Saucy Pet

Archive for January, 2010

You can start off by asking yourself some simple questions.

1. What size is your saddle?
2. Does my horse have a short or long back?
3. What is my preference on the look of my tack on my horse?

Size of Saddle:

What is the size of your saddle in length. Is it a barrel, roping, cutting, etc saddle? If your saddle is a roping or cutting saddle, stay away from the short saddle pads (32″ and below). Your saddle may just barely fit on the saddle pad. On the flip side if you have a barrel saddle then you probably want to stay away from the long (34″) saddle pads.

Does my horse have a long or short back?

A lot of people don’t think of this when choosing a saddle pad. If you have a short backed horse and decide to go with a saddle pad that is 34″ long – it may be too long for your horse. It will probably end somewhere in the middle of the horse’s rear. However things could be reversed as well. If you have a long backed horse and decide to go with a 30″ saddle pad – there may be a lot of the horses back that is still exposed after the saddle pad and saddle are on the horse. It may look weird to you or other people. That is where this next section comes into play.

What is my opinion of how my horse looks when saddled?

Ultimately the decision comes down to your personal preference. What do you think looks good? Do you think that your saddle pad should cover the whole back of the horse and come right before his hindquarters start?

People have different styles and ways that they like their saddle pad, saddle, and horse to look. A shorter (28″ or 30″) saddle pad is good for a short backed horse with a barrel or youth saddle. They may use a larger saddle pad (33″) if a roping saddle is used on the same horse. On a long backed horse if a roping saddle is used they may use a long (34″) pad. However if the same long backed horse is used and a barrel saddle they may use a long (32″ or 33″) pad to cover the horses back.

What it really comes down to is what is your personal opinion, your type and size of saddle, and your horse all as a combination. There really isn’t a “correct” answer to this question. There are only opinions.

Here is a link with a variety of saddle pad to help you in your decision.

Having a well trained dog is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have with your pet. The problem is that with all the techniques available, how do you know which one is the best one for your dog? In this article I will be explaining one of the most popular techniques available today: Positive Dog Training.

Positive dog training is a training method that focuses on praising and positive reinforcement every time the dog performs the task correctly. In other words, you only reward the dog for good behavior.  Studies have shown that most dogs respond better to this tactic.

This tactic does not involve hitting, spanking, or punishing a dog when a task or command is not performed to your satisfaction. This is considered a “negative” approach, and it has been found to work unsuccessfully with dogs in general.

There are many types of rewards you can use with your dog, such as doggie treats, kind words, a quick rub, a pat on the head, etc. Studies have shown that dogs respond better to this type of training using positive reinforcement.

For example let’s look at the “sit” command. After you ask the dog to sit and he sits, immediately follow up with a treat and praise. Do this every single time so that the dog makes the association between sitting and praise (positive reinforcement).

Another instance in which this technique can be very helpful is during potty training. Use the same approach as described in the paragraph above every time the dog goes to the bathroom when and where they are supposed to. Soon enough the dog will make the connection between the reward and going to the bathroom where he or she is supposed to. Training the dog this way will speed up the potty training process.

Another important aspect of this training involves the tone of your voice. When giving a order, your tone of voice must be firm and with authority. Don’t scream, yell, or use a high-pitched tone of voice. Be firm so the dog knows you mean business. When praising the dog use a happy and pleasant voice. Dogs love to be praised and rewarded, and they can tell from the tone of your voice.

If you are interested in more information about Positive Dog Training in Fort Lauderdale, or Positive Dog Training in Miami, check out our links.

There are many dog training methods available today. One very popular technique is the “clicker training” method.

This system uses a clicker, a small plastic box with a metal button which makes a clicking sound when pressed. This has become one of the chosen methods used by trainers because it parallels the Positive Dog Training method.

This technique reinforces natural occurring behaviors  on dogs, such as sitting, standing, barking, etc. It is also used to teach new tricks to your dog, such as play dead, roll over, high five, etc.

The assumption behind this system is that the noise given off by the clicker means accurate. As soon as the dog performs the command accurately, you use the clicker followed by positive reinforcement and lots of praise. This makes it clear to the dog that the behavior is correct.

Timing and consistency are two critical factors to make this technique work. Make sure the clicking signal is given as soon as the command is finished correctly. If this is performed at the same time every time, the dog will make the association between the command, and the fact that he did it correctly.

Once the dog starts making the connection between the clicker and the “right behavior” signal, it will learn new commands faster and easier.

Dogs are very smart, and they prefer training that reinforces the positive aspects instead of the negative. Old school used negative methods, such as hitting, yelling or spanking to correct bad behavior. Studies have shown that this type of negative training does not work, and can cause secondary unwanted behaviors.

As with any type of training, consistency and patience are essential. At first it will take longer to train the dog, but as time goes on the dog starts understanding the method and training will be easier and faster.

Clicker training is relatively easy, and can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. Get yourself a clicker and start experimenting. If you need more information on Clicker training or Positive Dog Training in Fort Lauderdale, check out our links.

Scientists have succeeded in sequencing the dog genome, an accomplishment that could lead to better health for humans as well as canines. An international team of researchers have published their detailed analysis in the journal Nature. Not all is linked with dog food secrets when talking about how to care for your dog.

“Of the more than 5,500 mammals living today, dogs are arguably the most remarkable,” says senior author Eric Lander, PhD, director of the Broad Institute at of MIT and Harvard. He is a professor of biology at MIT and systems biology at Harvard Medical School, as well as a member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

“The incredible physical and behavioral diversity of dogs — from Chihuahuas to Great Danes — is encoded in their genomes. It can uniquely help us understand embryonic development, neurobiology, human disease and the basis of evolution,” Dr. Lander notes.

Powerful Tool

“When compared with the genomes of human and other important organisms, the dog genome provides a powerful tool for identifying genetic factors that contribute to human health and disease,” says Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which supported the research.

“This milestone is especially gratifying because it will also directly benefit veterinary researchers’ efforts to better understand and treat diseases afflicting our loyal canine companions,” Dr. Collins adds.

Humans domesticated the dog, Canis familiaris, from gray wolves as long as 100,000 years ago. As a result of selective breeding over the past few centuries, modern dog breeds present a model of diversity. Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which supported the research.

Such breeding practices preserve preferred traits of one generation in the next, but they also predispose many dog breeds to genetic disorders, including heart disease, cancer, blindness, cataracts, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and deafness.

The research group found that while different breeds show amazing physical diversity, they often share large segments of their DNA, likely reflecting their recent shared origin. As a result, genetic tools being developed at the Broad Institute and NHGRI for any one breed of dog are likely to be useful in genetic experiments in nearly any breed.

Evolutionary Tree

While dogs occupy a special place in human hearts, they also sit at a key branch point, relative to humans, in the evolutionary tree. It was already known that humans share more of their ancestral DNA with dogs than with mice. The availability of the dog genome sequence has allowed researchers to describe a common set of genetic elements -- representing about 5 percent of the human genome -- that are preferentially preserved among human, dog and mouse.

Rather than being evenly distributed, some of these elements are crowded around just a small fraction of the genes in the genome. Future studies of these clusters may give scientists the critical insight needed to unravel how genomes work.

Elaine A. Ostrander, PhD, chief of NHGRI's Cancer Genetics Branch, is a co-author of the Nature paper, along with postdoctoral research fellows, Heidi G. Parker and Nate B. Sutter. In addition, Dr. Ostrander is the lead author of the white paper that sets forth the biomedical rationale for sequencing the dog genome.

Dr. Ostrander’s laboratory maps genes responsible for susceptibility to cancer — including breast and prostate cancers — in canines and humans.

“The leading causes of death in dogs are a variety of cancers, and many of them are very similar biologically to human cancers.” says Dr. Ostrander. “Using the dog genome sequence in combination with the human genome sequence will help researchers to narrow their search for many more of the genetic contributors underlying cancer and other major diseases.”

Genetic Compass

Efforts to create the genetic tools needed for mapping disease genes in dogs have gained momentum over the last 15 years, and already include a partial survey of the poodle genome. More than two years ago, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, PhD, co-director of the genome sequencing and analysis program at the Broad Institute, and colleagues embarked on a two-part project to assemble a complete map of the dog genome.

First, they acquired high-quality DNA sequence covering nearly 99 percent of the dog genome from a female boxer named Tasha. The boxer was chosen as a representative of the average purebred dog to produce what has become a reference sequence for the dog-genome community.

Using the sequence information as a genetic "compass," they navigated the genomes of 10 different dog breeds and other related canine species, including the gray wolf and the coyote.

The researchers identified roughly 2.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, sprinkled throughout the dog genome. SNPs are variations in the DNA code, some of which contribute to diseases or the overall health of a dog.

SNPs also can be used to create a set of coordinates with which to survey genetic changes, both within and across dog breeds. These efforts revealed that individual breeds have maintained a large amount of genetic variability, despite their long history of restrictive breeding.

In practical terms, this means that future efforts to locate disease genes in dogs can be much narrower in scope than comparable human studies, requiring a smaller number of genetic markers and DNA samples collected from the blood or cheek from only a few hundred dogs. You might also want to read secrets dog training and more about Animal Care

Searching for answers about outdoor dog kennels? You have come to the right spot. Here is a listing of the top frequently asked questions regarding outdoor dog kennels.  

Are outdoor dog kennels safe for pets all year?
If you live in a environment that experiences severe heat or cold you may not want to keep your dog in an outdoor dog kennel all the time. Make sure you learn what temperatures your dog can endure and take them in the house when it is too cold or too warm.

How large is the outdoor dog Kennel?
The outdoor dog kennel could be no more than 6 by six feet and as huge as 15 by 15 feet. There are various dimensions for sale on the internet nowadays. In addition, it’s possible to have outdoor dog kennels custom made for your yard.

How high must the outdoor dog kennel be?
The height of any outdoor dog kennel will depend on the type of pet you may have and how high it can jump. When you have a really small pet a 4 feet high outdoor dog kennel may be suitable. However, a large pet needs a kennel that is no less than 12 feet tall. You should also consider whether or not the dog can climb on anything else to jump over the top of the kennel.

What is an outdoor dog kennel made from?
Typically outdoor dog kennels are made of chain link fence or wire. This allows your dog to get a lot of air and sunlight. On the other hand, certain outdoor dog kennels have roofs made of other materials that will keep out the rainwater or hot sun.

My question about outdoor dog kennels did not get listed in these five faqs. Any suggestions?  
Unfortunately, there are not a ton of sites that supply answers to your questions about outdoor dog kennels.  One web community that I do suggest for outdoor dog kennel info, however, is http://outdoor-dog-kennel.bidandblog.com .  Inside their free discussion board (that is purposely about outdoor dog kennels), you’ll find every answer to every question that you could likely possess.  The web community also offers live auctions for outdoor dog kennels along with a no cost email service that will email you each time a new outdoor dog kennel auction is posted.  Not to mention that it is pretty fun to have a chat with other folks who are also selecting a outdoor dog kennel  

If you’re thinking of buying a new 48 dog crate, you are possibly asking yourself a few questions. This brief article will supply you with five quick answers to 5 commonly asked questions regarding the 48 dog crates that are currently available for purchase.  

What are the advantages of the 48 dog crate?
A 48- inch dog crate provides several positive aspects over all other, small dog crates. Even if you four-legged friend is still a pup, getting a 48 dog crate will mean that you won’t have to order one more dog crate when your pet becomes bigger. For small puppies, for instance Chihuahuas, a 48 dog crate will leave your pet a lot of room to move.

Is it okay if ever the dog chews on the 48 dog crate?
A 48 dog crate is generally created from galvanized metal which enable it to endure being chewed on. Though there are 48 dog crates that are covered with chrome or vinyl, the dog should not manage to chew his/her way out since the galvanized steel base are designed to withstand this.

What breeds of canines will 48 dog crates support?
48 dog crates can hold any k9 breed that could fit into it comfortably. These include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians and many different dog breeds.

When would I need a 48 dog crate?
You will need a 48 dog crate when you take a trip along with your pet. A lot of airlines have requirements you should comply with when traveling with your dog, and 48 dog crates are constructed in line with these specs.

I have a additional 48 dog crate question that was not listed in this article. Are there other internet sites on 48 dog crates?  
Decent websites are next to impossible to come across.  Nevertheless, you are not the only one with an interest. A huge number of folks who either have or are contemplating purchasing a 48 dog crate visit http://48-dog-crate.bidandblog.com .  Within this website, you will locate a boatload of free, visitor-provided answers to common questions.  In addition to a ton of faqs, the site also offers live auctions for 48 dog crates; a free 48 dog crate instant message alert service; and a free of charge auto-bidding service.  There is virtually always a user on the discussion board who will be able to answer any question about 48 dog crates.  

One of the most important changes we can make to improve our health is to increase or levels of physical activity and to lose weight. Making changes to our lifestyle can seem daunting at first, and it is a big commitment. Experts often recommend having a friend to partner you in your exercise regime, so that you can motivate each other. But a friend is prone to temptation just like you are. Their warm cosy bed can easily be too much to resist and your exercise regime may quickly disappear. I suggest you go one better, what could be better than an exercise partner who always wants to work out? A dog.

You can easily combine your health with pet health. Those of you who already have a dog should be walking him every day anyway. But there is always scope to do more. It’s easy to fall into the trap of a short walk morning and night, but what else could you do. We’re lucky in Britain that even in the cities we’re never really that far from a park or some countryside. There are so many super places for dog walks. The countryside is more inspiring than the number 30 bus route.

Both you and your dog will feel great after country walks. Exercise improves the mood of both people and animals. It could also help you shift those awkward few pounds. It’s also a great way to enjoy your dog’s company; and your family’s if they join you, or to get some peace and quiet. Another advantage is that days out walking your dog won’t cost you a penny.

Pet health and your health are so very important. So is your bond with your pet. I can’t think of a better way to take care of each other than to exercise together.

Electronic Dog Fences use the electronic collar to convey a warning because the pet approaches the boundary line. This safely and effectively teaches your pet to remain inside the boundry lines. Electronic dog fences offer you the safety of keeping your dog safe and in your yard while not investing in an actual fence to try and do so. This sort of fence is also excellent for neighborhoods where fences aren’t allowed by neighborhood associations (who additionally frown on dogs running loose, consequently). Electronic dog fence technology has been shown to be the foremost effective, safe and humane method to contain your pet. Pioneered by Innotek, the newer containment systems feature run through prevention, a patent held only by Innotek, twenty four/seven battery back-up, rechargeable and microline dog collars, and much, a lot of more.

You’ll keep your dog safe and your yard fence free. The wireless dog fence works by the transmitter emitting radio signals up to ninety feet in all directions, making an arena effect. Wireless dog fences are one in every of a form and created solely by Petsafe. These new dog containment fences and dog containment systems have shown themselves to be not only effective for pet containment however safe and humane as well.

Installation of an electronic dog fence can encompass a abundant larger area at significantly less value then a daily on top of ground fence. In fact some systems are designed to contain up to 25 acres. Put in at the proper height for your breed, they are a terribly strong dog containment system. They’ll span the gaps during a solid wall or stockade fence.

Coaching time ranges from two weeks to 2 months. Training an animal to take a seat, keep, play dead, and roll over, are very common and straightforward techniques which will nevertheless be more than trying to communicate to your animal without the correct tools. You can teach them a way to perform these straightforward actions through patience and perseverance, but these days, there are tools and technologies that facilitate equip you to form the task at hand easier.

At the heart of Plasmacluster Ion technology is a tiny dynamo. Our Sharp air purifier review will feature the ultra-high concentration Plasmacluster Ion generator. Only 57mm by 28.5mm by 15.5mm in dimensions, this little gadget is responsible for the all-important reactive agents.

Overview of Plasmacluster Ion Technology

Plasma is formed upon delivery of negative and positive voltages to the discharge electrodes in the Plasmacluster Ion generator. After liquid, gas, solid, the three commonly known states of matter, there is a fourth, plasma. It is a partially ionized gas-like state wherein some electrons are free and not bound to an atom or molecule. Disintegration of water molecules that permeate plasma lead to the creation of negative ions (oxygen) and positive ions (hydrogen). Distinct and stable Plasmacluster Ions are created when atmospheric water molecules form clusters around the hydrogen and oxygen ions. Ultra reactive and extremely unstable hydroxyl radicals are created as soon as Plasmacluster Ions come into contact with any pathogens. Such a mercurial make-up causes hydroxyl radicals to quickly interact with hydrogen atoms on the surface mebranes of pathogens. The result; a disabled pathogen and a harmless by-product, water. Simple yet effective! But is it for real?

Plasmacluster Ion – Science Fiction or Scientific Fact?

A genuine Sharp air purifier review has to deal with a basic issue – are Plasmacluster Ions science fiction or fact? Plasmacluster Ions, like many other emerging nanotechnology products, are totally invisible to the human eye. Compounding the issue, the individuals who use air purifiers have no means to validate the claims. One obvious verification method is to view the results of using Plasmacluster Ions. This is done in 2 ways, in the laboratory (efficacy test) and in the real world (efficiency test).

Sharp, as an established corporation with a successful track record has anticipated these concerns. Developed almost into an art by Sharp is the concept of academic marketing. Based upon cooperation between Sharp and well-known academic institutions, scientific experiments are conducted to verify the claims in relation to Plasmacluster Ion technology. The data forms the basis of new products introduced to the market. The definition of effectiveness has been fine-tuned into efficacy and efficiency. Between 2000 and July 2009, it focused on efficacy testing. Efficiency testing in conjunction with corporate end users of Plasmacluster Ion technology is the current focus.

Plasmacluster Ion – Verification at Atomic Levels

Seeking further for the purpose of this Sharp air purifier review, we believe that it is Sharp’s strategy to focus on efficacy and efficiency testing to become the leader. Sharp announced on 17 November 2004 the scientific findings of Professor Gerhard Artmann of the Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Armed with an electron microscope, leading cellular engineering authority Professor Artmann confirmed that Plasmacluster Ions led to the destruction of more than 60 protein types on the cell membranes of viruses and bacteria, thereby inactivating them.

A test result with important implications was that the core DNA of pathogens were unaffected by Plasmacluster Ions as these do not perforate the cell membrane. This is highlighted as a clear advantage over any air purification technology that relies on DNA destruction to inactivate pathogens. The danger to users of other air purification technologies being exposed to cancer from DNA damage was implied.

Plasmacluster Ion – Efficacy Tests

This current Sharp air purifier review condenses in one place the efficacy tests on pathogens conducted by Sharp. Via tests conducted between September 2000 to July 2009 under the umbrella of academic marketing, research scientists have demonstrated the efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions in destroying at least 28 types of airborne pathogens. Of the virulent pathogens, the most significant are the lethal SARS virus, the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus, a variant of the potentially fatal H1N1 virus which re-appeared in Mexico in 2009 and MRSA, the resistant bacterium that causes devastating infections in hospitalized patients.

The coxsackie virus which causes the common cold and the polio virus are also inactivated by Plasmacluster Ions. Also annihilated are candida, pseudomonas, serrata bacterium, sarcina, escherichia coli, bacillus subtilis, micrococcus, enterococcus, white staphylococcus and staphylococcus. Mites, allergens and pollen have also been effectively dealt with together with fungi like cladosporium, penicillium, stachybotrys, alternaria, mucor and aspergillus.

The organizations, some of which conducted multiple tests, were:

- Harvard School of Public Health, USA

- Retroscreen Virology, Ltd,London, UK

- Asthma Society of Canada

- University of Lübeck, Germany

- CT&T, Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany

- Seoul University, Korea

- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China

- Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan

- Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan

- Kitasato Institute, Medical Center Hospital, Japan

- Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan

Osaka City University Medical School conducted the last reported efficacy test that validated the inhibitory properties of Plasmacluster Ions on allergic reactions caused by mite allergens (mite feces and dead mites).

To summarize our Sharp air purifier review concerning efficacy testing, we would highlight that a key factor is that they were conducted by organizations which have attained GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) status, an OECD guideline that attests the reliability of tests results produced. GLP is an international standard that must be renewed every three years. An important factor, yet this fact is often given no weight by critics of academic marketing and air purification technologies. Another ignored fact is that the work of a GLP laboratory can definitely be scientifically peer reviewed. As we know, the scientific peer review is the missing final jigsaw piece in the puzzle of all air purification technologies, Plasmacluster Ion technology included!

We invite you to sign up as we proceed to complete our Sharp air purifier review.

If your dog can no longer sit next to you on the sofa as he used to ,maybe it is time to buy him an orthopaedic bed. He will be more alert and energetic after a good nights sleep on his new orthopaedic bed.

If your dog now needs help to get up the stairs in order to sleep in your bedroom by your bed, then consider getting him an orthapaedic bed either in your bedroom or in the hallway. Then, he will still be there for you first thing in the morning but will, like you, have a more comfortable sleep during the night.

You can site his orthapaedic dog bed downstairs so that he can rest there during the day if he needs to and still be aware of the normal events of the house. Why noy have it with you in the kitchen for company.

As dogs get older, they are known to suffer quite badly from aching bones and rheumatism. They give us so much love during their life and really deserve the same thought and caring during their old age that they have given to us. Anything we can do to make their life more comfortable has got to be worthwhile and an orthapaedic bed can do that.

So, give your best friend the love he has earned. It is payback time for a lifetime of playful and joyous moments he has given you. All those times he has warned you of impending danger or just to be a great friend in those times that you were feeling low and neded the companionship. Get him an orthapaedic bed. He will most certainly thank you for it. It will ease many of the aches and pains he is getting from old age, and will let him rest easier.