Manic Marlin

Manic Marlin
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Dog Training: How to "Lick" Your Dog's Incessant Licking Habit!

by Caroline Kent
Does your dog seem to spend an infinite amount of time licking himself? Why is he doing it? And how do you, as a dog owner, correct that annoying licking habit? Here are five of the most common reasons why your dog might be incessantly licking himself and the solutions to correcting the habit.

1. Your dog might have developed an unrelenting licking habit because he needs a bath.

If your dog spends alot of time outside, romping through the woods, tramping in the mud, rolling in the grass or wading in the nearest stream or pond, he is probably dirty. So, your dog may be constantly licking himself because the dirt is irritating him! Plus, all that outdoor activity may have gotten him infested with ticks, fleas, mites, or lice. Your dog's incessant licking may be an attempt to rid himself of those nasty varmints!

Give him a bath with a veterinarian-approved flea and tick shampoo. Before bathing him, make sure you brush out all the mats and tangles from his coat or the bathing will make them worse.

2. Your dog might have developed a chronic licking habit because he has a skin disorder.

Some common skin disorders that a dog may develop are mange or dermatitis. Mange is a skin disease in dogs that is caused by various types of mites. The dermatitis could be caused by an allergic reaction to fleas, dust mites, mold or a certain brand of dog food. If you suspect that your dog has a case of mange or dermatitis, your veterinarian will be able to diagnose what the disorder is and prescribe a course of treatment.

3. Your dog might have developed a persistent licking habit because he is under stress.

The stress may be a result of a new adoption, physical abuse, separation anxiety, or even a reaction to a new food. If you think separation anxiety might be the cause of his stress, there are several methods for solving the problem. Try exposing your dog to being alone for very short periods of time. When your dog has adjusted to being alone for that duration of time, gradually increase your departure period. If you must be away from your dog for a long period of time, while you are away at work, try to find a friend or neighbor who could come over and take him for a walk a couple of times during the day.

Perhaps a new dog in the family is causing the stress? It is very common to experience a period of stress and adjustment when a new dog is brought into a household that has an established pet. One way to help make the transition a little easier is to give your older dog alot of attention and love. It will let him know that he's still a vital part of the family. Just remember that it will take time for your dogs to adjust to one another and be one happy dog family!

Changing your dog's diet can also cause stress. If you're thinking of feeding your dog a new brand of dry dog food, do it gradually and over a period of four days or longer. On the first day that you change the food, feed your dog one quarter of the new food with three quarters of the old food. dd in another quarter of the new food after a couple of days or so. After another two days, add in another quarter of the new dog food. Finally, after another couple of days or so, you will be able to leave out the old dog food entirely!

If you cannot determine the cause of your dog's stress, talk to your veterinarian. He'll be able to refer you to a dog behaviorist who will be able to determine the cause of your dogs stress. If your dog has severe separation anxiety, an anti-anxiety medication might be considered to alleviate the anxiety. Drugs are not a complete solution, however, and should be used along with a treatment program.

4. Your dog might have developed an incessant licking habit because he has an injury that has resulted in an open wound.

A dog that has developed an injury that has resulted in an open wound will lick himself incessantly in an attempt to clean the wound and keep it free from bacteria. Dog saliva has been proven to kill some germs and when your dog licks an open wound, it will aid in keeping the wound infection free.

Veterinarian treatment may be required if your dog appears to be in pain, the wound contains a foreign material and is deep enough to require stitches, is bleeding excessively or becomes infected.

5. Your dog might have developed a relentless licking habit because he has developed the bad habit of doing so.

Some dogs develop the habit of licking their paws incessantly despite them being clean, uninjured and parasite-free!

Your dog may develop the habit of constantly licking himself because he has alot of nervous energy and no way to alleviate the stress. He also may have learned this behavior because he is
bored and this is a way to entertain himself!

Give your dog lots of time to play and run and work off any excess energy. If your dog is well-exercised and happy, he won't feel the need to relentlessly lick himself to relieve stress or boredom!

The information detailed above will help you discover and correct your dog's habit of chronic licking. With careful observation and a little attention to proper grooming, training, along with regular veterinarian visits, you can 'lick' your dog's incessant licking habit!

Article Source: Dog Training: How to "Lick" Your Dog's Incessant Licking Habit!

The Advantages of Snake Senses

by Snakes-Skin
Like most animals on the planet, snakes have the five normal senses. Those would be sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste. Some features of the senses are limited, while others are extended beyond the norm.

Eyes - The range of sensitivity of the eyes vary greatly from snake to snake. Most snakes see the actual movement of objects clearer than the object itself. Snakes that are active during the day normally see in this fashion. On the other end of the spectrum, some snakes, such as the blind snakes, see shades of light and dark. Snakes do not have eyelids in the traditional sense. They cover their eyes with a clear membrane, called the brille.

Ears - Snakes lack an external ear opening. Their ear bone is attached to their jaw bone. They can only hear very low sounds.

Tongue - The snakes tongue is the most interesting part of their anatomy. Everyone knows the typical action for the tongue; flicking. Snakes flick out their tongue, and either wave it in the air, or touch the ground with it. This is one of their touch sensors. It is also used to find or detect chemical scents. Molecules of any chemical are collected by the tongue, brought back into their mouth, and analyzed by the Jacobson's organ. Using this method, a snake can more effectively find and follow its prey.

Some snakes can detect infrared heat rays. Some species of snakes have small holed, or pits, on their faces, including; pit vipers, boas, pythons. This pit allows them to distinguish minute changes in temperature in the direction they are pointed. Hunting prey is made simple by picking out warmer temperatures in front of them.

Article Source: The Advantages of Snake Senses

Training Your Pit Bull Terrier With Dog Treats

by Tim Amherst
Every responsible Pit Bull owner wants a well trained pet. There are several training options which may be used to achieve the desired results. One of the most popular methods used by owners is treat training. Treat training is a reward system using either the dog's favorite snack food such as cheese, bits of hotdog or by using store bought treats.

Treat training allows the owner to use these small bribes as a form of positive reinforcement for good behavior. Proper use of treat training will enable you to teach your Pit Bull to follow the sit, come and lie down commands, as well as teach him almost any trick you can imagine. If used with friendly rubs and praises, it can also assist you to housebreak your Pit Bull.

To teach your Pit Bull to sit, you'll need to prepare a treat bag just before you begin. A plastic zip top baggy comes highly recommended by me for use as a treat container. It allows you to put the treats in your pocket while allowing you to keep your pockets from getting soiled and soggy. Believe me, try it without the baggy and you'll not try it that way again. This is especially true if you opt to use bits of table food such as the cheese and hotdog slices.

Decide upon what you will use as the treat. Think of what your Pit Bull likes to eat, but you don't give him very often. This makes an irresistible bribe, and you will see faster results than if you'd used an every day treat. Once you've chosen your bribe, put the baggy in your pocket so you can reach it easily. Don't try to hold the bag in your hand, as this will distract your Pit Bull, and may even get him to jumping up in an attempt to try and grab the entire bag.

If you have more than one Pit Bull, or other dog for that matter, take the time to put the other dog away so you can do one on one training. Other animals in the vicinity will only hamper your training as your Pit Bull will think the session is a competition for which dog can get the treat fastest, rather obedience training.

Now that you've prepped your treat bag and have your Pit Bull alone with you, it's time to begin.

Take a bit of your chosen treat and hold it above your Pit Bull's head while giving the command to "sit." If you hold the treat high, the dog will have to sit to see the treat. Once he sits, give him the treat and be sure to praise him as a "good boy" for the sit. You can repeat this four or five more times, but after that give it a rest until the next day. I know it doesn't sound like rigorous training, but it is considered a full session.

Once your Pit Bull has mastered the "sit" command, start to gradually offer gentle rubs and praises rather than treats. You'll eventually phase out the food treats, and your Pit Bull will continue to sit on command.

Using treat training is an effective and gentle way to train your Pit Bull. It also allows you to be close to your pet for a session of giving treats and praises. Imagine how much your Pit Bull will enjoy that!

Article Source: Training Your Pit Bull Terrier With Dog Treats

Birds, Birdwatching, And What To Feed Them

by Michael Russell
Birds. Alfred Hitchcock did his best to scare the heck out of usin regard to our fine feathered friends but birds are stillabout the safest of all animals to be around. Even the leastattractive bird has a beauty to it. Maybe that's why so manypeople take up bird watching.

If you're thinking that the only thing involved with birdwatching is going outside, making your way to a park and openingyour eyes then you need to think again. Bird watching canactually be very involved. There are many techniques birdwatchers use to just get the birds to come.

Starting with feeding.

What is it that birds want? Well, if you're trying to attractbirds in the winter time to stare at from the confines of yournice warm home, the first thing you need to know is that mostbirds you will see in the winter are seed eating birds. So ifyou have a bird feeder in your backyard then what you simplywant to do is make sure it is supplied with seeds and water. Dothis regularly and eventually the birds will know that this is aconsistent source of food and will come back regularly. Assumingthat your bird feeder is close to a window you can get a,forgive the pun, bird's eye view of your dinner guests.

The best seeds to provide for your dinner guests are sunflowerseeds. These seeds attract cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays,goldfinches, purple finches, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches.

Another really good seed is niger. Goldfinches absolutely loveniger You can easily have as many as a dozen goldfinchesvisiting your feeder at one time. However, be forewarned, nigeris very expensive. How expensive? Over $1 a pound expensive. Soyou want to be very careful with niger and don't waste it. Thebest thing to do is buy a hanging tube with tiny holes designedespecially for it. Then hang it where you can see it from yourwindow with the best view.

Another great seed to buy is safflower. This is a white seedthat is smaller than a black sunflower seed. What's great aboutthis seed is that squirrels won't touch it, which leaves morefor the birds. These seeds are great for cardinals, titmice,chickadees, and downy woodpeckers.

White millet is another important seed to get for your featheredfriends. This is a very cheap seed and you can scatter it on theground for sparrows, juncos, and mourning doves. You can get a50 pound bag of these for close to nothing. Very, very cheapseeds.

One thing you should never buy is bags of mixed birdseed. Thereason is that there are going to be seeds in the bag that somebirds will eat and some won't. Ultimately, because a bird willstumble upon a seed it doesn't like, the bird will fly away. Inthe end, all the birds will fly away and not come back. So stickto a seed that you want to use to attract the bird you'relooking for.

Article Source: Birds, Birdwatching, And What To Feed Them

Help! How Can I Stop My Cat Attacking Me?

Author: Jenny Jackson

Cat aggression towards owners is a common problem and can be very distressing, not to mention painful! There are a range of reasons why your cat might be doing this. If you can identify the cause, then a solution is more likely to work.

Pain

If your cat has recently become aggressive, he or she may be in pain. No doubt you are pretty grumpy when you have a headache or toothache, and cats can experience these things too. If your cat has a condition like osteoarthritis, it may be more uncomfortable later in the day, and this may be when she becomes aggressive.

Play aggression

If your cat is fairly young, he or she may actually be playing with you. Kittens are most likely to play fight. Theories suggest that it helps kittens to strengthen their muscles, develop eye-muscle coordination and learn gentle social play. As the kittens get older, the amount of play aggression increases and gets rougher, eventually leading to the dispersion of the litter. Owners often find young cats sneaking up, biting and ambushing passing ankles instead.

You will need to redirect the cat's behavior towards inanimate objects instead of you through active play with toys that move. When the cat becomes aggressive, a squirt of water or startle noise can help them learn not to attack you. You might consider introducing another cat of about the same age so that the play occurs between the cats instead of involving you.

Predatory aggression

The instinct to hunt is triggered by the sight or sound of moving prey. Hunting behaviors are instinctive so eliminating them is not possible. They can, however, be directed into acceptable outlets. Encourage active play with moving toys and direct the behavior toward objects that can withstand claws and teeth. If your cat is allowed outside, it can expend some energy hunting insects instead of you.

Redirected aggression

When a cat becomes upset, it would normally direct the aggression toward the source, however, if the source is not accessible, the cat may redirect the aggression towards something closer such as you, a dog or another cat. Unfortunately, the association between a victim and a stressful event can stick for a long time, so that every time the cat is around the victim, it is reminded of the incident and may attack again.

Prevention can be easier than cure. Don't try to calm or handle an upset cat. There are times, however, when this is impossible. The most common solution is long-term separation of the cat from its target, but this can take a long time. Alternatively, your vet can prescribe anti-anxiety medications that you can combine with gradual reintroduction and rewards. If the victim is a cat that has become excessively fearful of the aggressive cat, it can also be treated to reduce its fear and increase its boldness.

Maternal aggression

Mother cats with young kittens are naturally protective of their young. Hormonally-influenced aggression is strongest during the first week after birth and gradually diminishes as the kittens get older. This is normal behavior. If you need to handle the kittens, try to keep a kitten between you and the mother cat. It is unlikely that the new mother will go over a kitten to attack you.

If you have an ongoing problem with cat aggression, it is best to speak with your vet to discuss various behavioral solutions. Medication is usually only for extreme cases, but can be helpful until behavioral measures are working.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/help-how-can-i-stop-my-cat-attacking-me-397083.html

About the Author:Jenny is a cat lover and webmaster of www.great-pictures-of-cats.com . You are welcome to reproduce this article on your pet or family related web site, as long as you reproduce the article in full, including this resource box and link to her website featuring photo and video galleries of beautiful cats.

Horses for sale, stallions at stud, rescue horses

by Shannon Margolis Shannon Margolis

Several breeds and types of horses are used in a wide variety of activities and the majority of horses are owned and managed for recreation or sport and not for profit by the owners. One of the greatest expenses in owning horses is feed. Feed costs can be minimised by keeping the horse healthy and by feeding a balanced ration that meets the horses nutritional needs.

More myths are associated with feeding horses than with feeding most other animals. This is in part due to the lack of current nutritional research information as well as an increasing number of horse owners who are unfamiliar with the basics of horse nutrition. Nutritional needs will vary considerably among horses depending on individual age, weight, and level of activity. There are no magic supplements, high performance feed "secrets", or short cuts that will transform any horse into a champion. Horses naturally use forages as a primary component of their diets. Adequate forages are a basic necessity for normal functioning of the horses digestive system. This requirement for forages is most easily supplied by pasture and hay.

Mature horses will generally consume 2 to 2.5 percent of their body weight in feed each day. For example, a 1,000 pound horse should consume approximately 20 to 25 pounds (90 percent dry matter) of feed per day. The anatomy of the horse's digestive tract restricts effective digestion and utilisation of low quality forages that are high in fibre. The poor digestion of low-quality forages can restrict the amount of dry matter that a horse can eat to a level below what is necessary to meet the horses nutrient needs. Therefore a premium should be placed on using high-quality forages in the horse's diet.

Ideally, horses should consume a minimum of 1 percent of their body weight in hay or pastures each day. Mature horses performing minimal or no work can be maintained on high quality forages without supplementing their diet with grain. However, growing, breeding, or working horses require supplementing the forage with a grain or concentrate to meet their additional nutrient requirements. As a general rule, forages should supply one half or more of the total weight of the feed consumed daily for optimum horse growth and development.

Forages can provide varying amounts of the nutrient requirements depending on the forage quality and amount consumed. The nutrient content of the forage and concentrate in the horse's diet must be known to properly balance the diet. Once the quality of the feeds are known, then proper amounts of each can be calculated to meet the nutrient requirements.

Pasture for Horses

High-quality, properly-fenced pasture represents one of the best and least expensive sources of summer feed for a horse. In addition, a well kept pasture can provide the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and rest.

Productive, well-managed pastures can provide most of the feed requirements of horses at the lowest cost. In fact, good pasture alone is sufficient to meet all of the nutritional requirements for many classes of horses. Yet, poorly-managed pastures supply little or no feed, and are frequently the source of many internal parasites.

General guidelines for the pasture needs (if the pasture is to serve as a feed source) for horses which have a mature weight of 1000 to 1200 lbs are:

Mare and foal 1.75 to 2 acresYearlings 1.5 to 2 acreWeanlings 0.5 to 1 acre

When acreage is very limited (less than one acre per horse), exercise may be the main use of the pasture. Pasture for this purpose will not supply more than a minimum amount of feed. However, with limited pasture pasture acreage, rotational grazing systems are the most effective method to maximise forage production and consumption. In this system, a group of compatible horses can graze a paddock (area of divided pasture) for approximately 3 to 6 days and then be moved (rotated) to a fresh paddock.

Hay for Horses

High quality hay can provide most of the nutrients needed for a mature horse. High quality hay is cut early and is leafy, green in color, and is free of must, mould, dust, and foreign material such as weeds and stubble. This type of hay is usually rich in energy, protein, minerals and vitamins, and is readily consumed by horses.

Alfalfa hay, while normally high in protein, may contain an excessive amount of calcium in relationship to phosphorus (wide Ca:P ratio) when fed as the sole source of forage to young, growing horses.

To be sure of the nutritive quality of the hay which is being fed, have it analysed.

Health Concerns when Feeding Forages to Horses

Horses are extremely susceptible to moulds, fungi, and other sources of toxic substances in forage. Mould problems generally occur in hay that has been baled at too high a moisture level (20% or more) without the use of a preservative. This is especially a problem with first cutting hay because it is harvested during a period of time when it rains frequently and the weather conditions are less than ideal for hay drying. Always use clean, unmouldy forages when feeding horses. In addition to moulds and fungi, some forage species contain chemical compounds that can have negative health effects on horses.

Poisonous plants in pastures or hay can be fatal to horses. Some poisonous plants are highly palatable and should be identified and removed from pastures. However, many poisonous plants are not palatable and horses will not eat them unless there is inadequate forage available to meet their needs.

Shannon Margolis is the author of this article on Horses. Find more information about Nutritions here.

Article Source: http://www.articlegarden.com

German Shepherd - Dog Breed Info

Author: John Williams

The German shepherd dog also known as Alsatian in France, UK and Ireland, and more commonly in France as "Berger Allemand", Schaferhund and by the acronym GSD or simply German shepherd. This dog breed is originally bred for herding sheep. German shepherd dogs are one of the most popular breeds in UK with 12,857 registrations and also in US with 43,575 registrations. These breeds are best for working as guide dogs for the blind, police work, guarding, search and rescue, therapy and in military. German shepherds can also make loyal and loving pets inside the home. These dogs are sociable and it is necessary for young puppies in order to prevent aggressive and dangerous behavior is an adult. The standards for the breed differ by country and organization. The general definition of the German shepherd dog is large and strong dog between 75 and 110 lbs but can reach 150+lbs. Males will reach the height 24-26 inch (60-65cm) and females will reach the height of 22-24 inch (55-60). The dogs has double coat with under coat and outer coat fur. Short haired dogs are preferred while some of the organizations accept long haired German shepherds. The coats of these are in black with tan, sable or all black but also will come in blue, liver and white which are considered a fault according to most standards. White is not acceptable for the German shepherd and now recognized as a separate breed known as American White shepherd. The nose is normally black but with blue or liver will occur sometimes and considered as a fault. The body of German shepherd dogs are elongated, sturdy, and muscular with a light but solid bone structure. The head should be proportionate with the body and a little convex head. Ears are wide at the base, pointed, upright and turned forward but of puppies less than six months may droop slightly. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark with a lively intelligent expression but never protruding. The tail is bushy and will reach to the hocks and hangs down when it is at rest. The front legs and the shoulders are muscular and the thighs are thick and sturdy. The feet are round with soles. There are three varieties of the German shepherd. They are rough coated, long rough coated and the long hared. German shepherd is used as working dogs which are direct and fearless, eager and alert. The dog is known for its courage and loyalty towards their masters. They are confident but not hostile, high learning ability, serious, almost human in his intelligence and obedient. They bark, if it is necessary and love to be close to their families.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/german-shepherd-dog-breed-info-398497.html

About the Author:For more information on the german shepherd dog or dog breeds list, take a look at this Dog Training website.

Five Steps for Taking Care of a New Kitten

by Grant Eckert

Bring home a new kitten can be an exciting time for anyone - whether you've owned a kitten before or not. But in order to be the best owner you can, you will want to take a few steps in the beginning of their lives. These kittens are not just small cats; they require different forms of help in order to grow up healthy and social. Here are five steps for taking care of a new kitten that will help you bond with this new bundle of fur.

Litter Training

One of the first things you need to consider in owning a new kitten is their litter training. While some younger kittens have already been trained by the time you get them, those that have not will need your help. Thankfully, litter training a cat is much easier than house breaking a dog, so this isn't something that will take a long time to accomplish.

Take your kitten to the litter pan when they are brought home and place them in it. They are naturally curious so they will walk around and scratch at the clay as they move. Take their paw and gently move it in a digging motion to help them see what they can do with this litter. Most cats will naturally understand what is supposed to happen in the pan, so you generally don't have to train them in the same sense you train a dog. When they begin to go to the bathroom elsewhere, just move them to the litter pan and repeat the scratching motion with their paw.

Eventually, you will want to come up with a litter location for them to use. If you have other cats, it can help for you to place a different litter box near the 'regular' litter pan. This will help the kitten see what the others are doing, while also allowing them a little privacy as they get used to the litter. You should use regular litter that they will see on a day to day basis - clay based is very popular and easy to scoop.

Introducing the Kitten to Other Cats

If you have other cats, this is going to be the more difficult step in raising a kitten, especially when your other cats are much older. To help make this process easier, you will want to place your kitten in a separate room than the other cats, with the door closed. This will give them time to get used to your home, learn about the litter pan, etc.

Your other cats will come up to the door to 'check out' the new kitten, so let them meow at each other and paw at each other from under the door. Each day, slowly let out the kitten for a few minutes to let the other cats get to know them, gradually allowing more and more time together - supervised, of course. This should help to prevent too many personality clashes.

Feeding of Your Kitten

Since a kitten's digestive system is different from an adult cat's, you will want to treat it differently. Find a simple kitten formula of food that the kitten can eat, keeping it away from any other cats as it's not good for their digestion. Your kitten should be eating up to five times a day at first, slowly moving toward a less frequent meal pattern.

This will help them learn to eat only smaller amounts as their digestion system develops.

Getting the Proper Shots

Taking your kitten to the vet is a very important part of their future health. You will want to make sure you are getting them checked for any problems, getting their vaccinations, and having them fixed as soon as it is recommended. This will help your cat stay healthy and strong, plus this appointment will begin to establish your relationship with the vet in case of medical issues that come up.

Playtime with Your New Kitten

But the best step of taking care of a new kitten is playing and interacting with them - and it's necessary for proper development. You want to touch and play with your kitten as much as you can as they are growing up to help them feel safe and loved. If you have a job that keeps you away for a lot of the day, be sure to make the most of the time you do have when you arrive home.

You don't have to play with toys or with anything expensive either. Simply petting your kitten and dancing a piece of string in front of them can make them feel like a part of your family.

Kittens grow up to be adult cats eventually, but when you take the time to love and nurture them right from the start, they will also be your companions for life.

About Author: Grant Eckert is a writer for VetRxDirect. VetRxDirect is a leading provider of Pet Medications

Article Source: http://www.articlegarden.com/

Dog Training Electronic Fences - Benefits and Disadvantages

by Moses Wright

Consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of electric fences before purchasing one. You should note that electric fences, or E-fences as they are commonly called, are wired with transmitters that are earthed and running through the ground. These wires will emit a noise, shock or an unpleasant smell. The odors are triggered via a special collar on your dog, to discourage the dog from going too near to the fences. Signals are transmitted to the collar should the dog venture too close and the deterrents are activated.

Due to certain rules and specifications by the Home Association rules in certain precincts, standard fences may not be allowed and the e-fence could be an alternative. An e-fence provides a solution for owners who have no front yards or backyards and cannot erect a standard fence, yet desire to own a dog.

There are disadvantages that require one to think through.

For the e-fence to be effective, dogs need to be trained well and the e-fence should not be a stand-in for behavioral training. Dogs need to be taught to associate the deterrent with boundary limits. If this is not done, the e-fence will be rendered useless.

Bear in mind that as with all electrical equipment, it is not guaranteed to work all the time. They can be shorted by an electrical surge or lightning strikes, though not common and digging around the perimeter can also cause problems. Flags are first used to visually denote and designate the periphery when the e-fence is first erected, however, once the dog has been taught, the flags are taken down. If they are left as they are, they can be shifted or moved by children or by machinery such as lawnmowers as well as a multitude of other factors. There is a chance that they could cut or wound when they are extracted.

Should your dog persist despite the discouragement received from the collar, it will learn that there is no actual boundary and will be less willing to stay within the specified periphery.

Electric jolts are seen by detractors to be a form of abuse and an adverse method of gaining the desired response from your pet.

Your decision regarding an e-fence needs to be evaluated according to your situation. If kept entirely indoors except for when leashed, a dogs' need to run is denied, resulting in an unhappy and maladjusted pet. This situation can be resolved with access to a dog park, however, not may are lucky enough to have a dog pak in their vicinity, so it could remain an issue.

Although building standard fences seems to be a logical method to cope with the issue, large dogs are liable to jump over these fences, causing injuries to themselves such as scratches and cuts from the sharp edges of the fences. Though the wound may be minor, a dogs' tendency to bite or scratch at them can make the injury worse, meaning a trip to the vet is required. An e-fence could be a more prudent choice, depending on the situation.

Every circumstance and situation is different, based on living conditions, type and character of dog and training techniques, so there is no overall effective method that can be implemented by every dog owner. Rather, do consider carefully the needs of different circumstances after acquiring adequate knowledge in order to make the best decision possible.

However, if you still decide that an e-fence is the best bet for your specific circumstances, you should note that you must be prepared to deactivate the e-fence if it does more harm than good for your dog.

Moses Wright owns 3 beautiful well-trained dogs. He created a pet dog problems and solutions site to help fellow dog owners stop their dog behavior problems. You can find more pet dog training tips on his site.

Article Source: http://www.articlegarden.com

What to Do to Remove That Cat Urine Stain on the Carpet?

Author: Andy Rogers

So you want to remove that cat urine stain on your carpet or furniture. Wondering which cat urine remover should you select. What is the process to select a cat urine remover?

Most importantly how to find the cat urine remover ? Or is there any home recipe for cleaning the stain at all?

It's a common dilemma. The scent of cat urine is strong, its stains are vivid. It becomes very difficult to remove from carpet, flooring,upholstery, or anywhere else. Realize that regular household cleaning products, such as carpet-cleaners can't remove the stain properly. Also you must avoid using ammonia or ammonia-based products. Ammonia smells similar to cat urine, so these products will only encourage the cat to urinate in the area again.Your cat will still be able to smell the urine, which tells the cat that it's a good spot to urinate.

Don't go for fragrance cover up products. This will not fix your cat urine problem. If you are going to buy a cat urine remover, make sure the cat urine remover is simple to use which saves you time. An effective product will be one that doesn't merely suck up or absorb stain but cleans it completely so that your cat doesn't soil again in the same area.

Applying vinegar is an effective home remedy for cleaning cat urine. Mix it with water in equal proportions and wet the problem area with this. If it's on carpet then you have to use enough solution to penetrate the fibres. Then dry it either with a fan or blotting with paper towels.The acidity of the vinegar will neutralize the ammonia in the cat urine.

Finding the exact spots on the mat to clean could be a major problem. the cat urine is not in the mat but in the mat padding underside so you need to try and remove that cat urine from deep down below the mat. Scrubbing the mat is usually not a good idea.This is a mistake often done by cat owners. What it does is that it absorbs the urine deep into its fibers and then the stain or the odor will be far too difficult to eliminate.

Realize that cats drink little water so their urine is very concentrated and stinking. That ammonia-like smell is so strong and annoying.Most people think cat urine is hard to remove.Cat's urine is rich in protein and if you learn diverse ways to remove it you will never get annoyed in the future.Also learn to train your cat so that he doesn't urinate again wherever he pleases.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-to-do-to-remove-that-cat-urine-stain-on-the-carpet-400015.html

About the Author:Cats drink little water so their urine is very concentrated and stinking. Cat urine problems are serious issues that a cat lover can't avoid.

Five Important Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing Your Fish by creditwisdom

Here are five important points to keep in mind when you are choosing your fish:-

1. Check out the health conditions of the fish carefully. If you are observant enough, you can check out both visible and intrinsic health conditions of the fish. First, you must observe the body of the fish. Pay attention to the scales and the fins. The scales should be shiny and smooth, while the fins should not have any cuts or nicks. If there is some fuzzy growth on the body of the fish, it is better left alone. Also check the areas under the eyes for any telltale health signs. Some fish would not 'look' ill, but they might have internal conditions. You can tell that if a fish is either too sluggish and spends most time at the bottom of the tank, or if it is hyperactive and keeps darting everywhere in the tank in a sort of frenzy.

2. You must next check the nature of the fish and its compatibility with the other fish in the tank. Do not select fish that fight a lot with other fish in the tank. They will be a pain to maintain as they will injure themselves often, and you will not be able to place other fish in the tank with them. Also, check out if the fish becomes more docile with another fish of its own species in the tank, preferably of the other gender.

3. Ask the stocker about the size the fish can grow to. You must consider the size of your aquarium here. The equation to maintain is one inch of fish size per gallon of aquarium space. You must not only consider the present size of the fish, but you must see what size it will attain when it becomes an adult.

4. Fish are temperamental little creatures, and most of their temperament depends on the temperature of water they are kept in. You must ask the stocker about the natural living conditions of the fish, as to whether it is tropical water or temperate water fish. That will give you an idea what kind of temperature you will have to maintain in your tank.

5. Finally, you must choose fish according to the food they eat. Different fish have different food habits and some of them are very finicky when it comes to eating. You must make sure that the food your fish wants is readily available, and that it is not going to be very expensive. You will also need to keep food for your fish always stocked.

These are the five factors on which you can base your shopping for fish. By adopting these factors, there are very less chances that you can go wrong in your selection of fish.

SaltySupply.com is the premeir supplier of Saltwater Aquarium Supplies.Some of our products include protein skimmers, additives, ozonizers.

Article Source: http://www.articlegarden.com/

Give Your Beloved Pets the Protective Cover of Pet Insurance

Author: Robert Scott

Once I heard a dog owner comment that our pets were like our children with the only difference that children grow up but our pets will not. I couldn't agree more with her as I too have four dogs and taking care of my dogs make me realize the truth of her statement each day. As pet owners, some of us may feel that our responsibility towards our pets end once we have arranged for their meals, their annual vaccinations and of course their regular dose of exercise. However, our responsibilities extend much beyond that as we need to provide for our pets every need and requirements that many crop up from time to time. One of the prime areas for concern is the health of our pets since any disease or illness could strike in spite of their regular vaccinations and proper care. A pet insurance; hence, may be a good idea if we are looking at a secured health cover for our pets.

Most reliable companies providing pet insurance have a variety of plans for the pet owner that go beyond the simple health coverage. Also, most of these companies have their own website on which you could get all information you need about pet insurance . It is advisable to go through a number of websites and compare the costs before you arrive at a plan that seems best suited for your pet and your pocket. Often the websites will have an online form where you could simply fill in the basic information about your pet and apply to the company. Soon an executive will get in touch with you to help you with their need assessment and selection of the right insurance plan.

A pet insurance plan provides not just a health cover but also protection against may other unplanned events related to your pets which would have otherwise burned a hole in your pocket. The insurance plan can be selected to cover a variety of diseases, accident coverage and even coverage for incidents like advertisement for a lost pet or third party damages caused by your pet. Many plans would also include the coverage for cancellation of travel plans in case you cannot go on a holiday as your pet is sick. So whatever may be the situation, there is coverage for it.

Now selection of a pet insurance depends greatly on the gender, age, breed and physical and mental condition of your pet. Some insurance companies also provide coverage for your pet even if it has a pre-existing disease. The premiums which you will have to pay on any of the insurance plans, depending on the situations covered, will still be much easier on your pocket as the installments are comparatively much smaller than the cost which you would have to otherwise bear. So even if you have kept aside a planed budget for your beloved pet each month, having a proper insurance plan for the pet would still be a major benefit for both you and your pet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/give-your-beloved-pets-the-protective-cover-of-pet-insurance-400179.html

About the Author:Robert Scott is a veterinary doctor and through ages having been dealing in pet insurance. If you want to know more about Pet insurance ,Dog insurance,Pet insurance Online,you can visit www.insuranceforpets.net

Pets and Stress

by Ainsley Laing

My mother used to say "you can always trust a person who has animal hair on them". As a kid, I often pondered what this statement means. Are people who care for animals more trustworthy? Kinder? Gentler?

Well, a recent scientific study says that people who own pets are less stressed. Maybe not more trustworthy, but less stress WOULD indicate greater wellness. An idea worth considering.

The study examined the cardiovascular reactivity when exposed to psychological stress of 240 married couples, half of whom owned a pet. The researchers exposed the people to stressful situations (mental arithmetic problems and stuff like that) in a variety of social support conditions: alone, with pet or friend (friend present for non-pet owners), with spouse, with spouse and pet/friend. They found that the people with the pets had much lower rise in heart rate under such conditions; better than with their spouse or friends.

This evidence the healing help pets provide has been anecdotal for years. Hospitals, retirement homes and other caring facilities have used pets to help promote wellness with a lot of success. So it's no surprise, especially where children are involved.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have conducted my own experiment by observing how the people in my family and visitors to my home relate to my cat and, of course how my cat relates to them.

My cat is a rather funny looking, very playful and affectionate youngish cat named Tony. He is a "hairless" breed, called Sphinx.

Tony has many jobs. One is to help me to write by sitting on my lap and purring loudly. He also reminds me to take breaks by standing up and walking on the computer keyboard! I digress.

One observation that is true for all unknowing participants in my "experiment": everyone that enters my house, friends, family members and even the FedX guy, upon seeing Tony, their face changes and becomes somehow softer. It's as if just seeing the cat makes them less stressed. Even the little girl who is very frightened of cats loves to watch the cat from a distance.

My partner, a high energy executive of a multi-national company, is of particular interest to this study. When he arrives home after work or travel, his body language is "Mr. corporate leader". After greeting and kissing his people family members, he looks a bit more relaxed. But it's after he picks up Tony and strokes him (usually followed by giving him some cat food), that he appears to really relax and turn off from work.

Last week, I had a friend over who says she doesn't like cats. Later I found them on the couch, and my friend said "this cat really feels nice to touch". Her face and Tony's could be best described as "content". Of course the cat had a very special extremely loud purr just for her.

So, the conclusions drawn from my very subjective experiment is that our pets really enrich our lives. It would be safe to speculate that, yes pets reduce stress levels in their owners. If you have a pet yourself, you probably agree!

Try your own experiment.... Ask your friends and coworkers about their pets and soak up the good feelings they radiate. Enjoy.

Source:Cardiovascular Reactivity and the Presence of Pets, Friends, and Spouses: The Truth About Cats and Dogs.Karen Allen, PhD, Jim Blascovich, PhD and Wendy B. Mendes, MShttp://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/abstract/64/5/727

About the Author:Ainsley Laing, MSc. has been a Fitness Trainer for 25 years and writes exclusively Body for Mind eZine. She holds certifications in Group Exercise, Sports Nutrition and Personal Fitness Training. She is also a professional engineer and mom. To see more articles by Ainsley visit http://www.bodyformind.com or the blog at http://www.bodyformind.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.articlegarden.com

Cat Training Tips

Author: Cortney Martin

When it comes to cat training tips, there is one very important thing to keep in mind, you cannot train them the same way you would train a dog. Dogs have a more “aim to please” mentality and are very likely to do what you ask of them; cats on the other hand, don’t give in quite so easily. They are stubborn animals and will make you work for their love and affection, as well as for their obedience.

Cats are predatory animals. They like to hide and attack things, not knowing that they are making a mess of your house. They may steal your socks, jewelry, pens, anything that seems interesting at the time. The easiest way to avoid this is to be sure to keep enough kitty toys in the house and make sure they are kept out where your cat can easily find them. This will help keep them from becoming bored and focusing their attention on your personal belongings.

A great tip for training your cat is to remember that punishing them won’t have much effect. Unlike dogs that will usually change their behavior after being punished, cats will most likely ignore the punishment and continue with the bad behavior, again because they can be very stubborn. The best cat training tip is to use positive reinforcement. You are much more likely to see results when rewarding your cat for good behavior. When they go to play with their cat toy rather than your watch sitting on the coffee table, reward them. You can reward them with a kitty treat, praise them with words, or perhaps even better, play with them. If they see you engaging with them, they will know that behavior is not only acceptable, but also encouraged. Playing with them also allows for a good bonding time with your cat, allowing them to become more comfortable with you.

Another great cat training tip is to keep them on a strict schedule. Cats are creatures of habit, they enjoy being on a schedule. Try to feed, groom, and play with them at the same times every day. If they never know what to expect from day to day, they can become anxious and stressed out, which will ultimately cause behavior problems.

Although these are not the only cat training tips out there, they are two of the most important and just by following these couple ideas, you can drastically improve your cat’s behavior and help prevent future bad habits from occurring.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/cat-training-tips-400804.html

About the Author:For more cat training tips , check out Cat-Secrets-Revealed.com, the cat secrets authority site.