Selecting a name for your pet is a huge responsibility. If you’re struggling to find the perfect name for the latest member of your family, follow these steps and you’ll be engraving your pet’s ID tag in no time at all.
Step 1: Keep it G-rated. Make sure you choose a name that you will never be embarrassed to repeat to children and old ladies in the park. Some people might think it’s cute or clever to name their dog after their favorite beer but others might find it offensive when you introduce “Corona Light” to the neighborhood.
Step 2: Choose a name that is 1 or 2 syllables and isn’t hard to pronounce. Some experts say dogs and cats respond best to names that end in “y” or “ie”. Keep in mind that longer names lend themselves naturally to nicknames, so if you choose a longer name, make sure you like its corresponding nicknames.
Step 3: Consider what your new pet looks like. If a black and white spotted dog looks like an Oreo, go with it. (Or in my case, if your golden retriever looks like an old Irishman, name him Seamus!)
Step 4: Consider your new pet’s personality. Maybe she prances throughout your house and deserves the title of Queenie. Or perhaps he bounces all over your yard and you want to call him Thumper.
Step 5: You might want to name your pet after a family member. Just be careful who you name pets after; some people in the family might find it offensive that you’ve named your pit bull after your mother in law.
Step 6: It might sound egocentric, but maybe you’ll want to name your pet after an event or hobby that has special meaning to you. A distance runner we know named his running dog Miles.
Step 7: If you’re still struggling to come up with a name, you can always resort to movies, television, celebrities, the internet, a baby book, etc. The internet and baby books will help you determine the popularity of the name and where the meaning is derived from.
Step 8: Make it a family affair. Ask everyone you know for their opinion…you’re bound to come up with countless names when you solicit the advice of others.
Your pet deserves to have a name you’re both proud of. Don’t be afraid to take your time choosing his name. After all, he’ll be a part of your family for a long long time!
This article was written by authors from pet-super-store.com which is an online pet store featuring the latest from PetSafe, Innotek and Dogtra.
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Although humans might feel that a dog’s diet is boring and lacking in variety, it’s actually beneficial for a dog’s digestive system to feed him the same brand of food consistently. However, if you find yourself in a situation that necessitates a brand switch, use the following steps as a guideline.
Step 1: First of all, determine if the reason you’re switching your dog’s food is a good one. Are you motivated by his health, allergies, vet recommendation or cost? Make sure you are switching food for the right reasons and that the “problem” with the old food will be “solved” with the switch.
Step 2: Introduce the new food into your dog’s diet by creating a mixture with ¼ of the new food with 3/4 of the current food. Do not feed him the new food in addition to his current food; be sure to make the necessary reduction in serving size to his current food. Do this for 2 days.
Step 3: For the next two days, create a 50/50 mixture with his current food and new food. The following two days the ratio of new food to current food should tip the scale in favor of the new food, ¾ new food to ¼ current food. This gradual process should ease the transition and hopefully avoid any digestion issues.
Step 4: If you are switching food from dry food to wet or vice versa, the same rules can apply. Just take more precaution to ensure that the food is mixed very well.
Step 5: Resist the urge to supplement your dog’s diet with extra treats out of misguided guilt! If you do this, your dog might not work up an appetite and this will not help you in your efforts to find out if the switch was a good one.
Step 5: At this point you’ve devoted about a week’s time to making the gradual switch. If your dog is responding well, eliminate the old food entirely.
Step 6: Continue with the new dog food unless there is health or allergy concern. It is not beneficial to switch dog foods based on sales at the market as frequent diet changes may land you at the vet’s office to treat digestive concerns.
By taking the time to switch your dog’s food with these cautions in mind, it should be a painless transition.
This article was written by authors for pet-super-store.com which is an online pet store carrying dog training collars, gps dog tracking and electric dog fences.
We all love taking our dogs out into wooden environments where they are free to romp and run without the constraints of their leashes. While your dog is busy leaping through the brush and running through overgrown grassy meadows, he’s probably coming into contact with ticks. Ticks are literally lying in wait, hoping to find a home on the body of a warm-blooded animal. Follow these steps if your pet has become the host for a tick.
Step 1: If you’ve found a tick on your pet, it’s likely that you’re already performing regular checks for ticks and you’re already aware that your pet is at risk to come into contact with ticks. Before you perform such a check, you should put on gloves to reduce the contact that you’ll have with the tick.
Step 2: You will need tick tweezers or sharp pointed tweezers to remove the tick properly. It’s very important that you do not squeeze the tick or leave any part of the tick behind on your pet. In order to avoid making either of these mistakes, position the tweezers as close to the pet skin as possible.
Step 3: Pull the tick straight out from the pet’s skin in a steady motion. Pull the tick slowly, being careful not to extract only a portion of it. Do not attempt to twist or yank the tick from your pet’s body.
Step 4: If you wish to have the tick tested for harmful bacteria, you will need to place it in a jar with a screw lid, such as a mason jar.
Step 5: The only way to successfully kill a tick is to place it in a jar of alcohol. Many pet owners will tell you to flush the tick down the toilet but that is not effective in ridding yourself of the tick.
Step 6: Clean the affected area thoroughly and apply an antibiotic ointment. Keep an eye on the site of entry for a few days and call your vet if you notice any unusual changes to your pet and/or his skin.
Step 7: Dispose of the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.
Don’t be afraid to venture outside with your pet again. Your pet can come into contact with ticks even in a suburban setting. It’s a good idea to place your pet on a preventative medication that will help ward off ticks.
This article was provided by pet super store a pet supplies site featuring dog doors, dog crates, and pet crate pads.
Potbelly pigs are curious and intelligent animals and more and more people are finding a place for them in their homes. Adopting a pig is a big commitment and you want to make sure you’re doing it right.
Step 1: Do your research. The best place to start is with the North American Potbelly Pig Association (NAPPA). They are an excellent resource for finding breeders and veterinarians that follow their Code of Ethics.
Step 2: Check with your community or your Home Owner’s Association. Some communities have ordinances limiting the types of pets you are allowed to keep in your home. For example, there might be restrictions pertaining to potbelly pigs that include the size of the pig, the size of your yard and the number of pigs you can have.
Step 2: Locate a breeder. Once you’ve received a recommendation from NAPPA or your veterinarian, begin investigating breeders. You’ll need to visit their facility and make observations about what you see there. Look at the shelter that is being provided to the pigs, as well as the availability of food, water and a place to exercise. Note the way the breeders interact with the pigs and ensure the pigs are socialized.
Step 3: Ask a lot of questions. A good breeder will have no trouble describing the pig’s health in detail and providing proof of his lineage. The pig should also have proof of vaccinations, registration, and should be spayed or neutered. Insist on meeting the parents of the pig. They will be your best guide for predicting the size and temperament of your pig.
Step 4: Take your pig home in a kennel. Hopefully your pig has been introduced to a kennel before and this won’t be a traumatic experience. It’s a good idea to start this tradition immediately as it will prove to be helpful anytime you travel with your pig.
Step 5: Within one week you’ll need to take your pet to be examined by a veterinarian that has experience with potbelly pigs. The vet needs to be someone who can supply you with (or direct you to) appropriate food and support for caring for your pig.
Step 6: Love, love, love! Pigs are affectionate creatures who require a lot of interaction. Quickly establish a feeding schedule, exercise routine and play patterns that will earn you the loyalty of your new pet.
Because the lifespan of a potbelly pig is approximately 15-30 years, you’ve just added a member to your family that will bring you joy for years to come!
About the Author:
This article was provided by pet-super-store an online pet store featuring dog crates, dog training collars and dog carriers.
Dogs are natural pack animals. They look to a leader, and rarely challenge the one that leads them. If you don’t establish yourself as your dog’s leader early on, then you may have to deal with serious behavior problems throughout your dog’s entire life. If it appears that you are the inferior one in the relationship, then you need to take back your place as leader as soon as possible.
You first need to identify whether your pooch is acting in a dominant or in an aggressive way. Although the two are linked, there are differences between them. If your dog is growling, barking, biting, or acting in a similar way, then he is exhibiting aggressive behaviors. A dominant dog is more aloof; he may disobey orders, not perform things he has been trained to do, or demand playtime and attention, among other behaviors. This article is intended to help dogs that think they are dominant, not dogs that are acting violently towards their owners. If your dog is being aggressive, then you may need to call in the help of a behavioral specialist.
Maybe you never controlled him as a puppy, or didn’t establish house rules early on. For whatever reason, your dog does not see you as his leader. This problem needs to be taken care of as soon as possible; otherwise, dominance can turn into aggression. First, set yourself up as a leader. You need to be confident and able to handle your dog. You should neither completely look passed your dog’s behavior nor get angry or aggressive toward him. You pretty much have to start with the basics. A hint for any dog behavior situation is to go through obedience training. Completing a training program with your pooch can help put you back in the dominant position, while building a stronger human-animal bond.
Start with the little things. If your pooch begs for his food, then deny him what he wants. No, don’t starve him; but, you can wait a few more minutes, or until he gets distracted by something else, to feed him. If he begs to go outside, then follow the same guidelines. Once outside, then use a leash to walk him (whether or not he is accustomed to the leash). Do not allow him to lead you; instead, keep him by your side as you walk. The more often and longer you exercise, the more tired your pet will be. This definitely helps out with controlling behaviors. A great tool to utilize in cases such as these is a schedule. Mapping out a routine for your pooch helps keep the begging to a minimum; if he knows when it’s coming, then he doesn’t have to beg for it. Include meals, exercise, and grooming time on the schedule.
When you are inside your home, do not allow your pet to be “king.” Don’t allow him to sit on top of any furniture or eat table scraps. You should provide him with a comfortable place to sleep in an area where you spend most of your time. There is no sense in isolating him from the family. If he begs to be pet, then simply tell him “no” or a like command and redirect your eyes from him. While you “negate and ignore” his bad behaviors, you should start rewarding his good ones. For instance, if someone knocks on the door and he obeys the “sit” and “stay” commands, then give him a treat for his good behavior. He’ll soon learn what you want from him.
While training or retraining your pooch, it is important that everyone in your household is consistent in the training. Your pet won’t understand what is desired of him if everyone has a different rule or uses different commands. If you set a schedule, then encourage everyone to keep the same schedule. Consistency is always a major aid in any form of dog training.
If your dog is showing signs of dominant behavior, then it is important that you take care of things before it turns into aggressive behavior. If your dog is already to the aggressive point, then you may need to call in the help of a behavioral specialist. There are simple things you can do around your home to regain your dominance. Whatever you choose to do, make sure the other members of the household are following your lead. Consistency should be one of your best friends right now!
About the Author:
Pet-Super-Store provided this article. They are a website featuring dog beds, orthopedic dog beds and dog crates