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January 5th, 2009 by PetGuru

There are some careers people are just born to do and there are other careers that may not cross a person’s mind unless it is brought to their attention. A certified dog trainer may be one of these careers. There is a great need by some who need help training their dog. Maybe they do not know how to handle dog aggression or they are losing the battle over puppy training. In either case, a certified trainer can help out by providing discipline, guidance and knowledge.

Becoming a certified dog trainer begins with a love of animals. It requires patience and a desire to interact with the animal. Dog obedience training takes knowledge and a compassionate nature in order for there to be success. Most people do not turn to a certified dog trainer until there is an obvious sign of dog aggression and then the battle begins. Dog training starts when the animal first comes home and continues throughout the life of the canine.

A certified dog trainer understands that the training all begins with understanding the basic nature and structure of a dog. It is important to learn the different breeds in order to understand each dog’s particular traits and learning level. Some dog are more hyper than others and require a special sort of handling skills. The same goes for active breed lines that require special diets and more exercise.

Once the basics of dog behavior are understood, then begins the specialized coursework designed to train a dog through a variety of methods. The instruction will teach the human how to use a variety of instructions in order to train the dog. Two methods include the use of a clicker or through the use of positive reinforcement. Other steps include teaching safety to the owners as well as the dog. It is also very important to learn how to deal with aggressive dog behavior, perhaps because of a past history of violence or dog fighting. Once the coursework is complete, the certified dog trainer is ready to begin working. There are a variety of places to work such as pet supply stores, kennels or even opening up a business. One great example of a trainer is Cesar Millan, who works with troubled dogs and their owners on his hit television show ‘The Dog Whisperer’, which airs on cable.

A certified dog trainer will not punch a clock and you will not find them working day-in and day-out within the confines of an office building. There is the freedom of working outdoors and getting to play with the animals, while being paid. If you decide to work for a company such as Pets Mart then you can get benefits as well. You may never be famous but you will be important to the people you help.

January 4th, 2009 by KittyKitty

We all love dogs. They are said to be the most faithful pets. Having a dog can be of great advantage. First, he is someone to whom you can always communicate. You won’t find a better listener than your dog. Secondly, a dog is someone with whom you can share all your feelings, whether they may be happiness, grief, sorrow, anxiety, etc. Also, dogs are the best playmates you can ever get. They can be your perfect buddy all the time.

Start your dog off right, give him or her what they deserve, put a smile on their face with the best Dog Supplies that is available at Doggy Dog Supplies. You will find Dog Clothes and Dog Beds that are the best designs and best looking on the internet.

But the question here arises, for how long will your buddy be with you on an average? Will he be with you forever? Are their any ways to increase the time you spend with him? How do you make full use of the little time you have with your best buddy?
Firstly, it is a general rule and an observation that smaller dogs tend to outlive their larger counterparts. Thus, smaller dogs live for more time as compared to larger breeds. Large medium to large breed dog tend to live about ten years, although there are exceptions to every rule. Smaller breeds tend to live longer, anywhere from twelve to fifteen years.

Secondly, it has been seen that a dog that has his own house i.e. a proper shelter tends to live more than one who roams about freely ion the road. Thus, street dogs live a comparatively shorter life as compared to pet dogs. While some can adjust, most dog bodies find the extremes the environment can dish out at them to be exhausting and threatening.

Thirdly, the general fitness of the dog greatly determines its longevity. A dog that gets proper exercise daily is likely to have a greater life span as compared to the dog that doesn’t. If your dog comes from a family or breed history of hip and back problems such as hip dysplasia, excessive exercise in the first two years can put added stress on the joints in question and actually lead way to problems in the future.

Fourthly and lastly, regular visits to the veterinary doctor are very essential in order to have a check on the health of your dog. A vet will tell you exactly how to take proper care of your dog and what precautions should be taken by you to maintain good health of your dog.

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

Are you planning to get a dog?  If you are planning to get a dog, consider getting one from a puppy adoption center. Many puppy rescue adoption centers in the country badly need people who can help them provide a home for the dogs that they have rescued. Most of these rescue adoption centers will not charge you anything to take a little puppy of their hands. However, just because these rescue adoption centers are in great need of people who can give their rescued dogs a home that does not mean that you can just pop into one of these puppy rescue adoption centers and bring a dog home immediately. Puppy adoption centers have strict guidelines when it comes to puppy rescue adoption.

Applying For Adoption

To apply for puppy rescue adoption, go to your local animal welfare society and for requirements for dog adoption. Take a look at the list of requirements and decide as to whether or not you are qualified to adopt a rescued puppy. If you happen to qualify for puppy rescue adoption, fill out the adoption application form provided by you local animal welfare society. The people at the dog rescue center will evaluate your application. They may ask you to come for an interview to determine if you are indeed fit to be entrusted with the care of a rescued puppy. Some puppy rescue adoption centers are quite strict when it comes to the qualifications of adoption applicants so there is a possibility that you will undergo a few background checks before you will be allowed to adopt a rescued puppy. No, these people are not out to make your life difficult, they just want to make sure that the puppies that they have rescued will not need further rescuing in the near future.

Choosing The Right Puppy

Once the people at the puppy rescue adoption center are satisfied that you are capable of caring for a puppy, you will be allowed to choose which puppy you want to adopt. Choosing a puppy is a very crucial step. Do not make rush decisions. Take you time to find the right puppy. If you have a family, it would be a good idea to ask your family members to come with you to the puppy rescue adoption center and help you choose the right puppy to adopt. Asking your family members o help you choose which puppy to adopt will give each member of the family a sense of ownership over the puppy.

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

There are few things more exciting than bringing a new puppy home but in order to have a smooth ride with your new puppy at home, you need to learn the basics of puppy health care.  Puppies, like humans, are susceptible to illness and you need to take the necessary precautions in order to keep them healthy and vibrant.Remember that puppies should not be taken away from their mothers until they are about eight weeks old.  The colostrum they get from their mother’s milk will protect them from many illnesses.

Find a Good Veterinarian

Finding a veterinarian that you can confide is one of the first and most important steps in puppy health care.  Look for a veterinarian that has experience dealing with the kind of breed you have.Also look for a veterinarian that you feel comfortable with.  Make sure you have his or her phone number written down so you can contact him whenever you have an important question or are worried about something.

When you first get your puppy, take him in immediately for a check-up and to get vaccinations. Talk to your vet about the vaccines your dog needs and make sure to take your dog back for booster shots when necessary.  It is also a good idea in puppy health care to take a stool sample of your puppy with you during your first visit to the vet in order to get it checked for worms.

In puppy health care it is very important to follow a special diet so make sure to ask your veterinarian about the specifics.In general, most puppies need to eat more frequently than older dogs and they need to eat dry foods.Avoid the temptation of giving your puppy table scraps because it can foster behavioral problems like begging as well as digestive issues. 
An essential step in puppy health care is getting breed-specific information.  Make sure to purchase a book about caring, grooming, and training the specific breed you have prior to taking your puppy home.Buy all the materials necessary such as a crate, nail clippers, brush, and chewing toys prior to your puppy’s homecoming.

In conclusion, puppy health care is very similar to taking care of a baby.  Make sure to stay in close contact with a veterinarian, especially during the first few weeks.Learn about how to take care of your puppy and train him by reading and talking to your veterinarian.  Most of all, remember to give your new puppy lots of love and affection because that will go a long way in fostering good health. 

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

Just imagine if your feline friend developed a cat urinary blockage.  This condition is a serious complication of feline lower urinary tract disease, also known as FLUTD.  It’s often caused by cat bladder stones blocking the urethra so your male cat can’t pass any urine.

Why Does This Happen To Male Cats?

A cat blockage is rarely seen in female cats.This is due to females having a urethra that is much shorter and wider than in males.  Although this puts females at greater risk for cat bladder infections, this does protect them somewhat from a feline urinary blockage. 

Because male cats have a much smaller urinary opening than females do, it doesn’t take a very big feline bladder stone to cause urinary blockage in cats.

How Your Vet Treats A Urinary Blockage In Cats

If your cat is unable to pass any urine, or can pass very little, this is an emergency.  Your cat’s kidneys stop functioning when the urine has no place to go, which allows toxins to build up in the body very quickly.  This toxin build-up causes death within a few days if it’s not treated.

Your vet will insert a catheter to allow the urine to drain out of the bladder.Since the catheter will need to be stitched in place, your cat will be a guest at the animal hospital for a few days.To get rid of any bladder stones that are present, your vet may flush your cat’s bladder out with fluids. 

To prevent dehydration, your cat will receive fluids, either by IV or under the skin.  He’ll also be assessed for any problems related to the toxic build-up in his system.

Most cats can go home after a few days.  But you’ll need to feed your cat a special diet for the rest of his life to prevent bladder stones from forming again.

What If The Blockage Happens Again?

If your cat continues to have problems with a cat urinary blockage, surgery may be the next step.Blockages can be prevented permanently with an operation called feline perineal urethrostomy, which enlarges the urinary opening. 

This operation only prevents cat blockage, not FLUTD.  A cat who has had this operation is more likely to develop feline bladder infection and bladder stones.  He should have urine cultures done three or four times a year to be sure he’s not suffering from a feline lower urinary tract infection.

Prevent Cat Bladder Stones

If your cat never develops cat bladder stones, he can’t get a blockage from them later on.  Cats with very concentrated urine are more prone to developing stones. 

Your cat should be eating a high quality canned food instead of dry food to keep this from happening.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from the food they eat.  A high quality canned food has a moisture content closer to what a cat in the wild would eat.If your cat is only fed dry food, he’s more than likely chronically dehydrated.

Be sure your cat always has access to plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Herbal and homeopathic remedies for cats are now available.  These remedies are especially formulated to treat and prevent cat urinary problems.  It’s essential to purchase these safe, effective remedies from a well-known company with a great reputation for manufacturing the highest quality pet products.

Now that you have this information, you can take steps to protect your kitty from ever experiencing a cat urinary blockage.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infection that can lead to urinary blockage in cats.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

Are you sick and tired of dealing with feline bladder infections?You and your cat aren’t the only ones.  Cat urinary problems are probably the most common reason for a vet visit.We’re going to look at how your vet treats a cat bladder infection, and thngs you can do at home to help your cat.

Cat Bladder Infection Treatments

Your vet may want to do a urinalysis to check your cat’s urine for the presence of bacteria, blood, white blood cells, or crystals.  White blood cells indicate an infection, while crystals can show that bladder stones are forming.  If your vet suspects bladder stones, x-rays or an ultrasound may be the next step.

Most bladder infections are treated with antibiotics.  If your cat suffers from frequent feline bladder infections, your vet will want to do a urine culture to try to identify the bacteria involved.The results will help your vet choose the right antibiotic.

If your cat has a bladder infection, it’s very important to treat it.  If you don’t, it can progress to a feline kidney infection, cat bladder stones, or other cat urinary problems.

Home Treatments for Bladder Infections In Cats

Diet is very important for cats with urinary problems.Most cat owners are shocked to learn that if their cats eat only dry food, they’re probably chronically dehydrated.If your cat is dehydrated, his urine is very concentrated, which can cause a cat bladder infection or cat bladder stones.

Some cats don’t drink enough water either.  This is because cats in the wild get most of their water from their prey, so they don’t have to drink a lot of water.It can lead to big problems down the road for your cat if you feed him only dry food.

Is there anything you can do to avoid this?  The best answer is to feed your cat a good-quality canned food.  Canned food has a moisture level similar to a cat’s natural diet in the wild.  

Be sure that your cat always has access to clean, fresh water.  You wouldn’t want to drink water that’s old and has stuff floating in it, and your cat won’t either.

Cranberry juice is an old remedy for preventing bladder infections in people.  However, most cats won’t drink it.  You can find cranberry capsules at the drugstore.  If you’re good at giving your cat pills, this can be an effective way to prevent and treat bladder infections in cats.  But if you’re like most cat owners, poking a pill down your cat’s throat is not high on your list of fun things to do.

How To Treat Cat Urinary Problems With Natural Remedies For Pets

Over the centuries, people have learned by trial and error which plants can help heal different health conditions.  Uva ursi and barberry are two herbal remedies for human urinary tract problems that have stood the test of time. 

Safe, gentle homeopathic remedies are very effective for bladder problems in people.  Cantharis and Staphysagris are proven natural remedies to support bladder health.

The question is, how to use these natural remedies on your cat.  It’s very important to find a product that’s specially formulated for pets, not people, so it’s safe for your kitty.  And of course, it has to be easy to give to your feline friend, or you won’t use it for long.

Take charge of your cat’s health by finding a product that’s effective and easy to use, and so safe that you can give it to your cat every day. This is the easiest way to prevent feline bladder infections.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infections.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

Taking care of birds at home is perhaps one of the most fulfilling ways to relax. That is why it is important to provide birds with the right bird feeding tools. There are many different types of bird feeders, each designed according to the types of birds that feed from it. The most common ones are the wood hopper feeders, the tube feeders, thistle feeders, platform feeders, ground feeders and the suet bird feeders.

Hopper feeders are basically the most ideal feeders you can buy. They are made from wood, thus making them an additional accent to your outdoor surroundings. These bird feeders houses are very convenient since you just simply open the top and pour the wild bird seed in. They are also fairly well protected against weather like snow or rain. Generally, wood feeders are practical. But be sure to place these feeders in strategic locations, otherwise, squirrels might raid them. Tube feeders are another type.

These can be easily mounted onto a pole, or can be hung wherever you like. Additionally, when looking for feeders that have very tiny holes, thistle feeders are the answers. These feeders are basically designed for gold, purple or house finches because the seeds of the thistles no not pour out easily onto the ground. Most thistle feeders for wild birds have fun designs and you can normally see birds hanging upside down while feeding themselves. Moreover, the design effectively keeps birds always from each other, thus avoiding competition for the seeds.

Other types are the platform feeders. Since these bird feeding tools are open in design, migratory birds can easily keep a close eye out for any predators that may approach them. What is good about these types of bird feeders is that larger birds can actually perch easily on the platform and simply pick away seeds that might catch their interest. And because the design is open, many birds can feed themselves all at the same time. If you like different types of birds all at the same time, then platform feeders are the answer. Ground feeders are also somewhat similar with the platform bird feeders but they are placed on the ground instead. Both the platform and the ground feeders, however, require proper maintenance often since there is nothing that protects them from elements, such as snow or rain.

To attract interesting types of birds, suet feeders are a good idea. This type of feeder is actually a cage made from wire and can be easily placed with commercially-prepared suet cakes. Suet feeders normally attract Northern Flickers, and also Pileated, Red Bellied, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a feeder, so be sure to have the one that will attract the species you wish to see.

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

There are a lot of places on the Internet that offer a download of a free puppy screensaver but you have to be careful. While the majority of the sites offering this are legit and free of viruses, there are always going to be those places that want nothing more then to ruin your day by crashing your computer. The best way to prevent this from happening to you, all because you wanted a free puppy screensaver, is to stick with the sites that you know and trust. This is the only way to make sure that you do not get hit with viruses and such that could end up costing you several hundred dollars.

Besides the free puppy screensaver that most people go for, there are the screensavers the cost a dollar or two to download. Some of these, as you will see, are basically collecting money that goes toward animal rescue and puppy adoption fees and services. If you can find one of these sites that you can trust, it might be nice to pick up your screensaver from them instead of the typical free puppy screensaver. If you can not afford the few dollars at this moment then you may want to go ahead with the free one but stop back another time in order to donate a few dollars to a good cause.

More About Free Stuff

Besides the sites that offer you a free puppy screensaver to download, there are many ways you can create your very own free puppy screensaver. If you have any pictures of a puppy that you really like, all you have to do is save it to your computer and then make it your screensaver through the properties section of your computer. This is a great way to make sure that the free puppy screensaver that you have is one that no one else around you will have on his or her computer.

If you do not have a picture that you would like to currently use then you could always start taking random pictures of your puppy until you find one that truly pleases you. Once you find that special picture you can take it, save it to your computer, and then turn it into your very own free puppy screensaver. In the end, as long as you end up with a screensaver that can make you smile when you are having a bad day then you are already a few steps ahead of the game.

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

One of the most common means of housebreaking a puppy is using a puppy training pad. However, not every puppy owner will use this option and it is in fact really a matter of personal preference. In case you do choose to use a puppy training pad then to succeed in your endeavors requires that you exercise patience and also spend a lot of time in training your puppy. Within a week of using a puppy training pad you can expect to see some noticeable results.

Be Patient

Puppies are actually quite adept at understanding their master’s body language and will easily know whenever you have lost your cool and are feeling angry with them. You must also expect that sometimes a puppy just will not respond to his puppy training pad and will go and do his poop wherever he pleases. At times such as these you will really need to keep control over your temper and instead exercise patient and hope that sooner rather than later he will get the general idea.

Today, you can expect to come across a number of different types of puppy training pads and the online market in particular really has a wider variety to offer pet owners. Among the better known companies making the puppy training pad you can included names such as Clean Go and Out, Pet Gold and a whole lot more. You will do well to first of all test out different puppy training pad brands to see which ones work and which don’t.

Tracking problems are the biggest trouble that puppy owners encounter when using puppy training pad to teach their puppies where to eliminate. Using a puppy training pad can cause many a problem and this in turn can overwhelm all but the most determined puppy owners. In case you feel that you don’t want to continue using a puppy training pad to housebreak your puppy the next best option is to use puppy pad trays that will at least ensure that your floors remain clean.

After about three months of regularly using a puppy training pad you can expect that your puppy will have learnt that this pad is the right place for him to eliminate. Sometimes, you might happen to come across a poor little puppy that seems to have been abandoned and if your little ones plead with you to take in this “free puppy” you need to think long and hard before acceding to your kid’s pleas. Nothing ever comes for free and before you know it, this abandoned puppy is going to start costing you a lot of money what with having to pay for vaccines, food, preventive medicine and a lot more.

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

If you think all you have to do is play with your puppy and feed him in order to take care of him, think again.  Puppy care is a huge responsibility and it is much like taking care of a small child.If you have a full breed puppy, you have to find out how to take care of the specific breed because the protocol can be different.For example, Chihuahua puppy care requires certain types of food for optimum health and different vaccinations than other breeds.

Food Basics of Puppy Care

Choose a dry food and avoid cheap, generic brands in puppy care.  Buy only brand name dog foods to make sure you are getting a quality product.If you have a large breed dog, choose food made for large breed dogs.  Don’t judge dog foods by their vitamin and mineral content because often times over-supplementation of vitamins and minerals can lead to hip dysplasia.  
Try not to give your puppy too many special treats like milk bone biscuits in puppy care because they are not that nutritional.  Canned dog food is okay on occasion but it is best to stick with dry food because it is inexpensive, easy, and better for your puppy’s teeth.  In puppy care it is important to avoid giving human food to your puppy because it can cause digestive problems.

In young puppy care, it is best to offer food three times a day.  If your puppy doesn’t feel hungry that often, you can reduce the frequency and when he reaches around 10-12 weeks of age you can start feeding your puppy twice a day.  It’s not good to feed your puppy only once a day because he will get so hungry in between meals that he will overeat at the next meal.

In puppy care, it is best to let your puppy eat as much as he wants during a 15 minute period and then take the dish away.  It’s not good to provide freely available food.This can lead to your puppy becoming overweight and getting hip dysplasia and other health problems later in life.  When overfed, your puppy will also stop enjoying food altogether.  

The Importance of Shots in Puppy Care

Your puppy loses his natural immunity to disease somewhere between six and sixteen weeks of age.Fortunately there are new vaccines that can protect your puppy from most diseases.  It is very important to take your puppy to the vet and get vaccines but until then, make sure your puppy stays away from areas frequented by other dogs.Also avoid letting your puppy come into contact with stray dogs and sick dogs.

So there you have it.Puppy care may not be as easy as you thought it was but by following the right protocol your puppy will be healthy.The most important aspects of puppy care are proper feeding and shots.If you follow these basic steps, your puppy will be healthy and vibrant and will rarely have to see a vet.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com