Pets and Animals

Cats Can Behave: A Cat Behavior Training Crash Course

admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:07:00 +0000

There is more to cats than the cuddly and lovable pets who purr on one corner of the house. At times, they can be a menace to housekeeping too. Scratches in furniture, broken ornaments, and ruined stockings are just a few things that misbehaving cats can do.
There are reasons why cats misbehave. And by knowing these reasons, cat owners can be capable of controlling their pets’ actions.
Here are some things about cats which cause misbehaviors together with tips on how to make them behave.
- Cats misbehave when they are bored.
Cats that don’t have much to do have no choice but to do obnoxious things. They may be looking for attention, or they just needed something to do to spend their energy.
Whatever the case may be, these can be solved by allotting time for your cat to play with you. However, do not do this immediately after your cat misbehaved. Your cat will associate its misbehavior with you giving it more attention.
- Cats are naturally nocturnal animals.
Cats are more active during nighttime. They can do more exciting activities by that time.
With this in mind, make your cat busy in the morning. By doing this, the cat will be too exhausted to do things when it is time for his owners to sleep.
-Cats misbehave when they are sexually-driven.
Expect misbehavior when cats feel that it is time to mate. Expect a lot of misbehavior for cats who are confined inside their homes when it happens!
Surgical procedures can be done to prevent misbehaviors caused by sexual urges. Female cats can undergo spaying; male cats can undergo neutering.
- Cats misinterpret owners’ reaction to its misbehavior.
Owners usually get mad when their pets misbehave. But they are vague in telling their pets that they are mad. When owners reprimand their pets for misbehaving, cats think that their owners just want to play with them.
Owners must be clear with their reactions. If their pets misbehave, owners would make it clear that it is a punishment and not a game.
Remember that cats seek reward. They avoid punishment. Do not make misbehaving enjoyable to your cat by giving it a lot of attention when it happens.
By associating punishment for misbehaving cats learn what should not be done.
-Cats enjoy playing with certain things in the house.
There are things that cats love. It may be a curtain, or a pillow.
The good thing is they hate certain smells too. Spray unpleasant smells on those things to keep cats away.
By knowing why pets misbehave owners have more chances to correct these bad habits!

“Basic Principles in a Dog Lovers Club”

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:26:00 +0000

There are lots of dog lovers clubs in the US that offer a lot more for both the dog lovers and their dogs. Here are some of them.
The American Kennel Club has a dog lovers section called “For the Love of the Purebred Dog”. This article is more than a canine purebred section. It is dedicated to living at home with dogs. This dog club gives informative and educational materials pertaining to pet care, training, nutrition and a lot more. It also includes funny stories, art, pet history and the more popular Companion Animal Recovery method. There are also more popular sites like the dog breeds and events page.
The American Mixed Breed Obedience Registration or (AMBOR) on the other hand was created in 1983 with the objective of taking into accounts the perseverance and accolades in obedience contests of mix breed dogs and handlers. This dog lovers club also gives support and inspiration to dog handlers.
Important Information for Members:
1. Mixed-breeds
Unlimited full membership is open to handlers and owners of mixed-breed dogs as long as the pet is spayed and nails are cut. There should be front and side photo shots of the dog that will be included in the application. This is the ticket to all the obedience and agility programs, automatic tabulation in the agility and obedience nationwide ranking system. This also includes a given eligibility for the annual awards.
This achievement will be given honor in AMBOR highlights (AMBOR’S newsletter) and on the website. The member will be eligible to any agility and obedience national competition in the future. Dogs with assigned numbers are marked as purebred and should be enlisted as a purebred. Also, dogs that are listed as mixed-breeds that are given a number based on the owner’s application causes its membership to be changed to a status of a purebred.
2. Purebreds
Purebred dogs can be listed with AMBOR with a rule that entry is limited to the AMBOR-supported agility program. All dogs that are purebred, listed with AMBOR and exhibits AMBOR-supported programs on agility will have competition points monitored and there will be an automatic issuance of certificates.
Dogs that are purebred and listed with AMBOR are not qualified to be a part of the agility and obedience scoring systems. They will also not be included in the website on highlights and not qualified for any mixed-breeds national competition in the future.
Handlers that register to the AMBOR-supported trials on agility should put their AMBOR number on the form at the club’s entrance so that competition points will be monitored.

Know Your Friendly Neighborhood Assistance Dogs

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:28:00 +0000

Dogs, aside from being his best friend has also served man in so many useful and varied ways – from shepherding, to cattle rustling, to rescue, and protecting property.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that they also are able to assist those who cannot get about by themselves. Assistance dogs are specially trained dogs that serve to complement, assist, and aid those that may have some sort of limitation. They have also become indispensable to some who have difficulty with mobility due to some disability.
Below are a few ways dogs have truly become man’s best friend as assistance dogs.
Guide Dogs:
When you mention assistance dogs, this is the first function they perform that comes to mind. These types of dogs help those who have visual impairment and help them move about conveniently. They help these people cross roads, climb stairs, and find their way around a place. They are usually able to help these people manage even potentially hazardous areas.
Hearing Dogs:
These dogs assist those that have hearing impairment, and are specially trained to nudge their owners when they hear certain noises such as telephone rings, doorbells, and horns among others.
Mobility Assist Dog:
These friendly canines pull wheelchairs, and carry light equipment for their owners in their backpacks. These amazing dogs assist those who cannot move around easily to at least find convenience moving around an area.
Seizure Alert/Response Dog:
These dogs are trained to hit a button that contacts 911 in case of a seizure or cardiac attack. Operators are advised in advance that calls coming from this line are activated by dogs. In turn, they alert paramedics on a possible emergency situation. As with most assistance dogs, they do not leave their owner’s side and are constantly alert and observant.
Psychiatric Service Dog:
These dogs provide an emotional security blanket to those who may have mental illnesses and phobias. They also help autistic people stay focused. These dogs never leave their owner’s side and provide steady, reliable companionship to their owners.
Combo Dogs
These dogs are a hybrid combination of the above mentioned assistance dog types. They are trained to assist those with multiple disabilities or needs. Although their jobs may seem quite advanced, they do accomplish their tasks consistently.
Assistance dogs serve a vital part of many people’s lives. They are not only ‘tools’ that assist a deficiency, but friends that provide companionship for the duration of their lives.

Dogs Need Good Food Too – Your Guide to Your Dog’s Diet

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:51:00 +0000

Dogs’ nutritional needs may differ from ours. What we deem as healthy for us might not be sufficient or appropriate for them. To give your dog the best nutrition available you will have to understand their specific needs and how to address them. Taking care of man’s best friend does take a little preparation and know-how.
Your dog needs the essential nutrients to grow, go, and glow. If your dog does not receive proper nutrients it may result in poor health, stunted growth, lethargy and shortened lifespan.
Dogs, like most animal life forms, need the six basic nutrients for survival: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients serve different functions in sustaining the health and well-being of your dog. This guide will elaborate on dogs’ need of these nutrients.
1. Proteins: the building blocks of your dog’s health
Proteins are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog can produce some of these chemicals in their own bodies. The rest has to be supplied through food. The best sources of these amino acids are meat and its byproducts. Dogs can extract proteins from these sources a lot easier than it would with plant sources.
Choose feeds that have an adequate amount of protein in them to help your puppies and working dogs grow. Too much of this, however, may cause kidney problems and has been known to cause temperament problems.
2. Fats: delivering other nutrients to the body
Fat sound like a bad word – everyone tries to avoid it because it causes tons of health problems. Dogs, however, just like man, also have a need for these nutrients – albeit in a moderate amount.
The right amount of fat is needed to promote good skin health, and to transport fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also essential to kidney function and reproductive health. They make food tastier too. Too much fat will result in obesity and lethargy.
3. Carbohydrates: doggie fuel
Fifty percent of your dog’s diet should consist of carbohydrates since they need it for their energy. Corn is one of the more popular sources of this nutrient, along with soybeans. If this source is clean and of good nutritional quality then that should be fine as well.
4. Vitamins and Minerals: keeping your dog healthy
It would have been easier if your dog only had to splurge on vitamins and minerals to get optimal health. However, the opposite is true. Your dog needs an exact amount of vitamins and minerals to be healthy. Although, your dog may receive these nutrients from food, vitamin supplements for your dogs could be helpful. Specially formulated commercial feeds also make it easier for dog owners to give their dogs good nutrition.

Why Use Horse Training Tack?

admin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:53:00 +0000

How many times has your horse been scared of something which caused it to run wildly? How many times did you lose your temper because your horse hesitated to get into the trailer? How many occasions did you come close to falling from your horse’s back because it was stiff and unbalanced?
A number of common and famous people have had their lives cut short because of horses that ran amok. While horseback riding accidents don’t happen to riders everyday and are in fact, a rarity in the field of horse riding, horses can pose grave danger to people. Therefore, there is a need for effective horse training methods that can discipline horses without necessarily hurting them.
Horses are tough animals to crack. Aside from being among the proudest and most stubborn animals to roam the planet, horses need special tools for them to understand what you want them to learn. That is why a horse training tack is an important tool for making your horse a fine mount.
A horse training tack is your tool for making your horse your partner. The correct training tack can make the difference in the performance of your horse. Training tacks are effective for teaching horses how to stop on cue, how to spin correctly, and how to position its head befittingly. As horses don’t speak the way people do, a training tack is the only means of communicating to the horses what the trainer intends to teach.
The right training tack will speed up a horse’s progress in its training and conditioning without wearing it down too much. Here are few samples of horse training tacks that can effectively turn your horse from zero to pro.
Transition Curb Bits
This type of bits is designed as a transition tack for your horses from snaffles to bits. This type of bit is effective when starting neck-reining for your horse. The mouthpiece of this bit has a sweet iron taste that gives off a taste that horses love.
Martingales
The martingale was created to teach horses to keep an acceptable head position laterally and vertically. Martingales are also the harness that makes the bits uncomfortable for horses; bits are used to teach horses that avoiding the discomfort should be the right position and behavior that the trainer wants them to take.
Stopper
The stopper is part of a horse training tack which teaches the horse to stop without getting it into the horse’s mouth.
Snaffle Bits
The purpose of snaffles is to train the horse for responsiveness at the mere touch of the reins.

The Benefits of Walking Your Cat

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:50:00 +0000

Aside from dogs, cats are the next best pets for the home. In fact, 34.7 million households in the United States own at least one cat.
However, the benefits of owning a cat are not constrained to having them as mere pets because cats, like dogs, can be trained to do tricks as well. Even if they are known as “house cats,” it is important for them to be given the taste of the outdoor environment. This can be done through walking.
Yes, it is important to engage a cat in outdoor activities such as walking, just like the dog. This is because cats need further stimulation by having a taste of the activities gained by being outside. Walking them outdoors makes them feel entertained and stimulated.
Studies show that cats that are constrained inside the house show a significant sign of boredom and depression. These are not likely to be noticed since cats cannot verbally or even physically tell their owners that they are bored and depressed.
However, there were signs that were noted in a study that projects the negative effects of not having occasional walks outside the house. Scratching the furniture was noted to have a direct association with depression that the cat is experiencing.
The problem with most cat owners is that they tend to pamper their cats and they forget to give them the benefits of enjoying the environment. Hence, a growing health problem arises because most cats are found to be obese.
What people do not know is that even if they are known to be domestic animals and have been in “close contact” with people for more than 3,500 years, cats are known to be born hunters. In fact, most zoologists contend that cats are the “most graceful hunters” in this world.
For this reason, walking a cat is extremely important. Proper use of materials should be observed when walking your cat. Walking your cat does not necessarily mean it is okay to leave your cats outside. They can encounter danger such as getting a disease or being hurt by neighbors or vehicles..
Try to train your cat to walk with a leash and a harness on. It is best to use a jacket as well so that your cat will be comfortable while walking.
Walking your cat is not a hard work. You just have to use the right tools and the proper training of your cat and you can be assured of a happy and stress-free feline at home.

Steps in Acquiring an Exotic Pet License

admin — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:22:00 +0000

Some people like animals. And some are especially fond of the real exotic ones. Exotic animals are those not usually made as a pet. It is definitely not a dog, a bird, or a cat. Exotic animals are usually found in jungles, forests, and the wild. Examples of these are skunks, snakes, or even tigers and lion cubs.
Some local governments require people, who intend to take care of these exotic pets within their yards or homes, to secure an exotic pet license. For one, in Illinois, it is illegal to own and take care of an exotic animal. In Georgia, you can take certain species of a skunk as pet without a permit.
But as a precaution, here are the steps you should do the moment you intend to take an exotic pet home.
1. Look for a listing of pets considered as exotic within your area. You can try the internet, there you will be able to find information about pets and owning one where you live. But as a rule of thumb, if your pet normally lives in the open, it is most probably wild.
2. Check your local laws and see if there is a rule against owning exotic pets. As stated earlier, there are states that don’t allow it outright. For some states, it is okay. And others will require that you hold an exotic pet license. Call your local information service. They should be able to connect you to the right department to get the necessary information.
3. Process the necessary papers. If in case the state that you live in does require an exotic pet license, you have no choice but to comply. Compile all the necessary documents that they need and pass it on to the proper office accordingly.
4. See if there is any vaccines or removal of body parts like teeth is required. Because some exotic pets can be harmful, local state laws require owners to do something like these in order to protect the other people within the community.
5. File for the permit as necessary. After making sure that you have all the papers and the requirements met and ready, you are now ready to make a trip to your local government office to file and secure the permit with them.
These are the things you have to do to acquire the much needed permit for that sweet old exotic pet you always wanted. Hopefully, you need not transfer to another state just to take care of it!

To claw or declaw, that is the question

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:43:00 +0000

Cats are born with claws, the same way that humans are born with fingernails and toe nails. Cats need claws in order to mark or scratch a specific place or territory that they have been in. Humans need finger nails to, scratch themselves or others, or for opening a letter envelope. Cats basically stretch their agile bodies in order to prepare their muscles when they dig their claws deeply into wood perhaps or a tree, and then they pull back from their hold. Scratching is a basic physiological need of cats.
So do cats need to be declawed? If cat owners truly care for the welfare of their cats, they would have to think twice on declawing their cats.
Declawing, what is it?
Declawing is done by taking away all the front claws of a cat. In a way this procedure is equal to the amputation of all the finger tips of a human being. For cats this surgery is painful and, for someone who is walking on all fours, terribly unnecessary.
Though the recovery of declawed cats may only take a few weeks or so, its physical and/or psychological effects could last a cat’s lifetime.
The following are the possible results once a cat has been declawed.
Ouch, ouch and ouch
Immediately after surgery, declawed cats suffer severe pain, though it is quite impossible to gauge how much pain they are experiencing. Declawed cats could be considered as amputees. Cats usually try to go on with their cat lives even with pain unless the pain eventually becomes unbearable. Although they may look and act normal does not mean they are free from aches.
Complications after the surgery
After the surgery, declawed cats usually experience one of the following post-surgery effects: presence of abscess, feelings of lameness, claw re-growth. Based on studies performed on declawed cats, it has been found that twenty five percent of them develop various complications. The same result has been found on cats who went under tenectomy. This is also a form of surgery that is currently being offered as an alternative to declawing. It is called this because only the tendons extended on the toes are the ones amputated.
Stiffness of the joints
Cats that are declawed experience stiffness of the joints since the tendons that manipulate the toes retract because of the surgery. As time goes by, these same joints freeze and ultimately they will no longer be able to extend their toes.
It has been thought though that cats really do not miss their claws since they also “scratch” continually even if they no longer have anything to scratch with. However, this act is really the cats’ way to stretch those frozen joints.
Catarthritis
Believe it or not, research shows that declawed cats immediately shift the weight of their bodies to the back and onto the larger pad in the front of their feet, away from their toes. The result is still evident despite giving these cats strong anti-pain relievers. If such an effect continues after declawing, the cat will ultimately stress its own joints in the leg, its spine and eventually suffer from arthritis.
Cats who cannot claw, bite
Since the natural instinct of cats is to claw especially when threatened or scared, in the absence of claws cats are forced to resort to another form of defense – their teeth. Declawed cats that are aggressive naturally are more prone to biting.
Declawed cats have no “nine lives”.
There is a serious risk of death for cats that are declawed. Death could be brought on by the anesthesia they received, or any complications in surgery or hemorrhage.
Declawed cats that resort to biting run the risk of being abandoned by their owners. These cats could then be put in a shelter, and since they turn to biting, the probability of being adopted becomes slim. Usually un-adoptable cats are put to sleep or they are used to train dogs to fight usually as bait.
In summary, cats are extremely and highly trainable to be taught to use a post for scratching instead of common household furniture, rugs or curtains. Though declawing cats is one of the options a cat owner can take, it is basically an unkind and a very animal-unfriendly thing to do. It all depends on the cat owner whether Kitty is more (or less than) valuable than that expensive Italian rug. The choice is theirs.

Jump, Horsey, Jump!

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:39:00 +0000

You see it on equestrian shows. In fact, you even saw an accident happen. A horse jumped and he accidentally knocked over the stick and threw off the rider. The rider was only inches away from having his face stepped on.
Training a horse how to jump is very tricky. Farriers, horse trainers and equestrians all pitch in to train the horse how to do this. If the pace is too fast, the horse is presented with more than he can simultaneously handle. Sometimes he gets too scared to jump.
The horse must approach the poles in a calm manner. He must not be too anxious. This is only the first step.
The horse must be relaxed when he plunges toward the lunge. The rider does this by walking near the ground poles without getting the horse all excited. The circles on the track are stressful for the horse, so don’t spend too much time there.
The smaller the circle, the more difficult it is for the horse. It is advisable that the trainer or the rider train the horse with a large circle, approximately 20 meters. Don’t direct a foal to jump or lunge when he is still very young. Horses must be mature enough before they are trained to jump.
This is a very long method and it requires a lot of patient from the trainer and the rider. The horse should be relaxed on the track, specifically on the lunges, before he attempts to leap on the poles.
If you rush your horse then you won’t be able to achieve your goal. Once the horse gets nervous or hesitant, he will be stubborn. With a couple of exercises and dry runs, ease him up. You can also lead him around the track so he can relax.
From the walk, make him trot. Don’t overwhelm your horse by asking him to jump the poles immediately. You can start it up with having the horse lunge on smaller obstacles such as chunks of woods or cinder blocks.
Once he’s got the hang of it, you can start training him with the ground poles. Ask him to do a little jump by letting him trot and walk alternately on each end of the poll. Try to capture his pacing. Don’t push him to go forward when he is already tired. You, as the trainer or as the rider, must know when the sessions end.
Just keep on doing this everyday. Soon enough, your horse will be jumping in no time.

The Tack on Your Horse

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:38:00 +0000

Horse tack means any of the different equipment and garnishes worn by horses whenever they are used by people for riding and shows. Horse tack is composed of the saddle, stirrups, bridles, halters, bits, harness, and martingales. The horse uses a horse blanket.
The saddle is the seat for riders placed at the back of the horse. The saddle is fastened to the back of the animal with the use of a girth or cinch which is a wide strap. Saddles can be classified into two major categories such as the English saddle and the Western saddle.
The English saddle is used in every Olympic equestrian discipline. This has no horn and its panels are pairs of pads which are attached to the side. These pads can be filled with foam, air or even wool. The Western saddle is designed for Western riding. This is also known as the “cowboy saddle”. Unlike other saddles, this doesn’t have pads of its own so this is used with a saddle blanket or a separate pad to provide a more convenient and comfortable fit for riders.
The saddle’s parts are: the tree- base where everything is attached; the seat where riders sit; the pommel or swell- part in the front that is slightly raised; the cantle or the back of the saddle; the stirrup- where the feet of the rider rests and provides leverage and support; the leather or fender-the straps made of leather which connect the stirrups to the tree, and the D-ring- the ‘D’ shaped ring at the front of the saddle where other pieces of the horse tack are attached.
The breastplates and the breastcollars are additional things used to keep saddles from sliding back. These are used for fast-paced sports.
The bridle is an arrangement of straps or ropes around the head of the horse. This is mainly used for communication with the animal. The bridle holds the horse bit that is attached to the reins. The bridle is used for riding, driving and controlling the horse.
The bridle is also called the headstall and is consisted by the following parts: crownpiece, cheekpiece, throatlatch, browband, noseband, cavesson and reins.
The halter is also an arrangement of straps or ropes used as a headgear or a headcollar to guide the horse. This is fitted over the back of the horse’s neck and around the mouth. When the rider pulls the end of the halter, the head of the horse turns towards the rider.
Unlike the bridle, the halter doesn’t have a bit that is placed on the mouth of the horse.
The bit and the hackamore are parts of the horse tack placed at the head of the horse. Like the bridle, these are used for control and communication. The bit is placed particularly at the mouth of the horse while the hackamore goes around the nose of the horse.
The basic types of the bit are the curb bit, snaffle bit and the Pelham bit. Different bits offer different levels of control and pressure to the horse by the rider. The bit is designed to fit the needs and condition of the horse to serve its purpose properly.
The hackamore is made of rope, leather, cable or plastic. The hackamore is used whenever the horse has dental problems or tongue injuries and also during winters to avoid hurting or freezing the mouth of the horse.
The harness is a complicated arrangement of straps that attaches the horse to the cart or sleigh. Depending on the type of vehicle or load the horse is attached to, there are different kinds of harnesses.
The martingale is also a strap that keeps the horse from putting its head above the point of control. This also keeps the horse from tossing its head that would be risky to the rider’s safety. The martingale has various types such as the running martingale, standing martingale and the Irish martingale.
The horse blanket gives the horse warmth and comfort. This is intended also to protect the horse from other elements. This is made especially to fit the body of the horse. It has straps crossing the underneath of the horse so that it won’t fall when the horse moves freely. This also has a hole at the back for the horse’s tail to pass through.
Naturally, the long hair of the horse makes it warm especially during winter. But horses are preferred with short hairs. It is believed that the horse blanket keeps the hair of the horse short. Short hair for horses is important for shows.