I Love Animals

In recent years, “natural” horsemanship trainers have brought round pen training into forefront when it comes to training horses. This type of training employs the round pen to build a basic foundation or to re-train an older horse instead of using traditional methods.

What’s the basis of this type of training? Well, round pen training is actually derived from behavior modification principles used in training any type of animal, including horses. On a side note, these techniques also work with people.

Round Pen training uses rewards in the form of body language that mimic the horse’s natural herd instincts to encourage the desired behavior. Results are usually seen very quickly and a strong bond is often formed between horse and human through these training methods.

A study at Michigan State University shows that by the seventh training session in a round pen, horses react with a predictable response in as little as six repetitions rather than the 60 it took in the first session (Nielson, B & A. Zanella). Once the behavior is learned, it is embedded for life as long as the horse receives the same consistent human responses.

Round pen training is an invaluable tool to teach a basic education for beginning horses or remedial work for older horses.

Horses have a natural instinct called “fight or flight”. Using a round pen, a handler can avoid the dangers of the fight response and maximize the benefits of the flight response.

Round pens allow the horse to mentally escape from the pressure of the human, giving them time to think over what response they should be giving. If the handler were to use a lounge line in a pasture or arena, the scene often appears to be a struggle, while in reality, the horse is simply trying the flee.

The design of the round pen is yet another advantage in that it maximizes the horse’s thinking capacity. There are no corners for the horse to “hide” in which limits his options for controlling the situation. This focuses the horse’s behavior on the trainer.

By having enough room to move away (flee) and think about what is being asked, the horse will learn that cooperating with people is the easier decision to make. The trainer must keep in mind, however, that there should be specific lesson plans for each session since mindless running of laps will actually give the horse time to “tune out” the human.

Using round pen training with a calm focused plan, can afford a trainer and horse a safe environment for establishing a line of clear communication. Of course, every horse is different, but round pen training consistently produces positive results in a relatively short amount of time.

Learning the appropriate techniques and working your horse in a properly built round pen are the keys to fast results and long term success.

© 2006 E. Landers

The Chihuahua is know by no other name and has been popular north and south of the Rio Grande for many years. It is the oldest purebred canine native to the North American continent.

The Chihuahua’s origin is filled with tales and extends back to the Toltec civilization of Mexico in the ninth century. Discovery of the earliest Chihuahuas were in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Ancestors of the Chihuahua could include a small hairless Chinese dog, which could account for the size reduction of the original Chihuahua. The ancient people in Mexico first developed a prairie dog or gopher, which was mute, longhaired and larger than the present-day Chihuahua.

Tales are many about the uses of this tiny dog in Toltec and later Aztec religious rites. Nearly all Chihuahua fanciers accept one fact: This is that the modern Chihuahua that was discovered in Chihuahua, Mexico, in the mid-1800s stands apart from all other canines. This tiny breed prefers its own kind to all other dogs. The Chihuahua can be sociable with other dogs, but most definitely still is more content when surrounded by other Chihuahuas. Because of this fact it probably is not a good idea to own other pets if you desire to own a Chihuahua. Your household will be better of with multiple Chihuahuas if that is your chosen breed.

The Chihuahua has no claims of ties to royalty and any hunting abilities or heritage. The Chihuahua is known primarily as a wonderful little social able human companion and that is the main purpose of the Chihuahua today and in time past. The Chihuahua is quite content to have no work assigned to it. He fits nicely even in the smallest spaces and is content to spend his days lying in the sun or being pampered by its humans. The Chihuahua makes a perfect pocket pal and can travel with you just about anywhere almost invisible to strangers. The Chihuahua is not a big eater; therefore, food expense for the Chihuahua is quite minimal. He actually requires no kind of special care beyond a warm place to sleep and his treasured humans.

Chihuahua is usually most comfortable with senior adults and other adult families. They do not fit well into homes with preschoolers, toddlers or young adolescents. Preschoolers may try to grab at the Chihuahua, toddlers are likely to step on it or fall over it and young adolescents in their busy rush of a day may injure it.

Personality

The Chihuahua will usually claim ownership of one family member with whom it bonds tightly. He is brave, loyal, affectionate and intelligent that can be highly sensitive and stubborn. He does not do well walking on a leash and being taken for long walks. It is just easier to pick up the Chihuahua and carry him on your walk rather than have him in a collar and on a leash. They are mostly house companions and adornments. Some are able to learn tricks and may even enjoy performing for guests.

Appearance

The Chihuahua has no height standard but usually stands about 5 inches tall and weighs no more than 6 pounds. Its skull is described as an apple dome shape, with or without a spot spot. Its muzzle is short and pointed. The Chihuahua is shown in smooth- and longhaired varieties. The smooth variety’s coat should be soft, glossy and close. The longhaired variety coat has a soft texture withor without waves or curls, its ears are edged with fringes, and its tail, feet, legs and neck are well feathered. Colors are any color or combination of colrs, solid, marked, or splashed.

Grooming

You will need a cushioned bristle brush and a medium-toothed comb for both the smooth coat and long haired varieties. The long haired Chihuahua is easy to maintain with weekly brushing. The short haired coat also benefits from weekly brushings. You can use a chamois cloth to bring the coat up to a shine in the short haired Chihuhua.

People who decide to have pets at home should provide suitable housing for the animal. This means getting one that is proportion to the size and type of parrot because this will greatly affect the lifespan of the bird.

It is advisable to get one that is very large. Most of these birds prefer to climb, stretch and play so there must be enough space for the parrot to do this inside instead of it just sitting on a perch located inside the cage.

The housing should have horizontal bars. This will make it easy for the parrot to grab hold onto the sides whenever it feels like climbing inside the cage. The distance between each bar should also be checked so that the bird will not injure itself during this activity.

Though its true there are some cheap cages that can be found in the market, the owner must not get this based on this criteria alone. This is because the material used in making the cage will not be of good quality that may also pose as a danger for the parrot. It is better then to get an expensive one made of stainless steel or powder coated since these are not toxic to the pet.

Conventional bird cages have doors and latches. People who decide to get a parrot should avoid using this because it can cause injury to the creature’s beak, head, neck or wing. The best to get those are those that are detachable since this has been proven to be safe.

Most animals produce waste. The ideal carrot cage should have a pull out try in the bottom so the owner can just take this off and wash it before putting it back inside. This is better than going inside and to clear the housing of droppings, which will take a long time to clean.

The parrot cage should come have a designated area where the bowl will be placed. Some manufacturers sell this with a plate inside while others have to be purchased separately. This should also be removable because this needs to be cleaned twice a day before and after feeding.

The perch where the parrot sits must be near where the food is located. This will make it easy for the bird to go to when it is time for feeding.

Having a pet big or small is an enormous responsibility. The individual should have a spacious and safe cage to enjoy many years with the parrot.

What is the span of goldfish memory. Do they even have the capacity to remember? These are the questions that this article will endeavor to answer, as well as giving you some great information on goldfish in general.

Well do goldfish have a memory? After extensive research, scientists were able to conclude that the goldfish memory last around 3 seconds, depending on the breed. You may find this amazing and also disturbing at the same time! This that every time your goldfish looks at you, it isn’t able to recognize you, therefore there is no possibility of creating a close relationship with your goldfish.

Also there is another thing that goldfish owners should take into consideration and that is the fact that goldfish are going to be constantly seeing and re-recognizing the same features in and around your tank or aquarium. If you never change the look of your tank, than this can be detrimental to the live of your fish. You have to remember that they are living creatures and one thing that all living creatures have in common, is that they need constant stimulation to stay alive.

If your fish never has the opportunity to see something new every so often, they’re brains will never grow, this is because they are only being stimulated by the same images, time after time. Do your fish a favor and change your tank around as often as possible. The goldfish memory is weak, however you must remember that the brain has other functions also and they have to be stimulated in order for it to keep running.

Can you increase goldfish memory?

Well like any other part of the brain, it has the potential to improve as well as diminish. Different breeds have different time spans of memory, however the average goldfish usually has a memory of around 3 seconds as previously stated. They will never have the capacity to remember things for a great deal of time, however even the slightest memory change will increase their lifespan dramatically.

One of the best ways to do this is by changing the look and feel of your tank consistently. Colors are one of the easiest recognized things from a goldfish memory point of view. Therefore it’s advised to add in bright colors and to change them as often as possible. Just by making these small changes, you will notice a difference in the energy levels of your goldfish and they will generally live for a lot longer than usual.

The Scottish Deerhound is a mellow dog who loves her human family. They are quiet, not barkers. They prefer to have acreage to run on but a properly fenced in yard will work for exercise. They need to controlled when outdoors because they will take off and chase about anything. They may not be trustable with other pets. They like older kids if they have socialized with them at an early age. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Scottish Deerhound is 28 to 32 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 75 to 110 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Scottish Deerhound is no exception. Be on the look out for bone cancer, cardiac diseases and bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat.

This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Scottish Deerhound has a wiry, shaggy and harsh coat two to three inches long. This coat needs to be trimmed and stripped occasionally. A professional groomer can show you how to do this.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Scottish Deerhound can live between 8 and 11 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Scottish Deerhound come from Great Britain where they were used for wild deer. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1886.

Some Registries:

* Scottish Deerhound Club of America

*UKC United Kennel Club

*NKC National Kennel Club

*CKC Continental Kennel Club

*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

*AKC American Kennel Club

*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club

*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain

*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club

*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 8 to 9 Scottish Deerhound puppies

Category: Hound

Terms To Describe: Dignifed, quiet, beautiful, loyal, devoted, mellow, tranquil,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Not a barker.

Very easy to train.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Makes a poor watch dog.

Makes a poor guard dog.

Will chase about anything.

*Other Names Known By: Deerhound,

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Hamsters are one of the most popular pets in the world, and are definitely the most popular pet from the rodent family. Hamsters make great pets for people of all ages because of their cleanliness and cuteness, and hamsters are also relatively inexpensive and easy to take care of. A hamster usually makes an ideal pet for children and helps teach responsibility. The average lifespan of a hamster is approximately 1-3 years, and for this reason some people claim that caring for a hamster is a good way for a child to eventually learn to cope with loss.

There are many different kinds of hamsters, but the one most commonly kept as a pet is the cute Syrian hamster breed. Syrian hamsters are the largest kind of hamster, and they can be found in a lot of pretty different colors, in long-haired or short-haired variety. The long-haired Syrian hamster is sometimes called a Teddy Bear hamster. A full-grown Syrian hamster usually grows to about four to six inches long. An important thing to know about Syrian hamsters is that you should never keep more than one per cage, because if two Syrian hamsters are forced to share the same space, they will probably fight and can seriously hurt each other. The next most popular hamsters are Dwarf hamsters, which only grow to three to four inches in length, hence the name Dwarf hamsters. These cute little guys can be kept together with other Dwarf hamsters and they will usually get along just fine.

Before you decide to buy a hamster as a pet, you should buy all the supplies you need, such as a hamster cage, water bottle, food, bedding and toys. You can find and buy any of the stuff you need to prepare for a new pet hamster by searching online; I think that is how you’ll find the best deals on pet supplies. Get your hamsters house set up and ready beforehand, so the hamster can relax and immediately begin to make his or herself at home in the new surroundings. There are all kinds of different styles of hamster cages to choose from, you just need to make sure whichever hamster cage you choose has a wheel for the hamster to exercise on. Also, try not to get a wire exercise wheel, because they can injure a hamster if the hamsters leg falls through the wires, so it’s best to find a solid plastic hamster wheel if possible. Try not to place the hamster cage in direct sunlight, and don’t let your hamster get too cold or hot.

After you have everything set up, you are ready to buy a pet hamster from a pet shop or from a hamster breeder. The hamster itself will probably be rather inexpensive, and you already have the hamster cage and other supplies set up and waiting for your hamster, so you shouldn’t have to spend much money at the pet store. Try to make sure that wherever you decide to buy your hamster that the hamsters appear to be clean and well taken care of. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the hamsters. Ask how old the hamsters are and try to get a young one. You probably don’t want to bring home a pregnant hamster either, because then you might end up with more than you bargained for!

Last but certainly not least, although hamsters are good at taking care of grooming themselves, you need to make sure to clean your hamster’s home regularly. This is very important to your hamster’s health. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to do. If you follow these simple hamster care guidelines and do your research online by reading as much information as you can, your hamster will love you for it and you will be a better pet owner to your hamster.

Proving effective training for your dog from an early age is very important for a number of reasons. The most effective training method for both you and your dog will depend upon a number of factors, such as which method of training you feel most comfortable with and which method of training your dog is most responsive to.

One thing to remember when it comes to training your dog is that you should always use positive reinforcement and training methods, and never aggression, impatience, or abuse in order to scare your dog into submission. Training is all about mutual understanding and cooperation between you and your dog, and by shouting, screaming, and lashing out at your dog in order to get him to respond you will simply instil fear and aggression rather than encouraging obedience and cooperation.

There are some excellent and popular training methods in use today, and you can find out more about these methods in order to determine which is most likely to benefit you and your dog.

Reward based training

This is one of the most common and popular forms of training for dogs, and involves providing your dog with a treat whenever he or she obeys you when training. You can combine the treat with fuss and attention, as this will link the receipt of tasty goodies and fuss with that particular action in your dog’s mind, thus encouraging him to do it again upon your command. In short, this type of training teaches your dog to associate certain actions with certain rewards or consequences (i.e. fuss, attention and treats) in order to provide encouragement.

Clicker training

Clicker training is a newer form of training that teaches your dog to obey through association. The clicks are initially used with something that your dog will respond to such as treats. However, after a while, your dog will start to recognise the clicking and link it to his actions rather than associating it with the treat. He will then start to link certain actions with the clicking, and will know that when he hears the click that he has done something good, thus responding to the clicking rather than the treat.

Dog whispering

Another up and coming form of dog training is dog whispering, which is a training method that focuses on the behaviour and body language of your dog in order to enable you to better communicate with your pet. Also based upon positive association, this method of training uses calming signals to encourage and train your dog.

Train your dog from an early age

It is important that your dog starts to receive training from an early age in order to improve your chances of success. The older and more set in his way the dog is, the more difficult he will be to train. With effective early training, you will enjoy a far better relationship with your dog, and you will be able to enjoy the companionship of a pet that is obedient, well adjusted, socialized, and a joy to be around.

It is hard to go over a chewing problem in dog training classes because dogs often have nothing to chew on or destroy while in the class! If you are one of those people who are in dog training classes, but you still need help to stop your dog from chewing. Pay special attention to “Stop Dog From Chewing” Tips througout this article.

Chewing is something that comes naturally to dogs. Every dog feels the instinctual need to sharpen its teeth and improve his biting skills. Chewing on “the right” things, like specially designed chew toys for instance, can even help the dog clean his teeth and remove plaque.

Even though chewing is natural and healthy, that does not mean that the dog should be given carte blanche and allowed to chew everything in sight. It is vital for every dog to learn the difference between the things it is OK to chew on, like toys and ropes, and the things that are off limits, such as carpets, shoes and other items.

When working with a new puppy, it is advisable to keep the puppy in a small, puppy proofed room for at least a few weeks. This is important not only to prevent chewing but to properly house train the puppy as well.

Older dogs should also be confined to a small area at first. Doing this allows the dog to slowly acquaint him or herself to the smells and sights of the new household.

When you set up this small, confined area, be sure to provide the puppy or dog with a few good quality chew toys to keep him entertained while you are not able to supervise him. Of course the dog should also be provided with a warm place to sleep and plenty of fresh clean water.

Stop Dog From Chewing Tip #1

“This type of dog training can be for dogs young and old. Many people find this part of dog training to be more common in puppies. But older dogs have been know to need this type of dog training because they love to chew things up while their owners are away.”

As the dog is slowly moved to larger portions of the home, there may be more opportunity to chew inappropriate items. As the dog is given freer access to the home, it is important to keep any items that the dog or puppy should not chew, things like throw rugs, shoes, etc. up off of the floor. If you forget to move something and come home to find that the dog has chewed it, resist the urge to punish or yell at the dog. Instead, distract the dog with one of its favorite toys and remove the inappropriate item from its mouth.

The dog should then be provided with one of its favorite toys. Praise the dog extensively when it picks up and begins to chew its toy. This will help to teach the dog that it gets rewarded when it chews certain items, but not when it chews other items.

Stop Dog From Chewing Tip #2

“During this type of dog training, never spank or hit your dog if you catch it chewing on something it’s not supposed to. Instead, for effective dog training, praise your dog and pet it when it chews on what it is supposed to chew on.”

Teaching the dog what is appropriate to chew is very important, not only for the safety of your expensive furniture and rugs, but for the safety of the dog as well. Many dogs have chewed through dangerous items like extension cords and the like. This of course can injure the dog severely or even spark a fire.

Most dogs learn what to chew and what not to chew fairly quickly, but others are obviously going to be faster learners than others. Some dogs chew because they are bored, so providing the dog with lots of toys and solo activities is very important. It is also a good idea to schedule several play times every day, with one taking place right before you leave every day. If the dog is thoroughly tired after his or her play session, chances are he or she will sleep the day away.

Stop Dog From Chewing Tip #3

“Puppies and dogs chewing on stuff is a natural behavior, but very annoying for us dog owners. Sometimes the chewing can be a dangerous habit for your dog. Things like electric wires, poisons and any number of other objects can cause serious harm to your dog.”

Other dogs chew to exhibit separation anxiety. Many dogs become very nervous when their owners leave, and some dogs become concerned each time that the owner may never come back. This stress can cause the dog to exhibit all manners of destructive behavior, including chewing soiling the house. If separation anxiety is the root of the problem, the reasons for it must be addressed, and the dog assured that you will return.

This is best done by scheduling several trips in and out of the home every day, and staggering the times of those trips in and out. At first the trips can be only a few minutes, with the length slowly being extended as the dog’s separation anxiety issues improve.

Using of compass is very good for any kind of adventure in the forest. Those who are familiar with the territory of the hunting ground are less apt to lose their way while hunting than those strange to the place. And one thing you have to remember is that of the locations of the streams, brooks, and major rivers in the area. They could help you a lot.

In my youth I, with one companion, spent a summer in the wilds of western Canada. Neither of us carried a compass nor felt the need of one. We were lucky. To be sure, we were in a drainage basin which ran south for hundreds of miles and for at least fifty miles to the north. This series of lakes and streams could not be crossed without swimming and even the exuberance of youth could not make that snow-fed water inviting. If we had become confused as to direction, all that was necessary was to go to the top of the nearest mountain and we would have a panoramic view of the entire area, and any considerable body of water was sure to be in the right direction for us to travel. Even so, it was a foolhardy thing to do and only the self- confidence and ignorance of youth would induce two people to put themselves, entirely on their own, in a strange, wilderness country without a compass.

The man who is familiar with his hunting territory is less apt to lose his way while hunting and, if he becomes lost, has a better chance of finding his way out of the woods than the one that goes forth without any idea of the local terrain. The only way to become thoroughly familiar with an area is to travel over it, but the use of a good map can give a good map reader a comprehensive knowledge of the salient features of the country so that when he enters the woods he can identify many of the hills and streams which he encounters. The layout of streams is, perhaps, the most important thing on the map. Most hunting areas are drained by one main stream, fed by small brooks which empty into some major river system. Knowledge of this drainage area is good insurance in that, if a man becomes lost, he will be able to reorient himself in a short time and find his way out of the woods.

There are some places (we have them here in Maine) where the streams run “every which way” so that they are of little use as direction pointers. This can be extra confusing when two drainage basins originate in the same comparatively level area. Study of a map before entering such places will help, but they are very dangerous to the inexperienced, and, if in the deep woods, should not be hunted without a guide.

Any hunter who has any doubts about his ability in the woods should hire a guide, and then, if he should happen to become lost, he can let the guide do the worrying. That is one of the things for which he is paid.

By this we can sum up that the more you know about the territory the better safe you are when hunting in unknown places. And if any doubts, it’s better to hire a guide or an expert who is more knowledgeable about the woods. This means that you should be prepared with any possible information about the place you are going for hunting deer.

When the guy at the carnival told my son that ducks made fantastic pets, I wanted to shoot him. We had just moved to over an acre of land, and since my son was being home schooled, it did seem like a good idea to introduce him to another life form besides dogs and cats. I forgot that mothers usually end up taking care of pets.

To this day, I wonder if it would have been as much fun to have only one duck. That carnival guy talked us into buying two ducks so they could keep each other company. We didn’t know we were buying a male and female, though, nor that ducks often breed as much as rabbits. That we learned much later.

It was fun having those ducks around. The male duck promptly bonded with our dogs and after we had a bunch of baby ducks running around the property, we changed his name to “Daddy Guard Duck.” The female was just “Mamma Duck.”

Each morning at the crack of dawn, our ducks appeared on the back porch. We never did know where they slept. But they appeared bright and early each morning, quacking, pooping, and knocking at our sliding door. That’s right, the ducks knocked at the door to let us know it was time for them to eat.

Someone had shared that dry dog food was good for ducks, so we would grind some up each morning in our blender. As we took it to the middle of the yard, the ducks followed us quacking all the while.

After eating, both ducks headed for the small wading pool we had placed in the yard. The male simply jumped in and jumped out. That was the extent of his bathing or swimming. The female loved water, though, and spent hours and hours splashing in the small pool.

Meanwhile, the male played with our dogs. (They were all small dogs - the result of a YorkiePoo and Shi-Tzu mating.) Sometimes Daddy Guard Duck chased the dogs; sometimes they chased him. But when the mailman or UPS driver or some other delivery van appeared on our cul-de-sac, each of them - dogs and Daddy Guard Duck - ran to the fence to bark and quack. That’s how the duck got his name. He was just as good as our dogs at alerting us to strangers on or near the property.

When Mamma was sitting on eggs, Daddy did his duty. He sat on the eggs while Mamma took her bath each morning. If she took too long - everyday, in Daddy Guard Duck’s opinion - he would quack and quack, getting louder and louder as she ignored him.

Then when the babies arrived, Daddy really played his role well. He guarded his babies and wouldn’t let the dogs even in sniffing distance. Once they were a bit grown, Daddy set out to teach his sons how to guard and left the raising of the daughters to Mamma.

We really couldn’t keep eighteen ducks on our acre of property, so we took the babies to a farmer down the road who promised to allow the ducks to roam his yard and huge pond. He was true to his promise. When a second batch of baby ducks were grown, they followed the first ones to our farmer friend’s homestead. And, eventually, that same farmer took Mamma and Daddy to live on his property as well. Our family was better for having the experience of raising a few (dozen) ducks.

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And then, some years later, my sister’s husband brought home a duck for his family to love. He honestly thought that my sister would let that duck live in the river in back of their home.

It was cold when that baby duck came to live with them, and my sister insisted that the duck take up residence in the master bathroom. It has been about two years now, and that duck, while he likes to go outside, still sleeps in the bathroom. He’s definitely a house duck, and not a river duck. And he is none too happy when someone wants to shower or otherwise use his bathroom. As boisterous as he is, I have to wonder if he is related to our old Daddy Guard Duck.