Pets Smile Plus

The decision to buy or to adopt a dog is not one that should be taken lightly. It is a serious commitment and there are several factors to consider. Are you really ready to have a dog? As fun as a dog can be, it is a serious decision. You are planning to take responsibility for a living creature that is completely dependent on you. Dogs require food, shelter, health care, exercise, attention, love, time and money. If you’re not completely prepared to provide all of these things, you’re not yet ready to own a dog.

Your lifestyle should be probably one of the biggest factors to consider when planning to get a dog. All dogs require attention, but some need much more than others. If left alone, these dogs will not do so well and are more likely to destroy items in your home. The same can be said for exercise. Some dogs require much more time to run around, while others can get by with less physical activity. If you’re the type of person who is away from home more often than not, you should choose a dog that will manage well in your absence – independent breeds like Dachshunds, Mastiffs, or the Yorkshire Terrier.

Everyone loves puppies. They’re adorable. But how adorable will you think your puppy is when you find him in the middle of a mess that used to be your favorite pair of shoes. Puppies, like babies, require an enormous amount of attention and effort – from housebreaking and socializing to teaching acceptable manners. If you don’t have the time to keep a steady training schedule, perhaps you should look into getting an adult dog. However, adult dogs come with their own “baggage.” Some adult dogs have been abused or neglected. As a result, these dogs have acquired some less-than-ideal behaviors of their own.

Once you’ve got an idea of what you want, there are generally two options you can take to get your new puppy or adult dog. You can buy a dog from a reputable breeder, or you can adopt or rescue a dog from an animal shelter. Unless you’re looking for a purebred dog that you possibly plan to breed in the future, adoption from a shelter is one of the best ways to go. Adopting a pet from a shelter is not as expensive as buying a pet from a breeder.

Animals from a shelter are usually screened for health and temperament, so you can be sure that while you’re giving an animal in need a home, it’s the right animal for your home. However, if you’re looking for a specific breed, a breeder (or a specific breed rescue) is the way to go. Ask for references from your breeder, and ask about how many times of year they breed. A good breeder generally only produces one to three litters a year and will guarantee their dogs against most major health defects.

Pet stores offering puppies are not good options, as they tend to purchase their puppies from “puppy mills” – breeders that produce many litters a year with no apparent concern for the health and well being of their dogs. These puppies tend to be more likely to have strong health concerns due to neglect. When chosen for all the right reasons, the ownership of a dog can be wholly rewarding and a very satisfying experience.

Amanda Baker writes for AllThingsPondered.com All Things
Pondered.

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African Grey parrots have been popular pets since the time of King Henry VIII of England. Because of its ability to speak, more and more affluent families adopted the possession of this parrot.

Today, countless of African Grey parrots are being hand reared by various breeders for because they are amazing and loving companions not to mention one of the in demand species in different pet trades for possessing high intelligence.

Despite its superb characteristics, African Grey parrots are not suitable for all environments—especially those with children—because they can be strong, they can bite using their pointed beak, and they can scratch with their daunting claws.

If you are planning to buy an African Grey parrot or planning to have one, it is a must that you know almost everything about this specific type of parrot so you would know what to expect.

African Grey Parrot Basics

Considered as the best mimics of all parrots, African Grey parrots are known for causing people to place a lot expectation on their eventual performance because of their phenomenal gift of speech, for their problem solving and reasoning skills and their ability to understand the human language.

Although they are considered as one of the superior types of parrots there are, African Greys are the most neurotic, temperamental, nippy, and one of the shyest parrot species.

Usually, African Grey Parrots are medium-sized parrots native to Africa. Primarily grey with accents of white area around the eye, African Greys are also famous for their red or maroon tail.
Basically, there are two subspecies of African Greys: the Congo—which are about 12 inches to 30cm long, with light grey feathers, deep red tails and black beaks—and the Timneh race—which are smaller, have a darker charcoal gray color, a darker maroon tail, with a horn colored beak. Today, there is also known a third and fourth sub specie—the Ghana African Grey that is similar to the Congo African grey but darker and smaller and the Cameroon African Grey or the “big silvers.”

Determining the sex of an African Grey parrot will sorely depend on their physical traits: males are generally bigger in size, round eyes, have a flatter and broader head while females have longer and slender neck, small rounded head and elliptical eyes.

These relatively quiet parrots have an average lifespan of 50 to 65 years and are known to feed primarily on nuts and fruits, usually supplemented by vegetables. These birds are known for having a tendency to pluck their feathers if they get bored and tend to bond to only one person if they are not used to interacting with different people on a regular basis.

Like any pet parrot, African Grey parrots require a large commitment and dedication. If you’re planning to buy one, African Grey parrot prices ranges from $ 750 to $1000 in the market today.

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 pet-parrot.articlekeep.com pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

More and more people are beginning to make their dog’s food at home rather than buying commercial formulas. Homemade dog food doesn’t contain any substances that could possibly be harmful to your dog’s health such as artificial coloring and artificial flavors.

Another reason to make homemade dog food is the preservatives added to the commercial dog food. Homemade dog food has the benefit of optimum freshness without preservatives.

There are dogs that would greatly benefit from a homemade diet. Some dogs who suffer from allergies that cause severe itching may find relief once switched from commercial dog food to a homemade diet.

Processed dog food is a relatively new product and scientists don’t fully understand the differences between commercial food and a diet of fresh food. There may be problems occurring in a dog’s health because he is being given food that has had the nutrients cooked out of it and then sprayed back on.

It’s also possible that the extremely high heat used to produce commercial dog food may alter the protein structure in the meats used. It’s not proven whether such protein alteration negatively affects a dog’s health, and since dogs seem to maintain their regular health during regulated feeding trials most people feel that commercial food is good enough to maintain their dog’s health.

What if you want more than to give your dog a food that is “good enough”. There are many recipes you can use. There are ebooks available with a variety of recipes that will provide your dog a well-rounded diet full of nutrition and every vitamin and mineral he needs.

There are certain foods you want to avoid, such as fatty meats, cured meat, (sausage, bacon, hot dogs), any fried foods and raw pork. You also want to avoid any milk, cream, ice cream, pastries, white bread, sugary foods, grapes, raisins and onions. Also, keep in mind that anything you consider to be junk food would not be good for your dog.

Healthy foods to give your dog would include raw or cooked lean cuts of meat: beef, poultry, lamb, whitefish and fatty fish (like salmon). Also included in a healthy diet are cooked grains, eggs (raw or cooked), finely chopped or ground raw vegetables (remember, no onions), and bits of fruit (again, remember to give your dog no raisons or grapes).

These are just the basics. There are books on the subject that provide great recipes and a full list of good foods and foods to stay away from.

A basic formula for a homemade diet would be 50 percent protein, 25 percent vegetables (ground so they are easy to digest), and 25 percent grain (such as rice and oatmeal). Add to that some supplements of certain vitamins, minerals, and oils rich in omega-3 for healthy skin and coat.

There are some pets that do not do well on a homemade diet so be sure to check with your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet. After making the change, pay attention to how your dog responds. Not all dogs thrive on a homemade diet.

Some dogs may have trouble adjusting and others might not like the food or suffer from temporary digestive upset. Slowly changing the dog’s diet, gradually giving more of the homemade food and less of the commercial, can help alleviate stomach upset.

If you have the time it takes to prepare your dog’s food, or feel very strongly about providing your dog with the best diet possible, a diet of homemade food can’t be beat.

Carol Stack enjoys writing about dogs. She lives with her husband, children, four dogs, and seven cats in the United States. Carol and her daughter Christy have created a web site for dog lovers that offers tips on training.christysdogportal.com dog training, selecting a dog, and care.christysdogportal.com dog care. Please visit it at christysdogportal.com christysdogportal.com

Since a hybrid Puggle and a purebred dog are considered different, does this mean that training these dogs is different too? It’s difficult to give a straight answer to this question, and the reason is because each purebred dog has been bred for a specific temperament. Therefore, while virtually all dogs are highly trainable, some may be more stubborn than others when it comes to learning.

The same can be said for mutts and hybrids like Puggles. These dogs are also highly trainable, and tend to have good even temperaments. However, how fast and willing a dog is to learn depends on their genetic purebred makeup. In addition, don’t forget that a dog’s training and ability to learn also depends heavily on their owner.

What could make a dog more difficult to train?

* Health problems or defects due to inbreeding
* Taking a pup away from the mother too early
* Abuse
* Not being properly socialized
* Not being sufficiently exercised
* Letting the dog get away with negative behaviors

Nevertheless, there are no major training differences between Puggles and purebred dogs. There is no command or trick that a purebred dog is more capable of learning than the average crossbreed. In fact, if anything, crossbreeds, particularly hybrids, are often more intelligent due to the fact that they have the intelligence of two purebreds mixed into their genetic makeup.

That being said, dogs may be trained for different reasons, and may be more encouraged to learn certain tricks based on their personality and genes. For instance, a Puggle is eager to learn tricks that are part of his/her Pug nature, but he/she may also be eager to learn tracking and hunting skills because of their Beagle nature. Of course, due to the fact that a Puggle is a hybrid and not recognized by a national kennel club, there really is no point in training him/her show dog commands as he/she is not qualified for a show ring.

Thus, if you are purchasing a dog based on their trainability, remember that all dogs, regardless if they are purebred or a crossbreed are highly trainable. They simply need to be taught with patience and consistency.

Richard Cussons is passionate about dogs and Puggles are a favorite. You can find out more about

I have always had a tremendous love and appreciation for animals. And when it comes to my pets I can honestly say that I respect them more than I respect most people. I believe that they have an intelligence and capacity to not only love but to think. I believe the intelligence of pets is underrated by most. And that is why I decided to train my gold fish, house cat and dog to fly.

First off I did this many years ago and I wasn’t a professional pet trainer and never really considered myself a pet trainer per say. Actually, when I decided to train my pets to fly I was a magician.

I knew all the slight of hand tricks and all the other tricks that magicians do to make people think that magical things are happening and I didn’t want this to be a magic trick but I actually wanted to train my pets to really fly.

And when I say fly I don’t mean ‘fly like a bird’ but I mean to float or to levitate in the air. I decided that I could train my pets to levitate through spiritual meditation.

Each day I sat with my gold fish, cat and dog for an hour each and through mental telepathy I projected my thoughts of spiritual meditation and levitation into their brains. I did this for months and months and even though none of my pets gave the slightest hint of floating or levitating I persisted on.

After a year of these daily telepathy sessions I must admit I began to get discouraged. None of my pets ever raised themselves even a fraction of an inch off the ground. It was at this point that I was considering giving up and throwing in the towel. After all, training your pets to fly is a silly idea.

Then one day when I came home I went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Upon entering the kitchen I heard a meow and the meow wasn’t coming from the direction of the floor but the direction of the ceiling.

To my great surprise there was my cat hovering inches from the ceiling. I was flabbergasted! And when I turned around there was my dog floating through thin air on his way over to give me a big dog lick greeting. And finally the gold fish came floating into the kitchen. But it was gasping for air. I quickly put it back into its fish bowl.

That was one of the greatest days of my life. I had actually trained my pets to fly. But things soon turned sour. When people came over to my house and saw a dog or cat floating about they would scream and run from my house thinking that the pets were possessed by some kind of devil. And when I told them that I had trained my pets to fly they thought I was the devil.

I eventually had to untrain my pets as I realized that mankind was not ready for flying dogs and cats and gold fish. They couldn’t comprehend the significance of my discovery.

Like I said, I don’t consider myself a pet trainer and never have considered myself a pet trainer. I was a magician. And I guess one could say that the greatest magical trick I ever performed was training my pets to fly.

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I just can’t decide and its driving me nuts. Whether to get pet medical insurance or not. I can’t sleep and I’m losing my hair. The story is here pet-medicalinsurance.com/ Pet Medical Insurance.

Everyone has had the experience of being pounced on by an over exuberant dog. This can be an unwelcome and alarming experience for many people. The responsibility of every dog owner is to train their dog to be the best citizen they can be.

Citizenship training is not as complicated as it may seem. All it involves is teaching your dog basic good manners. Your intended goal of good citizenship training is to own a dog that can interact appropriately in public. After all, you and your dog cannot live in a bubble and will have to interact with others at some point.

One of the first steps is to get your dog acclimated to other people. Many dogs are skittish around other people and bark at them incessantly. Other dogs are so happy to see other people that they pounce on them out of excitement. You can start by slowly introducing your dog to other people. Take your dog to a public area and walk slowly towards people. When your dog gets anxious, stop advancing and calm your dog down. Once your dog is calm, get a little closer to the people. This may take several days, but your dog will eventually learn how to properly approach new people.

People, especially children, may approach you and ask if they can pet your dog. Part of citizenship training is to teach your dog how to sit properly and accept petting. Many dogs are afraid to have others touch them or are not used to being approached by strange people. Teaching your dog how to accept petting from people without fear or resentment is a basic part of dog citizenship training.

There are many resources available if you are interested in learning more about dog citizenship training. While there is a lot to learn in order to properly train your dog, you can learn the essentials in order to train your dog in the basics of citizenship. Many dogs just need a little training from their owners in order to learn what they need to know in order to function in society.

If your dog needs more training than you can conduct on your own, then do seek the expertise of dog training professionals. Some habits are very difficult to break and will require advanced training. Many pet adoption agencies and pet stores offer citizenship training classes. If they do not offer classes, call your vet and ask them to provide a list of dog trainers.

Dog citizenship training will help your dog interact with others in the community. This allows you and your dog to have a happy and healthy relationship with the people in your neighborhood and community, ensuring the two of you will have a long and happy public life together.

For additional information on effective dog training techniques that utilize positive, humane, and effective methods, please visit clickerdogtraining.net clickerdogtraining.net

What are the common health problems for German Shepherd dogs? German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia and are also prone to bloating. There is also a considerable number of them who develop Von Willebrand’s disease and skin allergies. The average life span for the German Shepherd dog is 12 years.

Is the German Shepherd a dangerous breed?

The perception that German Shepherds are a dangerous breed may come form the fact that they are largely used as police or military dogs, giving them a “bad” reputation. Their strong jaw and large teeth can also look scary. Although German Shepherd are largely loyal and obedient to their owners, they can be trained to attack upon command. When not trained properly, they can be aggressive. They also have short temperaments. They are also a target for Breed Specific Legislation in some countries and are perceived as inherently dangerous. Many people are working to outlaw BSL, as it unfairly targets larger dogs who are quite docile and well behaved when trained by responsible owners. So long as you are a responsible dog owner, a German Shepherd is not an inherently dangerous dog.

Who are some of the famous/infamous German Shepherds?

German Shepherds have become one of man’s most favorite dogs throughout history. Some of the more famous of them include movie and TV stars like Bullet, the Wonder Dog, Charlie from the movie All Dogs Go To Heaven, and Jerry-Lee a sidekick police dog for the films K-9 and K-911. Some are pets of famous people and have shared in the limelight of their owners. These include Clipper, JFK’s dog and Major, the pet of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

What are the disqualifying faults in German Shepherd dog shows?

Standards for shows vary widely in country and governing bodies. The most common disqualifying factors however include floppy ears that never stand up completely, also called the “friendly-tipped” dogs. This fault is caused by ear cartilage damage usually occurring in pups under 12 months, but is not genetic. Another disqualifying fault is when the tail stands vertically and exposes the anus. A German Shepherd is also disqualified when its muzzle is not predominantly black. In a lot of shows, white fur in German Shepherds is disqualified, but is admitted in some.

e-germanshepherds.com German Shepherds provides detailed information on German Shepherds, German Shepherd Breeders, German Shepherd Kennels, German Shepherd Puppies and more. German Shepherds is affiliated with e-goldenretrievers.com Golden Retriever Training.

Koi Herpes Virus short for KHV is a deadly virus , which can cause 80-100 percent mortality in common carp. The first outbreak of Koi Herpes Virus was reported in 1998 and confirmed in 1999 in Israel. Since then, other cases have been confirmed in the United States, Europe and Asia as well.

The signs of KHV often non-specific. You need to monitor your Koi Fish, if your Koi remains near the surface, swims lethargically, exhibits respiratory distress, has gill lesions, has gill mottling with red and white patches, bleeding gills, has sunken eyes, pale patches or blisters on the skin and uncoordinated swimming. The KHV seems to spread in the same ways as most herpes viruses: direct contact with infected fish, with fluids from infected fish, and/or with water or mud from infected systems. Once a fish has been exposed to the virus, it will always be a carrier. There is no known cure for Koi Herpes Virus. Mortality related to Koi Herpes Virus typically occurs between 18°C and 27°C. Almost no mortalities occur below 18°C, and there has been no reported occurrence of the disease above 30°C.

How do you know your Koi Fish has KHV? You need the assistance of a fish health specialist and a fish disease diagnostic laboratory. There are direct and indirect methods.

Direct methods include: virus isolation and identification (it means growing the virus or not) and PCR techniques (it means testing for the presence of KHV genes).
Indirect tests for KHV include ELISA testing, which looks for antibodies produced by the fish against the herpes virus These testing method can give proof that a fish was infected with KHV. This indirect test cannot determine if the fish is still infected with virus, so it is not recommended as a primary diagnostic tool.

As I mentioned there is no known treatment for KHV and the mortality is very high. If your Koi fish have been diagnosed with Koi Herpes Virus unfortunately, you have not got other choice than depopulation (it means eliminating the entire population). This approach should be followed by disinfection of all materials and systems that have contacted the infected fish.

You can find free information and pictures about Koi Fish at koifish.mybebo.net Koi site.

You have researched dog breeds and know what kind of dog you want. Now, how do you go about finding your dog?

Please do not buy your dog in a pet store. This is asking for trouble, both with health problems and psychological problems. Pet stores are notorious for getting their puppies from puppy mills, which just churn out puppies with no regard to their health or psychological well-being.

I would suggest these as the best three ways to find a dog:

1) Get your dog from a reputable breeder. If you want a purebred dog, this is a good option. A good breeder is concerned about the dogs they breed, and will make sure the dog is a good match for you. They will do their best to make sure the puppy is healthy and well-adjusted. They will give you advice on how to raise and take care of your dog.

How do you find a good breeder? One way is to check around in your community for recommendations. Ask vets or other dog professionals for their recommendations. You can also check a dog breeder directory on the internet. You can usually select the breed you are looking for and your geographic location, and you will get a list of breeders in your area. Just type “dog breeder directory” into your search engine to find one.

2) Get your dog from a dog rescue organization. These groups find homes for unwanted or abandoned dogs of a particular breed. There is usually an organization for each breed. The American Kennel Club has a list of dog rescue groups on its website.

3) Adopt your dog from a shelter. This is a good option if you don’t care about having a purebred dog. Shelters have a wide variety of dogs available. I got my dog at a Humane Society shelter. They do a good job of talking with you to find out what kind of dog would be best suited to your needs.

It is very rewarding to adopt a dog from a shelter and give it a good home. Also, I like adopting a shelter dog because you can adopt a dog who is already past the housebreaking stage, if you want to. If you don’t find the dog you want there right away, they can keep an eye out for you, or you can keep returning until you “fall in love” with one of the dogs.

Pat Doyle is the creator of the popular website doggiewoggie.com Doggiewoggie - All About Dogs. Find more dog info at thedogdaily.com/doggiewoggie/home.html The Dog Daily.

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