Puppy Training Tips: Stop Puppy Nipping

Puppies have sharp teeth. And as they instinctively use their mouths to explore and taste things (including you) and when playing, those sharp teeth hurt when puppy takes a nip at you with them. You are going to get nipped by your new puppy. Accept that as a fact. However there are steps you can take to discourage them from doing so and protect yourself from scratches and cuts from those sharp little teeth at the same time.

Given that nipping is natural for puppy to do - for example they do it to their siblings as part of growing up and developing - so one step to take is to try to socialise your puppy with other dogs.

Let them do what comes naturally to them if possible. You may then find that they are calmer when back in your company as they've had their fun with the other dogs and are them less inclined to take a nip at you when they think they are playing and see you as a dog substitute.

There's another beneficial by-product of mixing your puppy with other dogs. Puppy will learn how to interact with their fellow canines which can help when out for a walk for example because puppy has picked up essential doggy social skills.

Just as you and I played with other children in the area when we were young and learned at the same time, you can allow your puppy to do the doggy equivalent.

Another method you might use to help reduce puppy's tendency to take a nip at you is to build correct behaviour in to your regular training routine and general interaction with your puppy. Basically, encourage and reward good behaviour but do not punish bad behaviour.

Whilst that may sound like a contradiction, it's really not.

If you do punish puppy for bad behaviour, expect retaliation. Puppy does not know why they are being punished and they will (forgive me a slight pun) bite back - quite literally - with those sharp teeth and take a nip at you because they see it as an attack and it is their instinct to fight back. Well, wouldn't you?

When puppy decides it's time to take a nip at you, instead of getting yourself worked up, shouting at them or (even worse) hitting them (please don't do that) try ignoring them until they stop, gently but firmly put them back on the carpet or even in their bed.

Then when they do stop, are back on the floor, in their bed etc. give them lots and lots of praise.

By doing this, you are teaching puppy that when they nip they do not get your attention until they have stopped.

And when they do stop they get your praise. Much more fun for puppy. Taking these simple steps should help to reduce puppy's nipping instinct and you will have a better trained, better behaved puppy as a result.

Simple Things You Can Do To Improve Your Dogs Behavior

There are approximately 87.9 million pet dogs in the USA, according to some estimates. Many of these dog owners would like to improve their fury friends behavior. There are some simple things you can do to improve your their behavior. Lets consider some common dog behavior problems many owners are confronted with and how to solve them.

One of the most common problems is excessive barking. To solve this problem it is important to understand why dogs bark. There are a number of reasons: to initiate play, warn of danger, threaten intruders, discipline their your or because they are curious about something. All of these are normal reactions and to be expected. To train him to stop barking for the wrong reasons, you could praise him when stops barking and give him a treat. Keep repeating this process until he only barks when you tell him to "speak". Your dog will soon catch on that being quite gives him a treat.

Another problem is begging at the dinner table. To stop this behavior you have to discourage him from doing this. One way to do this is to put some of your food into his dog bowl. This will keep him away from the dinner table and help your dog to understand he should only be eating from his bowl. Only give him scrapes that are healthy for him. Your fury friend must be conditioned to eat from his bowl and understand that this is the best place to find food.

Many dogs pull on their owners lease when going for a walk. It is important to take your dog for a walk at least once a day, but their constant pulling on the lease can be very annoying. They often pull in a certain direction because they see something that makes them curious, like another dog. To help solve this problem be aware of other dogs and shorten up his lease when he becomes aware of other dogs. Some owners will always keep their dog on a short lease. I don't agree with this. Take your dog for a walk using a retractable lease. It is import to stop and let him smell things that interest him. It is very important that he knows he can do this, after all it is time out of the house.

Improving your dogs behavior takes patients. However it is worth it. But remember much of their behavior is normal and should not be discouraged. It is important that we understand why they are behaving in a certain way, after all we're suppose to be the more intelligent one.

Different Ways Your Dog Is Trying To Communicate With You and What This Means

Dogs have their own special way when attempting to communicate with their human friends. They will bark in a certain way to get their humans attention. Some will jump on their human friend if they haven't seen them for a certain time.

With most dogs being away from their best friend is a very lonely experience. When they see their human friend at the end of the day they will react to this. Your dog is very aware of your presence and will be very affectionate if he or she has not seen you for a long period of time.

Dogs have different ways of showing their affection and actually use body language to convey their feelings. You dog will display these actions as way of getting your attention. They will also display a pattern which often involves play. They will often bark at you in a low voice when they feel that you are not giving them proper attention. This attention often requires petting them often which lets them understand that you are not going away.

Dogs use various movements and body positions to communicate their feelings.just as humans do. Their body language is more obvious than humans. Many humans are unaware of the body language they are conveying. Dogs use body language on purpose as they can not speak in words. Body language is a form of non-verbal communication. This means your dog can express his or hers intentions through their body movements and position such as lying down in a certain way. Of course how you interpret their body language depends on how well you know your dog and the behavior of dogs in general.

Dogs will even use their ears to communicate. They will often heighten or flatten their ears to convey certain emotions. When they heightened their ears they ready for play or are curious about something nearby. When they flatten their ears they are in a very content place such as being petted or cuddled.

Their tall is another indicator of their mood or intentions. How a dog wags his tail is one of the best ways to understand your dogs behavior. When a dogs holds his tail high this could mean he feels dominant. If he or she holds their tail low this could be a sign of aggression or just mean they are being submissive.

Understanding your dogs behavior will take time and patience. There are resources on the internet that can help you with this. But remember your dog is an intelligent creature that requires your friendship. Some of the things he or she does can be controlled but only with the proper training.

Best Regards

Social Benefits of Summer Dog Walks

Walking your dog at the beach this summer provides multiple psychosocial benefits for their development, regardless of your dog's age.The beach is a popular place to walk your fuzzy buddy when the weather is nice. Often populated with many sights, sounds, and smells your dog gets to experience a new, ever-changing environment. Busy, active social environments varies routine predictability, and makes their life exciting! Sand and water exploration provides so much neuron development (brain cells). The exploration provides your canine with the ability to experience different textures and sensations, stimulating neurons they may not excite on a daily basis. Dogs love learning about their environment! Exploring new environments together is exciting for your dog and also prevents territorial aggression that can form with strict routines.

Walking your fuzzy buddy at the park provides more sights, sounds and smells than at any other time, when the weather is nice. Objects, such as park benches, can be used for casual agility play, exciting your dog's natural interest to "work", and impresses you. Socialization in active environments enhances your canine's social development, allowing them to cope better with fast-paced, constantly changing surroundings.

Taking your fuzzy buddy to the dog park provides them with the unique opportunity to explore different types of sounds and smells specific to other animals, excellent for canine to canine socialization. The dog park allows dogs the opportunity to go back to their non-domesticated roots, intermittently, and rejoin the animal hierarchy and animal way of socialization in a true "pack" nature. Although this animal "pack" socialization can be helpful, it can also turn for worse if one dog suddenly becomes too aggressive, usually for reasons humans cannot easily understand on initial observation. However, freedom off leash provides your fuzzy buddy with a different set of social standards than being on leash, so off leash dog play gives canines the chance to be less inhibited with humans and other animals. Having your dog experience a balance between dog to dog socialization and human to dog socialization is an important piece for healthy dog development.

In this article, I discuss three popular summer dog walk areas; the beach, the park and the dog park. Each area provides similar and unique ways that your fuzzy buddy will socialize with you, and other people, as well as other dogs. We recognized that there are basically two types of socialization that is beneficial for your fuzzy buddy, human to human interaction and canine to canine interaction. Canine to canine play lets your dog be less inhibited and reform to the "pack" mentality which is very enjoyable for them. Where ever you walk your fuzzy buddy in summer, take your time and have fun! When you are enjoying yourself - your dog is too. Take time to explore together and make a point to add adventure once in a while. You and your dog have a unique bond.

Important Considerations Before Buying a Puppy

You have always wanted a dog. Perhaps you have retired and fancy taking long walks with your new best pal. Or perhaps the kinds have been pestering you to get a puppy and you have finally caved in. But before you rush out to make the kids' wishes come true, there are some important questions to ask yourself to be sure you know what you are getting in to.

What breed of dog best suits your circumstances and different breed of dog have different needs of their own.

You have to strike that balance. For example if you live in a small apartment going out to buy a Saint Bernard puppy probably isn't the smartest move. Instead, say a Jack Russel would be more suitable.

That cute new puppy will need lots of looking after and training. Who will do that? Do you have the time, are you able to take time from work, can your partner and/or kids put the time in.

Tough questions to ask yourself but ask you must and be honest with yourself. Do your circumstances really lend themselves to puppy ownership?

Other considerations to take in to account include grooming and feeding. Long haired breeds take more grooming. Big dogs eat more food. And more food means more expense. Think also of the cost of owning that puppy.

It's not just the cost of feeding either. Other ownership costs can add up. For example bedding, collar, lead, toys and similar.

Another consideration is insurance to cover vet bills. Different breeds of dogs tend to have health issues specific to their breed. Consider the risk here too. Do your research in to this so you are aware of the potential issues which may arise as puppy grows in to an adult dog.

And of course ask yourself, really ask yourself, if you have the commitment which dog ownership demands of you. Do you have the fortitude to take your dog out for a walk before bed time in any weather? Sun, rain or snow, your dog needs exercise.

I suggest taking advice from a local pet store and if possible a vet before you buy that puppy. Listen to what they have to say about what breed of puppy might best suit your circumstances and how best you might prepare your home first.

The pet store or vet may also be able to offer advice on local breeders from whom you might acquire your puppy. I suggest visiting the puppy a time or two at the breeder's premises and ideally seeing puppy with its mother. And before you buy, check any paperwork which may be required. A local kennel club is another source of advice.

Owning a puppy is a very rewarding experience, however please carefully take in to account the important considerations we have taken a quick look at here before you take the plunge.

Simple Things You Can Do To Improve Your Dogs Behavior

There are approximately 87.9 million pet dogs in the USA, according to some estimates. Many of these dog owners would like to improve their fury friends behavior. There are some simple things you can do to improve your their behavior. Lets consider some common dog behavior problems many owners are confronted with and how to solve them.

One of the most common problems is excessive barking. To solve this problem it is important to understand why dogs bark. There are a number of reasons: to initiate play, warn of danger, threaten intruders, discipline their your or because they are curious about something. All of these are normal reactions and to be expected. To train him to stop barking for the wrong reasons, you could praise him when stops barking and give him a treat. Keep repeating this process until he only barks when you tell him to "speak". Your dog will soon catch on that being quite gives him a treat.

Another problem is begging at the dinner table. To stop this behavior you have to discourage him from doing this. One way to do this is to put some of your food into his dog bowl. This will keep him away from the dinner table and help your dog to understand he should only be eating from his bowl. Only give him scrapes that are healthy for him. Your fury friend must be conditioned to eat from his bowl and understand that this is the best place to find food.

Many dogs pull on their owners lease when going for a walk. It is important to take your dog for a walk at least once a day, but their constant pulling on the lease can be very annoying. They often pull in a certain direction because they see something that makes them curious, like another dog. To help solve this problem be aware of other dogs and shorten up his lease when he becomes aware of other dogs. Some owners will always keep their dog on a short lease. I don't agree with this. Take your dog for a walk using a retractable lease. It is import to stop and let him smell things that interest him. It is very important that he knows he can do this, after all it is time out of the house.

Improving your dogs behavior takes patients. However it is worth it. But remember much of their behavior is normal and should not be discouraged. It is important that we understand why they are behaving in a certain way, after all we're suppose to be the more intelligent one.

Just How Smart Is a Cat?

Of all the pet animals, the cat is perhaps the fastest learner due to its ability to get and retain information to find a solution to problems. When an adult cat is placed in a room which it has never seen before, every corner and nook is inspected with the help of its instincts. According to behaviorists, this necessity to carry out "basic research" gives the cat important, life-surviving information about his environment. So, the saying "curiosity killed the cat" is a misnomer, since it actually gives the cat its reputation for having 9 lives.

The highlight of a cat's intellect is his ability to utilize the information retained to address problems. Cats have the skill to form "learning sets", which used to be done only by primates. For instance, when trained cats pulled boxes on wheels, this revealed that they could combine that skill and their insight to solve other problems.

As an example, a cat pulled a box to a certain place, then used it as a stool to get a reward he wants - like food on a string hanging from the ceiling. Though no one knows their range of cognitive capabilities, cats continue to surprise their owners with their remarkable abilities.

Just like humans, cats learn by observing, imitating, trying, as well as committing errors. There are countless stories about cats opening doors by turning doorknobs, ringing doorbells, turning off lights, opening cupboards, plus using the toilet based on their observation of owners doing the same thing. A lot of cat behaviorists and also child psychologists agree that an adult cat's intelligence is equivalent to that of a toddler who is 2 to 3 years old. At this age, children are very clever and manipulative, so it is not surprising that cats are better trainers than their owners are to them.

Though the cat is considered as the smartest among all domestic animals, cat owners should understand the limitations of their pet's thought processes, since attributing human motivations to the pet cat can affect the patient, and systematic approach is needed to treat behavioral problems.

For instance, cats cannot remember the past or make future plans. So, it is useless for an owner to scold a pet cat for something it did moments ago or when caught in the act, since the cat cannot make a connection between an action and punishment. Its actions are not influenced by revenge for what an owner said or did in the past. These can be blamed on the stress brought about by its owner's actions.

The behavioral problems of cats are triggered by humans, and when cats are not provided with the necessary things to naturally behave like a cat, this can have a negative impact on their human owners.

How to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post: Useful Tips

If you happen to be a cat owner, then you would notice that your precious pet loves scratching stuff. Much to your horror, cats love to scratch the furniture! This may seem like a big problem, but it can be easily resolved. The key is to learn how to train a cat to use a scratching post. There are many ways for you to deal with this problem.

First of all, it is important to understand why cats scratch their paws. Cats spread their scent by scratching their paws which means they are marking their territory.

It helps them to feel secure and to identify their enclave. Shedding claws is another reason for scratching. Scratching also helps them stretch their muscles. See that there are many advantages to cats scratching their paws except that it wreaks havoc on your furniture.

On the other hand, you can trim your cat's nails to help them ease the scratching. This method is not recommended as they lose their defense mechanism. So we compiled some tips and tricks to follow to aid in your dilemma.

Useful Tips on How to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post

Now that you know the common reasons why cats are scratching their paws, we can move on to some useful things that you can do to help them learn to use a scratching post instead of your furniture.

Start early

If you have your pets as kittens, then you can start training them while they are young. This way, the action will be ingrained in them. However, if you already have an adult cat, they can still be trained but might need more persistence and perseverance.

Find a scratching post that your cat will love

Sometimes, it is all about finding the right kind of scratching post that will appeal to your cat. You can find the right post for your cat usually through trial and error. You may need to experiment and see which one works. For example, some would prefer a vertical post as opposed to a horizontal surface. The important thing is to be able to find the right one that will appeal to your cat's preferences.

Determine the best place to put your scratching post

Other times, it is not the quality of the scratching post that is important but the location. You should keep in mind that you should place your post where it will be accessible to your cat.

One pro tip: cats usually do their scratching before they take a nap. The ideal place to put your scratching post is where your cat usually naps. If you have the capacity, it is also great to put several posts in different parts of the house. Place it on your pet's usual spots, and it will surely get to maximize its use.

Now, if you happen to have a piece of furniture that your cat is very much attached to, then you can try placing a scratching post near it. This is an excellent way to divert its attention and focus the scratching on the post and not on your furniture.

Use Rewards and Affirmations

As with all great training, you can use rewards and affirmations to your pet. This simply means that whenever your pet uses the scratch post, it will get a reward. On the other hand, if they still play with your beloved furniture, then you need to be firm and let your pet know that is wrong.

To further entice your cat to use the scratching post, you can put catnip on and around the post or hang a toy for them to be able to play with. Eventually, they will get the hang of it and start using the post regularly.

Do not tolerate

If your cat is persistent, then it is time to use your voice to let your pet know its actions are incorrect. When you hear your cat scratching the furniture, say stop in a loud voice. Your pet will be startled and over time will understand that what it is doing is inappropriate. You may also spritz some water on your cat whenever it starts scratching the future. These are just some ways to dissuade your pet.

Other Remedies

Now, if the tips mentioned above do not work at all, then you can go a different route. One thing that you could do is to make your furniture unappealing to your pet. You can do this by covering your cat's favorite furniture with foil or tape. Cats do not like these textures and can dissuade them from further scratching. It may seem like a hideous look for your furniture, but it is only temporary. You can remove them when your cat already loses its interest.

When all else fail, you can try changing your furniture. Consider furniture that is made from microfiber. It can tolerate scratching, but at the same time, there are also different designs available that will suit your home.

Conclusion

Cats are adorable and fun-loving. Just remember that cat scratching is a natural phenomenon. It may seem horrible, but if you train them early, then you will be able to surpass this ordeal. As mentioned before, cats scratch as their way of marking territory and shedding claws. It is easier to train cats when you understand the reason behind their behavior.

Natural Care for Animals of All Kinds

One of the things that excited us about growing our own food was the fact that we were going to have food from our own garden and meat from our pigs and chickens without the added hormones and chemicals. While it is true that we didn't have to add chemicals, there were a lot of chemicals we didn't think about that come into play on a regular day. For example, the horses have flies that bother them, the donkey constantly has a scratch from something, the garden has bugs that have to be attended to, and then there is the de-worming of all the animals. So in the hopes of trying to have a chemical free home and toxic free family, we started looking into other options for our little farm.
When we first started the farm 7 years, we started with chickens. We actually hatched our first chicken in an incubator in our kitchen (it was a 1st grade science project). It was so neat watching the baby hatch and then raising more chicks one by one. One thing that I did not know about the chickens was that they are so fragile. One time we bought a couple of very unusual chickens from a sale. We were so excited about the them. We got them home, set up their pen, gave it food and water, and went to bed. The next morning we came out to feed all the animals and low and behold the chicken was dead! I couldn't believe it. I started researching to see what would have happened. I came to learn that chicks tend to get stressed out very easily. Over the years we have had some chickens get an upper respiratory issue and then die. We have bought all kinds of medicines to help the chicks to get past the sicknesses but nothing helped. so we decided to look into natural care for the animals. What we discovered was that essential oils were getting great results for people and animals. So about 2 1/2 years ago, my family started using essential oils for our support. We started with our family and the cats and dogs. The oils worked great on the fleas and ticks as well as for helping an unset pet calm down and relax. Next, I found that chickens could truly benefit from several essential oils as well. We  used lavender to help them relax and Thyme to help those respiratory issues.
The pros for use essential oils outweigh the cons to me. I have used a variety of them on all of our animals including the horses and donkey. I knew I would not go back to store-bought cleaners, pet care products, or bug spray when my best friend called and told me a very scary story about her little dog. She had gone to the store and bought a collar for her dog and soon after putting it on her she began to act really funny. She could not walk and could not get up and down on the chair. In a couple of hours the dog was paralyzed. When she went to the vet, he told her this was one of the side effects of the chemicals in the collar. I have totally loved our toxic free home and farm. We now, very quickly and easily make our own bug spray, spray for flies, and spray for the scratches on the animals. I have actually saved money because all the products I use on the animals are safe for my family as well. I can make one bottle of bug spray and put it on the kids before they go out to keep flies and gnats away and then take that same bottle to the garden and spray the plants and get rid of all the aphids and beetles. I love my oils and I don't see life without them.

Reasons Why Some Cats Eat Mice

Dome cat owners may be wondering why their beloved pet feline loves to eat mice, even if they have provided it with a bowl filled with commercial cat food. They could look into the cat's ancestry, biology and hard-wiring to find the answer.

Nearly a century ago, cats were mostly outdoor animals. Since cats have the tendency to be exceptional hunters, people keep them to control pests. Those who want to see them hunt in action can observe the behavior of African wildcats, their closest wild cousins. These nocturnal animals hunt primarily during nighttime. They have very accurate hearing that enables them to find their prey based only on auditory clues. African wildcats hunt mainly birds, insects, mice, rats and small reptiles. They seldom drink water, and just get moisture from the prey they consume.

Cats devour their prey so they can get an essential amino acid called taurine. Unlike other animals, the taurine that cats produce is not sufficient, and that is why they need to take it in their diet. Meat has the right amount of taurine to meet the needs of a cat's body, making them a so-called "obligate carnivore". The cat foods available in the market contain taurine.

Though domestic cats behave in a similar manner, human protection has encouraged them and managed the ability to hunt during the day and at night. In general, cats are born to hunt. As early as 6 weeks old, kittens already pounce on their food. Hunting is a cat's natural survival instinct. Cats usually hunt with caution, slowly approaching their prey by crawling on their bellies towards them before they pounce.

Domestic cats that stay indoors hunt less than those that live outdoors since there are no mice to catch. In the wild, the mothers of feral kittens teach them how to kill their prey. Domestic cats seldom develop this skill. For this reason, they are seen playing with what they catch or bringing a mouse to their owner like an "offering" since most of them do not know how to kill one.

Cat lovers have to understand that it is just normal for their favorite pet to hunt a mouse and eat it. Though this may seem to be gross to them, for cats it is a normal thing to do, and most of all, it is fun. Hunting is a natural behavior among cats, and they need to exercise this skill even though they are hunting their toys or some feathered fishing pole. In case domestic cats go out to hunt, their owners should remember to deworm them two times a year, since rodents are carriers of intestinal parasites that can infect them as well as humans.

This Is Why Cats Are Present in Almost Every House

We shouldn't really be justifying reasons why people love cats. We just do. To cats lovers, loving cats is just as natural as breathing, watching our favorite movie for an entire day, or even eating a large chunk of food every once in a while for the knack of it - even when we're on a diet - heck, especially when we're on a diet. However, there are some specific things cats do which make a person fall in love with them, knowingly or unknowingly.

Cats are great teachers

Cats are great teachers. Unlike humans who try to please someone, be it their parents, siblings or loved ones, cats really don't care. They live their lives pleasing only themselves, while still showing their own love and affection for their owners in a unique way. And we love them for it because they teach us something - it's okay to not be a people-pleaser. But still, cats owners still have fun being with their cats - despite all these. They still genuinely enjoy the cats' presence, even when they're silent and in solitude.

Cats are great sleep aid

The purring of a cat is one of the most calming sounds for humans. It makes us feel relaxed, and generally feel good about ourselves. The sound is so calming it can drive even the most sleep-deprived person into dream wonderland. And, the fur of a cat is one of the softest things a human would ever have the privilege of touching. After a hard day at work, take away your sleeping aids and every other disturbances, and just lie on your bed with you and your cat. It would be a great sleep therapy for you.

Cats make the economy go around

People invest in the latest toys, catnip, litter, treats or even vet care all for their cats. If you own one, you'd understand what I mean. Once we see a product description that says "Cats love this" and we read the reviews to back up such claim, we'd immediately want to buy it. And that is one of the ways that we show love and affection to our cats. But, little did we know that we also help the economy big time. It's a win-win for everyone! You're happy, your cats are happy and America would definitely thank you.

Cats are unique

Cats are beautiful, cute, fluffy and unique. Every cat has its own personality and uniqueness. They're like a light in our darkest days because they bring joy and happiness into our lives. Their purring, their fur, even the way they snub their owners still make us fall in love with them over and over again. Their beauty doesn't fade over time, quite opposite. They get beautiful the older they get. Not only that, but they have a large life span.

Cats require less outdoor activities

Unlike dogs, cats are not involved in outdoors activities. They do not need to be walked, neither do they catch a ball you throw at them. This makes you use lesser time in taking care of your cats. And sometimes, they might even prefer isolation. Just a back rub every now and then, play with them, feed them and smuggle them is all you need to keep a cat.

How Many Cats Is Too Much?

Is it Okay to Own Lots of Cats?

Yes, of course. You can have as much as you can. This is not only about an oddball who has a bedroom full of 250 feline pets, as reported in the news. A huge amount of cats in your house does not necessarily lead to chaos. You may have heard a person asking why his neighbor's five felines get along very well, whereas his own three always fight.

Most people have discovered that adopting cats can be habit-forming. It starts when you see a stray kitten, bring it home as a welcome addition to your cat family, and next time, you take one more plus another, and so on and so forth, because by then, one more won't make a difference.

However, keeping all cats together in a crowded space is not only unfair to them, but also their caretaker. It is more sensible to bring a stray cat to a sanctuary where it can be taken care of by professionals who can look for a new home for it. How about owning a few cats like for example, three? Or else, how many is best?

If you have read some articles about cat hierarchies, you will realize the importance of personal space to felines. The way cats get along in one household depends on several factors - like how they move.

It is, therefore, quite difficult to strike a balance in a family of several cats. You should always observe your pets to notice right away any signs of disturbance. As an example, most people know that problems can surface once a cat reaches sexual maturity.

When the cat is neutered, problems disappear, but just for a while. However, they are not aware of another stage in a cat's life, wherein the feline is no longer a teen, but has become a full-grown adult (that is, attains social maturity). This occurs when a cat is between 2 and 4 years old. This is the time when she will search for a new spot in the cat hierarchy.

The cat might even go for the top position when the feline is both bold and strong. When the present top cat does not like to be challenged, fighting will surely take place.

There are cats that are happiest when being alone, and will not fit into a household filled with many cats. Therefore, when considering a multicat household to adopt a new cat, it is important to gather as much information as you can about the potential adoptee.

Lastly, keep in mind that even if you own 1, 2 or 3 cats, except if you have a huge household, your territory has been fully occupied. Any additional cat has to blend in by sharing the territory of another. As a suggestion, the territory can be expanded by including another cat tree, litter box and more food bowls.

In addition, bear in mind that in case one of your cats passes away, this does not necessarily mean that you can get another member to fill the vacancy. Feline social hierarchies are known to be delicate, and when they lose a member, establishing a new hierarchy will just cause significant disorder.

Puppy Training Tips: Walking on the Lead and Reducing Jumping

Whilst jumping up at people may be cute, not everyone enjoys a dog leaping up all around them. Indeed, with a big, powerful dog it can be dangerous and harmful. In a similar way, puppy pulling you around all over the place when out for a walk may be natural for the puppy but is behaviour to train them out of as unless you do so, that pulling will become harder and harder for you to control as puppy grows in to an adult dog.

Therefore - it is important that you train your new puppy properly from the outset how to walk nicely on their lead and also not to jump up at people. Teach your puppy how to behave the "right" way.

An easy way to discourage jumping is every time they do it (jump up at you or someone else) is to put their paws back on to the floor, so they are back in a standing position, and give them plenty of positive praise. The general idea being to teach puppy that if he or she doesn't jump up then nice things happen and they get fussed instead.

The best time to do that, of course, is when the puppy is still small and easy to handle. When the puppy jumps up on you or someone else, gently place the puppy's feet back on the floor. When the dog remains standing there, be sure to praise it extensively.

Another technique is to simply ignore their attention seeking (I know, it's difficult) until they realise it is not going to get them what they are after. Then when puppy has calmed down - then you give them positive praise and a bit of a fuss. In a similar way to the paws back on the floor approach, you are teaching puppy that nothing good happens until they stop jumping. When they do, they get a nice fuss as a reward.

Teaching puppy to walk well on the lead and not pull is another essential early skill to teach them.

You will (obviously) need a good collar and lead. Different breeds of dog may have particular needs here (greyhounds for example need a specific style of collar to support their necks). I suggest taking some advice from your local pet store as to the best collar and lead for your puppy.

Also, for example, if you opt for a body harness-style affair, put it on to puppy and allow them to wander around the house getting used to wearing it before venturing outside.

Then it's time to start training puppy in how to walk nicely at your side. Start small. I suggest nipping out in to the garden or back yard to begin with. Give puppy a little slack on the lead, but no too much. When they start to pull and want to go have a look around, quickly change the direction and give a gentle tug on the lead to get puppy back at your side then give them back that bit of slack on the lead.

Repeat every time puppy starts to pull or want to go explore. The idea here is that you are in control and not subject to following the whim of your puppy to go anywhere they please. If you do allow puppy to do that, you are encouraging it to happen and it will get worse.

By simple correction you are teaching puppy how to walk calmly at your side. A much better behaved and easier to handle dog when you are out for "walkies".

Consistency is key with puppy training to instil the "right" behaviour. A well-trained, well behaved puppy will develop in to a well-trained, well behaved adult dog who is credit to you as the owner and your training skills.

Puppy Training Tips: Stop Puppy Nipping

Puppies have sharp teeth. And as they instinctively use their mouths to explore and taste things (including you) and when playing, those sharp teeth hurt when puppy takes a nip at you with them. You are going to get nipped by your new puppy. Accept that as a fact. However there are steps you can take to discourage them from doing so and protect yourself from scratches and cuts from those sharp little teeth at the same time.

Given that nipping is natural for puppy to do - for example they do it to their siblings as part of growing up and developing - so one step to take is to try to socialise your puppy with other dogs.

Let them do what comes naturally to them if possible. You may then find that they are calmer when back in your company as they've had their fun with the other dogs and are them less inclined to take a nip at you when they think they are playing and see you as a dog substitute.

There's another beneficial by-product of mixing your puppy with other dogs. Puppy will learn how to interact with their fellow canines which can help when out for a walk for example because puppy has picked up essential doggy social skills.

Just as you and I played with other children in the area when we were young and learned at the same time, you can allow your puppy to do the doggy equivalent.

Another method you might use to help reduce puppy's tendency to take a nip at you is to build correct behaviour in to your regular training routine and general interaction with your puppy. Basically, encourage and reward good behaviour but do not punish bad behaviour.

Whilst that may sound like a contradiction, it's really not.

If you do punish puppy for bad behaviour, expect retaliation. Puppy does not know why they are being punished and they will (forgive me a slight pun) bite back - quite literally - with those sharp teeth and take a nip at you because they see it as an attack and it is their instinct to fight back. Well, wouldn't you?

When puppy decides it's time to take a nip at you, instead of getting yourself worked up, shouting at them or (even worse) hitting them (please don't do that) try ignoring them until they stop, gently but firmly put them back on the carpet or even in their bed.

Then when they do stop, are back on the floor, in their bed etc. give them lots and lots of praise.

By doing this, you are teaching puppy that when they nip they do not get your attention until they have stopped.

And when they do stop they get your praise. Much more fun for puppy. Taking these simple steps should help to reduce puppy's nipping instinct and you will have a better trained, better behaved puppy as a result.

Basic Dog Commands - Training a Puppy

All things in life need to grow and develop. This applies to our relationships as well. This also applies to our relationships with our dogs. Whether you just got your furry best friend and want to plant the seeds of a harmonious long-term friendship, or you have been living together for a while, and want to take your relationship to the next level, we all need guidance sometimes. And just like you would go to a specialist if you wanted more out of your relationship with your partner, you would go to a... dog training school if you needed to work on your relationship with your dog.

The question is, how do you find a good specialist? Now, if you were just feeling under the weather, you would probably go to a general practitioner. But what if you had a toothache? I bet you would go to a dentist instead! Same with dog training. First, you need to decide whether you want to work on general obedience, aggression, separation anxiety, or maybe you want to take on therapy dog training or a protection dog training course. And then you got to read on because we created a list of local hidden gems in San Diego area that specialize in exactly the kind of dog training classes you want!

Now, what types of dog training schools are we going to look at exactly?

Dog Obedience Training

Aggressive Dog Training

Protection Dog Training or Guard Dog Training

Behavior Modification Dog Training - Dog Separation Anxiety Training

Therapy Dog Training

Service Dog Training

We will also take a look at such training types as a dog training camp, group classes, in home dog training and online dog training.

All of these gems have 5-star ratings on Yelp, tons of happy clients and they are local, oftentimes family-owned businesses, so you can make great friends among your neighbors while doing some training as well!

First things first, there are plenty of options out there in regards to dog training. How do you know which one is good for you? Here are 6 tips.

6 Tips For Picking the Right Dog Training School

1. Know That the Dog Training Industry is Unregulated

That means that virtually anyone could call him or herself a trainer, sadly. However, there are certifications and organizations that can help you identify those who actually have the right designations and experience. Always check to see if the trainer has some of the following certifications: The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), The Academy for Dog Trainers (ADT), the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT KA), the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior (KPAATB), or the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Being the primary educational organization for trainers, APDT has a very useful resource called Trainer Search that allows you to find trainers in your area based on your city or zip code. Great tool! Note that if a trainer is certified by the APDT it does not necessarily imply that he or she uses a specific training method, which brings us to the next tip.

2. Know the Training Methods Used

Now, all trainers have different training methods, but here are a few basic things that would help you swim confidently in the sea of trainer jargon. There are currently 4 basic methods of training that stem from behavioral psychology: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment. Now, the words positive and negative aren't representing the concept of "good and evil" here, they function more like they would in math, with positive meaning addition and negative meaning subtraction of something. It will become clearer in a second.

Positive Reinforcement

This is the most popular method today, and, sure enough, you are all familiar with it. Positive reinforcement has, at its core, rewarding a dog for desired behavior usually with a treat, a toy or play time, depending on what motivates your dog the most. The trick is to pick the right timing: just as your dog does the desired behavior, reward him or her right away, and supplement the treat with a high-pitched "good dog", to make sure your pet realizes how pleased you are with this behavior. See how a treat is added here? This is the positive part, the addition.

Negative Reinforcement

This technique involves taking something unpleasant away to reinforce the desired behavior. That is how electric fences work, for example. When a dog gets too close to the perimeter, it gets a shock, but the shock disappears the moment the dog moves away from the boundary. This way, the dog learns to stay away from the perimeter. See the subtraction here - the unpleasant sensations are taken away to reinforce a behavior, this is negative reinforcement.

Positive Punishment

With punishment techniques, the trainer is trying to make a particular behavior happen less often. With positive punishment, the trainer adds some unpleasant stimuli to discourage a behavior. With excessive barking, for example, a trainer can add a spray bark collar to the training, so that every time a dog barks, it gets sprayed. The dog will associate nuisance barking with being sprayed, and this will discourage him or her from barking all night long again. Did you see how with this technique a trainer would add (=positive) something to discourage a behavior (=punishment).

Negative Punishment

This technique implies taking something away (=negative) in order to discourage a behavior (=punishment). A good example would be if a trainer turns away from a dog that is jumping on him or other people to get attention. He takes the attention away from the dog to discourage undesired behavior. This method is often used together with positive reinforcement to reduce the unwanted behavior and reinforce the desired behavior.

Ah, that was quite a bit of information, right? Did it become somewhat clearer what the different training methods do? Great. There is still much debate around the best training methods in the trainers' world, but what you choose remains up to you.

Now that you've learnt more about the behavioral psychology, do you start seeing some similarities between how we train dogs and how the government trains us? On to the next tip.

3. Choose the Training Type

Group Classes, Boot Camps, In House Training or even Skype chats - there is every type of dog training you might need under the sun. Consider the benefits and drawbacks. With in house dog training the obvious advantage is that you will get more personal attention. If your dog has some socialization issues, in home training won't be as effective as group dog training classes, where both you and your fido can learn to be around other dogs and work around so many tempting distractions. If you want your dog to get the experience of a full immersion, then a dog training camp will be the best option. Whereas, if your budget is tight, online dog training might be the solution you are looking for. Deciding on the type of training you need will make the task of finding a good dog training school way easier.

4. Watch a Class Before You Sign Up

Once you picked a class or a training school, take some time to come to one of the training sessions and just observe. Pay attention to the following:

How big is the class size and whether you will be getting enough attention,

If puppies and adult dogs are trained separately,

How many levels do the classes have (basic, intermediate, advanced),

How the trainer interacts with the dogs,

How dogs react to the training,

Whether everyone seems to be having fun and enjoying the process.

If you ticked all the checkboxes here, and are comfortable with the environment, you have found a good candidate.

5. Don't Forget About Vaccinations

Safety first! Make sure your dog is properly vaccinated before you start any dog training and get the green light from your vet. Next, ensure that the training school requires every dog to be vaccinated and is asking for a proof. This way you can rest assured that the safety aspect of your training is covered.

6. Ask About the Follow Up

Now, what happens after you have completed the course? Do you get a lifetime membership and can come any time for future "tune ups", or are follow up visits limited? Maybe there are no follow up visits in case a problem does arise. Make sure to ask the school or the trainer about what happens once you are done with their program.

Great, you are all set for the dog training school of your dreams. Now, we are introducing you to the 10 hidden gem schools with 5-star Yelp ratings that specialize in the type of dog training you are looking for. Go ahead and find the one for you!

Top 10 Dog Training School Hidden Gems in San Diego Area

Let's start with puppy training. The best time to start training is when your pooch is between 3 and 14 weeks old, it doesn't mean that your pup doesn't learn well afterwards, but it is just the juiciest time when he or she absorbs new tricks like a sponge, so take advantage of that if you can! The next stage at which pet owners often need assistance is the 6 months mark, when pups transition into adolescence, and this time is much like the teenage years we've all been through - rough. Puppy training to the rescue!

1. Woofingham Palace - Puppy Training San Diego

Woofingham Palace is our 5-star hidden gem for specialized puppy socialization and puppy training in San Diego. It is a family-owned business run by Samantha & Jon Mears, who both immigrated from London 11 years ago. Hence, the name of their dog training school. Samantha Mears is a certified professional dog trainer, who passed her CPDT KA (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainlines) exam with distinction. Samantha has worked with dogs every day for over 10 years. She is also a Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and is a qualified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG).

Woofingham Palace offers plenty of different puppy training options for you and your pooch all held within a fenced training area in the shade of large sails. The classes are small, so you will get that individual attention. This dog training school puts lots of emphasis on puppy socialization, and notes that pups who have been socialized young tend to show less behavior problems in the future than those pups who haven't. The prices for group puppy training classes vary from over $100 to over $300, so you have plenty of options.

559 Union Street

Encinitas. CA 92024

P: 760-929-1996

2. Total K9 Training - K9 Dog Training/ Dog Obedience Training San Diego

Now, an all 5-star hidden gem for dog obedience training in San Diego is Total K9 Dog Training. Its trainer, Shannon, is a Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), and is CPDT Certified. She also holds a BA in Psychology and started training animals in 1991 at Sea World. Total K9 Dog Training offers a range of classes, but specializes in dog obedience training, both beginner and advanced.

Total K9 Dog Training teaches the owners how to become good leaders for their dogs without using any intimidation or domination techniques. They focus on building the trust and communication that would allow the dog to follow the owner... even when he or she doesn't have that tasty food handy. Shannon puts a lot of emphasis of training the whole family on how to work with their dog, as this strengthens the bond between all the family members and ensures that everything a dog learns at school will be further reinforced at home. The prices of classes vary, but the general range is between $100 and $165 for group classes.

Total K9 Dog Training serves the areas of San Diego: Escondido, 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Santa Luz, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Sabre Springs, Rancho Penasquitos, Scripps Ranch.

3. Think Pawsitive Dog Training - Service Dog Training and Therapy Dog Training

Interested in Therapy Dog Training/Service Dog Training? A service or therapy dog certification requires you to take a number of steps along the way. Think Pawsitive dog training school can help you throughout the process. Its founder, Vanessa Melrose, is a member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), certified by ABCDT (ABC Dog Trainer) and KPA CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner). She has been working with dogs since 2003.

What Think Pawsitive offers in terms of service dog training and therapy dog training: it offers to help you with the entire process, from basic training to preparing and passing the CGC Certification and Therapy Pet Certification, which you must get in order for your dog to become an official service/therapy dog. To start the program, your dog doesn't need to be a specific size or breed, it needs to have a calm, friendly temperament. You know, a therapy dog - boy, that patience! Therapy Dog Evaluations are $30, and Think Pawsitive offers extended discounts for referrals or recently adopted pets, so you can email Vanessa directly to learn more about the program and the pricing.

1273 Crest Dr.

Encinitas, CA 92024

949.533.4756Service area: San Diego + Orange County

4. Behave! - Aggressive Dog Training San Diego

Behave! - another hidden gem that specializes in aggressive dog training in San Diego. Its founder, Alexandra Gant, graduated from ACBDT animal behavior college, and since 2012 has been working with "unworkable" or "last chance" dogs who are on the verge of being euthanized or re-homed due to aggression issues. Alex focuses on teaching owners in need of dog aggression training how to train the dog by themselves, without relying on professional help. Behave! trainers are knowledgeable about the different forms of aggression and believe that aggression is a symptom of a much deeper problem, so they focus on fixing the problem, rather than just the symptoms.

Behave! realizes that dog aggression training is a big commitment, so it encourages all owners who work with them to consider packages instead of sessions. The classes are $80-$125 Per Session, and they currently offer a 10% package discount.

(303) 746-3487

5. American Canine Training - Dog Protection Training San Diego

So you were looking for guard dog training in San Diego? We found a hidden gem for that too, all 5 stars - American Canine Training. Chris Moredock is the head trainer, certified by APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and the Pro-train institute of California.

American Canine Training has a number of different options when it comes to dog protection training. You can choose Security Alert Training, which will teach your dog to watch out for strangers and warn you should they be up to something spooky. It will also teach your dog to stop aggressive responses on your command. Or you could go for a Personal Protection Training (on and off leash), which will teach the dog to protect his or her humans and property, learn "attack" and "release" commands, etc. There you go, you are on your way to getting that cool police-style dog you've always wanted.

(858) 274-0268

Serving area: the entire San Diego County

6. Legends Dog Training - Behavior Modification Dog Training/Dog Separation Anxiety Training

If your pooch needs some professional behavior modification training, this is your local 5-star professional dog behaviorist - Legends Dog Training School. They specialize in dog separation anxiety training, training for dogs with impulsivity issues, fearful response to other dogs and many other behavioral problems.

Alyssa Rose (Lapinel), the founder of Legends, is a CPDT-KA certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist with 15 years of experience in the area of behavioral studies. She is also certified by the Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and by Triple Crown Dog Training Academy. Alyssa is an AKC Citizen Evaluator, and a Professional Member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She applied her degree in Phycology to work with children and adults diagnosed with serious disorders such as schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder, and later used this experience to start working with animals. Alyssa designs behavior modification dog training programs that address the root cause of a behavioral problem and provide a systematic framework for improving communication and strengthening the bond between the dog and his/her owner.

One consultation costs $150, but it is included if you decide to pursue a training package with 5 classes for $575. Mind you, different options are available, so check Legends website and see their contact info below to learn more.

619.431.1233

Serving the City of San Diego and San Diego County: Golden Hill, South Park, North Park, Talmadge, Kensington, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, Little Italy, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Escondido, La Jolla, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, La Mesa, Ramona, Poway, El Cajon

7. Pawtopia - Dog Agility Training San Diego

You have sure enough heard about this dog training school - Pawtopia. But did you know that they had a specialized dog agility training class? Yep, this one also made it to our hidden gems list. Its founder, Colleen Demling, is an accredited trainer with 16 years of experience. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, is accredited by the CBCC-KA and CPDT-KA, as well as IABBC. Colleen also designed the Temperament Test for the Naval Medical Center's Therapy Dog Program here at San Diego. Colleen is actively involved in many professional organizations, including the International Association of Canine Professionals, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance.

"Fun with Agility!" is the class Pawtopia offers for dogs of all levels of training, so don't look away if you are not interested in competing - this is dog agility training class for all those who just want to have fun, run through tunnels and jump through hoops, no pressure! The price is $170, and you can learn more on the Pawtopia website.

858-414-7797

Service areas: South Park, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs, Mission Valley, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Bay Park, Morena, Kearney Mesa, Linda Vista, Clairemont Mesa, Normal Heights,University Heights, Clairemont, Coronado, San Diego, Lemon Grove,, Linda Vista, Serra Mesa, Tierrasanta, Sports Arena, La Jolla, Bird Rock, UTC, Sorrento Valley, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Santa Fe, Crosby, Del Sur, Carmel Valley, Torrey Hills, Del Mar, Del Mar Heights, Solana Beach, Fairbanks Ranch, Cardiff By the Sea, Encinitas, Encinitas Ranch, Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Penasquitos

8. Devotion to Dogs - In Home Dog Training

For those of you looking for in home dog training, Ben of Devotion to Dogs offers just that, and takes a place in our list of hidden San Diego gems. Ben is a graduate of Northridge Animal Behavior College, is AKC certified, and is a member of IACP. Ben has been a dog trainer for 15 years, and trained dogs with a variety of behavioral issues. He also works with local rescues and believes that every dog can be trained and successfully rehabilitated. His specialty is in home dog training: a personal, one on one type of training that allows him to assess the environment and find the right solution. And allows you to save time on commute of course.

Devotion to Dogs offers a variety of packages. The starting package includes a 2-4 hour in home session as well as a 1 hour follow up session, which goes for $500. Call Devotion to Dogs for more information.

Garfield Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020

619-500-4787

9. Tully's Training - Online Dog Training

If you need some flexibility or are on a budget, Tully's Training offers not only private in home training and group classes, but also basic obedience positive-reinforcement online dog training - via Skype.

Tully's Training team is comprised of trainers with experience in exotic, domestic, and marine mammal training, which allows it to look at animal behavior from different angles. One of their most titled trainers is Meghan McLeod, who reportedly trained with a number of well-recognized behaviorists such as Karen Pryer and Dr. Ian Dunbar. Meghan is also a certified CGC evaluator. Check out Tully's team of trainers with a whole spectrum of different backgrounds here.

According to Tully's, online dog training has been working great for them and their clients, as they are able to get that same individual, one on one session that you would get in person for a fraction of the cost. So, if online dog training suits your needs, this is the school for you. Training packages are highly customizable, so get in touch with Tully's for more information.

925.603.3647

Service area: San Diego and Los Angeles

10. Specialty Dog Training - Dog Training Camp San Diego

Were you looking for a dog training camp in San Diego? Then this is the place for you - Specialty Dog Training. It is a family-owned dog training school founded by Graham Bloem, a professional dog trainer with 17+ years of experience and a recipient of numerous awards, including American Red Cross Real Heroes Award and the Honeywell Life Safety Award presented by Larry King himself. Graham's team consists of a number of seasoned professionals that together have accumulated numerous accreditations, including certificates by IACP, APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), NADOI, ABSCDT and others. Graham and his wife, Kyrie, also actively support nonprofits, shelters and rescue organizations.

Specialty Dog Training focuses on using positive reinforcement and discipline in their training. Their dog training camp, i.e. in-kennel training, dog board and train or a boot camp is a structured environment where your dog will be taught all the obedience basics he or she needs to be a great companion. Being away from the usual environment is a good opportunity for your dog to "reset", while the trainers can work on his/her behavioral issues in a controlled environment.

Finding the Best Home for a Cat

There are times when cat lovers are faced with the dilemma of finding a home for a poor little cat/kitten. These felines know exactly where cat owners live so it is easy to find them. People with soft hearts cannot just ignore them so they do not know what to do. If they have been a cat lover for the longest time, they probably have their fill of furry family members. Nevertheless, they would still want the best home for their new furry friend, but how could they find one?

Some helpful questions they could ask to know the type of home an interested caller would offer to the cat for adoption are:

    Did you ever have cats in the past? Where are they now? Their reply to these questions can say a lot about this potential home, and the care they plan to give to their new pet.
    Do you have your own home or are just renting it? If they reply"rent' then they should get a written approval from their landlord.
    Do you have kids, and how old are they? When looking for a home that would be ideal for a young kitten, and an interested family has kids below 5 years old, this may not be the best home. Even some adult cats do not get along with children. A cat should not be just a toy for kids, but should be treated as part of the family, whose welfare will be protected by other family members, especially the adults.
    Do you plan to have the cat sprayed or neutered? Before looking for a new home, the cat may have to be altered. Otherwise, the answer should be "Yes". If possible, this should be put in writing.
    Do you intend to declaw the cat? If the reply is "Yes", it would be best to look for another home, and let this be an opportunity to educate. Most cat adopters will not do this if they discover the costs involved, as well as the behavioral changes and adverse temperament following such procedure. Whenever possible, the new home should provide a durable, sisal covered scratching post for the cat.
    Do you plan to let the cat go outdoors? The "right" answer really depends on what would work for the best interest of the cat. It really depends on the nature of the cat and the kind of community where it will live. Majority of animal shelters that let their cats be adopted by people staying in residential areas make sure that their felines go to homes that will let them stay indoors.

While it is important to be friendly and informative to possible adopters, due diligence should also be practiced. Adoptees should ask for their identification - like a driver's license. They should ask for references, including their veterinarian. They can let them sign an adoption contract - such as the document used by humane societies. However, they should also provide them with a copy that includes their contact details and keep one as well.

After a few days of adoption, they can check on the cat's condition and how well it is adjusting. Certainly, they can always tell the new owner that the kitten can be taken back in case things do not go well.

Bird Feeding - A Big American Hobby

Did you know that there are millions of Americans that feed wild birds on a regular basis? According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, there are 83 million Americans that feed wild birds for a variety of reasons.

People feed wild birds to bring beauty to their outdoor spaces, for therapy or relaxation and for educational purposes for themselves or others. Some put bird feeders in their yards, hang them from trees, and put them on fences and in gardens or patios. Wild birds can be fed in your gardens or patios anytime of the year.

The Fish and Wildlife Service estimate in the spring there are approximately 10 billion wild birds in the United States and in the fall approximately 15 billion wild birds. This large increase in the fall is due to the fact that all the babies will have hatched.

Of those that feed birds, approximately $3 billion a year is spent on bird food by backyard hobbyists. They also spend $800 million a year on accessories for birds such as bird houses, bird baths, bird feeders, and other birding accessories.

There are all types of feeders. Here are just a few examples of the types of feeders that are available. There are also many more varieties of bird feeders constructed of many different materials.

    .Suet feeder
    .Open hopper
    .Single tube feeder
    .Twin tube feeder
    .Free standing feeder
    .Circular bird feeder
    .Liquid feeder
    .Fruit feeder
    .Platform feeder
    .Ground feeder

There are different types of feeders in relation to the types of birds you are trying to attract and the region of the country you are located in.

For example, the Blue Jay, can be found in almost every state in the country depending on the time of year. Blue Jays like a variety of feeders and a variety of bird food.

The types of bird feeders Blue Jays prefer vary in size and type. They like tube feeders, covered platform feeders, suet feeders, large open hoppers. They also like to eat on the ground to forage for whatever they can find.

Blue Jays like to eat seeds; safflower seeds, black oil sunflower seeds and hulled sunflower seeds. Here is a list of some of the other foods that Blue Jays enjoy to eat.

    .Cracked corn
    .Fruit
    .Mealworms
    .Milo
    .Millet
    .Peanuts
    .Peanut hearts
    .Suet

There are all types of bird seed and bird food available on the market today. It is best to know, as in our example, the Blue Jay, the types of environment for housing and the types of food they prefer. Most feed stores that also sell bird see will be able to help you with the types of food and feeders for the birds in your region of the county.

With so many types of birds in the United States and so many regions of the country, there is always opportunity to add a bird feeder to your outdoor gardens or patios, anytime to the year. It is educational and fun. Buy a bird feeder today!

Happy Birding!

The Betta

So, you are interested in buying a Betta fish or another tropical fish? What makes you consider the Betta?

Are you buying the Betta simply because you see them in little tiny round bowls and you think that this seems like an easy fish to take home for a pet?

If that's the only reason, I'd like you to stop right now and reconsider your choice of pets. While most pet shops have the Betta in a tiny bowl, in real life, most Bettas probably would love a larger housing. After all, would you like to be stuck in a little bowl where you can practically touch the walls from wherever you are in the bowl? Would you like to be held prisoner in such a small place even if you did have the water to swim around in?

Take a look at the natural environment of any fish; take a good look. You've probably never seen a fish being born or raised or living its whole life in a tiny Betta bowl, except at the pet stores.

The reason they are in those bowls is because they can't let the Betta in with certain other fish, especially not their own kind of fish, the male Betta. They are called the "Siamese Fighting Fish" and that should give you a clue as to the personality of such a fish.

So, let's face it. The real reason that all those fish are in tiny bowls is because that's the cheapest way that the fish stores can keep the fish. There are no filters, and no filtration cartridges to purchase when you use a tiny bowl as a fish tank. The store wants you to believe that this fish-caring on the Betta is simple, easy and not expensive.

If the pet shops were forced to give proper housing to Betta fish, they would have to give each Betta a ten or twenty gallon fish tank. That would be too expensive, so all the shops house the Betta fish in tiny, glass bowls that are economical for the shops.

Personally, I had a Betta in a ten gallon fish tank and that Betta was the happiest fish ever.. So, be prepared, and be nice to your Betta. Give your Betta a larger living space. You can put some plants in there and some small decorations and you are all set for your new Betta's environment.

While you are at the library, pick up a few books on tropical fish and pick up a book about Bettas but read with caution. The book will tell you how to care for the Betta. It will tell you where to locate Bettas and Betta supplies.

Another suggestion:

Before you purchase your Betta, or before you purchase any fish at all, do the wise thing and purchase everything you need for the fish before you even look at fish. The idea is to have the setup all fit into the spot where you will keep it in your home or office. Set up the tank, the water, the filter, and any decorative things you want inside the tank, and then let the filter run for a day or two before you go to purchase the fish.

Consider putting in a few live plants besides the plastic ones you may have chosen. Mixing both live and plastic plants in an aquarium can give it a most interesting appearance.

Consider buying a bigger filter than necessary, just because. Most times, people look for small, inexpensive set ups for fish.

Personally, for myself, I'd always opted for just a little bit larger. You just never know. Sure you are starting out with one fish but months from now or a year from now, you just might have a whole community of fish living in that same tank. If you think larger at the beginning, that saves you time, trouble and money later on in your hobby progress.

Housing?

Do your research if you are considering raising fish. Find out which fish are friendly and which are quite aggressive. There has been more than one hobbyist who has brought home a predator fish only to find his or her other fish dead after a day or so.

And then there are those fish who just like to nibble on each other. Some of the Angel Fish varieties sometimes will nibble the fins of other Angel Fish. And they will nibble and nibble till they can't nibble anymore. So you might do a lot of research on Angel Fish before buying them.

If you want to breed fish and you are a true beginning, the Guppy might be the perfect fish for you to start with. But remember, that bigger Guppy will most likely try to eat all the babies so have a separate tank ready for the baby fish OR get one of those divider particles for your tank and you can divide almost any tank into two separate tanks. If you look in the fish pet stores or aquariums, you'll see that they also make small side tanks that hang off the tops of the larger aquariums. They'll catch the fish, but them in that smaller tank and then carry the tank to the register for you to buy your fish. So, there are many options when you are thinking of buying or raising fish.

Food?

Buy the recommended foods. And if you can find a no frills brand that will work also.

You might not want to do this but I'll share a secret with you. I did run out of fish food one day, long ago, in winter and I didn't live near a pet store. I went to the cabinet and took out the box of Cheerios and proceeded to crush the Cheerios into a fine grain. Yes, I did feed this to the fish and they ate like that for ten or more days, until finally I was able to go and buy fish food. Yes they survived!

Some fish love live food. And the pet stores will sell live food for the reptiles and for some fish. They mostly always have a feeding tank, a huge tank, that has feeder fish in it. If you have a huge fish like an Oscar fish, that fish sometimes as large as 12 inches, can and will and does eat fish. I am not suggesting you feed any fish to another fish. I'm just sharing ideas here.

Do only what is healthy and safe for your own fish. Read, read, read, and do your research on topics of fish, fish diseases, and other aquatic related topics.

That's the bottom line, knowledge is power and knowledge of the fish industry, and of the details of how fish live and breed, is a wonderful thing when you are ready to really jump into your aquarium hobby.

Get Some Excellent and Quality Cat Beds for Your Meowing Friend

Your kitty must be sweet and endearing to convince you to get her an excellent and quality cat bed. To resolve your worries on what specific bed to get for your cat, go for online shopping, here you can choose from varieties of bed collections.

These days online shops are evolving into the first choice for almost all shoppers. Because of their multiple benefits and huge options, more people are logging on instead of heading out.

Adore Your Meowing Friend with the Best Cat Supplies

Cats are the great pet and kept as an essential part of the family. You like to adore your meowing friend, buy her accessories and best cat food. To create a magnificent effect one can select the best kind of thing which will undoubtedly create a paradise and change the overall decoration differently.

If you are looking for some quality cat beds online, then start your online shopping. Choose the best piece with the new and attractive look. Do not forget about colors and patterns that play a significant role in creating a fantastic decor for your meowing companion.

Get Quality Beds from Trusted Leaders Online

Get high-quality beds and create some admiring effect on the surrounding for your best friend. It is better not to buy sleeping beds for a cat right away; first of all, you need to evaluate the sleeping habits of your meowing companion.

For example, if your kitty sleeps with her head propped up, then you need to buy beds for her with bolsters or sides. In case, you have a cat that likes to stretch out, then buy her with a beautiful rectangular pillow or designed in platform fork. Observe certain things before you pick any item. Get quality beds from trusted leaders.

Heated Beds and Pads are Available Especially for Cats

The one thing cats like more than sleeping is to sleep in the sunlight. You can give your cat with a warm place to relax even when the sun is not out with heated beds and pads specially made for pet cats.

The best thing is that these products are available in different size, shape and designs; you can purchase any of them that suited your furry friend best.

Provide a Place of Safety, Security and Comfort

If you want to pamper your lovely kitty and let her get a good night's rest she wishes, then you better find the perfect and comfortable bed for her.

A good foundation provides her with a place of safety, comfort and security. Buy cat bed, making sure that it has a surface which can be cleaned easily.

Put Icing on the Cake with the Excellent Cat Products

When, you bring any cat into your home, at first try to create a special bond with your kitty. Once you have acquired this relation, put the icing on the cake with excellent cat products for your feline friend. Owning cat beds and innovative cat toys will work like a jumpstart your cat's sense of importance to you.

I wish you would have liked my article. Being a long-time cat owner, I am passionate about supporting cat health and well-being. The motto to write this article is to let you know more, how you can make your cat's living more comfortable and relaxing. In coming days, I will try to bring more informative content on making cat parenting easier and better.