TOILET TRAINING a CAT - pros, cons and guide

Panther, a toilet-using cat, photographed in San Francisco on 22 August 2005. He is ten years old and has been using the toilet since the age of six months. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cat toilet training in easy steps:

Toilet training your cat is an easier task than you might think.  Several techniques can be used for training your cat to use the toilet, and you can even buy products that will assist you in toilet training a cat.

The advantages of cat toilet training:

Teaching your cat to use the toilet can hold several advantages for any cat owner.  The biggest advantage of having your cat use a toilet is that eliminates most of the disadvantages that using cat litter holds.  Cat litter is expensive.  After toilet training your cat, you won't ever need to buy cat litter again.  Cat litter boxes need to be cleaned regularly or they will become smelly.  With cat toilet training, the water in the toilet masks most of the offending smell and all you need to do is flush regularly - much simpler and easier than cleaning a litter box.  Going away for weekends or holidays also becomes easier for your neighbour - instead of asking someone to clean out the litter box,  all they need to do is flush your toilet once in a while (when they come around to water your plants and feed your cat).

How to toilet train a cat (do it yourself):

Toilet training your cat depends entirely on the cat's personality.  Toilet training sociable cats that love being praised make the training task much easier.  You might want to adapt the toilet training technique described below to fit your cat's personality.  Training your cat to use the toilet can take anything between 2 weeks up to 3 months, depending on the individual cat's personality.

Cat toilet training basically consists of a simple procedure: gradually moving your cat's litter box closer and closer to the toilet, finally placing a bowl with cat litter inside the toilet, and removing it altogether when your cat is comfortable and used to it.  Toilet training a cat is a gradual, step-by-step process, consisting of making small changes to the location of the litter box and only continuing to the next step when your cat is entirely comfortable with its current situation.  You might have to wait for anything between 2 days or 3 weeks before moving to the next step in cat toilet training.  You might even have to go back a step once or twice when it turns out that your cat wasn't ready to move on to the next toilet training step.  Beware - cat toilet training takes a lot of patience!

Cat toilet training steps:

1. Start gradually moving your cat's litter box nearer to the toilet until finally it should be next to the toilet.  Ensure that your cat is always comfortable and sure of its litter box's location.

2. Now start elevating the cat's litter box.  Put something non-slippery like newspapers or cardboard underneath the litter box.  A normal rate to increase the height of the litter box would be about 5cm a day, but be very attentive to signs that your cat is not comfortable with the current height, and adjust the pace of raising the litter box accordingly.  The cat litter box should be raised until it is at a level height with the toilet bowl.  Throughout this process it is very important to keep the toilet lid open and the seat down, because your cat will get used to it and might even start climbing on the toilet seat in order to reach its litter box.

3. Move the litter box to rest on the open toilet seat.  Keep it there until your cat seems comfortable with this arrangement.

4. Buy a metal bowl or tray that will fit snugly inside the toilet bowl.  It would be advisable for the metal bowl to have small draining holes.  Fill the bowl with cat litter (preferably the flushable type).  Now remove your cat's litter box entirely.  If you have reached this step successfully you are very close to having a toilet trained cat!

5. While your cat is using the metal bowl inside the toilet, be attentive to where its paws are.  The goal is teaching him to squat with all four paws on the toilet seat rim.  You can move the cat while it is using the toilet and praise it (or reward it) when it is sitting in the correct position.  Normally the cat will first sit entirely inside the metal bowl, then with front paws on the toilet seat, and finally it should sit with all four paws on the toilet.

6. Start using less and less cat litter.  This can get smelly, so be sure to clean the bowl after every time your cat uses it.  Cats scratch in sand or cat litter to cover up the smell (this is out of instinct), so if the bowl becomes too smelly your cat won't be comfortable using it (and you probably wouldn't be comfortable with using your toilet either).  Using flushable cat litter makes cleaning the bowl very easy - just throw out the contents in the toilet and flush down, rinse out the bowl, refill with correct amount of cat litter and replace.  A handy tip is to place newspaper on the floor around the toilet to help keep the room clean should your cat scratch in the cat litter.  Decrease the amount of cat litter in a pace that your cat feels comfortable with.

7. When you basically don't use any cat litter inside the bowl anymore, start gradually filling the bowl with water.  The water will also help mask the smell so your cat will be more comfortable using the toilet.  Be attentive to your cat's behavior through this whole process - if your cat stops using the bowl inside the toilet, you may be moving on too fast and might need to go back a couple of steps.

8. When the water level in the bowl has reached about 4cm and your cat has no problem using it, it is time to remove the bowl entirely.  Your cat should now be toilet trained.  Remember to always leave the toilet seat up and flush regularly!

Products to assist you in toilet training your cat:

There are several cat toilet training kits available on the market.  They basically consist of a tray that fits inside the toilet, and with a hole in the middle that you can gradually make bigger.  When choosing a cat toilet training kit, ensure that you buy quality.  The cat training kit should not be flimsy and should be able to support your cat's weight even when the hole becomes large.  Be aware of cheap, flimsy products you buy at toy stores or pet stores because if your cat falls in, it might lose interest in toilet training completely.

The disadvantages in toilet training your cat:

Not everyone agrees that cat toilet training is such a great idea.  They argue that it is unnatural for a cat to use a toilet, as it goes against their natural instincts to cover up their smell.  Toilet seats can also be slippery and there might be the risk of your cat injuring itself.  Even if your cat doesn't fall in at all, he may become anxious whenever he uses the toilet and going to the toilet can become an unpleasant task.

A litter box also has the health benefit in that it's easier to monitor your cat's urine for signs of infections or sickness.

Moving locations will also be harder for the cat because a litter box can be moved easily but the cat will first need to get used to using the new toilet.  With some cats, this is no problem and they can become comfortable with the new toilet very fast, while other cats might be less adaptable.

Things to remember when toilet training a cat:

The most important thing to remember is that the toilet training should be done gradually.  Be very patient and never rush to the next step until you are sure that your cat is completely comfortable with the current setup.

Make using the toilet as easy as you can for the cat.  Always remember to keep the toilet seat up and the bathroom door open.  When you have guests, ensure that they also know about considering your cat.  Flush the toilet regularly as cats do not like using smelly toilets.

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Is A BAVARIAN MOUNTAIN HOUND The Dog For You?

Bavarian Mountain Hound  Deutsch: Bayrischer Gebirgsschweißhund (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I had never heard of a Bavarian Mountain Hound before my partner, Anton, broached the subject of getting one. We already had two black Labradors, a terrier, and two cats. As far as I was concerned, our animal family was complete.

All our animals worked. The two Labradors worked with Anton during bird season for retrieving pheasants, woodcock, snipe, and duck. The terrier would catch any rats around our farmhouse and the cats caught mice and left their headless bodies on our front step. Anton, however, felt there was a place for one more animal in our pack; a Bavarian Mountain Hound to help him track live and wounded deer during deer season. Similar to a Beagle in size but reddish-brown in color with a black face, it has a short coat and weighs about 70 lbs when fully grown. Hunters use this breed when they are tracking deer to shoot or when they wound a deer but it is still able to run. They are bred for tracking deer across mountains in Bavaria and can track a wounded deer for miles.

I took a lot of persuading. The animals we had already been costly and very hard, albeit rewarding, work. Bavarian Mountain Hounds are relatively new to Ireland, so it was difficult to find other people to ask questions about the breed. I researched as much as I could online and while I didn't find anything objectionable about them, I still wasn't sold. Due to them being a rare breed in Ireland, we knew that if we wanted one, we would have to go on a waiting list. Anton made some preliminary calls and to his disappointment, found there was only a handful of breeders in Ireland and their puppies were all booked for that year. I was relieved because it meant I had more time to make sure that this was the breed for us. I had a few specific concerns about the breed. Firstly, we live in a rural community and I had read that they were unreliable off lead if they caught a scent. We let our dogs run freely around our home often and I was afraid a Bavarian Mountain Hound would run too far afield, or worse, chase neighboring sheep.

We went about our lives and put the dog out of our minds. A few weeks passed when a breeder from Northern Ireland got in contact with Anton. He had been let down by someone who had booked a male puppy and wanted to know if we would be interested. We talked it over for a few days and Anton had some long conversations with the breeder and eventually, we decided to go for it. The puppy was eight weeks old when we decided we wanted him. The breeder recommended we name him now and collect him when he was sixteen weeks, that way he could do some preliminary training with him. He also invited Anton up for a day to do some hunting so he could see the mother and father work. We were both happy with this arrangement and decided to call our new addition Riley.

Bavarian Mountain Hound Deutsch: Bayrischer Gebirgsschweißhund (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A few weeks later, Anton made the long trek to Northern Ireland to collect Riley. He met his mother Heidi and his father Alfie and spent some time with the breeder learning about our new pet. When they arrived home, I met Riley at the door and fell in love instantly. Gangly and shy at first, he followed me into the living room and crawled up into my lap.

Riley definitely was not what I expected the breed to be. All the research I did before we brought him home was useful, but I had so much more to learn. He was adorable, as all puppies are, with his big dark face and long clumsy legs. We kept him by our sides for the first few days as we had done with all our puppies. Unlike our other puppies, Riley was very calm and not prone to the random bursts of excitement we had experienced with the Labradors and terriers. He loved our company and contrary to the mad Beagle type dog I was expecting, he was lazy and loved to lounge by the fire. At night, he went to his pen in our shed beside the other dogs and didn't cry or bark. It was a far cry from the separation anxiety all our other dogs had experienced and in short, I couldn't believe our luck.

Our first insight into the negative traits of the breed was a few days after we brought Riley home. He was so calm and didn't seem to suffer from anxiety at being in the pen at night, so we thought nothing of leaving him alone in our living room while we went to do our shopping. We pulled our curtains so the cats couldn't tease him at the window and left on our short trip. This was a big mistake. When we returned home, I noticed straight away that the curtains were now open. On closer inspection, they weren't open. They had been ripped in half. Yes, our wonderful, calm, placid, puppy was, in fact, a normal puppy after all.

Riley is nearly a year old now and the Bavarian Mountain Hound is my favorite breed of dog. He is loyal, smart and a fantastic hunting companion to Anton. They tracked many deer together this season and while he is lazy and loves to lounge by the fire at home when hunting, he is dedicated and engaged and can go for miles. As he demonstrated by destroying my beautiful curtains, he hates being on his own and is very destructive when left inside alone for any length of time. As I write this he is curled up beside me with his head on my shoulder. 

He is fiercely loyal and loving to his owners, as is typical of the breed. He gets along with the other dogs but he definitely sees himself as more of a human than a dog and seeks out human companionship above canine. His hunting instinct means the poor cats get chased if they cross his path, but he is gentle and loving with children. He's no guard dog, where the Labradors and terrier will bark the house down if they hear someone outside, he will barely lift his head from the bed.

If you are considering adding a Bavarian Mountain Hound to your family, there are a few things you should seriously consider. Do you have an interest in hunting? These dogs are scent driven and it is in their nature to hunt. They enjoy tracking above all other forms of play and exercise. Do you have plenty of time to spend with the dog on a daily basis? This breed adores their owners and gets very upset when they can't be with them. Can you commit to loving and caring for a dog for approximately fourteen years? If you can answer yes to these questions and decide to adopt a Bavarian Mountain Hound, you will find yourself a loyal and loving companion for years to come. Adding Riley to our family was one of the best decisions we have ever made, I hope this article helps you to make the right decision for your animal family.

By Laura Regan - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Keeping Your GOLDEN RETRIEVER Healthy

A Golden Retriever at 12 years old with hip problems (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once you have helped your Golden Retriever build up his immune system, he will be healthy and strong enough to fend off any type of illness.  There are ways that you can help your Golden with his immune system, which is more or less what you feed him.  If you care about your Golden Retriever and want to help him develop a strong immune system - you’ll find this information very helpful.

When you feed your Golden, give him some homemade food.  You can substitute this for canned food, or mix it in together.  Homemade food tastes a lot better to your dog, and it contains a lot of the nutrients and vitamins he needs.  When you give him water, give him spring water.  Although many prefer to give their Golden water from the faucet, spring water is actually a lot better for him than any other type of water.

When you give him a treat or a bone, you should always give him raw bones with plenty of meat on the bone, as they will help him to develop a strong set of white teeth.  Teeth are very important with Golden Retrievers, which is why you want to make sure that his teeth stay strong and healthy.  If you give him a bone a day, he will have plenty to chew on to keep his teeth healthy. You can also use chew toys as well, especially when you are playing with him, as they will help him to develop strength in his jaws.

You can also help to keep your Golden Retriever healthy by knowing a bit about health problems that he could have.  This way, you’ll able to keep track of what your vet diagnoses.  If your vet tells you something that is wrong with your Golden, you should know a little bit about what he tells you, and how you can help to take care of the problem.

To help your Golden Retriever avoid any type of reproductive problems, you should look into having a male neutered.  Reproductive problems are common with Golden’s and can lead to more serious problems if you don’t do something about it.  If you aren’t planning to breed your Golden Retriever, you should have him neutered as soon as you can, to help prevent any type of reproductive problems.

If you take care of your dog and keep him healthy, he will live a lot longer.  You should always strive to keep your dog healthy so he can live a pain-free life.  As long as you feed him a proper diet and let him get plenty of exercises, he will stay strong and healthy.  Golden Retrievers that grow to be strong and healthy make great pets, as they can join you in exercise and provide plenty of fun for your entire family.

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CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL - Information Guide

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Photo: Pixabay

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very popular throughout the world and now ranks as one of the most sought-after toy breeds. A closely related breed is the 'King Charles Spaniel'. The most obvious difference is a more compact facial shape, but it also has a clearly domed skull when compared with the Cavalier. The 'Cavalier King Charles' was bred to be a slightly larger size and the face shape is the main feature distinguishing the separate breeds today.

Cavaliers have a friendly personality and delights in the human company of any age. They are wonderful with children and make a loving companion for anyone at times when just wanting to sit and relax. They are not very athletic compared with larger spaniels but have a playful side to their nature, especially if they are introduced to games and play from an early age. They will also enjoy a short daily walk as their exercise routine.

Cavaliers have a life expectancy of 10-12 years however the breed also has a tendency to put on weight as they can be greedy and prone to obesity. In turn, this may predispose them to diabetes and heart problems to which they are susceptible, so it is important not to let your Cavalier become overweight as this may worsen especially later in life. Whilst training your Cavalier alternatively you can use healthy options like pieces of carrot or apple instead of other food treats.

Regular grooming is needed for Cavaliers to keep their flowing silky coats in good condition. A slicker brush and comb will remove any tangles through the coat. They tend to get matting or knots around and behind the ears, so this will need to be trimmed or snipped away. As Cavaliers have long ears it's important to make sure their ears are kept clean from moisture and mites. So during bathing them, you need to hold their ear down or put cotton wool in each ear to avoid getting water in the ears. The ears can be cleaned with medicated ear powder and stray hairs to be plucked away from the inside of ears. The eyes can be wiped with cotton wool that has been moistened with eye stain remover. This will also help remove stains around or under the eyes. The tips of toenails can be cut ensuring not to cut the quick.

Grooming your Cavalier King Charles needs to be done every 6-8 weeks. The ears need to be checked weekly and cleaned if necessary and toenails should be checked and cut during the full grooming session.

The colorings of a Cavalier King Charles are Chestnut Red and White known as 'Blenheim', known to be the original strain developed at Blenheim Palace in the 1700's. Other colors are Black and Tan, Red (known as Ruby) and also the Tri-Colour - (Black, White, and Tan).

They will generally grow to about 30.5cms (12inches) height at the shoulder and an average weight of 5.5 - 8kgs (12-18lbs) when fully grown.

The Cavalier King Charles makes a great family pet or a loyal loving companion to be by your side and is one of the best breeds you could ever share your life with.

By Andrea M C - Article Source: EzineArticles

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https://pixabay.com/de/hund-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-2442253/

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Helpful Tips For BLUE PITBULL Breeders

Photo  by Mikkel Rask 

Dog breeding could be a good business to get into. Many people who are looking for pets always go for canines because of their sweet and affectionate disposition. Aside from being just a pet and a member of the family, they can also serve a particular purpose. There are breeders who specialize on a particular lineage. But as you grow in terms of business, you will find that it would be more beneficial if you make try to go for different breeds.

There is a process that you have to follow when you do the breeding process. And there might be a difference when you have to breed different types canine. For you to be guided, you always have to think about the various characteristics of each dog when you administer the breeding. It is also important that you know how to do it well. Many blue pitbull breeders encourage many individuals to also breed dogs of this lineage.

They got their name from the bluenoses of these animals. But not all of these things have blue noses. Even if they do not have the same trademark as most of the dogs in this breed, they are still considered to be in the category. So do not be surprised if you see dogs that do not have blue noses.

This breed has existed long before. And during the earlier times, dogs with this kind of build were often used for entertainment sports. The only thing about these sports is the fact that it is too brutal that many dogs ended up dying in the arena. Although this activity was stopped, they ended up carrying a bad reputation for their participation in these games.

If someone is going to purchase this type of dog from you, you have to make sure that they are active people as well. This is very important since these canines are very active and have a lot of energy in them. They are not perfect for lazy owners since this would make them not sociable and potentially dangerous.

They are sometimes dubbed as emotional dogs because they can be very sensitive. If you hurt them or try to make fun of them, their reaction will be the same to that of a human being. But it is very advantageous for you to have them around especially if you are living alone. They can easily relate to your emotions since they can react the way you do.

They may appear intimidating and mean at the first look. And their built is also not very helpful in making them more approachable. However, they are known to be very affectionate to humans especially to kids. If you have them trained well, they can be a wonderful playmate to your children and a good companion for the rest of the members of the family.

Training them is very important since this is the only way you would get them to behave the way you want to. This will also remove the edge on their temperament and would make them totally harmless. All of the negative the traits that they have will not be encouraged if they are trained and taught well. It would be easy for them to socialize.

But if you are going to adopt them because you want guard dogs, then you might fail in your objectives as they are too friendly in terms of people. When they feel that a person is not threatening them at all, they can easily make friends. But they do not like the sight of other animals especially dogs.

About the Author: Ericka Marsh You can visit www.bluefirepits.com for more helpful information about What Blue Pitbull Breeders Should Remember

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Fact Sheet: SAMOYED Dog

(Original Title: Samoyed Dog Breed)

Photo by scottfeldstein

Description.

The Samoyed are medium-sized dogs, with muscular bodies', and a height for the male dog of 21-23° inches which weigh in at 45-65 pounds and the female bitch stand 19-21 inches with a weight of 35-50 pounds. They have a fairly fluffy coat that hides a great deal of their muscular definition. Their deep-set bowman shaped eyes are a dark colour and are set a little on the wide side. With a medium to long tail which they carry rolled on their back. The feet are flat and have an ample covering of hair, with the legs being muscular and solid. But it is a double thickness and very dense the longer hair is set within the thick undercoat and is harsh in feel. Their neck is exaggerated by the hair and appears to form a ruff, which would keep the neck warm in their native climate.

History. 

The Samoyed is a very old breed, even ancient. They were native to Siberia and used by the hunters and fishermen. Some were used as sledge dogs, which doubled up as security by guarding the homes and also used in the herding of reindeer. It was common to these dogs to sleep with people in the household, to keep them warm. The dogs were first taken to England by the famous explorer Robert Scott, in 1889. The breed was further refined in England and started its worldwide spread from there. The breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1906.

Temperament. 

They tend to be a happy-go-lucky friendly dog, with a playful nature. They can become very devoted to their owners. They integrate well with others and unfortunately get on with pretty much anybody, I say unfortunately because this will include anybody who tries to burgle your house. However, all is not lost because their excited barking will alert you to a stranger being near, but it will be up to you to tackle them. As with most dogs training needs to be started as early as possible, and the dogs' master needs to assert themselves over this dog, in a calm friendly but firm manner. They are in themselves a stable breed but do require a lot of exercises both physical and mental. If adequately trained and cared for these dogs are exceptional in their good nature.

Health issues. 

The breed is particularly prone to hip dysplasia and is known to be at risk of diabetes. Along with a predisposition to skin allergies and PRA affecting the eyes, they are overall a fairly healthy breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

Grooming. 

You only need to see their coat to realise that they are going to require extensive brushing and combing. As seasonal shedders, they moult very heavily, and brushing and combing of their coat should probably be conducted more frequently during the moulting season. Most commonly though, normal grooming will keep your dog clean so frequent bathing will not be a requirement.

Living conditions. 

Whilst these dogs can adapt to living in an apartment, if they are exercised well, they are quite active indoors and if your space is limited this may be a problem. They do not tolerate hot weather very well, which means you may well have to exercise them more gently in the summer months. They do integrate well with families and can be great with children, just bear in mind their boisterous nature may cause a few tumbles during its play time if he gets too excitable. However, other pets in the house should not be a problem, but it is a good idea to supervise when small animals are available.

By Scott Allan Lipe For more information on different Dog Breeds, Dog Training and Teacup Puppies for sale including Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Morkies please visit our websites below. Samoyed Dog Breed Article Source: EzineArticles

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BRIARD - Dogs of the World

Briard - Dogs of the World

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BRIARD - Basic Details You Ought To Know

Briard in der Farbe fauve (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Briard, also known as the "Berger de Brie", belongs to the herding dog breed group. They have a shaggy coat that looks like a haystack. The breed is thought to have first existed during the 1300s where guarding homes and sheep is the reason they were first used. In the modern day, they are a popular selection as a family guard dog, herding sheep, police work or search and rescue. Attributes like their shaggy coat and fearless nature are what they can be instantly recognized by. Their earlier ancestors are the Berger Picard, Beauceron, and Barbet and they are assumed to have first existed in France during the 1300s.

They're categorized as a large sized dog. The official male size is 75-100 pounds and a height of 23-27 inches, while the female measurements are 50-65 pounds and a height of 22-25.5 inches. Their temperament is recognized as being protective and loyal. They're usually reserved or suspicious with people they haven't met before, and this means they are suitable as a guard dog. Compared with all other breeds, they're recognized as being quite smart and score 30th when being trained to understand new obedience instructions.

They are suitable for a family pet, as they're gentle towards children. They don't get along peacefully with other pets such as other dogs and they may become aggressive with them. Taking care of their coat is a demanding assignment. They require proper grooming every 6 to 8 weeks, and frequent brushing through their coat once every day. They like having a good yard to run around in, but can be suitable for living in an apartment.

As with the majority of large-sized breeds, they're by and large shorter-lived with a life expectancy of 10-12 years. Their most severe health problem is hip dysplasia, and they are also vulnerable to eye problems, bloat or hypothyroidism. Hobbies such as agility, herding, swimming or jogging will give them great pleasure. To avoid the development of destructive behavior, they should be taken for long walks every day because of their medium level of energy.

If you bring home the Briard you should be willing to give them firm leadership and a lot of grooming. They are less suitable for multiple pet households, but a perfect choice for active owners who can be their confident leader. Perhaps the best fact regarding this particular breed is it makes a good family watch dog due to its protective and loyal nature.

By Brent A McCoy If you are keen to learn more information about the Briard and other similar topics take a look at this page. Article Source: EzineArticles

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CAT CONSTIPATION

A basic litter box and a bag of litter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Normally a cat has bowel movements once or twice a day. If the pet does not do it or strain to do it with hard feces, the cat is suffering from Constipation. It is a very common problem with cats and an occasional bout of Constipation is nothing to worry about.

But when a cat is chronically constipated it needs serious attention. As the cat's age, they are more prone to this problem. There are quite a few causes of Cat Constipation. Obstructions like hairballs, tumors and foreign bodies stop the movement of the feces inside the colon, and the fecal matter builds up. This becomes a hard dry mass and distends the colon, which loses its ability to contract and expel feces. This condition is known as megacolon.

When the cats are constipated they behave in a typical manner. They run to their litter box quite often and strain to pass stool. They make noise and start licking the anal area. They lose their appetite and become sluggish. Vomiting and passing a small number of liquid feces is quite common.

If the Constipation is not very severe, an enema will clear the colon. Hard impacted feces may have to be physically removed in a veterinary clinic under anesthesia. The intravenous liquid is also given to prevent dehydration.

After the bout of Constipation is cleared, the underlying problem, like an obstruction in the colon, has to be tackled. For the cats suffering from megacolon or an untreatable or unknown problem, a management regime has to be adopted. A high-fiber diet increases the bulk and assists in bowel movement. Increase the liquid consumption of the cat by feeding canned cat food rather than dry. Milk and soup can also be tried. We have to try and get the cat to consume liquid by a means that the cat likes.

If the megacolon is advanced, no amount of management can make it propel the stool to the exit. The only alternative is surgery. The colon is removed, and most surgeries are successful.

By Kristy Annely - Article Directory: EzineArticles

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How to Start Training a Dog for Agility

An Irish Terrier in an agility competition. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As a rule, agility training should start while the pet is still a puppy. However, owners could still facilitate training with older dogs. The question "when is the dog considered old for agility training" is central to choosing when to start training the dog. 

Being "old" greatly varies from dog to dog, from the extent of a dog's experience to the innate and natural tendencies it has. In short, there is no specific age at which the dog should be restrained from training.

However, it is always far easier to start training with much younger dogs since their learned behaviors are still not rooted in their habits. 

For choosing old dogs for training, the handler should not create the impression that the dog would no longer learn so there's no need to waste time. The attitude of the dog as much as that of the trainer is both highly essential to faster learning. The more dedicated and patient the owner is the faster the dog learns. 

There are several approaches to starting training for agility. A few of which are discussed here briefly:

Physical exercise

The introduction to agility training should start with physical exercises. If the handler has enough interest to dedicate to training the dog, the age will no longer matter for it is the condition that will rule over. Simple exercises like jumping or hopping may agitate the dog and encourage him to move a little bit. For puppies, these exercises are much easier to do since they have enough energy to use. 

Let him play around

Like teaching little children, the easiest approach to agility training for younger puppies is to turn the exercises into a series of games. The majority of puppies are capable of passing through tunnels and chutes so take advantage of this chance and introduce the tunnels, obstacles and the training area itself as a huge playground.

This approach will create positive impressions on him which will also prepare him for future training. 

Promote his agility

If you don’t have a sufficient area for setting up obstacle courses, it is best to use certain games that also encourage agility. Simple equipment like improvised tunnels or walls could be made to augment training. 

Keep it short

Dogs don’t experience passion when it comes to activities but they have the innate desire to please their owners. This means that they don’t get devoted unless they are rewarded for good actions they have made and that you show your favor for their actions. Their attention span is also very limited so they could not continue training for extended hours.

If you want to start training your dog for agility, establish the rule that you should keep each training session and each lesson as short as possible. You don’t have to finish everything in one sitting. You should divide each exercise into sections that the dog could easily understand. Also never end on a negative note. Always ensure that the dog finishes each exercise with praise.  

Training your dog for agility does not lie on how old or young he is, it lies in the foundation of responsiveness, independence, drive to work alone and to follow the command, and your desire to work with him with enough patience and knowledge of his capacities. 

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Providing Quality Food for your FRENCH BULLDOG

A French Bulldog with a litter of puppies. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is nothing quite like having a dog at your home. But sometimes, a dog can be a bit of a nuisance too. So if you’re not ready to have a dog just yet, then put your plans off owning one off first. Some people would rather not have a dog just yet even though they are ready for it because they don’t have enough space to spare, but with French bulldogs, with their small stature, even a small home or condo would be sufficient for them.

But aside from providing them with enough space, another consideration and responsibility of owning a dog are providing them with ample nutrients through the food they eat. Like babies, homegrown dogs need to be provided with their food, they tend to lose their hunting instincts and needs to be taken care of. So if you want a healthy dog that would be able to live a long and quality filled life, make sure that you will be able to provide it with top quality food. And remember, quality food doesn’t always mean its expensive, you can be able to provide good food for your French bulldog without having to break your piggy bank.

For French bulldog puppies, it is always best to provide them with dry dog food. They don’t only dispel the nutrients better, but they are also good for the developing teeth of your puppy. And like humans, French bulldog puppies can be picky at times, so it’s also a matter of trial and error which would be able to help you find which dog food your Frenchie will actually eat. No matter how nutritious the dog food is, if your dog won’t eat it, then it’s useless.

When you are picking out dog food, read first the labels, there should not be excessive fillers. The ingredients should always contain protein as French bulldogs have muscular bodies that need protein to maintain its healthy body. If you’re able to, try to mix in your dog’s diet some homemade food, this will ensure that there are no chemicals are included in their dinner. A raw diet containing vegetables would also be good for them. This will help prevent the many different health conditions that plague this particular breed.

If you can afford it, try to get the premium brands of dog food. There are fewer fillers in them, but, if you want to save some money, find a dog food that you can afford and compare their labels. See if there is not much of a difference. And when transferring one dog food to another, make sure that you do it gradually. Try to mix in the new with the old bit by bit. This will help your dog to get accustomed to the new taste.

You can try to ask your breeder as well to help you out mixing homemade dog food. They have the proper knowledge in mixing dog food as this is more cost-effective than purchasing canned dog food, and healthier too.

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Disorders your DOG May Inherit

Bitsy - A blue basset hound (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A vital part of good prevention is to know the common types of illnesses and disorders associated with particular dog breeds. For dogs, the parts of their body that are most frequently affected by congenital problems are the central nervous system, the eyes, the muscles, and the bones. For instance, the Beagle, Collie, miniature Poodle, German Shepherd, and Keeshond are more likely to inherit epilepsy.

Different types of nervous system disorders are often passed on within certain breeds. Examples are paralysis of the front and back legs, which is common in the Irish Setter, a failure of muscle coordination common in Fox Terrier, and abnormal swelling of the brain is common in the Chihuahua, English Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel.

A great number of common breeds suffer from congenital eye abnormalities including glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness.

Breeds such as Basenji, Basset Hound, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Cairn Terrier have a high risk for inguinal hernias (gut protrudes into the groin). Umbilical hernias (gut protrudes through the navel) are inherited defects in breeds like Bull Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese, Basenji, Collie, Weimaraner, Airedale Terrier, and Pointer.

In order to keep health problems in your dog from getting serious, you need to detect them early. Therefore, it is necessary to give your dog a basic check-up about once a week. This check-up takes no more than a few minutes, and it can help prevent problems as well as expenses down the road.

Start with a body rub. This makes your pet comfortable. While giving him his rub, check for any signs of flaking or scabs which can be a sign of parasites, a skin disorder, or allergies.

Also, check for any lumps and bumps. Although they are a normal part of aging in dogs, they can also be a symptom that there is something wrong. Check for any swelling that could indicate parasites, heart trouble, or cancer.

His breathing should be smooth and quiet unless he is panting. If his breathing is raspy or rattling, he could have a respiratory problem.

Your dog's heartbeat should be regular and strong. To check for his pulse, place your hand against his chest by his left elbow. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply it by four. The rate should range between 60 and 160.

Lastly, examine his ears, eyes, and mouth and check for any signs of abnormalities

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3 easy to teach DOG TRICKS

Photo  by wantmorepuppies 

To teach your dog tricks even easy ones you need to have some small reward treats, be in a quiet suitable place and keep the training sessions to 10 - 15 minutes or your dog will start to get bored, remember when he gets something right lots of praise and a reward treat, just be careful not to get him overexcited or he will lose concentration.

Getting your dog to give you his paw, first get your dog to sit, then as you say the word 'paw' take your dogs paw in your hand, give the dog a treat, repeat this, after a few times do not take his paw so quickly, say the word, count to one then take it, you should notice he is bringing his paw up as you say the word if he does not go back to saying it at the same time, do it a few more times then slow your response again. After 2 or 3 sessions most dogs pick this one up quite happily.

The high five, like a lot of tricks the high five, is a progression of an earlier trick, in this cast the paw trick. Hold a treat in your fingers and raise your hand slightly higher than you would for the paw trick. Your dog will think you want to do the paw trick and will reach for the treat with his paw as we taught him earlier, as he reaches up you say “high five” and give him the treat. Once your dog has mastered the paw trick this one should be very easy to learn and with just a few sessions he will be doing it on hand signal rather than voice control.

Getting your dog to jump through a hoop before you start this one I would just like to ask you to be a little sensible and not hold the hoop too high as you do not want your dog to heart himself while doing the trick. Sit your dog on one side of a hoola hoop, get the dogs attention on your hand on the other side of the hoop take a treat in your hand and give the dog the command to release him from the sit, at first he may attempt to go around or under the hoop, if this happens to start again, your dog wants the treat and will soon learn that going around or under does not get it so he will soon start going through it, when he does say hoopla and give him the treat. 

He will soon be jumping through the hoop on the command of hoopla. When I started doing this trick I had a medium sized dog (a Labrador) so I started with the hoop 6 inches from the ground and slowly raised it to waist height, if you have a smaller dog you might want to start with the hoop touching the ground so the dog just goes through the hoop and then slowly raise it as he gets used to the trick.

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A DOG'S DIET Influences Oral Health

Charcoal dog biscuit, marketed as Winalot Shapes (a mixture of biscuits). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Your dog is your very best friend.  Every single time you walk through the door your dog is so happy to see you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you.  How can you show your pet how much they mean to you?  Well, one way is to take care of that smile for your pet.  Did you know that your dog's diet can influence their oral health?

Humans need to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition.  Research has recently shown a link between good oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease.  If good oral health can have such a profound affect on people, then it only makes sense to consider the impact it can have on man's best friend.

It is important to brush your dog's teeth frequently to keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue.  Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.

Your dog's diet also plays a role in your pet's oral health.  Do you typically feed your dog canned or dry dog food?  What kind of treats and toys do you provide for your pet?  All of these things can affect the likelihood of trouble with your pet's teeth.

When your dog's diet is nutritionally sound, containing essential vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, your pet's oral health will be at its very best.  Feeding dry dog food rather than a moist canned variety is best for your dog.  The tiny kibbles' hard surface rubs against the teeth to remove and reduce plaque.  The simple act of moistening the dry dog food with water or gravy eliminates this property from dry dog food.

The treats you give your pet are part of your dog's diet just like snacks are part of a person's diet.  As humans, we tend to want to overlook our snacking habits, so it can be easy to overlook the treats you give your dog.  This is not a good idea.  Carefully consider any and all items your dog will consume.

Do you give your dog bones, rawhides, jerky treats, or dog biscuits?  Maybe your pet prefers greenies or corn starch chews.  You may not have considered it, but tossing Spot a rawhide chew is like giving him a candy bar.  The rawhide, for example, contains calories and is often provided between meals.

Many of the treats and snacks you provide in your dog's diet can be just empty wasted calories.  Some treats, alternatively, provide excellent opportunity to improve oral health.  Greenies, rawhides, bones, and hard dog biscuits all help to keep tartar at bay.  The softer snacks, such as jerky treats, do not provide much relief from plaque.  The healthy treat, on occasion, will also prevent your dog from having bad breath.

Your dog's diet must be healthy to ensure excellent oral health.  Dry dog food is best whenever possible.  Don't forget to select treats for your pet that will enhance your dog's diet.  Consciously monitoring your dog's diet will positively influence your  best friend's oral health.

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Could Your Dog Have WHIPWORM? How To Detect And Treat Whipworm In Your Dog

Egg from Trichuris vulpis (canine whipworm) seen through a microscope at 400x. The egg is operculated at both ends. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When it comes to keeping your canine companion healthy both inside and out, it's important for owners to know which parasites see your dog as the perfect host.

One of the lesser-known parasites that pose a danger to dogs is the whipworm. Whipworms, like most parasites, are resilient. In egg form, their hard shells allow them to survive outdoors in the soil for years at the time. In many ways, whipworms are like hookworms, but instead of ending in a hook shape, one end of this worm tapers to a narrow, whip-like point.

Unlike hookworms, whipworms can't enter the body through the skin. The only way for your dog to contact them is by eating the eggs. Whipworms exist throughout North America, and transmission is easy if your dog has any contact with other dogs. The long-lived eggs can show up in the soil, dog toys, discarded bones and water dishes. Once eaten, whipworms then grow to maturity inside your dog's digestive system.

When they reach maturity, the adult worms fasten themselves to the large intestine and the cecum, a transitional pouch between the large and small intestine. Here, these nasty little parasites slash and puncture the intestinal walls in order to feed. The female starts to lay her eggs, which the dog excretes through the faeces.

Symptoms for whipworm resemble those for other worms, such as hookworm. Many dogs can carry a certain number of whipworms without showing distress, but past a certain point, your dog may begin to exhibit signs such as a dull coat, anaemia, rapid weight loss, and a loose and bloody stool. He may also begin vomiting up a yellow-green substance. In very severe cases, the worms may begin to puncture the intestinal wall, to the degree that the intestine begins to stick to the body wall. In this case, you might see your dog licking and worry his right flank.

When you take your dog to the vet, it may take some time to diagnose him with whipworm. Whipworms lay eggs only intermittently, and even when they’re actively releasing eggs, any diarrhoea in your dog can make the eggs hard to find. Typically, vets will perform four stool samples over four days before ruling out whipworm.

If your vet finds whipworm eggs, she'll administer a potent dewormer. But all whipworm dewormers on the market are only effective against worms in their adult form. As a result, you'll probably need to re-treat your dog.

There are no simple and effective ways of removing whipworm eggs from the soil around your house. However, a contaminated environment can infect your dog over and over again. The best way to combat reinfestation is to make sure your dog's quarters are sunny and dry since whipworm eggs require moisture. Try to place him in an area of fresh new gravel, pavement or soil.

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