Interesting Facts About The RAGDOLL Kittens

Some people would really want to have a pet at home. It makes them feel good when they arrive from work. These little creatures will surely give them a different kind of joy. As a matter of fact, many claims that they can be the best stress reliever. Seeing their cute faces and actions can really help you forget the tasks that needs to be done.

Face of bicolor ragdoll kitten, showing blue eyes and inverted 'V' white patch
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In North Carolina, a lot of people love to breed some animals. The ragdoll kittens (North Carolina) have been very famous in the United States and even in other countries. The breeders take good care of the kittens to make sure that they will be ready for their next owner. Because of this, people would love to visit the place and see these wonderful creatures.

To distinguish the ragdoll to other cats, you have to see their eyes and their body build. Their eyes are blue and will only matter on what shade of blue it is. They have masculine body that are covered with a bit long hair. Its hair is usually ashed white with a little touch of light brown on its tips in designated part of its body.

Many would consider them as puppies like cats. Their characteristics are also a bit similar with puppies. They usually follow their owners in every part of the house. This breed is also very friendly with other animals and has the tendency to be close to them especially with dogs. Most are low tempered so they dont usually get angry.

When it comes to health, study shows that this breed has one of the lowest rate when it comes to survival. Surprisingly, they have been prone to a heart diseases which is very common to cats. Few of them would experience this disease as early as 6 months and would go severe after 3 years. This is the reason why many will not reach 10 years.

Foods are the basic needs of all the living creatures. This is also one of the reason why many would get sick. For cats, its necessary for them to have a balanced nutrients to keep them going for the whole day of activities. Since they dont usually like to drink water, it would be best to keep their food wet to make sure that liquids will come into their body.

As a wise and responsible breeder, you have to inform the new owner about the things that are necessary for the pet. This will include their traits, foods, health and even a glimpse on how to train them. Part of your responsibility is to check them few days after it had settled in its new home. Owners must also ask as many questions as they can.

In deciding to have a pet, there are a couple of things that needs to be done. These things will ensure the kittens are being transferred without any problems in their health. Another one is the certification that would testify that it has been given to the new owner. With this, everything will be prepared and both parties will be happy.

Its indeed a great feeling to have something with you at home. These creatures will make you feel happy. Every time you arrived home from a busy day, they can come to you and relieve your stress.

About the Author: Charles West When you are looking for information about Ragdoll kittens North Carolina residents can go to our web pages online here today.

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Information Regarding the CYMRIC CAT

Remarkable for its absent or short tail, Cymric is a feline breed that is essentially the same as the Manx cat, but for its longer hair. In fact the two cats are believed to have originated a long time back on the Isle of Man, an island in the Irish sea located close to Wales in United Kingdom. Many believe that the name 'Cymric' is derived from the Gaelic word for Welsh. In any case the cat has lived on the isolated island for centuries in both the short and longhair versions. 

Long-haired Manx (Cymric)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The absence of tail is believed to be a result of a genetic mutation. The trait perpetuated owing to the separation of these cats from other breeds. The modern history of Cymric cats is often traced to Canada where they were first formally bred in nineteen sixties and later exported to United States. The cats lack general acceptance amongst cat fanciers at the moment and are registered with select bodies currently.

Cymrics have a solid cobby physique. They are medium sized animals with a stocky build. Head is round with a somewhat shortened muzzle, bright circular eyes and medium sized ears. Coat is long and double layered and is seen in numerous colors and patterns including bicolor, solid, tabby and tortie. Fur is generally smooth and lustrous. Legs are short and strong and paws are big and rounded.

Tail of the Cymric is either completely absent or occurs in varying degrees of length. At the most though, it is either a small protuberance or short stump. The vertebrae of the back are short and coupled with the fact that the hind legs are longer than front ones, give the cat an arched appearance. In some severe cases there are neurological disorders owing to a deformed spine and may lead to various health issues.

Cymrics are intelligent cats. They are often compared to dogs when it comes to temperament. Theirs is a very pleasant and well rounded personality. Relaxed and affectionate these gentle cats are quite tolerant of other pets and children.

By Omer Ashraf The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Cymric cats. Article Source: EzineArticles

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PERSIAN CAT Health Problems

The Persian cat consistently ranks as one of the most popular breeds of cat across the US and a number of other countries. With the chubby cheeks and cute short face, theirs is a memorable look and added to that the thick coat, Persians are unmistakable. Unfortunately, generations of breeding to achieve these and other particular looks has led the Persian to have more than the usual amount of health problems and this is something a potential cat owner should understand before adopting one. Here is a look at some of the main ones.

Doll face silver Persian cat
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

About the Persian

Persians have been known as a domestic cat breed since Victorian times and have always been popular. There are currently two types of Persian; traditional and show. The show Persian has a ruff around its head, small ears, a flat nose and big rounded eyes. It is sometimes referred to as the Peke-faced type of Persian and has a heavily boned but short body. The traditional Persian, or doll faced, has less extreme features with a normal length nose. Both types comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns and have the same gentle and loving personality.

Grooming

The first thing any potential owner should know about the Persian is that this breed needs daily grooming to maintain its coat and health. Most breeders recommend a daily comb to get rid of mats and tangles in the fur and also to remove loose hair, which benefits the cat and also means less is shed all over the house. The color of the coat of a Persian can affect the type of fur it has varying from silky and shiny to soft and cottonlike. The latter tangles easier than the former and takes more time to groom properly.

In addition to the daily grooming, Persians should be bathed every week. This needs to start from the youngest age possible to avoid terror and fear and to teach them that bathing is a good thing and something you can do together. Some people blow dry their coat on the very lowest setting to avoid burning the skin and comb as you go.

Both types of Persians have a tendency towards weepy eyes. To prevent staining of the fur and discomfort, each day their eye area should be carefully bathed.

Health problems

There is nothing to say that any cat will or will not get a certain health condition though some breeds are more predisposed towards some conditions than others are. Always use a breeder who knows their cats and their genetic background but anyone that offers a 100% guarantee of health is not being honest.

The main health conditions that Persians are predisposed towards are:

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

• Bladder stones

• Cystitis (bladder infections)

• Liver shunts

PKD is a hereditary condition that causes cysts to form in the kidneys and eventually leads to dysfunction of the organ. It can affect one or both of the kidneys and symptoms start to manifest at an age of 7-10 years, though it can appear earlier. There are tests to see if a cat is predisposed to the condition and many breeders are taking this to then remove the genetics from the breeding program with the long-term aim of removing the predisposition entirely.

PRA is also hereditary in Persians but manifests early in life, at around 4-8 weeks of age and rapidly progresses to complete blindness by the age of 15 weeks. Studies are currently underway to get more information about the condition.

HCM is the heart disease common to all types of cats where the thickening of the left heart chamber causes problems and sometimes leads to death. It generally affects male cats and from middle to older age. Tests need to be done regularly to check for it, as there is no genetic trait to show for it.

As well as genetic conditions, the peke faced type of Persian can often be prone to breathing difficulties due to the shape of their face and nose.

Combating problems

If your cat has a hidden genetic problem, then there is little you can do about it until it manifests but the majority of Persians live a full and healthy life. They are susceptible to heat due to their heavy coat and should be monitored for overheating as well as associated breathing problems. This means they should not be transported in the cargo bay of a plane, as the chance of respiratory distress is strong and can even lead to death in extreme conditions.

Finally, the best way to help your cat is to watch them and learn their personality and behavior. This will mean that if something is wrong, you have the best possible chance of spotting it quickly and getting them to your vet. Remember, animals instinctively hide illness so you need to be part detective and part cat psychologist to figure out problems before they worsen.

Conclusion

As a general rule, Persians are healthy cats with a laid back and loving personality. They make excellent pets and are very interactive and affectionate with their owners. Always remember that any pet is a commitment and with their grooming needs, a Persian is more so than other breeds. But they repay that attention with years of love and companionship.

By Angela Tempest For more information about all things feline, check out http://www.twomeows.com Article Source: EzineArticles

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Cat Breed - AEGEAN CAT

The Aegean cat, a relatively new breed of naturally occurring felines, was developed in the 1990's in the Cycladic Islands; it is the only species of cat native to Greece. The Aegean is a relatively rare breed although it is prolific in number in Greece itself.

A juvenile male Aegean cat. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aegean's are of average body size with a strong, robust build; its physique is sturdy and they have medium-sized feet and rounded paws. The Aegean's head is middle-sized, not-rounded and broad; with oriental shaped eyes that can be in any color of green.

Its hairy ears have a wide base with circular tips; the kink free tail is straight and of average length. The Aegean cat's semi-longhaired coat is without down hair; it sheds in summer to be of short length and during winter is thick and rich, providing adequate warmth for the harsh winter climate.

This breed's fur color is either bicolor or tricolor; white is always one of the coat's colors, taking up about half of the body and never yellowing. The other colors include red, black, cream and blue and the pattern is often banded.

Personality wise, the Aegean is bright and astute, with a pleasing nature that endears itself to people; as cats they are active and playful and make for very efficient mouse-catchers! They can be quite vocal and are happy to live indoors most of their lives. This is a very independent cat but they can be quite friendly too; often found roaming the local beach, these cats adore fish and will pester fisherman for some of the day's catch.

Aegean cats make great pets and are quite sociable, often living in small groups. They are a hardy breed that require little attention and minimal grooming.

By David Braybrooke For more informative cat articles, and a wide selection of cat products and toys, Please visit: http://fatherspirit-catablog.blogspot.com/ Article Source: EzineArticles

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Why HYPOALLERGENIC DOGS Need Love

All dogs need love in order to lead happy, healthy lives. Since most breeds of hypoallergenic dogs are smaller, they will need even more love. There are several ways that you can show your dog that you love them. Spending time together, exercising, giving them healthy, nutritious food, and treating the dog with respect are all ways to show your love. In return, you will have a loyal companion that will respect and protect you, your family, and your home. 

Bichon Bolognes
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most small breeds need to be around people in order to feel safe. Hypoallergenic breeds enjoy sitting on the couch together, curling up by their owner’s feet, and following you around the house when you are home. Spending time with your dog by playing fetch, sitting on the floor, and talking to your dog are all activities that your dog wants to do with you. 

Since some breeds can get into trouble when they are left alone all day, you should keep your dog in one room of your home or you should crate train your dog. Dogs that are left alone may get angry or become anxious and nervous. As a result, they will chew on furniture, walls, clothing, or they will break items and rummage through the trash. Keeping your dog in a small room will help them stay calm. 

Walking your dog once or twice a day and letting it outside to play is another way to show the dog love. Exercise is a great way to bond with your dog. Not only will the dog be able to spend time with you, you and the dog will benefit from the exercise. Even if you do not have time to walk the dog everyday, you should still let the dog run around your back yard so it gets the exercise it needs. 

Making sure your dog has enough food during the day is the third way that you can show your dog love. There are dog foods for different breeds and stages of life. You should research which dog food is the best by asking the vet, reading about what your dog needs, and by reading the labels on the food. As dogs age, they will need different nutrients to keep their teeth and coat healthy. It is best not to switch dog food brands often because you may upset the dog’s stomach. If you want to introduce a new dog food, do it slowly until the dog gets used to it. 

Respecting your hypoallergenic dog’s space will result in the more respect from your dog. Make sure your dog has a clean bed or blanket and they receive enough attention during the day. If your dog is sleeping, then you should not disturb it. This will only make the dog angry. Taking care of a dog also means respecting the dog’s boundaries. Some small breeds will become angry when their space in invaded during times when they do not want to be disturbed. As your dogs grows, you will learn when to socialize with the dog and when leave it alone. 

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MALAMUTE Vs HUSKY - How to Choose

So you have decided to get a sled dog. Not particularly for pulling a sled but that style of dog... but what type exactly? And when we are speaking of huskies the argument typically ends up being a final choice between Malamute vs Husky. Both are outstanding animals although there are subtle differences between both. Understanding these subtleties goes a very long way towards making sure you, your family and your dog make the very best match!

Lets uncover some more about the Husky vs Malamute...

Black and White Siberian Husky
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Malamute vs Husky - Origins

To most of us, the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute are very similar dogs. And in many ways they are. However in other ways, these two fine animals couldn't be more different!

Both the malamute and the husky are Nordic breeds and companion animals to their tribes families. These majestic animals were also bred, trained and developed to pull sleds for their tribes.

The Siberian Husky hails from Siberian tribe the Chukchi. The Malamute stems from the tribe name of the Mahlemuit Eskimos in Alaska and is believed to be descended from the Arctic Wolf. Both animals have been developed for centuries.

Malamute vs Husky - Coats and Markings

Both these dogs exist in a variety of facial markings and coat colors. Interestingly, both breeds have shades of gray, silver, red and tan mixed with white however the only solid color is white. The malamute and the Siberian husky (also called a Sibe) have an amazing variety of facial markings to distinguish them. It is not uncommon for these facial markings to create "masks" and even "goggles" which not only gives them their own unique individuality but also creates some mischievous looks at the same time!

Alaskan Malamute
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Malamute vs Husky - Eyes

One of the most spectacular features of both the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute is their eyes. Both are dazzling but both are unique. While the eyes of the Malamute are usually almond shaped and brown, there are no color restrictions for a Sibe.

Siberian Huskies are known for their striking sky blue eyes but may also have green or brown eyes. Cooler still is the fact that a Sibe can be bi-eyed (different colored eyes) or even parti-eyed (different colors in the same eye.).

Malamute vs Husky - Size and Grooming.

This is where the main differences between these two breeds are found. The largest of the Northern breeds, the Alaskan Malamute weighs up to 95 pounds and can usually stand anywhere from 24 to 26 inches tall.

With an average coat length of 3 inches, the malamute will shed quite a lot and needs a good brushing at least every two weeks. Weekly is better. Evolved to easily track through the snow, they have large, wide and round paws, almost in the shape of a snow shoe!

Although still a fair size, the Siberian Husky is classed more as a medium sized breed. Standing at around 20 to 23 inches and weighing in anywhere between 45 to 60 pounds.

Grooming is the big difference between these breeds! Much like a cat, the Siberian Husky is a very clean animal and will bathe and lick itself almost relentlessly. This pooch really looks after itself and a good thorough brushing two or three times a year will be all you need!

The Sibe also changes it's coat with the climate to get ready for the next season.

Regarding the sizing of these animals, the details listed above are actual "show standards." Malamutes and Huskies bred as pets can often be a few inches taller and a few pounds heavier.

Malamute vs Husky - Temperaments.

The temperaments of both breeds are very similar. Considering that they are working dogs they need a lot of exercise and lots of room to move. Got an apartment or small yard? Then this is not the sort of dog for you.

The malamute and the husky are also tremendously loyal pack animals. They crave to give and of course receive love and attention. Social animals that they are, being alone is not a good match. Boredom and loneliness can trigger damage and destruction.

Malamute vs Husky - Final Say.

All things considered, both breeds are outstanding animals with many similarities. Both dogs require attention and love and loads of room to move and exercise. Both breeds have wonderful personalities and both will most likely steal your heart!

In the end, if you prefer a large playful pooch and have time for grooming then the Alaskan Malamute is ideal. Nevertheless, if you are considering a slightly smaller dog with less coat maintenance then the Siberian Husky is the breed for you.

The Husky is my absolute favorite breed of dog! Loyal, affectionate, exciting and just loves to run and have fun!

By Cameron Abel Article Source: EzineArticles

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Grooming Your GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Grooming your Golden Retriever is a never ending process.  The entire process should be down once or twice a week, and will take you around a ½ an hour of time.  Brushing your dog while he is shedding will help to control shedding quite a bit.  While outside, if your Golden Retriever manages to get burs or other defects in his hair, you should instantly take a few moments of your time and get the burs or other matter out of his coat.

Golden Retrievers being groomed before a dog show.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you groom your pet, you should always start with a good brushing.  Brush his entire body, then once you have finished brushing you can switch to a comb to get out any loose hair that remains in the coat.  While you are getting out the hair, you can also inspect your pet for ticks, fleas, and other types of skin ailments.  If you wish, you can also check his ears and trim his nails as well.

Bathing your Golden is essential to grooming, and can be somewhat complicated.  Before you attempt to give him a bath, you should always brush him first, to get rid of tangles.  During shampooing, you should always use shampoos that are specifically for dogs, since human shampoo can dry a dog’s skin out.  You don’t need to bathe your dog often, once every other week is good enough.  If you properly maintain your Golden’s coat, you’ll find it’s much easier to clean.

To prevent matting, which is very common with Golden Retrievers, you should always make sure that you brush your pet on a daily basis.  Metal combs and brushes work extremely well, and will help you to get a great deal of the hair out.  Although some people choose to use scissors and cut the mats, you can easily injure your Golden if he happens to move or jerk.  Scissors aren’t recommended, as brushing and proper bathing will help to prevent matting of the hair better than anything else.

When you cut your dogs nails, you should trim them a great deal, all the while avoiding going down into the quick.  You should never let your Golden’s nails get too long, as long nails can easily take the shape of the dog’s foot, resulting in a splay.  Therefore, you should always check your Golden Retriever’s nails and trim them every few weeks.  If you trim them just right, you’ll have at least 2 weeks before they need to be trimmed again.  If you do happen to trim the nails past the quick, bleeding will occur.  To stop the bleeding, always keep some styptic powder on hand to make sure that you are prepared if you do make a mistake.

With other types of grooming, you should also make sure that you clean your Golden’s ears as well.  They can get ear infections quite easily, if you don’t clean their ears on a regular basis.  To get the best results and protect your pet from ear infections, you should clean his ears once a week using a quality cleansing solution.  This way, you can rest assured that your Golden has healthy ears.

Grooming is an essential aspect to the health of every Golden Retriever.  All it takes is a little bit of time from your day to groom your pet and keep him healthy.  If you don’t have the time to groom your Golden, you can always take him to a professional.  Whether you do it yourself or take your Golden to a pro - grooming is something that simply must be done.

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Large GERMAN SHEPHERDS

Through breeding experiments, breeders have been able to create variations of the German Shepherd. Such experiments gave way to new kinds of German Shepherd dogs, one of which is the white German Shepherd. But in spite of these great results, there are some people who wish to stick to its roots by breeding old-style German Shepherds which are larger than your usual German Shepherd. These purists argue that though these experiments can produce German shepherds with special attributes, the qualities which gave the breed its reputation such as intelligence may disappear.

A German Shepherd yawning.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The different lines of German Shepherds

For those who do not know anything about German Shepherds, you may think that all of these dogs are one and the same. They are not. In fact, there are many lines of this breed and the old-style is just one of them. Each line was created for a specific purpose and these are:

- International working line. This line of German Shepherds is bred mainly to gain the working traits rather than the looks. Because of this, the appearance of these dogs may differ.

- International show line. This line was designed for breeders who are after the appearance of the dog rather than its working traits.

- North American show lines. This line was designed also more for the looks of the dog but with certain variations. These include sloped backs and sharper angulations. There are now debates on whether this line should be considered as a different breed of dog altogether. But breeders of this line argue that though there are great changes in the appearance of the dog, the working attributes have not been changed.

Appearance

Aside from the lines stated above, there is also another line which is called the old-style German Shepherd. The goal of the breeders of this line is simply to bring back the German Shepherd dogs to the way it was before. They aim to produce a line of dogs that looks and acts the same as its first ancestors. The old-style German Shepherd differs from the regular German Shepherd simply by its sheer size. A normal German Shepherd is around 24 to 26 inches tall. The old-style German Shepherds dwarf them by four more inches. So an old-style German Shepherd is about 30 inches in height and would weigh around 124 lbs. or 54 kg. Though the features on the face are the same with regular German Shepherds, the old-style dogs have larger heads. The other physical attributes of this kind of breed include a straighter back, big bones, and no extreme angulations on the legs, giving it a noble and more poised look.

By Ken Marlborough Article Source: EzineArticles

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Can an OLD DOG be taught new tricks?

A chihuahua "chipmunks" for a treat, a trick he's been taught and since learned was very successful way to influence humans. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever seen a well trained dog and thought, “I wish my dog could do tricks like that”?

It is probably the dream of most dog owners to be able to teach their pet to do some of the tricks they see other dogs doing, but there is one thing they must remember above all others before starting down the path of teaching tricks. The dog must have at least some basic obedience. There is not much chance of teaching it to do tricks if it is a badly behaved dog in the first place.

The basic commands such as sit, down, heel etc, should be known by your dog before trick training starts, as this will make life so much easier later on. Once these have been mastered you can begin to build on them and your dog will soon be amazing your friends with the following three simple tricks.

Begging

To start teaching this trick it is best to have your dog sit in a corner of the room with his back to the wall and you standing in front of him. The walls will support your dog and give him the confidence that he won’t fall over if he raises his front legs off the floor.

Take some small pieces of food and hold it above your dog whilst enticing him to reach up for it. Each time he takes the food, praise him and repeat the procedure slowly encouraging him to reach higher each time.

Whilst encouraging the dog to reach up for the food, you must make sure that he is keeping his haunches on the ground. This is achieved by moving the food back over his head slightly making the dog shift his weight back over his haunches and teaching him to keep his balance.

Once the begging trick has bee mastered in the corner of the room you can gradually begin to move away from the wall and practise the trick where the dog has no back support. You must expect at this stage that the dog will seem to go backwards in his learning, but this is to be expected until he can perfect it just using his own body weight.

Shaking hands

There are two parts of this trick for your dog to learn. A verbal part and a non-verbal part which both work together to give the dog a cue that you want him to perform the trick.

Firstly the dog should start off in a sitting position. Give him a single word verbal command such as ‘shake’, whilst at the same time reaching out with your right hand until it is just a few inches from your dogs’ right leg. Your outstretched hand is the non-verbal cue.

Initially your dog will probably just sit motionless unsure of what to do, so with your left hand, gently push or prod his right leg forwards until it rests in your right hand. When he has done this, praise him so that he knows he has done what you wanted him to do.

Practice this trick several times; praising after each successful result and gradually reducing the amount of left hand prompting until only the verbal and non-verbal cues are all that are needed.

Shaking the head: ‘No’

Before you can begin to teach this trick to your dog, you will need to find something which will make him shake his head naturally. Some things which may help are blowing gently on the ear, tickling the ear with a feather or even lightly attaching a paperclip to the ear – remembering that you should not cause the dog any pain.

Once you have found the method which makes him shake his head you will then have to decide on which verbal and non-verbal cue you want to use. A single word such as ‘head’ along with shrugging of your shoulders is just one idea.

Again your dog should start in a sitting position when first teaching him this trick. As in the shaking hands trick, use both cues together, along with the prod (tickling his ear, etc) in an effort to stimulate your dog to shake his head. Once he does, reward him, even if it is just a small movement.

This trick is best learned in short sessions with momentary breaks in between, so don’t try to repeat the exercise more that five times in one session or the dog will become confused and not learn.

Gradually reduce the amount of prodding so that all that are needed are the verbal and non-verbal cues. Once your dog has mastered the trick, he can be progressed to learn it in standing position and laying positions as well.

The main thing with training dogs to perform tricks is for the owner to learn that patience is a virtue and that the dog will learn in his own time. Do not scold the dog if he does not seem to be learning, it is always better to be patient and encourage him more.

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Your DOG Is HYPERACTIVE When You Get Home From Work... What Should You Do?

Dear Adam,

I am a member of the Bouvtrain list. That's how I got your name. I'm almost through your book and it has certainly given me some new ideas. Gypsy is a 1 1/2 year old Bouvier. She is very high-strung but we're working on it. You're absolutely right that it does no good to send your dog away to school. For $900 bucks she now does just what the dog trainer tells her to do. I'm getting a lot better, though.

Titanpit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here's my question. I exercise her in the morning. We play ball for 30 minutes and then we walk a mile practicing sits, downs and stays. At night we play ball for about 15 minutes. I work from 10am to about 7pm. She stays in the kitchen with a dog door leading to a large 6' fenced back yard. She sleeps almost all day and she doesn't sleep at night. She paces and barks. I make her stay in the kitchen (baby gates) so I can get some sleep. I don't know any other Bouviers so I don't know if this is normal or not. She has hip dysplasia and has had hip surgery. I thought it might be pain so tried giving her an aspirin at night. Didn't help. I tried getting up to correct her but she hears me and gets in bed before I get there. Right now I'm just trying to ignore her. The kitchen has a large bay window to the front of the house but there are curtains. She's been doing this for months and I haven't had a full nights sleep in months, either. Would crating her help?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Robbye and Gypsy

Dear Robbye:

Thanks for sending me this e-mail. It's a perfect example as to why simply "ignoring" bad behavior will never work on dogs that care more about pleasing themselves than anything else.

Here are some tips:

When she starts to bark, you'll need to yell, "No!" from your bedroom, and then continue saying, "No, no, no!" as you run to her and administer a correction. It doesn't matter if she climbs back in her bed at this point, as you've already used the word, "No!" as an event-marker. So she'll know what she's being corrected for. As long as you continue saying, "No!" you have an additional 7 to 14 seconds in which the dog will still associate your correction with the behavior.

Put a crate in your bedroom and let her sleep in it. Even though it doesn't seem like much to us humans, dogs think that sleeping together is quality time when they're not alone. This can help with some of her anxiety.

You may also try just putting her on a leash and attaching the leash to the foot of your bed. If she knows a down-stay, you can simply correct her if she gets up. After a couple of evenings, she'll learn that when you bring her into the bedroom and make her lay down, it's time to stay put.

If you don't feel that her hip is bothering her, I would recommend increasing the amount of exercise time. Feed her as soon as you get home from work and then take her out and play ball for at least 30 minutes. An hour would be even better.

If you can't play ball with her for a whole hour, then work her through a very intense obedience routine (heel, sit, heel, down, come, heel, etc...) for about 15 minutes and then play ball with her for another 10 minutes.

When I lived in Berkeley, California I had an American Pit Bull Terrier that was a very high-energy bitch. If I took her to the park on a Monday afternoon and played fetch for a whole hour, we'd later return to my apartment and within 20 minutes she'd be bouncing off the walls again.

However, if I took her out on a Wednesday and we simply did an intense obedience routine for 20 minutes, we'd return to the apartment and she would collapse under my coffee table and not move for the next 2 hours.

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A DOG Is For Life Not Just For Christmas

My family run an animal sanctuary in Birmingham, England. Even though we love what we do, we feel that some people need to realise that a pet should be a long term commitment. They should not be seen as just a bit of fun which they can then get rid of when they get bored.

Puppy in dog carrier
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many people arrive at the animal sanctuary with their pets, which are mainly dogs, with many excuses as to why they are no longer able to look after or care for them. I am sure many of their reasons are valid but am also aware that many others are just an excuse to offload them.

The excuses they give are varied:

I have recently divorced from my husband and can no longer afford to keep this dog as a pet

The dog has started to bite my children

The dog is too difficult to handle and is destroying my furniture

We have recently moved into a flat. One of their rules is that no animals can live in these flats

The dog barks to much and it is upsetting the neighbours

Our other animals do not like the dog

The dog is affecting my health

I am too ill to look after my dog

It is not our role to question these reasons but what we then need to do is to find another suitable home for the dogs. This is easier said than done as we need to ensure that the new owners will be able to care for them, for hopefully the duration of their life.

We also keep many of the dogs as our own pets, especially the ones which nobody else seems to want. One such dog is called Cassie. She is full of life and has been ill treated it seems when she was a puppy. Half of her left ear is missing and she is seemingly quite afraid of men.

Cassie is need of a huge amount of care and attention. She can be too lively at times which is possibly why three people who attempted to re-home her, have bought her back. She is not aggressive in any way but does tend to jump up at people.

What we did with Cassie and what we will continue to do, is to give her lots of love but also a little bit of training of what is good and what is not acceptable. It takes a long time, but she is now able to understand that the jumping is not wanted and that she needs to chill out at times.

Cassie is turning into a wonderful dog to have around the house and now feels for the first time as part of a family.

With a little more patience most other dogs can turn out this way. This is why we want more people to take more responsibility and to give their animals more of a chance to settle into their homes, and to get used to a new set of rules.

Having animals as pets can be very rewarding, nearly as rewarding as having a child. A dog however will rarely answer you back.

If you are having problems with your animals you can always phone up animal sanctuaries for advice and to hear about possible solutions. The people who work there are animal lovers and will help you as much as they can.

If you are unable to continue looking after the pet, the sanctuary should be able to take them off you.

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RAGDOLL CAT History is Stranger Than Fiction

Flame point Ragdoll kitten
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The origins of Ragdoll cats are full of myth and controversy. This cat’s history is often contradictory and confusing; some of the Ragdoll story is just not possible. Other parts we know to be factual. First things first: the Ragdoll cat breed started in California back in the 1960s. It was founded by a woman named Ann Baker. The very first cat of this breed was for all intensive purposes a regular cat named Josephine. Ann Baker noticed something special about Josephine and her offspring.  

She decided to breed for this characteristic. Ragdoll cats get their name from the fact that they go limp like a Ragdoll when held. Ann Baker went so far to trademark the term Ragdoll; anyone who bred Ragdoll cats had to pay her royalties to use the name. 

It is for this characteristic of the Ragdoll cat breed that Ann Baker made her unusual claims. 

Josephine was once hit by a car. On one account Ann Baker claimed she had taken the injured cat to a local University to have her patched up; she asked the University to give her cat new DNA and this is why Ragdoll cats came to be.

Another claim the breed's founder made was that Ragdoll cats feel no pain whatsoever. The reason she gave for this followed suite with her previous claims that the cats were genetically altered and that they were in fact, alien hybrids. Move over x-files, there have been alien-feline hybrids on earth since the 60s.

Other claims made about this breed of cat are that they felt no fear, they are the ideal cat for people with cat allergies, and they do not have cat instincts due to the fact they are alien hybrids.

When it comes to myths about Ragdoll cats, ragdoll history is truly stranger than fiction.

Author: Louie Latour

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How to Stop Your ROTTWEILER From Biting and the Importance Behind It

What’s the best way to Stop your rottweiler from biting?

Some rottweiler owners may need to find out how to stop their rottweiler from biting at some point in their dog’s lifetime and it can be very stressful trying to decide what it takes to avoid having a rottweiler that may be aggressive. A dog that bites is objectionable at first, but as they mature, they become dangerous, not only to strangers but your own family too. If your rottweiler bites at any stage of its life, it is imperative that you act immediately to stop this behaviour. It’s so important from day one of ownership that you don’t allow your rottweiler to become a dangerous dog in any way.

Rottweiler - Photo by El Coleccionista de Instantes 

How to Stop Your rottweiler from Biting as a Puppy

If you buy your rottweiler as a puppy then this is the best time to observe his behaviour so you can quickly pick up on any potential issues. A puppy under six months of age is especially easy to retrain because it is still in the formative years of its life, when dogs typically learn how to bite in the wild.

A common mistake that many rottweiler owns make is they believe that their puppy is simply playing or teething and not actually trying to hurt them. Unfortunately, what is really happening is that your rottweiler puppy is learning how to assert its position in the pack, using its teeth to demonstrate who is boss. You have to begin from day one, whilst your puppy is very open to learning to be able to stop your rottweiler from biting.

There are a lot of methods to stop your rottweiler puppy from becoming a dog that bites. Nearly all of them will mimic how the puppy would be treated with its litter mates and mother. A light nip on the neck, a whining sound when you are bitten, and replacement therapy where you hand your rottweiler a toy instead of your hand are all beneficial ways to demonstrate the dog that biting other people is not satisfactory. If you have problem teaching your rottweiler puppy to stop nipping, you should go to an obedience school or hire a trainer.

How to stop your rottweiler biting at 12 months of age.

At approximately 12 months of age your rottweiler if he has been allowed to continue nipping as a puppy, will then move on to play biting as a teenager. A lot of different things can contribute to this behaviour. You should stop playing physical games with you rottweiler dog right away. No wrestling, tug of war or other authority related games.

It’s also important to not let your rottweiler have the run of the entire house. Crate training can be a great method to restrict their range within the home giving them well needed boundaries. A good obedience training program can be hugely helpful with a teenage dog that bites.

How do we stop your rottweiler biting as they get older.

If your rottweiler continues to get away with their biting behaviour, in time it will turn into a huge problem as an adult. Your rottweiler may “turn on” you their owner, but in reality, the dog always stays himself as the leader of the pack.

If your rottweiler bites or nips at anyone after twelve months of age, you need to find a professional quickly because there is serious danger here and the rottweiler might choose to maintain its dominance at any time with an attack.

When learning how to stop your rottweiler from biting, you need to start at as early an age as possible. I can confidently say that most if not all rottweilers that have biting issues as adults will have had concerns as a puppy. Whilst there are a couple of exceptions ie mental disorders or disease, most of these issues are resolvable with proper training.

By Dory Harvey I have been a dog owner for many years and am truly passionate about responsible pet ownership. I’m biased when it comes to breeds as I cant go past Rottweilers. This breed of dog has such an abundants of qualities and through my own experiences I would highly recommend them to anyone looking at getting a four legged friend. Article Source: EzineArticles

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