mail on it, or a street address including city and state, and if your dog is found with its collar and tag still on it, then you have made the job of your pet coming back to you much easier. More current information, less work.

Maybe the collar has come loose. Maybe someone with good intentions has changed it. Sometimes they have placed the dog in their yard. Still confused and looking for home, the dog has run away again. Again, the pet has moved further away and lost more of its identity to you, to your house, to your street.

People take lost pets to local veterinarians, animal hospitals, kennels, groomers, even pet stores. They take them to animal shelters (which are sometimes distant and have restricted operating hours) and to rescue organizations. If found with a tag with current information, it makes the return to you straight forward. If found without the tag, unless the dog is taken to the local shelter at which you have registered it as missing, it is just a puzzle that will get solved when there is time and opportunity to try and solve it.

Sometimes, and only rarely, do people try to keep a pet that is not theirs. There are neighbors, friends, children, and all the people who come to a home to service its needs that have the opportunity to see that pet. That is a lot of eyes seeing a new pet arrive.

We live in a mobile society. Few places any more are distant from major roads. If a dog is found that has gotten away from a car, it can be in another car and in the next county within less than a hour in almost all instances.

How do you cover all these possibilities? How do you help put the odds back into your favor?

Source: petfinder.com

Ideas Involving Pet Photography

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:01:53 PDT

Do you have a favorite pet, if so, chances are you have several picture of them. People love to take pictures of their pets. For many, their animals are more than just pets, they are part of the family. This works out perfectly for those in the pet photography business.

To be a pet photographer it helps to like pets and to have a rapport with them. This is because you will have to pose them and not all will be cooperative. They can squirm, bark and get distracted. Some may even try to run off during the photo shoot.

If you’re good with animals and like to take pictures, being a pet photographer may be the right career path for you. It can be surprisingly rewarding.

When you start your business you need to make sure you have several attractive and useful backdrops and pedestals for the pets to sit on. Lighting is key to taking a great photograph so be sure you have what you need. Some people may even want costumes or props in the pictures so take then into consideration.

Of course, you’ll need to advertise your business in the community to get the customers to know your name. Be sure to promote how the wonderful rapport you have with animals and your desire to take the best possible pictures.

Here are some ideas about ways to advertise your pet photography business.

Right now Facebook is really popular, so why not use the social networking site? Create a page for your business along with using traditional advertising methods like newspaper, radio and TV ads. Talk to business owners or restaurants and see if you can hang some of your work at their business. Some may let you do it for free but others may charge you.

So, if you’re considering a change in your photography business or taking it to another level, why not open your own pet photography studio? It will give you a whole new audience for your work and let you interact with animals and not just their owners.

This author additionally frequently gives advice on products including mens black denim vest and ergonomic drafting chair.

Read more: Ideas Involving Pet Photography | Free Niche Business Articles For Internet Marketing http://www.freearticledatabase.net/2010/10/ideas-involving-pet-photography/#ixzz1Ytmiqfu6

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Your Child Wants a Pet?

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:00:00 PDT

Tired of hearing your child whine about wanting a pet? All parents seem to have this problem at one time or another. Many children want a pet, and it's a perfect way to teach children responsibility. If you've decided to give your children the opportunity to have a pet of their own, you just have to figure out which pet is the right pet! There are a few smaller, easier to care for animals that make great first pets. These are typically a bit more affordable than bigger animals such as dogs or cats. However, with any pet, the owner's personality affects the decision.

Gerbils make great pets for smaller children, as they are active during the day and are extremely curious and friendly. Gerbils are actually desert animals. They are very clean animals, which makes cleaning up after them a lot simpler. For a young child's first pet, these are perfect! Gerbils are very social animals, so a pair is definitely the way to go with these animals. However, be sure they are not mates; otherwise you'd better be prepared to take care of lots of little gerbils! A large aquarium-style tank with a deep layer of wood shavings makes for a perfect home for these little creatures, as they love to tunnel and dig. To keep them (as well as your child) entertained, tunnel-type toys are great! Gerbil food is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at any pet store. They also enjoy the occasional bit of lettuce or cheese. Gerbils usually live up to three years.

Guinea pigs are good first pets, as they don't scratch and can be gently handled. Like gerbils, they're social creatures, so a pair is preferred. Guinea pigs are very timid, so they need lots of places to hide in their cage. An aquarium-style tank works well for guinea pigs as well, as long as they have a grazing area and places to burrow. Guinea pigs need a daily diet that his high in fiber and vitamin C. Guinea pigs live up to six years.

Most people aren't entirely keen on the idea of keeping mice, but if you're looking to get one as a first pet, you should keep in mind that, like the others, they are social. Two to three female mice are the best way to go as males tend to fight and produce a much stronger smell. Cages must be cleaned two to three times a week. A wire-mesh cage works best for mice, as they need a well-ventilated living space, with tunnels and other toys. Mice need a lot of things to gnaw on, such as dog biscuits.

Though they generally have a shorter life span than gerbils or guinea pigs, mice are by far the highest maintenance. However, any of these pets are perfect for a child's first pet, and what better way to give your child a lesson in responsibility?

Giving Your Pet A Proper Adoption

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:00:01 PDT

There is a severe overpopulation of cats and dogs roaming the streets all over the world. Some animals that are not getting proper care and are being abused by their owners tend to escape from their mistreated homes and tend to wander off on their own.

Because of this situation, there are now lots of domesticated animals that are caught and placed on animal shelters or dog pounds, just waiting for someone to adopt them. However, there are lots of municipal shelters that can no longer adopt this great number of abused or abandoned pets, so they just kill them.

In general, pets are great companions and friends. Like the dogs, they are very loyal and friendly and can be used to safeguard our homes. They can act as our friends and can provide us with lots of entertainment and love.

On the other hand, we have our feline friends. Cats are not so demanding. All you have to give them is a clean litter box; a little affection and they will be satisfied. And in return, these pets will give their loyalty and companionship to you.

Some pet owners don’t really abuse their pets; they give their pets away because they love them too much. The reason why pet owners sometimes have to give away their pets is that they are afraid that they could not provide the best care for them. The owner of the pet will look for the right person that will adopt their pet and leave them in good hands. They sometimes go to their relatives and friends and ask for help.

If the owners cannot find a suitable person to adopt their pet, there are institutions and organizations that are established to adopt pets that has strictly no killing policies.

Here are some of the several pet shelters here you can entrust your pets.

The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF) - you can find this in the East Hampton Pine Barrens. They rescue those pets that cannot be taken cared of by the owners. The goal of the ARF is to lessen the number of pets that do not have shelters or homes. They provide a sufficient amount of food and a good shelter as well as medical care..
Bide-a-Wee – this has three shelters that can be found in Wantagh, Westhampton and Manhattan. They keep animals in their shelter, until they can find a new home. You can take your per here if you do not want them anymore. They got a big area where the pets can roam a round. As a matter of fact, Bide-a-Wee has two pet memorials, just goes to show how much they love animals.
Grateful Paws Cat Adoption Center – they rescue the cats from the Town of Huntington Animal Shelter. From here, the cats are being brought to the Grateful Paws Adoption Center. So if you are planning to give your pet to them, you must bring it first to the Town of Huntington Animal Shelter so that it will reach the Grateful Paws Adoption Center.
Kent Animal Shelter – they never kill pets, as much as possible, they want all pets to be healthy. They give protection to those pets that are abandoned, abused and homeless.
Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Rescue Center – They provide shelter and care for all pets. Keeping them in their folds until a new owner can be found.

Just a few reminders, before bringing your pets to the shelters mentioned above, make sure that you contact them first so that you will know if your pet can be accommodated or not and there are certain procedures that needs to be followed, so you can inquire about those procedures at the same time.

Give Your Pet A Ticket Home Taking Steps for Pet Safety

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:00:01 PDT

Losing a pet is a devastating experience, and in fact, according to a recent survey, four in five pet owners consider losing a pet to be more traumatic than losing a job, getting in a car accident or breaking a bone. Although no pet owner ever wants to believe a beloved pet is lost or missing, there is a good chance it might happen. "One in three pets will get lost during a lifetime," said Marty Becker, DVM. "That adds up to 10 million pets that are lost every year in the United States, and without proper identification only one in 10 will be reunited with his or her owner."

One way to help ensure a lost pet is recovered is by encouraging pet owners to speak with their veterinarian about microchipping. Microchipping is a safe and permanent form of pet identification.

Gina King of Soledad, California, knows the value of microchips firsthand. "I spent months looking for my Shih Tzu, Radar, who ran out the front door as our children left for school," said Gina. "I had just about given up hope of ever finding him when, a year and a half later, I got a phone call saying Radar had been found on a highway off-ramp, about 25 miles from home. Radar had been taken to a veterinary clinic, where his microchip was scanned, and my information was retrieved from the HomeAgain® database."

Although collar tags are an easy and inexpensive way to identify pets, they can come off or be removed. Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and are inserted by your veterinarian between a pet's shoulder blades, with no more discomfort than a routine vaccination. The microchip contains a unique number that cannot be altered. Despite the important role microchipping can play in pet safety, only one-fifth of pet owners have used this method of identification to help protect their pets.

Find Healthy Puppy of Reputable Breeder

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:00:06 PDT

Once you have decided to buy a puppy for your home, you always think of buying a puppy of good quality from a reputable breeder. As we all want to have he best in our home.

You can easily find the pet at your nearer pet store or can find the advertisement in newspapers or one can surf the internet and find the best pet, as number of sites are available which only deals with the puppy. This is not the first place you should look! Buying for a reputed breeder is the best to find your puppy.

Most pet stores deals in a large numbers of breed’s puppy you have to make a decision which one is you looking for which will you prefer to take at home. Before you decide to buy the puppy of your choice make sure to check the puppy is in good health because the pet stores have a very large quantity of different breeds pet so many times it happens that there is no quality in them.

The same is pretty much true with the local newspaper advertisements where “backyard breeder” add you will find. Most of these peoples are not out off make profit they just careless and misguides you, of course there is always the profit motive behind everything.

Before you decide to buy a puppy it’s always better to have a good and proper knowledge about different breed’s puppy so that no one can cheat you in any sense. When you buy from a good breeder you can almost always plan on adding to new friends to your life in addiction to the puppy which you have purchased.

Anna Josephs is a freelance journalist having experience of many years writing articles and news releases on various topics such as pet health, automobile and social issues.

Avoid these common new puppy owner mistakes.

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:55:06 PDT

You’ve researched the different dog breeds to find the best one for you and your family, you’ve taken the time to find out whether the breeder you chose is ethical, and now you’re finally bringing that precious new bundle of joy home. The hard part is over, right? Actually, there are several mistakes that many new puppy owners make that can really turn this joyful time into a frustrating and worrying experience. Avoid these new dog owner mistakes to be sure you and your puppy are off to a great start:

Potty training your puppy indoors and then expecting him to automatically go outdoors when he is older. Those nifty potty training pads look an awful lot like nice, plushy rugs to your puppy and he may opt to use your rugs as a toilet spot after you do away with the pads.
Giving in to his sad whimpers and tucking him in your bed for the first few nights and then expecting him to sleep on his own in a few days without crying. He’ll just cry louder and longer once he knows what he is missing.
Letting your guilty feelings overwhelm you so that you don’t crate train him. Crate training helps keep your puppy safe, since he can’t get into dangerous things when you aren’t watching him if he’s crated. Also, he actually feels more secure when he is crated while no one else is home.
Taking your puppy with you when you go out, especially if you are going to a park or pet store. Puppies should be finished with immunizations before they go on outings. Their immune systems are often not fully developed when they are young and they are more susceptible to some of the deadliest dog diseases.
Letting your puppy do things that are cute in puppies and not at all cute in full size dogs, such as jumping up on guests. It is easier to curb these behaviors right away than it is to break your adult dog of bad habits.

Essentials for Anyone Who is Considering Adopting a New Puppy

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:41:53 PDT

The day you bring a new puppy or dog into your home is a red letter day indeed. It may be an exhausting one for you. It certainly will be for him. This is also one of the most critical moments in your relationship, because first impressions are indelibly marked on the animal mind. It is vital to establish from the beginning an atmosphere of security, affection, and mutual confidence. In short, the goal is to make your dog feel at home.

Your puppy will come to you with no worldly goods at all, so you must provide him with his first essential possessions;

A bed, slightly larger than your dog
A blanket, again slightly larger than needed
A water bowl, (stainless steel or earthenware, but not glazed pottery, which contains lead that is poisonous to dogs)
A light puppy collar with an identification tag, leather is best, flat for short-haired breeds, round for long haired
A leather leash with a strong clip fastener
A comb and brush, the canine kind, (suitable to his breed)
A squeaky toy
A chewing toy of rawhide or a nylon or both
A hard rubber ball (Big enough so that he cannot swallow it, but light enough for him to carry around in his mouth)
Finally, and most important of all, a name

These are just some of the items you should have on hand when considering adopting a new pet. Always remember to get your dogs spayed or neutered to help control the pet population.

Deciding on Your New Family Pet

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:33:01 PDT

Choosing a new pet is an important step in life. It may sound like a small decision, but the type of pet you choose makes a difference. If you don’t do your homework or research, you may wind up with more responsibility or unexpected characteristics than you bargained for. There are many things you must know and understand about your potential pet in order to be sure to choose the right one. Will this potential pet fit in with your family? Also consider the amount of care the pet will require. One more thing to keep in mind is your budget.

One of the first and most important things to think about when you are considering buying a new pet is whether or not your new pet will fit into your family. You must consider allergies. If you or any of your loved ones are allergic to any specific types of pets, common ones include dogs or cats, obviously you should not choose that specific pet. Another thing you might consider is if you have children, depending on their age and size, a large pet may not be an appropriate choice. Always keep in mind that for a family to truly enjoy their pet, it must be the right choice.

Another thing you must be sure of before you choose a pet is the amount of care your potential pet will require. If you have a job with long hours or are the type that doesn’t stay home much, a more dependent animal such as a dog, requiring emotional support and letting out for bathroom breaks, may not be the type of pet you are looking for. Something definitely more independent, like a cat that has a litter box and requires a bit less attention would be more appropriate for your family.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a family pet is cost. You can spend thousands of dollars on pure-bred puppies or exotic birds, just to purchase them, let alone feed and care for them. You must definitely base your decision on whether or not your family can afford to make your pet comfortable and happy. If it will stress your wallet to properly care for a pet, do not make the purchase. Animals are living things. They must be cared for and properly nourished if they are to remain healthy and happy.

All in all, you must consider several things before you can appropriately choose a pet for your family. Consider whether your family will like the pet. Also don’t forget to make sure there is room in your budget for the type of pet you want. The final thing to remember is to know what type of care you can offer your pet, as far as whether the animal is dependent or not. Remember, choosing a pet is an important decision. Do some research and get to know the type of pet you want and make sure it is appropriate in all aspects.

Cultivating Good Behaviour In Your New Puppy

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:47:29 PDT

The most crucial aspect of house training a puppy is to teach it how to remain clean in the house. Dogs are not shabby by nature - they would normally urinate and defecate away from their sleeping and feeding area. Puppies that have been raised in a shabby environment, living in cramped quarters, may be quite cumbersome to housetrain. When you purchase a puppy ensure that the original owner has provided a clean environment with separate feeding, sleeping and potty areas.

Puppies have a rapid learning rate and they can efficiently grasp what you teach them. You need to instill a sense of timing and schedule in your puppy from the day you bring it home. You can do this by feeding the puppy at the same time each day, and carrying out other activities at specific time slots. This way your puppy will grow up to be an obedient, disciplined dog.

You would not want your puppy to go inside its crate or in the house. Therefore, train it to urinate away from the crate or the house. Take it for a stroll in the lawn and voice train it, such that it adheres to your commands. Successfully housetraining your puppy would take a few weeks or so. It’s certainly not a piece of cake, and you must not reprimand your puppy if it fails to obey your command. Just place it back in the crate and then again take it for a stroll. Slowly but surely the puppy will learn how to get along with separate feeding, sleeping and potty areas.

It is imperative that you supervise at all times while housetraining you puppy. When no one is there to supervise it, the puppy must be confined to its crate. With time the puppy will learn to keep itself clean. Once it does so, you can try leaving him unfettered in a room of your house. If the puppy gleefully obeys your commands, does not depict aggressive behavior, manages to stay clean, and does not damage or soil any household stuff, you may let him stay in another room as well thereby continuing the housetraining process. However, if the puppy behaves in an unruly fashion, revert back to the previous stage of housetraining.

All the while be patient while housetraining your puppy. It’s not a cake walk, and therefore, it’s unrealistic to expect instant results.

Considering Getting A Dog?

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:15:29 PDT

I have been a pet owner nearly all of my life and a veterinarian for almost half of my life, so I have seen my fair share of animals and animal owners. One of the biggest things I hate is to see people jump into the decision of buying a dog without taking time to think through the decision. When the decision to get a dog as a pet is made without care, the owners and the dog suffer equally from it.

Before you run out and purchase a dog, take time to carefully consider your decision. Think about your current lifestyle. How would bringing a new dog into the picture affect things? Do you have enough time, energy and money to adequately support bringing a dog into your family? Sure, the idea sounds great now, but is it a wise choice?

If you are sure that you can handle bringing a dog into your home and you are sure that you have what it takes to really care for your dog, then move ahead with caution and begin to research what kind of dog might be best for you. A dog is not a dog is not a dog. I hate hearing people talk about not really caring about what kind of dog they get. Each variety of dog is different and requires vastly different care. Learn what you can about the dogs you are interested in before making a purchase.

It is great to visit people who own the kinds of dogs you are interested in. See what their lives are really like with a dog in the picture. The more research you do, the better off you will be when you finally bring a dog into your home. Learn all you can from other dog owners and get their wisdom for you. I guarentee you that having a dog as a pet is a wonderful but hard thing.

Prepare your family before bringing a dog into your home. Talk honestly about the responsibilities that bringing a dog into your home will mean. Divide up those responsibilities so that everyone feels like they have an important part to play. A family will always do better with a dog when they have a right understanding of the work and commitment it will take to keep the dog alive and well.

I love seeing families bring a dog into their homes. I am insistent, however, on seeing the process done well. Please use caution and wisdom as you seek to make a dog part of your family. TZ2FE44VK68H

Choosing Your New Puppy

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:08:35 PDT

When expecting a new puppy addition to the family you want nothing but the best. You check out the best day-care facilities, kindergarten and schooling.

So, why should it be any different when the new addition is a puppy? Hey, if it’s good enough for stars like Brittany and Paris, who are we to question this new trend in spoiling our pets.

Before buying your new puppy it is advisable to do some research and find out all you can about on the background, general behavior and sociability of the breed you have chosen. If you have young children, would a puppy be suitable? Stop and consider the future. When the puppy grows into a dog, will it still be as much fun? Will it outgrow your home?

It’s all too easy to overlook the fact that what is now a cute little puppy will grow into a dog that without proper training may become unruly and dangerous. Remember all dogs are born wild and need training. Once they know who is the leader… you and not them… they will settle into their new life quite happily.

When you bring your puppy home make sure their first night away from mom isn’t to stressful. Give your puppy a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in. A fleece blanket would be a good idea and maybe a small teddy bear or other type of soft toy to cuddle up too. This will help relax your puppy and stop it feeling alone.

The first 12–16 weeks of a puppy’s life are all important. This is the time of intense learning and getting the training right now, will reward you with a well-trained obedient dog.

One thing to remember is it won’t happen in a day. Done with regularity, persistence and a lot of patience over the coming weeks, you and your dog will soon have a great understanding and be the best of friends for many years to come.

Give your puppy time to settle into his new home (and have the necessary injections) then why not arrange a party. Everyone enjoys a party and what better way to introduce your puppy to other dogs and people. Invite your friends, and their dogs, to come and say “Hello”.

Now, lets get round to organizing the Puppy Shower. This isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Dogs are natural party animals and will certainly enjoy the day. The party is more to get the puppy used to other dogs and people so it’s no great shake to organize. Maybe decorate the party room with blue or pink balloons and streamers. Put up a “birthday” banner with pictures of your puppy on it. This will get the puppy used to strange things being around.

Make sure there are enough soft toys around for the doggie guest to play with, as this is a great way to teach your new puppy about sharing things. Some of the bigger doggie guests may be a bit to boisterous for the puppy, so watch carefully but don’t take him away from the fun, as he must learn to interact with others. They have to learn not be afraid or intimidated by other dogs.

Look after your new puppy well and you will have the best friend anyone could ever wish for.

Choosing Your New Pit Bull Puppy: Dog Advice

noreply@blogger.com (bendsite) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:09:39 PDT

Making the decision to add a Pit Bull terrier to your household can be difficult. There are several things that should be taken into account before you go buy your puppy. You should do some research into the breed, so that you can learn all about the personality traits characteristic of Pit Bull terriers. It would also be beneficial to learn about behavior traits, and proper care of the dog so that you can be prepared before you bring your new puppy home. And of course, you must decide if you want a male or female.

There are many places that one can purchase Pit Bull terriers from. Probably the best way to find a reputable source would be through the American Pit Bill Terrier Club. By attending some of their meetings, and talking to some of the members there, you can get information on different breeders, and their opinions on who is the best to purchase from. They are probably already Pit Bull terrier owners, and should be a good source of information not only on the best breeder to purchase from, but general tips about raising a Pit Bull terrier puppy as well.

Your local veterinarian can also be a good source for selecting a Pit Bull terrier breeder to purchase your puppy from. They most likely have a lot of contact with local breeders, as they probably care for their puppies.

If you are interested in a puppy with a pure bloodline, for example, a dog for breeding purposes, you should probably not buy your puppy from a pet store. The puppies there are gotten from several different sources, and it would be very hard to trace their bloodlines for that reason. The prices at pet shops are usually higher, and it would be easy for the unsuspecting shopper to be taken advantage of.

The breeder listings in dog magazines and some newspapers could also be a good resource. They will help you get in contact with different breeders so that you can try to make the best decision. It is important to interview the breeders so that you can compare them and make the best purchase. You should find out how long they have been breeding Pit Bulls, what kind of conditions the puppies are kept in, how they are fed, what kind of contact they have with other dogs and people, and how they are cared for in general. If buying from a breeder that has a business of breeding dogs, you could also check with the Better Business Bureau to see what kind of complaints have been made against them if any.

Don't buy the first Pit Bull terrier puppy you see from the first breeder you meet. Spend time with several breeders and puppies so that you can see for yourself the puppy's individual personality. You will be much happier in the end by making a well informed decision in purchasing your Pit Bull terrier puppy.