Stuffed Animals

To make this article as accurate as possible, let’s assume the following: you’re potty training a puppy of average intelligence that is four months old (we are assuming this because this is the average age and intelligence of most dogs when they are potty trained). We will also assume you’re using the proper potty training methods which include crate training, putting your dog on a feeding and bathroom schedule, and rewarding your dog when he goes to the bathroom outside.

With all of that being said, it will take your puppy about three to seven days (so about a week) before he will get used to the schedule you put him on. Once your dog is used to the schedule he will stop most of this pottying accidents inside the house because he will only have to go to the bathroom at certain times of the day, and your schedule will tell you what times of the day that is. Dogs will also not use the bathroom in an area they feel is their home, and no your entire house doesn’t seem like a home to your dog because it is way too big in a dogs mind. This is what the crate training is for. So when your dog is not outside using the bathroom he is either inside his crate or under your supervision. So with the crate and schedule you should start seeing results within a few days to a week.

Completing the puppy potty training process may take some additional time, especially because you have to decide if you will simply keep your dog on the schedule and just take him out when the schedule says to or if you’re going to teach your dog to bark or ring a bell when he needs to go outside. For this let’s assume you will teach your dog to ring a bell (because that doesn’t involve teaching your dog the “Speak” command).

If you’re going to teach your dog to ring a bell before he goes outside to use the bathroom, you will have already been using the bell throughout the entire potty training process, so by the end of the first week he should understand the sound of the bell indicates the door is about to open and he is about to go outside. The next part of this is important and tricky, because it will depend on how long before the dog rings the bell himself and you let him out. Because as soon as your dog makes the connection that a ringing bell means you will let him out, the faster the potty training process will be complete. Of course when your dog first figures out ringing the bell means you let him outside he will be constantly ringing the bell (if this is the case then for the love of all let your dog outside, you don’t ever want him to think that ringing the bell doesn’t actually let him out, if he is ringing it too frequently consider placing him in his crate). Read the rest of this entry »

The only sad thing about hamsters is that they live only up to 1000-1100 days (i.e. about 1-3.5 years), which can be a real heartbreaking thing for children. But few people think it as an opportunity for children to understand and learn the responsibilities and other important things in life.

Types of Hamsters
There are mainly three type of hamsters found:Syrian Hamsters: This type of hamsters are also called black bear hamster, golden hamster, teddy bear hamster, fancy hamster etc. Syrian hamsters are generally golden brown colored with dark colored markings on parts like jaws, cheeks etc. of their body. Syrian hamsters are the largest in all the type of hamsters and are very easy to tame and take care of, which make them most commonly accepted hamster as a pet. They grow about 6-8 inches in length, and their lifespan is around 2 to 3 years. Syrian hamsters are strongly territorial animals and cannot tolerate presence of other hamsters in their territory, which makes it very important to keep them alone in a cage/home. Syrian hamsters are mainly nocturnal and are quite active from the early hours in evening and night.
Dwarf Hamsters: They are also called Campbell’s Russian Hamsters, Winter White Russian Hamsters, Roborovski Hamsters. Dwarf Campbell’s Russian Hamsters are the most common type of hamsters people like to keep as pet. They grow about 4-5 inches in length and have almost same lifespan as other type of hamsters. Dwarf hamsters prove to be good mates for hamsters of the same species rather than of other species (given they are introduced to each other from young age).
Chinese Hamsters: These type of hamsters are often misinterpreted to be Dwarf Hamsters as they exhibit similar physical characteristics as of Dwarf Hamsters but they are actually different. They grow same in length as Dwarf Hamsters, and have lifespan of about 2.5 to 3 years. Chinese Hamsters are also nocturnal but are not as lazy as Syrian hamsters during day time. Female Chinese hamsters generally are not comfortable with the other hamsters and so should be kept alone or with the hamster they get along easily.
Ideal Homes for Hamster:
Consider what will happen if you are confined in a very small place with no room for you to at least walk through it? You will surely get frustrated and would wish to get out of the place as soon as possible. Same is true with hamsters. The first and the most important thing to take into consideration is that house for hamster should be as large as possible, with a proper, dry and hygienic bedding. It is found that if hamster is not allowed to exercise (play around and run throughout the home), there is a high risk of his/her getting paralyzed, so you should consider buying/building a home for hamster that is enough to allow it run through, it should have a running wheel (hamsters really love it and cover up to few miles of running using it everyday).

You should avoid choosing a wooden house for hamsters as it cannot withstand their sharp teeth and you might one day end up having your pet lost. Now a day, there are many varieties of cages/homes available in market like simple wire cages, large cages with beddings, wheels and tunnels (add on habitat homes) for your hamster to play, glass/plexi aquarium homes etc., while choosing one out of these all you need to understand is how happy your pet hamster will be in the new home. Inside the cage there should be (as already mentioned) plenty of space available for your pet hamster to play, there should be a small metal plate where you can keep food, a small metal bowl or a bottle for water and some space for hamster’s bedding. If you are willing to allow your hamster be his/her own home decorator then you can provide him/her with some tissue papers (chemical-less or non-scented), straws, dry grass etc. Your hamster will love to make his/her own bedding. Read the rest of this entry »

Those solutions are certainly solutions, and they do work. However, flea and tick treatments, both over-the-counter ones and prescription ones, usually contain toxic chemicals. Not only can those chemicals potentially poison your pet, they can also harm you and your family. Even when you apply them following the instructions provided, pesticides such as tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur can be deadly if you are in contact with them on a regular basis. Think of little Susie picking up Fluffy and hugging her tightly, cooing in her little whiskered face how much she loves the kitty. Do you seriously want to have toxic chemicals radiating their fumes just inches away from little Susie’s face?

The Natural Resources Defense Council has a mission to protect wildlife and animals of all kinds, and to ensure that life on earth exists in a health environment. Their new report on pesticides for the flea control and ticks strongly recommends that the FDA should ban some pesticides from being used in pet products, and the NRDC advises consumers to closely scrutinize how safe products on the market are, before using them on their pet.

The NRDS examined the listed ingredients of over 100 flea and tick treatments, to compile a report about which chemicals they contain and how toxic those chemicals are. The report details which chemicals have been scientifically linked to allergies, asthma, and even cancer in humans, and which are suspected to be endocrine disruptors. Every product is categories in the report according to its possible risks. Young children and pregnant women are especially at risk, and should try to avoid all pesticides that may be used on animals. Spot treatments, in particular those containing phenothrin and cyphenothrin, may pose a hazard to both people and pets because they are very concentrated.

In some cases, particularly severe infestations, chemical control is unavoidable. In these cases, consumers can choose a safer treatment and avoid extremely toxic chemicals by following the recommendations on the NRDC’s list. But for regular ongoing prevention of flea and tick problems, there are several safe and effective natural solutions.

Regular vacuuming, coming, and bathing of your pet can greatly reduce the spread of fleas. Fleas caught in brushes and combs can be drowned easily in soapy water. Baths control fleas easily, and any soap will get rid of the fleas – you don’t need a chemical-laden flea soap to do the trick. Your pet’s bedding should be washed in warm water at least once a week. Fleas have a tendency to accumulate and breed in pet bedding, so when you gather up the bedding to put it in the wash, take care not to fluff the bed or shake it, to avoid spreading any flea eggs or larvae that might be secreted in the bedding. When you vacuum, bags should be thrown away immediately to prevent the fleas from being able to escape and re-infest the area. For a severe infestation, a professional carpet cleaning using a steam cleaner will do the trick. Read the rest of this entry »

As you can see even if you do not live where there have been disasters, you and your pets could still be at risk. Here are some simple guidelines from the Humane Society and the ASPCA to get you started to keep you and your cat or dog safe should any disaster happen.

1) Prepare: Gather supplies

Food & Water

Make sure you have at least 3 days (or more) of water and food in a air-tight, waterproof container. Be sure to rotate these with regular water and foods to keep them fresh. Remember your pet dishes.

Medicines & Medical Records

Order an extra supply of medicines you take on a regular basis as well as those your pets need. Add them to your waterproof container. Make copies of medical records and vaccinations for you and your pet and put them in zip lock bags in your container.

First Aid Kit

Get a first aid kit for your family. For pets, most veterinarians recommend cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; an antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a flashlight and pet first aid reference book, too.

Collars, ID Tags, Harness & Leash

Even indoor pets should always have on a collar with an ID tag preferably with your cell phone number on it as well as a rabies tag. Include a backup collar and ID tag in your emergency kit, just in case. Make sure their harness and leash are comfortable and secure for exercise in close quarters. (Since recent studies show that microchips can cause cancer in pets, avoid those.)

Pet Crates or Carriers

Have your pet’s carrier handy and put together so you can move quickly. Test it for safety, sturdiness and comfort (can your pet turn around in it and stand up easily?). If you have more than one animal crate, get a collapsible luggage dolly and use bungee cords to secure them to it. Do NOT let your pets out unless on a leash or confined!

Sanitation

Have extra litter and a disposable litter box for your cat. For dogs pack newspapers and paper towels as well as disposable wipes and plastic trash bags. Include a small container of bleach or other disinfectant. Hint: bleach can also be helpful for purifying water–16 drops of regular household bleach per gallon of water and let set for 30 minutes before drinking.

A Picture of You and Your Pet Read the rest of this entry »

When you’re erecting a dog fence at home, spare a thought for the people who built the Dingo Fence in Australia. It was put up in the 1880’s to protect enormous flocks of sheep in Southern Queensland, where Dingoes had almost been exterminated.

To prevent Dingoes from other areas getting to the sheep, the fence was built. It is 6 feet high and there is one foot of it underground, with uprights every 9 metres. It’s the longest fence in the World, stretching 5,320 kilometres which is over 3,305 miles! Ironically, it has not been a complete success – dingoes still lurk in the area!

Does Your Dog Need An Invisible Fence?

Some dogs delight in damaging flower beds and destroying vegetable gardens. Worse still, they might escape and cause an accident – for which you would be liable. If you don’t want very high, solid fencing around your property – or the price of it, it might be time to consider an ‘invisible’ fence.

What Is An Invisible Fence?

There are many of these on the market now and they all work in a similar way. An invisible fence allows you to have one or more dogs running freely on your property, within boundaries chosen by you.

How Do These Fences Work?

A wire (of anything up to 400m long) is put onto the ground, buried just under the surface or attached to a fence that is already there. The wire carries a signal transmitted from a small unit. The dog wears a special collar that receives a signal if he goes near the wire.

The signals are usually zoned. When the dog gets anywhere near the wire he goes into a ‘warning zone’ and he will hear a warning ‘beep’ from his collar. If he gets even closer, he goes into a ‘correction zone’ and will receive a buzz from a small electrical impulse via the collar.

Once the dog begins to realise the boundaries, the owner can reduce the electrical impulses and rely on the audible warnings. Eventually, once the dog is reliable and not going anywhere near the fence, the collar may be taken off – or substituted for a dummy collar while he’s on – probation’! Read the rest of this entry »