Introducing a new puppy, especially to kids and toddlers, should be done with care to avoid injury to either the child(ren) or the puppy. Once they start walking and as they grow, kids can become more interesting—and challenging—for your puppy. While young children may mean no harm, depending on their age, they may treat your puppy like a stuffed toy by poking eyes, pulling fur, chasing, or trying to hug or kiss the dog....
Whether you named your dog Shadow or not, there’s a good chance that your canine companion follows you around the house. Many dogs seem to love (or even need) to follow their owners around. While this generally is just a sign of your dog’s interest in you, it can also be a symptom of underlying anxiety or lack of confidence in your dog. Why Do Dogs Follow People Everywhere? Whether you find your dog’s shadow-like behaviors cute, annoying, or concerning, you might want to learn why your pup does this....
Can You Own a Wolf Dog? Wold Dog Behavior and Temperament Housing Common Problems Diet Exercise Training Pros and Cons of Owning a Wolf Dog Purchasing A wolf dog is a cross between a domesticated dog and a wolf. This large animal is a controversial pet that may make a great companion for one person but be troublesome-or even dangerous-for another. Wolf dogs retain much of the instinctive behavior of their wild relatives....
What Should I Expect? Signs Stages Frequency of Heat Dog Owner’s Role Age to Spay Frequently Asked Questions When a female dog is “in heat,” it means that the dog is ready to breed and become pregnant. The proper term for this stage of a female dog’s reproductive cycle is estrus. While most dog owners who do not plan on using the dog for breeding choose to have their female dog spayed, if you have recently adopted an intact female dog or do want to breed the dog, you should know what to expect when your dog comes into heat....
The Bernedoodle is a hybrid breed created by crossing Bernese Mountain Dogs with poodles. Standard poodles are most commonly used. Some breeders use Miniature or toy poodles to create smaller Bernedoodles. Crossing giant breeds with small breeds is risky and must be done carefully to avoid complications in the breeding mother or in the resulting puppies. Depending on their size, Bernedoodles are typically classified as standard, miniature, or tiny. Some people believe that Bernedoodles are hypoallergenic, but this is not always the case....
The bird wrasse is a very beautiful and interesting fish. The bird wrasse is a great fish for a beginner, as long as it is provided with a large enough tank. In the wild, the male bird wrasse spends its time during the day hunting for food along the reef and in sand channels. At night, it will find a secure crevice in the rocks and hide until it turns light again....
Cranberries are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that have been touted as playing a role in everything from boosting your immune system to decreasing inflammation in the body. But much like oranges, just because the fruit is healthy doesn’t necessary mean the juice is—and that’s often the case when it comes to offering cranberry juice to your pup due to the added sugar. Here’s why cranberry juice is sometimes offered to dogs, and how to do so safely....
Before You Begin What You Need Move the Bed Calming Aids Play Later Try Music Melatonin Massage Therapy Preventing Problems Insomnia isn’t as common with dogs as it is in people. However, puppies can have trouble sleeping, especially when they first arrive in their new home. Even older pups can have issues and not be able to sleep through the night. In fact, when owners are dealing with insomnia, it can impact how well their pets sleep, too....
Is it OK to Own a Prairie Dog? Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Purchasing Similar Pets & Breeds Frequently Asked Questions The black-tailed prairie dog is one of five different species of wild prairie dogs, but it is the one most often seen in the exotic pet trade. Native to the Great Plains region of the United States, black-tailed prairie dogs live in colonies on these grasslands....
Feline immunodeficiency virus is also known as FIV or feline AIDS. The disease is caused by a contagious virus that can be passed from one cat to another. The contagious nature of the disease makes testing for FIV important. Identifying the signs and which cats test positive for FIV allows cat owners to take precautions to help these cats lead longer, healthier lives. Should Your Cat Be Tested for FIV? Virtually every cat should be tested for FIV, and especially outdoor felines....
Next to a collar and a leash, a dog ID tag is one of the first purchases you’ll want to make when you adopt a new puppy. Even if your new companion is microchipped, you’ll still want to attach a personalized dog tag to their collar. Why? Should your pup pull a disappearing act, a dog ID tag gives the person who finds them a quick and easy way to find you without a trip to the vet or animal shelter....
What Is Tick Paralysis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment & Prevention Prognosis Frequently Asked Questions While rare, tick paralysis can cause extreme harm to your dog. The saliva of a paralysis-causing tick species contains a neurotoxin that leads to paralysis. The symptoms include weakness in the hind-limbs, difficulty breathing, and high blood pressure. The ticks that cause paralysis are most commonly found in the U.S. and Australia and thrive in humid climates....
Ulcers in freshwater fish are a common problem, but they are usually not the only problem you may have at the time. Ulcers most commonly occur when a fish’s defenses are weakened by a primary stressor, such as a parasite damaging the skin and allowing bacteria to enter. Severe ulcers may require veterinary care, but basic ones are easily treated by checking a few key items. What Are “Ulcers?” Ulcers are defined as a sore through the skin, resulting in tissue necrosis....
History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research The white-eyed conure or white-eyed parakeet is a small green parrot that is among one of the better-behaved of pet species. It’s less noisy than many other parrots, non-destructive, and more likely to want to talk than to scream. Correctly socialized white-eyed conures can make loving and entertaining pets....
Have you ever seen your dog tilt his head to the side and wondered why? Head tilting is one of those things that humans often find quite adorable. Is it normal for dogs to tilt their heads? In general, the occasional dog head cock is normal and harmless. However, sometimes a dog’s head tilt can indicate a health problem. Here’s how to tell the difference. Normal Dog Head Tilt Puppies are especially known for tilting their heads, especially when they hear new or interesting words or sounds....
These top names for your dog will highlight his or her beauty, elegance, or regal presence. Get all your best options for fancy dog names with this list of options for big breeds, small dogs, and male or female dogs. Here are 102 fancy dog names that will be distinguished and classy. Top Fancy Dog Names Archibald (Archie)BentleyChanelEllaEmersonHarloweJewelMaverickMaximilian (Max)PippaStellaWinston Tips for Naming Your Dog Picking the perfect name for your new dog is an important task....
Cold weather, ice and snow present special problems for horses and their owners. But the challenges brought on by winter are not insurmountable. Here are tips and suggestions on how you can make sure your ride as is safe as possible, despite the hazards winter can throw at us. Provide More Grip If you plan to ride, and the ground is slippery ask your farrier about shoes with pads and ice caulks....
If allergies keep your family from having a furry pet in your house, and the idea of a bird or fish doesn’t excite your or your kids, a reptile may be a great option for a pet. Reptiles are quiet, there are many species that don’t take up a lot of space, they don’t make big messes, and kids can interact with and hold them. But not all types of reptiles make ideal pets for kids....
Although disgusting to think about, one of the mainstays of good horse ownership is controlling your horse’s internal parasite, or worm, burden. Depending on the type, these worms can cause anything from discomfort and tail-rubbing, poor haircoat, weight loss, or even life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction and colic. Drugs called dewormers, also known as anthelmintics, were wildly successful at treating the most common and devastating horse worms for decades. However, just like bacteria against antibiotics, the worms have found a way to fight back and develop resistance ....
Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research The bronze corydoras, also known as a bronze cory or a green cory, is a small, tropical freshwater catfish that ranks among the most popular catfish kept in home freshwater aquariums. These fish are easy to care for and hardy, but they are somewhat shy. Characteristics Species Overview Common Names: Bronze cory, green cory...
