Tag Archive for 'Pets'

Sit and Stay Training - Your Dog Needs to Know!

by Joel Silverman

While training your dog needs to be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you, teaching him to sit and stay is critical both for his well being and for his safety. When he has successfully mastered these two commands, you are well on your way to instructing him into more complex areas

Having a dog that is difficult to control or just wants to have too much fun indicates that you need to use the Gentle Manipulation method to train him to sit. First of all, be sure that your dog has a defined place..elevate him on a step, a table or a porch. At all times during the training, his collar must have a leash attached to give you complete control.

Gently rock your dog into the sitting position by placing one hand on his back near the base of his tail and say “Sit”. Then use the word “Stay”. Praise him profusely and affectionately reward him with pats and strokes. Continue this training until he begins to sit without too much manipulation from your hand. Soon, he will know to sit before you even touch him and just as you speak “Sit” to him. His cue will be your voice saying “Sit”.

Although your dog wants to please you, training him to sit using the Treat Method can be a fun and rewarding opportunity to know each other even better. Place your dog in an elevated area, slowly move a treat 3 to 4 inches over his head, while slowly approaching his tail area. He will naturally sit in order to follow this delectable delight and all you have to do is say the word “Sit”. Repeat this manipulation until you are able to achieve the same behavior without the treat. He now recognizes his cue word “Sit”.

Of course, you’re proud of the hard work and accomplishments your best friend has made with Sitting and Staying. But reward him by walking to him while he is in the Stay position rather than calling him to you and then rewarding him. Otherwise, he will become confused about why he is being praised. You will need to be consistent with rewarding him while he is in one spot.

Make sure that you limit your training sessions to 2 to 4 minutes each. Have fun with your best pal. If you notice he is becoming bored or restless, end the session. Set your goals prior to each session and be sure to end the training in a positive way. Reward your dog well and praise him for his obedience and willingness to listen.

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All About Shih Tzu Mixed Breeds

by Rebecca Simpson

Purebred dogs have been recognized for years, particularly by The American Kennel Club (AKC), which holds competitions for and celebrates pure breeds. Pure breeds are defined as “of or belonging to a recognized strain established by breeding individuals of unmixed heritage over many generations.” Examples of purebred dogs include the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise. In addition to being two of the oldest breeds, these types of dogs have established lineage and documentation of their ancestry.

Though purebred dogs are still popular, hybrid dogs, or mixtures of one or more breeds, are also gaining attention. Hybrids often have resulting cute-sounding names in addition to being cute-looking new versions of dogs. Examples of hybrids are: the Shi-Poo (Shih Tzu/Poodle), Cock-A-Chon (Bichon Frise/ Cocker Spaniel) and Beabull (Beagle/Bull Dog). Hybrids have characteristics of both parents and this may add to the overall health and beauty of the end result.

Thus, this breed is often utilized in the hopes of retaining its non-allergy causing genetics. The Bichon Shih Tzu, or Zuchon, is one example of a Bichon hybrid. It is important to note that hybrids are not pure breeds. They are a mix of one of more breeds. Mixed breeds are usually referred to as “mutts,” but hybrids are different than mutts because both parents have documented ancestry.

Hybrid dogs are the result of mixing two or more pure breeds. Though most mixed breeds are known as “mutts,” hybrids have parents with documented ancestry. Many dog lovers want a pet with the traits of more than one breed. In hybrids, any mixture of hereditary traits of both purebred parents is possible but resulting dogs will have recognizable characteristics of both breeds. These dogs, called “designer dogs” by the media, are highly sought after possibly due to their cute-sounding names as well as their appearance.

Purebred animals have health problems due to their long history of in breeding, which is done to strengthen the characteristics of the breed. A Bichon Frise often suffers from a severe form of anemia and, though they are hypoallergenic, they are prone to severe allergies themselves. Shih Tzu are prone to eye allergies and other eye problems, cannot handle temperatures above 75 degrees, and require daily brushing to keep their fur from matting.

Proponents of the Bichon Shih Tzu, such as the American Canine Hybrid Club, most likely dream of the day when hybrids can be viewed as their own pure breed. Many pure breeds are the result of cross breeding.

The Bichon Frise can be traced back to 600 B.C. Descended from dogs called Barbichon in the Mediterranean. Spanish sailors took the ‘Bichon’ out to sea because of the breed’s happy temperament. The breed made its way to Europe and the French added “Frise” to the name to reference the breed’s curly fur. The Bichon was recognized by the French Kennel Club in 1934 and the American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1973.

It is no surprise that there are fans of both breeds that may wish to have the lineage and other qualities of both in one dog. It may be possible that the hybrid of these two remarkable breeds one day gains recognition as a pure breed by the American Kennel Association.

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How Can You Keep Your Pet Safe And Healthy On Airplanes?

by Dorothy Yamich

If you are planning to fly with your pet, you are part of a growing trend that has been increasing for the last number of years. Most airlines, for a nominal fee, will allow your small pet to fly with you if it will fit in a FAA approved pet carrier that can be stowed under your seat. The following important information can help you keep your pet safe, healthy, and happy on airline flights.

When booking a flight, it is a good idea to make reservations for yourself and your pet as early as possible. You must let the airline know that you want to bring your pet with you. It is very important to tell them, as they will only allow a limited number of pets on each flight. Some airlines do not allow pets at all, especially on international flights. Always confirm your flight the day before you leave on your trip. If you are traveling internationally you need to confirm your reservation seventy-two hours before you go.

Before you fly into the wide blue yonder with your furry travel companion, you need to take him or her to the vet for a checkup, to be sure he or she is healthy enough to travel. You will also have to take its health certificate with you, showing that your pet is up-to-date on all it’s vaccinations, including rabies. Your pet has to wear its current vaccination tag when traveling. As well, your pet must meet the health regulations of the country you will be traveling to. Take along a copy of your pet’s medical records listing its allergies, chronic medical conditions, and medications.

If you haven’t done this already, you should have your pet micro-chipped. That way, if your pet is lost and taken to an animal shelter or vet, where its chip can be scanned, both can be reunited. Keep in mind your pet’s identification tag will have both your home address and phone number on it. That won’t be of much help if your pet gets lost when you are on vacation. It may be a good idea to get another tag made up that has your destination address and phone number on it. What happens if you pet isn’t found until after you’ve returned from your holidays? It makes sense that you should leave both your home I.D. tag on your pet as well as attaching the new tag. That way you’ll have all the bases covered and stand a better chance of being reunited with your pet.

You should carry a picture of you pet with you when you travel. It will help you prove that you are the pet’s owner if any problems of ownership occur. Also, the picture can be used to make some flyers up to post in the area where your pet was lost.

Flying with pets that are too large to fit into a FAA approved pet carrier is not a good idea as they will be stowed in the cargo hold. Putting your pet in the cargo hold of an aircraft is very traumatic and dangerous to its health. It makes far more sense to leave your pet with a friend, or a pet sitting service while you are vacation.

The American Veterinary Medical Association does not recommend sedating or tranquilizing your pet when flying, especially dogs. Dogs regulate their body temperature when they pant, so when they are tranquilized or sedated, they may not be able to pant. If this happens, it may leave them defenseless against the fluctuation of air pressure and temperature that occurs in the cargo hold of every flight. Also, keep in mind that pets do not enjoy flying, or being locked up in a cramped kennel and left alone in a dark and desolate cargo hold. It must be very terrifying for them.

There are a number of websites that give additional valuable information regarding traveling with your pet. Two outstanding sites are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at aspca.org, and the Federal Government’s Department of Agriculture at aphis.usda.gov, which has an excellent article entitled, Traveling With Your Pet.

If you are considering purchasing a travel carrier for your small pet, you may want to look at the popular, FAA approved pet carrier, Sherpa On Wheels. This Cadillac of pet carriers can be a comfortable, luxurious home for your pet when flying. It has the convenience of front and top entries, mesh vent panels, wheels that are recessed, as well as a detachable pull handle and shoulder strap. It can be seen at SherpaPet.com.

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Buying Yorkshire Terrier Puppies

by Susan Bailey

Of all the breeds of dog you can choose from, the Yorkshire Terrier puppies tend to be particularly popular. There are several reasons for this, but one of the main reasons that people love these dogs is because they are so small and adorable. They do require a lot more care and maintenance than other breeds however, so before you go ahead and get Yorkshire Terrier puppies for yourself you are going to want to make sure that you will be willing and able to put forth this time and care.

Pets are wonderful, loving and adorable, but some people are just too busy or lazy to own a pet, and so make sure that you are going to be making the right decision by getting a pet yourself. Yorkshire Terrier puppies in particular you will want to think twice about because they require a lot more care and maintenance than most other breeds of dog.

Now that you have decided to go ahead and get a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, know that you have made a great decision in terms of breed, but you will have to spend some serious time finding a breeder to buy from. There are some great breeders out there but then there is also what is known as mass breeders. These are breeders that you want to stay away from, because they are more in it for the financial gains and do not take proper care of the Yorkshire Terrier puppies. As a result there is a litter of dogs that have been mistreated and from this have poor manners and behavioral issues.

It is important however, when choosing a breeder that you take your time, because there are many mass breeders out there, which you will want to stay away from. Mass breeders are those who do not care for their dogs but rather are doing it purely for the profit. Most of the time the dogs are mistreated and have behavior problems.

This typically results in litters of dogs that are badly behaved and lacking in nutrition. Their health is often times critical and you may never be able to get them well trained.

Once you have found the right Yorkie puppy for sale offered by a reputable breeder and have brought your new pet home, the next thing you are going to want to do is get them vaccinated. This is very important, especially in the world of today where there is more illness and disease more than ever before.

As long as you have taken the time to find a proper breeder with a Yorkie puppy for sale and then go through and get the puppy all the necessary vaccination shots, then you should have no problems and should have a puppy that lives a long, healthy live.

After this, in order to fight off sickness they need to have these vaccinations. Also keep in mind that some puppies will have adverse reactions to these vaccinations, and if your dog ever experiences any symptoms such as fever, depressed appearance, or hives you need to take them into the veterinarian as soon as possible.

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Taming a Dominant Dog

by Joseph Then

Just like any new pet owner, you are excited because there is an addition to the household.

And then after picking up the dog of your choice and bringing your pet into the house, it dawned upon you that your dog is quite dominant and hard to control. What do you do next? You embark upon training your dog to do your bidding. Wait! Before you do so, do you really know what you’re up to? Do you know what you are going to train? You may say it’s a dog. You’re going to train a dog. Just like with any tasks, don’t come unprepared. Understanding and knowledge are both essential so take the time to know why dogs behave that way.

Looking back at your canine friend’s origins, a dog is a descendant of wolves. Basically, although dogs have been domesticated thousands of years before, there are some characteristics similar to a wolf that is by instinct ingrained within your pet. For example, the sense of smell is like reading a newspaper for the dog. It tells everything just with a smell. Unlike for us, we need to see, hear and even feel to understand what’s going on. In other words, although domesticated they still retain some of their most basic instincts. You have to keep that in mind before going off to tame your dog.

So what do you do when you feel that the time is right for you to train your dog? Wait! There are a few thing s you need to keep in mind. They are: Focus, Take Control and claim all things as your possession that is inside the house, of course.

Let’s begin with focus. Why do you need focus? Well, if you start training a dog, you may lose your cool as dogs do not understand simple English like sit down or stay. I bet you will find it very annoying. Some people think that the best way to deal with this is to beat the pet or even yell at them, Stop! You should not do that as it won’t do you any good. All you need to do is to be calm, steady and always remain firm. The most important thing that you should remember is that you should always remain calm when training your dog.

The next part of training is taking control. How do you take control? No, you do not yell. Instead, you should always maintain eye contact and make sure that you are firm when teaching your dog new things. By maintaining this, you will let your dog know that you are in charge and the one who has the authority. The submissive dogs will look away but not the dominant ones. Therefore, you should always remember to look your dog in the eyes and be firm.

The last thing, claiming all things as yours whether this is about toys, food, rugs and so on stand your ground. You should only share your things with your dog only when it understands that you are the one in charge.

Now that you are armed with this knowledge, you can continue teaching your pet. Sometimes, it requires some time until the desired results are achieved. Not only you should keep this in mind, you should always remember to give tender loving care to your pet.

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How to Care for Your Havanese

by Fiona Kelly

Many dog owners have found that the Havanese can be a wonderful choice for a family pet. These compact creatures get along well with adults, kids and other animals, are generally friendly, inquisitive animals that are usually ready to play. If you are thinking about bringing one of these cute puppies home to your family, the first thing you will want to do is brush up on the basics of Havanese care. This way, you will be prepared to give your pup the best environment possible for him to grow up healthy and happy.

Like any breeed, these dogs come with specific Havanese health concerns that can be genetic problems for the breed. By becoming familiar with these potential problems, you can find a breeder that offers dogs without the genetic predisposition to some of them. You can also remain vigilant with your own Havanese, so that you can head to the vet at the first sign of a problem. Other Havanese care to educate yourself about include grooming issues and diet and exercise.

There are a number of health concerns with the Havanese that this breed is genetically predispositioned for. These concerns might include eye problems like catartacts (even at a young age), and progressive retinol atrophy (which can result in blindness).

Some problems like cataracts, patellar luxation (a slipping of the kneecap) and hip dysplasia can be kept to a minimum through responsible breeding practices. It is important to ask your potential breeder about these problems to find out if he has had any of them appear in his lines of dogs.Once you have found a Havanese puppy with a low risk of these issues, you will still need to practice regular Havanes health habits to keep your dog looking and feeling his best.

Grooming is a very important routine with these dogs, with daily brushings and monthly baths. You might prefer to clip the coat of your Havanese to keep it shorter and easier to maintain, and this can be done through a professional groomer or at home if you learn how to give doggy haircuts.

The Havanese diet is another important component in Havanese health, and most breeders will recommend feeding your pet either a high quality manufactured dog and in most cases, a dry food is preferable over a canned one. If you are concerned about some of the ingredients that are found in your commercial dog food, you can also opt to feed your dog a raw food diet. It is best to talk to your veterinarian about the best way to approach this method of feeding.

It is also important for your dog to get regular exercise, whether it is a few rounds of fetch in the backyard or a walk through the neighborhood with you. Regular exercise will help to keep your dog’s energy level up and maintain a healthy weight.

Along with the nutritious diet, your pup will need regular exercise, and he will enjoy it more if he gets to do it with you! Take him for a walk every day, or play a few rounds of fetch in the backyard. With daily exercise, regular grooming sessions and a healthy diet, your pet will be the healthiest and happiest that he can be.

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Chihuahua Breeders And The Ones To Avoid

by Sandra Dean

When you decide to do business with a Chihuahua breeder you aren’t buying a lamp from someone you will never see again, you are buying a pet that you will be raising in partnership with your breeder. Make sure you do a thorough check of your breeder before you do business with them, as you need to be completely comfortable that they are the right breeder for you. A reputable breeder will not try and hide anything from you and a reputable breeder will insist that you do all of your own researching so that you find that breeder that is perfect for you.

Begin your search by asking what national breeder registry the breeder belongs to. Check it out for yourself and see what you think of that registry’s breeding standards. The one registry that everyone knows is the American Kennel Club but there are other registries out there and they can all be accessed on the Internet. If a breeder does not belong to a registry this should set off a warning in your head.

You will never get better advice about any aspect of your dog’s life than from your vet. If you do not have a vet yet then the time to strike up a relationship with a vet is when you are looking for a Chihuahua breeder. Your vet may have opinions on the breeders you are considering and may also have breeders to recommend to you that they have done a great deal of business with in the past. Always consult with your vet prior to dealing with any Chihuahua breeder.

As dark as it may sound you would also benefit from a visit to the local law enforcement authorities to ask about breeders you are considering. If a breeder has a history with the local law enforcement then it may be a good idea to avoid getting involved with that breeder for your good and for the good of your future pup.

After you have gone through asking everyone else what they think of your prospective Chihuahua breeders it is now time to talk to the breeders themselves. See what their attitude is about breeding and gauge whether or not this is someone you want to do business with for many years to come.

A pet becomes a family member so make sure you are making the right choice and ask your prospective Chihuahua breeders a lot of questions.

A good breeder is in your life for years offering advice and helping to make sure your pet stays healthy.

So take your time when you are choosing a breeder and make sure you feel totally comfortable with the choice you make because it is an important choice for the happiness of your family.

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Chihuahua Breeding And Your Dog

by Sandra Dean

Have you decided that a Chihuahua puppy is the perfect dog for you? If so, then it is time to get savvy to the ins and outs of Chihuahua breeding to ensure that you find a puppy that is healthy, good-tempered and attractive. There are all types of Chihuahua breeders in the world, and some will be responsible and careful in the way they care for and breed their dogs and others will not. Fortunately, there are some guidelines that you can use to determine whether a Chihuahua breeder is one that you can work with - or one you should run far away from.

When you begin the hunt for a reputable Chihuahua breeder, take the time to ask plenty of questions and conduct the proper research into each breeder that you consider. By selecting your Chihuahua breeder carefully, you will be much more likely to purchase the friendly, healthy dog that you are hoping for.

There are plenty of steps that you can take to ensure that the breeder that you select practices responsible Chihuahua breeding. First, check with your state or national Chihuahua clubs for a listing of reputable breeders in your area. The American Kennel Club is another good source for responsible breeders of all kinds of dogs. Your veterinarian may have names of good Chihuahua breeders and friends with Chihuahuas might be able to guide you in the right direction as well. Publications will also have listings in them for Chihuahua breeders, so check your local pet supply store for these magazines and trade publications. If you go to dog events like obedience classes and agility trials, you might be able to collect names of breeders as well.

Another good source for finding Chihuahua breeding sources is over the Internet, but caution should be used in this situation. Make sure that you can talk to the breeder you select over the phone, and ask for plenty of documentation before sending any money for your puppy.

Once you have tracked down a breeder that looks promising, it is time to investigate his Chihuahua breeding practices to ensure that he handles his dogs in a responsible way. A reputable Chihuahua breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask him, so that he knows his precious puppy will be going to a good home.

If he has dogs that have tested positive for these issues, they should not be used in the breeding process. Responsible breeders will also let you meet with one or both of the parents of your puppy if possible, so that you can see the dog’s temperament and appearance.

Some of the practical aspects that you will want to explore with your Chihuahua breeder is whether the area that the dogs are kept in is clean and well maintained, and if the dogs look healthy and act friendly.

By checking out Chihuahua breeding practices, you have a better chance of purchasing a healthy animal.

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Which Chihuahua Breeders To Avoid

by Sandra Dean

Anyone can throw on a suit and a smile, tell you the stuff you want to hear, and try to sell you a Chihuahua you may not want. A reputable Chihuahua breeder is someone that you can ask a lot of questions of and they will not be offended. A reputable breeder is going to insist that you do your homework and find the breeder that works best for you because they know that an owner and a breeder will be in touch for many years to come so a strong relationship is important. You will find that an honest breeder will hide nothing from you.

Begin your search by asking what national breeder registry the breeder belongs to. Check it out for yourself and see what you think of that registry’s breeding standards. The one registry that everyone knows is the American Kennel Club but there are other registries out there and they can all be accessed on the Internet. If a breeder does not belong to a registry this should set off a warning in your head.

If you do not already have a vet picked out then the best time to decide on one and then get to know that vet is when you are considering a Chihuahua breeder. Your vet is very concerned about your pets and they will not allow you to get a pet from someone they do not trust or they know is not reputable. Your vet is a fantastic resource when you are considering a Chihuahua breeder and you should make sure to seek out your vet’s opinion prior to making any final decisions.

As dark as it may sound you would also benefit from a visit to the local law enforcement authorities to ask about breeders you are considering. If a breeder has a history with the local law enforcement then it may be a good idea to avoid getting involved with that breeder for your good and for the good of your future pup.

As important as any of the people mentioned in this article are to talk to about prospective Chihuahua breeders the one group that you need to make sure you talk to a lot is the breeders themselves. Find out what their policies and beliefs about breeding are and ask if they will be available to you after the sale is done.

Find out what information they offer you when you get a dog from them and also just pay attention to see if this is someone that you would feel comfortable buying your future family member from.

A good breeder is in your life for years offering advice and helping to make sure your pet stays healthy.

So take your time when you are choosing a breeder and make sure you feel totally comfortable with the choice you make because it is an important choice for the happiness of your family.

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What You Need To Know About Yorkies

by Susan Bailey

Yorkies are making their way into the homes and hearts of more and more people every year as many people are beginning to see what this entire breed has to offer. This animal is extremely fun loving and gets along well with other animals or pets that may be currently in the home or that you would bring home later.

And there is no need to worry about other animals or pets within the home as Yorkies can pretty much get along with everyone and that includes humans and animals. So beware as this little outgoing pup may just make its way into your heart.

Although this breed only grows to be about five or six pounds at full grown, they make up in personality what they do not have in size. And they certainly do love getting their attention from anyone willing to give it to them. Loving the pampered life, this dog makes an excellent addition into almost any home, or even purse for that matter as they are so small you can take them everywhere with you.

Even though someone may not think it at first, the Yorkshire Terrier can make an excellent guard dog for your home and for your family. Even though with their size, they may not be able to scare off a stranger, they can certainly alert you to the presence of danger by barking like crazy. It is because of their dedication to their home and family that the Yorkies are so vocal.

Yorkies are also known for loving to run around the house or in circles at times, as they love their exercise. With all of this running around though, it is important that the Yorkies get the proper grooming that they need such as daily brushing of their long and silky coat. Without the daily brushing, their hair can get matted and end up a complete mess which will be hard to deal with. So by taking care of their coat on a regular basis, it will be so much easier.

Although Yorkies are generally extremely friendly and outgoing, it is important to watch small children around this breed, as they are not always suitable for homes that have small children in them. Yorkies are very small in size and they know it so the fast movements of the small children make them nervous. So therefore, they end up snapping at children, which can cause physical and emotional trauma, which a child could carry with them for a long time.

And even though it can be hard to imagine this breed being anything but fun loving to someone, the Yorkies tend to want to stay away from very small children. It is believed that it is the jerky movements from small children that scare the Yorkies away.

And in some cases, Yorkies have been known to bite children who unintentionally scared them out of their wits. This could be a very traumatizing experience for both the child and the Yorkie so it is best to just keep them apart.

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