Archive for December, 2010
The Kitten Who Thinks He’s a Chicken!
can kittens and chickens really peacefully co-exist
Nice lady came by the shop today and she has a kitten that thinks it's a chicken, even lives in the coop with the other REAL chickens, cute as heck. I am going to get video of it and when I do I will share it with all my pet lovers out there by posting it on YouTube then back to MBP blog.
Cheers!
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It’s Nice To Know That Our Pets Don’t Suffer In A Down Economy
You Just Can't Beat The Comfort Your Pet Offers During Tough Times
When you can't pay your bills, your dog understands.
When you can't find a job and you get depressed, your dog understands.
When your kids need more from you than you can give, your dog understands.
When your friends have troubles of their own and act weird, your dog understands.
Only a few reasons why I was happy to see that Petsmart earnings jumped by 20% during third quarter of 2010. Consumers continue to dote on their pets!
I Know My Dog Is Lonely & Bored While I Am Gone
Question is, what do I do about it?
Duke with his girlfriend Mina
Plenty of fresh water, run of the house, toys, Kongs filled with treats. This all helps but my chocolate lab mix is a rescue and he has separation issues. He does best with another dog for a companion but two dogs is something the wife keeps vetoing.
It is some comfort to know that other lab owners have the same concerns. I have seen this same question asked on the web many times. While we are away we fret over what is happening at home. I am fortunate that Duke is not a destructive dog. He is 6 yrs old and full of life as labs are and he gets regular and vigorous exercise. I just know that he is lonely and bored at home alone and I worry about him.
I have video taped him while gone and he paces back and forth climbing up on the kitchen counter so he can look out the windows to the driveway. Up, down, up, down, rarely staying in one place. I can't leave anything on the counters or he will play with it, raw potatoes, cans, paper, etc. Other than that he is great.
Do dogs like music? Should I leave the TV on? I know he sleeps a lot but other than provide him with a comfortable bed what can I do that will provide him with some entertainment. I rarely leave him for more than four hours at a time but he acts like I have been gone for days when I come home. Any suggestions?
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Flying Our Furry Friends
I recently read a story in my hometown newspaper about an airline that is dedicated to flying our pets. Using small airplanes that carry pets only, in the comfort of a climate controlled cabin, and dedicated to easing the stress of flying for animals, this Florida based company, Pet Airways, is seeking to fill a niche created by pet owners who dread having their animals shipped in the cargo hold of a plane.
My Baby Pet thinks this is a great idea and long overdue. Next time your pet has to fly give Pet Airways a try, they are getting good reviews.
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Dog Training Tips
Our pets – especially dogs and puppies want to be trained!
Be Patient – I list patience first because it is the key element you must have when working with a dog or puppy. Training a dog takes patience in spades so if you feel like you’re at the end of your leash before you’ve even started, don’t even bother with trying to train your dog. Dogs are super-smart pets and will pick up on your emotions. Remember, this is supposed to be fun for both of you!
Be Positive – Think how you perform best at work. Is it because of the boss who is a slave driver who never thanks you for anything? Or is it due to the positive reinforcement you get from a smart boss who appreciates your contributions? It's the same with a dog or puppy. Your pet wants to please you and when you use positive reinforcement with a dog or puppy they will respond much more quickly and positively! Give em some dog treats and lots of verbal praise if they perform something correctly.
Keep it Short – Dogs make great pets obviously, and some dogs get no training whatsoever. They just pick up good habits because they want to please, but they do get distracted easily. Fifteen minutes or so is about the right time for learning simple commands, so focus on a single command per session and finish up with your dog or puppy able to do it just once. If your dog or puppy has successfully done the command several times in a row remember to lavish him with praise. After the dog training session, spend some time roughhousing. He will associate time with you as fun time and will look forward to his training sessions.
Be Firm but Friendly — When you give commands to your dog or puppy such as heel and come, you want to use a happy, friendly voice. Your pet will respond much quicker to a happy tone of voice. On the other hand, you will want to use a lower, firmer voice for commands such as stay or down.
Start those puppies Young…but not too early – The ideal time to start training begins at six to eight weeks, maybe even earlier depending on the puppy. But remember, it’s never too late to teach a dog a new trick.
Don’t Rub His Nose in It – If you can't seem to get it through your dog's head like Sam here, don't worry, Sam is unique! Though it may be tempting to rub your dog’s nose in his accident or swat him with a rolled up newspaper. Punishing your dog is not really a desired form of dog training. The only thing this will do in the end is teach your dog a serious problem–to become afraid of you. Do you think your dog should come over as you call if he thinks you are simply going to whack him or stick his nose into the carpet?No Distractions – Try to pick a quiet spot free of distractions when training your dog to do tricks or commands. A secluded back yard or an inside room works best. If there are other pets in the family, put them up so they won’t interfere with training.