Keep Your Pets Safe During The Holidays

We love to celebrate the holiday season with parties, friends, family and our favorite sweet treats. Several popular holiday treats are toxic to pets. Any candy containing the sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even a small amount of xylitol can be dangerous because it can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression lack of coordination, seizures and even liver failure.

Dark chocolate and baker's chocolate can also be potentially poisonous to dogs. Symptoms your dog might display if they've had a significant amount of chocolate are vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and increased thirst and urination, as well as abnormal heart rate/rhythm and even seizures.

Cats love to play with candy wrappers, but ingesting aluminum foil or cellophane can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.

If you have a real Christmas tree in your home, cover the Christmas tree water so that your pets can't drink it. Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers which, if swallowed, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria, and if swallowed, your pet could end up with abdominal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea.

By taking just a few precautions, this holiday season can be a safe, joyous time for both you and your pet.

Thanksgiving and Your Pets

Thanksgiving is a time to get together with your family and friends. Changes in household routines can cause stress for your pets. Make this Thanksgiving season a safe and stress free occasion for your pets.

Don't feed your dog any turkey bones. They are soft and can splinter easily which creates a choking hazard. Raw and undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria and can cause your pet to become extremely sick.

Give your pets an extra treat inside their favorite treat toy. This will keep them occupied (and not begging for food) while you and your family are enjoying your Thanksgiving dinner.

Sage is an excellent spice for seasoning your dressing, but it contains oils and resins that can cause your pets to suffer an upset stomach and possibly depress their central nervous system.

Please don't leave any batteries they you use for cameras, radios and other battery operated electronics laying around where your pet could get to them. If your pet swallows a battery it can cause choking or become lodged in their throat. If your pet should bite and puncture the battery, the chemical in alkaline batteries can cause burns to their mouths and esophagus.

If you think your pet has eaten something that could be potentially dangerous, contact your vet immediately.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Kitten Kindergarten

Kindergarten classes are no longer just for puppies. There are now kitten kindergarten classes. Improving social skills for your cat is important to make sure they are properly socialized. This is especially important if your kitten is waiting to be adopted. New owners will like the fact that their newest family member is well socialized.

In the kitten kindergarten classes, you and your cat will be learning. Owners are taught how to correct problems in their pets before they become permanent and they will learn how to play and interact with their kittens. Kittens will be taught good manners and social skills during kitten kindergarten.

It is recommended that you enroll your kitten when they are seven to eight weeks old. Younger kittens will adjust much faster in a positive way than when they are older. You will need to make sure that your kitten is current on their vaccinations before you can enroll them in the kitten kindergarten classes.

During the class sessions, owners will learn how to properly place their kittens on their backs, touch their paws and bellies, and pick them up and hold them. Tips will also be given on how to check inside your kittens mouth, brush their teeth, clean their ears, trim their nails, giving them pills and walking on a leash. Just like when you are training puppies, you will want a good supply of treats on hand for rewards which will motivate your kitten to perform in a positive manner.

Whether you decide to attend a kitten kindergarten class or to perform the training yourself, remember to have a lot of patience and fun when you are training your kitten.

Cat Body Language

Never pick up a cat by the scruff of the neck or by the front legs. To pick up your cat, place one hand behind the front legs and another under the hindquarters. Treat your cat as a friend and it will be one to you. Cats can form attachments to their owners if given the chance, and will reciprocate the love they’re shown. Cats are more intelligent than people give them credit. They have individual personalities. Owners can get to know their cat and bring out the best in them by playing with them whenever possible. Cats are known for doing certain activities without being taught or trained. Cats were domesticated sometime between 4,000 and 8,000 years ago in Africa and the Middle East.

Just like humans, cats have their own way of expressing themselves without ever opening their mouths. A healthy, confident and alert cat walks straight with its tail extended and its eyes narrow. Angry cats usually vigorously swish or wag their tails when they are irritated.
A wagging tail doesn't mean a cat is friendly or happy to see you. Each cat will establish its own way of communicating with you. You may also notice that its ears point downward and point toward the back of its body, that means it’s ready to fight. An angry cat shows his aggression by pointing his ears forward at an angle.

If your cat sits focused on you in front of you in an upright and perky position for a long period of time, perhaps it wants to be fed. An irritated or sick cat has whiskers that are pulled back more tightly towards the face. If a cat rubs against you with its body or the sides of its face, it's only marking its territory. One of the favorite body languages an owner has for its cat is when it arches its back, seems to stretch out a bit, curls its tail upward loosely and puts its head down.

Summer Tips For You and Your Pets

Summer is the time when you and your pets can have fun and enjoy the sunshine and the great outdoors. Summertime can also pose dangers to your pets. Take a few minutes and read through these tips to keep your pets save this summer.

Safe Pet Tip #1:
Even though it is extremely tempting to take your dogs with you when you are running your errands, remember that the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees in just a matter of minutes, even if you do park in the shade. Dogs and cats can't perspire and can only get rid of heat through panting and the pads of their feet. Pets left in hot cats even for a short period of time can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage and can even die. Do your pet a favor and leave them at home where they are cool and comfortable on hot summer days.

Safe Pet Tip #2
It can be dangerous and even illegal in some states to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Debris flying up from the road can cause serious injury. Also if the driver of the truck suddenly hits the brakes, swerves or is hit by another car, your dog can be thrown into traffic. On a hot summer day, the back of the truck can become so hot that it can damage the pads of your dogs feet. Either let your dog ride in the cab of the truck or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.

Safe Pet Tip #3
Summer is a time when you want to get out and work in your garden and fertilize your lawns. Be aware that some plant food, fertilizer and insecticides can be fatal to your pet if ingested. There are also over 700 plants that can be extremely danger to your pet if they should eat them. Check your plants and make sure they are safe before you plant them in an area where your pet could come in contact with them.

Remember to provide plenty of fresh water and shade for your pets to keep them cool during the summer and both of you will enjoy the outdoors.

Pets - Summer and Hot Weather

Remember that your dogs and cats can suffer from overheating, dehydration and even sunburn just like humans do. There are some simple precautions you can take in order to keep your pet happy and healthy.

Don't let your dog stand on hot asphalt when the temperature is very hot. Their sensitive paw pads can easily burn and their body can heat up quickly. Walk your pet either during the early morning hours or later on in the evening when the temperatures are cooler.

Good grooming can also help keep your pets cool during the summer. Cats should be brushed often and if you decide to clip your dogs hair make sure you don't shave it all the way to the skin. Leave at least an inch of hair to protect them from the sun.

Never, ever leave your pet in a parked vehicle during the summer. The inside of a car can become a furnace in a very short period of time.

Watch your pet for signs of overheating such as excessive panting, drooling and mild weakness along with an elevated body temperature.

Pet Preparedness In An Emergency

At any time, an emergency or natural disaster may require you to evacuate your home for an extended period of time. While it is not possible to prevent a natural disaster from occurring, pet owners can provide for their animals by planning ahead of time and being prepared in the event of an emergency.

Most public shelters will not allow pets due to health and safety reasons so pet owners need to research safe places to take their pets during an evacuation. Some hotels will allow animals, and your veterinarian can provide you with information on preferred kennels or veterinary hospitals with boarding facilities.
No matter where you decide to go during an evacuation, it is absolutely essential that you always evacuate with your pets. Unforeseen circumstances during a disaster can turn a brief evacuation into a much longer stay away from home. Remember, if it is not safe for you to be home, it is not safe for your animals either.

Training Your Dog - Body Language

Image you and your dog are out on a walk and another individual with a dog is coming towards you. The other dog starts barking and jumping around the closer they get to you. The owner assures you that the dog is friendly and only wants to play. The other dog’s body language is playful and sociable. However, your dog doesn’t understand that the other dog is playing when the other dog slams into him and starts slobbering all over his neck. Your dog will most likely start to snap and snarl at the dog and then won’t understand why he is getting yelled at.

In many households, dogs learn they get whatever they want whenever they want it, without seeking permission or first offering an appropriate behavior (such as sitting). Train your dog to ask permission before they are allowed to play or get what they want. Proper social interaction deals with the use of space, the speed of entering a space, and the cues that say contact is or isn’t okay. There is a misconception among dog owners that believe every dog will get along given enough time and will work out any problems. Dogs are like people, there are some dogs they like and get along with and there are some they don’t like and will never get along with.

Always ask permission before allowing your dog to approach another. This is easier if the following training is in place:

• Train your dog to approach other dogs only with permission.
• Train your dog to sit calmly as other dogs pass by, feeding them many small treats quickly so that your dog focuses on you.
• Honor dog body language, and decline of break off any matchups if either dog appears uncomfortable or responds badly.

Body language that shows dogs are interacting appropriately when they first meet are:

• Relaxed bodies and faces on approach
• Wiggly bottoms or at least neutral tail positions (not too high, not tucked to their belly)
• Curved body motion as the dogs get close
• Brief face-to-face greeting that quickly becomes an investigation of the head and rear
• Continual movement by both dogs during investigation

After the dogs have started to play, here is some body language to look for to make sure everything is going well:

• Activity shifts, where dogs move from one type of play (boxing, jaw wrestling, chasing, tug) to another
• Role reversal, where dogs take turns being on the bottom or being chased
• Atmosphere cues, where dogs use play bows, happy play faces, and bouncy or inefficient movement to indicate “whatever I do next, I’m only playing”.

Feline Heartworm Disease

Many people do not realize that cats can get heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is not just a canine disease. Cats are getting heartworm far more often than was previously believed. During a recent study, it was found that 26% of the cats tested had been infected with heartworm larvae at some point in their lives.

Indoor cats are not impervious to heartworm infection. A North Carolina study found that 27% of cats diagnosed with heartworm were indoor-only cats. It only takes one mosquito to cause an infection, and because mosquitoes can get indoors, both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk.

The name “heartworm disease” is a misnomer for cats, as it mostly affects their lungs, not their heart. Because cats are unique in their respiratory reaction to heartworms, a new title has been given to this particular set of symptoms: heartworm-associated respiratory disease, or HARD. Cats that suffer from HARD can have difficulty breathing and can die from the disease. However, even in the late stages animals often exhibit no symptoms.

Unlike dogs, cats do not need an adult heartworm to exhibit clinical signs; in fact, larvae are a main cause of the problems. Studies show that 50% of cats infected with heartworm larvae have significant damage of the small arteries that supply blood to the lungs.

Diagnosis is much more difficult for cats than it is for dogs. If your cat is exhibiting signs of heartworm disease (ie., coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting), talk to your veterinarian.

Dog Training - Do's and Don'ts

When you start training your furry friend, he or she has no clue on earth what you are saying. Animal obedience training begins with the owner. Pet training can be taught by an obedience instructor, or you can do the friend training yourself. Dog training with an obedience instructor can vary in price and it usually takes place in a class. If you decide to do the puppy training yourself, it is free and you can do it from your own home.

It is really important to make a shy laid back animal feel super great during training sessions as this can only improve your chances of continuing successful training. Pet training - basic obedience, house and potty training are essential and imperative to a animal's education.

• Don't nag your dog by constantly giving them orders; you will probably only confuse them and then both of you become frustrated.
• Don't punish your pet with the lead or any instrument of training or anything he should associate with duty or pleasure.
• Don't lose patience with a puppy younger than six months.
• Don't grab your dog or reach for him quickly.
• Don't chase your pet to catch him; he must come to you or run after you.
• Don't jump to the conclusion that your animal is dumb.
• Don't permit everyone to give commands to your pup.
• Don't punish a pup be stepping on his paws needlessly.
• Don't punish your pup while you are angry or lack control of yourself.
  

Always use praise instead of punishment with pet training. Your furry friend will recognize your moods and associate them to their behavior by your tone of voice. In my opinion, the best way of rewarding good behavior is through offering toys or treats.

Obedient dogs make the best companions. Remember keep the sessions short but do not sacrifice content. Like people, pets have unique personalities none of which are the same, and it is a good trainer that will take the time to figure out the friend before trying to figure out how to best approach introducing basic obedience.

Positive attention is best, but if negative attention is all they can get from you, they'll try to obtain that. Others may disagree with this statement, but through my experience with my own pup and others around me, I have found that rewarding good behavior can only aid in maintaining that behavior.

Consistency is a chief virtue in dog training. A poorly trained dog can embarrass its owner and offend other people - or even make them feel threatened.

Tips For a Healthy Dog

Health
Your pet should see the veterinarian for a full examination, shots and a heartworm blood test every year, and right away if he is sick or injured.

Dental Well-Being
While many of us may object to our dog's foul breath, we should focus on to what it may be telling us. Bad breath is most commonly an indication that your pet is in need of a dental check-up. Dental plaque caused by bacteria results in a foul smell that requires experienced treatment. After a knowledgeable cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained in a well-beingy state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can give you more tips on minimizing dental disease and bad breath.

You can clean your canine’s teeth with a puppy toothpaste or a baking-soda-and-water paste once or twice a week. Use a child's soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger.

Some dogs are prone to periodontal disease, a pocket of infection between the tooth and the gum. This distressful condition can result in tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body. Veterinarians can clean the teeth as a regular part of your puppy's fitness program.

Bad Breath
While bad breath caused by dental condition may not be too serious if caught early enough, some odors may be indicative of fairly serious, chronic problems. Liver or intestinal conditions may cause foul breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell may be indicative of diabetes. If your puppy’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Any time you notice your pet has bad breath accompanied by other signs of ill health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, depression, excessive drinking or urinating, schedule a visit to the veterinarian.

Fleas and Ticks
Daily checkups of your pet for fleas and ticks during the warm seasons are absolute. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are a few new methods of flea and tick control. Contact your veterinarian about these and other options.

Heartworm
This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from puppy to pup by mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be deadly. Your friend should have a blood test for heartworm every spring this is essential for detecting infections from the previous season. A once-a-month pill given during mosquito season will protect your pup. If you travel south with your pet during the winter months, your animal should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some warmer regions, veterinarians recommend preventive heartworm medication throughout the year.

Medicines and Poisons
Never give your pup medication that has not been prescribed by a veterinarian. For example, did you know that one regular-strength ibuprofen tablet can cause stomach ulcers in a ten-pound puppy? Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your pet. If you believe that your animal has ingested a poisonous substance, call your veterinarian.

Your Cat's Body Language

Cats are capable of forming life long attachments to people and communicating their needs and wants.

Notice your cat's body language to understand what your cat might be thinking. A straight tail, held rigidly vertical, with the tip also straight, is an intense show of happiness. A submissive tail resembles an angry tail in its wagging motion, but it is usually held lower to the ground. Dilated pupils indicate a cat that is frightened and about ready to become aggressive. An angry cat shows his aggression by pointing his ears forward at an angle. When a cat kneads, it is happy and comes natural to cats as early as just a few days old.

Cats are known for doing certain activities without being taught or trained. The best cat owners devote most of their at-home time to their cat. Owners can get to know their cat and bring out the best in them by playing with them whenever possible.

New owners will want to get to know their cat, much the same way they get to know a new person. Be aware to what the cat does – when in no time you will understand your cats different moods and how to deal with them.

Have Fun When You Train Your Dog

Having fun is a big plus! Remember to be consistent. It is important that you remain the "leader of the pack," and obedience training helps with that. When you start training your animal, he or she has no clue on earth what you are saying. A poorly trained puppy can embarrass its owner and offend other people - or even make them feel threatened.

Don't over-train your puppy. Remember, a one-season old pet is, effectively, the same as a seven-year old person. It is a good rule of thumb to keep reminding yourself would I expect a three, four, five or six-season old child to accomplish some of the tasks I am asking of my pup?
If you do choose to do the pet training yourself, it is best to get educated on puppy training. Puppy training - basic obedience, house and potty training are essential and imperative to a pet's education. Obedient dogs make the best companions.

Don't lose patience with a puppy younger than six months. Don't nag your pet; don't be giving orders to him constantly; don't pester him with your shoutings. Don't expect your pup to be a wonderful pet after a few weeks of training; four months to a season may be necessary in order to make the master proud of him, but the work is worth the effort.

Make sure you also use a positive tone. Dogs respond best to positive training, rather than negative. All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during training.

Don't jump to the conclusion that your pup is dumb. Don't permit everyone to give commands to your friend. Don't train your pup right away or soon after he has eaten.

Training your pet allows him orher to employ that instinct to follow someone else, and makes them feel more secure. Like people, pets have unique personalities none of which are the same, and it is a good trainer that will take the time to figure out the pup before trying to figure out how to best approach introducing basic obedience. Training for a animal is similar to going to work for a human; if you do not get anything good out of it, you will stop working.

Don't sneak up on your puppy or grab him from the rear. Don't punish your pet while you are angry or lack control of yourself. Don't punish a dog by stepping on his paws needlessly.

Others may disagree with this statement, but through my experience with my own puppy and others around me, I have found that rewarding good behavior can only aid in maintaining that behavior. Secondly, all training should be positive.

Teaching your puppy some manners is just common-sense. Dog training can be taught by an obedience instructor, or you can do the pup training yourself. Training never ends.

A Cat's Body Language

A wagging tail doesn't mean a cat is friendly or happy to see you. One of the body languages an owner has for its cat is when it arches its back, seems to stretch out a bit, curls its tail upward loosely and puts its head down. New owners will want to get to know their cat, much the same way they get to know a new person. Pay attention to what the cat does – when and where does she or he like to sleep? Cats can form attachments to their owners if given the chance, and will reciprocate the love they’re shown.

Cats are known for doing certain activities without being taught or trained. The second instinct a cat obtains is the one to knead. Your cat can easily be trained to playing with toys by offering the toys, and when your cat loses interest, give a treat and a cuddle.

A submissive tail resembles an angry tail in its wagging motion, but it is usually held lower to the ground. You may also notice that your cats ears point downward and point toward the back of its body, that means it’s ready to fight. A cat that is on alert to be defensive and aggressive toward another cat or person either points its tail straight upward or lowers it to the ground, it perks its ears, and perhaps the hair on its back stands straight up.

The most popular felines of all are non-pedigree—that includes brown tabbies, black-and-orange tortoiseshells, all-black cats with long hair, striped cats with white socks and everything in between. Emotional and intellectual stimulation are the way you relate to your cat.

Successful Dog Training

It is really important to make a shy laid back animal feel super great during training sessions as this can only improve your chances of continuing successful training. Training time is important, the more sessions you set up the more productivity you can expect in the long run. When you start training your pet, he or she has no clue on earth what you are saying. Training never ends.

Training your pet doesn't mean extinguishing their unique personality, it is simply a means of setting boundaries-something that makes dogs feel secure. Time spent training your pet will repay you with a pet that is deeply bonded to you, respects you and is a joy to have around. Consistency is a chief virtue in pup training.

Don't consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training. Don't permit everyone to give commands to your dog. Don't nag your puppy; don't be giving orders to him constantly; don't pester him with your shoutings.

In my opinion, the best way of rewarding good behavior is through offering toys or treats. Others may disagree with this statement, but through my experience with my own pet and others around me, I have found that rewarding good behavior can only aid in maintaining that behavior. Positive attention is best, but if negative attention is all they can get from you, they'll try to obtain that.

Don't expect your animal to be a wonderful puppy after a few weeks of training; four months to a year may be necessary in order to make the master proud of him, but the work is worth the effort. Don't praise a animal for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. Don't work your dog without some short rest or play periods during training.

Obedient pets make the best companions. When working with your pet try to use the same approach each time. A poorly trained pet can embarrass its owner and offend other people - or even make them feel threatened.

Don't punish a puppy by stepping on his paws needlessly. Don't trick or fool or taunt your animal. Don't punish your animal with the lead or any instrument of training or anything he should associate with duty or pleasure.

Make sure you also use a positive tone. Dogs respond best to positive friend training, rather than negative.

Remember keep the sessions short but do not sacrifice content. If your pet is very lively, take advantage of that! During training sessions, be lively yourself! Match your pets enthusiasm, when your happy, your pet will be happy and your dog will be very happy come training time.

Puppy Training

If your dog is very lively, take advantage of that! During training sessions, be lively yourself! Match your pets enthusiasm, when your happy, your pet will be happy and your pet will be very happy come training time. There's a popular saying among puppy trainers: "There's no such thing as a bad animal." When you start training your animal, he-she has no clue on earth what you are saying. Understanding the puppy that is being trained is a vitally important talent of a good trainer.

Never pitch or kick a puppy nor lift him by the head or leg or skin of the neck. Try to make sure your puppy is entertained adequately for short but frequent intervals during the day. Puppies can deceive you into thinking they are ready for training but will ultimately rebel against discipline as they get older.

Teaching your friend some manners is just common-sense. A well-train puppy usually leads a happier and healthier life and its owner also can enjoy a trouble-free life long companion. The first part of pup training is to guide your pup to sit.

Don't bait your pet to you and then turn upon him with the whip. Don't punish a animal by stepping on his paws needlessly. Don't train your pup immediately or soon after he has eaten.

In my opinion, the best way of rewarding good behavior is through offering toys or treats. Positive reinforcement is the key to training your puppy. Make sure you also use a positive tone.

Training your friend doesn't mean extinguishing her unique personality, it is simply a means of setting boundaries-something that makes pets feel secure. Like people, dogs have unique personalities none of which are the same, and it is a good trainer that will take the time to figure out the pup before trying to figure out how to best approach introducing basic obedience. A poorly trained pet can embarrass its owner and offend other people - or even make them feel threatened.

Compensate your pet for correct behavior and always end your obedience training sessions on a positive note. Your pet will recognize your moods and associate them to their behavior by your tone of voice.

Puppy training - basic obedience, house and potty training are therefore essential and important to a pet's education. Instead of forcing your pup into a sit position, bring a tasty goody above and then back over his head until he sits back to get it. While you are training him, he must be a one-man pup, depending on you alone to feed him and care for him.

Dog Training - Training Sessions

While you are training your pet, he must be a one-man pet, depending on you alone to feed him and care for him. A well-train puppy usually leads a happier and healthier life and its owner also can enjoy a trouble-free life long companion. It is important that you remain the "leader of the pack," and obedience training helps with that. Take your time, play to your puppy''s strength, praise, respect, keep sessions short and compact, and have fun!

The first word the puppy should learn is their name. Don't try and over-train your puppy. Remember, a one-season old dog is, effectively, the same as a seven-season old person. It is a good rule of thumb to keep reminding yourself would I expect a three, four, five or six-year old child to accomplish some of the tasks I am asking of my pup? I suggest that before you start training verbal commands that you understand your puppy's personality.

If your dog is very lively, take advantage of that! During training sessions, be lively yourself! Match your pets enthusiasm, when your happy, your pet will be happy and your dog will be very happy come training time. A five-minute rest for every fifteen minutes of training is desirable. Dog obedience training begins with the owner.

Don't train him in feats requiring much strength or endurance until he is at least six months old. Don't punish your pet while you are angry or lack control of yourself. Don't train your animal right away or soon after he has eaten.

Rewarding your friend's behavior accomplishes two things: it makes her want to repeat the behavior to reap the reward and establishes you as her leader. Positive reinforcement is the key to training your animal. Positive attention is best, but if negative attention is all they can get from you, they'll try to obtain that.

Don't work your dog without some short rest or play periods during training. Don't nag your dog; don't be giving orders to him constantly; don't pester him with your shoutings. Don't grab your friend or reach for him quickly.

Training time is imperative, the more sessions you set up the more productivity you can expect in the long run. Animal training can be taught by an obedience instructor, or you can do the animal training yourself. The first part of animal training is to teach your friend to sit.

Don't praise your pet for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. Don't consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training. Don't jump to the conclusion that your puppy is dumb.

All training should be positive. All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during training. Remember keep the sessions short but do not sacrifice content. When working with your dog try to use the same approach each time. Training for a pet is similar to going to work for a human; if you do not get anything good out of it, you will stop working.

Training An Aggressive Dog

Your goal in correcting an aggressive dog is to surprise and get across your message - you’re not trying to hurt or punish the dog. You must be firm with your commands, a wimp isn’t going to be affective at dog training aggressive behavior out of a dog, you must be the one in control. When you don’t allow your dog to be as active as he or she wants to be, this can lead to aggressive behavior problems.

Training aggressive dog techniques require touch, but not hitting - you never want to hit any dog, but certainly not an aggressive dog. Dogs need guidance - they need a leader.

While you are training him, he must be a one-man dog, depending on you alone to feed him and care for him. There are 3 basic things your dog should learn through basic dog training; they are - sit, stay, and come. Training your dog doesn't mean extinguishing her unique personality, it is simply a means of setting boundaries-something that makes dogs feel secure.

Communicate With Your Cat

Emotional and intellectual stimulation are the way you relate to your cat. Cats are capable of forming attachments to people and communicating their needs and wants. When a cat kneads, it is happy and comes natural to cats as early as just a few days old.

There are other different breeds of cats--from the hairless Sphynx and the fluffy Persian to the silvery spotted Egyptian mau. The best cat owners devote most of their at-home time to their cat. New owners will want to get to know their cat, much the same way they get to know a new person. Focus on to what the cat does – when and where does he or she like to sleep?

Watch your cats body language. A straight tail, held rigidly vertical, with the tip curled down to one side, indicates a cat that is curious or interested in something. Frightened or defensive cats flatten their ears against the side of their heads as a sign of submission. An angry cat shows his aggression by pointing his ears forward at an angle. Happy cat ears are up and always moving, rotating in the direction of every little sound.

Basic Dog Training Tips

There's a popular saying among dog trainers: "There's no such thing as a bad pup." If you do the animal training yourself, it is usually free and you can do it from your own home. Time spent training your puppy will reward you with a pet that is deeply bonded to you, respects you and is a joy to have around. If you do choose to do the pet training yourself, it is best to get educated on animal training.

Unfortunately, behavior that is cute in a puppy often becomes annoying in an adult pup. Never scold a puppy when you have not caught them in the act. It will make the puppy lose trust in you rather than want to correct their error because they do not associate the act with your mood and commands.

Animal training can be taught by an obedience instructor, or you can do the puppy training yourself. Having fun is a big plus! Remember to be consistent. First of all, understand that dogs have an attention span of no more than ten minutes.

Don't punish your animal with the lead or any instrument of training or anything he should associate with duty or pleasure. Don't jump to the conclusion that your puppy is dumb. Don't nag your animal; don't be giving orders to him constantly; don't pester him with your shoutings.

All training should be positive. Remember that you will get more cooperation when you are positive and patient. Reward your puppy for correct behavior and always end your obedience training sessions on a positive note.

Don't praise your pup for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. Don't call your pet to you and then turn upon him with the whip. Don't chase your puppy to catch him; he must come to you or run after you.

Pet training with an obedience instructor can vary in price and it usually takes place in a class. Training for a animal is similar to going to work for a human; if you do not get anything good out of it, you will stop working. Take your time, play to your friend''s strength, praise, respect, keep sessions short and compact, and have fun!

Don't grab your friend or reach for him quickly. Don't trick or fool or taunt your puppy. Don't permit everyone to give commands to your friend, you need to be the "big dog" in the relationship.

Others may disagree with this statement, but through my experience with my own pet and others around me, I have found that rewarding good behavior can only aid in maintaining that behavior. Remember to always keep praising them when they obey a command and make sure they feel rewarded.

Since dogs are social animals, they are interested in doing whatever gets them attention. Remember keep the sessions short but do not sacrifice content. Instead of forcing your animal into a sit position, bring a tasty snack above and then back over his head until he sits back to get it.

Communicate With Your Cat

Talk to your cat. Cats were domesticated sometime between 4,000 and 8,000 years ago, in Africa and the Middle East. Treat your cat as a friend and it will be one to you. When humans saw cats up close and personal, they began to admire felines for their beauty and grace.

Cats are capable of forming attachments to people and communicating their needs and wants. A wagging tail is a warning sign that a cat is ready and willing to attack, so always treat wagging tails with caution. When a cat kneads, it is happy and kneading comes natural to cats as early as just a few days old.

A submissive tail resembles an angry tail in its wagging motion, but it is usually held lower to the ground. A cat that is on alert to be defensive and aggressive toward another cat or person either points its tail straight upward or lowers it to the ground, it perks its ears, and perhaps the hair on its back stands straight up. Each cat will establish its own way of communicating with you.

The most popular felines of all are non-pedigree—that includes brown tabbies, black-and-orange tortoiseshells, all-black cats with long hair, striped cats with white socks and everything in between.

Traveling With Your Pet

If you are going to be traveling with your pet then you will need to make some preparations in advance.

First you need to consider whether your pet is comfortable when traveling. If your pet is not used to traveling, you might want to take them on short trips to get them used to the change in their routine. Some animals, like some people, function better in familiar surroundings. Having a car-sick animal is going to make the trip miserable for everyone. If your dog or cat is ill or physically impaired they might not withstand the rigors of travel. If this is the case, discuss options such as using a reliable pet-sitter or a clean, well-managed boarding facility with your veterinarian.

If you will be staying with friends along the way, ask them if they mind if you bring your pet with you, be considerate. The last thing you want to happen is arriving at your destination and finding out that your hosts do not want pets in their home. The same goes for hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds. Always check whether pets are allowed or kennel facilities are available. Most motels will charge an additional fee for pets. If the pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and inform the maid and the front desk. Consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable with your pet loose when no one is home.

Make sure your pet has a current tag or a microchip. Grooming (bathing, combing, trimming nails) before a trip, plus having its favorite food, toy(s), and dishes available will make your pet more comfortable. If you are crossing state or international borders with your pet, have both proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate with you.

Check to see what veterinarian facilities are available along your travel route. If your dog or cat is on medication, take an ample supply with you.

Before undertaking any trip, consult your veterinarian to be sure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date and to receive a health certificate within ten days of travel.

Dogs - Cats and Human Food

You're at the dinner table and your pet looks at you with those big pleading eyes and you just casually slip them a piece of your dinner. Most of us justify this action thinking that a little bit won't hurt or we don't know that a particular food could be fatal to our pets. It is important for you to know that certain foods are harmful to your pets and you should avoid feeding them to your pet.

Chocolate and other foods containing caffeine
Caffeine contains a chemical called theobromine. Theobromine acts as a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, which can cause a heart attack or problems with the nervous system in your pet.

Onions and Garlic
Both onions and garlic contain thiosulphate, which damages the red blood cells and can cause anemia in cats and dogs. Onions are the most toxic out of the two and as little as one serving can cause anemia.

Milk
Many dogs and cats are lactose intolerant so avoid giving your pet milk. If a lactose intolerant pet consumes milk and milk products it could result in vomiting and diarrhea.

While some human foods cause only mild digestive upsets, others can be fatal. The best thing to do is avoid feeding your pet human food.

Puppy Training

Teaching your puppy some manners is just common-sense. The first part of puppy training is to instruct your animal to sit. Instead of forcing your puppy into a sit position, bring a tasty treat above and then back over their head until they sit back to get it. Be consistent, changing training methods mid session will only confuse your animal even more than he-she already is. There's a popular saying among pet trainers: "There's no such thing as a bad puppy."

Don't over-train your puppy. Remember, a one-year old puppy is, effectively, the same as a seven-year old person. It is a good rule of thumb to keep reminding yourself would I expect a three, four, five or six-year old child to accomplish some of the tasks I am asking of my pup? Too often the only time the puppy hears his or her name is when they have done something naughty.

If you have a new puppy, you may be interested in getting some basic friend training.
Consistency is a chief virtue in puppy training. If your puppy is very lively, take advantage of that! During training sessions, be lively yourself! Match your dogs enthusiasm, when your happy, your dog will be happy and your pet will be very happy come training time. Since pets are social animals, they are interested in doing whatever gets them attention.

Don't grab your puppy or reach for him quickly. Don't work your pup without some short rest or play periods during training. Don't expect your pup to be a wonderful pup after a few weeks of training; four months to a year may be necessary in order to make the master proud of him, but the work is worth the effort.

Rewarding your pup's behavior accomplishes two things: it makes her want to repeat the behavior to reap the repay and establishes you as her leader. All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during training. Others may disagree with this statement, but through my experience with my own pup and others around me, I have found that rewarding good behavior can only aid in maintaining that behavior.

Don't praise a pup for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. Don't jump to the conclusion that your animal is dumb. Don't trick or fool or taunt your puppy.

Most experienced trainers recommend using both a verbal commands and hand signals to communicate with your dog. A well-trained dog usually leads a happier and healthier life and its owner also can enjoy a trouble-free life long companion.

Don't chase your puppy to catch him; he must come to you or run after you. Don't sneak up on your dog or grab him from the rear. Don't consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training.

Positive attention is best, but if negative attention is all they can get from you, they'll try to obtain that. All training should be positive. Obedient dogs make the best companions. If you do choose to do the pet training yourself, it is best to get educated on dog training. Training your pet doesn't mean extinguishing their unique personality, it is simply a means of setting boundaries-something that makes pets feel secure.

Dog's Dental Care

Your pet should see the veterinarian for a full examination, shots and a heartworm blood test every year, and right away if he is sick or injured.

While many of us may object to our dog's foul breath, we should focus on what it may be telling us. Bad breath is most commonly an indication that your pet is in need of a dental check-up. Dental plaque caused by bacteria results in a foul smell that requires experienced treatment. After a knowledgeable cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained in a well-being state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can give you more tips on minimizing dental disease and bad breath.

You can clean your canine’s teeth with a toothpaste made specifically for pets or a baking-soda-and-water paste once or twice a week. Use a child's soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger.

Some of our furry friends are prone to periodontal disease, a pocket of infection between the tooth and the gum. This distressful condition can result in tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body. Veterinarians can clean the teeth as a regular part of your puppy's fitness program.

While foul breath caused by dental condition may not be too serious if caught early enough, some odors may be indicative of fairly serious, chronic problems. Liver or intestinal conditions may cause foul breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell may be indicative of diabetes. If your dog’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Any time you notice your pet has bad breath accompanied by other signs of ill health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, depression, excessive drinking or urinating, schedule a visit to the veterinarian.

Cat Signals

The most popular felines of all are non-pedigree—that includes brown tabbies, black-and-orange tortoiseshells, all-black cats with long hair, striped cats with white socks and everything in between. Treat and talk to your cat as a friend and it will be one to you.

Their hissing, purring, meowing, and snarling is an absolute part of their lives and the way they interact with others. A wagging tail doesn't mean a cat is friendly or happy to see you.

Owners can get to know their cat and bring out the best in them by playing with them whenever possible. Never pick up a cat by the scruff of the neck or by the front legs.

Frightened or defensive cats flatten their ears against the side of their heads as a sign of submission. Your cat will develop its own body signals when it wants different things from you. An irritated or sick cat has whiskers that are pulled back more tightly towards the face.

Cats like watching other animals, as well as anything bright, colorful, and rapidly moving. New owners will want to get to know their cat, much the same way they get to know a new person. Pay attention to what the cat does – what are their likes and dislikes?

Cats Like Us

Cats like watching other animals, as well as anything bright, colorful, and rapidly moving. Cats were domesticated sometime between 4,000 and 8,000 years ago, in Africa and the Middle East. Stimulate your cat's natural intellect with toys, games and training. Emotional and intellectual stimulation are the way you relate to your cat.

So you think you have what it takes to be a good cat owner. Your cat is a friend and it will be one to you. Just like humans, cats have their own way of expressing themselves without ever opening their mouths.

If your cat sits focused on you in front of you in an upright and perky position for a long period of time, perhaps it wants to be fed. Dilated pupils indicate a cat that is frightened and about ready to become aggressive. You may also notice that its ears point downward and point toward the back of its body, that means it’s ready to fight.

By merely relating to your cat as you go about your day; talking to it when you enter the room, calling it for food or bed; your cat will become attentive to you. When a cat kneads, it is happy and kneading comes natural to cats as early as just a few days old.

Puppy Training Tips

Remember keep the training sessions short but do not sacrifice content. Understanding the pet that is being trained is a vitally important talent of a good trainer. Teaching your dog some manners is just common-sense. A poorly trained dog can embarrass its owner and offend other people - or even make them feel threatened.

Too often the only time the puppy hears his or her name is when they have done something naughty. Don't over-train your puppy. Remember, a one-year old friend is, effectively, the same as a seven-year old person. It is a good rule of thumb to keep reminding yourself would I expect a three, four, five or six-year old child to accomplish some of the tasks I am asking of my pup?

Training for a puppy is similar to going to work for a human; if you do not get anything good out of it, you will stop working. Obedient dogs make the best companions. It is imperative that you remain the "leader of the pack," and obedience training helps with that.

Don't bait your friend to you and then turn upon him with the whip. Don't grab your friend or reach for him quickly. Don't nag your puppy; don't be giving orders to him constantly; don't pester him with your shoutings.

Remember to always keep praising them when they obey a command and make sure they feel rewarded. Dogs respond best to positive dog training, rather than negative. Compensate your pup for correct behavior and always end your obedience training sessions on a positive note.

Don't expect your friend to be a wonderful animal after a few weeks of training; four months to a season may be necessary in order to make the master proud of him, but the work is worth the effort. Don't consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training. Don't work your animal without some short rest or play periods during training.

Consistency is a chief virtue in pet training. Having fun is a big plus! Remember to be consistent. Like people, dogs have unique personalities none of which are the same, and it is a good trainer that will take the time to figure out the dog before trying to figure out how to best approach introducing basic obedience.

Don't praise a puppy for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. Don't trick or fool or taunt your pup. Don't chase your animal to catch him; he must come to you or run after you.

Your puppy will recognize your moods and associate them to their behavior by your tone of voice. Positive reinforcement is the key to training your friend.

The first part of friend training is to instruct your puppy to sit. Pup training - basic obedience, house and potty training are essential and important to a friend's education. A well-train puppy usually leads a happier and healthier life and its owner also can enjoy a trouble-free life long companion.

Dog Training

If your dog is very lively, take advantage of that! During training sessions, be lively yourself! Match your pets enthusiasm, when your happy, your dog will be happy and your pet will be very happy come training time. While you are training him, he must be a one-man pup, depending on you alone to feed him and care for him. It is really important to make a shy laid back dog feel super great during training sessions as this can only improve your chances of continuing successful training. First of all, understand that dogs have an attention span of no more than ten minutes.

Never scold a puppy when you have not caught them in the act. Unfortunately, behavior that is cute in a puppy often becomes annoying in an adult pup. The first thing you'll want to teach your puppy is their name. The puppy's name will be with them for life, make sure they know it by associating it with all things pleasant and fun.

Remember keep the sessions short but do not sacrifice content. When you start training your dog, he-she has no clue on earth what you are saying. Instead of forcing your pet into a sit position, bring a tasty snack above and then back over his head until he sits back to get it.

DON'T chase your friend to catch him; he must come to you or run after you. DON'T jump to the conclusion that your puppy is dumb. DON'T consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training.

All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during training. Finally, remember that you will get more cooperation when you are positive and patient. All dog training should be positive.

DON'T sneak up on your animal or grab him from the rear. DON'T train him in feats requiring much strength or endurance until he is at least six months old. DON'T trick or fool or taunt your puppy.

A five-minute rest for every fifteen minutes of training is desirable. It is important that you remain the "leader of the pack," and obedience training helps with that. The first part of friend training is to teach your dog to sit.

DON'T punish your puppy with the lead or any instrument of training or anything he should associate with duty or pleasure. DON'T lose patience with a puppy younger than six months. DON'T train your dog promptly or soon after he has eaten.

Rewarding your animal's behavior accomplishes two things: it makes her want to repeat the behavior to reap the compensate and establishes you as her leader. Remember to always keep praising them when they obey a command and make sure they feel rewarded.

Puppy training - basic obedience, house and potty training are essential and imperative to a puppy's education. There's a popular saying among trainers: "There's no such thing as a bad dog. Since pets are social animals, they are interested in doing whatever gets them attention.

Your Dog's Health

Your pet should see the veterinarian for a full examination, shots and a heartworm blood test every year, and right away if he is sick or injured.

Dental Well-being
While many of us may object to our dog's foul breath, we should focus on what it may be telling us. Bad breath is most commonly an indication that your pet is in need of a dental check-up. Dental plaque caused by bacteria results in a foul smell that requires experienced treatment. After a thorough cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained in a well state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can give you more tips on minimizing dental disease and bad breath.

You can clean your canine’s teeth with a soft toothpaste or a baking-soda-and-water paste once or twice a week. Use a child's soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger.

Some pets are prone to periodontal disease, a pocket of infection between the tooth and the gum. This distressful condition can result in tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body. Veterinarians can clean the teeth as a regular part of your puppy's fitness program.

Bad breath caused by a dental condition may not be too serious if caught early enough, however some odors may be indicative of fairly serious, chronic problems. Liver or intestinal conditions may cause foul breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell may be suggestive of diabetes. If your puppy’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Any time you notice your pet has bad breath accompanied by other signs of ill health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, depression, excessive drinking or urinating, schedule a visit to the veterinarian.

Fleas and Ticks
Daily checkups of your pet for fleas and ticks during the warm seasons are absolute. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are a few new methods of flea and tick control. Contact your veterinarian about these and other options.

Heartworm
This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from animal to animal by mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be deadly. Your puppy should have a blood test for heartworm every spring. This is essential for detecting infections from the previous season. A once-a-month pill given during mosquito season will protect your pup. If you travel south with your pet during the winter months, your animal should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some warmer regions, veterinarians recommend preventive heartworm medication throughout the year.