Many parents know that the best way for children to learn compassion and the importance of keeping commitments is by helping to care for a pet. Children learn from watching the adults in their lives. If a child can learn to treat an animal with respect they can take that lesson into later life. A ca...

Far away in Tibet, a country with a recorded history going back almost 1,500 years is where our Shih Tzu began. The country was noted for its devotion to Buddhism. Some of the tallest mountains in the world edge the country of Tibet. Winters in Tibet are severe with temperatures to 14 degrees F in...

Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and loyal, and are happy to curl up at your feet. If you?re looking for pug puppies for sale, you can be sure of a loving companion. Pug puppies are playful with children, they get along well with other household pets an they train quite w...

I would consider myself to be a lover of all animals, but I would definitely classify myself as a cat person. I?m sure this stems from the fact that my childhood pet was a cat that lived a long and loving 17 years. It just seemed natural that I would look towards the felines once I was ready to have...

Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several tips to keep in mind before starting any dog obedience training. First of all, understand that dogs have an attention span of no more than ten minutes. Training routines, therefore, should be limited to this time frame. Secondly, all tr...

Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If each dog and cat owner in the United States took the time to understand the root of their animals` behavioral issues, our animal shelters would be substantially less populated with strays. Around sixty percent of animals in shelters are there simply bec...

Over the last 15 years, I have raised nine orphaned kittens. Four of them were two weeks old when their mother was killed; three others were only hours old when their mother died; two more kittens fell out of the nest in our barn when they were only a day old. Raising motherless kittens is not a dif...

Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for cats to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. The quality of your cat`s health is the result of a partnership between you and your veterinarian. You must be confident that the vet you have chosen will take good care of yo...

Choosing the right veterinarian should be a little more involved than simply picking up the phone book and calling one that is closest to your place of residence. You may find that after a few appointments you are uncomfortable with your choice for various reasons. You may not be happy with the adv...

"Ringworm" is the common name for the skin infection caused by a special group of fungi; it is not caused by a worm at all. The fungi feed upon the dead cells of skin and hair causing, in people, a classic round, red lesion with a ring of scale around the edges and normal recovering skin in the cent...

Were you aware that crate training your Pit Bull terrier is the responsible thing to do as a dog owner, and that everyone should be doing this? Properly crate training your Pit is one of the best things that you could possibly do, and I?m going to explain exactly how to do it correctly. If you?re ...

If you have a hard time in summer imagine how it must feel under a fur coat! here are some simple tips to help your dog beat the heat. 1) Bob The Hair If you have a shaggy dog like a pomeranian, Pekinese or any such variation then listen up. Your dog needs a hair cut. Tha hair should be cut with sci...

What is the purpose of a leash? ?A chain, rope, or strap attached to the collar or harness of an animal, especially a dog, and used to lead it or hold it in check.? ? Webster?s Dictionary Hmmmm? - A chain, or rope used to hold an animal in check? - A chain, or rope used to lead an animal? First of a...

As all cat owners know, a feline can be a wonderful addition to any family. One of the most basic aspects of cat ownership is proper health care for the cat. Health care for a cat encompasses a wide array of vaccine shots, flea protection, vet visits, medications, and even proper exercise. Howev...

They may seem to be bold explorers - sniffing at and mouthing just about anything - but all dogs have an instinctive fear of anything unfamiliar to them. Fear causes stress on the body, which affects long-term health. To help your dog avoid the negative health effects of stress, it is important to s...

Off leash exercise should be an important part of the dog?s daily routine from an early age. This will help the puppy to enjoy his freedom. Also, off leash game of ? fetching a ball? and a good run helps to mentally and physically stimulate the pup, which is a must for every dog, Some people are app...

One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder is "how do I determine the sex of my fish?" There are very few easy identifiable identifiers in this process. Here, we will discuss the methods used by some of the top breeders. In juvenile fish, determining sex is almost impossible. It is o...

Cute cat names? Max is popular, Lady a favorite for queens. If you want your cat to have a more original name, you have to use your imagination. Or get some expert help. ?Muffin. Kitty. Snowball. All stupid names that no self respecting cat would have - if it weren`t for the stupid human who gave it...

Spending time training your Pit Bull can be very rewarding and fun for you both. It helps build a stronger bond between dog and owner that is important for the happiness of both parties. There are many different types of training that you can choose to do with your Pit Bull, one such is agility trai...

Most one-dog owners at one time or another will ponder the thought of getting a second dog. There are many reasons for doing so. Company for the number one dog is the most common answer, while many would agree two is twice as fun. Are you ready?
You are the proud parent of one very wonderful dog...

Barking is a natural canine behavior, and is one of the main ways in which dogs communicate. Your dog barks for a variety of reasons. But sometimes dogs bark because they are bored or lonely. This type of barking tends to meet with some response (generally upset pet owners urging their pooch to stop...

? Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in?. ? Mark Twain - A healthy dog is a happy dog. We dog ?owners? are almost solely responsible for our dog?s eating habits. Of course Fido wants those left over doughnuts, but by NOT feeding them to your dog,...

Your Shih Tzu matron will keep her whelping box clean the first few weeks. She will stimulate her Shih Tzu puppies to eliminate and ingest their wastes. Newborn Shih Tzu puppies are born incompletely developed. The Shih Tzu matron must stimulate them to urinate and defecate or the puppies become ...

The most influential breeder in the early days of the Shih Tzu in North America was Swedish-born Ingrid Colwell. Noone has equaled her contribution to the breed. She was the daughter of Ingrid Engstrom. Mrs. Colwell`s original stock was 80 percent Scandinavian. Future breedings incorporated English ...

What procedures are employed to maintain a Shih Tzu ? pet or show - in optimum health? The areas important are: 1. Maintenance of high standards of health.
2. Feeding a scientifically balanced diet.
3. Establishment of a regular program of exercise.
The formality and detail of a syste...

Westies dogs? owners delight in the companionship their dogs give them during long and leisurely walks. But this activity should be one that brings pleasure to both. How can you ensure that your dog also enjoys these activities? First, you?ll need to get your dog accustomed to having his paws handle...

When you get a new puppy it is imperative that he receive all his proper puppy vaccines. These protect him from getting diseases if he becomes exposed to them. When the pet doctor injects a vaccine into your puppy, it "teaches" the pup?s immune system what a disease organism looks like. But the vac...

There are three important litter box considerations to account for whether you`re a new kitten owner, or someone who has had a cat for a while. If kitty isn`t happy with any or all three of these, you may find she`ll start urinating outside the box. 1. Litter Box Location: Location is all-import...

It?s a look everybody?s witnessed ? the frazzled face of a new parent who hasn?t slept through the night, hasn?t eaten a decent, sit-down meal, hasn?t enjoyed a long, hot shower in days. It?s one of the most stressful and joyous times of life ? there?s a new puppy in the house! No one expects parent...

The worst thing about having a dog is the training part. Just imagine how bad an untrained dog is. An untrained dog could litter anywhere in your house. This gives you?re a house a foul odor that is pretty difficult to figure out where it is coming from. Aside from that untrained dogs could be so ac...

Dog owners, who recognize the early signs and symptoms of illness or pain in their dogs, will not only relieve their loved one?s suffering but may also be able to save themselves an expensive trip to the veterinarian. Not only is it important to recognize these signs early to relieve pain and suffer...

Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog? Are they really necessary? - In a word, NO! You probably receive an annual reminder from your vet that your dog is due for his/her annual checkup and vaccinations. I do. But I don`t have my dogs vaccinated any more. For years I was hoodwinked into believing that vac...

What you feed your dog is really SO important for your dog`s ultimate health, susceptibility to illness, and longevity. You know, if you really want your dog to be as healthy as s/he can be, you should stop feeding ANY of the widely available commercial dog foods. I`m talking here about the types of...

Canis Familiaris - also known as the common and tamed family dog, is quite the remarkable creature. Down to his furry coat (and in some cases, not-so-furry coats), his adoring eyes, white dagger teeth, four stubby paws and tail; dogs have long known to be man`s best friend. It is, in fact, this reas...

Did you know that there are over 10 million adoptable animals entering our nation?s shelters each year just waiting for a family to call their own? According to the ASPCA approximately 5-9 million of these animals are euthanized in our shelters every year due to overcrowding. Help save a life this O...

Breeding goldfish is actually a fair amount more difficult than most people would think. Much like us humans, Goldfish are rather particular about the conditions in which their little fishy babies will thrive. Like women, goldfish females appreciate a date done right. They require proper mood lighti...

Pregnant cats have to eat for two, three, four, five, even six cats. So her regular meal is just not enough. What should you give instead? Pregnant and lactating queens need more calories than normal. However, you won?t have to force her to eat. Cats are very intelligent animals. They know when they...

If you have ever tried to take a picture of your dog, you will realize how hard it is to capture the pups full personality and beauty in a photograph. Dogs aren?t human, and they don?t understand what we are doing when we try to take their photo. They may think that the camera is a toy and charge ...

Starting to train your dog from a young age is crucial, as the first few months of his life is when you will have the greatest influence on him; this is where he is shaped into the dog he is going to be when he is all grown up. ?How does your dog sit when you tell him to and mine doesn`t?" ?How can ...

Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen to our secrets, and give us unconditional love. Losing a pet can leave us with a muddle of other feelings in addition to the sadness: anger, anxiety about other problems we couldn?t address because we were so busy caring for our sick pet, and ev...

Animal jewelry has always been popular. Even in ancient Egypt, people wore jewelry fashioned after animals like the cat and the ibis. In modern times, you see animal jewelry captured in charm bracelets and necklaces. Why is animal jewelry still popular today? Here are a few reasons to consider when ...

If you have just bought (or are considering buying) a new puppy, then one of your concerns will most likely be housetraining your new pet. Puppies, like babies have limited control of their bodily functions, so a simple training plan will need to be implemented from day one. The following guide will...

You have no doubt seen a blind person being lead across a busy intersection by a Seeing Eye dog. These functional companions have been used to help handicapped people become independent for years. Nobody knows exactly when the concept of a Seeing Eye dog came into existence but it has been suggested...

The reported sales for Yorkshire Terriers is phenomenal. Over the past few years, the popularity of this breed as a family pet and as the dog to breed has seen tremendous growth. In fact, the requests for adorable Yorkie puppies is greater than the supply. This fact has many Yorkie owners wondering ...

Today?s veterinary healthcare providers face a dilemma: how to get your clients to provide more and better care for their pets without making them think all you want is money. Here are some ways you can do just that (and a bonus: you?ll get more new clients, too!). America is a nation of animal l...

One of the most common diseases encountered by tropical fish hobbyists, is the common parasite known as "ick" or "ich", for ichthyophthirius. In most cases, white spots on a fish`s scales are the first sign noticed, although it`s possible fish may begin rubbing themselves against objects as well, si...

If you have a cat who doesn`t use her cat litter box, it might be the type of cat litter you buy for her. Cats are fussy about a lot of things, and the cat litter brand you think she`ll likes might end up offending her for a number of reasons. If she doesn`t like it, your cat will communicate the ...

Large breed dogs pose special grooming dilemmas. The Great Pyrenees and other Bernard family members have cornered the market on that special combination of girth and hair. Without a regimented grooming routine the Pyrenees? flowing white locks can easily morph, soon resembling an electrocuted Komon...

Some of us just to refuse to think of our dogs are just dogs. For us there are dog clothes! Cute sweaters, doggie tee shirts, dog booties, stylish bandanas, and let?s not forget little hats. These are among the items people will purchase to dress their dogs in style. Dressing a dog is more abo...

There are two areas of introducing new fish into an aquarium that you must be aware of: 1. Fish Quarantine Fish quarantine is one big, singular factor that must be observed strictly before you can be sure that your new fish is of good health and not an apostle of doom for the other inmates. Most...