Possibly, the best way to have a Miniature Pinscher is to bring it home as a puppy because appropriate behavior can be consistently shaped prior to the development of undesirable habits. Some interesting things may occur. If one is raising the Miniature Pinscher from a pup, it can grow up with rule consistency and comfort with children, other animals and the routines of family activity. However, if one brings an adult Miniature Pinscher into the home, it may be an unsuccessful match because of the hubbub of an active family. On the other hand, if the adult dog has been raised in an active home, it may not mesh well with a quieter home.

If a potential Miniature Pinscher owner wants to choose the “right” dog, the person should research he breed, speak with breed experts, breeders, and other owners in order to have the sufficient information to weigh the pros and cons of the Miniature Pinscher breed for the owner's particular family situation. If the decision is pro and you are going with the Miniature Pinscher spend time with the pup while conducting your own personality check. The Miniature Pinscher pup could be exuberant or calm, shy or outgoing. One should choose a Miniature Pinscher that seems to be a personality match.

Sometimes, even though you have taken all precautions, you will learn that a Miniature Pinscher is not the dog for you. It is suggested that you try your best to make sure that the dog will not be shuttled from home to home. There are Miniature Pinscher rescue organizations that can take the dog, assess its personality and attempt to find the Miniature Pinscher a home that will be the best match for the particular Miniature Pinscher. It is also possible to use the internet to find your Miniature Pinscher a home with experienced Miniature Pinscher owners. Let us hope that you and your new Miniature Pinscher are well suited as a match. As long as you are comfortable with taking the dominate role in the relationship and are able to provide adequate training, you should have no problem with a Min Pin. Like its larger counterpart, the Doberman Pinscher, the Min Pin does well with strict, dominate training. Taking the leadership role with your Min Pin will bring joy to you and your dog will be happiest when submissive to you.

About the Author:

There is plenty more information on Miniature Pinschers on GreatDogSite, as well as tips and facts about many other dog breeds.

To keep discus fish happy, you should start by noting that they are native to the calm, warm waters of the Amazon. Discus fish constantly modify their behavior depending on the surrounding environmental factors.

Discus fish usually act rather shyly, but they are very territorial and will fight against other fish that invade their space. Generally, with this kind of situation the stronger discus fish will survive while the weaker ones will be attacked. Discus fish should be kept in-groups of at least six. By maintaining them in-groups it will generally tend to increase confidence among group members and decrease the chance of them misbehaving. There are difficulties and joys involved when keeping a discus fish. Here are some helpful tips that may help you…

Pairing: The best way to form a steady pair of discus fish is to buy several unrelated fish that have the same color; they will choose their own mates, and won't do well if you choose mates for them. Spawning usually occurs when there 3/4 of their adult size, this might happen from when the fish are half grown. These fish will be mates for the rest of their lives.

Spawning: Discus fish will choose a near vertical smooth site, which they clean. After which, the female will lay any ware from 80-400 eggs and then the male fertilizes them. Generally, it may take from fifty to sixty hours in order for the eggs to hatch and an additional thirty six to forty eight hours until they are swimming freely.

Breeding Tank: The breeding tank works best if it is simple and has spawning locations and air-powered filters. Broad-leafed plants or slate, terra cotta cones are suitable but do not use any substrate. The water must be soft in order to allow the eggs to develop, as they should. The water temperature should be 84-88F and be of the best quality. A tank with the dimensions of 24×18x18 is also suitable.

Feeding and Conditioning: The mother and father need to have a varied and a good diet to be able to condition them to spawn and also to provide them with nutrition while they feed their fry. Spawning may be triggered by rising temperatures, lots of feeding, or major changes in the water.

Fry Rearing: The fry should be given more feedings with some specific small foods. (Also known as the BBS) Baby brine shrimp should be kept with their parents. Roughly 3-6 weeks after birth, the fry will be growing rapidly while the parents will be worn out, making this a good time to remove the fry. Lots of water changes are needed to achieve a decent growth rate. In the past I have grown circa. Approximately 40 fry could be kept in a 55-gallon tank, but the water had to be changed very frequently. So it is best to grow 20-50 excellent fry than 80 runts, seeing that the discus market is saturated with fish. The growth rate in this area is normal, but nothing too exciting.

If you are considering breeding discus fish I hope you have found some of these tips to be useful.

Household pets are susceptible to a multitude of dangers lying around the house and even some in their own bird cage. Like all other pets, pet birds are also subject to a number of risks. This is mainly due to their small size, sensitive respiratory system, fast metabolism and in the case of parrots, their curiosity to explore everything around them with their beaks. Owners are responsible for their pets safety and should take the necessary precautions to prevent any accidents. Here is a list of the top dangers faced by household pet birds. Starting with the most obvious, birds have a special dietary need and cannot digest most food processed by other pets and humans. High sugar or salt concentrations are inappropriate. Fatty foods are also discouraged. Chocolate is to be avoided at all costs as it is toxic not only to birds but also to other pets in general. Water is the preferred beverage choice. Caffeinated and alcoholic drinks are very dangerous!

Because of their sensitive respiratory system, birds are extremely sensitive to poisons and toxins. Some dangerous contaminants from cleaners, industrial fumes, and pesticides are fatal for birds. Strong and aromatic odours can also kill birds. Aerosol body sprays, Nail polish, cigarette smoke, and paint fumes are to be avoided. If, as typical, one dedicates a special spot for his bird cages inside his car garage, he should take care not to start his car inside the garage as carbon monoxide can lead to respiratory diseases. One should make special mentioning of non-stick coatings, which emit particular fumes that are toxic to birds when overheated. These coats are usually found on non-stick cookware, irons, space heaters, blow dryers and more. As many birds chew on many things small enough for their beaks, one must place safer bird toys, which are made from sanitised and toxin-free plastics or woods like eucalyptus and manzanita in order to avoid poisoning from ingesting or biting the toys.

Birds, which are left, to roam around the house are also at a risk of falling into sources of open water such as in toilets, sinks, buckets and water bowls. Even worse, they can fall into hot pots of water sitting on stoves in the kitchen, so it is generally preferred not to let birds out of their bird cages in kitchens. Ceiling fans pose a major threat to flying birds and have been the cause of several serious injuries and fatalities. Birds tend to get very agitated and nervous with moving things above them and may become stressed out of a ceiling fan running close to their bird cage. Other electrical appliances, which might not pose a direct threat to a bird, might have an exposed electrical cord. As most birds explore with their beaks, electrical cords can pose a danger if bitten. Cords should be concealed as much as possible using corrugated plastic tubing for example.

Even bird toys specifically designed for parrots and other birds may not be totally safe. Apart from being made out of toxic materials, toys can be broken down by bigger parrots and parts swallowed. Remember that even if a particular toy looks pretty durable at the time of purchase, bird toys don't last forever and should be checked from time to time. Rope toys can also cause birds to get tangled up in them and get strangled as a result. Finally, birds are rarely known for social interaction with many other pets and birds, especially cats. They can attract the predatory instinct of other animals and if attacked, any bites or scratches can become fatal to a bird. Therefore, cats or dogs around the house can be a risk to pet birds even if they are in their bird cage.

Housebreaking a Dachshund can be a tedious process, but with a little persistence and a bunch of treats, you will eventually succeed. Keep in mind that potty training can be a long process, and rewards must be frequent - because of this, it is important to buy healthy treats, or even to work with your dog's dry kibble (or a chunk of wet food) in lieu of large, unhealthy dog biscuits.

This article will cover two housebreaking options for you to choose from with your new Dachshund. The first step to both is paper training. Many owners swear up and down that paper training is the only way to train a small dog, but other contest that to the fullest. Ultimately, it is the decision of you and your dog.

To paper train, select a room that has hardwood or tiled floors. Coat that room's floor in it's entirety (or what you can manage of it) in newspapers. If your dog urinates elsewhere in the house, bring him or her to this room. Once your dog gets the hang of urinating in the papered room, remove a section of the papers. Your dog should be able to figure out that urinating on the papers is okay, and urinating on the uncovered area of the floor is not. Continue removing papers on a daily or semi-daily basis (depending on how quickly your dog is picking up his or her training) until you only have about two square feet of newspapers left.

Now is time to make your decision - would you rather train your dog to go outside or continue letting him or her go potty in the house? Some owners, especially those that live in high-rise buildings or who away from home for extended periods of time, prefer to have their dogs potty trained to a specific area in the house. If this appeals to you, you will graduate to potty pads, which are thick, cotton pads lined with waterproof plastic on the bottom. These pads are disposable and absorbent, typically eliminating any potential soak-through for small dogs. They can be purchased at any pet store.

If you would prefer to train your pup to go outside and will be available for regular walks, that can be done with the papers as well. After your Dachshund has become acclimated to his 2'x2' square of paper, gradually move it closer and closer to the door until the papers are outside. Ideally, your pet will catch on and continue urinating wherever the papers move, eventually being used to going potty outside and not needing the papers at all!

Whichever method you choose, always remember to provide lots of positive reenforcement and rewards. Love, treats, and a few good ear scratches will help your new Dachshund know that he or she is doing a good job!

About the Author:

GreatDogSite is the Internet's best resource for information on dogs, including many more articles on the Dachshund!

1. A clean and organized painting space allows more time to be creative. Once an idea comes to mind you can run with it. Search out examples of items, vistas, etc. It takes time and patience to put together a cohesive vision. When the idea is drawn onto paper, tracing paper or the surface of choice you are now ready to go!!!!

2. In order to be ready to paint, brushes must be clean and in good condition. Keep the worn brushes for scruffy work. Keep the brushes clean by using a good brush cleaner for acrylic paint. Do not let the dirty brushes soak in the cleaning solution above the ferule (the metal part holding the brush hairs together) as the glue weakens the bristles.

3. It is easier to find the brush needed if the brushes are organized by size and type. Separate the brushes into containers based on good condition, well used and scruffy. Keep your brushes either by brand and size or by type of brush and size. Old, scruffy brushes should be kept as they often are needed to add texture to the surface area.

4. Organization is key to knowing where each supply is located. Palettes, rulers, palette knives, sponges and etc need to have a place where they can be retrieved easily. Mark the drawers or containers with the appropriate labels. Each drawer or container should have ample room to keep the supplies well organized. Always when using the last of a product keep a list of the product so you can replenish the item. Always return any of the supplies back to the drawer or container so the items can be easily located.

5. Organize your paints. Paint racks or drawers will keep the paint bottles or tubes organized by company and or color. When a paint tube or bottle is empty make a list by company and color. Keep the list in visual site on a clip board as this will make it easy to replenish the exact colors of paint needed.

6. When beginning a painting project first work out the project in your mind. List the order of the layers you will be doing. Start from the background forward, then the mid-ground and finally the foreground. It is important to paint all the furthest items and then work forward. Make a checklist of the furthest back elements, then the middle elements and finally the nearest elements.

7. Visit museums, aquariums and parks for inspiring new ideas. A simple walk will often times bring out new ideas and thoughts that have been buried away. Also it is a good idea to sit with a drawing pad and pencils and just go outside and begin to draw nature, people and buildings. This will often times bring on new ideas and visions.

8. Build a library of photographs. Take pictures of trees, clouds, buildings, mountains and much more. Your photographs are a great source for inspiration. Incorporate elements from your pictures and from books into your painting.

9. Look through magazines as they have wonderful ideas and picture's of natures beauty. Build a reference library that can be referred to quickly. This reference library should be kept in an orderly manner. Each genre of pictures should be kept together. Any notebook will help in keeping the pictures orderly and in clear plastic sleeves.

10. Enjoy painting, enjoy the process let the creative ideas blossoms. Look around for inspiration from the colors of the trees to the beauty of a child's face to the simplest piece of fruit. Wherever you go there are new and wondrous ideas. Keep looking and keep being inspired by all the beauty that our world has to give us.

About the Author: Barbara's painting career began almost 30 years agoand has been teaching and lecturing ever since. Barbara's new project is the culmination of years of experience and a desire to bring a fresh look into the world of decorative painting. To that end, Barbara brings you Arte de Soul.

They are very versatile animals and have proven so in a variety of tasks. They have been involved in jobs like protecting people and guarding their properties/possessions; guide the handicapped like blind; or helped those in distress or in need of treatment. They have worked for the military, police, rescue teams and helped in detective work. Despite being involved in above, they are faithful, loyal, loving pets and love to socialize with people plus other animals. As per the 2006 figures of the Kennel Club, it is the most popular among others in United Sates and the United Kingdom.

It is a sturdy, strong and powerful one with a strong and muscular body. Its height from the shoulder can vary between twenty-two inches and twenty-six inches. Their weight can range from sixty pounds to a maximum of hundred ten pounds. They have a medium length coat which is coarse but beautiful. They also have an undercoat which is softer and requires daily brushing due to frequent shedding of hairs from the coat. The coat color varies and can be black-tan and black; golden or grey color with hairs being black at the end. Their required diet consists five cups of dog food (dry) complete with minerals and vitamins or can be one and half cans to two and half cans of good quality meat mixed with biscuits of equal parts.

When things are normal, they have a balanced, poised, and calm personality. However, once the situation changes, they become alert, on guard, and protecting in nature. Besides that, they can quickly change their roles as per the circumstances, they can be companions (playful), herding dogs (watch sheep), watch dogs/guardians (protect), or guides for binds (helping).

They can be lovable social house pets provided they are given proper socialization training; especially the young ones or puppies. They are intelligent, forever alert, observant, and eager. They are sensitive to the changes of the surroundings and to the moods, and attitudes of the people around them. Therefore, training and socialization is imperative for honing their natural skills of observing and adapting to the various and varied circumstances. If proper training is not done they can be aggressive and dangerous. If puppies are not trained they can grow into vicious adults with a bullying, and hostile behavior. They can become aggressive suddenly and get scared of certain people or surroundings.

Since, they were bred to be protectors, they have a natural tendency to fearlessly protect anything that it considers within its own territory or den and pack. Considering the home situation, where they are pets, the den can be house property or car; whereas the pack can be members of the family.

About the Author: Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - check for current specials on chew toys online.

A well bred and trained Springer Spaniel breed has a strong scent be it dry or wet; which works in all types of weather. The breed, English Springer is the swiftest of all spaniels as they have long legs. People like to own this breed as it has a cheerful and playful personality. They shall play and chew anything they find like shoes, socks, towels etc. This breed is of two types; the show-bred and the field-bred types depending on their coats.

If Springer Spaniel breed is used to the presence of children, they pull on well with them. However they ought to be supervised when children are around as they are very active and full of energy and may cause injury unknowingly. Though, each dog is unique, the general view is that the Springer Spaniel breed requires plenty of attention, activities, mental stimulation, and exercise with a large area for running and playing around, They seem to be tolerate other pets, but shall attack the bird pets due to their inbuilt bird hunting instinct.

The Springer Spaniel breed is very alert and attentive as hunting dogs while is lovable, affectionate, caring, and gentle as household pets. They are also energetic, smart and make all efforts to keep their owners happy. They are very close to their owners and need to be kept busy.

Both the field-bred and the show-bred breeds have a common diet which can be one can to a maximum of one and half can of meat product; or three cups of dog food (dry). The male show-bred type height varies between eighteen inches to a maximum of twenty inches, while their weight is fifty pounds to a maximum of fifty-five pounds.

The field-bred coats are shorter, tougher and rougher as compared to the show-bred ones. Their coat shed normally except in summer and spring seasons where there is much more shedding. Their coat color is usually of these combinations; white and black, white and liver with some tan color. The selection of field-bred ones is based on their scent, hunting skills, and the ease of their training. Their appearance of field-bred ones does not have much weight.

The show-bred ones fur is longer than the field ones. They are also heavier and have thicker bones than the field ones.

About the Author: Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - check for current specials on chew toys online.

It's more than just puppy grooming, experts will tell you. While brushing your dog is important, and counts for some grooming, the reality is that your dog needs professional dog grooming.

Why is Dog Grooming Important?

Professional dog groomers can bring an expertise to the job that no matter how hard you try you just can't. They have access to dog grooming equipment that you might not, and they have experience and perhaps even training that gives them essential skills in keeping your dog's fur healthy and attractive.

In addition, they often can provide your dog with a true grooming experience that goes beyond what most of us can do in our backyards or bathrooms.

Good dog groomers can ensure that your dog is clean, and that his fur is in good condition. But because a dog groomer will likely spend more time caring for your dog's fur than you might, he or she might also see skin conditions that need care, or other conditions that need attention.

Beyond that, dog groomers have equipment you don't have at home, including special dog wash treatments and the know-how to use them. They may also use dog clippers that are of better quality than those you might buy for home use.

How to Find a Dog Grooming Service

Dog groomers can be found in a variety of places. Here are some ideas:

* Ask at the vet's office for a recommendation; sometimes a good quality dog grooming service is available on site at the vet's.
* Purchase an ebook, DVD or CD and learn do do at least part of the grooming yourself (will save you some money and helps build your relationship with your dog)
* Head to the local pet store and ask about their offerings; dog groomers can often rent a space at their local pet store and provide grooming while the dog's owners shop.
* Look for independent dog wash facilities; sometimes these are located in suburban neighborhoods. You might help with the wash, or the dog groomer might do all the work.

You can just drop your dog off at any groomer's facility, but you might want to ask a few questions of the groomer first. These can include:

* Has the groomer taken any dog grooming courses? This can assure you of a high quality dog wash and grooming session.
* If the dog groomer took dog grooming courses, did they include a discussion of how to look for skin conditions and what to do about them?
* Does the groomer provide puppy grooming? If you have a young dog this can be a relevant question since a puppy's grooming needs can be different than an adult dog's.

Grooming Your Dog at Home

If you need to save money or you just don't want to take your dog to a dog grooming service, you might think that you can replicate a professional grooming session at home.

It's a little hard to do in the beginning, but you can give your dog a good grooming session at home. Here are some ideas:

* Purchase an ebook, DVD or CD and learn do do at least part of the grooming yourself (will save you some money and helps build your relationship with your dog)

* First, make sure you have the proper equipment. This goes beyond a good dog brush, though that is important. Also have on hand high-quality dog shampoo (not human shampoo) and flea dip medication if that's needed. Also have fresh clean towels and dog clippers.

* Be patient with your dog. Many don't enjoy baths or being brushed and groomed. One advantage of taking your dog to a dog grooming facility is the dog can be leashed to the table, which makes the job much easier.

* Groom your dog on a regular basis. How often he needs grooming is dictated by breed, but read up on the breed's grooming needs and try to keep to that schedule. Otherwise, his fur could get out of hand and you'll have no choice but to take him to a dog grooming service.

Your dog's grooming needs generally aren't excessive unless they are a high-maintenance breed. Be willing to do what's necessary to keep him groomed, whether that is using a professional dog grooming service, or giving him a groom at home.

Frequent bathing your West Highland White Terrier will deprive his sensitive skin of the natural oils that are produced to help keep the white coat healthy. If you bathe your Westie too often, you must take the natural oils into consideration, because the oil glands could eventually cease production. As a result, your pet's skin could become flaky, itchy and quite uncomfortable. Due to this condition, many Westie clubs and associations recommend washing your Westie only three or four times a year. Although this is a good general rule, you should definitely wash him if he rolls in something particularly nasty.

Some owners, perhaps yourself, may prefer to have your West Highland White Terrier groomed by a professional groomer. To take full advantage of the freshly cut hair, many owners choose to bathe their pet every four to six weeks. Many owners choose to get a variety of cuts. It's really up to the person. It's your dog so why not have fun with his or her hair?

In a very few circumstances, it is necessary to bathe your West Highland White Terrier more often than every four weeks. Allergies and other skin disorders may require a medicated shampoo prescribed by the veterinarian. On the other hand, your West Highland White Terrier may produce an excess of natural oils and more frequent baths will help remove them. It's important not to bathe too frequently. Many of these oils are good for the Westies coat and help prevent skin irritations. Each dog is different, so try to find a time frame that allows your pups skin to be balanced and healthy. Those dogs that spend a great deal of time outside may often find smelly things to roll around in. Of course, there are some owners who simply prefer for their dog to be bathed more often.

If you do decide that you either prefer to or need to bathe your West Highland White Terrier, it would be best to consult with your local veterinarian about the proper bathing products to help keep your pet's skin in its best health. There are specially formulated products for Westies that should always take preference over any other formulas, unless recommended by your vet. There are also specialized conditioners and rinses to help keep your Westie's skin healthy, which is just as important as keeping your dog clean. A clean, healthy Westie is a happy pet.

About the Author:

There are many more articles on West Highland White Terriers and other dogs at GreatDogSite!

A dog owner also has a defense if it can be shown that the victim was a trespasser on the owner's property where the dog attack occurred. Of course, the owner must also show that the fencing around the property was secure and that appropriate signs warning about the dog were erected on the property. Thus, a trespasser who is seriously injured while on property that does not adequately secure or enclose a dog may still subject the dog owner to criminal liability.

Although the state prosecutor has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the dog owner committed a crime by owning a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog, the burden of proof regarding the available defenses is upon the dog owner. This means the dog owner must prove by a preponderance of the evidence (i.e., that the facts supporting the defense are more likely true than not), that the dog was provoked, his property was properly fenced off, that appropriate warning signs were erected, and that the person attacked was actually a trespasser.

Interestingly, the Washington state legislature has specifically stated that the dog's breed cannot be used by the prosecutor to convict the owner of owning a dangerous dog. This means the prosecutor cannot argue in court that the owner should have known that his dog was dangerous or potentially dangerous based on the fact that the dog was a certain breed, like a pit bull or Rottweiler or some other breed with a reputation for being unusually aggressive (whether that reputation is deserved or not).

Despite the possible criminal repercussions that exist, a person may still own a dangerous dog. But only if the owner registers the dog with the proper animal control authority, properly confines the dog on the owner's property (by fence or other means), conspicuously displays warning signs about the dog (that are sufficient to warn children), and carries liability insurance (e.g., homeowner's policy) in an amount of no less than $250,000.

In the end, I have to question someone's decision to own a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog. Even if the dog is used as a means of protection, there are far better methods of self-defense that won't risk the health and lives of other people, especially children. As stated previously, the criminal prosecution of dog owners is very rare. Even if there is sufficient evidence that justifies a criminal prosecution, I have found that many times the government will only decide to prosecute in cases that are particularly egregious or noteworthy (i.e., those cases involving death or grievous bodily injury). When the government declines to prosecute, even if the facts would support a criminal conviction, the victim's only other recourse is to seek monetary compensation under Washington's civil “Dog Bite Statue” and/or the state's common law.

My advice to dog owners is this: don't risk keeping or harboring a dog that you know or should know is dangerous or potentially dangerous. If your dog acts aggressively or in a menacing way towards other people, or has bitten someone before, that dog should usually be put down. When it comes to protecting the life of a dog versus a human, it is best to err on the side of protecting human life.

About the Author:

Seattle dog bite lawyer Christopher Davis represents dog bite attack victims who have suffered serious injuries, rabies, puncture wounds and scarring, emotional trauma and wrongful death as a result of the attack. As a resource for victims of any dog bites or animal attacks, Chris Davis wrote the book “When the Dog Bites” to provide legal advice for those in need.