Saucy Pet

Archive for January, 2009

A cat whisper is somewhat similar to a dog or horse whisperer, although cat whisperers relate quite well with cats.  These types of people are unusually lucky and very successfully with cats.  In most cases, a cat will be abandoned or just show up at someone’s door.  In this event, the cat will adopt this individual as the cat whisperer.

Often times, alley cats and black cats will show up at someone’s door and decide to move into their homes.  This can be a result of abandonment, or the cat’s family moving away and simply leaving the cat behind.  Sometimes, the cat may decide that he likes someone else’s home better and decide to move there instead of staying with his owner.

Many a people will explain you that a cat whisperer can be taken as a therapist for cats.Normally all cat whisperers have not gone through any training, it seems that what they know is by birth.  These types of people understand the way a cat thinks and knows how to work with the cat to achieve the results they want.  Even though many think of a cat whisperer as a therapist, it actually couldn’t be further from the truth.

Cats who have been abused or mistreated, often times won’t respond to anyone but a cat whisperer.  Although others may have tried to help the cat, it will only make matters worse by making the cat feel scared and afraid.  In most cases, these cats will end up in a pound.  This is very tragic, as the cats have already endured more than they ever should have.  A majority of the cats who have been abused were once loved pets.  Along the way, they were abandoned, mistreated, attacked by dogs, and in some cases tortured.

Cats who have been treated unfairly often times won’t trust anyone. They are often times confused, in a lot of pain, and not sure what they should do.  Like humans, cats feel pain.  Those that have been physically abused are a sad sight indeed.A cat which is damaged emotionally may appear to be fit in health, but its emotions might be ruining it.  Emotionally abused cats are much harder to get through to, especially if they were stray cats to begin with.

Cat whisperers on the other hand, can communicate with physically and emotionally abused cats.  Cats know who they will choose to be their cat whisperer, which is normally an individual they sense trust with.Cat whisperers are familiar with the cats, even though many of us wont have ever heard about them before.  Even though a cat whisperer may be able to communicate better with cats, it will still take time to heal a cat that has been abused.

We all know that cats are loving and truly wonderful creatures.  These days, it isn’t out of the ordinary to see a cat in virtually every other home, sleeping in the window or cuddling up on the laps of their owners.  Although cats have been popular pets for as long as most can remember, they weren’t domesticated less than 5,000 years or so ago.The researchers say today to us, that domestication of cats started in the valley of the Nile.

In the beginning, people were very grateful to cats and encouraged them to stay with them by feeding them various scraps of food.  Once they were fed and perceived humans to be no threat, the cats would move in permanently with their human owners.  As time went by, even the wildest of cat would allows humans to approach him, often times even hold and touch as well.

In those days, cats were very loyal and endearing pets.  They proved to be great hunters, as they done their sleeping in short periods and were much easier to wake up than dogs.  Cats also have better night vision than dogs, and much better hearing as well.  If someone moved through the house or if they heard suspicious noises, they would wake while dogs would sleep right through it.  Humans loved having cats around, and they seemed to get along good with dogs as well.

These days, cats are used for both companionship and show.  They aren’t used much at all for hunting mice and rodent anymore at all.  There are a lot of breeds available, from the traditional alley cat to the well known Siamese.  All breeds are unique in their own way, and will provide you with years of companionship if you take care of them.

You will at first want to check the source, before you have a kitten or even an older one of the species.If you are going to buy a kitten from a breeder, ensure that the breeder has a good reputation.  You’ll also want to ensure that the cattery is clean and in good shape.  The kittens that are still there shouldn’t be overcrowded, and their surroundings should be clean.  The litter boxes there should be kept up and both the food and water dish should be clean and full.  The kittens shouldn’t be caged, instead free to run around.  All cats that are there should appear healthy, with shiny coats and none of their ribs showing.

When you get your kitten, it should be used to being touched and handled.  The kitten should be sweet, not afraid in the least.Kittens that are under proper care generally develop a good temperament.  The better breeders won’t allow their kittens to leave the nest until they are around 12 weeks old, with some waiting until the kittens are 16 weeks.  By doing this, breeders ensure that the kitten is in good health and his immune system has properly developed.

There’s no mistaken the fact that cats are great to own.  You can get a kitten from a reputable breeder, through a local newspaper, or an adoption agency.Although normally people don’t like this option, but cats can also be taken from a local pound.  No matter which way you decide to pursue, you should always make sure that your cat is healthy.  If you get a healthy cat, you won’t have a lot of problems later on down the road.  Healthy cats were taken care of – and normally have everything up to date – including their vaccinations.

Clicker Training Review

Would you like to Become a Super Trainer?

I witnessed a disturbing event one morning when I was running with my dog Rigby off leash. He was galavanting with another bunch of dogs, two Labrador Retrievers and a Border Collie. Rigby adores the water, and I mean fanatical, as were the other dogs, the only difficulty was, their owner didn’t want them get wet…. You can imagine what happened, everyone was in the canal having a ball! 

The owner of the 3 dogs called in vain and when they decided to return, to my dis-belief… they got a flogging with their leash, after that Rigby’s playmates kept a clear distance from their boss, and who would be suprised. Rigby came and sat behind my legs watching. At the time he was still quite young, so why was he so obedient? 

We had discovered Clicker Training and had been using it for a few months and though only a mere learner, Rigby’s understanding of our instructions was very clear and he knew that if he responded correctly, he would benefit. We still see the others on the odd occasion but their controller still doesn’t comprehend!

‘The 4 Secrets of Becoming a Supertrainer’ introduced us to commencing Clicker training, this wonderful manual is the best and most authoritative work on the Clicker Training technique. It’s technical mastery has also been employed by other professional animal trainers:

It is compulsory reading for Guide Dog for the Blind Instructors in California

It is used for training Search & Rescue Dogs and Military Patrol Dogs

Clicker Training is employed in training marine Mammals

Many progressive Dog Trainers use it for Corrective Behavior Training

But this guide is not primarily for professional trainers, it is inspiring for every pet owner who would love to own a well controlled dog; a dog that is an inspiration to others.

The authors of  ‘The 4 Secrets of Becoming a Supertrainer’ have been highly regarded dog trainers for a long time, so this is not the work of a theorist, it is grounded on well researched techniques and never employs any sort of admonishment.

The instructions are simple to understand, well laid out and you will quickly put into practice the training routines. The more advanced trainers will also find a good selection of ideas they can introduce into their programs.

I doesn’t  matter what animal you own, they will all respond to clicker training, you will be amazed how you can adapt the instructions to your own training challenge.

To get your copy Click Here Now.

A lot of cities are having problems with the increasing amount of dog litter in the streets. With the growing population of dogs in urban areas, the city is experiencing an increase in waste materials littering the already run-down urban landscape.

Concern over environmental pollution has also increased. Many citizens and some media reporters have made a sensation over dog litter, claiming that every disease from the common cold to bubonic plague comes directly from dog litter. Some people have gone a little too far by coming up with slogans such as “children before dogs”.

To be quite frank, dog litter does not present real medical concern to the average resident of a large city. The more serious health hazard is, of course, to other dogs and not to humans. Diseases such as hepatitis and distemper are passed from infected dogs to healthy ones through saliva and urine, while internal parasites are transmitted through the stool of infected dogs.

However, for a human to contract any disease from dogs would require that he walk the street barefooted or physically ingest dog waste or fleas which is, of course, highly unlikely. The argument of the “children before dogs” group is that children will unwittingly eat dog fleas and stool. We assume that parents would not let their young children to play unattended on public streets, parks and pavements; and when they are old enough to play unattended, they have been taught the basics of cleanliness and hygiene.

More likely to be of significant danger to human health is contamination of food by roaches, rats, and the common housefly, none of which seems to be exciting enough for these same people who are so concerned with dog litter.

But regardless of who’s judging who, most people agree that dog litter does present an awful smell and unsightly pollution of our environment in an area that can hardly afford it. Every dog owner is responsible for the mess created by his dog. Whether it is a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, each dog does his share in contaminating natural resources and infuriating pedestrians.

It is puzzling that some dog owners with a backyard have no difficulty keeping it clean of dog waste; but these same owners will walk their dog allow her to litter a public street.

People who have never loved a pet do not quite understand the sensitivity to nature that many animal lovers feel. We need to be considerate of our neighbors as well as our pets. We cannot ignore the rights of other people. Our dogs are our responsibility and we have no right to inflict them on others.

If we all clean up after our pets we can have a more pleasant environment. It is up to us to preserve decent cities to our pets as well as for ourselves and our neighbors.

Read more information about dogs.

Remember to stop by our online pet store.

Have you ever wondered why separation anxiety in dogs is a problem for some canines, but not for others?  If you’re dealing with destructive dog behavior, you may be wondering if it’s because your dog is bored, or if it’s because you have one of the four to eight percent of dogs with separation anxiety.

Although a bored dog and a dog with canine separation anxiety may both engage in destructive dog behavior, the difference lies in when the behavior begins.  Dogs with separation anxiety will go into a panic when their owners leave.His bad behavior begins within a half hour or less of your leaving.  A bored dog, on the other hand, will be happy for a couple of hours, but then start destroying things to amuse himself.

Are Some Dogs More At Risk For Canine Separation Anxiety Than Others?

Separation anxiety is when a pet panics when he’s left by himself.  All puppies show some signs of separation anxiety.  But most of them outgrow it as they mature.  

Long-nosed breeds of dogs, like herding and guarding dogs, seem more prone to this condition.  It’s also seen more often in spaniels and setters.One vet made the obthat dogs with this problem usually are thin and are prone to digestive upsetsservation.  

Separation anxiety in dogs happens in both males and females.  It doesn’t seem to matter whether they’ve been spayed or neutered or not.  It usually starts when the dog is between five months and two years of age, although older dogs can be affected as well, usually suddenly.  Sometimes a dog owner thinks their older dog is becoming senile, but the problem is really separation anxiety instead.

Other Risk Factors For Separation Anxiety In Dogs

Sometimes puppies that were rejected by their mothers, or who were taken away from their mothers too soon, will develop separation anxiety.  Although dogs that have been bounced from one home to another may develop it, a history of abuse doesn’t seem to make a dog prone to it.  

Sometimes dogs in close-knit families who suddenly lose a family member to illness, death, or divorce develop this problem.  If a favorite person leaves to go to college, or a new baby suddenly takes up a lots of the favorite person’s time, it can have an impact on a dog.  

The problem of separation anxiety often runs in the family in humans, and this is true of dogs, too.If your dog has a litter mate or a parent who has separation anxiety, he’ll have a higher risk of developing it than a dog that doesn’t.  

Sometimes the problem lies with the dog owner.  It can be flattering to have a dog that follows you around, not letting you out of his sight for a second.  It’s tempting to give your dog lots of attention when you get home and he’s so happy to see you that he bounces around, barking and giddy with joy, for several minutes.  

However, while your dog should be happy to see you when you come home, his happy dance really shouldn’t last for more than 30 seconds to a minute.  Anything longer indicates that your dog has a problem, and it’s not good to encourage it.

How Can Dogs With Separation Anxiety Be Helped?

Your vet does have drug treatments available for dogs with severe cases of canine separation anxiety, but it’s best to try dog behavior modification techniques first.

You can take steps to desensitize your dog to your leaving.Even though this is a long process that can’t be rushed, you can be very successful with it.  A good dog training course can be extremely helpful, especially one that teaches you how your dog thinks.

Go ahead and invest in a dog training course that teaches you how your dog’s mind works.  This is the best way to avoid inadvertently training him to do exactly what you don’t want him to do.

If you’re dealing with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about a dog training course that will help to solve your problem.

If separation anxiety in dogs is a problem for your pet, there are many things you can do to help.  There are also many things you can do to make the problem worse.  Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts for dealing with dogs with separation anxiety.  We’ll look at the “don’ts” first, and then finish up with the “do’s.”

If You’re Dealing With Dogs With Separation Anxiety, Avoid Doing These Things

The most important thing you need to know is that you should never punish your dog when he’s acting out because he’s scared.  This will only make him even more anxious.  Plus, unless you catch him in the act of destructive dog behavior, he won’t know what he’s being punished for.

You need to rethink how you interact with your dog. The problem of separation anxiety in dogs is often related to dominance issues.  A dog who thinks he’s the pack leader will be anxious when his followers leave.  This is because in the wild, although the leader can leave the pack for a while, the other members of the pack can’t leave the leader.

To assert your position as pack leader, try these suggestions.  Instead of giving your dog attention every time he asks for it, you should be the one initiating contact with him.  Feed him after you eat, because pack members eat only after the alpha dog has eaten.  When you go for a walk, make sure he is either walking next to you or behind you.  Don’t allow him to pull on his leash ahead of you, because the pack leader always goes first. 

Discourage your dog from becoming too attached to you.  Don’t let him sit or lie down within a yard of you.To keep him at a distance, you may need to put something on the floor or rearrange the furniture to block him. 

Don’t let your dog sleep on your bed.  Ideally, he shouldn’t even be in the same room.  Start out by making him sleep at the foot of the bed, and then get him a dog bed to sleep in.  Eventually move his bed out of your bedroom.

If there are other people in the household, take turns feeding the dog and taking him for walks.  This way your dog won’t become too dependent on one person.

Here Are Things You Should Be Doing To Help A Dog With Canine Separation Anxiety

You may be surprised to find out that your dog knows you’re leaving a lot sooner than you think he does.  You may go take a shower, comb your hair, put on your work clothes.  Your canine friend certainly notices these things, and he associates your doing them with your leaving. 

Your goal here is to desensitize your dog to these cues that you’re leaving.  Do these same things, but then stay home.  Get your car keys, and put on your coat.  Then sit back down.  This is a slow process, and you’ll have to do it many times over several weeks, but eventually your dog won’t get upset when you do them.

Do make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise.Take him for a long, vigorous walk before you leave in the morning, and again in the evening.  This will use up excess energy, and help him to remain calmer in your absence.

Keep your exits and entrances low-key.  Ignore your dog for twenty minutes before you leave, and again for twenty minutes when you come home.Avoid encouraging him with your attention when he gets worked up on your return.  You want him to learn to accept your comings and goings in a matter-of-fact manner. 

Do invest in a good dog training course.  You’ll want to choose one that focuses on teaching you how a dog’s mind works.  If you don’t understand  how your dog thinks, it’s very easy to give him the wrong idea when trying to train him.

Don’t waste your precious time by accidentally training your dog to do the wrong things.   A good dog training course is the easiest way to solve the problem of separation anxiety in dogs.

If you’re dealing with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about a dog training course that will help to solve your problem.

Did you know that in pet adoptions centers, animals have an expiration date? The staff of animal shelters put animals to sleep after a specified duration of time, if they don’t get adopted. We really can’t blame the shelters for this; it is a legal though upsetting procedure they have to carry out.

There are a few reasons why animals must be put to sleep when no one adopts them:

* One of the most common problems in animal shelters is the lack of space. Stray or abandoned animals are sheltered for a specific number of days before they can be put into adoption program or, sadly, put to sleep. This gives the owners of the animals ample time to find and reclaim their furry friends. Remember that during the holding period of an animal, newer ones are continually being brought to the animal shelter.

* Not all of the animals brought to animal shelters are in good health and adoptable condition. Sometimes an animal is brought in that’s unwell and mentally unstable. Should the animal shelter’s staff deem the animal cannot be helped or adopted, it is put to sleep right away.

* In some cases, an animal that has been in the animal shelter for too long may exhibit signs of stress. Behaviors such as agitation, anxiety, depression and aggression begin to show up, which is not typical for the animal. During the course of time, if the animal of the shelter is not adopted, it becomes so mentally unsound that the staff of the animal shelter unwillingly has to put it sleep.

The pros of adopting from shelters

The best way to prevent these animals in shelters from being put to sleep is by adopting them. Whether you are planning to own a dog, cat, ferrets or any other animal, you are not only saving their lives but you are also getting a loyal companion for yourself.

What makes adopting an animal from an animal shelter is that you know what you will be taking home with you. Our furry friends in animal shelters have been examined by veterinarians. This means that the animal you’ll be getting is up to date with its shots, and its medical condition is properly looked over. Animal shelters may sometimes charge a fee for adoption, but still it’s a lot cheaper than buying a new one from pet stores, or compared to the service they had provided for the animal.

Taking your time in picking one

Be sure to take your time looking around and choose the healthiest animal you can find in an animal shelter. Look for one with ears and nose that are clean and free of mucous. The eyes should be bright and clear. Carefully inspect its coat and skin; look carefully for signs sores, bald spots or skin diseases. Check also the way of their walking – the animal should not be limping, limping might be an indication of skeletal problem like fracture or an injury.

Getting an animal from any pet adoption center implies that you intend to bestow time and dedication in order to take care of a furry friend. Remember that you will have other expenses besides the adoption charge itself. But all these are a small price to pay for saving the life of an animal and earning a loyal companion for the rest of its natural life.

If your canine friend is showing signs of separation anxiety in dogs, there are several dog behavior modification techniques you can use to change his behavior. 

How To Handle Mild Cases Of Dogs With Separation Anxiety

The most important thing to do is to keep your comings and goings low-key.Your dog shouldn’t carry on and jump around for more than a minute when you get home. 

Don’t encourage your dog to get too excited and worked up when you get home.Although you may think it’s harmless, you’re really training him to view your homecomng as the highest point of the day.  The problem is that when you need to leave again, it makes it even harder for him to see you go.

Try leaving your dog with a piece of clothing that has your scent on it.  Dogs with separation anxiety often find it reassuring to sleep on an old sweatshirt or t-shirt that you’ve worn recently.

Even though you don’t realize it, you’ve already established “safety cues” for your dog.  A safety cue is an action you take upon leaving that tells your dog you’ll be back soon.  For example, when your dog sees you going out with the trash, he knows you’ll be right back, and he doesn’t get upset.

A good technique is to use safety cues with your dog.  If you know you’re going to be gone for a short time, you can leave the radio or tv on, or give him a certain toy to play with.  Use these safety cues when you’re practicing with your dog so he gets to know what they are. 

Be careful though.If your use a safety cue for too long, your dog wil learn not to trust it, and it will lose its effectiveness.  These cues are useful for shorter absences. 

Dog Behavior Modification For More Severe Cases

If your buddy has a severe case of separation anxiety in dogs, you may want to try these dog behavior modification techniques.  Keep these sessions short, but do them several times a day.

Start by putting on your coat and grabbing your car keys like you usually do when you leave, but then sit down.  Repeat this until your dog isn’t bothered by it.  Next, you’ll do these things and go to the door and open it, and then sit back down.  Again, keep doing it until your dog shows no interest.

Next, go out through the door, leaving it open, and then come back in.  The next step is to go though the door, and close it behind you.  Immediately come back in.  Progress to staying outside for a few minutes and coming back. 

Remember to keep your exits and returns very low-key.  You don’t want your dog to get excited that you’re back.  His attitude should be, “ho-hum, it’s you again.”  If your dog gets upset at any point, you’re going too fast.  Go back to any earlier step, and start again.

You can see how you’re desensitizing your dog by teaching him that you can go away for longer and longer periods of time and still return safely.

Don’t Teach Your Dog The Wrong Lessons

In conclusion, now you understand how easy it is to unknowingly train your dog to do what you don’t want him to do.  Avoid these mistakes by finding a dog training course that shows you how your dog’s mind works.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can deal with separation anxiety in dogs once you understand how your canine friend thinks.

If you’re dealing with the problem of separation anxiety in dogs, visit No More Bad Dogs to learn more about a dog training resource that will help to solve your problem.

Are you the type of person who loves giving surprises? Are you the kind who will try hard to think how are you going to make your loved ones feel that they are special? If you are pulling the trick all the time, you may feel that you are already running out of ideas. There is one surprise that you must not opt for. And this is none other than pet adoption.

Advantages of Pet Ownership
There are a lot of advantages of owning pets. Your age does not matter here be it young or old. Pet’s bring lot of happiness in the lives of people. But the kind of pet that one must own should be according to their lifestyle. Therefore how pets can change lives of people? Here are only some of the reasons.

1. Companionship is the first and most popular reason whether for old and young people. They buy pets of their own choice as to be a friend or even as to make it like a family member. You often treat your pets just like babies. You feed them, bathe them and even teach them tricks if you can. For over stressed individuals and those who do not have their families to greet them upon coming home, pets become their alternative for such purpose.

2. There are scientific studies which proved that pets can cause good effects on one’s heath, especially with the elders. Owning one and interacting with them can reduce your cholesterol levels. It is also able to regulate your blood pressure. Of course, it can eliminate or reduce the stress levels that you are feeling. Others say that this can also prevent some cardiovascular diseases from recurring.

Overall, owning pets can lead to a healthier you. Plus, you will also be happier and more energized. You will get the sense of responsibility for your Pet’s health and lives. You will experience increased level of alertness, excitement and fun.

Red Alert
However not since you have read about the advantages, it does not mean that you will go and have a pet from the nearest adoption centre and surprise rest of your family. Mind you, this will also come with a lot of responsibility which the recipient may not be ready to owe up to. So make sure that you talk first to the person you have in mind to give a pet to before you make any moves.

1. Do not give those who are not asking for it. There are many causes behind why human beings choose to have pets. But there are also reasons why they opt not to. This is the basis why the American Humane Society advices people to discuss the matter with the would-be owner before you pass on to them the responsibility of owning a pet. They do not encourage the gesture of giving pets as gifts.

2. Discussing will also prove to be easier on both parties. If they really want to own pets, at least you can ask them for their preferences. This way, you are assured that when you give them the pets, they will be happy about the gesture and that they will be prepared to care for the animal.

The vital factor in pet adoption is that you have to find the perfect match between owners and the pets. You have to make sure that both will like and love the fate that they are both about to venture into.

Do you belong to the group of people who want to return back to the goodness which life is bringing in their way? Or are you just compassionate and care about any living thing? Maybe you were born or raised as a pet lover. If you want pet adoption tips that can help you in deciding whether this is the right time to do this or not, the first thing that you have to remember is to listen closely to your heart.

Is this actually what you would like to happen? Why do you want this? If you already own a pet, why would you still want to adopt an additional? You may think that there are too many questions being posed with the simple query about tips. But these questions are vital if you want to succeed in this venture.

Imagine this. There are many uncared for animals roaming aimlessly at this cruel world. You may have seen the news about other nations, states and localities doing unimaginable things to these animals. But in the first place, why did these pets end up in the streets with no food, no shelter and no one to take care of them?

Lost Pets
One reason could be the undecided people who thought that they can handle the responsibilities of being a pet owner after they have gone through the adoption process. It is really hard in all aspects. It requires too much to be a pet owner. Physically, you have to provide fun and enjoyment to your pets by having them participate on activities. Or you can merely play with them or walk them around the neighborhood at night or job with them during the day. Emotionally, you have to really care about the animals to ensure that you have only their well-being in mind. You’ve got to attach to them on this level so that your pet will feel wanted and loved. And financially, you have to allot a budget for instances wherein your pets may suffer from certain illnesses or may be in some sort of accidents.

Another reason for pets to appear lost is that they may really have gotten lost. This scenario cannot be helped. It will be good if you can find their rightful owner. The latter will surely be grateful, especially if they think of their pets as part of their family. But it will be hard to do so when you don’t have the means. As much as you want to help the pet to come back to its rightful owner, you can place it on a shelter that can provide them the necessities or you can agree on the responsibility of owning it and treating the pet as a family.

And when pet owners die, who do you think will care for their pets? If the other relatives of family members will not owe up to the responsibility, the pet may choose to wander while wondering where their owners go. Or maybe they are also in search for new owners to find them and care for them like how their former companion treated them.

Make a Move
In order for you to decide whether you will adopt or not, here are some tips that you may want to look into.

1. Make sure that you talk about your plan to your family and everybody who is living in the house with you. They deserve to know about it beforehand so they can give their suggestions regarding the matter.

2. You have to be prepared to be a responsible pet owner.

3. And the last of these pet adoption tips is to find the right link that will point you to the right pet that will suit your preference and will fit perfectly into your life.