The Keyboard Cat is dead. Show some god damn respect! Rest in peace. sickpigs.com

Funny cat stories

There is nothing worse that rushing to get dressed for the office and finding your good pair of shoes all chewed up. Unless of course, its coming home to find pee puddles and poop hills all around your living room. And when was the last time you had friends over without them being attacked or slobbered by your unruly pet? If you have had it with doggie nightmares, then maybe its time to call in the experts in dog training.

Owners who want to personally train their dogs but cannot do so for whatever reason, are beginning to appreciate the mighty services of trainers who are hired to teach your pet. These professionals (either individuals or company connected) train your dogs for you while you sit back and watch the progress from the comfort of your very own home. Yes, in home dog training is the answer but what are the questions? Here are the five important things you need to ask before launching into the world of canine home education.

What is the level of obedience of your canine? If you have attempted dog training and have had some success in doing so; consider doing it yourself. There is no better person to teach your dog but you. However, if you have correctly assessed your incapacity as an effective trainer, then by all means have a professional trainer over as soon as you are able.

Where are all the good trainers? The best trainers are those whose work speak for itself. Talk to your friends and neighbors who have used a professional’s services in training their pet. If they don’t know anybody, they should know somebody who comes highly recommended. Check the yellow pages or surf through the internet for companies or individuals that offer the training your dog needs (basic obedience training or specific behavior modification). Research on their rates and find one that gives you the best value for your money.

What do I need to look for in a trainer? More than anything, this person will be handling your dog so make sure that his method of teaching is firm but never violent; kind but always in authority. You can ask for referrals of his past work. To not give you one for whatever reason raises a red flag”all successful trainers will be proud of the examples that will speak for his expertise in the industry. There are no official animal training licenses required by the government but a CDT or CDTA certification received upon graduation of International Association of Canine Professionals are great qualifications to have.

Are individual classes better than group classes? Individual classes ensure your dogs get the undivided attention of the teacher on him. Group classes on the other hand, will be good for the dog’s socialization skills. It will also be cheaper for the owners as they get to chip in for the trainer’s fees and other expenses. As much as you are able, enroll him in group sessions with dogs whose owners you know take care of their animals. Infections and fleas are not what you want out of your dog’s classes.

When should the training commence? As soon as possible! It is best to train puppies while they are still 8 weeks old. However, with patience and perseverance, even dogs can learn obedience commands at any age. If you are ready and your dog is present then anything is possible. Through in home dog training, a well trained dog is not only possible, it is expected.

When you own a pet you take on the responsibility for their lives. So many factors play into your pet being healthy. You have probably had a sick pet at some time your life, and you know how that can tug at your heart. I have had a sick dog so I know it feels, I could only thinks about getting her well. Does your pet need to be healthier?

Make sure to feed your pet good nutritionally balanced food. Also be sure the food is made special for them. Your pet’s food is specifically made to have all the nutrients their body needs for their health. No matter if the pet is a hamster or a cat, they require specifically designed food for their bodies.

Only feed them people food if the vet says you can and only what the vet says. Caffeine is not good for dogs so they need to stay away from it. It can affect a dog’s heart to the extent of a heart attack. A dog doesn’t need to eat sugar either.

Animals can pack on extra pounds too if fed too many calories. This why the standing recommendation is to leave off scraps from the table. Fish that eat too much can die. Just like humans your pets are prone to bad health because of overeating. Most pets need enough water taken in daily to keep hydrated. Now when the pet of choice is fish, then they need certain water conditions to live healthy. So check the water often for any problems.

Don’t skip your pet’s checkup at the vet; this is important to its health. Dogs and cats regularly need exams and vaccines to keep certain diseases from happening. The most important one is probably the rabies vaccine. If your pets are in close contact with numerous other animals domesticated or wild this becomes twice as important.

Every pet needs exercise even fish. Fish do of course get a lot of exercise swimming constantly like they do. Cats and dogs should be ran, played with, and walked be certain that they receive enough healthy exercise. This helps keeps their bodies strong and their weight at the right point. It also helps your pet’s heart be healthy. Walk your cat or dog when you go for a stroll. This is how both of you can get healthier at the same time. Provide a hamster with a wheel to run on for their health, if that is your pet of choice. This way it gets enough exercise for its health.

Our pets need our undivided attention and love to be fully healthy. We should show our pets that they are love through petting them and/or talking to them. Grooming is just another show of affection as far as they are concerned. Cats and dogs either get matted coats or shed their hair too much if not brushed enough.

Following the above suggestions will help you have the healthiest pet you can have. Is this not what all of us pet owners want? So have a healthier pet today!

When you recognize the signs of a sick kidney in a cat, you can increase the odds of her living a longer life if you get her into the vet early for treatment. Unfortunately, acute kidney failure is an emergency, but even more of a problem is chronic renal failure. Here’s how you can recognize the symptoms of kidney failure in cats before its too late.

Your vet would probably agree with the statistics that they see more cats 7 years and older that are showing signs of kidney failure in cats. Feline kidneys are vulnerable to a number of life-threatening disorders that can lead to a failing kidney in a cat or chronic renal failure.

The risk for feline kidney disease may be inherited. Some long-haired breeds like Angoras and Persians and short-haired cats like the Abyssinian are more genetically predisposed to kidney problems, either acute or chronic renal failure.

The main difference between chronic and acute kidney failure in cats is that acute renal failure is a very severe situation that occurs relatively suddenly – over a week or a month. Chronic renal failure creeps up on your cat over a longer time, years even.

Causes of acute renal failure include a blockage that prevents a good flow of blood to the kidney in a cat. Or there may be stones and inflammations blocking the flow of urine from the kidney into the bladder. The most common cause of kidney failure in cats occurs when your cat swallows a toxic substance like pesticides,antifreeze, cleaning fluids and human medications.

Signs Of Kidney Failure In Cats

Occasional vomiting Increase in water consumption Increase in urination Weight loss Loss of appetite

Your vet may use a couple of terms “polydipsia” or “polyuria”. Polydipsia means that your cat is drinking a lot of water – lots of it. On the other end, polydipsia means that your cat is urinating a lot – lots and lots. In fact, you this may be the first sign your recognize of a problem kidney in a cat. When you clean the litter box you find numerous pee-balls of cat litter, or unusually large ones.

If your vet suspects kidney failure in a cat she will evaluate your cat’s BUN. BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, as well as the creatinine levels. When these are elevated it means your cat’s kidneys aren’t working right and need extra help.

Traditionally, treating renal failure in cats is determined by the disorder causing the condition. If acute kidney failure is caused by a urinary tract blockage the stone must be removed immediately. Treating chronic renal failure is done with a more conservative approach. This may include intravenous fluid therapy and changes to diet.

How many chewed up shoes do you have in your closet? Do you constantly have to spot check your home for little souvenirs your dog might have left over for you to clean? Thats not a lot of fun now is it? If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired with your dogs manners then maybe its time to get some dog training in to his life.

Owners who want to personally train their dogs but cannot do so for whatever reason, are beginning to appreciate the mighty services of trainers who are hired to teach your pet. These professionals (either individuals or company connected) train your dogs for you while you sit back and watch the progress from the comfort of your very own home. Yes, in home dog training is the answer but what are the questions? Here are the five important things you need to ask before launching into the world of canine home education.

How high up the obedience ladder is your dog? If your pet knows the basic commands down, then you should consider training him yourself. The owner is always the best person to teach his own. However, if you really don’t know the first thing about dog training or have no chance to do so, then have the professionals take a look at what can be done to Fido as soon as possible.

Where can I look for the excellent trainers? The good trainers are known by the dogs they have handled. Ask your family,friends, or neighbors if they have had experience with these professionals. Search through the internet and yellow pages for the services of a company or individual that comes highly recommended by canine organizations or blogs and forums. Inquire on their fees and set an appointment with one that seems to give you the best value for your dollars.

What do I need to look for in a trainer? More than anything, this person will be handling your dog so make sure that his method of teaching is firm but never violent; kind but always in authority. You can ask for referrals of his past work. To not give you one for whatever reason raises a red flag”all successful trainers will be proud of the examples that will speak for his expertise in the industry. There are no official animal training licenses required by the government but a CDT or CDTA certification received upon graduation of International Association of Canine Professionals are great qualifications to have.

Which should I choose: individual or group classes? Individual classes are always advisable because your pet gets the complete focus of the teacher. However, group classes are a good alternative also because your dog will get to develop his social skills as he interacts with others of his own kind. It will also be easier on the pocket to share the trainer’s rates and other fees. Make sure that the group of dogs your pet is included in are healthy and vaccinated.

What age should I start training my dog? Right now! Of course, the most optimal time would before 8 weeks old but adult dogs can still definitely learn their sits and roll-overs. Now with in home dog training”a simple and convenient way to a trained dog can be a reality to you.

Puppies never fail to bring a smile to people’s face and you’ve decided it’s time to finally own one. So you excitedly pick one that tugs at your heart, gently bring it home with all his supplies, and set up his new home – fully dog proofed no less. Now what? Well, you’ve been a responsible dog owner thus far, now it’s time to get him trained. House training a puppy is one of the most important things you can do for your pet. If you’re new, don’t worry– everybody was at one point. Here are some puppy training tips effective enough for experts to use and easy enough for us to follow.

1. You need to set yourself firmly in the position of authority. The foundation of a healthy relationship with your dog is the correct view of both of your positions in the ultimate hierarchy of things. It’s easy to be indulgent with a cute puppy– but if you don’t nip it in the bud, a domineering and bratty dog will be your future headache. Start teaching him how to submit to you by giving him simple commands to obey. Use a firm voice when you say ‘Sit!’ and gently push him down to that position. Once he understands that you are his superior other commands will be easier to teach.

2. You have to train the puppy on proper toilet habits. This should probably be one of the first things you will ever learn in house training a puppy. Bring him outside to a designated potty place fifteen minutes after every meal. Walk around the spot until he unloads and lavish him with accolades when he does. Do this for a few weeks so his mind will set a pattern for the right dog activities in regards to potty. If there should be accidents inside the house, thoroughly clean the area with a deodorizer so he will not return to claim his kingdom after a few days.

3. Your puppy will need to develop and grow his social skills. The best time for socializing a puppy is anytime before 3 months of age. Some puppy training tips you can use for socializing the dog is to invite your friends over to meet him. Bring him to busy places and let him play with other healthy animals. Also let him get used to being groomed so that he will not get aggressive and whiny when people pet and touch him in the future. Properly socialized puppies grow up to be healthy, happy and self-assured dogs.

4. You must have a reliable communication system which your puppy understands. Dogs, indeed most animals, understand what their human counterparts mean through the reward-punishment method. The tricky part is to do this as consistently each and every time. For example, he jumps on a couch and you scold him sharply. The next day, he jumps again and you make nothing out of it this time. This will confuse the puppy and result in a cloudy understanding of what you want from him. Be consistent every time.

That just about wraps it up. It sounds too simple right? If you read up on other puppy training tips you will find they all branch out from these four foundational issues. Now you have the knowledge. Use it well and be on your way to a responsible, loving puppy training expert in no time at all.

Do you want a dog that can sit, fetch and roll over on command? Yeah, I thought so. Well, can you spare the funds in enrolling him in a professional canine school? Yeah, I thought as much as well. Dog training can cost you a pretty dime and if you can spare it, go right ahead. However, if you cant, dont think you should make do with an untrained dog. It is a necessity to have your pet trained. Dog schools are an expense we could all do without, its alright. There are many dog training DVDs that can do the job instead.

A dog training DVD will most likely be promoted by a professional and recognized dog trainer. And by dog trainer, I don’t mean someone who has finally mastered the command “Sit!” to his dog. The person (or persons) in the instructional video should be certified or at least has finished the necessary courses in a licensed animal training school. Search the web for well respected trainers who may have resources being sold in the market today.

When planning on purchasing a training DVD you need to know first at what level your dog is ready to learn. If he is a puppy or newly adopted, a video that covers the basic obedience commands is what you will need. If you require canine behavior modification, search the internet for well-received and popular specialty dog sites. They will probably have an extensive collection of resources and products. Sort through their DVD titles per topic and select a video best suited for your current needs.

So if I want to buy a tutorial on dog training where do I go? Well, nowadays video shops are few and far in between. In fact, if you find one you will probably not find a good compilation of animal related DVDs. Your best source will be the Internet. There are niche sites that cater to pet owners who look for the same things you need. These sites will most likely have a resource page with product offerings you can select from. Amazon.com is a trusty site for educational materials which includes animal related videos. You can also try some buy and sell sites but their reliability is dependent on individual sellers so be careful with this.

Dog training videos are valued at around $20-$50, depending on the package (quantity of discs and literature included). There are sites that offer discounts and freebies if you order within a certain period of time. If the particular DVD you are eyeing will be much used and reused for your training needs then buy it as soon as you can. It is a worthy investment. However, if you don’t really think you need the title, don’t be enticed by great bargains and keep your credit card in your wallet. You may find something your pet needs more in the future.

Having a trained dog is now an affordable privilege pet owners can have. Dog training DVDs will bring you advice and tips of experts you otherwise can’t afford. Even with the rising cost of prices all around, you can very well afford to bring Fido to the best trainers in the world anytime– all you need is to press rewind.

I received two turtles as a b-day gift: a black one with yellow belly, and a green one with black dots on the back. They gave them to me in a fish tank, food (little kind-of shrimps) and anti-chlorine; but they never said how often do I have to feed them, if I have to grind the little shrimps before I feed them, how often do I have to change the water, etc. Any tips?

Puppy’s life before and after her rescue and re-homing.