H3

Choosing a Pet for Your Child Every Christmas, every birthday, even every St. Patrick's Day, your child has asked for a pet, and every year you say no, but recently you are beginning to relent. You think little Timmy might actually be ready for the responsibility of pet ownership, but what is the best pet for him and how do you actually help your child make this important choice? First of all, do not let your child hold all of the cards in the decision process. Ask Timmy what kind of pet he would like to have and the answer might range from a ducky to a dinosaur, so start off by setting some limits. If you are an apartment dweller, you are already limited with your pet choices. No Great Danes in the penthouse! Next, consider the level of commitment that your child has shown to projects in the past. Has he started off gung-ho, only to start slacking off with sports, hobbies and other interests? Think about your child's closet floor, does it look like the island of lost dreams? Are there the skates he wore once, fell in, and then cast off? Or does he have the staying power to see things through to the end? The more dedication that your child has, the more pet choices you can look at. The interest of the child should be at least long enough to get the new pet into middle age. Of course, you should also consider the "ick" factor. Is your child squeamish and germophobic? Would this child snap if there were little gerbil goodies left on the palm of his hand? Or worse, would the child be nearly hysterical at the thought of feeding the pet he mistakenly chose? The fussier the child, the cleaner the pet has to be, and the less hands on. For the really finicky child, you might want to consider some nice tropical fish. And finally, consider the temperament and the activity level of the child. Childhood obesity is at an all-time high, and some people are finding that a dog is a good way of getting their little couch tater-tots up and about- but don't count on a pooch working miracles on a truly unmotivated kid. Training tips for laid back kids do well with laid back animals, while the more energetic kids can run the energy out of the more active labs and Jack Russell terriers. And, the opposites attract concept might be beneficial here as well. A gentle pug might help calm a child that just cannot sit still, while a bouncy Boxer might actually break a shy child out of his shell. Give your child his options and then let him have a say in the decision. It is the family pet, but hopefully, this will be his friend.                               

The Importance of Dog Obedience Training

If you have ever stood with your mouth agape while your dog has abused houseguests in one comically absurd way or another, then you understand the importance of dog obedience training. Poorly trained dogs are not only embarrassing, they can become a legal and social liability if their behavior is allowed to get too far out of hand. Setting boundaries and guidelines as soon as your puppy comes home will keep him from causing issues later in life. Some behaviors, once they start, are nearly impossible to break, and can range from poor toileting habits to jumping on new people or worse. Get the upper hand from the very start or you might find yourself sitting home alone with your dog far more often than you really want to.

Potty training tips should be one of the first major objectives. Dogs that are crated during this process will usually pick up the skill faster than those that are not. Crate training also allows your dog to have an area that he feels he can retreat to whenever he is tired or stressed. Do not use the crate as a punishment, but rather as a sanctuary, a safe haven. Do not keep your dog in his crate for exceptionally long periods of time, but do not keep him from going into it whenever he wants to. Some dogs will go to the crate readily, some will need a bit of coaxing.  Training tips once the dog is crate and potty trained, it is time to work on more social skills.

All dogs become excited when new people come to their door. Some dogs are happy excited, and some are more red alert, on guard duty excited. If your dog shows signs of aggression whenever someone comes to your home, consider keeping him gated away from the outer doorway until he can see whether company is a friend or foe. If you know the dog does not care for a guest, or vice versa, there should be separate area that he can retreat to so that he does not feel as if he is being banished.

Do not allow your dog to jump on guests if he is given free reign of the house, and for that to be effective, it would be easier for him to not be allowed to jump on anybody at all. This includes family members. Some dogs just love everybody, so to them, all humans are part of their pack or family- they just will not discern between the jump-ons and the do not jump-ons. Be consistent with your dog if you want him to learn anything at all.

And finally, one of the most important aspects of dog obedience training is their own safety. A well-trained dog will be less likely to bolt into the middle of the road, or chase a neighbor. They will come when called and will be less likely to get lost. And, a well-behaved dog will be a calmer, better liked member of the family.

Cat Training Tips Cats are wondrous, wonderful creatures, and are filled with curiosity. They can be snuggly, affectionate and friendly creatures; often content to nap on a human lap and be stroked until their fur glistens. Some are more standoffish and will only allow the occasional solemn head pat before regally stalking off to stretch and preen in the sunshine. And others are just way out there wild cats, hell bent on running straight up the walls in pursuit of invisible prey, knocking down all who dare get in their pathway. While you cannot change the basic nature of the cat that you have in your home, you can change some of his more obnoxious behavior. Your first cat-training tip should be to understand why they do some of the things that they do. Some cat behavior is out of boredom, some out of transitional changes as they grow out of kitten stages into adulthood, and some can be a symptom of impending or ongoing illnesses. Knowing which is which can help you to avoid potentially dangerous problems before they become life threatening. Once you have a basic understanding of the why of cat behavior, you can start working on the things that he will need to change. Make sure that you have a list of the poor behavior, and start with the worst offender first. Try to teach new behaviors one at a time, because too many changes will make the cat confused and potentially worst behaved than before. If a cat is doing something that is possibly dangerous that problem should be addressed first, otherwise, it is at your own discretion. Remember that training a cat is a matter of patience triumphing over frustration. Shouting at a cat does not work at all, and in fact will bring up a whole new set of issues. Timid cats will become even more fearful, and aggressive cats may take your shouting as an actual threat, so remember that a startled cat will not always react with James Bond coolness- sometimes they bite. Do not bother with reprimanding your cat, as it is often an ineffective maneuver as well. Cats will learn that getting caught doing the targeted behavior brings about some horrible reactions, so they will simply learn to hide better. This is seen frequently with toileting issues. A cat will stop using his litter box for a variety of reasons, including illness, so that you must find out why. Finding kitty messes after the fact is a pain, but it will not do you any good to drag the offending furball over to the spot, show it to him and then take him to the litter box. Unless he is a brand new cat or you have moved homes recently, he knows full well where that litter box was, he just did not use it. Find out why and the behavior should be stopped. Eliminate all causes, including sickness, and then work from there. Some cats will never use a litter box, but will allow themselves to be trained to use an alternative. Bizet, the big fluffy cat is too big for the litter box, but he does scratch at the door when he needs to go. He is a psycho the majority of the time, but for this one, he deserves a good kitty!

H2

Keep Your Pet Healthy With Organic Pet Food

Pet food can be expensive, and if the recent news is any indication, dangerous as well. Our news reports have been filled with tainted dog and cat foods that sickened and killed a large number of our beloved furry friends. It got to where a responsible pet owner did not know exactly where to turn. We have to continue to feed our four legged family members, but we do not want to put them at any kind of risk.

One of the easiest and best ways to find safe and healthy food for your pet is by using the organic pet food brands that are becoming more and more widely available. Before making the switch to organic foods, there are a few things that you should consider. First, do not make a sudden diet switch. Ease your dog or cat into a new food routine gradually so that he does not develop any kind of stomach issues. Buy the new organic food, and start mixing it with the old brand. Mix it fifty-fifty first, then, gradually increase the amount of the new food until the change over is complete. If there are any signs of digestive problems, try a new brand. You might also consider holding off on a dietary change until after a vet exam so that you can rule out medical issues right off of the bat.

Many pet stores carry organic food brands, but another reliable source can be online. Check out organic pet food websites; buying directly from the source may actually be cheaper in the long run. Again, do not buy a huge amount of the new food until you are sure that the pet can tolerate it and likes it. It does not matter how much a food costs, it is not a bargain if nobody will eat it. Some sites have sample sizes, but if they do not, buy the smallest amount possible before committing to a large amount. (The smaller size will be more expensive in the long run, but again, it is not a bargain if you have a fifty pounds of dog food that Fido snubs.)

Along with organic pet foods, most sites carry organic pet treats, and some will also have accessories and other pet care products that are deemed eco-friendly. Only you can make the decision of what is and is not necessary for your own pet and family. Do not feel pressured to buy the vegan dog collar, or the totally "green" cat toys- if you are only there for organic pet food, simply buy that and be done.

Pet Kennels: Where to Board Your Pet While You are Away

Going on vacation is fun, exciting and if you are actually going away- a lot of work. You need to stop the mail and the paper, and arrange for someone to water your plants. You set up timers to turn on lights and maybe a radio to deter thieves. And, you need to figure out what you are going to do with the collie. Sure, you can ask Aunt Sue to watch him again, but the last time he peed on her sofa, ate her Ferragamo's and nipped her new boyfriend. So, what should you do? You can't take your crazed collie with you, and you certainly do not want to cancel your trip, so your next call should be to a local boarding kennel.

Start searching for pet kennels as soon as you know that you are going on a trip. The best kennels will fill up rapidly, so the sooner you can make a reservation, the more likely you will be to get your dog in. Check for boarding rates during your initial search, ruling out any that are too far beyond your means. Of course you want the best for your pet, but you do not want to be so broke that you cannot enjoy your own vacation, do you?  Find a kennel with a rate that you can live with and then give them the dates that you will need to board your pet. If they can work you in, ask for an appointment to come in and check the place out for yourself. Do this well in advance of your departure date- you do not want to do a rushed scan of the facility and spend your entire trip worrying.

Once at the boarding kennel, make sure that a staff member takes you on a full tour of the facility.  Observe the conditions of the reception area, and the kennels themselves. Does the staff interact with the animals, or do they seem uninterested? Ask about feeding times and procedures. Some facilities will allow special foods to be brought in, and some will not allow any outside food, you must check. Be prepared to answer questions as well. If the facility does not ask any questions about your pet's health, then there might be a problem with care standards. Any reputable facility will want a recent vet exam and a proof of shots in order to keep communicable diseases at bay. Remember, a dog kennel is not a spa, but it should not smell bad, and while some doggy aroma is normal, a horrid smell is not.

Finally, make sure that you are comfortable with the facility before leaving your beloved pet with them. If you have any feelings of unease, take their business card and say that you are still making your decisions. A tour does not obligate you to use their kennel, and you should be satisfied with where your dog will be staying. This is his vacation too, after all.