Not all dogs require frequent bathing. Long-haired dog breeds need to be groomed regularly compared to short-haired breeds. When bathing your pet, use only products which are specially designed for dogs, for these are more compatible to your dog’s hair and skin than those products which are formulated for people. 

While shampooing, be careful about not getting shampoo in your puppy’s eyes. You should also ensure that water does not get inside his ears. When bathing your pet indoors, a non-slip rubber mat placed on the floor of the tub can prevent your dog from slipping. 

Ear cleaning should also be included in your puppy’s grooming regimen. Check his ears regularly for dirt, debris, or signs of infection. Persistent scratching or head-shaking may be signs of irritation on the external ears and along the ear canal. 

Bathing and ear cleaning are important aspects of keeping your pet healthy. As ... Read more »

Pets become a fertile ground for negative behavior to grow and flourish when they are often bored and subjected to chronic stressors in their immediate environment. Without proper mental and physical stimulation, dogs are unable to vent off pent-up energy thus fueling the growth of undesirable behaviors. 

Here are some ways to improve your pet’s life and help him from getting bored: 

 Home in on your pet’s hunting instincts 
Unleash your pet’s hunting instincts by hiding a tasty nugget or two in a food puzzle or in specific locations around the house. At first, your pet may need some orientation and help, however once he already knows the game, he will surely be looking forward to these play sessions. 

 Bring out “new” toys each week 
Don’t put all your pet’s toys scattered around for him to play with anytime. Sooner or later, he will lose inter ... Read more »

The bone-chilling winter weather can expose your pet to extreme dips in the temperature. The winter season is definitely a time to give your canine friend a little extra care to protect him from the dangers of winter.

It is recommended to keep your pet indoors during the freezing months. If you must keep your canine friend outdoors, make sure to provide him with a warm, dry, and draft-free shelter that should comply with any laws or regulations established by the state.

The cold weather causes animals to eat more since they need more energy to stay warm. Fresh, running water should always be available. Keep an eye on your pet’s water bowls and make sure the water has not frozen.

Since pets exercise much less when they are indoors, they will be able to conserve energy by spending a good part of the day sleeping. Given this situation, you need to adjust the amount of food accordingly to prevent your pet from becoming putting on excess weight. 

Small dog breeds are cute and huggable. These cuddly fur balls are quite popular in many families because they can easily adjust to any living condition. Although many small dog breeds are known for their primadonna behavior, there are those which can make excellent pets for families. 

 Miniature Schnauzer 
With its sunny disposition, Miniature Schnauzers make great family pets. The breed is loyal and protective of the members of the pack and will not hesitate to show this by barking excessively when he thinks there is a potential threat. 

 Shih Tzu 
Originally from China, Shih Tzu literally means “lion”. These little lions were popular watchdogs and companions of the royal household during the Ming Dynasty. Today, the breed is among the top breeds well-loved by families. 

 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 
Cavs possess an easy ... Read more »

One very interesting and imperative fact about goats is that they will need to be provided with fresh and clean drinking water all day long. Goats are very meticulous about their water supply and will not drink dirty or contaminated water.

With this in mind, clean your goat’s water container each day. Position it as well so that your goat will not be able to defecate or urinate in it by accident. Secure it as well so that it cannot be tipped over by your goat or knocked over by the wind.

With regard to temperature, your goat will appreciate water that is slightly warm or that is at room temperature. Goats drink a lot of water with some dairy goats consuming up to six gallons a day.

Visit a pet clinic Hutchinson Island for additional information on your goat’s drinking needs. Have a look.

Training your dog to be disciplined and obedient will go a long way in creating harmony in the household. Here are some tips to help you train your dog to be a well-behaved member of the pack.

• Puppies should start socialization as soon as possible. This is a great way to prepare your pet to deal with his environment including possible interactions with other animals and people.

• Puppies should undergo basic obedience training and pass the program with flying colors. You can choose to train your pet to respond positively to basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, or “heel”, or you can enroll him in a basic obedience class.

• By nature, canines love to please their owners thus they are eager to learn something new provided that you are quick to show positive reinforcement.   Sho ... Read more »

It is quite common for young children to be bitten by the family dog. Why is this so? This is possibly because children do not grasp the fact that dogs are a different species than the rest of the family. They may attempt to show regular human behaviour to the dog such as hugging, cuddling, picking them up, or scolding them. It’s very important to understand that this is very unnatural for dogs.

Dogs do not attempt to hug or confine other dogs. Looking into another dog’s face is definitely a no-no. If a child attempts to carry out any of these behaviours, your dog will likely not understand or worse, misinterpret them. Unlike an adult, a child may not be able to grasp when a dog simply wants to be left alone. This can be disastrous. With this in mind, never leave a child alone with a dog unsupervised.

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Living in the city with a pet gives you special responsibilities to ensure that you don’t get in trouble with your neighbors and other people. Here are some rules of etiquette to observe to help ensure that you and your dog fit in well to city life: 

 Promote pet safety by training your dog to be obedient on a lead. There are retractable leads you can use in parks, but care should be observed when walking on crowded sidewalks or traffic crossings. 

 Pets must be subjected to housetraining as early as possible. If you are living in a high rise apartment, indoor housetraining may be needed as a practical option. When taking your pet outdoors, bringing a scoop and bag can help clean up the mess. 

 If your dog tends to bark relentlessly, you should try to get rid of the behavior immediately for this can create tension between you and your neighbors. You can use an electronic collar, sound-correc ... Read more »