Archive for October, 2007
Oct
31
Posted under
Uncategorized Old English Sheepdog Puppy And Dog Information
By Mitch Endick
The Old English Sheepdog is a lovable, even tempered dog. She is more meant for the country as opposed to an apartment. She has plenty of fur to distribute when shedding plus she takes a ton of time for grooming. As a puppy she takes up to two years to mature. She generally gets along well with other pets and children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.
Approximate Adult Size
The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Old English Sheepdog is 22 to 24 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 65 to 90 pounds. The female ranges from 20 to 22 inches to the withers and 60 to 90 pounds.
Special Health Considerations
Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Old English Sheepdog is no exception. Be on the look out for Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), cataracts and Immune Mediated Hemolytic Snemia. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember avoid feeding your dog sweets.
Grooming
The Old English Sheepdog has a profuse, coarse, shaggy coat. Much time must be scheduled to keep this fine dog brushed regularly. She will need to be professionally groomed occasionally and your groomer needs to train you in her daily or at least several times a week maintenance.
Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.
Life Span
The Old English Sheepdog can live between 12 and 13 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
History
The Old English Sheepdog comes from Great Britain where they were used to herd cattle and sheep. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1888.
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AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
ACR American Canine Registry
Litter Size
5 to 8 Old English Sheepdog puppies
Category
Herding
Terms To Describe
Intelligent, adaptable, powerful, shaggy, agile, lovable
SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
- Good watch dog.
- Like to hang around the house.
- They love children.
- More protective then she looks.
SPECIAL BAD POINTS
- Poor guard dog.
- Can be stubborn.
- Needs good obedience training.
- They may try to herd the kids or other animals.
- Barks loudly.
- Slow learner
- Slow to mature from a puppy.
- High maintenance grooming.
- When she seasonally sheds, she sheds.
Other Names Known By
Bobtail
Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
About the Author
Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site http://www.petpages.com, a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info. Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitch_Endick
http://EzineArticles.com/?Old-English-Sheepdog-Puppy-And-Dog-Information&id=442128
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized Does Your Dog Have An Irritating Jumping Habit?
By Ian White
Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company and even your Grandma who has a walker? This can be a very irritating trait for your dog to develop. Unfortunately, it can make people dread coming to your home. No one wants to try to have a conversation with a fluffy fur ball trying to jump on them or sit on their lap.
There are many dogs which are just too friendly. They never meet a stranger, and they would even roll the red carpet out and lavish love on the most grouchy individual. While no one wants to discourage friendliness in a puppy, they do need to learn social manners.
Have you ever known a person who you try to avoid? When you see this person coming do you do everything within your power to ensure you aren t held up by their endless chatting? There are some dogs who people simply want to avoid, too. If one of these overly friendly guys is in your home, you should teach them self-control. This can be done through consistent training.
Sometimes this sort of problem arises because a puppy thinks he is in charge of the home. He thinks he is “Lord of the Manor” and everyone should be pleased to have him on their laps! Dogs usually develop this attitude when they do not feel that a leader has been clearly defined in the home. These canines are more than happy to step into the role as the alpha male and do things at their whim and fancy.
The most important thing you can do when you bring your puppy home is to send him the signal that you are the leader of his pack. One of the first steps to achieving this is to have your pet rely on you for his food. You should never leave a full bowl of food out for your puppy to munch on at his leisure. By having you be the one which meets his hunger needs, he will quickly learn to respect you. You should have a set routine when you feed your dog throughout the day. Any food that is left after 20 minutes should be put away until the next feeding.
Dogs can also get confused and think they are the king of the house when they are the first ones greeted by a member of the family after an absence. You should make a point to greet all members of your household before you acknowledge your puppy. If you live alone, you can go to your room, change clothes or get a drink before you settle down and greet your puppy. Many owners only intensify a bad jumping habit when they greet their puppy exuberantly when they come through the door each day.
It is very important that you start teaching your puppy what “down” means the moment they start a habit of jumping. This is not a very hard technique to teach your puppy–if you practice it ever time they jump. The best thing to do during this phase is to let your pup jump on you. When he does and bounces back to the floor say “down.” But, don t say this while he is jumping. You have to wait until all four feet of his feet are firmly on the floor. You should also use this word each and every time he is caught reclining on the furniture and you have to put him on the floor.
Once your dog seems to have an understanding of what down means, you should never allow him to jump on you again. Each time your puppy starts to jump on you, turn away immediately. Your pooch will miss his mark and hit the floor. Don t make a fuss. Simply turn your back and step out of his way. Once your pup is back down on the floor, you can reach down, pet him, and say “down.” Your pup may not take to this at first. He may continue to jump repeatedly until he reaches his target . . . you. Every time he jumps up to you, simply step away and turn your back. Never greet your puppy until he is completely down on the floor.
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While this can easily turn into a match of wills, it is important that your dog understands that you are the leader of his pack!
An option to teach your puppy that jumping on guests is unacceptable is to have him on a leash. Have a leash by your door and if a guest arrives, put him on the leash before you open the door. If your pup stands up on his back legs and tries to greet the guest, pull him gently to the floor and say “down.” You should advise your guests to ignore your puppy until he is on the floor. When your puppy starts to stay on the floor when guests arrive, have dog treats by the door to reward him with. Each and every time he does not jump up to greet a guest, praise him for staying down and give him a dog treat.
Dogs are very intelligent animals. They learn rather quickly. They can learn to obey and blend into the family, or they can learn to run wild and be a general nuisance to everyone. The choice is up to the owner. It is best to start training your puppy from day one. While many commands cannot be learned right away, you should always let your puppy know that you are the leader of his pack and that you will take care of him. In return, you expect to be obeyed and respected.
You may find that some dogs take to learning their social skills easier than others. You should never give up if you have a pooch who is a slow learner. Once it mentally clicks with your puppy what you are expecting from him, he will usually happily oblige. Puppies thrive under consistent training, routine, and praise. Once he discoveries that you will pile on the praise and adoration, he will gladly keep his feet on the floor and greet you and your guests from a comfortable distance.
Some dog owners may have trouble mastering the proper tone and techniques which are needed to command their dogs respect. If you are finding it hard to train your puppy, you may want to consider taking your canine to an obedience class where the pair of you can benefit from the instruction. You can check the local newspapers or go on the Internet to find the next available class in your area.
Your puppy will be with you for the rest of his life. You owe it to you and your guests (and even your dog!) to teach him how to interact and get along socially with humans.
Author Ian White is founder of Dog-Breeders.biz. This extensive
online directory includes listings by private breeders, kennel
clubs, and occasional hobby or family breeders. Those seeking
dogs can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz automates the matching of dogs for sale with dog
wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all parties.
Dog lovers and breeders can find more information on the website
at: http://www.dog-breeders.biz
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_White
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized Getting Started With Clicker Training For Your Dog
By Lynn Reynolds
What is clicker training
Clicker training is a way to train your dog to encourage good behavior while ignoring and eliminating bad behavior. Dogs of any age can quickly associate the clicker sound with desired behaviors. It can work more quickly and be more effective than voice or hand cues only.
Click for Positive Behavior
The most important part of clicker training is to click for positive behavior. If you want to teach your dog to sit, click when your dog sits normally. If you are housetraining your dog, click when she is going outside. Remember click=good. Do not make the mistake of clicking when the dog is engaging in behavior you want to stop. Do not use it when your not-yet-housetrained dog has an accident on the floor. She will soon learn the behavior that you desire. Until then, ignore the non desirable behavior.
Timing
Timing is crucial in clicker training. Dogs have short attention spans. Do not wait until after the behavior is finished. If you do, he will not know why you are clicking and will become confused about what is the desirable behavior. Do not worry if the clicking interrupts the behavior. Your dog will still associate the click with the behavior.
Reward
After the click comes the dog s favorite part of training-the reward. You want to teach your dog to sit. Click while your dog is sitting down, then offer the reward. Do not give the dog too much a small piece of your dog s favorite food will suffice.
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He will begin to do this behavior in the hopes of securing a click and a treat. When this happens it is time to add the cues and train your dog with words or hand signals. If you are teaching your dog “sit,” only click when the dog sits during or after the cue. Do not click if the dog does not respond. He will begin to associate the cues with the desired behaviors.
Stay Positive
If you begin to become frustrated with your dog, it is time to put the clicker away and take a break from training. Dog training takes time, but as long as progress is being made you know you are on the right path.
Lynn loves all dogs, especially well-behaved ones. To learn more about dog training, visit her site at http://www.squidoo.com/positivedogtraining
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Reynolds
http://EzineArticles.com/?Getting-Started-With-Clicker-Training-For-Your-Dog&id=414440
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized Do You Have a Dog Day Care Business Plan?
By Kelley Blackston
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then you need to make sure you have a dog day care business plan. A solid dog day care business plan will help you get started in the right direction.
My name is Kelley Blackston and I run a successful dog day care. The reason our dog day care has been such a success in our local area is because we have stuck to our dog day care business plan.
By making sure things are organized we avoid the pitfalls that many people have to suffer through when starting their dog day care business.
It would be very difficult for us to have a profitable dog day care if we did not have a solid dog day care business plan.
A dog day care business plan requires that you take into consideration the cost of resources and understand the laws of your area.
Be sure that your dog day care business plan takes into account all the various needs of your dogs and their owners.
You always want a strong dog day care business plan so that your dog day care business will continue to grow each and every week.
My main piece of advice for you is to make sure your dog day care business plan is very organized and easy to follow. Don t make it more difficult than it has to be!
Good luck with your dog day care business plan.
Kelley Blackston
P.S.
Dog Day Care Home Business
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Thank you.
“Thousands Have Discovered This Little Known Secret To Making Money With A Dog Day Care — Now It s Your Turn…”
Dog Day Care Business Plan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelley_Blackston
http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Have-a-Dog-Day-Care-Business-Plan?&id=8577
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized How To Adopt A Shelter Cat - Your New Cat Will Thank You For Reading This Article
By Niall Kennedy
If you are thinking of adding a feline to your family, consider adopting a cat from your local animal shelter or humane society. The animals have been carefully screened for adoptability and have usually been worked with to enhance sociability.
Unfortunately, many people think that only “bad” animals wind up in shelters. Actually, the opposite is true. People relinquish their pets to shelters when they are no longer able to care for them. Sometimes this is because the owner was unprepared for the responsibility that comes with caring for a pet.
If there is no indication of reason for surrender on the cage at the shelter ask - a cat that has been given up because of bad behaviour may not be the best choice - no matter how cute she is.
Often, however, caring owners struggling with life-changes or trying to cope with family tragedy realize their pet would be better off with someone else. They bring them to the shelter because they know the animal will be well-cared for and placed in an excellent home.
Shelter staff carefully evaluates each animal for physical and behavioral soundness. They make note of quirks, and work with specialists to eliminate negative behaviors. Most shelters have adoption counselors who interview potential adopters to understand their needs and lifestyle so they can make the perfect match.
Your first contact with a shelter cat will probably be when she is in her cage. Don t be put off if she ignores you completely. Keep in mind that many new people pass by her cage each day, and she has to cope with all the noise and stress that accompanies that. A shelter worker can arrange for you to meet the cat in a quiet room. Again, she may not pay much attention to you, but watch how she acts towards the staff person. This is who she is more comfortable with. While you observe the cat, talk with the staff member and learn all you can about the cat s likes and dislikes.
Take a cat carrier with you to the shelter - much easier than having your new cat running around the car as you take her home.
Bringing your newly adopted cat home is exciting for you, and a little overwhelming for her. Have things prepared before you pick her up from the shelter. This includes having small area for her to call her own. A bathroom or extra bedroom works well. Furnish it with a bed, food and water bowls, scratching post, toys and a litter box. Spend some time with her in the room with the door closed.
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Keep her confined to this room until she seems relaxed in your presence. Then you can allow her to roam the rest of your home.
Some cats take longer than others to adjust to new situations. Your cat has gone from a home to a noisy shelter to another new home. Change is stressful for cats. You can help her adjust more quickly by establishing set routines. Begin feeding, grooming and playing with her at the same times each day, and she ll feel at home much sooner.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niall_Kennedy
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat—Your-New-Cat-Will-Thank-You-For-Reading-This-Article&id=38464
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Oct
31
Posted under
Uncategorized Enjoy Nature with Soothing Animal Sounds
By Morgan Hamilton
The most chilling sound in my opinion is the sound of animals fighting. I remember hearing it one night in the early hours of the day. There were two cats fighting to the death. When I first heard that noise I thought I was going to die. During the summer, especially when it is very hot, you can hear even worse animal sounds coming from cats. It is really stressful to hear them. I am convinced that those who hear this dreadful wailing will always remember it.
On the other hand, there are many pleasant animal sounds. Some of them could also be considered musical and relaxing. I have quite a lot of nice animal sounds on my computer. I even use some of them as event sounds. For instance, whenever I open a file I hear the sound of an owl hooting. I also have longer animal sounds which I enjoy listening to from time to time. I have a bed ritual - I always listen to a tape of loon calls before I sleep. This haunting echo of loons on the lake coming along with the echoing trees of the shore is magnificent. Only animal sounds can make you feel in touch with nature. Moreover, you can enjoy listening to them from your own house.
My most favorite animal sounds are the howls of wolfs, dogs and coyotes. Even though you might find that unusual as they might not be the most soothing sounds, but as I grew up in a rural area I am quite fond of them.
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When all members of my family moved to the big city I found it hard to fall asleep without hearing any animal sounds. The suburban street was quiet but you could hear plenty of animal sounds. In the city I couldn t fall asleep without these lovely wild animal sounds. Thus I downloaded some sounds onto my computer. However, if you want something which is wild as well as relaxing, something which can make you feel in touch with the nature, the sounds of wild animals is what you are looking for.
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning pets. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Animal Sounds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Enjoy-Nature-with-Soothing-Animal-Sounds&id=313740
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized Halmahera Island Boa Care (Candoia paulsoni tasmai)
By Chris M Jones
Halmahera Island Boas are a subspecies of the Solomon Island Boas. They are slightly smaller than the Solomon Island Boas and have a more arboreal tendency. They are usually brown in colour, but gold individuals are also known. Nearly all Halmahera Island Boas are wild caught this species is hard to breed and even harder to rear. Halmahera Island Boas are quite temperamental and caution should be taken when handling. Although they are non-venomous, they have quite a nasty bite. With patience and regular handling however, many wild caught specimens will calm down and take to handling. Adult females can reach 1m in length males are slightly smaller, around 80cm.
Housing
When keeping any snake as a pet, you generally want to be able to view the snake from the outside of its enclosure, in the most natural surroundings you can offer. This will be more aesthetically pleasing and also aid in the general condition of the snake. If the snake likes its surroundings, it will have a better feeding response and generally grow quicker. A larger vivarium also offers more interest to the snake s life, and by adding branches and other natural products you will enhance the quality of life the snake has, and stop it from becoming lethargic and overweight. Also, being stronger it should have more of a resistance to any viral infections or any other problems that it may encounter later in life.
For an adult female Halmahera Island Boa, a vivarium 90cm Length x 45cm Width x 45cm Height is ample. I have found this subspecies to be less of a problem to feed than other Candoia, and therefore can usually be placed straight into a larger enclosure. However, if your newly imported specimen will not feed, a smaller, dark, confined enclosure should be offered.
Snake enclosures can be made from a number of materials. Most commonly used is a melamine coated wood which covers all sides except the front, which has glass sliding doors. Aquariums can also be used for Halmahera Island Boas, although a specialist lid should be bought or made rather than the original aquarium lid. It is essential when thinking about what type of enclosure you use, you think about these 6 SSSHHH factors:
1) Safety - Can the snake or owner injure itself from the enclosure or any appliances held within?
2) Secure - Can the snake escape through any small hole or cavity?
3) Size - Will the enclosure be appropriately sized?
4) Heating - Is the enclosure able to regulate the temperature properly?
5) Humidity - Will the enclosure last well in humid conditions? Is there enough ventilation for the moisture to escape?
6) Hygienic - Will the enclosure build up a lot of bacteria in small cavities? Is it easy to clean?
By following the steps above, you can have a suitable enclosure made from a variety of materials.
Dcor
Dcor in your tank serves two purposes. First being extra cover for your snake and second, allowing for a more natural and pleasing appearance. When choosing dcor, think about the safety of the snake. Make sure that whatever you decide to use, it is securely fixed and that no rocks, wood or anything heavy can fall and possibly injure, or even kill the snake. You must also make sure that everything used is parasite free. If anything has been picked up from outside, or has originally come from outside, such as cork bark, you should either boil it, or place the item in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes. Freezing works for some parasites, however others have been known to survive months in freezing conditions. Some parasites found in English conditions last winters in minus temperatures, so it is not entirely effective.
Once all your dcor is parasite free, it is then safe to place inside your enclosure. As a general rule, if you can put pressure on an item to knock it down, a Halmahera Island Boa is certainly capable of doing so. When positioning rocks or heavy objects, make sure they are completely secure. If it is still uneasy, screw them or use superglue to fix them securely. If it is not possible, the rule is simple: Do not place the item in the vivarium!
If you decide to go for a larger enclosure, you must provide plenty of cover and hiding areas. A hiding place can be anything from a tupperware box with a hole cut out to a naturalistic piece of cork bark. There are many brands of fake plants and dcor you can use which is both safe for the animal and pleasing to the eye. Cork bark is available from almost any reptile pet shop in the UK, and can be ordered in if they do not have it in stock. This is excellent cover for any reptile and is 100% natural. One thing you must consider when thinking about the size of the vivarium, is the bigger you go, the more hiding areas you must provide. I recommend at least one hiding place per foot in length of the enclosure.
NOTE: Never use sticky tape in an enclosure this is an accident waiting to happen. Believe me removing sticky tape from any snake is no easy task!
Heating
Halmahera Island Boas are in dense forests and are exposed to a fairly constant air temperature. They do not bask in the sun and so it is not as important to provide them with a dedicated hot spot. Instead, having a fairly constant air temperature of 85-90ºF during the day and 80-85ºF during the night is fine. A large water bowl should be offered for the snake to fully submerge if required. If your Halmahera Island Boa does this constantly, the vivarium is most probably too hot and should be cooled down slightly.
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This is a small thin square plate, about 25mm thick which is screwed into the top of the vivarium. It does not need to be protected, as there is no way a snake can grip onto it. It is almost invisible to the eye as it simply sits on the ceiling of the vivarium. The only brand available in the UK is HabiStat Reptile Radiator it is 75 Watts and is sufficient for any vivarium up to 4ft long and possibly larger. It produces no light and therefore in a vivarium you will need a form of lighting as well. A power plate should be used in conjunction with a HabiStat Pulse Proportional Thermostat, which will stop the power reaching the power plate as soon as the temperature goes above the setting, and turn back on as soon as it is too cool. This is one of the most accurate thermostats on the market today.
Ceramic heaters, spot bulbs and heat mats are also ways of heating a vivarium. These all have their advantages and disadvantages, but in my opinion, none quite weigh out to be as good as a power plate.
Lighting
Halmahera Island Boas are primarily nocturnal, meaning they venture out in the dark of night. This is when their main predators are sleeping, and their prey is awake. Lighting for this species is not important. However, having artificial light in a vivarium is aesthetically pleasing to the owner, and is a good addition to a snake s enclosure. They will use this as a photo-period, and their regular time clock will generally adjust to the settings on which you have your light set to.
They do not require any form of special lighting, such as a D3 Ultra-Violet light commonly used for diurnal species. An Arcadia Natural Sunlight Fluorescent Lamp is a good form of lighting. This comes in lengths of 12″ up to 48″ and I suggest you use the largest size able to fit inside your vivarium.
Humidity
Halmahera Island Boas occur solely on the island of Halmahera, therefore are exposed to a high humidity. This should be replicated in captivity to aid to the general health and well-being of your snake. An 80-90% humidity range will allow to snake to slough its skin properly and become less prone to any problems such as respiratory infections.
Feeding
Juveniles or males should be offered fuzzy or small mice, and as they grow the mice or rats should become larger. An adult Halmahera Island Boa should be fed on large mice or weaner rats. One of these every 2 weeks is ample. Juveniles should be fed on a regular basis, every 7 days is ideal. Their metabolic rate is higher than adults and as they are growing, they need a lot more food to keep them going. Halmahera Island Boas have a low metabolism compared to many snakes, they move very little and do not require the same quantity of food that many other species do. Snakes have the capability of building up a huge fat reserve, and become obese very easily. Taking the weight off however, is a much more difficult task. Obese snakes will not live nearly the length as a healthy snake would due to liver and kidney problems. If you are unsure about your snake s weight, check with a reptile veterinarian.
By Chris Jones
Director of Pet Club UK Ltd.
http://www.petclubuk.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_M_Jones
http://EzineArticles.com/?Halmahera-Island-Boa-Care-(Candoia-paulsoni-tasmai)&id=236350
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Oct
31
Posted under
Uncategorized Breed Profile - Labrador Retriever
By Stephanie Bayliss
Labrador Retriever
History
Labradors originated from the coast of Newfoundland in the 17 th Century. They were trained by fishermen, to collect the nets from the icy waters and for this reason, were bought to Poole Harbour in the UK in the 19 th Century.
With such an attractive dog, the fishermen were often offered money for them and they very soon were found to be extremely effective as gun dogs.
The Earl of Malmesbury was a huge fan and began breeding these dogs, and named them ” Labradors”
Appearance
Labradors are extremely attractive dogs, with kind faces and gentle eyes. They are strongly built and broad through their chest and rib cage.
According to the Kennel Club, Labradors should stand at approximately 55-56 cm tall for females and 56-57 cm tall for males.
Labradors have a short, dense coat which has a waterproof undercoat. They come in 3 solid colours yellow, black and chocolate. Yellow Labradors can range in colour from a light cream to red fox.
Temperament
Labradors make one of the best family pets, being friendly, kind patient and very forgiving. They will bond with children and adults alike and just love to be a part of the family. They are not a good guard dog, and will welcome strangers like old family friends. They like other dogs and are good with other animals too.
Grooming
With their short coats, they will only require a minimal amount of time spent on grooming.
Exercise
Labradors love to be outside they appreciate long walks where they can run off lead. But do beware because of their love for water, it is likely that they will become oblivious to your shouts of “NO”, as they head for the nearest muddy water hole, to wallow like a hippo! Care should be taken around large expanses of water, as they will swim and swim!
Health Problems
When you purchase a Labrador puppy, you must check that the breeder screens for hereditary problems, especially Hip and Elbow dysplasia. You should also be aware that progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy are also hereditary problems.
Henry s story
Henry is a 7 year old typical Labrador who lives with Kim and Leon, and their 4 year old son, Max.
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Stephanie has written many articles on dogs. Visit Kennel Corner for more Dog Breed Profiles and other interesting dog resources, including a Dog Obedience School Directory
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized “Bugs Are Beautiful” In Your Bird Feeders!
By Terry Price
Are you looking for some excellent food for your bird feeder? Did you know that bugs are delicious bits of food for birds, and that there are very few birds that don t eat insects? Even birds that are classified as seed-eating or nectar-sipping will gobble up insects in a minute. Technically speaking though, spiders and earthworms are not considered to be insects but are on the main menu of many birds. When it comes to wild birds such as starlings or grackles, they eat tremendous numbers of wasps, spiders, ants and many others including grubs. So every time you set your bird feeder out or fill it up, you can rest assured that when a huge flock descends on your yard you ll be certain to have fewer insects when the birds are gone. During the nesting season, insects are hatching all over the place, eating your flowers, fruits, and vegetables and everything else in sight, and they grow very quickly. This is the best time of the year for all of your local birds.
To balance a bird s see diet, these young bugs and their parents provide your feathered friends with a quick, protein-filled meal for their young nestlings. After all, in addition to a bird feeder that is full of seeds, growing baby birds need soft squishy insects full of energy.
Did you know that humming birds eat small spiders and then use their webs to build their tiny nests and lay their eggs? There are so many fascinating things that we don t know about the bird world, even those right in our own local neighborhood. If you watch birds in your yard around bird feeders or just on the ground, you will soon see that different birds find insects in various ways. Using the Internet for all of your birdseed and bird supply requirements is one way to save money.
By Terry Price- Remember to visit Using Glass Bird Feeders
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html">http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/bird-feeders.html for a great resource on all kinds of bird feeders and bird supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Price
http://EzineArticles.com/?Bugs-Are-Beautiful-In-Your-Bird-Feeders!&id=120996
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized Some Things To Consider Before Breeding Your Dog
By Steve Allison
Breeding dogs can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. Of course it s not as simple as deciding to breed and starting. There are some important things you need to ask, and honestly answer before you can breed with a clear conscience.
With so many unwanted puppies you need to be sure you can find good homes for all the puppies. There are far too many unwanted pets in the world. If you are wanting to breed because you feel you have a lot of time, resources and love to give - rather consider adopting one of the many millions of homeless pets and giving your love in this way.
You will need to have your bitch thoroughly checked by the veterinarian before thinking about allowing your bitch to become pregnant. Lingering and chronic medical conditions must be identified and sorted out before pregnancy. If something is found that would indicate that pregnancy is dangerous for your bitch (for example Daschunds have severe back problems which can be exacerbated by pregnancy) the problem needs to be sorted out.
While at the vet you will also need to ask many questions. Doing your homework helps here too - if you are going to do this there are a great deal of things you will need to know about. And many unforeseen circumstances you might find yourself in. You must know a great deal about all aspects of your bitches reproduction before you go ahead.
Caring for puppies also takes significant resources. You will need to commit to a great deal of extra time on your part. Caring for a pregnant, whelping and lactating bitch is time consuming enough, not to mention caring for the puppies.
Financially you will need to prepare for the added veterinarian costs, both for your bitch and the necessary vaccines for the puppies. If you cannot afford the medical costs then under no circumstances should you breed with your bitch.
A litter can be as large as 12 puppies which will place an enormous financial strain on you. Unless both dogs are of very good breeding you might not see any return on your investment.
Emotionally the process can also have its ups and downs for you and your family. Are you prepared for the possibility of sick, deformed or even dead puppies? How will your children react? How will you deal with these kinds of issues?
Examine your motives carefully. Don t breed because you think you will be able to make some profit for yourself. This is both false and selfish.
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If something goes wrong it won t be quite as joyful. Lastly if you are clinging to false fantasies about cute puppies and no other work then think again.
Remember - every puppy you create is your responsibility and that can be quite a monumental thing. This means if owners of the puppies cannot care for them anymore you will need to take them back.
It s hard, messy work and there is an endless list of things that can go wrong.
This said, allowing your bitch to mate can be a very rewarding experience. If you are sure you have considered all the aspects, are well read and sure you have enough love, time and money to go round - then enjoy the experience. It s amazing to watch the miracle of life unfold before you. If you have children it will be both educational and memorable experience.
At its best breeding should be a careful blend between science and art. Are you really prepared for all the responsibility that comes with breeding?
Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide
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Oct
31
Posted under
Uncategorized Who Is The Leader Of Your Dog Pack?
By Jim Hodges
Can you take your dog for a walk without being dragged down the street? If not, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
When someone comes to the door, who greets them first? If you answer your dog, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
If you give your dog a command, does he or she do it? If not, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
If you give your dog a command and he/she obeys, does your dog remain in that command until you release them? If not, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
When you go out the door with your dog, who goes first? If your dog goes first, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
If you play tug with your dog, who wins? If your dog wins and keeps the toy, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
Does your dog jump on you? If so, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
When your dog comes to you to get petted (physically putting himself in a position to get petted), do you pet him. If you do, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
Does your dog eat when it wants to? Does he/she get fed before you do? If so, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
Does your dog sleep with you or gets on the furniture without permission? If so, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
Does your dog mark his/her territory in your home? If so, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack.
Has your dog ever growled at you? If so, you are probably not the leader of your dog pack. Note: If so, you need professional help or someone may get hurt.
Notice the word “probably” above.
Any one of those items by themselves (and countless other examples where your dog seems to be in a controlling position) does not necessarily mean you aren t the leader.
A combination of them does increase the likelihood that your dog thinks he or she is the leader … regardless of what you think.
Your dog should not lead your pack. You should.
In some situations, nothing will happen except you will have a spoiled dog. In other situations, it can lead to someone getting hurt or bit.
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As long as your dog is not aggressive at this moment, I can help start providing little suggestions to improve your life with your dog.
There is one caveat.
Do not start taking control unless you mean to see it through. If you lack the will power and fail, you will be doing nothing but confirming to the dog that he/she is the leader … just like in the dog pack or wolf pack in the wild.
We can t treat dogs like humans. They do not understand this. We have to communicate with them on their level.
Did you find this article interesting? Jim is a true professional dog trainer that gets results! To learn more about leading your dog, visit his two other sites at Jim Hodges Dog Training and his training and behavior blog at Contain-A-Pet Electronic Fencing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Hodges
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Oct
31
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Uncategorized A Way of Handling Your Pet Bird
By Low Jeremy
Bird trainers have developed skills or techniques, and become experts in understanding the behavioral nature of the parrot. Several books, manuscript, and guidelines in promoting the positive angles to be on the win side in behavioral conquest of the bird have helped a lot of amateurs and pet owners.
Parrots are the most misunderstood birds in existence. It s up for you to get thru better relationships with your bird, for it is, what you make it so. Before knowing it, at a slightest trait overlook, this bird in your cage could create havocs of anxiety and frustrations in your life. Basically, parrots need real training, otherwise, you will one day find out, it becomes an undesirable annoying character stealing away every bit of your peaceful, chaos-free moments.
Basics in training start with the bird s character traits and instincts. Your first approach is to notice its biting habits and screaming. These are inherent to parrots especially if it seemed likely to be ignored. Like humans they develop into emotional outburst, and their tendency is to find an object to threw out their fits.
Instinctive biting and screaming loudly distract. Try to find out what causes such behavior. Every bit of undesirable action could be a reaction that actually comes from its surrounding environment, either from your very self, or from anyone among your companions inside the house.
Behavioral Aspects in Training
1. Let us deal into terms similar to psychology in humans.
*Operant conditioning, situation in training, on other domestics or your bird pet reacting well in order to gain something positive, or to evade from something negative. Example: Directing your bird to whistle, if it mimics the action, you hand in its food. Next time, instinct to eat allows impulsive choice to obey, whatever you want it to do, a whip of your finger, or cue from your mouth.
*Bridging stimulus set an example, when a hand is raised to command the bird to perch in one corner of the cage, the demonstrative actions serve a bridge for the parrot to choose in abeyance following the hand cuing, because a toy is ready at reach.
2.
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Example: When it unties cage s knots (birds do kept biting and untying) long time before you discovered it, don t whip or deprive it of meals. Birds or animals do not know of past and future. Bird s instinct is to live or act “here” and “now,” and never aware of anything done ostentatiously. Turn to let a parrot obey you on what it does at the moment.
A large scale of parrot species need to be captivated to insure you with one of the best pet favored by many households. Research where your pet originated in order to pursue utmost care in mutual relationships between humans and birds.
This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Pet Parrots, please visit http://pet-parrot.articlekeep.com
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Oct
31
Posted under
Uncategorized Does Your Dog Dig?
By Larry Combs
Dear Fellow Dog Lover,
I assume you love your dog, or you probably wouldn t be reading this.
But, looking at your “battle-field” of a yard filled with holes sometimes makes it tough to love your dog like you want to. You look out the window, and there he is digging like crazy, for no apparent reason. As if there is something buried there that he HAS to have right now!
My Border Collie used to drive me nuts!
So, I started checking around. Calling every dog expert I could find trying find someone who knew the answers. Then, Bingo!
I found a trainer in who actually had some ideas.
He said most dogs don t dig for no reason. They smell something
that intrigues them and compells them to dig. It could be many things. From moles to mold.
In my case it was mold from an old decaying tree stump just under the surface. “Buster” had dug a virtual “foxhole” around the area.
Here s what I discovered. First, there are some commercial products you can by like “Keep Off” and “Repell” and I had some success with them. But, they soon loose their effect. Either they simply wear off, or get washed away by rain, etc. But the attraction to dig remains.
Here s what I did that actually broke Buster forever!
The trainer who finally helped told me to put Busters stool in the holes. I said “will that really work?” And he said “Well, unless your dog likes digging in s—.”
I grabbed my shovel and everytime I cleaned up after Buster s
“business” I put the stool in the hole. It worked almost immediately.
No related posts
Within a week Buster gave up and quit digging.
So, since you need to clean your yard anyway, you might give it try. Get a couple bags of top soil, put in the poop, fill with the soil and plant some grass seed. Soon you ll have your yard looking like a yard again.
I hope I have been of some help. If you have any questions or comments, please don t hesitate to email me at jennasgifts@cinci.rr.com
Wishing you and your dog happiness always,
Janet Combs
If you would like to learn more about training and caring for your Bichon Frise go to http://www.combsinfo.com
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Oct
31
Posted under
Uncategorized Giving Your Pets Pills
By V Brown
For many pet owners when it comes time to give your animals medication, whether it be a monthly worming tablet or other pill recommended by a vet, just the thought of knowing the troubles to come can be enough to start you worrying.
For some lucky dog an cat owners though there is no problem at all, they can simply hold the tablet out and their pet will happily eat whatever is put in front of them, others are not so lucky, and what should be a two minute process soon turns into half an hour of scratching, clawing and screaming and that s just the owner.
If you have problems giving your dog or cat tablets here s some tips that may help a little:
For smaller dogs and cats, try wrapping them in a towel or blanket and then hold securely between your knees if possible.
When holding your pets mouth open to administer the tablet, first and foremost, be calm yours
