Archive for March, 2007

Caring For Your Pomeranian Puppy

Saturday, March 31st, 2007

Bringing home a Pomeranian puppy can be a special time as these little balls of fluff can steal your heart in an instant. But caring for a puppy is not all fun and games and there are certain things that need to be done to ensure your puppy grows into a happy healthy dog. If you’ve adopted your Pomeranian puppy from a reputable breeder much of his initial care will have been done for you and you will probably be given a good set of instructions as how to continue his puppy care. Here is the some of the things of concern when caring for puppies.

Vaccinations

Anyone that’s had a dog knows that they need to have vaccinations much like human babies to protect them from diseases. When you get your pupppy from the breeder, he should have already had his first set of vaccinations done by the breeder’s Veterinarian. you should record this information and bring it to your veterinarian so that he or she can schedule your puppy for any booster shots.

Worming

The initial warming on your Pomeranian should have been done before you picked him up, but there is probably some follow up that you will need to do. When you take your puppy for his first Vet visit you Victor Neri and will check his stool and we’ll let you know what further action needs to be taken. Sometimes puppies need to be wormed again after a few months. Worming is easy, your veterinarian will probably give you a liquid to give to your puppy which will kill the worms.

Dental

Pomeranians can be prone to dental problems, therefore it’s important to start good dental hygiene when your Pomeranian is still a puppy. You want to get him used to you brushing his teeth. I find that using a little that has rubber nodules that goes over your finger the best way to brush my Poms teeth. Be sure to use special toothpaste formulated for dogs which actually comes in a flavor that they like. When you start with your Pomeranian puppy, just start gently rubbing the toothbrush in his mouth just a little bit to get him used to it as time goes on he will think nothing of it and you easily be able to continue brushing his teeth when he is an adult.

Grooming

Pomeranians do need to be groomed so it’s best to get your Pom puppy used to this as soon as possible. Get them used to the brushing and, in particular the nail clipping. Your Pomeranian should be brushed every day in his nails clipped regularly. You also need to clip the hair that grows out in between the pads on his feet so make sure your puppy gets used to you handling his feet early on.

Feeding

Find out from your breeder what food they were feeding the puppy and be sure to continue feeding in this food as an abrupt change in feed can cause digestive upset for your puppy. If you don’t want to feed your Pomeranian this food, you can switch it out gradually. You’ll also want to find out what his feeding schedule was and keep to that gradually changing it to match with your schedule. Typically, you should be prepared to feed your puppy three times a day when you first bring him home.

Other Considerations

When you bring your Pomeranian puppy home, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian and make an appointment so that you can get them started on schedule for booster shots and regularly yearly checkup’s. Another thing to consider is whether you want your Pomeranian to be neutered or spayed - if so, this should be done when they are around six months old and you’ll need to make arrangements with your vet for this. You might also consider having a microchip implanted in case you’re puppy gets lost as this may be the only way that someone can find that he belongs to you.

Superb Solutions to Dog Urine Problems

Friday, March 30th, 2007

Dogs are wonderful companions. They could be a best friend to anyone. They are such super creatures. They are good at watching the house from unfriendly visitors. They can also be a source of entertainment and delight.

These dogs, however, are still made up of a system that makes them do things that we do not like to deal with. In short, even if they are super, they still soil and they urinate. It is natural, yet it is very undesirable. There is nothing that can be done with this fact.

However, there are also ways to properly address these events. There are super solutions for dog owners. There are options that may just make the day of any dog owner out there.

Here are some tips and tricks that may of big help for any dog owners out there:

1. Train the Outdoor Dog

Some owners prefer to let their dogs stay outdoors, especially for the big ones. This, however, does not dispense with the need to properly train the dogs on where to urinate and soil. No house owner would want to step on a pool of urine when they walk out of the door.

It is also good to locate a good space where the dog will be trained to do the dirty stuff. It is best to choose a far corner to keep the odor away. Maintain this spot also by covering the area with a layer to cover it, but good enough also for the dog to return to.

2. Train the Indoor Dog

For owners of toy dogs or those who simply want to keep their pets indoors, it is best to provide a litter box and train the dog to use it. The dog can also be taken out at specific times to soil and urinate.

3. Start Early with the Training

A puppy is easier to train than a fully grown dog. Puppies are still developing a routine, so it is best to get them used to the proper toilet training.

4. Reward the Dog for Every Proper Waste Disposal

This is an essential aspect to maintain the good behavior of the dog. Give a reward, like a dog biscuit or a simple pat, whenever it does the act properly.

5. Watch Out for Big Changes

Changes in the routine and in the environment can also affect the way a dog will behave. If this happens, simply retrain the dog until it gets back to the groove.

6. Use Odor Remover or Cleaner

These products are available in the market. The odor remover or cleaner are essential tools in maintaining the household of dog owners. This will clean the dirty spot. This can also leave a smell that will overcome the odor of the urine. Furthermore, it thoroughly cleans that it will not leave any mark for the dog to return to.

Odor remover and cleaners are available in groceries and pet shops. They can also be bought online or through pet catalogs. Super Dog Urine remover is also available in the market. Super Dog Urine remover may be the perfect solution.

7. Use Special Diet

There are special dog foods that can be purchased in pet shops or online. These will reduce the amount of nitrogen in the urine of the dog. This way the odor will not be as strong.

8. More Water

Dogs that get to drink more water are kept from being dehydrated. This will also lower the levels of nitrogen in the urine.

Dogs are superb addition to the family. They have super skills and traits that make them so adorable. Simply teach them good habits and give them proper training. Love them dearly too.

Selecting A Dog Bed

Thursday, March 29th, 2007

Selecting A Dog Bed by Kevin Gawricki

Some general guidelines for selecting a bed for your dog.

Crate Trained Dog

If you are crate training a pup use a soft blanket or towels until pup is ready for a bed.

A crate pad is the best way to go. It offers a plush bumper all around the bed which provides cushioning from the crate.

Always remember to measure your crate to assure proper fit.

Machine washable is also a good feature that makes keeping your pet’s bed fresh and clean easier.

Senior Dogs

Some senior dogs will prefer the orthopedic dog beds. They are made from high density foam that will help to cushion sore joints and muscles.

Easy to Clean

Beds that are machine washable offer a easy way to keep your pet’s bed fresh and clean.

Beds that are not machine washable should offer at least a removable cover that can be easily washed.

Consider How Your Pet Likes to Sleep

If your pet likes to stretch out , than consider a longer bed.

Does your pet like to rest his/her head on something. Than consider a bed with some type of bumper.

Does your pet like to curl up while he/she sleeps. Than consider an oval, round, or snuggle bed.

Does your pet need to be above the floor, consider a raised bed.

With these general guidelines and a little thought you are sure to get a bed that will be a perfect fit for your pet.

Dog Behavior Training - Dog Aggression Toward Its Owners

Wednesday, March 28th, 2007

A dog that growls at and/or bites its owner does so for some reason, even if the

behavior appears to be “unreasonable” to the owner. If your dog displays

aggressive behavior towards you, for the safety and welfare of you, your family

and your dog, it’s important to find out why as quickly as possible.

Call your vet right away and schedule an appointment for a complete medical

examination. Talk with your vet about testing your dogs hormonal balance,

neurophysiologic functions and allergies. The test results may reveal the

underlying cause. This has been especially helpful in dogs that have mood

swings.

When growling or biting has erupted as a consequence of scolding or punishment

for behavior such as chewing, jumping, general unruliness, or overprotection of

food, these problems must be dealt with swiftly and firmly to correct the

aggression it is initiating.

As the dogs owner, you must understand that your dog growls or bites at you as a

result of defensive feelings. Even the dog that growls when ordered off the

couch is reacting defensively, as it feels its dominance status has been

threatened.

If scolding and punishment provoke aggression, your dog is reacting to a

perceived threat to its physical safety. In either of these situations, your

own threatening behavior may be producing negative results.

If the results of a medical examination show no signs of a medical condition

that would be causing this behavior, you will have to examine your

own behavior closely to determine what you are doing to make your dog feel

threatened.

If you can’t hire the services of a professional, I highly recommend you pick up

a copy of Secrets Of A Professional Dog Trainer by Adam Katz for indepth

instructions on dog behavior training. This ebook is available on my blog.

http://dog-behavior-training.blogspot.com/

What You Must Do To Have A Happy Cat

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007

Do you like to learn about new and interesting things? If so, this article will be right up your alley! A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.

Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat:

1. Take care of your cat’s health.

As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.

Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.

If you see them ’shedding’ excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.

Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.

2. Groom your cat properly.

Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.

In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.

Brush your cat’s fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.

There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.

Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.

Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.

Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.

This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.

Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.

When bathing your pet, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats. Prepare the following before bathing:

-a small tub or sink

-slip-proof mat

-water spray attachment

-clean, dry towels

-shampoo

-comb

Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat’s body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.

After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.

This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.

Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed.

Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean these parts. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.

Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat’s eyes, ears, teeth and nails.

3. Feed them on time.

Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.

Your feline friends can learn how to “stick” to a schedule with your guidance and training.

Make time in your busy day to feed them. You can learn which variety of cat food they prefer by serving different brands and variants.

Along with cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.

If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.

If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve.

4. Shower them with love and attention.

By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention. In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.

By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner. When we learn, we continue on a path of growth. Therefore, learning about this subject has already helped you more than you know.

Dog Containment Devices

Monday, March 26th, 2007

Along with feeding and caring for pets, it is equally important to respect their freedom and emotional requirements. Very often pets may venture out of the neighborhood without any guidance. This increases the risk of them being unable to trace their way back home. Dog containment devices refer to electronic or motorized appliances that are implanted with an effective tracking mechanism. Scatmats are thin mats with a built-in wiring system that emits vibration when pets step on them. They can be placed anywhere in the house to prevent dogs from entering a restricted area.

Most dogs have a mind of their which justifies their temperamental behavior. When dogs run away or step outside the house they may destroy the neighbors property, soil the sidewalk and may even cause dog bites out of sheer exasperation upon finding themselves in an unknown territory. Pets are even prone to getting lost when they venture out and this can be equally distressing for pets and their owners. In order to restrict and prevent such incidents, pet owners may opt to install dog containment devices. They are mostly portable, function over a wide range and are battery operated. The wiring is connected to a standard electrical outlet and operates on successful emission of radio signals. Underground, in ground and indoor/outdoor electronic fences are all dog containment devices.

These systems are available in easy to install kits by various reputed manufacturers. It is important for potential customers to compare price points, features and guarantee terms before finalizing a deal. These kits contain varying lengths of wire that need to be buried under the surface. This makes a neat presentation and prevents chances of the wire being exposed. Dogs are then fitted with reactive collars that send out slight shocks when the dog nears a wiring. Dogs need to be trained once fitted with the collar and eventually they refrain from venturing too close to the containment device. This portable wiring system can also be carried when visiting new places or living over at someone’s place. Dog containment devices prevent pets from being lost in anew area or creating a nuisance at the hosts place.

Introducing a New Baby to Your Dog

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

Before your baby arrives, imagine what your dog’s behavior might be around an infant.

Plan your schedule. Dogs like routine. Establish a schedule for your dog before the baby arrives and stick to it.

Schedule should include:

1. Walking times.

2. Play periods.

3. Mealtimes

4. Anything else you can think of.

You might be too tired to walk the dog early in the morning after being up and down all night with the new baby. You might want to change the walk time with your dog before the baby arrives. You may need to arrange with a friend to help with the dog just after the baby’s arrival. Maybe a teenager would like a few extra dollars for walking your dog. You might not ever need the help, but it is wise to plan ahead in case you do. The planning, of course, is great for your dog, but it is more for your own personal comfort.

A dog on a routine and well exercised is less likely to be competitive of the new baby. The dog on a routine may also be less demanding of your attention.

Your baby is going to be napping on the couch or lying on the bed. Teach your dog to stay on the floor unless invited up with a clear command.

Watch your words! For your dog’s whole life before the baby he has probably heard things like: “what a good little boy.” You have taught him certain words are just for him. Now the baby arrives. You say something like: “mommy’s good little boy.” The dog suddenly runs up for you to pet him. You push him away. The dog becomes confused. Avoid the confusion by developing some new key phrases for your dog and only the dog. Make this change as soon as possible.

Games in the house: If you have played ball with your dog in the house he will most likely jump over about anything to get to the ball you threw out. With a baby or a toddler in the house as well, these types of games are best outdoors. An unpredictable bounce of a ball can lead to an unanticipated pounce on baby by the dog.

Be careful about giving your dog extra attention because you know that soon a baby will be in the house and you might not have as much time to spend with your dog. Dogs get use to the extra attention really quick. When the attention has to be suddenly shifted to the new baby, it is unfair to the dog and sets a stage for competition between the dog and the baby. A good rule to begin to follow before the baby arrives is no more than ten minutes of attention per hour when you are home.

You want your baby’s arrival to be a welcome event. Speak kindly to the dog as you to into the baby’s room. Include the dog in what you are doing whenever possible. Be extra warm and kind to the dog when he is around the baby or toddler, and the rest of the time, in the beginning sort of ignores the dog. He will associate time around the baby as being an enjoyable time for everyone.

Things to Consider When Dealing With an Injured Parrot

Saturday, March 24th, 2007

You don’t have to be a veterinarian to be able to take care of an injured bird on your own. Of course, anything major is beyond your control but you can do some first aid before hand. It can save the bird’s life.

1. Heat

Temperature is important with parrots. At least 85 degrees are needed to keep these birds warm. If they are warm enough, they will use their metabolic energy and their resources to keep their body temperature to at least 104 degrees.

This is the reason why, you need to increase the temperature if you have a sick bird in your hand. You will be able to save a lot of their energy when the temperature is close to what their body needs. This will allow them to conserve most of their energy to fighting the illness.

2. Humidity

Humidity is vital when you are dealing with an illness that is caused by a respiratory problem. If it is just a wound or a physical energy, humidity is not that essential. This is because humidity allows the parrot to breathe easily as it eases the passage of air. Respiratory problems in parrots are often seen through the odd noises that they make when they breathe. Their breathing will be wheezy and raspy. There will be significant movement in the tail when they have problems in breathing.

Another sign is when they hold their beaks open to breathing. If you have it in your house, use a vaporizer or a humidifier to help keep the humidity stable. If you don’t have this, you can improvise and take the parrot inside a bathroom. Turn the hot water faucet on. This will help keep the room humid.

3. Water or liquids

Like humans, parrots need water or liquid to keep them going. High temperature such as fever and problems in the body can drain the body of its fluids. To give water to parrots, you can use a spoon or syringe. Your finger can even be used. Do not use just water. Grape or apple juice are good choices. So is a bottled water with honey on it.

4. Taking it easy and rest

Rest is what everybody needs to help the parrot regain its strength back. An injured or ill parrot may be placed in a dark room where he cannot do much of anything but sleep and rest. Noise will jar them awake while the lure of toys and colorful and shiny stuff will only tempt them to move around.

The Dalmatian: A Brief History of this Breed

Friday, March 23rd, 2007

The breed was named after Dalmatia, a place in Western Yugoslavia on the Adriatic sea, which at one time was part of Austria. However, the dogs were known in other parts of the world as well long before they acquired the name of Dalmatians.

Historians have found references of this beautiful dog since the mid 18th century but also in other parts of the world the historians found that the breed was shown in several types of unique art like engravings, paintings, models and early writings which have accounted for the presence of spotted dogs of the same size throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. History also tell us that ancient gypsies carried these dogs in their trips around the world, which also explains the great widespread and popularity of the breed.

Later on, dalmatians were brought to Great Britain by members of the British upper classes who made trips to Europe and would often come back accompanied by some of the striking spotted dogs. After dalmatians were adopted by the British aristocracy who used them to accompany their carriages, the dalmatian soon became a feature of these processions. The dogs were taught to station themselves beneath the rear axle of the coach, and in some cases to trot underneath the pole separating the horses. They were also taught to lead the procession, trotting along ahead of the first horse, which was an impressive sight to see!

When, in 1860, Great Britain held its second dog show there were only five breeds represented. These included Dalmatians, and so far as history records, this was the breed’s initial appearance in dog show competition. Were it not for a gentleman named Fred Kemp, who was President of the British Dalmatian Club and a third generation owner of this breed with which he himself was involved for more than half a century, Dalmatians might not have survived World War I.

Mr. Kemp is credited with having kept alive dogs in his kennel through the difficult and in many cases devastating period between 1914 and the Armistice in 1918, providing breeding stock at the end of this period. It is exciting to contemplate what happened to Dalmatians in England at the close of World War I. They fairly leaped ahead in popularity, the two Dalmatians registered with the Kennel Club in 1918 having increased to 125 by 1925 and to 889 by 1932. When the world famous dog show resumed, following World War I, there were two Dalmatians entered. In 1934, no fewer than 199 Dalmatian entries filled the classes for the breed, of which 15 were provided.

The dalmatian also became known for his very famous role of being a “firehouse dog”. This was said to have started with the dogs being used as ratters, for the function of killing vermin in London’s stables and firehouses, which they did with expertise. Today, many Dalmatians can still be seen riding on the fire trucks with their masters. Dalmatians are still considered as the mascot and are often found in firehouses around the world.

But the Dalmatian is not only known as the “firehouse dog”, he also worked in war times as a sentinel, served as shepherd’s dogs and as draft dogs. They also have been seen in circus shows as “assistant” of the clowns, their intelligence, aptitude, and showy appearance having fitted them particularly well for this activity.

Are Coats, Hats and Rain Gear A Necessity for Your Little Dog?

Thursday, March 22nd, 2007

Since Mother Nature provides the dog with its own outer fur coat you might think why bother with anything else. Little dogs, however, lose their body heat more quickly than the bigger dogs. Small, short-haired dogs like the Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers have almost nothing in the way of nature to keep them warm in colder temperatures. For these dogs it is like a necessity to provide them with something extra for those cold, blistery days outside. For other breeds, such as a thick-coated Shih Tzu it can be entirely optional, but will also help the smaller sizes to retain their body heat in colder temperatures.

When purchasing a coat for your dog use the same good sense as you do when purchasing your own coat. Look for good construction. Wool and micro fiber fabric retain warmth. If you live in a climate that experiences cold winters look especially for materials made of wool and fleece. Be sure the coat covers the dog enough to keep him warm.

The coat should fit the dog comfortably around the neck, chest and armholes. Pay special attention to these areas and measurements when purchasing a coat. Coats don’t use stretch like a sweater does. Exact fit will be more important than when purchasing a sweater.

What is the cost of a good dog coat? Designer dog coats can cost several hundreds of dollars. A coat purchased at a large pet supply store of which there are many of the same, can retail for $20 or less. If you live in an area like, Boston, New York, Maine or Minnesota where the winters can sometimes become severe you probably should invest a little more money than $20. Although cost does not always mean quality, sometimes the best of materials used to construct the garment will cost a little more. So look over the coat carefully when you purchase and be sure it is the quality you want before paying the higher price.

Lycra body suits are available as an alternative to the traditional coats. Since the Lycra is stretchy material the product fits well on most dogs. The legs are built into the suit so the whole dog is covered securely. There are waterproof versions you can purchase for rainy climates. The Lycra suits are not quite as attractive as a faux fur or leather coat, but your dog will most likely love the warmth and comfort - sort of like you wearing a pair of sweats as opposed to tight fitting jeans!

Whoever would think that a raincoat would come in handy for a dog? They most certainly can be handy for your little dog. Short-coated little dogs can quickly become miserable in the rain, and like chilled to the bone. If you live in a rainy climate, your little dog would probably appreciate some sort of rain gear. As with all other dog fashions, the choices can be overwhelming, there are so many for us today.

Hats and hoods are just adorable on a dog, but especially adorable it seems on those little dogs. It is true that humans lose most of their heat from their heads. Dogs are not much different. A little hat or hood can also help your little dog to retain body heat in colder climates.

Purchase hats or hoods that attach firmly in place. A chin strap is helpful. The hat or hood should fit comfortably around the dog’s ears. Dogs have different sizes and shapes of heads, one size hat or hood does not fit all.

Now that your little dog is dressed perfectly for your particular climate, have fun strutting down your favorite walking trail!