According to the National Pet Owner Survey for 2004 conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 62 percent of all American households have at least one dog or cat. Most of us adopt these furry friends for companionship and they become members of the family.
“This is all positive because studies show that a close relationship with companion animals can benefit our mental and physical health,” explains Dr. Jim Humphries, a nationally known veterinarian and author. “But, of course pets require attention, care and training to help make them suitable indoor companions.”
When it comes to housebreaking a new puppy, Dr. Jim explains that praise works wonders. “Be sure to use plenty of verbal rewards, as well as healthy treats, when your puppy relieves itself outside. Your puppy should be taken out first thing in the morning, after every meal, after vigorous play sessions, then finally just before going to bed at night." He also cautions that a regular feeding schedule of high quality food must be maintained.
For older pets, it’s important to understand the reason for housebreaking accidents. “Especially in senior pets, medical conditions must be ruled out,” Dr. Jim says. “If your senior pet is having accidents, take him or her to the veterinarian right away.’
Psychological triggers may be the culprits, especially where cats are concerned. Dr. Jim recommends trying to determine what has changed in the pet’s environment and offering the pet a very regular schedule and more attention than usual. “Sometimes, this is all that is needed.” Current science says pets should see their veterinarians every six months to identify both medical and psychological problems and get them treated early.
When “accidents” do occur, the odor often remains. To banish it easily, apply a spray like Natural Magic Odor Blaster Liquid Spray directly at the source of the odor. Safe for fabrics and floor finishes, Natural Magic quickly destroys the unwanted odor via oxidation, a natural process that breaks down the sulfur bonds responsible for the odor. It also works on the worst pet odor problems imaginable and even removes skunk odors from your pet’s fur.
For continuous and permanent odor absorbing results, place Natural Magic Odor Absorbing Gel in an inconspicuous place in the room near the “accident” location as well as in other areas of the home to alleviate problem pet odors. It is especially effective for removing cat litter box odors and will eliminate all odors associated with pet urine, cat spray, vomit and feces. Non-toxic and non-allergenic, Natural Magic Odor Blaster and Odor Absorbing Gel can be used safely around children and pets and, without leaving a heavy, masking scent, create a fresh, clean smelling environment.
You can find Natural Magic odor absorbing products at your local Petco or independently owned pet stores as well as home improvement, drug, grocery or hardware store, or mass merchandise retailer. For more information, log on to www.naturalmagic.com.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Friday, December 03, 2004
Puppy Training Tip
Puppy training
If you can structure the environment in such a way that the puppy is never rewarded for jumping and make sure the puppy is consistently rewarded for sitting instead, you will have an adult dog that doesn’t jump when greeting people. In fact an adult dog with this type of history will impress your friends by sitting when it greets guests.
There are other great instances of this principal, such as getting your new puppy accustomed to going potty on a particular kind of surface. An example may be teaching your pup to potty on gravel and it will be less likely to go on surfaces unlike gravel. I find this principle particularly troublesome when dogs stay with me that where conditioned as young pups to potty on concrete. When these dogs stay with me for a short amount of time it can be almost impossible to recondition them to potty in a more hygienically appropriate area of my yard.
A good deal of this resistance to change can be explained by the phenomena of imprinting. There are certain times when a puppy’s brain is developing in a way that enables life experiences and successful behavior to become permanently wired connections. By training at this age you are actually building your puppy’s brain and its future behavior.
During puppy training you need to remember, puppies don’t have the endurance of an adolescent or adult dog. Puppies can be very active for short amounts of time and then they need to rest and sleep. Some believe this rest helps the puppy build those important brain connections, as well as the muscle and bones of a developing body.
When puppy training we must respect, understand, and use the rules Mother Nature has imposed upon the system we experience as a developing individual.
If you can structure the environment in such a way that the puppy is never rewarded for jumping and make sure the puppy is consistently rewarded for sitting instead, you will have an adult dog that doesn’t jump when greeting people. In fact an adult dog with this type of history will impress your friends by sitting when it greets guests.
There are other great instances of this principal, such as getting your new puppy accustomed to going potty on a particular kind of surface. An example may be teaching your pup to potty on gravel and it will be less likely to go on surfaces unlike gravel. I find this principle particularly troublesome when dogs stay with me that where conditioned as young pups to potty on concrete. When these dogs stay with me for a short amount of time it can be almost impossible to recondition them to potty in a more hygienically appropriate area of my yard.
A good deal of this resistance to change can be explained by the phenomena of imprinting. There are certain times when a puppy’s brain is developing in a way that enables life experiences and successful behavior to become permanently wired connections. By training at this age you are actually building your puppy’s brain and its future behavior.
During puppy training you need to remember, puppies don’t have the endurance of an adolescent or adult dog. Puppies can be very active for short amounts of time and then they need to rest and sleep. Some believe this rest helps the puppy build those important brain connections, as well as the muscle and bones of a developing body.
When puppy training we must respect, understand, and use the rules Mother Nature has imposed upon the system we experience as a developing individual.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Invisible Fence
A healthy, happy pet requires attention, love, nutrition and exercise. But with so many people working 40-plus hours a week and trying to manage a family, extracurricular activities and a social life, it can be difficult to give pets the attention and exercise they need.
Now there's a way to let your dog have the freedom to exercise in your yard without worrying that they'll run away, injure themselves or be injured by passing vehicles. Invisible Fence, Inc., makers of the only electronic pet containment system approved by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has the answer for pet owners who need a hassle-free way to exercise their pet without worry.
Why Electronic Containment?
Chances are likely that if your dog sees a cat or rabbit, a chase ensues; or if your dog likes to spend time outdoors, he could stray too far and be injured by a vehicle. And in some cases, dogs free themselves from collars and leashes, and can even manage to escape from fenced-in yards.
The best way to keep your dog safe is to contain him in your yard or home. And, since some pet owners do not want an unsightly fence around their home or have ordinances against visual fences, an electronic containment system is an ideal way to prevent your pet from leaving your property.
An electronic containment system works by a wire concealed around the perimeter of your property, establishing your pet's boundary, and a special collar worn by your pet. A transmitter hidden in an out-of-the-way location -- like a basement or garage -- sends a radio signal along the wire. The radio signal is picked up by your pet's special collar, which emits a warning sound when your pet approaches the boundary. If your pet reaches the boundary, a correction is given by the collar. If you own more than one pet, you need only one system, although each pet must wear his or her own customized collar.
The makers of the Invisible Fence system also offer "Safe Dog" training, which comes standard with every system, to help your pet learn to obey the radio signal and stay within the established boundaries, and they even offer a one-year, money back performance guarantee. "The most important difference between an electronic pet containment system and a fence around the yard is that pets view the electronic system as their territory boundary, whereas fences are viewed as an obstacle to get over, under or around," says veterinarian Peter Eeg of Poolesville Clinic in Poolesville, Md. This difference is reinforced with behavioral training says Eeg, a veterinarian for more than 10 years and owner of an Invisible Fence electronic pet containment system for the last four years. Using positive reinforcement, Invisible Fence professionals use play, praise and practice to help dogs learn the boundaries of their property.
"The training provided by Invisible Fence has been approved by animal behaviorists, trainers and veterinarians, and is extremely well designed for training your pet both indoors and out," says Brian Atkison, director of animal training at Invisible Fence, Inc.
You can even contain pets to specific areas within your home. Indoor systems work like outdoor systems and keep your pet away from countertops, nurseries and home offices, to name a few. If you have an infant or if family members have allergies, this is an ideal way to prevent your pets from entering areas that need to be kept pet-free.
Is it Safe?
Electronic containment systems, like the Invisible Fence system, is safe and humane. "The correction from the Invisible Fence a Computer Collar (R) is similar to the sensation you feel when you walk across a carpeted room and touch a metal doorknob, only to get a small zap. Animals have the same neuroreceptors as humans and they receive the same pain signals -- the only difference is how they respond to pain. The sensation momentarily surprises pets and gets their attention, but does not harm them," says Eeg.
And, the Invisible Fence system is safe for dogs of all sizes, breeds, age and temperament. The featherweight Computer Collar (R) is small and light enough to be worn by even the smallest breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingese, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
Not only is the Invisible Fence system safe for your pet, but it's also convenient for you. If you need further support, training for your pet or resources for extra help, local professionals are available. Also, the transmitter is FCC certified and does not interfere with radios, televisions or garage door openers. You can even take it with you when you move; or if the home you purchased has a system installed, an Invisible Fence professional can check it to ensure all components are operating properly. They can also mark the boundary and help your pet become accustomed to a new yard.
For more information or to locate an Invisible Fence professional near you, visit the company's Web site at www.invisiblefence.com
Now there's a way to let your dog have the freedom to exercise in your yard without worrying that they'll run away, injure themselves or be injured by passing vehicles. Invisible Fence, Inc., makers of the only electronic pet containment system approved by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has the answer for pet owners who need a hassle-free way to exercise their pet without worry.
Why Electronic Containment?
Chances are likely that if your dog sees a cat or rabbit, a chase ensues; or if your dog likes to spend time outdoors, he could stray too far and be injured by a vehicle. And in some cases, dogs free themselves from collars and leashes, and can even manage to escape from fenced-in yards.
The best way to keep your dog safe is to contain him in your yard or home. And, since some pet owners do not want an unsightly fence around their home or have ordinances against visual fences, an electronic containment system is an ideal way to prevent your pet from leaving your property.
An electronic containment system works by a wire concealed around the perimeter of your property, establishing your pet's boundary, and a special collar worn by your pet. A transmitter hidden in an out-of-the-way location -- like a basement or garage -- sends a radio signal along the wire. The radio signal is picked up by your pet's special collar, which emits a warning sound when your pet approaches the boundary. If your pet reaches the boundary, a correction is given by the collar. If you own more than one pet, you need only one system, although each pet must wear his or her own customized collar.
The makers of the Invisible Fence system also offer "Safe Dog" training, which comes standard with every system, to help your pet learn to obey the radio signal and stay within the established boundaries, and they even offer a one-year, money back performance guarantee. "The most important difference between an electronic pet containment system and a fence around the yard is that pets view the electronic system as their territory boundary, whereas fences are viewed as an obstacle to get over, under or around," says veterinarian Peter Eeg of Poolesville Clinic in Poolesville, Md. This difference is reinforced with behavioral training says Eeg, a veterinarian for more than 10 years and owner of an Invisible Fence electronic pet containment system for the last four years. Using positive reinforcement, Invisible Fence professionals use play, praise and practice to help dogs learn the boundaries of their property.
"The training provided by Invisible Fence has been approved by animal behaviorists, trainers and veterinarians, and is extremely well designed for training your pet both indoors and out," says Brian Atkison, director of animal training at Invisible Fence, Inc.
You can even contain pets to specific areas within your home. Indoor systems work like outdoor systems and keep your pet away from countertops, nurseries and home offices, to name a few. If you have an infant or if family members have allergies, this is an ideal way to prevent your pets from entering areas that need to be kept pet-free.
Is it Safe?
Electronic containment systems, like the Invisible Fence system, is safe and humane. "The correction from the Invisible Fence a Computer Collar (R) is similar to the sensation you feel when you walk across a carpeted room and touch a metal doorknob, only to get a small zap. Animals have the same neuroreceptors as humans and they receive the same pain signals -- the only difference is how they respond to pain. The sensation momentarily surprises pets and gets their attention, but does not harm them," says Eeg.
And, the Invisible Fence system is safe for dogs of all sizes, breeds, age and temperament. The featherweight Computer Collar (R) is small and light enough to be worn by even the smallest breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingese, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
Not only is the Invisible Fence system safe for your pet, but it's also convenient for you. If you need further support, training for your pet or resources for extra help, local professionals are available. Also, the transmitter is FCC certified and does not interfere with radios, televisions or garage door openers. You can even take it with you when you move; or if the home you purchased has a system installed, an Invisible Fence professional can check it to ensure all components are operating properly. They can also mark the boundary and help your pet become accustomed to a new yard.
For more information or to locate an Invisible Fence professional near you, visit the company's Web site at www.invisiblefence.com
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