Posts Tagged ‘ dog ’

 
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

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.

About the Author:
 
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

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!

About the Author:
 
Saturday, August 1st, 2009

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.

About the Author:
 
Friday, July 10th, 2009

When you own a pet you take on the responsibility for their lives. So many factors play into your pet being healthy. You have probably had a sick pet at some time your life, and you know how that can tug at your heart. I have had a sick dog so I know it feels, I could only thinks about getting her well. Does your pet need to be healthier?

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.

If you are going to feed them any people food, make sure it follows the guidelines of what they should have to eat. Take dogs for instance they should never have anything that has caffeine in it. Caffeine is very bad for a dog’s heart and could lead to them having a heart attack. They also should not be fed sugar.

If animals are overfed they can put on too much weight. This is the reason you should not feed any pets table scraps. You can actually make fish die by feeding them too much. Pets like people can become unhealthy by consuming too much food. Allow your pet to drink enough water per day for them to get hydrated. Now if you own fish for pets make sure to keep their water clear and clean. You need to keep a close eye on the water so that you can spot problems early.

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.

Following the above suggestions will help you have the healthiest pet you can have. Is this not what all of us pet owners want? So have a healthier pet today!

About the Author:
 
Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Owning pets is no easy task. You have a lot of responsibilities to fulfill so that they can grow up to be well-mannered animals in the future. These responsibilities include satisfying their basic needs as well as their wants. From their food to their shelter, from their grooming to their health requirements, all these chores will be yours to shoulder the moment you have possession of your beloved creature. It is no different from being a parent to a human baby.

Dogs top the list of the most preferred pet in the history of mankind. They are loyal, easy to train, smart and fun to be with. Whether you like guard dogs like German shepherd or pit bulls, toy dogs like Japanese Spitz or Shih Tzu, sport dogs like Golden Retriever and Doberman, you will surely be having the time of your life if you spent it with these wonderful animals.

Since you get a lot of benefits hanging out with your pet dog, doesn’t it follow that you should also do everything within your means to keep them blissful? It’s the least you can do for all the unforgettable moments that they have given you. Here are some significant ways to make your dog happy. Read on.

The primary thing that you ought to do to maintain your dog in a state of heaven is to supply it with the obligatory food, water, exercise, dog house and a regular visit to the affable neighborhood veterinarian. Make sure that you are presenting them with nutrients that are suitable for their breed and age. Larger dogs require more calories and protein than their tinier counterparts. In a similar approach, puppies have somewhat different nutritional requirements than their adult counterparts. Dogs with deep and feathery coat also need supplementary zinc and other minerals compared to those with thinner and finer hair.

Daily or weekly exercise is the way to go in terms of physical activities for these four-legged creatures. Walking them in the park or playing Frisbee with them three times a week for a minimum of at least 30 minutes per session is enough to give their cardiovascular system a good workout. This will prevent them from getting obese or developing diseases like atherosclerotic hearts.

A refuge is necessary to protect them from the extremes of the temperature. It will also act as their protection during windy days.

Visiting the local vet will also guarantee that they are in tiptop shape. Be cognizant of their needed vaccinations. Shots against rabies and Parvo virus must be ticked off in their medical record. Pay attention to your vet’s recommendation if he wants added immunizations because they are responsive that each dog breed has varying needs.

You may also give them a treat once in a while by giving them luxurious sessions in a dog spa. Cool shower baths, extensive nail clipping, fur conditioning, tooth brushing and other related services will make your pet dog feel so pampered. Consequently, these hygienic activities will also help remove the fleas that might have gotten stuck on their skin.

Enjoy your bonding escapades with your pooch. Aside from your other cuddling moments during your exercise activities, make time to play with him as soon as you get home from your office work. You may also try talking to him like you would any normal person. Studies show that relating with animals decrease the harmful stress hormone cortisol in the body. Therefore, this task will then give long-term benefits to both of you.

Lastly, dog-proof your home so that unwanted situations can be avoided or at the very least, minimized. Make sure all electrical appliances are kept or installed in safe places. Be careful about dangling wires and sharp or heavy kitchen tools and utensils spread just about anywhere. Place your things in their appropriate locations so that your pet dog won’t trip on them.

About the Author:
 
Sunday, June 28th, 2009

The worldwide economic crisis has affected every living person today. Many are forced to tighten their belts and count every single coin and bill that they have in their wallets in order to make sure that they still have the capacity to spend for their basic needs as well as their wants. Due to the threatening nature of the financial turmoil, everyone is trying to maximize his purchasing power so that in case of possible unemployment news, they would have available cash to move around.

The news of big firms in Wall Street filing for bankruptcy and financial bailout packages doesn’t help calm the mind of ordinary consumers. In fact, it adds fuel to the fire because it will result to lower economic growth and higher inflation rate. This is terrible news to those who are already in deep debt. This grim scenario which hovers over the country like a dark cloud is very scary to all concerned.

Even pet owners are not safe from this dilemma. Yes, it may be true that compared to human beings, expenses for pets are not that scandalously high. However, this should not be grounds to stay complacent and fork out cash like tomorrow is the end of the world. It is vital that you should be careful of how you spend your money in order to have extra cash available should things get much worse. Here is a list of ways to save money on pet food. Hopefully, you will gain tons of benefit after reading this article.

Primarily, you can slash your expenses by purchasing pet food in bulk. You may be curious as to how this is possible. Well, if you were to buy a huge sack weighing seven kilos instead of seven small ones, then it means that less money was spent manufacturing the package. The pet food firm has saved quite an amount, if this is the case. Therefore, the savings they have made will then be passed on to the unwavering consumers.

Another quick way to save is to buy pet food in the internet. It is an open secret that the online marketplace is just as good, if not better, than the real world. By logging online, you have a wide selection that will fit your astute needs. Most web sites present a variety of pet food products, from the lowest priced to the most expensive, depending on the quality. Here, you can easily compare a lot of factors. After you have made a decision, you can easily acquire an item and pay for it using your credit card or PayPal account. In a matter of days, your order will be delivered right at the address you have specified.

Check out your veterinarian’s supply. If you often buy your food products from him, then he will probably give you a discount or a promotional price. It is also possible that he will slash down his mark up if you are consistently purchasing other pet items from his clinic aside from your pet food.

Scan the newspapers and magazines for food coupons. Advertisers usually use it as bait for potential consumers so they place it in this medium. Others prefer handing out the coupons in malls, streets or bazaars wherein a lot of people converge for a quick orientation.

Lastly, you must curtail if not avoid, treats. They can be quite demanding to the pocket if done in a habitual manner. If you must give a nice incentive, make sure that your pet has done something exceptional or astonishing to deserve it. This way, he will learn how to behave better.

About the Author:
 
Monday, June 22nd, 2009

History has shown that most people prefer owning a dog than any other animal as a pet. This is due to the fact that they have proven themselves to be efficient, intellectual and trainable. Dogs have the uncanny ability to be loyal to their masters but wary of strangers. These qualities make them a perfect buddy for those who are living alone as well as to couples who are just beginning to start their own families. No matter what is the age of the person, he can still benefit from the presence of a dog.

A lot of the dog’s behavior has something to do with his breed and training in his days as a young pup. Since you can’t do anything anymore about a dog’s breed because it is an inherent part of his personality, you just have to make sure that he was trained well in his younger days so that you won’t be experiencing any attitude problems when he is already a full grown adult. So the next time you want to get a new puppy as a pet, here are some of the well-kept secrets of puppy training that you should know in order to have a well-behaved pet in the future.

The first thing that you should bear in mind when training a puppy is to start low and go slow. This means that you must first establish a good rapport with your pet. Do not instantaneously start the complicated tricks that will make him want to run away with his tail between his hind legs. Create a favorable mood that will make him relax and be conducive to training. Upon reaching that ideal state, then you can already commence your training schedule. This might seem cruel but you have no alternative if you want to enforce obedience in his existence.

Tie him with a leash, put him inside a dog kennel or put him in a crate to demonstrate that you mean serious business. Initially, he might get a little raucous and yowl until the early hours of the morning. This is more evident especially if they have lived a very free lifestyle. Force yourself to play deaf to this kind of pain. Sooner than you can say “silence”, they will realize that all their whimpering will have no effect on you. This will instill the fact that you are the chief and he is the mere subordinate who must follow orders. It won’t be long before they get used to this situation and will look forward to your arrival.

Second, teach him a simple trick followed by a treat. The treat could come in the form of a small chewable bone or a piece meat. Just like the classic conditioning method by renowned psychologist Ivan Pavlov, they will learn to associate the new trick with food. This will stroke their interest and whet their appetite for more food.

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 alternatives. If there are tricks or chores that he can’t easily obey like not digging the flower patch or the plant box, then provide another option like another digging space within your yard. Don’t be such a strict disciplinarian all the time.

About the Author:

You might have thought about getting an insurance for your pet but thought that it probably wasn’t worth the monthly fee and you will most likely be right some of the time. But not in every case and that is where the risk is.

I know that some of them will find themselves in a situation at one point where they can’t see it any other way than to have their pet die because they couldn’t afford to pay for the proper treatment and medication.

In the following paragraphs I’ll talk to you about some of the benefits and disadvantages of having and not having pet insurance. You’ll have the final choice but it is important that it is based on an actual thought process.

First of all we all know that paying for an insurance policy is like playing the lottery except for the fact that you never hope that you will “the price” when we’re talking about insurance because it means that your pet is in a bad shape. Sometimes signing a pet insurance policy will be a good deal for you as the pet owner and sometimes it will be a good deal for the company.

One of the most common reason that people take on pet insurance is that it provides them with a security. They know that if serious treatment is needed they’ll have the insurance company pay the larger part (if not all) of the bills. Huge medical bills are becoming everyday life and most people will try to avoid them.

Financial certainty and security is also a high priority for many people and the reason that pet insurance is as popular as it is, is that instead of having to pay large amounts of money if or when illnesses or accidents strike you can pay a little each month and don’t worry about the bills if or when they come.

Getting a helping hand with keeping your pet fit and vital is also really important and more and more pet insurance plans will include some kind of health checks and programs that will assist you in keeping your pet at its best.

Pet insurance is not for everyone and it never will be. Some like taking risks and they’ll sometime win and think that they made a great choice. And in the given situation they did. But if you look at all the people that took the same risks but failed you might want to ask yourself whether you want to bet your pets health on your luck?

About the Author: