The two forms of Chihuahua today are very different from the original breed. Originally the Toltec's and Aztecs kept them as pets. Vast changes have occurred during the year to bring us the modern breed of Chihuahua. For some households the Chihuahua is an excellent breed while other family's should consider other breeds. This is because of the breed's extremely diverse personality. You will never find two identical temperaments in Chihuahua's. The Chihuahua is a bold breed that is highly loyal and protective of their owners. You can expect a lot of loyalty from the Chihuahua in return for a lot of human contact.
The Chihuahua breed has a long and distinguished history as a dog. The breed originally came from the ancient Techichi breed of dog that belong to the Toltec Civilization near Mexico City. This ancient breed of dog was larger than today's modern breed and was also mute. The breed became a sacred icon of the upper class members of society and as a religious symbol when they were used in ceremonies to help guide dead spirits after the Aztec empire conquered the Toltecs.
By the time the Chihuahua breed was discovered in the United States in the 1850s it had been crossed with a hairless breed from the Orient, which led to the modern breed we see today. The Chihuahua was discovered in the Chihuahua state of Mexico, which is located near Texas and New Mexico, this is also where the name for the breed comes from. The breed was then added to the American Kennel Club in 1904.
Graceful, alert and agile with a compact and terrier like quality is the official description of the Chihuahua breed given by the American Kennel Club. Generally the Chihuahua is a very graceful, energetic and swift dog, but each Chihuahua has it's own unique personality and some can be very grumpy, haughty or even nasty when provoke if they have an extreme terrier like quality to them.
This terrier like quality doesn't make the Chihuahua a good breed for large households or those with small or noisy children because of their clannish tendencies and suspiciousness of other people. But the curiosity, intelligence and extreme loyalty of the breed make them an excellent pet for the elderly, individuals and disabled people. The Chihuahua will often become attached to just one or two individuals and want to be pampered. The Chihuahua is also idea for those living in apartments or on a limited income. You should always observe the temperament of your Chihuahua before determining if it is the right breed for you.
The small Chihuahua breed is a dog that isn't aware of their small stature. You can often find a Chihuahua being much bolder than other dogs that are three times the size of themselves. The breed is also highly protective of their owners and fiercely loyal to only one or two individuals, which is why they are often wary of strangers or any new guests that are introduced to the household that the Chihuahua considers it's personal domain. This is why the Chihuahua makes an excellent watch dog, not a very good guard dog though.
A Chihuahua requires a lot of human contact in the form of touching, petting and general attention. Without this, the breed often resorts to various attention getting tricks until they gain attention. For some the Chihuahua comes across as too needy, but the breed will give you so much back in return for your love, affection and care.
About the Author:
Sandra Dean is an avid studier of the history of many dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a diverse breed suitable for certain types of households. As a bold breed, the Chihuahua is highly protective and loyal of their owners. Knowing Chihuahua information can help you determine if it is a breed right for you.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Dog Obedience Training: Digging Behavior and Correction by Geoff Hadley
The simplest dog training solution in this case is allocating him an area where he s allowed to dig as much as he pleases. Once this zone s been established, you can make it understood that there is to be absolutely no digging in the rest of the garden, and you can enforce your rules with a clear conscience. As set these boundaries you know your dog now has his own little corner of the world to turn upside down and inside out as he chooses and all parties are happy.
But what if you don t have a "spare corner" of the backyard for your little digger to call his own? What if the whole thing, grass, flowerbeds, and gravel path, is just too dear to your heart? This is ok, there is a solution to this as well. You can invest in a sandbox, which you can place anywhere in the garden.
You can even make one yourself (the deeper, the better, obviously). Fill it with a mixture of sand and earth, and put some leaves or grass on top if you like for effect and get your dog interested in it by having a scratch around yourself, until he gets the idea.
One great dog training tip is to make it clear to him that the sandbox is OK but that everywhere else is a no-dig zone, spend a little time supervising him. When he starts to dig in the box (you can encourage this by shallowly burying a few choice marrowbones in there), praise him energetically and if he starts digging anywhere else, correct him straight away with an extended finger or hand command and state a firm "No!" or "ahh-ah-ahhhh".
Then, redirect him immediately to the sandbox, and dole out vociferous praise when digging recommences.
To really clarify the lesson, give him a treat when digging gets underway in the sandbox the close proximity between the correction (for digging out of the sandbox) and praise/reward (for digging in the sandbox) will ensure that your point strikes home and you will have dog training success.
About the Author:
Geoff uses a great system for Dog Obedience Training
But what if you don t have a "spare corner" of the backyard for your little digger to call his own? What if the whole thing, grass, flowerbeds, and gravel path, is just too dear to your heart? This is ok, there is a solution to this as well. You can invest in a sandbox, which you can place anywhere in the garden.
You can even make one yourself (the deeper, the better, obviously). Fill it with a mixture of sand and earth, and put some leaves or grass on top if you like for effect and get your dog interested in it by having a scratch around yourself, until he gets the idea.
One great dog training tip is to make it clear to him that the sandbox is OK but that everywhere else is a no-dig zone, spend a little time supervising him. When he starts to dig in the box (you can encourage this by shallowly burying a few choice marrowbones in there), praise him energetically and if he starts digging anywhere else, correct him straight away with an extended finger or hand command and state a firm "No!" or "ahh-ah-ahhhh".
Then, redirect him immediately to the sandbox, and dole out vociferous praise when digging recommences.
To really clarify the lesson, give him a treat when digging gets underway in the sandbox the close proximity between the correction (for digging out of the sandbox) and praise/reward (for digging in the sandbox) will ensure that your point strikes home and you will have dog training success.
About the Author:
Geoff uses a great system for Dog Obedience Training
Creating a Fashionable Chihuahua by Richard Cussons
Seeing a Chihuahua dressed in fashionable clothes is such a cute sight! Think about this adorable dog dressed in trendy garments and adorned with classy accessories. It is so fulfilling and rewarding seeing them in such a fashionable way. Everyone notices and admires your pet. Of course as owner, you will naturally feel proud and happy for owning such beautiful furry creature. One more thing, it doesn't only make an impression on the appearance of the dog or the owner. It gives the opportunity for both dog and owner to create new friendships with other dogs and owners too.
But, you don't just dress your Chihuahua for the purpose of making him beautiful and noticeable. Clothes, just like in humans, have purpose too, and that is for protection against elements such as hot or cold weather. A dog owner must be aware of the types or kinds of garments appropriate for the dog. He just can't choose anything he wants. You may want to dress your Chihuahua with a sweater to keep him warm during cold days. Or you may want to protect your pet's feet with dog booties. This item, though some owners find this unnecessary, is ideal in protecting your Chihuahua's sensitive pads from rough terrain, rocky areas and hot pavement.
Dog owners won't have hard time getting these dog clothes. Dog owners can get these items from their nearest pet supply stores, or easier, from the Internet. With just few clicks, instant glamorous dog is yours.
Getting these dog clothes is not a problem. However, there is something to think about when talking about dog clothes. Will my Chihuahua wear these things? Will he feel comfortable wearing these clothes? These are just few of the questions playing on every dog owners mind. In order for your dog to get accustomed with wearing clothes, dress him every time you have to spend time together. Then don't forget to praise him so that he will understand that there is nothing to worry about you putting such unusual garments on him. Allow his clothes to stay on him for at least ten minutes. Naturally, your dog will try to tug and just be rid of the clothes. But one way of solving this dilemma is to provide toys or foods. In this way, his attention will be diverted to the food or the toy you gave him rather than his clothes.
Wearing dog clothes doesn't really matter to dogs as long as it is not cumbersome and won't hinder your Chihuahua's daily activities. Choose clothes that are safe to prevent unwanted accidents such as choking and keep your dog's clothes clean. Dirty clothing may cause your dog to acquire sickness and besides, nobody admires dirty clothing.
About the Author:
Richard Cussons is a writer and a dog expert. Discover more about Chihuahua dogs at this site dedicated to Chihuahuas.
But, you don't just dress your Chihuahua for the purpose of making him beautiful and noticeable. Clothes, just like in humans, have purpose too, and that is for protection against elements such as hot or cold weather. A dog owner must be aware of the types or kinds of garments appropriate for the dog. He just can't choose anything he wants. You may want to dress your Chihuahua with a sweater to keep him warm during cold days. Or you may want to protect your pet's feet with dog booties. This item, though some owners find this unnecessary, is ideal in protecting your Chihuahua's sensitive pads from rough terrain, rocky areas and hot pavement.
Dog owners won't have hard time getting these dog clothes. Dog owners can get these items from their nearest pet supply stores, or easier, from the Internet. With just few clicks, instant glamorous dog is yours.
Getting these dog clothes is not a problem. However, there is something to think about when talking about dog clothes. Will my Chihuahua wear these things? Will he feel comfortable wearing these clothes? These are just few of the questions playing on every dog owners mind. In order for your dog to get accustomed with wearing clothes, dress him every time you have to spend time together. Then don't forget to praise him so that he will understand that there is nothing to worry about you putting such unusual garments on him. Allow his clothes to stay on him for at least ten minutes. Naturally, your dog will try to tug and just be rid of the clothes. But one way of solving this dilemma is to provide toys or foods. In this way, his attention will be diverted to the food or the toy you gave him rather than his clothes.
Wearing dog clothes doesn't really matter to dogs as long as it is not cumbersome and won't hinder your Chihuahua's daily activities. Choose clothes that are safe to prevent unwanted accidents such as choking and keep your dog's clothes clean. Dirty clothing may cause your dog to acquire sickness and besides, nobody admires dirty clothing.
About the Author:
Richard Cussons is a writer and a dog expert. Discover more about Chihuahua dogs at this site dedicated to Chihuahuas.
The Joy Of Bringing Home Your Labrador Puppy by Brian Brogan
What to Prepare for Before Bringing Home your Labrador Puppy?
If you have kids, you should make sure that your kids understand that the puppy would need some time to adjust to its new environment. Note that puppies are just like babies who need to make adjustments and would need lots of care and attention.
Bring home a Labrador puppy could be very exciting for the whole family. However, before you do bring the Labrador puppy home, there are a few things that you will need to prepare to make the puppy comfortable in its new home.
Finding a place for your Puppy
Before you bring the Labrador puppy home, you should find a place in the house where the puppy could stay. The Labrador puppy would need a space of its own where it can sleep, eat and play so make sure that you allocate a certain area of the house for the puppy. Find a space in the house, which is not stuffy or hot so that the puppy will not feel very uncomfortable.
Aside from the space, which you will allocate to the Labrador puppy, you should prepare a bed for your dog. Do not use those wicker baskets because puppies love to chew on things and it will not really take them time to reduce the wicker basket into twigs. Besides, there is always some danger that your puppy will swallow some pieces of twigs and choke so avoid using a wicker bed.
A bed like those boxes made of hard wood would be better for your puppy. Very young dogs are not really strong enough to shred boxes make up of hard wood so you can breath easy. For biddings, you may use some cotton or woolen blankets. Cotton or woolen blankets are easy to clean or replace so would not really have much trouble with it.
Aside from a place to sleep, you will need to designate a place in the house where you will groom your puppy. You will need to get a table where you can put your puppy for grooming.
Buying things for your Labrador puppy
There are few things that you will need to buy for your Labrador puppy. You will need to buy your puppy some supplies such as a basin where you can give it a bath, shampoo, mineral oil or eye ointment, washcloth and towels. When choosing a shampoo, make sure that you get those mild no tear formula so that your Labrador puppy will not get irritated when you put some shampoo on its coat.
About the Author:
Brian Brogan S.E.O.
Pets --- Parrot --- Dog --- Horse
If you have kids, you should make sure that your kids understand that the puppy would need some time to adjust to its new environment. Note that puppies are just like babies who need to make adjustments and would need lots of care and attention.
Bring home a Labrador puppy could be very exciting for the whole family. However, before you do bring the Labrador puppy home, there are a few things that you will need to prepare to make the puppy comfortable in its new home.
Finding a place for your Puppy
Before you bring the Labrador puppy home, you should find a place in the house where the puppy could stay. The Labrador puppy would need a space of its own where it can sleep, eat and play so make sure that you allocate a certain area of the house for the puppy. Find a space in the house, which is not stuffy or hot so that the puppy will not feel very uncomfortable.
Aside from the space, which you will allocate to the Labrador puppy, you should prepare a bed for your dog. Do not use those wicker baskets because puppies love to chew on things and it will not really take them time to reduce the wicker basket into twigs. Besides, there is always some danger that your puppy will swallow some pieces of twigs and choke so avoid using a wicker bed.
A bed like those boxes made of hard wood would be better for your puppy. Very young dogs are not really strong enough to shred boxes make up of hard wood so you can breath easy. For biddings, you may use some cotton or woolen blankets. Cotton or woolen blankets are easy to clean or replace so would not really have much trouble with it.
Aside from a place to sleep, you will need to designate a place in the house where you will groom your puppy. You will need to get a table where you can put your puppy for grooming.
Buying things for your Labrador puppy
There are few things that you will need to buy for your Labrador puppy. You will need to buy your puppy some supplies such as a basin where you can give it a bath, shampoo, mineral oil or eye ointment, washcloth and towels. When choosing a shampoo, make sure that you get those mild no tear formula so that your Labrador puppy will not get irritated when you put some shampoo on its coat.
About the Author:
Brian Brogan S.E.O.
Pets --- Parrot --- Dog --- Horse
Pet Blinkers--a new way to identify lost dogs! by SafetyTackle.com
Mini pet strobe lights are the newest craze sweeping the pet world. They are tiny and colorful, but more importantly they can be used to identify a lost dog. Each pet owner who loves their dogs or cats may be concerned with their safety. Improving their pet supplies with a pet blinker could be the trick to increasing the chances for retrieval of your lost pet.
A safety flashing light for dog collars such as the pet blinkie also makes a perfect gift. I could remember plenty of times that my dog Rusty or Kingsley got out of the house or the dog pen and hit the streets doing anything and everything. It really saddened me at such a young age because we all get attached to the pets that we love and adore. They bring comfort and joy. It is true that it isn't just dogs that can become man's best friend; any pet can become a comfort friend. The last thing that should happen is that they escape or get stolen or even worse they are injured. I just wish I knew about this unique product all those years ago and would have told my friends about them as well.
Pet Blinkies are the best pet flashing light that are on the net today. They are low priced and highly effective in protecting your pet against even itself. After all they are still animals, but good ones. Each comes in six vibrant color combinations including red, white and blue and also jade and yellow. Pet Blinkies can also fit practically any collar. They are easily attached, water resistant and visible up to 1/2 a mile.
Improve your odds of identifying a lost dog or pet by investing in your comfort friend. Take charge and take control of their safety just as much as your own. Who knows, one day they could save your life.
Kevin T Anderson
www.safetytackle.com/petsafetylights.htm
About the Author:
SafetyTackle is the home of high quality non lethal self defense weapons and personal security products on a safe and secured online shopping site. We offer a variety of stun devices like stun guns, pepper sprays, personal alarms, diversion safes, home and child safety items, metal detectors, motion alert alarms, wireless surveillance, animal repellents, airsoft spring air guns, C2 tasers and much more!
A safety flashing light for dog collars such as the pet blinkie also makes a perfect gift. I could remember plenty of times that my dog Rusty or Kingsley got out of the house or the dog pen and hit the streets doing anything and everything. It really saddened me at such a young age because we all get attached to the pets that we love and adore. They bring comfort and joy. It is true that it isn't just dogs that can become man's best friend; any pet can become a comfort friend. The last thing that should happen is that they escape or get stolen or even worse they are injured. I just wish I knew about this unique product all those years ago and would have told my friends about them as well.
Pet Blinkies are the best pet flashing light that are on the net today. They are low priced and highly effective in protecting your pet against even itself. After all they are still animals, but good ones. Each comes in six vibrant color combinations including red, white and blue and also jade and yellow. Pet Blinkies can also fit practically any collar. They are easily attached, water resistant and visible up to 1/2 a mile.
Improve your odds of identifying a lost dog or pet by investing in your comfort friend. Take charge and take control of their safety just as much as your own. Who knows, one day they could save your life.
Kevin T Anderson
www.safetytackle.com/petsafetylights.htm
About the Author:
SafetyTackle is the home of high quality non lethal self defense weapons and personal security products on a safe and secured online shopping site. We offer a variety of stun devices like stun guns, pepper sprays, personal alarms, diversion safes, home and child safety items, metal detectors, motion alert alarms, wireless surveillance, animal repellents, airsoft spring air guns, C2 tasers and much more!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Dog Diseases: Liver Cancer by Ashley Peach
Dogs can suffer from several different diseases and one of the most deadly is usually cancer. Live cancer is one of the worst types of cancer your dog can have because the liver provides a function for the immune system as well as removing toxins from the body. If you suspect your dog have liver cancer you will want to take him or her to the vet immediately to start a course of treatment. There are four treatments your dog can undergo for the liver cancer, but first let's look at what liver cancer is and the symptoms associated with this disease.
As dog diseases go you will find that liver cancer has a couple of different types. There is primary liver cancer, hemolymphatic cancer, and metastatic cancer. Hemolymphatic liver cancer is transferred by blood cells in the body or by the lymphoid tissue. Mestastatic cancer is usually cancer that spread from the other organs in the body. You will find that metastatic cancer is one of the most common forms. Primary liver cancer tends to be rare, but when it does form it is malignant. This type of cancer forms directly from the liver cells. The cause of the cancer is largely unknown. There has been speculation that the cancer is due to environmental factors such as pesticides. To prevent liver cancer in dogs it is often best to stay out of areas you know they spray harmful chemicals or dumb these chemicals. You other method of prevention comes from providing a healthy diet with the proper enzymes and protein.
The symptoms of liver cancer can very as to the type, but most of the symptoms will appear at one point. Symptoms are lethargy, vomiting, appetite loss, abdominal bloating, pale gums, limb weakness, respiratory issues, jaundice, and weight loss. As you can expect the weight loss and loss of appetite are usually combined symptoms. You will also find that the symptoms become more pronounced as the disease progresses. This means that while the dog may have displayed three symptoms for the last six months they will generally have more symptoms as the disease becomes worse and the other symptoms will become worse. You will find that as the disease progresses the cancer cells increase in size. A good spot to look for jaundice is going to be around the eyes as it can be difficult to recognize it in other areas. You will also find that coughing is another symptom that may bring up blood when they become worse.
Treatment for cancer is pretty general for all forms. The vet will look at the size of the tumor and decide if surgery is an option. You may not want an invasive procedure as well. Keep in mind that if surgery is an option it usually is the best thing to do to help your dog feel better. If the mass is too large surgery will not be an option and the vet will recommend medication, radiation, and/ or chemotherapy. The medications and therapy are to help reduce the cancer cells as well as prevent more cells from forming. It is important to realize that radiation and chemotherapy can last for several treatments before you will see results. In some cases the cancer may be too far along to do much good. It is always best to help make the dog as comfortable as possible.
About the Author:
Ashley Peach
dog accessories - dog training equipment - dog bowls
As dog diseases go you will find that liver cancer has a couple of different types. There is primary liver cancer, hemolymphatic cancer, and metastatic cancer. Hemolymphatic liver cancer is transferred by blood cells in the body or by the lymphoid tissue. Mestastatic cancer is usually cancer that spread from the other organs in the body. You will find that metastatic cancer is one of the most common forms. Primary liver cancer tends to be rare, but when it does form it is malignant. This type of cancer forms directly from the liver cells. The cause of the cancer is largely unknown. There has been speculation that the cancer is due to environmental factors such as pesticides. To prevent liver cancer in dogs it is often best to stay out of areas you know they spray harmful chemicals or dumb these chemicals. You other method of prevention comes from providing a healthy diet with the proper enzymes and protein.
The symptoms of liver cancer can very as to the type, but most of the symptoms will appear at one point. Symptoms are lethargy, vomiting, appetite loss, abdominal bloating, pale gums, limb weakness, respiratory issues, jaundice, and weight loss. As you can expect the weight loss and loss of appetite are usually combined symptoms. You will also find that the symptoms become more pronounced as the disease progresses. This means that while the dog may have displayed three symptoms for the last six months they will generally have more symptoms as the disease becomes worse and the other symptoms will become worse. You will find that as the disease progresses the cancer cells increase in size. A good spot to look for jaundice is going to be around the eyes as it can be difficult to recognize it in other areas. You will also find that coughing is another symptom that may bring up blood when they become worse.
Treatment for cancer is pretty general for all forms. The vet will look at the size of the tumor and decide if surgery is an option. You may not want an invasive procedure as well. Keep in mind that if surgery is an option it usually is the best thing to do to help your dog feel better. If the mass is too large surgery will not be an option and the vet will recommend medication, radiation, and/ or chemotherapy. The medications and therapy are to help reduce the cancer cells as well as prevent more cells from forming. It is important to realize that radiation and chemotherapy can last for several treatments before you will see results. In some cases the cancer may be too far along to do much good. It is always best to help make the dog as comfortable as possible.
About the Author:
Ashley Peach
dog accessories - dog training equipment - dog bowls
Pampering the Dogs by eric dimaano
In modern times, dogs are being pampered and cared more than the old days. Dog accessories such as personalized collars, dog shoes, dog clothes and dog beds are now available to all the dog owners. Dogs in this day and age are treated like a human, especially those dog owners that don't have their own children.
There are also some spas and restaurants exclusively for dogs in which dog lovers take their four legged friends to. This is because of the loyalty and love that dog owners have for their dogs. Of all domesticated animals, dogs are the most loyal and loving of all. This is why many luxury dog accessories are made, so as to show the love that owners have for their dogs, and such luxury items are the luxury dog beds.
There are a lot of kinds of luxury dog beds that dog owners can choose from such as cashmere made luxury dog beds, fleece made luxury dog beds, suede made luxury dog beds, bolster or donut shaped luxury dog beds, small and big luxury dog beds, extra large and large luxury dog beds, heated luxury dog beds, memory foam luxury dog beds, wooden luxury dog beds, wicker luxury dog beds, outdoor luxury dog beds, designer luxury dog beds, rounded luxury dog beds and many more luxury dog beds.
Those kinds of luxury dog beds can be easily found on any online dog accessory shops but some of those are also available on any dog accessory shop. So if you want to show your gratitude to your dog, then buy them some luxury dog beds to make them feel loved.
About the Author:
http://www.friendsofcashmere.com
There are also some spas and restaurants exclusively for dogs in which dog lovers take their four legged friends to. This is because of the loyalty and love that dog owners have for their dogs. Of all domesticated animals, dogs are the most loyal and loving of all. This is why many luxury dog accessories are made, so as to show the love that owners have for their dogs, and such luxury items are the luxury dog beds.
There are a lot of kinds of luxury dog beds that dog owners can choose from such as cashmere made luxury dog beds, fleece made luxury dog beds, suede made luxury dog beds, bolster or donut shaped luxury dog beds, small and big luxury dog beds, extra large and large luxury dog beds, heated luxury dog beds, memory foam luxury dog beds, wooden luxury dog beds, wicker luxury dog beds, outdoor luxury dog beds, designer luxury dog beds, rounded luxury dog beds and many more luxury dog beds.
Those kinds of luxury dog beds can be easily found on any online dog accessory shops but some of those are also available on any dog accessory shop. So if you want to show your gratitude to your dog, then buy them some luxury dog beds to make them feel loved.
About the Author:
http://www.friendsofcashmere.com
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Heart Disease in Dogs by Ashley Peach
There are several reasons a dog may have heart disease. In some cases heart disease is actual genetic, meaning that a parent also had the issue and passed it on. In most cases heart disease actually forms later in the dogs life due to several causes. One of the leading causes of heart disease is improper nutrition. In other words the dog owners have not supplied a healthy diet, they gave the dog human fatty food, or the dog didn't get enough exercise to counter act the diet they were on. You will find that cancer is usually genetic or a result of a mutation in the dog's blood cells that form a mass on the heart. This is the worst type of heart disease in a dog and is often deadly. There are symptoms to help you diagnose the early stages of heart disease and we will be looking at the different heart diseases and their treatment below.
As mentioned heart cancer is one of the worst diseases a dog can contract. The cells in the heart mutate forming a tumor mass either inside the heart or around the heart. When this occurs there is a blockage of blood flow, usually resulting in dizziness, clumsiness, fainting, lameness, and seizures. You will find with heart cancer the best treatment is usually surgery. Some masses are too big for surgery and in this case radiation is used to kill the cells, reduce the mass, and prevent other mutations from occurring. If left untreated the dog can die from the cancer. The dog may also die from the blockage of the blood before the cancer cells spread. With heart cancer it can form directly in the heart or it can form elsewhere in the body first. In some cases liver cancer, stomach cancer or lymphoma forms in the body, the blood cells that are mutating flow into the heart and then attach themselves in a mass.
Another form of heart disease is of course the heart attack or stroke. Though they are two different diseases there are some of the same causes as well as treatments. A heart attack is usually a blockage in the heart due to fatty oils, over taxing the heart, and blockages in the aorta. A stroke goes a little further in that it is a nerve reaction that can affect the brain and muscles of the dog, ending in partial paralysis. The signs of heart disease are usually weakness, loss of appetite, coughing, fainting, breathing issues, bloating, pale gums, and an irregular heart beat. You will find that the treatment for heart disease can be medication or surgery. Surgery is usually an option when there is a blockage that must be removed. This surgery usually removes the fat that has formed from the aorta and opening up the bloodstream to flow properly. Medications are also meant to help reduce the blockage as well as lower cholesterol. The medication usually is given once a day and will help regulate the heart to beat correctly. If, left untreated these two heart diseases could cause death. It will depend on the size of the blockage and of course the patient. To prevent this heart disease you need to have your dog on a healthy diet, with plenty of enzymes and protein that will help breakdown the food. You also want to avoid any food that is fatty, filled with oil, or carbohydrates. You also need to make sure your dog is exercised properly each day. Any dog breed can be susceptible to heart disease, although there are certain breeds more inclined.
About the Author:
Ashley Peach
dog accessories - kong toys - beds for dogs
As mentioned heart cancer is one of the worst diseases a dog can contract. The cells in the heart mutate forming a tumor mass either inside the heart or around the heart. When this occurs there is a blockage of blood flow, usually resulting in dizziness, clumsiness, fainting, lameness, and seizures. You will find with heart cancer the best treatment is usually surgery. Some masses are too big for surgery and in this case radiation is used to kill the cells, reduce the mass, and prevent other mutations from occurring. If left untreated the dog can die from the cancer. The dog may also die from the blockage of the blood before the cancer cells spread. With heart cancer it can form directly in the heart or it can form elsewhere in the body first. In some cases liver cancer, stomach cancer or lymphoma forms in the body, the blood cells that are mutating flow into the heart and then attach themselves in a mass.
Another form of heart disease is of course the heart attack or stroke. Though they are two different diseases there are some of the same causes as well as treatments. A heart attack is usually a blockage in the heart due to fatty oils, over taxing the heart, and blockages in the aorta. A stroke goes a little further in that it is a nerve reaction that can affect the brain and muscles of the dog, ending in partial paralysis. The signs of heart disease are usually weakness, loss of appetite, coughing, fainting, breathing issues, bloating, pale gums, and an irregular heart beat. You will find that the treatment for heart disease can be medication or surgery. Surgery is usually an option when there is a blockage that must be removed. This surgery usually removes the fat that has formed from the aorta and opening up the bloodstream to flow properly. Medications are also meant to help reduce the blockage as well as lower cholesterol. The medication usually is given once a day and will help regulate the heart to beat correctly. If, left untreated these two heart diseases could cause death. It will depend on the size of the blockage and of course the patient. To prevent this heart disease you need to have your dog on a healthy diet, with plenty of enzymes and protein that will help breakdown the food. You also want to avoid any food that is fatty, filled with oil, or carbohydrates. You also need to make sure your dog is exercised properly each day. Any dog breed can be susceptible to heart disease, although there are certain breeds more inclined.
About the Author:
Ashley Peach
dog accessories - kong toys - beds for dogs
Feeding your Dog A Raw Food Diet by Cyril Scheer
There are many reasons, counting all the pet food recalls last year, many animal lovers are looking for other options to commercial dog food. One of the options is raw a food diet for dogs.
The raw food diet for dogs would consist of what your dog would eat if he was a wild animal: raw meat, bones and vegetables. People who believe in this natural diet for dogs report showing tremendous improvements in their pets. Some of the improvements have been less halitosis, less tooth plaque, shinier coat and fewer visits to the veterinarian After research into dog eating habits, I decided to try this with my own dog. I personally considered it to be more like what a dog would naturally eat. It would be much healthier for my dog then commercial manufactured dog food. It has produced many of the benefits described above. He seems to be a much happier dog. If you want to try it here are some things that will help your dog the most A good idea would be to start off with only meat products. I would add some vegetables a few days later and then bones last. Raw food has a lot of bacteria. When you handle raw meat defrost it correctly and make sure you wash your hands with good antibacterial soap. Your dog can get sick like you can from bad handling of meat. Keep in mind all the food for your dog is going to be raw. This is good to know about meat bones. Cooked bones will splinter so never give your dog cooked bones. Chicken bones are extremely bad. They can splinter and lodge in your dogs throat. They can also get in their intestines and cause damage so be careful.
Use something to chop the dogs vegetables. Since dogs are not used to having veggies in their diet it will take a while for them to get used to the texture. What chopping does is it makes it easier for your dog to get nutrition because the vegetables are broken down into digestible forms. Pick good healthy veggies for your pet such as carrots, potatoes, parsnips, or others with high nutrition value. Never give your dog cabbage or broccoli as your poor dog will have quite a methane gas problem. This will be very bad for you and the dog The raw food diet is a good idea but it may not be something for every dog. What I would say is go see your dog's veterinarian and tell him what you are thinking about doing. Some dogs that have had digestive problems it may not work for them. It may up to your dog's tastes too. He may be used to commercial food and he may not want to change. We all want to have a happy dog. If you make some changes to your dog he may live a longer and healthier life By: Cyril Scheer
You can get more articles as well as supplies and a pet blog. Vist Cyril's website at www.ourpetlovesus.com
About the Author:
Cyril Scheer lives in Anaheim CA. He has 2 Basset Hounds and runs a pet pet website www.ourpetlovesus.com
The raw food diet for dogs would consist of what your dog would eat if he was a wild animal: raw meat, bones and vegetables. People who believe in this natural diet for dogs report showing tremendous improvements in their pets. Some of the improvements have been less halitosis, less tooth plaque, shinier coat and fewer visits to the veterinarian After research into dog eating habits, I decided to try this with my own dog. I personally considered it to be more like what a dog would naturally eat. It would be much healthier for my dog then commercial manufactured dog food. It has produced many of the benefits described above. He seems to be a much happier dog. If you want to try it here are some things that will help your dog the most A good idea would be to start off with only meat products. I would add some vegetables a few days later and then bones last. Raw food has a lot of bacteria. When you handle raw meat defrost it correctly and make sure you wash your hands with good antibacterial soap. Your dog can get sick like you can from bad handling of meat. Keep in mind all the food for your dog is going to be raw. This is good to know about meat bones. Cooked bones will splinter so never give your dog cooked bones. Chicken bones are extremely bad. They can splinter and lodge in your dogs throat. They can also get in their intestines and cause damage so be careful.
Use something to chop the dogs vegetables. Since dogs are not used to having veggies in their diet it will take a while for them to get used to the texture. What chopping does is it makes it easier for your dog to get nutrition because the vegetables are broken down into digestible forms. Pick good healthy veggies for your pet such as carrots, potatoes, parsnips, or others with high nutrition value. Never give your dog cabbage or broccoli as your poor dog will have quite a methane gas problem. This will be very bad for you and the dog The raw food diet is a good idea but it may not be something for every dog. What I would say is go see your dog's veterinarian and tell him what you are thinking about doing. Some dogs that have had digestive problems it may not work for them. It may up to your dog's tastes too. He may be used to commercial food and he may not want to change. We all want to have a happy dog. If you make some changes to your dog he may live a longer and healthier life By: Cyril Scheer
You can get more articles as well as supplies and a pet blog. Vist Cyril's website at www.ourpetlovesus.com
About the Author:
Cyril Scheer lives in Anaheim CA. He has 2 Basset Hounds and runs a pet pet website www.ourpetlovesus.com
Learn The Secrets Of Why Your Pet Wont Eat by Melissa Turner
Pets can sometimes be finicky when it comes to mealtime; cats are especially known to be picky about their food. Sometimes your pet may have a raring appetite and may beg to be fed...other times, they may simply glance at their dinner and choose to not eat. What is the cause of this inconsistent appetite? Chances are, if you have a pet with problems eating, the cause may not actually be your pet, but you.
If your pet consistently refuses to eat or eats very little, it may be a sign of illness. If your pet used to eat regularly and consistently, and now you have noticed a pattern of refusal to eat, this is cause enough to take your pet to the vet. If you have noticed other symptoms, take your pet to your local veterinary clinic to assess your pet's state of health immediately.
Although people need variety and wide selections and combinations of food, cats and dogs are not built the same way. This is often a mistaken belief that people have when it comes to feeding their pet. If they give their pet different types of food each day, they are teaching their pet that they can have an opinion, thus causing them to possibly not eat and hold out for a food choice they prefer more. Dogs and cats are not built like humans. They can get all of the proper nutrients and vitamins they need from only one particular dog food. Once you realize which food your pet likes best, just stick with it. Your pet will thank you for it!
Another reason that pets may not eat could be a family member who enjoys giving the pet 'people' snacks from the dinner table. If a dog gets pieces of 'people food,' that may very well satisfy their hunger until the next day. So, when you try to feed your pet, they are simply not hungry because they were already fed from the table. Not only can feeding from the table ruin your pet's appetite, it is also bad for them. Again, humans and animals have different nutritional needs, and human food may actually be more harmful to pets than is often realized.
Many dogs have an inherent nature to please their owners. Oftentimes when a pet eats their food, their owners praise them and show their dog that they are happy with them. Though this is fine, it can sometimes encourage dogs to overeat. Similar to humans, overeating can cause discomfort or bloating. If a pet later refuses to eat, they are simply saying they can't hold any more food and they are blocking it out in an attempt to be more comfortable.
Whatever the problem may be, it is always a good idea to visit your veterinary clinic and discuss your pet's eating habits with a professional. Your vet will be able to recommend a certain dog food type, as well as defining the amount of food and how many times a day your pet should be fed. Soon, you and your pet can find something that works for the both of you. Good luck!
About the Author:
Visit Dog-Bed.org & LVE Productions for more great content.
If your pet consistently refuses to eat or eats very little, it may be a sign of illness. If your pet used to eat regularly and consistently, and now you have noticed a pattern of refusal to eat, this is cause enough to take your pet to the vet. If you have noticed other symptoms, take your pet to your local veterinary clinic to assess your pet's state of health immediately.
Although people need variety and wide selections and combinations of food, cats and dogs are not built the same way. This is often a mistaken belief that people have when it comes to feeding their pet. If they give their pet different types of food each day, they are teaching their pet that they can have an opinion, thus causing them to possibly not eat and hold out for a food choice they prefer more. Dogs and cats are not built like humans. They can get all of the proper nutrients and vitamins they need from only one particular dog food. Once you realize which food your pet likes best, just stick with it. Your pet will thank you for it!
Another reason that pets may not eat could be a family member who enjoys giving the pet 'people' snacks from the dinner table. If a dog gets pieces of 'people food,' that may very well satisfy their hunger until the next day. So, when you try to feed your pet, they are simply not hungry because they were already fed from the table. Not only can feeding from the table ruin your pet's appetite, it is also bad for them. Again, humans and animals have different nutritional needs, and human food may actually be more harmful to pets than is often realized.
Many dogs have an inherent nature to please their owners. Oftentimes when a pet eats their food, their owners praise them and show their dog that they are happy with them. Though this is fine, it can sometimes encourage dogs to overeat. Similar to humans, overeating can cause discomfort or bloating. If a pet later refuses to eat, they are simply saying they can't hold any more food and they are blocking it out in an attempt to be more comfortable.
Whatever the problem may be, it is always a good idea to visit your veterinary clinic and discuss your pet's eating habits with a professional. Your vet will be able to recommend a certain dog food type, as well as defining the amount of food and how many times a day your pet should be fed. Soon, you and your pet can find something that works for the both of you. Good luck!
About the Author:
Visit Dog-Bed.org & LVE Productions for more great content.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Best Dog Breeds for Children by Ashley Peach
Dogs require a lot of attention and some dogs can be extremely sensitive, which means they are not always best for small or young children. When you have children who want a pet there are several things you should consider. Below is a list of dog breeds that do well with children as well as some dog breeds that do not.
Dogs That Love Children: German shepherds are our first dog on the list for being great with children. Despite the size of the German shepherd you will find that they are sensitive and very hardy dogs. They will tolerate a lot from young children such as tail pulling or hair pulling from children that are not aware of how it can hurt the dog. German shepherds are working dogs, but they also love a lot of affection and attention. They do well in households that have walking age children, especially older children that may return home from school and play in the backyard with them.
Poodles tend to do well with children as well. You may not want to have a poodle with infants or toddlers as they can be a little sensitive, but they love the affection and attention the children are willing to offer. Poodles are very active dogs inside and outside of the home. This means, they like being played with as well as trained. They can be sensitive so well behaved children are really the best types of households for them.
Golden Retrievers love children. In fact the best dog breed you can have for your child is going to be the Golden Retriever. You will find that they play, learn well, and shower affection. Most Golden Retrievers tend to follow children around as if they have adopted the care for that child and become some of the best companions as the child ages.
Labradors are also very good dogs to have around small children. They may need a little training to help with the proper socialization and commands as they can get quite rowdy, but they are hardy and not too sensitive. They tend to take the abuse of a toddler rather than lashing out.
Dogs That Tolerate Children: Bulldogs are usually very loyal and loving to their owners, however they do not do well in abusive homes or where they will be picked on a great deal. Bulldogs tend to like peace and quiet over little children pulling on their ears or screaming.
Old English sheepdog's can be in either category. It will depend on when you adopt the pet. Old English sheepdogs tend to be very loyal, affectionate and vie for attention. When you have an Old English sheepdog before children they can display very jealous behavior making them only tolerant of most children.
Great Danes are wonderful dogs, full of life and happiness. If you have a Great Dane in your home you can be assured that they will do well with any type of child; however they have landed in the tolerant status because of their size. The Great Dane is a very large and muscular dog, even with socialization training they can harm smaller children without meaning to do harm. Though they love being around children it is up to the parent to decide if they can be trusted with infants or toddlers even when the parent is in the room.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog's are not the best dogs to have around children. They are a fiercely independent dog that does require attention. They do not tolerate children, and in some cases have been known to carry off children left unattended. The Anatolian Shepherd dog is meant to guard as well as protect the home from animals. Their instincts are to carry small prey to their owners during hunts as well as protect the home.
About the Author:
Ashley Peach is a writer for the website dog bowls.
Dogs That Love Children: German shepherds are our first dog on the list for being great with children. Despite the size of the German shepherd you will find that they are sensitive and very hardy dogs. They will tolerate a lot from young children such as tail pulling or hair pulling from children that are not aware of how it can hurt the dog. German shepherds are working dogs, but they also love a lot of affection and attention. They do well in households that have walking age children, especially older children that may return home from school and play in the backyard with them.
Poodles tend to do well with children as well. You may not want to have a poodle with infants or toddlers as they can be a little sensitive, but they love the affection and attention the children are willing to offer. Poodles are very active dogs inside and outside of the home. This means, they like being played with as well as trained. They can be sensitive so well behaved children are really the best types of households for them.
Golden Retrievers love children. In fact the best dog breed you can have for your child is going to be the Golden Retriever. You will find that they play, learn well, and shower affection. Most Golden Retrievers tend to follow children around as if they have adopted the care for that child and become some of the best companions as the child ages.
Labradors are also very good dogs to have around small children. They may need a little training to help with the proper socialization and commands as they can get quite rowdy, but they are hardy and not too sensitive. They tend to take the abuse of a toddler rather than lashing out.
Dogs That Tolerate Children: Bulldogs are usually very loyal and loving to their owners, however they do not do well in abusive homes or where they will be picked on a great deal. Bulldogs tend to like peace and quiet over little children pulling on their ears or screaming.
Old English sheepdog's can be in either category. It will depend on when you adopt the pet. Old English sheepdogs tend to be very loyal, affectionate and vie for attention. When you have an Old English sheepdog before children they can display very jealous behavior making them only tolerant of most children.
Great Danes are wonderful dogs, full of life and happiness. If you have a Great Dane in your home you can be assured that they will do well with any type of child; however they have landed in the tolerant status because of their size. The Great Dane is a very large and muscular dog, even with socialization training they can harm smaller children without meaning to do harm. Though they love being around children it is up to the parent to decide if they can be trusted with infants or toddlers even when the parent is in the room.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog's are not the best dogs to have around children. They are a fiercely independent dog that does require attention. They do not tolerate children, and in some cases have been known to carry off children left unattended. The Anatolian Shepherd dog is meant to guard as well as protect the home from animals. Their instincts are to carry small prey to their owners during hunts as well as protect the home.
About the Author:
Ashley Peach is a writer for the website dog bowls.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Dog training technique to control a barking dog! by M Porteous
Dog owners all know the frustration, embarrassment and lack of peace and quiet a constantly barking dog can cause. While we love our pets when a dog is out of control and barking constantly you can be at your wits end and end up yelling back at your dog or doing things you may not be proud of. So how do you control a barking dog? What dog training technique can you utilize?
First of all we must understand the root cause of your dogs barking. Usually a dog barks because it is excited, bored or scared. All of these things have one common thread, they all stem from a lack of confidence in a dog to deal with its situation. Excited dogs often go out of control barking because they are encouraged to do so by owners who get over-excited themselves or are loud and animated very often, your dog will think it is ok to do such things and may not understand how to control this once they start. Bored dogs bark because they do not know how to handle being alone and frustrated; they bark because they want attention and a relief to the boredom. Dogs who are scared also bark to sound more threatening and feel they need to be very vocal about it. If your dog is also aggressive when scared you may need to be more careful with its training however so watch out for signs of baring teeth and snarling also.
IF your dog barks in some or all of these situations then what you need to do is teach them how to deal with this by positive reinforcement and being a good role model. Your relationship with your dog is the most important part of the training, as the master your dog sees you as the pack leader and will take cues from you good or bad. You must behave in a way that makes them comfortable with the situations by not making a big deal out of any of their fears. So let’s break down some examples for the different reasons for excessive barking we have discussed.
Excited When your dog gets overexcited you must learn to not give it attention, too much praise and attention can send it into overdrive and reinforces that it is ok to be hyperactive and loud. You must learn to be calm and ignore the dog while they are in this state until they calm down, only once they are calm and not barking should you show any praise. When you do show praise make sure it is calm and soft to keep the situation settled. Also when you arrive home do not get too excited to see your pet, if you immediately start lavishing attention on it they will start associating barking and people arriving.
Bored When you leave your pet at home and go to work do they bark? Or do they bark at night when they are outside? Again reinforcing the wrong behavior is something we do too often by letting the dog back inside at night or by making a big deal of coming home or leaving the house. The dog must know it is normal to be alone sometimes, when it gets too much attention it panics when it is deprived of this. To train the dog to realize being alone is normal you must make sure when you leave or return to the house or even from room to room you must not greet the dog but ignore them, only praise them if they do not bark and do not yell at them. Only when they realize as the pack leader this is all normal will they calm down.
Scared Dogs usually become scared if the owner shows signs of panic or fear try not to be panicky or agitated around the dog. Make sure you are in control of your emotions and actions when around your dog and they will feel comfortable with their master and with themselves enough to keep calm.
If you become the dogs pack leader and show that everything is ok, there is nothing to fear and that you are the master who does not have to give attention to them they will gradually learn to be more comfortable in whatever situation they find themselves in. I hope you can use this dog training technique to control a barking dog. Good luck!
About the Author:
Did you find this article helpful?
Do you need more advice on barking?
Does your dog chew on this they shouldn't?
Does your dog jump on people when they arrive?
Does training your dog feel like a mammoth task?
If so click here to learn how to transform your dog’s behavior in just one week!
First of all we must understand the root cause of your dogs barking. Usually a dog barks because it is excited, bored or scared. All of these things have one common thread, they all stem from a lack of confidence in a dog to deal with its situation. Excited dogs often go out of control barking because they are encouraged to do so by owners who get over-excited themselves or are loud and animated very often, your dog will think it is ok to do such things and may not understand how to control this once they start. Bored dogs bark because they do not know how to handle being alone and frustrated; they bark because they want attention and a relief to the boredom. Dogs who are scared also bark to sound more threatening and feel they need to be very vocal about it. If your dog is also aggressive when scared you may need to be more careful with its training however so watch out for signs of baring teeth and snarling also.
IF your dog barks in some or all of these situations then what you need to do is teach them how to deal with this by positive reinforcement and being a good role model. Your relationship with your dog is the most important part of the training, as the master your dog sees you as the pack leader and will take cues from you good or bad. You must behave in a way that makes them comfortable with the situations by not making a big deal out of any of their fears. So let’s break down some examples for the different reasons for excessive barking we have discussed.
Excited When your dog gets overexcited you must learn to not give it attention, too much praise and attention can send it into overdrive and reinforces that it is ok to be hyperactive and loud. You must learn to be calm and ignore the dog while they are in this state until they calm down, only once they are calm and not barking should you show any praise. When you do show praise make sure it is calm and soft to keep the situation settled. Also when you arrive home do not get too excited to see your pet, if you immediately start lavishing attention on it they will start associating barking and people arriving.
Bored When you leave your pet at home and go to work do they bark? Or do they bark at night when they are outside? Again reinforcing the wrong behavior is something we do too often by letting the dog back inside at night or by making a big deal of coming home or leaving the house. The dog must know it is normal to be alone sometimes, when it gets too much attention it panics when it is deprived of this. To train the dog to realize being alone is normal you must make sure when you leave or return to the house or even from room to room you must not greet the dog but ignore them, only praise them if they do not bark and do not yell at them. Only when they realize as the pack leader this is all normal will they calm down.
Scared Dogs usually become scared if the owner shows signs of panic or fear try not to be panicky or agitated around the dog. Make sure you are in control of your emotions and actions when around your dog and they will feel comfortable with their master and with themselves enough to keep calm.
If you become the dogs pack leader and show that everything is ok, there is nothing to fear and that you are the master who does not have to give attention to them they will gradually learn to be more comfortable in whatever situation they find themselves in. I hope you can use this dog training technique to control a barking dog. Good luck!
About the Author:
Did you find this article helpful?
Do you need more advice on barking?
Does your dog chew on this they shouldn't?
Does your dog jump on people when they arrive?
Does training your dog feel like a mammoth task?
If so click here to learn how to transform your dog’s behavior in just one week!
The Amazing World Of Virtual Pets by Dave Text
The virtual pets also known as the digital pets have mostly taken the place of the real animals like the dog, cats, hamsters and few more similar to it. These pets are artificial human companion and are kept for enjoyment and companionship. Nowadays people prefer a digital pet in the place of real pet.
These pets are gaining popularity simply because keeping a real pet is sometimes practically impossible due to lack of time. The pet when added in the family becomes the responsibility of the owner to look after it in every sense. For this pet can be the better choice and can give a sense of owning a pet.
There are basically three types of virtual pets namely gadget-based, web-page based and Game -or-application based pets. The gadget-based virtual pets are sold as a self contained, palm size computer. It has a small screen where the image of a pet appears. The buttons on the case are meant for the users to perform different tasks like feeding them, playing with them or washing the pet clean. Pets who are not satisfied with the care taken can emit beeps and sometimes die.
Many of the popular websites adopt virtual pets to put on their webpage and use for role playing in chat rooms. In some websites you can become the adoptee and ca adopt a virtual pet for which you will require to have a web page ready for your virtual pet.
Some of the sites can also adopt pets to put on a web-page and are revolving around writing for and breeding said pets to create newer, often 'showier' pets. Members of such sites are often encouraged to create their own species of draconic creatures, to adopt from other members, and to breed the various species together.
The last one is the Game -or-application based pets that come in software run on PC or video games consoles. It had powerful computing than with web page or gadget based digital pets, which helps in achieving a higher level of visual effects and interactivity.
The advanced technology gives a sense of reality to the pets and some enhance playability. With the advanced video gaming technology the user and interpret the actions of the pet like body language and the facial expressions. The user can have a short term or long term interaction with the pet.
In short term interaction the user can touch the pet with the cursor of the mouse and the pet will response to the touch. In long term interaction the users action affect pet's growth, behavior or life span. The user starts understanding the needs of the pet through its behavior, which seems natural and nurtures a feeling of developed relationship between the pet and the user.
The virtual pets are designed in such a manner that their certain level of autonomy and unpredictability gives a user a sense of reality. The user can interact with the pet and forms a special corner in the heart of the user. The user starts developing attachment for the virtual pet and a sense of responsibility towards it like when it comes having a real pet.
About the Author:
Virtual pets are a fun and great way to teach a child responsibility without the mess and inconvenience of a real animal. For more information go to Virtual-pet-adaption.com!
These pets are gaining popularity simply because keeping a real pet is sometimes practically impossible due to lack of time. The pet when added in the family becomes the responsibility of the owner to look after it in every sense. For this pet can be the better choice and can give a sense of owning a pet.
There are basically three types of virtual pets namely gadget-based, web-page based and Game -or-application based pets. The gadget-based virtual pets are sold as a self contained, palm size computer. It has a small screen where the image of a pet appears. The buttons on the case are meant for the users to perform different tasks like feeding them, playing with them or washing the pet clean. Pets who are not satisfied with the care taken can emit beeps and sometimes die.
Many of the popular websites adopt virtual pets to put on their webpage and use for role playing in chat rooms. In some websites you can become the adoptee and ca adopt a virtual pet for which you will require to have a web page ready for your virtual pet.
Some of the sites can also adopt pets to put on a web-page and are revolving around writing for and breeding said pets to create newer, often 'showier' pets. Members of such sites are often encouraged to create their own species of draconic creatures, to adopt from other members, and to breed the various species together.
The last one is the Game -or-application based pets that come in software run on PC or video games consoles. It had powerful computing than with web page or gadget based digital pets, which helps in achieving a higher level of visual effects and interactivity.
The advanced technology gives a sense of reality to the pets and some enhance playability. With the advanced video gaming technology the user and interpret the actions of the pet like body language and the facial expressions. The user can have a short term or long term interaction with the pet.
In short term interaction the user can touch the pet with the cursor of the mouse and the pet will response to the touch. In long term interaction the users action affect pet's growth, behavior or life span. The user starts understanding the needs of the pet through its behavior, which seems natural and nurtures a feeling of developed relationship between the pet and the user.
The virtual pets are designed in such a manner that their certain level of autonomy and unpredictability gives a user a sense of reality. The user can interact with the pet and forms a special corner in the heart of the user. The user starts developing attachment for the virtual pet and a sense of responsibility towards it like when it comes having a real pet.
About the Author:
Virtual pets are a fun and great way to teach a child responsibility without the mess and inconvenience of a real animal. For more information go to Virtual-pet-adaption.com!
Have Fun with Your Dog by Louise Louis
We're all so focused on taking good care of our dogs
that it's easy to lose sight of how easy and enjoyable
it is to spend a few minutes a day just playing with
our dog.
It doesn't matter that your dog is not Lassie an
and you're not Cesar Millan. Here are 5 simple games
that don't require any expensive equipment,
extraordinary skill or training. Have fun.
1. Toss a Towel
Toss a smallish bath towel over your dog's head.
Be sure to cover his head and shoulders. See how
long it takes for him to remove it.
2. Hide a Treat
Get one of his favorite small treats, such as a
cube of cheese, and show it to him. Place three
unbreakable cups face down on the floor. With your
back to your dog so he can't see it, hide the treat
under one of the cups. See how long it takes him
to find the treat. If you don't have unbreakable cups,
use boxes. Be sure to select boxes you no longer want!
Alternate version - show him the treat and then place
it under a low piece of furniture so that he can't
see the treat but can only use his paws to get it.
Smart dogs will figure out how to get it.
Others will give up.
3. Play Hide and Seek (for trained dogs
Give your dog the Sit command, then go behind
him and hide somewhere, such as behind a door
or the couch. Yell the Come command and see how
long it takes him to find you.
4. Play Soccer
A true soccer ball is too big for Toy breed dogs.
You want a rubber ball large enough that your dog
can't put it all in his mouth or pick it up by
his teeth. Use your backyard or a safe area inside
and put the ball on the floor. Gently kick the ball
along the ground to your dog.
In a few minutes, he will figure out that he must
push the ball with his nose or paws. Praise him
every time he moves the ball.
5. Fetch the Ball or Toy
Most dogs love to chase after a thrown ball or
toy. Use a bouncy ball or plush toy. Toss the
ball or toy a few feet from your dog. Remember
you're not playing softball and you have a
small dog. You don't need to throw it far.
Use a command such as FETCH if you want, but
remember you can have fun, you don't have to
make this a training session unless you want to.
Unfortunately, many dogs do not like to drop
the ball and give it back to you. Don't fight
your dog or try to force it from his mouth.
It's too easy to get bitten inadvertently.
Instead, throw a second ball or toy. Most dogs
will drop the first one and go after the second
one. Keep repeating this patter until you're
both tuckered out.
General tip: reserve the ball or toy you
use for these games to these games only. Don't
let your dog play with the ball or toys all the
time. That way your dog will know when you pick
up the rubber ball, it's play time.
While we love our dogs and most of us take our
dogs on daily walks, we may be on such tight
schedules that we forget to make time, even
5 minutes a day, to just play with our dogs.
These simple play dates provide mental and
physical stimulation to your dog and
help you bond together.
Have a good time.
About the Author:
For more information on Toy breeds and other small dogs, visit http://www.toybreeds.com
that it's easy to lose sight of how easy and enjoyable
it is to spend a few minutes a day just playing with
our dog.
It doesn't matter that your dog is not Lassie an
and you're not Cesar Millan. Here are 5 simple games
that don't require any expensive equipment,
extraordinary skill or training. Have fun.
1. Toss a Towel
Toss a smallish bath towel over your dog's head.
Be sure to cover his head and shoulders. See how
long it takes for him to remove it.
2. Hide a Treat
Get one of his favorite small treats, such as a
cube of cheese, and show it to him. Place three
unbreakable cups face down on the floor. With your
back to your dog so he can't see it, hide the treat
under one of the cups. See how long it takes him
to find the treat. If you don't have unbreakable cups,
use boxes. Be sure to select boxes you no longer want!
Alternate version - show him the treat and then place
it under a low piece of furniture so that he can't
see the treat but can only use his paws to get it.
Smart dogs will figure out how to get it.
Others will give up.
3. Play Hide and Seek (for trained dogs
Give your dog the Sit command, then go behind
him and hide somewhere, such as behind a door
or the couch. Yell the Come command and see how
long it takes him to find you.
4. Play Soccer
A true soccer ball is too big for Toy breed dogs.
You want a rubber ball large enough that your dog
can't put it all in his mouth or pick it up by
his teeth. Use your backyard or a safe area inside
and put the ball on the floor. Gently kick the ball
along the ground to your dog.
In a few minutes, he will figure out that he must
push the ball with his nose or paws. Praise him
every time he moves the ball.
5. Fetch the Ball or Toy
Most dogs love to chase after a thrown ball or
toy. Use a bouncy ball or plush toy. Toss the
ball or toy a few feet from your dog. Remember
you're not playing softball and you have a
small dog. You don't need to throw it far.
Use a command such as FETCH if you want, but
remember you can have fun, you don't have to
make this a training session unless you want to.
Unfortunately, many dogs do not like to drop
the ball and give it back to you. Don't fight
your dog or try to force it from his mouth.
It's too easy to get bitten inadvertently.
Instead, throw a second ball or toy. Most dogs
will drop the first one and go after the second
one. Keep repeating this patter until you're
both tuckered out.
General tip: reserve the ball or toy you
use for these games to these games only. Don't
let your dog play with the ball or toys all the
time. That way your dog will know when you pick
up the rubber ball, it's play time.
While we love our dogs and most of us take our
dogs on daily walks, we may be on such tight
schedules that we forget to make time, even
5 minutes a day, to just play with our dogs.
These simple play dates provide mental and
physical stimulation to your dog and
help you bond together.
Have a good time.
About the Author:
For more information on Toy breeds and other small dogs, visit http://www.toybreeds.com
Three Things to Do When Training Your Dog or Puppy by Barry Mcgee
Now that you know what you absolutely should not do, what are your alternatives? What follows are the three must-know alternatives to the three big “do notâ€s listed in the previous article.
Praise, praise, and did we mention praise?
A lot of people get so wrapped up in chastising and complaining when their dog does something wrong that they barely take the time to notice when the dog does something right We've already established that harsh physical discipline should never be used, and while we all have to get onto our dogs at some point, verbal and physical praise should definitely outweigh verbal discipline. If you fail to let your dog know when he's correctly obeyed a command or otherwise done something that pleases you, you shouldn't be surprised when he doesn't do the same thing again for you. In the same vein, it's so difficult to catch a dog in the act of misbehaving that throwing a fit at him when we do catch him is such sporadic discipline, it'll never do much good. Instead of trying to show your dog where he's going wrong, work to replace his less desirable habits with completely desirable habits by giving him plenty of opportunities (training sessions) to do the right thing, thus earning him loads of well-deserved praise. He'll soon learn that listening to you yields lots of the things he likes (treats, ear scratches, hugs) and he'll be all the more eager to please you with every step he takes.
Demand Attention, but Only if You Deserve It
The world seems full of people who, for one reason or another, seem to think that their dogs were born knowing all the basic obedience commands. If you're one of those people who repeatedly shouts at your dog to sit or lie down when you know in your heart that your dog hasn't a clue what either of those commands mean, then it's time to start shouting and take some action You can't expect a dog to obey a command if he hasn't been completely trained to know what that command means. On the other hand, if your dog knows very well what those obedience commands mean and he seems to have suddenly forgotten, then it's time to demand attention as efficiently as possible. Rather than shouting the same command over and over, try to figure out what's keeping your dog from responding. Is he distracted by another dog? Make him focus on you by holding up a treat, clapping your hands in front of his nose, or giving a light pull on the leash. Once he has eye contact with you, he should go ahead and obey, if distraction is the issue at hand. If there are no visible distractions, it's time to ask yourself if the dog really is as well-versed as you believed. Chances are, if you asked him 99 times in a training session to sit and he sat on the 100th issuing of the command, he's not going to remember next time around how to sit. In fact, the 100th command should have been your official starting point. Everything up until that point was just a warm-up. If you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your dog knows that command like he knows his own name, consider that your dog may just be having a bad, stubborn day (especially if you've been yelling at him ). Did you all have a disagreement earlier? Are you angry or upset about something? Dog's are very perceptive of tonal shifts in our voices and of our body language. Are you on the defensive because your dog is being a brat? Perhaps, if it's not a matter of life or death that your dog lie down RIGHT NOW, then both of you need to take a breather and come back to the training later. Whatever you do, never let more than a few hours between a dog's episode of deliberate disobedience and correction of the problem. If at all possible, an episode of deliberate disobedience should be corrected immediately, but only if you're calm and prepared to be firm, yet patient.
Maintain Consistency in Vocabulary
If you've worked hard to train your dog, then he's probably got a handful of trigger words under his collar sit, stay, lie down, come, etc. As was mentioned previously, it's not the dictionary meaning of the word your dog is responding to; it's the sound and tone of the word and the physical action your dog has been conditioned to associate with that sound and tone. You could teach your dog to sit using the word rosebud, and he'd sit himself down every time you said the trigger word Therefore, one of the most important parts of making sure that your dog behaves each and every time you give him a command is to be absolutely consistent with your dog's vocabulary. For instance, you've taught your dog to come, but you find yourself out in the yard shouting for your dog to get over here. Will he come? Maybe, or maybe not. It depends on whether he feels like it Don't say down when your dog knows lie down, and don't say heel when your dog knows walk. The words you use in the very first training session should be the words you stick with for the rest of the dog's life. If you have to write them down to remind yourself, then by all means do so. Whatever words you choose, be they rosebud, roll over, or something in between, make sure that you don't issue your command in a frenzied string of words that mean nothing to your dog. Simply say your dog's name and follow it up with the command your dog has known to obey from day one of training.
About the Author:
Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining covers all areas of dog training.
For answers to all your puppy and dog training questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining
Praise, praise, and did we mention praise?
A lot of people get so wrapped up in chastising and complaining when their dog does something wrong that they barely take the time to notice when the dog does something right We've already established that harsh physical discipline should never be used, and while we all have to get onto our dogs at some point, verbal and physical praise should definitely outweigh verbal discipline. If you fail to let your dog know when he's correctly obeyed a command or otherwise done something that pleases you, you shouldn't be surprised when he doesn't do the same thing again for you. In the same vein, it's so difficult to catch a dog in the act of misbehaving that throwing a fit at him when we do catch him is such sporadic discipline, it'll never do much good. Instead of trying to show your dog where he's going wrong, work to replace his less desirable habits with completely desirable habits by giving him plenty of opportunities (training sessions) to do the right thing, thus earning him loads of well-deserved praise. He'll soon learn that listening to you yields lots of the things he likes (treats, ear scratches, hugs) and he'll be all the more eager to please you with every step he takes.
Demand Attention, but Only if You Deserve It
The world seems full of people who, for one reason or another, seem to think that their dogs were born knowing all the basic obedience commands. If you're one of those people who repeatedly shouts at your dog to sit or lie down when you know in your heart that your dog hasn't a clue what either of those commands mean, then it's time to start shouting and take some action You can't expect a dog to obey a command if he hasn't been completely trained to know what that command means. On the other hand, if your dog knows very well what those obedience commands mean and he seems to have suddenly forgotten, then it's time to demand attention as efficiently as possible. Rather than shouting the same command over and over, try to figure out what's keeping your dog from responding. Is he distracted by another dog? Make him focus on you by holding up a treat, clapping your hands in front of his nose, or giving a light pull on the leash. Once he has eye contact with you, he should go ahead and obey, if distraction is the issue at hand. If there are no visible distractions, it's time to ask yourself if the dog really is as well-versed as you believed. Chances are, if you asked him 99 times in a training session to sit and he sat on the 100th issuing of the command, he's not going to remember next time around how to sit. In fact, the 100th command should have been your official starting point. Everything up until that point was just a warm-up. If you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your dog knows that command like he knows his own name, consider that your dog may just be having a bad, stubborn day (especially if you've been yelling at him ). Did you all have a disagreement earlier? Are you angry or upset about something? Dog's are very perceptive of tonal shifts in our voices and of our body language. Are you on the defensive because your dog is being a brat? Perhaps, if it's not a matter of life or death that your dog lie down RIGHT NOW, then both of you need to take a breather and come back to the training later. Whatever you do, never let more than a few hours between a dog's episode of deliberate disobedience and correction of the problem. If at all possible, an episode of deliberate disobedience should be corrected immediately, but only if you're calm and prepared to be firm, yet patient.
Maintain Consistency in Vocabulary
If you've worked hard to train your dog, then he's probably got a handful of trigger words under his collar sit, stay, lie down, come, etc. As was mentioned previously, it's not the dictionary meaning of the word your dog is responding to; it's the sound and tone of the word and the physical action your dog has been conditioned to associate with that sound and tone. You could teach your dog to sit using the word rosebud, and he'd sit himself down every time you said the trigger word Therefore, one of the most important parts of making sure that your dog behaves each and every time you give him a command is to be absolutely consistent with your dog's vocabulary. For instance, you've taught your dog to come, but you find yourself out in the yard shouting for your dog to get over here. Will he come? Maybe, or maybe not. It depends on whether he feels like it Don't say down when your dog knows lie down, and don't say heel when your dog knows walk. The words you use in the very first training session should be the words you stick with for the rest of the dog's life. If you have to write them down to remind yourself, then by all means do so. Whatever words you choose, be they rosebud, roll over, or something in between, make sure that you don't issue your command in a frenzied string of words that mean nothing to your dog. Simply say your dog's name and follow it up with the command your dog has known to obey from day one of training.
About the Author:
Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining covers all areas of dog training.
For answers to all your puppy and dog training questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining
Friday, December 7, 2007
How To Control Algae In Your Aquarium by Devin Gilliland
Like crabgrass on a lawn, algae can be bothersome. Fortunately, there are ways to control the growth of algae in your aquarium.
It is impossible to eliminate algae altogether, and you should not be frustrated by the persistent nature of algae to accumulate. What you can do is control the condition under which plant life and fish thrives and algae does not. First, how much light are you allowing into your tank area? If you have light for more than ten hours a day, you are assisting algae grow in your tank, so don't keep the lights on 24-7. You can purchase algae eating fish if that would fit with your aquarium's motif. Some fish types that consume algae are three breeds of suckermouth catfish, the Ancistrus, Peckoltia, and Otocinlus. In addition, the Siamese Algae Eater, Crossocheilus siamensis is a great choice for controlling the algae in your tank. If you have a large tank, then the Common Plec is a good choice as well. But they are aggressive fish and do grow to huge size. Saltwater fish that are excellent for algae consumption are most tangs/surgeon fish, or any grazer.
The next step in controlling algae is to consistently change the water itself. By doing this, you are controlling the nutrient levels in the tank, which is crucial. Controlling nitrates, phosphates, and silicates are especially important. Another thing to look for is how you are controlling the iron in the tank. You can include different kinds of plants in your setup so they will compete for iron and other nutrients algae feeds off of in order to how a low opportunity for algae to survive.
Your first battle is likely to be with brown algae, or diatoms, because it appears first by siphoning silicon from the new aquarium tank itself, and unlike other stages of algae, it is unaffected by low lighting levels, so controlling light will not stop it from thriving. You can effectively combat it by changing water and gravel often. Diatoms thrive in conditions where phosphate is low and silicon is high, and this is generally what your scenario will be when you first start your aquarium. As time progresses and the environment changes, brown algae is usually replaced by green algae, because green algae thrives in a higher phosphate environment.
Green algae is apparently delicious and the best way to get rid of it is to bring in those algae eating catish and/or Siamese. Combined with keeping your aquarium only lit for a maximum of ten hours a day and simple manual removal of clumps of green algae, you can control what is typically the most usual and common algae growth in your aquarium.
Red Algae, or Brush, is a real problem because it is difficult to remove manually and most fish won't eat it. Take care of this pesky nuisance by changing your water to RO/DI water and let your Siamese fish tackle it.
Blue Algae, or Cynobacteria, have photosynthesis, meaning the more light, the more it thrives. It is extremely harmful to both plants, by smothering, and fish, by poisoning. Treat your aquarium with erythromycin but be sure you know what you are doing, as you will need to check for ammonia and nitrate.
About the Author:
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium.
It is impossible to eliminate algae altogether, and you should not be frustrated by the persistent nature of algae to accumulate. What you can do is control the condition under which plant life and fish thrives and algae does not. First, how much light are you allowing into your tank area? If you have light for more than ten hours a day, you are assisting algae grow in your tank, so don't keep the lights on 24-7. You can purchase algae eating fish if that would fit with your aquarium's motif. Some fish types that consume algae are three breeds of suckermouth catfish, the Ancistrus, Peckoltia, and Otocinlus. In addition, the Siamese Algae Eater, Crossocheilus siamensis is a great choice for controlling the algae in your tank. If you have a large tank, then the Common Plec is a good choice as well. But they are aggressive fish and do grow to huge size. Saltwater fish that are excellent for algae consumption are most tangs/surgeon fish, or any grazer.
The next step in controlling algae is to consistently change the water itself. By doing this, you are controlling the nutrient levels in the tank, which is crucial. Controlling nitrates, phosphates, and silicates are especially important. Another thing to look for is how you are controlling the iron in the tank. You can include different kinds of plants in your setup so they will compete for iron and other nutrients algae feeds off of in order to how a low opportunity for algae to survive.
Your first battle is likely to be with brown algae, or diatoms, because it appears first by siphoning silicon from the new aquarium tank itself, and unlike other stages of algae, it is unaffected by low lighting levels, so controlling light will not stop it from thriving. You can effectively combat it by changing water and gravel often. Diatoms thrive in conditions where phosphate is low and silicon is high, and this is generally what your scenario will be when you first start your aquarium. As time progresses and the environment changes, brown algae is usually replaced by green algae, because green algae thrives in a higher phosphate environment.
Green algae is apparently delicious and the best way to get rid of it is to bring in those algae eating catish and/or Siamese. Combined with keeping your aquarium only lit for a maximum of ten hours a day and simple manual removal of clumps of green algae, you can control what is typically the most usual and common algae growth in your aquarium.
Red Algae, or Brush, is a real problem because it is difficult to remove manually and most fish won't eat it. Take care of this pesky nuisance by changing your water to RO/DI water and let your Siamese fish tackle it.
Blue Algae, or Cynobacteria, have photosynthesis, meaning the more light, the more it thrives. It is extremely harmful to both plants, by smothering, and fish, by poisoning. Treat your aquarium with erythromycin but be sure you know what you are doing, as you will need to check for ammonia and nitrate.
About the Author:
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium.
Choosing Fish For Your New Aquarium by Devin Gilliland
Now you have your saltwater aquarium tank all set up. All you need are some finny friends to keep you company. But which fish are the right ones, and how many should you acquire? The answer to the second question is simple math. You can acquire three inches of fish for every ten gallons of water. So the species of fish and factoring in how fast they grow are calculations you should make before you go to the pet store and make acquisitions.
The second factor is time in between acquisitions. You don't want to throw five new fish into your tank because it will destroy the equilibrium of your tank's current bio system. Even in the beginning, you only want to put one or two new fish in your tank at a time, adding new ones at two to three week intervals until you are satisfied.
The third factor is mood. You don't want anti-social or territorial fish in your tank because they will take over that cute little castle at the bottom of your tank and forge swords in it. That is to say, they will kill your other fish! Also important is that fish species grow at different intervals. Large fish usually eat small fish, so if you have species that grow very large and are predatory and others that don't, expect your small ones to become food. Also, just because a fish species is not generally aggressive, keep in mind that some fish are mavericks and are either territorial or aggressive despite normal species tendencies. Make sure you ask your dealer before acquiring a fish what its disposition is or you may be adding an evil fish that will make your nice friendly fish lives a nightmare experience.
Diet is another factor that you should take into consideration. If you are not going to have coral in your saltwater aquarium, then you shouldn't get coral eating fish. There are some species that are naturally hungrier than others, and providing for their special dietary needs may cause a disruption in the balance of food you need to add to the tank, leading to the early demise of other fish in your tank, or to that species if its food is taken by others. This can also lead to fish becoming defensive towards one another, which leads to war!
Set-up Type compatibility is also a key factor in deciding on your fish and other tank livestock. There are some fish suited for fish only tanks, some for fish only with live rock, or reef tank system and you are going to want to ensure that you acquire the right species to survive with your setup, or your fish will either not survive or become defensive, and go to war!
The bottom line here is organization. Working with your local pet dealer and doing your research to understand what fish go together and what fish don't, along with understanding the correct progression for increasing the amount of fish in your saltwater tank will all go a long way towards providing both you and the fish a peaceful habitat for you to enjoy and for the fish to live in.
About the Author:
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium
The second factor is time in between acquisitions. You don't want to throw five new fish into your tank because it will destroy the equilibrium of your tank's current bio system. Even in the beginning, you only want to put one or two new fish in your tank at a time, adding new ones at two to three week intervals until you are satisfied.
The third factor is mood. You don't want anti-social or territorial fish in your tank because they will take over that cute little castle at the bottom of your tank and forge swords in it. That is to say, they will kill your other fish! Also important is that fish species grow at different intervals. Large fish usually eat small fish, so if you have species that grow very large and are predatory and others that don't, expect your small ones to become food. Also, just because a fish species is not generally aggressive, keep in mind that some fish are mavericks and are either territorial or aggressive despite normal species tendencies. Make sure you ask your dealer before acquiring a fish what its disposition is or you may be adding an evil fish that will make your nice friendly fish lives a nightmare experience.
Diet is another factor that you should take into consideration. If you are not going to have coral in your saltwater aquarium, then you shouldn't get coral eating fish. There are some species that are naturally hungrier than others, and providing for their special dietary needs may cause a disruption in the balance of food you need to add to the tank, leading to the early demise of other fish in your tank, or to that species if its food is taken by others. This can also lead to fish becoming defensive towards one another, which leads to war!
Set-up Type compatibility is also a key factor in deciding on your fish and other tank livestock. There are some fish suited for fish only tanks, some for fish only with live rock, or reef tank system and you are going to want to ensure that you acquire the right species to survive with your setup, or your fish will either not survive or become defensive, and go to war!
The bottom line here is organization. Working with your local pet dealer and doing your research to understand what fish go together and what fish don't, along with understanding the correct progression for increasing the amount of fish in your saltwater tank will all go a long way towards providing both you and the fish a peaceful habitat for you to enjoy and for the fish to live in.
About the Author:
SaltySupply.com offers the most premium aquarium supplies on the net. We offer protein skimmers, powerheads, pumps and more for your saltwater aquarium
Thursday, December 6, 2007
How To Get A Good Dog Christmas Photo With Santa by Sylvia Dickens
It's that time of year when people want to get that family portrait with Santa. This once usually meant that the kids gathered around the Jolly fellow and posed, but in recent times, people have decided to include their pets in their Santa portraits.
Getting that great dog Christmas photo isn't as easy as it sounds. Your dog might not like the whole idea, or worse, Santa might not like dogs. What can you do to make sure you get that photo?
First, check ahead with Santa to see if he is comfortable working with dogs. Make sure the photographer is also experienced in taking good dog Christmas photos. Dog portrait photography takes special skills. See if he or she has any samples to show you. Be on the lookout for red-eye. This is common in dog photos because their eyes open up very wide during the shot. That's because they are generally nervous. This allows the flash to bounce off the inside of the eye which causes the red glow.
To avoid this, the flash must be held to one side instead of directly in front of the dog.
Then, there are the dog-related issues when trying to capture that Christmas photo. Excited dogs can have "accidents" on Santa's lap, or they might snap or bite out of fear. This is why it's so important to find a Santa who works well with dogs. Dogs can tell when someone is nervous and they will take this as their opportunity to "take command".
You can help Santa along by taking your dog for a walk prior to his or her photo shoot. This will do several things. It will allow her to empty her bladder and help prevent an accident. It will also get rid of some of the energy and excitement that is built up in the dog. This will help relax her beforehand.
Take along her favourite toy, but keep it hidden until the actual photo shoot. Squeaky toys are best for getting her attention at the right moment. You can get a great perky expression to make your dog Christmas photo special.
Take some of her favourite nutritious treats to entice and reward her.
Both of these tactics will help calm your dog and distract her from being nervous or trying to aggravate Santa.
There's even more you can do to help make the experience as painless as possible.
Pet and talk to your dog until the last possible moment to help calm the dog and also to prevent her from getting bored.
If a squeaky toy doesn't work, try a high-pitched whistle that can be blown just before the photo is taken. This will alert the dog so she looks attentive.
Most of all, don’t force your dog too much as this will just agitate her. Watch her body language to avoid getting bitten. If she raises the fur on her neck and shoulders or tucks her tail between her legs, this is a warning sign to be heeded. If she raises her upper lip, this usually indicates that the dog is very likely to bite.
If the entire dog Christmas photo experience proves uncomfortable for your pet, hold her yourself. She will be much more at ease and cooperative than she would sitting on Santa's knee.
It takes a lot of patience and a good sense of humor to get that all-important dog Christmas photo, but it can be done. With a capable photographer and an understanding Santa, you can get a terrific dog photo for your family album or the family Christmas card.
One last thing you can do to make the experience a pleasant one for everyone is to bring some sticky tape to remove your dog's hair from Santa's suit. And don't forget to reward your dog for good behaviour with one of those nutritious treats.
About the Author:
Dog nutrition is important to ensuring your dog stays happy and healthy for a long life. Discover what constitutes Healthy Dog Nutrition and sign up for your free dog training mini-course. Visit Sylvia's Ebook Web Site for books on dog training, travel, music instruction, hobbies, fitness, wealth building, bus
Getting that great dog Christmas photo isn't as easy as it sounds. Your dog might not like the whole idea, or worse, Santa might not like dogs. What can you do to make sure you get that photo?
First, check ahead with Santa to see if he is comfortable working with dogs. Make sure the photographer is also experienced in taking good dog Christmas photos. Dog portrait photography takes special skills. See if he or she has any samples to show you. Be on the lookout for red-eye. This is common in dog photos because their eyes open up very wide during the shot. That's because they are generally nervous. This allows the flash to bounce off the inside of the eye which causes the red glow.
To avoid this, the flash must be held to one side instead of directly in front of the dog.
Then, there are the dog-related issues when trying to capture that Christmas photo. Excited dogs can have "accidents" on Santa's lap, or they might snap or bite out of fear. This is why it's so important to find a Santa who works well with dogs. Dogs can tell when someone is nervous and they will take this as their opportunity to "take command".
You can help Santa along by taking your dog for a walk prior to his or her photo shoot. This will do several things. It will allow her to empty her bladder and help prevent an accident. It will also get rid of some of the energy and excitement that is built up in the dog. This will help relax her beforehand.
Take along her favourite toy, but keep it hidden until the actual photo shoot. Squeaky toys are best for getting her attention at the right moment. You can get a great perky expression to make your dog Christmas photo special.
Take some of her favourite nutritious treats to entice and reward her.
Both of these tactics will help calm your dog and distract her from being nervous or trying to aggravate Santa.
There's even more you can do to help make the experience as painless as possible.
Pet and talk to your dog until the last possible moment to help calm the dog and also to prevent her from getting bored.
If a squeaky toy doesn't work, try a high-pitched whistle that can be blown just before the photo is taken. This will alert the dog so she looks attentive.
Most of all, don’t force your dog too much as this will just agitate her. Watch her body language to avoid getting bitten. If she raises the fur on her neck and shoulders or tucks her tail between her legs, this is a warning sign to be heeded. If she raises her upper lip, this usually indicates that the dog is very likely to bite.
If the entire dog Christmas photo experience proves uncomfortable for your pet, hold her yourself. She will be much more at ease and cooperative than she would sitting on Santa's knee.
It takes a lot of patience and a good sense of humor to get that all-important dog Christmas photo, but it can be done. With a capable photographer and an understanding Santa, you can get a terrific dog photo for your family album or the family Christmas card.
One last thing you can do to make the experience a pleasant one for everyone is to bring some sticky tape to remove your dog's hair from Santa's suit. And don't forget to reward your dog for good behaviour with one of those nutritious treats.
About the Author:
Dog nutrition is important to ensuring your dog stays happy and healthy for a long life. Discover what constitutes Healthy Dog Nutrition and sign up for your free dog training mini-course. Visit Sylvia's Ebook Web Site for books on dog training, travel, music instruction, hobbies, fitness, wealth building, bus
The Essentials Of Doggie Dental Care by Ronny Sikes
We all know that brushing and flossing is a must if we want to keep all our teeth in our old age. Of course we want to take good care of our teeth and mouths because we desire pearly white teeth that are aesthetically appealing. However, we realize the importance of dental hygiene; we need to take care of our teeth so we don't get oral disease that could have been prevented by simply brushing and flossing multiple times each day.
So, what about our dogs? They have teeth too, and they need dental care just like us. Though they don't mind if their teeth aren't the perfect shade of white, they probably do care if their mouth is poorly taken care of and if they suffer later on in life as a result from lack of attention. Like humans, dogs can have plaque, cavities, gingivitis, and tartar. Though you can take your pet to the local groomer to get their teeth cleaned, you can do it at home. Here's how to take care of your pet's teeth easily and effectively.
The best way to prevent periodontal disease and inflammation is by daily brushing your dog's teeth. Of course, you will want to begin slowly and entice your dog with treats and praise to encourage him or her to allow you to brush their teeth. This takes time, and effort, but it is well worth it.
When you brush your dog's teeth, you will most likely want to use a finger toothbrush or a simple kid-sized toothbrush. These are gentle, yet they allow the tartar and plaque to loosen up on the teeth and be flushed out. Also, you will need to make sure you use special doggie toothpaste. You can either get this at your personal veterinary office or at your local pet supply store. When you apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush, be sure to get the paste deep into the brush; if it just sits on top it will quickly come off in your pet's mouth and be ineffective. Be sure to brush your dog's teeth at a 45-degree angle, because this helps ensure that every tooth gets properly cleaned, and this makes it more comfortable for you as well.
Other ways that you can help your pet remain in good oral health is to feed them dry food instead of wet food. The crunchy chow works to gently scrub teeth as the food is chewed. Also, there are many, many special treat products available that claim to help clean teeth; though these do help, they certainly are not as effective as actually brushing each day. Chew toys are another way to help keep up good dental health. Chew toys with rubber prongs or ones that are textured certainly help gently rub off plaque from the teeth and are good choices for your pet's oral health.
Just like humans, dental health is important to dogs. Dogs can suffer from periodontal disease, gingivitis, tartar and plaque. There are doggie toothbrushes, toothpaste, chew toys, food, and treats that help keep your pet's mouth happy and healthy. Help your dog, and keep their mouth and teeth squeaky clean!
About the Author:
Ronny Sikes is a contributing writer for Pet-Super-Store.com a site featuring various training supplies such as bark collars, electric dog fence and dog training collars.
So, what about our dogs? They have teeth too, and they need dental care just like us. Though they don't mind if their teeth aren't the perfect shade of white, they probably do care if their mouth is poorly taken care of and if they suffer later on in life as a result from lack of attention. Like humans, dogs can have plaque, cavities, gingivitis, and tartar. Though you can take your pet to the local groomer to get their teeth cleaned, you can do it at home. Here's how to take care of your pet's teeth easily and effectively.
The best way to prevent periodontal disease and inflammation is by daily brushing your dog's teeth. Of course, you will want to begin slowly and entice your dog with treats and praise to encourage him or her to allow you to brush their teeth. This takes time, and effort, but it is well worth it.
When you brush your dog's teeth, you will most likely want to use a finger toothbrush or a simple kid-sized toothbrush. These are gentle, yet they allow the tartar and plaque to loosen up on the teeth and be flushed out. Also, you will need to make sure you use special doggie toothpaste. You can either get this at your personal veterinary office or at your local pet supply store. When you apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush, be sure to get the paste deep into the brush; if it just sits on top it will quickly come off in your pet's mouth and be ineffective. Be sure to brush your dog's teeth at a 45-degree angle, because this helps ensure that every tooth gets properly cleaned, and this makes it more comfortable for you as well.
Other ways that you can help your pet remain in good oral health is to feed them dry food instead of wet food. The crunchy chow works to gently scrub teeth as the food is chewed. Also, there are many, many special treat products available that claim to help clean teeth; though these do help, they certainly are not as effective as actually brushing each day. Chew toys are another way to help keep up good dental health. Chew toys with rubber prongs or ones that are textured certainly help gently rub off plaque from the teeth and are good choices for your pet's oral health.
Just like humans, dental health is important to dogs. Dogs can suffer from periodontal disease, gingivitis, tartar and plaque. There are doggie toothbrushes, toothpaste, chew toys, food, and treats that help keep your pet's mouth happy and healthy. Help your dog, and keep their mouth and teeth squeaky clean!
About the Author:
Ronny Sikes is a contributing writer for Pet-Super-Store.com a site featuring various training supplies such as bark collars, electric dog fence and dog training collars.
Exercise With Your Pet For Greater Health And Companionship by Melanie McVarney
As the holidays approach, a level of apprehension continually grows in each person's mind: 'how can I not gain weight this holiday season?' people ask. 'How can I quickly lose weight after the holidays?' is another question that health-conscientious people have asked themselves each year.
Weight gain is not only a problem for people during the holidays. Dogs get new bones or new tasty treats and biscuits. Sometimes, dogs are even allowed table scraps so they can be a part of the family festivities. Because it is most likely cold outside, there may be a warm fire in the fireplace, or maybe the family has decided to sit down and watch TV for the day, so the family pet joins in the relaxation and leisure of the holidays.
So, what should you do? Enlist your doggie to be your exercise partner! For many people, having an exercise buddy helps them stay on track and get the exercise they know they need. This is a win-win situation. Your dog can get the exercise he wants, and you will have a companion, an accountability partner, and you may even lose a pant size or two!
Dogs are born with an inherent desire to run, play, and get exercise. Though they are often happy to sit on your lap as you relax and watch TV, if it is beautiful outside, they want to be outside as well, romping around in the fresh air and chasing after squirrels.
Before you formulate your workout plan with your dog, be sure you check with your veterinarian first. They will be able to help you decide on a program that fits your dog's current level of fitness, and you then will be able to formulate a plan that works well for both you and your dog.
So, don't wait...get started! Begin by taking your dog on two walks a day. Slowly increase the length of walking of time, as well as the pace. This way, you will be able to work up your goal fitness level. Be sure to switch up the routine some days...take your dog to a park (where pets are allowed, of course) and play chase or fetch with a tennis ball or flying Frisbee. This will allow your dog to run around without a leash and they will be able to romp around freely.
Once your dog becomes accustomed to taking daily walks outdoors, they will hold you to your commitment. It is just like mealtime; you dog lets you know when it is time to eat (in this case, when it is time to exercise!). How will you be able to resist those big brown pleading puppy eyes? The whimpering that begs, 'please walk with me!' is also hard to ignore. Listen to your dog; you will most likely find that taking a walk two times a day is relaxing and fun. You will get to spend time with your pet, you will probably meet other people in your neighborhood who have pets, so it is a great opportunity to get some fresh air and clear your mind.
After the holidays, choose to lose the few extra pounds you may have gained and formulate and exercise plan for you and your dog. Your pet will hold you to the routine, and you won't regret it! So, get started, and good luck!
About the Author:
Visit Dog-Training-Collars.org and Hunting Dog News for more great content.
Weight gain is not only a problem for people during the holidays. Dogs get new bones or new tasty treats and biscuits. Sometimes, dogs are even allowed table scraps so they can be a part of the family festivities. Because it is most likely cold outside, there may be a warm fire in the fireplace, or maybe the family has decided to sit down and watch TV for the day, so the family pet joins in the relaxation and leisure of the holidays.
So, what should you do? Enlist your doggie to be your exercise partner! For many people, having an exercise buddy helps them stay on track and get the exercise they know they need. This is a win-win situation. Your dog can get the exercise he wants, and you will have a companion, an accountability partner, and you may even lose a pant size or two!
Dogs are born with an inherent desire to run, play, and get exercise. Though they are often happy to sit on your lap as you relax and watch TV, if it is beautiful outside, they want to be outside as well, romping around in the fresh air and chasing after squirrels.
Before you formulate your workout plan with your dog, be sure you check with your veterinarian first. They will be able to help you decide on a program that fits your dog's current level of fitness, and you then will be able to formulate a plan that works well for both you and your dog.
So, don't wait...get started! Begin by taking your dog on two walks a day. Slowly increase the length of walking of time, as well as the pace. This way, you will be able to work up your goal fitness level. Be sure to switch up the routine some days...take your dog to a park (where pets are allowed, of course) and play chase or fetch with a tennis ball or flying Frisbee. This will allow your dog to run around without a leash and they will be able to romp around freely.
Once your dog becomes accustomed to taking daily walks outdoors, they will hold you to your commitment. It is just like mealtime; you dog lets you know when it is time to eat (in this case, when it is time to exercise!). How will you be able to resist those big brown pleading puppy eyes? The whimpering that begs, 'please walk with me!' is also hard to ignore. Listen to your dog; you will most likely find that taking a walk two times a day is relaxing and fun. You will get to spend time with your pet, you will probably meet other people in your neighborhood who have pets, so it is a great opportunity to get some fresh air and clear your mind.
After the holidays, choose to lose the few extra pounds you may have gained and formulate and exercise plan for you and your dog. Your pet will hold you to the routine, and you won't regret it! So, get started, and good luck!
About the Author:
Visit Dog-Training-Collars.org and Hunting Dog News for more great content.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
