Pet Shop

Pet Shop toys were introduced in the year 1992 by Kenner and then reintroduced by HASBRO in 2005 with a brand new design and look. The new HASBRO line of the Littlest Pet Shop toys has sold over 60 million products. These products include animal figurines, places for you to play with them, and even digital hand-held pets. There are Stamper Pets that consist of an animal figurine on top and a rolling stamper underneath. Chattering Pets are a set of three animals that make different noises depending on which animal set you get. Littlest Pet shop animals have even been featured in fast food happy meals. Most of the animals come with ID tags, food dishes, toys, and some even come with homes. Some examples of animals you can find are dogs, kittens, horses, mice, chameleons, bunnies, panda, elephants, penguins, fish, and monkeys.

There have been many different play sets released so your child can enjoy playing with the creatures in a variety of locations. There is the Beethoven set, which comes with Saint Bernard dogs. The Family sets come with animal mom's that have magnetized babies so your child can recreate the nursing process. The Adoption Center has cages for different creatures, and includes 2 husky dogs. Your child can pretend to exercise their animal with
the Fitness Center, which includes 2 exclusive figures. Your child can also pretend to babysit pets with the daycare center, which comes with 1 animal and a removable jungle gym. Deco Pets are available to help with your child's creative side by letting them decorate their own pet with included stickers, glue, glitter and a collar. The Littlest Pet Shop Postcard Pet's include one pet, accessories and a postcard you can send to friends. Teeniest Tiniest Pet Shop Pets are also available. These are mini versions of the normal pets and include play sets such as a pasture, the desert, an island, a mouse cage, and an aquarium.

Virtual Interactive Pets (VIPs) let you enter a code from the collar of a Littlest Pet Shop animal and be part of the online interactive world. Here, your child can name their pet, dress them, and play games to earn Kibble Points to buy them things.

 Pet Shop brand also has many other products available such as party supplies, clothes, video games, board games and journals.

pets list

types of pets

pets for sale

pets meaning

pet shop


pet animals

pet medical abbreviation

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3334753

Read More

pets for sale

There is often a lot of money to be made by breeders offering pets for sale. More and more people are purchasing new pets, be it dogs, cats, rabbits or any other animal and as such there is an increasing demand.

Breeders will breed specific animals often pure bred, appearing on a register, and can thus charge a lot of money for their pets. There are though ethical and non-ethical pet breeders offering pets for sale. Ethical pet breeders are normally enthusiasts and pet lovers, unethical ones are just in the business for financial gain. You are likely to find that any pet brought from an unethical breeder will have more problems health wise than other pets.

It is not just breeders who are offering pets for sale and many private individuals and pet stores will also sell pets. Private individuals will normally have two different sorts of pets available. The first sort will be the unwanted pet. This often occurs where a pet has been brought and then found it is too much to take care of. There could also be a change of circumstances that sees it no longer possible to keep a pet, a common problem when moving home or country. The second sort of pets for sale comes when the private individual finds that their pet is to have offspring. When a female cat or dog has offspring there could be more youngsters than an owner knows what to do with.

Pet stores will also offer pets for sale. It is a logical step as they already sell everything else connected with pet care, so why not pets themselves. Pet stores though are often criticized, as the pets are often bred in what are known as mills, which is not how most pet owners would like to think of the origins of their pets. These mills, as used by pet stores and breeders are often blamed for the overproduction of pets, which sees many hundred each month being put into animal shelters, many of whom cannot be re-housed.

You will often find pets for sale in local newspapers, although there has been a growth in the advertisement of animals on the internet as well. Both are great sources to find pets local to a potential owner, although the internet does have the advantage of making it a lot easier to search for a wide range of animals.
pets list

types of pets

pets for sale

pets meaning

pet shop


pet animals

pet medical abbreviation


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1288566

Read More

types of pets

types of pets are some of the greatest things in life that you can have. You can have all types of pets from dogs all the way to cats, rats, snakes, raccoons, etc. Yet no matter what type of pets you have you have to make sure that you love them and take good care of them. There are many places that do not treat their animals the correct way. You need to make sure that your animals have a couple things so that they can live a good life. Those two things are leadership and affection. if you provide your pet with these three things than your pet will absolutely love you for it.

Pets really only live in the moment and they will gladly forget the past if you treat them right in the present. That is why there are animals that have been abused and can then to through rehab to the point of being adopted to a family that will love them. now there are some animals that do not really have a good reputation but most of the time it is not the animals fault. That is what is in there natural system and they have no control over what mother nature tells them to do. For example dogs used to be wild, so the only thing that really is different between them and wolves is the fact that they have been domesticated. You will have to take your precautions. However remember that most animals will not attack and are simply nothing but cute cuddly care bears that happen to sometimes use the bathroom inside.
pets list

types of pets

pets for sale

pets meaning

pet shop


pet animals

pet medical abbreviation



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2790261

Read More

pets list

If you are in the market for apets list for your child, make sure they are ready for it. Consider their age and the kind of pet you would like to have. Children adore pets and there are not too many who do not like them. Here are a few choices of pets to consider.

Hermit crabs are easy to maintain and do not require much care. They grow into bigger shells and are great company for kids. The hermit crab is usually a big hit among the kids and they can be left alone to crawl about their tank or container.

Hamsters are more involved and need to be cared for daily with daily feedings and fresh water. Their cage needs to be cleaned regularly, at least once a week and parents should be aware that hamsters are night time creatures.

This means they will want to be up playing at night when your children are supposed to be sleeping.

Dogs and cats are common pets and often consider a part of the family. As such they have just as many needs and requirements. They are however fairly easy to take care of with the proper house training.

They do need regular bathing and grooming such as combing because they tend to shed their fur. They must be fed several times a day especially when they are young and parents need to be aware that many hours go into training that new puppy.

One could consider professional training for their puppy as this will take the workload off the parents and the guess work involved. Cats do have similar needs but they do not require extensive training.

Reptiles and fish are good pets to own but they do not provide the companionship that many are looking for. When looking for a pet take your child's temperament into consideration and their personality as pet require a lot of love and attention. Make sure to get a pet that teaches your child responsibilities.
pets list

types of pets

pets for sale

pets meaning

pet shop


pet animals

pet medical abbreviation





Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5563251

Read More

How to Choose the Best Commercial Dog Food For Your Dog

Choosing the best commercial store bought food for your dog feeding can be a huge challenge with so many different brands and a multitude of diverse types of food being offered in stores today. Hopefully, this article will simplify things for you to make selecting the best food and the everyday routine of feeding a dog as uncomplicated and enjoyable for both you and your best friend.

Don't be deceived by glossy packaging and enticing slogans... know what to look for when buying commercial food for your dog.

Here are some of the things you should look for when buying a commercial dog food:

There should not be any generic fats or proteins like "animal fat" or meat meal". Instead, look for named sources such as chicken fat, beef fat or lamb meal...the generic term indicates the mixture is coming from several different sources, which is a sign of a very poor quality food. Poultry fat is not considered as bad as animal fat, but chicken fat is even better.

"IMPORTANT": you should never feed a food that uses the generic ingredients "meat meal", "meat and bone meal", or "animal fat".

USDA approved Human Grade Ingredients: This term is somewhat controversial, because dog foods cannot be labeled "human grade" by law. But you can look for companies that use human grade meats and not meats that were rejected by the human food industry. Better yet, for even higher quality, look for hormone free and antibiotic-free meats, especially those that are free-range or pasture-raised.

Note: all poultry is hormone-free, since it's against regulations to give hormones to poultry).

You should avoid any foods that contain "corn gluten meal"! This is a cheap waste product from the human food industry that provides incomplete protein for dogs. This ingredient is considered to be a "red flag" of poor quality foods. Also, "wheat gluten meal", one of the ingredients that caused illness and death because of contamination in the recent Menu Foods recall, is similar...it's a cheap source of poor quality protein used primarily by the lower-quality foods. "Rice protein concentrate", which was also involved in the pet food recalls, is a slightly better quality than the other two, but still provides incomplete plant protein rather than the more desirable animal protein. Soy protein also has the same problem.

There should be no "meat by-products" or "digest" ("meal" is OK). Some disagreement exists as to whether whole meat is preferable to meal. Meal is meat that has been rendered, but is also dried, so if a meal is listed as the "first ingredient", there is greater likelihood that the food contains more meat than grains.

When whole meats like chicken, lamb, turkey, etc. are listed as the first ingredient, there may actually be much less meat because of the moisture weight in the meat. Both whole meats and meals are considered acceptable, provided they are identified by name and not just generic (e.g., not "meat meal" or "meat and bone meal"). Some by-products may be OK if the company specifies they are from human-grade organs such as liver and kidney. Otherwise they usually mean parts not considered fit for human consumption.

Absolutely no BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin (artificial preservatives) should ever be present! This is another "red flag" for low quality dog food. Ethoxyquin is banned from use in foods for human consumption, except for the use of very small quantities as a color preservative for spices. Ethoxyquin is used to preserve fish meal, which will not be disclosed on the dog food label as it is added before the fish meal reaches the manufacturing plant. Unless the manufacturer provides a statement on their web site that the fish meal in their food does not contain ethoxyquin, you can assume that is does. You should contact the product manufacturer if you are unsure.

There should be no artificial colors, sugars or sweeteners (like corn syrup, sucrose, ammoniated glycyrrhizin), no propylene glycol (added to some chewy foods to keep them moist, toxic in large amounts).

There should be as few grains as possible. A whole-meat source should be one of the first two ingredients, preferably two of the top three. Watch out for splitting of ingredients, like listing ground yellow corn and corn gluten meal as two separate ingredients which together might add up to more than the first ingredient.

Please note: canned foods often have fewer grains than dry.

Anita Boyd, a dog lover and "dog person" her entire life recently learned she's been feeding toxic ingredients to her dogs over many years by feeding a commercial dog food that she trusted would nourish them. One of her beloved champion show dogs suffered from severe bladder issues and died at a very early age and some of her other cherished pets died far too soon from cancer



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3590582

Read More

The Language of Dog Growls

What is A Growl?

Dogs can't use words to communicate, so they rely on body language and vocalizations (growls, barks, and whines, to name a few) to "have conversations." Dogs converse with other dogs, as well as with people with these vocalizations. To really understand your dog, you have to know what growling does - and does not - mean.

Why Do Dogs Growl?

Not all growls are created equal. To decipher the meaning of a growl, we need to find out why the dog is growling. There are many reasons dogs growl - when playing, dreaming, protecting something of value, if they feel threatened, or scared.

What Does A Growl Mean?

Dog-to-Dog Growls

As mentioned earlier, it's important to take into consideration the context in which your dog is growling. Remember, dogs don't have words. They can only use their body language and vocalizations to communicate with their dog friends. Growling is one way dogs communicate with one another. Sometimes dogs growl when they are playing happily with another dog-friend.

Wondering how to tell the difference between a serious and a playful growl? Take a look at the dog's bodies. Do you see the following?

"Loose" bodies (not rigid and stiff)
Mutual playing (both dogs are content to play together, neither one looks scared or threatened)
Willingness to continue playing together (if one gets the chance to leave, does he?)
Cooperative play (dogs take turns "winning" or pinning each other)
If you see these things, the dogs are most likely engaging in normal dog-play. If either dog looks scared, looks like they are bullying the other dog, or moves stiffly, it's time to interrupt play-time and let them settle down before allowing them to play again.

Dogs also growl to communicate their uneasiness. Your dog may growl at another dog if that dog is:

Unfamiliar
Too close to a valued object
Behaving inappropriately (jumping on your dog, for instance)
Crowding your dog's space
Dog-to-Human Growls
Much like dog-to-dog growling, dogs have different reasons for growling at humans. Some dogs growl playfully when interacting with humans. Other dogs growl at children, or men with hats, or some other elusive reason. Again, look at the context in which the growling happens - what does the dog's body language tell you? Is he stiff or floppy?

What NOT To Do If Your Dog Growls

Knowing there are different reasons behind your dogs' growls, it's important to pay attention to the situation before deciding what to do with a growl. If the growl is playful, you probably don't have to do anything about it, unless the growling bothers you. If you think the growl is more serious, it's important to proceed with caution.

A growl is a good, clear warning signal and one that we should heed. The dog is clearly telling us that he's not comfortable with the situation. The most important thing to note is that a growl is information. Punishing the dog for growling will not fix the problem. Punishing a growl will only take that form of communication away from your dog. The next time your dog is in the same situation, he will try a different form of communication - this time he may snarl or even snap. If you punish this form of communication, you'll have a dog that bites without warning.

Forcing your dog to tolerate a situation that makes him uncomfortable is a recipe for disaster. By doing this, you are giving the dog no option to get out of the situation. If, for example, your dog is uncomfortable around small children and you hold your dog's collar while allowing children to approach your dog, you aren't helping alleviate your dog's discomfort. You are actually contributing to the discomfort which could lead to a snarl, snap, or a bite. What to Do

If Your Dog Growls

Your first order of business is to determine what makes your dog uncomfortable in the situation. Is it the presence of small children surrounding him, another dog near a prized possession? Is he scared? Does he feel threatened? Once you know why your dog is uncomfortable, you can then do something about hearing his "call of distress" and do something to help him.

Here are some basic steps to follow. Please note that if you are afraid that your dog will bite, consult a professional positive reinforcement dog trainer and do not proceed with the following steps.

In this example let's assume the dog is growling when you approach his food bowl.

1. Begin to hand feed your dog his meals. No more food in the bowl. If there isn't food in the bowl, he's much less likely to "guard" the bowl. Bonus: And it's you that gives the dog the food. Therefore you become an important and welcome link to the food.

2. After your dog is eagerly accepting his food from your hand, begin to re-introduce the food bowl. Put the food bowl in your lap and drop three or four pieces of your dog's food in the bowl. When he finishes those kibbles, drop three or four more in. Continue this until the dog's entire meal has been eaten.

3. Once your dog is looking forward to your hand moving to his empty bowl to add more food, reserve an extra special treat (chicken, steak, fish - something REALLY delicious that he doesn't normally get). Put five to ten pieces of food in his bowl and while he's eating, drop in this delicious morsel. Your dog is learning that really good things happen when your hand moves toward his bowl.

4. If your dog readily accepts your hand approaching his bowl when he has a few kibbles in it, begin putting more kibble

in his bowl and then adding a delicious morsel every few moments.

Note: This process could take days, weeks, or months depending on your dog. Don't rush these steps. If you are afraid that your dog will bite, DO NOT engage in this process. Find a professional positive reinforcement dog trainer.

By following these steps, you are solving the underlying problem (the dog's dislike of approaching people) instead of just getting rid of his warning system. If, instead of implementing the steps above, you punished your dog for growling (by yelling or swatting at him, or taking his food bowl away), you are doing two things: (1) reinforcing his belief that people who approach his food bowl are dangerous and (2) getting rid of a perfectly good warning system. You are not, I repeat NOT, fixing the underlying problem.

Dogs can't use words. It is up to each of us to listen to our dogs and try our best to decipher their language. Not all growls are created equal - know your dog. We expect dogs to listen to us, isn't it time we start listening to them?


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/612926

Read More

Becoming a Dog Breeder

Becoming a dog breeder is an unusual hobby - and in some cases, an unusual full-time profession. It requires a knowledge of a particular breed of dog, patience, and enough space to have at least one litter of puppies on the go at one time. It also requires enough money to both care for the bitch and her puppies properly, and to pay for the services of an experienced stud dog.

Dog breeders have different reasons for breeding, but a love for dogs is a must.

People decide to breed their dogs for a variety of reasons, including:

To make money. Breeding a dog and selling it for cash can turn a hobby into a profitable source of income. If you have the space, it can also be fun. But the initial investment can be considerable, and you will also need to put in a lot of time and energy, so think carefully before purchasing dogs on a whim.

To better the breed. Some people love a specific dog breed to much they want to better it, by breeding their pure-bred bitches with top-of-the-line studs.

Because you enjoy animals and caring for them. For some people, breeding dogs is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. Parents also often like the idea as it teaches their children about the facts of life - and sometimes the facts of death.

To have fun. Dog breeding can be a lot of fun - if you can bear to part with the little cute critters once you breed them!

Choosing the Breed - And The Mate

Getting started is not that difficult, once you choose the type of dog you wish to breed. Regardless of your own personal hopes and dreams, there are many practical considerations to take into account. You will need to choose a type of dog that is right for you, your family and your home environment, which isn't always a decision that can be made easily.

If you live in a small apartment, you may want to breed a small dog. If you live in sunny Florida, breeding a dog with a thick fur coat may not be the best idea. And if you live on farm with acres of outdoor space, a dog that loves to run free may be your best bet. In the same vein, breeding a breed known to be fierce and aggressive is not a wise choice if you have small children.

The mate you choose must not only be compatible with your dog, but also have a nice temperament and be free from illness and genetic disease. Regardless of whether you are breeding purebreds or mutts, you still have a responsibility to learn all you can about the stud's background, unless you want six to eight puppies which nobody wants to buy.

According to Breeders.NET, the top 10 most popular dog breeds in North America are:

Labrador Retriever. Consistently the most popular breed in the States, according to American Kennel Club registration statistics, this family-friendly dog hails from Canada. Originally the worked next to fisherman helping haul in nets; nowadays they make great show dogs as well as guide dogs for the blind.

Golden Retriever. Intelligent, seeks to please, makes a keen hunter. Originated in Scotland, this outdoor dog requires plenty of exercise and wide open spaces.

Yorkshire Terrier. A member of the Toy group, in the 19th century they helped out in mills catching rats. A remarkable transformation followed: they left their working class roots and became playthings for the upper classes. Today they are enjoyed by everyone (except for those who compare them to rodents).

American Pit Bull Terrier. While there's no doubt this type of dog can be aggressive, but owners say how their personality develops is usually up to how they are treated. They can be loyal and affectionate with the right training and lots of love.

Boxer. Obedient and smart, they are great for kids. Powerful and muscular, they were used once to fight other dogs, as well as in the hunt of large game. Despite their strength, they love children and seek constant affection.

German Shepherd. One of the most popular breeds in America. Smart and loyal, they make good military and police dogs, as well as fine pets.

Chihuahua. Small but intelligent, they are thought to have descended from a fox. They require little exercise but get cold easily.

Dachshund. Lively with a keen sense of smell, these "sausage dogs" were bred in Germany in the 1600s to create an elongated animal that could hunt out badgers from their burrows.

Shih Tzu. This fluffy little ball of fur has long silky hair and is a good companion animal. Are considered ideal for breeders with little space. Originating in China, they often weigh no more than 12 lb when fully grown.
Pug. One of the oldest breeds, they are famous for their even tempers and affectionate personalities. This breed dates back to 400 BC and comes in several different colors, all with the distinctive "muzzle" on their faces.

Types of Breeders

Hobby Breeder. Often used as a derogatory term, these are breeders who breed dogs simply because they enjoy it. Some breeders claim they fall roughly into two categories:

Responsible Hobby Breeders breed pedigreed animals, participate in dog shows and belong to dog clubs and organizations

Backyard Breeders raise often mutts and breed simply because they enjoy selling puppies, want to make money, or like to see their own pet having a good time! "Most are not aware of health issues in their breed(s), and do no health testing for common diseases such as hip dysplasia, glaucoma and other eye diseases. BYB often sell puppies through classified ads in local newspapers, at flea markets or the local Wal-Mart parking lot," writes the Silver Fox Samoyed kennel website, which breeds only one litter a year. "These are average people who have litters to make some extra money and list their litters for sale in local newspapers. They most often charge less for puppies than pet stores or show breeders. Some breed their family pet because a friend or neighbor wants a puppy."

High Volume Breeder. People who breed large numbers of dogs at one time in facilities which house a lot of dogs and produce a large number of litters every year.

American Kennel Club (AKC) Accredited Breeder. Professional breeders who breed only purebred dogs and who meet the standards of the AKC.

If you have the time, money and space to breed dogs, becoming a dog breeder may be for you. But as an estimated 3.5 million unwanted dogs are put to death every year, think carefully before breeding your dog. Embarking on such a decision will require a lot out of you and your entire family, and your wallet will also take a hit, at least in the beginning. Dogs are living things that require a lot of you, if you just want a hobby which you can pick up from time to time when you feel like it, try knitting or stamp-collecting instead!
https://www.instagram.com/pets.43/
https://www.pinterest.com/Pets43/
https://pets43.blogspot.com/
#pets43


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3925453

Read More

Find Out How Your Dog Thinks

Do you think that your dog thinks? Sure, he does he has a brain. The difference is that he thinks like a dog. For anyone that has been around a lot of dogs can say how weird they think.

It's almost as if the dog can read your mind. Although is it that he can read your mind or is that he has memorized all of your behaviors? If you were to use those powers of observation, even you would be able to find out what really goes through your dog's mind. From the body posture, to his tail position,the direction of his eyes, the position of his ears whether they are up or down, and the direction of his whiskers. Either pulled close to his muzzle or pointed forward. All of these observations indicate what he his thinking at the moment. The more you and your dog interact, the better you will become at knowing what he's thinking.

The same way he takes his cues from watching you do things, You too can interpret what is going on in his mind by watching him. for example, if Buddy has the tendency to jump up on the counter to see if he can find any food to steal because he has done this plenty of times, you will begin to recognize his expressions right before he is going to jump on to the counter. Whether it is his tail position or his whiskers or even if his ears are up or down. You will know before hand if he is going to jump up or not. Right before he is going to do his routine you step in for a training session to stop him from jumping up.
https://www.instagram.com/pets.43/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3236786

Read More

How to Train Your Cat to Come to Its Name

How to Train Your Cat to Come to Its Name
If you already have a name for your cat, you can skip to the next section. But there are a couple of things to keep in mind when you're trying to come up with a name for your furry feline.

First, try to 'tune in' to your cat and get a sense of what his or her personality really is like. I remember this one sassy cat a friend had years ago who was named "Princess." The name did not fit the cat's personality at all. When I tuned in to her fresh face, I soon felt that a more suitable name for her would be Toots, as in the roaring '20s, "Hey, Toots, whatcha doin' tonight."

My friend really loved the new name (being a New Yorker), and so the cat finally had a name that fit her and her sassy attitude. So, be fair to your cat - they have really sensitive feelings - and try to resist naming it things like Paxil or Footprint. Funny though they may be, names like this are just not likely to suit an individual cat's personality. No wonder so many of them seem 'aloof' or unresponsive - the owners have never taken the time to get to know who they really are!

Second, try to come up with a name that has long vowel sounds in it, especially "ee", as this is a sound that is very easy for an animal's ears to hear, like Chi Chi or Lulu, as opposed to Princess, which has short vowel sounds that are not distinctive.

Training Your Cat to Come to Its Name

Now we're getting down to the fun part. I came across this information years ago when I was on my own after college and acquired three throw-away kittens. My family had always had pets, but I never had the responsibility for them until now.

So I discovered this old book, The Fabulous Feline, or Dogs Are Passe, which was very thorough and comprehensive on everything from feeding and grooming to training and cat psychology. The most trainable period for a cat is from age 3 to 9 months, very similar to dogs.

The author pointed out that, while dogs are often trained with treats, the key to a cat's heart is pleasure. Yes, pleasure! Most cats - unless they have been abused or abandoned - love to have their spines stroked. It's just like mama cat washing her babies to stimulate the pituitary gland so the kitten grows and thrives. And remember, for 4-legged creatures, the spine goes all the way out to the tip of the tail.

When you're petting your cat - stroking, scratching its neck and around the cheekbones - it should begin to purr. Once it purrs, this is when you start to implant the association with its name.

So, over and over, as you stroke and it purrs, you say the cat's name, lovingly. Every time you have the cat in one of these pleasure sessions, repeat the cat's name fondly. Something in their psychology responds well to being adored. (A carry-over from Egypt? It might be genetic!)

After a couple of weeks of this, try testing out whether the name has "taken" yet, whether the cat has associated the name and the pleasure response. You see the cat across the room and it's looking at something else or washing itself, whatever, it's preoccupied. Then you call its name and see if it looks at you, or at least cocks an ear in your direction. This is a good sign.

You'll know that the cat really recognizes its name when it comes over to you when you call it. So keep up the association of pleasure and saying its name until you get this result.

When I lived in the country, my cats would roam out into the woods and fields. When I called them for dinner, I'd see them appear from far away, running to the house, just like dogs. People would be amazed that they came to their names but, once you know their secret, knowing their names is as natural for them as it is for us!


https://www.instagram.com/pets.43/?hl=en
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5612308

Read More

Best Pets For Children - Which One to Choose

When thinking of the best pets for children, the main thing to consider is how safe the pet is. While no pet is totally safe, the younger your child is the more thought you need to give what kind of pet you are going to get for your child.

First of all, make sure your child is aware of how to treat all animals, whether it is a pet or just a horse in a field. If you teach your child how to respect all animals, then it will be more likely to treat a new pet in the correct way.

However, that being said, you still need to consider what type of pet is the best for your child. If you have a very young child, then perhaps a big dog is not the best choice, but neither is a very small animal either. The best choice of animal for a very young child is probably a cat, as cats tend to mostly look after themselves, and you as the parent can take the responsibility of feeding the cat.

Small animals such as guinea pigs or hamsters are ideal for children who want a pet to keep in their room. For a more active child, particularly one who lives in a rural area, a dog would be ideal as it gives the child an excuse for getting out for some exercise.

But whatever, pet you decide to get for your child, make sure your child is fully aware of how to treat the animal, and what pet care responsibilities it has towards it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxUwWVGDNpZ/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2525586

Read More

Do Dogs Dream?

Whether or not dogs dream isn’t known with scientific certainty, but it sure is difficult to imagine that they don’t. We’ve all watched our dogs demonstrate behaviors in their sleep that resemble what they do in a fully awake state. Paddling legs, whining, growling, wagging tails, chewing jowls, and twitching noses inspire us to wonder what our dogs are dreaming about.

What we know about dogs and dreams

While our knowledge on this topic is very limited, the following known information helps us believe that dogs do indeed experience dreams. According to MIT News, Matthew Wilson, a professor of neuroscience at MIT, and Kenway Louie, a graduate student in 2001,  have studied the relationships between memory, sleep and dreams. They found that when rats were trained to run along a circular track for food rewards, their brains created a distinctive firing pattern of neurons (brain cells). The researchers repeated the brain monitoring while the rats were sleeping. Low and behold, they observed the same signature brain activity pattern associated with running whether the rats were awake or asleep. In fact, the memories played at approximately the same speed during sleep as when the rats were awake.

Can we apply this to dogs?
Can we take what is known about dreaming in rats and humans and apply the information to dogs? Wilson believes that we can."My guess is — unless there is something special about rats and humans — that cats and dogs are doing exactly the same thing," he said, according to USA Today’s website.

It is known that the hippocampus, the portion of the brain that collects and stores memories, is wired much the same way in all mammals. According to healthday.com, Professor Wilson says, “If you compared a hippocampus in a rat to a dog; in a cat to a human, they contain all of the same pieces.” He believes that as dogs sleep, images of past events replay in their minds, much the same way people recall experiences while dreaming.

In people it is known that most dreams occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. Dogs also experience periods of REM sleep. Psychology Today’s website says that during REM their breathing becomes more irregular and shallow. There may be muscle twitching during REM and, when one looks closely, rapid eye movements behind closed eyelids can often be observed. It is during REM sleep that behaviors thought to be associated with dreaming (legs paddling, twitching, vocalizing, etc.) are most commonly observed.

What we want to believe about dog dreams
When we observe our dogs as they sleep, it’s just about impossible to imagine that they are not dreaming. Just like the rats studied by Wilson and Louie, it is tempting to believe that our four-legged best buddies are reenacting their recent experiences; playing at the dog park, sniffing in the woods, chewing on a treasured bone, and chasing squirrels.

The National Institutes of Health says that Sigmund Freud theorized that dreaming was a “safety valve” for our unconscious desires. Perhaps he is correct, and, when our dogs sleep, they dream about catching the neighbor’s pesky cat, continuous belly rubs in conjunction with unlimited dog treats, and stealing the Thanksgiving turkey
 from the dining room table.
https://www.instagram.com/pets.43/
https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-behavior/do-dogs-dream

Read More

Develops your Dog's "Hidden Intelligence"

To eliminate bad behavior and Create the obedient, well-behaved pet of your dreams.

Develops your Dog's

"Because I'm going to show you a dog training system that took me 10 years to perfect - (and tens of thousands of dollars to learn) - a PROVEN "Battlefield-Tested" system for creating an incredibly well-behaved, intelligent dog who follows your every command!"

What Makes My Dog Training System So Unique…

Most Dog training programs today fail to engage your Dog on a mental level, and fail to develop his/her intelligence. With enough mental stimulation - many problem behaviors simply melt away. I’ll explain why below.

Most dog training programs fail you and your dog because they never address the root causeof your dog’s problem behavior. They just give you some cookie-cutter technique to stop biting, chewing or barking - which is short term in its effectiveness at best - again, because it does not address the root cause of the problem.

Most dog training programs use OUTDATED force and dominance techniques. This is proven NOT to work by the latest research. My methods are force-free and gentle. They rely on the latest science in dog behavior research to create a strong bond between you and your dog and create positive emotions in your dog as opposed to fearful ones. They only reinforce the behaviors you want.

Many other online dog training programs are created by PHONEYS with no certifications... This is dangerous, since using the wrong techniques will lead to problem behaviors getting worse or even a bite in some cases. Avoid taking advice from any "trainer" who does not list his/her professional certifications.

stop bad behavior?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPrtAuFTLJ/

Read More

Cats Can Live Happy Lives Indoors

Cats today live longer than before. Twenty years ago the life expectancy of a cat was just four to six years. However, today they may live fifteen years or even more. Cats that live outdoor have a shorter life expectancy than indoor cats. Some cats can live twenty years and the oldest cat ever was 28 when it died.

If you adopt an adult cat from a local shelter and you do not know how old it is, your veterinarian might offer you the best answer. Some clues are their teeth, eyes or hair. As with people, graying varies from one animal to another so you cannot say precisely how old is a cat just if it has gray hair on its face.

Sometimes lenticular sclerosis can help determine its age. Thin lines appear on the lens of the eye around the age of six. These lines do not affect vision. The accumulation of tartar and wear on the teeth can help determine the age more precisely.

Cats that live outdoors are more prone to viruses, dog attacks or accidents, such as being hit by a car. However, the vast majority of cats can live happy lives indoors, whether they are pedigree cats or random-bred. As long as they are provided with a stimulating environment, they can just watch nature from a safe home without ever feeling the need of going out in the wild.

They can be safe from contagious diseases such as feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, rabies, infectious peritonitis or not to mention larger predators. Parasites such as ticks, fleas or worms are problems associated with cats that live outdoors or cats that have contact with them.

Although the indoor environment is safer for a cat, it may not be interesting enough for a curious cat. Cats love to play so you can make sure your cat has lots of toys. Laser lights, cat nip toys or feathery feline flyers are favorites with a lot of cats. Besides toys, cats need a place to hide and sleep, things to scratch and also to watch.

Cats are stimulated by vision, they love toys that move and swing. Often a window sill is a favorite spot where they can take a nap of just watch the outside environment.

Cats also have a tendency to prefer a high place where they can constantly keep watch on their environment. When they sleep and rest they need to feel safe and comfortable, but they also love to climb. Even if there is no predator in the house, they still have instincts so once they are in a high spot they will feel more secure.

Scratching is also a natural instinct for them as they need to sharpen their claws, shed old nails and stretch. You can provide stimulation for scratching in various forms as there are substrates such as cardboard, fabric or wood. Scratching posts are sold for cat owners and they can be made from tree material, rope, cardboard or fabric.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxN1H3KFD8h/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4976695

Read More

Top 10 Foods to NOT Feed Your Dog

If you're a dog owner, it's highly likely that at some point you have fed your dog scraps from the dinner table. While this act of giving your furry friend some food may seem like a loving, harmless gesture, there is actually a wide variety of negative health effects certain foods can have on dogs. Some foods may cause only minor discomfort, while others can lead to digestive problems, severe illness, or even death.

Perhaps one of the most widely known hazardous foods for dogs is chocolate. Chocolate, which contains a compound called Theobromine, is a cardiac stimulant and diuretic. Taken in large enough doses, chocolate can cause dogs to have diarrhea and can cause vomiting.

Another well-known food for dogs to avoid is grapes. While the specific toxin in grapes that is harmful to dogs is not known, grapes, raisins and currants can cause damage to your dog's kidneys.

Other harmful foods and beverages include, but are not limited to:

Onions and garlic. Both contain a toxic ingredient called Thiosulphate and can lead to anemia
Avocados. Essentially every component of avocados, from the seeds to the leaves, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Coffee and tea. Like chocolate, they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and is harmful to the heart and nervous systems.
Milk and other dairy products. These can also casuse diarrhea.
Mushrooms. They contain multiple toxins that can lead to shock and even death.
Raw eggs. An enzyme called avidin is found in raw eggs, and decreases the absorption of a B vitamin, which ultimately causes skin and coat problems.
Raw meat. Salmonella and E.coli can be present in raw meat both of which can cause diarrhea and vomiting
Yeast dough. Just as dough rises for baking, it can expand in the digestive system, leading to pain and a potential rupture of the intestines or stomach.
Macadamia nuts. These can affect the digestive and nervous systems
It is important to remember that the dietary needs are of dogs are dramatically different than ours. And keeping an eye out for these and other dangerous foods is one way to ensure that our dogs live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPqBgtlu2u/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5244960

Read More

Stop Your Dog From Running Out the Door

It was easy to understand why a dog would want to get through the front door and go outside. But if your dog is running out of the door ahead of you this is a behavior problem you should learn to control. A dog running out like needs some training so that he does not go out the door until he has your permission. This is important in order to avoid him possibly running out and getting hurt or in some kind of trouble.

By utilizing some basic obedience tricks he has hopefully already been taught -sit and stay- just follow these tips.

* Begin the training with an interior doorway. Since the front door is too tempting, it is a lot easier to being the training with an inner door. Approach a closed door somewhere in your house-bedroom, den, whatever-and I bet that before you can even open it you'll notice your wayward dog trying to get in front of you so he can run through that door before you. You shouldn't let this happen-instead command his with a firm tone of voice to sit and stay. Praise him when he assumes the correct position. Wait a bit before opening the door, so he gets relaxed in the sit position, rather than just ready to spring up again the moment you reach for the doorknob. OK, when he relaxes, go ahead and open the door. Once he sees the door opening he will probably leave his sit position and lunge towards it to run through it. If your dog does try to pass you and go out the door, try to block him using your legs. Use a firm tone of voice and command him to sit and stay once again. Once he has resumed the sit praise him for sitting and staying. You'll have to repeat this exercise for perhaps 15 or so minutes per session several times a day.

* Once you have retrained him to stay in the sit position when you open the door, try to open it just wide enough for you to pass through. Your dog should not be getting up from his sit position until he is told it is OK by you. By only opening the door a little bit, that opening will be less tempting for him to bolt through. He may try to get up from his sit and stay position, but quickly return him to his spot and again command him to sit and stay. You will have to keep repeating this stage till he demonstrates he has learned to stop running through the doorway.

* It is time to try a harder test-the front door. Your dog knows that fun and adventure await on the other side of that particular door, so don't be surprised if he is harder to control than at the other doors. Be sure you are ready by placing his leash on him before you go to the front door. For a larger breed, it is a smart idea to put one end of the leash around the front doorknob, so that if he does charge out, he won't get very far. Not only will the doorknob trick stop him in his tracks, he'll have some food for thought before trying that again. The good thing is you won't have to worry about him pulling your arm out of the socket.

* If your dog has really learned his sit and stay lesson well from the previous indoor exercises, he might behave just fine. However, if he does run through, just go back a step and keep working on that some more. Keep repeating the exercise at the other doors in the house, and lavish him with praise and affection and a reward each time he refrains from trying to run through doorways ahead of you. He will soon learn that even if he doesn't lunge through a door, that by listening to you-the leader-he will still get the fun of playing.

If you want to use the best online dog obedience training program to train your dog at home, you should check out-Secrets to Dog Training.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2556108

Read More

Turn Your Pet Into a Service Dog

Can the general public turn their pet into a service dog?

For a dog to be considered a legal, working service dog, protected under the ADA, it must be trained to perform special jobs and tasks that are specific to its handler's disability. This type of dog is very different from a pet - even if the pet knows many tricks and is extremely well behaved.

Basic tricks such as sit, stay, roll over, heel, speak, shake, etc. do not count as tasks or jobs under the ADA. Even if the pet has undergone many types of obedience classes. The type of tasks that service dogs perform include alerting their handler of low blood sugar, guiding the blind, pulling a wheelchair, bringing in groceries, picking up dropped objects, keeping their handler from danger, etc.

It takes around 2 years of training for a dog to become a service dog and can cost their handlers thousands of dollars. They are solely trained to help enrich peoples lives who have different types of disabilities. While the handler does consider these dogs as their pets when they're off duty, as soon as the dog is out in public, working and performing tasks, it is not considered a pet. Instead they are the equivalent of medical equipment required due to a disability, just as a wheelchair is considered a necessity for people unable to walk.

Also, it is not required for the handler to show any type of certification, ID, or proof that they have a disability or that their dog is a service dog required because of their disability. Many people who obtain certification are doing so to pass their pet off as a fake service dog. This is illegal and punishable by law.

I am disabled, can i train my current pet to become a service dog?

Realistically, probably not. It takes a ton of training. It's possible to teach your dog little tricks like picking up dropped items, and opening and closing doors to help you out around the house but if you're in need of more help than that and you want a dog that you can take in public, then you'll need an actual working dog.

Most training programs breed dogs with the intent of training them into service dogs and they start the training when they're a puppy. It can take 2 years of training until the dog is ready.

Once you've applied for a dog, you'll be put on a waiting list and the program will try to find the best match for you. Once they find the perfect match, both you and the dog will undergo 3-4 weeks of training together to teach you how to work with your dog and to create an unbreakable bond.

What are the differences between "work" and "tasks"?

A task is defined as a piece of work to be done. In regards to working dogs, it's a specific thing that has only one result. For example, cuing the dog to open the door will result in the door being open.

Work (also known as a job) is defined as an activity or effort done in order to achieve a purpose. For working dogs, a group of several tasks can be considered work. For example, saying that your service dog is "on duty" or "at work" means that the dog is currently in the process of completing several different tasks to achieve a purpose (protecting and helping its handler).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9366666

Read More

Dog Rehoming

When you rehome a dog this is a time of joy but if you miss a few vital elements then this can very quickly turn into your biggest nightmare. And if you are having to give up your dog because of situations beyond your control then you want to know they will be safe and you would also like to know how to cope with the sadness and emotions at losing your cherished friend.

Adopting a Dog:

Although many people consider that dogs that need to be re-homed must have something wrong with them, such as a health or behavioural issue, this is very often not the case. A lot of people decide they cannot cope with their pet dog whether because of a change in housing, a new baby, because of a relationship break up, or because the owner suffers ill health, goes into hospital or dies. A lot of dogs come from very loving homes, and are well trained, gentle animals that are just in need of a new home. Often their previous owners haven't mistreated them, and don't want to have to part with them - but circumstances make it impossible for them to keep their faithful friend. One of the benefits that people often overlook when they adopt a dog is that most centres take a detailed description of your circumstances and match you to the ideal dog. Older dogs have more developed personalities, and it can be difficult to know -if you are merely visiting a breeder to see a litter of puppies - whether your chosen puppy is the right one for you. Matching a dog, and a breed, to you and your family is a service that is unique to rehoming centres and can ensure that you get exactly the right dog for you. Older pets can be more tolerant than younger animals, and don't require the constant attention that a young dog or puppy needs.

Although getting a dog from a centre or re-homing facility can cost less than buying a dog elsewhere, don't expect that it is entirely free. Kenneling, veterinary checks, food, and staffing costs for the rescue centre are all costly and you will be expected to pay a contribution that is usually between £70 and £120. This may be more if you are adopting a dog from a pedigree breeder. Re-homed dogs are usually micro chipped, have their full set of injections and may have been neutered. If your dog is not old enough at the time he is re-homed, come with a voucher for neutering later on. Dogs that are rehomed are often potty trained, identify and respond to commands, and require less attention than a new puppy.

When thinking of rehoming a dog or adopting a dog you should consider the following things:

- Is there anything in your tenancy agreement or lease that does not allow you to have a pet?
- Is your home secure enough to keep a dog? For example, does your garden have a fence that would prevent the dog from escaping?
- How long do you spend out of the house each day? If you are away from your home for more than ten hours per day, you will need to employ the services of a dog walker to take your pet for a walk in the middle of the day.
- If you have children it is worth researching the breeds that are more suited to children and choose a dog accordingly.
- Do you, or does anyone in your family, suffer from allergy to dogs? If so it is worth spending some time with the dog before you commit to make sure no one suffers an adverse reaction to him. There are also allergy prescriptions available from your doctor.

Rehoming Your Own Dog:
If you can't look after your dog anymore, it is important to ensure that you get help as soon as possible. If you have an urgent need to re-home your dog ask whether a member of your family or friend will foster him until such time as you can find a permanent home for him. If it is the case that re-homing is the best option in your particular circumstances there are numerous options open to you. Have you asked your friends and family whether they would like to re-home your dog? This may be more difficult if your dog has problem behaviour, especially if that behaviour is aggressive towards people.

Be Responsible:
It is vitally important that you behave responsibly when re-homing your pet. Dumping your dog somewhere, leaving him in an empty house, on someone else's doorstep, giving him to the first person that says they'll take him are all potentially harmful for your dog.

Here are some responsible ways to re-home your dog:

o Place him with a trusted friend or family member
o Find a reputable rescue centre who will take him and re-home him
o Find a reputable shelter that has a 'no-destroy' policy - however make sure that the shelter is well-staffed, not overcrowded and has sufficient facilities and financial resources to be able to look after your dog until a suitable new home can be found for him.
o Advertise for a new owner online, and ensure that you properly vet every applicant for their suitability as a dog owner. Will they have enough time to be able to look after him properly? What type of accommodation do they live in? Do they work long hours? Are they committed to dog ownership and do they fully understand the time and cost implications?


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2592490

Read More

Top 5 Dog Commands to Teach Your Dog

There are a lot of different easy tricks and commands to teach your dog. These dog commands aid owners in communicating with their dogs in day-to-day life. But before thinking of teaching your pal other complicated tricks, first train him with these five basic commands to best improve your dog behavior as well as your communication with him.

Sit - every dog owner teaches his dog this basic dog command. However, not all dog owners realize its full potential. The sit command is not only the usual first command people teach their dogs. It can play a significant role in managing unwanted dog behaviors as well. Like how?

Does your dog constantly jump on you? Does he pounce greedily on his bowl? Does he charge through doorways and jump out of the car? Does he wriggle when you put her lead on? Then the "Sit" command is a good solution.

Come - Teaching your dog to come to you when you call him is one of the most important basic dog commands. You can actually use this command to protect him from a potentially dangerous situation by calling him to you. Try to teach this to your pup as soon as he learns his name. Also, this command is your key to confident off leash living.

Stay - This is as equally important as the "come" command. The stay dog command can prevent your dog from getting drawn in dangerous situations as well. Teaching your dog to stay will also allow you to keep him still and calm while you do other household chores or entertain guests. A successful "stay" occurs when your dog does not move at all from the original position.

Leave It - The "leave it" dog command is used to prevent your pal from picking up things he is not allowed to have. This basic command allows you to tell your dog not to touch the things that are dangerous or things you don't want him to have, like a dirty tissue or any one of the many things he might try to pick up and chew. This command can also protect your dog from chewing something that can be harmful to him.

With Me - This is not a perfect "heel" that keeps your dog strictly by your side. This command will teach your dog to walk on a loose leash without any pulling during walks. As long as your dog leaves some slack in his leash, "with me" command allows your dog to sniff and explore the neighborhood. Your pal will have to follow your lead; in return he'll be allowed to see the sights.

Communicating with your pet is done with these simple dog commands.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5622038

Read More

Do Cats Talk?

Of course they do, they talk to each other and they talk to you. You just have to learn to be a good listener. It's sort of like a dog's training class, the trainer isn't training the dog, he's training you.

For instance, my oldest cat, an eight and a half year old Ragdoll, is a whiner. I often ask her if she wants whine with dinner. But, apparently, her whining has gotten her what she wants and she's not about to change.

So, when she comes into my bedroom at 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning, I first know she wants me to get up. But I've come to understand there is probably a good reason she wants me up. She has become the 'spokesman' for an empty food dish. But then, she has four other felines depending on her to make sure the food and water fountain are filled and, believe me, she is very good at it because she is persistent.

Then there is Smokey, our seven year old Russian Blue. He is responsible for getting the pet door to their outdoor kennel opened, first thing in the morning. That's why he is uncharacteristically loud early in the morning. He also takes responsibility for reporting back in, to us and his housemates, if the weather is cold or if it is raining. On cold, wet mornings, he wastes no time with his report. I can tell he wants us to do something about it. I just comfort and sympathize with him until he calms down and finds another spot inside to relax.

Our third vocal kitty is Little Bit, a two and a half year old Manx with a stub of a tail. It has fallen to her to scold the others, chasing them while she does it. She's the most mischievous one in the family. It has also befallen her to be the beggar of treats, starting about 5:00 in the afternoon. Since I like to wait until dusk to bring them in, with the shaking of the treat container like the pied piper, she sometimes has to wait but continues to make her impatience known. After all, she has four others depending on her for their daily treats, so, she continues improving her vocal demands and I know exactly what she is saying.

Then, there is Precious, sister to Little Bit. Precious was given her name before we discovered her personality. Now, when I speak of her, I often say "Precious...NOT." Don't get me wrong. She is very lovable. She is also very vocal. She can be loud when she paces the house calling for her sister. She gets cross, like a sleepy baby, when she wants me to take a nap with her and I'm too busy. She will sometimes spend an hour or more following me every step I make, asking me to take a nap(I swear she says mama, over and over), until finally she gives up and finds a place to nap by herself. She also is like a little girl, watching my every move when I'm folding clothes or some other task, as if she's trying to learn how, in order to help me.

Last, but certainly not least, is Squeaky, a three and a half year old gray Tabby . She got her name when she was a 'stray' living outside and only showing up for meals twice a day. I would call her for her food and not realize she was there until she was right next to me because of her faint meow. She is still quiet and shy with other humans, basically only trusting me. She has become friends with Precious and they snuggle together at night. Even though she is shy, Squeaky does talk, mostly to tell me when Little Bit or Smokey are bullying her or when she needs a little love from me, often demanding it, quietly, by jumping into my chair if I'm working at the computer.

So, you see, they all talk, some more than others. Once you understand the personality of each cat and you learn to listen to them, their communication will become much clearer to you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2032010

Read More

How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Dental care or brushing your dog's teeth is one of the most common grooming tasks that have been overlooked.

Just like us, humans, dental care is very important task that we need to be aware of for our dog.

Brushing your dog's teeth on a daily basis is essential.

Why?

Plague and tartar will accumulate on the teeth along the gum line in the dog mouth if no attempt is made to clean its teeth. Eventually, it is very likely to lead to other dental diseases like gingivitis and periodontal disease. This can be very painful and can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, and bone loss or infection.

The ideal way to maintain good clean teeth is to brush the dog teeth daily; just like the humans.

There are special toothbrushes and toothpastes readily available at the pet shops or you can buy them online these days, if necessary.

You cannot use human toothpaste on your dog as your dog does not gargle and clean their mouth of the paste but they will lick and swallow it. Human toothpaste is a bit harsh for their stomach and the dog may fall sick.

You can also buy special treats that could help remove some plague or tartar; this is indicated on the label in the packaging.

I find that feeding them knuckle bones can help scrape off their tartar and plague especially the back teeth but not the front canine teeth. Similarly, giving the dog raw hide treat can also have the same effect when they chew on it.

They are also special oral gel to remove stubborn tartar and plague but you will need to be patient as it can take up to 30 days for the gel to soften the tartar and plague before they can be removed easily. These gels are much more expensive than the normal dog toothpaste.

I believe that starting to brush the dog teeth when it is a puppy and continuing to do it daily, is the best approach for its dental care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2114413

Read More

Top 10 Reasons to Get a Small Dog

Toy dogs, lap dogs, miniature dogs - There are a lot of names for them. On one hand, they are cute, you can bring them anywhere and they can sit in your lap. On the other hand, they have earned the reputation of being loud, untrainable and overprotective. One of the main reasons for this, is that we usually do not allow large dogs to get away what we find cute in small dogs, like for example jumping, growling or being aggressive. This is often the owner's fault and there are still many reasons to get a small dog.

Contrary to popular belief, miniature dog breeds are not only suited for older ladies and billionaire daughters, they can be perfect for people who need a constant companion or a family with children. As the saying goes: "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face" (Ben Williams). This brings us to our first reason to get a small dog.

1. Small dogs are like puppies
There are a lot of small dogs that stay small. How often have you heard people say that they want their dog to stay as small as they are forever? Usually they grow up and are not as cute anymore as they were as puppies. Small dogs also get bigger but they always stay small and you can keep that feeling of having a little puppy.

2. Miniature dog breeds are less expensive to keep than larger dogs
Small dogs don't need as much food than bigger ones. Medication, tick and flea preventions also cost much more for big dogs. In general, more goes in and more comes out when it comes to large breeds.

3. Small dogs don't need as much space as large dogs
A big dog needs more space than smaller dog breeds. So, they are probably better suited for people who have smaller apartments. This doesn't mean that you can't get a large dog when you live in a tiny apartment as long you take him out a few times a day.

4. Small dog breeds don't have high exercise requirements
This is good for people who are lazy or don't have enough time to go out for hours every day with their dog. Some small breeds like Maltese or Yorkshire terriers get their required exercise while playing indoors.

5. You can bring miniature dog breeds everywhere
It is really easy to pick-up, transport and carry around a small dog. You can bring them anywhere. This is excellent for people who love to be with their dog all the time and don't like to leave them alone at home. Even if they are small, they can help getting the attention of other people if the owner is attacked by a burglar or another aggressor.

6. They make great watchdogs
They might not have an intimidating presence when they are in front of you but when they are trained to bark at the right moment, small dog breeds can be great watchdogs. If unauthorized people come into the house, they can raise the alarm by barking.

7. Some smaller dogs shed virtually no hair
Miniature dog breeds like the Maltese don't lose hair. It's difficult to find hair anywhere in your home if you have a dog like that and you don't need to do any extra vacuuming. Some people who are usually allergic against dogs can keep low-shedders like the Maltese.

8. They are low maintenance
As we already said before, most miniature dog breeds just need the occasional brush from time to time. Larger dogs with longer coats have to be brushed more often and leave a lot more mess behind than smaller dogs. It's also easier to bath them and to keep them clean in general.

9. Small dogs are less dangerous for children than bigger ones
Don't get me wrong, I think most dog breeds are good with children. In situations when children are too rough with dogs, there's a risk that the dog has had too much and may defend himself by biting the kids. If something like this happens, it's less dangerous if it's a small dog.

10. Smaller dogs tend to live longer


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6546609

Read More

Dogs Cry When ...?

Dog is a sensitive animal, they cry when they are depressed and there is a bit difference between cry and bark. There are a number of reasons why they cry, the reasons are almost the same as the reasons why they bark. When talking about diarrhea, one have definitely heard and seen stories about dogs doing nasty things in public. No matter how much a dog is toilet trained, if it catches diarrhea then there is no way of avoiding public shame.

A dog could be crying because of one or several reasons like anxiety, hunger, emotional and physical pain. A dog's emotional pain is a result of its anxiety. When a dog is injured, it will also let out a cry. Just like humans will cry when they have nothing to eat, dogs would cry too. We all know that a dog is man's best friend and it is amazing to see how a dog shares in its master's grief. Dogs get so much attached to their masters that they become a part of the family and when a member of a family is in pain or dies, the dog gets affected too. A dog feels its master's feelings as they are several times more sensitive than a human. As dogs are very sensitive creatures, a change in the tone of voice or master's face sends a strong message to it. They get anxious just like humans and they cry when they get separated from their dear ones.

As always there are several reasons why a dog catches diarrhea just like there are several reasons why humans catch diarrhea. The reasons can be irritated intestines, change in diet, stress and excitement. A dog's intestine may have been irritated, it will vomit and if it's somewhere down its digestive tract then it will resorts to diarrhea. A dog also gets diarrhea from too much excitement or stress. Its stress is usually accompanied by diarrhea, barking, whining, howling and foaming at the mouth. Maybe a change in a dog's diet can also cause diarrhea. Bred dogs are especially very sensitive and a change in its daily diet leads to diarrhea. One has to be careful when feeding a dog.

If one wants to stop a dog from crying then punishing is never an option because this can backfire in many cases. There are many sensitive ways of soothing one's dog like using positive reinforcement, leave a stand-in, give a dog its own place and praise it. If a dog is comforted in times of grief, it will not cry. A dog will not miss its master so much if it smells the presence around.

A diarrhea is not very serious and it can be relieved by keeping a track of what its being fed, feeding it with the right kind of food for its age, making water a part of a dog's daily diet, feeding it with pumpkin and making chicken soup for it. The bond between master and dog is very deep and it needs care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3775899

Read More

Cat Jumping

Have you ever truly just sat and watched a cat? I am a cat-lover and have always had at least two kitties living in my home. I now live with five cats and two dogs. The dogs are another story! I have observed cat behavior up close and personal for the past 40 years. Their movements can be described as flexible, agile, and precise. They are amazing to watch. Miniature versions of the Big Cats!

It is true that the domesticated cat does not need to hunt in order to survive. Good, nutritious meals are regularly provided by their "pet parents." However, hunting is an instinctual behavior in cats. If you want a happy cat, you need to provide alternative hunting activities for her. Climbing is often part of the hunting experience for the cat. The vantage point of a high place gives your kitty the ability to observe what is going on in her territory. From high above, kitty can securely view all the comings and goings of potential prey. In my home, the potential prey is usually another cat. Stalking, the second stage of the hunt often occurs from this same vantage point. Kitty #1 (the stalker) moves forward just a little with her belly close to the ground, ears pricked forward, eyes wide open as unsuspecting Kitty #2 (the victim) casually walks through the room moving closer and closer to Kitty #1 position. Then comes the final stage of the hunt, the kill. When the timing is just right Kitty #1 will jump from her position and pounce on Kitty #2. Of course, the actual kill never takes place, but the playful wrestling and rolling around of the two cats achieves the desired effect.

Cat climbing behavior is also linked to their survival instinct. Few enemies have the same climbing and jumping abilities as the cat. Three of my cats are litter mates. "The Girls" were born to a feral mom under an addition of my house. I began feeding Mom cat as I realized she either had kittens under there or was about to give birth. About a week later, I noticed Grace, one of my cats, was quite interested in what was going on in my backyard. When I went to investigate, I found three little kittens having a good time running between the potted plants and furniture on my patio with Mom cat watching over them from her perch on a surrounding wall. I, of course, continued to provide them all with meals. Every time I went out to feed them, Mom cat would immediately run under the house when she saw me. The kittens followed. It took weeks for those kittens to trust me enough to stop running and hiding and even longer before they allowed me to touch them. Each in her own time. Eventually, Mom cat left the nest as I guess she decided they were old enough to fend for themselves. I knew this day would come and had already made the decision that the kittens would become part of my family. So, into the house they came and off to the vets we went to make sure they were healthy and to receive their proper vaccinations. Now, remember, I was the only human they had ever had contact with and I never had any previous experience with feral cats. The exam of the first kitty went pretty smoothly. Baby was the first one to let me touch and hold her. Then I let Rue out of the crate. She immediately began jumping up trying to grab the wall. She did this repeatedly 5 or 6 times jumping to a height of 4-5 feet. Then she spotted the computer monitor which was attached to the wall. Up she went on that and hung on with her paws and claws wrapped around the monitor's frame. The monitor began to tilt from her weight and off she went down to the floor. I was finally able to secure her and calm her down enough to complete her exam. Poor Rue! She was desperately trying to jump and climb up to a safe place. She was terrified. Visits to the vet have much improved since this time!

Cats need the opportunity to exercise their jumping and climbing skills and they will absolutely find a place they feel is suited for this. Cat towers or cat trees are the solution to this problem. They provide the place that you find acceptable and kitty finds to be perfect. Cat towers are available in many different sizes and with multiple levels which are ideal for homes with more than one feline so that each kitty has her own personal space. If you think a cat tower is just what your furry friends need, go to [http://www.cattowersplus.com] and see if you can find the perfect one for you and your kitties.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9294777

Read More