Dog Training Basics

Article Title: Dog Training Basics
Author: Matthew Yoho

When training your dog it's important to always remain patient
and level headed. Remember your dog is a dog! He doesn't
understand things the same way that you do. He will not
understand if you yell instructions at him. He will only become
scared of you if you do this. This is not a good way for him to
learn.

Dogs are very habitual. Their lives revolve around ritual and
their internal body clock and routine. They anticipate your
return from work at a certain time. They expect their meals at
a certain time.

You can use this information in your dog training. This sort of
habitual behavior is part of why dog's are easy animals to train
(compared to other animals.) Of course the goal of dog obedience
training is for the dog to respond with a particular reaction to
a particular command.

Because of the habitual nature of dogs it's important that you
be extremely consistent in your training. Do not change things
up on your dog! This will only confuse him. You should go
through your routines with him the exact same way every time.
When you tell your dog to sit you need to make sure that he
does in fact sit before going on to the next command. This
consistency will help your dog training efforts be more
effective.

Perhaps the most important point with dog training is to keep a
level head. You cannot allow yourself to let your temper flare
or to yell at or hit your dog. Not only for the obvious moral
reasons that you wouldn't want to treat your dog in this way
but also because this sort of behavior will make it much more
difficult to train your dog.

Your dog doesn't know how to learn from this sort of behavior.
Your dog will only become afraid of you and it will make it
harder to train him in the future.

Another important point of dog training is to make sure you
reward your dog for a good behavior or for doing a trick in the
correct way. This is important because it helps build your
relationship with your dog and lets them know that you like
their good behavior. Like with all aspects of dog training you
need to be consistent with rewarding your dog.

Of course this does not mean to give your dog a food treat
every time they do something right because that would not be
good for them and would also become very expensive. You don't
need to give your dog the same treat every time just some sort
of treat whether it's letting them play with their favorite
toy, giving them a friendly pat on the head with encouraging
words in a friendly voice, or giving them a food treat.

For more indepth dog training information:
http://www.DogTraining-AtoZ.com

About The Author: Matthew writes for
http://www.DogTraining-AtoZ.com

The Proper Way Of Leash Training Your Puppy

Article Title: The Proper Way Of Leash Training Your Puppy
Author: John Mailer

Puppy traing starts one the first day he arrives.Start by
calling his name requently. Leash training should not be any
problem at all. You can start by playing a simple follow
the-leader game the very first day that your puppy is home.
Follow him around and tell him what a good puppy he is. As soon
as he is comfortable with this little game, reverse it by
getting him to follow you for a while. Call to him, teaching
him his name at the same time. Do what you can to get his
attention such as whistling, clapping, and praising. You may
also bend down and extend your arms to get him to come to you.

In about one week, your puppy will follow you just about
everywhere you go. This is the time to start lhis leash
training by adding a light leash. A show lead is a good,
reasonable priced starter collar and leash combination for fast
growing puppies. Put the leash on him and follow him wherever he
goes while keeping the leash loose. If you are taking him
outside from day one, begin with the leash on every time you
take him outside and play the follow-the-leader game off leash
inside the house.

Follow him, let him explore and sniff around, making sure it is
safe and within his boundaries. After about one week of leash
training, he will happily walk and follow on his leash. Every
time you take him outdoors, encourage him to follow you the
same way you did at home. Playing tug-of-war will not get him
to move if he feels stuck. But if you bend down, extend your
arms to the side, and use your sweetest voice, he will gladly
unstuck himself and run right to you.

Once your puppy learns to follow you around on a leash, you are
now ready for the next step. The next phase to leash training
will have a strong positive effect on the way he bonds to you.
You may do this exercise inside or outside your home: Tie the
leash to your belt and have him follow you wherever you go. He
can follow you while you wash your car, water the plants, or
while cleaning the house. Your puppy will then become literally
as well as figuratively close to you.

At first, you may need to give him a little encouragement to
come along. At any rate, he will catch on pretty fast that he
is tied to you. He will accept the bond and walk along with you
everywhere. You can then tie him on for longer periods and give
him your close company while you teach him to stay near you and
to watch you. He will be learning to keep his eye on you and to
identify with you. This type of exercise will create a
meaningful bonding effect between you and your dog.

Remember to stop your puppy whenever he mouths or bites on his
leash. Firmly say "No" and take the leash out of his mouth
without playing tug-of-war. If he persists, repeat the word
"No" followed by a firm but gentle tug upward with the leash to
free it from his mouth. Don't forget that you should praise him
and reward him continually when he reacts correctly to your
command.

About The Author: John Mailer has written many articles about
dogs and puppies and how to train them.
http://www.basicsdogtraining.com
http://www.beginsnowboarding.com

Choosing The Right Dog Breeder

Title: Choosing The Right Dog Breeder
Author: Michelle Johnson

Deciding to own a dog, whether it is a big dog or a small
dog involves a lot of responsibility. There is more to
having your dog greet you at the door and giving you
unconditional love and the dog owner giving that
unconditional love in return. It's about caring for your
dog, making sure he has a proper diet, grooming, cleaning
up after them, taking them to the vetrinarian for their
health check-ups and shots. Before finding the right
breeder you must decide on the right dog breed for you. A
breed that will fit into your lifestyle. If you have young
children you want a breed that is good with children. Your
living enviornment (whether you live in a house or an
apartment), does the dog need to run alot or are they good
apartment dogs. To research any type of breed I recommend
going to the American Kennel Club website
(www.americankennelclub.org) they have all the information
you need for every breed type.

Finding the right breeder for the dog depends on the breed
you choose. A professional breeder will only breed healthy
dogs to insure that they will produce a healthy offspring.
Most reputable breeders may choose to evaluate your home.
Making sure their puppies will have a safe, healthy and
loving enviornment. Before purchasing the puppy the
breeder will sometimes have you sign a contract, be sure to
read the contract thouroughly before signing. This way if
there are any health problems you will not be held
responsible for their care.

The breeder should have their pair of dogs tested for all
possible diseases as well as knowing each dog's parents
history. This should be kept on file for you (the buyer)
to review. Do not be shy to ask to see the health records
of the parenting dogs and their parents history. This could
be a very important factor as most breeds have some sort
of health problems whether they are puppies or adult dogs.
Again, research your breed before purchasing.

After giving birth, try to visit the breeder frequently so
you can see how well the puppies are taken care of. The
puppies should be taken to the vetrinarian for a health
check and to administer their first shot by the breeder
before you take him home. You also want to see how well
the mother reacts with her pups and how the pups interact
with each other. After visiting a few times you will be
able to see the temperment of the puppies.

When the puppies reach six to eight weeks of age you will
be able to take him home. Have them checked out by your
vetrinarian as soon as possible. Therefore, if there are
any health issues you will be able to discuss it with your
breeder.

I can't stress it enough, research your breed and the
breeder. If you take home a puppy that doesn't fit your
lifestyle or the puppy is sick it can be very heartbreaking.

Remember a good dog is a healthy and happy dog.

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Animals For Adoption - Helping You Find An Animal Companion

Article Title: Animals For Adoption - Helping You Find An
Animal Companion
Author: Linda E. Joy

There are a number of deprived animals for adoption that it is
at times simply hard to believe that lots of people patronize
the pet shops. On the other hand, we humans have done a
terrible job caring for the animals that we claim to love. We
allow so many unwanted new ones to be born and then just have
them put to sleep when they become difficult to take care of.
For those who are considering of getting a new animal
companion, I personally would like to advise as strongly as
possible that you must think of getting one of the animals for
adoption to care for. At the end, you will still have the all
the benefits of caring for a pet, as well as will be making an
important difference in the life of an animal.

In fact there are as many animals for adoption as there are
animals for sale, and perhaps even more. Back then, one of my
first pet I ever had was a rabbit that was up for adoption. It
was simply adorable - a cute brown lop=eared one from a
neighbor down the street. He actually had two pet rabbits and,
so, soon had a number of baby bunnies. A bit too many for them
to handle. For sure, there is never any shortage of animal
lovers for adoption especially if those animals are small,
furry, and delightful.

Of course, the circumstances are much different in the case of
adult animals that have been put up for adoption or critters
who have had a hard go at it. The same applies to traditional
pets, like cats and dogs, become much less popular once they
grow up. Now this isn't due to the fact that people at times
find adult animals for adoption to be less playful or cute than
the babies. People are often faced with several difficulties
adopting a full grown animal and hence people are not prepared
to deal with. It isn't just that people find adult animals for
adoption to be less cute and playful than the babies. Adopting
a full grown animal poses many difficulties that people are
simply not prepared to deal with. Generally they are already
trained to a particular master, and can quite often have
problems getting close to a new owner.

Furthermore, the problem is even worse if the animal for
adoption has suffered abuse at the hands of its previous owners
in the past. Just like human beings, dogs, cats as well as other
animals can be emotionally scarred by being brought up by
abusive people, and in contrast to human beings, animals stand
a very small chance of completely recovering from this early
abuse. Now if you choose to look after animals for adoption
that have been either abused or beaten up; you will more than
often have to anticipate all sorts of problems when raising
them up. Some of them can be downright dangerous! Nonetheless,
caring for a wounded animal can be a surely be a rewarding and
a wonderful experience.

About The Author: Linda E. Joy provides readers with up-to-date
commentaries, articles, and reviews for
http://www.pets-and-all.com, http://www.allmonkeybusiness.com
as well as other related information.

Simple Puppy Training Tips For The First Month

Article Title: Simple Puppy Training Tips For The First Month
Author: John Mailer

Puppy training starts as soon as your new puppy arrives at his
new home. Before you bring him home look at puppy names and
decide what you are callling him. Below is a list of puppy
training tips to guide you during the first month of acquiring
your pet.

Week One: During your puppy's first week home (he should be
around 8 weeks old), it is important to take him for a vet
check up. Sample of his stool is checked for worms and
preventive inoculations are given. As I said puppy training
starts on day one by calling him by his new puppy name.

Set up his eating area as well as his crate or sleeping
quarters. Begin the process of house training as well as collar
and leash training. Watch him while he plays by himself and
observe his style and personality. Play gently and
enthusiastically but avoid rough housing. Say "Ok" whenever you
feed him, hand him a toy or a treat as you walk out the door
with him. Use plenty of praise all the time.

Week Two: As you play with your puppy, gradually add simple
phrases and words into the games. If he is retrieving, say
"Take it "as you throw the object. Praise him when he brings
the object back to you. Say "Out" as he drops it and praise him
again. Continue with "Ok" during meal, for going out, with
playing, housebreaking, leash training, and observing.

Week Three: During the third week of puppy training begin to
correct him gently for nipping and for chewing on shoes, cords,
and furniture. Provide a toy for him to chew instead. Even if he
stays inside the house, be sure to walk him around on his leash
everyday. Always use eye contact. Say "Watch me" to draw his
attention to your eyes. Praise him for looking at you. This
method teaches him to look to you for direction.A great leash
training idea is to begin tying his leash to your belt and have
him trail around wherever you go; starting for a few minutes at
a time, working up to an hour as it becomes easier. This will
help him bond to you and will also help with his puppy
training.

Start teaching table manners, beginning with "No" and "Ok" for
food. Initiate the "Sit" and "Stay", working for no more than
five minutes at a time this week. If you are at home most of
the time, make sure that you leave him alone for short periods
of time during the day to get him used to being alone. Begin to
correct the stealing of food and found objects - keeping in mind
that prevention is your best correction. Correct excessive
barking, noise, and whining.

Week Four: Carry on with all of the above puppy training,
adding more time that he walks properly on leash. Continue
practicing "No" and "Ok" with food no more than twice per week.
Continue to let him explore the house under supervision, both on
and off the leash. Initiate the "Come" and "Down stay" to your
puppy training program. Work with your puppy no more than
fifteen minutes at a time. If he is going out, you may start
teaching him to "Heel" but do it very gently. Get him used to
grooming procedures such as brushing, nail clipping, and
occasional baths. Always make sure that every puppy training
session is run as a game that way your puppy will enjoy himself
whilst being trained.

About The Author: John Mailer has written many articles about
dogs and puppies and how to train them.
http://www.basicsdogtraining.com
http://www.beginsnowboarding.com

Give Your Child A Dog Training Book Before You Give Him A Puppy

Article Title: Give Your Child A Dog Training Book Before You
Give Him A Puppy
Author: John Mailer

My wife and I decided to surprise our son with a new puppy for
his 10th birthday a few weeks ago. He had been asking for a pet
for the longest time, but we didn't feel that he was ready to
handle the responsibility until now. One condition we placed on
adopting the puppy was that my son would be completely
responsible for the dog's care. He would have to take his puppy
for walks, play with it, feed it, make sure it had access to
fresh water, and train it. To help my son carry out his
responsibility, we also bought a couple of dog training books
for him to read.

After careful consideration, we decided that dog training books
would be a better option than obedience classes for a few
different reasons. For instance, we wanted our son to develop a
strong bond with his new pet and figured that using dog training
books instead of obedience classes would allow him to spend more
time with the puppy. In addition, our son would get a bigger
sense of accomplishment from teaching his puppy basic commands
through techniques learned in dog training books. He would be
doing everything on his own and could take full credit for the
way the animal turned out. And finally, we thought it would be
handy to have dog training books around the house for a quick
reference should any behavioral problems come up.

There were so many dog training books at the local bookstore
that it was pretty overwhelming trying to sort through all the
choices. I didn't really know anything about dogs, so had no
idea which trainers or methods were successful and which
weren't. Before making a purchase, it was imperative for me to
find out more about how to train dogs in general. So I went
online to do as much research as possible in the time I had
before my son's birthday. Once I had some good information to
work with, I felt comfortable enough to choose several dog
training books that were appropriate both for my son's age and
for the dog's breed. I also decided to buy a couple of the
trainer's aids recommended in the manuals, including a special
leash and collar.

As I said before, it's been a few weeks since we brought the
puppy home. I'm proud to say that my son has been holding up
his end of the bargain admirably and is really making progress
thanks to the tips and advice in the dog training books. We're
sure that he'll continue to do exceptionally well in teaching
his pet basic commands and more, and we're looking forward to
watching this new friendship blossom!

About The Author: John Mailer has written many articles about
dogs and puppies and how to train them.His main business is as
an internet marketer.
http://www.howtostartonlinehomebusiness.com
http://www.basicsdogtraining.com

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Possible Origins Of Aggression Within Dogs

Article Title: Possible Origins Of Aggression Within Dogs
Author: John Mailer

Aggressive temperaments in canines are usually the result of
both genetics and the environment. A dog's environment can
trigger aggressive behavior, particularly if he has a
propensity toward aggression.

For instance, people often blame a dog's aggression on being
abused or teased by children. Fortunately,during basics dog
training a dog's environment can be modified to protect him
from abuse and teasing.

You can and should insulate the dog's space from negative
interactions and incidents that might prompt aggression you
cannot control. A chain link fence does not adequately protect
the dog when the owner is at work or away because individuals
or poorly supervised children may have access to him through
the fence.

Leaving the dog inside the house or constructing a double fence
or a run far from the street fence are safer solutions.
Protecting a dog from the environment is his owner's
responsibility.

Aggression may also be the result of an injury. An injured dog
may not understand the origin of the pain. As a result, he may
snap at any object, including a helpful hand, that approaches
the injured site.

In cases of extreme pain, the dog may even lunge at anyone
walking close. No matter how gentle a dog's temperament is
under normal circumstances, take precautions such as using
professional handling gloves, a muzzle, or at the least, wrap
cloth around your hands before touching an injured dog.

Females with litters will often exhibit aggressive behavior
around their puppies. Aggression associated with protecting the
young is a natural behavior, so during basics dog training it is
necessary to learn to understand your dogs natural instinctive
behaviour,and understand that correcting the bitch may produce
unnecessary negative interactions.

The majority of bitches will allow trusted individuals to
handle their puppies. Take time to gain the trust of the bitch
before attempting to handle her puppies.

Many bites are the result of an unsuspecting passerby or
visitor invading the dog's perceived territory. No one should
walk into another person's (dog's) yard or house uninvited, and
certainly the house or yard should not be left open for people
to enter.

High fences can prevent children from scaling them to retrieve
lost balls, and security locks on gates are good deterrents for
the average person. Even the mildest mannered dog may feel
threatened by people walking in or invading his territory,
especially when no one is home.

Then again, there may be no apparent provocation for the dog to
bite. This type of attack is known as rage syndrome or
idiopathic aggression, and it is very dangerous. When a dog
bites for no apparent reason, the victim is least able to avoid
the bite. There may be no cues to indicate an impending attack.
This type of aggression has been associated with a few specific
breeds, but there have been reports of unprovoked attacks in
many breeds.

About The Author: John Mailer writes articles about dogs and
the basics of dog training. http://www.basicsdogtraining.com

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The Importance Of Finding The Right Dog Trainer

Article Title: The Importance Of Finding The Right Dog Trainer
Author: John Christian

A good dog trainer should divide the beginners' group into two
parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the
owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge
can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do!
He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new
exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to
encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks
his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be
made to understand that there is always room for improvement.

When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his
reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer
automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides
whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is
an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to
rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with
essential qualities that give him the natural ability to
coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The
result is perfect timing. That is why some trainers succeed
where others fail. When the trainer is definite in his actions
because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he
knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through
admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response
that is proof of one's training personality.

A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to
like obedience! Therefore, the expert is not a bully. He
recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that
each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been
thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps
momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence.
Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient
trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging
and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he
does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The
clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for
the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make
obedience fun for the dog.

A good dog trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good
training class instructor. Some people may train at home and
give private instruction with success, but when faced with a
large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In
the training class it is not a question of working out a single
problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different
problems all at the same time.

The training director must be a likable person and have the
admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy
and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to
teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do
oneself. He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for
several hours before coming to class and to see that they are
exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short
lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the
center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the
males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately
misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the
classroom.

About The Author: John Mailer writes about dogs and the basics
of dog training. All dog problems are solvable.It is just
knowing how to do it. http://www.basicsdogtraining.com
http://www.howtostartonlinehomebusiness.com

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Dog Training Tip - Biting

Article Title: Dog Training Tip - Biting
Author: Terry Bytheway

Most people who own a puppy know how troublesome the biting
stage is. Most puppies face the stage where they bite
everything, and everyone. Your puppy has to be taught not to
bite, or else it may become a danger, to itself, to you, and to
everyone else around you. Biting gets to be less of a problem
when the dog is at a older age but to stop it at a young age,
you have to take the right steps. Just like babies, puppies go
through a teething stage as well.

Most puppies will learn to their biting reflexes from their
mothers and from their siblings. When your puppy gets
overenthusiastic, whether it is during nursing or playing, the
mother dog, or any of the other puppies, will be fast to find a
way to solve it.

Disappointingly, this does not always naturally occur for
puppies. This is partially because many puppies are taken away
from their mothers while they are still young. Due to this, it
makes the new dog owner have to do something about it.

Letting your dog spend time with other dogs is one of the
better ways and more effective ways to teach your puppy the
appropriate behavior. One way of letting your puppy socialize
with other pups is to take him or her to a puppy kindergarten
class if you are financially able or you could always let your
puppy play with a friends dog as well.

The reason why putting your puppy with other pups is a great
way to solve the biting problems is that the other dogs will
correct the issue right away if it happens. Keep in mind that
puppies will bite one and another while playing but it is only
when it becomes too rough that the other dog will take action.
Many experts recommend that you let your puppy socialize with
other dogs before the age of 12 weeks (3 months).

Besides introducing your puppy to other pets, you should also
introduce your puppy to a wide range of different people too.
This includes young children, seniors, men, women, and people
of various ethnic backgrounds. This will help your dog be a
people-person and should tend to be less aggressive to other
people.

Socializing your puppy with other people and animals is not
the only way to prevent any unwanted aggression from your pup
though. Give your puppy toys that he can play with so he can
control his biting. Provide chew toys, ropes, and other toys
that your puppy can chew on because this allows him or her to
take out any anger or just bite on something else. As well,
keep his teeth polished and do not let him chew on things that
he shouldn't, even if it means punishing him.

Make sure that no one in your family or that visits your
household encourages your puppy to bite because training your
puppy not to bite is a consistent process. Even if only one
person lets him or her chew on something that everyone else
does not, this will send the puppy mixed singles and he or she
will think that it is something that is okay to do or at least
when the people who are against it are not around. However you
plan on helping your puppy stop the biting habits, you have to
remember that it takes patience. You can either go about this
by socializing your pet with other puppies or by making sure
chew toys and that such are available but whatever method you
use, be patient!

Best of luck while teaching your puppy not to bite!

About The Author: http://www.dogtrainingtip.co.uk provides free
dog training tips

House Training Your Dalmatian

Article Title: House Training Your Dalmatian
Author: John Mailer

When house training your Dalmatian puppy, you will need to take
him out frequently and at regular intervals: first thing in the
morning directly from the crate, right after meals, after the
puppy has been napping, or when you notice that the puppy is
looking for a spot.

Choose more or less the same place to take the puppy each time
in order to establish a pattern. If he does not go immediately,
do not return him to the house because he will probably relieve
himself the moment he is inside.Stay out with him until he has
finished; then be generous with your praise for his good
behavior.

During basics dog training if you catch the puppy having an
accident indoors, grab him firmly and rush him outside, sharply
saying "No!" as you pick him up. If you do not see the accident
occur, there is little point in doing anything except cleaning
it up, because once it has happened and been forgotten, the
puppy will most likely not even realize why you are scolding
him.

If you live in a big city or are away many hours at a time,
having a dog that is house trained to go on paper has some very
good advantages. In order to do this, proceed the same way as
taking the puppy outdoors, except this time you place the puppy
on the newspaper at the proper time.The paper should always be
kept in the same area.

A simple tip during basics dog training to paper train a puppy
is if you have a playpen is to line the area with newspapers;
then gradually remove a section of it until you are down to
just one or two.

The puppy acquires the habit of using the paper; and as the
prepared area grows smaller, the dog will usually continue to
use whatever paper is still available. It is pleasant, if the
dog is alone for a long period of time to be able to feel that
if he needs it the paper is there and will be used.

The puppy should form the habit of spending a certain amount of
time in his crate, even when you are home. Sometimes the puppy
will do this "voluntarily, but if not, he needs to learn to do
so, which is done by leading him over by his collar, gently
pushing him inside, and saying firmly, "Down" or "Stay."

Whatever expression you use to give a command, stick to the
very same one each time for each act. Repetition is very
important in dog training as well as association with what the
dog is expected to do. When you mean "Sit" always say exactly
that. "Stay" should mean only that the dog should remain where
he receives the command. "Down" means something else again.

Do not confuse the dog by shuffling the commands, because this
will create basics dog training problems for you. As soon as he
had his shots, take your puppy with you whenever and wherever
you can. Nothing builds a self-confident, stable dog like
socialization, and it is very important that you plan and have
the time and energy to do this.

About The Author: John Mailer writes articles about dogs and
all aspects of basics dog training. His topics are varied so if
you have a new puppy or just a disobedient dog you will find his
advice useful http://www.basicsdogtraining.com

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Understanding The Symptoms Of Heartworm In Dogs

Article Title: Understanding The Symptoms Of Heartworm In Dogs
Author: Kelly Marshall

Heartworms are found almost around the world, with the most
problematic regions being the warmer, more southern climates
including most of the United States. Heartworms can infect
dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals and this
is what makes treating this condition so difficult.

Life Cycle

The heartworm starts its active life in the larva stage in a
mosquito. The mosquito acts as both the host and the carrier
for the parasite as it pulls the larva up when it draws blood
from an infected animal and then deposits into a healthy dog or
animal when it bites again. Once the larva is in the new animal,
they burrow into the dog, seeking a blood vessel. They enter the
blood vessels and travel to the right side of the heart by blood
movement through the veins. Once in the heart the heartworms
anchor themselves and grow. They can reach lengths of up to
twelve inches and look like cooked spaghetti in the dog's
heart. They restrict the movement of blood through the heart as
well as cause respiratory and other circulatory problems.

When the heartworms mature in the heart they then begin to
produce eggs. This maturation process takes about six to eight
months. A single female heartworm can produce thousands of live
larva a day. These larva are then released into the arteries and
carried to the outer areas of the body where they remain dormant
for up to three years. They simply sit in the body and wait to
be drawn up by a mosquito, where they in turn become active
again and infest another dog when the mosquito bites.

Since there are so many wild animals and untreated domestic
pets it is hard to control the spread of the parasite.

The Treatment

Thankfully there are several monthly pills or topical
applications that can be given to dogs to prevent heartworms
from living in the body, even if the dog is bitten by an
infected mosquito. The treatments can also cure heartworms
infestations in dogs provided the animal is otherwise healthy
and the infestation is not severe.

A vet will blood test the dog to check for the presence of
larva in the blood. Some dogs may carry the larva but may not
have active infestations, whereas other dogs may have minor
infestations but have very serious symptoms.

Generally the symptoms of heartworm infestation include:

·Coughing

·Inability to exercise without wheezing, coughing or retching

·Abnormal lung sounds

·Loss of consciousness

Generally if the symptoms are noted the infestation is already
severe. It is always best to keep the dog on heartworm
treatment from about the age of seven months on through their
life to prevent the condition from developing.

If you live in an area where heartworms are not a problem and
you are planning to travel to an area where they are with the
dog be sure to start the dog on treatment at least one to two
months in advance. Talk to your vet and determine which option
for treatment is best for your dog.

About The Author: Kelly Marshall is a popular pet author. See
more of her work at
http://www.buzzle.com/authors.asp?author=2151

Pet Friendly Hotels

Article Title: Pet Friendly Hotels
Author: Mark Hammond

It was not too long ago that it was nearly impossible to travel
with your pet. No matter what type of pet it was, cat, dog, or
another type of pet, they were absolutely not tolerated in
hotels, at least not the upscale, more trendy hotels. If you
were traveling with your pet, it meant that you generally only
had the choice of low budget, less trendy hotels. Things are
definitely changing for the better.

Hotel chains are beginning to realize that for most pet owners,
their pets are a big part of their family. This means that it is
very rare for a pet owner to travel without heir pet. Take a
look around you, at celebrities, and other people. You will see
that more often than not, their pets go with them everywhere
they go, this includes on vacation.

Hotels are seeing this and stepping up to the tasks. Many hotel
chains now not only accept pets, but also have several amenities
geared directly towards pets. For instance, if you are out and
about at meetings or functions, the hotel may have someone to
watch your pet for you until you return.

For busy people, the hotel may also provide a service for
walking your pet or taking them for exercises. If that was not
enough several of the more trendy and upscale hotel chains
offer even more for your pet. For example, you may find the
hotel offers a pet spa, in which your pet can enjoy pampering
and relaxation during their vacation as well. Your pet can
enjoy all the same amenities that you do in some of the more
popular hotel chains.

Can you imagine the time has finally come when pets are
considered a very important member of the family? Your pet may
have their own bed; turn down service, or even their very own
robe. The hotel may even provide water and food dishes for your
pet or even an ID tag that lists the contact information of the
hotel you are staying at, in case your pet were to become lost.

Gone are the days of having to choose only seedy or low budget
hotels, just because you are traveling with your beloved pet.
Today, pets are welcomed at most hotels across the world.

About The Author: Article written by Mark Hammond of National
Hotels http://www.nationalhotels.co.uk UK Hotel Finder and
Travel Resource.

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How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer

Article Title: How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Author: Kelly Marshall

Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that
requires a fair amount of research and consideration. How your
trainer works with both you and your dog will impact your
relationship with your pet both during the trainings sessions
as well as in the future. Many owners have hired a trainer only
to find out they don't agree philosophically with the methods
that the trainer uses or are completely opposed to some of the
exercises the trainer uses.

To avoid these issues be sure to answer the following questions
about your trainer:

1.What qualifications does he or she have?

There are numerous training certifications and credentials that
trainers may hold depending on where you are located. Check with
other breeders, groomers or even vets and other dog owners to
find out what trainers are in the area and then research their
credentials on the internet or from the various credentialing
bodies.

2.What references does the trainer have?

Does the trainer have any particular awards or recognition for
their school or training program? Are they endorsed by a kennel
club, breed organization or other organization? Most trainers
will have references that will allow you to contact them and
talk to regarding their training process.

3.Does the trainer use only positive methods or do they use
punishment-based training?

Most trainers no longer use any punishment based methods and do
not encourage yelling, physically punishing or using corrective
devices such as choke collars, shock collars or other
potentially harmful devices with the dogs. Clicker training,
behavior modification training and reward training methods are
all positive based and works on a dog's natural behavior and
the relationship between dog and owner.

4.Will the trainer let you sit in on a class or private
session?

This is often the best way to see how you will do under the
trainer's guidance. Is the trainer positive to the owners and
the dogs, or does he or she seem to become upset, frustrated or
even angry with the participants? Would you be comfortable in
the same environment if you were treated that way?

5.Finally, does the trainer offer flexible scheduling and what
is the cancellation or no-show policy?

Many trainers have a 48-hour cancellation policy and a
non-refundable no-show policy if you simply don't come to the
class. Other trainers will refund you the cost of lessons that
you don't attend. Some trainers will insist that you attend a
make-up class before you can proceed with your original class
as everything builds on the previous lesson.

Be sure to meet with the trainer in advance and feel
comfortable with them before you commit to lessons or leaving
your dog in their care. In addition find out if they need your
dog to be housed with them during the training or if the dog
will remain with you.

About The Author: Four out of five dog trainers recommend
shopping at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com for dog beds & dog
feeders.

Guide To Crate Training A New Dog Or Young Puppy

Article Title: Guide To Crate Training A New Dog Or Young Puppy
Author: Kelly Marshall

Crate training is one of the best possible things that you can
do for your puppy. Not only will the puppy be easier to
housetrain but overall you will have a happier, more secure dog
that has his or her own place to sleep and stay both when you
are home and when you are away. Crate training is also an asset
when you plan to travel with your dog or puppy. Crate training
keeps the animal calm on airplanes and also keeps you pet safe
when driving. Crates can be attached to seats by seatbelts and
harnesses similar to how children's car seats are fastened into
the car. Just like car seats they prevent injury to the dog in
the case of a sudden stop or an accident.

Crate training does not happen overnight, and does require both
work and attention by the owner. Crate training should never be
used as a punishment for a mistake or a bad behavior, or the
dog or puppy will see the crate as a bad place and this will
defeat the whole purpose of the training. To start the crate
training in the most positive way start very slowly and only
progress at the rate the puppy is comfortable with.

Picking The Right Size Crate

Depending on how large your puppy will get it will usually make
sense to buy the size that will fit the full sized dog rather
than having to buy multiple crates as your puppy grows. It is
important, however, if the puppy is small and the crate is
larger that you limit the space in the crate for the small
puppy or he or she will simply use one end for the bathroom and
one end as the "den". To make a large crate smaller a mesh
screen or piece of wood can be used and then slide to give more
room as the puppy matures. When necessary it can be completely
removed to give the older dog full use of the crate area.

The idea size of crate, or crate area, is about the length of
the dog when it is down, paws extended. Most crates come in
standard widths that will allow small dogs to really stretch
out but may require larger dogs to sleep in a coiled position.
Dogs should be able to stand up comfortably in the crate
without the top of the crate pressing on their head or
shoulders.

Giant or very large breeds of dogs will generally outgrow most
commercial crates before they completely mature. Some specially
made crates for large breeds are available on the internet and
through breed associations or even pet stores.

Getting Started

Getting started means just familiarizing the puppy with the
crate. Make sure the crate is the correct size and that there
is comfortable bedding in the crate. Start by sitting with the
puppy in front of the open crate. Place a treat, with the puppy
seeing the placement, into the very front of the crate. When the
puppy reaches in to get the treat say "Crate" and the puppy's
name, just once. Allow the puppy to take the treat out of the
crate, and do not close the door. Do not try to keep the puppy
in the crate longer and make no comment when the puppy exits
the crate. Next time repeat the process putting the treat in
far enough the puppy must step in completely. Again, when
approaching the crate say "Crate" and the puppy's name, and
then say "Good Dog" and the puppy's name when they are in the
crate. Allow them to exit when they want and ignore the exiting
behavior.

Gradually feed a few treats through the side of the crate to
encourage the puppy to stay. Always allow him or her to exit
when they want, but only praise the going in behavior, never
the coming out!

Within a few days the puppy will be comfortable in the crate
for a few minutes. Try closing the door but only for a minute
at a time, staying right beside the crate. With the puppy's
comfort level leave the crate door closed for longer periods
and begin to move away for a few seconds, gradually lengthening
the time.

Never return and open the crate when the puppy starts to whine
or bark, as this will encourage this behavior. Wait until the
puppy is quiet before taking him or her out of the crate. Never
leave a puppy in the crate for more than 2 to 4 hours at a time,
especially when they are small and are not yet housetrained.

About The Author: To make the crate comfortable for your puppy,
consider purchasing a new crate mat or crate pad. Find some
stylish ones here:

http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-mats-crate-pads

How To Choose Your Dog's Name

Article Title: How To Choose Your Dog's Name
Author: Bart LeToad

One of best things about buying a new puppy and owning a dog is
the fun you can have with your family in choosing a name. If
your pet dog is going to be just a family pet and you have no
intentions of trying to train them to be a show dog. I
personally like to stick with simple, one syllable names. Your
dog is going to learn several voice commands during its
lifetime, and it's always best to keep their names simple. For
example, I personally have three dogs and their names are Norm,
Bob and Gus. Now if you decide that your dog is going to be a
show dog, there's a little bit more to consider when choosing a
name.

Usually, if you have purchased your dog from a reputable
kennel, the name of the kennel becomes the first part of your
dog's name. An example of that would be something like
Pendergrass Norm. If you break your dog yourself and obviously
you would want to use your own kennel name. Keep in mind that
the AKC also known as American kennel club does not allow
duplicate names. So you will want to be as original as
possible. If for some odd reason, you have selected a name that
is already in use. They will ask you to change your dog's name.

If you decide to go the show dog route, you'll want to pick as
flamboyant and original name is possible to attract attention
to your dog during the show. This will reduce the chance of you
duplicating another dog's name. A good example of this would be
something like Pendergrass Liberty Bell, and then when your dog
is at home rather than calling at Pendergrass Liberty Bell. You
can do shorten it down to Bell. That keeps it simple for you as
well as your dog.

Now, if your dog just going to be the everyday family pet. Like
I mentioned before, single syllable names are the best route to
go. I base this on the training that you and your dog will
receive in the commands they will have to learn. A name like
Gus or Bob is easy for the dog to remember and recognize just
like the commands they will learn such as sit, stay, come and
heel. Have fun with picking a name, used people names, if you
want to. Some folks like to name their dogs after their
favorite beverage. Others like to name their dog based on their
dog personality. Our dog norm got his name because he reminded
us of Norm on the show Cheers.

You now know the basics of naming a dog in with these helpful
tips should be a will choose a name that will suit your pet.
Not only at home, but in the ring.

About The Author: For more information on dogs and
http://www.pet-super-store.com/dog-supplies.php, please visit
our site http://www.pet-super-store.com/dog-supplies.php

.

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Tooth And Dental Care For Dogs

Article Title: Tooth And Dental Care For Dogs
Author: Sandy Schneider

One of the most important things we can do to protect the
health and actually promote longevity in our dogs is tooth
brushing! Dental health is critically essential for wellness
of the major systems of the entire body! More on this and other
dog care subjects can be found at
http://bichonworld.com/bichon-dog-articles.html.

Imagine what would happen to us if we didn't brush regularly
each day! We'd have horrible breath, of course. But even worse,
the resulting periodontal disease would mean multiple and severe
health problems. The same is true for our 4-legged best friends.

Did you know that periodontal disease is the most common
infectious disease in dogs? (This is also true for cats).

Studies indicate that more than 85% of all dogs 4 years and
older suffer from periodontal disease! Not surprisingly, then,
it is reported that by 3 years of age, 85% of dogs have begun
to experience some phase of gum disease.

The progression of the disease begins with the formation of
plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms in the mouth at
the gum line. Amazingly, 1 milligram of plaque contains more
than 1 trillion bacteria - disease causing bacteria!

Plaque left on the teeth hardens into tartar which sticks to
teeth like cement. The tartar leads to gingivitis, or gum
disease, a condition in which actual gum damage begins. The
gums become red and swollen, not to mention painful! Once this
happens, the gums start to recede from the teeth, creating even
more space for bacteria to grow.

Periodontal disease is now "off to the races" with a variety of
very harmful effects. The roots of the teeth loosen as infection
starts to cause bone loss. In smaller dogs, like our Bichon
breeds, the bone that holds the teeth is thinner than that of
medium-sized and larger dogs, so gum disease is likely to be
even more of a problem for them.

Perhaps the most devastating and deadly effects of periodontal
disease occur as the bacteria enters our companion's
bloodstream through the mouth and gum tissues. This leads to
damage of tissue in the heart, kidneys, and liver, and even the
lungs and nervous system.

Unfortunately, it is a little known fact that neglecting the
dental health of our beloved little buddies can cause
potentially fatal heart-disease, kidney-disease, and
liver-disease.

The good news is that all this can be prevented! However,
please, don't be fooled into thinking that using dry dog food
and providing bones or other chew toys is an effective solution
for the necessary dental hygiene!

To maintain a healthy mouth and to prevent the serious
conditions that result from ignoring dental needs, 2 things are
needed:

* a tooth-brushing routine (preferably daily), and
* periodic professional cleaning by your veterinarian.

There is more good news! Tooth brushing can be done very
quickly. Also, there are a variety of tasty doggie toothpastes
and gels on the market to make our task easier. (Be sure to
avoid using "human toothpaste" since those products are made to
spit out and not to swallow!)

Although the thought of daily tooth-brushing for your dog might
seem a little daunting at first, you'll find it very quick and
easy once it's become a habit. Just keep in mind that what
you're doing is adding to the quality and years to your best
friend's life!

About The Author: Sandy Schneider, author, writes on a variety
of subjects of interest to dog owners and fanciers. Please
visit her http://www.bichonworld.com/bichon-dog-articles.html
site soon. Please go to http://www.bichonworld.com

.

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First Dog Vet Visits: How To Avoid A Nightmare

Article Title: First Dog Vet Visits: How To Avoid A Nightmare
Author: Kelly Marshall

Taking your dog or puppy to the vet doesn't have to be
traumatic provided that it is handled and managed well right
from the very first encounter. Most puppies will already have
been to the vet at least once, about a the six to ten week
stage to get their first set of vaccinations and to have a
quick physical examination. However, some breeders may do their
own vaccinations depending on local regulations and laws
regarding the sale of some of the vaccinations.

Even if the puppy has been to the vet with the breeder it is
still important to start your puppy or dog's relationship with
your vet as positively as possible. This can be done by
following a few simple steps and avoiding any trauma or
stressful conditions while in or at the veterinarian's office.

To prepare your puppy for the vet visit first:

·Take your puppy or dog for a good long walk prior to going to
the veterinarian's office. If you are concerned about worms,
and with a puppy this is definitely a concern, try to bring a
fresh stool sample in a small zip lock plastic bag. The vet
needs the sample to check for microscopic worms, eggs or larva
in the stool. Just a small amount is required but it will speed
up the process and prevent you from having to make another trip
on at a later date.

·If your puppy or dog is used to a crate be sure to put them in
the crate both for the ride over as well as to go into the vet's
office.

·If the puppy or dog is not crate trained or is too large for a
crate be sure to have them on a lead or a leash. Even well
trained dogs may become frightened and run, or may become
aggressive with other animals in the vet's waiting room.

·If you know that your dog is aggressive towards other pets
leave them in the car, notify the staff that you are there, and
then wait to bring the dog in until the vet is ready.

·Stay with the dog in the examination room and pet and talk to
the puppy or dog in comforting tones.

·Bring a few treats and let the vet give the treats to the dog
or puppy. Most vets will have their own "healthy" dog snacks
and this is a great way for the dog or puppy to enjoy a trip to
the vets.

Be aware that the vet will weight the dog or puppy, take a
rectal temperature reading, check the dogs ears, eyes and skin,
check the genital areas, palpitate the abdomen and listen to the
dog's heart and lungs with a stethoscope. In addition the vet
will check the dogs teeth and gums and may also take samples of
skin cells, blood or other body fluids if they are concerned
with issues such as mites, heartworm or other parasites.

These examinations do not cause the dog any pain, and even the
vaccinations are just a slight needle prick, not anything
painful. By making the first visit positive and enjoyable for
the dog or puppy you are establishing a great relationship
between the dog and the vet that will be ongoing. Always make a
big fuss and give lots of praise to the dog for a good trip to
the vets. On the way home consider a stop at the park for an
extra bit of exercise or play as a great way to wind up the
trip.

About The Author: If your puppy behaves nicely at that first
trip to the vet, reward him with a cool looking dog bed or dog
feeder from Oh My Dog Supplies! Visit
http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-beds today!

Take Five: Five tips to track down your canine soul mate

Title: Take Five: Five tips to track down your canine soul mate
Author: Emma Snow

There is a right and a wrong way to pick a pooch. The
process is a little like dating. The few who find
fulfillment in love are those who use their hearts and
their heads. There is a special kind of nirvana when a
person connects with their canine soul mate. They weren't
fooling when they called dog "man's best friend." But such
unions don't happen by mistake. A little careful
preparation will go a long way. And to simplify your
search, we have five suggestions. we've borrowed a little
Hollywood lingo to make the tips more memorable.

TAKE ONE! That is, take stock: This is the time to look
around you, before you even start thinking of bringing home
Buddy. Let's consider your life from a dog's eye view. Who
lives in your house? Are there members of the household
under twelve or over seventy? What about other pets?
Analyze the chemistry of your household for a moment. What
words describe your family? Are you fast-paced and active,
or low-key and friendly? In case you didn't know, getting a
dog is a little like adopting a child. They have their own
personalities. Think about what personality would jibe best
with your bunch.

Next evaluate your living space. Dog owners exist as
apartment dwellers or cattle ranchers. While the size of
your pad shouldn't ultimately determine whether you're
canine-compatible, it should at least be a consideration.
Take Phoebe for example, a spoiled golden retriever who
lives comfortably in a tiny Brooklyn brownstone. The
arrangement works because her owner is an active walker and
doesn't mind taking three or four spins around the dog park
every day. And don't think that just you have a huge
backyard means you're best fitted for a border collie. Even
hyper-active dogs will mope around waiting for someone to
play with. Whatever your accommodations, if you rent or
belong to an HOA, you may need to check the pet policy
before entertaining the notion of getting a dog. (Many
renters allow dogs, but limit size or breed.) While looking
at your house, consider your neighborhood. What is the
noise level on your street, and how close are your
neighbors? Your dog won't be living in a bubble. Social by
nature, dogs react to the environment all about them.

Now that you've inspected your digs, how much time do you
spend there? Is there someone home all the time? In this
day and age that's highly unlikely. Look at work and school
schedules, and don't forget holidays! How often do you
vacate the property? Do you plan on taking the dog with
you, or do you need to check out the local kennels?

Before you move on to take two, it would be prudent to
anticipate future lifestyle changes. How likely are you to
move? To get married? To break up? To have children? Dogs
don't disappear when your life takes a turn. You don't want
to end up leaving Poopsie at the pound just because you
didn't think that far in advance. Dogs live ten to fifteen
years or more. While it's impossible to know for sure, it's
wise to consider where you think you might be.

TAKE TWO! Take advantage: There has never been a better
time to learn about dogs! The world is at your fingertips.
A thousand on-line quizzes can quickly narrow the field and
recommend breeds that would fit your particular lifestyle
and limitations. Your search just got a thousand times
easier. Jot down the top ten, and do some research. First,
look at pictures. What do you think? Is that a face you can
love? Physical attraction, after all, does factor into
finding a soul mate. Read as much as you can about the
breeds you feel drawn to. Don't stop at the internet. The
library and the pet store have an endless variety of books,
magazines, and videos to assist you in your search. Even
better, talk to other dog owners. Ask them what they like
(and don't like) about their dogs. Go to a dog show, sit in
on an obedience class, or call a local breeder. Take
advantage of every resource you can to learn more about the
breed.

TAKE THREE! Take interest: Get involved in the dog
community. Make it a family affair. Volunteer at a local
shelter. This gives the kids a chance to experience the
responsibility of a dog. You may even consider fostering a
dog looking for a home. Attend adoption days; ask the
neighbor if you can play Frisbee with her whippet. All this
interaction with dogs will allow you to see quirks that may
not have been so apparent in your reading. Hidden expenses
should also begin to be evident. What kind of equipment is
needed to keep this kind of dog happy? Make sure to ask
about health and grooming-related costs. Different breeds
have different needs.

TAKE FOUR! Take your time: Now is not the time to rush into
a relationship, but you are getting closer to a commitment.
Start putting out feelers. If you plan to get a pup from a
breeder, find out when the next litter is due. If you have
your heart set on a particular breed, but want a mature
dog, you may want to look into breed rescue groups. They
have some great animals that already have some training,
and are a fraction of the price. And don't forget that
sometimes those mixed mutts lead the pack! Spend some
quality time in the kennels. Many shelters allow a few days
or a week adjustment period before tying the knot.

TAKE FIVE! Take cover: You think you've found the one?
Hurray! Just remember that every relationship takes time
and effort. Sign up for obedience classes and arm yourself
with a little more patience than normal. Take it easy on
yourself, knowing that if you've taken our advice, you'll
be just fine!

----------------------------------------------------
Emma Snow, an animal lover, works in marketing for Dog
Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall
http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet
management.

The HOME PET, Our New "Minor Children'' in the American Family! The Law, the Implications For Pets

Title: The HOME PET, Our New "Minor Children'' in the American Family! The
Law, the Implications For Pets
Author: Benjamin Anosike

What? A "Pet trust"? Pets as our "children"? We are
supposed to consider including our pet animals - dogs,
cats, birds, etc - as "family members" and "loved ones" who
should be covered in our testamentary trust or will and our
estate planning? Aren't these just mere "animals"?

Well, not quite so any more these days!

Americans own a huge number of pets, including about 68
million dogs and 73 million cats, according to a 2000
estimate by the American Pet Products Manufacturers
Association. What is even particularly fundamental,
however, from the sociological standpoint and the
transformation of the American society, is this: That for a
great many Americans, and a growing number of them, their
home pets are now considered a bona fide "member of the
family," and not just "animals" any more.

An October 1999 survey by the USA Today newspaper, for
example, found that more than 66% of American pet owners
said they consider their pets "a member of the family." In
a more recent survey by the American Animal Hospital
Association, a whopping 84% of American pet owners were
reported to think of their animal companions as being their
kids.

In deed, a more telling indices of the dramatic evolution
of the pet from mere 'animals' towards the highly exulted
status of a 'family member' in the American society, is the
general attitude of the pet owners towards their pets and
simply the way they treat, regard and relate with their
pets. For example, according to surveys, some 79% of pet
owners allow their pets to sleep in their beds with them,
while 3% of them even count pets in the number of IRS
withholdings they claim for tax purposes. The evidence is
simply astounding: 50% of American pet owners talk "baby
talk" to their pets; 37% of them carry a picture of their
pets in their wallets; 27% of them include their pets in
their testamentary trusts or wills; while 8% buy health
insurance for their pets. There's more. Nowadays, the
"custody fights" over pets among divorcing couples who own
pets, are among the most hotly contested issues in divorce
proceedings; pet owners now throw lavish wedding and
birthday parties for dogs, cats, and other pet animals,
more adults today have pets than children, and so on and on.

Summed up simply, just about all those kinds of special
rights, privileges and actions that have traditionally been
reserved for and directed towards protecting and caring for
human children, are, today, now used to protect and care
for pets, as well. In other words, gradually but surely,
there is now in the American society a new and increasingly
significant kind of "family members" and "children." It's
called the NON-human or pet animal family members and
children!

And that brings us to this major question: how has the
American law evolved in response to this developing new
sociological reality in the American society? In terms of
providing our new-found pet animal "infant children" the
essential legal rights, care and protections as would be
fitting for our human "infant children"? Suffice it simply
to say, that a new specialized area of law has developed in
the American jurisprudence pertaining to this issue. One
significant aspect of it is what is known as the "pet
trust" law. In point of fact, the American pet owners have
for centuries expressed concerns and interest in
establishing an estate plan for their animals in the same
manner as people plan for their spouses and children, but
that general impulse had for so long been resisted by the
State legislatures and the Courts based on one legal
rationale or the other. However, beginning in the 1990s,
under the guidelines established by the National Conference
of Commissioners of Uniform State Laws, State legislatures
(at least 40 of them as of 2006) and the courts have
adopted laws which address precisely those concerns and now
permit the creation of trusts specifically for the custody
and care of designated pets and their offspring in times of
the incapacity or death of their owner.

Basically, with a legally valid 'pet trust,' you (the pet
owner) can make specific provisions as to the care of your
pets in the event of your disability or death, and provide
for a reliable caretaker and funding arrangement for the
pet all of which will be legally enforceable by the
courts. Thus, with the "pet trust," a relatively recent
estate planning tool applicable for pet animals, you can
assure that in the event of any such emergency, your pets
will not likely wind up in the shelter or pound somewhere
awaiting euthanasia, but will be taken into a safe home and
will be properly cared for by a responsible, caring
caretaker.

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Benjamin Anosike holds a Ph.D in Jurisprudence, national
authority on self-help law techniques (author, 2 dozen
books on various topics of American law), estate planning
expert, author four texts on estate planning, his latest
book is "Pet Trusts & Wills: How to Legally Guarantee that
Your Pet Will Be Protected & Cared For If You're
Incapacitated or Gone." For more on the topic, the book or
author, visit:http://www.EstatePlanAndTrustForPets.Com