Caring For My New Guinea Pig

Writen by Greg Beverly

Guinea pigs are very lovable animals. They are very affectionate and have their own personalities, which will become very evident within days after you bring them home. They love to snuggle and cuddle. They will live longer than most other small pets, usually five to eight years. Although guinea pigs are naturally healthy animals and rarely get sick, doing your part to care for them can have a direct impact on how long they will live.

However, assuming that because they live in cages, guinea pigs have little or no care requirements is far from true. They need daily care. They rely upon you to give them proper nutrition, exercise them daily, and give them lots of love.

A guinea pig will need fresh food and water every day. While this may seem like a lot of work, making it a part of your daily routine will help it seem easy. In addition, you will receive lots of love from your pig, which will make your sacrifices worthwhile.

Just as with any other animal, before you make a commitment, there are certain questions that you should ask yourself. Here is a list of things to consider as you make your decision:

* Can I provide proper care for my pig every day of its life?

* Am I willing to let him/her live in the room in my house where I spend most of my time?

* Will I commit to feeding my guinea pig a healthy, balanced diet?

* Will I provide my guinea pig with fresh water every day?

* Can I provide him with a comfortable cage?

* Will I remove all soiled bedding every day?

* Can I ensure that she will be kept away from drafts, cold, too much heat or direct sunlight, and other pets?

* Do I have the time to care for and give affection to my guinea pig every day?

* Am I willing to groom him/her regularly, including baths?

* Do I have a place in my home where my guinea pig can exercise daily?

* Am I willing to take him/her to the vet when he/she needs medical attention?

* Does my budget allow for me to provide for all the necessities?

Guinea pigs have many great attributes as pets. They do however, require quite a bit of cleaning, from their cage to the area around the cage, as they will kick out their bedding from time to time. In addition, there are several activities that you should be prepared to perform on a daily basis. Before making a decision to bring a guinea pig into your home, make sure that you are prepared to take on this daily routine.

In the end, for guinea pig lovers like myself, it's all worth it! All your hard work will be rewarded with love, affection, and companionship. If you are prepared to properly care for your cavy, I higly recommend them as pets!

For everything you ever wanted to know about guinea pigs and more, visit us at http://www.helpyouneednow.com/guineapigs

Dachshund The Quotweiner Dogquot Breed Description

Writen by Josh Emsley

Dachshunds originated in Germany and are known to have existed as far back as the 16th century. Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, wild boar and other types of small animals. In German, Dachs means badger and Hund means dog, showing the emphasis the breeding pattern had on the hunting of the badger.

Dachshunds have a fearless kind of attitude about them handed down from their ancestry of hunting. The original breed was quite large compared to the CKC/AKC standards of today, averaging 30 to 40 pounds. Eventually this size was branched off into smaller categories for individual hunting of smaller prey such as a fox or rabbit.

Dachshunds are unique in that they were used to actually hunt their prey under ground, following it into its hole - killing and retrieving it for their reward.

Today you will find two sizes of Dachshunds, the miniature and the standard. According to the Canadian Kennel Club and American Kennel Club "miniatures are not a separate classification but compete in a class division for "11 pounds and under at 12 months of age and older." Weight of the standard size is usually between 16 and 32 pounds."

There are three varieties to the coat that a Dachshund is bred with:

• Smooth
• Wire-haired
• Long-haired

The Dachshund is known for its huge variance in patterns and colours of coat - an explanation of which could be a lengthy discussion on its own. The two most common colours - popularized by modern day TV and books are the red(most popular) and the black and tan.

Dachshunds have enjoyed immense popularity over the years resulting in both the good and bad that comes with this. The only time that Dachshunds have fell into a lack of popularity was during World War I, when the Dachshund was used as a symbol of the Germans in Allied propaganda material.

Overall the Dachshund is a clever courageous dog that has added to humanities existence in uncountable ways. They have a unique personality that leans towards fierce loyalty and fearless friendliness, often leaving dogs of larger stature taken aback.

For more information on this breed, check out the Dachshund Info, Pictures and Puppies at BullandHund

Can Pit Bulls Really Be Trained Safely

Writen by David Black

With the horrible reputation that pit bulls receive in the press and national media, it is not surprising that many Americans believe that pit bulls are simply a "lost breed" incapable of real training. Much of this misperception comes from the fact that pit bulls have been used as fighting dogs. Because pit bulls have the ability to lock their jaws and therefore hand onto an object or opponent for hours at a time, it may seem to casual onlookers like the pit bull simply has a mind of its own and is incapable of being trained into an obedient pet that can be trusted around other people.

The fact remains, however, that any dog breed is capable of training and the pit bull is certainly no exception. While they have a reputation of being harder to train than German shepherds or cocker spaniels, this does not mean that they are incapable of becoming very reliable and trustworthy pets that will listen to the commands of their owners. There are really only five simple things to remember when you are trying to train a pit bull or any large dog breed:

• Negative vs. Positive Reinforcement

• Tone of Voice

• Training Tool

• Special Toy

• Limited Training Time

Negative vs. Positive Reinforcement

You have to make a decision and stick with it: do you want to use positive or negative reinforcement to train your pit bull? Although many child-rearing experts believe that the only way to raise a child is by using positive reinforcement, this is not always possible with dogs. The reason: the communication barrier. Although a dog is capable of developing a vocabulary of few hundred words, the fact remains that almost everything a person says is a complete mystery to a dog. So while parents can explain why certain behaviors are bad or dangerous, this is not possible with a dog.

Although a person can use special sprays that try to imprint a location upon a pit bull when trying to teach the animal where it is appropriate to use the restroom, it is often far more effective to simply rub the animal's nose in the feces and tell them "no". However, misuse of negative reinforcement can have long-lasting consequences which is why it must be used both sparingly, and in conjunction with positive reinforcement. The fact is that any dog, including a pit bull, wants the praise and love of their owners which is why positive reinforcement is so powerful. But, due to the communication barrier, some lessons must be taught using negative reinforcement or else the animal may injure itself or others.

Tone of Voice

Although dogs have a limited vocabulary, they are very much in tune with the mood of their owner. Oftentimes, the mere tone of one's voice is enough to tell the dog a great deal about its behavior and what the owner wants of it. When trying to train any pit bull, it is important that the owner uses three very distinctive tones when communicating with the animal:

• Instructional Tone

• Praise Tone

• Normal Tone

The instructional tone is very straightforward: it is simply the tone of voice you use when trying to train your pit bull. It should not be negative or condemning, merely firm and unwavering. Each and every time you are trying to train the pit bull, use this tone and do not use it any other time. This is the cue to your animal that it is "work time" and that they are expected to listen to what you have to say.

The praise tone is precisely that: it is a reward to the animal and a way of telling him/her that you are proud of them. It is generally higher-pitched and should be accompanied by a treat of some kind. Again, the animal need not really understand what you are saying, it just needs to know that it did a good job.

Your normal tone is up to you. It is just the manner in which you normally communicate and interact with the pit bull. It only needs to be distinctive from the instructional and praise tones so that the animal does not become confused. Now some of you may have noticed that there is no "punishment tone"—and that is for good reason! Any time that an animal does something wrong, do not resort to any negative tone. You want to use your instructional tone and teach the dog that this is not the way to do things. I have personally trained many dogs and have never needed any punishment tone. As I stated earlier, a dog genuinely wants to win your praise and if you are patient with the animal, it will not need any punishment tone.

Training Tool

As I said earlier, you will have to learn to use both positive and negative reinforcement. I am certain that no animal needs physical punishment but they do need a way to understand when they are doing something wrong and this is where the training tool comes in. Now some dog trainers prefer to use a bottle of water to spray the animal when it does something wrong. Honestly, this can be very effective but I personally don't like the smell of wet dog fur because no matter how clean you keep a dog, they will still smell pretty bad when wet.

Personally, I choose to tape two paint stirrers together and create what is known as a "slap-stick". The point is that you can lightly slap the animal on its hind quarter with the stick any time it waivers from your training. This does not hurt the dog but it does create a loud "snapping" sound that they tend to dislike. Remember, a pit bull or any dog has an emotional capacity of a 4 or 5 year-old child. They really do want to please you and you do not need to physically impose yourself upon them. But, you will need some kind of training tool to help you with the negative reinforcement and both a bottle of water and a slap-stick work great.

Special Toy

If the slap-stick is the negative reinforcement tool, then the toy is for positive reinforcement. This can be a tennis ball, stuffed animal, or whatever your pit bull enjoys playing with. The only thing you really need to remember is that this toy must not be available to the dog at all times—it must be seen as a treat! After you are done training the dog for that day, take out their toy and reward them with a few minutes of play time. Just remember to put it back up when you are done because if they have access to it at all times, it will lose its power over the dog and they will not be as motivated during training.

Limited Training Time

Some new pet owners are tempted to try training their dog way too much. They think that by spending more time with the animal, it will take less time to get them to do what they want. Unfortunately, dogs do not work this way. They have a very limited attention span (roughly 20-30 minutes—tops!) for training. If you spend more than thirty minutes during any one training session, the animal will begin tuning you out. When you notice that the pit bull is starting to lose interest in training, it is probably best that you stop. Over time, you can increase this attention span by slowly extending the training period by a couple of minutes a day. Still, thirty minutes is about the most time you want to spend during any one session.

A pit bull is definitely one of the more intelligent dog breeds and can easily be trained to interact with people without being a threat. Just remember that negative reinforcement must be used sparingly and that an animal will remember a negative experience much longer than a positive one. You need the pit bull to trust you and want your love so do not try the "tough love" approach as it tends to make an animal more aggressive and less likely to listen. By taking the simple steps listed above, you can in fact train your pit bull to be every bit as dependable and loving as any other breed.

About The Author
David Black is a pit bull enthusiast and author of Professional Pit Bull Training Secrets. PitBull Secrets is one of the largest online pit bull communities in the world. http://www.pitbulltrainingsecrets.com.

Interested In Starting A Marine Aquarium

Writen by Zachary Graham

Marine aquariums offer many advantages to those who keep and maintain them. Some include the satisfaction of creating a beautiful ocean ecosystem in the confines of five sheets of glass or acrylic. Another important role played by the marine aquarium is its ability to release the tensions and pressures of everyday life. What could be better than watching the waves and the currents flow inside your miniature coral reef or fish tank?

Apart from its obvious beauty, the marine aquarium is also quite educational. It is one of the best ways to teach children and adults about the amazing partnerships and friendships between the coral reef inhabitants. It teaches them to respect the coral reef and makes them aware of the hazards of neglecting or abusing it. It also shows them how to enjoy the rainbow colored creatures that God so carefully and creatively made.

Starting a marine aquarium can be simple, cheap, and exciting. Most basic equipment for the marine aquarium is relatively reliable and economical. You usually don't need all the "bells and whistles" you see on show tanks such as calcium reactors, automatic fish feeders, etc. You usually can do without these, and they can decrease the time you spend maintaining the aquarium, which is one of the best reasons for having an aquarium.

The most necessary piece of equipment for the new marine aquarium is the tank itself. It is critical to choose your tank carefully and wisely, since factors like the tank's construction, size, and shape will have an impact on the number of organisms you will be able to keep in it.

Tanks must not include any toxic chemicals. Try to resist buying the old-fashioned metal-lined aquariums. The saltwater will splash on the metal and cause a chemical reaction quickly rust and corrode the metal, releasing toxic substances into the water.

The constraints on buying an aquarium are the size of the space you can allot to it and your budget. People are told to purchase "the biggest they can afford". The recommended starting size is 55 gallons, but you can successfully keep your creatures alive in an aquarium larger or smaller than 55 gallons. However, be aware that a smaller volume of water requires more diligent maintenance.

The general shape chosen for tanks is a rectangle. The common rule is to buy one as long and low as you can, making more horizontal swimming room for fish than vertical. Also having a relatively low tank also allows you to keep more light hungry corals in invertebrates closer to the bottom. Many people choose the compactness and good looks of a tall aquarium. This is a poor choice, as it will not provide much swimming room for your fish.

Next, you need to purchase a light fixture. For the fish-only aquarium, standard fluorescent tubes would be fine. However, if you want to keep a mini-reef, lighting plays a crucial role. The most common fixtures are power compact fixtures, which are more intense than normal fluorescent, and metal halides. Metal halides are ideal, and usually necessary for keeping the most photosynthetic creatures, as they replicate natural sunlight more than the others.

Another very important factor in the aquarium is filtration. Some people use hang on tank filters, but they steal some of the natural beauty of the aquarium. Other options are canister filters, and under gravel filters. Canister filters can be hidden in an aquarium cabinet, but they are somewhat expensive and it can be difficult for a beginner to change the media. Under gravel filters are losing popularity in the marine aquarium hobby because they require a coarse bottom, so that the plate doesn't get clogged, and many people like the tropical island look of fine sand. Many people also choose to use only live rock and sand as their filter.

Next, you must buy a heater. The ideal temperature for the water that contains coral reefs is between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The bigger of a tank, the higher heater wattage you'll need. Once you have your aquarium set up, you will be ready to buy live rock. Live rock is chunks of coral that break off of a reef or are aqua cultured. They contain millions of beneficial organisms that are crucial for the marine environment. Live rock is completely optional, but it is highly recommended. It partially serves as a base for your corals and invertebrates to attach themselves to.

After you partially fill the aquarium with mixed salt water, according to the instructions on the box, you can add the sand or other substrate, then live rock. Be sure to keep the live rock wet so you don't kill the creatures living in it. Once you have the aquarium up, plug in the filter (if you choose to have one) and the heater and let it cycle for a few weeks, changing a percentage of the water each week, before putting any creatures in it so that the bacteria may be given a chance to grow and mature, which will help rid your aquarium of fish and invertebrate waste in the future.

Once the tank has finished cycling, then you can add your first fish. Several easy and hardy fish include the damsel, with it's striking blues, greens, and yellows. The clown fish, with it's comical looks, and the firefish, which looks like it is "on fire."

Be sure to do your research before you go out and buy a marine aquarium. There are a plethora of excellent books out there, and this article only skims the surface of the world of marine aquariums. So, what are you waiting for? Get reading!

Zachary Graham is a student in southeast Minnesota. He likes to spend time with computers, writing, learning languages, and maintaining his marine aquarium and his website.

Animal Massage Therapy Extended My Old Dogs Life And Gave Him Less Pain And More Comfort

Writen by Kelvyn Peters

The time had come for me to make a sad decision about my old dog.

Animal massage therapy allowed me to put off that decision and give my dog an extra two years of quality time with his family.

I have no doubt that it was the correct decision and I urge all pet owners to investigate animal massage therapy for their own pets.

The health and welfare benefits of massage in animals is much the same as in humans. Increased blood flow to the painful area reduces inflammation and reduces pain. The gentle movement of all the joints through as much range as possible improves the pet's movement.

Wouldn't it be great if your partner or other loved one, without fail, gave you a massage every day? A half-hour of gentle fondling, petting and massage. Imagine what that would do for your happiness and self-esteem.Stand aside world I'm coming through!

And so too for your pet.

Peppy, an Australian Cattle Dog cross, was an awesome dog almost perfect in every way. He quickly accepted me as pack leader and was so easy to train. Peppy quickly learned to obey my commands.

Peppy was not without blemish, he had his own little idiosyncrasies. I once believed that larger dogs should not come in to the house and I trained him not to do so. He would insist on climbing the stairs, poke his nose round the door to see if I was in sight. A frown and the pointing of a finger was enough to make him scurry back down the stairs.

I could not break him of the habit. Then I learned why. When I was not home my wife and children encouraged him into the house to be with the family, and sent him out when they heard I was returning.

So I relented. It was either that or get rid of the family and I could not find anyone who would take them and I wanted to keep the dog! Peppy became a fully endorsed member of the family and was allowed into most rooms in the house.

But Peppy always remembered that I had taught him that the house was a no-go area. He would poke his nose around the corner and if I were in the room he quietly sneak around the perimeter of the room. Behind sofas, under tables and behind chairs, pretending he could not see me while I pretended I could not see him until he was suddenly by my side, his head on my knee, waiting for a pat of acceptance.

When Peppy was 14 years old I found him one morning with his hind leg swinging uselessly and in great pain. The vet said that he had a torn ligament, the same as football players get. He was an old dog but he did not look his age and was in excellent condition (just like his master who was growing older by the minute carrying this heavy dog up and down the stairs).

Peppy would be as good as new, even better, after the operation the vet said.

There was no decision to be made. Peppy was a member of our family. We would raise the $3000 for the operation somehow.

The operation and the six weeks recuperation was tough on the dog. It was tough on the family. Pep was drugged to the eyeballs with painkillers and sedatives. He had his leg in a kind of plaster from hip to just six inches beyond his foot. He struggled to stand and walked like a drunken sailor.

The only part which of him which seemed to work as it should was his wagging tail.

It was hardest on, Vlady, my wife. Peppy absolutely adored my wife. His one purpose in his life eas to be at her side. He used to follow her from room to room and he saw no reason why he should not do so now. He would stagger after her a pitiful sight.

Poor Vlady! She became virtually chair-bound and afraid to move because it troubled him so much. She sometimes risked it if he were fast asleep but he soon realized she was gone and would go in frantic search for her.

But Peppy recovered and he was almost as good as new. He was told not participate in any jumping games but he could have if he had wanted to. He had a touch of arthritis and he could not see as well as used to but the next twelve months was a wonderful time for all of us.

And then almost twelve months to the day tragedy struck again. I found Peppy with his other leg dangling and he was in great pain. We went through the same thing again but this time Peppy was not as good as new. All Peppy did was lie under the table out of the way and give his tail a thump on the floor when we spoke to him. He seemed too weak to actually wag his tail.

It was obvious to me that I had to start thinking of giving him release from his pain.

I then read an article in an Australian dog magazine which touted the benefits of animal massage therapy for dogs who were in Peppy's condition and time of life. I did some research and learned the techniques and as soon as I was able started Animal Massage Therapy on Peppy.I did it every day for two years and it worked a treat.

As increased blood flow to his painful inflamed joints his pain lessened and the gentle manipulation of his limbs helped his joints to move more freely. His muscles became firmer andmore supple. Peppy started to walk again. He was still an old man but he enjoyed his old age and he loved the attention he was getting.

At 18 years Peppy passed on. Had massage therapy extended his life? I believe it had. Was his quality of life improved? It certainly had and we had two years of quality time with our old friend.

Kelvyn Peters is a renowned storyteller who has a vast experience in many fields which he loves to talk about. We have convinced him to put them on paper.

Author
Kelvyn Peters
Storyteller
http://www.dogs-haven.com

Allergies To Pets

Writen by Michael Russell

In this article we're going to discuss one of the most annoying kinds of allergies that there is, especially for us animal lovers - allergies to pets and what can be done to reduce the allergens produced by pets.

The sad fact is that 10 to 15% of all the people in the world suffer from some kind of allergy to animals, which can make owning a pet not only annoying but potentially dangerous if the allergy is severe enough. Cat allergies are actually twice as common as dog allergies. The body's reaction to the animals is caused by a certain protein found in the animal's saliva, urine or dander. People aren't really allergic to the pet's fur but to the allergen that sticks to the fur, the carpeting or the furniture; basically anywhere your pet has been. Also, these microscopic flakes of dander travel through the air. As a matter of fact, studies show that these allergens can stay in the air even 3 years after an animal has actually been in the home.

Many people ask if there are any breeds of animals that people are not allergic to. The answer is, since all animals have dead skin there are no non allergic breeds. People may be more tolerant of certain breeds of dogs than others but there is no such thing as 100% non allergic. All animals produce some amount of allergen, even if it is a small amount. The allergic symptoms themselves build over time after handling or being near an animal, with the peak time being around 12 hours after. Also, as the pet spends more time living in the person's home the allergens begin to accumulate and a person who showed no symptoms when handling the pet at the store when buying it will start to show symptoms after it has been home for a while, usually within a day.

So what's the answer for people who want to have a pet but are allergic? What can they do in order to have a pet? Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is try to reduce your exposure to the allergens. You're not going to be able to get rid of them completely. One thing you can do to try to prevent the accumulation of allergens is to cover your furniture with plastic mattresses and pillow covers. Replace your carpeting with hard wooden floors and washable throw rugs. Clean the house as often as you can. Make sure you vacuum with a cleaner that has a HEPA filter otherwise allergens are just going to end up getting spread into the air. Your pet should be kept out of your bedroom completely. This may be hard for a real pet lover but it is essential.

When you brush your pet, wear a face mask. Then change your clothes immediately afterward. Unfortunately, the success rate of allergy shots and other treatments for pet allergies is only about 50%. Currently however, a vaccine for people allergic to cats is being tested. This may be a major breakthrough in the future.

Until then, there really isn't much more you can do. If your allergies are severe it is probably best to stick with a fish for a pet.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Allergies
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Blackwinged Hatchetfish

Writen by Gary Bolton

Family: Gasteropelecidae

Species: Carnegiella marthae

Size: 4cm (1 half inch)

Diet: Omnivorous

Tank levels: Upper

Habitat: Forest streams in the Orinoco region

Remarks: The aquarium should be spacious with a secure hood as these fish can leap through the air for some distance, gliding with their wing-like pectoral fins.

Comments: The shape of this hatchetfish is typically very deep with a virtually flat dorsal contour. Light creamy yellow above the lateral line shades down to grey-silver, and a dark outline follows the ventral edge and terminates beneath the eye. The entire body is covered with tiny dark speckles. Pectoral fins are well developed for leaping and gliding above water. This has to be one of the more stranger hatchetfish in the species.

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This fish comes from the "Tropical Fish" family species of fish. I hope you enjoyed this fish profile that I put together to help people to choose the right fish for the right aquarium tank setup you may own, or be thinking of buying in the future. If you require more information about keeping fish in general and what are the right fish to choose for your tank setups, you can always visit my site called "GB Aquarium" and see what's posted new there and also join in the discussion taking place.

http://www.garybolton.co.uk

Peculiarities In Breeding Canaries

Writen by Geomil Georgiev

Incubation

After the time of incubation, which proceeds for 13 – 14 days , the baby – birds start hatching . The knock the shell from inside with the help of " the egg – tooth ", which is a small chalk tentacle on the upper side of the beak and with its help baby – birds manage to make a hole, which they broaden gradually . At last they are able to get out of the egg , breaking its obtuse end . According to some people the just – born birds look like "touching beasts " – nestlings with some fluffs , big raised shut eyes and wide open hungry beaks .

Family life

Only the female bird warms babies and just on the next day it starts feeding them . On the day of hatching they do not need any food – the yolk that it still in their abdominal cavity as reserve is enough . The male canary takes care of providing food – it often feeds the babies by pouring grounded food into their beaks . The female bird looks after the cleanness into the nest – she either eats alone or takes out of the nest the excrements of the babies that are covered in mucus . In about 7 – 8 days the mucus membrane stops forming and small birds sit on the nest ' s edge alone , put their posteriors out and shoot their excrements away . Cares in the nest take about 16 days . After that young birds leave the nest, but their parents continue to feed them additionally for a certain time .

ADVICE : If the bird cage is big enough , leave the family together . But if the female bird starts pulling its feathers out to build a new nest you should separate the young birds from their parents .

Controlling the nest

You can quietly look in the nest until the 14 th days. Then it is better to leave everything in peace . If small canaries stay deeply crouched and cuddle into each other into the nest , it is very dangerous if you put your hand inside . They can get freighted and to go out of the nest and thus to hurt themselves.

ADVICE : If it happens so that a small canary falls out of the nest, take it into your palms and hold it at least for half an hour near the radiator . Only then return it back to the nest .

Feeding

During the time of incubation and breeding the small birds :

Give calcium to the female birds. Generation of eggs spends calcium in great amounts from its body .

Add additional nourishing mixtures for the growth of small birds (they can be found in zoo – shops ). They should be at disposal of parent birds all the time while they feed the baby – birds . Besides, often control these mixtures to be fresh . They should be loose and easily to break them to pieces .

Growth of baby – birds

1 st – 5 th day . Baby – canaries are still with eyes shut and take up embryonic position ; they lie down with their bellies up without stretching their necks .

6 th day . They open their eyes . The tubules on feathers can be clearly seen

7 th – 8 th day. Canaries start shooting alone their excrements out of the nest .

12 th day . The tubules covering the feathers now get torn and feathers grow .

17 th – 18 th . Yong canaries leave the nest, but they are still additionally fed by their parents .

30 th day . Young birds are fully independent .

2 nd – 6 th month . Languishing because of " youth change ". All feathers are changed except for the flying ones . All feathers get the same full color that old birds have and now the young ones are sexually mature .

Geomil Georgiev is owner and editor of http://www.birdscomfort.com where you can find information on every type of pet birds. BirdsComfort provides detailed information in decorative, large, custom, acrylic, antique, wooden, and discount bird cages sale, as well as cage covers,bird cage playstands, bird perches, bird toys, bird swings and bird foods

Pet Care Making The Best Of Life

Writen by Michael Russell

An associate shared this heart-rending story with me about his pet and I'll repeat it here in his own words.

I had the most lovely Rotweiler female dog. She was about two years old when I bought her. She had a strong personality, but was sweet, loving and affectionate to me. I named her Snoopy. She was a career watch dog. I kept her on a long tether line attached to a strong steel post. Every day she would go for a long walk with me.

When I moved to a more rural setting she had her own fenced off yard, to play in. Life was good. She loved to go for walks on the mountain side behind where we lived. Snoopy's world was one of smell. She loved to go sniffing in a ground squirrel's burrow. She would spend a lot of time digging up the hole. The dirt would go flying behind her, as she became a dirty, soil covered mess. She would dig until tired, and even then it was difficult, to pull her away from the hole.

Snoopy was a very intelligent dog. I talked to her all the time. She seemed to understand a great deal of the English language and would get all excited if I asked her if she wanted to go for a drive in the car. Then she would saunter off to the door, and wait for me to go out with her. She did much the same thing if I asked her, if she wanted to go for a walk. Snoopy would gesture with her head and paws to communicate. Some times it was almost like we were psychically linked. I would wake up at night from a deep sleep, when she wanted to go out side.

Snoopy had thick black and brown hair. Twice a year she would shed her coat. The heaviest hair loss was in spring, when her winter coat was shed. The lighter hair loss came in fall as she prepared to put on her winter coat. I would try to comb her every day when she was shedding hair. Brushing her hair yielded bunches of her black fur so at this time of year brushing her coat became a major element of her pet care routine.

Even though we were very active, taking mountain walks each day, Snoopy, started putting on a lot of weight. She was so heavy, I could not have lifted her. She was about the size of a small sheep.

Off and on she would have stomach problems. I noticed she was developing a pot belly. She would eat a lot of grass on days when she didn't feel well. Sometimes I would help her, by picking the blades of grass for her, and then feed them to her. She was a strong dog. She could pull me along behind, dragging me holding her leash.

As time went on she continually had stomach problems, separated by days when she felt better. The size of her abdomen also grew larger. Each day we still faithfully went on her walk. She would come to me when she thought it was time to go walking, and remind me that she wanted to go. As time went on her rest periods during our walks, grew more frequent and longer. Some times we did about half and half, walking and sitting. I would carry a water bottle for Snoopy so she could drink. She always became thirsty on her walks.

Snoopy started developing tumours on the out side of her fur coat. From time to time, I checked her coat and noted she was developing more tumours, on her sides and shoulders. I suspected the large mass in her abdomen was also a tumour.

Sometimes her food seemed to make her feel sick. In her last week she found a bunch of bird bones in the forest and insisted on eating them. She really enjoyed eating those bones. I knew her days were numbered and did not want to deprive her of any last pleasures. The day after she ate the bones she felt really sick. She didn't eat her food for a couple of days after that. Instead she went looking for grass, when we were out walking. In a few days she felt better again. All the grass we picked together, must have helped. She sure ate a lot of grass. She had a few last good days. Snoopy really enjoyed life on her good days. She enjoyed going exploring so much, on the mountain side. On her good days one could almost forget, that she had a growing problem.

Snoopy became sick again and this time couldn't keep down food or water. I would try to give her little drinks, hoping her stomach would keep the water down. She just threw it up, a short time later. On her last morning I woke up, hearing Snoopy coughing violently. I ran to help her. She was in a life and death struggle to breath. I tried to clear her throat, swatting her on the back of the neck. It was too late. She went unconscious and died in my arms. I was heart broken. My best friend had died. Her departure ended her cancer, but left me lost, with a gigantic hole in my life. Snoopy was the best part of my life.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Pet Care
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Making Removing Dog Urine As Simple As Possible

Writen by Michael Louis

Taking care of your pets can be quite taxing. This is especially true if your pet is not housebroken. The first few weeks – or even months, if your pet takes some time to learn – of trying to train your pet can prove to be very frustrating. Aside from getting your pets to learn the rules of the house, every home owners fear is that their dogs - not knowing much about living in a home - could start wreaking havoc on the furnishings of the home.

Having pets at home can be quite hard on your furniture - especially your carpets and walls. Dogs scratch and claw and relieve themselves whenever and wherever they see fit. While training your dogs, you will have to deal with a lot of urine and fecal stains. And if you feel that you are over your head and already considering popping up your surrender flag, there is some good news for you. You can deal with these stains easily and effectively.

First of all, to avoid having to go through all this, you might want to ensure that your pets are trained so that they do not cause that much trouble. Make sure you make urinating on carpets and furniture as uncomfortable and as uninviting as possible. This involves consistently, yet gently, showing your dogs the permitted area for it to relieve itself.

Cleaning after them can be quite a fuss. Luckily there are means of cleaning your carpet that are efficient and practical.

1. Train you dog not to urinate at an area – make the right place for your pet to relieve itself inviting and easy to access. And make your living room a place they wouldn't want to urinate on. This can be done by covering some of your furnishings with vinyl material.

Show your dog how you clean and soak up its urine form carpets and then show take the soiled towels and newspapers to the area you want your dog to relieve on.

2. Search and Destroy – The problem with some urine stains is that when they dry off, they become harder to spot. Some intrepid owners use their keen sense of smell – just like their dog's – and sniff at the carpets to find the offending spot.

This technique does not work for all – especially those that are a little queasy at sniffing such stuff. You can also use a black light bulb. Most stains, even if they are dry and months old, will show when shone on by black light lamps.

3. Use appropriate cleansers – For rags and small materials that fit washing machines, use your usual detergent with some baking soda. This helps fight odor and stains. If it is your carpet that is stained use a commercial urine remover. There many of these available commercially. You can try to searching for them on the internet for one that fits your particular needs and material.

4. Soak up what is there – Before dumping a load of urine remover on a soiled carpet. Soak up what can be absorbed using paper towels and newspapers. Removing such will make cleaning the carpet much simpler and easier to manage.

5. Use wet vac – For deep and severely stained carpets, you might want to use a wet vac or even a steam vacuum. These vacuums are very effective at thoroughly cleaning your carpets. If you do not own one, you can rent one from any nearby housekeeping service in your locality.

8. Use odor neutralizers – To counter stubborn residue odors use a commercially available deodorizer. There are some products that specifically cater to pets and urine. They are the ones you will want to look at.

Michael Louis is a dog lover with a passion for knowledge who enjoys sharing his dog cleaning care secrets. Now that you know how to remove that bad odor, learn the secrets to house training your dog and stop this from happening again at the-dog-stop.com

How Can You Tell If Your Cat Really Is A Maine Coon

Writen by Sarah Crosier

The Maine Coon cat has been called "the king of the domestic cat world". The breed is visually stunning with its beautiful long ruff, bushy "raccoon like" tail and large tufty paws. The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat and visitors to our house are shocked to discover our 2-year old male kitten has another 2-3 years to grow before he is classed as an adult. As well as the Maine Coon's striking physical appearance, the breed has an inquisitive, friendly and lively personality.

I've had many people ask the question, " I think my cat is at least part Maine Coon…how can I tell?"

This is how the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) answer the question on their website:

"The Maine Coon is America's native longhair cat; it evolved naturally in response to the New England climate. Your cat's ancestors might be similar to the cats that founded the Maine Coon breed. However, it's impossible to tell from just looking at your cat if it is related to the Maine Coon or any other breed. Because the Maine Coon is a natural breed and hasn't been bred to the extremes, there are cats all over the world that resemble the Maine Coon. The only way to tell for sure if your cat is a Maine Coon is to look at the pedigree."

Ok, that may not help much because most people do know when they have a pedigree Maine Coon because they have papers verifying the pedigree.

So, if you don't have papers how can you tell if you have at least a part Maine Coon?

Firstly, these cats are not normal! They have distinctive personality traits and unique Maine Coon features. If your cat has some or all of the following, you can be sure you have a cat with dominant Maine Coon breeding:

Physical Features:

1. Head: Round in shape when viewed from the front, medium in width and longish in length. The muzzle is square and can look broad in more mature male cats.

2. Ears: Set high and well apart. They are large, and well tufted tapering to a point, in common with the Bobcat and the Lynx. The tufts on the ears are one of the classic signs of a Maine Coon.

3. Eyes: Large and wide set. Slightly oblique slanting to outer base of ear.

4. Body: Full maturation can take 4 to 5 years and allowances should be made when judging size of the cat. Overall, the body is muscular and broad chested. The body is well proportioned throughout, and there are no unusual "oddities" in relation to size proportion.

5. Legs and Feet: The legs are sturdy and substantial, and proportionate to the body. The paws are very large and well tufted. Tufts in between the toes are an essential feature for a Maine Coon. There are five toes on the front paws and four on the back.

6. Tail: This is the probably the most unmistakable feature of the Maine Coon. The tail is long and should run the length of the body when at least as long as the neck. Originally, when Maine Coons lived as farm cats, the tail would cover the whole body and act as a kind of furry sleeping bag in the winter. The fur is also thick and long. It has been said that the name "coon" comes from "racoon" because of the similarities of the tails of the two animals.

Coat: Heavy and shaggy, medium to longhaired and uneven in length. The fur is shorter on the shoulders and longer on the stomach. A frontal ruff is desirable although there is a marked variation in the length of ruff, depending on the particular line.

Unique Personality Traits

Here are 3 classic Maine Coon characteristics:

· Dog like behavior: Common behavior is they will follow you around, they will sit at your feet, will come to greet you (whenever you've been out), they will fetch and retrieve if trained, they will also carry favorite objects such as a toy stick in the mouth and drop it at your feet. Like a dog, it is usual for the Maine Coon to stretch up on its back legs resting its front paws above the waist to demand a stroke from the owners.

· Protective of his home: Can be rather suspicious and extremely curious, a little bit like a police "sniffer" dog checking bags for illegal substances. Although, this is an obvious exaggeration, we have found that non-cat loving visitors are not completely at ease with persistent investigations into their personal belongings.

· "Supervisor" role: This is what we call the constant shadowing behavior of the Maine Coon, when something is happening in the house, such as computer work, housework, assembling furniture, or just about anything where people are moving about. The only way to discourage him/her from joining in is to finish the task when he goes off for a sleep!

In summary, if your cat looks like a Maine Coon and acts like a Maine Coon, you definitely have a part or even full Maine Coon.

Sarah Crosier is a committed Maine Coon owner and enthusiast. She is the author of the 17 page report, "7 Essential Tips for Maine Coon Cat Owners". A free copy of her report is available for immediate download by visiting: http://www.mainecooncompanion.com/info.html

Pet Memorial Markers

Writen by Max Bellamy

The often-heard complaint is that there are never enough of the right words to express the amount of sorrow felt upon the passing away of a dear one. They same holds true upon the passing of a pet. It is true that grief is an emotion that is sometimes felt so severely that the anguish cannot be translated into mere rhetoric. Yet, a little creative thought can work wonders when designing a memorial marker. This also applies to the overall design and the choice of materials. While markers shaped out of stone, wood, or earth are the most common choices, there are many who opt for alternate materials like aluminum alloy, copper, bronze, or mild steel. These can be fabricated into any desired shape.

When it comes to appropriate words, many prefer poetry as a means of expressing it right. Apart from the conventional markers, many opt for personalized items of memory such as jewelry or wristbands. A necklace with a locket that contains a photograph of the pet is much favored.

Where a marker is placed as a monument or headstone in the garden, it is often felt that this should be at the exact spot favored by the pet. For example, a dog that had been in the habit of digging for a bone at a particular spot should have the marker placed right there. Or a cat that often dozed under a ledge should have its marker at that very spot. Also, a marker placed under the shade of a tree provides for a soothing ambience because it leads one to think that the pet has but passed on to another world that is probably devoid of any pain or suffering. A flowering tree is always better because the falling petals and leaves can add a loving touch to the scene.

Pet Memorials provides detailed information on Pet Memorials, Pet Memorial Stones, Pet Memorial Markers, Online Pet Memorials and more. Pet Memorials is affiliated with Pet Services.

Training The Show Dog To Gait

Writen by Michael Russell

To the casual observer it does not appear that a Show Dog needs to know a lot in order to show. It is easy to believe that all the dog does is run around and stand still and let the judge examine him. In reality, a polished Show Dog has been well trained and it has taken a number of years and/or a lot of practice to get to the point where he presents a flawless picture to the judge.

The dog often gaits naturally but sometimes the dog wants to pace instead. A dog who paces does not present a smooth flowing picture to the judge and furthermore it is often more difficult to discern whether he is moving straight in the front. A judge does not want the dog to run around for no reason. While the dog moves, the judge wants to view his movement from the front, from the rear and from the side. During the movement, he needs to ascertain whether the dog has a good front (relative to the dog's breed) and whether he has a good reach and drive, whether he is covering the ground correctly with the least wasted motion and proving that his structure is sound. If the dog looks up at the handler or skittishly prances or does not maintain a straight line while gaiting, no matter how beautifully he might move or how well he is balanced, the judge will not see this for his movement will be thrown out of balance with these behaviors.

Therefore the dog must be trained to move in balance and at the correct speed and also to change speed from slow to fast without being choppy in his movement. The dog must also be taught to break into a trot rather than pacing. This is easiest to accomplish by first teaching the dog the heel, which is a walk at the left side of the handler so that his head is on a parallel with the handler's knee. The handler should speed up the pace and see to it that the dog is gradually breaking into an easy trot. If the dog begins to pace or it is a more natural movement for him than the trot, the handler usually will execute a turn that will bring the dog into a correct position to break into a trot. The dog must also be taught not to look anywhere except straight ahead while he is heeling, as this will throw off the movement of the front. So the handler needs to be quite aware of the motions of the dogs head and reward the dog when he is looking straight to the front. Furthermore, he needs to practice a lot with the dog heeling, alternately speeding up and slowing down and maintaining an easy trot rather than a walk while the dog is in the heel position. This can be accomplished with clicker training, or voice control by praising the dog at the exact moment that he is performing correctly.

A knowledgeable handler also needs to learn to walk well himself, with a longer stride when he wants the dog to speed up and a slower stride (but not shorter steps) when he wants the dog to trot with a slower action. If the handler breaks into shorter steps himself, he will throw the dog into a shorter and choppier movement. So it is important that the handler practice also, to walk and to run so as not to detract from the natural and balanced movement of the dog.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

The Importance Of Pet Id Tags

Writen by Alison Cole

A basic pet ID tags should contain a pet's full name and address. But why stop there when customized pet identification tags can be designed using various machines and systems such as pet tag color matching system? There are so many choices available when it comes to personalizing a pet tag.

Pet ID tags, a must for identification, can be made from gold, be as elaborate as jewelry or a simple personalized tag. Even big names in fashion industry like Gucci manufacture pet tags. A wide range of pet ID tags including metal and diamond tags are available for sale. Fas Tags offer shrinking pet ID tags. "Military Style Personalized Pet ID tags" display five lines of emergency information. Hydrant pet name tags are designed in plastic and metal (silver, black). The text including the pet's name can be made of stainless steel that is a rust proof metal does not fade. Aluminum and brass pet ID tags are also manufactured.

While buying a pet ID tag, its durability should be ensured. Readable tags are critical in locating lost pets. This can be a deterrent against some plastic tags that the pet may chew and render unreadable. Likewise, engraved tags are often easier to read and last longer than ink printed tags. A matching color can be also used to design a pet tag, while patriotic pet tags are used to symbolize you and your pets' respect for the nation.

Pet tags help ensure that you will have a good chance of retrieving your pet should it get lost. However, tags are not simply commodities; you can customize the look and feel of your tag to your liking.

Pet Tags Info provides detailed information about free and custom pet tags, pet ID tags, pet tag machines, and more. Pet Tags Info is the sister site of Dog Tags Web.

A Good Dog Fence Makes For Better Neighbors

Writen by Abbie Frank

Believe it or not, not everyone likes your family pet. By keeping your pet in an identified space with a good quality dog fence, Fido can remain as a good neighbor. I know, I know, it's almost impossible to imagine that anyone who knows Fido doesn't immediately fall in love with her. She might just be ok with the neighbors but the things she does in their yard make for some unhappy relationships. This is just one of the main reasons why every pet owner has an obligation to control their pets traveling range with pet fencing.

The problem of course is the about relieving themselves in someone else's yard, Yes, your pet may be friendly and would like to visit the neighbors but the fact is, many people do not share your love affair with your pet. They don't want the bother of picking up after an animal that's not theirs nor having their yards soiled with urine "hot spots" and doggie piles. Dogs, although usually very friendly also can be destructive of plants and landscaping, making many breeds poor neighbors.

That's not to say that your dog isn't a nice animal. Dogs are typically social and enjoys the interaction with a variety of people. This play interaction however is not without consequences. Things get broken, chewed on and otherwise "enjoyed" by your pet no matter if they belong to you or the neighbor. Having to face an angry neighbor because your dog destroyed his prize winning rose bush garden isn't something to be desired.

There's also the issue of community security. This is especially true if your dog is a larger breed. Having a large dog escape the security of their yard could be seen as negligence on your part. Communities are becoming increasingly upset at pet owners who allow their animals free run of a neighborhood. Heaven forbid if your dog, while free, attacks someone or another animal. This is especially serious if the other dog or pet was on a leash.

The saying is that a good fence makes for good neighbors. A good dog fence also makes for a happy and healthy environment for your pet. By securing your dog using secure fencing, your best friend also has the security of knowing where his yard boundaries are located. There is no need to "guard" anything beyond the fence lines so you pet is more inclined to stay in his yard to better "watch" his property. Overall, electronic dog fencing is a good investment no matter what type of dog you may have as a pet.

Abigail Franks writes on many subjects dealing with home, pets, and family. For more information on dog fences visit http://www.dogfence.outsidemagic.com

The Royal Pug

Writen by Mike Mathews

People love Pugs! There is something about that rogue-like face that tugs at your heart strings. This dignified toy breed is loved by royalty and commoners alike. These loving, intelligent, little clowns are extremely popular and ranked 12th out of 154 dog breeds registered by the American Kennel Club in 2005. The Pug is the largest of the Toy Dog Group weighing in a whopping 14 to 18 pounds.

The Pug has a fascinating history and one that is somewhat controversial. No one disputes that the English painter William Hogarth owned Pugs and portrayed them many times in his paintings. For example, Hogarth's 1730 painting shows a black pug in "House of Cards". Similarly everyone agrees that the Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange after saving the life of the Prince of Orange, by giving alarm at the approach of the Spaniards in 1572. Later when William of Orange went to England in 1688 to be crowned King William III, he took along several Pugs. So we know how the Pugs got from Holland to England but the controversy arises over how the breed got to Holland in the 16th century. One group of historians thinks the Pug was developed as a result of crossing several small Bulldogs. Another group thinks it is a miniature form of the rare French mastiff called the Dogue de Bordeaux. However the majority of historians think that the Pug originated in China and was brought back to 16th century Holland by the Dutch East India Company traders. This is the history that we will assume is true. The Pug is of Chinese origin and its development seems to pre-date the Christian era. Early records indicate that there were three types of short-nosed dogs bred by the Chinese. They were the Lion Dog (probably the Shih Tzu), The Pekingese and the Foo Dog or Pug. These dogs became very popular with Chinese royalty and the Pug breed was highly prized by the Emperors of China and lived a pampered existence. In fact, ordinary citizens were not allowed to own them. However, European traders managed to obtain some Pugs and introduce them to Europe - particularly Portugal, Spain, Holland and England which were the home countries of the traders. There, these adorable little animals became the pampered favourites of many royal families. We mentioned earlier that William III and Mary introduced Pugs to Britain from Holland when they became King and Queen in 1688 and the little dogs became a favourite at the royal court. This small dog breed was also extremely popular in the European courts and was a favourite of Napoleon's wife, Queen Josephine of France. Later Queen Victoria of England succumbed to the Pugs charm and introduced several Pugs into her household. This British royalty love of Pugs continued down the line into the 20th century with the Duke of Windsor becoming a Pug owner. However by the time of Queen Victoria and her descendants, Pugs were no longer restricted to royalty. Members of the aristocracy became enamoured with Pugs as well.

Because the Pug was becoming very popular, English breeders were importing Pugs from other countries such as Russia, Austria and Holland. In 1860 British soldiers overran the Imperial palace in Peking and brought back a number of Pugs to England. The black Pug probably was imported at this time. Subsequent to this period, breeders established standards for the breed. In 1881, the Pug Dog Club of England was established and in 1883 the British Kennel Club formally recognized this breed club. By 1885, the Pug had been accepted for registration by the American Kennel Club but no national American breed club was created until 1931. By the beginning of the 20th century, large numbers of Pugs were exported to the United States from the United Kingdom. These Pugs were expensive - as they were still very much upper-class dogs.

Now we no longer have to be members of the royalty or the upper classes to own a Pug. Pugs are low maintenance dog breeds that require little grooming and get enough exercise playing indoors. They are well suited for apartment living. Pugs have a tendency to put on weight and should be taken for walks when the weather isn't too hot.

Many royal and well known people have been owned by a Pug. This started with the Chinese Emperors many centuries ago and continued right up to the Dowager Empress of China who died in 1908. Many European royal families including Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine fell under the spell of the Pug. More contemporary (and quite diverse) Pug owners included Sir Winston Churchill, Valentino, Andy Warhol and Sammy Davis Jr. You can get free pictures and additional information on the Pug at Pug Pictures.

Perhaps it is time for you to consider being royally entertained by the uncommon Pug!

About the Author - Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: http://www.dog-breed-facts.com . He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health , dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training.

Starting A Homebased Pet Related Business

Writen by Mariangie Gonzalez

If you're contemplating the idea of starting a home-based business here are some facts you should know:

·According to the Small Business Administration, home-based businesses account for over half of all the businesses in the United States.

·Each year thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs launch a part-time home business to supplement their existing income or to test a new business idea.

·There are two industries that have shown exponential growth over the past years, and they are (in no particular order):

1.The Wellness Industry

2.The Pet Industry

Now that you know that, and that we've agreed you're a pet lover, it's time to choose the right pet business for you. You will have to ask yourself some basic questions such as:

1.What are my strengths? Do you like to work directly with people, or do you prefer to work alone?

2.Do I want to work from home or at home? Some home-based businesses require you to hit the road, while others let you work without ever leaving home.

3.Do I have certain skills that make me stand out from the crowd? Can you bake the most delicious cookies in town? Are you a whiz with your camera? Does every pet you encounter just love you?

4.How much can I afford to invest? Do you have all the necessary equipment to operate your business? Can you start operating on a shoestring and then add as your business grows?

After you have answered those questions is time to search for more information on your desired business idea, you will find a lot of information online. Some ideas are:

·Aromatherapy and Natural Products for Pets

·Poop Scoop Business

·Dog Bakery Business

·Pet Grooming

·Pet Sitting Business

·Pet Photography

Of all of them, my personal favorite is the first one because it merges the two largest growing industries together, Wellness and Pets. BINGO, you have a winner!

Do your homework, find out which home-based pet business best suits you and start today, you will find it to be a rewarding way of earning a living because not only your customers will thank you, but also their human companions. ;o)

Mariangie Gonzalez has a major in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary and runs the day-to-day operations of her home-based business and website in which you can find out how homeopathic remedies could prolong and improve your pet's life. She can also help you start your own home-based 100% natural pet supplies business, you can visit online at: http://www.MindBodyAndPaw.com

Is Your Dog Fat

Writen by Bev Storer

Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs. You can and should do something about it. Overweight dogs may live shorter and less healthy lives and your enjoyment of their unconditional love and companionship may be shortened because of it.

Extra pounds place an excess burden on bones and joints and can make arthritis problems worse. Overweight dogs are less able to exercise and play comfortably and their breathing may be labored. Their bodies may be less able to resist infections, and they may be at greater risk for problems during surgery and anesthesia.

Potential health problems include:

• Joint or Locomotion Difficulties. Extra pounds add stress to joints, bones, ligaments and muscles. Conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, spinal disc disease and ruptures of joint ligaments may be caused or aggravated by obesity.

• Heart and Respiratory Disease. Excess fat tissue in the chest cavity and around the muscles of the heart can decrease the efficiency of the heart and lungs. Your dog's heart and lungs have to work harder to provide adequate oxygen and circulation.

• Diabetes. Just as in humans, diabetes is much more common in obese dogs.

• Liver Disease. Obese dogs are prone to liver disease.

• Heat Intolerance. The insulating properties of excessive fat make it harder for obese dogs to tolerate heat and they feel uncomfortable.

• Skin Problems. Obese dogs may have trouble grooming because the rolls of skin built up by fat deposits can often harbor dirt, bacteria and other harmful organisms.

• Gastrointestinal Disorders. Inflammation of the pancreas is frequently found in obese dogs. It is painful and can be life threatening.

How Dogs Become Overweight?

Dogs most always become overweight from lack of good exercise and from eating more food than they require. Food calories, which aren't burned during their daily activities, are stored as fat.

Overeating can result from greediness, boredom, or overfeeding. Feeding leftovers or giving frequent snacks or treats often contributes to excess weight problems.

Over-fed puppies tend to become overweight dogs. They also have a greater risk of developing orthopedic problems. Properly feed puppies will be less likely to suffer from weight problems later in life.

Occasionally, metabolic disorders can cause a dog to become overweight. But overfeeding and under exercising are much more common causes of excess weight. If your veterinarian suspects that a metabolic disorder is causing your dog to gain weight, he or she will test for that disorder and treat it accordingly.

How Can I Tell if My Dog is Overweight?

A quick check to determine whether your dog is overweight is to feel his ribs with the flat palm of your hand. If you have difficulty feeling his ribs, then your dog probably needs to lose weight.

Helping Your Dog Lose Weight.

Weight loss for most dogs involves increased exercise and eating food with fewer calories. It's generally easier to feed normal amounts of a low-calorie dog food than to feed much smaller amounts of his/her regular dog food. In addition, your dog will not feel as hungry when fed a normal amount of food

Dieting for Dogs.

Your vet will help set a weight goal for your dog and will recommend how much food he should eat each day. A special diet may also be prescribed. The food choice should be designed to satisfy your dog's appetite and provide him all the vitamins and minerals he needs while at the same time helping him to lose weight.

Your dog may need a gradual transition from the old to the new diet. So, you would feed him increasing amounts of the new diet while decreasing the amounts of the previous diet each day over several days until the transition is complete.

To help keep your dog from begging, feed him before your family eats, and keep him out of the room during your meal. It is also a good idea to feed overweight dogs at the same time as other pets to help prevent food stealing from their slimmer companions. Always provide plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Regular exercise, such as walks or runs, is good for most dogs because it increases the number of calories they burn. If your dog is old or in poor health, check with your vet before increasing exercise.

The time period your dog will require to lose weight depends upon how much weight he is required to lose. Your dog may need 8 to 14 weeks or longer to reach his target weight.

What Type of Dog Food is Good for Weight Control?

A dieting dog has special nutritional needs. His diet should be balanced with a proper ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The diet should also provide a normal volume of food to satisfy his hunger and the food should also provide quality nutrients.

Weight loss plans don't need to include high levels of fiber. Fiber is not necessary for weight loss in pets, and in large amounts, it may have side effects such as increased feces and lack of interest in the food because of its poor taste.

We recommend Canine Zone – a revolutionary weight loss dog food based on Dr. Barry Sears' Zone Diet. Millions of people all over the world have improved their health and have lost weight on Dr. Barry Sears' Zone Diet. Now you can get your dog in "The Zone". Canine Zone is based on the Zone's 30-30-40 ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates. This revolutionary new dog food will help your dog achieve a balance so his or her body can operate at its maximum efficiency while shedding unwanted pounds.

Always consult with your vet before you start a weight loss program for your dog.

About The Author

Bev Storer is a writer and researcher in the field of nutrition and nutritional supplements. To learn more about Canine Zone, go to http://www.dog-food-zone.com or e-mail her directly at info@dog-food-zone.com.

Choosing The Right Puppy Or Dog

Writen by Sandra Oberreuter

So you have decide you want a cute puppy or older dog. They make wonderful companions and pets for families, however, they will be a permanent part of your life for a long time.

To start off you need to decide if you want a puppy or a full-grown dog. A puppy needs to be housebroken and given obedience training. With an older dog you can see what you are getting. You know what his coat, size and personality is. A older dog is housebroken, usually has had obedience training, is less destructive and has house manners. He may, however, have some behavioral or health problems.

Before you go out and buy that puppy or dog ask yourself some questions first.

What breed fits your lifestyle? Do you want an active dog or a lap dog?

Can you afford a dog? Remember, besides food you have vaccinations and maybe vet bills.

Do you have the patience to train a puppy? Maybe an adult fully-trained dog would be better.

Do you have space for a dog? If so what size of dog would fit best?

Do you have children and what age are they? You need to consider the size of the dog because

children can accidently injure some small dogs. Some dogs don't get along well with children either.

Do you have time to exercise a dog? Some require a lot of exercise while some require very little.

Do you work all day? Some dogs don't do well if left alone all day.

Do you have other pets? Will they get along?

Some dogs need a lot of grooming while some require very little.

Decide what breed you want or are interested in and find out the temperament and characteristics of that breed. If buying a pure bred buy from a reputable dog breeder. Contact as many kennels as possible to learn all you can about a peculiar breed. Often a good breeder has a waiting list but they are the safest to buy from.

The health of the puppies is the most important thing. Breeders should provide you with the necessary papers that confirm the pup came from a health certified parent. Know what possible health issues the breed has that you want and question the breeder. A breeder should be available to answer all your questions.

If you get an adult dog from a shelter he should have received preventive health care and checked for heartworm.

The Top 3 Tricks Horse Owners Can Use To Unspoil A Barn Spoiled Horse

Writen by Andy Curry

It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have time to ride this afternoon and there ain't no one gonna stop you. Excited, you saddle up your horse and get on him. You get about 50 feet from the barn and your horse turns around and goes back – and you can't stop him. Why? You have a barn spoiled horse. This is a common scenario for novice horse owners.

Here are the top three tricks to solve the barn sour problem.

Teach your horse that you have control over him. Once your horse gets it in his mind that you can make him do what you want him to do, you have control over him and can thus make him leave the barn. One way to get control over him is to use a training technique called doubling. When you double your horse you teach him you can control him.

It doesn't take long before your horse will know you can control him. Be careful when doubling though. If you do it too much at a time you can over do it. Your horse could get so sensitive to you doing it that he may try to anticipate it. If he sees your hands making the slightest movement that looks like you're about to double him, he may double himself. Thus, just double him four to six times a day on both sides. He'll quickly learn you have control.

The next thing you can try is this: Make it dang hard to do the wrong thing – and make it real easy to do the right thing. Here's what I mean. A while back my horse didn't want to leave her buddies or the barn. We'd get about 100 feet away and she'd turn around and bolt back. She'd stop in front of the barn expecting me to get off, remove the saddle and tack, and put her back into the corrals.

By my barn is two hay stacks. There is a space between them big enough to go through and do figure eights around the hay stacks. So every time she'd go back I would make her work, and work, and work at running figure eights around those hay stacks. Then I would test her to see if she had enough and would leave the area.

The first seven times she ran back. Each time we came back to the barn we'd run more laps around the hay stacks. I could tell she was getting tired. But the eighth time I walked her away from the hay stacks I noticed she went quite a ways before turning to go back.

When we went back again we ran more figure eights. Only this time I could tell we didn't have to do too many. I walked her out and away from doing the figure eights and I suddenly had a horse who decided that it was sooo much nicer going for a walk away from the barn rather than doing a bunch of crummy ol' figure eights. We had a nice ride that day and she was in no hurry to get home.

The last thing to do is this: Ride. Ride a lot. Don't wait for weeks or months in between riding. Try to ride at least once per week for three or four hours. Preferably, try to ride at least twice a week for a few hours at a time. (Ideally, you should ride everyday. But that's hard to do with today's time constraints) Doing that your horse will get in his brain that you're going to ride and he's going to leave the barn and there will be no argument. In fact, if you want to have a great horse the biggest secret is this: Ride the heck out him!

So if your horse is barn spoiled you can try doubling him to show you are in control. The next thing you can try is making the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy. Make it dang hard for him to go the wrong thing and very pleasant to do the right thing. And lastly, ride your horse often. Two to three times a week if possible.

About The Author

Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.

Dog Training On A Leash

Writen by Amy Howells

Dog training is something all dog owners should put their dog through. But did you know there are often some parts of dog training that people often forget about or don't utilize?

This type of dog training is when your dog is wearing a leash. Many people don't even realize that there are so many things a dog can learn while on a leash. If you are one of those people who would like to learn about dog training on a leash, please read on.

The first part of dog training while on a leash is to teach your dog to walk on a leash.

Many dogs get scared or confused when they first start wearing a leash.

Always remember to be positive and use lots of praise when introducing your dog to a leash. Make the dog training fun. Soon your dog will be accustomed to the leash and you can move on to other dog training.

If you are one of those poor people who has trouble getting your dog to pay attention while learning the basics of dog training (sit, stay, hell, come, etc.) you will soon find that teaching them to do these things while on a leash is often helpful.

Basic dog training can often be easier if the dog is on a leash. This is because the dog can't really run off or lose focus because you have him on a leash.

The next part of dog training you can do on a leash is to teach your dog not to jump or pull. First, we will start with the dog training that teaches your dog not to jump. If your dog gets excited and tries to jump on a person or other things, tell it "no" in a firm voice.

Then, utilize your other dog training knowledge and make the dog sit until it calms down. Repeat as many times as necessary so that the dog training will set in.

Now for dog training that teaches your dog not to pull. If your dog pulls you while you are walking, first get a shorter leash.

This keeps the dog closer to you. If the dog starts to pull, tell it "no" in a firm voice and make it sit if it continues. This dog training will work with repetition and patience.

When dog training on a leash, remember to always use praise and positive reinforcement. Dogs respond much better to this type of dog training. If you have trouble with this type of dog training, then take your dog to as dog training course.

Many of theses courses are available at good rates. With the right dog training, your dog will learn how to properly behave while on a leash and in turn things will be much easier for you!

Amy Howells is an expert dog trainer who owns a website dedicated to teaching dog owners the short-cuts to dog training.

You can also sign up to her free e-course and discover the astonishing short-cut secrets to dog obedience training.

What Is A Shih Tzu Standard

Writen by Steve Allison

The Shih Tzu is a toy dog of small stature and enormous heart. This lovable little dog is often a spoilt member of the family; if you own a Shih Tzu you will understand the love their owners feel for their!

If you want to show off your beautiful, purebred Shih Tzu at competitions on any level then you will need to familiarize yourself with the standards and requirements.

The American Kennel Club has clearly defined guidelines when it comes to what kinds of physical attributes your Shih Tzu will need to exhibit.

If you want to show, breed or are just interested in learning about the Shih Tzu Breed then here are some things you can do. Ask your breeder, your Vet, use the Internet and learn everything you can about Shih Tzu's.

The breed specifications are long and detailed for the Shih Tzu to account for many of the variations.

Summary of general breed specifications:

Overall Appearance:

The Shih Tzu is sturdy and lively with a long flowing double coat. A proud bearing and a distinctively arrogant manner with the head generally carried well up and a curved tail which rests on the back.

There is a great variation on the size of the Shih Tzu but the dog must carry a good weight and give an overall impression of a compact, solid and well built dog.

Size, Proportion, Substance

The ideal weight for adult dogs is anywhere within the range of 9 to 16 pounds. The highest point of the back (known as the withers) should be not less than 8 inches. The ideal Shih Tzu should be well proportioned. The length between the withers and the root of the tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The dog may not appear to be 'leggy' or conversely may not appear dumpy or squatty. Substance - Regardless of size, the Shih Tzu is compact solid

Head

The head should be round, broad, with a wide space between eyes. The head must appear to be in balance with the overall size of the dog. The Shih Tzu should have a warm, sweet, wide-eyed, friendly and trusting. AN overall well-balanced, pleasant _expression is the most important aspect of the features of the head.

The judges carefully examine beyond the hair to determine if what is seen is the actually head and shape or if careful grooming has been used to cover faults.

Faults

- Narrow Head
- Close-set eyes
- Small, close-set or light eyes
- Excessive eye white
- Snippiness
- Lack of definite stop
- Pink on nose, lips or eye rims
- Overshot bite

Competing with your Shih Tzu

Of course if you want to show your Shih Tzu you will need to read as much as possible on the subject. Read everything you can and discuss

The breed standards can differ from country to country and also even within various breed organizations. Generally you can be sure that even between different judges there are limits as to what is consider a variant and what is considered to be a fault. Interpretation varies as do judges tastes.

The Shih Tzu standard is made up with fanciers, breeder's nation wide. If you do not plan to show your Shih Tzu then just about any puppy will do. These are some good guidelines in what to look for but being exact is not necessary. If you have found the cutest, healthiest little puppy then that is all your family will need.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu's and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide.

Choosing The Right Dog Food

Writen by Emillie Loh

When choosing the type of dog food to feed your dog, you need to consider his age, breed, your dog's activity level and also his health condition. For instance, puppies and older dogs will have different types of nutritional needs and you need to ensure your dog or puppy has sufficient consumption of these nutrition for a long and healthy live. It is best if you seek advice from your veterinarian before deciding on which dog food to feed your dog or puppy.

Two most popular choices of dog foods are:

Dry Dog Food Feeding your dog with dry dog food, usually in small pieces of kibbles, is perhaps one of the most popular choices among dog owners. However, not all dog food brands use high quality natural ingredients. Ensure to read the label of ingredients listed before purchasing any brands of dog food. Here are some guidelines to help you to have some ideas of what the label actually tells you:

No Preservative, Artificial Colors and Flavors. Generally, natural dog food contains no preservative, artificial colors and flavors. Consumption of these components may be harmful to your dog's health if taken in a long run. Avoid those that labeled "chemical additives as a source of flavor".

Color. Lookout for the color of the dog food, generally dog food made from natural ingredients is in soft earth tones. Existence of other colors like red or green may contain some source of additives.

Type of Meat. Avoid brands that labeled "ingredients include meat by-product". Choose one that made from natural meat such as chicken, lamb or liver.

Raw Dog Food According to veterinarian, feeding your dog with raw dog food is the healthiest and the best. Raw dog food contains all natural and unprocessed ingredients. A healthy raw dog food meal usually contains 40% meat, 30% fiber and 30% starch. Thereby, when preparing a meal for your dog, be sure to include some source of vegetables and starch in addition to the uncooked meat such as liver, beef, lamb and etc. Types of vegetables like broccoli, carrots and yams are all good sources of fibers and starches for your dog.

Author Emillie Loh is a dog lover and owner of a dog-related website. For more information on dog training, visit Dog Obedience Training

Fish Tank Lights Offer A Lot Of Variety

Writen by Keith Londrie

When buying fish tank lights, remember that there are literally hundreds of options available to you. Gone are the days of only being able to light your tank via fluorescent lights. You can now choose from a variety of different lights, each of them with their own advantages and disadvantages. Before purchasing anything, be sure that you know what each lighting source is capable of. You want to ensure that you get the lights that will best suit the needs of you and your fish. There are colored lights and regular white lights. These are mostly a personal preference, so choose carefully. Consider the colors in your tank, for example the color of gravel and the color of the fish and the color of other items in the tank. Plan ahead when looking for lighting.

Fluorescent lights can often be had as a universal design. This is the easiest way to pick out lights for your new or old fish tank. A universal design means that the fish tank lights can fit any brand of tank, both saltwater and freshwater. Fluorescent lights are often vented for heat dissipation. They are also made of polystyrene and water resistant rubber. Fluorescent fish tank lights are the most popular available. There are so many different types and styles that you will need to do some research in order to get the lighting system that is best suited to your particular situation. The pricing range on lighting systems is as varied as the variety of lights available.

Metal halide fish tank lights offer a simple hanging design. This allows for easy adjusting of the height. These fish tank lights also offer a protective lens that shields harmful UV rays. Metal halide lights are not as common as fluorescent lights, but still have their place in the market. Some simple online research will allow you to discover the advantages of metal halide over fluorescent fish tank lights and vice versa. You will be able to find the pros and cons of each within minutes. There is a wealth of information available both online and at the pet stores.

Fluorescent and metal halide fish tank lights are the two most popular methods, but by no means are they the only two available. To find out which fish tank lights are best for you, visit your local pet store. They will be able to help you decide on which lights are most efficient for your setup.

Keith Londrie II is a well known author. For more information on Fish Aquariums, please visit Fish Aquariums Information for a wealth of information.

Should You Buy Dog Health Insurance

Writen by Steve Austin

Should you seriously consider buying a dog health insurance policy? Yes, you should. Here's why health insurance for dogs is a good idea:

Dog health insurance saves you money. As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately, veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups, preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of dollars. Why not get some help?

Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts

Health insurance for your dog, like health insurance for yourself, has annual premiums and deductibles. Pet insurance premiums depend on the breed of your dog and the type of policy you decide upon. If you have more than one dog, there is usually a reduced rate after the first policy.

Dog health insurance deductibles can vary as well. The average annual deductible is about $100. You may choose among different coverage plans which are based on your dog's age, breed, and pre-existing medical conditions. Some policies even consider the dog's lifestyle; for instance, whether your dog is purely a pet or a watchdog, too.

Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts

Dog insurance healthcare plans can vary greatly. Some canine health plans are quite comprehensive, covering annual checkups, routine care, vaccinations and other preventive medications, and spaying/neutering, as well as illnesses and accidents. Others only cover unexpected sickness or injuries.

Dog insurance coverage for emergencies begins immediately on most new dog health plans, with a 30-day waiting period for illness and other claims.

Your dog's age can affect your dog's health insurance coverage. Typically, policies begin veterinary healthcare coverage when the dog is 6 to 8 weeks old, although some will start when the dog is younger. Similarly, some dog health insurance companies only will cover dogs under 8 years old unless the animal was already insured with them before turning 8.

Many dog health insurers will not cover your pet if she has a preexisting condition or a terminal illness. Some will insure the dog only if the condition is controlled or stable, usually for 6 months.

With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog healthcare plans.

In short, if you care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you should care about your dog's health insurance coverage, too.

If you love dogs and puppies, visit I-Love-Dogs.com now! You can get, free dog email, send a free dog postcard, learn about the different dog breeds and so much more!

Horse Breeds American Quarter Horse

Writen by Nanette Hughston

The American Quarter Horse is the first breed of horse native to the United States. The breed evolved when the bloodlines of horses brought to the New World were mixed. Foundation American Quarter Horse stock originated from Arab, Turk and Barb breeds. Selected Stallions and Mares were crossed with horses brought to Colonial America from England and Ireland in the 1600's. This combination resulted in a compact, heavily muscled horse that evolved to fill the colonists passion for short distance racing.

The amazing power behind a quarter horse enabled this great animal to run short distances over a straightaway faster than any other horse with the fastest being named Celebrated American Running Horse. The names for this breed has changed many times over the years until 1940 when a registry was formed to preserve the breed which officially became the American Quarter Horse Association.

In the year 1674 in Enrico County, Virginia the first American Quarter Horse Race was held. They were one-on-one match races down village streets, county lanes and level pastures. Many disagreements and fights were generated from heavy betting of large purse races by 1690.

The American Quarter Horse, due to their calm disposition and quick response time, the horse became known for its "cow sense", being able to outmaneuver cattle. During the 1800's as many pioneer folk moved westward, so did the American Quarter Horse. An abundant amount of cattle ranches stretched across the plains. Making this breed well suited for the cattle ranchers.

In today's world, the American Quarter Horse still remains a great sprinter known for their heavy muscling, but they have exceeded way past the cattle horse. These amazing horses compete in almost every discipline available, from rodeo events, such as barrel racing and calf roping to English disciplines such as dressage and show jumping. The make a nice little children's hunter as well, with the ability to jump a wide range of heights. They are one of the most versatile breeds in the world.

Many pleasure riders still look to the American Quarter horse for recreational riding, as they make a nice pleasure horse as well.

Breeders, since the creation of the breed over fifty years ago, have diligently been trying to perfect the bloodlines to produce a high quality versatile animal.. Strict guidelines have been set by the American Quarter Horse Association regarding registration of the American Quarter Horses. Some of these guidelines include:
1. Limited white markings on the face and below the knee
2. Only thirteen accepted colors recognized by the AQHA. These are sorrel (reddish brown), bay, black, brown, buckskin, chestnut, dun, red dun, gray, grullo, palomino, red roan and blue roan. The official gray color is what most people call white, but there are no "white" American Quarter Horses.
3. A quarter horse foal must be the product of a numbered American Quarter Horse dam and a numbered American Quarter Horse sire. There is an appendiz registry for foals with one numbered American Quarter Horse parent and one Throughbred parent registered with The Jockey Club.

Some other notable characteristics of the American Quarter Horse is their speed, versatility, gentle nature, heavy muscling and keen cow sense.

If you own an American Quarter Horse, no matter what discipline you choose to ride, your horse will excel. This breed is one of the most enjoyable horse breeds around today and one of the most popular.

Nanette Hughston is a freelance writer from the southern United States Region. She has a bachelor's degree in finance. She rides dressage with Grand Prix Level Trainer, Tracy Masterson at Highlife Farms, Orlando, FL. For more information and articles please see her website at http://www.dressageamerica.com and http://www.informbyweb.com and to visit her training site, please visit http://www.highlifefarms.com for dressage and hunter/ jumper information. Permission for reprint is granted with full bio remaining intact.

Free To Good Home Dogs

Writen by Dean Shain

If you're looking for free to good home dogs it is very important that you acknowledge the fact that these will be great additions to your family since they can give a lot of different feelings to the people close to you. They are extremely good with kids and they will prove to be excellent companions for them over time while teaching them the values of friendship, love and caring. You may be able to find a lot of free dog adoptions specially if you search in the Internet, you will soon discover the many different options that you have for acquiring wonderful dogs that will serve as companions for you and your family.

Free to good home dogs are incredibly efficient for helping a family to grow closer, consider a puppy adopt if you want your kids to spend more time with your family when they are looking after their newly acquired dog and they will be much more responsible for their actions since now it will affect other members of the family, meaning the newly acquired puppy. Free dog adoptions do not only help your family but you will also be helping dogs out of the streets and giving them food and shelter, this way we can keep the streets safe from diseases and you will also be helping a puppy to acquire a great way of life.

Free dog adoptions can be found practically everywhere you live, but if you're having trouble finding one in your vicinity your best option is searching the Internet where you will find many different choices for you to select the poppy that that better suits your needs. Free to good home dogs will be extremely efficient in keeping you company; you will find not only a new pet but also a very loving friend which will be your companion every time you need.

Start living today the wonderful event that acquiring a puppy will bring, consider about a puppy adopt and become one of the persons who has already started to change their way of life by helping a puppy and at the same time help yourself acquiring a great friend. Every time that you heard about dogs being man's best friends you were listening to the most accurate statement that has never been made about animals. Free dog adoptions will help you to acquire the company that you have expected and will also allow puppies to find home and care from someone as important as you. Do not allow these puppies to roam the streets without care or love and acquire free to good home dogs today, you will not regret this decision and your family will be very grateful.

Check out Dean's teacup puppies website and my teacup puppies blog