Three Important Litter Box Considerations

There are three important litter box considerations to account for whether you''re a new kitten owner, or someone who has had a cat for a while. If kitty isn''t happy with any or all three of these, you may find she''ll start urinating outside the box.

1. Litter Box Location:

Location is all-important in real estate. The litter box location is important to your kitty. As an owner, you need to be certain her box is in a quiet location, away from traffic and noise. Ideally, a room that is seldom visited, such as the basement or laundry room is a good choice.

Cats need to be left alone while tending to their business. A child''s room, the hallway by the front door, or the family room may be too noisy for her.

2. Litter Box Type:

New cat litter boxes are marketed constantly. The final decision may rest with kitty. If you buy her a box, and she doesn''t use it, think about the way she does her business. For example, my boy, JJ (who is fixed), urinates standing up. He''s 14 years old, and it may be too much effort for him to squat. We have tall sided, and hooded litter boxes to accommodate the splash on the back wall.

You may consider the mechanical, self-cleaning litter box. They rake the results of kitty''s visit into a small container. The drawbacks are that your cat may be scared of the motor noise. If so, she won''t use it. The rakes, or tines, need to be cleaned regularly. They''re close together, and can be a real trial to clean properly. What if you lose electrical power for an extended period of time? The motor won''t operate, and the box won''t get scooped, if you forget!

Bottom line? Observe your kitty doing her business, and formulate a strategy about the best box to buy.

3. Cat Litter:

There are lots of different types of cat litter you can purchase. There are different blends of clay; some are perfumed, some are not. Again, your cat may decide for you. If you purchase a certain brand, and kitty eliminates somewhere else, you''ll need to experiment with different types until you and she agree on what will be used.

Perfumed, or scented litter is for us humans, not the cat! Some cats will refuse to patronize a box with heavily scented litter. As bad as the smell may be for you and your family, the end goal is find the right litter she''ll use every time.

About The Author

Nancy E. Wigal
Cat Urine Odor Advisor

www.cat-urine-odor-advisor.com

The Cat Urine Odor Advisor offers solutions, resources, and materials that work together to get rid of cat urine odor in your home. nancy@cat-urine-odor-advisor.com', 196, 'Three Important Litter Box Considerations, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Three Important Litter Box Considerations plus articles and information on Pets

Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 2 of 3

Are there so many great dog breeds out there that you just can''t decide where to begin? If so, let''s break it down and sort through all the options. In Part 2 of this 3 Part Series, we''ll continue looking at the seven Groups of dogs that are acknowledged by the American Kennel Club. We''ll learn what it is that brings various breeds together to form a Group. Learning about each Group will narrow down our search for the best Breed(s) for us.

How to Use this Guide: Highlight each piece of information that is most important to you and compare the number of highlighted traits when you have finished reading about each Group.

Group: Working

Group Traits: Powerfully built; Protective of owner; fearless

Likes: Structure and routine; Predictability

Dislikes: Unexpected events

Behavior Indoors: Low to moderate

Behavior Outdoors: Moderate to active

Physicality: High

Territoriality: High

Relations with Children: Good to very good (particularly family)

Relations with Strangers: Reserved

Relations with Dogs: Moderate to Dominant

Relations with Other Animals: Good

Guard dog inclinations: Moderate to High

Vocalization: Moderate (High when guarding)

Group: Terrier

Group Traits: Determined; high stamina; feisty; digger; fearless

Likes: Activity; Learning new things

Dislikes: Boredom; confinement; harsh discipline

Behavior Indoors: Active

Behavior Outdoors: Active

Physicality: High (high threshold for pain)

Territoriality: Moderate to high

Relations with Children: Poor to Good

Relations with Strangers: Poor to Good

Relations with Dogs: Moderate to Good (do well with like breeds)

Relations with Other Animals: May chase (prey drive)

Guard dog inclinations: Great watchdog, poor guard dog due to size

Vocalization: Moderate to high

Group: Toy

Group Traits: Bred to be companion; prefer favorite person; indoor only; bright problem solvers

Likes: Attention; laps; soft furniture; warmth;

Dislikes: Harsh reprimands; hectic, unpredictable environment

Behavior Indoors: Active

Behavior Outdoors: Moderate to active

Physicality: Low to moderate

Territoriality: Moderate to high

Relations with Children: Poor to Good

Relations with Strangers: Poor to Very Good

Relations with Dogs: Subordinate to good

Relations with Other Animals: Moderate to good

Guard dog inclinations: Good watchdog, poor guard dog due to size

Vocalization: Moderate to very verbal

*Note: Use this information as a general guide at best. The most we can hope to offer is a stereotypical overview of what you might be able to expect, or what you may want to look for, in dogs in each Group. Breeds and individual dogs in each Group can vary greatly in traits and personalities.

Part 3 in this series will discuss the following Groups: Herding Dogs and Non-Sporting.

The author has worked with dogs and dog people for two decades, advocating for smart selections before a new dog is brought into a home and always stressing responsible selection and ownership for the good of the dog, the family and the community. She also makes dog and cat art available to the companion animal industry and to animal lovers at http://www.GreatandSmallGallery.com', 196, 'Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 2 of 3, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 2 of 3 plus articles and information on Pets

Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 1 of 3

Are there so many great dog breeds out there that you just can''t decide where to begin? If so, let''s break it down and sort through all the options. Over a series of 3 unscientific articles, we''ll begin by looking at the seven Groups of dogs that are acknowledged by the American Kennel Club. We''ll learn what commonalities bring various breeds together to form a Group. Learning about each Group will narrow down our search for the best Breed(s) for us.

How to Use this Guide: Highlight each piece of information that is most important to you and compare the number of highlighted traits when you have finished reading about each Group.

Group: Sporting

Group Traits: Point; Set; Retrieve; Enjoy Water; Mouthy

Likes: People; Other dogs

Dislikes: Being left alone; Not having a job

Behavior Indoors: Normal to Active

Behavior Outdoors: Active

Physicality: Moderate to High

Territoriality: Low to Moderate

Relations with Children: Very good

Relations with Strangers: Very good

Relations with Dogs: Good

Relations with Other Animals: Good to low (prey drive)

Guard dog inclinations: Low

Vocalization: Low to Medium (vocal whining when lonely)

Group: Hound

Group Traits: Visually or Scent oriented; Speed; Digger

Likes: Working

Dislikes: Boredom

Behavior Indoors: Low to moderate

Behavior Outdoors: Active

Physicality: Moderate

Territoriality: Low to moderate

Relations with Children: Good

Relations with Strangers: Good

Relations with Dogs: Good

Relations with Other Animals: May chase (prey drive)

Guard dog inclinations: Low

Vocalization: Moderate to High (high when working or excited)

Part 2 in this series will discuss the following Groups: Working Dogs, Terriers, and Toy Dogs.

*Note: Use this information as a general guide at best. The most we can hope to offer is a stereotypical overview of what you might be able to expect, or what you may want to look for, in dogs in each Group. Breeds and individual dogs in each Group can vary greatly in traits and personalities.

The author has worked with dogs and dog people for two decades, advocating for smart selections before a new dog is brought into a home and always stressing responsible selection and ownership for the good of the dog, the family and the community. She also makes dog and cat art available to the companion animal industry and to animal lovers at http://www.GreatandSmallGallery.com', 196, 'Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 1 of 3, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 1 of 3 plus articles and information on Pets

Guinea Pig History

Their scientific name is Cavia Tschuldi and their nickname in South America where they were first discovered, is"Cavy. As you might have guessed Guinea Pigs are rodents.

Near the Andes Mountains in Peru over a thousand years ago , some Inca Indians were exploring near the tall grass on the edge of a forest, when they found dozens of little hairy creatures scampering around.

The fat little animals when they bent down to pick them up did not bite or even seem to mind . The Incas soon learned that the cavies or cuy, were wild but safe animals, who liked to hide in tall grass away from the hungry owls and other predators that they were easy prey to.

They searched out burrows and homes made by rabbits or snakes or other creatures and made these spaces their home. When it was night and dark, they would wander out to find food. Wild guinea pigs live all over South America from Argentina to Columbia. Some scientists say that the Inca Indians were the first to tame the wild guinea pigs, but other scientists think that even prehistoric people as far back as 5000 B.C. were keeping guinea pigs as pets and raising them as a source of food.

If you would like to know more about guinea pigs as pets,why not get a copy of my book at

http://www.mysecretsrevealed.com

or if you are interested in recieving my guinea pig newsletter just send me an email with newsletter in subject at graeme@mysecretsrevealed.com', 196, 'Guinea Pig History, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Guinea Pig History plus articles and information on Pets

Canine Parvovirus

Canine Parvovirus, is a viral disease that attacks dogs and if left untreated, it kills them within day''s, usually due to dehydration and it''s side effects.

Parvo is caused by a virus present in the faeces of infected dogs. Other dogs and pups pick up the parvo virus through eating food off the ground, chewing bones on the dirt, licking each other... there is so much parvo virus in the environment that older dogs have become somewhat immune to it, however puppies are very susceptible, especially from around weaning age at 5 to 8 weeks.

Parvo symptoms include severe depression and a loss of appetite, followed by a high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration

The infected dog will pass bloody stools within 24 hours. Puppies infected with parvo usually die within 48 hours if left untreated.

The virus initially lodges and multiplys in the lymph nodes of the throat and in 3 or 4 days it spreads to the bone marrow and the gastro-intestinal tract. All three sites contain the rapidly multiplying cells that the virus needs. In the bone marrow it kills the young immune system cells, and as such a low white cell count is the first clinical sign of possible parvo virus infection. Having a low white cell count also means that the host dog cannot fight the infection.

While this is happening the parvo virus is attacking the gastro intestinal tract, killing new cells of the intestine walls before they have a chance to grow. This results in an inability to absorb nutrients, causing acute diarrhoea. The intestinal wall becomes so damaged that bleeding occurs, allowing bacterial infections to take hold.

Therefore puppies can die from either severe dehydration and shock, bacterial infection... or more commonly,both.

You can''t treat parvo with antibiotics, however, they are routinely given to prevent secondary bacterial infections setting in, while the dog''s immune system is actively fighting the virus.

The best treatment for parvo is prevention. And the best form of prevention is Vaccinating, which should be mandatory for all puppies before they are 3 months old. Follow up every 12 months with a booster shot.

You should vaccinate pregnant broody''s with a killed parvovirus vaccine, either before mating, or 2 weeks before her puppies are born. This will pass on protection to the puppies until they are about 6 weeks old, or until they stop suckling. The danger period for puppies is between weaning at 5 to 8 weeks old, and 3 months of age, when they should get their full shots.

On dog farms and in breeding barns, it''s advisable to give puppies a 4 in 1 shot that includes parvovirus and corona virus vaccines at about 7 weeks, followed by their full 5 in 1 shot which includes Leptovirus vaccine at 3 months of age.

The only way to kill parvo in the environment is with either Bleach diluted 30 to 1 with water, or some other proprietary brand containing bleach. If the infected area is left dormant, the parvo will die in the ground in around 7 months, but you would be well advised to leave them vacant for 1 to 2 years. Freezing protects parvovirus cells, so if the ground is snowbound in winter, it may be at least 2 years before it is safe to allow puppies on it again.

Russell Savige has been breeding and rearing greyhounds since 1986. His website http://www.training-dog-breeds.com has an extensive collection of dog related articles.', 196, 'Canine Parvovirus, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Canine Parvovirus plus articles and information on Pets

Dealing With your Pets Allergies

It is Winter time again, a time of the year when pets and humans are very vulnerable to each other. As this is obviously the chilliest time of the year, animals are much more likely to be cooped up inside the house with us. All of the windows and doors are closed to the world and the heat is blasting around the clock.

These are precisely the conditions which make our winter homes playgrounds for some kinds of allergens. Our dogs and cats are considerably vulnerable to the dust in the carpet, the mold inside the walls of your old house and other pets. But warm moist times of the year are high allergy times as well. Allergies are simply the most common conditions affecting cats and according to the Kansas State University, 15% of dogs suffer from common allergies like pollen and house dust. An allergic reaction is the work of an overactive immune system. It is when an animal responds abnormally to a seemingly everyday substance like grass or general food ingredients.

Of the different kinds of allergies, contact allergies are the least common in cats and dogs. An Example of a contact allergen is a flea collar. Grass and various kinds of bedding such as wool are also examples. An Inhalant Allergy is the most common allergy for cats and is also prevalent in dogs. This particular kind of allergy is caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to environmental substances. A Flea Allergy is the single most common dog allergy but is also common cats. The normal dog or cat suffers only somewhat minor irritation in lieu of a flea bite with minimal itching.

A food allergy is also somehat common in pets. Cats often become allergic to their most common protein such as tuna. Dogs can be allergic to proteins like chicken and beef. When it comes to allergies, like most things it''s a matter of controlling, not curing. Once an animal''s body becomes hypersensitive to certain things, it is then eternally vulnerable to those things.

Regarding treatment of allergies, the most common treatments are topical products like shampoos or antihistamines. There are also certain supplements that you can give to your pets to help support

the insides of their bodies, which to an extent determine the condition of the outside. Studies have shown that if we shampoo our pets'' coats on a regularl basis, it is much less likely that foreign substances will enter through the skin. Regular bathing discourages allergens -- irritants such as dander and dead hair. When our pets itch and injure their skin, it leaves their internal landscapes much more vulnerable to skin problems For additional Information visit

Dog Supplements from Life''s Abundance for help with your dog

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher of pet issues. For more info. visit http://www.premium-cat-food.com/', 196, 'Dealing With your Pets Allergies, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Dealing With your Pets Allergies plus articles and information on Pets

Symptoms of Pain and Illness in Dogs

Dog owners, who recognize the early signs and symptoms of illness or pain in their dogs, will not only relieve their loved one''s suffering but may also be able to save themselves an expensive trip to the veterinarian. Not only is it important to recognize these signs early to relieve pain and suffering, but it is much more effective to treat an illness when it is detected early.

The dog owner should keep an accurate and detailed account of their dog''s symptoms to help the veterinarian correctly diagnose and effectively treat the dog''s illness or condition. Most canine illnesses are detected through a combination of various signs and symptoms:

Temperature, Respiratory Rate and Heart Rate

A newborn puppy will have a temperature of 94-97º F. which will eventually reach the normal adult body temperature of 101.5º F. at the age of 4 weeks old. Take care when trying to take your dog or puppies temperature as the thermometer can easily be broken off in the canine''s rectum. Also any form of excitement can cause the temperature to rise by 2-3º when the dog is actually in normal health. If your dog''s temperature reaches 105º or above OR 96º or below please take him/her to the emergency vet immediately!

An adult dog will have a respiratory rate of 15-20 breaths per minute (depending on such variables as size and weight) and a heart rate of 80-120 beats per minute. You can feel for your dog''s heartbeat by placing your hand on his/her lower ribcage just behind the elbow. Don''t be alarmed if the heartbeat seems irregular compared to a human''s heartbeat, it is irregular in many dogs. Have your vet check it out and get used to how it feels when it is normal.

Behavior Changes

Any behavior changes that are not associated with a change in the household atmosphere, such as jealousy over a new pet or child may be an indication of an illness. Signs of behavioral changes may be:

? Depression

? Anxiety

? Fatigue

? Sleepiness

? Trembling

? Falling/Stumbling

If your dog shows any of these signs, he/she needs to be kept under close watch for a few hours, or even a few days, until positive signs develop or he/she has returned to normal. Do not try to exercise the dog or put him/her in any situation that may cause stress. Most veterinarians will want for you to keep track of when the symptoms first appeared, whether they are getting better or worse, and also whether the symptoms are intermittent, continuous, or increasing in frequency.

Pain

Dogs that are in pain will likely indicate that they are suffering by giving you clues as to where the area of discomfort is. For instance, a dog that has abdominal pain will continually glance toward their belly, bite or lick the area, and will not want to leave his/her bed. The dog may stand hunched over, or take the ''prayer position'' which is when a dog gets down on it''s forelegs with the hind legs still standing, because of the pain in her abdomen area.

Dogs can not tell you that they are hurting or cry real tears but a dog may vocalize their pain in a different way. A dog that is hurt suddenly (such as being stepped on) will cry out or wimper in pain. This also happens when an external injury or internal injury (such as an organ) is touched. Whining or vocalization that is unprovoked may be caused from an internal injury as well. Some breeds of dogs (such as the American Pit Bull Terrier) have a higher pain threshold and need to be watched more closely for signs of pain. Breeds with a high pain tolerance are more likely to endure the pain without vocalization.

Another clue to pain is a change in temperament. A dog that is in pain may show signs of aggression. Please take note of this before concluding that a dog has become vicious and let your veterinarian know so that the correct treatment can be administered. Also females in general (even humans!) have days when they are just in a bad mood for no obvious reason. Take note of days of times that these mood swings occur as well as any events that might have triggered them.

Other signs that your dog may be sick:

? Ears: discharge, debris, odor, scratching, crusted tips, twitching or shaking.

? Eyes: redness, swelling or discharge.

? Nose: runny, thickened or colored discharge, crusty.

? Coughing, sneezing, vomiting or gagging.

? Shortness of breath, irregular breathing or prolonged/heavy panting

? Evidence of parasites in the dog''s stool, strange color, blood in the stool, or lack of a bowel movement (constipation).

? Loss of appetite or not drinking as much water as normally would.

? Weight Loss.

? Strange color of urine, small amount of urine, straining, dribbling, or not going as frequently as normal.

? Bad odor coming from mouth, ears, or skin.

? Hair loss, wounds, tumors, dander or change of the skin''s color.

? Biting of the skin, parasites, scratching or licking the skin frequently.

The preceding article was meant to help educate you to the signs and symptoms of probable pain or sickness in your dog. If any of these symptoms occur over a prolonged period of time, please seek the help of a veterinarian. I hope that this article will help stress the importance of keeping watch over your dog''s health patterns and the importance of keeping an accurate, detailed health record for your veterinarian''s convenience.

About the Author:

Jennifer Bryant is a life-long lover of dogs. Jennifer loves and breeds American Pit Bull Terriers in her North Georgia home with her 2 young children. Her love of dogs has inspired her to create a website for herself (as well as other breeders) to advertise their occasional litter of puppies and to educate others with dog breed information and useful articles.

Bryant''s Red Devils Red Nose American Pit Bull Terriers

Puppies and Dogs for Sale.com

This article may be reprinted on your website, but the content and signature of the author must remain intact.', 196, 'Symptoms of Pain and Illness in Dogs, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Symptoms of Pain and Illness in Dogs plus articles and information on Pets

What Type of Cat Food is Really Best For Your Cat?

Which cat food should you feed your cat to be certain that he or she will have the proper nutrition? What is the best mix of food to assist your cat in living to the limit of it''s life span?

Let''s examine the diet of a cat in it''s natural environment. In the wild, a cat will eat almost entirely animal tissue. But they would generally eat the entire body of the animal, including it''s stomach contents, which has a variety of nutrients which are lacking in an animals muscle tissue, such as fiber.

Cat owners often wonder if fresh meat is actually the best food for cats? The answer is:not necessarily. Unfortunately, fresh meat will not provide a balanced diet for a cat, as they are very protein dense and quite low in vital nutrients like calcium. In fact, Mainstream commercial cat food might actually have more nutrients in many respects.

Some cat owners have also asked if it''s alright to feed their cat a completely vegetarian diet. The answer to that question is simply no. Cats just can''t produce the required nutrients from a completely vegetarian food in the same way that humans can.

Being a specialized hunter, a cat has largely lost that ability during the course of evolution. Skin problems are sometimes the result of a deficiency in certain essential fatty acids which can be found in animal flesh alone. Another problem is that a deficiency of the amino acid taurine, which is a vital building block for proteins in the body. This defiency may cause both blindness and heart failure! Cats are simply born carnivores and need protein-rich food.

Is it o.k. to give a cat only dry cat food? According to petshub, the answer is yes, providing that you ensure that fresh water is available at all times.

Dry food is generally more convenient, hygienic, and affordable than canned or fresh food. It also exercises the teeth and reduces the buildup of tartar, which can grow into a severe problem in cats that are fed a soft and mushy diet.

For more detail go to For more information go to Cat Food Information

Ryan Joseph is a writer and researcher of pet health. For more info. go to http://www.premium-cat-food.com/', 196, 'What Type of Cat Food is Really Best For Your Cat?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'What Type of Cat Food is Really Best For Your Cat? plus articles and information on Pets

How to Create Your Own Monster

"You''ve created your own monster, you know", my mother said ominously. My Rex cat, Houdini, had just burrowed his way inside my sweater for the third time that morning, letting out a squeal of indignation when I tried to resist.

Houdini has separation anxiety. But in his tiny little mind, separation means I''ve been out of his site for at least two minutes. Or I''ve closed the bathroom door and left him on the other side. Or he hasn''t had his ears scratched or his belly rubbed in eons (about ten minutes.) Houdini follows me everywhere, like the most faithful of hounds, and craves my undivided attention almost as much as his next meal.

If all of this seems annoying, it''s not nearly as bad as when the little fellow plunks himself down in front of me and literally tears chunks of his own hair out because I''m not paying attention to him. With Houdini, it''s always been easier just to give in.

My husband takes all of this in stride. My mother, who (fortunately for Houdini) only visits now and then, thinks it''s the height of absurdity.

Growing up under Mom''s roof, I learned that dogs and children should obey, and cats just mind their own business. I adopted my mother''s dog training philosophies successfully. Cleo (a fine-looking mastiff and our now-famous website mascot), is a perfect lady. She''s a wonderful dog with the gift of self composure and not one to question authority. Cleo would never stoop to the kind of antics that are Houdini''s specialty. Besides, she''s too big to crawl inside my sweater.

So why does this particular pet behave like a spoiled child? Why do I give in to him? Is it because I forgot to have children? Mom swears that those little squealing sounds he makes don''t come from a cat. "He''s manipulating you", she tells me. "He''s learned how to sound like a baby".

Maybe I''ve got what I like to call "lap dog syndrome". I''m referring how we treat smaller pets who are easily cuddled and coddled, are highly portable, and who look adorable wearing funny little outfits. Some might call it "empty nest syndrome".

Consider my Grandmother Rosie and her Toy Poodle, Cocoa.

Cocoa arrived long after Rosie''s children had grown up and left home. Rosie knitted lots of little sweaters and hats for Cocoa to keep him warm and stylish. She kept a mixture of Coke Syrup and Pepto Bismol on hand to settle Cocoa''s nervous stomach. And dog food could never pass his lips, so Grandma cooked fresh chicken for Cocoa every night before sitting down to her own dinner.

We had to spell out "c-o-o-k-i-e" and "P-e-p-t-o B-i-s-m-o-l" around the dog so he wouldn''t get over-excited. And Grandpa Henry was obsessed with keeping Cocoa clean. This was one poodle who never had tear stains under his eyes, and whose little "tushy" was spotless.

Bear in mind that we''re talking about the late 60''s, when treating pets like children wasn''t really "mainstream".

Today, it''s commonplace. The pet industry is huge, and much of it caters to our desire to spoil our "children". So these days it''s easier than ever to create your own monster. Besides bending to your dog''s every whim, you can shower her with gourmet treats, dress her to the nines, and offer her a standard of living well above what many of the world''s humans aspire to.

Today, Grandma wouldn''t have to knit any sweaters herself, and there would be plenty of remedies made expressly for Cocoa''s nervous tummy. Grandma wouldn''t board her baby when traveling. Instead, she''d hire a professional pet sitter, or take Cocoa with her to a pet friendly hotel. The hotel might even have a dog gift shop, with lots of squeaky toys and delicious "c-o-o-k-i-e-s". And Cocoa would go everywhere with Grandma in his own little dog-sized carrying case, probably made from fine imported leather or snakeskin.

I wonder how many owners of large breeds behave this way? Are there other syndromes out there, like "macho dog syndrome" (a guy thing, no doubt)?

The truth is, all pets start out small and cuddly. No one is completely safe from creating their own monster, large or small. So thank goodness there are enough great resources available for anyone to become a virtual dog training expert. (Or cat, or parrot, or horse...)

I''ve learned my lesson with Houdini: It''s much easier to teach your pet the rules from the start. Puppy training is easier than dog training. And un-creating a monster is a heck of a lot tougher than creating one!

But I''m weak. For now, it''s easier just to give in. And besides, it time to rub Houdini''s belly...

© 2005, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of http://www.great-dog-gift.com View the html version of this article (with cute photos) at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/dog_training_1.html The site offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. She''s always looking for new dog gift ideas and dog stories to share with her readers in her free monthly e-zine, "Cold Noses News". You can reach her by email at netbrainer@verizon.net', 196, 'How to Create Your Own Monster, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'How to Create Your Own Monster plus articles and information on Pets

Does The World Need More Cats?

Aren''t they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing and crawling little kittens leaves only the fiercest cat hater indifferent. But does the world need more cats?

A cat is the second most popular pet in the world. People love them for all kinds of reasons. Cats are social, but still have a will of their own. They have sweet faces and love to be hugged, but at the same time they are predators that don''t mind about killing a bird.

In short, cats are fascinating animals. The world would be a boring place without them.

Fact: the world needs cats. But how many?

According to recent figures, in the US alone over two million cats are being put to death each year in animal shelters because there are no homes for them.

That''s shocking. And you can''t blame the animal shelters for that. They do their best, within the limits of their budget. There are just not enough people that want to take care of these cats.

So if you have a pet cat, there is no need for you to breed. Don''t worry, cats will never become scarce. Professional breeders will always be happy to meet the needs of real cat lovers.

Fact: the world does not need MORE cats. But how can you prevent new litters?

Simple. Get your cat castrated or spayed.

The answer may seem obvious, but still many people don''t have their pet neutered. Some believe it is too expensive, or they think it will harm their cat. Or people just don''t know how easy cats make babies.

But neutering is not as expensive as raising kittens. And although it may change your cat''s behavior a little, there is no real harm done. Cats will only become more loving.

Fact: neutering is the solution. But what if your cat gets pregnant before getting spayed?

It happens. You left the door open for a minute, Molly went out, met Tom and returned with 65 days of cat gestation ahead.

Now you have a responsible task. Take care of your pregnant queen as good as you can. Get the right advice about what to expect the coming months.

Love your kittens. Make sure they get a good home once they are old enough. Because a nest of meowing and crawling little kittens leaves only the fiercest cat hater indifferent.

------------------------
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Journalist Marc de Jong runs an acclaimed web site on cats and is the author of the book How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat, available through http://www.pregnant-cat-care.com The book is filled with insider tips and tells you how your cat can deliver and raise a healthy litter - with your help.', 196, 'Does The World Need More Cats?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Does The World Need More Cats? plus articles and information on Pets

Guinea Pigs Health

Guinea Pigs make great pets and are fairly easy to care for. They love to be touched and cuddled.

Their Scientific name is Cavia Tschuldi and were discovered in South America. Guinea Pigs are are a rodent.

Have you ever wondered about where they got their name? There are many types of Guinea Pigs.

Over 1,000,000 families in USA alone have them as pets. If you are considering a guinea pig as a pet there are a few things you should be aware of.

But, just like any pet they require a comittment from you as they live for several years. They become a part of the family.

Never keep males and females together as they breed, herd of the saying, "like Guinea Pigs" or 2 males together as they tend to fight to show who is boss.A most important ingredient in a guinea pigs diet is vitamin "C". Hay is the main stay of their diet. Never feed them rhubarb or raw beens,they are extremely poisous to them.

If you would like to learn all about Guinea Pigs,my book reveals evrything you need to know about haveing a happy healthy pig as a pet.

You can get it instantly NOW at http://www.mysecretsrevealed.com.

Fellow Guinea Pig Lover and Author', 196, 'Guinea Pigs Health, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Guinea Pigs Health plus articles and information on Pets

Distemper in Dogs - Home Detection Tips

Distemper: Spotting This Dog Killer Before it''s Too Late

Canine distemper is a devastating disease. It often crops up in seemingly healthy pets without any warning. What''s more, distemper often mimics benign problems, like the common cold. This is truly the most insidious aspect of this illness. Sadly, many cases progress to the point where they are no longer treatable before the owner even realizes what''s happened.

How to spot the early signs of distemper

First and foremost, understand that distemper can often be diagnosed very early if regular trips to the veterinarian are scheduled and kept. This cannot be stressed enough, especially for new puppies! Because afflictions like distemper most often strike very young pups when they have weaker immune systems, it''s crucial that owners visit the vet often in the first few weeks of life. Early diagnosis means a chance to survive distemper.

Owners who suspect distemper, but haven''t had the animal seen by a vet yet, can detect it by a couple of signs. First, yellowish-green or dark green discharge from the eyes and nose is a classic symptom. It''s often accompanied by sneezing and general lethargy. Unfortunately, many pet owners assume this is just a sign that their dog has contracted a cold or has allergies and they ignore it.

If you remember nothing else about what you read here, remember this: any greenish discharge from the eyes or nose means distemper is a real possibility. RUSH your pet to the vet at the first sign! In most distemper cases, the only chance your puppy or dog has is early detection and aggressive medical therapy.

While distemper can manifest differently from one dog to the next, another hallmark of it is constant shaking or twitching. This happens in the more advanced stages of the disease, when the infected dog''s neurological system has been compromised and muscles fire continuously. Unfortunately, by this stage it''s rarely treatable and the humane step is euthanasia. Having said that, always get your pet checked out thoroughly to rule out some other condition that may be causing the tremors. You never know. Dogs are like people, in that they are susceptible to a wide range of illnesses and diseases that can share very similar symptoms. Never assume!

It isn''t easy for pet owners to prevent diseases as serious as distemper. It''s infamous for sneaking up on otherwise healthy puppies. But starting a new puppy out right - with good nutrition and regular visits to the vet for vaccinations and check-ups - will go a long way toward keeping him healthy and disease-free. Know and watch for the signs of distemper and your dog will have a strong ally in you!

John Schwartz is a freelance writer, webmaster, and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for dog supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Please visit my dog supply site for monthly discount pet supplies.', 196, 'Distemper in Dogs - Home Detection Tips, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Distemper in Dogs - Home Detection Tips plus articles and information on Pets

The Grave of Gelert

Just south of Snowdon, in the grey-stoned village of Beddgelert set among the wild mountains of Wales, is the Grave of Gelert. Here, in a beautiful meadow below Cerrig Llan, is a large stone slab lying on its side with two upright slabs which owes its fame to the legend of Prince Llewelyn ap Iorwerth and his faithful hound.

Llewelyn (1173-1240 CE) was very fond of hunting and in the summer he lived in a hunting lodge at the foot of Mt.Snowdon. Although he had many dogs, his favourite was the brave Gelert, his great Irish Wolfhound, not only a dog fearless in the hunt, but a loyal friend and companion at the fireside.

One fateful day on the hunt, Gelert refused to accompany his master further, but instead he ran howling back to the Lodge. When Llewellyn returned he was met by his dog, bounding to meet him, but splashed with blood around his muzzle. On entering his living quarters, Llewellyn found a scene of confusion with rooms disordered and articles scattered in heaps. Now Llewelyn had a son, barely a year old, and as the prince recalled how Gelert and his little boy used to play together, a terrible thought came to his mind !

He rushed to the nursery only to find the the cradle was overturned, the bed clothes bloody and though he looked frantically for his son, the child could not be found.

Turning to Gelert, whose muzzle was still wet with blood, Llewelyn came into a great rage and cried, "Thou hast killed my only son!", and drew his sword and drove it into the heart of the hound.

Then - as all was silent but for the steady drip of blood onto the stone flag floor, the wail of a baby could be heard. On searching further Llewellen found his son safe and well, lying next to the body of a large grey wolf.

It was plain to see what had happened !

Gelert had killed the wolf whilst defending the baby from attack. Overcome with grief at his hasty action, Llewellyn buried Gelert with all honour and raised a memorial over his grave.

From then on the settlement was known as Beddgelert, meaning "Gelert''s Grave" and this is the traditional tale still told today.

Where do these tales come from ? It''s possible that the village of Beddgelert received its name from an Irish Wolf Hound given to Llewellyn as a gift by his father-in-law, King John of England.

Irish Wolfhounds were known and admired in Rome as early as 391 C.E. when the first mention of the breed was written by the Roman Consul Quintus Aurelius, who had received seven of them as a gift which "all Rome viewed with wonder."

The story of a dog slain in error after killing a wolf seems to have been attached to Llewellyn about 1793-4 by a local inn-keeper. A common enough occurrence along the same lines of hotels and taverns placing signs like "Ye Olde Inne" to attract more custom. William Spencer visited Beddgelert and, on hearing the tale, wrote his popular ballad about the faithful Gelert and so the story grew into the speech and hearsay of Wales

However, the legend behind all this folklore is extremely old, though the animals involved originally were neither wolves nor dogs.

A mongoose who saved a Brahmin''s son from a snake is found in the Indian Panchatantra. It was written in Sanskrit sometime in the third century C.E and later translated into Persian and Arabic. We find it in the Book of Sindibad and thence our own Arabian Nights

The mongoose wasn''t known in the Arab world, so it became a weasel, and then a dog. The snake remained. A version of this story reached Wales and was recorded in the 14th century in the Red Book of Hergest.

In Welsh folktales the snake is replaced by a wolf probably because it was a more likely attacker and already had a fearsome reputation

So in this tale we see how time, folklore and story-telling around the fire has fused together traditions from many sources and created them into a legend still honoured at Gelert''s Grave.

Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in celebrations for women. http://celebrant.yarralink.com', 196, 'The Grave of Gelert, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'The Grave of Gelert plus articles and information on Pets

How to become Top Dog - A Dog Owners Guide to Sanity

Peeing on the carpet, knocking you down, or stealing dinner off the counter are all signs that your dog doesn''t respect your rules. In other words, you are not the Alpha Dog.

If you ever want to have a peaceful and happy relationship with your dog, you need to learn how to become top dog.

It''s not just a silly phrase. Dogs have a heirarchial ranking system. In simple reality, the only two ranks you need to know of are top dog , and not top dog.... The Ruler, and the Rule Follower. Naturally you don''t want to be caught in the trap of being subject to your dog.

You want your dog to respect you and obey you. Don''t confuse the two. A dog may obey you out of fear, but not respect you. That is a dangerous situation to be in. Have you ever seen the movie Iron Will? If not, watch it. It gives some great insight.

There''s a dog sled driver who beats his dogs into submission and treats them terribly. They respond to his beatings and he has a winning team, but at the first sign of weakness, they turn on him and... well it wasn''t pretty.

Of course that''s a dramatization and worse case scenario. Frankly, I think anyone who beats dogs has it coming. It''s just not necessary to rule with an iron fist.

Most dogs are receptive to attitudes that are as basic and primal as fighting, but are much less violent.

For example, simply giving commands and being consistent goes a long way. If your dog is always made aware of what is and what is not acceptable, you will have a greater chance of success.

When your dog disobeys, scold him and send him to his quarters- whether it be a dog bed, a kennel, going outside or just a specific place in the house.

Don''t allow him to beg for food. Doing this gives him the impression that it''s okay to whine to get what he wants.

It''s not.

If and when a dog should bite you, and you have had this dog and don''t believe him to be wild or sick, then you have to take action to ensure he knows that it will not be accepted. (If there is any indication of disorientation of your dog at this time, call a vet. Dogs can bite if they are sick, hurt or scared. You should seek professional advice.)

Appropriate action would not be to scold or hit the dog but rather to grab his head firmly, not in anger or rage but in calm control, and bite him on the ear. Don''t try to break the skin or really hurt the dog. You are just making a point here that you are the leader and he needs to respect you.

It is also highly recommended that you train your dog to walk with you on a leash, at your heel level. This puts the dog in an active submissive role on a regular basis and helps you to enforce that you are the boss.

I would suggest getting a book or training video to get more details on the topic, or research dog forums for advice from other owners who prefer to train themselves and not send their dogs to obedience school.

Remember that if you want to be the top dog, you have to take control. Leadership is essential in a dog''s life. You are the one who gets to choose who that leader is.

About the Author:
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at Dog Gifts and Toys for Dog Lovers.

Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.', 196, 'How to become Top Dog - A Dog Owners Guide to Sanity, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'How to become Top Dog - A Dog Owners Guide to Sanity plus articles and information on Pets

A Dog Day Care Franchise - Is It Really Worth It?

When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000 dogs in the United States alone, you can see why many people consider taking advantage of a dog day care franchise.

However, before you even think about a dog day care franchise, please do a self evaluation and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

A dog day care franchise is a tremendous responsibility. It requires a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of resources.

Now, please understand that I am not implying that a dog day care franchise is not a wise choice for you. I am only trying to help provide you with some useful dog day care franchise information.

Here are some general questions to ask yourself before starting a dog day care franchise:

- Do I really love dogs enough to start a dog day care franchise?

Yes, I realize like many opportunities in life, you have the potential to make good profits with a dog day care franchise regardless of whether you really care for the dogs or not.

However, if you don''t have a love and passion for dogs, your success with a dog day care franchise will more than likely be limited.

- Next, are you willing to foot the bill for all of the necessary dog day care franchise resources?

Yes, even a dog day care franchise that comes with all the necessary information and tools is still going to cost you. Especially, if you are renting a building or leasing land.

These are just some of the reasons why I encourage people to do their research before taking advantage of a dog day care franchise.

So if you''ve read this article and find that a dog day care franchise is still a viable opportunity for you then great!

I wish you nothing but success!

Kelley Blackston

P.S. You may use this article in your publication, but the content and signature file must remain intact. Thank you.

"Thousands Have Discovered This Little Known Secret To Making Money With A Dog Day Care -- Now It''s Your Turn..."

Dog Day Care Franchise

', 196, 'A Dog Day Care Franchise - Is It Really Worth It?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'A Dog Day Care Franchise - Is It Really Worth It? plus articles and information on Pets

A Dog Day Care Business Can Be A Lot of Fun!

If you love dogs and you enjoy making money then a dog day care business may be a very good fit for you!

Let me ask you a question, "Can you imagine starting your very own dog day care business?" If you asked yourself that question and still aren''t sure, let me give you a bit of dog day care business advice....

First, make sure that you truly love dogs. Second, study your area and see if there is a large dog population. Finally, get some legal advice.

You see, if you love and care for the dogs that you keep, the chances of your dog day care business being a huge success is much better than if you are just starting a dog day care business for the money.

Now the reason that I mentioned studying your area to make sure there are plenty of dogs is simple, no dogs equals no money for your dog day care business!

Here''s a dog day care business tip: See how many veterinarians are in your area. Also, be sure to look in the paper at the classifieds section.

Finally, I mentioned obtaining proper legal advice. A local attorney in your area can give you valuable information about starting a dog day care business in your area. You want to make sure you comply with all laws.

A dog day care business can be a lot of fun! Just make sure you enjoy dogs, research your area, and always obtain good legal advice.

Good luck in your dog day care business endeavor!

Kelley Blackston

P.S. You may use this article in your publication, but the content and signature file must remain intact. Thank you.

"Thousands Have Discovered This Little Known Secret To Making Money With A Dog Day Care -- Now It''s Your Turn..."

Dog Day Care Business ', 196, 'A Dog Day Care Business Can Be A Lot of Fun!, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'A Dog Day Care Business Can Be A Lot of Fun! plus articles and information on Pets

Do You Have a Dog Day Care Business Plan?

If you are considering opening a dog day care, then you need to make sure you have a dog day care business plan. A solid dog day care business plan will help you get started in the right direction.

My name is Kelley Blackston and I run a successful dog day care. The reason our dog day care has been such a success in our local area is because we have stuck to our dog day care business plan.

By making sure things are organized we avoid the pitfalls that many people have to suffer through when starting their dog day care business.

It would be very difficult for us to have a profitable dog day care if we did not have a solid dog day care business plan.

A dog day care business plan requires that you take into consideration the cost of resources and understand the laws of your area.

Be sure that your dog day care business plan takes into account all the various needs of your dogs and their owners.

You always want a strong dog day care business plan so that your dog day care business will continue to grow each and every week.

My main piece of advice for you is to make sure your dog day care business plan is very organized and easy to follow. Don''t make it more difficult than it has to be!

Good luck with your dog day care business plan.

Kelley Blackston

P.S. You may use this article in your publication, but the content and signature file must remain intact. Thank you.

"Thousands Have Discovered This Little Known Secret To Making Money With A Dog Day Care -- Now It''s Your Turn..."

Dog Day Care Business Plan

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Doggie Day Care is an Awesome Alternative

Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in our society. This is mainly due to the fact that there are so many dogs all around the world and people are looking for a good alternative to the routine trip to the kennel.

Don''t get me wrong. There are very good kennels all around the world but doggie day care is unique. Doggie day care is designed to provide dog owners with the assurance that their beloved pooch is going to receive a lot of one on one attention. Plus, a doggie day care provides an environment very similar to what the dog is already used too.

When you take a look at the numbers of dogs all around the world, you will start to understand the need for good doggie day cares.

Doggie day care takes a lot of the worry out of going to work or going on trips. Doggie day care helps you avoid asking your neighbors to come by and feed and play with your dog when you are away from home. Your family and friends have a life also and taking care of your dog can sometimes be a difficult task.

When we started our doggie day care, we never imagined the response that we would receive from our customers. People are so appreciative and are very happy that their dog is being taken care of which makes us feel so good.

These are just a few of the reasons doggie day care is becoming such an awesome alternative!

Kelley Blackston

P.S. You may use this article in your publication, but the content and signature file must remain intact. Thank you.

"Thousands Have Discovered This Little Known Secret To Making Money With A Dog Day Care -- Now It''s Your Turn..."

Doggie Day Care

', 196, 'Doggie Day Care is an Awesome Alternative, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Doggie Day Care is an Awesome Alternative plus articles and information on Pets

Tips for Finding the Perfect Family Dog

If your kids have been begging you to get a family dog then this article is for you. Having a family dog can offer your family a great amount of fun and enjoyment. Having a dog can also help your kids learn about responsibilities. Of course you need to find a dog that is family friendly. The following tips will help you find the right breed to suit your needs.

You need to ask yourself what sort of things do you want to do with your dog. If you like going on fishing trips your certainly don''t want a poodle. Breeds such as the Golden Retriever or Lab would be excellent.

If your looking for protection for your kids a German Shepard can make an excellent pet. This breed is very safe to have around your family and can also provide a great deal of protection.

Do you and your family travel allot? If so you may want to have a much smaller dog. Leaving your dog behind isn''t an easy thing to do. Smaller dogs are easier to move around in a crate.

Maybe your not all the fond of your family getting a dog? If this is the case you may want to get a dog that tends to be more on the lazier side of things. Bull dogs, for example can make a great pet that spends most if its time out of the way.

You may also be wondering if you should just get your dog from the dog pound. There certainly isn''t anything wrong with this because they deserve a home too. You need to keep in mind that you really don''t know how well some of these dogs will behave around children. You must be very careful when choosing a family dog this way.

A family dog is a great pet and can keep the kids occupied for hours on end. You just need to make sure that you choose the right one for your families needs.

Tyler Casselman owns the site Super Dog Trainer you can visit his site at Dog Training You will find lots of tips and advice about dogs and dog training.', 196, 'Tips for Finding the Perfect Family Dog, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Tips for Finding the Perfect Family Dog plus articles and information on Pets

Dog Training For Beginners

Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find it to be very frustrating and simply send there dog or puppy to a professional trainer. Now if you have a dog that is completely wrecking or disrupting your life this may be a good idea. Before you take a look at a professional dog trainer you may want to try out some of these tips.

1. Make training fun for your dog. This means in order to get your dog to listen to you you need to reward him when he does things right. This means you need to praise your dog with treats and hugs.

2. If your dog is just a puppy you need to have very good patience. Puppies take longer getting used to the surrounding of there new home.

3. Potty training can be difficult for puppies because they have week bladders. The only way around this is to take him for walks in the mourning and at night. If he goes to the bathroom out side reward your puppy or dog.

4. You should never hit your dog. Its very important that you don''t use any form of physical contact. Dogs need to trust there owners. If your dog doesn''t trust you any more then you will find it hard to get him to obey.

5. Be consistent with your demands. If one person in your home lets him sleep on the bed then the rest will have to do the same. You simply cant have one person praising your dog and the other person screaming at it for the same thing.

These are all just some basic tips and advice for training your dog. It does help to have a good understanding of a dogs behaviour, but it certainly isn''t needed. The most important thing you can do is to just love and praise your dog when it obeys.

Tyler Casselman runs the website Super Dog Trainer witch you can visit at dog training You will be able to find lots of tips and advice about dogs and dog training.', 196, 'Dog Training For Beginners, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Dog Training For Beginners plus articles and information on Pets

Discover: How to Prevent Dog Bites Case

Of all the aggressive behavior in dogs dog bites is the most serious. However no matter how serious it may be you can contain it if you are able to diagnose the cause of this aggressive dog behavior.

In the following 8 tips

1. Before you treat any illness you have to be able to recognize the type of aggression your dog is exhibiting. Bellow are few aggressive dog behavior you have to notice I will be expanding the subsequent tips.

Fear aggression
Possessive aggression
dominant aggression
dog to dog aggression
aggression towards infants
punishment or pain elicited aggression
protective or territorial agression

2. Then you have to consult an authority like professional trainner, veterinary behaviorist.

3. You need to avoid situations that elicit aggressive dog behavior.

4. Lots of the aggressions are even fault of the dog owners. Many employ punishment in teaching obedience commands. All you have to do whenever you want to teach obedience comman is to use reinforcement methods.

5. Fit your dog with a head halter while training, a humane way to treat and control your og. Use this option only on a temporary basis. Employ the service of experience head halters to fit dog handler.

6. Fit your dog with a basket muzzle if restraint is necessary for extended periods (about 3-5minutes).

7. A helpful technique for behavior modification is obedience training, though this type of training will hardly eliminate a dog aggressive behavior.

8. It is advisiable for you not to approach a dog that is sleeping or unaware of your presence.

--------------------------------
About the Author:

Lateef Olajide is the author of "Aggressive Dog behavior Training blog." Visit his site to find out how you can get a free consultation. http://aggressive-dog-behavior-training.blogspot.com', 196, 'Discover: How to Prevent Dog Bites Case, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Discover: How to Prevent Dog Bites Case plus articles and information on Pets

Easy Tips for Healthy Pets

Do you want a long and healthy life for your pets?

There are things in our pets'' environments that can rob them of precious health and long life. I''m not talking about cars accidents and mean kids in the neighborhood. I''m talking about things inside the home. Things like:

1) Food Food is meant to be good tasting and good for you. The same applies to our pets. Unfortunately, both people food and pet food are full of stuff. And most of this stuff isn''t found growing naturally.

Manufacturers have taken the place of growers and cooks. To make foods taste better things are added.

To make foods last forever on the store shelf, things are added. For example, tomatoes are now designed to look good after a long trip to the store. They are not grown to be nutritious and safe.

On TV we see reports about how additives, preservatives and stuff are making our children unhealthy. The same thing applies to our pets'' food.

Preservatives keep food fresh by altering the DNA of the creatures living on the food. What do these preservatives do to the DNA of the child or pet eating them?

See where I''m going?

Altered hormones, cell mutations (cancer), sickness !!!

The only way to minimize this stuff in our pet''s food is to make the food ourselves. There are recipes all over the web for the kitchen literate.

http://www.simplypets.com http://www.bullwrinkle.com

Most people don''t have the time to make their pet''s food and treats. There are places where good wholesome pet foods can be purchased.

http://www.waggintails.com http://www.healthypetnet.com http://GrandPaGraham.com

2) Chemicals in the home

What do you use to clean your counter tops? Where do you store it? Can your pet get to it? Can your kids get to it?

A large number of children and pets are poisoned each year because household products are very attractive to inquisitive minds. There are a lot of products on the market that won''t harm anyone if swallowed.

We had one 6 month old child find and swallow a cleanser. The parents didn''t think he was old enough to get to the open bottle.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc http://www.aapcc.org/

3) Mold in the home Most people consider mold in the home an unattractive nuisance. But it can cause allergic reactions in children AND pets.

One house we investigated had two sick, allergic, asthmatic kids. But they called us in when the dog started sneezing.

Does your pet sleep in the laundry room? Lots of mold there too.

Mold can cause:

* Allergies,
* sinus problems,
* itching,
* stomach problems,
* hyperactivity,
* skin and hair problems.

This list applies both to kids and pets.

But be careful about what you use to clean away the mold. Bleach doesn''t kill mold but does burn sensitive lungs.

Don''t use any product that your store owner or pest control person won''t drink in front of you.

For more info on mold and what it can do to you and your pet, go to:

http://www.themoldlab.com

Remember - if you use this article as your guide, your pups and cats will love you for a long, long time.

(c) 2005 Dr GW Graham

Dr Graham has been helping people treat and prevent disease by living in a clean environment for 30 years.', 196, 'Easy Tips for Healthy Pets, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Easy Tips for Healthy Pets plus articles and information on Pets

Is Dog Obedience School for You?

Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know what to expect out of it? Do you know what it costs or where to find a good school?

If not, let me help take out some of the mystery of finding one to make sure you and your dog get the best experience you can.

If you have searched the web in this topic, you probably found some sites that are basically search engines within search engines, no real information about dog obedience schools. Or you might have found some obedience schools that were on the other side of the country. Needless to say, neither one was of much use.

Chances are you have a dog obedience school of some sort in your town, unless you''ve got a population of less than 20,000. In that event, you might need to opt for dog training videos or books, and I will go over some good resources for that later.

The first thing I want you to do is look for someone with proven experience. You can start in the yellow pages and look under "Dog Training" as opposed to "dog obedience school."

Ask a LOT of questions. These people are going to be molding the mind of your impressionable pup and you want to know that it''s a good fit.

Ask things like:

What will the dog be taught? What is the success rate? What happens if you''re not satisfied Will you be taught how to continue with your dogs new training? What are their methods of correction when the dog disobeys? Visit the facility too. Check it out. Meet the trainers and see how they act with people and dogs.

Ask if you can watch a training session or a video of a session so you get an idea of what your dog will be subjected to.

Don''t make a final decision on a dog obedience school until your dog has met the trainers. Dogs are extremely good judges of character.

For the most part, someone in this line of work is going to be a good person and a dog lover. Some, however, will be doing it just to get a paycheck and may not have your pal''s best interest in mind.

If your dog doesn''t like them... take another route.

You might want to consider the local 4-H club. 4-H is where I learned how to train my own dog as a child. It isn''t a dog obedience school in the traditional sense. It teaches kids how to train their dogs, or a friend''s dog. It''s a youth education program and it provides many facets of education, one of which is often dog training.

Read more about dog training videos, if you would like an alternative to dog obedience school.

About the Author...

Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at http://www.Dog-Gifts-and-Toys-for-Dog-Lovers.com.

Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.', 196, 'Is Dog Obedience School for You?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Is Dog Obedience School for You? plus articles and information on Pets

Secret Signal That Tells You Your Dog is Ready and Eager to Learn

No one knows your dog better than you, and as such you will find your dog has ways of telling you, it''s time to play. This can occur by him bringing you the collar you use while training or he may run back and forth to the front dog around training time.

Different times of the day and evening, We find it''s best to Practice commands at different times of the day and evening as your dog gets better and more adapt at learning.

The best way to motivate your dog to learn

Your dog LOVES to please you, as such when your dog does what you want him to do praise him HEAVILY and use high tones a lot of rubbing and food reward. This will ensure that your dog will look forward to learning

Different body positions while issuing command

Does your dog really fully understand a given command? Try giving the command when you''re in a different position than usual. For instance, if you are sure your dog understands the command "Stand", try issuing the "Stand" command (from a sit or down):

A) While you''re lying down on the floor, stomach side down.

B) While you''re on the sixth rung of a ladder.

C) While you''re one flight above or below your dog, each of you located at the opposite ends of a staircase. Different levels of volumes and different tones of voice

Try issuing commands to your dog in several different volumes (whisper, quiet, moderate and loud) and different tones of voice (squeaky, in a low voice, grumbly, singing, etc.). Disappearing after issuing command Give a command your dog knows well, and then go out of sight for 3 minutes. Does your dog remain in position until you return and release him or her?

What 3 Things you should never do when training your dog

1)Never correct the dog by hitting,
2) never use the same command to mean 2 different things
3) never train the dog when you are in a bad mood or not feeling well

Who do dogs mind better, men or women?

Dogs do not have a preference they love their masters equally if male or female what they do respect however is consistency in commanding. It keeps them from getting confused.

Disappearing before issuing command

First, try standing behind your dog, facing away from him, when giving a command. Use a mirror when possible to watch your dog. Then give your dog a "Sit-Stay" command, and then go out of site for 1 minute (i.e.: into the next room where your dog can''t see you). Then, while still out of your dog''s sight (but within hearing distance), issue a command for your dog to "Down".

The one mistake you mustn''t make

Never ever hit your dog.

What every dog must have when left at home alone

1) Plenty of water
2) Food
3) His toys.

===============================================
Brett Fogle is the author of Dog House Training Secrets
An Easy-To-Follow, No-Nonsense, Ebook about Dog Training.
Learn To Train Your Dog in 7 Days or Less -- Guaranteed!
Click Here Now: http://www.dog-house-training-secrets.com
===============================================', 196, 'Secret Signal That Tells You Your Dog is Ready and Eager to Learn, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Secret Signal That Tells You Your Dog is Ready and Eager to Learn plus articles and information on Pets

So You Want To Own A Ferret?

You''ve seen them in movies and on TV shows, and the local pet store usually has some for sale. They seem to be intelligent and cuddly. But what do you really know about owning a ferret?

Ferrets live an average of 6-8 years, although some can be as old as 10. They tend to sleep a lot (about 18 hours a day!), but when they are awake they are very playful and fun to watch.

The domestic ferret is not to be confused with their wild cousins, the Black Footed Ferret, which is an endangered species. Never take a ferret from the wild to keep as a house pet.

Many people have the misconception that ferrets stink! Although they do have a slightly musky odor, it is not an offensive scent, and occasional bathing helps with this. Most ferrets sold in North America for pets have also been descented and neutered before sale, and this aids in cutting any odor they might otherwise have.

The name ferret is derived from the latin furonem, which means "thief." If you''ve ever owned a ferret, as I have, you know the name is well deserved. They will steal and hide anything that appeals to them, especially if it is shiny and easy to carry off.

There are many good quality commercial ferret foods on the market. It used to be a common misconception that you could feed ferrets a quality cat food, but research has shown that a quality ferret food is recommended. Ferrets require a diet high in protein (34 -36%) and one that contains about 20% fat. The source of the protein should be animal protein?vegetable protein is not adequate for a ferret''s metabolism, as it is indigestible to them.. Be sure to read the labels at your pet food supply store to ensure adequate nutrition. You can give your ferret treats such as apples, raisins and bananas or there are commercial treats available at your pet food supply store. Treats should be given sparingly, and are a great incentive for training purposes.

A ferret should have a cage that is large enough for them to move around in. They are very active animals when awake, and it is likely you will want to confine them to a cage when you are not home.

Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Initially, keep the litter box in the ferret''s cage. Generally a ferret will use the box, and can be rewarded with a small treat when they do so. 2. After the ferret is used to using the litter box in the cage, you can gradually move the litter box further from the cage if you wish. 3. When you ferret is out of the cage, take them to the litter box frequently and reward them when they use the box with lots of praise and perhaps a small treat. 4. Ferrets back up to defecate or urinate, so if you notice your ferret backing into a corner when out of the cage, take them to the litter box.

Ferrets love to play! They will play with almost anything, so it''s very important that the toys they have available to them are safe. Things that are sharp or have small parts that can be swallowed should be avoided. Soft rubber toys are not a good choice as ferrets have sharp teeth and will destroy them quickly. Most of what a ferret plays with ends up in it''s mouth, so it''s much like "babyproofing" your house. Suggestions for ferret toys:

1. hard plastic balls

2. hard rubber balls

3. things they can crawl into?commercial ferret "tubes", or a section of PVC pipe at least 3" in diameter

4. paper bags and cardboard boxes

5. rattles, teething rings, etc (toys made safe for human babies)

6. small stuffed animals

Remember?they will steal anything, so make sure you "ferret proof" your house. Oh?I forgot?.When I bought my first ferret, I was told they do not climb. They are very good climbers, as I found out.

After reading all this, if you have decided you still want to own a ferret, Good For You! They are delightful, entertaining pets. I will never regret having a ferret as a FurrKid at one point in my life.

Cait Isaacs

http://www.furrkids.net', 196, 'So You Want To Own A Ferret?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'So You Want To Own A Ferret? plus articles and information on Pets

Flea Control

Last summer, we added a new pet to our family - our cat, Ally. She was a sweet, shorthaired, stray kitten that we picked up from a neighbor''s house. Ally had one problem though - fleas. She was completely infested with them, which in turn, infested our home with them.

We tried everything to get rid of those pesky blood-suckers, including flea collars, indoor foggers, and bathing her with flea shampoo. And everyone knows how much cats hate water! Nothing that we tried worked. Just when we thought we were rid of them, more would hatch.

We even considered putting Ally back outside, but we decide to try one more thing before resorting to such drastic measures.

We took her to the vet, where we were provided with more effective flea foggers and a flea spray for our home called Siphotrol Plus II. We used these to kill the fleas in our house while Ally was at the vet getting a flea dip. They also treated her with Frontline Plus, which was applied to the back of her neck. Our trip to the vet wound up costing about $150, but it was worth it. We were rid of the fleas, and we were able to keep Ally in the house.

We were instructed to reapply the Frontline Plus monthly, however, we found another product at our local Co-op that is much cheaper than Frontline Plus and seems to work well so far. It is called Flea Halt! and is made by Farnam Pet Products.

Feel free to use this article on your website, but please give us credit by placing the following link on your page: Posterlovers.com Posters and Art

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Vaccinating Our Pets

I''d like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I cannot tell you legally what to do since I''m not licensed but I can share with you what I do with my own pets ? or in had done!

I actually believe several things happened to my own dogs due to the practice of overvaccinating...

My previous dog, Fridge - a big, beautiful golden retriever boy - was an amazing and wonderful dog. I got him as an 8 week old puppy from a client of the veterinarian I was working for at the time. During that time parvo virus was really wrecking havoc on our dogs and puppies, so the vaccine was being further developed and supposedly made better.

Well, since I was so entrenched in the "traditional" medicine idea that you use preventatives, vaccinate, and feed kibble, then vaccinate some more, I proceeded to REALLY vaccinate Fridge. He got a good series of puppy vaccinations because I was taking him with me to work on a regular basis. I wanted to make sure he was really "protected". Well, I may have ended his life early by overdoing it.

You see, Fridge started having seizures shortly after I started his regimen of vaccinations. I never equated the two either. He always had so many allergies to so many things. I was using regular fertilizers, cleaners, and pesticides on top of it all. It never occurred to me that Fridge was most likely suffering from heavy toxicity due to all the chemicals he was encapsulated in, including the overvaccinating.

Poor guy, I wonder if things would''ve been different if I had known the truth. I think so. He''s one of my primary reasons for publishing AspenbloomWellPet. Shadrach, my Neapolitan Mastiff, is my other primary reason. I want to help pet owners NOT go through what I''ve gone through with my two special boys.

My husband and I got Shadrach as a rescue. Not a traditional rescue but a rescue nonetheless, meaning my cousin rescued him and we ended up with him. I was a bit further along in my knowledge of a natural approach for humans, in fact much further along but not as savvy on pets, YET. Shadrach has been implemental in my discovering and continuing to discover the way to true wellness for pets using natural remedies, products, and approaches.

I vaccinated Shadrach, a couple of times, normal puppy shots. I didn''t overdo it but Shadrach''s system was already compromised due to the fact he had been abused and nearly starved to death prior to coming to live with us. He needed raw food, natural care, not more toxicity to battle. He was not well the first year and half we had him and now I wonder if the vaccinating and preventatives (pesticides really) were compromising his system further. I was still feeding "premium" kibble. I used flea and tick shampoo. I used the heartworm preventative. During all this time I also painted my house - more toxins for Shadrach to battle AND my husband and I.

Shadrach had continuing health problems, especially allergies and skin problems. He contracted Bordetella from a dog friend of his. He was so sick for nearly 3 months. He got 2 full courses of antibiotics and got skinny all over again. It was agony for us to see this young dog so sick and we thought we were doing all the right things. In fact, I vaccinated him for Bordetella a few times after his illness thinking I was further protecting him when in reality I was most likely further compromising his system.

Thank God, I started researching things. I thought, "if we can do natural for us, why not our critters". I discovered this whole world of holistic natural care, and you are now reading my findings. I found a couple of great holistic vets willing to help educate me. Now, at 5 1/2 years old, Shadrach is fully "natural". He''s healthy and I believe that''s why he is healthy. I am hoping that I didn''t shorten his sweet life by my unknowing "care". I''ve met some wonderful people in the holistic industry who''ve guided me and helped me learn. Now I''m going to be further educated and certified so I can help as many others as are willing to learn. My hope is that many more animals will be spared the harm that was done, albeit unwittingly, to my poor boys.

Animals have always been my passion and now coupled with the need to share natural care, I hope many will be spared unnecessary pain and suffering - critters and their owners.

Kim Bloomer of Aspenbloom is a preventative pet care consultant and also publishes a pet wellness RSS channel, Aspenbloom WellPet and Aspenbloom Pet Products. Go to Aspenbloom Pet Care for details. Coming soon - "All God''s Creatures" audio preventative pet care classes in Pet World Of Interest.', 196, 'Vaccinating Our Pets, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Vaccinating Our Pets plus articles and information on Pets

The Truth About Declawing

There seems to be an alarming trend to have cats declawed...whether it''s due to personal convenience, apartment house rules and regulations, or simple lack of knowledge on the part of responsible pet owners.

There are many fine vets out there that actively discourage declawing, but there are also many who perform this surgery on a regular basis while never completely informing the pet owner what this really entails nor explaining the possible dangers of the procedure. If people were more informed, perhaps this trend would reverse itself.

Declawing a cat is a major surgical procedure, performed under general anesthesia. It is actually amputation of the last joint on each toe, not a simple removal of the claw itself as many are led to believe. The following article explains the procedure of declawing.

Cats walk on their toes, unlike most mammals who walk on the soles of their feet. Their musculature, joints, tendons and ligaments are all designed to distribute their body weight to their toes.

The claw is not a nail like human fingernails or toenails. It is actually a part of the last bone in a cat''s toe. If you were to "declaw" a human in the same way a cat is declawed, you would be amputating all 10 fingers at the last joint!

I found this description of the surgery in a veterinary textbook: "The claw is extended by pushing up under the footpad or by grasping it with Allis tissue forceps. A scalpel blade is used to sharply dissect between the second and third phalanx over the top of the ungual crest . The distal interphalangeal joint is disarticulated (disjointed), and the deep digital flexor tendon is incised (severed). The digital footpad is not incised." This clinical explanation sounds horrific, doesn''t it?

There is a real possibility of complications after any major surgery, and declawing is no exception. There is the possibility of hemorrhage, infection, extreme pain, bone chips, possible regrowth of deformed claw, back, muscle and joint problems, damage to nerves, abscess and possible lameness. If the claw does regrow, it is often deformed and yet another surgery must be performed to correct this problem.

In addition to the possible physical complications, often there are behavioral problems following this surgery. The cat can become withdrawn, distant, fearful and/or aggressive, and often start biting, as this is the only means of defense left to them. Occasionally the cat will stop using the litterbox, because immediately after surgery it was painful to scratch in the litter box, and now they associate that pain with the litter box. Because of the amount of stress the animal experiences after this procedure, they may become more prone to other diseases, as stress tends to compromise the immune system.

The animal is in extreme pain following the surgery, and rarely do veterinarians offer any sort of pain medication for the cat.

There are alternatives to having your cat declawed...such as claw covers, scratching posts, regular trimming of the claws and behavior modification.

Many countries have banned declawing as an abusive practice which causes unnecessary pain and trauma to the animal. A veterinary textbook by Turner and Bateson on the biology of cat behavior concludes a short section on scratching behavior with the following statement: "The operative removal of the claws, as is sometimes practiced to protect furniture and curtains, is an act of abuse and should be forbidden by law in all, not just a few countries."

Unfortunately, declawing is not banned in the United States at this time. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says it is their policy to "recommend considering such surgery only if concerted behavior modification efforts have failed and euthanasia is pending."

Declawing a cat is an abusive practice. Being informed of a procedure and possible complications should be the goal of every responsible pet owner.

Cait Isaacs

http://www.furrkids.net', 196, 'The Truth About Declawing, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'The Truth About Declawing plus articles and information on Pets

Tips on Choosing a Boxer Dog...

An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer starts with checking out the parent dogs for unbecoming traits like aggression, hyperactive and extreme shyness.

This is easier to do when you get your Boxer from a reputable breeder or from a pet shop that get their animals only from known breeders.

Exercise prudence if you are getting your Boxer puppy from pet stores, which often get their supply from breeders of unknown reputation.

These "puppy mills" as they are called are not known to put much emphasis on the quality and health of pups they are producing.

Reputable breeders would adhere to the accepted standards for Boxers in terms of uniformity in the breed, good health, temperament, size and color.

Reputable breeders would be able to show the pedigree and registration papers and/or pictures of the parent dogs that may reside somewhere else.

Professional breeders are also there to produce dog show champions or prospects.

Even if you are not looking to raise a show champion Boxer, known breeders can provide you with some "best buy" puppies because not all the puppies in a litter are show prospect/champion materials.

But the full litter would have had benefited from the same proven bloodlines, nutrition and medical care. So you can choose from among the good-looking brothers or sisters of potential champion for a bargain.

Your other source option is animal shelters that in the US alone receive up to 12 million homeless dogs and cats every year, and about 25% of them are purebred. Paying the adoption fee is a lot cheaper than the price you will pay to a breeder or pet store, and you will be saving a life.

The definition of good stock or purebred must include beauty, and in a Boxer good look means the coat is fawn and brindle, with the white markings or "flash" covering not more than one-third of the entire coat.

Sometimes the distribution of the "flash" alone may make the difference between a show champion and just a pet Boxer.

The all-white Boxer or "check" is prone to blindness and deafness, and the American Boxer Club members are not to register, sell or use the "whites" for breeding.

When it comes to choosing male or female Boxers, there are not much clear-cut differences in their personalities.

At times, the male is calmer, more tolerant of other dogs, willing to hold still for those hugs than the female. But at other times, the female can be so. One owner said the female Boxer is hyper and more aggressive especially toward other females, and that the aggression has increased as the female gets older.

Daniel Lesser
Dog and Puppy Articles, Pictures and Resources http://www.thingsfordogs.com/choosing-your-dog.php', 196, 'Tips on Choosing a Boxer Dog..., Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Tips on Choosing a Boxer Dog... plus articles and information on Pets

Dog Obediance Tips...

Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at times, but it''s well worth it. Here are several tips that should help things go much smoother and faster... plus reduce the frustration both you and your dog feel!

Conduct "play training" where by the training tasks are made into fun games and your dog''s play drive is used as motivation. There are a lot of really good books available on this type of training.

Intelligent dogs can also be stubborn, so you may have to outwit them!

While training your dog, you have to make him want to do what you want him to. You can''t make him do stuff unless it is fun. Otherwise you are wasting both your time and his.

Try to make your dog''s training so fun that it becomes his or her favorite activity. This will make learning much easier and more enjoyable.

Most dogs love to play! You can make your dog the happiest just by spending some time with them, giving your undivided attention each day. Without this, your dog will feel ignored, bored, or think they''re in trouble. When this happens they''re more likely to chew, tear things up, and not listen to you.

Daniel Lesser
Dog and Puppy Articles, Pictures and Resources http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-obedience-tips.php', 196, 'Dog Obediance Tips..., Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Dog Obediance Tips... plus articles and information on Pets