My Lovely Pets

Company Logos - Logo Design Companies

2011-09-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

It is in the year 2003 that the reputed brand, Logo Design Guru was formed in Pennsylvania, United States. Also having an office in the U.K., this brand claims to offer quality and effective branding solutions to all small businesses and new startup ventures across the globe. They have by far provided a whopping ten thousand logo designs specially customized for their clients and offer around 6 different packages ranging from $99 to $1499. The client gets the full ownership rights to the design that is approved and selected while the remaining samples are retained by the company. Their delivery timing is excellent and their clients have given great company logos.

They are said to be a member of BBB and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and have won several awards in American Graphic Design during the years 2006 and 2007. Clients all over the world have been more than happy at the friendly attitude of their customer service, competitive pricing, excellent quality and timely deliverance of their work and have given the company excellent company logo.

Online company logo design from clients have proved that this company is the most sought after by new startup companies as they are highly benefitted by their affordable packages, customized design, fast ordering process and excellent customer service. This brand is also known for its highly original and innovative logo creations that are specially customized keeping the client’s requirement in the background. With talented designers employed with them, this brand is undoubtedly the perfect choice for any business. One can easily find great reviews about the company from the internet and it has got very high rating from the BBB. The Logo Design Guru is surely the number one choice for business men around the world and is highly recommended.

Real Estate Tartous, Real Estate Lattakia and Real Estate Hama

2011-09-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

An agreement was signed between the city of Properties Tartous and a group of private companies and real estate owners to invest in the development of a resort and commercial areas in Tartus, Syria. The development is to be called Antaradus being the ancient name of Tartous Phoenician. The joint venture is established in Syria is known for the Tourism Development Company, Antaradus.

Much of the real estate site is reclaimed from the Mediterranean and the people of Latakia Properties in whichthe work lasted many months to raise the level of the site required for protection against sea invaders. A sea defense wall is being built to fortify the real estate.

Tartous is a very historic city, with its foundations dating back 5000 years as well as the city of Hama Properties. There is still considerable evidence of the architecture of the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans and Byzantine that occupied the city back then. The city was surrounded by a moat of sea water, in which the profile of a large part remains visible.

Tartous is now a flourishing port with a population of 150,000. It connects the cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Homs road and rail. An international airport is fully operational called the Basil Al, which is centrally located 80 km north of Tartus.

Tartous provides a ferry link to the only inhabited island off the coast of Syria, that being the island of Arwad.

The Unique Peace Sign Cookie Cutter

2011-05-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Do you like to have the peace sign cookie cutter. This is the best because it is made up of tin metal. It is affordable and long lasting. The peace sign cookie cutter product will help you shape your cookie in the very essential way. The sign peace for your cookies will show the essence of peace in the world.

The estimated shipping cost for the cookie cutter will be given to the costumer so that there will be no worry upon selecting and deciding how many products of the peace sign cookie cutter you are going to avail. The product and service the company will provide you with the best of qualities. The peace sign cookie cutter is not ordinary one. It has message in which you are enjoying baking your cookie, you will later shape them, into the thought of message peace for everyone that is very valuable.

You can select this if you like to give a sincerest apology to your enemy. This will be the best way in which apart from the other good ways on giving apology. The product is affordable and sturdy and that you can make use of it at the long period of time so that there will be various ways on how your cookie specialty looks more special for your family and friends. It’s time to renew your old figured cookies, renew them with the different designs that will truly help your cookies look more special and presentable at all times.

Pet Store One-Stop-Shop

2010-02-19T21:07:00.000-08:00

Pets are the most beautiful gift. Many of us are found of pets and like to have at least a single pet in our house. Pet brings out your tender and loving site. Now every breed of pets is available at your near Pet Store.

Are you planning to have pet in your house then first step is to find the best pet store in your city. Make sure that you have entered the right store, because not all pet stores can give you the service, guidance and support you need.

Before buying just see to that store should be very clean, odor-free and spacious facility. You will find many of pet stores are overcrowd, never buy from such overcrowd pet store they may carry some diseases.

We always want to buy pet that were raised in a healthy, hygienic and roomy facility to make sure that they do not carry any diseases. Many pet stores are one-stop-shop where you can buy everything, from pet food to and other pet products.

Pet store should be consumer-oriented so that you can get return policy on supplies, and provide a good 'warranty' on pets. Many of working pet owners is not able to spend more time to pet because of their busy schedule, these considerations are very important.

It is good to buy pet from your near by area where you live, or is at least on the way from where you work place. So that in case if any pet emergency is there you can take your pet for treatment.

The pet stores assure you veterinary care whenever possible. It’s very easy to buy pet but raising it in your house as part of your family is very difficult. Be sure that all other in our family treat pet as family member. Today only visit your nearest pet store to choose a pet for yourself.
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Stop your Dog Barking when you're Away

2010-02-19T20:50:00.001-08:00

Obviously, most problems with barking dogs result from dogs that don’t have their owner around to quiet them down. In fact, the owner’s absence in many cases is what’s rousing the dog’s vocal chords.

Most of what you can do to get your dog’s barking under control is done directly by you when you catch your dog in the act. For instance, if you know that your dog is barking at, say people who walk their dogs past your house when you’re away, then it is possible to recreate this scenario with you present so you can correct the behavior. However, intermittent barking such as this may be tolerated, by you, the neighborhood, and indeed your local dog legislation, provided your dog is not menacing passers-by through a crumbling fence.

A lonely dog barking or whining can be both much more of a nuisance and much more difficult to address, but there are still some things you should be doing. Try to come home more often, or try to arrange for a friend to visit, ideally with their friendly and energetic dog. It may nip the problem right in the bud. Enough said.

If you know you’ve got a barking dog problem that has the potential to anger neighbors, a little public relations work can go a long way. If possible, ask your neighbors if there is a barking nuisance coming from your place and, if there is, tell them you’re working on it. Then work on it.

You might also try staging a false exit. Walk once around the house or whatever it takes so they think you’re gone. When your dog barks, correct the behavior with a “Quiet” command (though your sudden appearance will likely be enough).

You can use special bark collars, that either use sonic or electric power to correct your dog. Others squirt a substance such as citronella when they bark, a scent they despise. I don’t use them, and the ones I have seen in use were awkward and not 100 percent effective. But I stay away from them less because they train through discomfort (they do not harm your pet), and more because they displace the source of authority from you to some device they don’t understand. Furthermore, they don’t differentiate between acceptable - even necessary - barking on one hand, and noise pollution on the other.

There’s also a medieval-like procedure whereby the dog’s voice-box is removed to render them barkless, or at least takes the bite out of their bark. This is simply abhorrent.

A better option for desperate dog owners is arranging some form of doggy day care, whether it’s a professional service or a personal arrangement. Some dogs simply do not get enough stimulation during the day, and they will let the world know about it until they do.

Your Dog and Your Furniture

2010-02-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

Some dog owners believe that a dog is a dog, and that his place is on the floor exclusively. Some feel that he is a member of the family, and that he should be allowed up on chairs or sofas if he feels like it. And there are attitudes in between that may dictate permission for him to get up on one "favorite chair." Generally the split is between country and city, with country dogs being relegated to the floor and city dogs having the run of the place.

If he is going to be strictly a floor dog, then he should never be allowed up on any piece of furniture, right from the start. Being up on the couch with you or solo hold little distinction for him and it will only confuse him later if you deny him the privilege. When he is little, he won't be able to negotiate the height, so there is no problem with him climbing up.

As he grows and investigates, he will try to climb up just to see what is there. Push him off gently and tell him "no" a few times and he will get the idea. Later he may try to occupy it while you are out of the house. An easy solution to train him is a few light mousetraps covered with a sheet or newspaper set near the back of the cushion. The trap can't hurt him and the snapping noise will solve the problem.

If you decide that he is going to be a full member of the household with all privileges, the problems are only those of dirt and reactions. As for dirt, he should be trained to wait at the door for a quick cleaning with an old rag after he has been out of doors. By the time he is old enough to climb onto chairs easily he will be old enough to have learned the "sit and stay" and there ends the problem.

As far as reactions go, this is really something between you and your friends. Somewhat fastidious friends who come to visit may find dogs on furniture disagreeable, particularly if the dog has to be shooed off of the chair they are about to sit in. If he is a chair sitter in your house, he may try to be one when he goes visiting with you. So set up a rigid rule for him - okay at home, forbidden elsewhere, and don't make exceptions and he won't be likely to be confused.

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A Dogs First Toy

2010-02-19T20:46:00.000-08:00

Because of the dogs great interest in chewing on things it's a good idea to let him have one or two toys that he can keep in his play area. Give him a ball or had natural rubber, or a strip of hard leather. Wooden toys, soft rubber toys, or anything else that may be torn up too easily are on the forbidden list.

Anything that comes loose in his mouth will be swallowed, and a piece of soft rubber can end up blocking his small intestines, which can either make a very sick pup out of him or kill him. The danger of wooden toys is obvious, what with the possibility of splinters cutting his mouth or lodging in his throat or stomach.

Anything you get him should be thoroughly examined both before and after giving it to him. Before buying it, give it a thorough test with your fingernails. If you can pry up a bit of it that way, do not consider it. After you have given him something, watch carefully for a few minutes to see what he does with it. If he is able to chew small pieces off, take it away from him and throw it away.

His chewing also serves the purpose of helping along his teething. An excellent toy to give him is one of the specially treated natural bones. You can let him have one of these in complete confidence, as it is impossible for him to hurt himself by chewing on it. And don't worry if his chewing seems highly violent and likely to knock out a tooth. Pups will lose two sets of baby teeth before they get their adult set.

You can also give him a clean old rag to chew on, or an old sock with a knot tied in the middle of it. As a good general rule, do not give him anything as a plaything that may be forbidden to him. Old shoes or gloves may seem ideal, but he has no way of distinguishing between the old and the new shoes or gloves, etc. nylon rope toys are also safe and very effective in removing plaque from the teeth, and there pretty much indestructible. If you observe common sense in choosing him a toy, he will be safe and content for hours on end.
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Giant Dog breeds

2010-02-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

Giant Dog breeds refers to those breeds whose height and weight classified them into largest ends of all dog breeds. Although there are no universal height or weight breed as giant, some measures will consider them as giants such as weighing from 45 kg to 80 kg when adult and reaching 80 cm at the shoulders. Giant Dogs are popular dogs for their impressive size that arouse admiration aside from being so mellow, gentle and relaxed. Peaceful, affectionate and docile, Giant dogs show absolute devotion to their owners. They make precious companions for the whole family, they can be good with children. They have remarkable courage, their ruggedness enables them to perform outstanding exploits such as legendary rescues and as excellent helpers for human in many situations.

In August 2004, a Harlequin Great Dane dog named “Gibson“ from California was recognized by Guinness Book of Records as the world‘s tallest dog, measuring 42.2 inches (107 cm) at the withers, he is more than 7 feet tall standing on his hind legs, he‘s 170 lbs. The 17 common giant dog breeds are divided into 3 main groups:

- Mastiff Type: Bull Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler and Great Dane.
- Mountain Dogs: Bernese Mountain Dog, Leonberger, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Estrela, St. Bernard, Newfoundland.
- Other Types: Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Irish Wolfhound, Komondor, Hungarian Kuvasz, Bloodhound.

The giant dog breeds grow more rapidly comparing to smaller dog breeds, they take longer to mature up to their full adult size, about 18 months to 24 months. Their lifespan is generally shorter than smaller breeds, often living around only 6 years to 10 years of age. Giant expenses more on overall, they eat more and require less exercise than smaller dogs. On health issues, giant dog has common joint problems such as hip dysplasia and arthritis, others where hypothyroidism or low thyroid function and bloat or gastric dilatation. Proper petsafe caring and support can be able to double the life spans of some gentle giant dogs like Great Danes up to 14-18 years. By catering physical and emotional needs of dogs such as like freedom going in and out of the house, just like human, proper feeding, balanced diets, scheduled exercise, caring procedures and out of harm and heat of sun. Enough shelter space is needed for them like giant dog containment fences and large heated dog beds are required to ensure quality rest and comfort.
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Dog Walking - Training Tips

2010-02-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

One of the first things people associate with having a dog is the daily task of walking the dog. Why is walking a dog so important? What does the dog get from this activity and what exactly does the dog owner get as well? Here we will examine why walking the dog is good for everyone.

1. Exercise. All dogs need exercise every day, even the smallest breeds need to have a daily workout of their little legs. The larger a dog is, generally the more exercise it will need. There are working breeds, however, that are deceptively small but needs loads of exercise. When choosing a dog breed, do assess how much exercise it will need to make sure that you have the time and inclination to do it. You may be lucky enough to have a few acres of fenced land at your home that your dog can run around in but it is still important to take your dog on a walk regularly as there are several other benefits from the structured dog walk.
2. Bonding. A regular walk together with your 'best friend' will build and strengthen the bonds between you. Your dog is always exited and grateful to go out on a walk and will genuinely try to please you in order for the activity to be as regular as possible.
3. Training. The walk time is an ideal time to accomplish a number of basic obedience training tasks. Firstly, you are reinforcing your role as pack leader. Secondly, you have the opportunity when you are in a place where your dog can run free to train your dog in some basic commands, like 'come', 'sit' and, of course, 'fetch' This training will take the form of play for the dog and it will learn far easier than in the house.
4. Getting used to being on a lead or leash. All dogs need to be controllable and therefore all dogs should be trained to behave while on a lead or leash. This is valuable training even if you are fortunate lo live in an area where your dog can run free most of the time. There will come the day when your dog needs to visit a vet or you need to take your dog to the city and if it will not behave well on a lead, you will have problems.
5. Socialising. By being away from it's home territory, a dog is forced to learn some social skills around other people and other dogs. This is an important factor in preventing excessive aggression in your dog later on.
6. Avoiding doggie depression. Dogs that do not get a change in the environment frequently enough can become depressed. A depressed do can develop into an anxious dog and that can lead to behaviour problems. Regular walks, even if the follow a predictable path, will enliven your dog. It will be using all of it's senses to its fullest ability thus exercising its mind as well as its muscles.

Last of all, it is important to realise the benefit to the dog owner. You will be getting some mild exercise yourself, you will be strengthening the bonds successfully with your dog, you will be teaching your dog how to behave while on a lead, how to obey commands, and how to be a social animal. You will also be establishing yourself as the provider and therefore the pack leader. It is also great to have a good excuse to leave the household chores for an hour and get out into the fresh air.

It is advisable when you get your new pet not to waste the valuable window of time in the early days by not implementing proper training. To to this you can consult a pet behavior specialist or training school in your area. It can be far less expensive, however, to learn the basic training techniques yourself. A full and complete guide called 'The Secrets to Dog Training' is available at http://www.poochdogs.com This guide, which has been used by over 200,000 owners worldwide, also will detail the best strategies for obedience training dogs. Visit the site today to complete your research.

8 Step You Must Take When Choosing Your New Puppy

2010-02-02T09:17:00.001-08:00

How you can choose the right puppy for you

1. Make certain the puppy has been raised in an indoor environment where he will have come in close contact with a number of people and lots of household noises. The breeder and their family will have been doing a lot of the early socialisation and training work. Puppies learn a great deal, probably the maximum amount possible, between the ages of 6 and 18 weeks. This imprinting of the right behaviours is vital for puppy development.
2. Check with the breeder that the puppy has come in to contact with lots of different household noises; washing machine, television,microwave, pans being dropped, vacuum cleaner, in fact everything that makes a noise in your house. That does include the human element, children as well as adults. Make sure you puppy has been handled by a wide variety of different people, including children as well as men.
3. There are many other potentially scarey situations, an umbrella, different flooring surfaces and meeting your cat for the first time. Puppies who have been raised in relative seclusion will have problems and it will be your job, as owner, to help your puppy over those difficulties. That may take quite a considerable time.
4. Your puppy should feel at home being handled, so make sure you pick him up and put him down a number of times. Gently stroke and cuddle your puppy, make sure it is at ease and not uncomfortable.
5. What is the reaction of your puppy to people talking, children getting excited, you clapping your hands or making whistling or hissing noises. These noises will alert the puppy, but you are looking at how long it take for your puppy to get back to normal afterwards, hopefully not seeing it run off to hide in a corner somewhere.
6. Check what your puppy chews. Are there any special toys there to help with chewing, such as a Kong or Food Ball. All good signs the breeder has been doing a good job.
7. Check when and where the puppy is going to the toilet. Has the breeder put down paper for the puppy to go on, you will need to continue this at home. If paper is everywhere this might indicate the puppy can go to the toilet anywhere, a habit it may continue at home. So be prepared.
8. Does the puppy show any signs of basic manners. Will it come if you call it or clap your hands. Is your puppy just looking or actually coming towards you both. Does it sit or down when you ask it to? Does your puppy follow a food lure, signs it may be easier to train later on.

Then we come to the hard one. I like that one, or no I like the other one. Everyone in the family should agree with the final choice. Look for the puppy that comes to you and is happy to stay with you but do not ignore all the other important points you need to keep in mind.

Tips For Training a Rescued Dog

2009-04-30T11:30:00.001-07:00

Training a dog requires many hours of dedication and patience. A rescued dog will require double the patience and dedication to achieve the desired results. However, the rewards will be worth the effort.

Unplanned litters continue to be common even though the practice of spaying and neutering has been around for decades. The result is that the number of puppies born far outnumber the number of available homes. And if you combine this with dogs that are lost or have runaway, the animal shelters are spilling over. Many of these dogs will never find homes in time and be euthanized.

For a some lucky dogs, there is a second chance. They could be adopted from shelters or missions or taken in off of the street and into the care of a willing family. The new owners, however, are often not quite sure how best to deal with the rescued dog.

Rescued dogs are often in poor shape when they are brought in to a shelter. They often have a history of abuse or neglect and sometimes lived in horrendous conditions. Other times, for a number of different reasons, these dogs were released into the wild to fend for themselves.

A dog's nature is to be a pack animal. Wild dogs generally do poorly on their own. Released domesticated dogs do very poorly in the wild, without any animal or human interaction. Wild dogs such as these are usually fearful and distrustful of humans, but with proper training they can learn to overcome these traits.

A rescued dog will need a full examination by a vet as the first step in the rehabilitation process. A dog will not be able to respond positively to any training if it is in pain or sick. It's crucial to give them enough time regain their health.

It may be a tall order, but whenever possible try to get the dog√¢‚Ç¨‚-¢s history. Your training efforts will be helped if you have information on the dog's past abuse or medical history.

It is important to establish trust with a rescued dog slowly. It is important not to force yourself on the dog. The animal will begin to seek you out once they have learned to trust you. Many dogs are food driven so using treats to build trust can help. Try stepping back a bit after putting a treat on the floor. Avoid direct eye contact. It is important to praise them once they take the treat.

It is not uncommon for some rescue animals to initially seek out physical contact . Many others will take longer. But once you have established it, try to roll the dog over onto his back and place your hand on their chest. You will have two possible reaction, either resistance from an aggressive dog or fearful acceptance from a passive dog. Neither aggression nor fear is good. Forcing an aggressive dog into a submissive position is done under normal training. A rescued dog will not respond well to this. Take your time and establish trust. Make sure that a fearful dog understands that being on its back is not a punishment by given it a belly rub and talking in a calm voice.

In the case of a rescued dog training can be slow and difficult. They are often older dogs, mixed, and with difficult temperaments which makes training more challenging. Don't give up. Your perseverance will pay off.

Don't feel sorry for the dog. This is counter-productive and will only hinder the training. Be patient, loving and understanding but don't let the dog have the run of the house. You must establish your position as a leader and let the rescued dog understand that you are the alpha of the pack.

Best Manly Dogs A Guy Can Own !

2009-02-03T03:30:00.000-08:00

Best Manly Dogs A Guy Can Own !

“manly dogs” doesn’t translate to mean “macho dogs.” Manly dogs are not necessarily aggressive or wild by nature. Manly dogs are measured by their physical presence (a combination of size, strength, endurance, agility, and appearance), intelligence and personality. These will be used as three gauges, measured out of a score of 10, and the better the synergy between the three, the manlier the dog. So, let’s take a look at 10 manly dogs a guy can own.

Bulldog

Taking a turn toward a smaller breed, the Bulldog is a pint-sized tough guy, or at least they’re designed to look that way. This dog looks like a mix of a pug and a Mastiff. Bulldogs can look simultaneously peeved and happy, and they have lovable and quirky personalities that are a significant departure from the other manly dogs seen here.

Having a Bulldog as a pet is a surefire way to win friends and impress women; their bullish looks and saggy skin folds provide lots of laughs and their relatively poor conditioning, due to their heavyset, makes for some hilarious outings at the park when tossing a stick around. Still, they are just as dedicated to their territory as any other breed, and their dedicated companionship and ability to inspire are perfect reasons for their use as the official mascot of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Intelligence: 5
Personality: 8
Physical presence: 4

Husky

The Alaskan Husky is not so much a breed or a type as much as it falls into its own category, that of traditionally being a sled dog. Majestic in their presence (deep chest and muscular all around) and durable by nature, the Husky is part and parcel of being out in the wild -- and that truth becomes vividly clear when you consider that these manly dogs have a strain of genes from one of the most well-known carnivores -- the wolf.

Huskies are extremely adaptable and love pushing their bodies to the limit. Huskies are natural competitors and they need lots of activity, which makes them less-than-desirable urban dogs. However, they are excellent in the country and they can also tussle with anyone who tries to mess with their owner. Reliability and durability are the Husky’s defining traits.

Intelligence: 7
Personality: 4
Physical presence: 8

English Mastiff

The word “mastiff” evolved from the English word “masty,” which meant powerful. That should be enough indication that this dog means business. Centuries ago, these manly dogs were used in the sport of bear baiting in England; that’s because they were one of the strongest breeds, able to stand up to one of nature’s most vicious beasts.

The English Mastiff is a broad, thickly built canine that has come to represent most of the breeds within the Molosser type. Their powerful bodies are only eclipsed by their trademark patience, grace and displays of undying loyalty to their owners -- no matter the stranger, the Mastiff will only approve if the owner approves first.

Be ready to stay in shape when you own one of these manly dogs; they need an ample amount of activity to avoid lazy behavior.

Intelligence: 6
Personality: 6
Physical presence: 7

Cane Corso

This dog is another of the Molosser type, but different enough from the English Mastiff to warrant a separate recommendation. The Cane Corso has a physical presence unmatched by medium-sized dogs; this is an extremely muscular breed that is blessed with a brilliant coat. Their athleticism is their most defining feature, which is likely owed to their Italian roots as farming, hunting and gaming dogs that were also considered reliable and trustworthy.

The strong, silent type, these dogs are definitely only for a specific type of owner; one who is gentle, subtle and willing to put in the effort to earn the Corso’s trust. Not the best dog to bring around strangers and children (unless they’ve been brought up in a family environment), but when raised properly, Corsos are able to remain well-behaved around many types of people and generally pacifist around other canines. These dogs need the gentle approach because of their cautious instincts, but they easily personify what it takes to be on this list of manly dogs.

Intelligence: 5
Personality: 5
Physical presence: 9

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman pinscher is probably one of the most easily recognizable manly dogs around, partly because of the media coverage they receive. Like the German Shepherd, they were often used for police work, hunting and general laboring, but have since become more domesticated for the normal owner. The Doberman is also visually stunning as it’s one of the most muscular dogs and one of the most agile and versatile.

Surprisingly, Dobermans are much more docile, intelligent and friendlier than they’re perceived. They can easily be mistaken as nasty guard dogs with a sharp bite, but only if provoked in an aggressive manner by an unassuming stranger. When these dogs are properly socialized, they become loyal and offer a great mix of protection, personality and manliness.

Intelligence: 5
Personality: 5
Physical presence: 9

Rottweiler

Rottweilers are much maligned by the media, but they’re often less aggressive and unstable as they’re made out to be. If brought up with the right training and with exposure to many different people, situations and environments, the Rotty can easily be man’s best friend.

Much of their manliness comes from the same attitude that defines the human male; their natural desire to assert a level of dominance. When given property or something to call their own, Rottweilers will fiercely defend it, and that includes their young, their owner and their favorite chew toy. Their stoic nature can instantly turn into a snapping bite, so strangers should approach cautiously.

Still, while Rottweilers are often misunderstood and considered too manly, they can be lovable and social.

Intelligence: 6
Personality: 6
Physical presence: 7

German Shepherd

These manly dogs have unfortunately been cast as utilitarian animals; you can’t watch television without seeing them in action as a bomb-sniffing, drug-searching, criminal-chasing do-it-alls. However, that’s exactly what they are capable of and, as result, they are one of the manliest dogs because of their ability to perform the most masculine jobs that most other dogs just can’t do.

Gorgeous and confident, they are also both proud and modest. They have the size of a large dog that intimidates (usually 60 pounds to 90 pounds), but they also have a heartwarming affection and loyalty for their owners and the people they know.

They are fiercely territorial and make great guard dogs for people and property. Their confidence is only matched by their agility and durability, and so these dogs are great companions if you’re an active individual.

Intelligence: 6
Personality: 5
Physical presence: 9

Bloodhound

Famous for having personable faces that kids and adults have loved for decades (Pluto, Huckleberry Hound and McGruff the Crime Dog come to mind), the special skills of these dogs is not their strength or speed, but their uncanny ability to follow a scent, which makes them an ideal companion for hunting. It is said that Bloodhounds can detect the scent of only a few skin cells, and will be persistent in capturing its prey for hours -- even days.

Beyond their hunting abilities, these are big, graceful dogs with a physical presence that can also provide a few laughs with their excessive drooling and sometimes clumsy delivery. Interesting to note, it may sometimes feel like you have to make a pact with these dogs for them to behave; Bloodhounds can be stubborn unless they get what they want, so take the tongue-in-cheek approach with them and it’ll be gravy. Their ability to strategize as well as use their impeccable instincts makes them an easy manly choice.

Intelligence: 8
Personality: 6
Physical presence: 8

Black Labrador

The black Labrador, and Labrador retrievers in general, are an instant favorite for owners of manly dogs. The Labrador is a broad-headed, thick-necked pooch with a water resistant coat who is always charming people with his intelligent facial expressions. More interesting, however, are the black Lab’s webbed feet, which these Canadian-originating dogs used to swim around in icy waters and drag nets to shore after leaping off fishermen’s boats.

Labs have since been domesticated further, but they still hold true to their retriever name; they’re naturally inclined to fetch most things on command. Dog personalities don’t come much more humanized than these pooches, and Labs are very receptive and responsive to family, kids, friends, and strangers.

Intelligence: 8
Personality: 8
Physical presence: 8

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Never heard of this beast before? That might be because you’ve heard of their alternate name instead, the African Lion Dog. That’s right; the Ridgeback earned that name by standing up to lions on South African plains.

These dogs were also built to last; they have tick-resistant coats, tight paw pads to overcome thorns and thistles, and they’re intelligent and muscular enough to challenge and avoid predators, including snakes and crocodiles. Beyond that, these dogs are fair and rational in their temperament; they will not foolishly attack or become enraged without a severe and persistent threat present. Historically, they’ve also been great guard dogs, loyal defenders of their owners and his families, and even able to round up cattle.

Perhaps it doesn’t have the same physical threatening size as other breeds, but it doesn’t have to be -- its sheer resilience, intelligence and tenacity make this dog the manliest of them all.

Intelligence: 10
Personality: 8
Physical presence: 10
Pet Travel Insurance |Bird Care |Handling Pet Caimans |Choosing a Pet

Smartest Dogs

2009-02-03T03:29:00.001-08:00

Australian Cattle Dog

You don’t have to live in Australia to encounter this dog. These dogs generally grow to be 30-50lbs. Australian Cattle Dog’s are known for their intelligence, especially when it comes to being able to train them to herd in cattle (this is where the name comes from) They have also been trained to be “biting” dogs. Don’t be scared, unless you’re training this dog to bite you. Australian Cattle Dogs are trained to bite cattle (not too hard) to keep them moving. These dogs have been herding cattle since the 19th century and today they still do just that. Australian Cattle Dogs are very active and love having a task at hand.

Rottweiler

Better known as the “Rottie,” Rottweilers are known to be very vicious, mean dogs that can take down a human. Speaking of humans, Rottweilers can weigh as much as a petite sized female; about 110lbs in fact. This breed of dog originates out of Germany but was used in the Roman Empire. Rottweilers are sometimes used as police dogs because of the strong jaw and teeth that they have. Rotties can take you down! In the olden days, they were used to carry wood and other large heavy goods to markets and houses. If you’re looking to train a dog to protect you and all of your (precious) belongings, the Rottie is definitely the way to go.

Papillon

This breed of dog is probably one of the cutest and smartest you’ll find. Papillons are able to show that cute things can be smart too. This breed also proves that small things (brains) do come in small packages. Papillons can weigh up to 11lbs and can weigh as little as 3lbs. These dogs are very charming and have always been a symbol of elegance. During the Renaissance, these dogs were adored by royal courts and the aristocrats of the time. They always proved to be good watch dogs because of their keen sense of hearing. Make the slightest sound and the Papillon’s ears will be up faster than you can say the name. King Henry II is said to have spend crowns upon crowns on his own Papillons.

Labrador Retriever

This is one of the most intelligent as well as one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world. The Labrador Retriever is an amazing breed of dog that offer many different services. The breed originates from Newfoundland and was trained to hunt waterfowl. As time has passed, Labs have been introduced to more and more jobs. Many of these dogs are used in the police force as bomb sniffing or drug sniffing dogs. Any dog that can be trained to do this is most definitely smart. These dogs are also used as rescue dogs. Many are trained to help the disabled, especially the blind. Labs can be trained to lead a human around while ignoring any type of distraction. The Labrador Retriever is a loving, obedient, and patient dog that can be trained to do almost anything.

Shetland Sheepdog

Though not one of the most popular dogs around, the Shetland Sheepdog is a very smart dog. Some owners of this breed of dog claim that they are just as smart as a human is. Shelties originated out of Scotland. Sporting a furry two-layered coat and definitely not the toughest looking dog around, Shelties are used to herd sheep. Since the breed can be both big and small in size, some of these dogs are used to keep pests and smaller animals out of gardens. Shetland Sheepdog’s are generally very hyper, but they have a great sense of hearing. If anyone ever shows up at your door or a car pulls into the driveway, you can expect to hear a bark from this dog.

Doberman Pinscher

This breed of dog comes in right at the middle of the list. The Doberman Pinscher is another German breed to make the list. In the past, these dogs were trained to be police dogs, watch dogs, and guard dogs. In the 1800s, men were looking for a dog that was loving and loyal as well as tough and ferocious when necessary. This is exactly where the Doberman Pinscher fits in. Even though they can be trained to be ferocious, many of these dogs are very gentle and docile. Some have even been used in hospitals to help patients that are undergoing therapy. Slightly vicious by nature, you can expect that this breed will protect you.

Golden Retriever

Often confused with the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers are also very popular dogs that seem to be perfect for a family. In the past up to today, these dogs are man’s companion, especially for those who hunt. This breed can be easily trained to find and bring back waterfowl or game that has been shot. The dog’s soft mouth allows it to bring back unharmed game to its owner. Aside from being a hunting dog, Golden Retrievers can be used as rescue dogs, drug sniffing dogs, and guide dogs. This breed is very patient, which makes it that much easier to train. If you ever find a dog sports competition online or on the television, you are sure to see a Golden Retriever competing.

German Shepherd

Rin Tin Tin! This is the one breed of dog that you can say actually looks tough and mean. Looks are most definitely deceiving because the German Shepherd is one of the most lovable breed of dog you will ever come across. Loving or not, these dogs can be trained to do things that humans can’t. Today, these dogs are usually trained to be police dogs, rescue dogs, and some are even able to work with the military. These dogs are so bright that the Army and Marines have allowed them to be used in overseas activity. German Shepherds are very obedient dogs as well as protective. In the past, German Shepherds were used as herd dogs but today they are used in more “higher up positions,” so to speak. The German Shepherd is one of the smartest dogs around.

Poodle

The Poodle is number two on the list. Don’t let the fluffy, curly, white coat fool you. This breed of dog is absolutely brilliant. Though you have probably never seen it, Poodles are used as hunting dogs as well as watch and rescue dogs. The Poodle (sounds like puddle doesn’t it?) is also used as a water dog. Poodles come in all sizes, but even the Toy Poodle can be used to hunt birds. Poodles love to be around people and are very protective. Though this breed only weighs up to 8lbs, a mighty heart can come out of such a pretty looking dog.

Border Collie

Topping off the list is the Border Collie. This dog lives to work, literally. Though it may seem only us humans have a lifetime full of hard work, this breed of dog needs something to do to be happy. The Border Collie is used as a herding dog and has since grown to be used as a sporting dog as well. The breed is known for its agility, speed, and obedience. It is also known for it’s ability to learn new tricks quickly. These dogs love being able to work next to your side. Collies are especially great at dog sport competitions. You will generally see them competing in Flyball and disc games.

Dog Training: Tame Your Pets at Ease

2009-01-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

If you have a new puppy or dog, then you need to provide some sort of basic training for your pet. You can train your dog yourself or can get it trained through an obedience instructor. As dogs are like kids, they need proper training to mould them into obedient pets. With the required training, your dog can learn how to behave. You can be a happy owner if you have a trained dog. Dog training involves learning to communicate with a dog properly. You can train young pups within 2 to 3 weeks while for an older dog it can take about 7 to 8 weeks for training. Basic training can be started for pups when they are about 8 -12 weeks old for teaching commands and tricks. From about 3 to 6 months, formal classes can begin.

With understanding and patience, the trainer can impart efficient training to resolve the behavioral problems of dogs. For adequate training of your dog, you do not require any strong language or physical discipline. There are a number of methods for making training enjoyable for both your dog and yourself. Certain specific trainings are also available for dogs for doing tasks such as rescue dogs, guiding for the blind, hunting dogs etc.

When providing training for your dog, ensure that the place is open and quiet without any distractions. You can make the training experience an enjoyable one for both of you for ensuring that your dog stays happy, gains confidence and behaves well. The way and tone of speech is important in dog training. You need to use a friendly and happy tone for commands like 'come' and ‘heel’. Your voice can be firm and low for commands such as ' stay' and ‘Sit down'. You need to appreciate your puppy or dog by offering some toy or food when it obeys the command. After the training class, you can take a little time to play with your pup or dog and this can develop a bond between both of you during the training. You should have good endurance to train and always should avoid harsh punishment.

Remember that food is important in dog training, as most dogs will love to eat. Some foods are tasty for dogs and it is also convenient for the trainer as bits of food can be kept in bag or pockets. Also note that giving food brings positive associations while training. You need to just know which food your dog likes. Never use food for behavior control; instead food should support a behavior. Never train the dog on a full stomach.

Keep the leash a bit loose when you walk with your dog because a tight leash could teach the dog to pull. Do not punish the dog after calling to you. Only one command should be given at any one time. Dogs cannot differentiate the good and bad deeds, as they know specific behavior to certain situations; therefore name a behavior to reinforce some control. Behavior will increase with reward.

You can also choose online dog training if a dog trainer or dog training school is not accessible. You can enroll for some online dog training classes and know all the secrets and techniques used by professional dog trainers for activity training, behavior training and obedience training.

Is Your Pet Ready for the Big Road Trip?

2009-01-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

By Kim Salerno
Planning to hit the road with your best friend? Before you do it’s important to plan ahead and always keep the best interests of your furry, four-legged, or feathered friend in mind. Traveling with your pet can be a wonderful and bonding experience or a not so pleasant one. It’s all function of proper planning and preparation.

Your first decision is whether to bring your pet along with you on your trip. Not all pets are suited for travel. While it may be very tempting to bring your pet with you, keep in mind that not all pets are happy travelers. Things to consider include your pet’s temperament, any physical impairments, or if your pet suffers from an illness. If you’re uncertain whether your pet is suited for travel, you may want to consult with your veterinarian.

If you determine that your pet is up for the trip, then it’s always best to have a healthy start. The last thing you need is a sick pet when traveling. This means a visit to the vet for a medical checkup and to ensure that your pet is up-to-date with all necessary vaccinations. The veterinarian can also issue a health certificate for your pet. If you and your pet will be traveling across state lines, you must obtain a recent health certificate and a certificate of rabies vaccination. If your plans include traveling with your pet from the United States to Canada, you will need to bring along a certificate issued by a veterinarian that clearly identifies the animal and certifies that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies during the preceding 36 month period. Be sure to contact the government of the province you plan to visit as each province has its own requirements.

Have a plan for how you’re going to properly restrain your pet in your vehicle. This is a crucial element of pet travel that is not taken seriously enough. The reality is that hundreds of pets are injured or even killed each year because they are allowed free reign in cars, trucks, RVs, and SUVs. Even more real is the toll in human life and property damage caused when an "enthusiastic" animal distracts a driver, leading to an accident. Vehicle pet barriers, pet safety harnesses, and pet carriers are all excellent ways to keep your pet (and you) safe when traveling in your vehicle. It’s important to familiarize your pet with the vehicle restraint of choice weeks or months before traveling so that they are comfortable.

In the unfortunate event that your pet runs off while you’re traveling. A temporary identification tag, along with a photo of your pet will help ensure their safe return. Attach a temporary ID tag to your pet’s collar in addition to their permanent tag. Include the address and phone number of where you’ll be staying along with your cell phone number and perhaps your email address. This is one of the most important aspects of traveling with your pet, but also one of the most overlooked. In addition, bring along a current photo of your pet. A photograph will make it easier for others to help you find your lost pet.
When packing for your pet include an ample supply of your pet's food. Don’t rely on stopping along the way to pick up their food or picking it up at your final destination. Their particular brand of food may not be readily available and it is not advisable to introduce your pet to a new brand of food while traveling. Other essentials to pack for your pet include collapsible travel food and water bowls, bedding, litter and litter box, leash, collar and tags, favorite toys, grooming supplies, a pet first-aid kit and any necessary medications. And of course…be sure to always have an ample supply of water available for your pet.
If you’re planning a long journey and will need to stay in pet friendly accommodations on the way to your final destination, be sure to secure these accommodations BEFORE you hit the road. Map out where you'll be spending the night and arrange for lodging along the way. TRIPSwithPETS.com provides an online directory of pet friendly accommodations across the U.S. Pet policies do change and accommodations may be limited so it's recommended that you contact the property in advance.
In case of a medical emergency while traveling you can find a directory of pet hospitals on the TRIPSwithPETS.com website. Research this before your trip and bring this information along with you. It is also advisable to bring along your own vet’s contact information should they be needed for consultation.
Careful preparation is the key to ensuring that you and your pet have a happy and safe trip. Check back next month when we talk about “Rules of the Road” when traveling with your pet!

Choosing A Dog Obedience Training Course Online

2009-01-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

Every dog owner wants a dog that is well trained, but sometimes your dog may be a little problematic or you simply may not have the time or be know how to train him correctly. Fortunately help is at hand. You can sign your dog up in a dog obedience training school.
Or, you can learn about Dog Obedience Training.

You may know people with disobedient dogs, or possibly even accepted that your dog will simply not do as he/she is told. You may have simply become accustomed to returning home to find chewed up shoes and trash scattered all over the house.

You may have even taken to walking your dog at night because that’s when none of your neighbors are outside. For the reason that you just can’t manage your dog when people and/or other dogs are about.

You don’t have to give yourself up to believing that your dog can’t be controlled.
In reality you are accountable to yourself and your dog and you can get him/her trained appropriately. Obedience training your dog can reverse the difficulties for both yourself and your dog.

If your dog howls or barks a lot and tries to get loose you may even find yourself with a legal problem as well. And, if your dog will not come up to you when called, he/she could be seriously injured or worse. Or, at the very least get into trouble.

A dog obedience training school will give you an idea about you can establish a connection with your dog and teach you how to make him to pay attention to you.

He/she will be trained how to act with people around and also with other dogs.
You will also be able to teach your dog the fundamental instructions such as “sit”, “down”, “heel” and “stay”.
Your dog will even take pleasure in this. Pleasing you, his master, is #1 on his list. And he will have your attention, which in fact is all that he wants in the first place.

Selection of a dog obedience training school or course is sort of like deciding on a school for your kids. You would like no doubt, to send him to the proper one. Of course, given that you will, in all probability, be attending, or training yourself, you would like one that works for the both of you. So you have to do a bit of investigation before you decide on the dog obedience training school or online course.

One thing to think about when considering a dog obedience training school/course is a recommendation from others who have used the school/course.
Maybe you have a co-worker, a neighbor, or a friend you can inquire from.
If not, feel free to request recommendations and/or call up somebody who has experienced the course.
You ought to have a list of essential queries you can inquire about the school and the effect of dog obedience training. If you get encouraging replies then you have found your school/course.
One more thing you have to do when sorting your selection of dog obedience training schools is to drop in at the “campus”. Be sure that the school/course is well structured and the instructors are qualified.

Recognizing, Preventing, And Handling Dog Aggression

2008-12-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

A dog is an instinctively aggressive creature. In the wild, aggression came in very handy: dogs needed aggression to hunt, to defend themselves from other creatures, and to defend resources such as food, a place to sleep, and a mate. Selective breeding over the centuries has minimized and refined this trait significantly, but there’s just no getting around it: dogs are physically capable of inflicting serious harm (just look at those teeth!) because that’s how they’ve survived and evolved. And Mother Nature is pretty wily – it’s hard to counteract the power of instinct!

But that doesn’t mean that we, as dog lovers and owners, are entirely helpless when it comes to handling our dogs. There’s a lot that we can do to prevent aggression from rearing its ugly head in the first place – and even if prevention hasn’t been possible (for whatever reason), there are still steps that we can take to recognize and deal with it efficiently.

- Different aggression types -

There are several different types of canine aggression. The two most common ones are:

- Aggression towards strangers

- Aggression towards family members

You may be wondering why we’re bothering categorizing this stuff: after all, aggression is aggression, and we want to turf it out NOW, not waste time with the details – right?

Well … not quite. These two different types of aggression stem from very different causes, and require different types of treatment.

- Aggression towards strangers -

What is it?

It’s pretty easy to tell when a dog’s nervy around strange people. He’s jumpy and on the alert: either he can’t sit still and is constantly fidgeting, leaping at the smallest sound, and pacing around barking and whining; or he’s veerrrry still indeed, sitting rock-steady in one place, staring hard at the object of his suspicions (a visitor, the mailman, someone approaching him on the street while he’s tied up outside a store.)

Why does it happen?

There’s one major reason why a dog doesn’t like strange people: he’s never had the chance to get used to them. Remember, your dog relies 100% on you to broaden his horizons for him: without being taken on lots of outings to see the world and realize for himself, through consistent and positive experiences, that the unknown doesn’t necessarily equal bad news for him, how can he realistically be expected to relax in an unfamiliar situation?

What can I do about it?

The process of accustoming your dog to the world and all the strange people (and animals) that it contains is called socialization. This is an incredibly important aspect of your dog’s upbringing: in fact, it’s pretty hard to overemphasize just how important it is. Socializing your dog means exposing him from a young age (generally speaking, as soon as he’s had his vaccinations) to a wide variety of new experiences, new people, and new animals.

How does socialization prevent stranger aggression?

When you socialize your dog, you’re getting him to learn through experience that new sights and sounds are fun, not scary.

It’s not enough to expose an adult dog to a crowd of unfamiliar people and tell him to “Settle down, Roxy, it’s OK” – he has to learn that it’s OK for himself. And he needs to do it from puppyhood for the lesson to sink in.

The more types of people and animals he meets (babies, toddlers, teenagers, old people, men, women, people wearing uniforms, people wearing motorcycle helmets, people carrying umbrellas, etc) in a fun and relaxed context, the more at ease and happy – and safe around strangers - he’ll be in general.

How can I socialize my dog so that he doesn’t develop a fear of strangers?

Socializing your dog is pretty easy to do – it’s more of a general effort than a specific training regimen.

First of all, you should take him to puppy preschool. This is a generic term for a series of easy group-training classes for puppies (often performed at the vet clinic, which has the additional benefit of teaching your dog positive associations with the vet!).

In a puppy preschool class, about ten or so puppy owners get together with a qualified trainer (often there’ll be at least two trainers present – the more there are, the better, since it means you get more one-on-one time with a professional) and start teaching their puppies the basic obedience commands: sit, stay, and so on.

Even though the obedience work is very helpful and is a great way to start your puppy on the road to being a trustworthy adult dog, really the best part of puppy preschool is the play sessions: several times throughout the class, the puppies are encouraged to run around off-leash and play amongst themselves.

This is an ideal environment for them to learn good social skills: there’s a whole bunch of unfamiliar dogs present (which teaches them how to interact with strange dogs), there’s a whole bunch of unfamiliar people present (which teaches them that new faces are nothing to be afraid of), and the environment is safe and controlled (there’s at least one certified trainer present to make sure that things don’t get out of hand).

Socialization doesn’t just stop with puppy preschool, though. It’s an ongoing effort throughout the life of your puppy and dog: he needs to be taken to a whole bunch of new places and environments.

Remember not to overwhelm him: start off slow, and build up his tolerance gradually.

- Aggression towards family members -

There are two common reasons why a dog is aggressive towards members of his own human family:

- He’s trying to defend something he thinks of as his from a perceived threat (you).

This is known as resource guarding, and though it may sound innocuous, there’s actually a lot more going on here than your dog simply trying to keep his kibble to himself.

- He’s not comfortable with the treatment/handling he’s getting from you or other members of the family.

What’s resource guarding?

Resource guarding is pretty common among dogs. The term refers to overly-possessive behavior on behalf of your dog: for instance, snarling at you if you approach him when he’s eating, or giving you “the eye” (a flinty-eyed, direct stare) if you reach your hand out to take a toy away from him.

All dogs can be possessive from time to time – it’s in their natures. Sometimes they’re possessive over things with no conceivable value: inedible trash, balled up pieces of paper or tissue, old socks. More frequently, however, resource-guarding becomes an issue over items with a very real and understandable value: food and toys.

Why does it happen?

It all boils down to the issue of dominance. Let me take a moment to explain this concept: dogs are pack animals. This means that they’re used to a very structured environment: in a dog-pack, each individual animal is ranked in a hierarchy of position and power (or “dominance”) in relation to every other animal. Each animal is aware of the rank of every other animal, which means he knows specifically how to act in any given situation (whether to back down, whether to push the issue, whether to muscle in or not on somebody else’s turf, etc etc).

To your dog, the family environment is no different to the dog-pack environment. Your dog has ranked each member of the family, and has his own perception of where he ranks in that environment as well.

This is where it gets interesting: if your dog perceives himself as higher up on the social totem-pole than other family members, he’s going to get cheeky. If he’s really got an overinflated sense of his own importance, he’ll start to act aggressively.

Why? Because dominance and aggression are the exclusive rights of a superior-ranked animal. No underdog would ever show aggression or act dominantly to a higher-ranked animal (the consequences would be dire, and he knows it!)

Resource guarding is a classic example of dominant behavior: only a higher-ranked dog (a “dominant” dog) would act aggressively in defence of resources.

To put it plainly: if it was clear to your dog that he is not, in fact, the leader of the family, he’d never even dream of trying to prevent you from taking his food or toys – because a lower-ranking dog (him) will always go along with what the higher-ranking dogs (you and your family) say.

So what can I do about it? The best treatment for dominant, aggressive behavior is consistent, frequent obedience work, which will underline your authority over your dog. Just two fifteen-minute sessions a day will make it perfectly clear to your dog that you’re the boss, and that it pays to do what you say.

You can make this fact clear to him by rewarding him (with treats and lavish praise) for obeying a command, and isolating him (putting him in “time-out”, either outside the house or in a room by himself) for misbehaviour.

- If you’re not entirely confident doing this yourself, you may wish to consider enlisting the assistance of a qualified dog-trainer.

- Brush up on your understanding of canine psychology and communication, so that you understand what he’s trying to say – this will help you to nip any dominant behaviors in the bud, and to communicate your own authority more effectively

- Train regularly: keep obedience sessions short and productive (no more than fifteen minutes – maybe two or three of these per day).

Why doesn’t my dog like to be handled?

All dogs have different handling thresholds. Some dogs like lots of cuddles, and are perfectly content to be hugged, kissed, and have arms slung over their shoulders (this is the ultimate “I’m the boss” gesture to a dog, which is why a lot of them won’t tolerate it.) Others – usually the ones not accustomed to a great deal of physical contact from a very young age – aren’t comfortable with too much full-body contact and will get nervy and agitated if someone persists in trying to hug them.

Another common cause of handling-induced aggression is a bad grooming experience: nail-clipping and bathing are the two common culprits.

When you clip a dog’s nails, it’s very easy to “quick” him – that is, cut the blood vessel that runs inside the nail. This is extremely painful to a dog, and is a sure-fire way to cause a long-lasting aversion to those clippers.

Being washed is something that a great many dogs have difficulty dealing with – a lot of owners, when confronted with a wild-eyed, half-washed, upset dog, feel that in order to complete the wash they have to forcibly restrain him. This only adds to the dog’s sense of panic, and reinforces his impression of a wash as something to be avoided at all costs – if necessary, to defend himself from it with a display of teeth and hackles.

Can I “retrain” him to enjoy being handled and groomed?

In a word: yes. It’s a lot easier if you start from a young age – handle your puppy a lot, get him used to being touched and rubbed all over. Young dogs generally enjoy being handled – it’s only older ones who haven’t had a lot of physical contact throughout their lives that sometimes find physical affection difficult to accept.

Practice picking up his paws and touching them with the clipper; practice taking him into the bath (or outside, under the faucet – whatever works for you, but warm water is much more pleasant for a dog than a freezing spray of ice-water!), and augment the process throughout with lots of praise and the occasional small treat.

For an older dog that may already have had several unpleasant handling/grooming experiences, things are a little more difficult. You need to undo the damage already caused by those bad experiences, which you can do by taking things very slowly – with an emphasis on keeping your dog calm.

The instant he starts to show signs of stress, stop immediately and let him relax. Try to make the whole thing into a game: give him lots of praise, pats, and treats.

Take things slowly. Don’t push it too far: if you get nervous, stop.

Dogs show aggression for a reason: they’re warning you to back off, or else! If your dog just can’t seem to accept being groomed, no matter how much practice you put in, it’s best to hand the job over to the professionals.

Your vet will clip his nails for you (make sure you tell him first that he gets aggressive when the clippers come out, so your vet can take the necessary precautions!). As far as washing and brushing goes, the dog-grooming business is a flourishing industry: for a small fee, you can get your dog washed, clipped, brushed, and whatever else you require by experienced professionals (again, make sure you tell them about your dog’s reaction to the experience first!)

For more information on handling aggressive and dominant behaviors, as well as a great deal of detailed information on a host of other common dog behavior problems, check out SitStayFetch.

It’s a complete owner’s guide to owning, rearing, and training your dog, and it deals with all aspects of dog ownership.

To get the inside word on preventing and dealing with problem behaviors like aggression and dominance in your dog, SitStayFetch is well worth a look.
Pet Supplies

All About Filters and Your Fish Tank

2008-12-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Since fish aquariums have toxic buildup from natural and unnatural sources, it is important to have filters added to your aquarium to prolong your fish’s life. In all there are a couple types of filters, which include the biological filters and the chemical/mechanical filters.

How biological filters work?

Biological filters work by supplying denitrifying system. In summary, biological filters remove nitrogen from water. Denitrifying converts nitrates into ammonia, nitrites, and nitrogen. Now, you may see that ammonia and nitrites are toxic, yet fish adapt well to nitrites since the toxic converts to non-toxic. Biological filters works by using soil-enriched bacterium, which is used to convert ammonia compounds, accordingly converting them into nitrates. The conversion makes nitrogen available for fish. Nitrogen is colorless and odorless gas, which non-metallically chemicalizes as elements to produce natural resources.

Mechanical filters remove solid waste or particles from fish water. To see a list of mechanical filters go online and look for foam filtration cartridges, gravel, and/or floss. In fact, you will need both floss and gravel with various filters.

Chemical filters activate carbons. The filtration system includes absorbents to remove ammonia, as well as water softeners. Since fish water comes from ground or tap water, it is important to purify your water supply to maintain healthy fish. You can also check out water purification systems, which can minimize chemical buildup.

Types of Filters:

Aquarium filters include corner filtration, outside powered filters, under-gravel filtration, foam, canisters, and flow-through filtration.

How do the filters work?

It depends on which product you purchase, however corner filtration works by supplying air. The air creates an insignificant vacuum cleaner, which extracts the water into the corner filtration. You can combine Floss filtration to activate carbons, which will assist in filtering the tank water. Combining the filters will supply you a biochemical reaction, which slows the growth of bacteria. Corner filtration supplies ventilation. The filters however are limited in their ability to act, therefore you should use gravel combined with floss and corner filters to get the best result.

Electrical pumps, or outside powered filters assist by extracting huge amounts of water through filters, which passes over filtered floss and carbons that supply sufficient water supply. The pumps will provide ventilation, as well as support a larger array of fish, more so than other filters. All filters should be changed responsively, since dirt buildup decreases the filters ability to perform.
You want to add gravel to the bottom of your aquarium, since it will slow bacteria growth. Under-gravel filtration works as a vacuum to extract water from gravel. Use gravel since it will supply your fish with adequate biological and mechanical aids without using chemicals. This filter has its downsides, which includes the use of vacuums to remove debris. Unlike the pumps, this system will not support all your fish in the tank. Rather, the filters support a smaller amount. Foam filtration attaches to air supplies. The supply is then situated in the aquarium to supply ventilation and biochemical reactions that filter growth of bacteria. Foam filters are biological kin, which supply mechanical filters to trap rubble. Canisters are filters which combine mechanical, biological, and chemical filtrations by lining with a pump. The downside is this pump requires consistent attention, otherwise it will overload fairly easy. Flow-through provides continual drainage solutions and water supplies. The system supports a large body of fish, yet the water must be conditioned. Ironically, this system is not one of the most recommended. Killifish is another type of fish for aquariums, yet the killifish are hard to find.

Health Insurance For Your Dog

2008-12-16T19:51:00.000-08:00

The word insurance is one of those words that just makes you cringe. Next to putting gas in your car it seems like the biggest expense you have and there is just so much that you need. You need to keep insurance on your car (it would have been really nice if somebody would have told how big a financial drain that was going to be), if you own a home you pay homeowners insurance, if you rent an apartment you have renters insurance, you struggle with the ever soaring cost of health care insurance, and if you are a really responsible family member you have life insurance. And now you find you are hearing that you should consider purchasing a health insurance plan for your pet dog.

You love your dog, he's more then a pet, he's a valued member of your family and probably your best friend. But health insurance? You can barely afford to put food on your table how are you supposed to be able to afford to insure your pet. Besides he's just a mutt, dog health care insurance is for fancy purebred show dogs, not your rescue pet.

The shoestring you're probably living on is the very reason you might want to consider putting pet health insurance on your pet. The average dog owner takes their pet dog to the veterinarian approximately 2.3 times a year and it will cost you approximately two hundred and eleven dollars per year. My guess is that each time you pay the vet bill your budget is screaming for mercy.

What happens if your dog contracts a disease, or gets hurt? It doesn't take much to rack up some pretty serious vet bills. What if you have to leave town and can't take your dog with you? Can you really afford to leave your dog at a boarding kennel? You already know how much you have to pay for your prescriptions, do you really think that a dog prescription is going to be any cheaper. Your dog is your best friend and a treasured member of your family could you really live with yourself if you had to put him to sleep just because you couldn't afford his vet bill.

It is possible to get health care insurance for your dog for approximately ten dollars a month. While it might not cover all of your dogs vet care needs it could help. If you shop around and read each plan carefully you should even be able to find a pet healthcare plan that will help pay for your routine vet visits. Some pet insurance plans will even cover some boarding expenses. Some questions you should ask the pet health insurance company you are considering buying a pet health care policy from is whether or not your vet accepts that particular type of insurance, if there is a cap on treatments, how much is your deductible, and how will they handle any pre-existing conditions your dog might have.

Dog Obedience Training is Necessary

2008-12-09T01:17:00.000-08:00

Obedience Training is a very important excersize for both you and your pet. It not only gives the pet owner peace of mind, but also helps to establish a strong bond between you and your pet.

It is best to do dog obedience training after you and your dog have had a chance to bond. Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem.

Training a dog to obey your commands can be an ongoing and lengthy process depending on the dog, the methods used, and the skill and understanding of both the pet and its owner.

Although dogs love us, and some of them are very smart for their breed, they don't have the brain capacity of humans. And as much we treat them as our children (yes I'm guilty), we have to tailor our training to a dog and not a person. The first thing to do is to choose one person to do the training, usually the master (or alpha leader in dog speak), this is the person (most probably you) who will train your best friend. If you're asking why, it's simply to avoid confusion and help your puppy or dog learn to recognize your commands, inflections, and instructions.

With time, dogs have become an important part of human households, where they are seldom treated as working mates. Unlike people of the 18th century, dog owners of today consider their pets as one of their family members and go out of their way to provide the latter with the best of training, diet, grooming and care.

Your dog provides you with love and companionship, but chances are he also provides you with some unpleasant surprises from time to time—a mess on the carpet or a slobbery pair of slippers, for example. While dogs seem to offer their people love and friendship almost immediately, learning how to live by the rules of a human household does not always come so easily.

Recognize that dogs, no matter how smart for their breed, are not as intelligent as humans. And while multitasking in today's environment is expected of homosapiens, such is not the case in the dog world. Teach them one thing (thing=command) at a time, otherwise your training session may be confusing and not achieve the results you're hoping for. Realize that even if you only teach one command at a time, it will very likely require multiple training sessions.

Solving your dog's behavior problems may take a renewed commitment on your part, but it can be done. And it's worth it. After all, research shows that most dogs and cats are relinquished to animal shelters—or otherwise given up—because of common behavior problems their families didn't know how to solve.

Choosing A Dog Obedience Training Course Online

2008-11-25T08:02:00.000-08:00

Source: Free Articles

Easy to Follow Grooming Guide For Dogs

2008-11-09T22:48:00.000-08:00

This grooming guide for dogs aims to help you, pet owners, get more acquainted with your pet dog's needs. Contrary to popular belief, grooming your dogs is not a luxury but rather a necessity. Our pets are just like humans, and their need for hygienic pampering goes beyond looking good and smelling great. When they are not properly cared for, they are at risk of acquiring diseases and it can be dangerous to both you and your pet.

The first and most essential step in developing a healthy grooming habit for your pet is to bathe regularly. This process won't be easy as the dog may resist at the beginning, but just try to be patient with them until they learn to enjoy the experience of bathing them, as much as you would. Make sure you have gathered all grooming bath supplies like shampoo, bucket, towel and hair dryer. You can opt to bathe them or use a water hose to splash on their body.

As you bathe your dog, make sure to gently scrub their body to remove any dirt or foreign materials. You can use your hand to do this or pet grooming gloves for a more thorough scrubbing. Give them a light massage as well, to make it an overall soothing experience for your dog.

In choosing which shampoo to use for your dog, refrain from using the same type or brand of shampoo that you use on them. The same goes with the soap that you use to wash them, because the skin that is underneath their furs is really sensitive and some bathing products that humans use can be too harsh. You have several options in the market for dog shampoo, but if you want to be sure and give your pet only the best, you may consult with a professional pet groomer to know which best suit your pets.

As you wash the dog's body, you may brush their teeth at the same time to keep it healthy. You can practice doing this regularly and develop a brushing habit for your dog. When you're done bathing the dog, you must rinse them properly especially in the ears and paws. Then, lightly pat them with a dry towel.

The next thing you'd have to deal with is dog hair. The type of grooming to use depends on your dog's type of hair. Long-haired dogs require more frequent brushing. Meanwhile, those with curly or frizzy hair must be cared for on a daily basis to loosen up any tangled hair. Try to follow this grooming routine on your own because regular pet grooming services can be quite expensive.

Make sure to use the right tools in grooming your pet to ensure their safety. Refrain from using old hairbrush while combing their hair, but instead use one that is specialized for a dog's fur. Also, you must not do aggressive scrubbing as you bathe your dog because it will remove natural oils from the hair. Lastly, avoid applying scented powders on them if it is not formulated for pet use.

More than basic grooming, you can take your dog for a walk outdoors on a regular basis. This will not only improve their physical condition but their outlook as well; plus, it brings you closer to your pet. This is just a simple grooming guide for dogs that you must follow knowing that your pet deserves only the best.

Beautiful cows

2008-11-07T19:58:00.000-08:00

Thailand tiger temple

2008-11-05T02:30:00.000-08:00

Amazing animals pictures

2008-11-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

Lonely Dogs and How to Handle Them

2008-10-18T04:50:00.000-07:00

Dogs belong in packs and when they are domesticated, they still look at their families as their 'packs.' They need to be social and they need attention. The way dogs have been domesticated has created a bit of a problem. Allowing your dog to spend time with other dogs is not satisfactory. They need time with their human friends. Sure, we have lives that are extremely busy, so it can be difficult to give our dogs as much attention as we need. As we rush around like maniacs trying to get important things done, trying to spend time with our dogs can feel like a burden.

When you're feeling like this, spending time with your dog sure can seem like more of a chore than having a relaxing, fun time with your four legged friend. Taking him or her for a walk can feel like a chore among a million chores that you have to accomplish. This definitely lessens the quality of the time you spend with your dog. It shouldn't be this way but sometimes it seems like life has you by the collar!

The way that we live really does affect our dogs. For instance, if we are stressed out all the time, what kind of personal time we have, our general demeanors really have a lot to do with our dogs' temperament. The dogs sometimes take on their human companions' moods and feelings - to the point that if you're depressed or stressed out all the time, your dog can be anxious and depressed as well. Also, if we are busy with certain things, walking the dog or spending time with him can be pushed to the back burner and your dog will truly suffer because of this. There are a few things that you can do to make time for your dog so that he or she is not lonely!

* Take your dog with you when you are out doing the normal daily tasks. Whether you have to go pay bills, drive your children here or there or even going out for a drive, take your dog. He or she will love going, even if she has to sit in the car. Getting out of the house and having something different to look at is a great thing for your dog to get a chance to do. If you will have other people in the car, for instance if you will be driving your kids around or picking up friends, this is a great way for your furry friend to socialize. One thing you should be sure of is to never leave your dog for more than a half an hour in the car and you should NEVER leave your dog in the car on a hot day. This could result in fatal injuries due to the heat.

* Let your pooch sleep in the bedroom with you at night. He or she doesn't have to sleep on the bed - they can have a cozy spot in the corner. Still, just the time together with you is enough to put him or her at ease. Neither one of you have to do anything but you're spending time together anyway. This is a great thing to do. If you've noticed how dogs lie together when they are puppies, you will understand that dogs have an instinct to be close to the pack during times when they are vulnerable, like sleeping. This helps them to feel secure and safe. So, for an easy way to keep your dog happy and healthy, allow them to sleep in the bedroom with you at night. * Try exploring different areas with your dog. Becoming accustomed to the same old route can also become boring. Although dogs like familiar surroundings, they also appreciate exploring new areas and seeing new things. Taking your dog through the woods or down a new path or even to the beach would be a great idea. You could even take your dog on a hike. The key is for you to enjoy the time you spend together as well because then you will want to do it more often and that will help the relationship between you and your dog!

* Spend time with your dog while you're doing other things. You can multi-task and you won't have to feel guilty that you're not spending time with your dog. For instance, while you are watching television, you can brush and groom your dog. Or, if you're ready for a relaxing nap, allow your pooch to hop up on the couch and snooze along with you (unless of course he or she is a large breed dog - then you might get pushed off onto the floor!) Doing simple things like this can be very enjoyable for your dog and doesn't take much extra effort and no extra time from you!

* Encourage the other members of your household to play with your dog and spend time with him or her. If you live alone, you could hire a dog walker a few times a week (someone that you fully trust with your pet) and allow your dog the chance to interact with others and have a good time. If the dog lives in a house with children, this is great because children usually have tons of time and energy. Make sure that your dog understands that he or she is not dominant over the children and that the dog will obey the children's commands before you allow the child to play with the dog alone. Not only will this help keep your dog happy and well-adjusted, but it takes some of the responsibility off of your shoulders as well.

While you still need to spend a good amount of time with your dog, giving him or her attention, making sure that he or she is healthy and happy, you can make your life easier in some ways using the tips and tricks above.

Funny and Cute Pets

2008-10-01T00:54:00.001-07:00

Animal Expressions

2008-09-29T06:02:00.000-07:00

Dangerous pet ( Crazy )

2008-09-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

Dangerous pet ( Crazy )

Bunch of kids having an Anaconda as a pet. I couldn't get that close myself. Ouch!

Cleaning Pets

2008-09-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

Sleeping Animals

2008-09-06T00:45:00.000-07:00

Painted Animals

2008-09-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

Source: 1:

Koalas

2008-09-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

CUTE PETS

2008-09-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

Magical frog

2008-08-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

Love Good Reading? Click here to Join Group...

A Woman was out golfing one day when she hit the ball into the woods.

She went into the woods to look for it and found a frog in a trap.

The frog said to her, "If you release me from this trap, I will grant you three wishes."

The woman freed the frog, and the frog said, "Thank you,but I failed to mention that there was a condition to your wishes. Whatever you wish for, your husband will get times ten!"

The woman said, "That's okay." For her first wish, she wanted to be the most beautiful woman in the world.

The frog warned her, "You do realize that this wish will also make Your husband the most handsome man in the world, an Adonis whom women will flock to. "

The woman replied, "That's okay, because I will be the most beautiful Woman and he will have eyes only for me." So, -she's the most beautiful woman in the world!

For her second wish, she wanted to be the richest woman in the world.

The frog said, "That will make your husband the richest man in the world and he will be ten times richer than you." The woman said,

"That's okay, because what's mine is his and what's his is mine."

So, -she's the richest woman in the world!

The frog then inquired about her third wish, and she answered, "I'd like a mild heart attack."

Moral of the story: Women are clever. Don't mess with them.

Attention female readers: This is the end of the story for you. Stop here and continue feeling good.

Male readers: Please scroll down.
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The man had a heart attack ten times milder than his wife!!!

Moral of the story: Women are really dumb but think they're really smart.

Let them continue to think that way and just enjoy the show

PS: If you are a woman and are still reading this; it only goes to show that women never listen!

DIGITAL ANIMALS

2008-08-27T00:14:00.000-07:00