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Author: Obinna Heche
If you are a dog lover and would like to begin your own pet business, here are five easy pet business ideas that may be just what you are looking for. These five jobs include, dog washer, pet sitting, pet photography and pooper scooper service and dog day care. These five jobs offer the fun of being around mans best friend and making some money to take to the bank. Below is a more detailed explanation of each job.
Dog Wash
Similar to a car wash, you would run a dog wash. This is something that children will often try to accomplish for money but can be turned into a serious money making business. You would need a tub and water of course, as well as dog shampoo and towels. Possibly a blow dryer will be needed if you choose to work indoors. You can print your own flyers or brochures from home and pass them out or hang them up in local stores on the community bulletin board. The average cost for start up items can easily be purchased under $200.00 minus brochure papers and ink. People are not very fond of washing their own pets or the wet dog odor. If your prices are fair you will easily have yourself more than a handful of customers.
Pet Sitter
Pet sitting requires very little effort other than time and basic pet care. A pet owner may need to go away on business or vacation and need someone to care for his or her beloved pet. It could be a few days or a couple of weeks. You can offer to care for the pet at the owners home or to care for the pet out of your own home or business. Walking, watering, feeding and affection are all that are truly needed for this pleasant job.
Pet Photographer
For those pet owners that truly love their pets it is likely they have photos of their dog or cat at home. Being able to have a portrait of their pets would be very appealing. A snapshot of Sparky catching a Frisbee or a lovely photo of Snowball curled up with a ball of yarn can be priceless. If you are handy with a camera and are a pet lover yourself this could be your pet business calling.
Pooper Scooper Service
This job may not be the favorite out of the bunch, but it is a definite moneymaker. People do not enjoy picking up their dogs excrement out of their yard. Most will gladly pay to have this service provided for them. This is a job that takes only minutes to do and after the job is done you walk away with money in hand. You need only a few supplies such as rubber gloves and boots. You will also need trash bags or buckets and a scooper or shovel. The only other thing you may need is a strong stomach or weak sense of smell. Its a simple but smelly job.
Pet Day Care
During the nine to five of a workday, pets are left home alone in pet crates or in a fenced in yard. Many pet owners feel deep guilt over this. After all pets are part of the family and owners do not like to think of their animals being lonely at home all day. This is why dog day cares are becoming more popular. Your job would be to walk and play with the dog or other pet. Provide affection and activities until the owner takes their pet home for the day. Its a great service for the pet and the owner, as well as an enjoyable job for you. Keep these pet oriented jobs in mind and you may be well on your way to running your very own pet business in two shakes of a dogs tail.
Tips Of Breeding Cats
by Jay Schindler
Cat breeding is not as easy as just letting cats mate. Breeding is not just about choosing cats to produce adorable kittens to earn money. To breed cats is not the same as to produce them. Breeding encompasses that stage.
Breeding cats involves scientific and systematic concepts. Producing cats involves only common sense. Breeding cats has an emotional aspect to it. Fulfillment does not come from mere moneymaking. Sacrifices have to be made to achieve the breeder's goal: to safeguard the welfare of the cats.
A lot of things must be taken into consideration before breeding cats. Here is a guide to help us better understand the dynamic process of cat breeding.
- A cat breeder's concern is the preservation or improvement of cat pedigree.
This is a serious matter. Selection of the parent cats is done on the basis of health, quality traits and reproducing capability. A breeder will never pair cats carelessly.
- A cat breeder is dedicated to learn more about cats.
A lot of things must be learned regarding cat breeding. Latest researches must be employed to properly select the cats to be bred. The welfare of the cats depends on how much the breeder knows.
- A cat breeder makes plans.
Breeding does not involve hasty actions.
- A cat breeder has to follow rules set by the government.
Breeders are obliged to register their cats to their respective breeds. Certain taxes are imposed to hobbyists and to businessmen alike.
- A cat breeder's primary motive is to take care of cats. Monetary motives come after this.
A cat's life is more important than money. And it is more rewarding to see the kittens grow. The money earned is just an additional reward.
- A cat breeder's responsibility to the cats does not end.
His care for his cats does not end when the kittens were sold.
- A cat breeder holds the future of the cat's offspring.
Whatever a cat breeder does affects the life of the kittens, thus extra care must be given by cat breeders when making decisions.
- A cat breeder knows when to stop breeding.
Breeding is not just about having many cats. It is about taking care of all of them.
After learning about these things, it can be concluded that breeding is an arduous task indeed. However, for those who are cat breeders at heart, all these hardships are worth the kittens they bred (not produced)!
About the Author
To learn about elephant facts and wolf facts, visit the Animals Facts website.
The Hartford Courant
Techniques for Dealing With Overweight Pets
Author: Craig Smith
Humans are not usually comfortable when they're overweight. Being overweight makes people unhealthy and generally unhappy. Does the same apply for pets? Unfortunately obesity is a problem with pets. This extra weight often makes it difficult to run and play. Overweight pets, like humans are more vulnerable to sickness and disease. For example, when a dog is overweight stress is put on their legs and hips. Carrying around too many extra pounds takes a toll on pets. The sad thing about this is pets aren't capable of putting themselves on a diet. It's up to the owners to monitor and control their pet's weight. If pets become overweight, owners must learn techniques for dealing with their overweight pets.
One key element of any dieting regime is exercise. So many pets spend most of their lives indoors. Dogs will be put out to do their business while many cats are litter trained. These dogs are probably only given the length of their leash and well cats aren't even getting that. Activity is important for all pets. It's essential to take overweight pets out for a walk. If living in an area where walking pets seems virtually impossible, there are parks designed nowadays especially for pets. Owners can take their pets, especially dogs to a park and let them run free, allowing them to burn off unnecessary calories. Exercise will not only help in your pet's weight department but also helps with digestion, keeps their muscles tone, keeps joints healthy and flexible, helps with oxygen flow to tissue cells, helps the circulatory system and respiratory system and of course allows them to get rid of energy they've built up.
Pet owners love to treat their pets. Unfortunately treats can largely cause weight gain. Many pet treats are filled with calories. Although it's nice to treat your pets, you aren't helping them by allowing them to overindulge on treats. Treats shouldn't make up any more than ten percent of your pet's daily intake. It's imperative, especially when dealing with overweight pets to choose calorie-wise treats. Remember your dog cannot do this and is depending on you to help them with their weight problem.
When looking for techniques for dealing with overweight pets, choosing the right pet food is essential. Pets need different types and amounts of food in the various stages of their lives. Young pets, puppies and kittens should not be eating food recommended for senior pets. The same rule applies for the amount of food and calories required for pets. It is the owner's responsibility to insure pets are getting the food they need and the amount they need. When dealing with overweight pets it is perhaps more important to pay attention to the food and amounts they are eating. When there are overweight pets in the house it's not a wise idea to keep the pet bowl filled with food. Many pets will eat as long as the bowl is full. Instead to monitor what overweight pets eat, owners should only give food as a meal. This is very important when there is more than one pet in the home in order to make certain the overweight pet is eating only what they need.
Besides the most obvious reasons for overweight pets, lack of exercise and over-eating, there are other factors that can contribute to pet obesity. Some pets have medical conditions which may play a role in their weight gain. For this reason it is important to have pets examined regularly. In the case of an overweight pet, before beginning any weight loss programs, the owner should consult with the veterinarian.
You'd like to have your pets around for a long time. Unfortunately overweight dogs run the risk of being affected by many conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, breathing problems, decreased liver function, digestive disorders, immune system problems and cancer. Of course the extra weight can contribute to dog arthritis. It also contributes to problems with a pet's skin and coat. There are so many things that can go wrong for an overweight pet. They deserve so much more. Because it's ultimately the owner's responsibility to make sure their pets are properly cared for, problems with overweight pets are a result of the owner's carelessness. That may sound harsh but it's a reality.
If you have an overweight pet, it's imperative to seek techniques to deal with the problem before it causes avoidable health concerns. If unsure where to start in dealing with overweight pets perhaps you should consult with a pet professional who can advise you regarding the best course of action. The Internet is a great source of information on pets and pet care. Browsing the many pet-related websites will surely provide ideas and techniques for dealing with overweight pets.
By Associated Press / Courant.com
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) _ A lucky cat owes one of its nine lives to a firefighter who revived it with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Al Machado rescued the cat from a burning apartment Tuesday, telling The Standard Times of New Bedford that he saw immediately that it needed air.
Machado began performing mouth to mouth on the animal as he carried it outside.
Video shot at the scene shows Machado bent over, breathing into the cat's mouth several times. The cat, a tiger angora, was revived and resting comfortably soon after.
No humans were injured in the fire. A man and woman whose last known address was the building that burned were arrested and charged with arson, authorities said.
Two other cats died in the second-floor apartment, but two dogs there were saved with the help of oxygen from paramedics and animal rescue personnel. Pets on the other two floors — including a ferret and even some frogs on the first floor — were all saved.
Asked what it tasted like to give mouth-to-mouth to a cat, Machado laughed, grimaced and said: "Like fur."
By JURA KONCIUS The Washington Post - Courant.com
The war on pet hair has a new weapon: Fur Fighter by 3M.
Many pet owners are continually frustrated by all the hair and dander from their dogs and cats that gathers between the cushions and crevices of upholstery and seats in the car. This embedded hair rubs off on anyone who sits down and is not something you want your guests to take home with them. Fur Fighter is a new system for hair removal that was introduced in April. It uses a curved-handled tool, fitted with disposable sheets with tiny rubber fingers to pick up much of the hair that vacuums and sticky lint rollers may miss. It can squeeze into hard-to-reach corners and cushion seams. My sister, who has two Siamese cats, says it's the best thing she's found for this problem.
The basic starter kit with five sheets sells for around $10; eight-sheet refill packs are $5.
Table Manners
Feeding your dog can become a monotonous chore that you perform on automatic pilot. But consider a few of these tips before just dumping the food into your dog's bowl tonight. He will appreciate it.
It is best to feed your dog in glass, stainless steel or ceramic bowls, not in plastic. You know yourself that plastic sometimes transfers a bad taste to whatever is served in it. Another reason to avoid plastic is that if your dog chews a piece off the edge of the bowl, the crack might encourage the growth of bacteria or leach chemicals.
Use separate bowls for food and water as opposed to a one unit bowl with a divider in it. You wouldn't like water slopping into your food.
Wash your pet's bowl in the dishwasher or in hot soapy water and rinse after every use.
See the very first bag of kitty litter. Admire the coat and collar made for President Franklin Roosevelt's famous dog Fala. Find out what people fed their pets 200 years ago. (Hint: They didn't weigh the pros and cons of "wet" vs. "dry.")
"Pets in America," an exhibit that explores the history of pet-keeping and the bonds between people and their pets, opens Sept. 13 at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in the Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries. The exhibit runs through Feb. 1.
The exhibit features more than 300 historical objects from the past two centuries, including that collar and coat worn by Fala, on loan from FDR's Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y., as well as other pet fashions, feeding and housing implements, pet remedies and a mouse theater.
"The human-pet bond is enduring, profound and enormously complex," says Rosa Portell, curator of collections. "We are so accustomed to being pet owners, or knowing others [who are pet owners], we take this phenomenon for granted. But there is nothing quite natural about it. Yet it has existed for hundreds of years."
Portell says the exhibit was developed by the McKissick Museum of South Carolina, based on research by history Professor Katherine C. Grier of the University of Delaware.
The exhibit is illustrative of the growing interest by historians of focusing on everyday life in the past, she says, instead of exclusively on great events and dates.
The objects on display show the evolution of the types of pets people have kept. For instance, in the 1800s, songbirds were all the rage, many of them kept in elaborate bird cages.
"At this time there were no radios or record players, so songbirds were valued for their singing," Portell says. "They produced more than just a physical presence."
Milestones such as the invention of kitty litter in the 1940s made it possible for cats to be brought indoors.
The food fed to pets has also evolved. Dogs — originally valued for their work on farms — survived on table scraps, Portell says. Cats fended for themselves. Over time, however, cats and dogs became pets — and the pet industry burgeoned. Canned food was convenient, then came dry food. Today, some of these "furr children" eat organic foods and sleep in custom-made beds.
"In the 20th century there was a great increase in holding pets because of what they do for people's emotional well-being, companionship," says Portell, a dog owner.
Pets have come a long way from that farm dog just happy to get a table scrap.
"People who don't have pets think we're all nuts," she says, laughing. "When I go on a trip, I take my dog to the kennel and make sure they will play with it. It's almost like I'm making arrangements for kids in kindergarten."
The exhibit also covers the evolution of pet birth control. Before the advent of spaying and neutering, litters of puppies and kittens were routinely culled by drowning, Portell says.
On Sept. 21, in conjunction with the exhibit, the museum and nature center will present "SM& NC Goes to the Dogs," a festival celebrating dogs, and the people and organizations that rescue them and train them for service. The festival will be held on the grounds of the museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the event, well-known dog-service groups such as Fidelco, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and Greyhound Rescue will give demonstrations.
"The main feature will be dog-agility demonstrations led by Mary-Elizabeth Simpson, a dog trainer whose athletic and well-behaved canine crew consists mainly of Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Australian shepherds and border collies. The Yankee Flyers canine Frisbee team will also perform. (Visitors cannot bring their own pets.)
In the "My Pet and I" section, visitors will be invited to contribute images of their pets and stories of their own. Some may appear on the museum's website.
The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is at 39 Scofieldtown Road. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children (3 and under are free); seniors and students over 17 are $6. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 203-322-1646 or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.
Preventing Your Cats From Eating Your Garden
by Jay Schindler
Your first line of defense when keeping cats out of your garden is to make sure that you have your boundaries secure. If there are any gaps in your fence, you should make sure that you block them to prevent any low access. Cats are very agile animals, and can jump very high. Normally they can jump a fence, which is why you should also invest in string or taut wire across the top.
If a cat has made his way into your garden, it may be hard to get him out. Most people choose to use dogs, simply because dogs are known to dislike cats. There are several dog breeds out there that completely dislike cats, such as pit bulls and Dobermans. Cats are completely fearful of these breeds, and will flee if they see them around. All cats are known to despise water as well. If you spot a cat in your garden, water almost always gets him out. All it takes is a bucket of water or a well aimed squirt with a garden hose to make him run away. After you have hit the cat with water several times, he should get the hint not to come back anymore. If he comes back, simply squirt him or throw more water on him until he gets the idea.
Protecting your plants is a different story. Mothballs are said to be very effective, as cats don't like the smell. You can use mothballs around your plants, garden borders, or even along the fence. There are other repellents that you can use as well, such as cayenne peppers, tobacco, lavender oil, citronella oil, mustard oil, and even lemon grass oil. If you visit your local hardware or lawn store, you can find motion activated sprinklers. They work great in keeping cats out of your garden. Once you install the sprinkler system and a cat comes into the area, the detector will pick up the cat's presence and immediately shoot out a jet of water that will douse the cat. In most cases, all it takes is a few times of exposure to the sprinkler before a cat learns to stay out of that area.
Sound devices that feature high frequencies are also a great way to scare off cats, although they aren't annoying to humans. You can find several different models, such as those that stay on all the time, and those that are motion detected. To use this type of device, you'll need to make sure that the model you have is strong enough to cover the entire area. If you model you are using is strong enough to cover your entire garden, it should suffice in scaring off any unwanted animals.
You can also use commercial repellents as well. Commercial repellents use scents to keep cats away, and shouldn't be used near any food crops. Due to their high chemical content, commercial repellents can pollute your crops. You can find them at your local department store, with several varieties to choose from, many of which will fend off other animals from your garden as well.
If you have a garden, it can be very annoying if cats and other animals decide to make your garden their home. If you stick to your guns and do your part, you can prevent them from bothering your garden or your crops. Once you have secured your boundaries around the garden, you should try using water first. If water doesn't seem to work, you can look into another method, such as commercial repellents.
About the Author
Find tips about panda facts and turtle facts at the Animals Facts website.
Fun Dog Activities
By: Mike Mathews
All dog breeds (www.dog-breed-facts.com/index.html) were developed for a purpose. Some breeds were developed to herd sheep, some to hunt game, and some to pull sleds. Dogs, like humans, enjoy having a purpose in life. Dogs like to lead a structured life and be able to associate with their owners in activities and be given the opportunity to please their owner. The following is a short list of fun activities that you may want to consider for your dog.
Dog Agility is a sport in which a handler must control and direct his dog around an obstacle course within a set period of time. Dogs must be controlled off-leash using only voice and body language commands. The handler runs beside the dog and directs the dog through the obstacle course with precision and speed - trying to accumulate the minimum number of faults (both missed obstacles and time faults). Obstacles include: A-frames, elevated dog walks, teeter-totters, tunnels, jumps (such as hurdles and tires), weave poles (like a slalom), pause tables (where the dog must lie down for a fixed time), and other obstacles. In order to be fair, there are usually classes of competition to group dogs of similar size and experience. Therefore there will be several winners at a competition. Dogs and handlers need to be very well trained and seem to enjoy this sport immensely. There are a number of organizations involved in agility performance around the world who sanction clubs to allow them to host agility competitions. In the US, some of these organizations include: the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), the United States Dog Agility Association, and the North American Dog Agility Council. Elsewhere in the world: the Kennel Club (in the UK), the Agility Association of Canada and the FCI (World Canine Organization) are all involved.
Obedience is a skill that ranges from mastering everyday commands that all dogs should know to competitive exercises that require significant training and aptitude to excel. You may start out teaching your puppy and young dog the basic obedience commands and find that you and your dog have an aptitude for obedience skills that you would like to take to a higher level. In competitive obedience the dog and handler team must perform prescribed activities off leash and in a carefully defined way. If the dog has the aptitude and training it will gain skills to allow it to advance through the ranks from Novice to Open (intermediate) to Utility (advanced) competitions. At each level the requirements become more difficult and the number of exercises to be performed get longer. Exercises are all done off leash using voice and body language commands and include such activities as: having the dog stay while you walk away; follow the handler in the heel position through complex patterns; come on command; sit and lie down for fixed periods of time while the handler is out of the dog's sight; retrieve items over a high jump; and find a scented object amongst a group of identical non-scented objects. Dogs can earn obedience titles in obedience championships. Purebred dogs can compete in obedience trials sanctioned by the AKC, while the UKC recognizes other purebred dog competitions. As well, there are mixed breed competitions sanctioned by the Mixed Breed Dog Club of America and other organizations. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club sanctions obedience trials and awards titles.
Lure coursing is a sport for sighthounds that involves chasing a manually or mechanically operated artificial lure across a field in a "coursing" pattern. The competition is usually restricted to pure-bred sighthounds including: Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, and Whippets. The operator keeps the lure or "prey" just in front of the chasing sighthounds until they have completed the course. The course must have a minimum number of turns and is usually 600 to 1000 yards long. The hounds love to play this sport and puppies can be introduced to the sport through lure coursing practice sessions. Competitions usually consist of two runs for each dog breed for dogs that have been pre-certified or qualified. In the US, the American Sighthound Field Association or the AKC can "certify" that dogs have been trained and are eligible to enter their sanctioned competitions. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club sanctions lure coursing but excludes the Italian Greyhound because they consider it a toy dog.
Tracking can be learned by all dog breeds (www.dog-breed-facts.com/index.html) because all dogs use their noses to identify things and explore the world. Training can be started as early as 10 to 12 weeks of age as all puppies love to use their noses to sniff out a trail. As with all training, positive rewards (treats, praise etc,) and re-enforcement work best. The AKC sanctions tracking tests and events in the US. This vigorous non-competitive outdoor sport allows dogs to demonstrate their ability to recognize and follow human scents. In Canada, the CKC sponsors tracking events and you can check their website for a list of nearby events.
Field Trials are regularly held for Basset Hounds, Beagles and Dachshunds to demonstrate their ability to find and track game. Similarily Field Trials and Hunting Trials are held almost every weekend across the country for: the Pointing Breeds, the Retrievers, and Spaniels to allow them to compete and demonstrate their hunting abilities under a strict set of conditions. If you are an owner of a hunting dog puppy, you will want to look into many of the organized activities designed for your dog. Check out the AKC or CKC websites for a list of contacts and field trials in your area.
Other Fun Activites that you might wish to explore include flyball, frisbee, herding and drafting competitions.
Author Bio
Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: Dog-Breed-Facts.com. He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training
Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content
A Bit About Horse Bits
by Susanne Malloy
The bit is your communication link to your horse, along with the reins, pressure from your legs and body position. Depending on your style of riding and your experience level as well as the condition of your horse's mouth, different bits will be more appropriate than others. Generally most horses that have not been mistreated will have what is called a "soft mouth" which means that their mouth has not be injured by misuse of a bit or cruel treatment by an uncaring rider. Horses that have been misused by cruel and excessive use of a bit are known as "hard mouthed" and require specialized combinations of bits to control the horse.
Thankfully there are very few horses that have been mistreated and most horses have a soft mouth. The most commonly recommended type of bit will both ensure that the rider has control as well as provide protection to the horse's mouth. Getting the right sized bit is essential in making the bit comfortable for the horse and prevent pinching the sensitive skin at the side of the mouth. In general most light horse breeds will use a five inch bit, which is the measurement across the bit. Some horses will have a wider or narrower mouth, so a good rider will always measure across the horse's mouth to the outside of the lips, then add an additional ½ inch. If you start with a five inch bit you can then see if you need to go wider or narrower, or you can try a variety of bits and measure which one is the best fit. Keep in mind that the bit should have ¼ of an inch on either side of the outside of the horse's mouth to fit properly. A string can be used and measured if you don't want to have to try an assortment of bit sizes. Just side the string across the horse's tongue in the place the bit would normally rest and measure out ¼ inch on either side to get the final bit size.
English and western bits are different, as are bits for racing, dressage and other types of specialty events. The most common bit in both English and western styles of riding is the snaffle bit, which is also the most gentle on the horse's mouth. A snaffle bit is two bars that connect in the middle, with the western snaffle also known as the snaffle curb since it will have two additional "curb" pieces on either side. Snaffle bits are great for novice riders as even if the rider pulls harder than necessary on the bit the horse's mouth will not be injured. Horses that have hard mouths may need additional types of bits such as full curbs, rollers, Kimberwick and Pelham bits, depending on the style of riding. Since these bits can and will cause damage to the horse if used incorrectly, they are not recommended for riders without significant experience.
Always clean your bit after each ride to prevent the build up of debris, goop and slobber on the bit. It is a good idea to have a spare bit around that can be buckled into the headstall of the bridle and used while the other bit is being thoroughly cleaned. Soaking the bit in clear, warm water for a hour will typically soften any dried on material which can then be removed with a stiff bristle brush and a good scrubbing.
About the Author
Susanne Malloy is an avid equestrian and an editor for http://www.EnglishSaddleShop.com, your complete resource for new and used English saddles, riding apparel, and tack.
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