Archive for category Pets and Animals
Spaying Your Dog
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on June 18th, 2009
When it comes to training your dog, it is a good idea get your dog spayed with in the first three months so that this doesn’t adversely affect dog training. Also there are risks to spaying when your dog is older.
Spaying is best performed within the first year of your dog’s life. If you happen to own an adult dog and decide to spay realize that their a certain health risks. Sutures don’t hold as well on older dogs and the healing time can take longer as longer incisions are necessary.
These complications can also be worsened if your adult dog is overweight as complications with anathesia and abdominal surgery are common whne dealing with fat dogs.
Above all, if you are not planning on dog breeding, then it is advisable to help control the pet population and get your dog spayed.
Pet Carriers and Traveling With Your Pet
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on June 17th, 2009
If you are planning a trip and you know you’ll be bringing your furry friend there are a few things you’ll want to consider during the planning process. You’ll need to bring a few extra things for both you and your pets comfort and you may need to purchase a couple of travel supplies.
One of the first things you will need is a pet carrier. To make the trip more comfortable for you and your pet you may want to consider a stylish pet carrier with a nice soft lining, one that is more comforting and inviting than the regular plastic carriers. This can make traveling much more enjoyable for everyone.
Many of these carriers can be used with the seat belt in your car for safety on a road trip. If you’re flying make sure you check with the airline first to find out their requirements.
You will want to get your pet comfortable with the pet carrier ahead of time. If you can get him to start sleeping in it at home he will feel much more secure it it while traveling. You will also want to bring something familiar like a blanket, pillow or toys that your pet regularly uses. Having familiar items with the familiar scent can help calm pets during travel.
No Bark Collars Will Keep Dogs Quiet
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on June 11th, 2009
I was at my wits end. I love my little two year old pug but the barking was getting insane. My dog Woodstock barks at everything. Today was no exception. He barked at the kids getting off the school bus, the mailman, my neighbors jogging, you name it he was barking at them like the end of the world was coming.
I had been checking out several pet blogs to see what I could do and found about about an anti barking collar that I could place around to motivate him to stop barking. I was unsure as to whether it would actually work but I gave it a try anyway.
Sure enough it did.
The first couple days were unpleasant for my dog. He did not like the collar at all. At first he was happy every morning to put it on. He thought that he was going for a walk. But it was not long before he learned that his incessant barking days are over. I understand that dogs bark. I have no problem with that. I do however have a problem with dogs barking at every little thing or person and so out of control you cannot think.
Overall I am very pleased with the device. It was a $100 well spent. I consistently put the collar on my dog for two weeks and now he does not bark at people. I did not by a guard dog. If I wanted a dog to protect me I would have gotten German Shepard. I have something in my house, actually several, and its called a gun. I do not require my dog to bark at everything that comes within 50 feet from my house. I highly recommend these collars.
John Vogt
The History of the Akita
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on June 11th, 2009
The Akita Inu, or the more familiar American Akita, is a breed of dog that sometimes is foreshadowed by its own history.
Early historical accounts of this dog breed tend to find it as a menu item instead of a pet and its pelt was valued as a source of warmth. From the being this was a working dog, sometimes used as hunter, but predominately used for fighting.
Much of its history has been obscured due to the centuries of isolation on the remote Japanese island of Honshu. Akitas have been traced to as far back as 1150 A.D.
In Japan, the Akita is known as Matagiinu, which translates into the esteemed hunter. In the past, Akitas were limited to ownership by Japan’s elite. Today, in many places around Japan, Akitas are considered a symbol of loyalty and there are several monuments located all over the islands dedicated to this dog breed.
Ferret Care
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on June 9th, 2009
Many people are taking on ferrets as pets because it is the trendy thing to do today. Although ferrets are certainly fine pets, people should be certain that they are ready for the responsibility of owning one before they dive headlong into a commitment that could last eight or more years. There are many ferrets looking for a new home as part of ferret rescue programs because their first owners did not seriously consider their purchase. Ferrets require special attention and a lot of it from their owners. Ferret care is not the same as taking care of a dog or cat. If you do your homework before bringing home your new pet, everything should be fine, but don’t ever buy a pet ferret or any other animal because it is the “cool” thing to do.
Dog Life Jackets Are A Smart Precaution
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals, Uncategorized on June 9th, 2009
All dogs love the water and are great swimmers, right? Not necessarily. There are certain breeds that have more difficulty than others. For example, very lean breeds such as Dobermans or Boxers don’t have much natural flotation, so they have to work extra hard to stay afloat. Also, very cold waters can affect a dog just like it affects humans and the risk of hypothermia is very real. And anyone familiar with the water, whether it be lakes, rivers or oceans, knows that conditions can change quickly and there can always be unexpected storms, waves, currents etc. A dog life jacket can be a real life saver.
Given all the potential problems around the water, why put your dog at unnecessary risk? If you’re boating, you make sure all passengers have a life jacket, donn’t you (I hope so!) So why not do the same thing for your dog? As mom always said, “better safe than sorry!”
Dog Behavior Problems Solved
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on June 5th, 2009
Behavioral problems are most commonly caused by an owners feeling that they must give up on their pet. Problems range from unwanted urination to aggression that is dangerous and destructiveness to disobedience. Solving exactly what the cause of the dog behavior problem is really half the battle. For example, destructiveness is often caused by boredom.
A tired dog is usually a good dog, make sure your dog gets enough exercise.
Getting your dog neutered will positively affect all behaviors stemming from his sex drive. This includes dominance aggression and unwanted marking. If the dog is an older dog, and the behaviors have become habitual, the effect of neutering might not be as effective. It will take longer for the effects to be seen in an older dog, sometimes many weeks.
Bats, Bat Houses And Our Environment
Posted by admin in Education, Home and Garden, Pets and Animals on June 3rd, 2009
Because of their eerie appearance bats have gotten a bad rap. Bats have always been associated with the occult, the supernatural and the dark side of life. But in reality bats have played a vital role in maintaining a balance to our environment. Besides providing a necessary natural fertilizer, bats help control the balance of the insect world. Bats are nature’s insecticide. A single small brown bat can eat a thousand mosquitos in an hour.
Because of the stigma that has been associated with bats and because of the expansion of our urban areas, their population has dwindled to the point where they are now on the endangered species list. Their natural living environment is being destroyed.
We can help rebuild and maintain the bat population through the use of bat houses. Bat houses come in many shapes and sizes and one can find them in many specialty garden centers or on the internet. Many communities and organizations have realized what an important role bats play in our environment and have encouraged the use of bat houses. TO find out more about bats, bat houses and our environment check out The Bat House Builders Handbook by Mervin Tuttle and Donna Hensley.
Horse Jewelry for Tomboys
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on June 2nd, 2009
There are not many women this world that do not love jewelry. Even the tomboy that is in our life that loves to take care of and ride horses and doesn’t mind getting dirty mucking out the stalls loves jewelry, most likely, especially if this jewelry represents her devotion to her favorite animal, the horse. There are many different types of horse jewelry to choose from. There is very beautiful horse jewelry in the high end, and there’s plenty of cheaper horse jewelry to pick from as well. You can buy many different motives in solid gold or silver with diamonds set in it. You can also buy jewelry made out of horsehair; you can even get it made out of your horses hair. Horse jewelry is definitely a perfect gift to give for the horse enthusiasts in your life.
Best Breeds For Guard Dogs
Posted by admin in Pets and Animals on May 27th, 2009
When selecting a dog for guard duty, it is best to review the various breeds that are out there and pick the one that best suits your personality and your needs. There are hundreds of large to medium breed dogs that are not built or bred for guard dog duty and it is best to choose those that have the built in disposition of protectors or fighters.
Around the world there is a lot of argument to what dogs are the best and most of that argument comes from built in local dispensation towards a specific breed. One of the most controversial dogs to use is the Pit Bull. While this is clearly an excellent fighting dog, that does not make it automatically a great guard dog.
Universally, the German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, and Rottweiler are the top choices. In Europe, dogs like the Giant Schnauzer and the Puli are great choices, while in the Pacific Island area Akita Inus and Tosa Inus are considered the best breeds.