Take Your Pet On Vacation

Article Title: Take Your Pet On Vacation
Author: Peter Wilson

Did you know that Americans are more carrying about their pets
than any other country in the world? They would actually prefer
to travel with their pets. You will find that there are
thousands of people who would rather travel with their pets then
live them at home. They will want to take their pets to hotels,
parks, and even travel with their companion animals. You will
want to do some research before you decide to take your pet with
you during your trip. You will want to make sure that your pet
is allowed to travel with you.

There are many instances where dogs will be able to go for car
rides and most cats are not. You will find that you can take
dogs to places where you can't normally take a cat. That is why
dogs are considered to be the number one travel companion. You
will want to make sure that your pets are allowed to be with you
so that you don't get the bill for the kennel. You will want to
make sure that the dog or cat is able to travel with you
publicly; you don't want to take a pet that is afraid of the
outside world or has panic attacks. Here are some tips on how
you can make traveling with your pet safe and possible.

First, you will want to take the cat to a veterinarian. You
will want to get a certificate of health. You can prove that the
pet is current on all of the shots and you may want to get a
micro-chip installed below their skin so that you can track them
if they get lose. The chip is very important if you are
traveling out of the state. In addition, you can bring your
pets medication with you when you take it to the vet. They will
give you enough meds for you to get through the entire trip. In
addition, you might want to have more just incase they are lost
of stolen.

You will also want to make sure that your pet is socialized. If
your pet does not like others, you may want to travel in a
kennel or cage so that they feel safe while on the trip. Again,
you will only want to take your pet somewhere if they are well
behaved. You do not want to take your dog if they love to bark
or have bitten anyone in the past. You will want to make sure
that you also bring the kennel so that the dog or cat does not
ruin the hotel by going on the carpet or chewing things up.
Remember, you will have to pay for the damage.

You will also want to make sure that you make the reservations
at the hotel in advance and you will want to ask them if pets
are allowed. There are many people, who just assume that the
hotel is pet friendly, but you will want to find out before hand
or you may need to rush out and find a place for the hand. Your
pet should also put a collar with tags on the animal at all
times. You will also want to place your rabies tag and other
tags like the dogs name and your information. In addition, you
will want to travel with your pet by car. You will find that an
airline travel is very stressful.

About The Author: Concentrating recent findings in Benidorm,
Peter Wilson writes articles primarily for
http://www.alicante-spain.com . His writings on Costa Blanca are
published on http://www.alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca.html in
addition to other web sites.

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Jack Russell Terrier - The Facts Every Owner Of This Dog Breed Should Know

Article Title: Jack Russell Terrier - The Facts Every Owner Of
This Dog Breed Should Know
Author: Robert Benjamin

Originally bred in the 19th century by Parson Jack Russell, an
avid hunter, selected traits that would assist him in hunting.
Working dogs, Jack Russell Terriers were bred to be fearless and
feisty to flush out prey from the forest, particular foxes. As a
working dog, Jack Russell Terriers tend to have an athletic
build and boundless energy. Jack Russell Terriers are very
intelligent, but also willful and stubborn, which can make them
extremely difficult to train without consistency.

As a hunting and working dog, Jack Russell Terriers do have the
hunting instinct in them and have been know to consider smaller
household pets prey. However, this does not mean that they
cannot be good family pets. Jack Russell Terriers are usually
very good with children and gentle with them if they understand
how to approach dogs. Jack Russell Terriers live 15 years or
more. They grow to an average 10 to 12 inches in height and 14
to 18 pounds in weight. Jack Russell Terriers have several
different types of coats of the shorthaired variety (some are
smooth, some are not) but all are easy to maintain with regular
brushing.

Jack Russell Terriers are suited for all kinds of living, but
do need to be exercised regularly, at least once a day, due to
their seemingly boundless energy. Without regular opportunities
to exercise and play, they will become bored and begin to bark
at everything and become destructive. If a Jack Russell Terrier
must be left alone for an extended period of time without the
opportunity to exercise, it is recommended that they be crated
until it is possible to let them exercise.

Jack Russell Terriers are fearless and will run off without
thinking. A fenced in area is a must for a Jack Russell Terrier,
but the fence needs to be deep enough as they are diggers, and
tall enough to not jump over. An average sized Jack Russell
Terrier can jump five feet quite easily. There are some health
concerns with the breed. Some Jack Russell Terriers are prone to
dislocation of the kneecaps, inherited eye diseases, deafness,
Legg Perthes - a disease of the hip joints, and cataracts.
Currently, there is some dispute about the breed and breed
standards. The AKC does not officially recognize the Jack
Russell Terrier, considered a working dog. It only officially
recognizes the Parson Russell Terrier.

There is a website that has great information on Jack Russell
Terriers and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that
pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions,
best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat
Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on
your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and
without modification except for formatting needs or grammar
corrections.

About The Author: Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software
business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been
producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. Seasonal
Vacation Spots http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

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Dog Bed Basics

Article Title: Dog Bed Basics
Author: Renske Buursma

Domesticated dogs, much like humans, like to be pampered and
comfortable. A dog bed is just a dog bed before you get one.
Your dog will likely take to it like a fish to water. A 'cuddly'
cushion makes a good dog bed. It extends the sides to form a
protective ring and simulates the feeling of sleeping in a pack.
This gives your dog the added psychological comfort for a good
sleep.

It is a great idea to buy a dog bed. There are certain benefits
that a dog bed provides. It gives your dog a comfortable sleep
zone, in the same way a mattress does for a human. The ideal dog
bed raises the dog above the ground, provides warmth and
supports the joints of the dog. A whole range of dog beds is
available. From expensive sofas that heat and cool as required
to simple foam filled cushions, there is a dog bed for every dog
and every level of spending. Some dog beds are filled with chips
of cedar. These discourage the growth of fleas. Fabric that is
machine washable makes washing easier.

Plastic, rattan and wicker are used in the making of dog beds.
Rattan and wicker dog beds are constructed as low profile round
or oval baskets fitted with a custom-made cushion. Plastic is
often used in the same manner to make beds. Care should be taken
however to see that it is chew resistant and without sharp
edges. Stainless steel is used in beds that are more expensive.
This is easy to clean.

Beds should use fabric that is resistant to chewing and easily
washable. Some beds use foam or polyester fiber as filling.
Though these are comfortable, they do not stop the laying of
flea eggs. Dog beds that act against egg laying fleas have an
outer zippered covering of cedar chips. These are less
comfortable than other types of beds, but more functional.

Some dog beds offer the option of heating and cooling. They do
this through a heated or frozen gel pad fitted within the
cushion. This is not a good idea for canines that have the habit
of chewing furniture. Some dog beds heat in the manner of an
electric blanket that is placed on top of the bed and under the
dog. These warmers are necessary for some dogs, particularly
ones with joint issues.

A dogs sleeping environment should duplicate its natural
sleeping habitat. The bed's size should be proportionate to the
dog. It should be large enough but not overly large. It should
make the dog feel natural and unthreatened. For those who want
the perfect custom-made bed for their dog or want one cheaper
than would otherwise be available, the option of making a custom
dog bed is always available. Here is one way to make such a bed.

You will need a string, pillow cover or tee shirt and plastic
grocery bags. Choose designs that look best to your eye. Fill up
the pillow cover with the grocery bags and sew it up. You can do
this with the t-shirt as well. Optionally sew a zipper onto the
pillow cover or t-shirt and periodically fill it with plastic
bags, as you like.

A good dog bed can provide all the rest your dog needs to
remain healthy and happy. A healthy and happy dog means more
fun-filled hours for you with your dog. In short, a good dog bed
is a small price to pay for what you get in return.

About The Author: By Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots
of helpful articles about pet care at
http://yourhealthypetsonline.com

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Zen & The Art Of Dog Training

Article Title: Zen & The Art Of Dog Training
Author: Sandy Finley

I'm a professional dog trainer. I don't ordinarily believe in
the mystical or magical. But I realize that when I do my job
well, I'm not being driven by human logic or some textbook
knowledge. I realize that my many years of working with dogs has
taught me to be able to cast aside my human limitations and for
the moments of our human/canine interaction, I can hear and
understand and become one with the world inhabited by dogs.

Let me try to explain.

I've learned the world of dogs is a Zen like place somewhat
counter-intuitive to humans. There is no such thing as time but
rather a flow of events that predictably cascades through the
dog's world. Breakfast is not at 7 am in a dog's world.
Breakfast is that slice of life that follows the sunrise and the
birds chirping and master rustling about in the food bin
accompanied by the smell of his morning coffee. Although this
happens at 7 am for master, this happens in the dogs mind as a
familiar routine that could better be called an association. My
dog and I both know when it's breakfast time but it's an
illusion to think we both tell time.

When I walk a dog I put her at heel. If she's an untrained dog
or simply unfamiliar with me personally, she will probably pull
and wander at first. My human logic would tell me that she wants
to be free and run and sniff the grass and bound through fields
like a free spirit. That's what I would desire were I on four
young legs and equipped with a nose that could smell and sense
unimagined sectors of the world that merely blow by my human
nose like chards of sand in a dust storm. But I'd be wrong to
think my dog thinks like me. My dog knows there is a natural
order to the universe and between us we shall chat and determine
our personal fit. In going on this walk together, it must be
determined whom shall lead and who shall follow. In my dog's
world there is no democracy. In my dog's world, his pack cannot
stop to debate or take a vote as to what action shall be taken
when a prey animal is darting across their path. Were such
decisions up for a vote, his pack would surely die. When I am in
a dog's world, I am the leader and his pulling on the lead is
merely taken as the appropriate inquiry, "Are you the leader or
am I?"

I give a short snap on the leash, which brings him back to my
heel and in his world, I have politely answered, " Thank you for
asking, I am the leader."

This question may be asked and answered several times in sundry
ways during our interaction. We are having a rich and wordless
conversation that goes to the essence of all that needs to be
known in this particular moment. This conversation is fluid,
dynamic and constantly ongoing. An undirected stare, a paw
placed on top of my foot, a lazy yawn can all be part of a rich
language that is pregnant with meaning and content.

Being human, I dwell on past victories and defeats. I plan and
scheme. I brood sometimes. A dog does none of this for all of
"this" is a moment that will change in another moment like the
breath going in and out. Dogs only care about now and when I
hear their owners bemoan past behaviors and challenge me to
"correct" their dog's behavior, I smile knowingly at my canine
pupil and understand that in this moment there are a universe of
possibilities that we shall discuss and act upon.

Yesterday, as I was browsing a magazine and my dog Zoe was
laying by my chair curled up like a giant question mark, I came
across an interesting advertisement. It was offering a
forty-five minute video on meditation and the difficult practice
of "letting go and living in the moment". I laughed out loud
when I read the exorbitant price for this vehicle to peace and
tranquility. I then returned the magazine to its rack and the
sound of my laugh caused Zoe to sit up. I thought to myself that
perhaps the reader of this magazine could find better
fulfillment if they merely owned and learned from a dog. I'm
sure it was my imagination, but it appeared, Zoe winked at me
before lying back down and rolling over.

About The Author: Sandy Finley is a professional dog trainer
and owner of Perfect Manners Dog Training in metro Chicago at
http://www.perfectdogtraining.com

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Tips For Traveling With Pets

Article Title: Tips For Traveling With Pets
Author: Dawn Orbeck

Every year, thousands of families bring their pets along on
their vacations. Some feel as if their pets are part of their
families, and don't want to leave them behind. For others, there
is simply no one at home to watch the pet, no funds available
for boarding, or the trip was a spur-of-the-moment plan and
there was no time to consider anything else except to bring the
pet along.

Of course before you head out the door with your pet, there are
some things to consider like accommodations, because not all
hotels, motels, campgrounds and other lodgings accepts pets. So
go through this checklist before you hit the road so you don't
have to leave your cat or dog in an unsafe environment.

Do Some Research & Confirmation Work

Check popular campground guidebooks, hotel, motel and other
lodge listing research work to see which places accept pets.
Then call ahead to confirm, as most print publications went to
press at least a year ahead of time, and places may have changed
hands or ownership status along with their pet policies. Find
out if the location charges extra per night, plus if there are
deposits and if there are any size requirements (for example, do
they accept large dogs).

Portable Pet Kennels

Many pets ride fine in automobiles. However, some do not. Plus
you may be traveling part way by airplane, bus or other means,
and not only that, once you reach your destination, pet kennels
turn into pet beds, making safe havens for your furry friends
each night away from home. So you might want to check out
portable pet kennels.

For airline travel with pets, call ahead to the specific
airlines you'll be using for exact details and requirements for
traveling with pets. On some fights, you need to have given your
animal food and water roughly 2 hours before take off, so you'll
want to check for exact details to see what your pet will need
and the size carrier that's allowed, etc. Some smaller ones for
cats and small dogs may be allowed under the seat, so ask.

Fido's Belongings

When you are vacationing with your cat or dog, pack a favorite
toy or two, blanket or pillow, and any special things it may
need, just as you would your own. Don't forget some pet food, of
course, plus some snacks or treats. And if your pet may need
medication of any kind, bring along any medicines and / or any
pet vitamins, etc. that might be needed. And as an added
precaution, bring along the phone number of your vet, in case
there is an emergency.

About The Author: Visit Dawn OrBeck at
http://coastalvacations-blog.com for more info and at
dawn@CoastalVacations-Blog.com or call: 810-895-4408. She also
invites you to call their Sales Center to learn more today at:
800-378-1169 and mention ID# 5802DO for more info.

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All About Dog Beds

Article Title: All About Dog Beds
Author: Renske Buursma

If you are like anybody else in the world, when you have had a
long hard day of work or play, you probably crawl into your bed
every night thankful that you have it. Don't you think your pet
might feel the same way?

We all need a good night's rest in order to have a great day,
and what better way to give your dog the pampering he deserves
than to make sure he's got a comfy dog bed all his own. Whether
you are in the market for a large dog bed, a designer dog bed,
or just a fluffy pillow Fido can call his own, you have a
variety of options before you.

Large dog beds run about $15 to $50 at your local pet store.
The purpose for a dog bed is very similar to the purpose for a
human bed; they keep your pet off of the floor directly, away
from any creepies or crawlies that might be down there at night
and away from the draft. Another purpose for a dog bed is to
keep your dog from wanting to sleep with you, so if you have
that problem, it might serve you well to look into a bed for
your loyal pooch companion.

If you've got a picky pooch, there are even some beds that can
warm or cool based on whether or not your dog is in the bed, and
the temperature of their surroundings. This means that when it's
a bit warm inside, your dog's bed cools itself and vice versa.

These types of fancy beds can get up there in price. If you
just want to make a dog bed for your pet instead of going broke
on one (or just feeling like you did), consider making one for
them. This is a great activity for the family and a good way to
involve your kids in the project and teach them some of the
responsibilities that go along with owning a pet.

It can be done with a large cloth sack or sheet stuffed with
shopping bags (for that cushy effect). Tying up the ends of the
sheet or sack and stuffing plastic grocery bags into them is a
great way to make a dog bed because they can fit the form of
your pet, making it more comfortable for him. This is similar to
the idea of a beanbag, but not quite as involved (or potentially
disastrous, when it comes to pet beds).

If that doesn't work, using a few pillows and a large basket
(for the small to medium sized breeds) will do just fine. Line
the inside of the basket with pillows and blankets to make it
comfy enough for your canine friend, put it in a comfortable
space (anywhere they might normally lounge) and voila--you have
a homemade dog bed!

About The Author: By Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots
of helpful articles about pet care at
http://yourhealthypetsonline.com

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Pets And Cars: Protecting Both (From Each Other)

Article Title: Pets And Cars: Protecting Both (From Each Other)
Author: Darryl Walters

We love our pets. We love our cars. And we love to put our pets
in our cars and take them with us to the park, to the beach, on
vacation.

But pet fur and paws can do a number on our car's interior.
Luckily, it doesn't have to. There are several ways to protect
a car from canine (or feline) family members. A seat cover is a
great way to do this; you can find them online or at most large
pet supply stores.

Depending on the type of vehicle you own, you may also want to
check with your dealer to see if they sell a seat cover as an
accessory.

For example, the Isuzu Ascender 5-Passenger offers a rear seat
protector as an option to protect the second or third row seat
upholstery. The Isuzu's seat protector is a heavy-duty,
water-resistant poly-cotton fabric that can be easily washed in
a washing machine.

Keeping your car in pristine condition is important, but so is
the safety of your pet. Letting your dog or cat move about the
car without being strapped in is like letting a child sit in the
back seat without a seatbelt. Even a minor accident could cause
your pet to be injured.

The best way to prevent injury to your pet during a car
accident (or even routine driving in which quick stops might be
unavoidable) is to install a pet car seat. Several different
models exist. For dogs under twenty pounds, you may want to
consider a car seat that mounts temporarily to the front or back
seat using the seat's existing seat belts. Many of these types
of car seats mount high enough that the dog can look out the
window but will still stay protected during an accident.

For larger dogs, we suggest the hammock style back seat
protector which prevents the animal from being thrown to the
floor or into the front seat in the event of an accident.
Hammock style protectors mount to the back of the front seats
and to the front of the back seats, and run the entire width of
your vehicle.

Pet seat belts are also an option. The seat belt is worn like a
harness and attaches to the regular seat belts in your vehicle.

Should you get into an accident with your pet in the car, the
restraint will prevent him or her from flying into the front
seat area or out a window.

For a cat, the safest option (for both pet and driver) is a
soft or hard case pet carrier. Push the seat forward just enough
to fit the carrier on the seat and behind the dash. Too much
space will allow the carrier to slide forward or even off the
seat altogether on impact. Many vehicles can now sense when
there is something in the front passenger seat other than a
person, and if so, a mechanism prevents the air bag from
deploying during an accident. If your vehicle doesn't have this
feature, it's best to keep your pet in the back seat since the
force of an air bag is likely to severely injure a small or
medium-sized dog.

About The Author: The all new 2008 isuzu pickup
http://www.isuzu.com/ line will have you excited to buy a truck.
Isuzu's light duty trucks
http://www.isuzu.com/owners_driving.jsp are the best we have
seen in a long time. Visit a dealer today!

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Pet Insurance - How To Avoid Large Vet Bills

Article Title: Pet Insurance – How To Avoid Large Vet Bills
Author: Mikael Rieck

Most pet owners today know that when taking your pet to a vet
it will often cost a much larger sum than anticipated. Maybe
your pet will need a vaccine because the local area is infected
with a new type of disease or bacteria or you have forgotten
that you pet needed some kind of treatment to keep it healthy.
This is often the case and the result is a bill that a lot of
people can have a hard time paying out of their pocket. This is
where it can be money well spent to have a pet insurance.

The purpose of a pet insurance is naturally to help the owner
of the pet in case it becomes ill or is involved in some kind of
accident. If you think that Vets are costly you should try
sending your pet to an animal hospital. Then you can talk about
having to bring the large wallet when paying the bills.
Unfortunately this is where the problems often arise and the
looser in this game will always be your beloved pet.

What if you are not able to pay the bill? Rarely does someone
show up to pay your bills and the tough choice that you will
have to make is to leave your pet without the right medical care
and attention. Most pets are a part of the family and if you
have kids you will have a hard time explaining why it is that
the family pet will have to suffer from either a disease or an
accident it has been involved in. The worst part is though, that
if you had taken the time to prepare before all the bad things
happened, you would have no troubles sending your family pet to
both the vet and to the animal hospital if necessary.

The solution is of course to get a pet insurance. The idea of
an insurance is that by paying a little every month, half year
or year, you will be able to send most bill to the insurance
company and have them pay for the correct treatment of you pet's
illnesses. One important thing to notice is that you need to
check the terms and conditions stated in the policy of the pet
insurance before you sign it.

Most insurance companies are fair but the insurance business
can be tricky and you will need to watch out so you won't get
scammed. A safer bet will always be to go for one of the major
companies as they will have much more at stake and thereby much
more to loose if they trick their customers and thereby gets bad
publicity. For a major insurance company a bad publicity stunt
can easily cost millions of dollars and they will therefore be
more likely to favor your requests. However you should never be
unreasonable or lie for that matter. It will come back to hunt
you later on.

If you are not wealthy and do not have big savings but you love
your pet and you don't want to see anything bad happen to it,
then pet insurance is for you. If you go online you will find
many insurance companies that will offer to insure your pet, but
you need to do some research before you sign a contract. It is
recommended to use the internet and to talk to people that have
already used the service you are thinking of buying for your
pet. We wish you a happy hunt.

About The Author: More great pet insurance tips can be found at
http://www.petinsurancepro.com - Take care of your pet.

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What Every Animal Lover Needs To Know About Pet Insurance

Title: What Every Animal Lover Needs To Know About Pet Insurance
Author: Jay Smith

What Every Animal Lover Needs To Know About Pet Insurance
Remember those old `A dog is for life not just for
Christmas' ads? Well, I've no idea as to the long term
success of the campaign but you don't see them much these
days so maybe the message has started to get through.
Certainly the idea should be pretty common sense,
especially to animal lovers – looking after a pet means
just that, making sure you're aware of and willing to take
on the responsibility of an animal's life. This means that
when you welcome a pet into the family you should be in it
for the long haul, in many ways just as you would with a
child.

I'm sure for most loving owners, and there are plenty of
people out there who really do treat their pets as they
would a member of the family, the message clearly isn't
necessary. However much you dote on and provide for your
pet though, difficult situations can easily arise, often
due to financial reasons rather than your ability as a pet
owner.

Unfortunately having a pet can be an expensive business and
I'm not just talking about rare breed dog owners grooming
their five grand poodle for next years Crufts, Quite apart
from the day to day costs of food the real expense comes in
when, for whatever reason, a visit to the Vet becomes
necessary. When it comes to fees Vets are something of a
law unto themselves and getting an issue with your pet's
health sorted out may well be a wince inducing experience.
Take some of these examples, all fees for common conditions
- £500 for an abscess, £1,000 for the removal of a lump or
a hefty £3,000 estimated for injuries sustained in a road
accident. When you take on board the Pet Health Council's
assertion that almost half the UK's pets need veterinary
care each year it becomes clear that the cost of caring for
your pet could spiral dramatically.

It's no wonder then that more and more pet owners are
starting to see the sense in taking out a pet insurance
policy. It might seem like something it would be easy to
disregard, just another expense that might not even be
necessary; but then, as with any type of insurance, what
you`re buying is piece of mind. After all what would happen
should your pet suddenly need expensive treatment at a
point in your life when funds are hard to come by?

About the Author:

Make sure you do the best for your pet, visit
http://www.asdafinance.com/pet-insurance.html today for a
great Pet indurance quote

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Vitamins For Pets: Pets Need Vitamins Just As Much As You

Article Title: Vitamins For Pets: Pets Need Vitamins Just As
Much As You
Author: Darrell Miller

Whether or not pets need vitamins just as much as you do, and
whether or not vitamins for pets are as important to them as
they are to you, depends very much on the type of pet to which
are referring. Obviously, a stick insect has different needs to
a snake, which has different needs to a pet monkey. A pet rock,
popular in the 1980s, has few needs.

Let's assume we are discussing mammals, and specifically cats
and dogs. What are their dietary and vitamin needs? They need
vitamins as we do, and also carbohydrates, protein and fats
(animal or vegetable) as the basic chemicals for their
development. If they have a deficiency in any of these,
particularly of vitamins, then they will need a supplement in
the same way that we would were we deficient in any vitamin
nutrient essential to normal life.

That could be the end of this article, but there is more to it
than just that. How do pets get these essential nutrients, and
how do you assess what supplements are essential for your
particular animal? Consider the variety of breeds for example.
Were dogs human the difference in weight between the adult
weights of a St. Bernard and a Chihuahua of 80 lb and 4 lb would
relate to human weights of between, say, 8 stones and 160
stones. That is about 50 Kg and 1000 Kg.

How can you possibly discuss these in the same way with respect
to dietary requirements? Cats are much closer in size and
weight, but these too have different dietary needs than dogs.
The term `pets', then, is meaningless in relation to diet. What
is meaningful is the diet required by mammals of different
species and different sizes. So what is that diet and how do you
know when a vitamin supplement is needed.

Good quality food should be sufficient to provide the average
animal with a good balanced diet. Commercial pet foods can
sometime do this, but not always, in the same way that canned
foods cannot always meet all human nutritional needs. Modern pet
food producers are getting closer to providing what is needed by
different animals at various stages in their life, but unless
purchased from specialist outlets, not for specific breeds. One
would assume that a bulldog and a small Mexican hairless would
have different needs.

Many owners feed their pets what they eat themselves, or
purchase fresh food specifically for them rather than use
proprietary pet foods. When doing this they should be sure that
the foods they give are suitable for their pets. For example,
cats and dogs need meat, particularly cats that can become
seriously ill if fed only a vegetarian diet. Another little
known fact is that not all mammals can eat onions, and if cats
or dogs are fed onions or onion extract in their meals it could
kill them. Never feed cats or dogs onions: it can be fatal.

Your pet's diet is part of a general loving care regime, and
you should try to find what your cat or dog needs for a happy
and healthy life. Included in that is lots of love and attention
and proper grooming. Animals like grooming rituals, as is
evident when you watch their habits in the wild. If you make the
effort to provide the attention to your pets at home that they
get from other animals in nature, then they will be much happier
and healthy animals.

Regular veterinary care is part of that, as is proper
preparation for travel; travel that is unnatural to them.
Supplements are available from your vet to prepare them for long
journeys in a car or boat. Vitamin supplements are also
available to make up for any dietary deficiencies. A working
dog, a dog recovering from illness or surgery, and a pregnant
cat or new mother, all have different nutritional requirements,
and a good owner with an interest in their animal will find out
what these are.

The important supplements for pets are the water soluble
vitamins that have to be replaced every day since they can be
washed away in urine. What is true for humans is also true of
animals in this respect. These vitamins are vitamin C and the B
complex vitamins. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble, and
are stored in the body fats until needed. These vitamins can
also be stored in the liver, and need less supplementation than
the C and B vitamins.

Pets require a good supply of minerals, as do humans. These
should be taken as a balanced supplement since an imbalance can
cause problems in pets. Zinc, for example, can deplete the body
of copper if taken in excess. Many pet owners believe zinc to be
essential to the reproductive system, as it is in humans, and
overdose their pets if they are intended to breed. However,
excess zinc depletes the copper content of the pet's body and
copper is essential for the proper function of the immune system
and for the proper formation and maintenance of bones, blood
vessels and the development of the nervous system.

Multivitamin and mineral supplements are available in forms and
flavors that suit both dogs and cats, and are balanced for the
particular needs of the animal involved and its current state of
health. Your vet is the best person to advise on what is needed,
and the worst thing you could do for your pet, even if done with
the best of intentions, is to give them human vitamin and
mineral supplements in their food. No matter how much you would
like them to be, pets are not human and have different needs.

Would you eat mice by choice? If a moth fluttered into your
home would you stuff it into your mouth? Of course not. Would
you eat unmentionable things off a walkway as your dog does? Of
course not. Do not, therefore, apply your dietary requirements
to your cat or dog. They are similar to a certain extent, in
that most mammals' bodies share a similar chemistry, but your
digestive systems are different.

Give your pets vitamins for pets, not vitamins for humans. If
you care for your pets lovingly, prepare them for stressful
times such as travel they are not familiar with, keep them warm
and safe at home and provide them with the nutritional
supplements that your vet deems right for them, then you will be
doing your best to give them a happy life and will be caring for
them as you should. Pets need vitamins just as you do.

About The Author: For more information on cat and dog
supplements visit: http://vitanetonline.com/ where a large
selection of vitamins for cats and dogs are available.

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Working Dogs

Article Title: Working Dogs
Author: Kay Stevens

The term 'work like a dog' is true. Dogs can work in many
different jobs. Their most common job is to bring joy to lonely
people, families and children. In most cases, these working dogs
are paid in love. Here are a few examples of working dogs.

Farm Dogs

When you hear the phrase 'working dogs' you think of farm
dogs. These are the original working dogs. They have a natural
instinct for working livestock and herding sheep. My Corgi loved
rounding up the lawnmower and vacuum cleaner.

Dog breeds that are associated with this type of working dog
are:

Welsh Collie, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh
Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Australian Kelpie originated
from the old British working Collie. The Australian Cattledog is
also known as Blue Heeler, Red Heeler and Queensland Heeler.

The use of motorcycles instead of working dogs on a property
has become more popular but nothing can replace a trained
working dog.

Guard Dogs

People think that their dog is a guard dog because he barks
(refer my article 'To Bark or Not to Bark - That is the
Question'). These dogs are working dogs but are really watch
dogs. They bark to warn. A guard dog is a working dog who is
trained and employed to retrain or attack an intruder.

Most common dog breeds used for this kind of working dog are:

Doberman, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Bullmastiff and American
Bulldog.

Police Dogs

These working dogs are trained specifically to assist Police in
various areas.

Public Order Enforcement - trained to chase and detain
suspects.

Illicit Substances Dogs - (sniffer dogs) detect illicit
substances e.g. drugs, explosives. These working dogs are also
used by Customs to sniff out illegal importation of wildlife,
plants etc.
These working dogs are mainly Beagles.

Cadaver dogs - Because dogs have an acute sense of smell they
can detect the odour of decomposing bodies.

Tracking - Locate suspects or find missing people. Bloodhounds
are mainly used.

Guide Dogs - Companion Dogs

These working dogs aren't trained just to assist the blind.
They can be used as companions to children and adults who are
disabled, old, vision and hearing impaired, isolated.

It takes nearly 2 years to train a pup to become a working dog
and includes 5 months of intensive dog training. After about 14
months with a Puppy Raiser, the pup goes to the Guide Dog Centre
where he is assessed. If he doesn't qualify to become a working
dog for the Guide Dogs, he is again assessed to become a Pets
for Therapy working dog for disadvantaged people. If the pup
fails he is then offered to the Puppy Raiser as a pet.

The only dog breeds used are purebred Labradors, Golden
Retrievers, Labrador/Golden Retriever crosses because they are
calm, loyal and intelligent.

Working dogs are used in a greater capacity today as man
realises the benefits of having a canine friend in the
workplace.

About The Author: Kay Stevens is the publisher of
http://www.corgidogworld.com which is a site dedicated to the
Corgi breed of dog as well as all dog breeds. The site contains
information, articles and quality products for the wellbeing of
your Corgi and all dog breeds.

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Reading Your Dog like a Book

Title: Reading Your Dog like a Book
Author: Tracy Hargraves

Reading Your Dog like a Book
If your dog were a book, it would be a book in cartoon
format. Dogs are simple creatures – which do not mean they
are simple-minded. They can only concentrate on one thing
at a time. Short-term memory is so limited, that they do
not know what the fuss is about if you try to punish them
for something they did even a short time ago – such as mess
up the lounge.

Although every dog is different and personalities among our
canine friends almost as varied as among our human ones,
there are certain signals which mean the same whichever dog
is "saying" them. Learn to read them to avoid
misunderstandings with your faithful friend. If your dog is
looking at something, he is thinking about it. When looking
at the door, for example, he is thinking about going out.
When looking at the bin, he's thinking about a tasty morsel
inside and whether he can get at it. By interpreting this
simple body language, you can reward behaviours you wish to
encourage - and filter out the rest.

Dogs are first and foremost social creatures. As a pack
animal, he's going to behave with you as if you were a dog,
if you are all the pack he has. Much of what the dog does
is simply to stay in touch with his pack. If your dog puts
any part of his body on top of you, he thinks he is the
pack leader. In other words, he's more dominant than you.
You can test this by sitting or lying on the floor next to
him. If he puts his chin or paw on your leg, he thinks he's
boss. To correct this impression, stand up and place him
next to you in a sit position. If he then places a paw in
front of your foot, he still thinks he's top dog. It is
easy to correct this – just move him off you. He's not
trying to be difficult – just doing what comes naturally.
Lap dogs are slightly different in this respect and sitting
on you does not mean they feel dominant.

Being top dog is not necessarily a problem for all dogs,
but it can lead to separation anxiety (he is in the
position of being your parent) and related complications,
such as pulling on the lead, biting, running off, barking.
A simple way to assert yourself is to always go through
doors before him. The pack leader does this, to check for
danger.

A submissive dog is easy to spot – he will roll over and
expose his underbelly to you – i.e. offer you his life. He
may also pat you with his paw – not to be confused with
putting a paw on you when lying down. A puppy will pat his
mother when she returns, to ask for food. In other words,
your dog is showing you he is dependent on you for food.
Face-licking is along the same lines. Puppies will lick the
faces and mouths of their elders to encourage them to
regurgitate a juicy tidbit for them.

A wagging tail is not always a simple expression of delight
– the dog is showing conflicting emotions and may be
frightened. He is pleased to see you, but perhaps in the
past you have been angry with him – as when he has trashed
the place, or failed to come when called. He wants to come
to you, but is afraid. His pack instinct will get the upper
hand, so he probably will come to you. Wagging his tail,
you should be wary of strange dogs wagging their tails,
because in their confusion they may become aggressive.

When the dog stretches his front paws out so his bottom
remains up in the air, he wants to play. Try doing the same
back to him one day – he will get quite excited, even if
you are just a human. Only do this, though, if you really
intend to play with him.

A lot of doggie behaviour problems can be resolved by the
dog getting the right amount of exercise for his breed.

About the Author:

Give custom pet portraits as gifts to loved ones. Jerry
Carpos, an art enthusiast and expert author from
http://www.portraitkingdom.com recommends that with pet
canvas oil paintings you will surely feel complete
togetherness with your pets.

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Make Your Pet Store Better With Pet Services

Article Title: Make Your Pet Store Better With Pet Services
Author: Jerry Robertson

Most independent pet stores in the United States don't offer
services to their customers. These services could include
grooming, dog training, aquarium maintenance (personal /
commercial), and delivery to name a few. Besides delivery, the
other services can produce a high gross profit margin for your
pet store. The large pet stores in the U.S. know how profitable
pet services are to their bottom line.

Grooming can be expensive to initially set up and takes lot of
space; if dogs are placed in cages after they are groomed. You
could reduce the cost by offering to do a few dogs or better yet
at the home where the dog stays. If you groom dogs at their
residence, you could offered to delivered any products needed
for the canine.

Training is profitable. You need space set aside for training.
This space can be used for special events to make the most of
this valuable real estate.

A pet store owner that I know would make more money with
aquarium maintenance with commercial accounts than profit from
the rest of the store. He would spend one day a week just doing
this. This day happen to be a slow day for his pet store.

Having home delivery will help with large items such as large
aquariums, large doghouses, and stands for large aquariums. Many
people would prefer someone else handle this. This is mainly due
to reduce the risk of damage or don't have access to a large car
/ truck.

Having services in your pet store can be a huge profit maker.
It is also a competitive advantage against much of your
competition. In fact, this is one of the best ways to compete
against the Petsmart & Petco's of the world. If you are not
providing services to your pet store customers, you are leaving
plenty of sales and profits on the table.

About The Author: Jerry Robertson is a Retail Consultant and
author of "Shocking Truth to Pet Store Success". You can get a
free copy and subscribe to his free monthly newsletter at:
http://www.petstoreconsultant.com

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