Posts from — February 2006

Is there a good reason why you need to get a dog house for Fido? Do you really need to spend some money to get a shelter for the dog sole usage?

Your dog goes outside to play for several hours a day. He doesn’t sleep out there, of course, and you are careful to bring him inside at night or if the weather gets bad. He might occasionally get caught in some light rain sprinkles, but it hasn’t hurt him yet. He doesn’t need a dog house, right?

Wrong. Even If your dog spends a substantial amount of time outside, he still needs a dog house.

An outdoor dog house is more than just a place for your dog to sleep, it also provides shelter from the elements. Regardless of whether you have shade trees in your yard or not, your dog will welcome a place to get out of the sun and will give him a place to retreat to as the first raindrop hits the ground.

Your dog will also welcome the security the dog house affords him if he feels threatened by people or dogs passing by. In addition, an outdoor dog house gives you a place to put your dog’s water dish in which it will not be fouled by leaves, dirt, or grass and where other animals can not drink it. Your dog will appreciate your providing this very necessary item.

An outdoor dog house can be seen as an important element to your dog’s health and safety. It will become a permanent shelter, sanctuary for your dog. It is also important to insulate the dog house to keep it warm or cool at the appropriate times of the year. Which will be discussed in depth later on in this website.

At times, an indoor dog house can also be useful. Although an outdoor dog house might appear similar to your own, an indoor “dog house” can simply be a wire or plastic dog crate. These houses act as your dog’s own den inside the larger “pack” den. Your dog’s den gives him privacy and security, just as an outdoor dog house does.

In addition, an indoor dog house can assist in house training an older dog to housebreak. If your adult dog is eliminating in the house and all physical problems have been ruled out, you can “reset” his bodily functions by judicious use of confinement in an indoor dog house, particularly at night or when you are away.

Even an adult dog will grow to enjoy having an area inside that is set aside solely for his or her own use. Before you know it your dog will be retreating to its own “den” to sleep or play with a toy, just because he wants to!

Moses Wright is the webmaster of doghabitat.net/ Dog Habitat Home. More useful guide on doghabitat.net/doghouse/ Dog House and doghabitat.net/dogdoor/ Dog Door can be found online at his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if the content and live links are keep intact.

Nobody likes ticks.

In fact, when it comes to ticks I can’t think of a single redeeming quality.

While you may see the occasional ant farm or flea circus, the tick competes with the cockroach on the “likeability” scale!

Here’s what you need to know to defeat them and prevent them from spoiling you and your dog’s Summer fun…

What Makes a Tick “Tic”?

Did you know that ticks aren’t insects? They belong to the same family as spiders (arachnids). That may explain why we humans find them especially unappealing!

The fact that it behaves like a tiny vampire makes the tick even more detestable. Technically, a tick is a blood sucking mite that can expand 20 to 100 times it’s size as it feeds. (Gross). And ticks can spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, making them potentially lethal.

Ticks use their sharp mouth pieces to attach themselves to your dog’s skin. Their favorite spots are the head, neck, ears, or feet. The scariest thing about them is the fact that ticks can go unnoticed.

Tiny as they are, they can attach themselves to you or your dog without being seen or felt. And especially if your dog has a dark coat, ticks will often continue to go unnoticed until they’re well engorged with blood.

At that point, you still may not see them, but you’ll certainly feel them by running your fingers or a fine toothed comb through your dog’s coat. (I still remember finding one on our black poodle when I was a child. It looked like a small school bus, so I can only imagine how long it had been there! )

The Spring and Summer months are when ticks are most prevalent, but any time your dog has been in a heavily wooded area, she should be checked. Ticks like wooded, grassy, and damp areas best.

Two types of ticks are most commonly found on dogs–the brown dog tick and the American dog tick. But deer ticks and western black-legged ticks will feed on dogs too. Of course, the tick was captured before having a chance to feed. The average tick begins it’s adventures approximately the size of a sesame seed. After making a meal of your dog’s (or your) blood, it may reach the size of a small grape! ( I swear, the one I saw looked like a school bus…)

Aside from the risk of contracting Lyme disease or spotted fever from ticks, there’s another concern: Too many ticks feeding on a single dog can cause severe anemia or a condition called tick paralysis.

Does and Don’ts of Tick Removal

A tick can be spotted fairly easily against a background of pink skin or a light colored coat. Check your dog all over, but especially around the head and neck, ears and paws. Against dark skin and coats, ticks virtually disappear, so you’ll have to feel for them. Another option is to run a fine-toothed comb or flea comb through your dog’s coat to loosen ticks that haven’t “latched on” yet.

Please pay special attention to the following:

Don’t use your bare hands. Latex gloves will protect you from from the tiny organisms that live on ticks and spread disease.
Do grasp the tick with a tweezers or forceps by the head and pull slowly but firmly, taking care not to leave any of it in the skin.
Do clean the bite site with rubbing alcohol and apply antibiotic ointment.
Don’t hold a lit match to the tick or try to smother it with chemicals like kerosene or petroleum jelly. At best, you’ll irritate your dog’s skin and at worst burn it. The tick won’t bat an eye.
Do drop ticks into rubbing alcohol to kill them
Don’t attempt to flush a live tick down the toilet or drain, or throw it in the waste basket. It may crawl back out. (The thought of that gives me the willies!!)

How to Avoid and Prevent ticks

Control and prevention of ticks is especially important in avoiding diseases associated with them.

What areas should you avoid? Wooded areas, tall grass, low brush, and damp areas are all attractive to ticks. They also are found in greater numbers in areas such as the Northeastern United States. No place is completely safe, though, since a person or animal can “give ticks a ride” from one place to another by carrying them on their skin, clothing or coats.

In parts of the country where the tick population is especially heavy and the risk of Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever especially great, your vet may suggest your dog be vaccinated against ticks. Weigh the pros and cons with your vet if that’s what he or she recommends.

There are plenty of products on the market designed to repel and/or kill ticks. (Never use tick products designed for dogs on a cat — it could kill her). Personally, I like all natural products for controlling fleas and ticks. All conventional products designed to kill/repel fleas and ticks are poisons of one kind or another, and can pose some risk to your pet. Garlic tablets, herbal shampoos, and botanical oils are among your choices. There’s also a spray to relieve hot spots and irritated skin.

No more ticks!

At last, you and your pet can stay healthy and tick-free.Your dog will sure be glad you took the time to read up on ticks!
Remember, natural products help your pets fight parasites better by keeping them strong, healthy, and toxin-free!

© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com where she offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.)

Visit the site to view the full illustrated artice and learn great-dog-gift.com/ticks.html where to find natural tick control products (links contained in article).

You can reach Carolyn by email at mailto:netbrainer@verizon.net netbrainer@verizon.net.

Dog owners have to consider several factors when buying or building a house for their pets. As a true member of your own family, providing your pet with the best home possible is of the utmost importance.

i. Size

A German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler and other large dogs should have large houses, while the Chihuahua and smaller breeds will need smaller houses. The door of the house does not need to be based on the height of the dog from the ground to the top of its head, or even taller, as it will lower its head to be able to enter the house. The width of the door should be just enough to accommodate the dog. These height and width measurements can be adjusted if there is a physical requirement to do so. The house should also be large enough for the dog to stand at full height inside, move around and lie down. Owners should remember that a larger-than-needed home will compromise the dog’s retention of body heat during the winter or colder months.

ii. Weather Conditions

Some dog houses are made with hinged roofs, a feature that allows owners to raise the roof during hot and humid weather. This flexibility provides adequate air flow to flush out warm air and allow fresh or cool air to enter. In some cases, these roofs can also be lowered, creating a smaller space for the dog and enhancing its ability to retain heat during rainy or cold weather. Asphalt shingles should be used only if there is an adequate insulation barrier separating the roof from the main area of the house. Many house models also come with slanted roofs, ensuring that water drains away during rainy days. Owners should avoid building or buying houses with barn-type or peak-style roofs, as these would attract hornets, wasps and other insects and prevent heat retention. Another option is wind walls, which can be inserted into the dog house to break the wind and keep the house warmer. The house should also be a reasonable distance off the ground to keep it dry. For owners with bigger budgets, some house manufacturers offer provisions for heaters and air-conditioners. These climate control systems help ensure comfort for the dog regardless of weather conditions.

iii. Doors

The front door of the dog house should be located to one side instead of in the middle. This will prevent the dog from being directly exposed to extreme weather conditions and other harsh environmental elements. Some models are designed with removable doors, or with no doors at all. Using a door will help keep the dog house warmer during cold months. An awning type cover can also be used over the opening for added shade and protection.

iv. Easy To Clean And Maintain

- Removable or adjustable roofs

- Doors, partitions

- Wind walls

- Flexibility in cleaning

- Restrict use of paint, stains, or water sealers for the outside of the house

v. Use Wood

Plastic and metal houses are not a good idea, as they are either too hot during summertime or too cold during the winter. Some market experts say that houses made from natural western red cedar wood offer the best insulation for dogs during winter while making them cooler during summer. Red cedar wood oils are also natural repellants of ticks, fleas and termites. Houses made from this material are also maintenance-free on the outside, although owners have a choice of finishing it to complement their property. Sprinkling red cedar wood chips or shavings in the bedding also helps prevent infestation. Owners should also remember that wooden roofs help cut down heat build-up from the sun while helping to maintain reasonable heat retention levels.

vi. Keep The Dog House Elevated

For legless houses, the owner must remember that having it directly on the ground increases the likelihood that the pet would be exposed to cold and wet weather. This also raises the possibility of infestation from flea eggs that hatch in the soil. The owner can use bricks, rocks or stones arranged in a level and stable manner to elevate the house. The elevation will allow air to flow beneath the house and prevent moisture from forming at the bottom.

For more great dog house related articles and resources check out

Two types of dog ticks are commonly found in the United States. These are the American dog tick and the brown dog tick. Their scientific names are Dermacentor variabilis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, respectively. The brown dog tick does not pose a threat to humans, as it rarely feeds on them.

American dog ticks are reddish-brown. The female has a silver spot, while the male has silver lines on the body. They are found in grasslands and woods. Larvae and nymphs feed on mice, squirrels, and other small animals, while adults feed on cattle, deer, raccoons, dogs, and humans. Adults are active between April and June. These ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia to humans.

Brown dog ticks are unique in the sense that they can live and grow indoors. They are found in kennels or in homes where dogs stay and can cause canine babesiosis, canine ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis. These ticks are also reddish-brown and their preferred host is a dog. To prevent brown dog tick bites, it is necessary to treat the dog, kennel, and home with tick-killing pesticide. Outdoor pesticide treatment is also crucial.

Dog ticks must be removed immediately if found attached to a host. Tweezers or commercial tick removal aids should be used for this purpose. Gloves must be worn during tick removal. Ticks should never be touched with bare hands because they can transmit infections. The correct method is to slowly pull the tick out from the point of attachment, ensuring that its mouth is not embedded in the skin of the host. The tick should not be crushed in the process. After removal, the bitten area and the tool used to remove the tick should be cleaned with antiseptic. Vaseline, alcohol, nail-polish, or glowing match should not be used for removing ticks.

To conclude, dog tick bites need to be prevented at all costs as they have the potential to infect people and animals with serious diseases. People living in tick-infested areas need to examine themselves and their pets regularly to rule out ticks.

e-ticks.com Ticks provides detailed information on Ticks, Tick Bites, Deer Ticks, Dog Ticks and more. Ticks is affiliated with e-Mosquitos.com Mosquito Magnets.

Is your dog up to dirty no good again? Did he eat your socks? Knock your drink off the coffee table? Chew through your favorite vintage record album? Should you invest in Doggy Prozac? Should you think about dropping him off at the local pound?

Goodness no. There’s a reason why your dog’s been behaving badly. It could be that he’s not getting enough attention.

Remember when he was just a little pup? Oh, you couldn’t wait to get home from work each day, so you could tumble around on the rug together, go for a jog around town on a sunny day, show him off to cute girls at the mall.

Now what’s he get? A five-minute bathroom break with just enough time to get a quick sniff of the front lawn… with you yelling “Baxter, get in here!” at him the whole time? That’s no fun! If you were Baxter, how would you feel if you waited around all day for your pal to get home, and then when your pal finally showed up all he did was crack open a beer and throw himself on the couch?

Too often, today’s busy and distracted pet owner blames their dog’s misbehavior on a “nervous condition,” hyperactivity, or just plain naughtiness. They pay for expensive dog obedience classes. They consult with pet psychologists. They hand out Doggy Prozac like it was candy. And if all else fails and their dogs are still wreaking havoc at home, they commit the horrendous. They drop their poor pets off at the pound, hoping that “someone else” will be better able to handle them.

What a sad situation! If you know you can’t devote your time to keeping a pet, why would you ever have one? They’re cute? You thought it might be fun? Your girlfriend handed you a puppy one day, and you couldn’t resist?

These are all terrible reasons to take on the responsibility of being a pet owner, especially if you already lead a busy and full life.

Imagine how your dog must feel, lonely and bored all day. If you were cooped up for eight hours with tons of energy to burn, what do you think you’d do? Why, you’d do what your dog does! Go rooting through the trash, tunneling under the rug, barking out the open window and chewing up whatever you could find.

If you’re a dog owner, maybe it’s time to really think about what your pet means to you. Are you giving that animal the love and attention he deserves?

See the way his whole body wriggles with delight at the sight of you? See that tail wagging with fierce devotion? Take a good look at him, he’s your baby, he’s your pal, and he’s staring at you with that lovesick look in eyes… now, don’t you want to give him that special one-on-one time that he so badly craves with you?

Just a 20-minute walk a day can do wonders for your dog’s spirit, tucker him out so he’s calmer in general, and help him to feel happy and content. Give your pup an outlet to burn off that energy! He can’t help being hyper, he’s a dog and he’s just wired that way. Show him how much he means to you. Teach him some tricks, feed him some treats… bring him with you on your next vacation.

There is nothing wrong with the world’s “hyper” or “bad” dogs. They don’t need therapy, and they don’t need medication.

They just need our love.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

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Your puppy’s first day home with your family is a special day. Everyone is trying to find their new position in the household. There are new responsibilities, new adventures, and new toys everywhere!

Bringing a new puppy home is exciting but it can also be quite expensive, exhausting, and scary. A puppy’s needs are not unlike any new addition to the family. He needs lots of love, patience, and kindness, but he also needs clear rules and expectations from day one. He will need a place of his own and a safe environment all around him.

Whether you are adding a Mastiff puppy to a household already teaming with children and pets, or a Chihuahua puppy who will be your sole companion, you will find that very special accommodations need to be made to insure the health, happiness, and well being of your new friend and her new family.

Preparations for a new puppy should begin well before she ever romps across your living room or leaves her footprints in the grass outside. Your family should be made aware of the way having a puppy can change the structure in your home. Children need to understand that puppies are not toys and can not be treated as such. Everyone needs to know that anything left out will get chewed, messes will get made, and puppy will need to sleep as much as she will need to play.

Make sure children are taught to be careful when handling a puppy and small children should NEVER carry a puppy around. An adult should monitor interactions with small children at all times. Some puppies are very fragile and all puppies are wiggly, and rambunctious. Children should be taught to treat a puppy with respect. Children should never be in charge of discipline or correction of behavior.

If you are introducing a puppy to children in your home, make sure you lay down ground rules first. The children should be clear on what the rules and expectations are before you start to teach them to the puppy. If a small child would like to hold the puppy she should first sit down so when the puppy wriggles away, she won’t fall and get hurt.

Some basic rules should include:
1. Pick up your toys…or they may get ruined.
2. Don’t wake a sleeping puppy. She needs her rest.
3. Don’t interrupt a puppy who is eating. You might get bit.
4. Don’t carry a puppy around. Puppies break when dropped.
5. Don’t hit a puppy. It’s an adult’s job to discipline.
6. Treat a puppy like a friend, not a toy.

If you expect other four-legged friends to welcome this new interloper you will have to allow them to make friends on their terms. Any pets already part of your home may feel threatened or at least infringed upon. Allow them to come and investigate at their own pace and to withdraw when the want to. Remember, this is their turf and the new addition will have to learn her place.

Keep the puppy safe. She could become a target if your pets are not happy with her. The same could be said of children who were not receptive to having a puppy. Just make sure puppy has a place to be if you can not be right with her.

The house belongs first to those who were already there. Puppy may need to be excluded for a little while to allow other pets to investigate freely for the first little while, taking in all the new scents around. Make sure to reassure and lavish affection on any old friends who are feeling a bit misplaced.

When puppy comes home you should have done these things to prepare:

1. Clean up the clutter. Pick up anything that could pose a choking or intestinal blockage hazard. Remember, just about anything can get chewed and could get swallowed. Puppies mouths are well adapted for chewing on just about anything. Get down on your hands and knees to get a puppy’s eye view of the lay of the land.

2. Look for household hazards. Electrical cords seem to have some kind of magnetic energy that puppies can’t ignore. Make them inaccessible. These can be deadly. Put away rocking chairs and block off stairs. Many bones have been broken and crushed when curious puppies explore things at the wrong time.

3. Make sure you have a crate. Puppy should have a crate that is her bed. It should be a safe quiet place that she can go when everyone needs a break, or when you can’t watch her closely.
A crate should be plenty big enough, without being too big. If you only want to buy one crate and she will be a large breed dog someday, block off part of it while she is a puppy. Crates serve many purposes including housebreaking. She will not want to soil her own bed but if she can relieve herself far enough away from where she is sleeping she will not try to hold it as long.

A crate is the perfect place to put a puppy to bed at night. She will not agree at first, and your first few nights may be very noisy as she objects, but if you ignore her she will settle down and go to sleep. Make sure she goes outside to potty last thing at night and first thing in the morning before her little feet hit the ground. You may need to get up a bit earlier than usual to help her ‘make it through the night’ as she learns how to control her bladder and bowels.

A crate serves as a safe place she can be when you can’t be right with her. No one can hurt her, and she can’t get into trouble here. If she was not crate trained by the breeder then she will have to get used to it. It may take a few days but not more than three or four if you are consistent with it. He crate will quickly become her safe place and you will find her there on her own accord once she understands it is her special place.

A crate should never be used as a place she goes to be punished. No matter what, it should always be a ‘happy place’. Never scold her or swat her as you put her in her crate. Her toys and blanket or bedding will make it feel more homey for her.

4. Check your yard. Make sure there are no places she can escape. Look under or behind bushes, check wooden slats, and loose boards. If she is particularly small, you might need to make additional reinforcements to fences and gates. Follow her around closely. While she explores, let her show you areas that may pose a threat.

Make sure you don’t have any toxic plants in the yard. Puppies chew everything, including plants. Make sure you don’t have any snail, rat, or weed poison around, either on the ground or in bags and boxes. Make sure there is no anti-freeze or coolant from cars, or air conditioners around.

If you have a pool that she can get to, make sure she knows where the steps are. Puppies can swim but get exhausted very quickly and can drown if they don’t know how to get out. The best way is to get in with her and have her swim to the steps, if she does it a time or two, she will have a better chance at remembering where they are if she falls in by accident.

5. Make sure you have plenty of toys. There will be thousands of things that your puppy should not get into, make sure there are lots of things that are just for her. If you need to redirect her attention, make sure you have a variety of soft squeaky toys, nylon chews, and tug toys. Puppies get bored and you don’t provide plenty of variety, they will find their own entertainment.

6. Make sure you have an appropriate food. There are many different brands of food available and often there is better than what she has been eating since feeding a litter can be expensive. If you and your vet have chosen a proper food be sure to change her slowly. Mix about 2/3 what she has been getting with about 1/3 of what you want her to have for a day or two and then slowly change the ratio over the course of a week or more until she is just getting what is recommended by your vet. This will reduce upset tummy problems. Whatever food you use should be high quality and made just for puppies. Many are made for specific breed types to help meet their growth requirements. It is often a very good idea to mix canned and dry food to encourage good appetites and good nutrition.

Puppies need to eat often. A very young puppy should eat at least four times a day, and a very small breed may need to eat more often than that. Small breeds don’t have much fat or reserve and can experience attacks of hypoglycemia which can be life threatening. It is a good idea, in fact, to keep Karo syrup around just in case. If your puppy hasn’t eaten for a while and seems weak or dizzy, rub some Karo syrup on her gums and see if she improves, it should happen right away, within minutes. If she does, feed her. If she does not, get her to a vet immediately.

A general rule of thumb on feeding a puppy is that she should have as much as she wants to eat in about 15 minutes time. If she eats what you gave her right away and is looking for more, give her more inside that 15 minutes. If she leaves a lot behind, pick it up and throw it away and offer her less next time. Never leave her food down to get rancid, spoil, or attract bugs. Another reason to feed on a regular basis instead of ‘free-feeding’ is that her appetite or lack there of is often your first clue if she isn’t feeling well. A full bowl might mean she isn’t hungry because she just ate, or it could mean she is getting sick.

If your puppy will be home alone for long periods of time you may want to have someone come in and visit from time to time to make sure she gets a chance to go outside to relieve herself and eat regularly. Puppies get very lonely and should have plenty of company and opportunity to play and grow.

Make sure you find a good vet and follow the Doctors recommendations closely. Once she has completed her series of vaccines you can start taking her out in public. She should be properly socialized to allow her the experiences needed to help her discern what to nervous about and what not to. An obedience class is a must to help her learn that she needs to listen to you even when there are many distractions around. That tidbit could save a lot of grief, it could save her life. If she gets out and knows to listen, she may not decide to dart into the street in front of that Chevy. She should be socialized to make her safer to be around. A fearful dog can be dangerous to friends who may visit, or even to your even to your own family. She doesn’t have to be big to be dangerous so socialization should be a focus. Some breeds are more naturally social than others of course.

Having a puppy should be a great deal of fun but if you understand what you are getting into before you bring her home, your transition will be much more smooth and enjoyable for all.

Congratulations on your new friend. May it be the beginning of many new memories for everyone.

Laura Anderson
puppys-place.com puppys-place.com

While we all are aware about health insurance for use, dog or cat insurance is less known to many, but it can be of value to owners. Knowing the benefits and issues of pet insurance can help you make a better decision, and possibly save money also.

Dog or cat insurance answers a question – how do you afford sudden pet health costs? Major illnesses with your dog and cat can end up costing a great deal. Surgery, for instance, can cost many thousands of dollars. Not every pet owner feels that cat and dog health insurance is needed, while some consider it a waste. Also, some feel the choice for major health problems is euthanasia, instead of extended care.

However, for other owners, the significance of caring for their cat or dog and prolonging their life might involve making sure health care costs are covered, such as with a health plan.

With every other healthcare plan, you contribute a given amount monthly to insure for future emergency health costs. Plans can vary a great deal in what they cover and don’t cover. Like health plans for people, animal plans differ a great deal, so it’s extremely important you read the legalese fine print on each plan you review.

For example, a health plan might include reduced payments for medicine and food used during treatment or care. Ensure this amount is sufficient for what you expect. Many policies also carry a lifetime maximum. This limit can vary widely, but in every case, when you reach it you will get no more benefits. Often, preexisting health problems are not covered by the policy. This stops owners from enrolling a cat or dog to help reduce costs of continuing treatments.

While some policies include death payments, this is not a thing you’ll likely want to pay additionally for, except if you anticipate some expenses for a funeral. Some plans don’t pay for what is termed consequential damage. For instance, if an accident damages the cat’s or dog’s kidneys, they may not pay for future treatments. Therefore, if you’re uncertain what your health plan covers, make sure to check it over in detail and ask questions.

As with your health care, it’s important to shop and choose well. Internet browsing allows you to evaluate health care plans and select the ideal one for your pet and you. And besides the Internet, your fellow dog and cat owners, veterinarian, and possibly others can provide suggestions.

Although checking into healthcare for your dog or cat isn’t an easy or simple task, the peace of mind once your cat or dog is protected will make it worthwhile. And if your dog or cat needs expensive care someday soon, the care plan you buy might mean the difference between a happy and healthy dog or cat, or struggling to fix an expensive problem.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on theworldsbesthomepage.com/blog/category/home/pets/ pets, cat and dog care and animal health and visit our associated site free-content-resource.com articles for free.

Most of those who buy dogs, seek for the companionship that these beloved animals offer their owners. If you are one of these people who seek for companionship from a pet, then a Labrador retriever may be a good choice of pet for you. There are two types of Labradors: the English Labrador and the American Labrador.

Characteristics of Labradors

The two types of Labrador Retrievers may be differentiated from one another through their physical traits. Although the Labrador retriever is generally known for being a muscular dog, the English Labrador is actually heavier and looks more bulky while the American Labrador is taller and thinner. These dogs normally come in three solid colors of black, brown or chocolate, and yellow. Moreover, there is a rare silver or gray color of Labradors that are believed to have been from cross breeding. This, however, is still being disputed and its origins are still debated upon by various groups.

Apart from the Labrador being easy on the eyes, it is also an ideal companion because of its innate traits. This dog breed is known for being loveable and very affectionate to both children and adults. Moreover, this a very intelligent breed that is very trainable.

In fact, you will be interested to know that Labradors, also previously known as St. John’s Dog actually aided fishermen of previous eras. The Labrador then was trained to jump overboard to help with the nets. Nowadays, the Labrador is still as trainable as ever although they are used in other fields of service other than fishing. Some of this includes drug detection and aiding the blind and the disabled to name a few.

Labrador’s Specific Needs

The Labrador retriever may grow between 22 to 24 inches in males and 21 to 23 inches in females. The males will weigh roughly 60 to 75 pounds when they reach their mature height, and the females will hit the scales at 55 to 70 pounds. If you are living in a small apartment, you should be concerned about this, especially since there are also male Labradors that can grow to weigh 100 pounds!

Regardless of the size of your Labrador, this breed is an energetic lot which needs a lot of exercise. They will do well in small indoors, but they will far off better in houses which have small yards. You have to take this into consideration because your Labrador may end up being overweight and they may suffer from such health consequences.

There is no doubt that your Labrador will be a loveable and good-natured dog in your household. However, to be able to maximize their good traits it is best to have these dogs trained early on. Moreover, they should receive lots of human attention and affection. These dogs need lots of TLC and they will easily reciprocate. Knowing how to cater to their specific needs will benefit you and your dog. After all, the Labrador will be your companion and you might as well see to it that you’ll be a good companion to your dog, too.

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Trimming toenails at home can be a simple endeavor with some proper instruction. Before tackling this task, it is important to have a veterinarian or a groomer give you a pedicure demonstration on your own dog’s toenails. Doggie toenails vary extensively in shape and hardness, and each requires some skill in knowing where and how to make the cut.

After that, the biggest challenge is restraining the pet. Most dogs do not like to have their feet touched. The common mistake people make is trying to accomplish this feat sitting on the floor. But this makes it too easy for the pet to get away, and usually when we play with our pets we sit on the floor with them. Therefore they do not recognize this to be a serious task because they are not restrained properly.

It is important to put the dog up onto something, a counter, a table, a workbench, etc., so that movement is limited. Do not leave a pet unattended while he is up on a structure. If possible, it is best to have a helper to hold onto the dog while you clip the nails.

It is vital that the nail clippers be very sharp. Good quality nail trimmers can be purchased at stores for under ten dollars. The most common varieties are scissor and guillotine. Scissor types have blades that come together in a scissor-type mechanism. Guillotine clippers have an opening in which to place the nail, then the blade comes up from underneath. Smaller dogs’ toenails respond well to both types, but large breeds have harder nails, making the scissor-type more effective.

Every toenail has a blood supply, much like our “quick,” which must not be cut. The nail will bleed extensively if cut too short. If your dog’s nails are white, the blood supply can be easily seen under the surface. The most effective method to trim toenails is to take off a small portion of the nail at a time, until you almost reach the quick. The nail should be clipped approximately 1/4 of an inch from this blood supply.

It is very important to recognize the shape of the toenail in order to properly cut it, which is where the demonstration mentioned earlier comes in handy. This is especially important if the dog’s toenails are black, as the blood supply will be impossible to see. If any of your dog’s nails have grown around to form a circle, please seek the assistance of a professional groomer or veterinarian to properly trim these nails.

If you happen to nick the blood supply during the pedicure and nail begins to bleed, do not panic. This type of bleeding can usually be controlled with products you have around the house. The best bet is a styptic pencil or a dab of styptic powder. These work great to control the bleeding, and can usually be found in the medicine cabinet.

If that isn’t an option, flour and cornstarch are great substitutes. Dab a dime-sized amount into your palm, then drag the dog’s toenail down and through the powder. This will form a little plug inside of the nail cavity by forcing some of the powder up into the nail where the blood is coming from. Apply some pressure onto the bottom of the nail holding the powder inside for a few minutes.

It is important to limit the dog’s activity for a while afterward. If disturbed too soon, the nail will resume bleeding. If you’ve cut the quick severely and these methods do not work, you may need to make a quick trip to your vet to have the nail cauterized. But if you are careful this can be an easy task with some practice.

The nail trimming process can easily be performed at home by the pet owner with the proper tool and instruction, and of course, a fairly cooperative pooch! First, consult the professionals before attempting this endeavor. With proper preparation, this task can become part of the home grooming process for your canine pal.

© Shannon Lynnes Heggem (2006)
shannonheggem.com/ Shannon Lynnes Heggem is a motivational speaker with a strong background in the pet care industry. In the 1990’s, she established an upscale pet resort in Montana, and then founded the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers, a vocational school focused on pet-related careers.

Shannon quickly became one of the top experts in the pet care industry. She was the first Certified Master Groomer in Montana, and went on to become a Certified Kennel Operator; only four people in the world actually hold both of these certification titles!

She amazingly survived a vicious Rottweiler attack in 1998, and since then has overcome incredible obstacles to continue her life’s journey. Shannon has just launched a revolutionary new seminar series learningaboutpets.com/ Learning About Pets Program focused on teaching pet owners vital knowledge to enhance their pets’ vitality, health, and well-being! learningaboutpets.com/ learningaboutpets.com/

There’s no doubt that cats can be a handful. Unlike dogs, they retain an enormous amount of independence, they don’t often aim to please, and they’re not always the loving, cuddly balls of fur you might want them to be. If you’re a new pet owner – or even an experienced one – you may well be wondering how to train your cat.

Make no mistake, it is possible to train your cat, but it takes a commitment on your part. You need patience, and you need to accept that training a cat is different from training most other household pets.

Whether you’re just starting out with a new kitten or you’ve had an unruly cat for years, there are three key things that you should keep in mind when trying to figure out how to train your cat.

First of all, cats learn through experience. For instance, if you feed your cat every time he starts yowling and complaining, it becomes a learned behavior – he’ll continue his yowling, thinking that it’s the proper way to signal hunger. With this in mind, it’s important to always punish the bad behavior and reward the good.

Second, always talk to your cat. You may feel a little silly at first, but there’s no doubt that cats can recognize and register the sound of your voice, the emphasis, and even certain words. When you want to discourage bad behavior, pick a word or a sentence and keep repeating it to your cat. Your cat will eventually realize that he’s done something wrong. Conversely, when you want to reward good behavior, pick another word and repeat it in the same manner.

Third, remember that cats can become agitated and aggressive in response to serious stress or changes in their environment. If your cat has suddenly become irritable when before he was agreeable and good-natured, it may be due to recent upheaval. This can be brought on by something as obvious as the introduction of a new pet or as simple as moving your cat’s litter box.

It’s true that cats can be extremely fickle. One minute they’ll be lounging peacefully in your lap and the next they might be clawing at the furniture, meowing uncontrollably, or just causing havoc in general. But it’s that same streak of independence that makes a cat-lover out of all cat-owners. If you begin with the three basic tips in this article, you’ll be able to work through the ins-and-outs of how to train your cat faster than you may think.

Gillian Aitken is a proud cat-lover who isn’t afraid to admit that they can sometimes make for fickle pets. Are you interested in uncovering more tips and tricks on how to raise a healthy, happy cat? Visit Gill’s site at gill-careforcats.blogspot.com gill-careforcats.blogspot.com