ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bark Busters USA, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, announced a record-breaking private donation of $22,411 in cash and in-kind contributions to the SPCAI Operation Baghdad Pups program-the culmination of its “Bring the Soldiers’ Pups Home” campaign, fueled by the effort and generosity of Bark Busters trainers, their clients, and countless dog-loving communities nationwide.

“It’s been a great honor for our trainers to help these special dogs and soldiers make the difficult transition from war zone to family home” As longtime supporters of Operation Baghdad Pups, which provides assistance to military personnel overseas who wish to transport adopted pets home to the United States, Bark Busters Dog Behavioral Therapists across the nation have provided free training and advice to these two- and four-legged heroes since 2009.

“It’s been a great honor for our trainers to help these special dogs and soldiers make the difficult transition from war zone to family home,” said Liam Crowe, CEO and Master Dog Behavioral Therapist at Bark Busters USA. “We’ll continue to offer our services free of charge to Operation Baghdad Pups, but this year, we wanted to do even more to support this critical program.”

Bark Busters and SPCAI launched a system-wide campaign in May, and at its National Conference last month, Terri Crisp, program manager for Operation Baghdad Pups, was on hand to accept a $22,411 check, along with Sergeant Major David Dantzler and his Operation Baghdad Pup, Iram.

“These animals, like Iram, not only help our heroes in the war zone, but they also help them readjust to life back home after combat,” Crisp says. “We’re so privileged to have great partners like Bark Busters USA who donate their time and skills to help these dogs.”

Operation Baghdad Pups has provided veterinary care and coordinated logistics to help bring home 351 animals that servicemen and women have befriended and relied on for emotional support while deployed in the Middle East.

Visit www.BarkBusters.com or www.SPCAI.org for more information.

About Bark Busters - Bark Busters, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, more than 500,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural methods. To fetch a trainer in your area, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.BarkBusters.com.

Saving the lives of overlooked and discarded animals has been the job of the SPCA since it’s inception in 1824. The SPCA had its simple beginnings primarily to prevent the abuse of carriage horses in the days before automobiles in England. Horses were driven through freezing cold winters and stiflingly hot summers, often with little food, water or rest. The carriage drivers were interested only in making as much money as possible, and would beat the horses if they refused to or were unable to pull the carriages.

The first American SPCA was started in 1866 in New York City and has since added SPCA’s all over the country and the rest of the world. SPCA International seeks to develop and utilize a worldwide platform that both supports independent animal shelters and promotes the safety of animals.

The majority of SPCA International and humane societies around the world are not affiliated with national organizations, as most people may presume. They depend on funds that are either privately donated, acquired from grants or through major organizations like SPCA International that seeks to develop and utilize a worldwide platform that both supports independent animal shelters and promotes the safety of animals.

There are several ways to support your SPCA international. First and foremost are outright monetary donations and supplies. Second are matching gifts. Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations. Most of these programs match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even double or triple the amount of your gift!

Another way is to plan a future gift. Each year millions of Americans make gifts in support of charitable purposes of their choice. In today’s environment, these gifts are more important than they’ve ever been before when it comes to helping fund the work of charitable entities like the SPCA.

Did you know that there are things that might actually hurt your pet in way more serious ways that you might even know? We love our pets and we want what is best for them and it is therefore really important that we know what to do or not to do.

The first things is that you need to make sure that you’re pet is given the proper food and other nutritional products that the specific breed might require. Even though we all know how important proper food is to a body (dog, cat, bird or human) we’re often going for quick solutions rather than the right solutions and the effect shows in all the statistics.

When you truly realize the effect that malnutrition can have on your pet (and yourself) you’ll be likely to change habits instantly. And if you find yourself in that situation or if you’re have been giving it some thoughts that your pet might not be fed the right pet food, then luckily there is a perfect solution. And that is to go see your VET and ask her what she recommends.

Proper nutrition will be really expensive in most cases and therefore you’ll find a lot of people that knows what the right thing to do is but that still won’t do it because it’ll cost too much. Time and money are not something that ordinary people have too much of these days.

But however you twist and turn it the outcome will still be the same. Malnutrition will lead to poor health, more illnesses and will result in our pets living a mediocre life. With a poor immune system viruses will sneak in on them and you’ll find them becoming ill more often as time goes by.

Accidents tends to occur more often to pets will low levels of energy and poor health conditions and in most of these situation it is caused partially by the lack of good food. It is sad as the solution is so obvious.

Getting back on your feed after being in an accident or having been ill will take a lot longer if you haven’t been eating right. This is exactly the same situation our pets face if we’re not providing the proper food for them.

In case you don’t want to or don’t have the financial ability to pay for the highly priced pet food that your pet would need then you might want to thing about signing your pet up for a low cost insurance plan. There are several great ones out there but you must know where to look to find them

If you grew up without having the chance to own a pet dog because your strict parents won’t allow you to mingle with these supposedly filthy and hyperactive animals, then you know that your life is not the same as kids who had their favorite pup grow up with them. Now, if you don’t want the same thing happening to your children, get them a pet dog that will be their best friend for life.

It is not easy to just get a dog for a pet. You have to consider plenty of things before taking the plunge. Bear in mind that you are to share your life with this animal for a long time. Therefore, think if your family members will be agreeable with your decision. Then, there is the factor of your house and lawn. You might also mull over what breed you want as well as the maintenance expenses. You have to make sure it won’t drain your monthly budget.

Read on as this article spills the details in each factor. Hopefully, this will help you greatly in your quest for the perfect dog.

If you are living alone, then you are the sole decision-maker in this situation. However, if you have a wife and kids, they should also be allowed to put in their two cents’ worth so that you can truly weigh the pros and cons in an objective manner. Making a crucial choice should be a collaborative process.

Second, take note if you live in a cramped condominium unit, a modest apartment, or a palatial abode in the suburb. This will be important so that you will have an idea whether you should get a toy dog, a guard dog or a sport dog. Breeds under the toy dog classification are content with small spaces. Bigger dogs need bigger spaces. They should also be placed outside the house because confining them in a small spot will lead to mayhem. They should be free to run around in the yard and exercise their long limbs and torso. Surely, you don’t want to come home everyday to a living room that resembles a hurricane-stricken town, right?

Third, find a dog whose breed matches your personality. You should spend hours of deliberation with regards to this issue. Remember that each breed has its share of quirks that must be taken into consideration. If you like small and furry animal friends, toy dogs like a Japanese Spitz and poodle are the perfect choices. You may also want to include terriers and pugs in your list of possible options. They are playful and need constant attention so someone who is enthusiastic will get along well with them. Authoritative figures are best suited for German shepherd, Pit-bull and Rottweiler. They need to be disciplined and controlled so they are definitely not for the faint of heart. They require an individual who can force them into submission when they are still young so that they will grow up as well-mannered adults.

Fourth, if you have a limited amount of money for the dog’s upkeep, get one that is not a burden to the pocket. This means saying no to cute and furry animals that need weekly grooming care and monthly visit to the vet. Others, like the Siberian husky, need an extremely cold location in order to thrive. If you think you can’t keep up with the increase in your electric bill for his air conditioning needs, forget his kind.

There is no need to rush when getting a pet dog. Patience is a virtue in this case. Since you will be together for a long time, it pays to get the perfect pooch.

Now that you have your dog and have it for awhile, you know how to take care of its needs. You water and feed it every day and then groom it when needed. Do you want to know how to help you dog live for more years? Here is one way to help your dog live for more years.

Feeding your dog carefully is important to its health. Look for dog food that gives it totally daily nutrients. For a long time it has been advised not to feed your dog from the table scraps, that you and your family leave behind after a meal. It could cause your pet to put on excess weight.

The food that is specially made for dogs try to control the amount of fats that the dog would consume. There are various categories for the dog food which are adults, puppies, and dogs of the senior ages. Each category is made to help the dog in their development, at the age they are at.

Make sure that you put out water every day for your dog. Similar to humans, they need to be hydrated too. So be certain that your dog’s water bowl is refreshed when necessary, or purchase the type of water bowl that has a container that feeds water to the bowl automatically.

Brush and groom your dog as often as recommended for the breed. You can brush your dog daily and bathe most dogs at least every other week. Some dogs will have to be bathed more often depending on how often they play outside and get dirty. Having a healthy coat is part of a dog’s overall health.

Dogs require a certain amount of exercise as do humans, and you can use different methods to accomplish this. Take your dog along on your walks with you. A dog can be trained to catch the Frisbee up in the air; they will run full out to do so. You can also play fetch with your dog using a stick or a ball; the dogs will run with joy to do this trick. Some of the dogs even enjoy swimming and will swim in a lake or a pool right beside you. Competitions are held where dogs go through a particular course or set of activities. Many parks today have areas for the dogs to go in and play together.

An annual checkup by a vet is required for your dog. There are certain vaccines that the dogs require to help protect them against diseases like rabies. Their ears and teeth also need to be in good health. The dog will have a hard time eating and getting nutrition without teeth. A dog’s ears can become easily infected, depending on the breed, when not given proper care. Your vet will show you how to give your dog the correct care.

Follow the method outlined here and add plenty of love and your dog will live a longer life. Dogs become part of our families and losing one is very heartbreaking, so take good care of your dog today. This way they can be part of your family for many years to come.

If you feel that being alone in this whole world is a sad reality, maybe you are right. However, a company can be found in the arms of a human being if one is willing to take the risk. If you are not that brave, you might try getting someone who is not that complicated to be with. Did you know that that particular someone may not exactly be human but is still in need of some motherly love and affection? What we’re talking about here is a pet.

Since time immemorial, pets have been considered as great friends of people. They can provide a listening ear without spewing off harsh judgments and cynical comments. They have great virtues, such as being trustworthy, smart, affable and even responsible to a certain degree. And, unlike humans who can be so possessive, they do not require attention. They can survive even without bothering you at your place of work. Don’t you find it a great relief that they don’t bombard you with negative emotions?

You can choose from a wide selection that is available in the pet store or in the veterinarian’s clinic. There are dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and even exotic animals like albino pythons and tarantulas. Whatever your personality may be, there is always a corresponding pet to fit your judicious needs.

A lot of people opt to buy tame animals like cats and dogs because they are relatively easy to care for. For those who pick a cat over a dog, here are certain advantages that a cat can give its owner. Read this article why being a cat owner is satisfying.

One, being a cat owner trains you to become more aware of other’s needs. Not only will you worry about your basic necessities for the week, you will also learn what food, grooming stuff, exercise routine and medication your cat will require. You will also deal with the fact that you have to visit the vet in case your pet doesn’t feel well. All these may sound like additional chores in your lifestyle but the virtues you will develop are simply priceless. Other people will definitely notice that you have changed for the better.

Second, having a cat will give you a motivation to wake up each day with enthusiasm. This is because you have something to look forward to. You are not merely living for yourself anymore. If previously you lived your day to day activities in a robotic manner, now, you will feel more energized. You will also have another reason for going home early because you are aware that someone awaits your presence. If you feel stressed out from all the tension-filled meeting at the office, playing with your cat is a great way to de-stress.

Third, you can add more friends to your list if you participate in activities being sponsored by cat lovers or by joining a cat owners’ group. Since you have the same concern, you will not lose a topic to talk about. There are many passionate people like you who are into cats. There is no need for weird icebreakers to be performed if you find yourself in this predicament.

So there you have it, the reasons why being a cat owner is great. What are you waiting for? Get one now.

It is not embarrassing to admit that every person needs someone to accompany him in this journey through life. However, a partner may not always come in the form of a human being. Sometimes, it could be an animal. There is nothing wrong with that because there are some reasons why an animal is a better choice than a human being. They are easy to take care of and do not present a complication. They are also to shower with love and affection, just like what a mother does to her children.

Pets are the best way to have bonding moments with if you don’t feel like being in other people’s company. They are loyal, friendly and smart enough to be taught certain responsibilities and even a few fancy tricks. Unlike clingy individuals, you can leave them alone in your place without worrying that they will bother you every so often in your office. Isn’t it such a relief to be free from unwanted attention?

You can choose from a wide selection that is available in the pet store or in the veterinarian’s clinic. There are dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and even exotic animals like albino pythons and tarantulas. Whatever your personality may be, there is always a corresponding pet to fit your judicious needs.

Most people go for domesticated animals like cats and dogs. However, there are certain benefits that a cat can give its owner that a dog can’t. Read on why being a cat owner is great.

One, being a cat owner trains you to become more aware of other’s needs. Not only will you worry about your basic necessities for the week, you will also learn what food, grooming stuff, exercise routine and medication your cat will require. You will also deal with the fact that you have to visit the vet in case your pet doesn’t feel well. All these may sound like additional chores in your lifestyle but the virtues you will develop are simply priceless. Other people will definitely notice that you have changed for the better.

Second, a pet cat is something that will easily keep you from getting up late. Since you have to prepare his breakfast, you will have the energy to start the day with vigor. You will be recharged because you know that someone is relying on your presence. You are aware that you are not merely facing the day alone. If you have lived a monotonous routine, your cat will change things for the better. At the end of the day, coming home will also be a pleasant event to look forward to. All the tension in the office will evaporate in the air upon seeing your reason for living. You know that spending time with your pet by playing with him is a stress-releasing activity.

Third, you gain more friends especially if you join a cat owners club. You get to meet like-minded people who can help you if you have feline problems. If you find it quite a challenge to widen your social network because you feel like you have nothing to share, your common interest with your pet is a surefire way to break the ice. You’ll be surprised at how other people can get passionate when they talk about their adorable kitties.

So after reading this interesting and information-filled write up, you are now ready to own a cat. Head to the nearest animal clinic and pick the feline of your choice. Enjoy!

Ever since the beginning of time, dogs have been the most preferred choice as pets by most households. Many have proven that they are proficient, steadfast, smart and trainable in diverse farm duties and simple household tasks. They can be charming and submissive to their owners but vicious to total strangers. These qualities make them an ideal escort for those who are single in life as well as to couples who are just planning to start their own brood. Babies to older adults will not have a hard time adjusting to their presence.

It has been said that a dog’s behavior only reflect his breeding and training. Obviously, there is nothing that you can do anymore to change his breeding. However, there is still a lot you can do with his training. You can still teach new tricks. Now, if you are thinking of getting another puppy as a pet, here are some of the best-kept secrets of puppy training that you should bear in mind.

The first thing that you have to do is to make your pet feel secure in your company. Spend some quality time by playing with him after you have gotten home from your office. This process will ensure that you have established a good rapport. It’s a no-no to start implementing difficult tricks that would boggle his mind because it will not lead to any learning. After making your pet comfortable, slowly impose discipline by taking away his comfortable lifestyle.

Chain him, put him in his kennel or place him inside a crate to show that you mean business. At first, they might get a little noisy and howl until the wee hours of the morning, especially if they have been previously used to a very free lifestyle. Try to be immune to this kind of suffering. Sooner or later, they will realize that all their whimpering will have no effect on you. This will inculcate the fact that you are the boss and your orders must be followed strictly down to the last letter. It won’t be long before they get used to this set up and will look forward to your arrival.

Second, teach him a simple trick followed by a nice reward. The treat could come in the form of a chicken or pork meat. As exemplified by Ivan Pavlov, the famous Russian psychologist, this method will make the dog associate good behavior with food. This will be stored in their memory for a long time if done repetitively.

Third, you can go the opposite way of the second step and let your dog learn through the negative conditioning process. Instead of giving a nice reward, teach him the power of the words no, stop and don’t in a strong and authoritative tone. They will distinguish that it is something significant in relation to your voice.

Fourth, you have to be unswerving in your reward or punishment. When you either of the two, make sure that it is appropriate to the excellent job or the awful deed. Variety should be avoided at all cost or else your dog will develop some kind of a crisis. The same premise applies to all the people in your household.

Lastly, give choices. If there are tricks or tasks that he can’t easily act upon like not digging the front lawn or backyard, then provide another alternative like another digging space beside the dog house yard.

When you are a pet owner, you have a large responsibility to take care of your pet. There are many things that go into making sure your pet is healthy. If you have ever been through your pet being sick you know how heart breaking it is. I know how I feel when my dog gets sick; all I can think of is getting her healthy again. Who else wants a healthier pet?

Make sure to feed your pet good nutritionally balanced food. Also be sure the food is made special for them. Your pet’s food is specifically made to have all the nutrients their body needs for their health. No matter if the pet is a hamster or a cat, they require specifically designed food for their bodies.

In the event that you are going to give your pet people food to consume, make sure it follows their dietary guidelines. Dogs should absolutely not have anything with caffeine in it. This could bring on a heart attack with the dogs. Nor should they have sugar.

Animals can pack on extra pounds too if fed too many calories. This why the standing recommendation is to leave off scraps from the table. Fish that eat too much can die. Just like humans your pets are prone to bad health because of overeating. Most pets need enough water taken in daily to keep hydrated. Now when the pet of choice is fish, then they need certain water conditions to live healthy. So check the water often for any problems.

Be on time with your pet’s annual checkup with the vet if this is relevant to your pet’s health. Cats and dogs both need periodic vaccines to keep from contracting certain diseases. Rabies vaccine is especially important to them. This is even more important if you live in a location where your pets can come in contact with wild creatures.

Every pet needs exercise even fish. Fish do of course get a lot of exercise swimming constantly like they do. Cats and dogs should be ran, played with, and walked be certain that they receive enough healthy exercise. This helps keeps their bodies strong and their weight at the right point. It also helps your pet’s heart be healthy. Walk your cat or dog when you go for a stroll. This is how both of you can get healthier at the same time. Provide a hamster with a wheel to run on for their health, if that is your pet of choice. This way it gets enough exercise for its health.

The last thing our pets to be healthy is our love and attention. We need to pet them and talk to them to let them know they are loved. Even grooming them is part of showing them attention. Dogs and cats both for the most part shed or their coats can become matted without proper brushing.

So use the tips listed here to make your pet the healthiest it can be. We all want out pets to be their healthiest. So make your pet healthier now!

If you feel that being alone in this whole world is a sad reality, maybe you are right. However, a company can be found in the arms of a human being if one is willing to take the risk. If you are not that brave, you might try getting someone who is not that complicated to be with. Did you know that that particular someone may not exactly be human but is still in need of some motherly love and affection? What we’re talking about here is a pet.

Undoubtedly, pets are known to be good choices when it comes to bonding moments especially if one desires freedom from fellow humans. History has shown that pets are extremely loyal, highly intelligent and responsible in certain chores. And, when compared to humans, they are not clingy and can be left alone for hours or even days. Just leave them some food, water and their other basic needs. Isn’t that a relief to be free from constant attention?

You can choose from a wide selection that is available in the pet store or in the veterinarian’s clinic. There are dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and even exotic animals like albino pythons and tarantulas. Whatever your personality may be, there is always a corresponding pet to fit your judicious needs.

Most people go for domesticated animals like cats and dogs. However, there are certain benefits that a cat can give its owner that a dog can’t. Read on why being a cat owner is great.

First of all, if you own a cat, you will develop the virtue of being prudent. This is due to the fact that you have to be constantly on guard for your pet’s needs. You must make sure that there is an ample supply of cat food and vitamins in the shelf. It is imperative that you also have medications and a first aid kit in case some untoward accident happens to your baby. Then, you must also take into consideration the grooming needs as well as exercise activities so that your pet will not easily fall prey to fleas and other diseases. Initially, they might cramp your lifestyle. Yet in the long run, you will realize that you have gained positive traits along the way.

Second, if you possess a cat, you will be motivated to face each day with passion. This results from having found a purpose in life. Basically, you are now aware that you are being relied on; hence, you have something to look forward. You don’t feel as if you are alone in this whole, wide world. Coming home after office hours is also a pleasurable experience now with your cat’s presence. If you had a bad day at the office due to a fight with a co-worker or a crazy meeting with clients, you can de-stress with your beloved kitty.

Third, you can add more friends to your list if you participate in activities being sponsored by cat lovers or by joining a cat owners’ group. Since you have the same concern, you will not lose a topic to talk about. There are many passionate people like you who are into cats. There is no need for weird icebreakers to be performed if you find yourself in this predicament.

So there you have it, the reasons why being a cat owner is great. What are you waiting for? Get one now.