Archive for the 'Doggies + other Pets' Category

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Guideline For Choosing Dog Treats

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

What makes you love your dogs? Is it because of the way he loves you in return and the eagerness that you feel when he attempts to please? This love can be more emphasized through dog training as it creates the firm bond between you and your pal.

One well recognized method of dog training is through the use of dog treats. But dog treats are not for positive reinforcement dog training alone. Most dog owners have used them as snack alternatives. This does not proceed pleasurable experiences but may also aid in maintaining your pal’s health.

Like with other pet stuffs, there are considerations that an owner should first evaluate before allowing his pet to dog treats. Health components concerning with calorie content is on the priority list.

One of the growing concerns on dog health nowadays is obesity. Almost half of American dogs are overweight. Like with the case of human, obesity may lead to a variety of diseases like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

Overindulgence is thought as one of the contributing reason for obesity. This may be due to human factor. Most owners tend to give dog treats on an unregulated basis. For most, it doesn’t matter how many calories does a single biscuit may contain. To resolve this issue, an owner needs to cut back on the daily calorie intake of his pet until he reduces some weight. Controlling the quantity of dog treats throughout the day may be of great help. You may also choose to lessen his foods gradually until he reaches normal weight. In line with this, it is ideal to stick with dog treats with low calories. The subject on obesity may further be resolved through consulting the vet and to implement a regular exercise regimen.

It is also an ill practice to give your dog commercially produced human foods. Some of which may contain elements that are not suited for your dog’s health. Commercial foods are also often rich with fats and calories and low in nutrients and vitamins. Moreover, this practice is really not healthy for your dog’s manners. This only encourages begging. Give him his dog treats in his own place instead but always bearing the thought of how healthy the dog treats you give are.

Tips on Dog Treats Selection

It is always best to buy naturally produced dog treats. These save you from unnecessary additives that may post threats against your dog’s health. Fat and sugar-rich dog treats are complete no-no. look for dog treats that have high concentration of fibers and protein.

Dog treats that are primarily made from fishes are good sources of unadulterated health components. These are great foods for human as well as dogs. They are low in calories and fats.

Avoid giving dog treats before any major meals. If you are training him using positive reinforcement, cut back portions of his meals to balance his diet with dog treats.

There are dog treats that are especially made to optimize your dog’s health. Working in the same principle as that of the vitamin supplements. These are aids to maintain your dog’s health and may even relieve symptoms of certain diseases.

Don’t allow that dog treats may cover as much as ten percent of your pet’s diet.

In choosing the ideal treat, it is helpful to rely on your best judgements. It is you who know your pet well enough but in cases of doubt, you may as well consult a veterinarian.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides dog treat resources on http://www.about-dog-treats.info.

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That’s No Paris Hilton! An Overview of Dog Obedience Training Videos

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

Mention the word “video” and different people would come up with different ideas. Some would remember those home movies they made during special occasions spent with family and friends. Others would be reminded of Blockbuster take-homes once the movie they missed would be released in the said rental chain. Not a few would share a smirk with thoughts of Paris Hilton’s digital adventures. But it is rare that someone would associate the word “video” with dog obedience training.

The fact of the matter is that dog obedience training videos are effective means of teaching ourselves how to instruct our dogs to eventually rear them towards a better-behaved and well-disciplined life. Dog obedience training videos are excellent visual guides that could perfectly provide for us the step-by-step process of educating our canine buddies.

Training our dogs the fundamentals of obedience is a must in this day and age. It’s not as if we could hire a nanny for our pets, right? Somehow, our dogs should learn how to behave as good house companions. Tattered items, shredded carpets, furniture in ruins… even our canine buddy’s lovable charms won’t be able to compensate for the damage they are capable of doing.

These dog obedience training videos are prepared by experts in the field. Each package is packed with years of experience waiting to be shared. If you’re not really that much into reading, then a dog obedience training video is perfect for you, as these tools aim to teach you by showing you instead of teaching you by writing about what they know.

Actually seeing how things are done makes knowledge absorption
a whole lot easier. There would be less room for errors if you’d get to observe first hand the different steps in dog obedience training. What’s better is that you could learn at your own pace. You don’t have to postpone certain appointments just to learn how to train your dog to be obedient. You can watch dog obedience training videos at a time of your choosing.

Dog obedience training videos would make complicated terms like classical conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement approaches and the likes simpler to understand. This is so because these methods are illustrated through actions that you’d actually get to see. Imagine if you’d have to read them instead. The learning curve would be steeper.

There are many dog obedience training videos available in the market. Most of them come in different parts, and different specializations. Reviewing your potential purchases is recommended before buying. Try to find the package of dog obedience training videos that is appropriate for your dog and what you want him to learn. It is even more convenient to buy a dog obedience training video online, as the convenience o the internet would allow you to review one product after another with but some clicks of a button.

Dog obedience training videos are beneficial investments. They are sure to impart important lessons, and they could also be used by your family members years after their initial purchase.

EzineArticles Expert Author Ewen Chia

Ewen Chia is the owner of TrainingDog.org,
which specializes in providing 100% free
dog training information and resources for
dog owners and lovers! Go here for more details:
http://www.TrainingDog.org

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A Healthy Cat is a Groomed Cat

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Cats don’t want to be unclean and they need you to help them remain clean. Grooming your cat is important.

You need to do it to take off the loose hair on the cat. Brushing Brushing your cat’s hair will keep it from ending up in his stomach. It is not effortless to digest and often the cat can only get rid of it through hairballs. Many cats have trouble with getting rid of hairballs. If the cat can not get them up, it can get into the intestines and cause a blockage. This is life threatening to the pet. If your cat seems to be constipated it may be a indication of a blockage.

Long-haired cats should be brushed and combed daily; short-haired cats only need grooming about once per week. While brushing your cat’s coat, keep an eye out for lumps and skin irritations. Brush along your cats back, from head to tail with firm pressure. Repeat this a few times, and then switch to the other side. You should brush each area 4 or 5 times and always remember to brush in the direction of the hair growth.

Don’t groom the face or paws with the brush though. Cats who do not like to be brushed can still be groomed with a different tool for instance the grooming glove. Many cats won’t even mind if you do this to their face either. If you begin to groom him when he is still young, he will learn to allow it. He may even look forward to being groomed. Many cats will even carry their combs to their owners.

Check Eyes, Ears, Claws and Teeth, too When you do brush him, make sure to check his eyes and his ears too. They should be clear and bright without anything in the corners. The ears should be clean and pink. Dirt that gets into the ears can be a sign of ear mites. These can cause the ears to shrivel up and your cat to lose his ability to hear.

Each time you groom her, try going a bit farther with your examination, praising her with words, strokes, and treats for letting you handle her. If she struggles, it is best to let her go, and try again another day. You can use a cotton ball slightly dampened with warm water to clean the inside skin of your cat’s ears. Never put a cotton ball or swab into her ear canal. If she reacts and jerks, you could harm her.

Huge amount of Cat Health information on this site - go there!