Different Dog Foods For Different Dog Ages
January 31, 2008
Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They also have different nutritional requirements as they age. Choosing the right type of dog food for your pet will help to keep it healthy and happy as it ages. Here are some guidelines to follow when choosing the proper dog food for your dog’s breed and age.
Puppies
Most dogs are considered puppies from birth to age 12 months. However, large breed dogs (such as Newfoundlanders, Great Danes, etc.) are considered puppies up to the age of 18 months. It’s important to choose the right puppy food depending on the size of your dog.
“Normal” puppies require puppy food for the first year. This type of dog food contains extra protein and fats to help with muscle and skeletal growth, ensuring optimum nutrition during this fast growth stage. Large breeds, on the other hand, require puppy food specifically made for large breeds. That’s because the “large-breed puppy foods” are designed to help reduce hip and joint diseases often associated with fast growth in large dogs. Remember… large breeds should be fed puppy food for 18 months.
Adult Dog Food
How Intelligent is Your Dog
January 30, 2008
It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence in your dog. Even puppies that are not especially smart nonetheless display flashes of brilliance in their behavior.
And it is also very normal to look for the same things in our pets that we look for in our children, like a keen mind, a sense of humor and loyalty. But the trait that we tend to brag about the most is actually our dog’s intelligence.
There is not really a single type of canine intelligence. According to Stanley Coren, writer of ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’, there are several types of dog intelligence that can be measured by canine IQ tests…
The first one is named Adaptive Intelligence. This relates to learning and problem solving capability, the knowledge and skills a dog can acquire. It also pertains to how much time it takes for your dog to learn new a relationship.
As an example, if your dog recognizes people after just one or two visits, this indicates a good adaptive intelligence capability. You might also look at how well your dog comprehends the laws of cause and effect by observation.
RecoveryPets.Com Dispels The Myths
January 30, 2008
In a recent discussion about pet safety, the services provided by a website entitled RecoveryPets.Com was compared to microchips and tattoos, and were they a better option to providing identification for pets. During this discussion a lot of statements were made and taken for fact, but here we will dispel some of those myths.
One of the myths about microchips is that they emit a signal that can be tracked by the company that provides the chip. The truth is that the chip emits no signal, and requires a special scanner to read the chip, and with the number of pet microchip manufacturers who require the end user to use the scanner manufactured for their chip.
Note: With so many different types of microchip manufactured, only about 10% of veterinarians, and less than 3% of rescue shelters have the needed scanners to detect all microchips. Also, if an individual finds the pet, they are usually unaware that the pet has a microchip.
Chinchillas As Pets
January 29, 2008
You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible pet. They are of the rodent family, (but it doesn’t seem that way).
Also known as "chins" they have incredible velvety fir, and they resemble a chubby squirrel with Mickey mouse type ears. They are nocturnal, although they do get up and play alot during the day. Chins are very smart and playful, and I’m told can be trained. They are also very clean,so their cage area doesn’t tend to stink as many other types of caged animals can.
I got my first pair of chinchillas, as adults, a proven breeding pair. They were nice enough but they never really did bond with us. We ended up having 3 litters total. They usually have 1-3 babies (also known as kits), and their pregnancy is 111 days (about 4 months), which is very long gestation period for an animal that size.
The babies are born fully formed, “ready to go” you might say. Fully furred, eyes opened, running around. They can even eat adult food almost from day 1, although they prefer to nurse.
Bringing Home a Puppy ? Be Prepared!
January 28, 2008
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you found in the pet shop. It will keep you company, and give you kisses, and guard your valuables. But what do you need to care for the lovable little thing and ensure it is happy and healthy?
Basic Needs ? All puppies will need a water bowl, a food bowl, and a place to sleep. Some pet owners get automatic feeders and water dispensers for the convenience. For sleeping, there are various sized doggie beds and crates. Many people crate train their dogs for sleeping and while the owner is away from home.
Play Time ? Pets need exercise. You should walk your dog once a day if possible. You will need a collar, a leash, and some disposable plastic bags to take with you to clean up any unsightly messes. A good leash to use is the retractable type. Also included in play time are toys, toys, and more toys. A good game of fetch is a great way to get exercise.
Health ? All new puppies need to be taken to a good vet. They need shots and heartworm medicine.
How to Crate Train Your Puppy
January 27, 2008
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy owner faces is housebreaking or as it is sometimes also referred to; potty training or doing business. Although there is no tactic that comes with a 100% guarantee, one of the most successful methods is crate training. Crate training can drastically reduce the amount of stress on the owner and the puppy that often comes with training the new four-legged member of your family.
So what is a crate? It is a cage that is usually made of plastic or wire. Wire ones are collapsible and the puppy has a great view of his surroundings. The plastic crates are lightweight and easy to clean and tend to be the most commonly used. Either can be purchased at a department or pet store. When purchasing a crate you must make sure there is enough room for the puppy to stretch right out and to stand erect. Make sure the crate is not too big though or all your potty training efforts in vain because the puppy will be able to do her business in one end and sleep in the other.
How To Get Your Horse To Obey You and Look To You For Instruction
January 26, 2008
In the animal kingdom there is a pecking order. Richard Shrake points out that it’s a lot like the military. He ranks in the pecking order go from General down to Private. The General will get first pick of the food, decide where to go and when, and so on.
The "second in command" will act just like the General but he won’t pick on the General because the General dominates him. This string of command continues all the way down to the bottom of the pecking order. Any time a new animal comes into the group then the pecking order shifts. Knowing this information, you can use it to your advantage. You can make yourself the leader in the horse’s eyes. He’ll look to you for instruction. He’ll obey you.
If you have a dominant horse it will be instinct for him to let a more dominant being make the decisions. In this case the dominant being will be you. You will become leader by using your body language to show you are confident. Being dominant doesn’t mean you’re being aggressive.
The TOP 7 Mistakes Horse Owners Make
January 25, 2008
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse And Simply Ride
Not all horses are the same. Some you can get on and easily ride. Some are so green that you could be easily injured if you have little or no riding experience. The ones easy to ride are typically older horses. They have been ridden the most and will be the most forgiving of a beginning rider’s mistakes. The younger horses will be the hardest to ride unless they have been thoroughly broke.
Mistake #6 ? Assuming A Horse Trainer’s Technique Is The Only Way To Train A Horse
When novice horse owners begin to experience problems with their horse, they go looking for answers. The first place they look is in books. When the author of the book explains a training technique, the reader assumes that’s how it’s done by everyone. But when they can’t train their horse with that technique, they assume a dumb or untrainable horse. What novice horse owners need to know is that there are typically lots of ways to train a horse to do one thing. If you try something and it doesn’t work, try something else.
Horse Training Techniques From The 1800s
January 25, 2008
Was he the world’s greatest horse trainer of all time? Would his picture be in the horse trainer’s Hall Of Fame? Perhaps.
His name was Jesse Beery. Before he was twenty he became a world class horse trainer. He was so well known, there were more people who heard of him than didn’t.
Jesse Beery learned how to train horses almost entirely on his own because there were few people who knew how to train a horse.
Beery’s parents discouraged horse training as a career but later okay’d his passion. From then on there was no stopping Beery from achieving greatness.
Beery’s first inclination to train horses happened when he drove a horse and buggy to a friend’s house. As Beery exited the buggy the horse spooked and ran home. During that long walk home Beery was determined to make his horse stay put.
As he worked with his horse he discovered ways to get a horse to do what he wanted. Although nearly killed in training incidents and laughed at from friends and neighbors, Beery soon became THE authority on horse training.
How To Load A Horse Into A Trailer - Easy As Pie!
January 24, 2008
If there is an art to getting horses to load in a trailer, then this it.
The first thing that must happen is communication between the horse and his handler. The horse must understand what is required of him and the handler must make it easy to understand.
Thus, you must start by getting the horse to move forward in either direction. After a direction is established then get him moving in the opposite direction. A round pen is excellent for this purpose.
When the horse gets good at moving both directions then it’s time to hook a lead rope to his halter and lunge him left and right. For instance, when you point left, the horse must know to go to your left. And vice versa for going right.
The final result should look like this. You’re holding the lead rope while facing your horse. As you hold the lead rope in your right hand, you hook the middle of the lead rope with your left thumb. Lift it up and point to the left.
Your horse, now knowing what to do, immediately goes to your left. After a circle or two you switch hands and get the horse to go to your right.
