Talk with your Animals

posted by Jamie on Mar 31

Before starting dog training, it is best that you know your options well. These days you can find many types of dog training, in many different places. These trainings vary in price and each one them has something different to offer.

The first type of dog training is known as puppy preschool. This is a dog training course meant for puppies that are about 6 weeks to 5 months old. These puppy preschool classes generally last for no more than 6 to 8 weeks. In these training sessions, your puppy is essentially taught how to socialze with people and as well as other puppies. Here your puppy also begins to learn how to sit down, stay at a place, and how to come.

The second type of dog training course is meant for the dogs that are at least 5 months old. This type of dog training is known as the basic dog training. The duration of these classes is usually about 8 to 10 weeks. This is the basic course, where your dog is taught the art of walking properly on a leaash, sitting, staying, coming and heeling.

The third type of dog training course is known as the intermediate dog training. This dog training aims at teaching the dog mostly the same things that are taught in the basic training course, in a more detailed form. Here the dog is trained to stay for a longer span of time, and is also taught to follow the orders given by other people.

The intermediate dog training generally lasts for about 8 to 10 weeks, and is meant for those that are no less than 5 months old. It is essential for the dog to have completed its basic dog training course, or to be accustomed to the basic commands that could have been taught by the owner.

The next type of training course is known as the advanced dog training course. Here, once again, the course is quite similar to its prevous one, i.e., the intermediate dog training course, except for the fact that this time it is more detailed. Here, the dog is taught how to sit even without you in the view.

This training course is about 8 to 10 weeks long, and is meant for those that have completed their intermediate training. Here, they are also trained to walk beside their owners without a leash. Moreover, it gradually prepares the dog to take the Canine Good Citizen training course. The Canine Good Citizen training for dogs is the last course. To pass this course, your dog will be taught the 10 necessary aspects.

This course is strictly meant for those dogs that have completed all the previous courses. The test is quite tough and can only be passed if the dog is really well behaved. Depending on whether your dog can pass, the course can last for severral weeks.

Keeping this information in mind, you should be able to decide the dog training course best suited for your dog. However, you may seek the opinion of your local dog trainers to know more. Many trainers consult for free. So now you should be at least a step closer to introducing your dog into a training course!

posted by Dr. S. Wollington, DVM on Mar 29

Most pet owners love their pets dearly and would never want to hurt them in any way or form. Unfortunately the trend is that less and less pet owners are spending very much time on either taking care of their pets or even thinking about whether they are doing a good job or if something needs improving.

With more and more people working a full time job and maybe even a second job there is very little time left to spend on yourself and your pet. Statistics show that not only humans are getting fat and moving around less but the same applies to our animals. Pets are getting fat and are out of shape and the problem increases every day.

I have gathered three important ideas that you can use to improve the health of your cat or dog. None of them will require very much time on your part and that is what we want in this busy world we live in.

Idea 1: Vitamins and Minerals – Without the right amount of nutrients the body of the pet will become weak and the immune system will start to fail. The results will show as your pet getting sick often and might even get hurt more often as a result of poor muscles and bones.

Idea 2: Visit Your VET – Every once in a while you should go to your local VET and have her give your pet a health check. It is the best way to make sure that everything is okay. And if things are not okay then you’re probably able to correct them before it is too late.

Idea 3: Move Some More ” You probably already know it but exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy and vital. Without movement the muscles will disappear and the body will become weaker and weaker. If you dont have the time to take your pet for a walk then hire someone who will. It should not hurt your pet that youre lazy

Now these three ideas can help and support your pet significantly. You can do just one of the things and see some great impacts or you can implement all of them as see terrific results. It is only a matter of commitment and taking action.

But nothing will ever prevent illnesses and accidents from happening and that is why I will recommend that you look into having some kind of insurance for your pet. Most insurance companies will have different plans and you’ll do yourself and your pet a great benefit to pick one that suits your pet’s needs.

posted by Michelle Johnson on Mar 29

Housebreaking is the most indispensable thing your puppy must learn. Common sense should tell you why. Do you want your house to stay spic and span? Handle your puppy’s housebreaking well. Aside from the maintenance of your household hygiene, trained dogs are happy dogs. As creatures of habit, it’s in their nature to keep schedules as pack animals. Here is how you should housebreak your puppy:

How Old Should My Puppy Be To Start Housebreaking

When your puppy reaches the age of 8 to 12 weeks old, it’s high time to begin housebreaking. Remember the saying that old dogs can’t learn new tricks? It is true so why take chances?

Training Your Puppy Using A Crate

Dog trainers suggest using a crate in housebreaking your puppy. A crate is like a cage, with see-through bars and a locking door. Its size should accommodate well the dogs size for it to move around in. It should be used like a dog’s bedroom. It is advised to not confine your puppy in his crate for more than two hours at a time.

The reasoning behind using a crate in housebreaking your puppy is that dogs will not dirty their sleeping areas. However, he may do so if you lock him in somewhere for longer than he can hold it in. Never use a crate to punish your dog, it will backfire. Generally, pups that are three-months old must eliminate every 3 hours, so you should lead him to a special outdoor comfort place more often.

Get Your Puppy Used To Routines

Another tip is to leave the house through one door only. This door should be the one that you want your dog to scratch to warn you about his being called by the nature.

Taking the puppy out at the same time everyday will help your dog to get into a routine. This will help him to learn to hold it in until you are available.

Look For Clues

If your un-housebroken dog is accustomed to roaming freely around the house, search for signs that show you he needs to do it. Be really observant enough of his behavior, i.e., heavy sniffing, circling an area, staring at the door with an intense look on his face, etc. If you catch him WHILE doing it, stop him with a quick grab of his collar and pull it up while saying “No” using your deep, stern tone (don’t forget to use a deep, gruff voice when stating commands). Then, take him outside and let him finish what he is doing. Lastly, pat him on his head while saying “Good (his name)!” It is a must to make your dog get used to being praised whenever he does anything that makes you proud. Giving him food as a reward when he does his business in the appropriate spot can help, too.

Consistency and Patience

Like any training endeavor, housebreaking requires a lot of patience. If you definitely despise cleaning your dog’s waste off your Persian carpets on an hourly basis and having your whole house smell like a public bathroom, you want the housebreaking to be successful in a wink of an eye, if not sooner.

Using Your Common Sense

Common Sense will help you and your dog while housebreaking. Stick to a routine, do not give him water before bed, to not ignore the clues.

Housebreaking your puppy requires patience, consistency and a big commitment. Stick to it and you will succeed.

Best of luck!

posted by Dr. Robert Sleeter on Mar 29

Even just a decade ago, best pet health insurance was not considered as being half as important as it is today. Much to their benefit, many pet owners now carry some form of pet insurance. There are various plans and policies to choose from, and you will be able to rest assured knowing that your pet is safe.

Until you are familiar with the pet insurance for dogs claim form, you may get a little confused. Whether you have a horse pet insurance plan or a dog pet insurance plan, there are things you should know to help you fill out the forms.

How to do it

Start by getting a copy of your pet insurance form by printing it online. You may already have some of these ready on hand, but it always best to get the most up to date claim form just to make sure that the process goes through as smoothly as possible. Contact the pet insurance company if you are not able to print the form online. They can verify the copies you have are current or send you new ones in the mail.

The next step to filing a pet care insurance claim form is to fill in your and your pet’s personal information. This could include name, age, address, and phone number. Be sure to sign your name in the space provided, and do not miss anything because then your filling could end up being delayed.

Before you can file your best pet insurance plan claim form, you’ll need to take it to your vet. While at the vet’s office, make sure they include their practice information and signature.

Make sure that you watch for your reimbursement, because you may not get a notice regarding it. If you’ve signed up for direct deposits or electronic transactions, you may not receive notice, so watch your bank account. There aren’t too many steps involved and knowing that you’ve completed the form correctly will go a long way to getting your reimbursements in a timely manner.

posted by Dr. Robert Sleeter on Mar 28

Owning a pet is a very rewarding experience, and pets can be amazing companions whenever life takes a turn for the worse. Pets, however, can also be very expensive companions if they get an illness or accident that impairs them. Fortunately, however, pet owners don’t need to worry as much about that possibility. Similar to the health insurance you get for the rest of your family, you can invest in quick care pet insurance to keep your animals protected. You can determine the best veterinary pet insurance for your animal based on coverage options, the animal’s breed and its age.

Protection Against the Unknown

It can seem useless to have pet plan dog insurance for your animal until you suffer the distress of an accident or illness. Then, when the pet becomes ill, those months spent paying for veterinary pet insurance can often eliminate the difficult choice between going bankrupt or watching a pet suffer needlessly. You need to be aware of some factors before choosing an insurance provider. Choosing a policy can be made more difficult by not knowing what coverage your pet actually needs.

Some veterinary pet insurance will not cover your pet if the problem is breed-specific. There are some things like hip problems that will not be covered for large dogs by the best pet insurance plan. This lack of coverage here, however, shouldn’t prevent you from protecting your pet in other areas.

If your animal suffers a broken bone, for example, the costly x-rays and treatments will be covered under your veterinary pet insurance company. Sometimes, the veterinary pet insurance can actually help you save money by covering one medical procedure and saving you hundreds of dollars, making the policy worth it.

Health problems are scary for anyone, but think about how scary they can be for your pets, who can’t understand the problems afflicting them. They are entirely in your care, so you need to do everything in your power to take care of them. Veterinary pet insurance can cover all health problems ranging from allergies to ulcers, and these policies help you provide the highest level of care for your pets instead of choosing cheaper care because you lack the necessary funds. As members of your family, your pets deserve the very best veterinary care that is available to them, and you can help provide that care with veterinary pet insurance.

posted by Shannon Linnen on Mar 27

Summer is a great period for entertaining, and a very fun way to entertain is to invite your friends and family over for a clambake. Lobster and clams cooked over a fire, some exotic drinks, brightly colored decorations and appropriate music make for a great time for everybody.

But when the weather is bad, or even when winter hits, why not hold a lobster clambake indoors? What a great way to bring the illusion of summer to a cold winter day! And it’s a fun, easy and healthy way of entertainment.

In place of any old lobster clambake, consider having a super deluxe lobster clambake, which is sure to please a variety of tastes. For your indoor clambake, purchase some fresh lobster, clams, shrimp, mussels, and maybe even some crab. You might also want to include some lobster bisque or clam chowder on the menu, in addition to roasted potatoes and corn on the cob.

Besides the food for your super deluxe lobster clambake, you will want to have a good supply of lobster bibs on hand, claw crackers, lots and lots of napkins, and a good supply of pre-moistened towlettes. Seafood is delicious but it can be very messy indeed.

You may be wondering how you can have an indoor clambake, when the clams and other seafood at a clambake are traditionally cooked in a pit over an open fire. Easy! For this super deluxe lobster clambake you will be doing all of the cooking on the traditional indoor stovetop!

Lobster stock pot is the only special equipment required to complete the cooking of lobster. A variety of models are available in the market and some incorporate a steamer rack and basket. Cooking supply stores and Internet are the places one should look for. As you search the net for your lobster stock pot , you should do an extra search for an indoor clambake recipe that sounds good.

To plan and prepare you party in even easier way, there are many super deluxe lobster clambake kits available. They can easily be found by searching the Internet. Many of the kits contain everything you need, including wetnaps, claw crackers and cloth napkins, in addition to the seafood itself. All you’ll need to shop for are the vegetables and you’ll be all set for the most popular party of the year.

So what is the next step with all of this? Well, to get your clambake ordered of course! The best place to research almost anything is the Internet, the Super Deluxe clambake is no different. Enter that specific phrase into the search engines and then visit with the top two or three entries. Call them if necessary to get a feel for how they do business. Once you have accomplished this, order up your clambake and get ready to invite over some friends.

posted by Angee Bart on Mar 24

Sure cats are the greatest at being aloof and leaving an impression that training is beneath them. It isn’t. My cats have always enjoyed the time we spend together in our little training sessions

Cats are certainly not the animal that comes to mind when people think about animal training. But that thinking is erroneous. I can hear you shaking your head in denial. But it really is true.

Certainly many times cats act like loners who seem content on doing their own thing. But they are also playful, loving, and members of the pride.

If you make training time, play time your cat will look forward to doing it more often. What a great way to build rapport between the two of you.

There is a lot to be said for the benefit of having a well-trained pet. Whether it is a cat or dog, rude behavior is not acceptable. And training your cat to behave should be part of owning your cat.

If you keep your cat’s mind active and stimulated, they will be happy to play and learn. They’re like a two-year old child – don’t tell them its good for them and they’ll enjoy it!

Older cats are easy to train just like kittens. Maybe it’s because “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” doesn’t apply to cats.

Simply put, cats are like children. They enjoy knowing their boundaries and they are more than willing to push them every chance they get. But remember that you are the alpha in this pride and stand firm.

posted by First Class Aquariums on Mar 21

Everyone has different hobbies, mainly to get away from everyday monotony. But mostly for enjoyment. One amazing hobby is keeping a small underwater world, called an aquarium. It is a common misconception that that fish do not live for very long. This is not true, most fish have a n average life of three to seven years! depending on species of course. Some goldfish have even lived past twenty!

Most people like to begin small, when learning a new hobby.

Here are a few recommendations for keeping your micro/nano tank healthy and vibrant

A small fish tank aquarium must have a decent stand of its own to bear its load. Dont just place it above a strong appliance or furniture, if it is filled, it has a heavy weight despite its small size. So better be safe than sorry. Start right.

Lighting is a vital part for plant growth in an aquarium. You cant put too much or too little light. Too much creates more algae, too little on the other hand, hinders the growth of plants, which are necessary for your aquarium fish to survive. Fluorescent lights are whats best and practical to use. Fluorescent tubes are available in the market to fit small tank aquariums, this artificial lighting has been proven to be energy efficient and can provide just the right amount of light fish need.

Fish tank aquariums should be maintained regularly with fresh water. Tap water, must be dechlorinated. Either artificially or by letting it sit for a few days in a container, letting it aerate. A 10-20 percent partial change weekly is usually sufficient.

Overpopulation is a big no no, this creates problems with the water very quickly, especially in small tanks. Keep a balanced ratio, with the majority being one species. You should only keep a minority of fish in the cleaning department. For small fish tank aquariums , the best choice is algae eaters that do not grow to big.

Have a daily check on your little tank of wonder. Look for signs of health dangers. Most behaviors of fish are obvious if their health is at peril. Such as, lurking, gasping and drifting. Change your filter media in accordance to the manufacturers instruction. If neglected, a filter media can have too much toxins to handle, thus, pushing some of it back to your aquarium! Dont wait for that to happen.

Of course this is only a basic guide to keeping your fish healthy. You must take into account many other factors. When you love your little underwater world you will make sure it is kept in good health and well looked after. Even a small tank can be emotionally and physically rewarding.

posted by Dave Joa on Mar 20

Watching Birds is Fun!

Enjoying birds and bird watching is one of the best ways to get out of the house and into the countryside and away from your back yard. By watching them in their natural habitat you will see them in their normal environment and it will be a different experience than watching them at the bird houses and bird feeders in you yard.

Bird watching has become a very popular past time and this is set to increase. More of us find that we have more leisure time available and are keen to participate. We also appreciate that taking an interest in nature is one of the best ways to get started on a path to help protect the environment and the habitat that birds require to succeed.

All new birders need to understand some basic principles before they venture out on their first birding adventures so that they have some success in finding birds and are not disappointed. A bird feeder in the yard is always a good starting point, but to see more and different birds you have to travel further to find different habitat.

Get Up Early and Be There Before Dawn!

In order to see the greatest number of birds possible an early start is imperative as this when the birds are most active. Wherever your birding trip takes you, you will always have more success early in the morning even if it is in your yard, in a local park or woods or on a beach.

After a good rest you will need to be prepared to get up very early and be on location at dawn. This will ensure you get to the right place before the birds become active and your arrival will not disturb them. The couple of hours or so after dawn are the busiest time for birds and you will surprised at how many you see. If you arrive late you will see less birds.

No Bright Clothing At Any Time!

Bright colored clothes will scare the birds as they will see you easier and take avoiding action by diving into the nearest bushes as soon as they detect your movements and because of this you will not see many birds.

Try to put on clothing that has a more natural and darker coloring that compliments the color of the birds habitat where you will be birding.

It is a great idea to wear anything that will camouflage you when in the birds habitat while bird watching. Get the ultimate gear if you want to see the biggest number of birds or when you go into an area where birds are nervous and difficult to see.

Be Quiet And Make No Noise

If you are not quiet when looking for birds you are going to scare them all away before you get anywhere near them. Talking and moving quickly are two of the worst things you can do when birding and will always guarantee low bird sightings and you will never hear the birds even if they are close by.

So if you have to communicate with other birders with you just whisper quietly and when close to birds you are trying to see use hand signals or gestures to indicate where the birds are, but do not move you arms around to point out locations as if the birds see this then they will be gone!

A good plan is to always stay behind objects such as a bush or a tree and look around or through them to hide your silhouette from the birds as once they see you they will become more nervous.

Please Do Not Wander Around Off Trail – It’s Noisy!

You will avoid disturbing the birds by staying on the trail and by not trying to go through the undergrowth. Also you should never try to flush out a bird or chase them in any way as this could put stress on the birds you are trying to see and force them to flee.

The best way to see birds is to let them come to you and if you find a good location and make yourself comfortable this will happen and can sometimes give the best views. A bird feeder and bird houses in your back yard is also a great idea as again lets the birds come to you and over time they will become less nervous.

The birds welfare should always be paramount and you should do whatever you can to ensure that the birds you are watching are not disturbed by your actions and always stay away from birds nests.

Birding Binoculars and Spotting Scopes Are Essential Equipment

It is easy and safer to see birds from a distance and this is why you should invest in a good pair of binoculars and as you get more serious about watching birds you might also want to buy a spotting scope to get the closest views of birds possible.

Being out in nature and watching the birds is a good recipe for enjoying yourself. Although it can be challenging it is easy and inexpensive to take up and is always a lot of fun.

Even if you just start by watching the birds at your bird feeders or bird houses during the nesting season you will get great enjoyment from bird watching.

Enjoy Birds More!

Get up Early, Go birding and Watch many more Birds.