First Coast Pet

Archive for January, 2009

dog training tips

There has to be someone special in order to fill the job a dog trainer must do. Training your dog is an important part of developing a life-long bond with your beloved pet. You may never be a dog trainer for money but just giving your dog the basic dog commands is more than many people find themselves able to do. You can look back with a sense of satisfaction that your pet is a good example for others.

In order to be a dog trainer for your pet, you have to know some dog training tips. The first is having the proper knowledge on the dog breeding. Certain dogs are more laid back than others. Some dogs exhibit more aggression. As a dog trainer for your puppy, you must know its breeding. Once you have this knowledge ingrained then you will know what areas of difficulty you can expect as well as areas that will be easier.

Basic dog training starts off with teaching the pet how not to use the bathroom in your house. Dog books may recommend something called crate training to help with this aspect. Basically it begins with laying puppy pee pads out and into a crate designed to house your dog. There will be some rough times when the carpet gets more of the pee than the pad or crate does but as a dog trainer you must come to expect this. Eventually the dog will lean to use the bathroom correctly.

Crate training can also be used as a way to secure the dog at night when the rest of the family is asleep. You probably do not want to wake up and find your best shoes chewed up because Fido became irritated at you because you were not there for him or her when they wanted to play. Dogs are very smart. If you irritate them or abandon them, they will retaliate and the recipient is often a favored pair of shoes that become chew toys.

Crate training can help a dog trainer by providing the pet with a place to go when the owner is not immediately at home and values their favorite shoes. It can also be used as a time-out of sorts.

You, as a dog trainer, can expect to have a lot of questions and should expect to have some frustrations or set-backs. Do not take it personally. It takes time to learn all of the tricks of the trade. Eventually the initial training will be complete and then you can start on some of the fun things.

Let’s face it, puppies and chewing go together like bread and butter. Puppies learn about their surroundings by either sniffing on something or putting it in their mouths and chewing on it. Puppies chew on things, but to avoid destructive chewing, it’s up to their owners to teach them which items are off-limits. Here are ten ways to stop puppy chewing and destruction.

1. Take Time To Puppy-proof Your Home

Instead of always yelling at your pup for getting into things, it’s better to temporarily put away things you don’t want him to damage. Hide your plants, put away the throw rugs, and cover or tape down electrical wires. Put trash bins in the closet, along with the toilet paper and any household cleaners. Put your clothes and shoes away. Secure anything heavy that a puppy could pull down and hurt himself.

2. Give Him Only Two Or Three Toys At A Time

If your puppy has too many toys, he’ll have a hard time learning what belongs to him and what belongs to you. Plus he’ll get bored with his toys after a couple of days. That’s when you put those toys up and give him different ones.

3. Confine Him Safely To One Place

If you’re not able to keep an eye on your puppy, it’s best to confine him to a safe area where he can’t destroy anything or get hurt. Keep him in one room by using a wire-reinforced puppy gate. Another idea is to confine him to a crate that’s the right size for him. Puppies often feel more secure in a small, protected den area like a crate. It also gives you peace of mind because you know destructive chewing isn’t happening in your absence.

4. Lots And Lots Of Exercise Is Essential

Your pup needs one to two hours of active exercise outside every day. Playing fetch with a ball or other toy can help to stop puppy chewing, too, as well as using up all that excess energy all puppies have.

5. A Puppy Playmate Can Help, Too

Playing with another puppy will also use up his energy, as well as teaching him how to interact with other dogs.

6. Begin Basic Dog Obedience Training Even Though He’s Still Young

Keep the sessions very short. A young puppy can’t concentrate too long, but a 30-second “mini-session” several times a day is a good start. Don’t ignore training opportunities as they arise during the day. Correcting small problem behaviors as they occur will prevent them from becoming big problem behaviors in a few months.

7. Find An Agility Training Course For Him

These classes are a lot of fun, plus your puppy is getting lots of exercise while he’s becoming more coordinated and confident. Make it into a win-win situation for both of you.

8. Use A Bitter-Tasting Spray

If your puppy just won’t leave the sofa leg alone, try spraying it with a bitter-tasting substance. These sprays, available at all pet stores, are very effective in making your puppy wonder why he ever thought that chair leg tasted good.

9. Don’t Punish Him After The Fact

You can’t stop puppy chewing by punishing him for something he did several hours ago. Dogs live in the present. Your pup can’t connect the fact that he chewed up your shoe two hours ago with your being upset now that you’ve just found it.

You either have to catch him in the act of chewing, or better yet, prevent the problem in the first place. See numbers one and three above.

10. Remember that it’s up to you to teach your puppy what kind of behavior is and isn’t acceptable, right from Day 1.

You should know that making the investment in a good dog training course will pay dividends now, and through your dog’s life. Avoiding destructive chewing now is only the first step in preventing dog behavior problems throughout your pup’s life.

If you’re trying to stop puppy chewing, visit No More Bad Dogs to discover how a good dog training course will help you solve your puppy behavior problems.

Why is it that destructive chewing is a problem for so many dogs?  How to stop dogs from chewing is the question of the year for many dog owners.  Read on to find seven solutions for dog chewing problems.

Why Do Dogs Chew?

There are several reasons why dogs enjoy chewing on things.  The first is that chewing is instinctive for your dog.  Dogs play rough, and part of their play is to chew things up into little pieces.  If whatever they’re chewing on tastes good, that’s a bonus.

A bored dog, or one that’s anxious about something will chew on something to soothe himself, or to give himself something to do.It’s probably for the same reason people eat when they’re bored or upset over something.

Your dog needs lots of exercise to burn up his excess energy.  If he’s not getting the exercise he needs, he’ll find a way to use that energy, and he may turn to chewing on your shoes to do it.

Another reason that dog chewing problems surface is that you’re not giving your dog enough time and attention.  Your dog craves your attention, whether it’s good or bad.  If your dog only gets attention from you when he’s engaged in destructive chewing, you can bet that he’ll keep doing it.

Six Solutions To Dog Chewing Problems

Your dog needs lots of one-on-one time with you.  Play fetch with him, take him for long walks, spend time with him.  Lots of exercise will use up the extra energy he has. 

Dog-proof your home.  Put away things like shoes, cell phones, tv remotes, books, eyeglasses, and whatever other goodies your dog loves to chew on.  Dogs don’t resist temptation well, so don’t tempt him. 

Consider your dog’s size and agility when you’re putting things away.  Can he jump up on the counter to get at something?  Or is he a climber?  Or is he big enough to just stand on his hind legs and reach it? 

Don’t leave your canine friend tied up in the yard all the time.Your dog can’t learn what you expect from him if he’s alway left in a dog-proofed area all the time.  He does need to push the boundaries when you’re there, so he can learn which toys are his, and which are off limits.

Speaking of toys, you’ll want to keep lots of toys on hand.  Give your dog two or three at a time, and swap them out every couple of days.  Dogs lose interest in the same old thing, just like we do, so give him lots of variety.

Don’t blur the boundaries.  Avoid giving your dog old shoes or clothing or towels to chew on. It’s unrealistic to expect him to know the difference between your old shoe and your new designer shoes.  To a dog, a shoe is a shoe.

The Seventh Solution – Catch Him In The Act Of Destructive Chewing

Now you have a teachable moment.  If he knows the “drop-it” command, use it.Attract his attention if he doesn’t by clapping your hands or saying, “Ah-ah-aaah!” loudly.  In either case, give him an appropriate chew toy right away.  Praise him as soon as his mouth closes around it.  You’re training him that chewing on his own toys is fine, but yours are off-limits.

Punishment seldom works to stop dogs from chewing.If you don’t catch him in the act, he won’t have a clue why he’s in trouble.  And even if you do, he’s liable to just wait until you’re gone to chew on your things.

You can see how easy it is to inadvertently give your dog the wrong idea when training him.  The best thing you can do is to invest in a good dog training course, so you’ll avoid making mistakes and having to retrain him to stop dog chewing.

If you’re trying to stop dogs from chewing, visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about a dog training course that will help you to solve your dog’s problem.

Is separation anxiety in dogs a problem for you and your canine friend?  Is it bad enough that you’re thinking of giving up your dog, or even having him put to sleep?  Don’t despair.  Dog separation anxiety training can help solve this problem.

Dogs And Separation Anxiety

The fundamental point of any dog training program is to establish that you’re the pack leader.  Doing this will nip a lot of dog behavior problems in the bud.  This is important because many dogs with separation anxiety think that they’re the pack leader, or alpha male.  In the wild, the pack leader may leave the pack for a while, but his followers never leave him.

If your dog thinks he’s the alpha male, he’ll get upset when you leave.  He feels responsible for you, and thinks something may happen to you while you’re gone. 

Another issue to avoid is allowing your dog to get too attached to you.When interacting with a dog struggling with separation anxiety, remember that you need to be the pack leader.The one initiating contact should be you, not him. 

You want to encourage your dog to be more independent.You can prevent your dog from getting too dependent on you by having other people in your household feed and walk him, too.  Don’t let your dog sit or sleep within three feet of you.  This means no sleeping on your bed.  If he is already, train him to sleep at the foot of the bed, and then in his own bed.  Eventually move his bed out of your bedroom completely.

Don’t make a fuss when leaving or coming home.  It’s very tempting to encourage your dog to jump around and get excited when you return home, but it’s a bad idea because it reinforces your dog’s notion that your return is the high point of his day.

Dog Separation Anxiety Training

You’ll want to use positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog that being alone isn’t a bad thing.  Do this by rewarding his good behavior and ignoring bad dog behavior.

An example of this is using the “sit-stay” command.You’ll want to repeat this action many times during the course of the day.Your plan is to walk away from your dog and out of his sight while he’s in the “stay” position.Reward him with a favorite treat when you return to the room, if he’s still in the “sit” position.  This teaches him that he can be in one place and be happy while you go someplace else. 

You can start this training very easily when you’re watching tv.  You get up for a snack, and tell your dog to “sit-stay.”  When you come back, reward him.Do this as often as you’re able throughout the day.  Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog, and the length of time he waits for you to return. 

Always reward him with a tasty treat for waiting quietly for your return.  This is the positive reinforcement he receives for waiting quietly for your return. 

If your dog follows you, return him to the “sit-stay” position and work on him staying as you walk away.  Never punish your dog during these sessions, as it will only make him more anxious. 

A Good Dog Training Course Is Essential

It’s very easy to give your dog the wrong idea during dog separation anxiety training.  Be sure to find a course that will teach you how your dog thinks to avoid inadvertently teaching him the wrong things.

Now’s the time to start putting these ideas into action.

Learn more about dog separation anxiety training by visiting No More Bad Dogs, and find a dog training course that will help to solve your dog behavior problems.

You have finally brought your new puppy or dog home and are now finding that he is not the quiet, placid little pet you thought he would be. Is he running around like mad chasing his tail, barking like crazy whenever someone knocks at the door or is outside or to your horror chewing away at your favorite pair of shoes. If your puppy or dog is exhibiting any of these behaviors, then he is probably suffering from hyperactivity.

What is important to know is whether your puppy or dog is just being over energetic or is suffering from a condition called true hyperactivity. True Hyperactivity is medical term for an uncommon condition where the dog has frantic behavior, restlessness, panting, and often chasing his tail until he collapses with exhaustion. If you think that your puppy or dog is suffering with this condition then it is advisable to see your vet.

It may be worth noting that your puppy or dog may be hyperactive because that is the way he has been bred. An example is a Collie, a herding dog, which has been bred to have lots of energy to carry out is work. This is why it is so important to check out the specific characteristics of different breeds before you choose one to suit your lifestyle.

It will be a challenge to train your hyperactive dog or puppy, and will take consistent work. Outlined below are some tips which may help you with this.

Firstly, an energetic dog needs exercise in order to expend his excess energy. You can do this by walking your dogs at least twice a day and playing games such as fetch, find and frisbee. This is not only exercise for your dog but also a great way to keep you fit and healthy.

If you find that your dog or puppy is barking excessively and inappropriately, then you should give him a command like “stop” or “cease” in a stern voice. If he carries on barking then pull him away from what he is barking at, e.g. the door, and give a correction such as a sharp tug on his collar. If your puppy or dog is outside and does not stop barking, you should command him to stop through the door and not open it if you are not ready to let him in. If he does not stop then you could try and kick the bottom of your door from the inside. The idea is that the loud noise from the kick will startle your puppy or dog enough to stop barking.

If you find that your puppy or dog is chewing his way through your prize possessions, you should place as many of them as you can out of reach. Pick a few well-chosen sturdy toys for your dog to play with. By playing regularly with these toys with your dog he will have positive associations and will more likely chew these toys rather than your valuables.

Using a crate is a good idea when during those times when you are not interacting with your puppy or dog. Dogs like the comfort of a confined and defined space and this will act like a tranquillizer and quieten him down.

Finally, It is crucial to remember to give a positive reinforcement when your puppy or dog gives a correct behavior and to give a negative reinforcement for an unwanted behavior. Now that you have some techniques on how to train your hyperactive puppy or dog, get out there and start putting them into practice.

Visit my Puppy Training Tips website to read more about training your hyperactive dog and about how to solve other problems such as a digging dog.

Are you having a website in order to do your business? Or do you maintain a blog for personal purposes? Or you may not have any of these but you are an avid Internet user. Then you may find the idea of virtual pet adoption as something interesting.

The Idea
The notion behiadopnd this all is that you, as the Internet user, will have to go to certain URL address known as the virtual pet adoptioncenter. From that site, you can adopt a pet of your choice for free. Where that virtual pet will go? You can display it on your website or you can just bookmark the page where you want it to be.

Are you able to comprehend the idea? This is like teaching a virtual pet ownerto care for something that will in turn make them happy, just like what real pets do to you. This makes your cyber experience more fun and enjoyable because you have the pet to look forward to whenever you open your PC and you go online.

What is the procedure of getting one
The procedure is normal. You can look over any search engines for the popular websites that offer this tool. Be careful with the sites. Be sure that they pass all the spam filtering and anti-virus settings for your connection. When you are already at the sites, read the instructions carefully. Make sure that the pets are safe to be downloaded, if this can be done.

Choose the animal that you’d want to be your virtual pet. There are a lot of choices actually. The popular ones include puppy, penguin, cat, spider, pig, fish, hamster, duck and so on. The list can actually accommodate all your preferences when it comes to this. Then after choosing the animal, you must name your pet. You want to call it as what? And then you will choose what color is your pet going to be. You will be given a code that you can copy and paste on the space provided for such on your own website. This kind of entertainment comes for free.

How Does It Work?
After it is installed, you will be the master of the pet you selected. They will follow your mouse on every direction. Other tricks that some of them can do include the following. The spider will spin webs on your screen while you are watching it. You can feed the fish by clicking your PC’s mouse. The penguin will make you feel light as it sits on the iceberg and moves around. It looses balance and falls into the cold water. The tiger will wave back and purrs at you. The puppy will bark at you until you give them treats. The bunny hops around while you are clicking on it.

Your website or the page that you have bookmarked will become home to your chosen pet. It will also add to its appeal and may increase traffic to your site. Just remember that just like in the real sense of acquiring a pet, having an online pet will require you to look out for it whenever you are online. Do this for fun and enjoyment. Just make sure to instill the good values that you will be able to pick up along the process.

You see, virtual pet adoption is easy. It will make your website come alive. Every time you are online it will make you feel relaxed and happier too.

There are a lot of great gifts that you can give to cat lovers, although photo frames are among the most popular.Any one can afford a photo frame because of its price, and present as a gift to the person who owns any pet or a cat.  Those who own more than one cat will truly appreciate photo frames – as it gives them a chance to show off their pet. Cat lovers can also frame pictures of their pet for memories as well – and keep them forever and ever.

Before you give a cat lover a gift, you should take into consideration what type of cat the person owns.  There are several breeds out there, including tabby, pure breeds, calico, Persian, and of course the infamous Siamese breeds.  Someone may own several cats as well, which is why you should know a little bit about the breed or breeds someone owns before you get them a gift.

You should take into consideration whether or not the cat lover has an outdoor or indoor cat.Unlike dogs, cats, are even happy to spend all of its time out of the house.Outdoor cats can be a good companion, especially if the owner spends most of his time out of his house.  Cats have a natural urge to go outside, even if the owner has an indoor cat.

Cats who reside indoors are less exposed to sicknesses and common health problems that outdoor cats are exposed to.  Indoor cats are almost always trained to use the litter box, which makes them easy to maintain for their owners.Almost all the gifts that you can buy for a feline lover are designed for those pet lovers who keep their pet indoors.

If you’re looking for a humorous yet exciting gift, you can always give the gift of catnip.  Catnip is one of the most popular treats for cats, as it’s a naturally occurring plant that has a unique affect on a cat.  Catnip gives off aromatic oils that will often make cats appear to be drunk and very hyper – which is always great entertainment for both owners and guests.  Catnip is completely safe for cats to consume, often times being included with gifts such as chew toys and play balls.

Other great gifts for cat lovers include decorative mats with cat pictures, which you can get personalized for the owner if you prefer.  You can also give cat videos, musical cat dolls, cat shaped mail boxes, toys and treats, and various other goodies that are directed towards cat lovers.  If you do your shopping on the Internet, you’ll find that the possibilities are endless.Cats are extremly popular pets- this implies that you will face no problem in your life in getting an appropriate gift for the feline lover.

If your furball has been diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis in cats, you probably have a lot of questions.  Read on to learn more about this condition, and how you can help your cat with natural remedies for pets.

What Is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis?

“Idiopathic” is a fancy word that means “we don’t know what’s causing it.” This can be hard to deal with when your cat has feline lower urinary tract disease.  Cystitis in cats is a very common condition, unfortunately.  And an even more unfortunate fact is that in nearly half of the cats diagnosed with FLUTD, there doesn’t seem to be a cause. 

Some vets refer to this condition as “feline interstitial cystitis” because it’s very similar to interstitial cystitis in humans. 

How Feline Idiopathic Cystitis Resembles Interstitial Cystitis In People

Comparing these conditions in both cats and humans show some interesting results.

• People with interstitial cystitis have more sensory nerves in their bladders.  Many cats who have FLUTD do, too.
• Often a person with interstitial cystitis doesn’t have the mucus lining in their bladders that protects the bladder from becoming irritated by urine.  This is true of cats with idiopathic cystitis in cats, also.
• Recurring bladder infections are a problem in both humans and cats.
• Stress seems to be a precipitating factor for cystitis both in cats and in humans.

Research studies are investigating whether both humans and cats are victims of the same condition.  If so, human treatments may be helpful for kitties, as well.

Drug Treatments For Idiopathic Cystitis In Cats

If your cat is having a lot of severe episodes, your vet may prescribe amitriptyline.  It relieves the pain and inflammation associated with cystitis in cats.  Side effects can include sleepiness, weight gain, bladder stones, and urine retention.Your cat may groom himself less, too. 

Your cat may be given steroids to relieve his inflamed bladder.  Glucosamine has been found to repair the mucus lining of the bladder, so your vet may want to try that. 

What Can You Do At Home To Help A Cat With FLUTD?

Diet is very important for these cats.  There has always been an emphasis on reducing the acidity of the urine, along with decreasing the amount of magnesium and calcium in the urine.  But the latest research shows that the rate of water turnover is the most important. 

What this means is that you need to find a way to increase your feline’s water intake.  This will keep his urine dilute to keep the acidity lower, and prevent high mineral levels. 

If you feed your cat dry food, it’s very important to switch him over to canned food.  Dry food has moisture levels below ten percent.  Why is this a problem?  Because cats are made to get most of their water from their food.  In a natural setting, cats eat mice and other animals, which are 98% water.  They don’t need to drink much water. 

Canned food is has a 75% moisture level, which is certainly better than the moisture level in dry food.  It can be difficult to switch a cat who has always eaten dry food over to canned food, but patience and persistence over several months often pays off in better health for your kitty.

Reducing your cat’s stress levels is important, too.  Many cats will have episodes of feline lower urinary tract disease after a stressful event like moving.  Some cats are even affected by weather changes.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Help

Quite a few cat owners have been successful in treating their cats with a natural remedy made especially for pets.  This cat uti remedy contains uva ursi and barberry, two herbs with a long history of use in treating human bladder problems.The ingredients also include the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria.  This remedy is safe for long-term use in cats, and is very effective for preventing cat urinary problems.

Put this to the test right away, and see how well this remedy works on your cat with feline idiopathic cystitis.

Visit Natural Pet Urinary Health, and learn how to prevent feline idiopathic cystitis, and find the best place to buy herbal pet remedies.

It is amazing that  there are so many guides on dog training accessible. There are certainly a lack of cat training guides. Cats are also beloved by many people including you and me. Like dogs, cats are as smart and alert, and we are definitely able to train them as well.

Most of the cats in the household live a carefree life where food are provided and live comfortably curling up on their owner’s lap. Have you ever wondered that you are able to train your cat by teaching them how to do tricks and work with willingness?

There are so many amazing things that a cat can do, really. You will be totally stunned that a cat are able to perform like the acrobatics in the circus! You will never imagine what stuffs they can do! They can do things like roll over, pretend dead, shake your hands and even play fetch! Cats are also as capable as dogs? Cats are as capable as well!

You are the few who have made a right choice by constantly finding the ideal guide on how to train your pet cat. Well, search no more. You will get to know Paula Robb, the author of Complete Cat Training Guide is the reputable cat trainer who really knows her stuff well.

This is not just any simple guide out there.

Everything you want to know about your pet cats is included in Complete Cat Training, it is just like a dictionary about cats. This guide has all the information and advices that you will to know.

Complete Cat Training has 101 training tips for your cats, providing instructions based on true stories and real life experiences. You will not see lines and lines of instructions, instead there are pictures showing you step by step with training strategies. People are always overwhelmed by looking at strings of words, that is why this book provide pictures to allow readers to have a clearer view and easily shorten the whole process.

That is not all you will get. You will also get two bonus books which are “The Essential Cat Recipe Book” and “The Ultimate Guide to Pampering Your Cat”. You will find tips on preparing delicious food and treats for your cat and build bonds with your cat by giving you cat a quality life.

There’s more! You will also get a free, private email consultation which is worth $120, where you can ask any questions, and you will get solutions on any difficulties you experienced dealing with your cat.Your emails will be answered by a team of qualified cat trainers. It’s a really good deal isn’t it.

What is a hermit crab? Well, hermit crabs are unusual pets for unusual people, maybe like you. Seriously, according to Wikipedia, these crabs are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea. Actually, they are not that closely related to crabs. Sort of, in human terms, in-laws or distant relatives but they walk funny, too, sideways. They are commonly seen in the intertidal zone, for example, in tide pools. These ”stone walkers” have the habit of abandoning their own “home” or shell in a given time and will find a bigger shell. This is why they are called “hermit crabs” and can you imagine that a lot of people have considered hermit crabs as pets. What’s more, because of this new found love in these animals, there are even sites out there that offer some Hermit Crab care and other valuable information vital for owning a crustacean. It is also worthy to note that some of these crabs can live among humans for almost 20 years. If you’re looking for a pet and you like to have a marine life in your living room, an aquarium, for instance, why not put some hermit crabs on it?

For those who want to have soothing to the mind landscape inside his his house, an aquarium is one of the strongly recommended item that you can put on top of your television or in just one area of your bedroom. You can complete your collection of marine life by having your own Hermit Crab pet. They can also provide some “cleaning” services for other occupants of your tank. You know crustaceans are, don’t you? They are also considered as “janitors” of the sea and they eat all kinds of small animals and bacteria on the ocean floor which makes the whole area clean and free from parasites. Who knows, with a Hermit Crabs pet, you might have the cleanest tank among your friends and you don’t even need to invest on cleaners for your aquarium. How about that?