Posts Tagged ‘animals’

How to Keep Your Dog Motivated

May 10th, 2010

Keeping the attention of your dog while training is not always an easy task. Dogs are very easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is essential to creating a happy, well-adjusted and well-trained dog.

You should provide random positive stimuli during the day in order to maintain the interest of the dog. Doing things the dog like, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are great ways to keep the dog’s attention, but you must give him rewards for his successes.

For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After your dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the lead and begin the treat. This can be either the afore-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.

Giving some sort of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a tickle behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want him to, is a good method to maintain your dog’s motivation while you are dog training.

If the dog knows something good is going to occur every time he obeys your commands, he will be more motivated to do want you tell him every time.

Distraction training.

When training any dog, it is vital to not allow distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be taught to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These kinds of distractions can also be used as rewards when training your dog to come when told.

For example, if your dog like playing with other dogs, whether in a local park or with the neighbour’s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or yard and call your dog.

When he comes to you, give him lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to go back to playing with his friends. Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes over to you.

Your dog will quickly learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being removed from the park).

So-called distraction training is one of the hardest things to teach, because dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the most difficult things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably unwilling to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist in dog training.

Training the dog to come to you when you call can require some creativity on your behalf at first. For example, waving one of his favourite toys, or a lure, is a good way to get your dog’s attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well in dog training.

Once the dog starts to become used to coming when called, you can begin to reduce and then stop the visual cues and focus on making the dog obey just your voice. It is vital that your dog obeys voice commands alone, as you will not always have a toy or lure to hand.

Does your dog require training? If you require further details on dog training, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.

Is She A Bitch Or A Lady?

April 18th, 2010

So you may wonder, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your female dog’s name is? The answer is a lot, because your bitch’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you put that together with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Brownie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there appears to be very few cute dog names out there for male dogs. This could be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names about. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.

Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.

While dogs are quite intelligent animals, they cannot really process the same quantity of information that we can. As a result, dog names should not be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those and it can improve your chances of training them.

Moreover, dogs names should help them shape an identity of their own. Common names do not allow them to do that, so finding a short, simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to obey a command.

I am willing to bet money that most pet owners do not consider the points outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if nothing else.

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Cobras

April 14th, 2010

The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them immediately in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also remarkable in this large family of snakes (elapidae) because it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its poison.

The King Cobra is also a record-holder because of its size – it can reach almost twenty feet (585 cms) in length, which makes it the largest poisonous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets at London Zoo.

Going by DNA reports, this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but differs in genes. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been named the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Though highly dangerous when it is threatened cobras will not attack if you leave them alone, although the spit is very accurate for about two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is fairly slow in its attack and furthermore, many bites prove to be blank, that is without venom.

A study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicates that only 55% of the wounds involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey devastate the nerves (neurotoxin) inducing respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to seek an antidote.

The colouration is variable from light green-grey to black, while juveniles are yellow and black banded. This snake can find a habitat all over south-eastern Asia.

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Why Do Dogs Snore?

April 13th, 2010

It is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some time, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can’t be given by any other breed of animal. But this doesn’t mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.

It is made easier too because dogs have a sleep pattern that is very similar to ours. Dogs often rely on their masters with complete trust, which makes them a bit more relaxed during the night. This explains why most dogs fall to sleep easily and later on, enter into deep sleeps where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once dogs enter this stage, the owner needs to call them several times before they can truly be woken up.

Certainly, lots of us have witnessed a dog paddling during sleep and barking while asleep too. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For instance, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The dogs that are heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe quite as heavily.

Dogs which snore can be rather a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore. Most though deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the throat caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. The same as in humans.

A dog that snores very badly ought to be checked for various issues to see which treatment can be best provided. Some dogs are especially prone to specific allergic reactions that cause obstruction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are inhibiting correct breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on various factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog overweight? I ask this because, like with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they have more flesh surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around the throat which can potentially cause obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may actually enjoy a decent night’s sleep too.

The facial features of the dog in general affect the amount of snoring too. For example, some dogs have squashed faces which restricts their nasal passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are very much like humans with a cold, who have to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more effort to breathe and they are also more likely to snore loudly.

Minor surgery can afford your dog great relief. Be sure though that before any decision is made, you are well educated about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact it is best to follow the guidelines provided by your veterinarian.

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What We Frequently Wondered About Elk, Yet Was Too Embarrassed To Ask!

March 13th, 2010

Elk, also called Wapiti, is one of the largest deer species in North America. The one deer species which is bigger is the Moose in the United States. Linked to the red deer in Europe, Elk is sizeable game that can lead to challenging hunting expeditions.

You will find Elk residing around rivers and lakes and they tend to be very protective of their area in the course of rut. Throughout rutting season, bucks will mark their territory and challenge various other adult males to a fight so that they can catch the attention of females for mating.

The more powerful buck is one that will win courting privileges with the nearby female, and often the loser will certainly retreat to be in isolation. Often, two bucks fight to the death in these mating traditions. In fact, bucks have been known to lock antlers through sparring (antler wrestling) and starve to death as a result.

Each year the males will get rid of their antlers but will grow a brand new rack. Beginning in spring, the bulls grow a new rack and shed the old one during the wintertime season. Cultures from Asia see the elk as a highly spiritual animal and use their velvet and antlers as traditional medicines.

Four species of elk remain in North America. They include Rock Mountain, Roosevelt (C. canadensis roosevelti), Tule (C. canadensis nannodes), Manitoben (C. canadensis manitobensis) Two species, Merriams’s (C. canadensis merriami) and Eastern Elk (C. canadensis canadensis) both have been classified as extinct for a century.

Elk hunting season varies from state to state and is usually a very brief time frame. It can frequently take an advanced hunter seasons, months, and even years to track elk. Elk can be challenging to find and are not in the exact same area a long time.

Some of the finest elk hunting can be located in the state of Colorado and the Rockies. You’ll want to be smart and also keep your eyes wide open, a angry elk isn’t no petite deer to play with. With a rack as broad as your car a big elk can inflict some serious damage on you if you get too close.

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Poisonous Florida Snakes

March 8th, 2010

Florida snakes, together with the turtles, lizards, alligators and other reptiles are part of a complicated wildlife structure that plays a marvelous role in the maintenance of Florida’s ecosystem. There are numerous species of Florida snakes. There are actually forty-four species living in unbelievably different habitats, ranging from salt marshes and fresh water marshes to dry uplands and coastal mangrove swamps to residential areas.

Only six Florida snakes are poisonous, and they happily live with their non-poisonous cousins, even venturing into towns and cities too. The best way to stay out of trouble with snakes is to care enough to learn about their morphology and therefore become able to distinguish between the Florida snakes. A relaxed attitude of avoidance is the wisest thing a person could show in relation to snakes.

The Coral snake and pit vipers are the most dangerous Florida snakes. They can be identified by a wide range of characteristics. Pit vipers include the Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth and the Copperhead. They all have vertical eye pupils, a v-shaped head and facial pits: one between the eyes and nostrils and the others on each side of the head.

The poison of this type of Florida snakes is haemotoxic, which means that their venom attacks the red blood cells, destroying the walls of the blood vessels and causing uncontrolled bleeding. Coral snakes however, use neurotoxic venom, with the toxins in the poison acting on the body’s nerves causing paralysis.

Most of the snake bites reported every year in the United States are caused by Florida snakes or by rattlesnakes to be more precise. As their venom spreads very rapidly throughout the body, the victim will die within less than thirty minutes without immediate anti-venom.

A big exception in this group of Florida snakes is the copperheads, the venom of which rarely requires an antidote. Their toxins are the least potent and so they are considered t be the least dangerous of the poisonous Florida snakes.

It is because of the danger they present that poisonous snakes are the first kind to attract attention, however the most widespread of Florida snakes is the Black Racer, which is a non-toxic species that relies on very sharp fangs to hold onto its prey.

Although home owners usually try to remove snakes from their gardens, specialists point out that, without them, rodents would soon multiply out of control giving us an even more cause for concern.

So, unless there are any exceptional causes for worry, like snakes breeding in great numbers in your garden or shed, there is no real reason why you should upset the lives of these usually shy, useful animals.

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How Do Dogs Speak?

February 20th, 2010

Dogs are just about the most intelligent of household pets. If you take the time to look, you will see that they have the ability to communicate with humans, other dogs and even other animals. They do this with body signs and voice. Their signs are made with the their eyes, ears, eyebrows, head, mouth and tail.

Their voice is obviously not the same as ours, but they use pitch in their barks, whines, whimpers, pants, growls and howls and their gestures are made with their entire body and every part of it.

You can always differentiate a self-assured and therefore higher ranking dog, because they hold their tails aloft. Dogs, like all other animals, including we humans, have an innate sense or their place in society. This is because dogs evolved in packs in the wild, just as we evolved in communities. which is why they integrate well into our human society.

There is a hierarchy within their group, as within human society. The subservient dogs submit themselves to the stronger dogs, which is why dogs lower their tail when they feel insecure. When dogs fight for dominance, the fur on their tails stands up and they have this trait in common with other animals. They do it to show that they are being serious in front of their adversary.

A dog that is unsure what to do will wag its tail slowly. A bit like you or I might give a weak smile, unsure whether to smile openly or glower. They are in a process of working out whether they should recognize the status quo or fight. Excited dogs wag their tails very fast and if the dog’s hip moves along with the tail, it means that the dog is in submissive mode to a higher ranker. A pet should do that to its owner, as you have become the leader of its surrogate pack.

When dogs get aggressive they show their fangs, the same as humans. If all of the teeth are visible, it indicates that the dog is prepared to bite or attack. We do the same unconsciously. People often bare their teeth and snarl insults, before a fight. However, they also show teeth when they smile but this is an indication of submissiveness, again as we do – compliance here meaning a recognition that a fight is unnecessary.

With a dog, the number of teeth on display differentiates between a smile and a snarl. In a smile, a dog only shows the front teeth, but in a snarl the dog reveals all his teeth and gums and makes an aggressive noise.

Ears are a good indication of the dog’s level of attention. When the ears are erect and forward facing, it means that the dog is concentrating. But if the dog is stress-free, its ears will lie flat. However, some breeds do not have as much control over their ears.

Dogs bark to protect their territory, which comes to mean their boss’ territory, which should mean your property. However, barking is their usual language so you will have to learn the difference between friendly play barking and aggression in your dog. It is pretty obvious though.

Study of your pet is the key, because, although all dogs are the same as in all humans are the same, there are small differences. They are not hard to learn, just spend some time with you dog and keep your mind open and it will become very obvious to you.

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Two Dogs Are Better Than One!

February 11th, 2010

I couldn’t believe it- I, the committed cat person, who had thought of every possible reason never to own a dog, who hated the smell and the jumping and the licking and the mucky mess of them- I was rescuing a dog. There I was, speeding along the highway, following my friend Jody who had *my* new dog on his scooter. I’d slept on it for two days and finally decided that I would take the little mutt in. I examined the specimen on Jody’s scooter. She was shivering, a fur covered bag of bones, her nose jutted into the wind and for some reason she was constantly licking the air. Lick Lick lick. With each flick of her little pink tongue I thought to myself, “What the heck am I doing?”

She had been abandoned outside a convenience store. I had passed her a million times since the first time I saw her, two weeks before. I’d taken her food and water, and finally decided that I just couldn’t let her die. But how would I do it? I hate responsibility and being tied down. I loved having a cat- all I had to do was put a bunch of food and water down for her, and a litter box, and she was good to go. What was I going to do with this dog?

Over the next several weeks, Dresden (my mutts named after a German city that’s been fire bombed) seemed to prove every fear that I had about adopting a dog. She peed on the floor. She chewed things up. She slept all day while I was gone, then when I got home exhausted, she had enough energy to power Manhattan. She kept me up all night whining and wanting to play. She cried terribly when I tried to leave, and would always try to bolt out the door when I left for work. I liked her, or at least I felt guilty for not liking her, which is almost like liking her, right?

Cut to two months later- I’m walking Dresden on the beach, and can’t let her off the leash because she’s in heat. What do I see ahead? ANOTHER DRESDEN! Except this Dresden is male.

Now let me tell you- my dog is weird looking. To see what must have been her twin is a strange coincidence, unless someone went up and down the coast abandoning puppies. Which is probably what happened. Let’s just say that male Dresden took a fancy to female Dresden, who was in heat and attracting every dog within a 30 mile radius. I ran home, and this little male dog, though limping and terribly skinny (more of a skeleton than a dog) followed us the whole way. I put Dresden inside, and took out a bowl of food for the male dog- a dog-lover trying to help a stray? No, my plan was to lure him back to the beach and while he was distracted by the food- RUN!

I did it. Three times. It didn’t work.

Finally it was time for me to go to work. Male Dresden was outside, howling at female Dresden, who was inside whining. I left. When I came home, male Dresden was inside the gate, laying on a makeshift bed, a bowl of food next to him. My landlord had taken him in thinking he was my dog! Aggggh! And fed him! Now he would never leave!

Every time I left the house, I had to fight off the amorous male Dresden who was trying to you know what the female Dresden (who is now happily spayed).

I took the little sucker in. Named him Romulus, after the mythical founder of Rome who was suckled by a wolf.

And a miracle happened. Shoes stopped being torn to shreds. When I arrived home, Dresden and Romulus greeted me with that special canine welcome frenzy, then they curled up together and.went to sleep. They had been playing all day. They had no need to keep me up all night. When I left for work, they both smiled wagging— oh good, finally she’s gone, let the games begin! When I took them to the beach, I didn’t have to throw sticks or run with them- they ran circles around each other, and were awfully cute doing it.

Two dogs are better than one! I’m a cat person. If you asked me if you should adopt a dog, I’d say no. But if you asked me if you should adopt two dogs, I’d say hell yes.

We are trying to help put dogs in need if you are interested in dog rescue adoption then be sure to check out the website to see how you can help. adoptable dogs all need homes. This and other unique content ” articles are available with free reprint rights.

Should I Get A Cat Or A Dog?

January 31st, 2010

Advice from a cat person who’s gone to the dogs

I was a committed cat person, but due to some interesting circumstances, I now have two dogs. I would never have considered getting a dog before for the following reasons: Dogs smell bad. Dogs have to be walked every day to do their business and exercise, which must be a pain in the butt. Dogs seem to get very depressed when their ‘person’ isn’t nearby. Dogs tear things up and destroy the house. I’ve found that though I was right about some of these things, I was wrong about others.

#1 Dogs smell bad. I hate to say it, but this is 100% true. Dogs use scent as a form of communication- for example, if doggy A went prowling around on the beach and found a dead fish, he would roll in it, paying special attention to the shoulder region, really grinding away at that dead fish so he could have the full benefit of it’s unique aroma. Then he would bring this lovely scent back to the pack (or in this case, back to the apartment) to brag to the others. My dogs seem very dejected when I wash their carefully chosen perfume off. My cat, on the other hand, wouldn’t be caught dead smelling like a dead fish.

#2 Dogs have to be walked everyday, to do their business and for exercise (TRUE) which is a pain in the butt (FALSE!). I used to watch my dog-having friends with pity. We’d be at a pub or hanging out at someone’s house when they’d sigh, get up, and say ‘well, I’ve got to go let my dog out or he’ll pee on the floor’ and off they’d go, leaving a fun night behind them. What I didn’t understand was that they wanted to get home to their dog. I’ve only had my dogs for 5 months and I’ll tell you right now- after 8 hours away, I miss those mangy little mutts. Also, sometimes it’s downright handy to have an excuse to get out of a boring social situation.

I thought I would hate having to walk my dog all the time- but I love it! I actually know my neighbors and it gives me more exercise and time outside. Before I had my dogs, I never went for walks. Now I do at least twice a day, and it’s one of the healthiest, most relaxing habits that I have. Sometimes we need a reason to do what’s good for us. I’m glad I have two. My cat, however, never gets me out of the house. In fact, she seems to send me subliminal messages convincing me to stay in.

#3 Dogs seem to be very depressed when their ‘person’ isn’t nearby. True. This was probably my biggest reason for not wanting a dog. Most people love the warm welcome they get from their dog after they’ve been gone all day, but I found it depressing. If the dog was so happy to see them come home, weren’t they depressed all day while the person was gone? This troubled me for the first month that I had a dog. I would be out all day, busy, while she was home all day, sleeping. Then when I came home, she wanted to play. I’ve found the perfect solution, which is…drum roll please.TWO DOGS! Ever since I got my second dog, we all seem to be on the same wave-length when it comes to activity level. For more information on how two dogs are better than one, please click here.

#4 Dogs tear things up and destroy the house. This one seems to be true for the first month. I’ve come home to my fair share of destroyed slippers. A good number of my personal items bare canine teeth marks. But I found that after the first month, we reached a compromise- my dog had a better sense of what I didn’t want her to chew on, and I have a better sense of what not to leave within her reach. I say a month because that’s how long I think it takes for a new pet and pet owner to reach some sort of understanding. But it’s probably not a coincidence that my stuff stopped getting chewed up right around the time that I got my second dog. Once again, two dogs seem to be better than one. I’m pretty sure that my two dogs play and chew on each other all day while I’m gone.

So there you have it- some of the common misconceptions that cat people have about dogs, and whether or not they’re true.

We are trying to help put dogs in need if you are interested in dog rescue adoption then be sure to check out the web site to see how you can help. adoptable dogs all need good homes. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

The Copperhead

December 27th, 2009

Copperhead snakes are the snakes that cause the nastiest and most frequent snake-bite problems in the United States. The copperhead can be distinguished by its stout shape and its neck, which is distinct from the body as well as by its pale cross-band tan pattern that gets darker in the middle and on the sides.

Copperhead snakes have pale bellies, similar to the ground on which they live, but they sometimes appear pretty whitish. There are visible spots or pits on the head of copperhead snakes that look like darker tiny specks, but there is also a rather discolored stripe on the head area behind the eyes; this stripe looks very diffuse on top but it gets brownish towards the edges.

Copperhead snakes can be found almost anywhere, from rock and pond areas to woods and the shores of streams. Their choice of habitat is dictated by the predominance of prey, as copperhead snakes live on frogs, small rodents, cicadas, lizards, caterpillars and anything else that cabe taken without too much trouble.

The most usual hidey-holes for copperhead snakes, wood piles, stone slabs, walls, debris and abandoned or ruined buildings are the most common, which explains why people come across copperheads so often in such areas. The active months of the year for copperhead snakes are in the spring and summer for as long as the weather stays warm. After that they go into hibernation.

Copperhead snakes return to the same dens to hibernate year after year, and more often than not, there are large nests counting many individuals during hibernation. On very hot summer days, copperhead snakes will remain in cooler areas during the day and use the cover of the night to hunt. On balmy summer days, the copperhead will lie in the sun on rocks or wooden debris. Copperhead snakes do not hatch eggs, but give birth to their young live. The number of young ranges from one to fourteen and they are usually born from the summer untill October.

The bites of copperhead snakes must have immediate medical care since they are not only very painful but they may also lead to permanent scarring and tissue loss. Avoid copperhead snakes when you come across them, since many people get bitten when trying to kill or handle them.

Snakes will not attack you unless they feel threatened, then, you will see how fiercely they can defend themselves. Statistics reveal that copperhead snakes have the highest incidence biting in the United States, because these snakes attack immediately without giving warning signs like other species do.

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