BIRD FOOD

BIRD FOOD

When selecting the appropriate food for your bird it is important to think about certain things and ask yourself several questions You should keep in mind the type of bird or birds you own and their size Do they need a seed and pelleted diet Do they like to eat food from their talon or out of their dish cats for sale,dogs for sale,aquarium fish,betta fish,bull dog,dog food,fish food,freshwater fish,gold fish,kittens for sale,love bird,lovebird for sale,pet care,pet food,puppies,puppy Does your bird make a large mess when eating Does your bird have any known health problems

Some foods can help certain problems like feather picking and vitamin deficiencies With so many different types of food on the market it can be difficult and confusing The most important thing to keep in mind is that you keep them on a wellbalanced diet

One common misconception is that birds need seeds in their diet and the truth is they do not Peanuts are very high in fat content and I recommend giving your bird no more than one per day Sunflower seeds which can be prevalent in some seed mixtures are also high in sodium and fat It is ok to give your bird a few seeds but if your bird is eating them anymore than 10% of their diet that is too much Most birds need to be on 90% pelleted diet Seeds nuts and other treats can make up the other 10% Also included in most parrots diet can be fresh fruit and vegetables These can seem like a treat to your bird but are actually very healthy

There are some brands of food which are 100% organic These are best for your bird as no chemicals are used when growing the ingredients Organic foods also contain no preservatives and no artificial coloring Birds can be sensitive to those things

Human food in very small quantities can be ok for your bird but should not be practiced regularly One human food that is great for birds is the sweet potato Sweet potatoes are filled with Vitamin A which the Eclectus parrot needs in their diet because it aids in digestion They also contain Vitamin C and Iron and are relatively easy to cook and store as well.Two foods that can kill your birds are chocolate and avocado You should never feed your bird those foods in any amount.There are lots of different ways that you can feed your parrot Now some of these may require more work than others where as some of them are as easy and grabbing a bag of bird seed and pouring it into their feeder All of them can be good for your bird although feeding a variety of parrot foods as opposed to a singular food source such as seeds can make achieving a more balanced diet a little easier to achieve.

The simplest way to feed your parrot a balanced diet is to buy some quality parrot food from your local pet supplies store These come in many different forms that will include additional vitamins and minerals this means that you will not have to it any additional vitamins to their diet In fact you may not know this but adding additional vitamins and minerals can in fact harm your parrot as it could lead to bad toxic level of the vitamins and minerals in their system.You should try and choose a seed mix for your parrot that doesnt allow it to choose one seed or food item in preference to another as this will provide him with a more balanced diet Be aware that some food products will claim to be fortified seed mixes which in theory should be just right for your parrot but this claim is not necessarily true This assumes that the bird will consume all the seed that is offered instead of choosing just a few of its favourite food items.One should always try to get parrot food which uses a formulated diet without any addition fragrances or colours A lot of parrot owners may worry that this does not provide enough variety for their parrot when in fact this is not the case One can easily counter this by providing enough fresh vegetables or fruit equivalent to the amount that you would normally use with a formulated diet While fruit and vegetables may not be as energy intensive as the prepared diet because they are mostly water they will still be a good addition to your parrots diet and you may notice that your parrot will still eat the same amount of fortified food This will lead to a more rounded and balanced diet.

Try not to need any high fat foods such as peanuts or even sunflower seeds Only use them as an occasional treat as this will reduce the amount of prepared diet food that your parrot would normally eat which means that it may not receive its balanced diet

With all the choices these days it can be confusing to know what type of bird food to buy Bird food and bird feeders can be purchased at gardening stores hardware stores and even at grocery stores Different birds eat at different levels some feel more comfortable eating on the ground while others prefer to eat higher up so place a variety of feeders at a variety of heights to attract a larger variety and number of birds Keep a journal and record which feeder attracts what types of birds

Before purchasing a bird feeder examine it closely You should buy a bird feeder that is rain and snow resistant so that the food for the birds will remain fresh Also try opening the bird feeder to ensure that it is easy to fill and clean out If the bird feeder requires too much work to fill or clean chances are you wont do it and then you wont attract as many birds as you would like to

Heres a break down of the different types of food available for birds.Bird Seed Bird seeds are the most common food placed in bird feeders While there are many different kinds of bird seeds black sunflower seeds are the most common because the majority of birds will eat them If you do place bird seed out for birds to eat make sure that the seeds are unsalted Also store bird seed in a cool dry place to ensure the freshness of the seeds.Suet Suet is when berries seeds and other ingredients have been mixed into meat fat Suet is popular with nuthatches chickadees blue jays and woodpeckers and is commonly offered to birds in the winter Be careful if you put suet out in the summer as the heat can turn the fat rancid very quickly To create your own suet first melt the meat fat which can be bought at your local butcher shop Next add berries seeds and other ingredients to the fat and mix well Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to harden.Nectar Nectar is a water and sugar mixture that is offered to hummingbirds To create your own hummingbird food bring 4 parts of water to a boil and add 1 part sugar Stir and allow the mixture to cool before filling hummingbird feeders Change the mixture every three to five days in order to prevent bacteria and mold from growing Hummingbirds are readily attracted to the colour red so in the past it was common practice to add red food colouring to homemade hummingbird food This addition is unnecessary as most hummingbird feeders have a red base which is sufficient to attract hummingbirds If you want to ensure that hummingbirds will come to your feeder plant some flowers with red blooms nearby or tie red ribbons to the hummingbird feeder

CANARY

CANARY

If you are considering sharing your home with a pet canary its probably because you have heard so much about their nearly constant bubbly singing Join the club Since the seventeenth century pet owners the world over have kept canaries for nothing more than the sheer pleasure of birdsong filling their homes A canary is not merely a feathered music box though and pet canary care is so much more than the gilded cage of old A canary is a living thing dependent on you for food shelter and love and canary care while not rocket science involves a certain level of avian expertise Ready to become an expert Study hard Thanks to selective breeding theres quite possibly a canary out there to suit every personality and desire Some canaries are bred for their coloration some are bred for their shape and some of course are bred to produce a very specific song pattern What kind of canary you purchase will depend on what canary resources are available near you If you can find a reputable canary breeder that will be your best option Many pet stores now however commit to purchasing healthy birds only from reputable breeders but check first to make sure that your canary was not wild caught or raised in lessthandesirable conditions If the pet store manager can not account for where your potential canary came from dont buy a canary from that store Oh and be sure that the canary you purchase is a male if its a strong singer you are after The females are incapable of producing the characteristic long trills and melodies that made canaries famous

Canaries can be quite delicate so a primary part of learning to care for a pet canary is to realize that prevention is key If theres a number one rule of pet canary care its that you absolutely must keep your canary away from drafts at all times A drafty room can kill a canary without any warning whatsoever and even a slight draft can prevent your canary from warbling If a lit candle flickers when held outside your canarys cage then you have picked a spot thats too drafty for your new feathered friend As far as cages go your canary doesnt require anything too spectacularjust enough room to hop about and stretch his wings Make sure you purchase a cage that is at least two feet wide and three or four feet tall Get a cage with a tray in the bottom to make for easy cleaning and make sure that the bars of the cage are not coated with toxic paint or other chemical sealants You should clean your canarys cage thoroughly at least once a week washing perches food and water containers and toys in a mild bleach solution and washing down the rest of the cage with dish soap and warm water

While they cant stand drafts canaries do love indirect sunlight A good supply of natural light will keep your canary singing and will also interest him in breeding should a female be present If a draft will kill a canary the fastest a second runner up is dehydration Because of their speedy metabolisms canaries require a lot of water and may die if they go as little as a day without it Change your canarys water daily and never leave for more than a day without asking someone to water your canary for you As for food seed is the mainstay of a canarys diet and there are many good commercially available seed mixes made specifically for canaries You should supplement your canarys seed with a little fresh fruit and boiled egg every day An apple slice and a fourth of a hard boiled egg is enough You should also provide your canary with a cuttlebone as he will gnaw on this to attain necessary calcium

With these basic rules and supplies of pet canary care well in hand you are ready to seek out the perfect canary for you Will you choose a rosy red colorbred canary an exotic Persian Singer or something in between Whatever your decision your canary will thank you exuberantly for the next ten to fifteen years the best way he knows howby singing his heart out

POND FISH

POND FISH

For most people the only thing they know about these scaly creatures is whether they taste better with lemon or tarter sauce For Pond owners however a little more information is needed If you are a new Pond owner who has just purchased or are thinking about purchasing Koi goldfish or other pond fish you might have a few questions How do I introduce new fish into my pond What do I need to do to make my pond suitable for them How do I maintain my new friends

Fortunately I know a little bit more about fish then the topping they taste best with Here are a few basic tips all future pond fish owners need to know

Before purchasing fish you must first have your pond suitable for life Meaning there should be no zip zero nada Ammonia Chlorine Chloramines or Nitrite in your pond water A test kit will be needed to determine the level of those parameters A dechlorinator can be used to rid the pond of Chlorine Chloramines and Nitrites And a water change can be conducted to do away with Ammonia

A filter is crucial to maintain Ammonia levels A Biological filter is the best choice Be sure the filter can support a pump that is able to move the total gallons of your pond AT LEAST once per hour So if you have a pump assuming your pump is big enough for your pond that has a GPH of 950 you would want a filter with the capacity of at least 950 although a 1000 would be better

Once you have your water levels up to par and proper filtration unit has been installed its time to purchase the new additions to your family which is exactly what they will become After selecting the right fish there are a few things you need to know when introducing them into your pond

A bagged fish generally only lasts for 45 minutes assuming the correct water to Oxygen ratio has been applied Be sure your drive home is less than 30 minutes away If this is not the case tell a sale associate so special measures can be taken An additional supply of Oxygen can be given to you

Once you are home let the bagged fish float in the pond for 15 minutes before releasing it This will regulate the water temperature and help to prevent it from going into shock If however you feel that your fish is stressed or the ride home took longer than 30 minutes gradually fill the bag with some pond water to speed the regulating process

Once the water from the bag is about the same temperature of your pond water you can place your new fish into the pond Do not pour the water from the bag along with your fish into the pond Use a net to drain the water from the bag outside your pond and then release your fish into its new home

Now that your new friends are swimming pretty what has to be done to maintain them Here are a few tips

1 Test your pond water for Ammonia Nitrite pH Oxygen Carbonate Hardness and General Hardness once a week for 23 months for new ponds Once the pond is pretty much established you can test as needed

2 Do not over feed your fish They eat Algae Aquatic plants especially lilies and small bugs found in your pond Only feed them fish or Koi food twice a week This along with regular filter cleaning will help prevent high Ammonia spikes

3 Keep in mind the changing seasons As fall and winter come around special accommodations will have to be made A deicer for climates that tend to drop below freezing and Wheat Germ food no matter the climate for the fish slowing metabolism

BETTA FISH

BETTA FISH

If you have visited a pet store a chain discount store or even a florist lately you have most likely been attracted to the rich colors and longfinned elegance of the betta fish Bettas also known as Siamese fighting fish are relatively inexpensive but exceedingly beautiful For these reasons they have recently and unfortunately become popular not so much as pets but as decorating accents due to misleading reports that theyre meant to thrive in tiny amounts of water and need very little looking after However betta fish care entails much more than plunking your new fish into a wine goblet with a marble or two for company Taking care of a betta fish requires preparation education and compassion Let this brief tutorial turn you into a better betta owner

Perhaps the misconception that bettas are meant to live in small amounts of water stems from the fact that bettas are usually sold in containers no larger than a teacup Unlike most other fish at the aquarium store bettas are extremely aggressive towards one another and cannot be housed with other fish Since they must be sold separately theyre put into cups and stacked row upon row to save room Potential betta owners are then happily informed that the fish needs very little oxygen or water The sad fact is that many bettas die within a few weeks of purchase due either to ammonia buildup in their small habitats or lack of oxygen With this in mind let the first item on your betta fish care checklist be an adequate tankat least one gallon but preferably three or more With optimum room to swim and an aerator providing fresh oxygen bettas have been known to live for ten or more years

When you go to the store to select your betta know first of all that almost every fish is going to be a male unless otherwise specified The male bettas are what earned these fish the title Jewel of the Orient while the females are remarkably dull and shortfinned by comparison Most bettas sold in pet stores will be around nine months oldjust after their fins have lengthened and their mature coloration has arrived When selecting a betta seek out the healthiest specimen by looking for and avoiding torn fins dull color patches and wounds Most bettas will appear extremely droopy as they float in their alloted six ounces of water but rest assured that when you take them home and introduce them to their new larger dwelling they should perk up immediately and start gliding about unfurling their magnificent fins for you to admire

When it comes to a bettas diet moderation is key as a bettas stomach is about as large as the black dot in the center of his eye With that in mind feed your betta one specialty betta pellet once a day For a treat try giving him a pinch of frozen bloodworms about once a week as it will help maintain his jewelbright complexion Other than taking precaution to not overfeed your betta the most crucial factor in betta fish care is water quality Never place your betta in water straight from the tap There are many products on the market that will instantly make water safe for fish or you can use bottled spring water Ensure that your bettas tank is kept warm enough but never placed in direct sunlight especially during the winter months You can get a small thermometer and if needed a heater made especially for fish tanks to make certain the water temperature is kept between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit When changing the water replace no more than half of the water at any given time and always make sure the replacement water is purified

With this betta fish care advice well in mind youll always have a healthy betta Remember a healthy betta is a beautiful betta and a beautiful betta is one youll be proud to enjoy and share with friends and family for years to come

Because betta fish can be kept in relatively simple containers as opposed to large aquariums with complicated filtration systems many people are attracted to them as easy to care for yet beautiful tropical fish But betta fish care does require some frequent work to keep the fish happy and healthy

One important factor in betta fish care is to use a container that allows the fish to swim around a bit Bettas can of course survive in the little jars they are often sold in but this is far from a healthy environment and bettas in such tight quarters may fade in color and become sluggish Bettas dont need a huge amount of space but a little room to swim and a decent amount of surface area for the fish to get gulps of air in are recommended As a suggestion a 1 to 2 gallon fish bowl is a good option

It is a good idea to have a cover not an airtight cover over the top of your container as bettas have been known to jump out of their containers

The next part of betta fish care that is critical to the health of the fish is to keep the container and water very clean Part of keeping the container clean is to use caution when feeding your fish Excess food will accumulate at the bottom and cause bacterial growth and cloud the water I suggest feeding your fish with the standard betta food pellets by dropping in just one pellet at a time perhaps 3 or 4 times per day Not only will this help keep the container clean it will also prevent overfeeding which can cause swim bladder problems which can kill bettas

Frequent water changes are important to keep toxins from building up Small containers should have at least one third of their water changed at least twice per week Larger containers with one to two gallons of water or more can be done once per week with about half the water being changed out

I suggest using bottled distilled water to change your bettas water Distilled water is pure and free of chemicals like chlorine that are toxic to fish In addition since distilled water has a neutral pH it is ideally suited to the needs of betta fish

Because bettas are from tropical regions an important part of good betta fish care is to keep the water relatively warm about 75 to 80 degrees

Smooth objects without sharp edges make good decorations in the betta fish container because these fish like to rest on objects above the bottom Bettas have delicate fins so anything with sharp edges must be avoided even artificial plants that are particularly rigid

By following these tips you are well on your way to having your betta stay healthy and showing a wonderful display of its vibrant colors A bright active fish is your reward for good betta fish care

AQUARIUM DECORATION

AQUARIUM DECORATION

You have got the aquarium tank now its time to decorate The tanks looked so pretty in the pet shop but if you are like me they left you wondering where to start First you need to decide on a theme anything from Disney to Sunken ships The theme you select for your aquarium décor is a matter of personal choice The next suggestion would be to create a little diagram and scale everything to size This will insure that you have room for everything you want and help eliminate gaps in the tank

There are many different aquarium decorations out there There are hundreds if not thousands to choose from Coral driftwood gravel plants artificial plants rocks and ceramic decorations are just a few types of aquarium décor So once you have decided on your theme you should have no trouble filling your tank You will want to make sure you put all the smaller objects and plants in the front and arrange the larger ones towards the back so it can all be seen It should be noted that you should only put articles in your aquarium that are labeled for use in aquariums so as not to contaminate the tank Driftwood rocks and plants from your garden or elsewhere may contain harmful ingredients like pesticides or chemicals and even minerals that can be toxic to the aquarium life

This is also important when caring for and maintaining your tank Soap bleach and other cleaning products are harmful for fish tanks The tank décor and ornaments should be cleaned once a month using a cleaner made especially for cleaning fish tanks and aquariums Cleaners that will remove biological and mineral deposits should be used Cleaning aquarium decorations on the average is very low maintenance Just make sure that before you add or remove any aquarium decoration or ornament that you turn off and unplug all the equipment first Aquarium décor is more than just ornaments and decorations in your tank It can be used to disguise some of the unsightly plumbing of the fish tank and more importantly provide necessary shelter for the sea life thriving in your aquarium It can also provide a place for the fish to lay eggs and even go and brood Rocks and other structures used as aquarium décor often become territorial boundaries for some of the fish in the tank When picking out the rocks and bigger structures to decorate the tank keep in mind that fish love to explore so the more holes and ridges the better Its also a good idea to rearrange the décor every time you clean It will keep the aquarium experience fun and new for both you and the fish.

FISH TANKS

FISH TANKS

In Asian and Chinese culture fish play an important role You have likely seen many works of Asian and Chinese are that portray koi or goldfish and there are also many designs for Asianstyle water gardens which allow you to incorporate these lovely creatures into your home When you are using this art and science you may also want to have a feng shui fish tank at home Where do you begin and what is the best location for it in the house Are there other places within the home where you should not install it

Tank Need Not Be Large

Sometimes people may be under the erroneous impression that when you are considering a fish tank this means a very large fish tank that will occupy an entire wall in a room but this is not the case As with all of the basic principles simplicity and balanced are very important so attempting to fit a toolarge fish tank somewhere within a smaller home or room will just make the room feel cluttered definitely against the principles of feng shui

Using a small aquariums is just as good particularly is it adds to the balance of the room And a feng shui fish tank may not be a fish tank at all Even a simple fishbowl containing one or two goldfish can work just fine if it is correctly displayed and maintained If you are on a tight budget for decorating this is helpful to know because you do not need to spend a lot of cash in order to buy a big aquarium stock it with fish and maintain it

Where to Install

Feng shui incorporates natural elements identifying five elements water wood fire metal and earth The five elements are intended to be complementary to each other and to be balanced so that none of them overpowers the other in a room or other area The fish tank you are planning to install will likely be used as a room accent especially if it is a fishbowl or smaller tank

In a room which is decorated with colors in earth tones like a warm tan or brown a water element is a perfect complement If the fish are then bright colors for example orange or yellow this can contrast with the warm earth tones very nicely

Be sure that your feng shui fish tank is not clamoring for attention with other elements in your room By having it where you also have a fireplace say in a living room the fish tank may not work These two strong large elements may compete for attention and will not result in harmony Take time to determine where is best for your fish tank so that it is complementary to your room and environment so that you are using your fish tank properly

TROPICAL FISH TANKS

It is very important to research the fish you want to keep properly The best way to do this would be to buy a good book on tropical fish The adult size of the fish would determine the size of the tank and the habits and care would tell you what equipment you need and how to set up the fish tank

This will also give you the opportunity to see if the fish would be compatible If their care or requirements are too different or their temperament is wrong you shouldnt keep them together

Determine space
How much space do you have in your home Whats the biggest size tank you can fit Determine where you want the fish tank and see how much space there is Include some space between the wall and the tank for cord tubing etc

Determine your budget
How much money can you spend Remember that this money has to buy the tropical fish tank as well as all the necessary equipment fish plants decorations etc If this is your first fish tank keep in mind that this is a hobby you might decide not to pursue

Select equipment
Go to a local supplier and discuss what would be needed for the setup you require This is partly based on the fish you want to keep Get prices for everything youll need including the fish tank preferably from more than one supplier so that you can get some comparisons

Evaluate your budget against space constraints
How does your budget compare to the costs you got in the previous step Can you get a tank large enough for the fish you want to keep that will still fit in the space available If the setup is too expensive or the space to small look at your fish selection again Is there any specific fish that is causing a problem If you can remove a single type of fish to fit the rest in the space you have available how badly do you have your heart set on that fish Make sure that all the fish you chose are available in your area See if there is maybe a different place you can fit the tank or whether you can increase the budget

Buy the equipment
Once you have sorted out your budget space and fish selection you can go ahead and buy the equipment Do NOT buy any fish yet

Set up your tank
Once you have all the equipment you can start setting it up If this is the first time you are doing this expect to spend a few hours on this

Once everything is set up fill the fish tank with water and let it settle for a couple of days to make sure that the equipment is working properly and that nothing is leaking This also dechlorinates the water

Select starter fish
Select a few fish from your original list that is hardy small and inexpensive You only want to select 1 of fish for each gallon of water but you can determine this based on their current size This is the ONLY time that you will base space required on the current size of the fish The reason for this is the fact that the fish wont grow significantly in the 48 weeks that the tank is cycling

Cycle the tank
Over the course of this 48 weeks you have to be particularly diligent and patient Make sure you are not overfeeding and that you are doing regular water changes For this period DONT ADD ANY MORE FISH

Maintain the tank
Feed and observe the fish every day Check the filter regularly change 1015% of your water weekly and scrub for algae at the same time Check all your other equipment hoses fittings lights etc at least once a month And most importantly Enjoy your tropical fish tank

Right Sized Aquarium

The old adage that says bigger is better holds true for aquariums Greater water volume is always better when it comes to keeping live fish in a glass box Although it is not impossible to successfully keep fish in a small space there is a greater margin of error with a larger tank One thing to consider when buying a larger tank is the cost of operating a larger filter and moving a larger amount of water volume

Consider buying a tengallon freshwater aquarium The tank itself may cost about 15 dollars US the power filter 20 dollars US the heater if keeping tropical fish 12 dollars US ten pounds of sand gravel 12 dollars US water conditioner 10 dollars US a net cleaning sponge and a lid adds another 15 dollars US So for a tengallon tank expect to pay about 80 dollars US without a light

Compare that to a cost breakdown of a 50gallon freshwater aquarium The tank itself may cost about 70 dollars US the filter about 70 dollars US the heater 20 dollars US 50 pounds of sand gravel 40 dollars US water conditioner 12 dollars US net and cleaning sponge 8 dollars US and it usually comes with a lid So for a 50gallon tank without a light expect to pay 220 dollars US

On the onset it looks more appealing to purchase the tengallon tank but this is where most people make the mistake With such a small volume of water the temperature in a tengallon aquarium can fluctuate dramatically with the outside ambient temperature This is very stressful for the fish So what tends to happen is that people will buy the ten gallon tank and save 140 dollars US but then end up buying 140 dollars US worth of replacement fish Or worse frustration sets in and the tank ends up at the next garage sale

A larger volume of water will help to stabilize the changes in temperature during summer months and water changes Generally if only 510 percent of water is changed in a 60gallon tank every 2 weeks the fish tend to do well and parasites do not take over the tank In contrast with a small 10gallon tank a 510 percent water change could potentially devastate the chemistry of the tank A small water change has the ability to alter the temperature more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit which will stress the fish and cause disease Once the fish contract disease it is also easier to treat in a larger tank

Medicating the fish in a 50gallon tank will allow for a less precise dosing of medication When treating fish in a small tank the amount of chemicals being added needs to be measured carefully and doublechecked before being poured into the tank A miscalculation could reveal deadly results In contrast that same miscalculation could go unnoticed in a larger tank That is not to say that medication does not need to be measured when being added to a large tank It is easier to treat fish in a tank with more water but if the guidelines are followed the fish has the potential to recover no matter which sized tank they are in

In a large tank obviously large fish can be kept where they have adequate room to swim and grow A large fish can be kept in a small tank but the fish will grow to the size of the tank If the tank is smaller than the maximum size of the fish the fish will grow up deformed with internal organ dysfunctions Needless to say it is much better for the fish to pair appropriately sized fish with appropriately sized homes People should not keep German shepherds in crates suited for Yorkshire terriers and in the same way Oscars should not be kept in 10gallon fish tanks An appropriate sized tank for a fullgrown Oscar would be 36in x 18in x 16in In a tank this size the fish has the ability to turn around comfortably The adage that 1 gallon of tank water is required for 1 inch of fish does not hold true The fish keeper must consider the total mass of the fish Ten inches of neon tetras does not equate to a 10inch Oscar because the girth of the Oscar is much larger than the tetras Thus when deciding which tank to choose research the maximum size of the fish you wish to keep and buy a tank where the fish can turn around comfortably

CATS,KITTENS / DOGS,PUPPIES BUYING & TRAINING TIPS

CATS,KITTENS / DOGS,PUPPIES BUYING & TRAINING TIPS

Cats and Dugs are their smaller ones are lovely called as kitten and puppies.They make a good species of pets that can be trained and kept at home. When you first get a new dog it may seem a little overwhelming the amount of things you have to buy You will have to buy food a bed bowls and toys to mention just a few and it is also a very sensible idea to get some dog training equipment

While it is possible to use ordinary items this may not be the case in some circumstances

For instance it will certainly be necessary to get a case if you intend to crate train your dog and you may want to purchase a clicker or a noisy chain If you are training a hunting dog then you will want more specific dog training equipment to help with the process of training

A clicker is used to help with positive reinforcement Every time you praise your dog you click the clicker and give him a treat and so he recognizes the noise to mean he has done well and is being rewarded

On the other hand a noisy chain is used to throw at the feet of your dog as negative reinforcement when he has done something wrong The noise of the chain hitting the floor is irritating to the dog and will certainly get his attention You should never use the chain to reprimand the dog directly and it should only be used to make the loud noise

There are other more unusual training aids You can get remote spray collars that work like ordinary collars but have a small water spray attached When your dog misbehaves you can click the button and the water will spray into his face

This will invariably stop him in his tracks and after using this a couple of times it is very unlikely he will do the same thing again for fear of getting water sprayed in his face

Walking big dogs can be a real challenge Specialist collars can help Harnesses give you much more control over a boisterous dog that usually has the run of you when out on walks and the choker chain works by tightening around the dogs neck but quickly loosening again when the tension on the lead loosens

Electric collars give out a small electrical shock to your dog although this form of punishment is best for hunting dogs and teaching them not to approach certain harmful animals like snakes This dog training equipment is all fairly inexpensive and will make your life a lot easier when first training your dog

In terms of dog training house training is one of the areas of dog ownership and one of the most common dog training problems that is most subject to misunderstanding confusion and just plain dread boy dog owners and even dog training experts

In todays dog training article we are going to examine and learn how to deal with two of the most common problems surrounding the issue of house training your dog

Submissive and excited urination

Scent marking behavior

Common house training problem 1 Submissive and excited urination

Luckily as dog training experts will tell you it is not difficult to prevent your dog from doing his submissive or excited urination

Firstly and most importantly you should take him to the vet to make sure there is no unknown medical reason for the issue such as diabetes or a hidden bladder infection Next its time to take use good dog training techniques to control the problem

Try to limit his intake of water to help him control his bladder more effectively this is very important Dont restrict his water intake over a prolonged period of time but if you know there is a situation coming which would normally result in a loss of bladder control for example you have guests coming over or are planning on a play session soon take his water bowl away for a period of time maybe half an hour to an hour before the event When greeting your dog keep it calm and mellow The more excited he is the harder it is for him to control his bladder so dont encourage him to get worked up ignore him for the first few moments or give him a very neutral hello a quick and gentle pat and then go about making yourself at home Its important that you don’t punish or harshly correct your dog for this behavior

Common house training problem 2 Scent marking

In dog training terms Scent marking is where a dog marks his or her territory with urine Technically this is not actually a house training problem since its based on the dog training issues of dominance and territoriality rather than insufficient house training A dog can be perfectly house trained but still feel the need to mark inside the house

However because since the problem centers around the unwanted presence of urine in the house it seems logical in a way to link this problem with house training Since this is one of the most widespread problems among dog owners we as dog training professionals thought it worthwhile to include some practical advice

Scent marking and lack of house training how to differentiate between the two

Your dog is most likely scent marking their territory rather than genuinely relieving himself if

The amount of urine produced is relatively small and tends to be directed against vertical surfaces such as doors walls or furniture

If your dog is an unneutered male and at least five or six months old Unneutered dogs are much more territorial than neutered ones If you have an unneutered dog in the house you can pretty much expect a certain amount of scent marking as he defines his own areas It should also be noted that unspayed females also mark but it is much less common Spayed and neutered dogs can also exhibit marking behavior but its relatively rare but should not be discounted

It makes little difference how often he is taken outside for a toilet break

He frequently targets items that are new to the house such as new possessions guest clothing footwear etc that do not carry some form of his scent

You live in a multidog household and there is conflict between two or more of the dogs In this case it is a dominance issue between the two and they may both mark

There are other unneutered or unspayed pets in the house

What to do about the problem

From a dog training perspective the first thing you need to do is spay or neuter your dogs as soon as you possibly can If you can do this early enough ideally at six months of age this often halts marking altogether If this is not possible or if your dogs been marking for a prolonged period of time he or she may continue to do so after being spayed or neutered since a pattern of behavior will have been established

Ensure you clean soiled areas thoroughly Use a nonammonia based cleaner because it smells just like pee and stay away from vinegar too it smells similar to pee as well OxiClean mixed with warm water is particularly effective on these areas and there are also plenty of commercial cleaners designed specifically to lift pet stains and odors which you can buy from pet stores and some supermarkets

Because dogs tend to remark the same places youll need to redefine the places that you know hes marked to prevent repeat offending

Many dog training experts will recommend the following ways to do this

Feed him next to or on top of the spot

Play with him there

Groom him there

Put his bed over or next to it

Spend time there yourself hang out with a book or sit down and work

Finally one particular aspect of dog training that is often overlooked is if there is rivalry between dogs in the household In this case you will need to take steps to resolve it Any conflict is likely to be hierarchical in nature a power struggle which means that all you have to do to stop the tension is pay attention to which dog seems to be more dominant than the other one which one eats first gets the toys he she wants stares down another dog and reinforce this position to establish the hierarchy

So how do you do this From a dog training perspective it is relatively simple First feed the dominant dog first Pet him her first Give him her a toy before anyone else gets one This makes it clear to all dogs in the house which one really is the dominant dog When this hierarchys been recognizably established territorial and dominant behaviors like scent marking often vanish overnight.

Puppy And Kitten Care

Before you bring your pup or kitty home or as soon as possible if you have already brought her home you will need some stuff to take care of your new pet Remember puppies and kittens are not dogs and cats not for quite a while

First off puppies and kittens EAT Our kitten Sundance eats so much we can pretty much bet that if hes not standing on our laps or running under our feet hes eating We can practically hear him growing hes getting bigger so fast

For the first year a puppys or kittens job is pretty much to eat sleep and grow They do this because when they evolved in the wild being small and cute was not a competitive advantage and they needed to grow up be strong and defend themselves

So you are going to need to have plenty of food Remember that babies need baby food dont give the little ones adult food They need specially formulated food for their growing bodies to make sure theyre getting all the nutrients they need and not getting things they dont need

Just like human babies feline and canine babies need toys and a safe place to play Playing is an important part of their emotional and physical development just as it is for people babies and having safe toys will keep your baby from getting into things he or she shouldnt or at least help

Of course no matter how many great toys you provide theyll always find something theyre not supposed to have One day Sundance actually pulled a pushpin out of a bulleting board with his teeth I caught him and put the bulletin board up higher but it underscored for me the importance of kittenproofing our home

Be sure you put electrical cords up out of reach or tape them down dont leave chemicals like cleaning solutions or antifreeze out where they could be tipped over and leak dont leave sharp objects around and the like Fortunately unlike with people babies you probably dont have to secure the doorknob but you do need to make sure your baby is safe at home

Finally youll need to housebreak or litterboxtrain your pet and youll need supplies for that

If you have a puppy a crate the correct size is the perfect training tool because they love their crates feel comfortable there and also will not do their business in their sleeping area By having a crate using it when you cant be with your dog and taking him directly outside after leaving his crate or eating you can quickly teach him where the bathroom is

Litter box training is similar except that instead of putting the cat in a crate you will take the cat to the litter box after meals and he or she will quickly pick up on whats supposed to happen there Sundance was basically littertrained when he came to live with us and after a couple of times being shown the cat door and the litter box hes never had an accident in the house When puppies are first born and for the first three weeks of their life their total awareness is confined to their sense of smell Their eyes do not open for at least two weeks and it is often three weeks before their sense of hearing is beginning to come into play Consequently their whole existence is limited to the knowledge that they glean from their sense of smell Even these first few weeks can have an impact on the puppies training For example if the pups are kept in an unclean environment or small confinement where the dam has no chance to keep a clean bed area for her pups this will sometimes carry through into later life and a puppy will be more difficult to housetrain

Puppies who are exposed to light stress in this period of time seem to have a better ability to withstand stress later in their lives Changes in the environmental temperature being handled being moved aboutthese are stressors for the young puppy Breeders who routinely clean the whelping area removing the puppies while cleaning out the area picking them up weighing them are also actually improving the puppies ability later in life to adapt to changes

The period of three weeks to six weeks is the most opportune time for the puppy to develop true dog behaviors Puppies who are removed from their littermates before six weeks often do not learn dog behavior When they are with littermates they are taught what a bite is and whether they are biting too hard They are taught what a growl means and what will happen if they ignore a growl In short they are taught manners by their littermates and their dam These manners will be important to them all the rest of their lives when they interact with other dogs

After the third week and all through the growing up in the whelping area puppies should be exposed to as many different environmental stimulation as possible Surfaces they can walk on that are wobbly things they can smell and bounce around with their noses or their paws things that make noise things that they can climb onall are important for the tactile sensual and emotional development of the dog Imaginative breeders will fill the lives of the puppies with such stimulation knowing that in the end it will provide for a wellbalanced animal that can adapt to many different situations and remain a stable personality

Puppies often go through what some behaviorists call a fear stage at about eight to nine weeks of age This developmental stage seems to be a time when puppies will be affected more strongly by occurrences that may startle them or frighten them Puppies who have already been heavily exposed to lots of stimulation in their environment are much less likely to be influenced by unusual or traumatic events during this fear stage

FINDING PUPPY

The choices you make at the start are crucial You have to ask yourself if you are prepared to devote the next ten to fifteen years of your life to the care of this living adorable creature Are you ready to give him unconditional love and attention for that is what he will be giving you in return if you treat him the right way

If your answer is yes to these first basic questions then you have to consider other choices which are numerous How big or small do you want him Do you want an energetic or a docile pet Do you like them long haired or short haired Do you want him to be kid friendly Do you want a pedigreed puppy or a cross breed or a rescued one

A lot of the choices will fall into place if you consider where you live and how you live For instance is your home large enough for a Great Dane Do you have a balcony or a fencedin yard or neither Are you an indoors person or do you love going on long walks Do your neighbors like dogs Are there kids at home or any other pet Will there be someone at home at all times or will your puppy have to get used to being home alone Lastly will you be able to afford feeding him paying the vets bills and kennel charges when you go on vacations

So do all the research you can beforehand Talk to the local vet if there is a local dog rescue center you can tell them about your requirements see the kind of dogs the neighbors have they may have already done their homework and their experience with their pet dog may give you valuable insights read up on different breeds at the local library the internet or at the bookstore Dont make the mistake of giving in to the kids whims you have to be totally comfortable with the choice you are going to make since you will be bearing the brunt of nurturing the puppy

When you are doing your research note down any special equipment which might be required for the breed you will be choosing like yard fencing collars and leashes bedding food toys etc You have to know beforehand if your chosen breed is prone to any health problems which it might develop you might even have to change your mind

Lastly never buy a puppy for someone as a surprise and never buy one for someone without asking them these questions

Like bringing home an infant for the first time bringing home a new puppy requires a little preparation You want to make the transition to the dogs new home a smooth one You want to bring the puppy home to a calm supportive and properly prepared environment

Bringing a puppy home supplies you need

Two bowls food and water Stainless steel is ideal heavy unbreakable and unlikely to be knocked over Ceramic can chip and puppies may chew a plastic bowl

Dog cratebenefits The enclosure acts as a cozy den makes puppies feel safe when family is away encourages bladder control since dogs dislike to urinate where they sleep Plasticcrates are standard for travel but can be used daily Wire dog crates provide better ventilation and viewing Wicker crates are more attractive but can be chewed When bringing a puppy home alternatives to crates are playpens or gated enclosures Gates prevent puppies from climbing or falling down stairs until freer roam is allowed Note that confinement in damp dark quarters as basements and garages leads to housebreaking problems

Until the puppy you bring home is past the chewing stage and housebroken avoid bedding Instead an old quilt or flat mat identifies a place in the room for the puppy Take the quilt mat on trips as a security blanket Puppy supplies should include chew toys and play toys Never use shoes or garments unless you want good shoes and garments chewed and played with in the future When you bring home a puppy use a 46 foot drag leash of lightweight nylon for quick corrections in the house In the yard a 30plus foot long line allows freedom to play but gives you control

When bringing home a puppy consider an identification microchip injected into the puppys neck or shoulder by the breeder or veterinarian Have an ID tag with your address and telephone number attached to an adjustable buckle collar preferably rounded holding the puppys other tags After about 12 weeks the puppy is conditioned to wear the collar Dont put the dogs name on the ID since the name could endear it to wrongdoers Puppy supplies also include a training collar

The basic types The head collar muzzlelike in appearance is probably the most humane way to walk your dog since it eliminates pressure around the neck The chain collar or choke collar should never be left on the dog when not in use Master the zipper tug of the chain collar since the puppy learns by the sound and not the restraint A nylon training collarcan be used on more cooperative dogs instead of the chain collar

When you bring home a puppy and it has grown a bit you need a teaching lead for leading the puppy around the house on a leash anchoringwhen you are sitting and stationing settling the puppy into selected areas The teaching lead has 4 benefits substitutes for the crate when family is home encourages good manners helps teach everyday commands helps resolve housebreaking and other annoying habits

Before the trip home

Before bringing a puppy home the breeder should tell you the feeding schedule and how much food it gets Take a weeks supply of that food to avoid upsetting the puppys system by sudden changes Inquire when the puppy may need to defecate and about how often

For the trip home have a large towel folded to make a padded surface and settle the dog quickly on someones lap but never on the drivers lap Avoid the front seats where the airbags are located In the best case the trip home is during naptime If the puppy whines settle it by placing a reassuring hand on it and remain still no baby talk or petting and the puppy will likely fall asleep Have an extra towel if the puppy becomes car sick Dont fuss if it happens replace the towel with a clean one and maintain a calm environment

The first hours together

The first hours at home with your new puppy will leave an indelible impression it is especially important to make them pleasant If you become anxious or impatient the puppy will sense this and you risk anxietydriven behavior problems

Take the new dog directly to the area for relieving itself Stand quietly dont distract the dog let it sniff Stay until the dog urinates or defecates It will likely do so shortly after eating If the puppy cooperates immediately heap praise on the dog and point to the deposit Get the puppy to look or sniff at its work so it understands what you are pleased about Make it a celebration The faster the puppy understands what you are pleased about the more it will look to please you Communication is key after bringing your puppy home

PUPPY TRAINING

The quick and easy puppy potty training system has three concepts that will limit poor choices by you and your puppy The goal of our dog training program is to help make the right potty choice easy and the wrong potty choice hard for your puppy The three key elements to humane gentle and dog friendly potty training are Schedule Supervise and Confinement These are concepts that we share with our Chicago potty training clients

Scheduling is the hardest concept for the first time puppy owner to comprehend and implement properly A proper schedule helps you and your puppy plan your day The best schedule has planned times for food for potty time for playtime and for naptime Scheduling the day for your puppy revolves around his ability to hold in urine The Doggie Do Right rule of thumb is your puppy can hold it for one hour for each month of age For instance a threemonthold puppy should be able to stay clean and dry for three hours a fourmonthold puppy should be able to stay dry for four hours But there is one important exception to this rule

Many of our clients in the city of Chicago choose the smallest of toy breeds as their pets The size of your puppy is the really the controlling issue in creating a potty schedule The smaller your puppy the more frequently your puppy will have to potty and the usual rule of hour to age ratio is void Some of the smaller toy breeds like Chihuahuas or Papillions which are very popular with clients in the Gold Coast of Chicago may have to urinate as frequently as every fifteen minutes The simplest schedule for the very young puppy is onehour nap time and then one hour of potty play and snacks As the puppy becomes more mature the time for potty play and snacks can increase and the naptime can decrease Puppies that are three months or older can have activity periods that are two or three hours long

Proper supervision of the puppy is another area that can be very challenging for the new puppy owner Supervision means that the puppy is always within reach of your fingertips and you always have both eyes right on the puppy so that he cant sneak away to potty in your best boots This level of supervision is almost impossible for the average pet parent to maintain 24 hours a day If you are watching your puppy all day long when do you go to the gym go to work and visit your friends What do you do when you cant supervise your puppy Confinement

You can use many methods to confine your puppy Crates baby gates and tethers are the most common options The most common method is crating A crate is a metal or plastic box that is just like a babys crib Many people feel guilty about using a crate but feel comfortable placing a baby in a crib or playpen A crate is a crib for a baby dog It helps the puppy understand the concept of keeping your house sanitary and free from potty accidents and prevents the puppy from learning bad habits Another option is to baby gate the puppy into a small room that has a nonporous floor like tile stone or linoleum

Tethering is very effective for older puppies or for pet parents who like to have their dog with them during the day All you need to tether your dog to you is a thin leash that is about six feet long Clip one end of the leash to your puppy and the other end is tied to your belt loops This is a great way to keep your puppy with you within arms distance and reduce the need for crating