Brushing and combing your dog should be made into a pleasant ritual. Select a place to do the grooming-a chair, table or bench will be satisfactory. Lift the dog onto the chair or table, talking to him, reassuring him that all is well. Let him know that he's in for a treat, not an ordeal. Let him sniff each tool; the comb, brush, nail clippers and scissors. It's very important that he learn to associate these tools with a pleasant experience. Handle the situation with tact and care, and the pup will look forward to it. Botch the job and you will be looking for the pup the next time you bring out the grooming tools.
When brushing the puppy, stroke the brush with and against the lie of the hair. This will help to loosen dead hair and stimulate the skin. Use a brush with the correct bristle length; short for medium- and short-haired dogs, long bristles for long-haired dogs. If you do any combing, use a fine comb for the short-haired dog and a comb with widely spaced teeth for the long-haired, medium-haired and wirehaired dogs. You can bring out the gloss in your dog's coat by polishing with a flannel cloth or one of the commercial grooming gloves. These grooming gloves are available in pet shops or pet supply stores.
Matted hair
If you have a short- or smooth-haired dog, you will not have to worry about matted hair. But medium- and longhaired dogs do get tangled or matted hair from burs, paint, tar, chewing gum or other sticky or prickly objects. Dried food will also contribute to matted hair, and this is common in puppies and very old dogs. Matted hair is not only unsightly, but it can pinch and irritate the dog.
If the hair is not too snarled, try combing out the mats. Do this gently. Hold the matted hair or tuft in one hand and gently comb it. If it is too tightly matted, you will have to cut it off. Use blunt-end scissors. Puppies are very quick and wriggly, so be careful not to jab your pup with the scissors. There's very little danger with blunt-end scissors. Gently pull the mat away from the dog's body, then carefully cut the hair between the skin and the mat or tuft. Avoid pulling or yanking the tuft; it hurts. Tar, paint, and other sticky or gummy matter can be softened with acetone (nail-polish remover) and then combed out.
2008年9月16日星期二
2008年9月4日星期四
Frogs Swallows
Frogs are amphibians, animals that spend part of their lives under water and the remainder on land. They have long, powerful jumping legs and a very short backbone. Most Frogs have teeth (in the upper jaws only) but toads do not have any teeth.
Adult Frogs are characterised by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most Frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult Frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.
Life cycle: Like all amphibians, Frogs spend their lives near water because they must return to the water to lay their eggs. Frogs eggs are laid in the water. When they hatch into tadpoles, they breathe with gills and swim using a tail. As they mature, they lose their tail, and they develop lungs for breathing air. In harsh climates, Frogs bury themselves in sand and mud and hibernate (sleep very deeply) through the cold winter.
Diet: Frogs eat insects, catching them with their long, sticky tongue. They also eat small fish and worms.
Classification and Evolution: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia (amphibians), Order Anura (Frogs and toads). The first true Frogs evolved during the early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago (during the time of the dinosaurs).
The distribution of Frogs ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, but most species are found in tropical rainforests. Consisting of more than 5,000 species described, they are among the most diverse groups of vertebrates. However, populations of certain Frogs species are significantly declining.
for:http://www.frogs-house.com
Adult Frogs are characterised by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most Frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult Frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.
Life cycle: Like all amphibians, Frogs spend their lives near water because they must return to the water to lay their eggs. Frogs eggs are laid in the water. When they hatch into tadpoles, they breathe with gills and swim using a tail. As they mature, they lose their tail, and they develop lungs for breathing air. In harsh climates, Frogs bury themselves in sand and mud and hibernate (sleep very deeply) through the cold winter.
Diet: Frogs eat insects, catching them with their long, sticky tongue. They also eat small fish and worms.
Classification and Evolution: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia (amphibians), Order Anura (Frogs and toads). The first true Frogs evolved during the early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago (during the time of the dinosaurs).
The distribution of Frogs ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, but most species are found in tropical rainforests. Consisting of more than 5,000 species described, they are among the most diverse groups of vertebrates. However, populations of certain Frogs species are significantly declining.
for:http://www.frogs-house.com
2008年8月28日星期四
How to Handle Horses Safely
Caring for a horse is an excellent way to gain new skills and build a strong bond the animal. However, it is important to practice safety procedures when handling your horse. There can be some risks involved in handling horses. They are large animals which are very strong, and can easily hurt you. This is why it is important to have an understanding of these animals.
If you encounter a horse that is owned by another person, you never want to feed them without the permission of the owner. You always want to make sure you approach a horse from the side or the front, and never from the rear. Be sure to announce your presence. Approaching the horse from behind can cause it to become startled, and if it kicks you in the head it could easily paralyze or kill you.
When caring for your horse, you want to make gentle movements. Never move quickly or run around horses, as they may become frightened or agitated. You also want to speak quietly around the horse and avoid making loud or strange noises. Always keep children and other pets such as dogs under control at all times. If you want to ride the horse, always wear the proper footwear and a good helmet.
Like many animals, horses are the most dangerous when they are scared. When they become scared, the only thing they are concerned with is survival, and anyone in their path will get hurt. The best way to avoid a situation like this is to understand what scares horses, and how you can avoid scaring them. Horses are herbivores, and have always been the target of predators.
Because of this, horses have developed the ability to easily detect potential predators. They are always alert, and their long necks and eyes assist them in watching their environment at all times. When looking at a horse from a distance, it is important to pay attention to its body language. When horses are startled they will display up to three signs with their bodies.
The first thing you want to watch for is a horse which suddenly freezes. This is a sign that it is startled. It freezes to be make it harder for predators to detect it, and will slowly look around in the direction of the disturbance. A horse will also spin around or jump, and this is designed to injure potential predators. When cornered, a horse will fight, and its feet and hooves can be deadly. Always use caution when handling horses.
If you encounter a horse that is owned by another person, you never want to feed them without the permission of the owner. You always want to make sure you approach a horse from the side or the front, and never from the rear. Be sure to announce your presence. Approaching the horse from behind can cause it to become startled, and if it kicks you in the head it could easily paralyze or kill you.
When caring for your horse, you want to make gentle movements. Never move quickly or run around horses, as they may become frightened or agitated. You also want to speak quietly around the horse and avoid making loud or strange noises. Always keep children and other pets such as dogs under control at all times. If you want to ride the horse, always wear the proper footwear and a good helmet.
Like many animals, horses are the most dangerous when they are scared. When they become scared, the only thing they are concerned with is survival, and anyone in their path will get hurt. The best way to avoid a situation like this is to understand what scares horses, and how you can avoid scaring them. Horses are herbivores, and have always been the target of predators.
Because of this, horses have developed the ability to easily detect potential predators. They are always alert, and their long necks and eyes assist them in watching their environment at all times. When looking at a horse from a distance, it is important to pay attention to its body language. When horses are startled they will display up to three signs with their bodies.
The first thing you want to watch for is a horse which suddenly freezes. This is a sign that it is startled. It freezes to be make it harder for predators to detect it, and will slowly look around in the direction of the disturbance. A horse will also spin around or jump, and this is designed to injure potential predators. When cornered, a horse will fight, and its feet and hooves can be deadly. Always use caution when handling horses.
2008年8月23日星期六
What Is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is sometimes referred to as Pet Assisted Therapy. Basically it is a type of therapy that involves sharing the joys and therapeutic values of animal companionship, with both children and adults. AAT normally occurs in hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, senior care centers and special schools or organizations. It is designed to improve the physical, social and emotional functioning of a patient. in addition, AAT provides educational as well as motivational effectiveness for participants in the therapy.
Having a pet is something that many people take for granted. However there are people that need to have a pet in order to get through something that has happened in their life. Therapy pets help people just by visiting with them. Pets will enable patients to reach outside themselves and to put aside their fears of an uncertain future. Interacting with them makes us keenly aware of the present with all its joys and sorrow.
The animal assisted therapy program helps people in all age groups. There are plenty of people with disabilities that need to have some help that can only be provided by a pet as opposed to an individual person. Having a pet there to help them through the hard times will be beneficial, rewarding and nurturing for them. All kinds of animals are used in therapy, including dogs, cats, elephants, birds, dolphins, rabbits, lizards, and other small pets.
For both children and adults with special needs, the ability to interact with an animal can have a very positive impact upon their quality of life and inturn expedite their healing process. Interacting with a pet can sometimes change behavior, create a sense of responsibility and even improve a patient's ability to participate in therapeutic treatment. Children are often extremely trusting and easily reach a level of intimacy with animals that most adults will never reach.
If you have a pet and might be interested in animal assisted therapy, you should go online and find out what you can. In order to maximize the rewarding aspects of AAT it is critical to associate yourself with a responsible national organization with a strict and regimented evaluation process. Another benefit to be gained from a recognized organization is liability insurance is typically available at a nominal cost in case anything unforeseen should go wrong. There normally is cost for the evaluation test and an annual membership cost from $15.00 - $25.00 a year depending on the organization.
Animal Assisted Therapy is fun and safe and there are endless opportunities that you can use to make this something that will make you more excited and able to motivate yourself into the place that you want to be. It's a great idea for anyone that is looking to help patients the natural way without drugs or chemicals.
Having a pet is something that many people take for granted. However there are people that need to have a pet in order to get through something that has happened in their life. Therapy pets help people just by visiting with them. Pets will enable patients to reach outside themselves and to put aside their fears of an uncertain future. Interacting with them makes us keenly aware of the present with all its joys and sorrow.
The animal assisted therapy program helps people in all age groups. There are plenty of people with disabilities that need to have some help that can only be provided by a pet as opposed to an individual person. Having a pet there to help them through the hard times will be beneficial, rewarding and nurturing for them. All kinds of animals are used in therapy, including dogs, cats, elephants, birds, dolphins, rabbits, lizards, and other small pets.
For both children and adults with special needs, the ability to interact with an animal can have a very positive impact upon their quality of life and inturn expedite their healing process. Interacting with a pet can sometimes change behavior, create a sense of responsibility and even improve a patient's ability to participate in therapeutic treatment. Children are often extremely trusting and easily reach a level of intimacy with animals that most adults will never reach.
If you have a pet and might be interested in animal assisted therapy, you should go online and find out what you can. In order to maximize the rewarding aspects of AAT it is critical to associate yourself with a responsible national organization with a strict and regimented evaluation process. Another benefit to be gained from a recognized organization is liability insurance is typically available at a nominal cost in case anything unforeseen should go wrong. There normally is cost for the evaluation test and an annual membership cost from $15.00 - $25.00 a year depending on the organization.
Animal Assisted Therapy is fun and safe and there are endless opportunities that you can use to make this something that will make you more excited and able to motivate yourself into the place that you want to be. It's a great idea for anyone that is looking to help patients the natural way without drugs or chemicals.
2008年8月14日星期四
Effective Ways to Train Your Dog
There are many different ways to train your dog, but you must try to understand how your dog thinks and why. To train your dog successfully you must have the support of the whole family as it only takes one to upset all the good work that you have put in.
Below are some of the different ideas when starting out to train your dog.
You should decide what role your dog is going to take in your life and what parts of the house it is allowed in. Your dog needs to know where it will be sleeping and in what. If your dog will be sleeping in the kitchen in say a cage or a basket, get it used to knowing that when he or she is put in the basket or cage it is bed time. A dog will feel more secure if they know that this is their place to sleep.
A dog likes routine and they will become used to what is coming whether it is food, walks or bed time. You need to establish this routine around your family and your dog needs to know where it stands in your family. A routine will take time to establish and you have to be persistent and patient.
Your dog needs to be taught where to go to the toilet, where to sleep and so on. Once you have taught your dog this it needs to remain the same so think about this before you get your dog home. Dogs need consistency in their lives to make a good pet.
Make sure your whole family knows where and when your dog should or should not be allowed to go and what he or she is allowed to do. You all need to be patient and consistent for this to work well and for your dog to understand you.
You must understand the dogs background, like the breed, age of the dog, where the dog came from and whether or not it came from a well trained family or not.
Depending on what sort of breed the dog is, it is sometimes easier or harder to train.
It is always easier to train a young dog rather than an old dog as older dogs will already have some bad habits and it takes longer to retrain. Although with a little persistence you can still retrain them it just takes a lot longer.
Below are some of the different ideas when starting out to train your dog.
You should decide what role your dog is going to take in your life and what parts of the house it is allowed in. Your dog needs to know where it will be sleeping and in what. If your dog will be sleeping in the kitchen in say a cage or a basket, get it used to knowing that when he or she is put in the basket or cage it is bed time. A dog will feel more secure if they know that this is their place to sleep.
A dog likes routine and they will become used to what is coming whether it is food, walks or bed time. You need to establish this routine around your family and your dog needs to know where it stands in your family. A routine will take time to establish and you have to be persistent and patient.
Your dog needs to be taught where to go to the toilet, where to sleep and so on. Once you have taught your dog this it needs to remain the same so think about this before you get your dog home. Dogs need consistency in their lives to make a good pet.
Make sure your whole family knows where and when your dog should or should not be allowed to go and what he or she is allowed to do. You all need to be patient and consistent for this to work well and for your dog to understand you.
You must understand the dogs background, like the breed, age of the dog, where the dog came from and whether or not it came from a well trained family or not.
Depending on what sort of breed the dog is, it is sometimes easier or harder to train.
It is always easier to train a young dog rather than an old dog as older dogs will already have some bad habits and it takes longer to retrain. Although with a little persistence you can still retrain them it just takes a lot longer.
2008年8月9日星期六
Why Your Dog Needs A Dog Bed
Starting out with a high quality dog bed can help keep your dog fit and healthy. If you get your hound used to sleeping in one spot it's less likely to sleep on the floor or other hard surfaces which can cause arthritis and calluses in later years. He's alos less likely to sleep on your bed, which may be a blessing if he grows to his fill 100lb size! A dog bed allows your pet to have his own space, a place where he can curl up, relax and sleep.
Some Details to Consider for Your Dog Bed
Whey you start out looking for a dog bed you should ask yourself these questions: Does he sprawl and stretch out completely? Does your hound shed or have any other disorder that will cause the bed to need constant cleaning? Does your pooch curl up in a ball? Watching his daily behavior will help you select the correct bed for your dog.
Be sure to measure the entire length of your hound at rest to get an idea of how much space he is using so you can select the correct size.
Dog Bed Features and Varieties
The Indoor/Outdoor Bed is tough, water repellent and can be used inside or out. If your pooch has a shedding or odor problem, make certain the cover of the bed is removable and washable. They come in all kinds of colors and materials, and a number of of them you can toss right in the washing machine (the beds, not the dogs!). So make sure the bed is easy to clean. Some beds are also specifically treated to eliminate mold, fungus, or other outdoor hazards which may affect your dog.
Similar to humans, dogs also experience changes as they age. Their joints can stiffen, or their bones become thinner. Cushions and support should be considered for older dogs, as well as pooches with other joint or bone problems. Orthopedic foam tends to provide additional warmth too so if you live in a warmer climate, your hound may prefer a cooling bed like the Canine Cooler to the traditional orthopedic bed.
A slightly elevated dog bed style with soft polyfill conserves heat and the slightly elevated style protects your pet from floor drafts. If your hound likes his head on a pillow, try a lounge bed or couch. Next on the list of requirements is probably a chew proof bed, especially for puppies that like to chew!
So as you can see there are multiple styles of pooch bed, such as indoor or outdoor, heated or not, travel or car beds and as previously mentioned orthopedic beds for the older hound. Most are stuffed with polyfill, often have cedar chips to repel odors and their covers are removable and machine washable. Picking the right type for your dog will help him get a good nights sleep and be a happy rested dog.
Think of the bed as an investment, a number of high quality beds will last the lifetime of your dog, and so will their benefits! When a dog owner thinks about what products will be needed for their new pet, a high quality dog bed should be well up on the list.
Some Details to Consider for Your Dog Bed
Whey you start out looking for a dog bed you should ask yourself these questions: Does he sprawl and stretch out completely? Does your hound shed or have any other disorder that will cause the bed to need constant cleaning? Does your pooch curl up in a ball? Watching his daily behavior will help you select the correct bed for your dog.
Be sure to measure the entire length of your hound at rest to get an idea of how much space he is using so you can select the correct size.
Dog Bed Features and Varieties
The Indoor/Outdoor Bed is tough, water repellent and can be used inside or out. If your pooch has a shedding or odor problem, make certain the cover of the bed is removable and washable. They come in all kinds of colors and materials, and a number of of them you can toss right in the washing machine (the beds, not the dogs!). So make sure the bed is easy to clean. Some beds are also specifically treated to eliminate mold, fungus, or other outdoor hazards which may affect your dog.
Similar to humans, dogs also experience changes as they age. Their joints can stiffen, or their bones become thinner. Cushions and support should be considered for older dogs, as well as pooches with other joint or bone problems. Orthopedic foam tends to provide additional warmth too so if you live in a warmer climate, your hound may prefer a cooling bed like the Canine Cooler to the traditional orthopedic bed.
A slightly elevated dog bed style with soft polyfill conserves heat and the slightly elevated style protects your pet from floor drafts. If your hound likes his head on a pillow, try a lounge bed or couch. Next on the list of requirements is probably a chew proof bed, especially for puppies that like to chew!
So as you can see there are multiple styles of pooch bed, such as indoor or outdoor, heated or not, travel or car beds and as previously mentioned orthopedic beds for the older hound. Most are stuffed with polyfill, often have cedar chips to repel odors and their covers are removable and machine washable. Picking the right type for your dog will help him get a good nights sleep and be a happy rested dog.
Think of the bed as an investment, a number of high quality beds will last the lifetime of your dog, and so will their benefits! When a dog owner thinks about what products will be needed for their new pet, a high quality dog bed should be well up on the list.
2008年8月3日星期日
The Havana Brown: a Smoking Great Cat
Although brown cats have been around for centuries, the Havana Brown Cat first appeared in Britain in the nineteenth century and was considered to be a part of the Southeast Asian branch of the Royal Cats of Siam. But all of the North American Havana Browns in can be traced back to two cats in Norwood, both of them imports. It was this particular breeding that produced the first Havana Brown to achieve Grand Championship status. These cats are just the feline to have if you are looking for an affectionate, sociable, intelligent companion. They have all of the sweetness and color of a bar of chocolate. Plus, Havana Browns purr so loudly that you could swear they are vibrating.The Havana Brown cat is a medium-sized cat that is elegant and graceful, though also muscular, and it simply exudes a sense of power. However, picking one up for the first time may surprise you. For such a lithesome looking cat, it actually weighs more than you might expect, with the females running from six to eight pounds and the males weighing from eight to ten pounds. Their whiskers are also brown, but as they age, will eventually turn white.Like the Rex breed of cat in Britain that obtained the Rex part of their names from a curiously shorthaired breed of rabbit, some historians believe that the Havana Brown was also named after a rabbit of the same color. However, do not tell a Havana Brown fan that. They prefer to think that the name came about because the brown color of the breed resembles the color of a fine Havana cigar. Regardless of where the name originated, that glistening mahogany-toned brown color is the perfect thing to set off their green, oval shaped eyes that are expressive and positioned lower on the cat's head than most other cats.The Havana Brown is a highly intelligent animal that is often more dog-like than cat. They can easily be halter and leash trained, know their name, and also the meaning of the word 'No'. They are also perfectly at home riding around with you in your car, truck, or motor home and have no qualms about sitting next to you in a seat on an airplane. Do not be surprised if your Havana Brown reaches out with a paw and touches you to get your attention. Another thing they love to do is to run like mad, and then suddenly flop onto the floor right in your path, waiting for an expectant tummy rub. They adapt easily to just about any home environment as long as the attention and love is there. But like any animal, they should not be left home alone for too long as it can get very lonely for them. Naturally, you should keep your Havana Brown inside the house for its own safety and protection from predators and disease.
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