Pet Advice and Pet News

Dog Behavior Training – Choosing a Good Family Dog
Author: John Williams

There comes a time in most home families when the children get a bit older and their dog or teddy is no longer the best thing in the world to play with, every new friend or existing friend your children make seems to have a cute little dog, and its only a matter of time before your children are going to start pestering you for one. So what should you look for is your serious about getting a family dog?

For starters your dog will need to be able to take everything your children can throw at it, children often don’t have any idea of how to handle a new pet dog so don’t expect them to play gently all the time, unknowing children have a tendency to be a little rough wile playing with dogs so a dog breed that can take some rough playing is essential.

Different dogs have different personalities just like humans do so be aware of this when purchasing a new dog, just because a dog breed is normally playful, energetic, and nice , this does not mean the one you get will be the same. Being prepared to put in work and time with your dog is also essential with a family dog because dog’s often take the things your children tell it to do as acceptable when this may not be the case, so dog behavior training will be needed at some point.

After considering the previous paragraphs I’m sure you will be pretty certain on whether you still want a dog for your home or not, if you do then here are some suggestions on different breeds that you may want to consider.

Golden Retriever. The golden retriever is a good popular choice for families because of their active and loyal personality and a good all round dog.

Boxer. Although the boxer may look big and intimidating to some, the boxer is a very good family dog in that they love being around people, they take care of the family members, and are always willing to play.

Labrador Retreiver. An extremely popular pet in many households across the world, the Labrador is a very friendly loving dog that loves to play and be very active for your kids to play with.

Beagle. The beagle is a very sturdy dog that can take plenty of roughness and playing, and loves to be active and meet new people. A very excited and curious dog that is great for family life.

Boston Terrier. The terrier is a gentle, well mannered dog and enjoys a challenge. Boston terriers are very easy to train and make for great family dogs and friends.

Irish Setter. A very affectionate dog, the Irish setter is a very good choice for families due to its liking for children and constant happy playful attitude.

Why Cats Like To Bite
By Lara Lee

It has been observed that biting amongst cats is mostly a playful gesture. You should give your cat some outlet for biting for her satisfaction as it is a part of her nature. Mostly your cat may want to bite your fingers or a toe as that is all that is available to them. She also gives a vent to her energy in this way. It is a good exercise and you should provide your cat with good means to bite on.

For this purpose, you can provide your kitty with interactive fishing-pole toys. You can have habitual playing sessions with her. These toys keep a secure distance between your fingers and your cat's teeth. It also teaches her as what is tolerable to bite and what not. This way you can also keep control of the action and help your cat give vent to her energy positively. If two or three playing sessions are conducted with her daily, the probability of your cat biting you will naturally decrease. You should slowly end the session so that your cat does not end up frustrated or annoyed. You should slow down the activity gradually so that your cat feels like a hunter and feels satisfied by the end of the game.

Once the activity is over, make sure that the toy is not within her reach anymore as it can chew the string. Having this exercise on regular basis will build a routine in your cat's life and she will feel less inclined to bite unexpectedly.

When your cat does bite you, it is advisable not to pull her away or shout at her. This will give her an impression of a prey and it may provoke her to act as a hunter. It is better to discourage her in a gentle manner.

Sometimes if you feel your cat is acting more wild, you can divert her attention by providing her with new toys. Cats are inquisitive by nature. Providing her with new toys to bite on will help her utilize her wild instincts in a positive way. You must remember that cats are animals after all and biting or scratching is some what normal amongst them. However, proper training can tame its animal instincts and make it a better domestic cat.

Did you know that your cat may not know why you are trying to correct him? Click here to learn how to make him understand. This will remove the frustration and rapidly increase the speed of your cat's learning.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lara_Lee

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For the Best Pets Look to the Unusual
By: Bob Benson

If you're searching for really terrific pets, you may want to take a little walk into the unusual. While dogs and cats - arguably the two most common and beloved pets - are good choices, there are some other animals out there that may very well be better suited to your lifestyle.

To find the perfect pet, start by examining your reasons for wanting to take this step. That reason is very important. For example, if you're looking for companionship, a turtle probably isn't the best answer. But if you have a child and you're looking for a pet to help teach responsibility, a turtle may be just what you need. Here are some other pets that may not have immediately come to mind.

Gerbils, hamsters and mice
Yes, they're rodents and that may be an immediate turn-off for some people, but these little guys can be really good pets for several reasons. They don't take up much room, they don't eat much and they're fairly easy to care for. On the downside, they also tend to have shorter life spans than some other animals, meaning the kids (and adults) who become attached to them face the heartbreak of losing their pet sooner. Remember that they still take care, even though they're very small. Cages can become very smelly if not cleaned regularly.

Hermit crabs
These are a recent hit with many people and you'll find that hermit crabs are readily available in malls and pet stores. They're not cuddly and they're very shy, but there are some positive points. If handled carefully and often, they can become quite friendly. Children can learn a lot from watching them drink, burrow and change shells. Care is minimal and the biggest routine chore is probably keeping the sponges wet (hermit crabs drink from a sponge).

Prairie dogs
Quite a few people have discovered that these furry little guys make great indoor pets. They're inquisitive and most have very unique personalities. If raised in captivity, a prairie dog will typically be happy to remain inside with no attempts at escape. They can be litter box trained and many families report that their prairie dogs have free roam of the house. The downsides include the fact that these animals like to chew. If trained well, they'll chew only in designated places, but furniture and clothing can become casualties of their need to gnaw. Remember, they're wild animals and you should be careful of your source to be sure you have a healthy animal.

There are plenty more options that you may not have considered. If you're looking for great pets, don't immediately assume that a cat or dog are your only choices.

Author Bio
Bob Benson is the founder of Pets online. We provide information on Owning a pet.

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GPS Tracking for Man's Best Friend
By: Simon Wyryzowski

To say that our pets are our best friends is an understatement. There are many people in this world who see their pets as life long companions, and even an integral of their family. How would you feel if your pet has run away, or perhaps has gotten lost somewhere outdoors? It would make your heart beat fast, palms sweaty and extremely anxious wouldn't it? After all there is not another pooch or kitty that can ever replace the special personality that your pet has.

GPS or global positioning systems can help give you peace of mind in knowing when your pet has crossed outside the safety zone of the backyard, or somewhere in your neighborhood. Other scenarios aside from domestic issues are the kinds where you take your pets on vacation with you, or go hunting with. Why take chances and lose sight of one of the most valuable members of your family?

GPS tracking devices will not substitute common sense and vigilance in watching over your pets, but rather help complement and reduce the chances of your pet running off by accident. These small moments can add up to lots of time, emotional investment, and spiritual drain after a while.

Consider several types of GPS tracking devices, from those that allow you to program safety zones which alert you when your pet goes out of bounds so to speak, waterproof and weatherproof models if you live in temperate zones, and advanced features such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature to see if your pet is truly 100 percent safe from the inside out.

It is up to you as the owner and caretaker of your pet to decide what features are necessary and which are not. You will find that GPS tracking devices whether for people, pets, or objects, are relatively easy to setup and are getting simpler everyday. What are you waiting for? Your pet deserves the best!

Author Bio
Discover GPS Live tracking and how it can benefit your life.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

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Six Tips to Get Rid of Fleas the Natural Way
By Damian M Murphy

Are you having problems with fleas infesting your dog? There are a lot of products in the market today to help you out with this problem. Sadly not all you see in the supermarket shelves can help your pet out.

A lot of traditional flea treatments for dogs are found out to be toxic causing hot spots, allergies, or compromising the immune system of your dog. Some may even be worse.

Veterinarians may recommend shampoos, collars, powders, and other treatments but if you are a pet owner who doesn't want to take risks with these products you may ask the vet for some natural flea remedies.

Getting your Dog Free Flea the Natural Way

If you want to avoid using flea treatment which may contain chemicals you can explore the following options to rid your dog of fleas:

1. Diet- When fleas attack your dog, it may really be a signal that their immune system is compromised. This may be caused by a lot of reasons but primarily lack of proper nutrients is the culprit. You can feed them with high quality dog food which is free from additives but rich in things like zinc, vitamin B complex, protein, selenium, and antioxidants.

2. Food Supplements- Like humans, dogs also need something to boost their body resistance. You can try to add garlic, thiamine, and zinc into their diet. You can consult your vet on how to properly feed this to your dog. It will take a month's time before seeing the effects of these as flea fighters.

3. Vinegar- You can also try mixing around 4 to 6 teaspoons of vinegar to your dog's drinking water. The mix will be more potent when you keep the ratio of up to a gallon of water. Vinegar has always been known as a potent fighter against microorganisms.

4. Proper Grooming- combing your dog daily with a flea comb gives you a way to gauge how much help does your dog need

5. Bathing- Give your dog a regular bath. You don't need to use strong soaps for fleas, but gentle ones which will not irritate their skin. Terramin clay mixed with water can also be applied during bathing.

6. Neem Oil- The neem plant's seeds, bark, and leaves are known to be antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and an antiseptic. The Native Americans have been using these for thousands of years as insect repellants. For your dog, you can mix around an ounce of neem oil with 3 ounces of white vinegar and around 4 ounces of water. Wet your dog with water before applying this solution. You just need to brush the excess oil off but you don't have to rinse it off since this will also promote a healthy skin.

These cheap and simple flea treatments will save you money and make sure that fleas will be out of your dog's skin for some time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_M_Murphy

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Words From Birds
By Joseph Devine

Several species of birds can say more than just "squack." Being a bird owner can be a colorful and interesting experience, especially if you wish to teach your feathered friend to talk. While looking for the bird that is right for you, it is important to keep in mind that the only sure-proof way of having a bird that can speak is by buying one that already knows how. Like in humans, speech is something that must be taught. You must be willing to commit the effort to teach your bird if you want them to talk.

Beaks that speak

There are certain species of bird known for their ability to mimic the sounds of other birds as well as those of humans. These species include

· African Greys

· Quaker Parrots

· Indian Ringneck Parakeets

· Budgies

· Cockatiels

· Amazons (species from the Rain Forest)

While these types of birds are more accustomed to being chatterboxes, there is no absolute guarantee that they will speak.

Teaching the tongue

At the beginning of their training a pet bird will babble and make unintelligible noises and then start to develop word from there. Remember, the more language a bird is exposed to the more they will learn. You should repeat words or phrases to make sure that your bird will mimic your voice.

Another helpful hint is to use a prerecorded CD. Choose the word or phrase that you want your avian companion to learn set your CD player on repeat. Your feathered friend will not respond during their lesson. They will however, remember the word or phrase at a later time. Birds are most likely to speak when they want to get your attention.

Avoiding a potty mouth

Anything that you say often enough in front your winged wonder is susceptible to be picked up and repeated. This has proven quite embarrassing for many talking bird owners when company is in their home. Avoid this situation by watching your own language in front of your bird. If they do repeat inappropriate or impolite phrases, do not acknowledge it. They will quit using it when they learn it does not get your attention.

For more information on teaching your pet bird to talk and other pet tips, visit your local Baltimore vet clinics at www.baltimoreveterinarianclinics.com

Joseph Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

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