Archives for November, 2009
All dogs bark, its their way to communicate a message. Dog barks for various reasons: to greet, to alert, out of boredom, to attract attention or when they are excited.
Although some barking from is acceptable, too much barking is certainly annoying, especially for your neighbors and eventually leading to complains. The easiest way to stop a problematic barker is to control his barking while you are at home:
1. Set up a situation where your dog will always bark. For example, you can ask someone to ring your doorbell or knock on your door.
2. When your dog charges to the door and start to bark loudly, approach your dog, grab his collar and give the command quiet no shouting please, it doesnt help.
3. If he stops barking, praise and reward. Hes a genius and deserves it.
4. When he continues barking, close his mouth with your hand, wrap your fingers around his muzzle use both hands if needed, and give the command for him to keep quiet. Praise if he stops.
Most dogs would be able to learn the quiet command with repeated training like this. Set up similar situations to “lure” your dog to bark and repeat training whenever possible.
If you happen to own a hard-core persistent barker, use this method:
1. Vinegar-Water solution mix a proportion of 7/8 water & 1/8 vinegar together. Pour the mixture into a water pistol or what kids call super soaker for longer distance shooting.
2. Aim and shoot at his chest whenever he cant stop barking even on your command. Dogs hate the smell of vinegar and would usually back off and stop barking. Hell even sneeze a few times. Its harmless so you need not worry.
3. As always, praise him when he stops barking.
For your information, your dog might still be barking noisily and disrupting your neighborhood when you are not at home. In this case, youll need a training equipment known as bark collars to help train him.
There are several types of bark collars on the market. Some of these collars send an electric shock to your dog when he barks, some make a high pitch sound or emits a squirt of citronella which is annoying but safe for your dog. Usually, these collars can help you solve a problematic barker.
Personally, Ill recommend the high pitch sound or citronella collars. They are very effective and more humane dog training tools.
Tags:
Bark Collars,
Barking Dogs,
Boredom,
Command Dogs,
Dog Barks,
Doorbell,
Electric Shock,
Fingers,
Genius,
Hard Core,
Hell,
Mixture,
Muzzle,
Neighborhood,
Neighbors,
Proportion,
Train Dog,
Vinegar Water,
Water Pistol,
Water Solution
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Nov 30, 2009 | | Dogs
Having a dog is a big responsibility. Some even compare taking care of a dog to that of a baby. The only advantage having dogs compared to having babies is that they wont grow older and turn into stressful teenagers. Because dogs are like babies they sometimes also end up in harmful situations. They would sometimes get themselves trapped in a tight place or get hit by something that will injure one of their limbs. When that happens, we should learn how to bandage our dogs to prevent further damage. Here are some basic ways of how to bandage your injured dog.
1. When your pet has a bandage, it should always be clean and dry. So its pretty important to make sure your pet stays inside most of the time when it has a bandage. To prevent the bandage from getting wet when the pet goes to pee or poop, a trash bag or plastic covering should cover the bandaged leg. You may use empty bread bags. When your pet has wet or dirtied up the bandage, it would require changing. Make sure to check the bandage twice a day to see if it is clean and dry. Check also for foul odors or discharge and if there is any, call your veterinarian immediately.
2. After bringing home your pet from the veterinarian make sure that the bandage is still in place. Your pet might have been irritated by it and has chewed or tried to scratch it off. Look closely at the position and the location of the bandage when you do check. Look at the toes of the pet, the bandage might have slipped up making the toes stick out. Also look at the size, if the bandage has become loose. This should be taken into account when a dog has been bandaged in the abdomen or leg area. This is because one end will be bigger than the other and eventually become narrower. When the bandage telescopes down the limb of the dog it may bunch up and abrade the limb. When that happens, the bandage should be changed as well.
3. If the dog is bandaged up in the leg make sure it isnt too tight. Observe how the toes will appear at the bottom of the bandage at least twice a day. This is done to check for sweating, swelling, or pain. Check for skin chaffing, redness, discharge or swelling before and after the bandage has been applied.
4. To prevent the pet from chewing the bandage because of the bothersome experience it gives, put an Elizabethan collar. If you have observed that the pet is chewing or scratching it excessively, ask the vet if there might be problems.
These are the times that you should already be taking the pet back to the veterinarian:
Swelling above or below the bandage
Chewing the bandage
Bandage becomes wet
Bleeding or discharge above, below or through
Scheduled bandage changes
Tags:
Abdomen,
Bandage,
Bread Bags,
Bringing Home,
Dogs,
Foul Odors,
Harmful Situations,
Having Babies,
Leg Area,
Pee,
Plastic Covering,
Taking Care Of A Dog,
Teenagers,
Telescopes,
Tight Place,
Toes,
Trash Bag,
Veterinarian
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Nov 30, 2009 | | Dogs
Emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, fear and love play a crucial role in human being’s life. These feelings are also an integral part of an animal’s world. Aromatherapy also provides immediate, profound and long lasting results on animals overall health and well being.
Leaving animals along for a long period of time, lack of attention, unhealthy food, abandonment, etc are some of the common causes of stress in animals. These could lead to health problems like fatigue, excessive itching, shedding, panting and even aggression. Aromatherapy can be used to treat hot spots, itchy skin, ear infections, rashes, bites, cuts, scrapes, incisions from surgeries, stinky breath, flatulence and the list goes on
Dogs are man’s faithful friends for life. Bringing affection, joy and loyalty into our lives, they are more emotionally dependent on their owners. They are in tune with our moods and show more difficulty in coping with emotional stress and loneliness. Hence they require more attention then any other animals.
If your dog is suffering from yeast or ear infection use either of these oils to treat it. Put these oils in a spray bottle with a base oil and swab the inside of the ear after cleansing.
- Lavender – soothes the skin and relieves itching
- Tea Tree – powerful antibacterial and antifungal
- Bergamot – antifungal properties
- Roman Chamomile – soothing and gentle, aids in healing tissue.
To repel fleas, use peppermint, citronella, lemon and clary sage essential oils. Ticks are repelled by essential oils such as Geranium, Bay, Lavender and Myrrh. 15-20 drops of these oils diluted with base oil and sprayed on your dog daily will keep the ticks and fleas away.
Mix 6 drops of lavender, 1 drop of Neroli and 4 drops of Marjoram essential oils with carrier oil such as jojoba or sweet almond oil. Apply on the spine and head lightly. Repeat when necessary. This blend will relieve emotional stress.
To relieve Anxiety & Loneliness – Blend 1 drop of Rose otto, 5 drops of cypress and marjoram essential oils with carrier oil. Apply on the spine and head light, repeating whenever necessary.
6 drops of lavender, 2 drops of roman chamomile and 4 drops of petitgrain essential oils mixed with carrier oil and applied to spine and head lightly reduce nervousness & hyperactivity.
Keep in mind dog’s sensitive sense of smell into account when using essential oils. A dog that is besieged by the smells of blends may pace, whine, or rub her / her head on the ground. Introduce your dog to essential oils slowly and in small amounts.
Tags:
Antifungal Properties,
Base Oil,
Carrier Oil,
Causes Of Stress,
Causes Of Stress In Animals,
Ear Infections,
Emotional Stress,
Faithful Friend,
Faithful Friends,
Flatulence,
Geranium Bay,
Happiness Sadness,
Incisions,
Lack Of Attention,
Myrrh,
Neroli,
Spray Bottle,
Stinky Breath,
Sweet Almond Oil,
Unhealthy Food
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Nov 29, 2009 | | Dogs
Are You the Pack-Leader? How to Communicate Effectively With Your Dog for a Harmonious Relationship
As dogs are pack animals, it is important to understand that they are always aware of their position in the pack. This pack will encompass you, your family, other pets and of course all the dogs in the household. The Alpha dog or pack leader is seen by your dog as the leader and protector of the whole pack, and it is therefore crucial that you take on this role. Your dog will be healthier and happier if it feels secure in it’s pack, knowing that his leader is doing their job and keeping everyone safe.
The first step to doing this is to know which signals your dog will understand. You will need to consistently communicate alpha signals to your dog in a compassionate and respectful way. This does not entail being aggressive, overbearing or bullying your dog! It is simply a matter of learning the language that a dog understands and using the correct signals. Mixed signals and inconsistency will confuse your dog, making him think that the pack leader is not effective. Your dog will be stressed and feel that it is encumbered upon him to try to take over as alpha to stabilise the pack. If he does this, it is not because he is being bad, but that you have given him the wrong signals.
So what are these signals and how do you communicate them effectively? Firstly, the pack leader always eats before the other pack members, so you MUST eat your dinner completely and clear the table before giving your dog his bowl of food. He should see you eating and understand clearly that he can only eat once you have completely finished. Then make him sit before placing his bowl down for him and allowing him to eat. If you have been in the habit of feeding your dog before your dinner, or even during, this may take a while for your dog to become accustomed to. Be aware that any fuss he makes while you’re eating is part of his learning process. You are giving him new signals, new information about the pack and you must let him understand this. He may need time to assimilate this new information, so be firm but patient.
Secondly, you should always lead your dog, especially through doorways and narrow passages. NEVER let your dog push past you or in front of you. The pack leader in a dog pack would never allow a subordinate dog to push past or lead the pack, and therefore neither should you. Use a leash if need be, but always ensure you enter doors, rooms, gates etc. in front of your dog. Neither should you let your dog run up stairs in front of you. This allows him to run to the top and look down on you, displaying classic dominant behaviour. The key to this is NOT to punish the wrong behaviour it is too late to do that but to not allow him to exhibit alpha behaviour in the first place. Use a leash, close doors, give a short, sharp shout, whatever your dog responds to, but remember to be firm, kind and respectful. You are talking to your dog, not trying to bully him into submission. The key for all these techniques is repetition, consistency and patience.
Tags:
Alpha Dog,
Bullying,
Dog Bowl,
Dogs,
Family Pets,
Fuss,
Habit,
Harmonious Relationship,
Household,
Inconsistency,
Job,
Mixed Signals,
Pack Animals,
Pack Leader,
Pack Members
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Nov 29, 2009 | | Dogs
As we all know rivers and lakes are the natural habits for fish and other marines. Rivers and lakes have large surface area which makes maximum provision of oxygen for fish survival possible. On the other hand aquarium is not like river or lake, it has a smaller surface area and there is limited movement of habitats.
This makes provision of alternative means of oxygen for fish to breathe important. This artificial process of providing oxygen is called aeration. It’s a simple process of re-oxygenating the water in aquarium tank.
The Aerating System:
This is the series of material that increases the supply of air (thereby increasing oxygen concentration) they are:
the air pump
t-pieces
rubber tubing
clamp or regulator
diffusers or airstone
Air pumps come in different shapes and sizes but the most popular ones are tecax air pump from Taiwan together with ‘dyna free, and the dragon’ another popular one is super 555 from India though cheaper, but not as rugged. Occasionally available are the more expensive whisper and rens air pumps from Uk and rance respectively. Always place air pumps above the water level hooked to a non-vibrating material.
You can accomplish aeration in your aquarium tank by using the above listed aeration materials. This materials form aeration system. For small tanks all you need is to attach simple aquarium air pump to airstone by means of rubber air tube. The system will be blowing air into the water which cause motion in aquarium tank and thus provide necessary oxygen your fish needs to breathe in aquarium.
If you would like more articles on Aquariums, and Aquarium fish…come visit my new blog:
Fresh Water Aquarium
Tags:
Aeration System,
Air Pumps,
Air Tube,
Aquarium Air Pump,
Aquarium Fish,
Aquarium Pump,
Aquarium Tank,
Aquariums,
Different Shapes,
Diffusers,
Fish Aquarium,
Fresh Water Aquarium,
Large Surface Area,
Natural Habits,
Oxygen Concentration,
Rens,
Rivers And Lakes,
Rubber Tubing,
Shapes And Sizes,
Water Level
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Nov 29, 2009 | | Fish
1. Birds need to eat a nutrionally sound diet in order to live a long life. Improper feeding can lead to malnutrition and disease resulting in a shorter lifespan. Start off by feeding your bird right from the beginning.
2. Parrots and birds of the parrot family can eat a variety of different kinds of foods. Seeds should not be a parrots only food. This is a mistake many new bird owners make. Seeds contain mostly fat and not enough protein and very few vitamins.
3. Birds can eat most table foods but it is best to stick to healthy items including items containing whole grains, pretzels, and whole wheat pastas and bread. Foods high in fat should be avoided. Never feed them avocados as they are toxic to birds.
4. Good sources of nutrition for your bird include beans and legumes as well as various vegetables and fruits. Some birds resist new foods at first while others are open to trying many new things. Although it may take some time keep trying to introduce your bird to a variety of healthy foods.
5. Changes to a birds diet should be done slowly and progressively over time. Provide fresh foods twice per day for approximately an hour each time. Be careful not to leave fresh food in the birds cage too long as it will develop bacteria which can make your bird sick.
6. Your bird should be fed two times per day. This will result in your bird getting hungry which will make it more active. Also, a good appetite can make it more likely that your bird will try new foods. Feeding at set times twice per day will also allow you to be able to monitor how much your bird is eating. If your bird is not eating well this can tell you that it is not feeling well or has a health problem.
7. If your bird is a picky eater and you cannot get it to eat a varied diet you can try warming or cooking the vegetables. Take away seeds except at meal time until your bird starts eating healthy foods on a regular basis.
8. Just as water is necessary for people it is also necessary for healthy birds. Keep your birds water dish filled with fresh, clean water at all times. Bird bowls can become very dirty and should therefore be cleaned each day with hot soapy water. Once every other week you should clean your birds water dish with a solution containing bleach. Also make it a point to pick up some water soluble bird vitamins at the local pet store and add vitamins to your birds water daily.
Birds make wonderful pets for the whole family and they can live a long time if taken care of properly. Proper care of birds includes maintaining a healthy diet of seeds, vegetables and fruit.
Tags:
Avocados,
Beans And Legumes,
Bird Owners,
Eating Healthy Foods,
Fresh Food,
Fresh Foods,
Good Appetite,
Health Problem,
Lifespan,
Meal Time,
New Bird,
Parrot Family,
Parrots,
Pastas,
Pet Birds,
Picky Eater,
Sound Diet,
Vegetables And Fruits,
Whole Grains,
Whole Wheat
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Nov 29, 2009 | | Birds
Portuguese Water Dogs have short hair that does not shed and is considered a working dog, meaning that it is a breed that needs to stay busy. This breed is considered a hypoallergenic dog. Traditionally used to assist in fishing expeditions, the Portuguese Water Dog is now kept as a house pet. While this breed is not as common as other breeds, if you want to dog that is hypoallergenic, lively, and enjoys companionship, then this breed may be the one for you.
Since the Portuguese Water Dog is not bred as often as other breeds of hypoallergenic dog, you will have to search for a breeder online, in the newspaper, or by calling breeders in your area until you find one. Generally happy dogs, the PWD needs to stay busy or it will get bored. You should have plenty of toys for it to play with and you may want to consider crate training when you are not at home. This means that the dog will stay in a crate when you go out so it does not destroy your home. When the PWD gets bored or lonely, it will chew on anything it finds.
Crate training should begin right after you bring the dog home. By placing a blanket, toys and water into the crate, you will make the dog comfortable while you are away. You should not use the crate when punishing the dog or it will not want to go in it when you leave for the day. After training the dog, you will have to keep up the routine. This will give the dog structure and will also salvage your possessions. Keeping the dog in a crate when you are not at home will also reduce allergens.
Portuguese Water Dogs need to be groomed every two months or so. There are two patterns that most groomers follow, the retriever cut and the lion cut. The retriever cut means that the hair is cut evenly on the body. The lion cut leaves that front half of the dog’s body covered with hair, while hair on the hind legs is cut short. You should take the dog to have his hair groomed if you are not comfortable cutting it yourself.
If you are considering buying a PWD, you should be prepared to have constant companionship. These breeds need to be walked and they need to be entertained throughout the day. If you need to travel on vacation or for work, you should board the dog so it will not be lonely. Portuguese Water Dogs typically live between twelve and fifteen years.
Portuguese Water Dogs are easy going and get along with children and most adults. If you are looking for a breed that does not shed and will fit in with your family, then the PWD is the breed for you. While most Portuguese Water Dogs are black, some are white or a mix of both. Their hair is curly or wavy and similar to that of the standard poodle.
Tags:
Allergens,
Companionship,
Crate Training,
Cutting,
Fishing Expeditions,
Hind Legs,
Hypoallergenic Dog,
Hypoallergenic Dogs,
Lion,
Portuguese Water Dog,
Portuguese Water Dogs,
Possessions,
Pwd,
Salvage,
Short Hair,
Toys,
Working Dog
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Nov 29, 2009 | | Dogs
A world without dogs would be crazy. It would be lonely for most of us if we lost our favorite canine companions. Fortunately, almost every household in the US had had at least one dog.
Dogs are animals that need special care and extra attention from us humans. Compared to cats, dogs are more active and showy to their companions. Cats just lie and sleep most of the day. It only moves toward you to get is dose of petting or to ask for food. Most of the time, cats would rather sleep or groom themselves.
Dogs are different. They are playful, they interact with other people and other dogs as well. They show appreciation to their owner, in one way or another. Men and dogs have become ultimate partners, helping each other… enjoying a complimentary relationship.
Dogs are also utilized outside the home, even in law enforcement. The police have canine units that help them in searching for different dangerous substances or objects. Sometimes, K-9 units are also used to search for missing people. If well trained, these special dogs can detect or identify crime suspects by tagging the smell.
Even blind people immensely benefit from dogs. These dogs serve as the eyes of their blind master. These dogs enable blind people to live relatively normal lives, allowing them to leave their homes and enjoy the outdoors much like other people who can see.
Dogs have different personalities. It really depends on the breed or the dog’s family history. From being a puppy to an adult dog, they are accompanied by their human masters. These people are familiar to dogs and how they live everyday. The dog’s everyday routine is usually dependent on their master’s lifestyle.
However, some dogs experience anxiety that almost comes instantly when they are left alone by their master. If they are left alone, these dogs can become destructive, which is their means of expressing frustration or loneliness. This is actually called separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs can become restless and bored, and if they see that their master is not around, they may go out to chew on anything that they can get their paws on — from slippers, to furniture, to other objects found in the house.
In fact, chewing on certain objects that have the master’s smell (socks, shoe, the sofa, or even the door) is one of the many symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Other symptoms to watch out for would be continuous barking, uncontrolled pooping, and various ways to get master’s attention.
Probable causes for such behavior often include dogs that were not properly socialized or dogs that have been living in different homes. With this in mind, owners should take a second look at their dogs and see if they exhibit such behavior. This will give them the idea that their dogs might be suffering from separation anxiety.
Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs can be serious if not threatening for your carpet or sofa. Begin with a no goodbye technique. Owners should not give their dogs any hugs before they leave the home. This will only make the dog long for more attention from the owner. Another tip would be to leave some toys or goodies that will help your dog consume its time and takes its attention away from its anxiety.
Tags:
Blind Dogs,
Blind Master,
Canine Companions,
Canine Units,
Cats Dogs,
Dangerous Substances,
Dogs Dogs,
Everyday Routine,
Experience Anxiety,
Family History,
Frustration,
Human Masters,
Law Enforcement,
Loneliness,
Missing People,
Personalities,
Puppy,
Separation Anxiety In Dogs,
These Dogs,
Trained Dogs
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Nov 28, 2009 | | Dogs
Dear Adam:
My Springer Spaniel has gotten a little more resistant to the come command when she knows it means “Get in the kennel.” At night, she goes in between nine and ten. And like clock work, she wakes me up at 2:00 am. I am sure I have started a bad habit, but I am afraid the neighbors are being disturbed. She still digs once or twice a week during the day. It’s like she goes into a panic after 4 to 5 hours in the kennel.
Thanks,
Dick
Dear Dick:
1. Go to her and make her come when you call her, if you do not see that she moves to respond within 1/2 a second of your command. But I personally like to use a specific command such as, “Get in the kennel.” If she doesn’t immediately move towards the kennel, I will go and get her and walk her in the kennel. If you wait to see if she’s going to respond, then she will wait to see if you’re going to make her. (That is, until the behavior has become a conditioned response.)
When you say kennel, you mean a crate– for at night, right? If not, then this is where she should be sleeping at night. Put her in the crate and then give her a cookie. This will reinforce that going into the crate is a positive thing.
2. For the outside kennel, buy some hardware mesh or chicken wire and put it under the entire kennel run and then put about an inch of dirt on top of that. Dogs don’t like digging and clawing against this type of material.
3. Increase her exercise regimen. Buy yourself a bike and take her for a 2 mile run each day. It’s good for you, too… and it will work wonders in reducing your dog’s boredom.
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
Dogproblems.com
Tags:
Annoying Habits,
Bad Habit,
Boredom,
Chicken Wire,
Clock Work,
Conditioned Response,
Dick,
Dirt,
Dogproblems,
Dogs,
Exercise Regimen,
Mesh,
Neighbors,
Spaniel
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Nov 28, 2009 | | Dogs
Is your family pet creating an irritating living environment? According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, approximately 42 million Americans suffer from some sort of pet allergy.
Pet allergy symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and rashes, which all can range from moderate to severe. Allergy-suffering pet owners are calling out for a solution, as getting rid of Fluffy or Fido does not seem to be an option. According to a recent survey, 75 percent of allergy suffering pet owners would never consider getting rid of their pet.
Previous misconceptions have caused pet owners to believe the fur of cats and dogs provoked allergies. However, recent research has shown that allergy symptoms are the result of proteins secreted by oil glands in the animal’s skin.
These proteins are also produced in the animal’s saliva, which sticks to the fur when the pet grooms itself. Once these proteins dry, they can float into the air and cause allergic reactions. Cats are more likely to cause allergic reactions, since they groom themselves and spend more time in the house than do dogs.
“Installing a whole-house air cleaner can play a significant role in allowing pet owners and their pets to live happily ever after,” said Robin Pharo, channel manager for Aprilaire. Aprilaire’s High-Efficiency Air Cleaners trap pet dander particles at
efficiencies of over 99 percent.
Experts offer several other suggestions to help combat allergies from pets:
* Make your bedroom off-limits.
* Confine pets to one area of the home.
* Keep pets outdoors.
* Bathe pets once a week.
* Brush your pets often.
* Wash your hands after handling pets.
“Although a combination of these suggestions may reduce symptoms, many pet owners do not put them to use,” Pharo said. “Pet owners need a solution that is less time consuming and one that does not disrupt everyday routines.”
The Aprilaire units only have to be serviced once a year and because they attach to the home’s heating and cooling system, they are silent and do not intrude upon the aesthetics of the living space.
Tags:
Allergic Reactions,
Allergy Asthma,
Allergy Symptoms,
Aprilaire,
Cats And Dogs,
Cats Dogs,
Dogs Allergies,
Efficiency Air,
Everyday Routines,
Family Pet,
High Efficiency,
Oil Glands,
Pet Allergies,
Pet Allergy,
Pet Dander,
Pet Owners,
Pharo,
Previous Misconceptions,
Runny Nose,
Whole House Air Cleaner
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Nov 28, 2009 | | Dogs