Small Space? Consider One of These 3 Small Pets

Many people do not have the option of owning larger pets. There are many reasons for this. One is the increase in the amount of people living in apartments and condos. These people still have a desire to own pets. This is where small pets come into play. If you decide to add a small pet to your life, there are a few different things that you will need to consider. The most important thing is to choose the small pet choice that is right for you.

 

Fish

Fish are a great small pet option. Many fish are very low maintenance. You can choose from between fresh water varieties of fish and salt water varieties. The basic necessities needed to take care of fish are a tank, a filter, and some fish food. You can go as large or as small as you want when it comes to your fish tank and how many fish you would like to own. It is no harder to care for four fish then it is for one.

 

Birds

Birds are a great pet for small spaces. They live in a very contained space, yet they can be a wealth of companionship. Birds interact with their owners as much as their owners want them to. Depending on the species of bird, some may talk to you. Other bird varieties can keep you entertained by singing to you.

 

Rabbits

Rabbits are a great small pet to have. They are furry and ready to cuddle. They are small enough not to need a lot of exercise. Taking a rabbit out of the cage and playing with them in a small area is often enough when it comes to exercise. There is no need for long walks with this small pet. Rabbits can be a little messy depending on the type of floor covering that you use to line the bottom of the cage. The nice thing about rabbits is that they can be indoor or outdoor pet.

 

Small pets can be a great addition to any family. They can be added to a family that already has pets in their clan. Small pets can also be a great way to teach children responsibility. A small pet is enough to give your child a sense of ownership and needing to care for another living being.

 

Whether you are choosing a small pet for you or your children, there are many types of small pets out there to choose from. Some of the types, like the ones listed above, are more of the ordinary type. There are some more exotic types of small pets for the more adventurous.  No matter which small pet that you end up choosing, your days will be filled with joy from this little bundle of joy.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 17:04:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Choosing a Name for Puppy

What will you call your new companion?  He may be brown with long ears, short, with a coat like a snowball, or tall and muscular.  Choosing a name is a big decision.  It will belong to your puppy for the rest of his life.

As humans, we select names for our children based on heritage and meaning.  You can do this with your puppy, but it is not necessary.  Puppy doesn’t care that “Lily” is a beautiful flower or that “Jack” has English origins.  He just wants to know what you want him to respond to when you call.

One rule of thumb for puppy naming is to keep it simple.  It may be cute and unusual to name a dog “Crouching Tiger”, but it isn’t practical.  If names are too long, puppy won’t remember it and others might not either.  One simple rule to make choosing a name for your puppy easier is to keep it to three or less syllables.

Also, think about what your puppy’s name may sound like to him or her.  If it sounds like a command, he may take off running or jump at the mailman instead of sitting down.  Puppy names that are similar to the commands you give can be confusing to your pup.  If you use these commands:  sit, run, stop, quiet, stay, heel, roll over, and fetch, don’t use puppy names like Fletch, Kit, Sun, Bill, and Cole.

Pets are not people but they do deserve respect as another member of the family.  You are supposed to be welcoming them into your home and your life.  Names like Butt, Loser, Dummy, and Nitwit are demeaning.  They encourage teasing from others who come in contact with your puppy.  Most animals don’t like to be teased, especially dogs.  They can respond by biting or pouncing on the unfortunate teaser.  Not to mention, would you want someone calling you a demeaning name?  Your puppy won’t like it either.

Dog experts recommend short names that end in vowel sounds.  Most commands don’t end in vowel sounds, so puppy won’t get confused when he’s called.  If you own a Dachshund, you can name him “Hero” like a hero sandwich.  These dogs always remind me of a sausage without the bun.  The name is short, easy to remember, and not disrespectful to puppy.

Below is a list of the more popular names for dogs.  Choose a name from this list or come up with your own.

• Max
• Lady
• Lucy
• Princess
• Rusty
• Rocky
• Buster
• Shelby
• Jake
• Ginger
• Sandy
• Sophie
• Sparky
• Buddy
• Missy

Take your time when naming puppy.  Consider his behavior and personality, but above all, treat him with dignity when it comes to naming him.  He’ll thank you for taking the time to consider a good name for many years to come.

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:09:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Your Puppy’s First Year

It is important for any puppy or dog to have training. The amount of training is going to be determined by what you want to accomplish. Most of us just want a fun loving companion that can be taught a few commands and fit into our homes. There are several things to consider in the puppy’s first year regarding training and how some things should be handled.

First, we will look at punishment. Punishment must be effective. You have to have some type of punishment that will not degrade the dog or be disrespectful, but that will make your point. This is where learning certain commands can come into play when training your puppy. Any punishment should be delivered at the first offense. A puppy that is startled with a no or rattling is not always going to work. The best option you may have is going to be in remote correction. In other words you have to make sure the puppy understands that you are correcting their behaviour rather than just yelling out a word. The correction needs to be something they can associate with the behaviour they just had. This can be calling their name and using a startling device, but you have to make sure they know that you are correcting them. It must be something that you can walk up and stop the behavior and then help them associate the issue as bad behaviour.

Your puppy is going to be full of life. This means they are going to start out with some instinctual behaviour. When they want attention they are probably going to jump or even paw at you or at the thing they want. In order to have them associate this with bad behaviour you must make them understand that they cannot jump on you. You must not reward the behaviour, but acknowledge it and punish the behaviour. You can also train them how to come to you for attention and affection. This means that you should turn your response to the jumping and pawing into a negative response and reward them for the proper behaviour. If they sit, and nudge you with their head and this is what behaviour you want you can praise the dog and give them a treat or a pat on the head.

During training it is best not to associate all training with treats. If they always get a treat for a good behaviour they will continue to expect it even if you don’t have a treat. They will also find this to be something bad if you don’t have a treat and they may not proceed with the good behaviour. Help the puppy associate good behaviour with several different rewards.

Rough play is a behaviour that most of us do not want to see. You can train your dog when the behaviour is appropriate if at all. You need to teach the dog that there are certain limitations to the rough play. They can get excited and bite. This is not good especially if they think your child’s arm is a toy. It is best to show them what they can play with, and that certain biting and force is not acceptable. Again this is about rewarding the good behavior, not the bad. You must make sure that the dog or puppy is aware of the bad behavior by a negative reinforcement reaction from you.

Gerry Ronson writes for the websites dog supplies and hairdressers in leicester.

Article Source: http://www.adjustable-bed-center.com/adb

Originally posted 2008-12-03 18:16:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Puppy, kitten doesn’t make good gift on Christmas Day

I had planned to write a post on the topic of giving your children a puppy or kitten as a Christmas present, then I read this article written by the Aiken SPCA that covered it all.  Enjoy. Happy Holidays!

The calls have already begun coming in. “I want to get my kids a puppy for Christmas. Can you hold it until Christmas Eve?”

We certainly understand that kids love puppies and kittens, and many would be very happy to see one as a member of the family on Christmas morning.

However, if you take a step back and think about it, there probably isn’t a worse day to introduce a new member of the family into your house.

Animals need routine and take time to adjust to life away from a shelter and into your new home. On Christmas, you’re much more likely to have a house full of people, a big Christmas tree with lights and decorations, unwrapped toys and wrapping paper all around the house. Not exactly the best environment for a young puppy trying to find his way in a new home.

We also have to look back when we were kids. The excitement of opening our presents was one of the most memorable parts of the day. However, we all remember discarding one toy, when we opened a new, more exciting toy. The puppy may end up being the one discarded when the new video game system or new bike grabs little Johnny’s attention.

Holidays are typically stressful times in the home, too. There is nothing like reliving an old family argument that happened 20 years ago with people you only see a couple times of year to make you grab for some more of the spiked eggnog and start looking at your watch hoping it is time to go. Now, add in a little puppy or kitten that knocks over the tree, or pees on the rug, or chews on mom’s new fuzzy slippers that Santa brought her.

Next thing you know, the pet is back at the shelter as fast as someone heading back to the mall to exchange the outfit that Grandma bought them. The kids are heartbroken, the parents are frustrated; although the carpet cleaning guy enjoys the extra money around the holidays from the service calls.

Is there a solution? We think so. We don’t enjoy seeing homeless animals in shelters around the holidays anymore than you do. But we also don’t want to have a long return line at our front door on Monday, Dec. 28. That sight is tough to swallow.

If you are serious about adding a new pet to your home this holiday season, here is what we recommend.

First, decide what fits best in your home, dog or cat, young or full grown.

Next, go out and buy the supplies you will need. Let the kids open up a new leash and collar, a bowl and dog bed, a crate or little box. This will build the excitement of the new addition.

Print them out a little “gift certificate” good for a new puppy, kitten, dog or cat. Have them go with you and the entire family after Christmas to “redeem” their coupon for an animal that the whole family can agree on. You will have time to have a family discussion about who will walk the dog or clean the litter box and do other pet related chores that are important to discuss in advance.

Remind them that it is a big commitment and that the new pet will be with the family for many, many years and although they are lots of fun, there is work involved, too.

By the time Monday rolls around, children will have likely grown bored with many of their toys. Mom can put them in the closest. The family tree can be taken down and the homemade ornaments made of macaroni can be tucked away for next year.

You can then spend the rest of the weekend braving the crowds at the local movie theater or mall, all the while knowing your kids’ great gift is waiting for them at their local shelter next week.

By the time you come out and adopt, everyone will know the plan. You’re set up for a successful and lasting adoption.

You’re teaching your kids about responsibility, planning and that instant gratification isn’t the only way. Long after they are tired of the new GI Joe or video game, children will have a companion that will love them unconditionally. Consider coming out and adding your next member to your family. We’ll see you after the holidays.

By GARY WILLOUGHBY
Aiken SPCA Executive Director

Originally posted 2009-12-27 16:57:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Tips to Stop Puppy from Chewing

Puppies love to chew – on anything.  Chewing can cost you thousands of dollars in damaged furniture and household goods.  Follow a few simple tips to keep puppy’s teeth free of your valuables.

Puppies are so lovable.  People are entertained when puppy chews on a sock as if it were a snake in the brush.  He wags his tail at it, pounces, and then chews until it lies in tatters on the floor.  Puppy suddenly becomes less lovable when it is your Italian leather couch he is munching on.  A lot of the expense incurred by pet owners comes as a result of chewing.  Puppies chew the most when you either aren’t home or aren’t looking.

The first step to curbing the chewing habit is to puppy proof your home.  Keep puppy confined to areas of the house where you have no valuables.  Don’t leave your puppy alone even when you are in the house.  When puppy is in the room with you, use a baby gate to prevent him from wandering around.

Use a curio cabinet for collectibles and other trinkets.  Coffee tables need to be free of vases, flowers, and other things.  Store these things in higher places where puppy can’t reach or knock them over.  If puppy gets a hold of marbles, coins, or small kid’s toys, he could choke while chewing on them, so be sure these small things are picked up and out of puppy’s reach at all times.

Puppies chew when they are excited.  It is a way of releasing pent up energy.  He doesn’t know that he has done anything wrong unless you tell him so.  If puppy does chew on stuff in the house, don’t spank him.  He may be responding to your behavior.  Leaving and entering the house showing a lot of emotion (waving wildly at puppy) will get puppy hyped up.  Not knowing what to do with his heightened emotional level, he will begin chewing on stuff. 

Give puppy a chew toy.  When he must chew, he will chew on something that is meant to be used for chewing.  Nylafloss is a piece of nylon rope that helps to clean puppy’s teeth while he is releasing his emotional energy.

Another way to help puppy stay calm is to be calm.  Resist the urge to broadcast to puppy that you are leaving for work.  When you come in forget the fanfare and be as quiet as possible. 

Puppies are excitable creatures.  This excitement can cause them to chew everything in sight.  To avoid destruction and mayhem, stay calm around your puppy and remember; this too shall pass.  With a bit of consistency and forethought, training your puppy to only chew on his chew toys will pay off.

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:20:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Choosing a Vet

Veterinarians are doctors for animals.  When puppy joins the family he needs to find a doctor, too.    A vet will care for your pet throughout his life.  He will be the second line of defense against disease and illness.  In an effort to find the right vet, ask questions.  Learn how to find the veterinarian that will care for your new puppy the best.

Interviewing veterinarians is okay.  They expect potential clients to check them out.  You don’t have to take your spy kit with you, but be thorough in your investigation.

Ask friends and family for recommendations.  When you choose a vet, remember to call ahead to schedule an appointment for a walking tour.  Take your list of questions with you.

The first person you will meet is the receptionist.  Did they let you stand there for five minutes or more before acknowledging your presence or did they smile and offer to help immediately?  A pleasant staff is a good sign.

During the tour, check out the facility.  Is there a pervasive smell of animals or do you smell cleaner?  It’s normal for a vet’s office to smell like animals, but it shouldn’t be so overpowering that you want to run for the nearest oxygen mask.  Exam rooms should be cleaned between patients and at the end of the day.

Ask the veterinarian about the policies of the facility.  Is there a vet always on call in case of emergencies?  Do they offer boarding for pets?  How much are the fees for routine care?  Don’t worry about asking too many questions.  Puppy is important to you so do what you must for him.  

Once you decide on a vet, it is time for puppy’s first visit.  Bring him on a leash.  Puppy can’t be allowed to roam free around the waiting room inciting a riot. 

Puppy may be a bit out of sorts at first, but be patient with him.  Just like with his training, resist the urge to become excited around him.  If you stay calm at the vet’s office, puppy will learn to do the same.  Stay with him throughout the visit so he knows that you have not abandoned him.  Going to the vet is a part of life for puppy.  Making him comfortable here is necessary so he won’t become anxious when it’s time for his checkups.

Choose a vet before you need him.  Waiting until an emergency arises is too late.  Keep your puppy safe from day one. 

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:38:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

House-training your Puppy

It would be great if puppies came to us knowing all there was to know.  Unfortunately one of the things they don’t already know is where to go to the bathroom.  This article details how new owners can housetrain puppy.

Dogs are creatures of habit.  Provide a routine makes them comfortable.  It also makes housetraining easier to learn when things are done in the same way and at the same time everyday. 

Puppies need to go to the bathroom more often when they are young.  They still need time to grow into their bodies.  So, how do you know how often to take puppy to the potty?  Simply, take puppy’s age and add one.  This equals the number of hours that puppy can wait before needing to visit the “little puppy’s room”. 

Set feeding times when you can be home to take puppy to the bathroom.  The hard part will be to maintain the same schedule on the weekends.  You may be tempted to sleep in, but for the sake of puppy and the various corners of your home, keep to the status quo.

Offer puppy praise and discipline when he deserves it.  When it is time to go outside, lead puppy to the area that you have designated as his bathroom.  Be patient while he does his business.  Think up a command to use each time he goes to the bathroom.  Afterwards, praise him for doing well.

Do this as many times a day as you need to in order for puppy to remember the spot.  This includes using the same route to reach the back yard.  Keeping everything the same will help speed up the process and make it easier for puppy to learn.  Be patient with puppy as he learns this all new routine.

Puppy will make mistakes.  If he is nervous or afraid, this can lead to his using the bathroom in the house where he is not supposed to go.  Yelling at puppy will only make the situation worse.  Rubbing his nose in his mess, besides being gross, is no way to discipline puppy. 

Wait until puppy is somewhere else in the room and then clean up his mistake.  Continue with your housetraining routine as before.  Cleaning up all of the mess keeps puppy from coming back to that spot later.  He is little, but he will learn.

Watch for tell-tale signs that puppy is ready to go to the bathroom.  He may whine, scratch at the floor or the door, or wiggle.  Don’t trust puppy to make it outside by himself.  If he starts to go in the house, scoot him outside quickly to the bathroom area so he can finish.

Housetraining puppy can be trying at times and patience is a virtue in this case.  As you continue with the routine, your hard work will pay off with a well trained puppy.

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:18:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Benefits of Natural Dog Food

When it comes to caring for your dog, one of the most important things that you do is to choose the food that you give him. A couple years ago there was a major recall on many types of dog foods. This scare made many dog owners question if the food that they were feeding their dog was really the healthiest choice for them. Many people came to the conclusion no. They choose to go with natural dog food. There are many reasons that people choose to give their dogs natural dog food.

Most dog foods that are out on your local stores’ shelves are full of fillers. These fillers contain no nutritional value for you dog. Many of these fillers have been the cause of the many dog food recalls that have occurred. We are told to avoid unnatural fillers in our own food because it is unhealthy for us. You need to think in the same terms when it comes to your dog. If it is unhealthy for you then it is probably unhealthy for your dog as well.

Natural dog foods use ingredients that are specially formulated for the dietary needs of your four legged friend. This is the all natural food that they would have eaten before the invention of the processed can food that most dogs have been eating. It is important for a dog to get the vitamins and other nutrients that they need to be healthy. Natural dog foods make sure that these ingredients are included in their foods.

Feeding your dog a healthy diet will help them to live longer. You know that a healthy additive free diet will help you to live longer. This is also true for your dog. Additives are not healthy for anyone. They are a man made item that is only there to change the natural flavors and qualities of the food that your dog is eating. Help your dog to live a long and healthy life by feeding him natural dog food.

One of the non health pros of natural dog food is that in the long run, your dog will eat less food. The reason that this is true is the fillers that are in most dog foods. Natural dog foods that do not have fillers help to make your dog feel full and satisfied with less food. This means that the cost to use ratio is well in your favor when it comes to the natural food that you feed your dog.

It is important to keep your dog healthy. One of the easiest ways to keep your best friend healthy is to give him the best food that you can get your hands on. This means that you should look into and invest in your dog’s future by feeding him natural dog food.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 17:42:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Puppy

When you have pets that live both indoors and outdoors, you run the risk of fleas.  Fleas not only attack your pets, but also the other people living in the house.  Here are a few ways to rid your puppy and yourself of this miniscule menace.

Fleas are a fact of life for animals.  Your puppy will get them if he ever goes outdoors.  Fleas are small, so they can jump from puppy to another surface like the couch and then to you.  

Fleas bite – hard.  For most puppies, the bites are irritating and cause scratching.  For some puppies, the bites cause flea bite dermatitis.  This condition is miserable for puppy.  The bites result in a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anemia and even tapeworm infestation.

Once fleas have infested your puppy, they can be the devil to get rid of.  Some owners use flea baths, over-the-counter pesticides, and flea collars.  These work for some, but not for all.  Also, over-the-counter remedies can be dangerous to puppy and your family.

Flea products like growth regulators and pesticides attack the flea eggs and the adult insect, respectively.  Growth regulators take a few weeks to work, but produce non-viable egg offspring from the adult fleas.  Killing the adult insects doesn’t guarantee that the eggs will die as well. 

If the infestation is severe, a stronger substance may be warranted.  Before buying anything, consult with your veterinarian to find out the best course of treatment.  The items that they carry are safer than what is found in the stores.

Flea combs are also a good course of treatment.  Combing puppy’s fur once or twice a week can rid him of harmful fleas.  Comb him when he comes in from outdoors before he has a chance to jump on everything in the house.

Cleaning puppy’s normal haunts on a regular basis will cut down on problems with fleas as well.  This includes puppy’s bed, his blanket, his crate, and his toys.  Vacuuming the rugs and the furniture keeps fleas away from others in the household.

If you decide to treat your home for fleas consult a professional.  Using substances like borate powder can be dangerous.  Inhaling the powder can make everyone very sick.  Professional application is the only way to go.

Fleas are a nuisance.  They can love puppy to an irritating distraction.  Protect puppy as best you can through routine cleaning, combing and visits to the vet. 

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:22:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

How to Train a Dog to Fetch

Having a dog can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many fun activities you can do with your dog to grow upon the enjoyment that you both have. One of the most popular games to play with a dog is fetch. This simple game of retrieving a ball or some other item can lead to hours of fun. There is one catch to this simple game, you have to train your dog to be able to fetch. Do not worry; this is not as hard as it may seem at first glance. With a little persistence and work on your part, your dog will be playing fetch before you know it.

The Ground Work

Your dog will naturally be drawn to running after a ball that is thrown. This is a natural instinct that you have probably seen many times in your dog. This is one of the most elemental things that your dog needs to be able to do to play fetch. If you have never seen your dog do this, grab a ball and throw it to see if he runs after it. Most dogs will run after the ball, grab it, and then start towards you. The reason that this is not fetching a ball is that they usually stop and start playing with the ball. Once your comfortable with this, you can move onto the training aspect of getting your dog to fetch.

Training

You will need to have two balls to make this training work. It is important that your dog is interested in these balls. There are dogs that will chase any ball that you throw. There are other dogs that are picky in what they chase. Know which group that your dog falls into.

Throw one of the balls and let your dog chase after it. Keep the other ball that you have hidden. It is important that your dog is focused on the ball that you have throw.

As your dog runs toward you, choose a point near you to tell your dog to drop the ball. You will want to give this command in a stern but friendly voice. Make sure that the point that you choose to do this with your dog is close enough to be your dog giving you the ball. Odds are that your dog will not do this on the first try.

If your dog does not drop the ball, take out the second ball. Ignore your dog and start playing with it. Act like the ball that you have is the most interesting thing that you have ever played with. This will cause your dog to drop the ball that he brought to you and want the one that you have.

Throw the second ball so that your dog has to run and get it. Place the first ball into your pocket so that your dog does not see it. Repeat the command to drop when your dog comes to you with the second ball. If your dog does not drop, repeat this process over and over again until your dog brings you and drops the ball on your command.

It will take some time for your dog to get comfortable with playing fetch with you. It may even take a few training sessions. In the end, your dog will enjoy playing fetch with you and be happy that you spent so much time with him.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 17:15:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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