Category: Pets and Animals

Quick Guide To The Irish Setter Dog

Posted by Nitrogendreams in Pets and Animals

     

Irish Setters are extremely swift, with an excellent sense of smell and are hardy over any terrain and in any climate. The Irish Setter is used for all types of hunting. Irish Setters have balanced, elegant, medium-sized frames (sometimes larger) covered in silky red coats that grow long on the ears, tails and chests. Their handsome, lean heads have long muzzles, almond shaped eyes, dark noses and long, thin ears.

Irish setters stand between 25 and 27 inches (64 and 69 centimeters) high at the shoulder and weigh from 60 to 70 pounds (27 to 32 kilograms). Basically a hunting dog, the Irish setter is also popular as a pet. Irish Setters present a training challenge because they are stubborn, easily distracted, and quick to bore, but most of them are quite intelligent. It takes a great deal of patience and commitment to train an Irish Setter; however, such training is an absolute necessity, and it usually proves to be fun and rewarding for both dog and owner. Irish Setters are not naturally aggressive, although can bark to protect the area from strangers. Despite being marked as slow-witted dogs by many, their trainability as working gun dogs belies this.

Irish Setter males weigh between 60 and 70 pounds. Females weigh between 50 and 65 pounds. Irish Setter Rescue will neither accept nor place any dog who is temperamentally unsafe or who has shown aggression towards people in the past. Irish setter pup’s for sale. Both parent’s kc reg but pup’s are not due to losing paper’s in the move.

Irish setters present a training challenge because they can be soft, stubborn, easily distracted, and quick to bore, but most of them are quite intelligent. It takes a great deal of patience and commitment to train an Irish setter; however, such training is an absolute necessity, and it usually proves to be fun and rewarding for both dog and owner.

Early Irish Setters were white with red blotches on their coats, but today the Setter’s coat is a rich mahogany color. Originally, the Irish Setter was bred for hunting, specifically for setting or pointing upland game birds.

Irish Setters are traditionally used for many types of hunting because of their swiftness, keen sensitivity to smell and are enduring through practically any type of terrain and in virtually any weather condition. This breed was popular for hunting on the wetlands.

Irish Setters have an excellent sense of smell and have been used for centuries to hunt and pick up scents that may be undetectable to other dogs. This dog has been bred for hunting, tracking, pointing, watchdogging, and competitive obedience.

Irish Setters are active dogs that need a few miles walk every day, and are cannot be trusted off leash, since they like to follow scents, so they should only be let off well away from traffic. They like ball games, once you have taught them how to play ball. Irish Setters are very playful dogs that have a mind of their own. They don’t tend to bark much and greet all strangers enthusiastically even if they are unwanted visitors.

Joaquin writes about cheap pet insurance and tesco pet

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Do You Have Suicidal Dogs At Home?

Posted by Denhampton in Pets and Animals

     

There are quite a few things that can create anxiety in you animals at home but there are some things that you can do to minimize your dog’s anxiety tendencies.
Here are a few do things.

Do:

Exercise the heck out of her. Really wear her out: the longer you expect to be away, the more exercise she should get before you leave.

For example, if you are leaving for work in the morning, she will probably be by herself for at least four hours; and, if you have got a dog-walker to take her out mid-day instead of coming back yourself, she will not see you as the person she really cares about - for at least nine hours.

So she needs a good, vigorous walk (fifteen to twenty minutes is the absolute minimum here!) before you walk out that door. More is even better.

Distract her from her boredom, loneliness, and anxiety by giving her an attractive alternative to pining, pacing, and whining. All dogs love to chew and why not play on this predisposition?

Get a couple of marrowbones from the butcher, bake them in the oven for 20 minutes (so they go nice and hard and crunchy and so she can not smear marrow all over your furniture), slice them up into chunks of a few inches long, and give her one about 15 minutes before you leave.

It will keep her happy and occupied, and will act as a smokescreen for your departure.

When you leave, put the radio on to a soothing station: classical music is ideal, but any station featuring lots of talk shows is also ideal. Keep the volume quite low, and it will calm her down a bit and give her the feeling that she has got company.

If at all possible, supply her with a view: if she can see the world going by, that’s the next best thing to being out and about in it.

Acclimatize her to your leaving. Taking things nice and slowly, practice getting ready to go jingle your keys about, put on your coat, and open the door. Then without leaving sit back down and do not go anywhere.

Do this until she is not reacting any more. When there is no reaction, give her a treat and lavish praise for being so brave. Next, practice actually walking out the door (and returning immediately), again doing this until there is no reaction.

Gradually work up and gradually being the operative word here until you are able to leave the house with no signs of stress from her.

Do not:

Act overtly sympathetic when she is crying. Although it sounds very cold-hearted, trying to soothe and comfort your dog by patting her and cooing over her is actually one of the worst things you can do: that is essentially validating her concern.

Make sure she can not tell that you feel sorry for her: do not ever say, it is OK, good girl when she is upset!

If you are interested in getting a more detailed look at how to deal with your dogs separation anxiety, you might like to check out a recommended book which might help you with your dog’s problems.

This book is a great learning tool for anyone who wants to learn how to deal constructively with their dogs problem behaviors.

As a mater of fact, all of the common behavioral problems are dealt with in detail in this book, and there is a great section on obedience commands and tricks too.

For more information on this subject please go to the following web site at
http://abme4-llc.com
Dennis Hampton is the founder and author of many blogs, web sites and 2 fantastic business opportunities. check out these two web sites:
http://abusinessmadeeasy.net
http://abusinessmadeeasy.biz

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Stop Dog From Barking- 2 Step Technique

Posted by Jgkelly in Pets and Animals

     

Use this simple two step process to stop your dog from barking.

Step 1 Train your dog to Bark.
Although this sounds counter intuitive, read on and all will be revealed.
This will be a repetition and reward sequence. Choose the word you want to have your dog react to when you want him to bark e.g. “Talk”.

The first step is for your dog to link your command with his barking. Hold up a treat and say, “Talk”
Eventually your will bark if only to ‘encourage’ you to drop the treat.

Say “Good Dog” and give him the treat.
Do this twice a day for at least 5 minutes until your dog has learned to bark when you say “Talk”.

Gradually start saying “Talk” without always giving a treat but with lots of praise and petting as that is itself a reward.

Using a treat infrequently will train your dog faster because you are using “intermittent reinforcement”. It’s a very powerful technique because your dog will perform the way you want as they continually hope for that unpredictable treat.

This works just as well on humans. Casinos rely on it for their profits on the slot machines as do golf courses as golfers hit an occasional good shot that keeps them coming back (OK that’s a bit of a stretch but that’s what it feels like).

Intermittent reinforcement at its best can easily be seen when you feed a begging animal at the table Your pet will keep on begging even if you stop as they know that once in a great while their begging works.

Step 2 Train your dog not to bark
Now you want to train the dog to stop barking. Again choose the word you want to have your dog react to when you want him to stop barking bark e.g. “Quiet”.
The key is to ALWAYS use the same word.

The process is pretty much the same as “Quiet” but adds a layer. Start by having him “Quiet” once he barks, hold up a treat and say “Quiet”. Wait until he stops barking, then say “Good Dog”, let him have the treat and pet him.

Do this twice a day for at least 5 minutes until your dog has learned to be quiet on your command.
Again you gradually reduce the treat level while keeping the praise and petting.

Applying the Training
Now when the dog barks at other things, use “Quiet” and “Good Dog” as in training. Again consistency is key. Correct your dog at EVERY bark.

You can now branch out…does your dog bark when people come to the door? If so have someone repeatedly come to the door and use the “Quiet” command. Use treats, praise and petting when you get the desired quiet response.

You can use this technique so the dog doesn’t bark when he’s alone or if he’s in the car etc etc etc.
Eventually you won’t need treats as ‘Good dog” will be reward in itself but the praise must stay. Give treats sparingly.

If training fails
A good pro-trainer is a good solution for people who can’t train their dogs. Realize that a good part of this process will be training you! Check references and professional credentials. Ask about his methods and see if you agree with them.

For more information on tools tips and techiques so you can be your own dog whisperer visit my blog
HERE!

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How To Pick The Best Housing For Your Pet

Posted by Genxer66 in Pets and Animals

     

Your pet needs a good home to live in when outdoor. There are many times when you have to leave for several hours and don’t want to leave your pet in a cramped kennel for that long. Or, you many keep your pet in your yard but don’t have an exterior fence to keep him in. There are many affordable options for pet owners to consider these days. The chain link fence has always been the only reasonable option to consider for outdoor kennels. Chain link has been used for many years for backyards to keep in pets and children from wandering off.

With the new modular fencing on the market there are many other options that are considered much safer, reliable and flexible. There are uncovered wires on the chain link fence that your dog may get his collar caught on and some chain link will not hold in the smaller breeds or puppies. Young puppies can usually squeeze right through the square openings. Today’s answer to your pets unsafe housing is called Modular Kennels.

Modular Kennels are taking the pet industry by storm. Most are reasonably priced, easy to install and are available in custom sizes and shapes. Different sections can be purchased to build the exact size and shape of the kennel so as to fit your needs according to individual space constraints. Modular kennels are a step above other fencing in that they are safer and do not have metal wires or loose ends that may be harmful to your dog. For these reasons, Modular Kennels have become more and more popular among professionals and regular dog owners alike.

It is important to consider the size of your dog and how much space he or she needs. Many neighborhoods have very small back yards, so it is important to plan well with the area you have to work with. Inside this structure there should be a place for your dog to take shelter in such as a dog house.

Again, there are many sizes and shapes of dog houses, so choose the one that is just right for you. There should also be a place for water and food so that your pet won’t be walking in and out of it. Lastly there should be enough room for your dog to walk around in freely for exercise.

Modular fencing is extremely easy to install. All that you will need will be listed in your instruction booklet. If you just follow the manufacturer’s information, you’ll have your kennel up in no time at all. It comes in sections that you simply put together with clips and you can make the kennel in a variety of configurations depending on your needs.

After construction is finished, then simply place your pets house inside along with a water bowl and you’re off and running. There are options for dog houses, such as weather flaps that can keep out the rain or snow, so keep that in mind when purchasing. Also, if there are no trees in your yard to shade your kennel, there are different covers available to you. Hard covers and shade cloth covers are very popular to go along with your modular dog kennel.

Just remember, one size does not fit all where different breeds of dogs are concerned and where different size yards must be taken in to account. Modular Kennels are the only answer to that problem. Also, safety and comfort for your pet is the number one consideration in any kennel project, so considering the Modular Kennel is definitely something you should look at.

These Modular Dog Kennels are also used by professional breeders because of their versatility. Extra gate panels and separation pannels can quickly turn a single Modular kennel in to a six run professional kennel or more.

Beth Guide is the webmaster for Posh Pampered Pets and carries a wide variety of dog, cat, horse and other pet supplies. If you have any questions regarding Dog Supplies or Posh Pampered Pets, please feel free to call 979-221-7251 or visit us at “http://www.poshpamperedpets.com”.

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Tips On How To Care For Aquarium Fish

Posted by Piusvic in Pets and Animals

     

Fish kept in an aquarium are definitely the easiest pets you can keep. The first thing to do is to learn the basic steps in caring for an aquarium. There are things that should be done daily to care for fish and some things that need only be done weekly or bi-weekly. Fortunately, daily care consists of very simple things to do.

Just spend a few minutes watching them and you can detect any signs of unhappiness if any. Yes, fishes do suffer from stress so keeping a fish happy is the secret to keeping it healthy. The lights and filters are important to maintain the perfect equilibrium of the aquarium so do check them regularly to make sure they perform in peak working conditions. Do not forget to give your fish their food everyday. Give them, enough food that will last for the duration of two to three minutes feeding time. Excess food that is not consumed will sink to the bottom and become debris, adding to the nitrate levels and rising the toxicity of the water. You should check the water ph and temp weekly. If there are changes required, do them promptly. You can know about what conditions will be suitable for your fish from the pet store where you purchase the fish from. Every variety of fish can thrive in particular conditions.

You have to spend time to clean the filter too. Filters collect waste excreted by the fish and left in the tank in the form of excessive fool. If you do not clean these filters, they will get clogged and not be able to perform their task of filtration. In addition to eliminating waste, a filter sometimes acts as an aeration device cycling oxygen through the tank. In case your filters get congested, the movement of gases in them will also slow down. This can reduce the total volume of oxygen in the aquarium. Without rectifying this problem as soon as possible, your fish are surely moving towards an untimely death. Change the filter on the aquarium every two to three weeks depending on need. As soon as your water begins looking dirty and has an offensive odor, you must clean your filter. Some filters need to be replaced, while other simply need to be cleaned with water.

Go slow when you are changing water in your aquarium. Do not let the lights and other fixtures remain when you are cleaning your aquarium. You must replace roughly a third of the water in the tank with fresh water every week or two. Water can be added from the tank provided you treat it for temperature, keeping it near two degrees of the water in the aquarium. The retailer at the pet store will guide you on the proper kind of water to be used. Sometimes, the tap water treatment is done in about an hour, while for others you will need to keep the water overnight.

You can remove the algal growths from the walls of your fish tank by using a scrubber. Be very particular you are not disturbing the fish when you are cleaning the tank. You will have to move about the rocks in your tank too because this loosens the residue collected under them and make them come to the surface from where you can remove them. A siphon or a small bucket may be used to remove this debris which you can do when you are replacing the water. Remove all dead leaves from the water plants. In order to clean the outer portion of the aquarium, simply use a squeegee soaked in water. Do not miss out on cleaning the lid and the cover of the tank. Lastly, plug the aquarium back in, and enjoy the freshly cleaned tank.

For more great aquarium fish articles, pet grooming articles, pet health articles, go over to hotpetsupplies.com. While there don’t forget to sign up for our bonus free dog training report.

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Things To Consider Before You Buy A Miniature Pig

Posted by ToxicDave in Pets and Animals

     

I’m always happy to hear that somebody is considering adopting or purchasing a miniature or potbelly pig. They are fantastic animals and if you plan on getting one you’ll have years of fun together.

Before you make the leap, make sure you know what you are getting into. You, your family, your other pets and, of course, your potential mini, all deserve the best and that means making an informed decision. Do as much research as possible in advance to ensure a happy relationship. What follows are some considerations to get you started.

Check your local and county ordinances. In some places, if it walks like a pig and oinks like a pig it is a pig regardless of its size. Unless you’re zoned to maintain livestock, these areas will frown on your new friend traipsing around.

Next, consider that “miniature” is a relative term. Unlike its miniature counterparts, a farm pig can grow to hundreds of pounds in size, easily attaining weights of 700 pounds or more. A blue-ribbon prize winning county fair sow might well top out at over 1000 pounds. So when you hear “miniature,” it’s only miniature in comparison to those massive examples. Though comparatively smaller, miniatures can still weigh as much as or more than a large dog (40-200 pounds) though they will be more compact.

Like dogs, miniature pigs are also highly social animals. They form very close bonds with their human family members and can suffer depression when abandoned. If you aren’t sure you can commit to a long term bonding with your pet, you might want to consider a less social animal. It’s also important to know that some breeds can live as long as twenty-five years so this is not a short-term commitment you’re considering. Learn the lifespan potential of the breed you are considering and plan accordingly.

If you’re still committed to bringing home the bacon (sorry, couldn’t resist) then it’s time to consider your pet’s dwelling. Miniature pigs are not fans of change so it’s best to have what you (and your pet) need arranged before you even walk in the door together for the first time.

Have a nursery set up for your mini complete with toys, a bed, water bowl, blankets and towels (for him to root in). Yes, pigs love toys and you can provide them with hours of fun by purchasing small rubber/plastic squeak toys for them. Pigproof the space in advance much the same way as you might childproof a room by covering electrical outlets, ensuring electrical cords are out of reach and that there are no sharp objects or small ingestible hazards lying around.

In addition to a nursery you’ll want to provide your mini with an outdoor area for grazing, wandering and rooting. Do not use chemical fertilizers on grass your pet may graze on and be sure the area is enclosed so piggy doesn’t wander off.

I’d be remiss in not mentioning trash. Pigs are not dirty animals but they eat…well, like pigs. Just as a dog will gladly knock over a trashcan for a helping of four-day-old chicken bones, a pig will gladly dine at the Hefty Bag Buffet if given the chance. Ensure your trashcans have child locks or stay secured in cabinets. Latches for your refrigerator are also recommended. Miniature pigs are amazingly bright animals and they will, given the chance, learn how to open the fridge for their dining pleasure.

You should also have high quality feed ready for your pet and rules in place for your children. Let children know not to play too rough with their new pet. Your mini’s first day at home, away from its former surroundings, is full of new (and often frightening) sights, smells and sounds. Children should be gentle and calm and existing pets should be slowly acclimated to the new family addition.

Finally, as a bonus tip, you will quickly learn that miniature pigs do not like to be picked up and will squeal horribly when they are. People often wonder why this is or if they are hurting their pet. Don’t worry about it. Pick your pig up when needed but don’t do so just in an effort to cuddle. The pets most of us are accustomed to (dogs and cats) aren’t particularly offended by being picked up and carried because they are familiar with the sensation. Being carried in the mouths of their mothers is within the instinctive norm for them. Pigs, however, have no such frame of reference and instinctively associate being picked up with being prey animals.

Does that mean these little guys aren’t affectionate? Bite your tongue. Nothing says “love” in quite the same way as a pig snuffling, grunting and squealing with joy when its family comes home from work. It’s how you’ll know that piggy loves you and missed you while you were away. Your pet will also love to snuggle up next to you as it is accustomed to doing with its litter mates. Just don’t let piggy get in the habit of jumping up on you. Those hard hooves, I assure you, will leave your legs affectionately bruised.

David writes for MiniaturePigsGuide.com, a blog devoted to educating potential owners about miniature and potbelly pigs, their care and special considerations.

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