The Active Zebra Finch

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

The Zebra finch is a sensible choice for a new bird pet owner because they are one of the best birds to have as pets and breed if you choose to do that.

As well as being one of the easiest cage birds, Zebra finches are low cost hardy, stunning, contented and active with a usual life of 7-10 years.

With their happy disposition and social nature, you experience them active and busy singing and flying around their cages. They do well with other birds due to their social behavior and the cage should be big enough so they can fly without any toys in their way.

In their natural habitat they were most frequently found in grassy or brush lands, open areas, pastures or fields and are commonly referred to as a hardy species of grass finch.

The Zebra finch comes in many sorts of colors and patterns which makes it fun to pick out and put together.

The chest of the male finch has black and white stripes and that is felt to be how they received their identity. The male Zebra finch also has orange-ish or chestnut sides with white spots. Customarily they have red/orange beaks and legs, a white belly, grey wings and upper body, a patch on their cheeks and a tear drop shaped marking under the eyes, which can sometimes be tan, brown, fawn or orange.

Females have the same upper body and wings that are gray, with a white belly. Their beaks and legs aren’t as brilliant in color as the males. The females also have a tear drop under their eyes, except for the females spots are black.

Some of the other kinds of Zebra Finches are the Lightback, the Black Breasted, Orange Breasted, Pied, Flanked White, Chestnut, Black Cheek. And Fawn.

Zebra Finches make great fun to care for birds and are a fun experience to observe because of their social interplay with the other birds in the cage and their happy dispositions.

Definitely a pet to look at when you’re at the pet shop looking next time.

Marjorie J McDonald has created a great book concerning how to pick out and look after your finches as your new pets. Caring for Finches is easy to do with this information about how to be a better Finch parent.

How To Stop Dog Biting And Nipping

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Dog biting and nipping is a serious problem with dog owners. Because many owners can’t find a solution to stop dog biting and nipping, they often end up sending their pets to shelters.

Giving your dog away because of nipping and biting is unnecessary and easily remedied. Crucial to solving the dog biting problem is understanding why dogs bite and nip. Use these tips to stop your dog nipping and biting.

Tip #1 – Dominance and Authority

Dogs are social animals. One of the main ways a dog communicates is through its mouth. Dogs bite in order to establish leadership in the pack.  Using their teeth, dogs quickly nip other dogs on the neck to give correction .  Unfortunately, if a dog is not trained properly, he will use his teeth too forcefully on a human to communicate. 

 Nipping can mean he is being playful.  If you want to prevent dog biting and nipping, determine if your dog is biting out of fear.

 It’s up to you the owner, to recognize when your dog feels threatened or is playing. Then make him stop biting and/or nipping.

 Tip #2 – Security and Protection

 Dogs bite out of insecurity and the need to protect their space. Never wake a dog abruptly while sleeping. Never reach into a dog’s space while he’s eating – he’ll bite your hand off.  Try coaxing your dog off the bed instead of shoving him or pushing him off.

 Tip #3 – Lack of good positive training

Dogs tend to nip and bite because sometimes owners train them in a painful way. In order to stop dog biting and nipping, don’t use reinforcement that is really painful for the dog.  Painful corrections make the dog angry and fearful.

Do research on the type of training you’d like to apply to your dog and then apply the training method carefully. Although the alpha is tough, he is also compassionate. His corrections are fair, short, and to the point. Remember, your dog sees you as the alpha, so treat him firmly, but fairly.  Stop dog biting and nipping by giving him a stern, but fair correction such as growling, “No!”

Tip #4 -Fear Biting

Dogs are very much like humans. If you put a dog on the defensive, he will do anything to protect himself. When dogs bite out of fear, they usually direct this behavior to strangers. However, they can also feel threatened by family members. If a family member bends over the dog while he’s resting, the dog may bite you.  If you try to hug the dog while sleeping he will bite you as well.  Don’t allow children to playfully pull on a dog’s tail.  Startling the dog when he’s asleep will make him lunge and bite you as well. 

Tip # 5Physical Pain

If a dog is in extreme pain, he will bite you.  Talk soothingly to the dog and gently approach him.  If two dogs are fighting, one or both of them will be in physical pain. Either one will try to bite you. Never break up of dog during a fight. Spray water on them until they part.

Warning Signs

Here are some warning signs that will tip you off as to whether or not your dog potentially wants to bite:

  • When his ears are pulled back against his head
  • When his hackles are raised
  • When he snarls with his teeth pulled back
  • When he lowers his tail and wags it slowly
  • When he’s cowering

For a detailed guide on how to get your dog to stop biting and nipping, check out Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer.

Guinea Pigs – Odd Behaviors You May Observe

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Guinea pigs make superb pets. They are generally friendly and good-natured – although some

may

tend to be on the shy side. Like every other animal, guinea pigs have a natural language for communication. As an inquisitive guinea pig owner, being able to decipher some of the more common “messages” from your little pets will make your experience with your pets more significant, memorable and enjoyable.

When your guinea pig shows you his teeth and chatters them, he’s communicating that he is annoyed or frightened. Take this behavior as a warning. He’s aggressively informing you to “back off”. You might possibly observe this behaviour when an unfamiliar pig is introduced into your pig’s territory. It may also happen when anyone (especially a stranger) attempts to pick your piggy up. This is a caution to leave him alone. We have also seen this behavior from hurt or ill pigs who are feeling grouchy and “just need to be left alone”.

Occasionally you will put your hand into the guinea pig cage, and get bitten by your guinea pig. A fast nip may be a caution to you or a sign of aggression. However , guinea pigs are almost always friendly and charming little pets and, usually, a bite is merely an honest mistake. This is probably the case – unless your guinea pig is showing more evidence of aggression like making its hair stand on end or chattering its teeth. Often the bite is merely a mild non-aggressive nibble. Just like a human infant who explores everything by shoving it into her mouth, this light nip is just an exploratory test as your piggy tests to determine if your finger is good to eat.

Many pigs like to bite and tug at the bars on their cage or gnaw loudly on their wooden nest boxes. If there are multiple pigs in the cage together, they will regularly line up and chew loudly together. This is usually an indication that your pigs wish to eat “NOW. You may often observe this behaviour when it is near their mealtime. Also, seeing you start to prepare their food or hearing the rustle of plastics bags full or carrots or other piggy veggies, might also trigger this wild behaviour. It is generally preceded by or accompanied by a loud chorus of “weeking” and squealing.

Guinea pigs have a language all their own. If we bother to learn just a few of their common communication behaviours, we will find that our experience with them becomes less puzzling and more fulfilling.

Regardless of what breed of guinea pig you own, all of them have identical requirements for a healthy, comfortable and secure home. We here at BlueStoneCommerce are guinea pig owners as well as guinea pig cage sellers. Everyone knows what pigs like and what they need to have in a guinea pig cage to be healthy, happy and secure. So if you’re searching for a lot of guinea pig cage for the money, Click one of these resource area links to go to one of our online net stores

How To Know If The Dog Is Pregnant

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

It is not uncommon for dog owners to treat the pet as a member of the family. As such, the adorable bundles of fur that will be produced by the pet will be truly loved by the family. Although ancestors of dogs have reproduced even without the intervention of man, modern day dogs seem to need all the help from its human family. The basic needs of the pet that include foods, shelter and health care will be provided by the dog owner. Pet parent will therefore provide the pregnant pet with all the necessary care.

A dog owner that has planned the breeding of the pet would eagerly await the arrival of the puppies and would not be surprised at the physical and behavioral changes noticed in the pet. However, it is not uncommon for these pets to slip unnoticed by the owners to meet the neighbor’s dog. Unplanned breeding can result to pregnancy. Would you know if puppies are growing inside your Fifi’s womb? What are the signs of dog pregnancy?

Dogs have the reputation for being very energetic animals. Dogs are as well noted for being voracious eaters. Pregnant dogs will be noticed to have no interest in eating and to be less active and lively. Pregnant dogs, just like pregnant humans may lose appetite and tend to be less active thus the pet parent would worry that the dog is sick.

When the dog is a few weeks into its pregnancy, the love for food and the usual active self will return. The physical changes in the dog will now start to be seen. The dog will gain weight; the teats will increase in size, be erect and turn pinkish in color. The most noticeable change will be in the abdomen and mammary gland as both will increase in size. Enlarged abdomen will be seen in obese dogs too but the abdomen of these dogs will be soft to the touch. Pregnant dogs on the other hand, would have firm and rather hard abdomens because of the presence of the growing puppies.

Behavioral changes will be noticed in the pet too. The pregnant pet may be more loving to its favorite people and may demand constant attention. Pregnancy may cause a dog to turn away from the care and attention of the family. A pregnant dog that is already manifesting the protective instinct towards its puppies can develop an aggressive behavior especially when the due date is near. A drop in the dog’s temperature and milk secreting from the nipples are sure signs that the owner is about to be gifted by the pet cuddly bundles of fur.

Horses: Horse Breeding And More

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

When it comes to pets, horses are considered one of the most cherished pet by many people. Even during the early times, horses can be used as a means of transportation. They can also carry or pull carriages, pull wagons, and heavy equipments used in farming. The importance of having a horse is truly unquestionable. They can be used for other purposes aside from farming, they also serve as a means of transportation. Way back how many centuries ago when cars are still an expensive means for most families who cannot afford them, horses serve as one of the fastest means of transportation.

 

Although we are now on a modern world where cars are less expensive and abundant, there are still countries that make use of horses, and prefer to use horses as their means of transportation. Fuel or gasoline nowadays tend to be very expensive. Horse carriages on the other hand is environment-friendly and safe. More and more farmers today make use of fuel-powered machines to carry heavy loads. Regardless of this fact, some countries still prefer to use horses.

 

Aside from those uses, horses can also be used for entertainment purposes. Many states do horse breeding just like the horse breeding in Montana area. Quarter horses are the most common breed that they do.Those types of horses are commonly taken care because they are often used in races. Some people also breed horses that they can use for rodeo shows and performances.

 

When we say breeding, breeders or the person who takes care of the breeding process should carefully choose or select the horse that they would like to breed. It can only be successful with the help of some professionals just like a veterinarian and an expert breeder. Most breeder nowadays actually perform the horse breeding with the help of modern technology. In order to make it successful, like we have said there are several things to consider.

 

 

Those things to consider are the genetic qualities of the horse. The over-all health of the horse should also be considered. The horse should ne healthy to carry out the reproduction period. Those things are just some of the many requirements of horse breeding. Breeding a horse can be frightfully expensive especially if the facility does not have all the equipments and veterinary care measures, one need to pay for an extra cost on those things. It is extremely tiresome and not easy to breed horses, one should think if they are well-prepared for the process.

The Proper Way To Use A Check Cord On Your Hunting Dog

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

A check cord is a valuable tool which can be applied to train your dog for uncomplicated commands too as hunting abilities. A check cord slips around the D ring inside the leather collar on your dog. It really is made of powerful nylon that’s uncomplicated to manage and will not bend like a rope. When you tug on the check cord, you are letting your dog know that he is performing something wrong.

Once you are training a gundog, you would like him to walk in front of you. There’s a point whenever you are working together with your dog when he will need to be away from you. This is where the check cord comes in handy. You ought to use numerous drills to utilize the check cord to train your dog on basic commands.

The check cord must be utilised in quartering drills. The dog should not tug on the cord to make an effort to take off running. He really should quarter in front of you. You can use the check cord to obtain him to turn after you want too as to sit and come to you. The check cord must ideally be about 20 to 25 feet in length. The objective with the cord would be to tug in the collar, giving your dog a reminder that he is doing the wrong factor. When the cord will not pull, he knows that he is behaving accordingly.

There’s a bowline knot at the end of the check cord which will keep the cord from receiving tangled. The D ring will need to be at the back with the collar with the dog. Once you are employing the check cord, you must be cautious not to tug on it too difficult. You’ll want to give a brief tug when the dog actions out of line. Utilizing a check cord is comparable to employing an electronic dog collar in that you desire to give gentle reminders towards the dog if you are going via drills. If the dog takes off running, you are able to then pull firmly on the check cord.

Your dog need to walk in front of you at about ten and two, as if comparing to a clock. When you very first put a dog on a lead, his instinct is going to be to pull in the lead and attempt to move further away from you. 1 with the very first items which you should teach a dog is how you can quarter. This is imperative for a dog for hunting and also for any dog.

Sitting is another drill which you can practice with your dog employing the check cord. You are able to also teach him to retrieve in this way. Rather than utilizing voice commands, nevertheless, you might be better off to begin employing voice commands to sit and come right after he has gotten used to the check cord. This may make it less difficult for him to make the connection to the verbal command and will also make training simpler.

Training a dog using a check cord is just not challenging and will need to be a practice for all dog owners. A check cord is uncomplicated to utilize and will allow you to train your dog in fundamental command drills.

Choosing the proper gun dog supplies is really vital. Visit Gundogs Online for a lot more information and facts on Innotek 2200 Dog Containment and Innotek Dog Fence SD3000.

Put An End to Your Dogs Furniture Chewing Habits

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

If your dog is gnawing holes in the settee, chewing up the carpet or leaving ugly teeth marks in the table and chairs, you’ll already understand that its far too costly a problem to ignore!

Unfortunately, chewing is standard dog behaviour and it is unrealistic to expect them to stop chewing altogether. For a start, chewing is vital to a puppy’s development, helping to alleviate teething pain and enable their teeth to come through. And, while a dog’s drive to chew decreases with age, it might not disappear, so the very best you can aim for is to keep the dog chewing away from your furniture and focussed on other items, like their own chew toys!

A Two-Step Approach to Stop Your Dog Chewing the Furniture

Your primary step is to take rapid action to limit any more damage, while you get to grips with the second step, that might take a little longer. Step 2 involves observing your dog rigorously to identify the reasons why your dog is chewing the furniture, so that you can take the right actions to stop the chewing problems and let you to trust your dog again.

Limit the Damage Caused by Dog Chewing

Begin by taking some of these straightforward steps to restrict the damage due to your dog’s chewing.

  • Do not let your dog have unmanaged access to furniture they can chew on. This means don’t allow them to be in a room without any person there to keep an eye on them.
  • When you go out, limit their access to a room which has nothing in it they can damage, or use a dog crate or kennel run.
  • Use baby gates to stop your dog accessing areas where you can’t trust them, eg the dining room.
  • You can try coating furniture with chewing deterrents like Sour Apple spray, which will need to be re-applied regularly. Feedback indicates this doesn’t work for all dogs as some don’t appear to be affected by the taste. Remember also that it will not really teach your dog not to chew on the furniture, just not that bit of furniture!
  • Supply your dog with items that are strong enough and safe to chew. Many toys are all to easily demolished and can be a danger if they chew bits off and swallow them, so be careful what you give them.

Get to the Base of the Dogs Chewing Problem

Your dog’s chewing problems can be driven by a range of different factors, so observe your dog thoroughly and try to work out what lies behind your dogs chewing, before deciding how you are going to stop it.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

If your dog is only chewing things when you go out, it is actually possible that your dog suffers from separation anxiety. The process of chewing will help the dog produce natural endorphins that calms their stress down, (a bit like somebody chewing on their nails when scared).

Dog separation anxiety training is the most often recommended way to remove the problem and can be particularly useful when coupled with demonstrating to your dog you’re the pack leader. With extremely worried dogs you may need to think about using some dog separation anxiety medicine, but you should always discuss this with your vet first.

Dog Teething Issues

Pup teething lasts until around 7 months and a puppy’s chewing will helps ease agony, remove and loosen puppy dog teeth and help adult teeth come through, so if your dog is at this point, provide plenty of acceptable chewing toys and give them one of them every time you see them heading for furniture or catch them in the process of gnawing at your furniture. Praise them for chewing their own toys.

Chewing for teething reasons can last up to 1 year, with teen dogs trying to relieve the pain in their gums or jaw till all adult teeth have settled in.

Attention Seeking in Dogs

Some dogs use chewing as a method to get their owner’s to pay them attention. For example, if he starts chewing on a chair leg and you react by raising your voice or maybe chasing him, he has worked out how to get your attention every time he wants it, and if you chase him he has also got a great game!

To remove this habit, don’t pay your dog any attention for this behaviour. You could try walking from the room he’s in and getting out of his sight line, to demonstrate him that not only does he not get your attention but loses you altogether.

If your dog is trying to get your attention, then at this moment, he’s most likely to stop chewing and come after you. Equally, you can take your dog by the collar and without chatting to, or looking your dog in the eye, put them on their own for a little while in a crate, or room alone. This also shows them that they could lose the pack for this behavior which is something your dog will not want to happen and so it can be a powerful incentive.

Choosing the Best Approach to Dog Chewing Problems

Once you’ve worked out the base of your dog’s chewing problem, it’s time to take action. Decide what approach you need and commit some time to it, and be prepared to be patient and be persistent with your dog.

Do not use punishments as most dog pros agree that this approach can be useless, making a dog fear you instead of teaching them what they should do. As an alternative by taking a positive approach to training and using lots of positive reinforcement with praise and treats, you ought to be able to stop your dog chewing the furniture.

Get additional information to help stop your dog chewing furnitureand discover more about dog anxiety when you visit the authors website.

4 Things You Should Know Before Buying an Iguana

Monday, September 19th, 2011

1 – There are plenty of places to go looking for to buy an Iguana

Iguanas can be discovered in a selection of places. Your own local pet shop can have them. Another place to have a look for Iguanas is countrywide pet stores like Petco. These days you can even buy an iguana online at websites like reptilesncritters.com and will have it shipped to you by fed ex (Yikes). Sorry Canadians they only sell domestically. You can even look for Iguanas at local reptile rescues. For a start check out the Green Society’s list of reptile adoption agencies at greenigsociety.org

2 – Avoid feeding Pet Iguana’s with insects.

There is a parable it's good to add protein to the Iguana’s food diet and to feed them insects from time to time. While Iguanas may occasionally eat insects in the wild, it's really important to remember is that Iguanas are herbivores and eat a diet made up of greens, veggies a few berries and some fruit. You can also add to the mix some flower buds. Although Iguanas can eat lettuce, feeding an Iguana a diet based entirely on lettuce isn't healthy. So going to the Insects, when you take home your favourite Iguana, don’t begin feeding it with all the creepy insects you find on your back yard porch.

3 – Iguanas are pretty long creatures

Iguanas won’t stay like that little pet you see in your local pet shop. Adult Iguanas size varies and can reach between 4 – 6 feet in length. Females are slightly smaller. So when you’re planning on purchasing an Iguana, you need to make preparations for a huge enclosure.

4 – Iguanas can live for a long time

If an Iguana is treated well it can reach around 20 years. That is much more than a moggy or a dog. The primary proviso here is if they are taken care of. Many Iguanas are not given a well balanced diet that suits them and they develop all sorts of diseases.

Iguana facts is a website dedicated to provide interesting and and fun information on Iguanas, and details on where to buy them

Your Dog Allergies Treatment Options

Monday, September 19th, 2011

For every seven dogs it is believed there is at least one that has an allergy of some kind. If you find that your furry companion has this condition it can be a difficult situation for both of you to deal with. Dog allergies treatment are easily accessible and provided in a wide variety of forms.

An allergic reaction is the result of a substance causing a hyperactive response from the immune system. The allergen, or causative agent, can be inhaled, eaten, or caused by physical contact. In the body’s attempt to dispel the substance the allergy symptoms manifest.

Just like humans the symptoms can be diverse in nature and include the respiratory or digestive system as well as the skin. In general there may be itching, sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea. An owner may notice hair loss, their pet chewing on their paws, snoring, watery eyes, or a change in the usual demeanor of their furry companion.

Dogs can be allergic to just as many substances as humans. There are four basic categories that dog allergies fall into. A dog may have food, contact dermatitis, flea allergies, or canine atopy.

Allergies to food and fleas is explained by the name. Contact dermatitis is a skin irritation that occurs due to a substance touching the dermis it can be liquid or solid in nature. Canine atopy is the result of something that is inhaled like pollen or mold.

Depending upon the severity of the reaction it may be necessary to seek the care of a veterinarian. Your dog many be prescribed steroids, antihistamines, special shampoo, or an antibiotic to use. Your dog is capable of experiencing anaphylaxis and just like a human will need emergency care in this situation.

There are also a number of different natural herbal remedies that can be used to help tame the allergic reaction. These can include peppermint, chamomile, lavender, and rose to treat the intense itching. Before using oral herbs you should speak with your veterinarian to prevent health complications for your pet. Many oral herbs used to address the symptoms include alfalfa, aloe, Echinacea, garlic, and many others. Care should be used when using herbal remedies for any condition.

In some cases the best advisable form of treatment is the elimination of the causative agent. Flea dermatitis is a perfect example of this, by getting rid of the infestation the reaction also disappears. When food is an issue, it may be necessary to use an elimination diet to discover the allergen, then be sure to not feed that ingredient to your dog. This can be very frustrating due to the time involved to accomplish results.

Some owners may find dog allergies treatment to be a stressful time as the correct therapy is determined. You should work closely with your veterinarian to discover the allergen and control the symptoms. The goal is to prevent future breakouts and decrease the severity of the reaction.

I’m a canine health practitioner who specializes in dog allergy remedies.

Dog Friendly Accommodation in Queensland

Sunday, September 18th, 2011

Planning to take your small furry friend on the vacation with you? Well, there are many people like you who are doing that nowadays, that has led on to the sudden expansion of the pet friendly holiday rentals all over Australia. With lots of properties offering facilities and space for your pets, you can enjoy a perfect vacation without needing to worry about your dog or other pets back at home or in the boarding kennels. Even if you are moving into an everlasting residence with your pet in Queensland, you are definite get exactly what you’re looking for!

If you’re looking for a rental property in Queensland, there are lots of options to make a choice from. It is best suggested that you confirm the exact facilities and arrangements available once you choose the property. Some of the properties, might have limitations, as an example, on how huge a pet they are going to allow. Some properties allow small dogs only , which weigh less than 22 pounds, or medium dogs which are less than 70 pound but more than 22 pounds or even large dogs which are more than 70 pounds, so it is always sensible to complete your research completely.

Many Dog friendly accommodations permit pets right inside the properties and most often have fenced running area and other facilities which will make the stay comfortable for your beloved four legged mate.

You’ll get properties all over Queensland and even in the breathtaking Tallebudgera Valley. One of the finest places to look for pet friendly rentals is a great online directory, especially for Australia called Pet Friendly. They offer a wide selection of pet friendly accommodation in Queenslandoptions including flats, villas, apartments and promise to take the pressure off you. If the property is near the beach, imagine how much fun you will have taking your dog for a short walk to the beach. The majority of the properties are amazingly well maintained and have a secure wired fence and can also offer customised solutions if you request for one- like a dog grooming service. The dog friendly beach homes are wonderful selections which make and it ensures a cosy stay.

Some of the best places where you can go looking for dog friendly accommodations are of course the Net and the local property listings. You'll get good options by the Queensland coast and the costs are varied- depending on what you're looking for. It'd be a brilliant idea to flick through the popular pet friendly site which should update you on the latest property listing. Here you'll find the most recent postings and can just select your pick of accommodation facility from them with ease.

If you're a pet owner or thinking about becoming one, we have plenty of useful information from our online pet catalog, even if you're not travelling in our area, it's possible to get some great free hints and tips and ideas and even products, destinations and petfriendly parks, beaches and services from our blog and newsletter, that can help you with your pet needs , wherever you are travelling. Sign up now, for your Pet Friendly bonuses.