Bandaging Your Dog

Having a dog is a big responsibility. Some even compare taking care of a dog to that of a baby. The only advantage having dogs compared to having babies is that they won't grow older and turn into stressful teenagers. Because dogs are like babies they sometimes also end up in harmful situations. They would sometimes get themselves trapped in a tight place or get hit by something that will injure one of their limbs. When that happens, we should learn how to bandage our dogs to prevent further damage. Here are some basic ways of how to bandage your injured dog.

1. When your pet has a bandage, it should always be clean and dry. So it's pretty important to make sure your pet stays inside most of the time when it has a bandage. To prevent the bandage from getting wet when the pet goes to pee or poop, a trash bag or plastic covering should cover the bandaged leg. You may use empty bread bags. When your pet has wet or dirtied up the bandage, it would require changing. Make sure to check the bandage twice a day to see if it is clean and dry. Check also for foul odors or discharge and if there is any, call your veterinarian immediately.

2. After bringing home your pet from the veterinarian make sure that the bandage is still in place. Your pet might have been irritated by it and has chewed or tried to scratch it off. Look closely at the position and the location of the bandage when you do check. Look at the toes of the pet, the bandage might have slipped up making the toes stick out. Also look at the size, if the bandage has become loose. This should be taken into account when a dog has been bandaged in the abdomen or leg area. This is because one end will be bigger than the other and eventually become narrower. When the bandage telescopes down the limb of the dog it may bunch up and abrade the limb. When that happens, the bandage should be changed as well.

3. If the dog is bandaged up in the leg make sure it isn't too tight. Observe how the toes will appear at the bottom of the bandage at least twice a day. This is done to check for sweating, swelling, or pain. Check for skin chaffing, redness, discharge or swelling before and after the bandage has been applied.

4. To prevent the pet from chewing the bandage because of the bothersome experience it gives, put an Elizabethan collar. If you have observed that the pet is chewing or scratching it excessively, ask the vet if there might be problems.

These are the times that you should already be taking the pet back to the veterinarian:

• Swelling above or below the bandage
• Chewing the bandage
• Bandage becomes wet
• Bleeding or discharge above, below or through
• Scheduled bandage changes

About The Author
Peter Garant's pet medicine site http://www.pet-meds-101.com concentrates on pet care and dog medicine http://www.pet-meds-101.com/your-dog.php.

Decorating a Birdhouse

Having a craft project to work on as a family is a great way to pass the time. It allows for something to be accomplished together and becomes a point of pride for all involved. This is especially important during the summer months when the kids are out of school and may be stir crazy for something to do.

Building and decorating a bird house is something that parents and kids can do together. It is relatively cheap and can provide hours of entertainment even after the project is completed. If your child is anything like me, they will love anything that can fly and by building a bird house it will help them to watch birds and may even challenge them to find out even more about the types of birds that frequent your backyard.

Building Your Birdhouse

Three are many different ways that you can go about building your bird house. If you want your kids to have some input, it is important for the design to remain simple. However, if building the bird house is simply for your own craft, there are many complicated and fascinating designs that can be followed. It all depends on what you are looking for from your birdhouse. Looking to impress the neighbors? There are designs that will make your own home look like a shack!

If you want your kids to be a part of the process it is very easy to make your birdhouse very simple. It is quite possible to use four or five pieces of wood and construct one with very little in the way of tools. This will allow your kids to claim ownership over the birdhouse from start to finish.

Painting Your Birdhouse

This is where your kids will have a blast! If you approached correctly, your kids will realize that this is actually a house for birds and they need to decorate it as they would their own house. Again, this will be a great exercise for kids to visualize and might spark a greater interest in birds and other animals. Although there are many ways to go about painting your birdhouse, one the best ways to go about doing this is to use a sponge brush. This will give you enough control to do what you want. Sponge brushes are also great for kids. They don't hold too much paint, but are still able to get the job done.

One thing to keep in mind is that the paint you use should not contain any chemicals that will have potential harm to the bird who will be visiting. Please take careful notice of the type of paint you are using. Not only could this be fatal to the birds, but it could also be traumatic to your kids.

Another thing to consider is to leave the inside of the birdhouse free of any paint. It should be completely natural and free of chemicals so that the birds can freely make a home inside.

How Bright Should My Birdhouse Be Painted?

Although it might be fun to paint your birdhouse a loud color that will stand out in your yard, and this might be your kid's color of choice, it is important to recognize that bright colors will not necessarily attract more birds. In the wild, female birds are a more subdued color for protection. This will often translate into where birds attempt to find shelter. If your birdhouse is too bright, it might not attract birds.

About The Author
James Patterson has been in the bird world for over 10 years, spending most of it breeding exotic birds.He has also written many articles for his local bird club's newsletter.Site: http://www.birdflights.com/beak.pl/cedar/how/butterfly-audubon.html

How To Start Training Puppies

Training puppies too early can be difficult. But, if you do not train him early, he will very quickly have the run of the house.

Training puppies is necessary because it saves you trouble later. Most dog owners skip this because we all know that dog training takes some effort. If you could teach a puppy in a month, you would be happy. But training a dog well is a longer task. Just because your dog looks cute as a puppy do not let this deter you from training him early.

In training puppies, there are some do's and don'ts.

Do

Provide the puppy with consistent access to the toilet area. If you are training your puppy at home take him to his toilet area every 45 minutes or so. If you are not at home make sure you help your puppy make as few 'mistakes' as possible, by giving him a puppy friendly environment.

Every time your puppy does something 'good', give him a reward. If he eliminates his waste in the toilet area, praise him and give him a treat. He will then recognize that his actions were right and aim for more because of the reward he will get. Make sure your rewards immediately follow the good action.

Feed your puppy just like you feed yourself. If you eat regularly, set aside food for him. It is important to train your puppy the right time to eat. This will prevent him from begging for food from your plates.

Be patient in training your puppies. Relapses will take place, but patience and perseverance are key. Remember your dog wants nothing more than to please you. After he is fully trained and it will be worth the while.

Don't

Shout at your puppy when he makes mistakes. Especially when dogs are young as this can cause frights that can stay with the dog as it gets older.

When house training your dog, don't leave water and food out all the time. If he drinks a lot, he will urinate more frequently. You will have to allow for more mistakes to be made.

Always watch the actions of your puppy and reinforce the good behavior many times throughout the day. It is not proper to let him run around as if he owns the house. If he does so, he will carry that attitude until he grows up.

Remembering some of these simple tips can make your puppy a better trained dog and a more enjoyable pet.

About The Author
Simon Oliver has an interest in Recreational Activities & Hobbies. To find out how you can get more information on successfully training your dog please visit this http://www.boxer-dog-guide.com site.

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Horse Training: Did Your Horse Spill The Paint?

In the past, I've emailed a lot of info where I describe key principles in horse training.

One I like to harp on is the prin- ciple of "kindness."

Instinctively, most understand the kindness thing. After all, why be cruel to your horse.

Even though that's a given, that's not the principle reason I preach about being kind to your horse.

When I say "treat your horse with kindness" the importance in training is this:

When a horse does as you ask, he should be rewarded with kindness such as a carress on the point of shoulder or forehead.

The thing a lot of people don't get is kindness with punishment. (When I say punish- ment, I don't mean whipping or hitting a horse. Punishment "ONLY" refers to negative reinforce- ment which can be as light as an abrasive tone of voice.)

When a horse needs corrected through negative reinforcement then it's my practice to almost immediately follow up with kindness such as caressing.

The reason is to keep a horse's con- fidence up and principally to reinforce you're still his buddy...even though he did something wrong.

Here's a good story that'll reinforce my point.

About 9 years ago, I moved into another house. My son and I went to get it ready for the move in. At the time, he was around 3 years old.

While I was cleaning parts of the house he was running about.

We were just about ready to leave when I noticed the carpet didn't look right in my bedroom.

I checked it out and found paint had been spilled on it. It was wet and fresh.

Upset, I called him in the bedroom and angrily asked, "DID YOU DO THAT?!!!"

After hearing my tone, he knew he was in trouble. He was nervous. (Hmmm, just like a horse)

Then I said, "I'M MAD AT YOU FOR DOING THAT!!"

Within seconds he started crying. It broke my heart that I had broke his.

Immediately and with extrememe compassion and heartfelt words I said, "I'm not mad at you anymore."

The crying ceased in a few seconds except for the occassional gasps of air he needed to settle himself.

The lesson was, he needed to know he made a mistake but more importantly he needed to know I still loved and approved of him. Had I not countered the negative reinforcement, I think it would've been injurious down the road.

And that's how I see it with horses. You should make sure they're loved and approved of even if they "spilled the paint." For if they continue to feel a little afraid and uneasiness, it'll be harder to train 'em.

But one has to be careful in timing the kindness because you could reinforce the wrong behavior.

For instance, if you go to catch your horse and he runs from you but finally lets you catch him...and then when you catch him, pet him, then say "Good boy" you teach him to run from you.

Why? Because he learns he'll get petted and told he's a good boy "after" he runs from you and later gets caught.

Paul Esh, a featured trainer from http://www.SuperStarsOfHorseTraining.com, tells on his video why this is so important.

It's amazing what you can learn from different horse trainers because each has there unique things they do.

That's why SuperStars of Horse Training exists. You learn from the best of the best of horse trainers. What they do with horses you can too after see what they show you.

To learn more go to: http://www.SuperStarsOfHorseTraining.com

About The Author
Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. He is also well known for finding, interviewing, and filming expert horse trainers and making their expertise available to horse owners who want to learn different horse training tips and secrets and how to solve behaviorial issues with horses. For information visit his website at www.SuperStarsofHorseTraining.com.

Training An Agressive Dog

Dogs are a man's best friend. That has always been the belief ever since. Why not? Because of their care, loyalty and sweetness to their owners, people will have a hard time not loving them.

Unfortunately for some dog owners and some people, the dog becomes their worst enemy. Just imagine the life of the mail man. The mail man has been always portrayed in movies or cartoons as a biting post of dogs. This is not a stupid joke. I have an uncle who worked as a mail man and got bitten by a dog.

In fact, there are more people aside from mailmen that get victimized by dog bites. Every year there are 4.7 million people that get bitten by dogs. Among the 4.7 million people that get bitten, 17% needs medical attention. Also, 10-20% of tragic bite victims are killed by dog bites.

Since this has been a growing problem, certain breeds have been banned in some U.S. states. Here are the top 10 breeds that cause dog bites in no particular order. Rottweilers, pit bulls, huskies, German shepherds, Dobermans, malamutes, St. Bernards, chow chows, Akitas and Great Danes.

The dog's behavior of being aggressive or non-aggressive greatly depends on the owner's responsibility and training of the dog. Here are several steps that the owners can take to make their dog safe around other people.

• Make your puppy have social interaction with other dogs and people after it gets vaccinated. This will help the puppy feel that other dogs and humans are not threatening. The puppy will then learn to be friendlier. Bring the puppy to the park, pet store or even puppy classes.

• Spraying or neutering the dog will greatly help reduce the risk. When the dog is neutered some of its territorial instincts like territorial aggression are reduced. Most fatal dog bites (80%) are caused by non-neutered male dogs. So trying to neuter your aggressive male dog will help keep it safe around other people.

• Always remember to restrain your dog when interacting with strangers or in a public place. You can't predict your dog's behavior even though you may say that it's really friendly. Try to restrain him with a leash when in a public place. Also prevent strangers from interacting with the dog because the stranger might startle him or her. When leaving the dog alone in your yard, remember to enclose him on a fence that will be suitable for its size.

• It is the dog's nature to bite anything, so training it to not bite anything will greatly help. Distraction will work on a dog when it is biting anyone. Try to make a quick sound such as a clap or saying “ow”. After, make the dog chew the chew toy. It will greatly help in training if the dog is rewarded when biting the right stuff.

• Always watch your dog's behavior. When the dog is really aggressive and can't be trained, get help from the vet.

Being able to follow these things can help prevent the risk of your dog to society. Instead of becoming public enemy number 1 it could be America's sweetheart. So be a responsible owner.

About The Author
Michael Colucci is a technical writer for http://www.free-dog-training.org and http://www.edogstoday.com.

Should Outside Cats Use A Collar

Most cat owners find themselves in a quandary over whether or not to use a cat collar on their outdoor cats. The debate still reigns over the pros and cons of outfitting an outside cat with a collar, but many veterinarians and cat experts agree that collars are the best way to go. However, before you decide, take a look at these pros and cons:

Pros:

• Cat collars can hold identification and registration tags. This is critical in case your outdoor cat becomes lost or is picked up by a concerned individual. Also, collars can hold bells or other noise generating items to scare away potential prey.

• Many cat collars are equipped with reflective material. Whether the collar is made completely out of reflective material or only contains a small strip, this will help your cat to become more visible in the dark. Cats, especially those of dark color, can become invisible at night, which is a potentially dangerous situation.

Cons:

• Cat collars can easily snag and cause your cat to become hung or stuck on branches, fences, or anything else in the great outdoors. Some cats have actually been strangled when their collar has gotten caught and cut off the animal’s air supply.

• Your cat may not be comfortable wearing a collar or the collar may be too heavy for the animal.

Given these pros and cons, consider choosing a collar that will maximize the positives and minimize the negatives. For example, there are many collars on the market that are specially designed to break away or unclasp when the cat is hung. These collars are considered strangle-proof and release when approximately seven pounds of pressure is applied. This way, the cat can break him—or her—self free from any snare.

Furthermore, there are many different types of collars on the market. Bring your feline friend with you to the local pet-friendly pet store and try on several different types of collars until you find one that best fits. Avoid choosing a harness for outdoor cats unless you plan on walking the cat on a leash. If this is the case, only allow your cat to wear a harness while supervised, as most are not snare-proof.

On a whole, collars are encouraged on cats that spend their time outside and inside. In addition to providing visibility to your animal, the collar will hold valuable identification information that will protect your cat and assist you in finding your pet.

About The Author
John Marcus Specializes in Cat Collars http://www.u-cat-collars.com, http://www.cat-collars-u.com.

Comical And Sweet: The Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a favorite among the toy groups. Its endearing fox-like face and comically poofy coat are almost irresistible. However, the Pomeranian is not for the traditional quiet, clinging lap dog. The most independent of the toy breeds, the Pomeranian does not cling to its owners. This little (3 to 7lbs) guy’s claim to fame is his giant personality. These active toys are notoriously animated, inquisitive and busy. So, if you are looking for a big clown in a little body then the Pomeranian is the dog for you. His antics will keep you entertained as well as attract attention. And although independent, their fierce loyalty makes them great companion dogs.

Ideal for those living in small spaces, Pomeranians make great apartment dogs. They don’t need much exercise and spend most of their day taking naps. However, be prepared to keep them entertained while they are awake. Pomeranians are chock full of energy and they need to be entertained or they can develop behavioral problems and destructive habits. They are notorious chewers although with proper stimulation this behavior can be taken care of with a few chew toys left lying around.

Worried about how this tiny little dog will fare with your other household pets? No need. As long as they are properly socialized they get along with other dogs as well as cats. However, please consider your neighbors’ sanity before committing to more than one Pom. They are vocal dogs (females less so than males) and when in groups the chorus of yapping can become a bit much.

Although they are cuddly and loveable, Pomeranians require a lot of attention. Along with their entertainment needs, the soft, thick undercoat and coarser outer coat need to be groomed daily or else they develop painful mats and tangles. They also shed constantly so be prepared to become well acquainted with lint rollers and a pet hair specific vacuum. The undercoat also makes Pomeranians unsuitable for warmer climates if they will be spending extended periods of time out of doors. Their voluminous coats count for about 50% of their apparent size and they are prone to overheating.

Surprisingly, these tiny dogs make great watch dogs. They have a classic case of big dog trapped in tiny body. They are cocky and commanding and rarely back down from anything. Their resounding warning bark can be heard far and wide although its tiny size does not manage to come off as much of a threat. They tend to be reserved with strangers and can bark excessively at new people. It is a good idea to start obedience training early and teach your Pomeranian to bark a few times as an alert but then to ‘be quiet for heaven’s sake’.

A note of caution: this little dog is all personality and your baby’s cute little personality quirks can easily become inappropriate behaviors if they are not loved with a firm hand. These little tricksters need to know that there owner is the boss or they will not listen. They can become demanding, pushy, and snappy if they are allowed free behavioral reign. And while these dogs make good companions for elderly people, they should be closely monitored around very young children. However, they are fine around older, well behaved children.

Pomeranians are also prone to certain physical ailments. Early tooth loss can be a problem so while it is tempting to spoil them with canned food and table treats, the main part of a Pomeranians diet should be comprised of dry dog food to keep the teeth and gums in good condition. You should also make sure that your vet gives your dog regular teeth cleanings. Skin problems and eye infections can also be problematic especially as your Pomeranian ages.

But don’t let these potential problems deter you. When making your breed decision, keep in mind that every breed of dog comes with its own caveats, and with the right mix of discipline and love their delightful natures can flourish.

About The Author
Gary Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies he has for sale at http://allmypuppiesonline.com. Gary is also the author of two consumer guides, http://carpetsecrets.com and http://movingsecretsguide.com.

How To Choose The Best Aquarium Filter For Your Fish

So you’ve finally decided to bring a new hobby to your life and that’s keeping a tropical fish, you might need all the equipment in order to keep the fish full alive. It’s true that before getting a fish, there are lots of thing to do. In maintaining an aquarium, you can actually take care of it without much work at all. Before anything else, you should know how to keep the tank in good condition.

To get started, you should choose what size of tank will fit your style. If you’re a beginner, it will be good if you start with a small aquarium first. This will take less expense plus the fact that it helps you concentrate in taking care of your aquarium. If time comes when you are at ease in keeping a small aquarium, you can shift to a larger one.

One of the important equipment for you to have in your aquarium is the filter. Filter is a device that removes impurities from the water of your aquarium by way of fine physical obstacle or by chemical procedure. It is recommended that you use an undergravel filter since it’s not expensive and it keeps the debris totally out. But how you can choose the best filter for your aquarium? Furthermore, getting the right filter can save you lots of hours in maintenance.

The following tips can be helpful for you to find the best filter around.

1. You should know the three kinds of filtering systems that is needed in your tank: biological, mechanical, and chemical.

2. Think about the different types of filters and their functions. Wet-dry filters are compatible to saltwater tanks since they give biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration. Although they are quite expensive but entail less maintenance operation than other types.

3. Mechanical filters are designed to remove impurities by way of filter floss and filtering particles.

4. Chemical filtration process uses activated charcoal just to remove unwanted dissolved wastes in the water.

5. Set up first the biological filter before adding fish to the tank. Biological filters use bacteria to crack ammonia and nitrates. If you wish to add more fish too soon, the bacteria can’t keep up then the level of ammonia will rise in the tank thus killing the fish.

6. In buying an aquarium kit, you will get an undergravel filter. This kind of biological filter pulls water that is rich in oxygen through the gravel.

7. You can opt to some sponge filters. Sponge filters are efficient and cheap.

With the above tips, finding the best filter for your fish will be easy for you.

About The Author
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on aquariums, how to maintain, the basics of owning one, please visit http://aquarium.articlekeep.com.

Using Flower Essences with Cats

Are you are trying to integrate a new cat into your feline family? Do your cats fight with each other? Is your new cat grieving its lost human companion who had to go into a nursing home? Flower remedies or essences are helpful in many situations. Choosing the right essences is facilitated by knowing what the animals are thinking and feeling. As an Animal Communicator, I can gather this information and choose appropriate remedies.

Flower remedies are the vibrational patterns of flowers in liquid form. Each flower's unique energy pattern models specific healthy emotional vibrations. When the bio-electrical systems of the animal align with the model, not only may an animal's emotional state and behaviors change, but sometimes even physical illnesses will be helped to resolve.

One client had six cats and had rescued a seventh. When she tried to integrate the new female, the cats fought and there was chaos. A new cat will cause a shifting about of everyone's position in the group dynamic. In this instance, the new cat was fairly dominant. She was unwilling to come into the group at the bottom of the pecking order. The currently dominant cat wasn't about to give up her position. The other five cats had their various relationships and ranks, but now all positions were fluctuating.

First, I explained to each feline what was going on and why the person wanted to keep the new cat. I also gathered information about how each cat felt about the new one and about their individual willingness to cooperate. I talked to the new cat to get her perspective as well. We all brainstormed for solutions that might help smooth out the process

Then I chose flower essences. While continuing to use Rescue Remedy, I added Walnut to help each cat cope with a major life change; Quaking Grass, to help each cat's vibrations find harmony and flexibility in the group energy; Chicory for the one cat who tended to be jealous and manipulative; and Tiger Lily to reduce aggressive behavior during the shift. In addition, I suggested that the client mist the house twice a day with some Rescue Remedy diluted in water, creating a calming atmosphere. The human agreed not to behave in ways that showed favoritism towards the new cat.

The cats began to settle down quickly once they were on the essences. Over a period of months, the new cat was integrated without anyone getting hurt.

Flower essences start working immediately, yet work gradually and gently. Sometimes behaviors change quickly, but the essences should be given for several months to assure a sustained transformation. Flower essences will not change someone's personality, although they can take the edge off of an extreme behavior.

Another client had a male Abyssinian cat who told me he was "a God" and who was beating up on the female cat in the family, a American Short Hair, because he felt she didn't "worship" him appropriately. His person was astonished. "Does he think my husband and I worship him?" she asked. The Abyssinian answered, "Yes." He said that his people thought he was beautiful; they fed, petted and admired him as much as he wanted. The female cat was sweet, but not very self- confident, especially as the male would swat at her each time she walked past him.

We set this goal: to boost the female's confidence while lowering the male's aggressive tendencies. For the male I chose Vine, for being domineering, inflexible, and a bully, combined with Beech, for intolerance, and Tiger Lily, for aggression. For the female I chose Larch, to build self-confidence, combined with Centaury, for allowing oneself to be bullied. As a result of the essences, the male cat stopped his aggressive behavior while the female no longer ran madly past him. The situation resolved quickly because the right flower essences were used. The male's beliefs about himself did not change; his concern about the female cat and his behaviors towards her did.

Flower essences can be used with most species, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. They are non-invasive and do not conflict with prescribed medications. If you are having a behavioral or emotional problem with an animal and you would like to try a holistic approach, consider using flower essences. With the assistance of an Animal Communicator, you are more likely to hit on just the right combination, with the added benefit of understanding your animals' perspectives. This helps achieve the desired results.

About The Author
Rev. Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., is a telepathic Animal Communicator, Spiritual Counselor, and Shamballa Master/Teacher, offering private sessions in telepathic communication and in healing for humans and animals. She teaches workshops in telepathic communication with all species and in Shamballa Multidimensional Healing. She can be reached at 860.651.5771, NeddaW@aol.com and http://www.raysofhealinglight.com.
NeddaW@aol.com