Doggone Adorable: Dog Halloween Costumes

Dogs love to have fun and now they can join in on the good times by wearing their own pet Halloween costume. Take a look at some of these great costumes available online. Most costumes come in small, medium, large, with some in X-tra large.

==>Buycostumes.com >> $9 - $19

Star Wars Characters: Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and Yoda – now your pooch can get in on all the light saber action of Star Wars. The Yoda outfit will have you yapping with laughter.

Zorro – he's cool, dashing, and ready to save all the ladies in distress.

Wonder Woman – don't mess with this lady, boys--she'll use her superpowers to send you to the pound.

==>Petco.com >> $11 - $16

Dracula – your dog will be a cute little blood sucker in this outfit, with its black and red cape, also includes authentic looking Dracula hair.

Frankenstein – other dogs will turn green with envy when they see your little monster strutting around in this outfit.

Pink Princess – she already knows she's a princess, but she gets to show it off in this pretty pink dress and matching fairy tale hat.

==>DrsFosterSmith.com >> $12

50s Poodle Skirt – she'll be bopping around the clock in this adorable pink poodle skirt with black and white striped top.

Rock Star – this white glam jumpsuit will conjure up fond memories of the Elvis Vegas era--for cool dogs who love the limelight.

Superman – faster than a speeding car, able to leap tall fences in a single bound, look—it's superdog!

==>Amazon.com / Pet Friendzy >> $8 - $15

Muscles Bound Hound – time to show eveyone that pumping iron isn't just a human sport--costume comes with built in plush barbells.

Pup Royale – for dogs who are a step above the "common folk"--regal red cape with spotted trim--and of course, a hat to give it the crowning touch.

Lil' Scarecrow – fresh out of the cornfield, this little outfit is sure to scare up some doggie treats.

==>Glamourdog.com >> $16 - $44

Bumble Bee – they'll be buzzing about how cute your dog looks in this honey of an outfit.

Prisoner – your little rascal will be a model prisoner in this black and white homage to inmate couture.

Pirate – the scull and crossbones says it all—don't mess with this sea going ruffian.

Lady Bug – you're bound for some good luck with this cute little lady bug scampering about your home.

Cheer Leader – three cheers for this C. U. T. E. dog costume.

Football Player – sporty dogs will get a kick out of this fun outfit—throw him a doggie treat and watch him run for a touchdown.

About The Author
© Donna Monday
Brownies, Cheesecake, Fudge and more . . .
http://www.best-brownie-recipes.com

Even Lassie Had Her Moments

Lassie! Now THERE'S a dog! If you said SIT, Lassie would sit. If you said FETCH, Lassie would fetch. If you said PLAY DEAD, Lassie would just about quit breathing. Why, you could just imagine Lassie bringing you dinner each night, couldn't you? Now THAT was a well-trained dog!!! Guess what? Lassie wasn't born that way; she had to go through puppy training!

Puppy training is very important if you want a well-behaved dog! You have to start training them when they are young and you have to be consistent. Baby dogs are just like baby people; they don't know how to do anything when they are just starting out. You have to teach them and you have to be patient.

There are lots of new things your puppy needs to learn but three of the most important things are it's name, the word "no" and the word "good dog." Those words are the words you are going to be using constantly during your puppy training period.

The puppy name is how the new puppy learns to identify itself. She has to know when you are talking to her. She has to know when you are calling her. She has to know her name!

You will be using the word "no" during your puppy training to let the dog know that she is doing something wrong. If you continually use different words to let the dog know she is doing something she is not supposed to do, you will have one very confused puppy. You have to be consistent in what you say so the new puppy will understand what it is you are trying to say.

The same thing goes for the words "good dog." You will want to say that to your new puppy every time she does something right. Your new puppy wants to please you and you need to let her know when she does.

Don't just scold your dog all the time and forget to tell her when she has done something right. The two things go hand-in-hand with your puppy training and you MUST be consistent. Tell her "no" when she has done something wrong and tell her "good dog" when she has done something right.

About The Author
Chris W. Sutton, Easy Puppy Training, http://www.ezpuppytraining.com - Want to know how to train your puppy? Visit our Puppy Training website for a free course on "Welcoming Your New Puppy Home and Puppy Training".

Danger to Your Rabbitry - PAWS Legislation

Many of us have heard some of the horror stories of puppy mills. News programs describe the unsanitary conditions, the uncontrolled breeding and the poor condition of the animals. Congress has responded by introducing a billed called the Pet Animal Welfare Statue of 2005. This bill is an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act. It's in the Senate as bill S1139 and in the House as HR2669. Currently this bill is in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry's Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition and General Legislation. Its most recent hearing on this bill was held on November 8.

On the surface one would think that this bill is a good thing. However, after taking a closer look clearly this bill is designed to do more than regulate the poor conditions of puppy mills. In fact this bill reaches breeders of all types including hobby breeders. Rabbits are included in this legislation, and if you are a rabbit breeder you should take note of this bill.

Current Animal Welfare Act Regulations

Currently the sale of pets for anything other than food or fiber is a regulated activity. The sale of pets directly to owners is however exempted from those regulations. As a rabbit breeder if you sell your rabbits as pets directly to a consumer you are not under the current legislation and are therefore not required to obtain a USDA license. This is called the retail exemption. There is some gray area regarding the sale of your stock to a breeder or selling as a show animal. Under current legislation it is likely that those sales would fall under the same rules as a pet sale. Breeders that choose to sell directly to pet stores do fall under the guidelines of current legislation and are required to obtain a license from the USDA.

What Changes Does PAWs Make?

Under new legislation the retail exemption described above is removed. The proposed licensing threshold for all species except for dogs and cats is sales of $500. The limit for dog and cat sales is 25 animals. This alone shows a huge disparity in this bill. It is not uncommon to see pure bred dogs for sale in news papers for $300 and up. Meaning a dog breeder could have sales of $7500 just at $300 per animal, while rabbit breeders would be limited to $500. Considering that good quality show rabbits will often sell for over $100 that would limit most breeders to just one or two litters.

The problem becomes the USDA regulations that accompany not only obtaining, but in keeping the license. There are over 80 pages of regulations related to obtaining the USDA license. An inspection is required for the license. Currently, the USDA is understaffed, and complaints are often received concerning, inconsistent application of the regulations by the various inspectors.

Some of the regulations would make it virtually impossible for the rabbit breeder to keep breeding. For example, under USDA regulations someone over the age of 18 must be present at your facility for unannounced inspections between the hours of 7am – 7pm Monday thru Friday. Imagine having to pay a staff to be present when you're not. Add that to the fact that rabbit breeders rarely show a net profit and you can already see a portion of the problems this legislation will cause for rabbit breeders.

I think most of us have treated our rabbits for various ailments without taking them to a veterinarian. We have either talked to other local breeders, or visited rabbit forums and found the answer for the problems our stock has had. I have yet to have any complications from any treatment my rabbits have received. Can you imagine the cost of having to take those animals to a vet, better yet imagine the cost of having the vet come to your facility every time an animal is ill? Under USDA regulations that is exactly what you would be required to do. You would have to have a formal agreement with a veterinarian to come to your facilities to not only treat but also monitor your rabbits. I have taken rabbits to the vet as necessary, but not with every problem.

A USDA license would make your rabbitry a retail establishment. This means that you may be required to get zoning approval by your local government. Depending on where you live this might not even be possible. Certainly, if you live in most residential communities, you would be forced out of breeding. Some breeders may try to go "underground", but the USDA plans to require all animals under its legislation to be required to be in its National Animal Identification System by 2009. It will track every animal for birth to death making it virtually impossible to sell even if underground.

As you can see already this legislation would cause an abundance of paper work. We keep very good records of everything that happens in our rabbitry, however the additional requirements for USDA licensing would require us to either devote more time to what is just a hobby, or hire someone to do the extra work. Again, how many of rabbit breeders actually make money?

Of course the USDA has certain facility requirements as well. Your rabbitry would have to be waterproof, which would virtually eliminate barns with dirt floors, barns with unfinished or wood walls, and housing of rabbits outside. Stainless steel sinks and grooming tables may become necessary. Again this may be cost prohibitive for many breeders. USDA requirements state that your facilities must be such that they can be hosed out and sanitized.

Transportation of regulated animals is also effected. Your transportation must be commercially inspected and you must carry commercial insurance on that vehicle. So much for traveling to the rabbit shows!

Who Supports Paws

Who is the one of the biggest supporter of this legislation? PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Here are a few of PETA's thoughts on rabbits. Rabbits should have food in front of them 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Maybe they don't understand that having an overweight rabbit is unhealthy for the rabbit. Nest boxes should remain in the rabbit cage until the kits are 4 weeks old. Maybe they haven't had to deal with the eye infections that can occur as a result of this practice. Wire floors are cruel to rabbits. Maybe they haven't seen how quickly unsanitary a cage can become when it has a solid floor.

Don't be fooled by PETA's name, there intent is to abolish pet ownership all together. Here's a quote from Ingrid Netwkirk, director of PETA, "Pet ownership is an absolutely abysmal situation brought about by human manipulation." Here's another quote, "You don't have to own squirrels and starlings to get enjoyment from them ... One day, we would like an end to pet shops and the breeding of animals."

What Can You Do?

I know many of you may be like me. I vote in nearly every election, I often read about things that are happening politically, but I rarely take action outside of voting. If you are a rabbit breeder, you need to step out of that comfort zone, or that hobby or business that you run may be greatly impacted to the point that you can now longer breed rabbits.

As a minimum please email the members of the senate subcommittee. You can go to this site and near the bottom of the page is a link http://saova.org/1139.html that will generate an email to all of the committee members. Please be sure to include a polite message describing your opposition to the bill. Be sure to include you name and mailing address in the email. Or you may call the Agriculture Committee at 202-224-2035 or the AG Subcommittee at 202-224-5270. You can also visit www.vote-smart.org to contact your local representatives.

It is important that you take action quickly as the subcommittee has already had its hearing on the matter. Because of the misconception that this bill is only to eliminate puppy mills, should this legislation get out of committee there is a good chance that it will pass in congress. Working together we can keep our hobby and passion for rabbits a viable opportunity for all.

About The Author
Rob Usakowski is owner of Three Little Ladies Rabbitry which is run by his wife Cathie and their three daughters. Visit their site www.threelittleladiesrabbitry.com for lots of rabbit raising information for both pet owners and breeders alike.

Companion Animals and Their Unique Place in Society--Part 4

The Bible and The Chronicles of Narnia talk about companion animals

What the Bible says about the role of animals in our lives

In Genesis chapter 1, God made man in His own image, and then gave man dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and all the earth and every creeping thing on it. Dominion means "control" or "sovereignty," but what exactly God meant by it is open to some interpretation. We do know that humans did not eat animal flesh until after the Flood. Noah was instructed to take on the ark two of every unclean animal and seven of every clean animal. Why did Noah need extras of the clean animals? Some were for burnt offerings on an altar Noah built after the ark came to rest. But God also told Noah, "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs." (Genesis 9:3)

Think about it. When Noah and his family disembarked from the ark, the earth was a wasteland. There were no crops, nor wild plants to be harvested for food. It was a matter of survival—eat the animals or starve. What the Bible does not tell us is whether Noah's family and their descendants were supposed to continue eating animals even after their crops were established.

Over the history of civilization, many societies have had to depend upon the hunting of animals for their survival—Stone Age people, before cultivation was learned; the Native Americans, who had to follow the seasonal food supply; white pioneers, who settled in places where no crops had been planted; Eskimos, who live in an environment too harsh for agriculture. Anyone who accepts that man is made in God's image, and that God has given man dominion over animals, should be able to accept that human survival takes priority over animal survival. But whether it is appropriate for people, here in the prosperous West, to eat animals as a matter of choice, no one can claim to know for certain. As human survival becomes easier over time, we can afford to elevate the status of our animals, especially our companion animals.

The talking animals of Narnia

C.S. Lewis is one of the most popular and readable theologians ever. Both children and adults enjoy his Chronicles of Narnia, an imaginative illustration of Christianity. I am going to assume that my readers either have read the series, or, at the least, have enough familiarity with it that not a lot of background information is needed here. (If you haven't—I recommend it!)

In The Silver Chair, earthlings Jill and Eustace, with their Narnian companion Puddleglum, are the guests of some seemingly hospitable but (unbeknownst to our heroes) scheming giants who have been employed by the evil White Witch to sidetrack them from their mission of freeing Prince Rilian from her bondage.

As the protagonists enjoy their lunch in blissful ignorance, they overhear one of the giants boast about how he killed a Talking Stag for the meal. Jill, who is in Narnia for the first time, at first does not realize the full meaning of this. But both Eustace, who has been to Narnia before and has had a life-changing encounter with Aslan, and Puddleglum, who is Narnian-born, understand the significance of the murder of a Talking Animal for food. They are horrified and lose their appetite. And Puddleglum says, "We've brought the anger of Aslan on us."

Conclusion

God gave us dominion over animals. But sovereignty and control do not imply thoughtless use and abuse. Many people, in good conscience, exercise the choice of eating animals caught or raised for that purpose. My conviction is that there is a crucial difference between animals considered "food" animals and those considered "companion" animals. While our peasant or pioneer ancestors may have kept a cow for milking and ultimately, when Bessie or Duchess waxed too old to be a valued producer, she ended up on the dinner table, those people generally had fewer choices about what to eat than do 21st-century Americans.

The argument that humans need to eat animal products does not hold either Biblically or an evolutionarily. As we have seen, humans did not eat animals until after the Flood—perhaps 1,000 years. If the Bible is to be taken literally, people in those days typically lived for hundreds of years. And if humans did in fact descend from other primates, we are not meat-eaters, because humans are not equipped with either the teeth and jaw structure or the digestive system of meat-eating species. People eat meat for one of two reasons—they have nothing else to eat, or they simply want to.

The alternative argument that a horse that has outlived its usefulness "might as well" be eaten doesn't work, either. Beloved pets are given respectful burials, not unlike humans, except in the rare cases where the alternative is starvation. (Every student has heard of the Donner Party.)

"We've brought the anger of Aslan on us." That pretty much summarizes the idea of using companion animals for food.

About The Author
Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer with a specialty in business and marketing communications. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in both animals and Biblical tradition. She is also a graduate of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI), America's leading course on copywriting. Contact Lisa J. Lehr Copywriting www.ljlcopywriting.com, Lisa@ljlcopywriting.com for help with your business writing needs.

This article ©Lisa J. Lehr 2005.

Leptospirosis In Dogs

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect a dog's blood, liver, and kidneys. The bacteria that cause the illness are carried primarily by rats and other rodents, but dogs that are infected with the disease can infect other dogs as well. Ingestion of the urine of an infected animal is the most common means of transmission, but the bacteria can be contracted through damaged or thin skin as well.

Leptospirosis is an odd disease that can often show no signs or symptoms at all. In these cases the bacteria are eventually defeated by the dog's natural defenses. Other times, and more often, however, the disease can be life threatening to the infected dog. The three main forms of the disease are hemorrhagic (infection in the blood, causing bleeding), renal (infecting the kidneys), and icteric (infecting the liver).

Hemorrhagic Leptospirosis tends to start with a high fever, loss of appetite, and general lethargy. Small hemorrhages start to occur in the mouth and eyes and the dog may develop extreme bloody vomiting and diarrhea. This form of the disease is often fatal.

Icteric Leptospirosis will often start the same way as the hemorrhagic form; with fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The mouth and whites of the eyes will take on a yellow appearance, similar to victims of jaundice. In some cases the dog's skin may also appear yellow and jaundiced.

Renal Leptospirosis also starts with fever, appetite loss, and lethargic depression, but eventually leads to kidney failure.

All three forms of the disease are treatable and curable and all three forms can be potentially fatal. Often dogs that survive renal Leptospirosis will have chronic kidney disease for the rest of their lives.

Treatment is accomplished with the use of antibiotics and, if the disease is caught early enough, is generally successful. Cases of Leptospirosis in North America are fairly rare, thanks to the development of a vaccine. Puppies are inoculated for the disease as early as six weeks of age and receive annual renewal shots to maintain their immunity.

Vaccination and clean, hygienic conditions are the best way to avoid Leptospirosis in dogs. If the animal is not able to come into contact with disease carrying rats and their urine, the dog is unlikely to become infected, even if unvaccinated. The leptospirosis vaccine is the most likely of all dog vaccinations to cause an adverse reaction in the dog. This reaction is generally mild and most often includes lethargy, loss of appetite, and depression. These effects last only a few days and afterward the dog is fine and, more importantly, protected from the disease.

Leptospirosis is one of the nastier diseases a dog can get and no one wants to see his or her pet suffer with this illness. Fortunately, thanks to the existence of a good vaccine, few dogs have to endure this life threatening illness in today's day and age.

About The Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

Free Dog Training Tips: Easy Steps to Leading the Pack

Be a leader, a dog will follow.

Hum, what does that mean?! Simply put, if you lead the pack, your dog will follow you to the ends of the earth. Some basic and easy adjustments in your dog training routine can result in huge changes in dog behavior. The simple truth is...dog behavior is a result of human behavior. That is, your dog reacts to you. If you take the time to teach your dog appropriate behavior, and you are consistent in reinforcing it, your dog will work so hard to please you. One key to changing and reinforcing new dog behavior is using positive dog training methods. This article introduces some basics in beginning to get some respect from your dog.

Dogs are pack animals, and they want a leader to tell them what to do and what dog behavior is appropriate. If you don't step up as leader, your dog, no matter how big or small or cute and fluffy, will take over as leader (not just of other dogs, but of you, your spouse, your kids, the cats, and anything else that moves and breathes). This is not the ideal situation, as you can see from the following example.

The Franks are a real family where the dog runs the house. King didn't want the role of leader, but no human stepped up as leader so he felt he had to. His "pack" consisted of dad, mom, and two kids. Being leader was a big job--keeping track of the pack, teaching them the rules (which King made up), and enforcing the rules was a 24-hour job. He successfully taught the family to stay away from his food and toys (growling and snapping when they got too close), not to disturb him if he was napping in main traffic areas like the middle of the kitchen floor, that certain pieces of furniture were his and his alone, and that he decided who got to come into the house. The young boy became a playmate whom he could nip and jump on; the older child and the parents were there to care for him. Any infractions of these "rules" were quickly and severely disciplined by King with growling, biting, snapping, baring teeth.

If King's household is like what you experience in your family, we've got some gentle and positive dog training tips to help you take back your leadership role.

Put these simple steps into your dog's daily life and watch the dog behavior changes. Each of these steps shows your dog that YOU are the leader. Let's start simple, with 3 very basic and easy (for you) new dog training ideas. Once you've mastered these, in the next article, I'll introduce several more.

1. Show me your tummy!

Make it a positive experience for your dog to roll over for that yummy tummy rub. This submissive posture indicates a deferment to your leadership.

2. Praise, praise praise!

Praise for being a good dog. Any dog behavior you like and want to keep, praise it and give a small treat occasionally. This focus on what you want is much more successful than a focus on what you don't want. No free treats or praise for the dominant dog. If your dog wants to be petted, have him sit first! Everyone wins and the dog is learning manners at the same time.

3. Get out of the way!

A leader gets respect. For Scout, that means no lying in high traffic areas (hallways, middle of living room or kitchen), no sitting on your feet, and no refusing to move out of the way. Gently scoot your feet in the direction you want to go while using excited tones and waving your hands to get him up and moving.

For a dog, trying to live with everyone "just getting along" does not work. Dogs live in packs with hierarchies, not democracies. Remember, no human leadership means Fifi will take over and set the rules. It's time for you to step into the leader position. If you do, you will notice positive changes in your dog's behavior right away. You and your dog will begin working as a team.

Be the leader--your dog will love you for it and you'll be surprised how hard he'll work to please you.

Get started using these 3 tips and check back in a few weeks for the next set of easy dog training steps for outstanding dog behavior!

About The Author
O'Neal Hendrix is a premier professional dog trainer in Atlanta, GA. For many years, she has "worked miracles" with dogs and their owners. Check out her dog blog (http://www.dog-supplies-dog-accessories.com) for her advice on everything dog!

Aquarium Tank Basics

Any new aquarium tank should first be given a thorough test to ensure that it is watertight. If after 12 hours there are no leaks, it may be emptied and placed in its final position.

Now all is ready to set up the aquarium, for this work we shall require various items such as sand, rocks etc. These will be death with in order. For making a bottom soil, you need, first of all some sand, the most suitable is called 1/16th grade and it is about the size of the average pin-head:

The gravel to be used must also be graded; that is, the gram must be of uniform size. Sand and gravel's sold in aquarium supply stores are always graded, but if you buy elsewhere they may nor be. Gravel grains 2-5mm work best.

If you use nothing, but sand, it must be well washed-in buckets, under running water until no more dirt or foam comes to the surface - and spared out on the bottom of the tank in a layer running from 3- 6cm thick sloping upwards from front to back. If you decide to mix the sand with gravel to make at least a layer 6cm deep on top of the subgravel filter since less than this amount reduces the filtering capacity of the tank.

Your tank is the basic element, and is of the most important in building an aquarium. The size of the tank depends on the number and size of fish you plan to have in it. That is why proper planning is quite essential when you want to set up aquarium.

But then it is important to make it as big as you can afford. By all means avoid a globe tank as much as possible. Rectangle shape is always good because of various reasons you will discover later.

Option 1: You can buy ready made glass tanks already sealed professionally set up aquarium tank at any aquarium store.

Option 2: Buy ready-made plastic models through distributors or mould-extrusion manufacturers and put your aquarium tank together yourself. Below are the tools you need and the steps you need to take to set up completely new aquarium tank:

Tools:
Sheet of glass (4mm to 12mm)
Silicone sealant (clear and transparent)
Silicone gun or (syringe)
Dulling stove
Tape rule
Sheet of paper, ruler, pencil and eraser
napkin (x2)
newspaper
hand glove (rubber type)
methylated spirit
blade
knife
toilet soap and soap case
masking tape
flat bench (made with plywood)
1/4 flash
water and siphon hose
buckets (x2)
polythese sheet about the size of the table

Other than that, I'll give you my 12 essential aquarium tips below is a great start on your way to having a beautiful aquarium full of happy and health fish that you can be proud of:

1. Location of the tank in a spot which is draft free and has a moderate amount of light for 8 to 10 hours. This will ensure the safety of the tank and the inhabitants.

2. Location of the aquarium tank where water spillage a day will do no damage, at a height convenient for working, and in a place where it will not have to be moved.

3. Proper sand gravel (not too large, not too fine).

4. Conditioned water - free of chlorine, dirt, excess hardness, excess acidity, or excess alkalinity. Hard, acidic, dirty water is not suitable for an aquarium. It will make life uncomfortable for fish and leads to constant fish death.

5. Availability of plants properly place is highly essential.

6. Proper, even temperature for the fish species.

7. Decoration and furnishing if you desire them.

8. Aeration to supply additional oxygen.

9. Filtration to remove excesses waste products.

10. Fish which will live peacefully together.

11. Food to keep them health.

12. Kits and utensils to make maintenance easy.

About The Author
Nathan Miller
For more great aquarium related articles and resources check out http://fishtanks.aquariumspot.com

The Domesticated Alpaca

One mammal reared mainly for their wool is the Alpaca. Alpacas are a domesticated mammal that's derived from the family of camels. Genetics has determined that Alpacas are descendants of Vicunas. Alpaca are found in the highlands and parts of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Green grasses are the main sources for food and water for hydration.

Alpaca is one of the four species of fiber producing animals reared in South America. The other three are Ilama, guanaco and vicuna. Among these alpaca and Ilama are the domestic animals whereas vicuna and guanaco stray around. The former two are reared because they produce wool. Alpaca provides good amount and quality of wool whereas vicuna has a soft and fine coat. The hair obtained from the Alpaca in the early 19th century were as long as 12 inches but these days the length has decreased and is almost the half of it. Besides, white, brown, and black, the fleeces of alpaca are grey and fawn in color. The yarn produced from mixing all these colors is ginger colored, which is further dyed in black.

Incas initially raised the Alpaca for good quality wool but due to hybridization of the Alpaca and the Ilama, the quality of wool was dramatically reduced. These wools were later exported to Europe since it was discovered that alpaca cloth can be made out of the wool. Currently, raising alpaca is practiced highly in Canada, USA, and other such nations. It is seen as one of the growing industries in these nations.

Alpacas appears similar in shape and size to sheep. They are a little taller, height with a high erect neck and a better shaped head. Just like sheep they are domesticated in large flocks. Alpacas have a peculiar habit of spitting like their counterparts Ilamas.

Alpaca is also the term used by textile industry for wool derived from Peruvian alpaca and the type of fabric made from alpaca fiber. The latter is more frequently used. These days this alpaca fiber is made from mohair, English wool and Icelandic sheep wool. The traders differentiate between these two types of fibers, although buyers fail to identify the original alpaca.

About The Author
John Alaga is the proprietor of Alpaca Watch, Inc. your online source for everythihng about these fine animals. Find all that you need at: www.alpacawatch.com

Are You Ready To Breed Your Yorkshire Terrier?

The reported sales for Yorkshire Terriers is phenomenal. Over the past few years, the popularity of this breed as a family pet and as the dog to breed has seen tremendous growth. In fact, the requests for adorable Yorkie puppies is greater than the supply. This fact has many Yorkie owners wondering if they should look into the possibility of breeding their pet.

While breeding Yorkshire Terriers is a worthy goal, it is not for everybody or every dog. There are many things that should be considered before making the decision to breed your Yorkshire Terrier, the least of which regards whether or not you have the time and space to devote to breeding the energetic Yorkshire Terrier.

Many experts reserve the right to breed dogs to the professional breeder, and they will discourage anyone who has a idea to breed Yorkies from doing so. Though this may sound manipulative, there are good reasons why they discourage casual breeding. While I believe that there are many people who should not even consider breeding their Yorkie, I also feel that there are many intelligent people that can incorporate breeding into their lifestyle responsibly. To find out which category you fall into, consider the following points.

Pedigreed and registered doesn't equal breeding material

Yes, a pedigree and registration are requirements before breeding any purebred dog, but their presence does not mean that you have a Yorkie worthy of breeding. Let me explain. The AKC and other registry organizations certify pedigrees and registrations that guarantee the authenticity of your pet as a purebred Yorkie; they do not certify quality. What this means is that an AKC registered Yorkie can have certain traits that are undesirable for breeding such as congenital health defects which are not discernable to the eye and undesirable behavioral traits, which can become more pronounced in the dog's offspring.

Even breeders that possess dogs with Yorkie bloodlines of the highest quality do not breed all of their puppies. In fact, only a very select few ever get used for breeding. The ones that do are carefully evaluated for health quality, behavioral traits and breed standards in an attempt to continually improve the quality of the Yorkie breed. Randomly breeding registered Yorkies does the exact opposite, often resulting in sickly and below-standard puppies.

Breeding Yorkies is not an income opportunity

Breeding Yorkies for monetary gain is not a good reason to pursue breeding this exceptional breed. First, finding a bitch and sire of high enough quality to breed can be an expensive undertaking. Caring for your breeders and puppies until they are old enough to be sold can also be very expensive.

Think about it this way. The average Yorkshire Terrier litter is from one to four puppies. Now, you may be able to sell these puppies for $1,000 to $1,500, but Yorkies require veterinary attention and breeder care for the first three months of their life. Add on to this the cost of a possible Cesarean section and the fact that you cannot whelp more than one litter per dam per year, and you may find yourself in the hole rather than coming out ahead.

Time and dedication

It is estimated that the average breeder spends 120 hours per month caring for their Yorkies and pups. This 120 hours cannot be scheduled around other obligations; other obligations must be scheduled around your puppies. The small size of Yorkie puppies make them extremely susceptible to hypoglycemia and instant death during the first three months of life if they are not cared for properly. So, having a litter of Yorkies pretty much takes a considerable chunk of time and independence from your life.

And it doesn't end when they are three months old. A good breeder will carefully screen and interview all potential buyers to ensure that their puppies get placed in only the best homes. They will also offer support to the puppy's new family to make sure that they are properly prepared to care for the Yorkie, and they will stay available to help out any purchasers in need, even if it means accepting the puppy or full-grown Yorkie back into their home if problems arise.

If you are still not deterred after considering all of these breeding realities, you may just have what it takes to successfully breed Yorkshire Terriers. The next step is to find out all you can about Yorkies and how to breed them. The AKC is a great place to start. Good luck!

About The Author
Rose Lenk
Learn the 7 things you need to know about Yorkshire Terriers at http://www.goodyorkie.com

Frequently Asked Dog Training Questions:

1. Why do dogs eat their poop?

One reason dogs eat their poop is because it just plain taste good. Another reason is it could be a vitamin deficiency. One other reason for the poop eating is that it is an instinctual behavior in the wild to eat the poop to keep other predators from tracking their movements. Some solutions for stopping poop eating are: You can put meat tenderizer on their food and it is supposed to make the poop taste bad once it goes through the body. Check to make sure your dog food is nutritous enough and they are getting everything they need in their diet. The best and most effective way is to clean up after your dog immediately.

2. How do I get my dogs to stop barking?

Dogs bark as a form of communication. Dogs will also bark out of boredom. Dogs that are not with their pack [you are their pack] will bark to get the packs attention to let them know they are lonely. Dogs will bark to alert that there is a person walking by or another dog in their territory it is a natural form of communication. If you remove the stimulant then there is no need to bark at it. The best way to stop nuisance barking is to exercise/socialize your dog. If the dog is with their pack then they is no need to get the packs attention. Dogs also bark when they are excited it is their natural way of communication.

3. How do I get my dog to stop chewing up the furniture?

If you have a puppy it is probably teething and in some pain. The chewing is satiating to them and can possibly be soothing their gums. You can give them a cold carrot to chew on, make sure you give it to them outside it can get quite messy. You can also freeze chicken broth in ice cube trays for them to have to help relieve some of the discomfort. You can also use Bitter Apple spray to detour them from chewing. Mature dogs usually chew out of boredom and stress. Exercise is the best way to release the stress. You can turn there attention on to something else that is more exciting then your dinning room table leg.

4. How do I get my dog to stop nipping and play-biting?

One way is to yelp very loud and startle the puppy. If the puppy was playing with another puppy and it bite to hard then the puppy would yelp to let them know it hurt. If the play stops as a result of biting too hard then the puppy will learn from being shunned away that biting stops the play time. Another solution for play biting is to have a toy and redirect the attention on to something else. You can also change the dogs environment take them outside for a walk is very helpful.

5. How do I stop my dog from potting in the house?

Once a dog start using the bathroom in the house the only method that works is PREVENTION. Every time your dog uses the bathroom in the house it takes 10 consecutively times using the bathroom outside that teaches it outside is where to go potty. So if you get to 9 times outside and then they have a mistake inside you have to start all over again. You must look at your dog/puppy as a 9 month old crawling baby with out a diaper on. Surely you would not let a 9 month old baby loose in your house with out a diaper on.

About The Author
Susie Aga
Atlanta Dog Trainer
www.atlantadogtrainer.com
770-754-9178

Susie Aga is a Certified Canine Behavior & Training Specialist who received her certification from Triple Crown Academy, a world leader in pet education. She has 20 years experience and is recommended by over 35 Veterinarians in the Metro Atlanta Area. Susie was chosen by Turner Broadcasting to be their featured Pet Expert.

You can find her on their web site: www.tbs.tv/stories/story/0,,34516