Tag: dogs

Leash training is an important step in establishing your role as owner and caretaker. Kathy Santo, professional dog trainer, discusses the theory, equipment and process of leash training so that your dog is always happily looking to you for direction!

Tips to introducing a new cat to other cats and dogsThe truth about cats and dogs is that they CAN get along, if introduced to one another correctly.
And even anti-social kitties can learn to get along with other cats, when you follow the advice of Dr Katherine Miller of the ASPCA.

Whether youre planning to bring your dog up to the cottage, taking him/her for his/her annual check-up at the vet, or simply heading to the off-leash dog park, there is a good chance that youll need a car to get there. For some owners, a car trip with their dog is no big deal; its a simple as popping their pooch in the back seat and hitting the road.
For others, even a fifteen minute drive can be a total disaster. Whichever might be the case for you and your dog, its important to be aware of all the potential hazards that exist on the road, and to be prepared. Not all dogs will be perfect passengers, but by taking a few simple steps and precautions, you can ensure that your next road trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Destructive behavior is one of the most common complaints from dog owners, and hence necessitates the most in-depth discussion. A dog quickly ceases to be mans best friend when he/she scratches up a prized rug, chews up a favourite sweater, or eats an expensive pair of shoes. Destructive behavior is due to many causes, including separation anxiety. Many owners are gone from the house for many hours during the day, and the result is that the dog has more opportunity to develop destructive behavior The problem with this is that owners come home and see the chewed object and will punish the dog at that time.
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ScienceDaily (Mar. 13, 2010) A genetic study has found that small domestic dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Biology traced the evolutionary history of the IGF1 gene, finding that the version of the gene that is a major determinant of small size probably originated as a result of the domestication of the Middle Eastern gray wolf.

Pets are like kids: they love new stuff and they get bored easily. So, in looking for perfect pet gifts this year, I focused on pet toys that have the potential of holding your pet's attention for more than a few minutes on more than one occasion. High on my list are those toys that don't require the owner to participate in the play, which is what I mean by interactive.

Moviegoers in search of distraction and cute pets put Beverly Hills Chihuahua ahead of the pack