I Love Animals

House training is something that is vital if you want to have a good experience of being a dog owner. It is a training that should stay with your dog for his whole life so it’s worth getting it right from the start. A lot of people think that this is a difficult task, that it will take months of work, but in reality it is one of the simplest things to achieve. It took me just four days to house train my puppy, to give him a command for going to the toilet that he always responds to, and with the following methods, you can be just as successful. It may take a few weeks, depending on you, your attitude, your living arrangements and many other factors, but with patience and lots of time and effort, you can have a perfectly house-trained dog for life.

This method does not entail using a crate, just regularly keep your dog in one particular area of the house, especially when unsupervised. It’s best if it’s an easily cleaned floor, such as a linoleum in the bathroom, as there will be a few accidents to start with. You cannot allow your puppy to wander around the whole house unsupervised as she will just go to the toilet whenever she feels like it without being trained to do otherwise. Make sure your puppy has a nice comfortable bed in her chosen area and that she is happy to use it. Once she establishes the bed as her own, she is less likely to mess near it. You should also ensure that she is happy in this area – fresh water should always be available, and play with her and pet her there so she feels happy, safe and secure.

The key to this method of house training is observing your puppy’s behaviour, so you must spend lots of time with her. The other important factor is to have a regular routine for feeding. Puppies usually need to go to the toilet after eating, so a routine will help you both. Check also that her food and water and the quantities are suiting her digestive system. You can’t house train a dog who has diarrhoea, so this must be sorted out right at the beginning. Speak to your vet if you can’t resolve this yourself or if there are urinary problems – it could be an infection.

So here’s the procedure, once you have everything in place. Think of a command word that you will use every time you see your puppy about to go to the toilet or when you want to encourage her to do so. When she wakes in the morning, within half an hour after eating and before she goes to sleep, you should take her to her toilet area (this will either be some newspaper on the floor or a convenient area just outside the back door in the garden) and give her the command. The likelihood is that, if you are patient enough, she will go to the toilet and you can praise her for doing so in the right place. When a puppy is young, they have little control and a small capacity for urine and faeces in their system, so you should take her out every two hours so she has the opportunity to go if she wants to.

When you are spending time with your puppy (and you should spend a lot time with her at this point in her life) you must observe her and become familiar with her behaviour when she’s about to go to the toilet – mine looks agitated and walks around with his knees slightly bent just before he goes, sniffing the ground in circles. Once you know this, you can pre-empt your own puppy’s need, and either pick her up or call her quickly to her toilet area. Once your puppy is in the toilet area, give your toilet command in a friendly encouraging tone. If she walks away from the toilet area, lead her gently back there and give the command. If your puppy is really averse to going in that area, look for a reason why – there could be a good reason that needs addressing.

When your dog successfully goes to the toilet in the correct area, praise her and maybe give her a favourite treat. Each and every time she does as you’ve asked, in the toilet area, praise her enthusiastically. This is positive reinforcement and is the most important aspect of this training method. Soon, your puppy will look at you or whine when she wants to go to the toilet. You must be there, ready to respond quickly otherwise she will have an accident. If you are using newspaper in the house, this can be gradually moved outdoors, so that she understands that that is the new toilet area.

DO NOT chastise your dog when she gets it wrong. She will not understand why you’re telling her off and it will only confuse her. You should also be careful to clean up any accidents with a detergent that removes the smell – dogs like to mess again where they have left their scent and you need to discourage this through thorough cleaning practices.

So, to re-cap, spend lots of time with your puppy, learn her pre-toilet behaviour and pre-empt it. Lead her to her toilet area and give the toilet command. Praise her abundantly when she goes on command in the right place. Keep her living area clean, comfortable and fun to be in for both of you. Above all, be patient – house training does take time and your dog has a lot to learn at this stage of her life. She need lots of love, lots of fun and games and lots of encouragement.

Congratulations! You have just experienced the joy of bringing new puppy home, and she is the cutest one in the litter. You decided right away, though, that you want to do the absolute best for this four-legged, furry member of the family as you can. You want to have a smooth and easy time with this puppy, and a wonderful life with her. So you want to conduct her puppy training correctly from the start.

Being a professional yourself, you know two things. One, you don’t have a lot of spare time on your hands, to be wasted, anyway. Two, a professional really knows what they are doing in their area of expertise, and puppy training is not yours.

You do some research promptly to find a straight-forward and knowledgeable dog trainer and dog behaviorist. The dog obedience trainer asks you several questions about the puppy’s behavior when you got her, and how she has been acting since you brought her home. She corrects you on a few basic mistakes you have unintentionally made in your puppy training, and gives you a straight-forward routine for the little one.

The next morning, you take the puppy out as the dog trainer instructed … not allowing her to go out the door first. You are surprised that after some minor resistance, she seems to like being told what to do. You have the leash up high on the sensitive part of her neck, as done in a dog show.

At first you are concerned about hurting her, but you quickly see how much easier she is to control… and how nice it is not to have your arm throbbing!

You begin teaching the puppy “Sit.” You make it happen by pushing her rear end down. You repeat the exercise about five times. Then you add the challenge of “stay.” You change the timing around, as the dog obedience trainer suggested to avoid “cheating” on the dog’s part because you have become too predictable. She warns you not to jerk the dog in correction if she does not stay, but to bring her back to the spot where you asked her to stay and start over.

In the back of your mind, you secretly wonder if the dog trainer is overly strict. After all, it seems mean that a little puppy should begin the day having to listen so much. But this thought pattern only lasts a few days, because within a couple of weeks of this puppy training regimen, you cannot help but notice how attentive your dog is to you, and how eager she is to please.

You have been keeping up with the dog trainer’s advice, four training sessions a day, five minutes a piece (minimum, no more than ten), always ending the session with the dog listening to you, and then playing with her for a few minutes. However, you do correct her immediately if she begins to play when he should be “working.”

The puppy continues to make some basic mistakes. She occasionally touches the furniture with her mouth in exploration. Every once in a while, she does not come or stay exactly when told. But instead of standing there doing nothing about it, you take those few seconds to go over and address it … those seconds that make a lifetime of a difference.

There are, of course, some frustrating days, but the dog obedience trainer is dedicated. She gives you encouragement to make it through this. She gives you parallel analogies that relate to your professional career, and somehow you make it through that day.

After a little over a year of consistency and dedication to the puppy training, it suddenly hits you on this average day that now you have the dog of which you have always dreamed. Good work!

Among numerous types of dog species, great danes present a significant feature. This distinct feature can be seen, as Danes have many different kinds of color patterns on their body. Generally speaking, three gene series are responsible for assigning the patterns to which great danes will exhibit. These series are called M-series, H-series and S-series and they this article will examine these genes.

In order to understand these genetic traits, we must first understand genes and alleles. For those unfamiliar with the term “allele,” an allele is any one of a number of feasible DNA codings of the same gene. In the case of the great dane, M-series genes, have two alleles: namely, merle and not-merle. If two dominant merles run into one another in a locus, the dog’s color changes its state to purely white [except for some regions in head and tail]. Nevertheless, when one of the genes are recessive, the coat color is turned into shaded blue with irregular patches of black.

A Herlequin gene, [otherwise known as H-series] is an incomplete dominant and carry two alleles. If a dog has recessive genes in her locus, the dominant gene will have no effect on the great dane’s appearance. There may be some irregular black patches, but shaded blue areas become fully white.

S-series accounts for white spots on a great dane’s body. When two dominant S-series genes come together in a locus, white in the body is likely to diminish, about 5% or less, and there remains a little white at chest and feet. The fact that one of the genes is recessive results in the increase in the amount of white on the chest, face, feet and neck. The dog will have approximately 25% of it‘s hair appear white in color.

There are three more possibilities that occur when the alleles come together abnormally. For instance, SSI (Sporophytic Self-Incompatibility Systems) alleles commonly label a great dane as having “pet-marked-blacks.” This odd name is derived from the appearance of the coat’s white color — which appears as a black hue. Dogs carrying SSW alleles tend to resemble Irish marked dogs. Perhaps this is because their gene type is exactly the same as those of the Irish marked dog. Ironically, SISW alleles lead to a completely dominant white color in dog’s body. The result is typically that of a white great dane having the appearance of a Boston head.

There are not many situations in life where two passions meet, and in some rare cases they even compliment each other in such a way that it almost seems natural that they are combined. The passion for pets and especially birds is very unique, although many people enjoy having pets, the bird owner can be a very different character than the average pet lover.

Birds are creatures of delicate beauty, they are also capable of the one thing humans wish for the most and can not have, flying. With incredible grace and power they can lift themselves to the sky and fly away to great distances, encompassing in their flight the pure meaning of freedom and independence. Many can think that holding a bird in a cage is simply cruel and is unnatural, in some cases, and in my opinion these people are right.

But on other situations the holding of a bird in a cage may serve for its own protection, some birds are also capable of living in a cage and flying away from time to time, always coming back to their cage, in these cases the cage has become a home. For those who admire and love birds and bird watching there is no greater joy than having your own bird and watching it take flight from time to time.

One other thing you can do with a bird cage is place it in your home, as a decorative item, enhancing the interior design with a beautiful bird. Anyone who has even visited a house of a bird lover who also has a passion for interior design will remember a room with a few bird cages, the unique sound and the almost outdoor feeling that the birds bring to the indoors is very inspiring.

When one thinks of combining these two, owning a bird and keeping an interior design that will embrace the birds presence, one must take into account the living conditions suitable for the birds he is holding, this will require a detailed talk with a professional, or a veterinarian. The other things to take into consideration is the effect that the regular every day life of the birds, a thing that will require maintenance and attention, since you will want to have the birds in a main room. Placing the bird cage in locations that will reward the birds with a nice view is also important, although in some cases there are birds that prefer not to have any view at all, if the bird does not want to be placed in such location it is almost always something that is very clearly displayed.

It is very surprising that the two, bird cages and bird ownership and the interior design of rooms that hold the animals go together, but after all it is a mater of simple common sense, if we were to design all rooms with a thought about the creatures that will live in that room except from us, we may find other surprising combinations.

There may come a time in your dog’s life when he will suffer from dog flu (medically known as the “canine influenza” virus). There are a few symptoms to watch out for:

Firstly there is the coughing. Most if not all dogs will suffer this, if not painful it will be very uncomfortable for your dog. Young puppies and older dogs will suffer from coughing a lot more than your average aged dog. The best thing to do at this stage is to make sure that he has plenty of fluids and that he doesn’t over work himself in the throat area, or he could start to feel really sorry for himself! The coughing tends to be worse during exercise or excitement, it tends to imitate kennel cough but the difference with dog flu is that the cough lasts a lot longer.

High fevers are another symptom to watch out for. Sometimes dogs can suffer temperatures up to 106 degrees so if you start to notice the coughing and the fever together make sure that you get him to the vets just to be on the safe side. Otherwise you could be looking at a bad bout of dog flu. The fever tends to make your dog dehydrated so again just make sure that he has lots of water and that you give him plenty of love as he will need it, feeling so poorly!

There are other general symptoms such as runny eyes and nose, which could simply be just a cold but its best to get it checked out especially if there are any other symptoms. Your dog may also suffer from some depression. He will be going through a tough and painful time so just make sure that he is as comfortable as possible and give him lots of cuddles. A bit of tender, love and care can go a long way!

Dog flu is highly contagious between other dogs. People are often worried about dog flu spreading to humans but there is no evidence of this whatsoever and there has been no claims of it either so that’s not something you have to worry about. Something you do have to worry about however is that if dog flu is left untreated then it may lead to Pneumonia. Dogs suffering from dog flu also have an 80% chance of infection which is why antibiotics are usually prescribed to help them fend it off, saving them a lot more pain and discomfort.

The incubation time for dog flu is around four weeks, after those few weeks are over and your dogs had a good treatment of antibiotics he should be feeling fit, happy and back to his normal self again.

The exotic and majestic appearance of the Persian cat captures the attention of cat lovers everywhere, making it one of the most desirable breeds of cats today. Their dense and lush long-haired coat, short legs and broad head with round eyes and flat muzzle faces are distinct physical traits that make them easily identifiable to just about everyone.

According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, there are seven main categories of Persians. You can visit their web site for specific information on each group and view pictures.

1. Himalayans

2. Solid Colors

3. Silver and Golden

4. Calico and Bicolor

5. Smoke and Shaded

6. Tabby

7. Particolor

Within these categories, there are many colors and variations. The many different kinds of Persians that are available permit anyone to pick the perfect companion. However, before running out and snatching up the first Persian you see, there are several factors for purchasing a Persian you ought to consider.

First, give some thought on how this new addition will get along with any pets you already have. Then assess if you are able to take the time to groom this cat properly everyday. The next issue might be the hardest thing to decide. That is narrowing down which of the seven types of Persians you like the most. However, once that is resolved, you could even settle on the color you would prefer. After that, you may have a partiality for the specific sex of your pet. A significant issue to consider is if you intend on entering your cat in show competitions or if you are just looking for a buddy. A show quality Persian will generally cost more.

Depending on your personality and time constraints, do you want and are you able to raise a kitten? Then you will want to locate a reputable breeder. This is an important matter because the better the breeder, the better your chance of acquiring a strong and healthy kitten. See if the kitten appears to be well taken care of and is being raised in clean surroundings. Has a veterinary done a complete checkup for health problems and is it up-to-date with shots? Is the breeder aware of any genetic conditions that may run in this kitten’s pedigree lineage? Remember to obtain a health contract or guarantee from the breeder. A honest breeder will have no problem supplying you with one. Additionally, you will need the vaccination certificate. If the kitten is registered or you are planning to register it, you will need these papers from the breeder too.

Perhaps you are leaning toward an older cat. Adopting from a shelter or rescue could be a rewarding experience, not to mention saving a life. Just realize that this cat might have been abandoned due to a major health or personality problem. Ask a lot of questions and spend as much time with the cat as you can to determine if it will be a good pet for you.

No matter what cat you ultimately select, by doing your homework and being honest with yourself on your particular personality and situation, picking the perfect Persian can be a fun experience that later grows into a long loving relationship.

If you want hardy winter outdoor dog then the Alaskan Malamute may be the one for you!

This breed, descended from the Arctic Wolf, has roots in Alaska where it has been used by Alaskan Eskimos to pull sleds for over 2000 years. These hard-working dogs have great strength and endurance and have pulled sleds on many expeditions including Admiral Byrd’s expeditions to the North Pole.

Weighing in at around 80 to 95 pounds ( 70 - 85 for females) and growing to 24 to 26 inches ( a few inches shorter for females), the Alaskan Malamute is on the large side and part of the AKC Working group. Alaskan Malamutes have an average litter size of six puppies. With good care they can live to be 15 years old.

The sweet expression on these dogs make them just about the cutest puppies ever and they grow into beautiful sweet adults as well. Their disposition is just as sweet as it looks and they make loving pets, but a bit strong willed. they have a thick coat on a solid well-built body. Ears are held erect on a wide head and eyes are dark and almond shaped. There may be some Alaskan Malamutes with blue eyes, however this is a fault which would disqualify your dog in the show ring. The coat can be from 1 to 3 inches long and comes in Wolf Gray, solid white, black and white, red and a red undercoat with gray outer coat. Many dogs have a dark mask and other dark markings and the legs and muscle are usually white.

These dogs are loyal and affectionate, a great family pet and good with children. They are friendly to strangers but may not get along with small animals as they have a strong prey instinct. They also may not get along good with other dogs and early socialization and firm training are important to raising an obedient pet.

Alaskan Malamutes love the outdoors, especially in winter time. Taking your Malamute on a winter walk or bringing him with you when you are snowshoeing or cross-country skiing is a real treat. They can be happy in a fenced in yard but they do like to be around their “pack” so you need to be sure to spend lots of time with your dog even if you keep him outside. this is an act of dog that needs plenty of exercise and will do best with a large yard. It is not advised to let them run free, as this breed will roam in his territory. They can withstand cold temperatures well but in hot climates you need to make sure that the dog does not overheat. Be aware that they are diggers and if you do not bury your fence quite a bit under the ground you will soon find a large hole and no dog inside the fence.

This is a fairly hardy breed with few health problems. They can have hip dysplasia just like any other breed and may be prone to dwarfism. They are rather clean dogs and virtually odorless. they are heavy shedders and grooming consist of brushing twice a week and an occasional dry shampoo.

Dogs are very much like humans. What is important to us is important to them too. Eating the right food, exercising regularly and grooming ourselves for wellness and aesthetic reasons are foremost in our minds if we think of maintaining our health. This is the case with dogs too. The only difference is we can do all these activities ourselves while a dog requires us to do it for them. But what is a little feeding, walking and exercising required from the owners compared to total love, devotion and friendship that a dog gives in return, right?

The Right Food:

It is important that you provide your dog with a proper, well-balanced diet to maintain his health. Fortunately for dog owners, commercial dog food is now readily available on the market today. One can easily go to the grocery store and choose which of the brands would best suit their dogs. These dog foods have been through well-researched studies and are known to provide the dog with its most needed nutrients and nourishment to ensure a healthy disposition.

The Right Amount of Exercise:

Dogs crave the outdoors. They simply love playing and running around and their bodies are geared up to do so. Try to walk your dog at least three times a week to give him a stronger and leaner body. Walking does not only help eliminate digestive disorders such as constipation, it also helps a dog build his well-being and good nature. Dogs absolutely love the company of humans and it is usually better if you take them for a walk every once in a while to show them that they are loved and well taken care of.

The Right Sprucing:

To keep your dogs happy and healthy, they should constantly receive a fair amount of grooming as well. Remember, brushing, bathing and cleaning the paws and ears ensures that a dog remain in better health than ever. Try to keep the hair coat as dirt-free as possible by constant brushing. This helps the coat to secrete their natural oil and helps keep the skin clean and free from any irritation. Trimming the nails also ensure that your pet will less likely have any skin irritations when scratching. Try to do nail clipping once a month with a specially designed clipper. Keep the ears of your dog clean, too. Use moist cotton balls dipped in lukewarm water or mineral oil to keep the ears clean. This way, you keep the ears as free from infection and irritation as possible. A pet toothbrush is also available on the market today and may be used to clean your dog’s teeth. This helps eliminate the buildup of tartar that may result to sore tooth and loss of teeth. Clean your dog’s teeth twice a week to ensure that he always stays healthy and nourished. Bathing your dog also helps maintain his health and cleanliness. Using the required shampoo or soap on his coat helps him fight any irritation and skin infections.

These are just the basics to ensure that your dog is perfectly happy with you. If you decide to follow these simple steps trust me, your dog will surely love you for it!

Origin

The Chihuahua was named after the city of the same name in Mexico, however, this tiny dog’s history dates back thousands of years. It is the oldest breed on the American continent and the smallest breed in the world.

Archaeological digs have shown that the breed goes back to the fifth century AD. Mayan Indians of South America made clay sculptures of small dogs that resemble the Chihuahua and the Toltecs, the native people of Mexico, also possessed a dog of small stature called the Techichi. In later years they were referred to as ‘Texas Dogs’ or ‘Arizona Dogs’ and they quickly became a favourite with the American public.

The American Kennel club exhibited Chihuahua’s for the first time in 1890 and they were registered as a breed in 1903. They were later split into two varieties in 1952 – the smooth coat and long coat.

Temperament

The Chihuahua is a graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with a saucy expression and terrier-like qualities of temperament. They make wonderful companion dogs and love nothing more than to snuggle under the doona or curl up in the warmth of your armpit. They are sassy and charming, but also fragile. They need – and will demand – lots of love and attention and they are well known for licking faces! They are bold and quick on their paws, especially as they need to move quickly to avoid being trodden on. They are intensely loyal – and sometimes jealous - and will follow their owner everywhere.

Chihuahua’s require plenty of socialisation as puppies. If not, they will develop a suspicion of strangers and an obvious dislike of other dogs. They generally do not like other breeds, but many Chihuahua’s have been known to live happily with other breed types. Chihuahuas are good travellers and can easily go anywhere with their owners and friends will vie for cuddles because they are so endearingly cute.

It is rare to see a Chihuahua doing the rounds at a dog training facility, however, they are intelligent, and they do respond well to gentle and proper training. They learn quickly, but they love to bark! A good breeder will never sell a Chihuahua before 10 – 12 weeks old. These tiny dogs need a stress-free environment while young with frequent feeding, weighing, and monitoring to keep their weight and blood sugar levels stable.

Children

Many breeders will not recommend a Chihuahua if the family has young children. This is because they are so little and vulnerable and can be easily hurt. The Chihuahua will snap at children if being teased.

Living conditions

The Chihuahua does not fare well in cold climates, however, many Chihuahua owners invest in a variety of jumpers and coats to keep them warm. They cannot live outdoors. Not only are they susceptible to Eagles and Hawks (even Crows have been known to stoop for them), but also they will not withstand the drop in temperature at nighttime. They are a house dog and live well in apartments.

Exercise

Although small, Chihuahua’s require regular exercise just like any other dog. As their necks are very small and sensitive, attach a body harness for leading. They will enjoy chasing balls and runs along the beach (although they will keep well away from the waters edge).

Barking is normal behaviour for dogs but habitual barking is the bane of dog owners everywhere. Barking dogs are the most common sources of environmental pollution in urban society and no other dog-related problem causes local authorities so much time and frustration. So, what can we do?

Perhaps one of the reasons that early man first encouraged wild dogs to remain around the camp was their ability to alert people to danger and this is still one of the reasons for many families adding a dog to the household today. However, dogs that constantly bark are a nuisance to those who must live around them. And they are not good watchdogs. A dog that barks at every little disturbance in the neighbourhood will not bring the neighbours running when thieves are carrying the family silver out the door!

Habitual barking can start from a number of causes such as lack of training, boredom and anxiousness. Bored dogs are often diggers and chewers as well as barkers and this should tell the owner that the dog is simply looking for a way to fill in its day. Active dogs are likely to be the ones that continually run up and down the fence barking at the dog next door or passers-by in the street.

Although a dog may be required to fulfil the role of a ‘watch’ dog it needs to be taught that unnecessary barking is not allowed. When the new puppy is brought home it must be educated that barking at the neighbours cat, the birds in the trees, children playing, or passers-by in the street is inappropriate.

Very young puppies do not have any sense of territory so barking at intruders is unlikely behaviour in dogs under nine months old. Once a puppy does start to give the alarm that someone is at the door or coming down the front path, it must be taught to cease barking when you respond to the disturbance.

When puppies bark they should be disciplined verbally. A good method is to say ‘Aaaah - quiet’. When the puppy quietens it should be praised. The ‘aaah’ should be given as a harsh, guttural sound which will distract the puppy from barking and gain it’s attention. The command ‘quiet’ should be given in a firm, clear and definite tone. It will quickly learn to stop barking on the command ‘quiet’.