Pets

John Williams Dog Training asked:


Dogs can be very difficult animals to deal with from time to time, some breeds and types can be especially difficult to train and control. No mater how much time and effort you seem to be putting in, your efforts give no results.

Don’t worry too much about persistently training you dog, it might not be your fault your dog is disobedient, people in different circumstances may be failing to train their dog for very simple reasons, whether it be your tone of voice, not having enough time to give your dog due to other commitments like work or hobbies, or your children throwing all the basic dog training rules out the window. Here we will try to educate you on the difference a professional dog trainer could have on your dog’s obedience, and how much it will cost.

The options available for dog training

Group dog training sessions locally – four to eight weekly 1 hour sessions for around $40 – $130 (£20 – £70).

Private dog trainers visiting your home or work place to give personal training to your dog for around $25 – $110 (£13 – £55) per hour.
Dog boarding kennel where your dog lives with the trainer for around 2 – 4 weeks getting many hours of professional dog behaviour training a day for around $1000 – $2,500(£550 – £1,300).

What you get for your money

So what do you get for your money? Many dog trainers concentrate on different areas of your dog’s obedience and you will usually get a much better service for the more money you pay. Standard training classes and trainers will concentrate on addressing the chewing, barking, biting and digging aspects of your dog’s behavior. Hand signals may also be covered in dog obedience classes along with showing you, the owner how to handle trickier situations that can only be over come at home like housetraining.

General guidelines for hiring a dog trainer are to always research the dog trainer well, find out qualifications the dog trainer has in his area of expertise and seek advice and information for other dog owners who have had their dogs trained previously. Get to know your trainer well before handing your dog over to him/her and make sure you are comfortable in the methods he/she uses.

Dog Care Tips asked:


The life expectancy of any dog is commonly expressed in terms of dog years by us and it depends entirely on the dog’s breed, size as well as the dog’s surroundings. Various other factors affect the life expectancy of a dog. A dog’s life span changes according to the diet provided to him and also by the number of medical problems the dog tends to face over the years.

The average life span of the small dog like Chihuahua is about 15 to 16 years, while medium sized the dogs like Border Collies have a life span of 10 to 13 years. It can be noticed big dogs like Great Dean live up to only 7 to 8 years. The calculation of the life expectancy of particular dog can be accurately done with the help of “size or the specific breed calculator”, which is said to be one of the most accurate age measurement schemes available. The size or specific breed calculator gives approximate results about the dog’s predictable lifespan based on the size as well as the breed of the dog.

It is generally assumed that, on an average, “one human year equals to seven dog years”. This statement may not be appropriate, since the first two years are jointly represented by 18-25 years in such schemes and because the entire ratio cannot be generalized for all the dogs though, they belong to different sizes and breeds. An exact ratio of dog years vs. human year cannot be formulated. However, some obvious features remain similar between both aging humans and dogs.

It is generally assumed that the human equivalent of a one-year dog is supposedly fully grown by both mental and physical aspects. Dogs like humans tend to develop advance muscular features as they grow along with a similar mental development. Through a major dog study, it has been estimated for dogs of all breeds and sizes that, nearly “64 percent of dogs” were euthanized because they were affected with some kind of diseases. Only 8 percent of the total dogs live beyond 15 years and nearly 16 percent of them die yearly due heart diseases and cancer. Human lives are not terminated even if they suffer from rare and incurable diseases; and this is the main reason why the lifespan of an average human being is reasonably long.

The effects of aging in dogs is said to be dormant for several years. But like humans, dogs to undergo physical changes as well. The first sign of aging in dogs is said to be the decrease in its activity levels. The sleeping period in these dogs also becomes longer. The canines experience a drastic change in their skin condition, limb usage, appetite and they experience tooth loss as well. Their sense of hearing and vision also diminishes gradually. Older dogs tend to experience stiffness in their body. All these obvious signs of aging can even be found in humans. The human years are extended only because of advance modern medicine and various other drugs that are designed to deal with symptoms of old age.

Dogs and humans may not have the same physiology, yet some obvious similarities can be noticed when both species age. Dog years and Human years may not be directly related by some advance equation, but to the naked eye the equivalence of corresponding features of Dog years and Human years are quite visible.

Jim Brown asked:


There are many types of retail shops that specialize in pet products for the felines at home. Some of the aisles in the specialty shops will be totally devoted to hair products and are arranged in the same rows that one might fight on the shampoo aisles mean for human pet lovers. The pet products for fleas are usually in the form of a collar since felines rarely like being immersed in any type of water.

Some pet owners forget this fact and tend to follow the lead of the SPCA by dipping their pet in flea dips that they purchase at their local pet store. Some felines are opposed to this concept so much that they might put up quite a ruckus when they are dipped into the water based solution. When this occurs, pet owners are quickly reminded of other pet products that they will need to buy very soon.

Felines groom all of the time and their coats are rarely dirty enough to require deep scrubbing. Their nails are a totally different story, and when pet owners dip their felines in water they realize the importance of a pair of nail clippers and a file. Felines appreciate a good trim on their nails about every two weeks, and pet owners will to after they dip them in water to fight fleas from roaming.

Felines are such groomers that they love how they look and want to look their best for visitors that might stop by the house. The pet products that groomers use often are brushes that are equipped with wire to remove tangles and fur balls with ease. Felines will definitely purr when they are brushed several times a week, but pet owners should never wet the brushes because the feline might think it is getting dipped.

Felines are very opinionated creatures who prefer to do as they please. When going to the groomers though, they must be made to understand that the pet products for carrying them to the groomers are needed because the groomer makes that requirement of the pet owner. The feline might not like being locked in a carry case like a piece of luggage but since it is only a short trip they might get used to it and act like it was nothing when they arrive for their grooming appointment.

Some pet products will give felines great joy and contentment and pet owners like to see this type of attitude displayed by their pet at home. They will purchase pet products like cat nip and sprinkle some of it on their favorite places to lie around in the house. The felines will roll around in it and be very content and happy and pet owners replenish that marvelous smell their cat loves about twice a week or more.

Ashish Jain asked:


So you got a little cutie puppy in your hand. He looks so cute with his little sweet nose and playful eyes. So what next? Naturally, you’ll take the little one home…Wait for a second. It may not be as easy as it seems. Being a pet lover, you have many pets at home as well, and this one is a new pet and not the only one!

In that case it is you who is responsible to build comfort between your pets. They after all have to coexist peacefully under one roof. If you are concerned as to how your other pets would take to their new companion, your concerns are valid because different animals react differently to the presence of an additional pet. So the introduction can be a lot more tricky than the Hello-I-am-Alice kind of very human introductions.

Ensure that you give an entire day to the animal to warm up to its surrounding and to get accustomed to the presence of other pet(s). When you bring it home make sure that you keep him company. Don’t leave him home alone. That could make him very, very uncomfortable.

Now, if you have a cat at home, you need to be extra careful. Not too much, just a little prudence would do. On the first few times when the puppy and cat come face to face, make sure that the puppy is on lease so that you could pull him clear of the cat in case he reacts unpredictably. Cats are normally very territorial and tend to assert their territorial rights. The puppy must be made to understand early that he is not supposed to intrude into the cat’s personal space, neither should he meddle with cats things. They’ll eventually grow friendly, but if they do not contact your vet as soon as you can.

If there is another dog at home, the lease rule remains so that no uncalled for harm is done. If there are many dogs at home, ensure that the puppy gets to know each of them separately and there is no collective introduction. The little one should not be taken to the big dog, for in that case the big one will be meeting the young one in his territory, which could be rather menancing the newcomer.

A little bit of growling and sniffing is natural but snapping and biting are not. So, if they indulge in any such unacceptable behaviour, they must be disciplined. Make sure that your current dog does not feel left out on the account of the new pet. So, make sure that your affection towards him increases.

Seniority must be maintained in eating and playing. So, when it is time to eat, the new one should eat separately and its food should be served only after the older ones. The new toys must also first go to the senior pets.

They’ll gradually grow into good companions and you’ll have a nice little happy family of friendly pets.

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Similar to leaving your child at home some may even have pets at home that are left alone when the owners go to work. Pets also need attention and love to be poured by someone. The only solution to get rid of this problem is to seek help from the pet daycare service. Keeping such things in mind there are pet day care centers organized by many people. They will feed, groom, train and play with them in the absence of the owners.

The pet day care is divided into two different categories: actual day care and boarding services. Boarding services are open to animals from horses to hamsters. Usually, the pets whose owners are away for a long time are taken care of. The duration varies widely from even overnight to a period of six months or even more. Such day cares are approached if there is a lack of space at home for large animals like horses and others. They are provided with toys, feeding dishes and sleeping space.

Unlike this there are even pets that are left alone only during the working hours of the owner. For such cases there pet day care centers that function for these kind of animals every day. The pets are left in these centers and are later picked up after their work. Usually they are mainly opened to small dogs and sometimes other animals. As usual feeding bowls, toys and bedding are provided by the organizers. At certain doggy day cares exclusively for dogs they are trained by staffs for better health management, safety and for good dog behavior.

Usually the puppies are taken care of separately away from the older ones. Puppies are given special attention providing them a separate area. They are given the basic training and are always kept active and playful. There is always time allotted for naps and play. Basically doggy day care centers have many features and the best day care suited to us can be chosen.

These days the current trend is day care for pet spas. The focus is basically on smaller animals. Here they are exercised, pampered and groomed in the similar manner as done to humans when they visit a spa. Their hair, teeth, nails and ears are taken care of and they are massaged, walked and played with. They have trained staffs to take over these tasks. These services are exclusively for small animals like ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and cats. Even overnight stays are provided along with boarding facilities. There are do-it-yourself centers where the owners have to train and groom their own pets to increase the bond between them. The spa provides the necessary space and also shampoo, grooming equipments, wash basin and nail clippers. They can serve the best for such animals.

Krishan Bakhru asked:


The idea of having a pet is something that many people consider but they rarely take the various needs of their new pet into account when they decide to adopt a pet. For these people the pets that they see in pet stores and at the pet shelters are ones to take home. Sometimes this pet adoption idea is based on the cute looks of a pet.

It is only when the pet adoption is completed and they take their new pet home do they begin to see the reality and the responsibilities of having a pet at home with them.

Therefore when you decide on a pet adoption you should decide what sort of pet you will have the ability to take of. There are many different types of animals that can be considered as being good to have as pets. These pets can include dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, love birds, parrots and fish.

In a pet adoption you will need to take into account the various needs of your new pet. These needs can be seen as the animal’s emotional, mental and the physical state. When you are looking into a pet adoption these are very real facts that you will have to address.

As these various animals have different requirements to ensure their health you will have to talk with an animal veterinarian, staff at animal shelters or even animal to find the various facts that are needed in the care of your new pet. You will need information about their daily likes and dislikes.

The dietary needs and health requirements of your pet will need to be discussed with a vet. This way you will know what types of food that you should be giving your pet to ensure its health. In a pet adoption process you will be able to find out the best ways to keep your pet healthy by giving the pet the best types of food that you can.

To keep your pet’s health and happiness at the optimum point you should ensure that you have the appropriate surroundings and accessories for your new pet. These and many other facts will need to be discussed by your entire family before the pet adoption is completed.

When you are looking into adopting a pet you should consider seeing the various animals that are waiting to be adopted into a good home. Pet adoptions are the best way to give these animals a second chance at finding good families.

David Hensley asked:


Every family would like to have an animal or pet in their house at some point of time. Generally people feel that cats and dogs only make great pets. However, there are other people who think that unusual pets are great. Although dogs, cats, gerbils, fish, rabbits etc. are the most common pets that you would find, some families would prefer to bring home exotic pets. If you know well about such unusual or exotic pets, they can be different and exciting and can be a good addition to your house. Else sometimes it could end in disaster.

You will perhaps require more expensive food and housing if you have a more exotic pet and also you should get educated more about such exotic pets as to whether they would be suitable to your family environment. Therefore, it is important to do a lot of research on such exotic pets well in advance before choosing an exotic pet. You can also find a lot of information available on the Internet to know whether a particular exotic animal or pet can be suitable. Also you can visit a few pet shops and get advice about the type of exotic pets and the needed arrangements for them.

Though exotic pets are great, they can create problems to eco-systems when unchecked. As food would be abundant, it could eat everything available and can also start reproducing heavily as there would be no predators and no enemies. There are many examples from lizards and snakes to ferrets and other such large animals of prey. It is even said that the sewerage system in New York was found to have alligators and animal control people and city workers captured many such creatures in the past. Therefore it is important that people who wish to get such exotic pets are responsible for the actions and consequences. It can be a fun to have a tiger cub in the early stages and there is a real problem afterwards with such animals. Therefore people should consider all the facts and know well before getting some types of exotic pets.

The new addition of exotic pet may upset your existing pets sometimes and you may not know how they will get along with each other. For keeping them well away, you may need certain alternative measures. Most exotic pets have unusual feeding habits and hence you need to ensure that you know the type of food they eat and also how to get that food. Also you have to know the appropriate type of housing required for the animal and the things needed to add to their aquarium or cage to make it comfortable for the new exotic pet. Also check whether a veterinarian is available in your locality to give health care for your pet.

Some exotic pets can also carry potential illnesses or diseases that could bring harm to the children or elderly people in your home. Also know that there are certain species that are illegal to keep as pets in homes. Therefore before you take such exotic pet home, know about the local laws. Nevertheless these are certain things that are to be considered and it does not mean that you not go for an exotic pet. They can be an excellent choice sometimes when you get exotic pets that are easy to handle and care for.

Robert L. Sagarino asked:


Pets! Our best friend. We all love them. We never want them to leave. Pre-arranging their funeral; is it a good idea? Absolutely, in fact pet owners seem to be spending more and more on their pets than ever before. Statistics state that pet owners will spend in excess of $40 billion for pet related expenses in the upcomming year. We don’t know what the future holds or has in store for us. The same lies true for pets. A pet’s life span is usually much less then a human’s. Having an insurance plan in place for them is just as important as having one for ourselves.

Throughout the country there are pet funeral homes that specialize in this type of service. You can request to have a full service funeral, which includes a viewing if you choose to do so. Another option may be to have a graveside service at a pet cemetery without a viewing. Lastly, you can choose direction cremation at a pet crematory. Some crematories are equipped with a viewing room if you choose not to go through a funeral home. There is a sizable market for these services after a pet dies and pet owners will look for closure and comfort. They usually are uncertain as to what to do when this happens.

When pet owners decide to have a pre-need insurance plan for their pets, they also consider obtaining one for themselves. Some alternatively decide to purchase a life insurance plan directly through an insurance company on their own and not through a funeral home. There are many insurance companies that offer this type of coverage for pets and individuals.

What ever your intentions are, by having this type of insurance coverage for your pets as well as yourself, will certainly make life less stressful on your loved ones when that time comes.

www.funeralinsuranceinfo.com

Thank you for reading

Bob Richman asked:


A pet franchise is the perfect way to combine your love of pets with a business opportunity. If you’ve noticed over the last ten years, the pet industry has grown by leaps and bounds. People everywhere want to give their pets the star treatment. Whether you’re looking for a pet service business like a grooming parlor, or are interested in a pet related retail business that sells pet accessories, being involved with pets is certainly a smart business move.

Pets are profitable simply because there are so many people who have them.

Did you know…

* 69 million households in the United States have pets?

* 47% of pet owners own more than one pet?

* Over 60% of pet owners have dogs?

* $41 Billion is spent each year on the care of pets?

It’s no wonder that owning a pet franchise business is so popular. No matter what type of pet business you’d like to start, there’s a franchise that will help you meet your goals. Some of the main categories for pet franchise businesses include pet waste removal, boarding and daycare, medical care, pet training and pet grooming.

You may have never thought about pet waste removal being a profitable business model. But considering the fact that keeping waste off the ground is environmentally friendly, and a definite concern for pet owners, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular franchise. Since 2000, Doody Calls has been an industry leader in pet waste removal, providing services to apartment complexes, parks, home owners associations and individual home owners. Doody Calls looks for people who are willing to hit the ground running with their business and be able to do something many others ignore. There’s never an end to pet waste, and with this unique franchise opportunity you can profit from it.

On the cleaner side of pet franchise opportunities are pet grooming companies. Dog Wash America is just one such company. Instead of creating an image of exclusivity for high-end pets, it caters to multi-dog families and has a unique “no appointment needed for a bath” policy. Other popular dog grooming opportunities include Aussie Pet Mobile, Dogtopia and Laund-ur-mutt. Grooming is always needed and these types of franchises allow you to provide a service that pet owners will really appreciate.

Everyone wants well behaved pets, so it’s not surprising that pet training franchises are growing in popularity. Bark Busters has been around since 1989 and is the largest, most trusted home training company. Instead of trying to get a dog to behave in an unfamiliar environment, as a Bark Busters trainer you’ll help pet owners tackle problem behavior in the comfort of the pet’s home. This approach yields quicker results and more satisfied clients. If you have a high tolerance for problem pets and an honest desire to help pet owners, this franchise or another lie it may be a perfect fit.

These three profiled companies just scratch the surface of the pet franchise opportunities. For pet lovers like you, there’s a lot of different ways you can combine your interests with your business. Whether it’s a grooming business, retail business or pet daycare business you’re interested in, there is a perfect pet business for you.

Roselind Hejl asked:


In a slower real estate market, sellers cannot afford to ignore any part of the marketing process. Price, preparation, and presentation must be excellent in order to attract a buyer. The price must be set realistically. Preparation should include fresh paint, de-cluttering, updated floor materials, and no glaring repair needs. And, presentation should be meticulous, with drapes open, lights on, lawn mowed, and interior cleaned.

Showing your home is the final step in winning the heart of a buyer. When a buyer calls for a showing, he or she already has an interest in your neighborhood and may have viewed your home on line. They are willing to invest time to visit your home. It is worth the effort to make each showing one that will be remembered. Here are some questions to consider:

1. Is your home easy to show?

If possible, schedule showings in the same way that is used by a majority of the homes in your area. This may be by special appointment or by a lockbox system. Remember that this will be the buyer’s first contact with your home, and it should set a positive tone. Make the buyer and agent feel welcome. Be as flexible on timing as possible. The buyer may be viewing many homes over a large area.

To allow flexibility, you could wait until they arrive, and then slip out the back door. You may get a last minute call for a showing. If this happens, start by thanking the agent for the interest, and discuss how to work with the timing.

I can recall instances in which the seller came to the door in a hostile way and demanded to know why we were 30 minutes late. Or, the buyers sensed that they were inconveniencing the seller or their agent by asking to see the house. Many people have a strong reluctance to intrude or bother other people. Remember that the decision to buy a home is emotional response. Don’t turn people off before they come in the door.

2. Does your home have emotional appeal?

Buyers use all of their senses to experience your home. The buyer is there to make a big decision, and they will be comparison shopping. Their job is to eliminate homes and reduce the list of choices. A dark interior, unpleasant smell, barking dog, or uncomfortable temperature can take the home off the list.

I see this happen all the time. The simple experience of being in the home during the showing is a key indicator of whether the buyer will enjoy living in the home later. Consider the builder’s model home. It very light and fashionably decorated, with soft music and pleasant scents. This sends a message to the buyer that the home has been prepared for him, and he is welcome to enter. People are often sold when they walk in.

Some tips: Take off some screens, open blinds, increase bulb sizes, play some light music, and make sure the temperature is perfect. Be careful that your scents are designer quality. Don’t use plug in scents that remind people of a public bathroom. Create a good mood with natural and lamp light. Use pillows, framed photographs, books, fresh towels and flowers throughout the home. Avoid having the TV on. Be very careful about cat litter boxes or other pet odors.

3. Are you staged and ready?

Sellers often ask if it would be best to show their home furnished or vacant. Of course this depends on how the home is furnished. If your home is dirty, messy, and poorly decorated, you need to stop and assess the situation. It may be possible to move out, and then stage the home with a few pieces of furniture and accessories. There are staging services that can help with this. Generally, some furniture will help to soften the interior and show it in an optimum way. However, I prefer a vacant house over a disaster.

It is important to keep the buyer’s focus on the property, and not on your family. Remove most of your personal collections, family photos, political statements or artistic expressions of yourself. These distract from the important mission that brought the buyer into your home.

The buyer must establish a sense of trust of your home. Messiness and confusion sends a deeper message that the home is not well cared for. It speaks volumes about how maintenance has been handled. You only have a few minutes to communicate that your home is the right one. Make sure the visit to your home is a pleasurable experience that keeps the buyer’s focus where it needs to be.

4. What would your buyer like to know?

If you were buying this home what would you want to know? Are there parks nearby that you could photograph? Does the school bus stop nearby? Anticipate your buyer’s questions and answer them. New homeowners are choosing a home, a community, and a lifestyle that your home offers.

Some ideas: Survey; floor plan; local parks; shopping; school data; or neighborhood newsletter.

5. What is the plan for kids and pets?

Children of all ages need to be coached on the showing process. Children should know that an advance call from an agent is required for a showing. This is very important if your children will be home alone. Figure out a plan for them to follow, depending on their age. For example, they may open the door for the agent and buyer, and then go next door during the showing. Discuss what to do if an unexpected person comes to the door asking to see the home. They must not allow entry to anyone who has not made prior arrangements through you.

If you have pet, consider a couple of points. One, pets may be fearful of strangers entering the house. Two, some people are afraid of, or allergic to, animals, and are not happy to encounter them. There will be a variety of people entering your home, including children. If you are unsure of how your pets will react to strangers, be sure to take them out during showings.

I recall a client who panicked at the sight of a small puppy in a home. I found that hard to understand until I realized that I reacted the same way to a ferret that was loose in a house that I was showing. I was ready to jump on the table.

If you have pets at home during showings, communicate this to the agent. Leave written notes in the house on where your pet is located and other special instructions. (Dog in laundry room; Cat must stay indoors)

6. Is your home safe for visitors?

Remember that showing your home is going to interfere with your day to day life. You will need to prepare for some inconvenience and intrusion into your privacy. Consider the safety of your visitors. There may be seniors as well as small children walking around your home.

Is there a statue or tall lamp that could easily fall if touched? Are there wires at ground level that could trip someone? Are there rugs that tend to slide? Are stair railings safe for small children? Could a visitor be bitten by a bird or other animal? Are the stairs free of small toys? Are traffic patterns open between rooms?

Also consider your own security and privacy. Put away valuable possessions. Do not leave money, guns, jewelry, x rated magazines or any personal items in public view. Do not leave breakable objects where they could be accidentally bumped. Move your medicines to a secure location. Do not leave bleach or poisons in reach of children. Do not leave candles burning when you leave the house.

7. Should you stick around?

Generally, it is not a good idea to be present for the showing. Remember that this is not a social visit. Most buyers will feel that they are intruding on your privacy if you are in the house. They may shorten the time spent in your home. Or, they may not be able to discuss your home as freely as they might have. If it is difficult to leave, you may sit outside or take a short walk.

Sometimes sellers try to offer certain information, and they inadvertently turn the buyer off. It is best not to make assumptions about what the buyer wants. Keep in mind that buyers are there to make a big decision. They need some time to experience your home on several levels. If it passes the first test, there will be time to communicate how many water heaters you have and other facts about the house. I recall one showing in which the sellers actually grilled the buyer on his reaction to every room, and then argued about it. It was a relief to leave.

Showing your home is a very important step in getting it sold. Potential buyers should be treated with utmost care and respect. You only have a short time to gain their trust and interest in your home. Every showing is important. It is said that you only need one buyer, but you don’t know which one.