8 Ways To Control Dog Fleas.

There are numerous products that will kill adult fleas on your dog. However, they vary in the duration of their effects.

1. Flea shampoos, sprays, and powders. Most products will kill any fleas present on your dog at the time of application, but many have no lasting effect - your dog may have more fleas within 24 hours of being treated. When using a flea shampoo, always begin on the dog's head, face, and ears so the fleas won't run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your pet's eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful. All shampoos should be rinsed thoroughly from the coat.

Some of the newer, more effective sprays can be a valuable part of the overall treatment plan. They kill adult fleas rapidly and are safe enough to use daily, if necessary. Flea sprays containing insect growth regulators (IGR's) are helpful in managing the overall problem because they help to break the flea life cycle. Be sure to read the label when using any of these products, because they might be recommended for once a week application, instead of daily.

Flea powders are easy to use - simply sprinkle on your dog's coat.


2. Flea rinses or dips. These may be effective for four to five days, depending on the product. The rinse is applied after the dog has been shampooed and not rinsed out and left to dry on the dog's coat. You need to dip the entire dog from nose to tail. Follow directions carefully regarding frequency throughout the flea season.

Pet shops and supermarkets sell a huge variety of flea dips and shampoos for your pet. If your dog has only a few fleas, there's no reason why you can't treat him yourself. Make sure to follow the label instructions on whatever product you buy, and pay close attention to age restrictions. Many products are not suitable for young puppies. Never use cat products on dogs.

As with flea shampoos, when using a flea dip, always begin on the dog's head, face, and ears so the fleas won't run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your pet's eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful.

You might want to take your dog to the veterinarian where either an assistant or a groomer on staff will dip your pet, or take your dog to a grooming shop for flea treatment.

3. Sprays containing flea growth regulators which are called IGR's. These sprays are usually applied weekly and the growth regulators help break the flea's life cycle.

4. Flea collars. Flea collars are an easy, economical, and useful method of flea control when used before you see fleas, but aren't very effective if you already a flea problem. Flea collars are on the dog and working 24 hours per day. However, they are not very effective in climates that are especially conducive to flea reproduction. Many people don't like the smell of insecticidal flea collars or the smell and oily feeling the insecticide leaves on their hands after petting a dog wearing one. But, they are a lot better than nothing!

Many flea collars, such as the Ovitrol Plus or Ovitrol Plus II sold by veterinarians, kill adult fleas and also make flea eggs sterile. These are generally called Egg-Stopper Collars and contain insect growth regulating ingredients, which prevents egg from hatching.

Some dogs are sensitive to flea collars and develop a skin irritation under the collar, so if this happens, you should remove the collar and use another method of flea control.

In addition, there are High Tech Electronic Flea Collars for dogs that emit powerful ultrasonic pulses. They are supposed to be inaudible and harmless to pets and humans but, fleas go crazy!

Do-it-yourself Low Tech Herbal flea collar - effects last approximately one month:
Buy a soft untreated flea collar. Mix 1/2 teaspoon rubbing alcohol, essential oils of 1 drop cedar wood oil, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop citronella, 1 drop thyme oil. Open the contents of four garlic capsules into mixture. Soak flea collar until it has absorbed sufficient mixture soaked through, then let dry.

5. Spot-on products. Advantage® and Frontline® are two brand name products that are applied topically to a small area of the dog's skin and they effectively kill fleas for at least a month. They are purchased in small vials that contain one dose for various sizes of dogs. They kill adult fleas, usually before the flea has the opportunity to bite your dog.

When using some of the new residual topical treatments such as the spray and the liquid applied to the dog's neck, you may find environmental control will become much less a concern. In some cases, treating the dog with these new products will effectively control the environmental problem.

6. The pill. (Program™) This product prevents flea eggs from hatching when administered orally to pets once a month at mealtime. Dogs are fed Program in tablet form. Different tablet sizes and suspension doses are prescribed according to the animal's weight. When an adult female flea bites a Program-treated dog, the flea ingests the active ingredient (lufenuron) which then passes into her eggs and prevents them from hatching. Program is dispensed only through veterinarians. This drug does not kill the adult fleas on your dog, but it does break the flea life cycle by preventing hatching of the next generation of flea eggs. In effect, it kills the next generation of fleas.

A similar product called Sentinel contains both the flea control ingredient and heartworm medication all in one dosage.

7. Natural methods include essential herbal oils, essential fatty acids, garlic, and/or B vitamins tend to make the animal less tasty to fleas. You can supplement with garlic or brewers yeast tablets. Some animals are allergic to brewers yeast, so watch closely the first week or so to make sure the itching doesn't get worse.

8. Flea Combs. Run the comb through your pet's hair and gather a bit of hair and "flea dirt". Daily flea combing may seem like a tedious process, but you can trap some of them in the comb. Be sure to drown them in soapy water, because fleas can jump out of plain water.

Author : Want a happier, healthier pooch? http://www.pet-supplies-review.com makes it easy to find relevant information about your four-legged friend.

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Small Dogs Require Extra Care During The Holiday Season

The Holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. To keep it that way for everyone, people with small dogs should take some common-sense precautions. Especially now, when tiny dogs are increasingly popular, families need to stay aware of their special needs.

Most people know that chocolate can be lethal to dogs. But other Holiday favorites can also pose hazards, including: turkey, pork, onions, even raisins and grapes. Other foods may simply be too spicy or rich for the dog’s digestive system to handle. While a single raisin or grape may not seem like much, it could be a toxic meal to a four-pound dog.

With holiday decorations coming out of their boxes, keep an eye on that little dog. It may be fun to play “chase the tinsel” with your Chihuahua, but if she swallows some when you’re not paying attention, the consequences could be dire. That ornament may look a lot like your little dog’s favorite ball. Poinsettias and many other plants, including lilies, are poisonous to dogs.


Small dog owners also need to pay attention to their little pets when company arrives. Even the best-socialized little dog may feel threatened and defensive in a crowd. Just think of how the room looks to your shin-height dog when your Holiday Party is in full swing! The obstacle course of potentially damaging feet is intimidating, to say the least! Toddlers who move erratically or grab tails may be frightening to a tiny dog. Small children and dogs of any size should not be left alone together.

Pay attention to your small dog’s location. Dogs can slip outside with the constant opening and closing of doors. Some can climb onto counters and tables. They can even disappear under a pile of coats! The most tragic tale we’ve heard is of a small dog, taking advantage of a warm, cozy visitor’s bed, was killed when a folding bed was put away for the day. Small dogs don’t make much of a lump under the covers and the owners just didn’t see him. Very sad, and very easy to avoid – just find the dog before you move the furniture.

Paying attention is the key to a happy and safe holiday season for the entire family – including your toy dog.

Author : Hope Saidel is the co-owner of http://www.GollyGear.com, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club.

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Common Commands for Dog Training.

A calm, obedient and faithful dog – it’s what we all want, right? To begin with, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems – large dog breeds such as german shepherds and rottweilers to name a couple. And of course pit bulls are almost synonymous with aggression in many people’s minds.

Now, I have a rottweiler myself, and she’s the soppiest thing out. So I don’t personally subscribe to the view that particular breeds are necessarily aggressive. But nevertheless, large dogs certainly do need to be adequately trained, just because of their size. Larger dogs can be very intimidating to people.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:

No – the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

Down – Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Stay – A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so Stay is an important command in dog training. (The Stay command is not used by all dog trainers. Some are of the view that the command to Sit means “Sit, and stay there until you’re given another command” – this makes a lot of sense. But many people do like to use the Stay command).

Heel – It's important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and owner. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of behavior problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you – the pack leader – and your dog.

Author : Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health: Grab your free special report "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!" here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com or here: http://www.Dog-Health-Care-Information.com

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Health Problems In Cats

It may come as a surprise, if you're a new cat owner, that many health problems may befall your feline friend. Some problems are easily preventable, while others are hereditary.

Hairballs

Hairballs are among the most common of cat health problems. Cats groom themselves almost constantly, and swallow the loose hair that comes off their tongues. Occasionally, the hair gathers into a ball and lodges in the cat's digestive tract instead of passing on through the body. If your cat starts coughing and hacking, he probably has a hairball. While the end product is unpleasant for the owner, most cats don't have a problem dislodging hairballs.

However, hairballs can occasionally pass into a cat's intestines and cause a blockage. This can be a life-threatening problem. There are a few signs to look for to see if your cat's hairball is dangerous. If your cat is constipated, off his feed, or is lethargic with a dull coat, then he could have a serious blockage. A vet exam is definitely in order.

To prevent hairballs, groom your cat frequently to remove loose hair. In addition, feed your cat food that helps control hairballs.


Worms

For many cats, worms are a recurring problem. Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms most commonly infect cats. Cats can occasionally develop heartworms, as well. If your cat seems unable to gain weight, is infested with fleas, or has white specks that look like grains of rice in his stools, take him to the veterinarian for worm testing.

Worms are easily cured with a few doses of medication, but if left untreated, they can be fatal.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are another common health problem in cats. This infection is particularly common in unneutered male cats, although female cats can also develop this problem. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, a urinary tract infection is suspect. If your cat's urine smells strong, again a urinary tract infection may be the cause. These infections need to be treated by a veterinarian. Ask about cat foods that reduce the likelihood of another infection.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

FIP is caused by a mutation of the corona virus. According to some experts, cats living in multi-cat environments tend to test positive for enteric corona virus. Cats can live with that virus remaining quietly in the intestines with no sign of disease for their entire lifetime. In other cases, probably a genetic pre-disposition, the virus mutates into FIP.

Once a cat has contracted FIP, it will display symptoms of a mild upper respiratory infection: sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge. It may also have diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy. Most cats fully recover from this primary infection, although some may become virus carriers. A small percentage of exposed cats develop lethal FIP weeks or even years after the primary infection.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

FIV, or cat AIDS, is not always fatal. FIV decreases the ability of the cat's immune system to fight infections. Cats with FIV may remain free of symptoms for years. It is when the cat contracts other illnesses in the chronic stage of FIV infection that FIV is first suspected. This long list of illnesses includes oral-cavity infections, upper-respiratory infections, weight loss, ear infections, kidney disease, and many others. Although there is, as yet, no vaccine, all cats should be tested for the virus. The virus is transmitted through saliva, usually when a cat is bitten in a cat fight.

Feline Leukemia Virus

FLV was, until recently, the most common fatal disease of cats. But with a vaccine now available, the number of cases is dwindling. Although the name leukemia means cancer of the white blood cells, this is only 1 of the many diseases associated with this virus, such as other types of cancer, anemia, arthritis and respiratory infections. FLV is preventable if the cat is immunized before being exposed to the virus. Although the disease is not always immediately fatal, cats with FLV rarely have a long life expectancy. NEVER bring other cats into your household when you have a cat with FLV.

Lyme Disease

If your cat spends time outdoors, you should check him regularly for ticks. If you find a tick on your cat's body and he has been lethargic and acts as if he is in pain, ask your vet to test for Lyme Disease. This disease is transmitted to people and animals by deer ticks.

Some cats may show subtle symptoms while others may show none -- symptoms are hard to recognize and often may be confused with other illnesses or old age. Be observant of your pet's behavior. It is the only way to know if your pet has contracted Lyme disease if no tick was found. Some symptoms of Feline Lyme Disease include:

(a) lethargy,
(b) reluctance to jump or climb stairs,
(c) limping, or reluctance to put weight on a paw,
(d) loss of appetite.

The key to dealing with Feline Lyme Disease is prevention and early diagnosis and treatment. You should reduce the tick population around your home with simple landscape changes and spraying.

Good Health Care

Taking your cat for a regular check-up with the vet, and keeping all vaccinations on schedule will help assure your cat a long and healthy life. Prevention is the first line of defense for most feline illnesses.

Many owners keep their cats indoors to protect them from cars, from cat fights which may expose them to deadly viruses, from ticks, and other hazards.

Outdoor cats will enjoy greater freedom, but require a watchful eye, loving attention to their health status, and regular visits to the veterinarian.

Author : Visit http://www.new-cat.com to learn more. Copyright 2005 Ron King. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer.

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Adopting A Dog From An Animal Shelter.

Visiting an animal shelter can be an emotional experience for an animal lover. It’s difficult to see all the animals in their pens and not want to take them all home. Such feelings are understandable and commendable; however, just be sure that prior to adoption you consider all of the ramifications. And remember, your best friend is waiting for you at your local animal shelter.

Why are animal shelters always filled with animals waiting to be adopted? Well, lack of neutering dogs is a major contributor. Shockingly, it has been calculated that over a six year period, one female dog and her offspring will, if allowed access to male dogs at the relevant times, produce 67,000 puppies! Small wonder that there are more animals looking for homes than there are people who want to adopt them.

Sadly, some 6.5 million animals (mainly cats and dogs) are euthanized each year in the United States alone.

Given the above statistics, it goes without saying that adopting an animal can be a kind and loving thing to do.

But before thinking seriously about adoption, there are a number of things that you should consider.


Many of the animals awaiting adoption in shelters have had a very poor history. Some were abused, some abandoned and some were turned in because the owners had grown tired of the novelty, changed their lifestyle in a manner which didn't include a dog, or simply didn’t have time for them.

A large number of shelter dogs have been left alone for long periods and some were never house trained.

So if you're thinking of adopting a dog from an animal shelter, you need to be prepared to work with them.

Many adopted dogs will come to the new surroundings filled with fears based upon earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules of their previous owners. Some dogs will be reluctant to go from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and hide upon hearing a loud noise. New owners must be patient with them and speak to them softly and affectionately.

A shelter dog may be overly sensitive to your tone of voice or to any commands you may give them. You must be prepared to be patient. And you must be prepared to be loving to your new dog, without necessarily receiving any love or acknowledgment in return. Dogs are reasonably intelligent, and they will gradually come to understand their new environment and show their appreciation for your loving care.

When shelter dogs finally realize that they can trust you they will likely reward you with more affection and loyalty than you can imagine.

Adopted dogs are subject to all of the behavioral problems commonly associated to dogs in general. These would include digging, jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking and nipping. There are proven solutions to all of these “offences.” If your dog is prone to digging, and always digs in one area, there are a number of effective repellent sprays that work well. If he digs under your fence, a little buried chicken wire works wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles filled with water should be kept at hand to break a dog from jumping up and to combat incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face immediately following, or during, the offensive behavior will usually bring about a quick behavior modification.

If thinking about adopting a dog, you should be prepared to deal with the prospect that your new dog may not be completely housebroken. Previous owners may have been irresponsible in their approach to this training, and/or the change of environment to the shelter coupled with the trauma of being abandoned (in whatever circumstances) by its previous owner, may have resulted in the dog continuing to do its “business” right in its pen.

Housetraining is not a relatively straightforward training issue which should not deter you from adopting a dog. Crate training is recommended to assist in this training, and walking your new dog and letting him out in the yard several times a day will also help. Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses and are essential if you have a dog.

Adopting a dog as a companion for a small child is not recommended. A dog is not a toy and should never be treated as one. Small children must be trained to understand “animal etiquette”. In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. But with shelter dogs in particular, small children may not be safe around them.

Children should be taught that being overly aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted, could cause the dog to react by biting or running away. If feeding and exercising the dog is to be the responsibility of a child, an adult must follow up and take ultimate responsibility for the dog.

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Choke Collar Training.

Choke collar training collars are among the most popular and most commonly used tools by both professional dog trainers and people like you and me. These collars are commonly known as a choke collar, choke chain, training collar, correction collar and slip collar.

As with any dog training tool it must be used responsibly to ensure effectiveness, and safety for your dog.

It’s important to pay attention to how the collar fits the dog. It is essential that the training collar be properly fitted to the dog. A properly fitted training collar is easier to use and safer for the dog.

There is a right way and a wrong way to fit a training collar, and putting it on wrong will make it both ineffective and potentially dangerous.

A training collar should be used as a sharp reminder to the dog, not as punishment. It is important that constant pressure be avoided when using a training collar.



Pay attention to the weight of the chain and the size of the links on the training collar. It is important that the weight and size of the chain be appropriate to the size and weight of the dog.

Determining if the training collar is the right size is relatively easy. The ideal size training collar should fit snugly, yet comfortably over the dog’s head. It is important that the training collar not fit too tightly, but it should not be too loose either. A training collar that is too tight will be too hard to put on and off. On the other hand, a training collar that is too loose can accidentally fall off of the dog’s head when it lowers its head.

It is also important to know that a training collar that is too long for the dog requires a great deal of finesse to use properly. A collar that is too long can still be used, but it will require more skill on the part of the handler.

It is best to measure the dog’s neck with a tape measure, then add 2 to 3 inches to that measurement. So if your dog has a neck 12” in diameter, you would want to buy a training collar that is 14” in length. Chain slip collars are generally sized in two inch increments.

When fitting a training collar, the loop of the chain which is connected to the leash should be on the top of the dog’s neck. This ensures that the collar releases the instant the leash is loosened. Training collars work most effectively when they’re able to tighten and loosen quickly. Tightening the collar is the first part of the correction, and loosening it is the second part of the process, by way of reinforcement for your dog. It is the transient nature of the tightening that really gives the dog the message that the tightening will occur immediately there is an undesired behavior.

If the loop of the training collar that is attached to the leash is not on the top of the dog’s neck, the collar can still be tightened relatively easily, but it will not release back to a loose state as quickly. The more constant pressure on the dog’s neck which results, initiates a counter response on the part of the animal, and your dog will then react by pulling and straining against the leash.

Finally, it is important to use a training collar that is well made and strong. Buying a high quality training collar, slip collar or choke collar can be vital to the safety of yourself and your dog.

If the worst happens, and your dog’s training collar does break, it is important not to panic. Most dogs will be unaware that they have broken the collar, at least for a few seconds. In most cases, if you act as if the leash is still connected, you can usually regain control of your dog perhaps even before the dog realizes he is free.

Author : Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health: Grab your free special report "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!" here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com or here: http://www.Dog-Health-Care-Information.com

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Basics Of Dog Training

The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping dog’s attention and understanding your dog.

To get the respect of your dog you must be consistent. You should make a set of do’s and don’ts for your dog. Follow these guidelines to the letter, if a dog does something desirable always reward it, if a dog does something bad punish him or her appropriately. In dogs world consistency is a sign of a leader. You will make your training my easier and effective by being a leader who the dog respects and follows.

Ninety percent of your dogs training will be getting his or hers attention and keeping him focused on yourself. If your dog cannot focus on you, it will not listen to you, and thus making the commands you give fall on empty ears. I will describe a technique on how to get and keep your dog’s attention with few very simple exercises. First, most dogs will respond to their name, so call them and when they look at you tell them “watch”. After doing it few times the dog will associate the command with looking at you. After you have perfected the “watch” command, start doing exercises aimed at expanding your dog’s attention span. A good technique is to hold a treat with your teeth and while standing in front of your dog give it a watch command. Stand in position for a few seconds keeping dogs attention, then praise. Repeat the exercise until your dog focus on you for about a minute. The more attention your dog can give you the better student it will be.


A vital part of dog training is the understanding of how a dog thinks. Dogs, like small children, have a very short attention span. Most dogs can be focused on training for about ten to twenty minutes, after that time they will start loosing focus and will require a small break. A good idea is to make regular training sessions of 20-30 minutes per day. Another important thing is to make the training fun for the dog. Make the dog look forward to the training time instead of dreading it. To achieve this you should always make their effort worthwhile. After every successful command make sure to give them a treat or praise them with very excited voice. The more willing the dog is to train the more effective the training will be!

Incorporate these techniques into your training sessions and in no-time you will be ready to proceed to much more complex obedience training exercises. You and your dog will both enjoy the time spent together, your dog will respect you for being a responsible owner and other people will appreciate your dog’s great behavior after you are done!

Author : Dmitry Belov is founder of Dnepr Import. Visit their site at: http://www.dneprimport.com

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How To Give Your Dog A Bath.

Bathing your dog helps to keep it healthy as well as clean. Bathing helps reduce the amount of flea repellents you need to use as well as prevents hotspots, a potentially serious problem for your best friend.

Bathing too frequently can dry out the skin and coat so only one bath a month is recommended by experts.

Brush the dog before giving it a bath. Be sure to get all tangles and matts out because the water will make it worse. If a comb or brush cannot remove all the matts use a conditioner or detangler if necessary.

Gather up what items you need before you start the bath: A brush, comb, collar and leash, shampoo, face cloth, and several towels.

If bathing the dog in the bathtub, use a safety mat. A hand held shower or pail for applying water and rinsing. Use a dog shampoo which is formulated for the pH of a dogs skin. Human shampoos can strip a dog's coat of essential oils.

Use warm, but not hot, water.

Avoid getting water and shampoo in the eyes and ears. Use a washcloth to wash the dogs face. Do not get water or soap in the eyes or ears!!

Be sure to rinse all the shampoo and conditioner off the dog. If you leave any of this on the dog, it will get itchy skin.

If using a tub, open the drain and let the water drain. To dry, put a towel over the head. Use another towel to dry off its back and legs. Then gently rub or pat with the towel. If your dog is long-haired don't rub vigorously because you can put mats back in the coat.

To finish use a blow dryer on the lowest setting and hold at a distance so the dog receives only warm air. Use a dryer only if your dog isn't afraid of the noise. To some dogs, the dryer is much worse than the bath.

Author : Marilyn Pokorney, Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

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How To Train Kittens To Use The Cat Litter Box

There are several things you need to do to help the mama cat train her kitties to develop good cat litter box habits. While the kids may try to follow mom's example, here's how you can help cement that success.

First, since kittens are so physically small and they're still developing coordination and agility, it's critical that you, the human mom, make sure they can easily get in and out of any cat litter box. The easiest way to do this is buy disposable aluminum roaster pans from your grocery store. Kittens grow as fast as weeds in the summertime, so this is a temporary, but completely justifiable purchase.

If your regular litter boxes are too tall for the babies to climb in and out, they'll become discouraged and they'll select the easiest spot (for them, at least) to eliminate waste. Once they get this idea in their little heads, it could be hard to get out. So, don't give them the excuse!

The type of litter you use for kittens can be dangerous. Since kittens are so darn curious, they test everything with their mouths. If they eat clumping litter, this could kill them. Use a non-clumping litter for several weeks. It won't be any easier to watch them taste test the non-clumping litter, but neither will it be dangerous.

Depending upon the size of the litter, you'll need at least two, and possibly several roasting pans. Since the babies all pretty much eat at the same time, they'll feel the call of nature in a group as well. You can ensure successful cat litter box habits by making certain there are enough boxes to accomodate a group elimination activity.

Young kitties don't have great control of their bladder and bowel functions. Place all cat litter boxes in close proximity to their living quarters. Keep the pans away from their food and water, but don't place them out of the same room, if possible. The closer the pans are, the better the chances are the babies will make it to the box in time to let loose.

Also, make certain that mom is teaching the babies by the time they are five weeks old. If mom seems to be falling down on the job, you must step in during week five of their lives and start the training process. Shortly after the little ones have fed, take them to the litter pan, and place them in it. You may need to gently take a front paw, and scratch for them. Fortunately, almost all cats "get it" very quickly. Your coaching period should be relatively short.

By working with mama cat, the two of you make sure the babies develop good cat litter box habits for life.

Author : Nancy stopped the cat urine odor problem at her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. "18 Ways to Stop Cat Urine Odor Problems" saves you money, time and frustration by solving your cat urine odor problem - permanently. http://www.stopcaturineodor.com

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Got A Cat As A Pet? Here’s How To Keep Them Healthy

Our cats are often as close to us as members of our family. In fact, they are virtually are members of our family! That's why cat owners should know as they may about cat health. Here are the great things to know on caring for your pet cat in a loving way:

GROOMING: Long-haired cats should be groomed regularly for optimum cat health. Use a pet brush and groom no less frequently than once a week.

Food: Cat health is strongly affected by what your cat eats. Obesity is an important factor heart diseases including as your cat is aging. Choose a pet food for your cat it is true that it s age but feed regularly. Consistency is the key to a well fed cat.

Elderly CATS: some diseases occur simply because your cat is aging. These older persons may be labelled cat health problems. Such as cats age their kidneys and the view fail and that they may need special regimes.

LITTER: The litter may be dangerous for the two cat health and human health if it isn t cleaned regularly. Change your pet s litter least once every four days and keep a small dish of baking soda near the litter.

SCRATCH: scraping is a major cat concern for the health because if a cat scratches regularly that it is often a sign of other problems. If your cat scratching a particular field often try a delousing product, and then take your pet to vocational training.

DECLAWING: Declawing your cat can be a major factor in Cat health. If you choose to declaw your animal it is important to remember to keep the interior at any time.

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS: many cat health problems concern difficult or uncommon behavior. May be a symptom of depression. Strange aggression is sometimes caused by hormone imbalances.

STRESS: Your cat can easily get stress. Stress situations as moving, traveling, natural disasters or even changes in family cannot affect cat health. To minimize the effects of stress on your animal, buy a tranquillizer for distance travel and have a place in your home where your cat can escape if there are occupied changes to the House.

POISON: make sure you dangerous poisons like the antifreeze cannot be reached by your pet. Some plants are fatal for cats so make sure you to increase your plants and lock your toxins.

PESTS: Parasites such as not, heart worms and rabies can greatly affect cat health. Blood in cat s stool or uncommon appetite are common signs of parasites.

MOUTH: cats have often diseases of the mouth and this may affect cat health. Cats are also subject to gingivitis as humans. For the problems as rodents ulcer or bad breath, your brush cat s teeth with a small child s toothbrush.

Has the interior/exterior : one of the greatest factors in determining cat health is whether your pet goes outside. Cars, children, other animals and toxins are all hazardous and should be avoided by keep your cat interior.

Take care of your cat is critical to your health cats. We hope that this article you provided information that will your pet s life that much more healthy, happy and more.

Author : Michael Erder is the author of http://www.elitepetproducts.com a site completely dedicated to pets and pet products. Visit http://www.elitepetproducts.com and keep your pet happy and healthy!

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How To Stop The Dogs's Chewing Problem?

Many people have begun the team from dog or puppy in a dog training school. There are many aspects which are gone above dog training classes. Unfortunately, is a part of dog training which is not gone over very well in dog training classes is chewing. It is difficult to get more a problem in chewing dog training classes because dogs have often nothing to chew or destroy, all in class! If you are one of these people who are in dog training classes, but you have always need help to chew, please read.

This type of training of dog can be for dogs young and old. Many people find this part of dog training to be more frequent in the puppies. But older dogs have been know need this type of dog training because they like to chew things while their owners are far!

To start this type of training of dog, you must first to realize that all dogs chew. Dogs need to chew. Therefore, when you start, make sure that you have several things that are ok for your dog to chew. Then begin your dog training by keep all your dogs chewing toys in one place. This way, your dog will learn to associate this place with its chew toys. You must do this for that this type of dog training work. Try to have the dog toys in a "toy box" for your dog.

During this training of dog, never smacking or hit your dog if you catch chewing on something that it is not authorized to. Instead, for the effectiveness dog training, praise your dog and pet when she treats on what it is supposed chew on. It has been demonstrated that the dogs meet much more positive praise and positive dressage dogs. If the dog continues to chew on things that he should not , verbal reprimand. Your voice will be enough punishment and is the only punishment necessary for this kind of training of dog.

Another method dog training you can try is to put a taste deterrent on the points your dog should not chew. This dog training chew deterrent is called "bitter apple" and it is available to most of the animal facilities. This is the most effective dog training that will teach your dog not to chew inappropriate things. If you follow all these aspects, your dog training should go more slowly. Dog Training can be a fun and enriching experience... as long as all your favorites things are not mâché in the process! Remain calm and to be patient to obtain good results.

Author : Amy Howells is an expert dog trainer who runs a website dedicated to teaching people how to train their dog or puppy in just 21 days. Visit http://www.dog-owner.net/training.htm for more info.

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Dog Worming

Regular Worming is essential to protect your dog against internal parasites. This involves giving it preparations in liquid or form of tablets. Adult dogs should be)at least once a year, and at least once every six months if in contact with children. Dogs showing signs of infection must be)immediately, and all breeding bitches should be)before coupling.

Toward. Several of these parasites affect dogs but most important are those that belong to the family that, and to live in the small intestine. Other toward infest the large intestine, blood vessels and respiratory tract. Ascaris feed digest foods in the dog gut, and are particularly harmful to puppies. They are entering a puppy intestinal wall and pass through the blood for the liver and then the lungs. From there, they crawl the trachea to be coughed and swallowed, once again ending in the intestine.

Infected puppy may develop :

Hepatitis, pneumonia, is part and the obstruction to the intestine, so regular treatment is vital. As the puppy ages most worms journey to the muscles, where they form cysts. These sleep until the puppy bitch becomes pregnant. They then migrate to the puppies lungs, and that is why practically each puppy is born with roundworm, and must be)regularly.

How to affecting humans. These worms may infect humans, and in a very low number of cases, cause disease. Good hygiene and good sense concerning children and puppies should control the problem.

Tapeworms. The tapeworm tickle the dog anus and make the dog drag it is rear along the floor. If you see any ver segments in your dog faeces, treat as soon as possible. As a dog lover myself, i trafficking my own animals at least twice per year. Worming tablets can be purchased dear to your local supermarket or 1, there is therefore no excuse for not treat your own pet on a regular basis.

I thank you for reading my article. I hope that he was pleasant.

Author : John Moore - Author and pet lover. Please use my link.http://www.pet-dog-cat.com

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How To Choose The Perfect Dog Name For Your Puppy.

Three main dog Name Guidelines :

1. Choose a name your dog can easily recognize. Dogs generally better respond to one or two syllables names. If you do not want to go for a dramatic and unusual long name, consider whether you can easily shorten to something a little more simple for your dog to understand.

2. Avoid dog names that a healthy as the standard commands of No, stay, sit down, come, or recover. For example "Joe" is probably too close to "no". It may be difficult for dogs to tell the difference between similar words.

3. Choose a name that is both easy to ask and the one that you are happy appeal. Remember, you will be asked your dog name in public places at times and shout Parsnip in the local park, may leave you feeling somewhat embarrassed! You also want a name that will work well when you are straining your voice to draw your pet as it disappears in the sunset chase a rabbit!

Search for dog Name Inspiration :

Begin with the obvious. Take a long and difficult look at your new small friend, it may be you say his name without you. Look at his appearance, the behavior, personality, and alienation. Names like place or red can come to mind. How do I make Bulb for a dog who steals things or rebels to a stubborn dog?

Then look elsewhere for inspiration. You can name your dog after the other famous dog, for example Pluto, Pongo, Lassie or Digby. What are your favorite sports, film, music or comic strip star?

How to choose a dog name after a member of your family or friend of a figure of history as Napoleon, Alexander the Great or Raspoutine? Take a look at your environment or think in your favorite spot that they will give you more ideas.

Remember, dog name you choose for your puppy said as much about you as it does about your pet. It shows how you see your dog and your relationship with him. But other people can judge your dog s character by reference to its name and could therefore react negatively or tremendously to a dominant name when its meeting. It is a good idea to use a dog name which transmits the image that you want your pet to have.

In addition, choosing a name that will increase with the animal. For example "Tiny" may be less appropriate for a full increased dog. Regardless of the method you choose, have a good time doing and choose a name you want to keep.

Teaching your puppy its name to choose a dog name that you please and hold. It can be confusing for your puppy if you are constantly changing your spirit. Your dog will learn its new name quickly if you use often. When you call your pet, use his name. Not to say "here puppy". Call your pet by its name will allow him to familiarize themselves with it and with your voice, as well. Whether selecting a long name keep in mind the shortened version.

A long name will inevitably be shortened, but it can ruin the effect that you were initially you are looking for. Especially if fun and choose a name that you really like. Your puppy will undoubtedly become your best friend and only you can find just the good name.

Author : Richard Cussons is a dog lover with a passion for helping people with their dogs. Discover more about dog names, puppy care and traning at http://www.all-about-puppies.com/dog_names.html

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How To Understand Your Dog's Mood.

Here's a short guide to some basic dog body language and what that means:

Dominant - you will find that a dog dominant has its ears right or to transmit, its mouth slightly open or closed its eyes open wide or staring, its body permanent stiff and tall with possibly raised, and its tail of the organization stiffened or us. A low and authoritarian bark may often be provided.

Friendly - a friendly dog a is up ears, open and alert eyes, a relaxed atmosphere mouth, a tail or any rear agitated, and possibly whining, yapping or giving short bark.

Playful - an arc position with agite queue means play.

Submission - a dog with its ears closely return, the eyes closed and paw raised is showing extreme submission. The dog is not happy, but demonstrates that it will not attack.

Aggressive - aggressiveness in the dog has its ears aplatie back against his leader, his eyes narrowed or difficult, as the body tense, mouth open to show the teeth and tail holding of the organization, and we if possible. Some or growls are typical.

Concerned - Sharp barks combined with growling, ears flattened and neck hair raised means "I am concerned" or "something wrong."

The fear - a dog shows fear with a position lowered, tail or tucked under, a Arched Back, Looking or turning leader then showing the whites of their whites of the eyes and dilated pupils. Often dogs bark by fear, especially if they are driven, closed, or in leaves.

Stressed - a dog has stressed will often have ears back and low, a wide open mouth, lips fired back with rapid breathing. Also shoulders lowered, vaulted forward, the tail tucked, tension in thighs and will probably aspen.

Now that you understand more of what your puppy tries to tell you how he feels or the mood that it is to try to answer this in your puppy training and daily life. In a puppy training session your dog should be showing that it is in a friendly or ludic mood. If it shows that it is a dominant position then you know that it may not be taken you seriously or could be stubborn and you probably need to be more farm.

Some submission behavior is not a bad thing that it means that what he understands that you are responsible. If your puppy becomes stressed, fearful, worried or even aggressive, you must stop your training and reassure your dog immediately. If you have been training for more 15 minutes to stop and to take a break. When you come back takes the things more slowly or approach the things differently. Use your knowledge in every day life too. Watch your puppy in different situations and you will quickly discover what he likes and dislikes or how it feels. You can then take measures to give him more what he enjoys and more support, confidence and training in situations that it finds more difficult.

Authot : Richard Cussons is a dog lover with a passion for helping people with their dogs. Discover more about puppy training and care at http://www.all-about-puppies.com/puppy_training.html

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Choosing A Horse

Choose a horse will be one of the most important decisions that you ever undertaken in a spirit of you, and the horse - Take your time.

TO 50 i have been a little older than the average of the first time horse owner, that they have the right. I fell in love with a pretty small horse i had mounted on a riding holidays when he was in its own environment and I have been relaxed and had all the time in the world.

9 Months later, after many grief i admitted that it has been the wrong horse for my style of life and the experience and fortunately, he was able to go back to the original owner. Traumatic for me, but less for him as he was going back to where he was pleased.

Our delivered garden owner helped me decide what type of horse i was looking by whereas:

1. My horse experience.
2. Who, I would like to be able to mount with.
3. The grazing, parking and riding at my disposal.
4. How much time I have had horse care and training.
5. How much money I had to buy a horse and care for it.
6. What size horse i was comfortable with and was reasonable for me.
7. If I wanted a particular horse race or color.

We decided that on the basis of the foregoing, a traditional color gypsy horse would be ideal and found Amy, 5 years ex brood-mare. It has been road trained and mild with a beautiful paces, but has been insensitive to all commands standard horse training.

2 Years on I cannot imagine life without it. It may not be the most beautiful of horses around (although I think it is) and with a full-time employment of good tour, it adapts itself to whatever horse care and riding routine i need. We have had much pleasure improve our horse skills together and I hope that we will still be doing for many years to come.

Therefore not back and examine the points above before you choose your horse, as he/she will be account on you to make good decision.

Author : Mark Woodcock essential information for picking the right Horseback Riding Vacations at http://www.horseback-riding-vacation.info

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About Cat Food.

1. Cats need protein in their food for cats cat food you feed your cat should always be rich in proteins. This should generally come from meat, poultry or fish. Many foods for cats marks announce chicken, beef, and tuna flavored cat food because they know that the cats need protein and cat owners are looking for quality cat food. However, you need to ensure the food for cats you buy has a sufficient quantity of food for cats independently of this taste that it is.

2. Feedingstuffs for cats with Taurine also check the cat food you buy generally for one amino acid called taurine. This amino acid is very important in the overall health of your cat, and your cat will eat as much food that he has in order to complement this particular amino acids. Therefore, if you buy cheap cat food that has not good nutrients your cat will eat much. If you buy a nutrient rich food for cats then your cat will eat little and make you save more money while obtaining a good nutrition.

3. Preserved food for cats or dry Cat food? Many people do not know whether they should buy canned or dried food for cats, or if it even. For this reason, many people simply buy food for cats which is the most affordable or convenient for them. It is indeed an error. Cats must be fed a mixture of cat food. Food for cats sec must be given free of charge food, especially if you are far on holiday or for the day. Canned food cat should be supplemented other times so because it has water in the food and significantly more protein than carbohydrates rich sec cat food. Not to mention the same foods more and more could bore your cat, and to cause stop eating as food for cats completely.

4. Avoid cat food fillers cats need to eat food for cats is rich in proteins, so make sure you the amount of fillers is maintained at a minimum. Carbohydrates are not essential for a cat s existence, so don t buy food for cats that is full of them. Instead, read labels and buy food for cats that is not fulfilled of fillers and other by products.

Author : Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.catfoodcenter.info a blog focusing on the Cat Food, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Cat Food. For more info on Cat Food visit: http://www.catfoodcenter.info

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How To Setup A Freshwater Tropical Fish Tank

Step 1 : realize the responsibility. Tropical fish a reservoir is just like having a dog or cat when it is the amount of effort on your part. In order to have a reservoir fish successful you will have to work. Once a week, or at most once every two weeks, you will need to make some type of maintenance on the shell. Most of the time, you will be making changes of water. You will also to feed your tropical fish at least once per day. If you are up to this challenge, please proceed!

Step 2 : decide the aquarium size. It s a good idea to have in mind this kind of tropical fish that you want to keep before buying a aquarium. Some tropical fish grow to one or two inches, while the other types of tropical fish can grow 12 or 13 inches in length! Knowing what kind of tropical fish that you want will help you decide the size of the tank that they will need. If this is your first time with an aquarium, I would recommend goes with a 10 or 20 gallons aquarium for the moment.

Step 3 : Decide on the aquarium location. Place your aquarium in an area where the light and the temperature of the tank has won t be affected by external sources such as windows and heating vents. You want to place your aquarium in a position which will be able to hold its total weight. A good rule of thumb to determine the total weight of a full aquarium is 10 pounds per gallon of water. For example, a 55 gallons tank weigh approximately 550 pounds when filled with water!

Step 4 : buy your aquarium and the equipment. It is now time to decide what type of filtration you want to use. You will also need to buy a heating apparatus capable of heating of the size of reservoir that you have. Buy the gravel, plants, a power blades and other decorations. A good rule of thumb for the amount of gravel that you will need is 1 to 1.5 books of gravel per gallon of water.

Step 5 : put in place your aquarium and eligibility. Rinse your tank with water only! Do not use the soap or detergent. Soap residues left will be harmful to your tropical fish. If you use a sub gravel filter (not recommended) today would be the time to put in place as well.

Step 6 : wash Gravel, plants and decorations. Be sure to wash the gravel carefully before add to your tank. An easy way to do is to put some of the rocks in a pulp strainer and wash them in your bathtub. Then Place the clean gravel in a clean place 5-gallon bucket of transport to the aquarium. After adding gravel you can place your plants and decorations.

Stap 7 : add water to the aquarium. In order to avoid your gravel and plants, you can place a plate or saucer in the middle of your aquarium and direct the water run on the plate. Use the ambient temperature water during filling. To delete the chlorine and chloramine, use something like Tetra AquaSafe for aquariums. Don t completely fill the aquarium up to what you are sure of the provision of your decorations. Otherwise, when you place your arm in to go stuff around water will spill. Doh!

Step 8: Put in place equipment. Install a heating apparatus but don t connect up to the thermostat in heating has adjusted to the temperature of water. It usually takes approximately 15 minutes. Connect your filter and any other equipment you have, then top off water at just under the cover lip. Place your hood and of the light on the aquarium and then to verify your power cords to be sure that they are free of water. I also recommend to use a drip loop on all power cords to be extra cautious. Connect all equipment on a barrette and then turn on the aquarium.

Step 9 : Wait, wait, wait and then wait a little more. I know, you want to add some tropical fish. But, in order to make this right you have to wait until your aquarium has travelled before adding any fish. There are ways to accelerate this process. Departure nitrogen cycle page to learn more. If you must use the fish cycle, try to get a bolder species such as the zebra danio or cherry barb.

Step : 10 Add the tropical fish. To add one or two fish at a time. Adding a couple tropical fish at a time gives your filtration system the necessary time to take to the increase biological burden that the new fish introduce. When you bring the fish home let the bag float in the reservoir of approximately 15 minutes in order that the fish can become acclimated to temperature and the pH of the water. After 5 minutes of floating the bag you should add some of the water to the pocket in order that fish can become acclimated to pH level in the aquarium. This will help to reduce the amount of stress imposed on tropical fish. Stressed tropical fish often leads to death of tropical fish! Don t feed your tropical fish on the first day. They probably not eat more food on the first day of any way. Let them to familiarize themselves with their new house.

Step 11 : Get ready for a regular maintenance. Be willing to spend a certain time once a week or two to clean your tank. Regular water changes will reduce the rate of nitrates and keep your tropical fish happy and healthy.

By: Michael Magnum

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First Aid For Dogs

If your dog is hit hard in your house or then and with you, you must know how to administer first help until you can reach a veterinarian. A first aid kit adapted to your needs of the dog can really be a lifesaver. If you have your dog on frequent outings away from home, you would be wise to maintain a second first aid kit practice in your car.

A first aid kit for a dog contains many the same points it would do to man. A roll of cotton wool and some cotton balls, gauze pads and the band, a pair of scissors small with rounded advice, tweezers, instant ice pack, hydrogen peroxide, a bandit syringe for suction mucous membranes of your nose or mouth sterile wrong solution made specifically for pets, a clean environment, white cotton sock (to cover wounded paws), small flashlight, rectum thermometer, injection syringe without the needle (to give liquid medication), and not liquid electrolyte (such as Pedialyte). Keep it all in a robust plastic container with a lid. Write your veterinarian the name and phone number on the lid, as well as the closest to pet emergency hospital.

If you travel often and leave your dog with another person, put several copies of a release signed in the first aid kit authorizing the helping to approve the necessary treatment. Dog owners often tend to for the domestic animals which have been stung by a bee. If your dog is piqué while I have watched around, limit its and remove the stinger either with tweezers or by scraping outside (moving parallel to the skin surface). Bathing piquer place with a mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda will ease some of the pain. Swelling may be reduced by the application ice packs or to grant a dose of Benedryl-be sure to ask your veterinarian to the right mix.

If your dog is injured, its approach calmly and with care. Do not assume that it will not snap or bite you - injured animals often react negatively to first sight any attempt to touch. Talk marble and move slowly, so that it can see that you want to say that it any damage. If your dog is bleeding heavily, it is important to slow down or stop the flow as soon as possible. Use a towel own or cloth to apply a pressure directly on the wound. Change towels/tissues as necessary, but maintain pressure on up to achieve a veterinarian. If necessary, you can apply thick gauze pads and the use band to obtain while you transport your cat. It is better, however, to maintain pressure on the wound and approximately another drive.

If your dog seems to be stifle, use a flashlight to verify the throat. If you see and can easily remove the object, do. If you can not see the object, but are some your dog is choking, you might need to execute a modification Heimlich maneuver. It is important to obtain adequate training for this, as he can cause serious injury if done incorrectly. Many societies protective of animals and animal organizations offer courses on pet first aid, which include the Heimlich maneuver, CP, and techniques for dealing with serious injuries and poisoning.

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