Does Size Matter For Dogs?

Dogs are one of the best kind of pets you can have. But there are so many choices in types of dogs out there that it can seem confusing which to pick. Not only is breed important, but the size of the dog does matter. Considering there are too many different breeds of dogs to look at in full detail in one article, the size of the dog will help provide good insight when determining the exact breed. There’s a big difference between small and large dogs.

Dogs can provide a lot of things. They can provide happiness when someone is down, a friend when someone is lonely, exercise when someone wants to go outside, a companion for walks, security, or even a family member to spoil. All of these can be possible for all dogs, but not every dog can fit quite as well. For example, who would get a chihuaha as a guard dog? Or who would get a mastiff to dress up in cute clothing and rich accessories? That is why size of the dog matters.

Small dogs can generally be looked at more as a child. In this sense it is that they are usually more spoiled and pampered. Just look at all the people that dress them up in little clothing and jewelry, that carry them around like a baby, and just overall treat them more like a doll or child than an animal. Their size also means they eat and drink less, usually make smaller messes, and less dangerous if they become aggressive.

Large dogs can generally be looked at more as a friend. In this sense it is that they usually do more activities with the master like a friend would. Examples can be walks and runs, swimming, and other more physical and active behaviors. They generally prefer the rougher forms of play like tossing around a ball, Frisbee or Kong, unlike little dogs that usually aren’t quite as active or built as solid. Large dogs are also great for security, whether trained physically to be dominant or just precautions to scare away any intruders with their frightening barks.

Both can be great replacements for children if the person or couple is not looking to have children. But they fill different voids. A small dog can be pampered like a small child, dressed up and carried around. They become a baby in the family. A large dog can is more active like an older child, generally more into roughhousing and outdoor activities. They become a more friend and companion in the family.

All dogs provide something unique to the families that adopt them. It is not determined solely on size, but is also factored by breed, genetics, and personality. Whether it is a small chihuaha or large mastiff, a well-loved dog will become a great family member and a friend for life.

Jake Rose is an artist and an author from Massachusetts.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com which is a site for Pet Forums.

Dealing with house training your dog

House training is one of those issues that every dog owner must grapple with. In most cases house training is the first major milestone in the relationship between owner and dog, and it can sometimes be difficult and confusing for owner and dog alike. The best house training procedures are those that use the dog's own instincts to the owner's advantage. These strategies take into account the dog's reluctance to soil the spots where he eats and sleeps. This is the concept behind den training and crate training. Dogs are very clean animals, and in nature they always avoid using their dens as toilet areas. These kinds of natural training methods generally work very well, for both puppies and older dogs. Naturally, older, larger dogs will need a larger area for their den, and crate training is generally best used for puppies and small dogs. When house training a dog or a puppy, however, it is important to pay close attention to the signals the dog is sending. It is also important to be consistent when it comes to feeding times, and to provide the dog with ready access to the toilet area you establish on a regular basis. It is important as well to never try to rush the process of house training. While some dogs are naturally easier to train, most puppies and adult dogs will experience at least one or two slip ups during the house training process. When these accidents occur, it is important to not get mad and punish the dog. Accidents during house training usually mean that the owner is trying to move too fast, or that the dog has been left alone for too long. In this case, it is best to just take a step back and start the process again. It is also important for the owner to reward the dog enthusiastically when it does its business in the appointed area. The dog should learn to associate doing its business in its toilet area with good things like treats, rewards and praise. During the house training process, the den area starts out very small, often as small as half of a small room in the beginning. As the dog learns to control his bladder and bowels better, and the owner learns to anticipate the dog's toilet needs, the den area can be slowly expanded. It is important not to make the den area too large too soon. The den area must be expanded slowly in order for the house training process to move along smoothly. It is important for the dog to be properly introduced to its den. Many dogs, particularly those who have never been confined before, such as those who have spent their lives as outdoor dogs, may react to the den area as if it is a prison, and constantly whine, cry and try to escape the den. It is important that the dog learn to accept its den as a home and not a cage. ] One problem many dog owners overlook when house training a dog is that of boredom. Boredom is actually the root cause of many behavior problems in dogs, including chewing and other destructive behaviors. Boredom can also be the root cause of problems with house training. Dogs that are bored often consume large amounts of water during the day, and this excess water consumption can lead to the need to urinate often, even in its den area. Since soiling the den area goes against the dog's nature, he can quickly become confused and frightened, thereby setting the house training program back even further. To prevent the dog from becoming bored when you are away from home, be sure to provide him with lots of different kinds of toys, as well as a safe and secure place to sleep. In addition, a vigorous period of play time can help the dog sleep while you are away. In addition, playing with the dog in its den area will help him bond with this area and recognize it as a safe, secure home.

Responsibility Of Dog Ownership

Owning a dog is a serious responsibility, one that should not be taken lightly. But what exactly does being a responsible dog owner mean? Well, when broken down, it is easy, but it does involve a few different elements.

First of all, you’ve got to make sure that your dog does not become a nuisance to others. Your dog shouldn’t be out roaming the streets, destroying property, chasing animals or children, leaving excrement in the park, barking incessantly, etc. In sum, it really comes down to proper control of your dog, good dog training, cleaning up after your good friend, and giving him or her the proper attention and exercise that is needed. Here are some golden rules for owning a dog.

There are many reasons people will get a dog, and it is difficult to say the one “right” reason to do so. But, to put it simply dogs are great companions and should be considered part of the family. They serve a lot of different purposes such as an alarm, a hunting companion, an exercise partner, a playmate, a show dog, etc.; but, these should all be added bonuses to the one key traitâ€"a great addition to the family.

You should be committed to properly training and socializing during the critical time early in his life. You might consider a dog obedience training school if you need help. You should become involved in activities that both you and your dog find enjoyable such as agility training, fetch, Frisbee, running, swimming or learning tricks. You should protect him from any harm, instill good doggy manners and teach him what is right from wrong.

Most importantly, you will commit your dog a lifelong companion that you will love and care for, provide good nutrition and hygiene, regularly exercise, provide mental stimulation, regular check-ups and vaccinations and lots of love and attention.

Dog Training HQ provides dog training articles and resources to help dog and puppy owners learn to train their pet effectively. Please visit http://www.dogtraininghq.com for more helpful dog training and puppy training advice.

Aquarium Plants and Lighting Mini-Guide

Aquarium plants are as important to aquariums as water is to fish. Aquarium plants add more life to aquarium and make it to look beautiful while completing the aquarium community structure.

The most important thing to bear in mind with plants is to form an attractive background, leaving ample space so the fish can swim undisturbed and be seen. The tall, grassy type is best planted at intervals in rows, while the feathery ones look better when they are bunched into small clumps, which makes them to appear like branching bushes.

When planting rooted plants, hold the tips of the bunch of roots between the thumb and second finger and rest them on the sand. Now with the first finger push the upper part of the roots (where they join the stem) about 2cm into the sand. Without moving this finger scrape with the thumb and second finger some sand over any uncovered portion of the root.

When putting in rootless plants in bunches, the method explained above is repeated, but this time the lower ends of the stems are placed together and treated exactly as if they were roots.

It is important that the water surface should be right up to the lower edge of the top angle iron of the tank, so that looking from the front the water surface can not be seen and the viewer gets the impression that there is no water in the aquarium. If the level is allowed to fall below the top angle iron the tank looks like a container holding water.

Aquarium Lighting is also important for aquarium plants

This depends greatly on whether you intend to successfully grow plants or not. Lack of light causes colorful fish to fade and clanch-reds to pink, green to white. The two main methods of lighting aquarium are by the INCADESCENT and FLOURESCENT.

The total amount of light required is a matter of trial and error. Too much light will turn the water green; too little will stunt plant growth.

The lighting can be natural or artificial or a combination of both. The best position is near a north facing window. This should provide the ideal amount of indirect lights which an be supplemented by artificial light.

The lighting should be housed in wood constructed stylishly with the furniture and placed above the tank. if there is no natural day light, the lights should be left on for approximately eight hours per day.

If the water turns green, you cut down on the light.

The best light for showing off an aquarium comes from behind.

For more great aquarium related articles and resources check out http://www.aquariumspot.com

Dog Obedience: A Quick and Easy Way To Train Your Dog to Obey The WAIT Command!

How many times have you tried to teach your dog or puppy to obey the WAIT command, only to discover that your dog doesn't want to WAIT? Training your dog to WAIT can be very challenging because most dogs are easily distracted. Dogs are also naturally energetic and inattentive. Your dog may have difficulty comprehending the WAIT command because it necessitates inactivity. As we all know, it doesn't take long for a dog to become restless and bored! That is why the WAIT command is so difficult to teach! Here is an easy way to train your dog to obey the WAIT command: 1. Put your dog on a short leash and walk him to the front door. Using a leash will allow you to control your dog better when he doesn't respond to the WAIT command at first. Open the door just enough for you to squeeze through and go outside, leaving your dog on the inside. Now your dog will be one side with you on the other and the leash hanging in between. You might try giving your dog the SIT command at first. A dog that is in a sitting position will tend to be still a bit longer than if he were standing up. 2. Slowly open the door just a small amount. Hold up the palm of your hand in a STOP position and say WAIT! Don't be disappointed if your dog tries to shove open the door and come rushing toward you! Your dog, not knowing this command, is probably going to scramble to push through the door. 3. Shut the door quickly as soon as your dog starts to move toward you. This will halt the dog in his tracks. Okay, now repeat step two. Now watch your dog closely. The first time that he doesn't try to rush through the door may only last a mere second! When your dog finally comprehends the WAIT command and pauses, lavish him with praise and give him a release command (OKAY!) to let him comethrough the door. 4. Practice, practice, practice! Keep repeating the steps described above. Your dog will eventually learn that when he mellows out and WAITS that you will allow him to pass through the front door. 5. Once your dog learns to obey the WAIT command from the SIT position, try teaching him the command while he is standing up. This is a much harder position for your dog to master the WAIT command from. He is going to want to move around or even SIT. Be consistent with your training and practice this routine at every opportunity. Be sure to give your dog lots of praise and positive reinforcement. Soon, your dog will understand what you want and will easily respond to the WAIT command! Training your dog to obey the WAIT command takes time, patience and practice. But the end result will be worth it! Eventually, you will be rewarded with a dog that no longer bolts out the door every time you open it!

Healthy Treats vs. Table Scraps for Your Pet

Are you a treat giving pet owner or do you give more of the table scrap brand of love? This is the time when this question is the most relevant. Guests are visiting and feeding our pets plenty of table scraps. Actually, the majority of us sneak a morsel or two to our pets during meals and though there is nothing really wrong with this, we want to be cautious about starting the wrong kind of trends.

For example, when you reward begging with table scraps, expect to start seeing those same yearning eyes night after night from then on. It is quite hard to "untrain" pets from expecting such a treat. And who can actually blame them? Do you want a dog that sings the "No Food Blues" at your feet and a cat that uses the meal table as a trampoline every night? Here are a few more reasons why you might just want to reconsider table scrap giving:

Table scraps can be the gateway to weight issues. Our pets often end up with the fat from our plates that we did not want.

Scraps do not necessarily offer the same level of nutrition that quality treats may provide. Much of table scraps are in fact empty calories.

Table scraps are a major cause of digestive disorders. The richness and/or fattiness of our foods can sometimes harm your animal's digestive tract.

Mary Shelley created a monster, you may have create a thief. If a pet is used to getting food from the table, do not be surprised if you catch him or her eating the leftover turkey that you left on the kitchen table. A head in the garbage can is not all that uncommon either.

You may also create a picky eater. If you get your pet too used to human type food, he or she may not even want to eat their own food.

But if you must give your pet table scraps,

try to remember that they should be used as treats and not the main course. The best scraps are probably: meat (without the bones), cooked or even raw vegetables, cooked grains, eggs and brown rice. Let us not forget dairy products. You know that cats in particular adore milk. Luckily lactose intolerance is usually not found in pets.

But try to avoid these particular ones: Chocolate, fatty meats, stuffing with raisins, raw eggs when baking (cats really like them), cooked and raw bones (much too dangerous).

This article initially appeared in the December 2005 issue of the Healthy Pet Net newsletter.

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher of pet and other issues. More info. and healthy, holistic pet products such as Life's Abundance Food and Treats can be found at http://www.dog-food-nutrition.com and http://premium-cat-products.com/

House Cleaning Tips for Dog Owners

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, more than 40 million American households share their lives with more than 68 million dogs. Obviously, dogs are a very popular pet. Unfortunately, as much as we love them, they can leave us with more mess to clean up. Your dog can "accidentally" leave stains and odors. It would be fantastic if you can find easier ways to keep your home looking clean and non-smelling. If you have to constantly fight with pet hair, paw prints, chewed-up bits of knick-knacks as well as things dragged in, thrown up or otherwise deposited on previously clean surfaces, here are some of the ways to dog-proof your home and keep pet mess and smell to a minimum: * Choosing flooring surfaces that are easy to keep clean and stand up better to canine nails. * Do not delay cleanups. Messes are easier to clean when they are fresh, and are less likely to leave a permanent stain. * Do not use ammonia-based cleaners on dog messes as they smell like urine. * Use an enzyme-based dog odor neutralizer to kill the urine scent. * Focus on areas where odors lurk. Spots where dogs sleep eat and play can harbor stinking smells. Thoroughly clean up these areas at least twice a week. * Saturate the area with a product for removing stains and odors. Wait a few minutes then vacuum it with a wet-and-dry shop vacuum. * Pick appropriate carpet and upholstery to ensure easy clean up. * Avoid wool or cotton fibers for carpets and instead opt for synthetic carpets that have a stain shield. * Choose tightly woven fabrics and avoid loose or open weaves, when selecting upholstery fabrics. Tight fabrics would resist tears and rips from claws. * There is no guarantee that every dog is flea-free. Boric acid (100%) powder is odorless and non-staining and is an excellent flea-killer. * Shedding is a normal process that occurs seasonally in dogs. Dogs typically shed their coats in spring and fall. Keep pets well groomed. Brush and comb your pets regularly, and do not delay regular bathing. Your pets will smell better, and the hair you catch in the grooming process will not end up floating around your home. Shedding of hair can cause an allergic reaction in dog owners. Tolerance levels to allergens vary from person to person. It is well known that people who own dogs and have allergies are not about to give them up. Dog owners can lower their risk of reaction and reduce allergens in their homes. The following are some tips to help you. * Always wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds after handling your dog and before touching your eyes or face. Alternatively, use a hand sanitizer or antibacterial hand wipes. * Use allergen-resistant covers on mattresses and pillows. * If possible, reduce the amount of carpet in your home, especially in bedrooms and sitting rooms. * Restrict your dog to certain rooms of your home to create allergy-free areas. Bedrooms, especially, should be a no-no area. * Use vacuums with high-efficiency air filters to help clean the air. * Use air purification devices to reduce allergens and eliminate household odors. * Get a non-allergic family member to bathe your dog weekly and groom him regularly - outside the house. * Keep your home well ventilated. To maintain a clean environment for you and your dog all that is required is vacuuming twice to remove pet hair and frequent washing of bedding and draperies. If you have any sort of a dog that sheds - say a shaggy dog - it would be a good idea to hand-vacuum him frequently. Keeping a clean home when dogs are around is not that difficult. Of course, a constant effort, right products and good planning is required. It all comes down to knowing how to clean and doing it right.

How To Clean A Bird Bath

Just like any other piece of outdoor equipment, your bird bath will need to be cleaned time to time. In order to prevent your fine feathered friends from becoming ill, be sure to clean your bird bath at least a couple times each season, especially if you regularly store you bird bath during the winter months. Also, it is critical you use bird-friendly cleaning products, as those used to clean pools or pond can potentially cause birds to become sick or even die due to the chlorine and other chemicals in these harsh cleaning agents. When cleaning your bird bath, follow these five easy steps to ensure the bath is clean and ready for your local birds to bathe and play. 1.) Empty the bath: Tip the bird bath to the side or remove the drain plug on the underside of the bird bath. Ensure you remove all dirt, leaves, and other debris that may be in the bath before continuing. 2.) Rinse the bath: Use a water hose (preferably one with a high-pressure nozzle) to spray the bird bath down. You may need to do this a couple times until the water draining from your bird bath is clear. 3.) Scrub the bath: Take a stiff brush and begin to scrub the bird bath. For algae or any stubborn stains, mix up a weak bleach solution. Mix three-fourths cup of bleach into one gallon of water, then scrub the bird bath well. Be sure not to use a stronger solution or any other chemicals or cleaners on your bird bath. Also, avoid using common dish soap to clean your bird bath, as any algae growing in the basin will not be killed. 4.) Soak the bath: If your bird bath is especially dirty or has a large amount of algae growth, let the bleach solution sit in the basin of the bath. Be sure to cover the bird bath with a piece of wood or plastic so that birds will not mistake the solution for water. After allowing the solution to sit approximately 15 minutes, scrub the basin again with the brush. If the basin is still not clean, repeat this step using fresh solution. 5.) Rinse the bath: After your bath is clean, be sure to thoroughly rinse the bleach solution from the basin. If any bleach is allowed to remain in the bird bath, the birds that bath from the basin may potentially fall ill. Many bird bath owners choose to keep their bird bath covered for a couple of hours so that fresh water can sit in the basin. 6.) Refill the bath: Once the bird bath is clean and thoroughly rinsed, refill the basin with clean, fresh water.

Goldfish 101

Goldfish are hardy freshwater fish. While most people know about them, they do not necessarily know all about them. This article attempts to tell you a lot more. They originated from the Gibal Carp. Over the past 2000 years, beginning in China, Goldfish were the result of breeding and early genetic like experimentation. Unlike many other species, various genetic traits can be changed over 3-4 generations with Goldfish.

Wild “Goldfish” live in an environment of ponds, lakes, and other water holes and can be found in Moving and still water ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 to 32 degrees Celsius. The largest types of goldfish can grow to be upwards of 12 inches/ 30 cm and with weights around 5 ½ pounds / 2.5 Kg.

In the wild, their colors tend to be darker and paler which seems to be a direct result of the amount of light in their environment. Their colors actually include gold, bronze, and pink. They have a couple sub-hues of the sort too, metallic and calico.

It is time to shatter a myth, a dream about keeping goldfish. Those cute little bowls that are often sold containing goldfish are not the right environment for Goldfish. They need more room, as they can grow large and need high oxygen levels in the water. Something that is hard to maintain in a bowl. Small aquarium tanks are never wise for aquarists, as they can have more drastic (and fast) changes in the water quality. This means that the water very fast can turn toxic and kill your goldfish. You sometime hear people being proud that my new goldfish has lived for 3 or 6 month or something like that. A six month old goldfish is really nothing to be proud of as these fish can become 30 and even 40 years old with the proper care.

For a Goldfish aquarium tank, it is advisable to have a tank with a lot of surface area as that allows more water contact with the air which means more oxygen in the water. For every inch of Goldfish, you should have 30 square inches of surface area. Do not forget that they will grow, and some variety can become as large a foot / 30 cm.

Goldfish should be kept in freshwater and can in some areas be taken directly from the tap. Check with a local fish store to se if the water in your area is good enough to house fish in and use a good water preparation chemical. Make sure that new water that you add to the aquarium keeps the same temperature as the old water in the aquarium. You should always let your aquarium stand for about a week after first adding water to it before adding any fish. This process is called cycling and makes the water more suitable to support life.

Gravel on the bottom is wise, as it will help the Goldfish to feel more at home. About 1/8 inch is good. It is a good idea to avoid dyed gravel, as it might have contaminants that your Goldfish will not appreciate in terms of health.

Filtration are not, with good water changes, as necessary for Goldfish as they are with many other fish, though still a good idea and strongly recommended, as it will make your task a bit simpler and help you keep the water conditions good. The filtration will also start a current which increase the oxygen levels in the aquarium tank which is beneficial Oxygenating is a good thing as well. It will help release some harmful chemicals in the water, and helps oxygenate the water as well. A simple air stone, and pump for your Goldfish will help them live happier and healthier, and the cost are worth every penny of it.

Goldfish, like most other fish, do enjoy some environment to play in. Places to hide and find shade in. One other aspect, it is wise to have at least 2 goldfish, as they do like company. Loners in the fish world probably are not that much different from those in the human one. Do not leave your precious pet alone without someone to play with. Make sure all things in the tank are meant to be in a fish tank, and that they are clean, so they don’t add harmful chemicals. Don’t use any detergents to clean the fish tank and/or any part of decoration and equipment.

Lighting will help the fish to maintain the best color. Florescent Normal Output bulbs do well for Goldfish, although high output bulbs can make your goldfish colors look and be even brighter.

You should take care bringing the Goldfish home. Darkness, room temperature, and gentleness are a great idea, as they will help lessen the stress on the goldfish during the move. Another aspect is that it is wise to dim the lights before adding them to the tank to further reduce stress. Before releasing them into the tank you should let the bag float on top of the aquarium for a while. (At least 15 minutes) you should thereafter open the bag and but about a cup of water in it and than wait another 15 minutes. You should repeat this process 4 times before you release you fish in their new home. This will give the goldfish the possibility to slowly adept to the new water conditions.

Once things are up and running, you should change some of the water in the tank weekly. This helps remove stale water and clean out some debris. You should siphon about 15% of the water out and from the bottom at the gravel where the debris fall. Then replace the removed water with the fresh water, make sure that the new water has the same temperature as the water in the aquarium. If the water changes causes big changes in the water values it might stress the Goldfish.

Goldfish have special nutritional needs that are often available as “Goldfish Food.” For example, Goldfish need more carbohydrates in their diet than many other fish species. It is wise to only add enough food for them to eat fully in 5 or 10 minutes. Any more will likely be waste resting at the bottom and worsen the water quality. It is better to feed them 2-3 times a day then it is once a day.

Click on the link to learn more about goldfish or some other fish species.

Shih Tzu - Food Allergens

Ingredients that your shih tzu may be allergic to include beef and beef by-products, milk, yeast, yeast-containing foods, brewer's yeast (as given to shih tzu for supposed flea protection), corn and corn oil, pork, turkey, eggs, particularly the whites. Never give eggs raw. You can try a hard boiled egg. I have given my shih tzu hard boiled eggs without seeing an allergic reaction. Other ingredients might be fish and fish oils. To provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are very beneficial, you should look for foods prepared with flaxseed oil. Shih tzu may be allergic to foods containing wheat and wheat by-products (when in combination with other allergens) and soybeans. Healthy shih tzu may not have trouble eating most foods, however, if you feed the same food daily for years, there is a potential for intolerance to develop. Any shih tzu can become allergic to any food. It might be a protein source, a fruit, a vegetable and just a small amount of the offending food could cause reactions. Food allergies may present with symptoms of intestinal upset such as vomiting or loose stools. The best food I have ever used for my lines of shih tzu has been HealthyPetNet Life's Abundance which is fomulated by a holistic vet. I have definitely seen healthier puppies as a result of using Life's Abundance in pregnant, nursing moms and weaning puppies. I have witnessed a total "stop" to loose stools and no stomach upsets in the way of "vomiting." I have concluded my lines of shih tzu must have been allergic to some of the ingredients in the foods I was feeding before. Of course, you might have one shih tzu allergic to wheat and another shih tzu never to have a reaction. The first three ingredients on the label usually make up most of the contents. Avoid any kind of dog food that contains chemical additives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, sweeteners, chemical preservatives and stabilizers. All these types of ingredients have the potential to cause problems for your shih tzu and give them nothing in the way of adequate nutrition. I believe a daily supplement is needed for optimum health. Not all shih tzu are created equally, just as not all people are the same. A deficiency in one vitamin or mineral may leave your shih tzu vulnerable to disease. A shih tzu's demand for certain nutrients fluctuate for many reasons. During times of stress, Vitamin B is great support to the body. HealthyPetNet produces a daily dog food and supplement, which I think is well worth using if you feel your shih tzu is not getting optimum nutrition from the food you are feeding now.

How To Effectively Crate Train Your Dog

Using a crate to train your dog is one of the best methods available. Crate training works well because it ties in with the natural instincts of your dog. By using this method of training you will have a clean home and a dog which behaves properly. The most important thing to understand about crate training is that a dog will want to avoid urinating in the place where it sleeps. It will see the crate as being its home.

The first thing you want to do when crate training your dog is to use a consistent schedule. This will allow the dog to relieve itself in the righ place instead of a place where you don't want them to. It is also important to reward the dog when they behave properly, but not get angry when they don't do what you want. It takes time for a dog to learn, and you will need to have patience when trying to train them. When you are not at home, you will want to keep your dog in a closed off space.

The space should have a bed, clean water, and toys so that the dog doesn't become lonely or aggravated. Crate training works differently than just confining a dog to a certain room. When you use crate training you will want to place the dog within the crate when you are not watching him. While this may sound abusive at first, it is important to remember that dogs naturally like being in confined spaces. They are den animals. The dog will begin to think of the crate as being his home, and will not relieve himself there.

After the dog has been in the crate for a while, you will want to take them to the location where it is allowed to relieve itself. Once it does, reward him with a treat or praises. You want the dog to associate relieving itself in the right place with rewards. This will give it an incentive to continue behaving properly. Don't allow the dog to stay in the crate for a long time, as it will be forced to relieve itself in the crate and this is something that neither of you want. It could will reverse all the training you've given the dog.

The dog should only be put in the crate while you're present. The dog should be allowed to go to the rest room every 40 minutes, accept at night. The dog should be placed on a leash when you take him out. Give him about three to five minutes to finish. If the dog doesn't relieve itself, you should quickly take him back to the crate. If the dog does relieve itself, rewared him with treats or a walk.

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for Free Dog Training and Dog Care

How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture - Forever!

Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave you out of pocket but also very frustrated and annoyed at your cat for being such a bad little kitty. Cats need to scratch, it is something that cats instinctively do, not as you may think, in order to sharpen their claws, but to remove the old layers of their nails.

Do not punish your cat for scratching, or for anything you see as bad cat behavior. Punishment is unlikely to have any beneficial effect whatsoever. Your cat simply will not understand if you try to punish her in any way for something she has done, cats do not relate punishment to the "crime", they are far more likely to relate the punishment to you!

Even cats that are allowed outdoors will sometimes scratch your furniture, although not as often as indoor only cats. Trees are the natural scratching surface for cats, and to a cat that is kept inside the arms and legs of chairs, and other furniture, sure seems like a suitable alternative!

The most common answer to this cat scratching problem is, of course, a scratching post, or even two. A great variety of posts are available from pet stores and online pet suppliers. They are fairly simple things to construct, but if you do make one yourself, be certain that there are no nails or other sharp things left sticking out to snag your kitty. And make sure that the base is heavy enough, if it falls over your cat will not want to use it again. Cover the post with rope rather than with carpet, the last thing that you want to do is give your cat the message that it is OK for her to scratch carpet!

Ensure that the scratching post is tall enough for your cat, cats like to stretch when they scratch it exercises their muscles. Spread cat nip on one of the platforms to make the post even more attractive to your cat, and attach a few toys to the post so that they hang down temptingly.

If you just put a scratching post down in front of your cat, what is she going to make of it? It may look like a good place to scratch and claw, but then she has been mildly admonished for scratching at things. You may have to teach your cat that it is OK to use the post, that it will not upset you, that scratching the post is what you want her to do.

Every time that you see your kitty about to scratch your furniture, pick her up and gently place her in front of the post. If she decides to use it give her plenty of praise and encouragement. Cover the furniture she scratches with some netting, or aluminum foil. Your cat should soon learn that it is unpleasant to scratch furniture, but great to scratch her post.

If your cat is in the habit of scratching wooden furniture, or doorjambs then strong smelling polish, or vinegar are often good deterrents, if you try the vinegar, check that it won't harm the surface of the wood. Some cat owners report that half an orange or lemon place by the problem has good results. Do not remove the disagreeable smells or covering from your furniture until your cat has been using her scratching post for about a month.

If your cat is a horizontal scratcher rather than vertical one, in other words she scratches up your carpet or expensive parquet flooring, try persuading her to use a piece of rush matting, tape the matting down to prevent the mat moving.

What ever you do to solve your cat scratching problem, do not even think of declawing, it is barbaric.

About The Author

Larry Chamberlain is a lifelong lover of cats and lives in London England. He is the webmaster and owner of http://www.best-cat-art.com. If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com.

Larry@best-cat-art.com

Rabbit Care

Rabbits are extremely lovable, sociable animals that make great pets if their owner learns how to properly care for them. If you are thinking about getting a rabbit, please take the time to do research on them.

The rabbit that is kept domestically today is actually a descendant of a species of wild rabbits that live in northern Africa and Western Europe. The average life span for rabbits is five to ten years; however, they can live up to fifteen years.

Rabbits are herbivores, which means that they eat only plants. There are many commercial pellet foods that contain most nutrients that rabbits need. This makes feeding very easy. Pellets should be offered at all times, as well as fresh water. In addition to pellets, rabbits need hay and vegetables. The best type of hay to get is Timothy grass hay. Hay needs to be available at all times as it greatly helps their digestive systems and provides necessary fiber. Alfalfa hay should only be given in limited quantities because it is very high in protein. For vegetables, rabbits need dark, leafy green vegetables like romaine lettuce, leaf lettuce, parsley, cilantro, endive, collard greens, escarole and dandelion greens.

Rabbits also enjoy treats and can be given fruits as treats. Some treats that your rabbit might like are apples, strawberries, blueberries, papaya, peaches, pears, melon and plum. Fruits that have a lot of sugar such as grapes, bananas and raisins are okay too, but only give them on a very limited basis.

The digestive system of rabbits is very sensitive and therefore, there are many foods that they cannot have. These foods include tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, corn, cabbage, peas, beans, potatoes, onions, beets, bamboo, grains, seeds and rhubarb. Also, please do not feed your rabbit any human foods, especially chocolate and candy.

Domestic rabbits cannot handle extreme temperatures like their wild ancestors. They need to be kept inside. Hot summers can even kill domestic rabbits. Also, if kept outside, they are in danger from predators. Rabbits can get so stressed out from just a sight or sound of a wild animal that they can literally have a heart attack and die out of fear.

A rabbit's cage needs to be at least five times as big as the rabbit. You will need to take your rabbit out every day for exercise, just make sure that the area is safe. Rabbits enjoy chewing on things, so make sure there is nothing dangerous that they may chew on, such as wires and toxins. There are even some common household plants that are poisonous to them. These include azalea, aloe, Lily of the Valley, Calla Lily and philodendron. Try to give your rabbit toys that they can chew on, such as wood blocks, cardboard, toys made of willow wood, paper towel rolls and any other cardboard materials.

A great thing about rabbits is that they can be litter trained. At first, put a litter box in the cage to encourage them to use it. If you let your rabbit out in the house, put a litter box in every room. Avoid using dusty or clumping litters because these can cause health problems. Try to use organic litter made of wood pulp, paper, or citrus.

In order to prevent many health problems, it is very important that you spay or neuter your rabbit. Males can get testicular cancer if they aren't neutered and can also be more aggressive. Also, females can get reproductive cancer if they aren't spayed. Rabbits are very fragile animals. They must be picked up very carefully or their bones will break. Never lift the rabbit by the stomach or by the ears and never let their body hand free.

A rabbit will make a great companion for you if you take good care of it. Rabbits are very lovable and sociable. They make very sweet, entertaining pets. Please take the time to give the proper care to your rabbit.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Pet Care

Dog training tip - Leash/collar training

When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points. There are many different styles of dog training, and finding the one that works best for you is important for creating a dog that is a talented, loyal and faithful member of the family. All successful methods of dog training work to reinforce the relationship between dog and handler, and the foundation of any successful training program is getting the respect of the dog. Fortunately, dogs are wired by nature to seek out leaders, and to follow the direction of those leaders. This article focuses on one of the most popular methods of dog training - the so called leash/collar style of training. Other articles will focus on the other popular style of training dogs, often called reward training or positive reinforcement. Both leash/collar training and reward training have been around for a very long time, and they have proven their effectiveness over time. The type of training that works best will vary from dog to dog, and from breed to breed. It is important to remember that each breed of dog has its own unique qualities, reinforced by hundreds of years of selective breeding. Of course personalities of individual dogs vary quite a bit, even within established breeds. You, as the owner of the dog, know better than anyone which style of dog training will work best, so it is important to work with the trainer you choose to achieve your goal of a willing, obedient and friendly dog. Leash and collar training is the best way to accomplish many types of dog training, particularly in situations where the dog must have a high level of reliability. For instance, dogs that have an important job to do, such as rescue dogs, police dogs and guard dogs, generally benefit from leash and collar training. If your dog training tip facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important dog training tip information slip by you. In leash and collar training, varying degrees of force can be used, ranging from slight prompts with the lead to very harsh corrections. The amount of correction used should be appropriate to the situation, since using too much correction, or too little, will be ineffective. In a collar and leash based dog training program, first the dog is taught a particular behavior, generally with the leash. After the dog has demonstrated that it understands the command, the leash is then used to correct the dog if it disobeys, or when it makes a mistake. The leash is the main form of controlling and communicating with the dog in leash and collar training. When using leash and collar training, the dog must be trained to trust the handler and accept his or her directions without question. In order for the dog to be fully trained, the handler must demonstrate the ability to place the dog into a posture or position he or she does not want to take. This does not mean using force, but it does generally require some level of physical manipulation. This manipulation is most easily and safely done using the main tool of leash and collar training - the leash. It is important for every would be dog trainer to understand that the leash is simply a tool. While the leash is an important tool in this form of training, it is important for the dog trainer to be able to eventually achieve the same results using whatever tools are at hand. Even when the only tools at hand are the owner's body and skill, the dog should be willing to obey. Creating a leader/follower relationship between handler and dog is still very important, and it is important to use the leash as a tool and not a crutch. A properly trained dog should be willing to obey whether the leash is present or not. There's no doubt that the topic of dog training tip can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about dog training tip, you may find what you're looking for in the next article.

Guide To Breeding and Training A Chihuahua Dog

A Chihuahua dog is the most loveable, adorable and huggable pet in the world. This breed has been popular with the high and the mighty. This breed is most visible along the celebrity circuit. From Marylyn Monroe to Paris Hilton, the Chihuahua can be seen sitting pretty on the laps of these celebrities.

This small and lovable pet is very easy to train and maintain. This particular breed is loved for its size and its temperament. This makes it one of the most sought after pets of celebrities. This particular breed loves to be seen out in the open. It enjoys travel and therefore makes the ideal companion for top shot celebrities and film stars who are always constantly on the move.

The popularity and craze for this breed was partly due to Marylyn Monroe. She took her Chihuahua everywhere and it became the most widely photographed pet. Celebrities don’t seem to have enough about this and it is not unusual foe people to own three or more of the same breed.

The film Legally Blond also furthered the people’s interest in this breed and more and more people are adapting this highly lovable breed.

The soft fur makes this pet instantly lovable. It also has a smiling demeanor, which endears itself to whoever comes into contact with it. It has a tendency to lick your face as way of appreciation and love. So don’t forget to clean your face of the moisture after it has licked your face. Kissing your dog frequently can also cause allergies.

Also the fur, which falls, could lead to allergies. So keep your dog healthy by giving it a bath regularly and brushing its coat. Also ensure that it I free from pests and other insects.

Like others breeds this dog also needs a bit of house training. As this breed spends most part of the day on the lap of its owner, it is not expected do much apart from staying quite when asked to. This small dog has a fairly long life span.

Due to its diminutive size this particular breed is also prone to a lot of injuries and accidents. Children like to play with it and sometimes cause injuries during play. This diminutive dog also faces the danger of coming under your feet. So one has to remain alert all the time.

When this particular species of dog is taken outdoors, one should never leave it alone. Bigger dogs could harm this and even maul it to death. Therefore when you take this dog to the outdoors see that there are no bigger dogs around before letting go off your pet for playing.

Venkata Ramana is a chihuahua dog Lover since childhood. Also Visit his pomeranian dog website and discover how you can make any dog the happiest, loving dog alive, Running healthily with you.

Your Great Dane Puppy

Try to be enthusiastic. Training puppies can be exhausting, but motivate yourself to be patient with your great dane puppy. Puppies are just like human babies! They’re very curious and they require a lot of attention. For the first few months your puppy will cry when it’s hungry, scared, cold, bored, or when it has to go to the bathroom. Never yell at your great dane puppy for crying, this will only frighten him/her and make him/her cry more.

Your Great Dane puppy has emotions just like you! When your great dane does something good (like urinate or make a bowel movement outside) praise him/her.

Giving your great dane puppy a treat is always nice. Nevertheless, a treat is a treat. It should be given as a reward when your puppy does something very special.

Be prepared for mischief! Just like the ‘pokey little puppy,’ your great dane puppy is interested in everything in your home. He/she may poke into things that are not to be touched. Don’t scream at your puppy. A simple, stern “no” will suffice. Don’t expect your puppy to know what the word “no” means within the first week. These things take time.

Your puppy will look to urinate after napping, playing, drinking, and getting excited. Take your great dane outdoors to do his/her ‘business’ as often as possible. This will prevent accidents from occurring in your household. It will also teach puppy to ‘go’ outside.

Designate eating and sleeping areas for your great dane. Do not switch these areas around, as it will only confuse the puppy. If you decide to crate train the puppy, never use the crate for punishment. This will only make your great dane fearful of the crate. If the crate is the puppy’s ‘bed,’ refer to it as his/her ‘bed.’ As the puppy gets older, phrases like “it’s time for bed,” will inform your great dane that he/she should go to their crate.

Try to set a schedule for feeding. If you feed your puppy at 7 AM, 12 PM, and 5PM on Monday, make sure you follow through with the routine schedule.

All work and no play makes for a sad great dane. While it is important to teach your great dane puppy to be obedient, you still need to provide lots of love and attention. Shower your great dane puppy with affection and he/she will never leave your side.

Jen Carter is staff writer for Dynamite Great Danes, aprofessional qualified great dane breeder. You may publish this article only if you do modify it in any way.

Breed Profile: The Dalmatian

The Dalmatian is uniquely coloured with its slick white coat decorated with well-defined round spots of black or liver brown. They make devoted family pets but need lots of love and devotion.

The name of this breed is taken from Dalmatia, a province of Austria and part of the former Yugoslavia; however, there is no certainty as to how the spotted dog first appeared in Europe, Asia and Africa. It is said that the dog was often seen in bands of gypsies, but it was in England where it first became well established as a dog of the British aristocracy, running alongside their horse-drawn carriages.

By the 18th century the breed was recognised as a ‘fire house dog’, nicknamed because they were used by the fire wagons to lead the horses through the misty streets of London. The breed not only boasted good eyesight, but the horses were able to see the dogs’ spots and differentiate them from other dogs. They were also nicknamed ‘plum pudding dogs’, ‘carriage dogs’ and ‘coach dogs’ and they were prized for their natural ability to bond with horses together with their great endurance and speed.

This breed has also been recorded as a dog of war, a sentinel on the borders of Dalmatia and Croatia. It has been employed as draft dog and as a shepherd. They are excellent ratters and have been used in sports as a bird dog, a trail hound, retriever, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. Their dignified temperament and excellent memory meant they were also used in circuses and on the stage.

However, it was the movie 101 Dalmatians that catapulted this breed to stardom and sent thousands of children in search of their very own spotted dog. Unfortunately many Dalmatians became homeless as a result and Dalmatian rescue centres were established to re-home this beautiful dog.

While Dalmatian puppies are very cute indeed, they grow into a medium sized energetic dog that is both alert and athletic. They have a high energy level and can be too excitable for small children. It is important that the Dalmatian is provided with a consistent, gentle training program commenced from an early age. Their environment should be stable and plenty of socialising will ensure they do not become shy of strangers. Regular exercise is necessary. They made wonderful watchdogs and generally live for up to 11 to 13 years.

For lots of easy to read articles, full of useful information that is sure to help you out with your pet or pets, go to http://www.P-E-T-S.info. While you are there sign up for the PET NEWS email newsletter - it is FREE and packed with handy tips for pet owners.

The Canary Dog: Pero de Pressa Canario

The Canary Dog history includes the now extinct native dog of the Canary Islands, the Bardino Majero, crossed with imported English Mastiffs. It is interesting to note that the Islands were not named for the little yellow singing bird known as the Canary, but rather for the fierce fighting dogs bred on the Islands: From the Latin "cane" or "canis" dog came the "Island of the Dogs". Another name for this massive mastiff type of dog is the Perro De Presa Canario. At one time dog fighting was a common and popular form of entertainment in Europe and the British Isles and several breeds were developed especially for their fighting ability and endurance. Some of the necessary attributes of fighting dogs were: tough skin, (often with folds or heavy neck dewlaps) strong jaws and punishing power and strength. The Canary Dog was developed as one of the fighting dogs exclusively and was used for that purpose in the early years of its development. When the sport was outlawed on the Islands, this breed very nearly became extinct by the 1960s. The fanciers of the breed took notice and made serious efforts to perpetuate the breed. Today it is enjoying some popularity as a guarding dog. In the United States this dog is not registered with the American Kennel Club.

This is a dog with a powerful appearance. The head should be nearly as wide as the dog, appearing quite square in profile. The jaw is strong and the muzzle deep. The ears are always cropped. The dog should appear slightly high in the rear with the withers being lower than the croup. The color can be fawn or brindle of varying shades and some white. The Canary Dog has thick skin, especially to protect his body from dog bites, strong and heavy boned, he should have a powerful appearance and a massive head with a large jaw. The entire appearance should present a somewhat forbidding picture. The dog should be 21 to 25 inches and carry a weight of 100 to 115 pounds. The short coat is easy to groom. Brushing down with a brush and wiping off with a damp toweling usually all that is necessary. This dog sheds of course and the hairs can be stiff and somewhat coarse.

The Canary Dog is not for the timid owner. No member of the family which owns a Canary Dog should be uncomfortable around dogs. this is a breed that requires a dominant owner. He presents a fearful picture and can be a dog that shows aggression to humans. Their appearance alone is a deterrent to strangers. The Canary dog is an excellent watch dog but needs to be in homes who establish strong rules and are knowledgeable about obedience. Once the boundaries of dominance are established, the Canary Dog is extremely loyal and showing great affection to his own family and allows no interlopers to come into his territory without permission, whether they be humans or other animals.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

Breeding Clownfish - A Short Description

Thanks to Disney’s Motion Picture Finding Nemo, almost everybody knows about clownfish since they introduced Nemo to the world.

Clownfish, or Anemonefishes, from the family of Pomacentridae, are one of the easiest tropical marine aquarium fish to breed. Clownfish regularly lay eggs in aquariums. They have pretty large eggs and larvae, and since the larvae easily eats cultured live foods, raising them is somewhat simpler then it tis with many other marine species..

You need to get a pair if you want to breed clownfish and you need to sex the fish. And that’s a quite an interesting part â€" believe it or not, clownfish are all born as males! When they are adults, the largest and the most dominant fish of the group will undergo a sex change, and become a female. The second largest usually becomes the breeding male, while all the other fish remains juveniles and gender-neutral. If the breeding female disappears, the breeding male will change to a female, and so on. Buying an established pair maybe a reasonable way to go, but it is often better to have a group of juveniles growing up together. If you choose to buy a pair you should look for a pair that goes around together. Sometimes you can be lucky enough to get a pair already spawning. Anyhow, establishing an adult pair can be a little tricky; and you need to keep your eyes on them to ensure that the female doesn't kill the male.

The next thing is about setting up the tank. The tank should be large enough, approximately 200 liters for the breeding pair. It is better to let the pair be alone in an aquarium when trying to spawn clownfish.

The rest of the aquarium should be decorated with a nice anemone, a few live rocks, and other rocky substance with a vertical surface, a layer of coral sand on the bottom, bright lighting, good filtration, and protein skimmer. The aquarium and your clownfish should be stressed free which means no aggressive tank mates and good water quality. As for the feeding, clownfish need a mixed diet of fresh raw seafood and vegetable. A good diet includes prawns, mussels, and squid. It is best to feed small bits at regular periods.

Spanning can begin 1 to 12 months after the fish have settled into their new home. When the fish are ready to spawn, they become very aggressive. The male clownfish will dance up and down in front of the female (also known as “clownfish waggle”). They will also start to clean their selected rock by robustly biting it. The spawning itself usually occurs in the afternoon or early evening. Once the spawning is complete (within several hours) the male takes on responsibility for attending them, whereas the female acts as protector of the eggs and supervisor of her male.

The spawning is likely to be occurred again at intervals of 12 to 18 days. The eggs should be left in their care and not removed, except if the parents are known to be egg-eaters. At first, the eggs are a bright orange color, which after a several days diminishes and the eyes appear. Hatching usually takes from 6 to 15 days, depending on the temperature. The most critical stage of the fry is the stage they undergoes in the first 10 days of their larvae span. If you can get your fry to survive this period the rest of their raising should be more easy.

About The Author William Berg has over 20 years of aquarium experince and runs the website http://www.aquaticcommunity.com and is also written the texts on http://www.clownloach.info. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Berg

West Highland White Terriers- Fascinating Facts

West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable white offspring of the dark-colored Cairn Terrier. With the dog's popularity today, it is hard to believe that the early Westies were usually drowned or shot.

One breeder, though, Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch, is credited with recognizing the potential of the white coat. The legend is that it made the dog more visible as it ran through brush, and prevented it from being mistaken for prey during foxhunts. He bred them for their white coats, and for many years they were known as Poltalloch Terriers.

The Westies, as they commonly called today, the Cairn, Scottish, Skye, and Dandie Dinmont, Westhighland Terriers are closely related breeds that arose in the rugged terrain of Scotland. They were bred to chase down small prey such as otters, foxes, badgers, and vermin. The Terrier's features and temperament both were honed until it became a feisty little dog that would determinedly run its quarry to ground.

It has a small, compact body, with short legs, which allowed it to run and squirm through underbrush where its usual prey dwelled. The Westie's double coat has coarse outer hairs to shed dirt and debris, and a thick, soft undercoat.

Like many hunting dogs, they are considered intelligent. They also are prone to pursue any creature that runs from it. Barking announced to the hunter that it was on the chase. Westie dogs were trained and bred to become more aggressive the harder the prey tried to escape.

The origin of the word 'terrier' is in the Latin word 'terra' - earth. It was given to them, and all terrier breeds, because once their prey is run to ground, they will dig it out. Westies today still possess the tendency to be diggers.

The modern white wsethighland terrier dog is a hardy, tenacious breed that is also loyal and friendly. They still retain the traits of their ancestors: a love of the chase, a moderate tendency to bark, a habit of digging, and they are prone to become a bit aggressive during very rough play. They are a little obstinate, and need firm, consistent discipline. However, they are also easy to care for, and natural guard dogs. Those taking a West Highland white Terrier as a pet will find themselves with a loyal, loving companion for the life of the dog.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com
*********************************
Free Report - Time Limited Offer
" 7 Warning Signs That Could Save
Your Westies Life! Click Here Now!
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Allergies To Pets

In this article we're going to discuss one of the most annoying kinds of allergies that there is, especially for us animal lovers - allergies to pets and what can be done to reduce the allergens produced by pets.

The sad fact is that 10 to 15% of all the people in the world suffer from some kind of allergy to animals, which can make owning a pet not only annoying but potentially dangerous if the allergy is severe enough. Cat allergies are actually twice as common as dog allergies. The body's reaction to the animals is caused by a certain protein found in the animal's saliva, urine or dander. People aren't really allergic to the pet's fur but to the allergen that sticks to the fur, the carpeting or the furniture; basically anywhere your pet has been. Also, these microscopic flakes of dander travel through the air. As a matter of fact, studies show that these allergens can stay in the air even 3 years after an animal has actually been in the home.

Many people ask if there are any breeds of animals that people are not allergic to. The answer is, since all animals have dead skin there are no non allergic breeds. People may be more tolerant of certain breeds of dogs than others but there is no such thing as 100% non allergic. All animals produce some amount of allergen, even if it is a small amount. The allergic symptoms themselves build over time after handling or being near an animal, with the peak time being around 12 hours after. Also, as the pet spends more time living in the person's home the allergens begin to accumulate and a person who showed no symptoms when handling the pet at the store when buying it will start to show symptoms after it has been home for a while, usually within a day.

So what's the answer for people who want to have a pet but are allergic? What can they do in order to have a pet? Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is try to reduce your exposure to the allergens. You're not going to be able to get rid of them completely. One thing you can do to try to prevent the accumulation of allergens is to cover your furniture with plastic mattresses and pillow covers. Replace your carpeting with hard wooden floors and washable throw rugs. Clean the house as often as you can. Make sure you vacuum with a cleaner that has a HEPA filter otherwise allergens are just going to end up getting spread into the air. Your pet should be kept out of your bedroom completely. This may be hard for a real pet lover but it is essential.

When you brush your pet, wear a face mask. Then change your clothes immediately afterward. Unfortunately, the success rate of allergy shots and other treatments for pet allergies is only about 50%. Currently however, a vaccine for people allergic to cats is being tested. This may be a major breakthrough in the future.

Until then, there really isn't much more you can do. If your allergies are severe it is probably best to stick with a fish for a pet.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Allergies
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Westies Dogs - Please Consider Adopting an Older Westie Dog

Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable, but new dog purchasers often do not realize the commitment they are making when they bring a puppy home. For those want the companionship of Westies dogs, but do not have the knowledge or patience to endure the training process, rescuing an older Westie dog may be the right alternative. When considering an older West highland terrier dog, the first thing that many people think is that they would be getting a dog with problems, either genetic problems common to Westies, or behavioral problems from improper training. The truth is, many Westie dogs go to shelters for reasons that have nothing to do with the dogs' inherent qualities. Every year, dog owners die, move to retirement homes, change jobs, get divorced, have new babies, or, unfortunately, simply tire of the responsibility of caring for a dog. The advantages of older dogs are many. They have already finished teething, and no longer feel the urge to chew holes in your shoes, rugs, and furniture. Westie dogs that are older have grown used to sleeping through the night while their people sleep, as opposed to westie puppies, who wake up and whine. Older pets will have already been housetrained and also should know the meaning of the word 'no,' making their continued training that much easier. When you encounter a Westie puppy, you only have the breed standards to give you an idea of what kind of dog it will grow into. Although Westhighland dogs have a typical personality type, there are variations from dog to dog. The full-grown Westie is a know quantity. The Westie dog you meet is what you will get, and you can quickly determine if it will fit into your home. It may seem like rescuing an older Westie provides you with an 'instant dog,' but that is not the case. At first they might become confused, upon arriving at a new home, and need to be reminded of their basic training. However, even allowing a few weeks of extra special care is easier and less stressful than the rigors of training a puppy. (Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.) I do hope that you have found the article of use to you. Good health and happiness Jeff Cuckson webmaster@madaboutwesties.com ************************************ Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW! http://www.madaboutwesties.com ************************************

Lower Your Veterinarian Costs And Increase the Longevity of Your Pets Lives

What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating, prevention medicines, and premium kibble was natural preventative care. Hardly.

Unfortunately the pharmaceutical companies and the pet food industry have really pulled the wool over everyone's eyes -but the wool is coming off! People are frustrated with the way traditional care has let them down and are seeking alternatives to help them not only give their pets more quality of life but longer lives. It seems as though we barely get our pets to a "settled" place in our lives before they're gone. It doesn't have to be like this.

Please don’t misunderstand, mainstream care does have its place but it should not be the only choice people and their pets have. In fact, I think it’s the imbalanced lean towards allopathic medicine rather than including homeopathic and naturopathic and alternative therapies that is a big part of the problem. At some point where do we stop and say, what happened to “first do no harm”?

Okay, so let’s start with what preventative, natural, holistic care means with a definition of the words holistic, preventative and natural which I obtained from my American Heritage Dictionary: 1. Holistic: …2) emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts. 2. Natural: 1) present in or produced by nature; not artificial or man-made; 3) pertaining to or produced solely by nature or the expected order of things 3. Preventive: 1) designed or used to prevent or hinder; acting as an obstacle; precautionary. 2) Thwarting or warding off illness or disease. When we put all these definitions together: the whole of the parts working interdependently, without artificial ingredients or synthetics, in the natural order of things you will then ward off illness or disease! Now that we have the definition of natural pet care in place, let’s go deeper into the how to do this and thereby lowering the costs of your pet care and increase the longevity of your pets lives.

The first place to always start is with nutrition and that starts with what you are feeding your pets. My initial answer will be as species specific as you can get in a domestic setting. For dogs and cats that means that meat needs to be the primary ingredient of their food. Not kibble. Kibble isn’t fit for anything or anyone to eat. There a couple I will recommend in the light of a very reluctant pet owner not being able to stomach the idea of feeding raw meat to their dog or cat, but I will say that as long as you adhere to kibble your pets will experience the problems associated with food that their bodies weren’t designed to digest.

There are many different forms of feeding natural for example in dogs you can choose a B.A.R.F. diet which translates to Biologically Appropriate Raw Food and can also stand for Bones and Raw Food. This diet consists of all raw meats, veggies, dairy products, and nuts. Some adhere to strictly feeding raw meat. Some to a cooked diet of meat and vegetables. I think that you’ve got to decide what will work in your household and do that and any of these, including the cooked diet is far better than any form of a kibble diet. Think of animals in the wild â€" they do not get kibble or pellets. Our domestic pets don’t need those things either!

I feed my dog a cooked meat diet along with a natural whole food liquid supplement. I also use essential oils to thwart parasites and help with the pain in his forelegs. He came to us as a very abused, starved, neglected nearly 5 month old puppy. Through trial and error we’ve found what keeps him healthy, strong and happy and he is completely natural. We do homeopathic for heartworm prevention. He actually runs with me and traditionally his breed is not a running breed â€" or so it’s thought! So you also need to include some precautionary nutrition along with natural feeding. For horses you always need to be concerned with worms but there are natural ways like using food grade (ONLY use food grade) diatomaceous earth â€"this also works well in cats, dogs and other warm-blooded animals but I prefer to use essential oils in my dog.

Next I would consider why vaccinating seems to be so important to your pets health. Let me give you just a few examples of why that could be the very thing that is harming your pets rather than helping them (information from www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com):

"Routine" vaccination has adverse side-effects, either short or long term. With vaccines that are repeated year after year, the frequency and severity of these side-effects in our pets has increased dramatically. Most of the problems involve the immune system. After all, the immune system is what vaccines are designed to stimulate. But they do so in a very unnatural way that can overwhelm and confuse the immune system." Donna Starita Mehan DVM. I believe that Dr. Mehan is saying here that while vaccinations stimulate the immune system and that is supposed to rev it up, the vaccine actually not only does this unnaturally as Dr. Mehan stated but it also causes so much confusion in the immune system that much more harm than good is done by vaccinating.

Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, Ph.D..- "Annual revaccination provides no benefit and may increase the risk for adverse reactions. The percentage of vaccinated animals (those vaccinated only as puppies) protected from clinical disease after challenge with canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus and canine adenovirus in the study was greater than 95%." Current and Future Canine and Feline Vaccination Programs. Dr. Ronald Schultz is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UW-Madison. Schultz, R.D. - Current & Future Canine & Feline Vaccination Programs. Vet Med 3: No. 3, 233-254, 1998 more. A chart provided in the report shows immunity levels for all vaccines currently given to dogs lasting a minimum of 5 years with most lasting 7-15 years! Don Hamilton, DVM -Yearly "boosters" are unnecessary, provide no benefit if given (will not increase immunity). Thus boosters are either a legal issue (Rabies) or a manipulation issue (inducing clients to come in for examination rather than directly suggesting an examination). Charles E Loops DVM - "Homeopathic veterinarians and other holistic practitioners have maintained for some time that vaccinations do more harm than they provide benefits. Vaccinations represent a major assault on the body's immune system.... Vaccine induced chronic diseases range from life-threatening conditions such as auto-immune crises to conditions destroying the quality of life of an animal as in chronic skin allergies."

These are just a few examples with veterinarians leading the way in sharing this information which I find interesting since vaccinations and surgeries are their bread and butter. A few of the holistic/homeopathic vets I know started in mainstream medicine and became frustrated and moved into the holistic arena so they could do their patients the most good. Feed correctly with proper back up supplementation and your pets will have natural immunities that protect them naturally from disease.

Another thing to do is to keep your pets stimulated mentally through exercise, play and training. Animals love to have a job and they love to be useful. The key to a good interaction here is training according to the natural interaction of the animal you own. What does that mean? For a dog it means approaching him or her using the “pack” mentality. For the horse it means approaching the horse the way another horse would. It all makes common sense really. Good practical common sense, do away with all these synthetics, using the natural order of things, and all the parts working together means you don’t treat an illness, you treat the pet. I like what I saw Dr. Shawn Messonnier write recently to one of the groups I belong to, “I don’t treat crystals in the urine, I treat the pet”. That’s what holistic means: all the parts working together interdependently. So not treating the symptoms but caring for the entire animal is the answer to lowering your veterinarian costs and increasing the longevity of your pets lives.

Article originally published on and for http://www.Suite101.com under the Holistic Pet Care topic.

Kim Bloomer is a preventative pet care consultant. She offers natural products and a business opportunity. She is partnered with a dog breeder and internationally known master dog trainer in their online audio pet care classes, All God’s Creatures. Visit her website for details Aspenbloom Pet Care and her dog's blog Bark 'n' Blog

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 SAOVA 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 Vote Smart 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.

Westies for Sale - Avoiding the Perils of Purebred Puppy Purchases

In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are few rules or laws governing who may breed dogs, and then advertise Westies for sale. Both ancestry and the breeding environment will affect the quality of the Westies offered for sale, and some breeders are a lot less careful about these details than others. Never buy the first Westie you find, from the first breeder you come across advertising Westies for sale. Take the time to learn about both the breed and the breeder to avoid an expensive mistake, and the heart-breaking loss of a dog due to health problems.

Because of the inbreeding required to produce specific size, shape, talents, and coats, all pure breeds are prone to genetic defects. Westies offered for sale in the purebred market are no different. First educate yourself about the health problems that often occur in Westies, and then be prepared to question the sellers about the steps they have taken to avoid them. Westies for sale from a conscientious breeder will come with clear records of their ancestry up to three to four generations, and will often have undergone genetic testing to find possible defects.

'Backyard Breeders' are individuals who purchase Westies with the plan to breed them at home, and then offer Westie puppies for sale to offset their expenses. 'Puppy Mills' breed their dogs with the goal of having each bitch produce as many Westies for sale in the least possible amount of time. Neither type of breeder is likely to know or care about the eventual health of the dogs they offer for sale. The Westies for sale at pet stores, or other retail establishments, usually come from one of these sources. All three should be avoided. There are home breeders who are avid hobbyists, and are conscientious about the dogs they breed. There are also respectable kennels that ensure that the Westies they offer are well cared-for. Westies for sale from these sources are what you are looking for.

Westie puppies for sale from a reliable breeder will not be timid or shy, small or sickly, or under eight weeks old. They will have their papers, shots, worming, and be well-socialized. The Westie breeder should provide references, a warranty contract against defects, and even advice about care.

West Highland Terrier Breeders who have been conscientious about the breeding and care of the Westies they offer for sale will not hesitate to let you take the puppy to a veterinarian for a preliminary checkup. They have done their jobs well, and have nothing to hide.

There are many reputable kennels, and knowledgeable hobbyist breeders who love their Westies, and will want the puppies and dogs they offer for sale to go to a good home. Good breeders will ask you as many questions as you ask them. If they want to know if you have a fence, if the Westie will be left alone during the day, or if you have raised other dogs, don't be offended. These are the breeders who care enough to give your Westie puppy a good start in life.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest,
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Five Most Deadly Plants for Dogs

Most of us (and our dogs) love summer and the chance to be outside and to travel both locally and across the country.

With that, however, Louise Louis of www.ToyBreeds.com reminds dog owners that we need to be aware of potential dangers to our canine companions in unfamiliar areas.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has identified five common plants as being the most dangerous to dogs.

1. Lilies â€" These are No. 1 on the Most Dangerous List and about 45% of the calls to the ASPCA poison hotline concern ingestion of these flowers.

Lilies are common in gardens and floral bouquets but even a small amount eaten by a dog can cause kidney damage. Lilies are even more dangerous to cats.

2. Azaleas â€" These are found in the woods and mountain regions on both coasts. Severe azalea poisoning can lead to coma and death. Even smaller amounts can cause vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and central nervous system depression.

3. Oleanders â€" This is a common landscaping plant. Unfortunately, every part of it is toxic. Symptoms of oleander poisoning include abdominal distress, hypothermia, and stomach distress. It can be fatal.

4. Sago palms â€" These ornamental plants are popular in the South. All parts of this palm are poisonous, however, but the seeds are the most toxic. Ingestion can produce vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizure and liver failure.

b>5. Castor beans â€" Another popular ornamental plant in the south. The seeds, leaves and steam of the plant contain ricin (remember the poison attack on Japanese subway) and may produce abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and appetite loss.

Please be aware of these plants and keep them out of your yard.

Should dog ingest any of these â€" or other unknown plants â€" contact the ASPCA poison hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (888) 426-4435.

A $50 consultation fee may be charged to your credit card.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and creator of the popular website on small dogs, http://www.ToyBreeds.com

Introduction to Dog Breeds: Glory of the German Shepherd - Your True Friend!

If you are looking for a superb companion dog, then GSD is for your. For here’s one dog who will be devoted to you at all times. I still remember the time when I got married into a dog-loving family. I knew that they have a GSD at home but I never had a chance to meet him before marriage. Once I stepped into the house, I was welcomed by a strong and handsome GSD, who conveyed a sense of strength and intelligence. He did not bark at me but gave me a warm welcome. Very soon, I developed a strong bond with him.

German Shepherd or GSD, also knows as Alsatian, is one of the most versatile dogs, who has excelled as a sentry and guard dog, police and army dog, tracker, drug detection dog, guide dog for the blind as well a s a search and rescue dog. Apart from these utilities, he is an excellent show and companion dog. A GSD is probably an international favourite of all breeds. He differs from other breeds as he fills in many different jobs. Since the earliest dates of history, he has been employed by armies to aid in fighting, as sentries, guards of prisoners, defend camps from enemies, detecting mines, working with rescue units, to find wounded soldiers and carry medicine.

General appearance

A GSD is a handsome and well-proportioned dog. He is strong with a sturdy, muscular and slightly elongated body with a light but solid bone structure. He has a harmonious development of forequarter and hindquarter. “Position and setting of limbs harmonize in such a manner that a far-reaching endurant trot is assured. The gait is supple, smooth and long-reaching, carrying the body along. His croup is long and gradually sloping,”

His head is proportionate to his body with average size ears, which are wide at the base and high on the head. His almond-shapped eyes are slightly slanted and their color matches that of their coat. His eyes radiate intelligence and confidence, full of life. His tail is bushy and his coat is thick and dense, comprising of straight, rigid hairs, tightly layered on the body. There are different colors of coat found in GSDs, which include black with tan, all black and steel grey.

He has a beauty which is undisputed. “He is stamped with a look of quality and nobility, which is difficult to define, but unmistakable. He gives an impression of perpetual vigilance, liveliness and watchfulness, alert to every sight and sound, with nothing escaping attention,” she adds proudly.

The average height of dogs is 24-26 inches while that for female dogs is 22-24 inches. Their weight ranges between 35 to 40 kg. They have a life expectancy of around 13 years.

Temperament

GSD is an intelligent dog and his intelligence should be utilized in a positive way. You can teach obedience training or else keep him involved in the family activities. GSDs are often used as working dogs as they are alert and fearless. They are alert and fearless. They are bold d and cheerful and are easy to train.

A GSD is full of loyalty, courage and confidence. They love to please and demand companionship of their families. You should never isolate a GSD for long period of time. Their protective nature towards their family makes them wary of strangers but proper training and early socialization prevents this problem to surface. They possess highly developed senses, mentally and temperamentally. Besides, he is strongly individualistic. They are good with children and other pets in the family. “A GSD loves and craves for human companionship and thrives on love and affection, without which he is a miserable and neurotic dog. When you have a GSD as a companion, he is a guardian, protector and your children’s playmate,” .

GSD puppy

The best age to acquire a pup is about 8 weeks, as by then the pup would have been de-wormed, vaccinated and weaned. She advises to follow the feed chart given by the breeder. Also, the pup should be kept in a dry, clean place with lots of ventilation. It is not advisable to isolate him. He should be kept on a rough surface so that he will get a firm grip. “The bones of a pup are very supply, if they are on smooth surface, their movement gets affected,” explains. Give him good nutritious food at regular intervals. “He needs a lot of calcium, Vitamin B and multivitamins,”.

A GSD puppy should be socialized from an early age to avoid behavioural problems at later stage. They should be trained lovingly but firmly.

Upkeep

GSDs are easy to maintain and you can keep them in your apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors but a large yard to run around is an excellent option. “He is not a cage or kennel dog and requires freedom for his mental and physical development.In turn, you get protection and companionship. He will share your joys and sorrows and will never ask for anything in return except to be at your side,”.

GSD make wonderful pets in city apartments as well as country homes or farms, because they are so easily trained.

Exercise

A GSD needs regular exercise. Physical activity benefits mental and emotional health. He loves strenuous activity, combined with moderate training. They love challenges and perform well. Exercise is as important as food. To keep him fit, healthy and happy, he needs at least 8 km brisk walk or trot daily. A game of fetch, swimming, Frisbee disc, etc. will be equally welcome by a GSD.

Grooming

A GSD sheds hair constantly and is seasonally a heavy shedder. A quick daily brushing is an excellent idea. But, they should not be bathed frequently. “Start grooming when he is a pup and he will enjoy it for the rest of his life. Daily rushing will give the coat a healthy appearance and sheen.

Health

A GSD is prone to hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, dermatitis and ear infections.

GSD shows

Sieger Show in Germany is an exclusive event for German Shepherd dogs and their breeders and handlers., Here, more than 3,000 dogs compete and are watched by over 70,000 spectators. The dogs are put to real test not only for confirmation but also for their working abilities, since GSD is a shepherd dog.

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