December 2008

Your cat brings you joy as she curls up on your lap and purrs herself to sleep. She provides you with endless entertainment as she chases her feather wand with enthusiasm. But from time to time, she might also drive you crazy as she scratches your favorite chair, executes sneak attacks on your ankles, or stops using the litterbox.

Whatever “issues” you or your cat may have, we have information that can help you address them. Never get angry with your cat behavioral problem, if you can read this understanding cat behavior

Some behavior problem of your cat:

Why Do Cats Scratch?
It’s normal for cats to scratch objects in their environment for many reasons:

To remove the dead outer layer of their claws.

To mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent – they have scent glands on their paws.

To stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.

To work off energy.

Because scratching is a normal behavior, and one that cats are highly motivated to display, it’s unrealistic to try to prevent them from scratching. Instead, the goal in resolving scratching problems is to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.

Training Your Cat To Scratch Acceptable Objects

*Cover the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing, such as double sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets of sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up. Or you may give the objects an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls containing perfume, a muscle rub or other unpleasant odor. Be careful with odors, though, because you don’t want the nearby acceptable
objects to also smell unpleasant.

*When your cat is consistently using the appropriate object, it can be moved very gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location more suitable to you. It’s best, however, to keep the appropriate
scratching objects as close to your cat’s preferred scratching locations as possible.

*Don’t remove the unappealing coverings or odors from the inappropriate objects until your cat is consistently using the appropriate objects in their permanent locations for several weeks, or even a month. They should then be removed gradually, not all at once. For more information, you can check out this link solve your cat problem

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Now that you know you and your dog have a move ahead of you, it’s time for the planning. Whether you have a long distance move and will need a long distance moving companies or a shorter local move and will need a Florida moving company, you still have lots of preparation you can do to make sure your move goes easily. Before you do anything else, contact your veterinarian and request a copy of your pet’s records. Keep these in a secure place, preferably carrying them with you, so you’ll have the information you need at any time during the move. Once you settle into your new home, you’ll have your pet’s records with you to hand to your new vet.

The next thing to do is to make your moving checklist for your pet. On this list, you need to place all of the contact info for your moving company at the top of the page. The easiest thing to do is make a list and cross items off as you go. It’s a good idea to make your dog’s own checklist and attach it together with your personal checklist. On the list, you’ll need to write down those items which are necessary to have at hand while traveling. These items will include: any medication your dog requires, dog food, plastic containers to portion the food into (it’s simplest to put a couple days of food into pre-measured portions for the trip), a bag or container of treats, a collapsible water bowl, a cozy blanket , your dog’s bed, and your dog’s most loved toy.

Now that you have all of your needed items together, you may want to follow a few tips on the actual day or days of the move. It’s best to feed your dog several hours before traveling. While traveling, it’s best tomake stops frequently, about every 2-3 hours, to allow your dog to have toilet breaks. Always give your pet water from the collapsible water bowl during these stops, since your dog may be nervous and may get dehydrated with all the excitement. It’s best to use bottled water for your pet, as tap water in different places can vary quite a bit, and you want to avoid any stomach problems while on the road.

When you get to your new home, it’s best to confine your dog to a small palce with the use of boxes or a baby gate. Ensure your pet can still view you so he can feel safe. It’s best to put your dog’s bed and food bowls in a familiar place. If you had his bed by the fireplace in your old home, then do your best do copy that placement in your new home. It will help him to get used to the new home and make him feel more safe.

As you get settled into your new home, remember your pet might be puzzled and a bit lost in the first few days. Try to follow the same schedule for feeding, walks, and play time as you did before you relocated. Dogs are very adaptable animals, and you might be surprised at how quickly your furry friend gets used to the new environment! If you have a short move, or a long one, by following these tips moving with your dog will be simple and easy!

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Relocation is tough on the whole family, including your four legged friends. Keeping your pets safe and content is important for a successful trip. Whether you are relocating across the city or across a long distance, plan ahead so your pet can have a stress-free move. Some tips to make it like this are below.

Try to stick to your pet’s normal schedule as much as you can. Many pets, especially cats and dogs, are creatures of habit. They are comfortable in a familiar setting where they know their surroundings. Animals need structure and do best when they are in the comfort of their own house. When relocating, try to keep that in mind and expect a little anxiety on your companion’s part.

It is important that you pay special attention to your pet’s whereabouts on the day of the actual move. Animals can quickly become lost with movers coming in and out of the house over and over. If the movers leave the doors open, ensure you secure your pet in a place or fenced in area where they do not have unsupervised access to outside. If you are relocating a significant distance, you will need to choose if you want to let your pet ride unrestrained or confined. Check your moving truck rental policies on pets to determine if they have any guidelines for allowing pets to ride along in the cab or if they require pets be confined.

There are many cheap moving trucks that can be rented at competitive rates. Review the company and its rules before choosing which one to use. Ensure it has a reputation for safety and great customer service. If you choose to move your pet in a carrier, purchase a sturdy, high quality carrier and gradually introduce your pet to it before to the move. When reserving your truck rentals for moving ensure the vehicle cargo space is well ventilated.

If the temperature is high, never, ever leave your pet in a parked vehicle as they can become over heated quickly and that can injure or harm them. Do not put your pet in the trunk or in the bed of a truck, either. It is important to remember your pet is making a huge transition as well. Make sure you pack well and that all your pets’ favorite toys, dishes and treats are handy during the trip. Stop frequently for restroom breaks and always have your pet on a leash. With these simple tips, your family should have a great move.

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Various contentions have been put forward in the dog world by some, (eg those against mixed breeds), that ‘hybrid vigor’ is allegedly not possible (for example) when breeding labordoodles (ie mixed breeding of Labradors and Poodles) as it is alleged that hybrid vigor is only possible with mixed breeding of unrelated animals (eg horse and donkey). However, that it not correct.

For example, see http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/resources/publications/pdfs/ER-IS-03-01.pdf:

“What is a hybrid?

A hybrid is an organism resulting from a cross between genetically different parents. Hybrids can arise from crosses between closely related species (interspecific hybrids) or by crosses between different types (subspecies, varieties, cultivars) within a species (intraspecific hybrids).

Hybridisation occurs naturally, but it is also widely used in selective breeding programmes for both plants and animals. The mule is an interspecific hybrid between the horse and the donkey, bred to combine some of the favourable characteristics of each parent. Intraspecific hybrids often show ‘hybrid vigour’ (heterosis), growing more vigorously and yielding more than in-bredlines.”

Hence, laberdoodles are ‘intraspecific hybrids’ (ie are within species breeding) and do show hybrid vigor.

Also, see http://www.country-wide.co.nz/article/449.html:

Another important but often forgotten principle is what happens when you interbreed the first cross (F1) progeny. In essence if you breed (F1) sires and dams together, there will be less hybrid vigour in the progeny. Like wise hybrid vigour also drops if you breed back to either of the parent breeds.

Our Labradoodle puppies are F1 generation (ie first cross between Labrador & Poodle), maximising hybrid vigor (or heterosis), and minimising inbreeding depression, etc. And have purebred parents with champion bloodlines/pedigrees.

The F1 (ie first generation) of Labradoodle puppies have more hybrid vigor than the second or so generation, are less likely to be more variable then some other generations, and also have the least inbreeding depression.

Another interesting scientific point to note about our F1 Labradoodles is that research has shown that these have increased longevity or rates of survival (eg research has shown up to 4 years longer), due to the absence of inbreeding (such as that occurring in purebred dogs). And the same research has shown that the higher the rate of inbreeding (eg in purebreds), the lower or shorter the longevity or survival rates. This relates to the term known as ‘inbreeding depression’, and which is
described in more detail at inbreeding depression and inbreeding depression.

And this may be due to the benefits from hybrid vigour, especially compared to the negative effects known as ‘inbreeding depression’ present in purebreds.

Unlike some breeders, we can guarantee the genetics of the puppies are solely Labrador/Poodle, as the parents of our Labradoodle puppies are purebred, and with pedigree papers. And this also ensures that they are definitely F1 puppies.

The term ‘hybrid vigor’ is used in various fields, such as breeding livestock, rabbits, aquaculture, plants, cats, dogs, etc.

And rather than just us giving you our opinion etc re hybrid vigor, we thought you may like to read information from other sources. So that you can make an informed choice or decision.

So, below are some relevant extracts re hybrid vigor, and links to their sources:

From MSN encarta online:

‘hy-brid vig-or

improved traits resulting from crossbreeding: the increased growth, disease resistance, or fertility seen in hybrid species.’

From Encylopedia Brittanica online:

‘Increase in such characteristics as size, growth rate, fertility, and yield of a hybrid organism over those of its parents.’

‘Plant and animal breeders exploit heterosis by mating two different purebred lines that have desirable traits. The first-generation offspring generally show, in greater measure, the desired characteristics of both parents. Since this vigour may decrease if the hybrids are actually mated together, the parental lines must be maintained and crossed for each new crop or group desired.’

From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

‘heterosis

the marked vigor or capacity for growth often exhibited by crossbred animals or plants — called also hybrid vigor’

From report by CSIRO:

“The benefits of hybrid vigor only appear in crossbred animals that have parents of completely different breeds.”

From a transcript of the Senate:

“veterinarians recognize the concept of ‘hybrid vigor,’ especially in first generation hybrids”

From United States Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, and County Governments Cooperating:

“The highest level of hybrid vigor is obtained from F1’s, the first cross of unrelated populations.”

“Hybrid Vigor - An increase in the performance of crossbred animals over that of purebreds, also known as heterosis.”

So, there should be little (if any) doubt that the first generation (ie F1) Labradoodles have the maximum hybrid vigor and the least inbreeding depression compared to other generations etc.

P.S. For the house training dogs tips please watch this video.

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Show dog supplies could be anything supported the show dog appearance. Yet, the best show dog supplies for every dog is different to the others. The best person who knows about the things needed by the show dog is the proprietor or the dog handler themselves. Yet, they could also ask help or suggestion from the dog expert or dog lover. Show dog supplies are needed to support best performance of the dog that will be competed for. If you want to know about some important show dog supplies for a dog show, you could take a look to the article below.

Dogs

Dog is the most and first vital thing in show dog supplies. For a layman, choosing a dog is not easy to do. That is way a layman needs to get together much information related to the breeds of dog in order to choose his or her best breed. The essentialimportant information related to the breed can be sought for from internet, books, or from the experts, such as veterinarian. Nevertheless, it has to be kept in mind that not all the veterinarians know much about dog breeds. The best alternative to get your best breed is by discussing it with the breed experts. They could suggest you the best breed to raise or to join in a competition.

Show dog supplies

After figuring out your best dog collection, what you need to do for competition is preparing several show dog supplies that you will to need. It is sensible that you want your dog to look as fine as they could. Thus, you need a variety of grooming supplies to maintain that show quality look. Many of the grooming supplies you will need will depend on the type of dog you have. You need to get show dog supplies that are suitable for your extraordinary breed, such as brushes, nail clippers, shampoos and conditioners.

Then you need a good quality show lead which is diverse to your standard dog leash will also be needed. A show lead is fundamentally a long, one piece lead with a loop on one end that takes the place of the collar. Next, good crates are another essential show dog supplies, for safety reasons. Some dogs are not as welcoming as others, and with so many dogs together in similar place, eventually fights will take place, so that good crate is needed.

The last but not least show dog supplies we need to prepare is food and drink. Food and drink are needed in order to support your dog appearance. It is logical since without eating and drinking they will not be able to give their top performance; they will not be able to give their best maneuvering. Then, if you think you need the other additional show dog supplies, you could also add the provisions as your dog really need.

Are you still at sea of knowing more about show dog supplies? Just look around and click the links your best answer herein!

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It is always so exciting to bring home your new puppy. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with owning a dog especially if you want to be considered a responsible dog owner. You have to feed her, groom her, provide her with proper health care, and give her a safe place to call home.

But one of the most important things you can do for your new dog or puppy is to provide essential dog training.

Discipline and Behavior

Having a dog that is always misbehaving is not something that you want. They can an be an embarrassment and in worst cases, they can be dangerous.

Training can be a lot of hard work and require a lot of time and patience, but the end result is a well behaved dog that you can be proud of. The bond between you and your pet can be strengthened through training. Take the time to train your dog and set the rules for appropriate behavior. For the best results you should start early.

Dog Obedience Training

Obedience training is also an important part of your dog’s overall training program. Levels of training varies from basic to advanced.

You should at least provide basic training for your dog or puppy. Commands like sit, stay, and come, are all part of basic training. So are house training and leash training.

Of course, you can always progress to a more advanced level. Provide additional training for your dog and you will have a well behaved pet. Destructive behaviors like barking, chewing, and digging can usually be prevented just by including the proper training. Just find a program that meets your needs and provides a results such as Sit, Stay, Fetch.

Puppy Training

Puppy training should start at an early age. Some people wait too long to start training their puppies and it makes it a little more difficult and frustrating. Some people believe that it is not possible to train a puppy younger than six months old, but I assure you that is a myth.

Of course there are some skills that are beyond a puppy, teaching many of the commands and appropriate behaviors can start right away. Just do some research to make sure you follow the proper techniques.

There are many different sources of information available - dog training books, ebooks, websites, and even complete training programs. Something else you could do it enroll in group training. You can also hire an experienced dog trainer if your budget allows.

Group Training Classes

Most of the larger pet stores offer training classes. They are usually cheaper since they are in a group setting. You can also ask around as your local area animal shelter or other animal groups may offer free or discounted group training classes.

One added advantage of group training, in my opinion, is that it gives your dog the added benefit of socializing with other dogs and their owners.

Professional and Experienced Trainers

The benefit of a professional trainer is the one on one training that they will provide. Just be sure to ask around for recommendations so that you can find a trainer who is know to provide results.

In my opinion I recommend hiring a professional dog trainer for major issues such as dealing with an aggressive dog. This is not something you want to try and handle on your own.

Conclusion

Owning a dog is a huge responsibility. As responsible owners we need to make sure that our dogs are well behaved and great to be around. Just be sure that you go into any training program with an open mind and the right attitude and you will find that it is a rewarding experience.

And remember, you can always search for more information about dogs.

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If you are dog freak, you must pay attention to anything for your dog by providing the best dog care. It regards to the fact that dog are the closes friend of man, so that you are worth providing the best dog care to free them from disease and always healthy. Though it is not an easy task, but isn’t it worth to provide the greatest dog care for your closes companion?

Healthy food, water, exercise and veterinary care such as vaccinations are the things that you have to give for your dogs. It is also a nice idea to read some books to get the best dog care information and health tips if you need to have more education in maintaining a pet. Since dogs have unconditional love to their owners, then you have to show your dogs how much you care.

Day to Day Dog Care Needs

Food is the basic need for your lovely dog. Feeding your dog with high protein food regularly is a must for you. Another part of a good. Vitamin E can cure skin ailments. You can utilize vitamin E oil to their skin to cure dry skin and any other skin ailments. You can save some money if you try conventional and natural ways in giving the right dog care for your pets. Acidophilus in yogurt is not only nice for humans but for dogs as well. Consult with the veterinarian first if you plan on doing this because there are some factors that may harm them.

The Dog Care Supplies

Dog care supplies are categorized in functional, basic and pampering. The basic dog supplies comprise of dog leashes, grooming kits, sleeping pads, dog house and most especially, food. The practical but functional dog materials consist of doors, fences, and gates. The pampering kit is generally composed of toys, massage oils and treats for your dogs.

Dog beds can be said as the most essential basic supplies. It helps keep the dog’s bones healthy and strong. Several pet shops have supplies such as training equipment and aid to make practices much simpler for your dog to follow. Some are including dog collars which are made to punish dogs for inappropriate behavior.

You can get dog kennels in different sizes, shapes, and colors that you can select easily for your dogs. Pick the large one to make your dog moves easily. Grooming kits for better dog care are also available. Shampoos, nail clippers, brush, combs, conditioners, and all hygiene supplies are also the complements in dog care.

Do you want to uplift your knowledge about dog care? There is no better way for getting it unless finding it more here!

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Vaccinations are very important for your dogs. It is a must that when you have a pet dog you should have a vaccinated of this can be harmful for your dog as well as yourself.

Choose the best outfits and Dog Supplies for your dog, he or she will love their New Dog Dress and other Dog Clothes that will put a smile on their faces each and every year.

If you do not vaccinate your dog then if your dog acquires a disease like rabies then there is no way that you can save your dog from death or from living an unhappy life. Therefore it is most necessary that you should give your dog a proper vaccine at appropriate times to keep your dog safe from diseases. The first shot that is given to your dog is a vaccine that will help it to fight anti bodies. Then year after year you should keep giving your dog periodic shots of boosters as they will strengthen the immune system of your dogs.

These booster shots will help your dogs anti bodies to be strong and face off against many infections that your dog might incur. Rabies is the most common and well known diseases among dogs. For rabies vaccine at first a dose of the dead rabies virus is given to the dog. This would be treated as an anti body inside your dog and thus your dog’s body will start building up counter measures against this virus. When the real virus attacks your dog the body of the dog will be strong enough to counter the real virus because of all the preparations that are made by the anti bodies.

Similarly booster shots are given every year to your dog to keep the immune system of your dog string and healthy. There are vaccines that are given for distemper for your dog. Distemper is viral diseases that can affect your dog and this disease is fatal for your dog. Therefore you should make sure that your dog is vaccinated against distemper. Choosing the vaccine can be a tough decision for you but this decision can be made simple by consulting a local veterinary doctor.

The local vet will be able to correctly prescribe what vaccines are needed for your dog and in what order. Some of the vaccinations that are out there in the market are not necessary for your dog. These might cause more harm to your dog than help. Therefore you should be wary of these medicines for your dog. Always consult the vet for your dog before injecting anything inside your dog’s body.

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Having a dog is a lot of responsibility. And perhaps the biggest responsibility of them all is to ensure that the dog does not sneak out ant any point of time without you knowing it. And to prevent this from happening, you need to build high walls for fences which in turn require expensive permits from the municipality. But thanks to the concept of electric fences, your pocket will feel much heavy now.

Quick Note: Get your doggy the best from doggy dog supplies, they have Small Dog Supplies of all kinds. You can get your doggy his or her their own Small Dog Coat and Small dog Purse which should place a smile on their face.

So how does an electric fence work? Well the concept is quite effective and extremely simple as well. Here, a wire is buried inside the ground around the perimeter within which you want to confine your dog. Well, this wire basically acts an antenna which feeds signal to the transmitter laced inside the fence. The transmitter produces radio frequency that are picked up by the receiver on the dog’s collar.

Here you get two types of electric fences. In the first type, your dog gets a simulation whenever he comes near to the fence via the collar fitted around his neck. If the dog ignores this simulation and continues its approach towards the buried wire, an electric shock is transmitted into its body which unsettles it. A second type dog of electric fence uses a warning tone when the dog comes closer to the buried wire but then uses a spray of citronella to correct the dog.

But there are other things which need to be done to make the electric fence effective. And the most important of the other things is the fact that your dog should be able to properly understand the system. Your dog will need to be conditioned and trained before the dog electric fences become effective at keeping your dog safe at home. Going by the normal scale the training period is of 30 days with atleast 1 hour to be devoted to it daily. This timing is subject to change depending on the type and other features of your dog.

And generally it has been observed that the spray type of electric fence is much less effective as compared to the electric shock one. Also, there is a loophole in the system of electric fence. A dog can even train itself to pass that protection zone quickly enough to prevent any of the aftereffects like shock, simulation, etc.

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Your dog’s nails, just like human nail, need to be trimmed. Unfortunately, some dogs don’t like to have their feet touched, much less their nails trimmed. If you have trouble performing this action yourself, consider making an appointment with your vet or groomer. If your dog will allow you touch his nails, you can trim them at home. When left untrimmed, they can grow into the dog’s feet, break, and bleed.

Quick Note: Get your dog the best Small Dog Supplies and put a smile on their faces. If your doggy deserves to look as great as they are then give them their own Dog Dresses and Dog Coats and show them that you really care about them.

Once you’ve been granted access to your dog’s nails, the trick is not to cause any pain. This means avoiding the quick which can cause both pain and bleeding. Study the nail before you begin. It’s easier to see in clear or white nails, but the quick is just above the excess nail that you want to remove. Remember, you don’t want to go too short. You just want to remove the excess.

Begin with some nail trimmers made especially for dogs and some styptic powder like Kwik-Stop or CutStop. These products will help stop the bleeding if you accidentally cut the quick. Next, find a comfortable position for both you and the dog. You may put the dog in your lap or you may both lie on the floor. If your dog isn’t too sure about the process, you may need someone to help hold the dog. Next, hold the dog’s paw in your hand and push on his pad so that the nail extends.

Once the nail is extended, cut the nail at a 45 degree angle. Make sure you’re cutting below the quick. If you can’t see the quick because the nail is dark, it’s better to make a couple of small cuts than one big, painful one. If you see a dark spot appear at the end of the cut nail, you’ve done your job. The spot is the beginning of the quick.

If your dog has brittle nails that splinter when you cut them, you may have to file them a few times to remove cracks and smooth the nail. If your dog will let you, do all four paws including the dew claw. If he won’t, don’t force it. Take a break and come back later. If you do happen to trim into the quick, apply the styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

Finally, remember this should be a pleasant activity. If your dog can’t stand it, take him for walks on pavement and asphalt. This will work as an emery board and naturally file his nails.

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