Dogs that are selected to undergo search and rescue training possess a powerful sense of smell, a very important trait to help them in their work. These dogs also have the unique ability to patiently inspect every nook and cranny that human searchers may overlook. Apart from saving countless lives, these canines also bring joy and comfort to victims and their families. For the honorable and often dangerous work that these dogs do, most of them are unsung heroes of many disaster relief operations around the world.

Some common dog breeds that excel in search and rescue dog training include the Belgian Malinois, Bloodhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Labrador Retriever, Weimaraner, and German Shepherd. 

Under their persistent and determined attitude towards their work, search and rescue dogs are just like most dogs—hungry for social interaction and positive reinforcement.

If yo ... Read more »

Adding a dog to any family needs to be a family effort, as the dog will eventually look to each person it resides with as part of its pack. All family members (including the kids) must agree that a dog will be a shared pet and everyone will chip in and help in caring for the dog.

Once you have the entire family on board and willing to participate with all aspects of the dog’s care, then you will be ready to take the next step and choose which type of dog you wish to purchase.

The traditional methods of obtaining a dog is through a pet store, or an adoption from an animal shelter, or from a breeder. Sometimes a dog can be obtained through a private seller, but this is something you should avoid at all times, as private sellers could be selling dogs with medical problems.

The whole family should be involved in choosing a new dog. The breed c ... Read more »

Housetraining is a significant part of responsible pet ownership. Puppies should start housetraining as soon as they arrive at their new homes.

When you have just brought home a new puppy, one of the first things to do is housetraining. Start by exposing your new puppy to the area where he should attend to the call of nature. Always remember to incorporate positive reinforcement during training and avoid any form of punishment. In most cases, punishment can be counterproductive and you may find yourselves back to square one.

Making frequent trips to the designated area will help familiarize your puppy with the location. If there are any accidents, deal with it without making a fuss, cleaning it up quickly and thoroughly.

When you catch your puppy eliminating in other places, be quick to interrupt him so he will realize his mistake.

... Read more »

Persian cats have delightful temperaments that make them attractive to many cat owners. They are warm and passive pets and are well-known attention-seekers.

Persian cats are not as vocal compared with other feline breeds. Your kitty’s best purrs are often heard when he’s on your lap and being stroked. These cats are somewhat responsive and can thrive well in a multi-pet household. Your Persian cat may also be quick to develop a special attachment to you or another person in the household, one who will be frequently sought out by your kitty.

Being social animals, your Persian cat won’t be pleased when left alone for a considerable period of time. If you are out of the house frequently, think about getting another cat to keep your Persian company. Having another cat to play with will prevent your kitty from being bored and developing undesirable habits.

... Read more »

Gerbils are often viewed as the easiest to handle among the different pocket pets. These little fur balls are naturally tame and you can hold your gerbil within a day or two after you bring him home.

Gerbils are quite inquisitive and when you open your hand, you will find your pet hopping onto your palm to investigate it. This is the recommended way to hold a gerbil, rather than grabbing or grasping it. You will find your pet eagerly hopping into your hand each time you let it out of its cage, especially if you have some sunflower seeds on your palm.

When you attempt to grab a gerbil from above, it may try to run away and hide because in the wild, gerbils are favorite preys of birds. This explains why they’re wary of a hand coming down on them, like birds of prey.

A gerbil’s tail is very fragile so you should avoid grabbing or holdin ... Read more »

Like most pets, your kitty’s basic needs are really simple—a place which is comfortable and secured, a well-balanced diet, regular physical and mental motivation, and proper training.

• Your kitty will be happy in a place that is clean, quiet, and free from drafts. He will thrive with 10-15 hours of sleep each day and needs to be in a place where he can rest properly without being disturbed by other pets.
• The litter box should be easily accessible, in an area away from household traffic. It should also be placed away from your cat’s eating and sleeping areas.
• If you have several cats around, make sure to have enough toys for everyone as well as cat beds, hiding places, cat trees, scratching posts, etc. 
• Provide plenty of toys and activities for your pet’s physical and m ... Read more »

Many dogs that are up for adoption in shelters have negative experiences including being abused, neglected, or abandoned. Many dogs are given up by their owners because personal circumstances have changed and they find themselves unable to adequately provide for their pet’s basic needs.

If you are thinking about adopting a dog, you should give the matter some thought. A dog will demand your time, resources, and care. You should ask yourself if you are ready to share your home and life with a furry four-leg friend.

If you want to adopt a puppy, you should know it will require more attention than mature dogs. Your new puppy will also need housetraining and basic obedience training.

On the other hand, a mature dog can easily adjust into a new home and lifestyle. However before choosing to bring home one from the shelter, you should ask about ... Read more »

A happy pet can certainly do wonders in bringing sunshine into the household. Apart from a full stomach and comfortable living environment, your canine buddy will always look forward to playtime, receiving special toys, and of course, positive reinforcement.

• Regular playtime

Dogs look forward to regular playtime with the family.  Recreational activities will feed your pet’s appetite for physical and mental stimulation. Add to the fun by playing outside while enjoying the outdoors.

• Toys

Like kids, your dog will be delighted if given some toys. However, it is best to bring out your pet’s favorite toys only during playtime and keep them out of sight at the end of each play session. Some pet owne ... Read more »

It is hard to believe, but some dog food manufacturers actually fill up the dog food content with loads and loads of carbohydrates and put very little actual nutrition in the food that you buy for your dog.

If you read the label of ingredients, there are some dog food brands that do not even list the carbohydrates on it or there is no indication on how much “filler” of carbohydrates is in the ingredients.

But, that is not the kicker.

The kicker is….your dog could live a very healthy and wonderful life if it never ate one ounce of carbohydrates…ever. But, it can eat carbs, so no problem either way.

So, the dog food manufacturers would know this, so why do they even put it in dog food or at least, why so much of it?

Carbohydrates are cheaper to obtain and easier to process, so why not make a few extra dollars off the consumer and just load up the contents of the dog food products with mostly carbohydrates with a sprinkl ... Read more »