4 Ways In Which You Can Show Your Dog How Much You Love Him
March 23, 2008
Do you have at least one framed photo of your dog somewhere in your house… or maybe in your wallet? Is your dog pretty darn close to being the very center of your universe? Do you love spoiling him, respond to his every whimper and cry, and spend hundreds of dollars on gourmet treats? To say that dogs are man’s best friend is anything but a cliché. You might be the most miserable person in the world without a friend to your name… but your dog will treat you like royalty every time you walk through the door. So how do you repay that unconditional love and devotion? There are hundreds of different ways!
1. Spoil him rotten.
A lot of people spend a lot of money at chic pet boutiques, dressing their dogs in hundred-dollar sweaters and paying for meticulous pawdicures. They buy diamond studded collars and give their dogs rooms all to themselves. You probably don’t have the budget for things like that, right? You can still spoil your dog with simple, everyday things that cost you the absolute minimum. Next time your pooch needs a bath, focus on giving him a massage while you’re working the shampoo into his coat. Take him out for a drive once each week and dress according to the weather so you can open a window and let his head hang out, his ears flapping in the breeze. Or you can?
4 Things Frustrated Dog Owners Should Know
March 22, 2008
You’ve probably had a day or two when you felt like your dog just wasn’t paying any attention to you at all, right? You talked, you yelled, you shouted, maybe you jumped up and down and waved your arms, but she just wasn’t interested in anything you had to say to her in any tone of voice. You’re not alone.
1. Your dog isn’t human.
Unless you believe in pet psychics, there’s really no way for you to read your pooch’s mind and figure out exactly what she’s thinking. The good news is that, like many dog owners, the problems you’re having can probably be traced to one simple thing: you’re trying to communicate with your dog from a human standpoint, and your dog isn’t a human. Sure, you know that, but lots of humans try to relate with their dogs in the ways that they think are rational as humans. The problem is that dogs are driven in every act and every moment by very strong instincts. Deciphering those instincts and leveraging them to build a productive relationship is like finding the keys to the city.
2. Your dog doesn’t speak English.
The Importance Of A Proper Correction
March 21, 2008
There are headstrong dogs that know too well that a verbal “no” from you is the worst that they’re gonna get and this will quickly lead to them ignoring the handler. In the wild when one of the pack is out of line, he is corrected by the Alpha. Now if the dog knows what the correction is, then that is all and good, but seeing people correct their dog and the dog not being familiar with the correction and its purpose troubles me.
This is why I would prefer to teach the correction to the dog while teaching the heel command while walking on leash. If taught properly, the dog will quickly learn to associate undesirable as well as desirable heeling behavior. We must remember, at a young age, our dogs do not know what a negative behavior is. What they learn to be negative behavior, is what we instill in them. Usually our idea of negative behavior is the inability for the dog to perform the desired learned task, thus resulting in some sort of correction whether it be verbal or some other kind.
Pet Pampering Business is Booming
March 20, 2008
It’s no secret that Americans love their pets. In fact, we spend billions of dollars every year on feeding, grooming, and vet visits, as well as toys and other pampering supplies. Chances are your town even has some kind of gourmet retail outlet for dog and cat treats.
It’s a fact that the pet industry is booming and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it has actually become stylish for people to pamper their pets with playthings, carriers, treats, and more. As you walk down the street or watch celebrities on TV, you’ll see more and more people who love to adorn their beloved dogs or cats with shiny accessories or outlandish outfits.
Not everyone wants to carry their dog in their purse the way Paris Hilton has been doing, but more and more of us are discovering that our pets need plenty of love and attention, just like kids and adults require.
If you’re not ready to spoil your pet with lavish gifts and gourmet treats just yet, start small. For example, when traveling with your cat, buy something better than your typical carrier. When shopping for pet transportation, look at the products carefully, and ask yourself if you would be comfortable riding in that for so many hours. If the answer is no, your cat probably won’t be that comfy either.
How to Increase Your Fishkeeping Fun
March 20, 2008
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out of your fish?, or is it hampered by little worries and anxieties?
Do you sometimes worry that you may be spending too much time with your fish? I often hear people remark that although they enjoy their hobby, the routine maintenance tasks involved detract from the fun.
In this month’s feature we will explore how we can increase our fun by maybe taking a different approach to those mundane activities that are so essential if we are to keep our fish in tip top condition.
Create a plan
When you get some time to spend with your hobby do you go through a sort of mental conflict wondering what to do?… and when you finally do decide, half of your time has gone already.
WELL…you are not on your own, most aquarists share the same dilemma. BUT… it is possible to overcome this problem, to even double your fishkeeping enjoyment. HOW? Well, certainly not by adding more tanks or even devoting more time to your hobby… the answer lies in a change of mental outlook, a change of approach.
Is He Chasing His Tail? What You Always Wanted To Know About Fleas
March 19, 2008
My dog has fleas. That one statement is enough to make any visitor to my house run back down the walk to their car.
If you own a pet it’s one of those unwritten facts that they will, at one time or another, have fleas. One of the not-so-fun jobs of pet ownership is dealing with an infestation or working to avoid one.
To cope effectively with fleas you should have an understanding of their habits and life cycles. I realize that doesn’t sound like fun, sitting-in-front-of-the-fire reading material, but knowing what you’re up against is winning half the battle before it starts. So here’s the low down on fleas.
Adult flea - lives on the host animal (dog or cat), where the female lays her eggs.
Egg - flea eggs are laid on the animal but fall off into the bedding, carpeting, and elsewhere in the animal’s home and hatch into larvae within a few days (depending on heat & humidity).
Larva - flea larvae feed on organic material in the environment and on the droppings from adult fleas. I know it’s gross.
The Fun of Do It Yourself Snake and other Reptile Cages
March 18, 2008
Are you nuts? You think banging your finger with a hammer is fun? No, I don’t. But building your own snake and other reptile cages can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Before you even start, it is important to spend some time planning your reptile enclosure and carefully examining at how other cages are manufactured. Check out all of the parts, examine the locks, joins and vents. How is the lighting done? What about the heating?
Use this information to design your own cages, based on the needs of your reptile and its size. Work out the size of cage you require and design it accordingly, altering the basic designs as needed to suit your purposes.
Building something yourself is a great feeling. I personally enjoy the process of shopping for materials and deciding which is best for the purpose.
There are quite a few questions to consider, such as:
? what should I make the base from ? what is the best way to make a vent ? how do you make the base water resistant ? what sort of lock should I use ? what sort of door should I use and how do I make it ? what is the best light fitting ? How should I heat it
Why Build Your Own Reptile Cage?
March 17, 2008
When I first started my interest in reptiles I was only young. At that stage of my life I had little or no skills and did not understand the requirements of the wonderful creatures so I did not keep them effectively. We just kept the local lizards, so the cage temperature was not an issue.
I rekindled my desire later in life but I also had mortgages, the cost of raising a family and the daily costs of living to contend with. A reptile was expensive enough, without adding the costs of retail cages and accessories. So I built my own. It saved me a lot of money.
You do need some basic tools but the money you save by making it yourself will allow you to purchase some of those tools that help make the cage. The remainder can go into accessories so that for the cost of a basic cage with nothing else you can make a cage, get some tools and the cage accessories and still have money left over. That’s a big difference.
West Highland White Terrier - Picking the Right Breeder
March 16, 2008
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are your expectations? What do you know about the breed? You take time out to know these answers. Knowing your motives and being sufficiently educated about the breed, is key to getting the dog that’s right for you. It will also guide you in picking the right breeder, from the many West Highland White breeders around.
Your breeder should:
1. Be a member to the following: the West Highland White Terrier Club of America, a regional Westie club, or an all-breed club. Membership to all these organizations is ideal, but it’s not a strict requirement. It does indicate that they are committed to knowing all there is for the breed, and responsibilities attached.
2. Be concerned about what kind of buyer you are, and to whom they sell their dogs. This is a good indication that the breeder isn’t after a quick profit but genuinely concerned in doing what is right for both the dog and you.
3. Will allow you access to the puppy, so you can have this examined by a veterinarian. The veterinarian is a reliable third party who can give you the real situation with regards to health of the puppy. It also gives both you and the breeder, the assurance about the condition of the puppy upon sale.
West Highland White Terriers ? Westies- A Wonderful Breed Apart
March 15, 2008
"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs, with dots for coal black eyes and button noses.
Why are West Highland White Terrier puppies sought after by many dog lovers? Because these friendly creatures are well-behaved, loyal and affectionate dogs, who may be pocket sized (average a 10-11 inches tall), but are highly intelligent animals.
You won’t have a hard time training these dogs, whether solely as house pets, or for show. Their keen intelligence makes it seem like play. However, they learn better and best to training sessions that are done on a schedule.
Brush their white coats two to three times a week, to keep it shiny and clean. If you do intend to enter them for competition, make sure your pet is regularly trimmed, plucked and stripped of his or her coat.
A West Highland white terrier lives an average of 15+ years, and usually has a litter of two to five puppies.
What is the history behind the West Highland White Terrier breed? This breed originated in Scotland developed in the high mountains of West Scotland, to hunt vermin. They claim a common ancestry to the Scotch Terrier.
