Hangin’ with the Animals

posted by Animal Lover2 on Dec 3

by SHERYLL CROSS

Cats are one of the most loved pets in the world. Cat lovers around the globe understand the needs and demands of their feline pets, especially when it comes to cat grooming. Cats often clean their faces after meals, lick themselves regularly as if taking a bath, and even file their nails on the scratching post. Truly, they should be treated royalty for having such habits. Grooming your cat may seem to be a tough job, but take it as if you’re just doing small favors for your cat. First, you have to examine your cat’s skin and coat. You may know if your cat’s coat is unhealthy if it is uneven and dry, sometimes may have scales and scabs. You can also smell your cat’s coat if it has bad odor. If all of these are present, check on your cat’s diet. You may be giving your cat the wrong kind of food and your cat’s not getting proper nutrition. Also, the coat of your cat should be combed and brushed regularly. Cats should be brushed daily to prevent their furs from tangling and looking rowdy. Just don’t forget to use the proper tools like quality steel combs that won’t hurt your cats. Ask some professional pet groomers what are the ideal hygiene tools you needed specifically for your pet.

Your cat’s nails should be clipped from time to time. Indoor cats need their nails to be clipped unlike outdoor cats that use their long nails for defense, climbing, and balance. If you’re not used to clipping your cat’s nails, try to bring it to pet grooming salons where pet groomers can teach you the proper way of doing it. You can also ask them to teach you techniques to make your cat comfortable first before clipping its nails.

Cats need brushing their teeth too. You can brush kitty’s teeth at least once or twice a week. Brushing your cat’s teeth will remove plaque build-up that may lead to gum disease and other dental problems. Or, bring your cat to pet to your vet or a pet groomer and let him or her do some professional cleaning in your cat’s mouth. It is also important not to use toothbrushes and toothpastes used by humans. A lot of special dental cleaning tools are available in every pet shop or pet stores.

We all know that most cats hate being sprinkled or bathed. Well, they actually hate getting wet. But yes, cats don’t need frequent baths. Bathe your cat only if you feel that it needs one. Use shampoos, conditioners, and soaps intended only for cats. Again, the shampoos and conditioners that we use shouldn’t be applied on them. If your cat has allergies or skin problems, ask a veterinarian for medications. Don’t ever use a product without asking the opinion of the professionals. Well, these are just basic tips on how to groom your cats. Just don’t put too much attention to grooming them, let them have quality time with you. Just like other pets, they need exercise, fun, and sleep. Just don’t forget to give the attention and care they are worthy of. For more information, visit this site on cat grooming.

Sheryll Cross is a web copywriter for US Website Builder, that is associated with Beauty Time Pets Grooming.

posted by Animal Lover2 on Dec 2

by MIKE ALLRED

How do I train a new puppy or dog to stop biting? That is the last thing on the minds of new pet owners after bringing a new pet home. After all, a new pet is an exciting fun-filled experience for both family and pet. Puppies are little four-legged bundles of energy. It is a job just to keep up with them.

Of course, when that lovable little puppy starts nipping, biting, and chewing we should understand why this behavior is happening. Puppies instinctively love to bite and chew on almost everything, including people, other pets, your best furniture, and the neighbor’s cat.

Though puppies don’t usually feel pain when biting each other, we humans, however, have thin skin. We feel those sharp needle-like teeth. So, it’s important for us, as new pet owners, to train our puppies not to bite. How to teach a puppy to stop biting begins when they’re still puppies.

Dogs learn best as young puppies.

It’s important that your dog learns proper behavior (especially not biting) during its first months of life. Because most puppies are taken away from their mothers too soon, it’s your duty as a new pet owner to act as the puppy’s new mother.

Your most important goal in how to train a puppy to stop biting, is to reduce its instinctive biting and chewing reflex. Normally puppies learn to stop biting from their mothers. So let’s learn from a mother wolf. Let’s observe her natural training techniques. They’re simple but very effective.

Have you ever seen a nature program on TV where the mother wolf disciplines a young pup with only a threatening growl, a baring of her teeth, and fierce stare. In the natural world this technique works. So why not use a form of this technique in your early training of your puppy.

No! No bite!

When a puppy bites, shout “No. No bite!” in a loud firm voice while looking the puppy sternly in the eye. Say “No” loud enough to shock your puppy, but don’t yell so loud as to scare him/her. Your goal is to have the puppy associate the loud “No,” and your stern gaze with his biting.

Most puppies will quickly associate the loud “No” and the stern gaze with the biting behavior. Imagine yourself as being a mother dog teaching a pup a lesson. Yes, you still love them, but they will definitely get the message. After the lesson, show the puppy you love him/her with a loving hug, a warm friendly smile, and a soothing voice.

Learning To Socialize

One of the most important ways to teach a dog or pup not to bite is through proper socialization training. In other words, a puppy must learn to socialize in a friendly way with other dogs and especially other people. Successful dogs know how to be good neighbors with other dogs and especially people. Dogs can quickly become afraid of other dogs and people if they cannot adjust and socialize in an acceptable manner.

And when dogs and puppies are afraid, they exhibit unacceptable behaviors, such as biting. Biting might be cute in puppies, but in adult older dogs biting can be dangerous and destructive for both dog and person.

Never Resort To Physical Abuse

Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, your pet should learn to respect you and your family members. Never physically abuse a new puppy or older dog. Physical abuse can lead to a pet fearing you. Physical abuse causes a dog or puppy to lose trust in you, to fear you, and to avoid you.

After all, you are the most important person in the world to your pet. Their world and their existence revolves around you—their owner. Treat your dog or puppy the way you would like to be treated-with respect and love. Dogs are truly man’s best friends. They will love you unconditionally, faithfully, and loyally, whether you’re a pauper or a millionaire.

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Mike Allred, the author, points out that knowing how to train a new puppy or dog to stop biting is only half the battle. Your goal should be an all-round well-trained obedient dog. Such a dog makes a loving pet, a loyal companion, and a devoted friend. To learn more about dog training, caring for new puppies, and dog health issues, visit www.ProDogTrainingMethods.com Your puppy will love you for checking this out. And to learn how to house train your new puppy here’s more information.

posted by Animal Lover2 on Dec 1

by URBAIN BECK

The little puppy you got your kids may be as cute as can be, but trying to house train it can be downright ugly. Pieces of newspaper that was supposed to be a ‘bathroom’ may be shredded up and strewn all over the house by the puppy. Urine and other messes are tracked throughout the house. By the time it is said and done, you might be wondering why you got a puppy in the first place. Puppies are like babies and need to be taught the difference between right and wrong. To adequately teach your puppy, be prepared … you are going to need a lot of patience. It might be a matter of days or a matter of months before you have your puppy house trained so that it goes to the bathroom outside.

A useful trick is to create a special sleeping space for your puppy to use at night and for its naps. This is usually an enclosed space, like a crate. It is unlikely that your puppy will go to the bathroom in its special enclosure. You need to be sure to put the puppy in this enclosed bed area every night and for naps so that it will recognize and “own” this special sleeping enclosure.

You will want to be consistent about taking your puppy outside for bathroom breaks, in a designated area of your yard. Take the puppy out on a fairly long leash so it can walk around, sniff things over and explore. When the puppy finally goes to the bathroom, give it a treat. You will also want to congratulate the puppy in what I call “happy dog voice” … you know, that stupid voice that you use only for your cute little dog. When your puppy is young and active, you might need to take it outside every other hour for bathroom breaks. As it grows older, it will not need to do its duty quite as often, so you will be able to wean the outside trips from your schedule.

Be wary of sneaky indoor bathroom breaks. Keep an eye on your puppy when it is not napping or sleeping. If your puppy starts running around sniffing the floor or running in circles, this might be an indication that it has to go to the bathroom. Take it outside to its designated bathroom spot.

On the outside bathroom breaks, be sure to use words like “go potty” or something similar that your puppy will begin to recognize. Over time, when you say something like “It’s time to go potty,” the puppy/dog will understand that it’s time to go outside for bathroom break.

Bathroom time is a serious time. Do not talk with your puppy, feed it, or play with it until it eliminates. Then, reward it with encouraging talk and a treat. Be careful about giving the puppy too many treats! To make the treats more effective, do not leave food around the house for your puppy to gobble up. You should, however, have plenty of fresh water around at all times.

Your puppy will probably need to go to the bathroom about 20 minutes after eating, so plan your schedule accordingly.

No matter how well you train your puppy, and even when it grows into a dog, you still might have some ugly messes, especially if you do not let the dog out on time because you are running late from work or have overslept on an overcast, rainy day. Your dog can only handle a full bladder for so long! There is an innovative way to prevent indoor accidents. Visit the Blurbosphere’s indoor dog bathroom accessory page for a review …