Dog Training Schools To Dog Training Box By Daniels Billions

So, you bought a puppy. Now what? He is cute and adorable, but now the fun starts. He or she starts chewing your shoes, going to the bathroom where he shouldn’t and many other natural behaviors that will soon turn into destructive or just plain annoying habits. Dogs will bark at anything, do you want a barking dog that howls at every sound that he hears? Do you want her chewing up all of your shoes and furniture? Dog training is essential. There are many things you can do when you first start training your dog, but the first thing is that you understand completely the responsibility of being a dog owner.

The necessary elements of pet ownership and dog training include: socialization, nutrition, love, training, veterinarian are and a good regular exercise plan. Dogs which are tied up, kenneled all day or even crated all day are considered in my opinion a neglected dog. These constraints will produce a dog with serious behavioral problems. It is up to you to make sure your dog gets plenty of love, freedom to play, and gets regular exercise, and not just when it is convenient for you.

Biting dogs and mouthing is very common in puppies and dogs especially during play time. Dogs must learn to control their bite and to do it normally. They naturally would learn this from their mothers or litter mates and in the wild, their pack mates, but we take them away from this at a very young age, so it is now our responsibility to take over the training. This should be controlled by the time the puppy is four months old, by allowing your dog or puppy to get socialized with other socialized dogs and puppies this will continue with their natural course of training. During play time with other puppies, they tend to bite each other at any location they can get their mouths on, this is the exact place they learn how to control their biting. If you do not socialize your dog, this creates an and can cause biting.

Two key factors in your training are trust and respect. If you dog doesn’t trust you how can he respect you? If you don’t develop these two factors, you will not be able to train your dog successfully.

You should never hit, kick, slap, bite or beat your dog. This will definitely make the dog not trust you, he may still love you as they usually have unconditional love for their owners, but without the trust factor you may be in trouble. For example, if you are house training your puppy, never punish or reprimand them even if you catch them doing it. You have no right to punish the dog as if he goes in the wrong place it is your fault and not his.

Some things to remember on teaching your dog not to bite:

1. Punishment alone will not stop the biting dog
2. You must gain respect or the training will fail, act like a puppy or littermate, the puppy will begin to treat you as a playmate
3. A dog may bite out of fear or lack of confidence, so trust is essential
4. Be consistent with your training, make sure the dog knows you love him, its just the biting you do not like.

If you follow many of these simple rules, then you will have success with your dog. Good luck and love your dog, they are incredible animals.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=116839&ca=Pets

Help Your Dog Sleep Through The Night By Jerry Brecken

Dogs, like humans, also experience sleepless nights for some reasons that are apparently found in our homes. In this regard, it is very important that dog owners have a keen sense of observation when it comes to a dog's sleeping disorder. Although this may seem like a very ambitious task, a careful attention paid on a dog's well-exhibited difficulties in sleeping is proven beneficial both to the dog and its owner.

However, as with all the other problems concerning the behavior and habits of a dog, the solution to the problem does not take effect after a mere 24 hours. This requires practice and constant monitoring of the dog's reaction to the drills. But, the task can be actually made simple if dog owners would take the full responsibility in performing the following:

Observe and take a careful note on any change that might have triggered the occurrence of modification in your dog's sleeping habits. Your dog may be reacting to several situations like a sudden change in its crate or lounge, or in your furniture set-up, a stressful incident, or a house party. Keep in mind that the smallest change in its environment will cause some sort of a disturbance in your dog's schema of daily events, which will lead to difficulty in sleeping. Identify what is the cause and do something about it, like re-arranging the furniture to their original plan that your dog has been accustomed to, or putting the dog back in the crate where it is used to take a rest.

Give the dog a well-balanced diet. The diet depends on your dog's age. This usually requires more calorie intake for young dogs. Such distribution gives puppies the essential nutrients they need for their growth. On the other hand, older dogs require just the right amount of calories that will support their daily activities.

For the most part, the diet is effective if you always let your dog eat on time, if not earlier than its bedtime. This is particularly important as dogs are energetic after meals. Feeding your dog a short moment before it should actually sleep will most likely give it the energy to move around, bark, and whine while the neighborhood is asleep.

Provide supplements that will help your dog relax. Calming products (which are usually taken orally) will do the magic as these will provide relief from restlessness, nervousness, fear, and aggression, which will yield to a sound slumber for both of you.

Have your dog undergo daily exercise. Generally, your dog should have at least 40 minutes of walking, running, and other exercise regimen everyday. If your dog has too much stored energy, it is more likely to be wriggly at night, just when you are having a beautiful dream. Helping your dog to tire itself before bed time will be ideal, as it will be drained of any excess energy, which can spell sleep disruptions to both of you.

Set a definite sleeping time. Help your dog practice a definite sleeping time. Ideally, you should pattern your dog's bedtime to yours.

Keep your pet's sleeping area clean and comfortable. See to it that your dog doesn't sleep on a damp, cold area, as it will be a major cause of restlessness. Give your pet comfort items like blanket or pillow. Remember that your main goal is to provide total comfort and security for your dog. Dog beds and dog crates will do the trick.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=179373&ca=Pets

Professional's Secret To Training Your Dog By Sandy Finley

I’m a professional dog trainer. I’ve had formal education, studied with other accomplished trainers and worked with dogs for nearly thirty years. It’s no secret why I can do things with dogs that seem amazing to the average person.

But training your dog is about you and your dog, not me. If I can’t give you some useful nugget of knowledge that will cause a change in how you relate to your dog, then I’ve failed both you and your dog.

The most important thing I’ve found to teach the average dog owner is a simple universal dog behavior, which will allow you to teach your dog any trick or cure almost any problem behavior.

Simply keep in mind the simple axiom the “Dogs do not engage in unrewarding behavior”. That’s it. Remember this and you can accomplish anything with a dog.To use this powerful tool, you employ a strategy that I call “shaping”. What this means is that by using the superior intellect of a human over a dog, you shape their environment to create rewarding outcomes for positive actions and unrewarding outcomes for negative actions.

Let’s take the example of your dog jumping up on you with his muddy paws. This is a negative action. But it can also be very rewarding to a frisky dog that wants to get as close to master’s face as possible, as quickly as possible. Now here’s where much confusion comes in to the dog owner. One book or trainer says to turn your back on the dog, another source says to spray him in the face with a squirt bottle, and another says to knee him in the chest. Who’s right?

They all are right.

What they’re telling you is that you want to make jumping unrewarding for your dog. If you consistently squirt, turn your back or do something that is unpleasant and unrewarding your dog will stop jumping up on you. I guarantee it. When he doesn’t jump, you praise him and make the experience of greeting you in a civilized fashion rewarding. The dog will pick the rewarding behavior every time.

I mentioned that we humans have a superior intellect over dogs. Have fun and use it. If your dog is a ten pound Yorkshire terrier, I’d suggest you use a squirt bottle or turning your back. If your dog is a two hundred pound Rottweiler, then a firm knee to the chest might be more appropriate. Ponder the problem and create a negative and positive outcome for your dog. In this way you have allowed your dog to teach themselves when they invariably choose the rewarding behavior. So please forget about learning some magical technique that must be some secret that only the pros understand. The magic is in not “training” your dog but offering your dog choices that will allow them to train themselves. Try it. You’ll like the results.

Sandy Finley Perfect Manners Dog Training

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Successful Miniature Schnauzer Training Using Praise And Leadership By Richard Cussons

Your Miniature Schnauzer training will be much more successful if praise is only used as a reward in the daily training with your puppy. That is when your pup actually does something you desire. Otherwise, praise should be withheld. When teaching a new command you should use a physical movement or stance which helps to show your dog what it means. Then as soon as your puppy starts to make the proper movement, pile on the praise. That is, when your dog does a desired action, you should pet him and make a fuss of him.

This important conditioning of your Miniature Schnauzer associating behavior with praise is show when you teach you dog basic commands like 'Sit'. First say your puppy’s name, followed by the command 'Sit'. At the same time hold your hand a few inches above you dog, then move it a little behind his dog's head. He will raise his head to keep an eye on your hand and sit. Gentle pressure can be used on your dog’s rear if required. When he sits praise him. Repeat this exercise followed by praise (stroking and saying 'good boy/girl' in a friendly upbeat tine) on success and your Schnauzer will begin to sit without the hand single. This is very effective because it is the need for positive praise and attention which is driving your dog to sit

Training sessions should be short and no longer then 10 minutes at a time and always end with lots of petting, praise and play. Caring for you puppy in this way soon makes him understand that doing as you ask and following you as a 'leader' results great rewards. Professional trainers often call this type of dog training the 'earn and praise,' method or the 'No free lunch' system. Consistency is the key to all puppy training, and this goes for all family members. Otherwise your puppy may become confused or learn the easy way of getting praise without working for it.

In working like this with all you training your Schnauzer puppy will learn and enjoy being a 'follower' within the family. This behavioral foundation will make all of your future training and socialization work much easier as your dog will be eager to please. Showing your dog that you are a competent leader, allows you puppy to be a subordinate which, in turn, makes him less frustrated and aggressive (protective). This leads to a happy, gentle, well behaved and obedient dog who is a please to be around and own. Miniature Schnauzers who do not have a leader will take this role for themselves and can become aggressive, unruly, fretful destructive and disobedient. You have been warned! So, becoming the pack leader, in your dog’s eyes, is vitally important and has the added advantage of avoiding most unwanted behavior associated with this breed.

Dominant older Miniature Schnauzers dogs will respond well to the total 'social attraction' regimen of training with praise and leadership too. However, because of the months or years, during which an adult dog has been dominance, owners will need to be very strict, kind and patient to change the balance of power. Consistency is the key again as is praise after every successful change in behavior you dog shows.

Treats are very effective in training older stubborn dogs who are set in their ways but are not as necessary with puppies as the reward of praise in usually enough in it’s self.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=103805&ca=Pets

Give The Dog A Book By Holly Sherburne

Six-year-old Daria of Bath, Maine, heard about Paws for Reading at the Patten Free Library and wanted to participate—she had seen kids reading to dogs on TV and wondered what that might be like. Her mother enrolled her in the reading program and tonight, Daria is excited about reading her first book to a dog named Linus.

Paws for Reading, a new summer program at the Bath library, offers children in grades 2 through 4 the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a dog. Read to a dog? But, why? Because dogs provide an attentive audience in an unthreatening environment in which a child can practice reading without the worry of being criticized or corrected. The Paws for Reading program connects kids with local therapy dogs and their handlers and gives them a chance to interact in a fun and motivational setting.

Daria Meets Linus

Linus, a 7-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, is one of six therapy dogs participating in the library’s summer program. Highly trained, he has an impressive resume. Linus holds the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen certificate and he is registered with Therapy Dogs International, Inc., a volunteer organization that provides qualified handlers and their trained dogs to libraries, nursing homes or hospitals and other places where therapy dogs are needed. Linus also recently qualified as a Reading Education Assistance Dog. This evening he will listen as children read stories to him.

When Daria arrives, she meets Linus in the children’s library. Daria tentatively pets Linus and feels his soft, thick fur—he takes all the attention in stride. The librarian chose “Little Squeegy Bug” by Bill Martin for Daria to read before leading the two to a quiet room. Here, Daria sits on the big, comfortable blanket on the floor while Linus stretches out beside her as she opens the book to begin reading.

Susan Beegel, Linus’ handler, shares the blanket with Linus and Daria and remains with them during the 30-minute reading session. Therapy dog handlers are trained to use the dogs as conduits in the reading session. If a child struggles with pronouncing a word, Beegel might say, “Linus likes to sound the word out.” To help with vocabulary and story comprehension, she might suggest, “Linus hasn’t heard that word before. Can you tell him what it means?” The handler acts as the dog’s interpreter, allowing the child to become a teacher, and to learn and practice reading skills in an environment created to make the child feel confident.

Paws for Reading

The Patten Free Library based its Paws for Reading program on Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.), a program developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals, a Utah-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life through the human-animal bond. R.E.A.D. was established in 1999 and pioneered the method of reading to a therapy dog as a means to improve children’s reading and communication skills.

Oftentimes, when children are asked to read aloud to their peers, they become stressed and anxious for fear of being criticized or looking “dumb.” These worries make it difficult for the child to focus on reading and comprehension, especially for those who are just learning to read. However, when a child reads aloud to a dog, she forgets about feeling self-conscious and worries less about making mistakes. The positive interaction leads to an improvement in reading skills and an increase in confidence.

Beegel, a Patten Free Library board member, first broached the idea of a reading program at the library after she heard about R.E.A.D. She and Linus had already been involved in therapy work for some time and she has worked as a reading tutor for children in a number of different programs. The library’s director, Anne Phillips, was intrigued and supportive of the idea and Paws for Reading was born. The program fits perfectly with the library’s summer reading theme, Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales.

Therapy Dogs

Not just any dog can do what Linus does in the library—it takes special training and preparation for both the dog and the handler. All the dogs in the Paws for Reading program are trained therapy dogs and their trained handlers always accompany them. Dogs and handlers are certified by national organizations, including Therapy Dogs International, Inc., Therapy Dogs, Inc. or Delta Society’s Pet Partners Program.

According to the Patten Free Library’s Paws for Reading flier, “Therapy dogs must pass rigorous examinations in training and temperament given by a qualified judge. They must have excellent obedience skills and demonstrate that they are not unduly nervous, shy or aggressive to people or other dogs. Therapy dogs must be able to focus on their handlers in distracting circumstances and must enjoy interacting with all kinds of people.”

Some of the documented benefits of interacting with therapy animals include lowering of blood pressure, increased relaxation and a tendency to forget about pain and limitations. Given the extensive training therapy dogs receive and the soothing effects their presence can have on people, it is a natural extension that they be used in children’s reading programs.

Patrick and Martha

Patrick and Martha are also members of the Paws for Reading therapy dog team. They are present this evening with their handlers to observe Linus and Beegel. Both Patrick and Martha are certified therapy dogs and anxious to begin their work.

Patrick is a 2-year-old Standard Poodle. He has a championship title in American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation showing and experience working in nursing homes. Patrick loves kids and clearly wants each one in the library to come say hello to him. His handler, Joan Harrigan, works for the TD Banknorth Insurance Agency, which encourages volunteerism. “I feel that I owe it to the community to give back. What better way than to combine my love of dogs and volunteer at the same time?” says Harrigan.

Martha is a 15-month-old Old English Sheepdog. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and she passed her therapy dog test this month. May Mitchell, Martha’s handler, says, “This is what Martha loves to do—sit and be paid attention to; sit and be petted. She loves kids.” Mitchell adds that Martha is a little shy and that the Paws for Reading program is a “good introduction to her therapy dog work because it is a quiet setting.” If this works out well, they will do some work in nursing homes as well.

Successful Start

Nyree Thomas has been a children’s librarian at the Patten Free Library since 1985. She said that although the program has just begun, she is able to tell from the smiles on the kids’ faces when they finish a session that this program will be very popular. “There is a wonderful connection that can occur between dogs and people,” she added.

It looks like Thomas might be right. When Daria emerges from the reading room with Linus and Beegel, she greets her mother with a smile on her face. Before she leaves that evening, she and her mother spend a few minutes looking at photos of the other therapy dogs in the reading program. Daria points to a picture of Danny, a cute brown Border Terrier. It appears that Danny and his handler have a reading appointment for next week.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=182517&ca=Pets

Your Dog's Healthy Lifestyle And Organic Dog Foods By Shabi

Just like you want to stay healthy and live a healthy lifestyle, so too should your pet live a similar healthy lifestyle. This is not a luxury that either of you can forego, and getting organic dog food for your dog is one of the few things that you can do to keep your faithful companion in the best of health.

Organic dog food can be found readily at many stores now, although probably not in smaller townships and such where organic foods and the fad of going organic has not yet fully caught on. If this is the case you might need to go to a specialty store or a health food store to obtain organic dog food for your dog.

The question you might want to ask however might be why you would want to go to so much trouble to get organic dog food for your dog. Well, besides the healthy aspect of things, by giving your dog organic dog food, you can be assured that no poisonous chemicals in the form of fertilizers and pesticides are getting into his system.

Organic dog food just like the organic foods we eat, are also free of genetically modified organisms. When you take all of these coupled together with the fact that organic foods are also produced using the best natural methods for the earth, it all makes one convincing case to go out and get your dog organic dog food.

The one thing that might give you pause for thought when looking at getting organic dog food is the prohibitive costs that you will encounter. Granted, the costs aren’t as high as they were a few years ago when organic dog food came out on the market, but they can still be pretty staggering if you have to manage on a tight budget.

Then of course you have the problem of not knowing whether your dog will actually take to his new diet. Some canine companions are notoriously picky when it comes to their meals and a change from the norm might incur what amounts to a food strike, from your dog until you give him back his normal fare.

If you know that your dog is one of these picky eaters (I know that mine is definitely a picky eater!) you might want to first introduce the organic dog food to their diets in slow stages.

This helps to make it easier on your pockets, and in the unlikely event that your dog dislikes his new organic dog food you know that you won’t be stuck with a whopping bag of dog feed on your hands.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=181316&ca=Pets

How To Train Your Cat Not To Kill Things By Dennis Mcadams

For most cat owners, expecting to find dead animals on their front step is all part of cat ownership. However, for many this can be extremely upsetting and they could find that their cat is bringing back dead animals more frequently than is acceptable. Now while you do unfortunately have to expect this behavior, it is sometimes possible to limit the amount of animals that your cat does actually bring home.

Understanding Your Cats Instinct

Before you can successfully stop your cat from acting a certain way, you need to first understand why they act in that way in the first place. Now with killing things, it is in a cat’s instinct to hunt, chase and kill smaller animals. They cannot control it and it is not a behavior that can be controlled. So in that sense, it is impossible for you to teach a cat not to hunt.

However, a cat will spend more time hunting if they have nothing better to do and so getting rid of their excess energy may help to control their hunting a little.

Getting Rid of Your Cats Excess Energy

In order to get rid of any extra energy that your cat may have, you will have to spend more time with them than you usually do. Playing games with them and allowing them to chase things in a controlled environment can really help to cut the chances of them bringing home a dead animal.

You can purchase a number of different toys from all pet stores that will allow you to exercise your cats hunting abilities. There are balls that you can roll away from you that your cat can chase. There are even small soft toy mice on the end of a string that allow you to pull the mouse along the floor and again your cat can chase them. Spending at least half an hour playing with your cat in this manner will really help them to get rid of any excess energy.

Overall you will unfortunately have to understand that hunting and killing is part of your cat’s personality. However, to limit the amount of dead animals found on your doorstep, you can try and get rid of your cat’s excess energy.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=173620&ca=Pets

Pond Designs Your Koi Fish Will Love You For By Amy C

Koi pond designs are a bit different from your normal backyard pond. First of all, if Goldfish were the ‘normal people’ of fish, then Koi would be the picky celebrity.

They’re gorgeous and amazing to watch, but they require a bit more care than Goldfish or other pond fish. You will need a large enough area for the Koi to swim in. This requires a larger and deeper pond than you would otherwise need.

You will also need better filtration, because these picky guys are sensitive and won’t be able to survive in a pond that doesn’t have filtration. They also require deeper water.

For your Koi pond, you will need to use smoother rocks on the sides and bottoms, because your picky fish are also curious and rooting fish. They have a big risk of getting injured if you have sharp or pointy rocks.

Smooth rocks will help them keep from getting injured when they are rooting or spawning on the bottom of your pond. You will want to take some sort of precaution against raccoons, as they will happily stand in your pond and munch on your beautiful fish. There are all sorts of things available for this, such as nets or motion detectors.

One of the most popular Koi pond designs is a Japanese or Oriental design, although there are many different kinds of pond designs you can go with. The shape, style and surrounding plants are all up to you.

Some people choose to get an architect to draw plans for their Koi pond designs. It’s essential to make sure you get it the way you want it. Koi will live for decades, and you want to have your pond the way you want it so you don’t have to change it.

A Koi pond that features a waterfall can be very beautiful. There are different options you can go with for your Koi pond designs, and many different waterfall or fountain options as well. A few other things you want to make sure of is that you feed your Koi on a regular basis.

Unlike goldfish, Koi will not survive if they are not fed daily. You will also want to maintain your pond a little more regularly, and keep it free of leaves or floating debris. Your picky celebrity fish so cannot have trash floating in their home.

A great place to pick up Koi supplies is - http://www.howtobuildapond.net/supplies/koi-pond-designs.html

Keep these things in mind, and your Koi will live and thrive in your pond. Visit How to Build a Pond for more instructions, videos and supplies for creating your dream pond.

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Dog Training At Home Tips And Techniques By Robert Weiner

Teaching your dog acceptable behavior patterns and tricks is not difficult using techniques proven by dog training experts. Dogs are intelligent and loyal, but it takes time for them to learn your ‘language’ and the meaning of your words. With patience and persistence, you can easily teach him your desired conduct, and create a close bond with your dog.

The most important aspect of dog training is consistency. To have a well-behaved dog, everyone who cares for or is normally in close contact with your dog should know the proper commands. Always use the same word for a desired action. If you teach him to lie down using the word ‘down’, do not expect him to get off the sofa with the command ‘down’. Using the command ‘stay’ one day and ‘wait’ the next, will only cause frustration and confusion in your dogs mind. Dogs are intelligent enough to learn hundreds of commands, but single word commands are easier for dogs to learn and understand. Be uniform in meting out punishment as well. Hit of miss punishment is very counterproductive to good behavior.

Let your dog know you are pleased with him by showing him happiness and affection. Petting and play tell him he is a good dog. When punishment is due, a strong harsh word will let him know you are not happy with his action. Hitting your dog will make him fear you and cause aggressive behavior.

Your dog is naturally a pack animal, and for him to be well adjusted he needs to feel like he is part of your “pack”. A dog cannot feel part of your pack if you keep him isolated and only let him out on occasion to mingle with the family. The only way for your dog to feel part of the pack and to learn the “pack order” is for him to live with the family. Living with the family, your dog will learn his place in the group especially relating with children.

Playtime, walks, and exercise are a vital part of a dog’s life to prevent him from becoming bored, mischievous, and destructive due to pent up energy. To keep your dog from getting lonely, take him to meet the neighbors and their dogs. Chewing, incessant barking, digging are signs of stress, boredom, and frustration. If he chews, make sure he has plenty of chew toys, or give him raw bones. For digging, provide a place in the yard where he can dig without destroying your garden. Vary his routine every now and then by letting him spend a day at doggy day care so he can meet new friends. An occasional trip to a dog park will do wonders for your dog’s disposition.

A happy, well-behaved, well-adjusted dog will be your reward for patience and consistency in your dog training efforts.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=181829&ca=Pets

A Pet In Your Life By Jean DAndrea

I can't imagine a life without pets: can you? Even when I was a child, there were always animals around. Perhaps just a goldfish, or a rabbit, but animals just the same.

Pets are great for teaching children how to care for something properly. Of course, you'll have to make sure the child keeps up the care after the novelty wears off! It's good to get them to be responsible, and a pet is, after all, another life. That's a huge responsibility!

Pets will also teach your child about mortality. It's heartbreaking when a much loved pet dies, or has to be put down, but that's also a lesson best learned early. I remember being very upset at five, when Snowy, my rabbit, died. We buried her in the garden, and said our goodbyes - a good way to teach a child closure.

Many hospitals and retirement homes now have pets, either resident or visiting. They are great therapy for the patients, calming them, and giving them an interest in life. Sometimes the animal visitors are the only reason a patient will speak!

You may find, when you go to a Doctor or Dentist, that there is a tank of fish in the waiting room. Not just for decoration - it's been found to be very relaxing. Personally, I get very uptight visiting the dentist. Watching fish swimming peacefully in their own little world does help me to cope with the thought of that drill and those horrible instruments.....

Pets often have personalities of their own, and are very rewarding to watch and interact with. At the moment, I have two hens, who love to be let out of their pen into the garden. They are currently redesigning (i.e. wrecking) everything to their own satisfaction, unfortunate for the plants, but the hens are having a terrific time! They're particularly fond of snails, and will steal them from each other with alacrity.

I also have an ageing cat, Tia, who believes she owns the house, and me, her slave! When I'm working in my study, Tia will come and meow continuously at me to come and let her out. All very well, however, she has a perfectly adequate cat door, and is very capable of letting herself out. She just prefers my attention and door opening abilities. Just call me a cat valet!

You've heard the saying, 'Dogs come when you call, cats take a message, and might get back to you'? Well, that just about covers it!

I don't have a dog now, but they are completely different in personality to cats - they want to be with you, and be your friend all the time, whereas cats choose their moments, and your moment had better suit them! Don't know what that makes me, but I much prefer cats - perhaps I'm an independant person too?

Whichever animal you choose to have in your home and your life, they will bring you much pleasure. Sure, there is some work involved in having a pet, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In my opinion, of course, but then, I'm a pet lover, and have been all my life.

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Eight Tips To Reduce Dog Flatulence. By Andy Machin

If your dog is prone to an occasional bout of flatulence or excessive gas it can be embarrassing as well as smelly. Your dog might not like it too much either. I have prepared eight short tips below which may help to reduce dog flatulence.

Tip 1. Give your dog a good quality diet. Feed your pooch with only the best dog food you can afford.

Tip 2. Don’t feed your dog food which you know is likely to give cause to gas and flatulence. Think about it – you know what gives you gas so feeding your dog on the same is likely to cause the same result!

Tip 3. After your dog has eaten, given them a spoonful of natural yoghurt as a little treat. This can aid digestion and help to prevent a flatulence outbreak.

Tip 4. If your dog is prone to “wolfing” down his food, try feeding them on a “little and often” basis. If your dog is “wolfing” he’s swallowing air with his food – a cause of flatulence. Feeding little and often can help to cut down on that.

Tip 5. Raise his bowl off the floor a little. You can buy, inexpensively, dog bowl stands. This can help him to eat at a “natural” height and also help to stop him “wolfing” and swallowing air.

Tip 6. Try to cut out those treats you can help but dish out when your dog gives you “that” look. It’ll help to keep his weight down too. Or if you really must give in to temptation from time to time, give him a little piece of chicken or good quality kibble.

Tip 7. Regular exercise. A dog who gets his share of “walkies” will be a happy and healthy dog. Another aid to digestion and flatulence prevention measure. Plus – if any gas does “escape” while your out with your dog it can escape “naturally” and not cause a “nasty smell” in your house.

Tip 8. Talk to your vet about vitamin supplements – the right vitamins can help cut down on dog flatulence as well as being good for your dog’s health in general.

Hopefully the tips above can help to reduce your dog’s flatulence. Perhaps the best tip is the most obvious one. That is to keep your dog as fit and healthy as possible. He or she will certainly be all the better for it. And at any time if you feel your dog is overly flatulent or not as well as he might be generally consult a vet as soon as possible.

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