If you have a dog, then you are already familiar with the art of dog grooming. If you are just considering a new pet, there is plenty to think about and this includes their appearance. Some dogs are easier to care for than others, including ones with shorter hair. A dog with long hair requires daily brushing and sheds constantly, which can make for a long day of vacuuming. Dogs with short hair, on the other hand, can be brushed several times each week and their fur will not fill up your vacuum as quickly.
A part of proper dog grooming is finding the right hair brush for your pet. Gentle strokes will allow your pet to get used to the idea of being brushed, which can make them anxious at first. A regular bath is also a part of dog grooming, which can sometimes be the messiest. In the beginning, pets are often resistant to the idea of a bath. It’s best to start as early as possible in teaching your dog how to act, which can be done by bathing your puppy early in his/her life. When they are able to run and play, they are able to have a bath and will probably even grow to enjoy it after time. If you have a friend or relative who is willing to help you, invite them over. While one holds the puppy, the other can wash him/her with a washcloth.
If you are unable to handle dog grooming, there are businesses that can take care of it for you. A local veterinarian or animal hospital is likely to have grooming services, along with businesses specifically dedicated to this purpose. In exchange for a fee, your pet can have his/her nails clipped, be given a bath and get their fur brushed all in one afternoon. This process isn’t necessarily a lengthy one, but it’s best to make an appointment before showing up for dog grooming.
The proper dog grooming techniques will make your pet to feel better overall and will make you happy to see that your pet is in good spirits. Even though they love to dig in our yard or investigate every hole that they find, dogs love to feel good and a part of that means being clean and well groomed. Dog grooming is also a reflection of how much you care for your pet, so let the world know how much you love them.
2008年9月16日星期二
2008年9月4日星期四
Frogs Swallows
Frogs are amphibians, animals that spend part of their lives under water and the remainder on land. They have long, powerful jumping legs and a very short backbone. Most Frogs have teeth (in the upper jaws only) but toads do not have any teeth.
Adult Frogs are characterised by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most Frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult Frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.
Life cycle: Like all amphibians, Frogs spend their lives near water because they must return to the water to lay their eggs. Frogs eggs are laid in the water. When they hatch into tadpoles, they breathe with gills and swim using a tail. As they mature, they lose their tail, and they develop lungs for breathing air. In harsh climates, Frogs bury themselves in sand and mud and hibernate (sleep very deeply) through the cold winter.
Diet: Frogs eat insects, catching them with their long, sticky tongue. They also eat small fish and worms.
Classification and Evolution: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia (amphibians), Order Anura (Frogs and toads). The first true Frogs evolved during the early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago (during the time of the dinosaurs).
The distribution of Frogs ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, but most species are found in tropical rainforests. Consisting of more than 5,000 species described, they are among the most diverse groups of vertebrates. However, populations of certain Frogs species are significantly declining.
for:http://www.frogs-house.com
Adult Frogs are characterised by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most Frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult Frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.
Life cycle: Like all amphibians, Frogs spend their lives near water because they must return to the water to lay their eggs. Frogs eggs are laid in the water. When they hatch into tadpoles, they breathe with gills and swim using a tail. As they mature, they lose their tail, and they develop lungs for breathing air. In harsh climates, Frogs bury themselves in sand and mud and hibernate (sleep very deeply) through the cold winter.
Diet: Frogs eat insects, catching them with their long, sticky tongue. They also eat small fish and worms.
Classification and Evolution: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia (amphibians), Order Anura (Frogs and toads). The first true Frogs evolved during the early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago (during the time of the dinosaurs).
The distribution of Frogs ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, but most species are found in tropical rainforests. Consisting of more than 5,000 species described, they are among the most diverse groups of vertebrates. However, populations of certain Frogs species are significantly declining.
for:http://www.frogs-house.com
2008年8月28日星期四
American Paint Horse
The American Paint Horse is a breed of horses which are known for having a percentage of white hair over skin combined with another color. This color pattern is one of the most important characteristics of this breed. The American Paint Horse Association is one of the largest breed register centers in the US.
Every American Paint Horse has white hair combined with some other color found in horses. This includes brown, black, tan, or gray. American Paint horses are related to the American Quarter Horse, and share the same ancestors. The markings on these horses can be anywhere on its body. Like the Quarter Horse, American Paint Horses are known for their speed and athletic qualities.
Strict requirements are necessary in order to register these horses. Both the sire and dam have to be registered in the APHA and the club for Thoroughbreds. At least one of the parents of the horse being registered must be an American Paint Horse. It is also important that the horse being registered have white fur over skin which is another color. These horses have an excellent temperament, and make great pets.
The American Paint Horse should have a body shape which is the same as the American Quarter Horse. They should be heavy but not very tall, and their center of gravity should be low. They should also be very muscular with a powerful back legs. They should also be able to run extremely fast and maneuver quickly. The American Paint Horse is one of the most popular breeds of horses in the United States today.
Despite this, these horses are susceptible to getting lethal white syndrome, a genetic disease. Some foals are born with a pure white color and do not have a functioning colon. As of this writing, no effective treatments have been found for this disease, and the foal usually dies within two weeks. The death is a very painful process, and they are typically put down once symptoms have been found. The coat color alone is not an indicator that a horse has this disease.
This disease has become well known among American Paint Horse breeders, and many of them have encountered this disease first hand. While it was thought at one time that overos carried this disease, recent research has shown that not all overos carry this disorder, and tobianos and quarter horses may carry it also. Despite these conditions, American Paint Horses are highly prized.
Every American Paint Horse has white hair combined with some other color found in horses. This includes brown, black, tan, or gray. American Paint horses are related to the American Quarter Horse, and share the same ancestors. The markings on these horses can be anywhere on its body. Like the Quarter Horse, American Paint Horses are known for their speed and athletic qualities.
Strict requirements are necessary in order to register these horses. Both the sire and dam have to be registered in the APHA and the club for Thoroughbreds. At least one of the parents of the horse being registered must be an American Paint Horse. It is also important that the horse being registered have white fur over skin which is another color. These horses have an excellent temperament, and make great pets.
The American Paint Horse should have a body shape which is the same as the American Quarter Horse. They should be heavy but not very tall, and their center of gravity should be low. They should also be very muscular with a powerful back legs. They should also be able to run extremely fast and maneuver quickly. The American Paint Horse is one of the most popular breeds of horses in the United States today.
Despite this, these horses are susceptible to getting lethal white syndrome, a genetic disease. Some foals are born with a pure white color and do not have a functioning colon. As of this writing, no effective treatments have been found for this disease, and the foal usually dies within two weeks. The death is a very painful process, and they are typically put down once symptoms have been found. The coat color alone is not an indicator that a horse has this disease.
This disease has become well known among American Paint Horse breeders, and many of them have encountered this disease first hand. While it was thought at one time that overos carried this disease, recent research has shown that not all overos carry this disorder, and tobianos and quarter horses may carry it also. Despite these conditions, American Paint Horses are highly prized.
2008年8月23日星期六
Do You Know What You Should About Training For Aggressive Dogs?
There is absolutely nothing more adorable than a new puppy, with its dancing eyes, little wagging tail and milky breath. You can't help but fall in love with the little wriggling fur ball as it nuzzles your neck and slurps your face with its little wet tongue, lavishing you with unconditional love. The thought that you should start learning about training for aggressive dogs never crosses your mind, because you can't imagine that this little four-legged angel could ever be anything other than sweet and gentle.
Unfortunately, many puppies do grow up to be aggressive dogs. Many people are under the impression that aggression is the result abuse and neglect. While many dogs are indeed aggressive because of shameful mistreatment, neglect and abuse are not always to blame for aggression. In fact, many aggressive dogs have owners that love them and treat them extremely well. So why do some dogs with kind, loving owners turn into aggressive dogs?
The problem is simple, and unfortunately, extremely common. Dogs are animals with very strong instincts. Some of these instincts, like their sense of loyalty to their humans, endear them to us and have made them "man's best friend." But dogs have other instincts that while completely normal, can develop into aggressive behavior when felt too keenly. By failing to recognize that certain instincts in their dog are kicking into overdrive, owners are failing to recognize that their dog is actually displaying early signs of aggression.
It is very important for owners to educate themselves so that they can recognize warning signs of aggression early on and understand how to treat aggressive dog behavior. That is because training for aggressive dogs is only successful when owners understand and address the underlying causes of aggression.
Excessive displays of dominance, fear and territorialism are all warning signs of aggression. As an owner, your first step in learning how to help an aggressive dog is to recognize these excessive displays for what they are and work with your dog to help them understand that their aggressive reactions are not acceptable behavior.
Fear can bring out the natural instinct of a dog to protect itself. Usually you will know when your dog feels scared. Its first response could be to put its tail between its legs, flatten its ears back against its head, and it may either look away or run. But when it feels like it has no other way out, it may lash out by growling, snarling, baring its teeth and eventually biting. Proper training for aggressive dogs will teach them to overcome their inappropriate reactions to fear.
One possible cause for aggression in dogs is their natural instinct for dominance. Dogs are by nature pack animals, and they have a keen instinct to establish hierarchy in their pack. They do this by battling each other for dominance to gain leadership and territory. This instinct does not go away when they are living with humans. So if you as do not establish yourself as the "alpha dog", your dog will take it upon himself to try to secure the position for himself via domination. This can cause serious problems, and training for aggressive dogs can assist in you with helping your dog understand his proper position in your family.
It is good for dogs to watch out for intruders, but excessive territorial attitudes become undesirable, especially when you have guests in your house. Dogs consider their home, family or anything they believe to be theirs (toys, food, your shoes) as their possessions that must be defended at all costs. If your dog's defensive behavior is excessive, you need to realize that it is a sign of aggression and learn how to treat aggressive dog behavior.
If you want your puppy to grow up to become a happy, well-adjusted dog, then you need to take the time to educate yourself and learn how to help an aggressive dog as soon as possible. Training for aggressive dogs requires a lot of patience and the earlier the training begins, the better for everyone.
Unfortunately, many puppies do grow up to be aggressive dogs. Many people are under the impression that aggression is the result abuse and neglect. While many dogs are indeed aggressive because of shameful mistreatment, neglect and abuse are not always to blame for aggression. In fact, many aggressive dogs have owners that love them and treat them extremely well. So why do some dogs with kind, loving owners turn into aggressive dogs?
The problem is simple, and unfortunately, extremely common. Dogs are animals with very strong instincts. Some of these instincts, like their sense of loyalty to their humans, endear them to us and have made them "man's best friend." But dogs have other instincts that while completely normal, can develop into aggressive behavior when felt too keenly. By failing to recognize that certain instincts in their dog are kicking into overdrive, owners are failing to recognize that their dog is actually displaying early signs of aggression.
It is very important for owners to educate themselves so that they can recognize warning signs of aggression early on and understand how to treat aggressive dog behavior. That is because training for aggressive dogs is only successful when owners understand and address the underlying causes of aggression.
Excessive displays of dominance, fear and territorialism are all warning signs of aggression. As an owner, your first step in learning how to help an aggressive dog is to recognize these excessive displays for what they are and work with your dog to help them understand that their aggressive reactions are not acceptable behavior.
Fear can bring out the natural instinct of a dog to protect itself. Usually you will know when your dog feels scared. Its first response could be to put its tail between its legs, flatten its ears back against its head, and it may either look away or run. But when it feels like it has no other way out, it may lash out by growling, snarling, baring its teeth and eventually biting. Proper training for aggressive dogs will teach them to overcome their inappropriate reactions to fear.
One possible cause for aggression in dogs is their natural instinct for dominance. Dogs are by nature pack animals, and they have a keen instinct to establish hierarchy in their pack. They do this by battling each other for dominance to gain leadership and territory. This instinct does not go away when they are living with humans. So if you as do not establish yourself as the "alpha dog", your dog will take it upon himself to try to secure the position for himself via domination. This can cause serious problems, and training for aggressive dogs can assist in you with helping your dog understand his proper position in your family.
It is good for dogs to watch out for intruders, but excessive territorial attitudes become undesirable, especially when you have guests in your house. Dogs consider their home, family or anything they believe to be theirs (toys, food, your shoes) as their possessions that must be defended at all costs. If your dog's defensive behavior is excessive, you need to realize that it is a sign of aggression and learn how to treat aggressive dog behavior.
If you want your puppy to grow up to become a happy, well-adjusted dog, then you need to take the time to educate yourself and learn how to help an aggressive dog as soon as possible. Training for aggressive dogs requires a lot of patience and the earlier the training begins, the better for everyone.
2008年8月14日星期四
Educate Yourself On How To Watch Birds
Ask any expert how to watch birds and you will be told that finding a place to start is the most common hurdle that many have to jump when they first begin to wonder about 101 bird watching. Beginners may have seen a breathtaking display in some museum, or watched a documentary on television that really caught their attention or piqued their interest in bird watching.
For those who are introduced to the world of birding through these means, instead of developing their love for it through talking with other people, it can be difficult to get started. The interest and desire are there but the knowledge and practical experience is not.
Before you begin learning how to bird watch, you need to make sure that you have the proper tools readily available. If you plan to trek into the forest to do your bird watching then you may need to invest in a sturdy pair of boots. Other than that, all you really need is some kind of optic device. Binoculars are the most popular tool, but a tripod mounted spotting scope also works very well.
The second step that an aspiring bird watcher must take is to find a location. This task can be as easy or as difficult as you would like it to be. Birds, of course, are found everywhere. They live in your backyard, in city parks, and in the deepest, most rugged, and hard to get places in the forest. Where you go depends largely upon what you want to see.
You can find suggestions for local outings in several places. There are bird watching discussion groups on various bulletin board Web sites, such as Yahoo Groups. Here you will find fellow bird watchers who will be more than willing to share the information that they have, not only about how to watch birds, but where.
As with any hobby, it is a great idea to find a mentor, or some senior members of a bird watching club. If you are able to connect with someone who has years of knowledge and experience, then you may be able to glean some of their wisdom to heighten your own experiences. Not only will a mentor be able to provide guidance about where to go and what to see, they may also be able to teach you some things about methods, ethics, and best practices.
The best part about having a mentor is that, as you grow in your own experience and knowledge about how to watch birds, you are preparing yourself to be a mentor to someone else in the future.
For those who are introduced to the world of birding through these means, instead of developing their love for it through talking with other people, it can be difficult to get started. The interest and desire are there but the knowledge and practical experience is not.
Before you begin learning how to bird watch, you need to make sure that you have the proper tools readily available. If you plan to trek into the forest to do your bird watching then you may need to invest in a sturdy pair of boots. Other than that, all you really need is some kind of optic device. Binoculars are the most popular tool, but a tripod mounted spotting scope also works very well.
The second step that an aspiring bird watcher must take is to find a location. This task can be as easy or as difficult as you would like it to be. Birds, of course, are found everywhere. They live in your backyard, in city parks, and in the deepest, most rugged, and hard to get places in the forest. Where you go depends largely upon what you want to see.
You can find suggestions for local outings in several places. There are bird watching discussion groups on various bulletin board Web sites, such as Yahoo Groups. Here you will find fellow bird watchers who will be more than willing to share the information that they have, not only about how to watch birds, but where.
As with any hobby, it is a great idea to find a mentor, or some senior members of a bird watching club. If you are able to connect with someone who has years of knowledge and experience, then you may be able to glean some of their wisdom to heighten your own experiences. Not only will a mentor be able to provide guidance about where to go and what to see, they may also be able to teach you some things about methods, ethics, and best practices.
The best part about having a mentor is that, as you grow in your own experience and knowledge about how to watch birds, you are preparing yourself to be a mentor to someone else in the future.
2008年8月9日星期六
How To Be a Dog Whisperer
Plenty of people call themselves a dog whisperer, usually for commercial gain. Since the success of Monty Roberts, the Horse Whisperer, it seems to be a title almost anyone can brand themselves with - so long as they are not Horse Whisperers (that one is owned and trademarked by Monty Roberts).
I'm yet to see anyone "whisper" to a dog (or a horse) and have the animal magically do anything that it wasn't trained to do.
I remember one occassion where some people had bought a horse and were collecting it from the property where we kept our horse. This horse was terrified of being floated (trailered), made all the worse for the desperate new owner's heavy-handed techniques for attempting to force the horse into the trailer.
In a few minutes I taught the horse to touch my hand, then had it follow my hand into the trailer. Problem solved.
What do you think they called me? A "Horse Whisperer"! I thought it was funny - I was simply using Operant Conditioning, positive reinforcement for the behavior of horse touching my hand with nose in exchange for carrot.
There are also many times I have been faced with a nervous, fearful or aggressive dog. In true "dog whisperer style", I have been able to approach the cautious canine and befriend it where others have not been able to.
I do not attribute this to any magical powers of animal communication, I simply understand a little (just a little) dog body language and I am able to communicate some of that back to the dog.
Once you understand a little about dog behavior, and can read the outward signs of inward emotional states in canines, you can do much more than someone who does not understand dog behavior and cannot read a dog.
Dog Whispering really comes down to three things:
1. Experience
2. Education
3. Empathy
Experience is nothing without Education, coupled with some clear and critical thinking. The flip-side is that Education is nothing without Experience. A bit of both will greatly enhance your "dog whispering" abilities!
Empathy is necessary. A dog whisperer is not heavy-handed, abusive, or even authoritarian. A dog whisperer is understanding of why the dog is behaving as he is, and seeks to balance the dog's needs with the owner's needs in a complementary fashion.
Leadership is the name of the game here, but we've moved on a bit from the old "alpha-roll, show 'em who's boss" domination style and tended towards a more empathic and co-operative approach. This does not confuse the dog as to who is the leader, in fact, a more predictable and compassionate owner is usually one that is easier and more fun for the dog to follow!
So get out there and learn how to be a dog whisperer. Read books. Watch your own dogs. Go down to the dog park and watch other people's dogs. Attend seminars. Read articles. Join email lists. Try to understand your dogs. Combine education with experience and empathy and you will be well on your way to becoming a bona-fide dog whisperer!
I'm yet to see anyone "whisper" to a dog (or a horse) and have the animal magically do anything that it wasn't trained to do.
I remember one occassion where some people had bought a horse and were collecting it from the property where we kept our horse. This horse was terrified of being floated (trailered), made all the worse for the desperate new owner's heavy-handed techniques for attempting to force the horse into the trailer.
In a few minutes I taught the horse to touch my hand, then had it follow my hand into the trailer. Problem solved.
What do you think they called me? A "Horse Whisperer"! I thought it was funny - I was simply using Operant Conditioning, positive reinforcement for the behavior of horse touching my hand with nose in exchange for carrot.
There are also many times I have been faced with a nervous, fearful or aggressive dog. In true "dog whisperer style", I have been able to approach the cautious canine and befriend it where others have not been able to.
I do not attribute this to any magical powers of animal communication, I simply understand a little (just a little) dog body language and I am able to communicate some of that back to the dog.
Once you understand a little about dog behavior, and can read the outward signs of inward emotional states in canines, you can do much more than someone who does not understand dog behavior and cannot read a dog.
Dog Whispering really comes down to three things:
1. Experience
2. Education
3. Empathy
Experience is nothing without Education, coupled with some clear and critical thinking. The flip-side is that Education is nothing without Experience. A bit of both will greatly enhance your "dog whispering" abilities!
Empathy is necessary. A dog whisperer is not heavy-handed, abusive, or even authoritarian. A dog whisperer is understanding of why the dog is behaving as he is, and seeks to balance the dog's needs with the owner's needs in a complementary fashion.
Leadership is the name of the game here, but we've moved on a bit from the old "alpha-roll, show 'em who's boss" domination style and tended towards a more empathic and co-operative approach. This does not confuse the dog as to who is the leader, in fact, a more predictable and compassionate owner is usually one that is easier and more fun for the dog to follow!
So get out there and learn how to be a dog whisperer. Read books. Watch your own dogs. Go down to the dog park and watch other people's dogs. Attend seminars. Read articles. Join email lists. Try to understand your dogs. Combine education with experience and empathy and you will be well on your way to becoming a bona-fide dog whisperer!
2008年8月3日星期日
Learn All The Secrets Of The African Grey Parrot
The African grey parrot is a medium-sized parrot that originates from the central parts of Africa. They are said to be perhaps the most intelligent of all parrots, with an adept ability to mimic human words and expressions. This is the reason why they are very popular as pets in modern day households. Most African grey parrots are predominantly grey all over with a small color difference on their tails, usually maroon or a darker shade of grey.One incredible characteristic that the African grey parrot carries is its incredible ability to solve even the most complex of problems. Very few parrot species have this kind of ability and it is because of this that the African grey stands out above the rest. This characteristic is tied in with their talking ability as they can learn to mimic any sound just by listening and applying this to their own vocal patterns.Every African grey parrot has the potential to mimic almost every sound that hears, however some more than others. Parrots that are left alone in their cages with no way to stimulate their brains generally learn to talk or mimic the sounds they hear around them. Parrots that are handled often by humans have no need for the extra stimulation that sound imitation provides them so they often learn very few sounds. This doesn't mean people should neglect their parrots for the sole reason of getting them to talk. There are different training manuals to help parrots learn the basics of sound imitation.One notorious trait that the African grey parrot has is its feather plucking habit. This can make for a very messy and disease ridden cage and therefore owners are advised to clean the parrot cage once every two or three days. The reason why a parrot plucks his or her feathers is because it is bored and needs a source of stimulation. If owners spend enough time with their parrot every day, perhaps one or two hours, it will have no need to pluck its feathers as it is getting enough stimulation from the human presence around it.It is commonly known that an African grey parrot can become almost fully attached to one human and therefore become aggressive towards other people. This trait just proves one thing, that African grey parrots are the perfect companion. You could perhaps say that they are the new mans best friend!
订阅：
博文 (Atom)