Pets

5. Although many people on the East Coast or outside the United States will have never heard of Foxtails, for those living in the South Western United States they can be a very serious danger. Foxtails are a grassy weed that grows west of the Mississippi and whose seedpods resemble foxtails. Tiny barbs along the edge of the foxtails mean they easily get caught in the fur and will only travel in one direction. Foxtails commonly get stuck in the nose, ears, eyes, paws and even the urethra. They work their way into the skin with alarming speed and a foxtail that enters through a paw can travel all the way to the animal’s internal organs causing serious repercussions. If you live in an area with foxtails, you should check your pet over whenever they have been playing in grassy area.

4. Don’t let your dog drink from puddles on the street or the ground. Not only could your dog ingest spoiled food or germs, it could swallow a small amount of some far more dangerous compound like antifreeze. It only takes one teaspoon of antifreeze to kill your pet. Whenever you add antifreeze to your vehicle you should take great care in hosing off the surrounding area.

3. Never leave your dog unattended in a car. The temperature rises very quickly even if the windows are left ajar. The temperature can rise over 30 degrees in as many minutes creating an extremely dangerous situation for your animal. If your dog is suffering from heat exhaustion you should immerse him in cold water immediately to lower his body temperature and call your vet.

2. Many common plants are very poisonous to your dog including, but by no means limited to: amaryllis, azaleas, birds of paradise, cyclamen, gladiolas, irises, kalanchoe, lilies, morning glories, narcissus, oleander, onions, philodendron and tulips. Check the website for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal which has an Animal Poison Control Center section with a good list of toxic plants. Know which plants pose a danger to your dog and eliminate them from your house and garden, especially if your dog has shown an interest in eating plants.

1. Take care in what you feed your dog as well as how much and when. Many people have heard chocolate is toxic to dogs but far less are aware that raw fish, caffeine and apple seeds are toxic as well. But the most serious danger facing your pet of which many dog lovers are blissfully unaware of is bloat. Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus, involves the stomach filling with gas and twisting around, putting extreme pressure on all the other internal organs. This is such a tragic way to lose your dog as the animal will be in perfect health one moment and in a critical life-threatening situation the next.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about bloat and every dog owner should take some time to research the affliction on the internet, but in general the scenario involves a large, deep-chested dog and some combination of vigorous exercise or excitement, eating too fast, gulping air and drinking too much water. Even with treatment as many as a third of the dogs who suffer bloat will die, and those that survive face serious complications. Again, there are a lot of theories on what causes and how to prevent bloat but it is generally agreed that feeding your dog several smaller meals a day and limiting its water intake will reduce the risk. Some warning signs are excessive drooling, extraordinary restlessness, unsuccessful attempts to vomit or defecate and indications of abdominal pain. Bloat is one of the most dire medical emergencies your dog may face in its life and if you observe these warning signs you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Loosing a pet is a horrifying experience. Not one word can describe the feeling of loss and grief associated with having to say goodbye forever to your pet. But those who have managed to go through this experience state that there are ways to ease the pain.

- Allow time to pass: In order to accept the inevitable, your mind needs some time to deal with the stress of having to say goodbye to your beloved pet. Whether your pet died from natural or unnatural causes you have to allow some time to pass and heal.

- Talk to people: Do not keep everything locked inside. Find the courage to speak about your feelings of loss to friends and relatives, or consider joining a therapy group. People that have gone through this experience and managed to reestablish their life’s balance believe in the healing process of expressing your emotions. Do not for one moment feel embarrassed or that you annoy people with your mourning mind-set. It is perfectly normal to converse your sorrow. By talking about them, you will find comfort not only because people may be able to state the words you need to listen, but because you will realize that they are there to listen and support you.

- Have a closure: Some people that have lost their pets believe that it is important for someone to experience some kind of closure. Saying goodbye to those we love is tremendously hard. By scheduling a day to mourn your pet, you will be able to cope with its loss easier. When the sadness you feel is expressed, the healing process begins. Do not get discouraged if others think this is a bad idea. The important thing is to do what you believe is good for you.

- Invest in a hobby: Although you might consider this as a weird idea, experts state that it is crucial for the mourner to find some time to find a new interest. By allocating the excess energy to something that pleases-even temporarily-the person that suffers, instead of turning against oneself, the mourner will discover a new path though which he or she can expedite the healing process. For instance, buy a canvas and some brushes and begin painting. Select a destination you have never visited and travel. If you always wanted to learn a music instrument, this might be the time to begin. In general, do not allow the feelings of guilt and resentment affect your life’s choices. Death is part of life; accept it, cherish the moments you shared with your pet and try to move on. It might seem impossible, but your pet would want you to try to be happy again.

There are many different dog training techniques that are out

there today. Many people often don’t realize that dog training

courses often utilize different dog training techniques.

Some of these dog training techniques work better than others.

Whether you are going to a dog training course or if you are

doing the dog training yourself… wouldn’t you rather know

which dog training technique is the best?

If you answered yes to that question then you should know that

positive dog training is the best technique to use.

Positive dog training is quickly becoming the preferred method

of dog training. If you would like to learn more about positive

dog training techniques, please read on.

Positive dog training techniques involve using only praise and

positive reinforcement.

This means, positive dog training rewards your dog for good

behavior or when it performs a command correctly.

The rewards used in this type of dog training can be treats,

kind words, a pat on the head, etc. It has been found that dogs

respond much better to positive dog training.

Positive dog training techniques never involve hitting,

spanking, scolding, or punishing your dog in any manner. Dogs do

not do well with any form of negative dog training.

Now we will go over some examples of positive dog training

techniques. Let us say that you are beginning your dog training

by teaching your dog to sit. When your dog sits, reward it with

a treat and tell it what a good dog it is.

Another example of positive dog training is to use praise and

treats when your dog goes to the bathroom when and where it is

supposed to. Dogs will soon learn to relate to doing this when

and where it should because it gets rewarded for it.

Thus your dog will be potty trained much faster. When using

positive dog training, your voice should always be happy and

pleasant. Dogs will want to do as you ask when they get rewarded

by any positive means.

This is why positive dog training works much better than any

other type of dog training.

Now that you understand what positive dog training is, you may

wish to start some of these techniques yourself. You can find

dog training courses that use positive techniques and you can

also utilize these techniques on your own.

With positive reinforcement, praise, and rewards, your dog is

sure to learn much faster and be happier doing so. You will then

be happier as well and you will also find that the dog training

will go much easier.

With that in mind, you can truly see how positive dog training

techniques will give you positive results

If you’re looking for a dog that is fluffy and full of fun than the Keeshond may be for you!

This spitz type dog features a fabulous coat which consists of a short undercoat and a long overcoat making it quite fluffy indeed. Dating back to the 18th century, the Keeshond claims relatives of the Pomeranian, Chow Chow, Samoyed and Elkhound breeds. once used by the Dutch to guard canal boats, this breed was introduced to the US in the 1920s.

The Keeshond is a medium-size dog weighing in at around 50 pounds and reaching about 18 inches in height but don’t let his size fool you as he has a big personality. This playful breed is very lively and intelligent – a great pet for an active family. ever alert, this dog can be kind of active inside but is very quick to be trained as long as you use gentle and consistent training methods. They are a loving and friendly breed will get along well with children and other pets. The Keeshond wants to be with his family and take part in all the family activities.

This compact fluffy dog has dark eyes and triangular ears that sit up straight. Looking like an oversized Pomeranian, he has a curly tail that rolls over on his back. A thick undercoat in light gray or cream causes his silvery overcoat to look even fluffier. The outer hairs are shades of gray with dark black tips.

While the keeshond is active inside he can do okay in an apartment as he only needs moderate exercise outside. A walk after supper each day with a romp in the park on the weekends to do him just fine. The Keeshond will do best however with a moderate sized yard but remember they prefer cool weather so make sure they are not left out to sweltering heat.

While Keeshond’s can live for up to 15 years with good care they are prone to a few health problems. This breed can be susceptible to canine hip dysplasia and it can also have skin problems as well as heart disease. Proper care and yearly vet checkups will help your Keeshond remain healthy. Remember to have your dog immunized with all the appropriate immunizations and follow your Vets advice for healthcare and feeding. Be sure not to overfeed the Keeshond as they can have a tendency to gain weight.

With such a luxurious coat you might think that grooming your Keeshond could be a full-time job but, in fact, this breed only requires a good brushing everyday with a stiff brush. Be sure to brush both the outer layer in the undercoat. He can be bathed as needed. Of course, his fabulous coat does not come without a price and he does shed excessively in the spring and fall. But a little bit of hair is a small price to pay for such a wonderful pet!

I grew up in the Australian bush with working dogs. They were chained to kennels and were let off for a gallop each day. Dad had them trained to herd the sheep - but I don’t ever remember seeing how he trained them. I do know that I was amazed at what they could do.

With a specific whistle and hand gesture, they would gallop way off to bring in the sheep, or stop dead in their tracks and lie down. They could keep the sheep moving into yards at shearing time or drenching. They always seemed to be noisy barkers - but they did what they were told - and seemed to really enjoy it.

The once I saw one of the dogs reprimanded (‘taught a lesson’ my Dad said) - I was so upset - because it involved my horse. Dad was going fencing and was leading the horse from the barn, past the dog kennels, when Winkie suddenly jumped out, barking like crazy. My horse reared in fright and the rein caught Dad’s finger and snapped it back, breaking it.

To make sure Winkie never did that again, Dad measured out my horse’s tail and tied a rope to Winkie and the other end to the mare’s tail. Winkie went running in to snap and bark at her heels making her kick out, backwards towards him. He was expecting it and turned to run - only to find he couldn’t get away. The mare couldn’t quite reach him - but she was close. The tug on her tail made her frightened and she kicked again and again. Winkie was desperately trying to keep the rope taught and stay away from her heels.

Eventually Dad cut the rope and Winkie raced back into his kennel. I was crying and petting my horse. Dad was in pain from his finger and still had to try to do the fencing, even with a splint on his finger (which Mum rigged up). And Winkie never barked at a horse again!

Well, Dad possibly would not believe in some of the training methods used today. But he also broke in horses and I am sure would not believe in the horse whisperer (Monty Roberts) either, and the way he trains a horse. But he is amazing - I have actually seen what Monty can do and I was spellbound!

Attitudes change and we are always finding better ways to do things. But the worst possible thing, I believe, is when you do not train your pets at all. And I can’t say you should train your pets like you do your children - because some parents do not train their children either….consequently the popularity of the Nanny TV series!

I’ve written extensively on how to become a petsitter. It occurred to me that not everyone wants to be one. So, for those who don’t want to “be” a petsitter, but could use the services of one, I am now addressing this question.

Obviously, a petsitter is a trusted person. If I am hiring a petsitter, I want to know that my computer, TV and jewelry will be there when I get back. I want to know that my pet is safe and lovingly cared for. How can I tell if the person I’m interviewing for the job will do what I want and be trustworthy?

First, I interview the person over the phone or in person. I ask for references. If the person has no references for petsitting, I ask for the names and numbers of a couple of character references. I don’t expect the person I’m talking to to be an expert, or even be experienced. So many people are not experienced petsitters, that it doesn’t make sense to hold out for the one or two master petsitters in town to have time to talk to me. I need someone NOW!

So, I call the references. I ask about honesty,reliablilty and dependability. I want to know if the person works and where they live. I want to know if they have any pets of their own. How do they talk about their pets to their friends? If I know the person enough to carry on a conversation, I listen to how they talk about their pets. Are they having troubles with their pets? How are they addressing those problems?

Trustworthiness is important. I need to know that the person I pick to come into my home to care for my pets will feed them, love them, spend time with them and not do things I don’t want done in my home. I don’t generally want someone staying at my home while I’m away. I want to know that the petsitter has a home to go to and won’t stay over. I want to know that they live close enough so that I’m not buying a tank of gas that I don’t need to buy. If I need the plants watered, I need to know if they can handle it, or if they have a brown thumb. I’d hate to lose a prize cactus because it was watered too much, or a beautiful fern die and wither from lack of water. I don’t want the fertilizing done while I’m away. I prefer to do that myself. If I have an outdoor garden, does it need watering every day? How long should all this take? How much am I willing to pay? Is food included (read - fill the fridge before I go and again when I get back)? Am I willing to trust this person not to bring strangers to my home? That’s a real setup, if ever there was one!

Only now am I willing to discuss payment arrangements. I pay by the day. I negotiate to get the best rate, but want to be sure that my petsitter is happy with the price, too. Underpayment will only lead to sloppy care and scheduling, resentments and a petsitter who won’t come the next time I need someone. Pay fair to play fair!

If I’m going to be unavailable for more than a week, I prefer to board my cats at a trusted kennel. It just makes more sense, and works out well for me. I pick a kennel by three criteria: personal reference, cleanliness and meeting the attendants.

I always get a personal reference for a kennel. I go visit during a slow time of the week and look it over. I’m sure that during a busy holiday weekend, it will be much more chaotic; and I also know that the attendants won’t have time to give me a tour and answer all my questions during a busy time. So, I visit while it’s relatively slow. Since I have cats, I ask to see the cat area in the kennel.

I look for cleanliness. The holding areas (not always cages, but sometimes) are used by the animals, so I look for places and things that can cause hazards to my pets. Sharp things, stored items that don’t have any obvious reason for being there, etc. I also look for things my cats can climb on and check to see if there are any windows my cats can see out of to watch the comings and goings of the world. I look for cubby holes so my cats feel secure. I look for soft things. I check the ambient temperature because if it’s cold for me, it will be for my cats. I smell the area to see if I can smell urine or chemicals. I don’t want either scent to assail me when I come get my cats. I check to see how the other cats (if any) are being cared for. Are the litter boxes clean? Is the food old or spoiled? Do the walls and floor around the food dishes look like they could use a good cleaning?

Lastly, I talk to the attendants. I listen to how they talk about the animals they care for. I listen to their attitudes toward their work and the kennel in general. You can learn a lot by what IS NOT said, as much as what IS. I ask them if they have any pets of their own. I look them over for cleanliness. Yes, it matters. If a person handles a sick animal and does not wash their hands, the disease can be spread to other animals.

I hope this helps. The kennel I use is Ravenwood Kennels in Halls, TN. The owner, Cheri Roop is knowedgeable, has goats running around outside to visit with and the kennel is clean. She is very nice and tries to make the cat area as homelike as possible, while keeping the cats apart. I trust her with Beasley and Princess. She knows my vet personally, and is known to some of my church members. You can contact her at 865-922-9641.

Get references. Call and visit. Talk and get to know your people. The more comfortable you are with them, the more comfortable your pets will be.

Dress up your little dog in fabulous pet fashions. The two of you will meet new people. It would be hard for others to notice how cute your little guy is in that Hawaiian shirt as you stroll along your usual walking paths. He will definitely enjoy all the attention and you may find yourself making new friends. Most dogs like to interact with people. Dog fashions are a wonderful conversation starter for the both of you.

Here are few tips on teaching your little dog to accept putting on a sweater for extra warmth in public:

1. Practice getting clothes on and off at home. Give your dog treats and make dressing your dog a very happy time for the both of you.

2. Take your time when dressing your dog.

3. Select clothes that are easy to get on and off. Look for clothes with Velcro closings or snaps and generous sized arm holes. Select your dog’s clothes for comfort as well as for style.

Once your dog is accustomed to getting clothes on and off at home, you should not have any problem pulling out a sweater if a sudden chilly wind blows up somewhere and you want your dog to stay warm.

When choosing your dog’s clothes take his personality into account. Fashion for dogs is like fashion for humans, it is all about a personal style.

It is fairly easy to put a pink bow and a dress with matching lace on a little girl dog, but what about those “males.” What kind of personality does your little boy have? Is he the Protector type? Or a playboy type of guy who thinks himself the coolest dude in town? Whatever his personality, match up his clothes to create a style that matches his personality. For example, if he is an Alpha Male and the little girl dogs think he is so very charming, he most likely can wear about anything from a fun T-shirt to a classy looking hat. Just don’t ever put anything pink on him.

Do you have a little girl dog that is definitely a “Princess?” Dress her up in anything that is “pink.” She never gets dirty even when she romps and plays with the tom-boys of the group. I have a Shih Tzu named Ginger and every time I groom her hair, put ribbons and topknots in her hair, she sits quietly on the steps of the porch as if she does not want to mess up herself. The rest of the time, she runs around squawking like a chicken – at those times I nickname her “Rooster.” Every dog has its very own unique personality. Have fun with your dog clothes and dress your dogs up according to their personalities.

I have already talked about selecting great fish and how to transport them home and settle them in to there new surroundings. Today I’m going to tell you about the correct way to feed your aquarium fish because it is one of the most important factors of keeping tropical fish.

Overfeeding aquarium fish is the most common cause of death in tropical fish. I know this may be difficult to believe that something so easy could cause more problems and deaths of your aquarium fish than disease but overfeeding causes problems with water quality which is where problems seem to start. It is often not seen as important and therefore, notice is not taken.

You need to make sure you don’t give your aquarium fish too much food. Just a sprinkle should do however you do need to make sure you don’t underfeed them and cause stunted growth. Here are a few tips on how you should feed your new tropical fish.

1, Try to feed often but sparingly. This will decrease the uneaten food that will turn into ammonia that could be harmful to your aquarium and even kill your fish.

2, Observe your fish at feeding times and look out for how much they can eat within three to five minutes. You should then feed no more than that. This again will create less waste food.

3, Try feeding other foods that don’t pollute the aquarium water as much. Only feed meaty foods twice or three times a week as these tend to create the most ammonia.

4, Look into buying a more powerful filter or even a second filter. If you overfeed then, the extra waste won’t cause a strain on your existing filter. You could also do more water changes to keep ammonia levels down.

5, Buy some catfish or pleco’s. These bottom feeders eat the waste food that is missed by the other fish and will decrease the end waste. Pleco’s also eat algae and keep the tank glass cleaner.

Please look into using a few of these techniques above to try and avoid overfeeding and water quality problems caused by food. If you do use them then I’m sure you will see an improvement in your results and less fish deaths if you’re having problems with ammonia and nitrate levels in your tank water caused by overfeeding.

It is said that the first Shih-Tzu came from a breeding of two dogs that were given as gifts to the Imperial Court of the Tang Dynasty from the King of Vigur. All of the dogs used for breeding in the Imperial Courts of China were always chosen with great care. The line of dogs that descended from this first breeding were designated with the name Shih-Tzu, meaning “lion” in chinese.

The first Shih Tzus were brought to England in 1930 and the breed steadily gained in popularity from that time. At first they were called “Apsos” but this name was changed by the Kennel Club to the Shih-Tzu. The breed flourished and gained more recognition throughout the dog shows of Europe and by the end of World War II it had traveled to the shores of the United States.

The Shih Tzu appears quite haughty and rather distant in the show ring. In reality they are a playful and energetic dog and get along famously with children, the elderly and everyone in between. They make good house dogs, being small enough to dwell in an apartment and not needing an inordinate amount of exercise.

The Shih Tzu breed is plagued by an inherited condition known as “familial nephropathy”, a kidney disorder. This disease can be found also in Tibetan Spaniels, the Llhasa Apso, the Tibetan Terriers and the English Cocker. It is a fatal condition and as yet there is no successful diagnostic testing that can predict this condition, although it is under study in several Veterinary colleges.

The Shih Tzu has a long straight and silky double coat, with a topknot of hair that can be kept out of the dogs eyes with a band. The little dog possesses a deep and wide ribbed chest similar to the Pekingese. He is short and his coat often extends clear to the ground. He has a broad head with large expressive eyes that do not bulge out, a short nose and hair which flows over each side of the nose and under the lips, giving a bearded appearance to the face. The coat requires daily or weekly brushing and the pet owner often finds that this is too much of a chore. It is best if the coat is trimmed rather than shaved, since the double coat provides some protection from the elements and protects the skin from sunburn.

Shih Tzu are lively and happy and should be generally of a good disposition, as they were bred to be pets and not guarding dogs. It is an indoor dog and should not be kept in a kennel. If used for breeding in a kennel it is highly important that the puppies be brought into the house and be socialized early, they simply are not a “kennel” breed. They take well to households with children and with other animals. These little dogs have found a place in many homes as loving, affectionate and gentle family members.

Cats and dogs spend a lot of their time sleeping so a comfortable bed is very important. Cats like to be very comfortable when they are sleeping so getting them a cat bed that will keep them warm is a good idea. Heated cat beds can be found right here, with a click of your mouse.

If you are looking for a more traditional cat bed then why not consider a wicker cat bed. Wicker cat beds are great for cats, they offer needed support, as well as comfort for size. A window cat bed is also great, and then your cat can lie lazily in the sun in its cat bed looking out the window. Windowsill cat beds take into consideration the cat’s curiosity.

If your cat is definitely a prince or princess then by all means a fancy cat bed or a designer cat bed is definitely what your cat needs. If you have multiple cats then look at getting a cat bunk bed for them to share, or a cat bed tree. Cats like to be close and share with other cats this will give them the opportunity.

If your cat stay outside most of the time then look at getting your cat an outdoor cat bed or a cheep cat bed that you can replace every few months. Discount cat beds are also great for this reason. Don’t forget to consider pet bedding for your cat bed.

It is important to remember that because cats do shed, a washable cat bed is very important to help keep the cat dander and cat hair to a minimum in your house. Another good ideas it to have two cat beds (even if you only have one cat) this will ensure that you wash your cat bed regularly because you know that there is always a clean one waiting to take its place.

What ever your style as well as your cats needs get the bed that is right.