Archives for October, 2009

Review of Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer

Adam Katz' Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer is a very thorough and informative book. With 316 information filled pages, the book covers everything you need to learn to obedience train your dog.

Over the years Adam has helped thousands of dog owners train their pets, and their testimonials on Adam's website give you an idea of how effective his methods are. Adam's style of dog training relies on positive methods only. Adam will teach you how to understand the way your dog sees his world. Once you have a basic understanding of dog psychology, you will be enabled to relate to your dog in a way that he can understand.

Adam's book explains how you can become the Alpha dog-the pack leader. You need your dog to recognize you as the Alpha leader in order to earn his trust and respect, and get his cooperation when training him. Adam's book teaches you to be the best trainer you can be, and therefore start getting great results from your effort.

Adam’s book teaches you with dog training using step by step training exercises that follow your puppy's natural progression towards maturity, so that your pet is always learning lessons that are most appropriate for his stage of development. So, in Adam’s book you will start with learning how to house train your puppy, and then the first basic steps for getting started with obedience training your puppy. From there the training will eventually bring you to the most advanced training exercises.

In addition to basic obedience training, Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer has entire sections that pay special attention to solving the various behavior problems that need your attention.  Behavior problems won't go away on their own, so you need to know how to correct them, and without a good guide, it is really difficult .

Reasons and solutions for problems such as dog aggression, digging the lawn up, jumping on people, chasing cars, cats,  or people and so many more are just a few of the many he covers in his book.One feature of Adam's book that I really appreciate is his explanation of why a method works best. He tells you what a dog's perspective of a situation is, so you can use that insight to find the best way to correct a particular problem.

Unlike most of the other better quality online dog training programs, Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer does not include photo illustrations in the book. Therefore, if you are someone who learns best by watching and listening you might be better off with an excellent video dog training program . Even without photos, Adam's book is a fountain of information, and using it will help you have a very well trained and well balanced doggy. Adam offers a 30 day money back guarantee, to show that he is positive you will really enjoy his book and the results it gives you.

In addition to all the information in his 316 page book, readers of Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer will also get these 7 bonuses:

1.   Eight Secrets to Become The Alpha Dog.

2.   Where to Buy Pet Products at a Wholesale Price.

3.   The Puppy Primer-How to Know when to Train Which Behaviors.

4.   Fixing Aggressive Dog Problems.

5.   How to Teach Your Dog to Walk on a Loose Leash in Less Than 10 Minutes.

6.    How to choose a veterinarian.

7.   Access to Adam's huge Forum and free email consultations with Adam and his expert staff.

If you want to have a very well trained and well behaved dog living with you, I recommend checking out Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer.

 

 

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Oct 28, 2009 | 0 | dog care tips

Preventing Cats from Damage Outdoors by Using Cat Enclosure Systems

Cats can be outstanding friends. Although most cat owners do not allow their prized cats to go outside, a few of them entertain the thought of letting them examineexplore the outdoors at some point.

Make sure to take important safety precautions before allowing that level of adventure for your pet. Cats are known for escaping yards, so it's imperative for the well-meaning owner as well as the innocent cat to make sure extensive planning in the yard takes place.

It's imperative for a cat owner to purchase a Cat Enclosure System. The breadth, shape and style, however, are choices the owner can make.

The least expensive enclosures have numerous similarities to a long play pen that an baby might use. They are different than a protected area for a child because they make the area entirely enclosed with a mesh roof. It's simple to set them up and break apart them, and they are also moveable. Because the mesh cage is comprised of a durable water and sun proof fabric, it's able to withstand course weather conditions and any amount of damage caused by your cat. You can add some change to the location with lots of these enclosures since they come with alternative attachments.

It's possible to upgrade your outdoor cat enclosure system to a habitat environment that includes more vast areas, climbing contraptions, and relaxation perches as well as a variety of toys. They are made to attach to your outside walls or to be integrated into your patio area, and are designed to be more permanent fixtures. Your cat will benefit from the extra space whether you design your own or hire a expert to aid you.

A contrary method is feline proof fencing. Because it's not hard for cats to climb up solid fence surfaces comprised of brick or wood, a standard back yard fence isn't sufficient when it comes to containing your cat. They will not feel comfortable climbing a fence if it feels shaky. You can give your cat a better feeling of safekeeping if you attach an extension to the top of the fence you already own.

Finally, you can opt to use one of the more contentious fence enclosures that does not have borders. When your cat tries to cross a specific area, it will be sent a small electric shock from the system that is annoying but does not cause any damage. You should count on acknowledge the system.

The following are a few more pieces of advice for you to keep cats safe in the backyard:

- Troublesome parasites such as fleas and ticks can still pass through enclosures

- In many circumstances, felines can dig, climb, crawl or squeeze out of enclosures In order to keep them from escaping, manage their first few experiences outdoors.

- Confirm that they always have ample water and shade. If you forget to ensure it, it could be fatal.

- Become informed about the vegetation around the cat enclosure so you are certain it is not lethal.

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Oct 28, 2009 | 0 | cat care tips

Labrador Training as a Way to Teach A Dog Better Recall

 

Ever experienced walking your dog in some park, only to punctuate your dog with shouting and bellowing because it is now hot on the trail of something and is not paying the least attention to you? Indeed, it is not enough knowing that the dog has no way, for example, to control its inclination to follow a scent. Being able to truly recall your dog at any time is a critical skill in Labrador training. Recall is the hallmark of a responsible dog handler-owner-trainer.

Aside from the so called “selective hearing,” there are many reasons why dogs do not approach readily when called:

a) Some owners tell their dogs to go away when the dog does approach, which confuses the dog all the more.

b) Some dogs are too busy pursuing their own fun, whether it is following a highly intriguing scent or going after other dogs or squirrels.

c) Owners sometimes create a misassociation between the “come” gesture and what the dog was exactly doing at that time.

Begin the first step to training recall by starting out in a controlled area such as a fenced-in garden or indoors, where distractions are limited. Keep using the same recall command, never sounding negative or annoyed. Try calling the dog's name through out the day, getting it to come to you and giving a treat or playing a game if the dog does. The point is that the dog sees that coming to you is fun!

When the dog is accustomed to coming to you when it is called, add the recall command and get it used to the sound.

Third, once the dog has got the hang of the recall command, try mixing in a few distractions. Keep the dog on a long lead and see if it will still come to you.

Third, when the dog has got the hand of the recall command through your Labrador training, drop by some park where it is secure to walk off-leash dogs. You may also want to visit this park together with another dog owner that is used to wide spaces. Recall both dogs, and reward the one that returns first.

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Oct 28, 2009 | 0 | dog care tips

Advantages of Cat Flaps

If you have one or more pet cats, then you might want to install one or two or even more cat flaps for both your and your pets' convenience. Cat flaps take away the need to get up and down to let your cat in, and make for a more peaceful life, and a happier cat that enjoys his freedom.

It pays to have a professional install them so that they won't let water in whenever it rains; it's also important to make sure they're well fixed to the door so that they won't fall off with time.

Think About Burglars

One of the important safety points to take into account is to make sure that the installation of cat flaps won't make it easier for people to break into your house when you're not at home. The standard placement for them is near the bottom of the door where your cat can walk through without having to jump up and balance on a ledge.

Cat flaps are not considered to be big enough for a burglar to be able crawl through, but obviously they are a good size for a potential thief to get his hand through and gain access to your keys if you leave them dangling in the lock, or close by on the side

Not Your Cat

Even if cat flaps won't let burglars of thieves break into your house, the neighborhood cats will have no trouble at all getting into your house, something that you might want to consider. A simple way to get around this problem is to have a cat flap with a locking system, which identifies the cat by a small tag, added to his collar.

Normally working on a magnet, this means that the cat flap remains locked shut if approached by another cat, but when your cat comes near, the magnet on the collar releases the cat flap lock and he is allowed to pass through

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Oct 28, 2009 | 0 | cat care tips

A Healthy Way To Bathe a Pet Bird

Pet birds just like us need to take a bath. This helps keep them clean and remove excess oil on their feathers. Doing this on a regular basis also promotes good health as they are also affected from household air conditioning and heating.

To go for it, it is required that the pet bird is brought to a room that is warm and has no drafts. It is also best to do this early during the day so the bird will be able to dry itself before bedtime.

The materials you will using will be a heavy dish filled with one or two inches of water. The reason for this is to create an artificial puddle which is what birds in the wild go when they feel the need to cleanse themselves.

The cold water can chill them therefore the water should be lukewarm or room temperature. Once inside the bowl, they can already bathe themselves.

Birds of bigger size will have much difficulty in taking proper bathing themselves in a bowl. This is why it is a good idea to bring the bird out of its cage, let it stand on the perch and then you run the water lightly on them.

One of the most ideal places in the house to do this is the bathroom or the kitchen. With the hose is in your hand, never spray the water on their face. Never make the mistake of saturating your pet bird's feathers. Doing so can lead to a loss of body heat and flight impairment.

While bathing them inside a bowl or on a perch, take note that it was never mentioned to use shampoo or soap on them because water is enough to cleanse them. Using ordinary cleaning products is bad because it may remove the bird’s natural oils.

After giving your pet bird a bath, you can let them dry on their own or wipe them gently using a towel. If you are going to do it, make sure that you only rub in the direction of the feather growth. Never use a hair dryer because you could burn them.

Don’t forget to clean the sink or the tub with water and mild unscented soap after giving your pet bird a bath. This will ensure protection for you and your family who also use it when they brush their teeth or do the dishes.

Before you put the pet bird back in the cage, don’t forget to change the bird cage bedding. Most of the time, this gets wet from the splashing as the bird washes itself and you wouldn’t want bacteria to grow there that could get your bird sick.

Your pet bird must have berthing once or twice a week. You can do this more often especially during the molten season because it helps remove itching. You got to notice by observing your bird if they prefer to take a bath.

Some birds do not like taking a bath. If you encounter such a situation, you should gradually try to introduce them to it so that they can get to enjoy it. One way is to get yourself wet and since they trust you, in time they will understand that it is perfectly alright.

A bath is always a refreshing experience and your pet bird should also have one every so often.

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Oct 28, 2009 | 0 | bird care tips

Tropical Fish Care: Where to Get Help

Having an aquarium is a lot of responsability as you'll have to learn how to take care of tropical fish. People often assume that fish are not as important as other pets and that they are very easy to take care of and while this is true, there are still certain things that you are going to have to watch out for such as disease, and you are going to have to make sure that you are properly caring for them.

So, if you want to be the owner of tropical fish, the best way to start is to inform yourself and get educated. They are plenty of ways on how to get this information and we're going to review them.

There is the Internet for one, which is always a great source of information, no matter what subject you are interested in learning about. When it comes to tropical fish care you can find out about everything that you need to know. The best part is that if you have specific tropical fish care questions you can type them in and get the exact answers and information that you were looking for.

Even in Internet age, paper still have its use. Books are also a great repository of information about fish care. Buy some books on tropical fish or even head down to your local library where you can rent some out. Books are great because you can always keep them on hand and they show pictures as well so it is easier to understand.

Another way to get information is to go to the petstore itself. People there do not only dedicate themselves to commerce and sell pets. Generally they love their job and are as interested as you that your fish are well. The more opinions that you get and the more information that you learn the better off you are going to be.

It is certainly nice to know that there are so many different options when it comes to the resources that are available to help you out if you have any questions on how to care for your beautiful tropical fish. You want them to strive and live for as long as possible and this means putting in the effort to learn about your fish, what they need and what you can give to them to help make sure that they stay healthy.

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Oct 28, 2009 | 0 | fish care tips

Take Care Of Cats

These days, cats are between the lots of famous pet you could own.  There are many breeds accessible, through the most popular being Persian and Siamese.  Cats are a domesticated animal, by origins dating back some eight,000 years & beyond.  Like any other pet that you may own, including dogs, cats cost money to choose care of properly.

While you reach a cat, you’ll need to think about the costs.  You’ll noticeably require meal, & you will also require to plan ahead for vet costs.  You will also need litter, which could tend to achieve quite expensive whether the years go with.  Your cat would want a litter box, meal dish, & water dish.  You should also invest in several toys whether well, such as a scratching post, cat toys, a pet carrier, & a bed.  You should also search into obtaining an ID collar as well, only in case your cat ever gets lost.

Feeding your pet would depend a fantastic deal on his age.  Older cats require two small meals or 1 large food for the day.  Kittens however, require various feedings a day until they reach around the age of 12 weeks.  Cats that are among three and 6 months of age require to be fed three times a day.  Canned food could be fed to cats, even any meal that has been left out longer than 30 minutes require to be disposed of.  Canned food can reach expensive quick, and you must always keep in mind that several might need to be thrown away while you buy it.  Cats loved canned meal, though it doesn’t have any advantages to their dental health like dry meal does.

As an choice plan, you can always leave a supply of dry food out for your pet.  When you provide your cat dry meal, you must always make sure that he has adequate water.  Dry meal costs less than canned meal, and it can also help to avoid the buildup of tartar on your cat’s teeth.  When you buy dry food, you must always look in terms of medical & benefits, & stay away from generic food.  Even though even generic meal might be cheaper, it might not offer the nutrients your pet desires.

When you own a kitten, you must just offer you kitten meal designed for him.  You’ll also require to clean & refill his water dish day after day.  Though even kittens & adult cats love cow’s milk, you must keep away from giving it to them as it could cause diarrhea.  Treats are fine on event, even too many of them could cause your pet to accomplish fat.  Feeding your kitten human meal is excellent on event, even though you may have to mix it in with his cat meal.

With themselves, cats stay fairly clean.  Even you don’t have to bathe them that often, you will need to give them a brushing at least when a day.  Brushing would decrease the risk of hairballs & remain your cat’s coat nice & clean.  When you are keeping your cat inside, you will require to have a litter box in an area that is easy for your cat to entrance.  You must usually scoop it on a daily base, and clean it out when a week.  Cats don’t like to use dirty litter boxes, they prefer for it to be nice & clean.

Even though cats do require a few work, they're great pets that would offer you by years and years of companionship.  Whether long as you decide care of your cat & select him to the vet for his checkups, he should maintain healthy.  Though though cats can achieve sick from occasion to event – knowing how to care for him will make a globe of dissimilarity. Find more other useful articles about dog weight, pregnant dogs and small puppies

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Oct 26, 2009 | 0 | cat care tips

Eight Reasons Why Bird Watching Is So Popular

On just about any average day in the U.S., millions of people across the country are watching birds. They are observing via bird watching clubs that they are members of. They join bird watching tours in their own city as well as in far away countries. And, those really into it, plan holidays and family trips around the migration path of their favorite bird species. Bird watching, once you begin, is addictive.

Why do people love to watch birds? Just, what is the attraction? For one thing, it's relatively inexpensive. All you really need to begin your bird watching hobby is a reasonably good pair of binoculars. Then maybe in a month or two, you'll invest in a quality camera to capture for all time the birds you've seen.

Secondly, bird watching is a fantastic self-justification to spend time outdoors. Far too many of us spend our time either closeted inside our homes or trapped a job cubicle. In our air conditioned environments, we have forgotten what it's like to breath fresh air and commune with nature. We've forgotten that we're not the only creatures blessed to live on this planet. We've forgotten that it's natural to be outdoors.

Third - bird watching can be very convenient. What's more convenient than watching birds in your very own back yard? You can go down to your local garden center, purchase a simple bird house kit and some feed, and have a bird sanctuary in your back yard in one afternoon. If you've done your homework correctly, your newfound bird friends will love you. If you're industrious enough and handy with a hammer and saw, you can even build a custom bird house.

Fourth - watching birds in their bird house provides you with your own private animal reality show. Within days, you'll find yourself involved in the various bird families pecking order. Who is dominant? Who's selfish? Who's nurturing? Who's a bully? You'll begin to recognize distinct personalities. And those among us with slight psychological problems will start to name them.

Fifth - bird watching is a relaxing activity. No matter how stressed out your day has been, once you sit down with your binoculars and aim it towards your bird friends, you'll notice a sense of calm and tranquility coming over you. It's inevitable and can't be stopped. It's impossible not to feel your blood pressure dropping and the stresses and worries fleeing from your mind.

Sixth - you'll be helping nature by helping the species to survive. In many parts of the country, the natural habitats of the native creatures, including birds, have been destroyed. In modern society, new industrial or housing development trumps nature every time. With your bird watching hobby, you can help restore some of the habitat balance by providing nesting places, shelter from predators, and food for the birds that you enjoy.

Seventh - bird watching is a great social activity. Finding people who love the same thing as you do and spending time with them allows you to re-connect with your humanity. Instead of spending hours in front of the television, you can form friendship bonds that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Eight - bird watching is great exercise. Barely a week passes by without us hearing on the news about the obesity epidemic and how we Americans are getting fatter and fatter by the day. We all know that we should exercise more, but very few of us actually do it. Bird watching is a good way to simultaneously exercise and have fun. Observing and trailing birds through the forest will give you plenty of exercise and help to keep you in good health.

For these reasons, and more, bird watching as an activity has become more popular each year. So much so that it has become one of America's most popular pastimes.

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Oct 26, 2009 | 0 | bird care tips

Putting A Elevated Double Dog Bowl To Good Use

Making use of a elevated double dog bowl feeder for a pet or animal can be a good way to go about making sure feeding occurs as needed. In our breakneck, fast-paced world, it's a sad fact that a beloved animal might not get the attention it deserves, on occasion. With these feeders, at least their food needs can be met.

The best of these elevated double dog bowl feeders also have a cold storage compartment, where you can keep a can or two of wet foods for that special treat in place of dry feed. Some of the best even get the can and open and dispense the food, all automatically! All of the top units use electronics to control proper feeding that's been set up by you. They can dole out up to ten or so pounds in a single sitting.

Putting a feeder together is a relative snap. Just follow the supplied easy-to-understand instruction manuals or guides. Sometimes, there's a CD-ROM, which has video "how tos" and other valuable tips. Also, most now have online websites you can go to, if you have a question or an observation about the feeder.

Most of these dog bowl feeders are built to accommodate up to two pets. You set up the feeding and watering intervals as you deem they should be done throughout a day. Most handle up to eight different feed times. If your pet is a bit chunky, you can go all the way down to just one or two small-size feedings a day.

If you have a large or tall dog, or an animal with arthritis that prevents it from stooping over, you can buy a raised feeder. This is an ideal solution for a pet that prefers or needs its food in a bowl that's raised up higher than it would be if it were on the floor.

Most of these automatic feeders are set up to accommodate animals in the fifteen to forty pound range. There are specialty feeders, though, and they can take on much bigger dogs or pets, if need be. None of them are very complicated or difficult to use, and they all dole out food with relative ease.

Standard food holding capacity is about 1.5 gallons self-contained in a hopper or feeder of some sort. With a volume like that, you can expect to be able to put about 1.8 gallons of dry food within it, which it then allots in a safe and sensible manner. The good units also take care of watering, too, which is a plus.

It's recommended by most vets that stainless steel or ceramic bowls be used when feeding pets or animals. Plastic bowls can become gouged or scratched, and potentially-harmful bacteria can hide in a scratch. If the feeder you buy has plastic bowls, exchange them for stainless steel. And never put wet food in the hopper. Most automatic feeders aren't set up to dispense those kinds of items. If you take sensible steps and use the feeder as its meant to be, both you and your pet will come out on top.

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Oct 26, 2009 | 0 | dog care tips

The Spray Bark Collar; Because Your Pet Deserves It

The anti bark spray collar is considered a humane and ethical training collar, specially when compared to other training collars, such as the sonic collar or the controversial shock collar. However, before you buy an anti bark spray collar, you should really understand the difference between the different models, specially between old models and new ones.

The anti bark spray collar, a Forte to Pet Owners

For those pet owners who are desperate to calm down the incessant barking of their pets and get them behaviorally trained, spray bark collars are just the most effective and viable solution. This type of anti bark collar senses the vibrations in the dog's neck that are caused by the sound of the bark, and in turn, it releases a small squirt of citronella that sprays the dog's muzzle. The spray catches the dog off guard because the dog can see it, smell it, feel it, and hear it. Due to the strong scent of the spray, the dog gets distracted and tranquilized since he starts to understand that the spray starts working on its incessant barking or bad behavior.

Although there are several brands of spray bark collars, the two most popular ones are PetSafe and Innotek. It's always a good idea to do a bit of research and compare the different models in the market before you decide which collar you shoudl buy. There are a few factors to consider, for example, your dog's size and personality, as well as the collar's size, weight, form, range, resistance, and look.

Correlate what you need with the features and options offered by the brand/type and opt for the one that best suits your requirements better

Good Things About The spray bark collar

They are considered to be humane and hence have proven to be the humanitarian's solution to calm down pets and the scent is neither harmful to the pet nor the owner. One study that took place in 2003 at the Mesa Veterinary Hospital showed that anti bark spray collars were effective in reducing excessive barking when used in training.

This article was meant to let you know a bit more about the principle behind the spray bark collar. It also mentioned some factors to take into account when getting a spray collar. Finally, it talks about a study on spray collars that you can easliy look up.

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Oct 26, 2009 | 0 | dog care tips