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Small Dog Breeds For Small Homes

xgj2pet — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:42:24 +0200

Just because you live in a small home or apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have a dog. There are many small and toy breeds that make excellent pets for small homes. But even small dogs like variety and exercise, so it is important that you are prepared to spend time with your dog, take her for walks and ensure that she gets the best care. Once you have made that commitment to yourself, you can choose which breed of dog is most suitable to you and your lifestyle.

Small dog breeds make the cutest puppies, and one of the cutest small dog puppies around is the Maltese. This popular small dog breed generally grows to no more than six or seven pounds in weight, and has a beautiful white coat. The Maltese is a very ancient dog breed and has a strong constitution, though it should not be kept in very hot areas, due to the thick coat. The Maltese enjoys walks and is very playful. A great companion if you want a lively little pet and will enjoy the grooming chores.

Another delightful long haired small dog breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This lovely small dog is as courtly as its name and weighs about twice as much as a Maltese. The King Charles is a friendly and sociable small dog, well known for giving a lifetime of loyal attachment. This is the ideal dog if you prefer to lead a quiet life.

Top of the line in long haired small dog breeds is the Lowchen, as long as you enjoy spending long hours brushing, and don’t mind the hefty price tag. The beautiful `Little Lion’ dog can cost around $1000. A true indoors dog, the Lowchen is no exercise fanatic but owners have reported `separation anxiety’ to be a problem, so don’t get this dog breed if you are away for long hours every day.

If you want a pet with a shorter coat, try the Miniature Fox Terrier. This lively little dog will need lots of exercise, and appreciates having a collection of toys. Fox terriers can be yappy, so your pet may need to go to obedience school if she annoys the neighbors. This is a healthy and low maintenance dog breed, suitable for the owner who just wants to enjoy having a pet without all the grooming fuss.

A more sleek and elegant short haired pet is the Italian greyhound, and if you want a pet that enjoys exercise, this is the dog breed for you. Owners report that the Italian greyhound is a very well behaved dog, but prone to stress, so it is not a suitable pet where there are small children. This dog breed grows to a height of about 15 inches but is very lightweight – around 5 pounds.

The Welsh corgi is one of the classic small dog breeds, and very popular with Queen Elizabeth II of England. They will be popular with you, too, if you want a playful, affectionate pet. The Welsh corgi comes in two breeds, the Cardigan and the Pembrokeshire. The Pembrokeshire is smaller and more popular than the Cardigan, but both make faithful pets for small homes.

Finally, there is the ultimate small dog breed for apartment living – the toy poodle. Naturally popular in Europe, the toy poodle is somewhat high maintenance regarding its fluffy coat, but a surprisingly undemanding pet. Toy poodles love to play and appreciate having their own toys, but they are easy to train and adapt to their owners. Like most pets, the toy poodle prefers company to being left alone, but if you spend a lot of time away from home, perhaps you should think twice about getting a pet anyway!

The West Highland White Terrier

xgj2pet — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:41:07 +0200

So you have decided you are going to buy a West Highland white terrier, otherwise known as a Westie. Westies are great little light-hearted dogs. They are quick to learn, and as a rule they are very self sufficient, and have wonderful, unique personalities. Most Westie owners will tell you that their dog possesses a "big personality." They are lovable, but will never be mistaken for a lap dog.

If you are looking for a cuddly lap dog, a Westie may not be the right breed for you. They are notoriously independent, and won't tolerate being held for very long periods. They like to be in close proximity to their owner/families, but they need their space. As a rule, when a Westie chooses a sleeping area they will find a private space. Away from the family, this sleeping area will most likely be somewhat protected on three sides; they also like to "cover their backs" when they sleep. Naturally there are exceptions to the rule. If the dog is taught to be a bit of a lap dog, they will most likely be a lap dog. But the Westie is not a natural lap dog. They like to call the shots, so to speak.

The Westie likes to be taken along with the family whenever possible. They are friendly, and love people in general, especially children. They are very loyal to their families and prefer being with their owners/families whenever possible.

When purchasing a dog most people prefer to buy a young puppy, and train the dog themselves. This can be rewarding. If buying a puppy, make sure you are home regularly enough to train the puppy properly. Westies are easy to train, but someone has to be in the home to do the training. Remember, it can be a frustrating and time consuming task to train a puppy. The other option is to purchase a dog that is a bit older, and has already been trained by the breeder. This is a good option, and many breeders can accommodate with a dog that is a little older and trained.

Male or female? In regard to temperament, there is little or no difference between the two in the Westie breed. It is said that Westie males are more affectionate than female Westies. The female is smaller and lighter, so easier to control on a walk or carry when necessary.

This pure white, sturdy small-framed dog is always full of energy and always on the alert and looking for fun. They love to get out and walk, and run in a wooded area, looking for game.

Westies’ ears stand up naturally at each side of their fluffy, happy face. At the opposite end, a perky short tail, which - by nature’s design - comes to a gradual point. As adults, it is desirable for the male Westie to be 11 inches in height; the female 10 inches in height. A Westies coat should be pure white. They have a double coat; the under coat being soft and fluffy, the top coat a bit coarse and wiry. This dual coat is natural to the Westie. The breed was developed and bread for a hard and dangerous job - that of hunting out and killing vermin. So the dual coat provides the Westie a good natural form of protection, not only from the elements, but the claws and teeth of its prey. The dry texture of the Westies coat also works to cut down on doggy odor. Due to this dryer coat they require less baths. They can be kept clean with frequent brushing and dry cleaning (this is done by adding a bit of corn starch to the dogs coat, brushing it out after a few minutes.)

Choosing a reputable breeder is very important. It is impossible to know when picking out your particular puppy just how that dog will turn out emotionally and physically. This is the best reason to find a good reputable breeder. A good breeder strives to breed healthy dogs that will exhibit traits that are natural to the dog they chose to breed. There are three choices when it comes to breeders; pet shop breeders, back yard breeders, and serious hobby breeders.

The pet shop breeder is the worst possible choice you can make when buying a dog. The puppies are poorly bred, and are thought of as merchandise to be sold for at a high profit. This form of breeding as a rule puts out sickly, unstable dogs, and I highly recommend you stay clear of pet shop breeders.

The backyard breeder can also be a poor choice. This type of breeder may be a Westie owner that thought it would be “fun” to have puppies. They know little about puppies and the training of puppies. As a rule they are not well acquainted with the stud dogs, and can offer little information on his background. They are unaware of the history of the breed, and any special needs of a given breed. To sum it up, they are ill-equipped to breed dogs, and lack the knowledge one needs to be a good breeder.

Your best choice when buying a dog is to find a serious hobby breeder. They have done their homework on the breed they are selling. As a rule, they are dog fanciers and do not look at breeding as a profit-only venture. They are breeding for show dogs. They strive to breed the best of their chosen breed. They will take responsibility for any and all pups produced, and stand behind their dogs. You can be assured the dogs are healthy, and have been given all the veterinary care they need as puppies along with proper training. A good breeder of Westies will belong to the “West Highland White Terrier Club of America”, and/or other well known Westie Clubs. They will most likely be involved in showing their dogs. A good breeder will ask you questions, and be very discriminating on the homes their puppies go to. They will guarantee their puppies, with an agreement to take the puppy back if for some reason you find you are not compatible with your new puppy. They will give you time to have the puppy looked at by a veterinarian of your choice, just to ensure there are no health problems looming, and that the puppy is in a good healthy condition.

A good breeder will have numerous references. They will be able to provide you with such references, in the way of other persons that have purchased dogs from them, along with their own veterinarians references. The breeder should be able to answer questions on the breed, and show a good knowledge of the breeds history. The breeder should also provide written instructions in regard to the puppies needs. Diet, exercise, and health care needs as a puppy and adult dog. The kennels should be clean, providing the dogs with a healthy environment. The dogs should be comfortable with the breeder, and show a good rapport with them. The dogs in the kennels should be of good temperament, and healthy in appearance. The good breeder will never sell a puppy that is too young to leave its mother.

And finally, the breeder should provide you with a record of the dates and types of vaccinations and worming that has been done on your puppy, along with any and all records on visits to the vet the puppy may have required while in the breeder’s care. It is also desirable to ask questions on the health of the parent dogs. The breeder must provide you with A 3- to 5-generation pedigree, and a "blue slip" to apply for registration of the Westie into the AKA.

Once you have found a trustworthy breeder here are a few tips on choosing the right puppy: Age is important; a puppy is usually ready to be taken to its new home at the age of eight to twelve weeks. You may find that all Westie pups look alike; they pretty much do all look alike. Look for a puppy with a sturdy build. The dog should feel firm, with good muscle tone. Their legs should be straight. The pup should be active when picked up, squirmy, after a short time relaxing and willing to be petted and cuddled a bit. Their coats should be thick and clean. There should be no discharge from eyes, nose or ears, and no odor at the ears. The eyes should be bright, with an alert look. The gums should be moist and pink. The dog should be active with the other pups. It's a good idea to ask the breeder about the puppies personality. They can help you pick a dog that will be suited to your needs and your personality.

It is always smart to observe the dam for her traits. Does she appear overly shy, aggressive, stand-offish. Is she patient and watchful of the puppies, and not overly aggressive of the liter? Do the parent dogs look in good health? Are their coats healthy and do they appear active with good stamina? It is well known puppies can and do inherit traits from the parent dogs.

If you do your homework, you are more likely to pick just the right dog. The Westie is a wonderful breed. They are bright, happy spirited dogs, and will bring with them their own special outgoing personality. They will fast become your best friend.

The Dogs Of Fashion

xgj2pet — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:54:15 +0200

As winter arrives in the northern parts of the world and we break out our down filled parkas, our fleece lined ski jackets, long-johns, hats and mittens - do we stop to think of our four legged friends and companions? Well, most of us don’t, which is hard to imagine seeing as he’s one of our best friends.

Most of the dogs that we keep have not been bred for a severely cold climate. They were bred for size, companionship, show and as working dogs. Only the Spitz-type dogs such as the Alaskan malamute and the Huskies were bred for cold climates. These are large dogs with heavy mass and thick coats that are able to retain and maintain their body heat.

Many of the larger short haired breeds such as the Bulldog, Boxer, Dalmatian and Great Dane appreciate a sweater in cold weather. However, most of the dogs we have as pets in our homes are from the medium to smaller dog breeds. These dogs, because of their smaller body mass and typically thinner coats, can get cold very quickly. Their extremities, being smaller, have a greater chance of being damaged by the cold than do the larger breeds. Small and toy dogs have an extremely hard time maintaining and retaining their body heat. At worst frigid air, snow or slush can cause your dog to get frost bite and at best it will certainly make her him not want to go outdoors for exercise, walks and toileting.

One of the best ways to protect your pet from the elements is to kit them out with specialty dog clothes designed to keep them warm. Like our own clothing, the materials used are designed for comfort and durability. Fleece, cotton and nylon are commonly used in the construction of doggie coats, capes, sweaters, shirts and boots. If you want keep your dog comfortable in cold weather you will need to purchase at the very least a coat or cape (to help retain body heat) and fleece lined nylon boots (to protect the feet from snow and cold). Almost any pet store will have dog apparel to suit most breeds. To find larger sized clothes (for breeds like the Greyhound) or specific brands and styles, you may have to search out an on-line store that carries these products.

If you live in the Snow Belt, do your dog a favor - get him some warm clothes to wear. He’ll be happier for it and you’ll have peace of mind that your dog is safe and comfortable.

How To Stop Your Dog From Biting

xgj2pet — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:53:18 +0200

Every year well over 4 million people are bitten by dogs. While some of these bites may be minor, others can leave serious injuries or even death. If you own a dog which bites someone, you could find yourself in legal trouble. If it kills someone, you could end up behind bars. While I don't want to scare you away from owning a dog, there are some things you will want to do to make sure your dog doesn't bite you or others.

The first thing you want to do is never approach strange dogs. Even if the dog is behind a fence or tied up, it could see you as being a threat. You should also keep your own dog away from other strange dogs. It could be injured or killed if the strange dog decides to attack it. You should also avoid petting your dog without letting them sniff your hand first so that they know who you are. Under no circumstances should you run from a dog. Dogs are natural predators, and will almost always chase you unless they're trained.

When a dog is eating, sleeping, or caring for its young, it is best not to startle or disturb them. They may snap at or bite you. It may be necessary to neuter your dog if it is going around and getting into fights with other dogs constantly. You can also take your dog around others to keep it from being nervous when in the presence of people it is not familiar with. Dogs should also be trained not to chase anyone. This is one of the most common things which leads to a dog biting someone. You should also give your dog rabies vaccinations, and never allow it to go places without your supervision.

If you should be attacked by a dog, the first thing you want to do is remain calm. If you panic you are likely to make bad decisions. You will also want to wash the wound as soon as possible. Use soap and water and contact your doctor as soon as you can. Contact the animal care agency in your area and let them know that you have been bitten. Describe the dog and where you encountered them. Let them know what direction you think the dog went in.

Being the owner of a dog which likes to bite is a serious issue. You can avoid biting by training the dog while they're young. Once they get older, it will be difficult or impossible to get them to follow your commands, and if they bite somone else, you could be in a lot of trouble.

exotic-shorthair-cat

xgj2pet — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:26:58 +0200

Description

An Exotic Shorthair is like a Persian in all breed standards except coat length and type. They share the same stocky build, heavily boned and balanced, along with a large round head and large round eyes. In fact, without the long fluffy hair of the Persian, it is usually easier to judge the cat
’s build and shape. The lack of long hair gives this breed an even rounder look.

Like Persian cats, Exotic Shorthairs come in a variety of coat colors and patterns. Since the 1980’s pointed coat patterns (like the Siamese or Himalayan) are also acceptable in Exotic Shorthairs.

The personality of the Exotic Shorthairs matches that of the Persians. They Exotic Shorthairs are often described as affectionate, mellow and laid back, although some breeders claim the Shorthairs are not as laid back as the Persians and may show personality traits normally associated with American Shorthairs.

History

Exotic Shorthair is shorthaired version of the Persian and originated from the crossing of a Persian with an American Shorthair. In1960s American short hair breeders in an attempt to improve the color of their breed crossed American Short hair with Persians and thus Exotic Short hair was born. In 1967 CFA gave formal recognition to the Exotic Shorthair as a breed. By the late 1960s, the Exotic was recognized by most catassociations.

Breed Traits

To maintain the Persian body type, coat, and diversified gene pool, it is necessary to breed back to the Persian. Roughly 50 percent of kittens from Exotic/Persian matings will have long hair if the Exotic parent carries the recessive longhair gene. Even when Exotic is bred to Exotic, the litters can contain longhairs if the longhair gene is present in both parents. This slows the process of reproducing Exotics and can be disappointing, because in the CFA Exotics with long hair cannot be shown as either Exotics or Persians. However, a movement is currently underway among breeders and fanciers to have longhaired Exotics accepted in the CFA, although it’s not certain if it will succeed. Some fanciers favor creating a new shorthaired Persian division, and others favor a longhaired and shorthaired division for Exotics.

Personality

As you might expect from a breed that’s 99 percent or more Persian, the Exotic Shorthair is sweet, docile and seen but not heard. Moreover, because the exotic needs less grooming and fewer baths than the Persian — and is much less difficult to dry — the exotic is less apt to get testy at the sight of a comb or brush.

Care and grooming

Unlike the high-maintenance Persian, the Exotic is able to keep its own fur tidy with little human assistance. Occasional brushing and bathing is recommended to remove loose hair and reduce shedding and hairballs.

As with other flat-faced animals, , snakes the Exotic’s tears are prone to overflowing the nasolacrimal duct, dampening and staining the face. This can be relieved by periodically wiping the cat’s face with a cloth moistened with water , English Setter or one of the commercial preparations made expressly for the purpose.

for:htt://www.pictures-of-cat.com

The Most Privileged Pets

xgj2pet — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:37:36 +0200

While most people are content treating their pets to the ocassional plate of "people food" on special ocassions, or perhaps going so far as to give Fido his own Christmas stocking full of doggie treats, some pets are pampered more than many people pamper their children. Celebrities parade through the tabloid headlines, carrying their latest spoiled pet in their arms; upscale pet boutiques sell clothing, designer perfumes and even fancy shoes for dogs and cats; favored pets enjoy private air conditioning systems in their dog houses; tiny teacup dogs sport collars costing more than many new cars!

If there were a contest for the most pampered pets in the world, the competition would be fierce. Paris Hilton's famously pampered pet dog would surely be in the running, especially now that "mommy" has her own branded line of top-shelf designer pet apparel. But non-celebs can keep their "babies" in the running too, whether their tastes are as lavish as Paris' or they prefer the classic look of a pet trench coat from Burberry, perhaps paired with an elegant Gucci collar. And what pampered pet ensemble is complete without a proper manicure, offered by many pet grooming salons (complete with your choice of colored polish)?

Of course, the most pampered pets need more in their lavish lives than just fancy apparel. Outdoor pet houses are available with all manner of amenities, from climate control systems and uphoulstered interior furnishings, to exterior styling to rival the loveliest estate homes. Indoor pets can lounge on the finest goose-down feather beds, and enjoy hand-cooked meals on the finest serving silver. Pet entertainment systems are even available, for the feline left to watch the house alone, allowing them to watch video of fish and birds on demand (thanks to their own remote control).

But the most pampered pets aren't those who are left at home when their owners go out, no matter how lavish their surroundings. Surely, the most pampered pets are deserving of their own holiday accomodations at four-star pet hotels, available to accomodate travelling pets all over the world, from the UK to Japan. Rather than hiring a common dog sitter, your pampered pet can enjoy their own private hotel room, complete with plush furniture, on site veterinarians, "personal trainers" (aka: dog walkers) and even room service meals! Such accommodations are available to pampered pets around the world, from the UK to Japan.

Feather Plucking : A Major Problem for t...

xgj2pet — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:40:29 +0200

Feather plucking is known to be a very nasty habit of the african grey parrot. They are notorious feather pluckers. It is said that the Timneh African Grey parrots are not as bad as the Congo African Grey Parrots when it comes to feather plucking. But this is not a proven fact.

First of all any parrot keeper should ask himself why do parrots pluck their feathers. There are many different reasons for this nasty habit. The African grey parrot is a parrot species that need quite much attention from his human owner. If this doesn't happens then the bird will probably get bored and this can result to feather plucking. But belive me that the this feather plucking problem is very complicated because it's very hard to resolve it. There were cases when the african greys plucked their feathers because of getting to much attention. So you just don't know exactly how to treat your bird. Dietary imbalances, or environmental problems may also take to feather plucking. Some environmental problems could be smocking very much in the room where the parrot is kept or keeping him in a space with dry air. Also is recommended for african grey parrots to get regular baths or to be exposed to some kind of moist air. The african grey parrots shouldn't encounter any frightening experiences because this can take to feather plucking.

If this nasty habit appears in you bird's daily activities than you should first see a veterinarian. He will probably try to find a physical explanation for the bird's problem. It's best to try to understand what the veterinarian explains and try to find some ways of resolving the problem. It is proven that the african grey parrot is the most intelligent species. His higher degree of intelligence, along with possible incorrect early socialization at the breeders and not understanding the bird’s intellectual needs when it becomes a companion parrot often leads to neurotic habits -- such as plucking.

Timnehs african grey parrots don't pluck their feathers as much as the congo african grey parrot. This could be because they were not as popular as the congo african parrot. Because of their duller coloration they weren't as licked as the congo.

In conclusion the feather plucking is a major problem for the african grey parrots because they are very difficult birds to take care of.

A Saltwater Aquarium - Beginners Guide t...

xgj2pet — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:28:03 +0200

Remember that marine saltwater fish is available a plenty on our earth and provide a wide array of colors and beauty that can be captured (the term is used metaphoric sense only) in your home's saltwater aquarium, regardless of where you stay on this planet! Many people desiring to keep fish do not realize the difference between saltwater and freshwater fish. This is important to know before starting your hobby as an aquarium owner. Enough literature is available at local pet stores and the Internet to learn about saltwater aquarium requirements and saltwater marine life.

What features are important if you wish to keep saltwater fish as pets!

Firstly let us realize that saltwater fish are very sensitive to climatic and environment changes other than what they experience in the sea water. Therefore simulation of marine environment in a fish tank or aquarium is more difficult and requires great patience and knowledge before one goes about creating a saltwater aquarium. The fish are imported from the seas and oceans, transported under stringent conditions inland, kept in pet stores under marine conditions and then sold at high prices to customers who have ventured into this hobby.

How to start and what does one need to know:

Remember that sea or ocean marine life is like a free bird that soars without boundaries and constraints. Therefore, maintaining an aquarium with saltwater fish entails much greater understanding and acumen than ordinary fresh water or river and pond fish.

Undoubtedly, the saltwater fish is available in a very wide variety of colors, sixes and shapes which can give immense satisfaction and pleasure for a proud owner - but it requires continuous care and maintenance to keep these marine creatures happy and healthy. Consequently, equipment and accessories meant for a saltwater aquarium are expensive and specific. All reputable pet stores, both offline and online, provide a good choice of such aquariums and one can easily obtain good advice from their customer service staff to be assured of a suitable system for the home hobby tank. Remember that seawater fish need special gravel and sea sand mixtures that are available and the inmates must never be mixed with freshwater fish under any circumstances.

Salient points to be kept in mind:

If you are considering a saltwater aquarium in that vacant corner of your large living room, do prepare wisely for those fish that need extra care and environment to become your good friends! Choose the species of fish that you would like to keep considering their natural habits, health history, and special needs and if you can get everything required for the species at a local store. With saltwater fish it is absolutely essential to be in touch with an expert or information available on Internet so that you can consult on various sensitive issues that can later give problems.

Saltwater aquariums can bring the marine life to your home, but it is worth noting that it is an expensive hobby compared to normal aquariums and needs more balanced or sophisticated equipment in terms of filtration, water flow, pH level, special gravel mixes, sand, plants and temperature control equipment. This can be quite different from the fresh water aquariums.

Caring for an Abused Dog

xgj2pet — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:43:24 +0200

Dogs naturally take a lot of care, more in fact than cats. Dogs are man’s best friends. They crave human companionship and can get quite lonely when they spend the day by themselves. Among other problems dogs can have is when they have been abused. Dogs that are abused are going to have physical scars as well as mental scars. Dogs that have been abused will take more care than other dogs. If you find yourself going home from an animal shelter with a dog that has been abused you will need to understand how they have been affected by the trauma.

Any dog is going to need proper nutrition, exercise, and grooming. So really this part of dog care is no different. You may need to ask the shelter if your new dog has specific food they have been given while at the shelter or if they need to have a specific diet. Some abused dogs may have sensitive systems that require them to have special food. It may be a mix of wet food and dry food or you may have to prepare a meal for them like you would your child. It is extremely important to find out what they have been fed and what a veterinarian recommends.

You will also need to find out if they are on any medication as a result of the abuse. Most often when you take a dog home, they will tell you exactly what the dog has been given, what they may need to take, and when you should take them to the veterinarian. The importance of understanding the medication comes in understanding the physical issues the dog may have. For instance they may suffer from broken bones that have heeled in correctly or pain from older injuries where a great deal of exercise can really cause them undue stress. If you have never had to administer medication to a pet before you should have the shelter or veterinarian show you the best way to give them the dose. Some dogs can take their pills when you feed them, while others may have to be force-fed the pill.

Grooming is also an important aspect of any pet care, however your abused dog may need a little more care. Some dogs are abused with water or abused while in the bathroom. This can make giving the dog a bath extremely difficult. They may have been abused with a brush or something like it to make them nervous of certain grooming equipment. The idea behind the care of an abused dog is to understand exactly what abuse they have suffered and by whom in order to understand how basic care should be carried out. The shelter or veterinarian should be able to tell you want they suspect or what they know about the dog’s case.

Additional care may mean that you have to take the dog to work. An abused dog left at home can damage your home because they feel abandoned. Raising your voice or making sudden movements can also have them cowering. Dogs who have been abused by a male or female may be agitated around that type of person. For example a dog abused by a man will be extremely agitated and caution around other men. They may not feel comfortable being petted or played with. Some may require the person to sit down before they feel comfortable coming over to be petted. An abused dog really needs love, affection, and a lot of playtime. Like humans an abused dog needs time to adjust to a new home and the love you will be offering.

Establishing a Positive Behavioral Train...

xgj2pet — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:24:20 +0200

The key to having a good relationship with a Dalmatian, whether he is a member of the family as an older dog or comes as a puppy from a litter, is in the amount of attention and affection with which you establish boundaries of behavior. They are eagerly responsive to attention, games, praise and positive training. However, they have a sharp memory for negative or harshly corrective actions. They will respond much more readily to rewards for approximating desired behavior than being forced into the position or posture you wish them to assume.

The difference between holding out a reward until they sit versus pushing down on their hindquarters while pulling up on their lead and commanding them to "sit!" lies in two critical areas. They will more readily and consistently respond to a "sit" command taught through play learning, and they will not start calculating how they can avoid you or avoid sitting, or get back at you for the "pushy" approach.

No dog is happily responsive to abusive training practices, but the Dalmatian has a peculiarly sharp memory for affronts. If they have had a bad experience learning how to sit, they are almost certain to resist other obedience lessons which take on the same manipulative tone.

Many people think that Dalmatians have nervous temperaments, excessive energy and are hyper. This generalization is unfair to the breed, because good temperament has been a specific focus of breeders for the last twenty years. There is little question that in any planned breeding program, you can select for bad temperament just as you can select for good temperament. Parentage, pedigrees and the variety of genetic possibilities force breeders to contend with that possibility. It is one of the conscious considerations in every breeding decision.

There is no question that Dalmatians get excited when someone comes on the property or to the door. They want to be the first one there to check out the visitor. Proper training will take care of any barking or control problems in this area, but guests who are greeted in this manner, especially those who have heard that Dalmatians are "hyper," could easily confirm what they have heard by the excitement they first see. Hopefully, they will stay long enough to see the excited greeting followed by the normal pattern, which usually includes acceptance followed by settling back down for a snooze under the table.

If Dalmatian puppies have been raised in a calm environment with their mother; if they have been touched, petted and handled regularly by the breeder; if they have been properly vaccinated and wormed; if they have been weaned to a good quality puppy food; if they were taken from their litter by their new owner no earlier than seven weeks of age; and if they were introduced to their new home life with kindness and thoughtfulness, then chances are good that you will not see any behavior abnormalities.

6 Tips For New Puppy Owners

xgj2pet — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:30:38 +0200

You've brought your new dog home - now what! This is a question that many new dog owners may not initially think of in the excitement of bringing their puppy to meet its' new family. But it is a question that crops up when owners are confronted with a pet that chews their laundry or shoes. Or insists on relieving himself in the middle of the living room, on that lovely new rug. Or worse - on your bed!

Dogs can develop very frustrating behaviour, that can largely be avoided by correcting them straight away, at the time they actually do the wrong thing. Dogs don't relate their actions with time like we do. Thus, coming home to find a mess that your pet created hours ago, then getting angry at him, and trying to correct the behaviour then, is not going to work. Dogs won't associate being in trouble with the reason why. And because they don't understand English, we can't tell them! All they know is that they are in trouble, with no idea what they've done wrong. Worse, if you've just got home from work, they are really happy to see you. Not a very nice situation for a dog that just adores their owner and wants love and acceptance in return.

If you get your dog as a puppy, you have an advantage as you can do more to prevent poor habits forming. Here are 6 tips by Brian Killcommons:

* Don't scold your dog after you've called him to you. He'll think he's in trouble for actually coming to you, and will associate coming to you with being scolded. So, when you try to train him, he won't come when called.

* Don't try chasing your dog when you want him to come to you. This will seem like you're playing a game with him. It turns the dog into the leader and you into the follower. He'll think that running away from you will get you to follow him - not good for later training.

* Get dogs used to being handled. This covers both grooming, which should be started as early as possible, even when there's no real need to. Start to check him over regularly, look at his feet, eyes, and ears. And when you are spending time with your puppy, get him used to handling different parts of his body, such as his tail, his ear, his mouth. Don't spend huge amounts of time doing this at first, and be gentle. The idea is to get him used to people touching him so that if children or visitors accidentally grab him, he won't be upset and possibly become aggressive.

* When your dog is whining or barking, don't pet them. This reinforces the action, letting your pet think it's alright to do this. Unless you want a dog that will bark for your attention when he's older, don't encourage this now. And remember it's important to praise your dog as soon as he's done the right thing. So, when he stops barking, give him attention, and pet him then.

* Only give your dog toys to chew, otherwise he'll think it's okay to chew everything. He can't tell the difference between your new and old shoes!

* Don't play rough games with your new puppy. This includes wrestling, and tugging type games. It teaches your dog to be aggressive, and this may become a problem when he is much bigger and fully grown.

References: B. Kilcommons and S. Wilson, Good Owners, Great Dogs.

Choosing The Right Parrot Food

xgj2pet — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 04:47:56 +0200

What is the best parrot food and why? There is no single answer to this question as many different types of parrot food are good for different reasons. However it is important to find out which foods are good and why because you never know what really goes into certain products. So what are the benefits and disadvantages of particular food groups?

Seeds are a great source of nutrition for parrots. They are designed especially for parrots so the ingredients are not harmful in any way. Regular seed mixes of parrot food usually contain just plain old sunflower seeds which are high in fat and it is recommended that you try to stay away from these. More expensive mixes however, contain a large variety of seeds that are highly nutritious and very beneficial to your parrots diet. It is recommended that when buying seeds, always check to see the exact content of sunflower seeds.

Another type of parrot food commonly used and perhaps more nutritious than seeds are pellets. Pellets contain many more vitamins and minerals that will help your parrot stay healthy, live longer and have more overall energy. There is very little fat in most pellets found on the parrot food market but always check with someone if you are unsure of the ingredients. This type of parrot food is best mixed with fresh vegetables, which brings us to our next point.

Fresh vegetables are definitely the best type of parrot food there is. Combining vegetables with vitamin rich pellets can make a huge difference to the health of your parrot. It will give him/her a great deal more energy and vibrancy than any other type of parrot food. So go out there and buy some fresh vegetables, chop them up finely so your parrot can eat them and mix in some specially designed pellets. Changing a parrots diet can do wonders for its personality!

The last point to make note of is this, parrots are like children, they will eat anything they can get their beaks on. Some people believe that parrots are smart enough to know what is best for them to eat. Do not believe this as this is the first step to having a very unhealthy bird that will only live for half as long as it is suppose to. In the end it comes down to this, parrots must eat parrot food not human food!

For the Best Pets Look to the Unusual

xgj2pet — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:18:55 +0200

If you’re searching for really terrific pets, you may want to take a little walk into the unusual. While dogs and cats – arguably the two most common and beloved pets – are good choices, there are some other animals out there that may very well be better suited to your lifestyle.

To find the perfect pet, start by examining your reasons for wanting to take this step. That reason is very important. For example, if you’re looking for companionship, a turtle probably isn’t the best answer. But if you have a child and you’re looking for a pet to help teach responsibility, a turtle may be just what you need. Here are some other pets that may not have immediately come to mind.

Gerbils, hamsters and mice – Yes, they’re rodents and that may be an immediate turn-off for some people, but these little guys can be really good pets for several reasons. They don’t take up much room, they don’t eat much and they’re fairly easy to care for. On the downside, they also tend to have shorter life spans than some other animals, meaning the kids (and adults) who become attached to them face the heartbreak of losing their pet sooner. Remember that they still take care, even though they’re very small. Cages can become very smelly if not cleaned regularly.

Hermit crabs – These are a recent hit with many people and you’ll find that hermit crabs are readily available in malls and pet stores. They’re not cuddly and they’re very shy, but there are some positive points. If handled carefully and often, they can become quite friendly. Children can learn a lot from watching them drink, burrow and change shells. Care is minimal and the biggest routine chore is probably keeping the sponges wet (hermit crabs drink from a sponge).

Prairie dogs – Quite a few people have discovered that these furry little guys make great indoor pets. They’re inquisitive and most have very unique personalities. If raised in captivity, a prairie dog will typically be happy to remain inside with no attempts at escape. They can be litter box trained and many families report that their prairie dogs have free roam of the house. The downsides include the fact that these animals like to chew. If trained well, they’ll chew only in designated places, but furniture and clothing can become casualties of their need to gnaw. Remember, they’re wild animals and you should be careful of your source to be sure you have a healthy animal.

There are plenty more options that you may not have considered. If you’re looking for great pets, don’t immediately assume that a cat or dog are your only choices.