Pets Smile Plus

It is a good idea to do several months of training and an apprenticeship before purchasing equipment. Concentrate on the basics and gradually add to your grooming kit. Always buy the best equipment you can afford, and upgrade when possible. Spending a little more money on higher-quality equipment may help prevent repetitive strain injuries. Certainly, buy the best-quality clippers.

Buy equipment from an establishment where experienced people are on hand to help you to decide what, and what not to buy. Keep in mind, however, that these people are in business. Don’t be persuaded to buy items that are not strictly necessary.

Equipment most available from shops selling grooming supplies:

1. Protective clothing
2. Grooming tables
3. Bath brushes
4. Shampoo
5. Conditioners
6. Color-enhancers
7. Dryers
8. Automatic dog dryers
9. Stand Dryers
10. Hand Dryers
11. Power blower/groomer
12. Towels
13. Combs
14. Pin and bristle brushes
15. Slicker brush
16. Clippers and blades
17. Blade banks
18. Clipper oil
19. Blade wash
20. Grease for clipper bearings
21. Comb attachments
22. Ear care
23. Eye Care
24. Nail care
25. Scissors
26. Stripping tools
27. Stripping knife
28. Stripping stones
29. Dog dresser
30. Dematting tools

You can also purchase these supples online and at many pet supply stores near you. Pet Edge is a wonderful source for professional groomers as well as at home groomers.

Remember to start out with “just what you need,” and add on as you need. Avoid spending a lot of money on supplies and equipment when you first start out.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines. Purchase unique dog clothes and topknot dog bows at: littleguysdogclothesshop.com littleguysdogclothesshop.com

Anyone looking for a new pet wants a pet that is clean, socialized and well trained. Most people don’t know that these are all qualities of pet rats!

There are many misconceptions about rats. People think that rats are unclean and carry disease. In fact, rats are quite clean and groom themselves several times a day. These aren’t sewer rats we’re talking about. These pet rats, or fancy rats as they’re called, have been domesticated and bred in captivity for at least 150 years. Pet rats are quite tame after living with humans for so many generations and you’ll find that they are nothing like their stereotypes.

Rats are very intelligent animals. Some consider rats to have intelligence close or equal to that of dogs. Rats are capable of learning to come when their names are called. They can even be litter trained just as easily as training a cat.

If you have any experience with other rodents such as hamsters, mice or gerbils you may be afraid of biting. Although biting is common with other rodents, it is almost unheard of with domesticated rats. Unlike their rodent cousins, rats are generally docile creatures. Most of the time rats just like to lay around, especially males. Rats can easily be trained to be good lap or shoulder pets.

In the wild, rats live together in colonies and have a complex social structure. These social instincts carry over to pet rats. Pet rats tend to develop strong bonds with humans and with their cage mates. So much so that it is common for rats to become very depressed when a cage mate passes away.

There are many apartments that won’t allow dogs or cats, and it may simply not be practical to have larger pets in some houses. In those situations a pet rat is the perfect solution. Cages for pet rats usually don’t consume much room at all, usually just a two foot by two foot space, which makes pet rats great for small apartments.

Rats are friendly and intelligent animals and make great first pets for children. Being clean and easy to care for makes them great companions for the elderly. Go out and get your pet rat today!

Scott McHenry and his wife have had a large number of pets of many different species. They have several years experience with rats and together run ratanswers.com ratanswers.com a rat informational web site.

Let us understand some straightforward and trouble-free steps to execute dog toilet training. First of all you need to consider the type of food given to the dog, if food has high sugar and fiber this will usually create problem in digestion or might cause lose motion also. In such situation you will find it difficult to train your dog for its toilet habits.

It is essential to feed the dog with good healthy food without supplying any additional supplements in between its meals. You must set the time for feeding your dog and do not show irregularity in feeding. The quantity of the food to be given to the dog should be regulated. Adequate time gap between the meals and adequate quantity of food will allow the dog to have set pattern of relieving time. The time for defecate is generally after half an hour of feeding the dog.

How to Condition your Dog’s Habit?

Take your dog for a regular walk and understand his toilet habits. Now the other important step is to let the dog know the place where it can defecate. So by taking dog several times to the same place to defecate, dog will also recognize that. Dog toilet training also includes that whenever dog does the toilet on that particular spot then you need to give compliment to the dog. Thus, this is how dog learns to defecate at a particular spot.

Good Things Begin Early

You should start to teach the dog toilet training as early as possible. If you are unsure of the dog defecating timing then it may start spoiling the indoors. So it is essential to provide dog the training for toilet which is better for sanitizing point of view. Belt or leach should be tied on the neck so that you can guide him finding particular spot to defecate.

Other technique for dog toilet training is to use of crate, this will control the dog if they defecate to the place where they sleep, by using crate, dog will learn to move out at the time of defecate. You should teach the dog the way to communicate by hand indication rather that using voice commands. So by making such interactions regularly, dog will get habituated with the signals and understand what you want to convey.

You should not expect fast learning as these things take time and as it involves dogs who take time to learn. The training should be imparted to the dog with clear objectives. The dogs are sensitive creatures and have mood swings; hence care must be taken to remain calm and patient with them. The dogs acquire habits easily and hence to make them learn new habits, you should be persistent with them.

You can also find more info on startdogtraining.com/Dog_Potty_Training/ Dog Potty Training and startdogtraining.com/Dog_Training_Aids/ Dog Training Aids. Startdogtraining.com is a comprehensive resource to know how to train yor Dog.

Dogs are extremely popular pets all over the world, and with so many different breeds to choose from, it can be difficult to select the right one for your lifestyle. Although it may not be an immediate consideration, the type of coat your dog has can be an important factor. The various coat types - short haired, long haired, curly coated, and even hairless - will contribute differently to the time required to groom and care for your pet.

Choosing the right dog coat for you

The amount of time that you are able to dedicate to grooming your pet should determine the type of coat that you opt for. If, for instance, you are unable to really commit much time to grooming, you should choose a dog that has a short, close coat which doesn’t need much in the way of maintenance and doesn’t really shed significantly. If you are able to commit to regular grooming sessions, then you have more choice, as you can also go for dogs with longer coats that may need regular brushing and clipping to keep them in good condition.

It’s important to keep up with your dog’s grooming needs, whichever length of coat you choose. Regular grooming not only keeps the coat from becoming lackluster and matted, it minimizes the dog hair that may otherwise accumulate around your house. Whilst there will always be a little bit, even with low-shedding dogs, having a dog that sheds a lot, who isn’t brushed regularly, is a recipe for a lot of dog hair on furniture and your clothes.

Another important issue when considering dog grooming and breed choice, is that a coat that is not properly cared for could potentially lead to skin conditions for your dog. His skin may become dry and itchy, and parasites and ticks may go unnoticed.

If you really want a dog with a high maintenance coat, but don’t have the time or inclination to groom it regularly yourself, you might want to consider using one of the many local dog grooming services. A lot of them are mobile, and will come straight to your house. Just factor in the ongoing costs associated with using their services when you choose your pet. An advantage of using a professional is that they will generally use a flea shampoo, which saves you the trouble of applying flea powder.

What type of grooming is required for dogs?

Generally, there are two types every dog needs. The first is basic maintenance. This usually involves cleaning his teeth, brushing and combing his coat, clipping his toenails, checking his coat for any fleas, checking his skin for any lumps, rashes, or sores, and looking over his eyes and ears. How often this needs to be done varies with the breed, but you should aim for at least once a week.

Then, every couple of months for a short hair dog, or every 4 to 6 weeks for medium, long, curly, and wire coat dogs, more in depth grooming needs to be done. As well as checking for any fleas and parasites, you should apply flea treatments. Brush out the coat and remove any parts of it that are matted. Cutting these off is best, though more regular coat brushing can usually prevent the hair becoming matted.

Check his ears, eyes, teeth, and paws, as well as the skin. Bath him. Clip his nails. If you’re styling his coat, give him this season’s new look. And importantly, administer any eye drops, ear powder, and complete any dental work such as tooth scaling.

Although your dog’s coat may not sound like an important factor in selecting a dog as a pet, it can play a big part in your decision. For instance, people that suffer from allergies will not fare well with a long haired dog that is a heavy shedder, as this can exacerbate the allergies. Instead, allergy sufferers can opt for a short haired dog that shed little hair over the course of the year, or even a hairless dog such as the Chinese Crested.

And people that live more extreme climates, either hot or cold, need to consider this when selecting a dog. A Siberian husky in the tropics is not a good match!

All dogs require a certain level of basic care and grooming. If you can’t do this yourself, you’ll need to be able to afford to hire someone else to do it for you. They type of coat your breed has will simply determine the frequency with which you need to do these tasks; but it will not eliminate them entirely.

For more thedogsbone.com dog care articles, such as this one on thedogsbone.com/articles/29/1/Guide-To-Dog-Vaccinations/Guide-To-Dog-Vaccinations.html dog vaccinations, click here.

Your pet supply may consist of a variety of items for a variety of pets. There are many different kinds of pets, and they all have unique needs and personalities. You may have more than one kind of pet, or unusual pets. Then you have an even bigger array of pet supply items.

The basics in pet supply needs are pretty obvious. No matter what kind of pet you have, you have to meet its basic needs. You have to have feed, and something to feed and water your pet out of. For dogs and cats, this chore has been made easier by pet supply manufacturers. You can now purchase large canisters with bowls attached to the bottoms. It is the same principal that made silos work, but on a smaller scale. But it cuts the work down for you so that you don’t have to feed as often.

There are many places that you can get all of your pet supply needs. There are even stores that are dedicated solely to this purpose. These are great places to get items that you never even knew you needed. You know – those things that you’ve never heard of, but once you see them you buy them.

Farm supply stores can be a great place for your pet supply needs. Because these stores are usually based on wholesaling, they are often cheaper than other places. The downside is that you may have to buy larger quantities than you intended. But if you plan on keeping your pet, it may be worth it in the long run.

Online auction sites can be great places to buy some pet supply needs. For those items that you don’t have to buy over and over and are higher priced items, this is a great way to get a bargain. As with other items on auction sites, these items may be a great deal if not many people bid on them. One thing that you need to remember is to check shipping prices. It may seem like a great deal until you add in shipping. Find all costs before buying.

Some of your pet supply needs can be found at any of your general retailers. Food, dishes, shampoos, and toys are a few of many items to be found. One thing that you need to make sure you buy with dogs or cats is a collar. Make sure that you keep current tags on your pets. These are your best chance for recovering a lost pet, and therefore one of the most important things on your pet supply list.

To find out more about pet-supply-bargains.info Pet Supply visit great-pet-supply.info great-pet-supply.info

The West Highland White Terrier is a hardy, happy little terrier that love the companionship of people. They are very good looking and make good watch dogs. They can get along with other pets, especially if socialized when young. They have been known to chase cats as a sport. They are generally very good with children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male is 10 to 12 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 15 to 22 pounds. The female ranges from 9 to 11 inches to the withers and 13 to 16 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the West Highland White Terrier is no exception. Be on the look out for skin allergies, progressive neurological disorders and tear duct problems. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The West Highland White Terrier has a double coat. The inner coat is soft and fluffy. The outer coat is white, straight and hard hair. This is a breed that needs to be professionally groomed regularly. She should also be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

Life Span

The West Highland White Terrier can live around 15 or more years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The West Highland White Terrier comes from Scotland where they were raised to hunt vermin. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1908.

Some Registries

West Highland White Terrier Club of America
UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

2 to 5 West Highland White Terrier puppies

Category

Terrier

Terms To Describe

Alert, friendly, reliable, happy, balanced, hardy, self-esteem, strength, affectionate

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Makes a good watch dog.
Sheds almost no hair.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Makes a poor guard dog.
They may dig.
They may bark plenty.

Other Names Known By

Toseneath Terrier, Poltalloch Terrier

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

About the Author

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com petpages.com, a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info. petpages.com Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.

Aside from the condition of the water there is probably nothing as important to properly maintaining a fish tank then keeping the temperature of the water at a set level. Both salt water and fresh water fish thrive best in warm water that stays constant. They are after all tropical fish. Gold fish on the other hand are cold water fish and can handle fluctuation in temperature.

The temperature of the water is important for the health and welfare of your fish. If the temperature drops by one degree over a twenty four hour period it can leave many fish susceptible to diseases such as “Ich”. If not caught soon enough it can create irreversible damage and kill any and all the fish in a tank. This is why it is doubly important to keep a close eye on the water temperature during the change of season, particularly as winter approaches and temperatures drop.

There are a variety of different fish tank heaters on the market and depending on how much you are willing to spend will determine how functional the one you get may be. The cheaper ones may save you money but they are more likely to break or malfunction, thereby endangering the investment you have made in your fish. Many times the cheap heaters also do not have an accurate heat setting, which makes dialing in the temperature difficult.

For most people a mid priced heater will do the job they are looking for. Their thermostat controls are reliable and they maintain a constant temperature without having to make adjustments all the time. It is important to check your fish tank heater periodically to make sure it is operating correctly and after about a year of use there is a good chance that it may need to be replaced.

The best way to make sure your fish tank heater is working properly is to invest in a thermometer. These days you can purchase thermometers that stick to the outside glass of the fish tank. This makes it easy to monitor the temperature because it is always in a conspicuous spot. You can use the type that float around inside the fish tank but they are not always as easy to read and more often then not they float behind a filter or some other obstruction making it impossible to see what the temperature is.

Once you have your heater it is best to place it near a filter. This allows the heated water to be distributed throughout the tank keeping hot and cold spots to a minimum. A heater is an important part of any fish tank ecosystem and by keeping the water temperature at a constant level your fish will be disease free and entertain you for many years.

For more valuable information about choosing a fish-tank.home-choices-net.com/Fish-Tank-Heater.html fish tank heater and setting up and maintaining a new fish tank visit the website fish-tank.home-choices-net.com/ Fish Tank Care & Supplies by Clicking Here.

Each horse is different in how it learns and how it reacts to outside stimuli. Certain methods of horse training may apply to some horses, but it does not mean that it will be effective to all breeds of horse.

To start horse training you must develop a communication system with the horse. This might take time. In the same way as children may not fully grasp the idea of things at an instant, baby horses in training may not get every pressure, pat or way of holding the reins at once.

When you apply a certain pressure, you expect a certain response. During horse training, you must make the horse understand that a certain pressure should elicit a corresponding response. We don’t expect full compliance in the beginning, but as time goes by, these actions will be part of the horse’s vocabulary.

Throughout the course of the horse training, one by one these actions will be added to his vocabulary. But these actions should still be broken down into minute details that the horse can take in one at a time. Learn how to pace with each individual horse. Training is something that should be done slowly and surely.

You must also learn how to “speak” to your horse in a way that it will be able to comprehend. This manner of speaking would mean fewer words and more body language.

Horses are herd animals. They learn well by imitating the leaders of the herd. You should be that “leader” your horse will follow. Patience is a key in training your horses.

You must also take into consideration that no one, animal or human, learns well when under stress. You should not force lessons into your horse during horse training. They don’t appreciate the yelling and whipping, especially if they do not know what all the harshness is for. Unlike humans who can speak their minds, horses resort to more physical responses. And you certainly wouldn’t want your horse to whirl, kick, strike and do out of hand movements.

You must create an environment wherein the horse can learn on its own, aside from the horse training that you give it. It is also important to see the difference between having been able to teach the horse something and it just accepting it. If a horse is relaxed when you do something, this does not necessarily mean that it is trained. This might just mean to it as another thing a human being normally does. Resistance at first is needed in order to see that the horse recognizes that something new is being taught to him.

The horse’s daily training routine should not be based on a set of particular things you want to teach to the horse. It should be based on how your horse reacts to your actions. Don’t teach something new to it without reviewing what it already knows.

Most importantly - don’t force your horse to go on horse training if it doesn’t feel well. A good routine does not only maintain the horse’s attention level, but also its comfort level.

Horses and Ponies
Learn more at
horseandponys.com horseandponys.com

One of the most useful commands you can teach your dog is “down.” A laying dog will not run across busy streets, jump up on people, or beg at the table. The command transcends even these uses by giving the utmost respect to the owner when the dog is in that position. A fearful dog can have anxiety lessoned with this calming maneuver, and a hyperactive or compulsive dog will learn to redirect their energy toward this mentally taxing command.

What you want is a fast reaction, the whole body on the ground as soon as you give the command. You do not want a slow, first one leg then the other, followed by the rump finally with the dog shooting right back up. Your dog should be relaxed and waiting for the next command after an immediate response.

To train your dog, get him to sit and stand in front of him. Have a small treat between your thumb and forefinger, small enough that the dog can’t get at it unless you let go of it. Get your dog’s interest with the food; he needs to know you have something he wants so he’ll hopefully follow your hand. With the dog’s attention, lower you hand toward the ground. The dog should follow the food with his nose. At this point, the dog may have gone down already. Praise him and give him the food. If not, still having the dog’s attention, pull the treat toward you, away from the dog in a straight line. With any luck the dog will reach out with its upper body and lay down. Give him the treat and lots of praise. You can add the word “down” later when this movement has been repeated often enough with the desired response.

If drawing food away doesn’t work, have your dog sit. With one hand, pull one of the dog’s forelegs gently forward. Simultaneously with your other hand, push very gently sideways and slightly down. Push in the direction of the other leg so that the dog is forced (gently!) to lay down or fall over. This should not be done harshly or too unexpectedly. You don’t want to scare your dog. Some trainers oppose this method because they think you will always have to touch your dog to give the command. However, if you can teach that the word “down” means for the dog to lay down, it shouldn’t matter which strategy you use to teach it.

Once your dog has gotten the initial point of the command, teach a Long Down. This means that when you say “down” the dog doesn’t get up again until you give the counter-command, or release. This will take time, and practice, but eventually your dog will understand that you want him to stay put. Delay the treat for a couple seconds, gradually increasing the time, until you give the release.

Ashley writes on how to train your dog better and more efficiently. You can learn more by visiting dog-training-easy.blogspot.com/ Dog Training.

The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time
According to Dog Training Experts

10) When trying to settle a puppy into a new home, providing them with a warm hot water bottle and placing a ticking clock in the room where they sleep will help to replicate the body heat and heartbeat of their litter mates and can really help them to relax in their new environment.

9) When taking your puppy to the Vet for its first inoculations, health checks etc, it is good practice to sit with your puppy on your lap and not have him or her on the floor. Apart from being able to comfort and re-assure the puppy easier in this position you must also consider the fact that there may be a number of sick animals in the surgery and your puppy is vulnerable if they come into direct contact with infectious animals that may also be in attendance at the same time as your pup. Make a very deliberate effort to ensure your puppy’s trips to the vets are as fun as you can make them. Don’t allow your puppy to think you are nervous or concerned, instead make a game and even take a toy to amuse the puppy with whilst they sit on your lap.

Always ensure from the earliest possible moment that your puppy is given his or her own, private sleeping place that is not used by anyone else in the family or another pet. Your puppy will benefit from short periods left alone in his or her ‘den’ with you always returning to reward the pup when he or she is relaxed and quiet.

7) Try to make sure your puppy is entertained adequately for short but regular intervals during the day. Long periods of being left unstimulated may lead to destructive or disruptive behaviour later in life. Little games playing ‘fetch’ with the pup’s favourite toy will have the beneficial affect of stimulating the pup, increasing his or her bond with you and allowing the pup to expend short, sharp bursts of energy.

6) Don’t over-train your puppy. Remember, a one-year old dog is, effectively, the same as a seven-year old person. It is a good rule of thumb to keep reminding yourself ‘would I expect a three, four, five or six-year old child to accomplish some of the tasks I am asking of my pup?’ Manners, house-cleanliness and the very basics (including socialisation) are all you should really seek to instil in your puppy until such a time, as they are mature enough to undergo a more formal training regime. Puppies can deceive you into thinking they are ready for training but will ultimately ‘rebel’ against discipline as they get older. Ensuring you have taught your puppy to respond to his or her name, what is and is not acceptable in terms of house-manners and establishing an uninhibited relationship with your pup is more important than any other discipline in the early stages of any dog’s life.

5) OWWWW! Teach your puppy that biting or nipping is not a pleasant experience for you by reacting as if in pain to their playful nips. Rather than scold the dog, let him or her know that nipping is not a pastime that you wish to engage in. Letting out an over-exaggerated expression of pain will more than likely shock the puppy into ceasing this behaviour. You will be glad you put an end to this behaviour early on instead of confronting a ‘playful’ 2-year-old with a full set of adult teeth!

4) Decide early on what is and is not acceptable in your house. If you don’t want your pup to use the living-room sofa as a raised dog bed when they get older then don’t encourage him or her to come up for fuss when they’re young just because they look sweetly at you and are small enough to pick up.

3) Jumping up. All puppies love to jump out when greeting anyone. Rather than reprimand the pup, simply ignore the behaviour and wait until he or she settles down and is not jumping up before lavishing any attention on them. Above all else, don’t encourage the behaviour by patting or praising the dog when they are in the ‘jump-position’ or you may run in to problems as the dog gets bigger and views jumping up as an easy way to receive attention.

2) The puppy’s name will be with them for life, make sure they know it by associating it with all things pleasant and fun. In the same way dog’s cotton on in a very positive way to words such as ‘walkies’, ‘biscuits’ or ‘dinner-time’ they should be given the same association with their own name. Too often the only time the puppy hears his or her name is when they have done something naughty. ‘Jasper, stop doing that!’ ‘Buster, leave that alone!’ It’s tough but try to ensure that you NEVER use the puppy’s name in a negative scenario only positive ones. Instead of ‘Jasper, leave that alone!’ simply, ‘Leave that alone!’ or better yet ‘No!’. And instead of ‘walkies’, biscuits or ‘dinner-time’ try ‘Jasper, biscuits!’, ‘Jasper, walkies!’, ‘Jasper, dinner-time!’ Golden rule. Your puppy should associate his or her own name with all that is pleasant and fun and nothing that is negative. The word ‘no’ is negative and it is enough to cover all undesirable behaviour.

1) From the moment your puppy comes into your life teach him that coming to you when called is nothing short of being the best thing in the world. Puppies can’t resist humans who sit down on the floor with legs spread apart so, while they’re easily persuaded to come by this very simple gesture, make the most of it by using their name, sparingly, but making a huge fuss when puppy arrives. Try it at times when pup is pre-occupied with something interesting and make coming back to you the most enjoyable and rewarding experience in the world for him or her. You will really see the benefits as the dog gets older.

This article was taken from K9 Magazine, the lifestyle magazine for dog lovers and is available
in both digital and print formats. You can subscribe to K9 Magazine or get lots of free dog articles,
features and advice at k9magazine.com k9magazine.com

All content © K9 Media Solutions Ltd & K9 Magazine.