How To Find The Best Horse For Your Child
December 31, 2009
How To Find The Best Horse For Your Child
by: Dylan Miles
Owning a horse is a huge responsibility for an adult, much less for a child. Owning a horse requires a lot of time and money, both from the parent and the child, therefore, before you decide to go horse-shopping, it’s best that you sit down and discuss the responsibilities and tasks involved in owning and caring for a horse with the child. A horse, remind them, is not a mere domestic pet. It’s unlike a cat, dog or hamster. Horses require more than that.
Let your child know that the owner of the horse should be ready to take on the responsibilities of grooming, exercising, feeding, washing, playing with and caring for the animal. These responsibilities should be done daily, otherwise, both the horse and the owner will suffer.
Before you actually go out and buy a horse, parents are strongly advised to bring the child to a stable, let them take some riding lessons. This will help your child understand and comprehend the responsibilities ahead of him or her. Parents should give the child adequate time to adapt and adjust accordingly. Under the supervision of an expert, they should be able to grasp the whole concept of owning a horse in about a month or two.
Small Dogs Require Extra Care During the Holiday Season
December 30, 2009
Small Dogs Require Extra Care During the Holiday Season
by: Hope Saidel
The Holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. To keep it that way for everyone, people with small dogs should take some common-sense precautions. Especially now, when tiny dogs are increasingly popular, families need to stay aware of their special needs.
Most people know that chocolate can be lethal to dogs. But other Holiday favorites can also pose hazards, including: turkey, pork, onions, even raisins and grapes. Other foods may simply be too spicy or rich for the dog’s digestive system to handle. While a single raisin or grape may not seem like much, it could be a toxic meal to a four-pound dog.
With holiday decorations coming out of their boxes, keep an eye on that little dog. It may be fun to play “chase the tinsel” with your Chihuahua, but if she swallows some when you’re not paying attention, the consequences could be dire. That ornament may look a lot like your little dog’s favorite ball. Poinsettias and many other plants, including lilies, are poisonous to dogs.
Clicker Training for Dogs
December 30, 2009
Clicker Training for Dogs
by: Stephanie Bayliss
What is a ‘clicker’?
A clicker is simply a small plastic box, containing a metal plate which, when pressed, makes a ‘click’ sound.
What is clicker training?
Clicker Training is a method of ‘positive reinforcement training’ - that is, rewarding the behaviours that we like instead of punishing behaviours that we don’t like. When the dog does what we want him to do, we ‘click’ and give him a treat.
So, we train the dog to understand that the ‘click’ means “well done” and that a treat is coming.
Benefits of Clicker Training
The benefit of the clicker is that it makes a consistent sound and we can make the sound at the very moment that the dog is carrying out the behaviour that we like. The dog will learn to associate the good behaviour with the ‘click’ and the forthcoming treat, and will learn to repeat the behaviour.
Of course, we can be positive just by saying “good dog” however, there are some potential problems with this. We will inevitably use a different tone depending on what mood we are in, so it is not a consistent sound; dogs are very sensitive to body language and tone so will receive mixed signals depending on your mood!
How to Find the Right Dog School for your Dog
December 29, 2009
How to Find the Right Dog School for your Dog
by: Katie Brandt
Has a new puppy recently become a member of your family? Puppies are born with instincts, but not with the knowledge of how to behave. Therefore, it is necessary to teach your new puppy appropriate behaviors and also some fun tricks. You can try to do this yourself or you can enlist the help of a dog school.
There are many different types of dog schools available. What dog school would be the best for your dog? Things to consider when searching for a dog school include: the age of your dog, the breed, the personality, and what it is that you want your dog to learn.
Let’s focus first on what you want your dog to learn. Do wish to have your dog learn basic obedience commands such as “sit” and “stay”? Do you want to learn practice drills you can do with your dog at home such as keeping them from begging for food at the dinner table? Then local dog schools will best meet your needs.
Pet insurance, true piece of mind
December 28, 2009
Pet insurance, true piece of mind
by: Drew Harris
Pet insurance has allowed me to make emergency medical decisions for my pets with little thought about the costs involved.
Veterinary costs are constantly rising like everything else.
Yet last year, when my cat Bonzo suddenly became dehydrated and diagnosed with early onset kidney failure, he was treated immediately. The last thing on my mind was the thousands of dollars in vet charges about to be incurred.
Today Bonzo continues to be happy and healthy because of pet insurance.
Pet emergencies can cost thousands of dollars.
Several years ago my sister’s dog ran out into traffic, fracturing several bones. It was a very traumatic experience for everyone involved. The kids were crying, the dog was crying, bystanders were crying.
Making sure the dog wasn’t suffering was everyone’s type priority. Like me, my sister had pet insurance and so the issue of the thousands of dollars likely needed for treatment wasn’t even discussed.
He was rushed to the vet hospital, where he was treated for several days. When he came home, the smile on my nephew’s face as he ran up and welcomed his best friend home was truly priceless.
Housetraining Your Pup
December 27, 2009
Housetraining Your Pup
by: Mark Haakonsen
If you have just bought (or are considering buying) a new puppy, then one of your concerns will most likely be housetraining your new pet. Puppies, like babies have limited control of their bodily functions, so a simple training plan will need to be implemented from day one. The following guide will give you a quick start to housetraining your pet.
An important point to note about dogs is that by nature they are relatively clean animals, and they do not do their business around their sleeping or eating areas. In training your puppy, the key is to identify which are acceptable areas for your puppy to eliminate, and which are not.
One of the most common methods recommended for puppy housetraining is knows as “crate training”. Crate training involves setting up a cage or cordoned off area that will act as a living area (crate) for your puppy in which they can sleep, eat and play. The purpose of the crate is not to incarcerate your pup, but to create a distinct living area that your pup will be familiar with. Your pup should be taken outside to its designated bathroom at least every 2 hours. While dogs do not eliminate in their living areas, if you leave your puppy in the crate for too long, it will have no other choice. Young puppies may need to eliminate every 2 - 3 hours, so you will need to be attentive to your pup.
The Importance of Getting a Dog Bed
December 26, 2009
The Importance of Getting a Dog Bed
by: Andrew Strachan
Investing on a good quality dog bed is one of the more important things a dog owner can do for their dog. A lot of people assume that getting a dog bed is an indulgence or a luxury. A good dog bed is far from that. Your dog needs a warm, supportive bed in just the same way that you do. A quality dog bed can provide security for your dog, as well as other far reaching benefits on their health and wellbeing. There are lots of different types of dog beds available. You can get small dog beds, large dog beds, quilted, water proofed and even fashionable dog beds!
One of the little understood benefits of a dog bed is the security it can provide for your dog. Many dogs suffer from anxiety and stress, especially when their owner is away for extended periods. Having a place that your dog can go to when they feel anxious or maybe when they just want some time-out can benefit your dogs’ emotional wellbeing. When you get your new dog bed, observe where your dog prefers to lie. Most dogs have a special area that they favor more than others. This is where you need to put your dogs’ new bed. This will be ‘their spot’.
Home Alone Troubles
December 25, 2009
Home Alone Troubles
by: Mark Haakonsen
Do you have problems leaving your dog home alone? Do you come home, only to find that your dog has been up to mischief or tried to escape from the yard? This is not an uncommon problem at all, and we’ll explain why your dog behaves badly when alone and what you can do about it.
Dogs experience many of the same emotions as humans such as anxiety, boredom and depression. If one of these emotions is triggered, it will also affect their behavior or lack thereof. Since dogs are pack animals, they are very sociable and simply do not like to be left alone. When a dog is left alone it can experience a feeling of neglect, depression, boredom and anxiety. Neglect can lead a dog to cry and howl for an extended period of time. This will happen as you leave and while you are gone. If a dog feels bored while home alone, this is what can lead to destructive and naughty behavior e.g.: barking, chewing anything in sight and digging up the yard. The most detrimental effect on your dog however, is the feeling of an anxiety commonly referred to as “separation anxiety”. The fear of abandonment that sets in can even cause your dog to feel sick, vomit and lose control of its bodily functions.
Best Pet Picks for Kids
December 25, 2009
Best Pet Picks for Kids
by: Mark Haakonsen
Pets are great for kids and every child should have a pet at some point in their childhood. Not only do they make great friends but they also teach a child life lessons of care and responsibility.
A child’s first pet will depend a lot on their age and level of maturity, so as a parent, you will need to decide what level of responsibility your child can handle, unless you want to end up doing all the work. In order to help make that decision easier, we have compiled a list of the 6 best pets for kids, with the list starting from the easiest pet to care from and going through to more advanced.
Fish
One of the lower maintenance and cheaper pets can be fish. In particular, the guppy is a great starter for kids. Guppies are a very attractive fish and are not only cheap but easy to maintain. Upto 5 guppies can be kept in a 10 gallon tank with the ideal temperature ranging from 72 - 80 degrees fahrenheit. Guppies also breed quite easily (if the temperature is nice and warm) and they give birth to live young. It can be quite exciting for a child to find new fish in their tank. The complete setup including: 2 guppies, tank, filter and food could be achieved for under $100.
Dog Care: 6 Easy Steps for a Terrific (and safe) Romp in the Woods
December 24, 2009
Dog Care: 6 Easy Steps for a Terrific (and safe) Romp in the Woods
by: O’Neal Hendrix
Leaves are falling and paws are crunching in the parks….
What a beautiful time of the year to get out with your canine companion and enjoy the crisp, cool air, frolic in the falling leaves and take in the visual splendor of nature. A walk in the woods can be an exhilarating experience for you and your dog, especially if you’ll take a moment for some basic dog care preparations. Minimize surprises and emergencies by following these simple steps.
I don’t know about you, but I will drive hours to find a place where the dogs can run free in nature. We all love it and often spend the whole day in the mountains together. I’ve developed a list of easy dog care to-do’s to ensure we have a great time and arrive and leave together safely.
I recommend the following items for your outdoor adventures:
1. Orange vests for you and your dog
