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The Top Secrets For Training Your Pet Dog

pet training

Your dog wants to be trained to be a well-behaved and well-mannered pooch. He will be much happier and much more content the better trained that he is. You will also enjoy him more. Dogs are pack animals and they receive pleasure from following the leader of the pack. You just need to make sure that the leader or the “alpha dog” is you.

A dog that is untrained tends to be more nervous and rambunctious, mostly because he is unsure what it expected of him. A dog is much happier when he can follow your orders and he knows exactly what is expected of him. Training your dog will keep your dog safer and happier too.

You can take advantage of many ways to train your dog. There are many books and videos out there and you can also find some great online courses. Almost every city also has professional dog trainers and dog obedience classes that you can attend also.

Even if your dog is older you should begin training him immediately when he arrives at your home.

If you have heard that “you can’t teach an old dog, new tricks” you should know that it is a myth. A dog of any age will respond to a good leader and positive reinforcement. There are no excuses for not training your pet.

You will often have the most success in dog training when you make it fun and teach during “playtime”. You will still be teaching serious lessons but both of you will enjoy it more if you don’t try to force things but just enjoy the process. Your dog may learn some things quickly and other things may take longer but either way just enjoy the process and he will be trained to do whatever you want in no time at all.

It is crucial to use positive reinforcement with either praise or treats to acknowledge when your dog does something right.

You need to do it immediately so that he will associate the good feeling of the reinforcement to the correct behavior. The same thing goes for any kind of reprimand. It must always be done immediately.

A dog cannot reason and he can only associate positive or negative reinforcement with what is happening at the moment. If you scold your dog now for something that he did an hour ago, it is completely useless and it will only serve to scare him needlessly because he won’t comprehend your reasoning.

The absolute most important thing that you need to remember when it comes to dog training and even dog ownership is that you need to be the leader of the pack or the “alpha dog”. One way to establish this hierarchy rather quickly is by rubbing their belly as soon as they roll over. They will have to submit to you to allow you to do this and it will confirm you as the leader of the pack in their mind. If you are established as the leader and you make it fun for your dog, all of then your training will be much easier and faster.

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Frugal Guide to Pet Care

pet accessories

Pet care items are one of the fastest growing markets in the United States. Every year we spend billions of dollar on items for our pets, and why? Well, to show them that we love them of course.

The fact of the matter is, a dog doesn’t know the difference between your slipper and a specially-design chew toy. Nor do cats or dogs care that they are wearing a Prada collar, or that they get to travel around in a Louis Vuitton handbag. They are dogs. Give them food, water and a scratch behind the ear and they are in heaven. That is one of the great things about dogs and cats, they are easy to please.

So stop blowing perfectly good money away on your pet. In fact, see if there are ways that you can start saving money. Here are a few places to start:

Pet Food

Now, this is probably one of the only places where you shouldn’t scrimp. In fact, depending on the dog food you are feeding your pet you may actually be spending more money by buying cheap dog food. Here’s an example – when we got our puppy last year we were feeding her a national brand of puppy food (the kind that has commercials all the time). At only 20 pounds she was eating 6 cups per day and pooping most of this out. We switched here to a high grade pet store food and now she eats only 2 cups per day, and poops a whole lot less.

Grooming

Whether cat or dog most of our pets require regular grooming. Unless you have a show poodle you should be able to manage most of this yourself. Learn how to wash your animal and clip their nails. Brush them regularly so they get used to having it done. Eventually you will both enjoy the time together, and you can save on trips to the groomers.

Accessories

One thing that our family seems to spend a lot on is dog beds. We buy them for the old, arthritic dog and the puppy eats them. Finding cheap pet beds can be a challenge, so you have to put your thinking cap on. I managed to save some coin by buying pet beds on eBay, or rather the shell of a pet bed. IT comes with a zipper on it and you can stuff in old blankets and pillows. The dog gets a soft, squishy bed and I only had to spend .

Many dogs with short coats find themselves at a disadvantage over the winter, so we run out and spend a fortune on coats and sweaters for our pet. If you know how to knit, sew or crochet you can easily manage this yourself.

Other than the items above and a collar and leash your dog should be perfectly happy. Resist the urge to splurge on unnecessary items. Look for chew toys at the dollar store, or pick up some stuffed animals at the Salvation Army for fifty cents each. Your dog will love you even more.

To learn more about frugal living, click here.

Best Dog Breeds For Children

pet breeds

The dynamic partnership between dogs and humans has weathered the test of time since the dawn of recorded history-in fact, prehistoric man so loved his four-legged sidekick that he even illustrated his adventures with his trusted companion on cave walls. Today, the presence and addition of a canine into the family household is invaluable. Fido typically provides joy and even protection to the family he considers to be his own. Parents contemplating on getting a dog have to determine the right dog that would adapt well to their household and get along easily with their children. Here are outstanding dog breeds for children and why they perfectly complement any family.

Owning a dog, first and foremost, is a two-way relationship. A dog, as the saying goes, is man’s best friend. Dogs are admired and valued for possessing inherent qualities such as loyalty, friendliness, intelligence, diligence and gratitude. The best dog breeds for children exemplify and demonstrate important life lessons to kids and provide a creative way of teaching children how to be responsible persons and well-rounded individuals. It is as important to consider the needs of man’s beloved four-legged best friend before introducing him into the homestead especially when children are a part of the household.

Depending on the age, size, and-in some cases-special conditions of one’s kids, the most suitable dog breeds for children are found across dog breed groups and size. Although some working dogs are deemed unsuitable as pets for average families, Siberian Huskies, Great Pyreneeses, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs-to name a few-have proven over generations that size and strength can correspond with gentleness and tolerance. The Portuguese Water Dog, in fact, is a hypoallergenic dog that makes a good fit for families with children that are allergic to dog fur. Other hypoallergenic dogs that are also excellent dog breeds for children include Poodles, Pharaoh Hounds, and Miniature Schnauzers. The Miniature Schnauzer, although diminutive in stature, is classified as a working dog that, despite its size, can bark on par with larger-sized watch dogs which makes them suitable guard dogs as well.

Size often matters when it comes to young children in particular. Dogs that get aggressive and rough around kids may not be aware of their dimensions and strength-though it is a common misconception to think that smaller dogs consequently make perfect pets for kids by virtue of their size. Very young children may be more vulnerable to dogs that are too hyper and snappy while bigger dogs with a calm disposition such as Basset Hounds, Bulldogs and Bullmastiffs-on the other hand-blend easily with families. The Bullmastiff, in particular, can adapt well in most dwellings and does not require ample grooming and exercise. Matching the individual needs of a dog with the family’s characteristic lifestyle is critical in choosing a family pet. Kids above toddler age could handle smaller child-friendly dogs such as the iconic Beagle and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi-with its sturdy built, the Corgi can handle rigorous playtime with kids.

No matter what the breed, dogs can adapt well with families when they are introduced into the home as puppies. Mixed breeds should not be overlooked simply because of their pedigree. A mutt which can be adopted at the local animal shelter or Humane Society makes a viable option for selecting among top dog breeds for children. Going through the process of pet adoption with one’s kids is a good opportunity to teach them about the virtues of compassion and altruism. When the entire family is ready to commit to the responsibility of owning a pet dog, any of these wonderful dogs can both be an adult’s and a child’s best friend.

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Karen Pryor i-Click Dog Training Clicker, 3 Clickers

Karen Pryor i-Click Dog Training Clicker, 3 Clickers

  • Must-have training tool for sound-sensitive pets
  • Easy to use in any position
  • Small enough to hide in your palm
  • Activates with just a small amount of pressure
  • Designed by Karen Pryor Clicker Trainers
Revolutionary in design and function the new i-Click was designed by the clicker trainers at KPCT to provide the next generation tool for clicker training. A quiet click. For classes or for sound sensitive animals it's the must have tool. And animals that have been trained with a classic box clicker completely understand the lighter sound of the new i-Click. The i-Click has been designed to let you click no matter how you happen to grab hold of it. Upside down click, sideways click, right side up click. You can click with your thumb, with your palm, even your foot. And is disabled friendly Drop it on the floor and it always lands in a clickable position. Click it with your foot! Strap it to a wheelchair and click with your palm or chin.

List Price: $ 8.99 Price: $ 6.87

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    Christmas Decorations that Can Make Children and Pets Sick

    pet accessories

    Christmas decorations such as plants, ornaments and accessories should be kept out of the reach of children.  Many of them can cause serious illness and even death to a small child or a dog or cat. Taking a few precautions can make all the difference between enjoying the decorations and having the holiday spoiled by illness.

    Poisonout Plants

    Among the plants that can cause illness are:

    Azelea, rhododendron, amaryllis, Christmas berry, holly and Jersusalem cherry can cause problems when injected, including nausea and vomiting.
    Christmas pepper and chrysanthemum can cause burning and skin rashes.
    Mistletoe if swallowed can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowiness, blood pressure changes, hallucinations and seizure. 
    Poinsettias may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms but are not highly toxic.

    All of these decoration should be  put out of reach by a child or accessed by a pet.

    Decorations to use with caution

    These decorations can be dangerous:

    Angel hair which consists of spun glass can cause severe irritation and pain when it penetrates the skin.
    Colorful fireplace powers and logs contain heavy metals such as lead which can be dangerous when inhaled.
    Oil candle lamps that have liquid fuels that if swallowed can cause reactions that require hospitalization.
    Small tree ornatments, tinsel and icicles are a choking hazard to children and pets.
    Snow spray can cause damage to the eyes.

    Each year the holiday season is spoiled because a child or pet has come in contact or ingested a Christmas decoration. The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy’s Poison Center has poison prevention tips which can be useful in avoiding harmful decorations.

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    Financial Advice: How To Save Money

    pet care advice

    It’s important to have a financial journal so that you can assess your habit and change where you can. The first and most important step to saving is to have a financial journal. A journal will allow you to set goals and then review your goals weekly. You will less likely go off of plans if you have a journal to review. You should buy a journal and dedicate it to your financial goals. You should keep a journal monthly and start a new journal when the old one is full. You should make this a habit from years to years. Most things are better organized when you have a journal for it.

    After you have a journal, you would start to record your daily activities on the journal. You would record in the appropriate date for each entry. This will help you organize your goals when you look back through your record. You should record a weekly goal to save and a monthly goal to save for each month. At the end of the month, you should assess to see if you made your saving goals. You should make a list of things that you need to spend each week and then cut out things that you don’t really need. This is call budgeting. You should make a budget list for each week and then each month. In your budget you would write down what you will spend on and how much you will put in your saving account. You would also make a list of things that you will cut out each week or each month to help save more money. For example, you would make a list to cut out alcohol, cigarettes, expensive clothing, and brand name things. If you cut out ten items a month you can save at least four to five hundred a month. Four hundred dollars is better than no saving at all. You should pay attention to your spending habit and do make a list of things that you can cut out so that you can save more and more each day.

    A budget and a journal will help you in your saving journey. Along with saving you also want to make a goal to make more money so that you have more to save and more to spend. You can make more money by looking for a second job, business opportunities, and help from family members. You can always update your career and find a higher paying job because that’s a possibility. You can also look for extra work like work online in your off time. You can do freelance work or services for people and earn extra income. You can also look for ways to do business on the side. A business can bring in more income and has a potential to grow more in the future. You should not limit yourself to a single job only.

    A job is great but a business can make you very wealthy. You would look for creative ways to earn more income.You can learn to make a list of things that you can cut out from your spending like pets cost. A pet can cost you quiet a bit each month and if you’re really into saving then you can give that pet away to another family or relative. If you give a pet away you can save about three hundred dollars a month, this is great saving if you really need to save. A pet is a great thing but it’s costly too. How about child care? Can you delegate that to a family member for less pay instead of a caregiver? Childcare cost is high and you want to delegate that to a family member so you can save more money. How about household cost? Can you cut down on lawn care services and do it yourself? You can save at least two hundred a month if you quit lawn care professionals and do it yourself. You can make a list of ways to cut your expenses and ways to increase savings as this will lead to more savings for the long run.

    10 Most Popular Pet Cat Breeds

    pet breeds

    The Cat Fanciers Association is an international registry for the world’s pet cats, specifically pedigreed cats. The association recognizes 41 different pedigrees of pet cats, and of all the different breeds, here are the 10 most popular:

    Persian: This beautiful animal has been the most popular cat breed since 1871! That’s not surprising considering how beautiful they are with their long coats and stocky features.
    Maine Coon: The strips on this glorious creature give it its name. Known as excellent mouse catchers, the Maine Coon has a solid temperament and plays well with others.
    Exotics: This cat is also known as the Shorthaired Persian, because that’s basically what it is, a Persian cat with short hair. But it is recognized today as a separate breed.Siamese: Siamese love to climb, jump and even go for walks. They have a unique sound, but unfortunately they commonly enough are not friendly with strangers. Still, they love their families and are always compassionate with their “owners.”
    Abyssinian: This cat breed is known for its friendliness. Some might even argue they’re a little too friendly. Downright nosy at times! But it’s a cat. That’s why you love them.
    Ragdoll: Ragdolls can grow to pretty large sizes for a cat, some as big as 30 pounds. But they have such a loving personality and are so easy going. Birman: If you like to have a pet that is your friend, you can’t do much better than a Birman. They love attention from their family, and they have a very even-keeled attitude.Oriental: This is one of the more needy breeds when it comes to love and affection, but there’s nothing wrong with that, right? Watch out, though, because Orientals like to get up to mischief sometimes.
    American Shorthair: This breed of cat is a favorite of many. And why not? It’s a great family pet, getting along well with other animals and children, and it’s a good hunter, too, if you have a mouse problem.
    Tonkinese: These trim beauties seem to have a zest for adventure, and sometimes that can get them into trouble. But they love their families, and leaving them plenty of toys can cut down on the “trouble.”

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    The Sure Fire Way to Train Any Pet!

    pet training

    There is so many ways that our pets are wonderful. Anyone fortunate enough to own a pet has love for it. You can train your pet without hurting the relationship in any way. Pets are usually more loyal than anyone we have ever or ever will meet.

    The number one rule you must know as an owner is, the rules and commands have to be consistent. Most pet owners don’t understand why their pets start off obedient and soon after become unresponsive.

    Whatever route you decide to take in training your pet, do it yourself or hire a trainer, you must be consistent. Once the pet has a clear understanding of what the rules are they will happily follow them.

    Anytime you train a pet, you must train yourself first. Don’t change commands along with your particular moods. Each and every command should be given in a constant tone. It’s not fair to your dog to say “stay boy” one minute and then the next “STAY HERE YOU IDIOT!!!”.

    Your dog is clueless to why you are yelling at them in this situation.

    Although they carry this great love and respect for you, they are now becoming frustrated and uneasy.

    Even with the many many conversations we have with our pets, they really don’t know what we are talking about. They only know tones and sounds, which is why our commands have to be consistent. Please do not stop talking your pet though. The animal always knows when we are being loving and compassionate to them by the sound of our voice.

    When you are ready to have a well trained dog examine yourself first. Do not get into the habit of repeating commands to your dog, or they will never take you seriously.

    The main objective of this article was to get you to understand consistency is key! However you decide to go about training, stick with it and you and your pet will be happy as ever!

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    Making Your Cat’s Food at Home

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    Making your cat’s food at home can not only save you money but also gives you the opportunity to provide a diet that is more in tune with what they would naturally consume in the wild. Cats are primarily carnivores and tend to suffer nutritionally when offered a diet with a high carbohydrate content. Commercially prepared diets for cats do provide some protein, but animal health professionals disagree on whether or not it’s enough. Homemade cat foods can provide a superior diet to your cat over commercially prepared foods as long as you make sure to add necessary vitamin and mineral supplements and avoid toxic substances such as onions, garlic, root vegetables, green leaves from tomato or eggplants, mushrooms and chocolate.

    The main principle behind creating a cat food from scratch that offers you cat the optimal balance of protein, vitamins and minerals for good health keep these tips in mind:
     
    The base of the cat food should be a quality protein source such as chicken breast, fish, lamb, duck, or turkey.
    Refrain from adding starches such as white rice, corn, wheat, and starchy vegetables, etc. Cats do not require large amounts of starch in order to maintain good health.
    Be sure to add a vitamin and mineral supplement that includes taurine into each meal to promote good health. These can be found in any pet supply store or veterinary office.
    Do not store homemade foods for longer than 48hours in the refrigerator.

    Homemade Cat Food Basics:

    Choose a protein source and cook thoroughly. The meat should be cooked all the way through in order to destroy bacteria and parasites. Boil a small amount of brown rice to add to the protein to aid in maintaining healthy bowel function. Prepare the rice in accordance with package directions. Combine the ingredients and serve.

    Once or twice a week, throw a chopped hard-boiled egg into the mix to add a little flavor. It is also recommended that you utilize organ meat such as beef liver as the protein source once weekly as well as using properly prepared fish (with bones) twice a month to ensure your cat is receiving the proper amount of calcium. 

    Make sure that you monitor sodium intake, as it is very easy for cats to consume more than is necessary for good health. Excess sodium can cause electrolyte imbalances and kidney damage. Cats with certain health concerns, such as diabetes, liver and kidney disease, will require more complex carbohydrate and less protein to help control vital blood components and reduce stress to the organs.

    As with any dietary change, consult with your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet to a homemade diet to ensure that you are feeding your pet appropriately. He or she may want to monitor the cat for a few months to ensure that the change is well tolerated.

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