Posts Tagged ‘pets’

Keeping Your Dog Motivated

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always an easy task. Dogs are very easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be ruined by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is essential to creating a happy, well-balanced and well-trained dog.

You should provide random positive stimuli during the day in order to keep the attention of your dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are great ways to keep the dog’s attention, but you must reward him for small successes.

For instance, to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, tell your dog to come to you, without giving any clues about going for a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After the dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the reward. This can be either the before-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.

Giving some sort of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want, is a good method to keep your dog’s motivation while you are dog training.

If your dog knows something good is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be more motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training.

When training any dog, it is important to not allow distractions spoil the training. The dog must be taught to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These kinds of distractions can even be used as rewards when training the dog to come when called.

For instance, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs, whether in a local dog park or with the neighbour’s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or yard and call your dog.

When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to return to playing with his pals. Do this a few times and praise the dog each time he comes to you.

The dog will soon realize that coming to your call results in good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being removed from the park).

So-called distraction training is one of the hardest things to teach, because dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the hardest things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably unwilling to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist in dog training.

Training the dog to come to you when you call may take some creativity on your behalf at first. For example, waving one of his favourite toys, or a lure, is a great way to get your dog’s attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator too in dog training.

Once the dog begins to get used to coming when called, you can start to reduce and eliminate the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to respond to your voice alone. It is important that the dog responds to voice commands alone, since you will not always have the availability of a toy or other lure.

Does your dog need training? If you need further details on dog training, then go over to our website called Successful Dog Training

Dogs’ Heart Worm, Fleas And other Parasites

Monday, May 10th, 2010

You really have to get rid of heart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs whenever it becomes obvious that your dog is infected by using the relevant medication against them. Many products are available to protect our dogs from heart worms, fleas and other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc.

Of the heart worms, fleas and other parasites, fleas can produce a super-sensitive reaction in the infected dog. Animals infested with fleas scratch their skin very vigorously. Often the scratching becomes so severe that the skin becomes super-sensitive and dermatitis occurs in the scratched patches of skin.

The result is often that your dog can not lie down for long or sleep comfortably due to the constant bites by the fleas. So, your dog looks as if has some serious skin issues. If the your dog is not properly attended to for these flea bites, there will often be secondary bacterial invasions in these sites and there may even be a bad smell emanating from the animal’s affected skin.

You ought to inspect your dog closely in order prevent a serious infestation. It is essential to prevent such a serious outbreak as they are extremely distressing to your dog. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be checked often for the presence of ticks and lice. In order to do this effectively, you must look at the dog’s skin by separating the dog’s hairs. The easiest way to do this is by slowly back-combing or ruffling the pet’s hair.

Often, if your pet is anaemic, and he is not infested with fleas, you need to check for hookworm. Symptoms of hookworm are anaemia, loose stools and a pot belly. The dog’s owner may recognize these symptoms themselves, however, to be honest, the dog needs to undergo a routine health examination at the vet’s involving faecal and hematological examinations.

There are many commercial products available on the market, some of which are effective for dealing with all these conditions in a single dose. Drugs like ivermectin are highly efficacious and are obtainable in injection, oral and solution forms. The latter should be put directly on the dog’s skin. These drugs can lead to the prevention of the above conditions too.

So, the best policy to adopt is to keep a keen watch on your dog. This could very easily be carried out at bath time and when you are brushing him. You can use an anti-flea and anti-tick shampoo, which will keep these nuisances at bay, if used regularly. Couple this with frequent grooming with a lice comb and the use of a flea collar should keep your pet flea, lice, and tick free.

If you are experiencingproblems dog flea treatment on your dogs, please follow the ‘fleas’ link or if you want to read more about dogs or training dogs, please go here: Man’s Best Friend - the Dog

Dog Names

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Dog owners will explain that there is no given formula for choosing a good name for a new dog or puppy. Whether they need to come up with girl or boy dog names, they will normally pick a name that sounds cool or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name really means. Popular boy dog names have meanings, as do human names, so more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Here we give a list of the top five boy dog names and what they actually mean.

Undoubtedly, one of the first things you do when you get a new dog or puppy is pick a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually requires little thought. They just choose a dog name at random and that is the name by which the poor animal will be known forever. However, there are certain issues that ought to be taken into consideration when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose a suitable one.

First of all, dogs can sense attitude and tone of voice better than we can. If you pick a dog name for comic effect or after someone you don’t like, your dog will know by your tone of voice that something is not right. As a result, their attitudes may change towards you or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs’ names should mean something but should not hinder their training, so you should really take the decision of the dog name carefully.

Although dogs are very intelligent creatures, they can’t process the same amount of information that we can. Therefore, dog names ought not be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the names are easily heard. They respond to these dog names and that will help your chances of training them successfully.

However, dogs’ names should help them form an identity of their own. Common names don’t really allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

Max: This is probably the most popular boy dog name and the meaning is surely the reason why many people choose it for their dog. It literally means “the most”. After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the ‘most’.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means “victor”. This is a suitable boy dog name, if your puppy has taken over the house within moments of setting feet inside of it!

Buddy: Buddy is a variation of Budd, which means “messenger”. This boy dog name could be apt for a working dog or one you might possibly train to retrieve the newspaper from the porch in the morning. It is a very popular boy dog name throughout America.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means “steward”. This is pretty apt if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is probably not suitable for a Jack Russel puppy, for example!

Sam: Sam seems to mean “an answer to prayers”. This is a good boy dog name for dogs that are easy to train and are largely quiet!

Not many people consult a name’s meaning when choosing boy dog names, so instead of just going with your first thought, it may be worth taking the time to choose a dog’s name that is actually apt for your dog. After all, it doesn’t cost anything to spend some time thinking about your dog’s name.

Does your dog require training? If you require further details on dogs in general, then go over to our website called Successful Dog Training

The Reasons Why Dogs Snore

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

We all know that it is not unusual for pet owners to permit their pets to sleep with them on their beds at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some time, allowed their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs readily provide a companionship that can’t be shown by any other kind of animal. However, this doesn’t mean to say that cat owners do not let their cats or another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather much like our own. Dogs usually have complete trust in their masters, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog goes into this stage, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

I’m sure, many of us have already seen a dog ‘running’ during sleep and, at times, barking with his eyes closed too. These dogs are believed to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For example, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe so heavily.

Often, dogs that snore can be quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most have to do with the obstruction of the passage of air in the throat, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.

A snoring dog ought to be checked for various issues to determine which treatment can be best applied. Some dogs are especially prone to specific allergic reactions that cause constriction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are inhibiting proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on different factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Maybe, your dog is overweight. Like with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore during the night. This is because they have more flesh surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess tissue that hangs around the throat which can potentially cause the obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may eventually enjoy nights of restful sleep too.

Snoring also has something to do with the general facial features. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It costs them more work to control breathing and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can afford your dog great relief. Be sure though that before any decision is made, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact it is best to accept the guidelines provided by your veterinarian.

Does your dog need training? If you need more information on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Looking For Snakes And Reptiles

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

There are few places in the world that haven’t been colonised by snakes and other reptiles. Snakes can be even found in towns, although it is only the friendlier ones that tend to survive human wrath. However, if you want to find some of the more uncommon snakes, you could try in parks and fields, on beaches or in rivers and ponds and even in the sea, depending on where you live, naturally, as sea snakes are inclined to swim in warmer, tropical waters.

You will need to be very alert and accustom your eyes to spot even the smallest movement. Wear clothing of dull, drab colours and move very slowly, stopping often to listen out for movement in the grass or bushes. In the beginning, you will have many false hopes, until you learn to differentiate between the noises of the different animals that live or hunt in the grass.

Snakes are difficult to find, because most of the adventurous snakes get killed by frightened (and often ignorant) humans, but good advice is to look for relatively damp areas in arid regions and, on the other hand, dry spots in damp areas. Look for where their prey might congregate. For instance, near water for toads and frogs. Look out for frightened lizards or birds fleeing for all they are worth. And listen out for geckos warning each other of the presence of a predator.

If you must disturb anything, at least don’t wreck it and furthermore, make sure you put it back as you found it. Two useful tools to have while out looking for snakes and other reptiles are binoculars (for tree snakes) and a snake-hook, which should also be used for moving bits of debris so that you don’t risk getting bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion. A camera, a torch and a notebook and pen are quite, depending on how seriously you treat your hobby of herpetology.

You could also take a rule or tape to measure your specimens and a few plastic bags and boxes to hold them while you are doing it. Do not kill anything and do not take anything home with you either! Besides it not being right to wander into their territory and cause mayhem, it is frequently contrary to the law too. Be very wary of handling any snake that you cannot definitely identify as non-venomous. You could be miles from anywhere and will probably not have anti-venom with you. Since many snakes can kill within 30 minutes, you would probably die.

In summary, go looking for snakes by all means, but take it easy and slowly and wear inconspicuous clothing. Moreover, wear strong, hiking-style boots to give you some protection where you are most vulnerable and do not move anything you don’t have to. Take a snake-hook to move things if you have to; a tape, torch, camera, notebook and pen to record your experience and/or findings and a few clear plastic receptacles in case you feel that you have to pick something up.

I hope you enjoy your search for snakes and other reptiles, but remember that they are not friendly and they are definitely not pets and be wary of bites especially when your search is not taking place in the gardens of a hospital!

If you are interested in snakes and reptiles, you ought to go to our website entitled Caring for Snakes

Is She A Lady Or A Tramp?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

So, you may be asking yourself, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your female dog’s name is? The answer is perhaps a lot, because your dog’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your friends, especially if you have a rather small, puny dog. For what a small dog lacks in stature it can make up for in attitude. For a smaller dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog’s name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you put that together with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Beauty, Becky and Princess. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names available for male dogs. This may be because it detracts from the masculine image that male dogs should have. Still, there are some male cute dog names out there. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to ensure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.

Cute dog names can be suitable for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be handled. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so pick when to give your dog a cute dog name with caution.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent creatures, they cannot process the same amount of information that humans can. Therefore, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can improve your chances of training them successfully.

Moreover, dogs names can assist them form a character of their own. Common names do not encourage them to do that, so finding a simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

I would bet money that most pet owners do not consider the points mentioned above when considering dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it really is well-worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if nothing else.

Does your dog require training? If you require further information on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Fashionable Dog Names

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Fashion seems to dictate everything these days. From what you wear to what you name your dog, everything you do is dictated by the need to be cool. Cool dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because no sooner is something in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to choose a cool dog name that may not be fashionable next year? People tend to play it safe as a result, which is why the same names have been around for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cool dog names are given below with our reasons why you should pick one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cuter than a bird that goes up in flames and then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cool dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is located in mythology. It has a timeless quality which has surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cute dog names because it has so many meanings and connotations that you can struggle to find out where to begin. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that outperforms in a particular field. It is a high form of praise and thus is definitely a cute dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cute dog names because of the Disney cartoon film, Lady and the Tramp, which was a massive hit. The film made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case, popularity comes second to coolness.

Elvis: The coolest of cute dog names. Elvis Presley was undoubtedly cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is infinitely cool to name your dog after such a tremendous icon who never goes out of fashion himself.

Shadow: There is a dark and ethereal quality about Shadow that makes it a cool dog name. It would be best used on a big breed of dog however, because it wouldn’t have the same striking effect with a small one.

Whatever cute dog names you consider for your pooch, it is one sure-fire way to give them an identity of their own and make them memorable in the eyes of others. .

Does your dog need training? If you need more details on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training

The Spitting Cobras

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them immediately in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah, also distinguishes itself in this large family of snakes (elapids) by the fact that it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its venom.

The King Cobra is also unique because of its size - it can reach 5.85m (almost 20 feet) in length, which makes it the longest poisonous snake in the world. The latest discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 when it was identified by London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

DNA studies revealed that this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but has different genes. It seems to originate from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been called the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Although they are highly dangerous when threatened cobras will rarely attack if you keep your distance from them, although the spit can travel very accurately for two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is rather slow in its attack and besides that, many bites prove to be non-venomous.

According to a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims only 55% of the bites involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxin) , which induces respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to get help.

The colouration is variable from light green-grey to black, while juveniles are yellow and black banded. This snake can find a habitat all over south-eastern Asia.

Are you interested in the Cobras? To learn more about snakes visit Caring for Snakes our new online resource.

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Why Do Dogs Snore?

Friday, August 7th, 2009

We all know that it is not unusual for pet owners to permit their pets to sleep with them at night. In deed, one third of pet owners have at some point, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can’t be given by any other kind of animal. However, this doesn’t mean to say that some people do not let their cats or another pets sleep with them too.

It is made easier too because dogs have a sleep pattern that is very much like ours. Dogs often rely on their masters with complete trust, which makes them a bit more relaxed during the night. This explains why most dogs fall to sleep easily and later on, enter into deep sleeps where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once dogs enter this stage, the owner needs to call them several times before they can truly be woken up.

For sure, many of us have already witnessed a dog paddling during sleep or, at times, barking with his eyes closed too. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For instance, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe as heavily.

Dogs which snore can be rather a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various reasons why dogs snore. Most though have to do with the obstruction of the passage of air in the throat caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. The same as in humans.

A snoring dog should be checked for various issues to determine which treatment can be best applied. Some dogs are especially prone to specific allergic reactions that cause constriction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on different factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog obese? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they will have more tissue surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess fat hanging around their throats, which can cause blockages. Once this problem has been corrected, the chances of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be good for your dogs, but you may actually enjoy a decent night’s sleep too.

The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have squashed faces which narrows their air passages to a greater or lesser degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more effort to breathe and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can afford your dog great relief. Be sure though that, before any decision is made, you are well educated about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact, it is best to follow the guidelines provided by your veterinary doctor.

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Healthy Dog Food

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

The desire for healthy, organic food seems to apply equally to animals as to humans, because many pet owners would rather buy organic products to feed man’s best friend. One could be forgiven for being taken aback by the large amount of organic dog food available on the market. Just as for humans, there are many of pet illnesses that one could cure or even prevent completely by the use of organic pet food.

For instance, organic dog food could reduce the chance of the dog getting skin diseases and allergies. The reason for the positive health impact is the absence of additives, chemicals, colourants and pesticides. Instead the ingredients in organic dog food are just grain extracts and high quality proteins. Organic dog food contains more nourishment, which is obvious from the higher levels of energy and the weight of the dog.

Regular dog food can cause diabetes and excess weight with all the concomitant problems that accompany these illnesses: back ailment, organ failure and decreased mobility. How can organic dog food help here, then? Well, because organic pet food does not contain bulk filler; they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat. Moreover, it is far better and definitely a lot easier to prevent health problems than try to cure them afterwards.

A better digestion and a stronger immunity system are the other main benefits that accompany the use of organic dog food. Because of the absence of chemicals normally mixed in regular pet food, your dog will not vomit or experience wind or diarrhea. A more efficient is what will result from a healthy diet. Furthermore, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food, enhances the immunity functions, which reduces the risks of infection and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on a routine basis.

A significant number of veterinarians claim that organic dog food substantially extends the life of any animal, to say nothing of the fact that it will go through old age a lot better. It is not uncommon that pet owners who choose organic dog food, are also interested in eating organic foods themselves, sticking to healthy natural products that enhance bodily functions and avoid toxins and disease.

Ask your local dog food supplier about organic dog food and if there is none available at your local shop, try to order it online. There are many web pages that offer such products at fairly fair prices.

One last tip, be very, very wary of dried dog food like biscuits, no matter what it says on the packet. A few years ago, I had a dog called Becky that remained at home alone during the day, while I went to work. I didn’t like to leave her tinned food, because of flies, bacteria and vermin, so I bought dry food, which would not deteriorate during the day. However, within six years she had gotten diabetes, which meant that I had to inject her with insulin every morning. Sometimes, she would have a fit. The vet said that it was very common for dogs fed only on dry biscuits to contract diabetes, so check the food with your vet first or feed organic tinned food.

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