Pet care - there s no other job quite like it

“Pets are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions and they pass no criticisms” said George Eliot about pet animals. Pets often reciprocate the love that their masters lavish on them by demonstrating various forms of affection including licking, hickeys, even love-bites.

There’s no other job quite like keeping a pet. Pet care is in fact a permanent job, and includes the very important functions of grooming and striving to maintain good pet health care. General pet supplies could be considered a definition of useful tools for grooming and keeping your pet in good health.

Pet Supplies:

An essential list of pet supplies for purchase could include the following: pet food and food dishes, pet id tags and collars, pet medications, supplements and tonics, etc. Some other items to consider are animal carriers, pet houses and furniture, pet beds, clothes, and pet jewelry.

Online Pet Supplies:

Online pet supplies are supplies that can be purchased from pet stores over the Internet. There are numerous pet grooming product manufacturers and pet-grooming stores selling their products online through their individual official websites.

Pet Grooming supplies:

Pet grooming supplies include items such as grooming clippers, pet hair care products, soaps, shampoo and perfumes.

Pet Health Care:

Pet health care is a very important responsibility of pet ownership. For puppies and kittens, or any other four-legged pets, important treatments would include giving a hygiene bath, cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside of the tongue, nail trimming, removing fleas and insects, and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. A good pet owner should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions.

Pet care can require a lot of patience. Like children, pets often require special attention. A puppy, kitten or any other pet in its infancy needs to be handled with extreme care. In particular they must be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Choosing A Pet:

The process of choosing a pet is very important. Choosing a pet depends on one’s preferences, but there are still some important things that should be kept in mind. One should always choose an animal of good breed. Secondly, the pet should be healthy especially if it is still in the initial stage of its life. A healthy young pet shows good fast growth.

Pet Grooming Business:

The pet grooming business is a flourishing business today. There are numerous pet grooming schools offering the equivalent services of a pet grooming professional. People hire the services of these professional experts for the proper grooming of their pets. Professional pet grooming is becoming quite popular in United States, Canada, and European countries.

Overview of different breeds of dogs

There are over a hundred registered breed of dogs. Recognizing the type of the dog is basically associated with its breed. A purebred animal belongs to a documented and acknowledged group of unmixed lineage. Before a breed of dog is recognized, it must be proved that mating two adult dogs of the same type would have passed on their exact characteristics, both appearance and behavior, to their offspring.

If thinking of adopting or buying a pet dog for yourself, it is important to know which type of dog you want. Here are a few popular dog breeds for your easy reference:

Labrador

Labradors are very outgoing dogs that have yellow, black or brown furs. Labrador are versatile dogs that has a wide rang of functions. Most of them are known to retrievers and are utilized as guide dogs for the blind. They enjoy holding different objects in their mouth and are prone to chewing things. Labradors are observed to be hypersensitive and have a high regard for their territory. Their furs are observed to water repellant thus making them perfect for waterfowl hunting. They are excellent as family dog.

German Shepherds

Germans shepherds are also known as Alsatian. Originally, they are intended to be aide for a farmer in herding their sheep or cattle. They are incredibly intelligent and very trainable. Because of their built they are often used as working dogs in the military or police community. Most of them are also guide dogs. German shepherds are large and strong dogs with varied fur colors. Most comes in cream, tank, white or black.

Boxer

Boxers have pointed ears that are tilted forward. They have a distinguishable white underbelly and white parts at the tip of each foot. These white regions are often called as ‘flashiness’ which sometimes extend to other parts of the body. These usually appear on the shoulders and face. Boxers are playful and energetic breed. They are perfect as a pet for children because they have an extended puppy hood, meaning they are not considered as an adult dog until they reach the age of three. Training would not be a problem. Boxers are known to be obedient and possess a strong personality. It is advisable to train a boxer at an early age. They can sometimes be a substitute as guide dogs or police dogs.

Rotweiller

Rotweillers’ origin traced back on ancient times. Their existence has been associated with the Roman Empire as watchers for groups of cattle. Since then, their incredible strength and intelligence has been recognized. They are utilized as police dogs and military aides during wars. Rotweillers are black tan spots on its cheeks, legs, chest and face. You should definitely find one too underneath their tails. They are marked with upside down triangles can be found on the chest area. Their eyebrows have a unique spot on each one. Rotweillers are intelligent and fearless dogs. You can notice their foreheads getting a little wrinkly when they are alert. Rotties are very active and playful and are fast on learning tricks.

Poodle

Poodles can be a very good companion and are very loyal to their owners. They belong to a quiet breed of dogs that has a naturally curly fur. Their color ranges from black, grey, white, blue, apricot or brown. Training a poodle trend to require more effort compared to other breed. They are considered as a hypoallergenic breed. They are very famous for their very nice coats. Maintenance proved to be a tedious job. Owners have to keep their hair in a manageable length so that matting and tangling would be prevented.

Labrador

Labradors are very outgoing dogs that are yellow, black or brown in colors. Labrador are versatile dogs that has a wide rang of functions. Most of them are known to retrievers and are utilized as guide dogs for the blind. They enjoy holding different objects in their mouth and are prone to chewing things. Labradors are observed to be hypersensitive and have a high regard for their territory. Their furs are proved to be water repellant thus making them perfect for waterfowl hunting. They tend to be mellow and are excellent as a family dog.

German Shepherds

Germans shepherds are also known as Alsatian. Originally, they are intended to be aide for a farmer in herding their sheep or cattle. They are incredibly intelligent and very trainable. Because of their built they are often used as working dogs in the military or police community. Most of them are also guide dogs. German shepherds are large and strong dogs with varied fur colors. Most comes in cream, tank, white or black.

Dachshund

Dachshunds are also referred to as sausage dogs because of their elongated built. They have short legs and pointed facial framework. Chasing and hunting are their favorite past times. Most dachshunds have crooked legs and chest compared to a barrel. Dachshunds are playful and loyal dogs that loves to chase small animals like birds. Their senses are very keen and well-developed though they often exhibit shyness.

Beagle

Beagles have acquired a strong sense of smell. Because of such quality they are used for hunting animals like rabbits. They have big ears that are low - set giving them that gentle look. Their furs are commonly white, black, brown or a combination of both. Beagles are known to be very good tempered. Training might prove to be a trick task because these dogs are strong willed that made them quite stubborn. Beagles travel in pack, being a pet dog might cause them to have anxiety.

Above is a simple overview of popular breed of dogs. In choosing a dog for you better consider each breeds’ physical appearance, temperament and health issues. Of course, each dog should fit your lifestyle. Remember dogs should be given proper attention and care but in exchange you can have the best companion ever.

Great tips for breeding your dog

Choosing to breed your dog is a big decision and it’s natural to feel a little uneasy about the process. These dog breeding tips will help things go smoothly and help you enjoy the entire process.

One of the most important steps is choosing the right mate for your dog. The mate you choose should possess the qualities you want to see carried on in the puppies. Both male and female should be healthy and possess no genetic faults that could jeopardize the health of the puppies.

You also want to make sure the female is very healthy so that her pregnancy and birth are easier. You’ll want to support her prior to breeding with excellent nutrition and supplements. Of course she should always have excellent nutrition, but a boost will help her energy and help her stay healthy during her pregnancy.

Good record keeping on both the male and female can help increase your breeding success, but it is especially important with the female. You should keep a history folder on your female which records important dates such as when you first see signs of the bitch going into heat, any changes in behavior, and any medical issues.

You should also have a good working relationship with your veterinarian who can be a very helpful resource throughout the breeding process, during the pregnancy, during labor and of course once the pups are born.

Male dogs have less reproductive problems than female dogs but they can be more difficult to correct. Anatomical defects, low sperm, and infection of the reproductive organs are the most common problems to watch for in a male dog. Hypothyroidism, arthritis of the spine, and Brucellosis should also be checked for in males that show no interest in breeding.

With the female, the main reason for failed breeding is wrong timing. Because of the length of time a female is in heat, without hormone tests it can be difficult to tell when the “right” time really is. Your vet has a variety of ways to test hormone levels to try to narrow down the best breading time, but at the end of the day it still really is hit and miss.

Female dogs usually go into heat every 6 months starting at around the age of one year. It’s important to allow your female to become full-grown and developed before you decide to breed her as she is more likely to have a pregnancy with fewer complications. In some of the larger breeds this doesn’t occur until the age of 2.

At around 10 to 12 days after going into heat the bitch will be ready to stand and hold. You start to count the days at the first signs of blood discharge. Each dog is different so you’ll need to get to know your dog, how she acts, changes in temperament, and the amount of discharge because day one might actually be day three. You’ll know your timing is right by the willingness of the bitch. When the bitch is ready the discharge will often change from a dark red to more of a tan color so you can watch for this signal as well. Try to place the bitch and stud together several days and several times throughout the heat period up to about the tenth day.

If you want to be safe then put the bitch and the stud together early and try and try again. It’s better than being late because you’ll have to wait another 6 months.

If impregnation occurs your vet will be able to tell around the 22nd day after breeding. Now’s the time to start calling those parents to be, congratulating them, and letting them know their new bundle of joy will arrive in a couple of months.

The act of breeding is rather a natural one that requires little intervention from you other than placing the male and female in a safe and secure environment together. If the time is right you will be the proud owner of a beautiful litter of pups in no time at all. If the timing is wrong you’ll need to wait for the female to go into heat again in about 6 months.

These breeding tips should help you find success in breeding your dog.

When lizards will not eat they have to eat

Like any animal, lizards at times in captivity will need to be force fed. There are situations and conditions which will result in a lizard not eating on their own.

Some diseases lizards can get will result in seizures, or a similar condition. It is imperative not to feed them during an incident like this. They will most likely not be able to swallow the food. It is best to seek the help of a veterinarian at this point. The animal will need to have a tube placed into their stomach to feed. If the animal shows no signs of seizures, they can be fed using a syringe. It is tricky to get their mouth open, but should be possible using the syringe itself.

Using the syringe, squeeze the processed food into the back of the throat, taking great care to avoid the trachea at the back of the tongue. Make sure to only offer as much food as the animal can handle. Larger lizards can obviously handle more food. It may also be possible to force-feed feeder insects. If the lizard is having digestive problems however, the liquid substitute is much easier to digest, as much of the work is already done. Another advantage of liquid feeding is the fact that you control exactly what the lizard is getting into its diet.

For the vegetable part of the liquid diet, vegetable baby food works very well. This food is high in vitamins and can easily be digested by the lizard. Make sure to add in a calcium supplement to the food. Younger lizards need to be fed more often but in smaller quantities, while larger lizards will need to be fed less often, but with higher quantities per feeding. You have to follow the natural way your lizard eats its food, as not to upset their natural metabolism. If your lizard eats both insects and vegetables, you can use a type of cat food (used for sick cats) if they will eat it. You can also try to add insect matter (use fresh insects) into the liquid mix.

Crate training your pit bull terrier puppy how big should the dog crate be

Were you aware that crate training your Pit Bull terrier is the responsible thing to do as a dog owner, and that everyone should be doing this? Properly crate training your Pit is one of the best things that you could possibly do, and I’m going to explain exactly how to do it correctly. If you’re not exactly sure what I mean by “crate training”, don’t worry. This article is going to break everything down for you in easy to understand language.

When you first bring your Pit Bull terrier pup home, it is important that you show him exactly what his territory is. It is at this point in time that you’ll introduce him to his crate.

Place you Pits crate in a designated room or area of the house so that he can go there to rest and relax. This is very important and should not be a high traffic area.

You can purchase a crate at your local pet supply superstore or you could make one yourself if you’re so inclined. A wire crate with partitions is preferred, so that you can section it off when he’s little, then expand the partition as he grows. The crate should also have a washable tray below that slides out for easy cleaning.

I would recommend a large crate for your Pit Bull, then set the partitions so that your puppy has enough room to stand up and lay down. You don’t want him to have excess room however as this will give him a place to go potty without him having to lay in it.

Using partitions is more important than the size of the crate you purchase. Make sure that you use them to limit your puppies free space inside the crate and be consistent with the routine. Congratulations on being a responsible Pit Bull terrier owner!

Spitting in your dog s food to build dominance - revisited

I was having dinner last week with Jeff and Michelle--two of my first dog training clients, when I branched out on my own and started South Bay K-9 Academy in Southern California, back in 1994.

[I'm now actively retired from working with the general public... I love working with dogs, but the dog owners (Jeff and Michelle not withstanding) drove me absolutely nuts!]

Anyway, Jeff and Michelle still have their Dalmatian, "Dotty," who's now close to 11 years-old.

I've always thought it was funny that the one thing people seem to remember from my 324 page dog training book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!" is that I recommend spitting in your dog's food.

As if this were the magic key to getting a well behaved dog.

Regardless, it seems to be the one thing that almost everybody remembers--from literally hundreds of dog training tips I present in the book, on our web site Dogproblems. com, and in our discussion forum.

Why do I recommend spitting in your dog's food?

Because you're marking the dog food with your scent. And because the Alpha dog in the pack always eats first.

This is a subtle way to communicate to your dog that you are the pack leader. But this alone won't do it. You need to be acting like a pack leader in every other aspect of your dog's life, too. Such as being the first to walk through a door. Or telling your dog where to lay down, and when he's allowed to eat. And making sure you follow through and enforce any and every command that you give.

I take a lot of guff from people--especially other dog trainers--who misinterpret my advice and think that spitting in your dog's food is the only thing you need to do tol make you the Alpha dog. It's not.

Well, not any more than the 100 other subtle things you must do to communicate that you are the pack leader. I always stress to new dog owners that the more things you're doing to reinforce that you are the pack leader for your dog, will make your dog view you as the pack leader, faster. Spitting in your dog's food is just one more thing to do that helps.

So anyway, back to my dinner with Jeff and Michelle:

When I asked how Dotty was doing, Jeff responded that Dotty was absolutely fantastic. The best dog they'd ever had, due in no small part to their diligence and consistency in applying the dog training techniques I showed them.

But then Jeff said something very interesting: "I'm still spitting in her food. In fact, she won't even touch the food until after I spit in it." (Remember: The Alpha dog always eats first!).

So there you go: Further proof that some of my more outlandish dog training techniques really work!

Even if you may feel silly doing it.

That's all for now, folks!

Adam

Dogproblems. com

P. S. Jeff and Michelle are able to take Dotty anywhere--off leash--and know that she'll respond to commands, immediately. They even take her camping quite frequently..., which Dotty absolutely loves!