Zhu Zhu Pets

diane walker asked:


The key to introducing a cat or a dog to a new baby is to get your pet used to the idea of a new addition to the family as early as possible - before the baby arrives on the scene.

Firstly, allow your cat and dog to investigate the room where your baby will sleep. If you don’t allow your pet into the room, they will think there is something in there that needs their attention! Supervise them while they check out the new smells of the nursery, and start carrying around a ‘pretend baby’ (a doll in a baby blanket).

After the arrival, safely let your pets check out your baby whilst you hold it. Make sure that your pets don’t lick your baby, but as dogs depend on their sense of smell, a few sniffs around a baby, under close supervision, may help them get to know each other.

Try to give your pet the same attention and routine you normally would, and stay as relaxed as possible with all of these exercises so that your pets do not pick up on any anxiety you may be feeling.  This will make them feel that they are not being ousted from the household.

You should never leave your baby unattended with any pet, but especially cats and dogs.  Your pets will not understand that their actions, such as trying to climb into cot, could be harmful. Keep your baby behind closed ‘pet-free’ doors if you are not nearby.

It takes time and effort to introduce toddlers and pets.  Closely supervise any interaction between them, never leave them alone no matter how well behaved your pet is and praise your child when they handle your pet correctly. As children often imitate parents, how you react will show your child what is acceptable behaviour.

All pet owners should ensure their dogs are fully obedience trained before allowing them to interact with children.

Many children are happy to look after and learn about pets, but should only be given responsibility based on their ability, age and interest.  However, many studies have shown that children who are taught to respect pets become more compassionate adults.  Taking time and care to teach children and pets to treat each other with respect will create long-term advantages for both pet and child alike.

Read our weekly Animal health advice articles at http://www.in2town.co.uk and http://www.in2town.co.uk/PDSA-animal-magazine-and-animal-advice.html



Nyah

WoodCreek Pet Products asked:


First Principles

Teach respect, a dog has to be taught to respect its owner. You have to be his leader and not let him be yours. As you communicate with your dog he learns to understand you, he will forever be willing to please. Once the dog knows you are his leader, he will be a happy follower by teaching your dog the basic training commands and discipline.

It is next to impossible to have a normal, well-behaved, even-tempered dog without discipline and some training. Once a dog is trained he is a better pet and greater companion, and he himself will be happier for knowing that his owner is pleased with him. There are many books devoted to discipline and training and free online resources for dog training than ever imaginable! There are also many great obedience-training classes for low cost to no cost, one for example is PetSmart and I highly recommend this form of training, it helps your dog or puppy learn to socialize as well as get his basic obedience training from a professional source, helping you and your dog learn together. You must be willing to accept the fact that if your dog fails the course and becomes a dropout, it is entirely your fault not the dogs. He is a willing subject, it is your complete responsibility to ensure you and he complete all training classes and continue to adhere to the lessons learned.

Any sincerely interested dog owner can train their dog, and it can be a most rewarding educational experience for both. Patience and consistency is the key to successful training, at times you will have to be firm, but gentle and always, always give praise for each and every one of his positive efforts.Basically dog training is built on reward, repetition, reprimand and again praise. Although it can be too early to begin training, it is never too late. Most puppies form a strong attachment to an individual which may persist or wane, and there is often a phase of disobedience and defiance. Discipline is needed during this crucial period, but it must be with patience and never overbearing or intimidating. Don't listen to the old cliché "You can't teach an old dog new tricks". There is nothing further from the truth, I don't for one moment believe that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, he can be taught new tricks and all the basic commands whatever his age.

 

It is bound to be a more difficult to break old habits like barking, chasing cars, sleeping on furniture etc., and can be resolved with proper training aids, such as no-bark collars, sonic bark control devices, citronella spray collars, indoor radio fences, and scat mats, if all other resources have been exhausted to resolve these and various other undesirable habits develop or exist. You and your dog must be relaxed before you begin any training session. He can and will know when you are tense or uncomfortable, he can't learn while he is tense or timid and if your dog or puppy is showing signs of stubbornness or defiance they may be more resistant to teaching, but don't give in, stay firm, consistent and have a routine, all animals are creatures of habit, so stay with the training. In essence complete relaxation is essential for both dog and trainer, also, make lessons fun for both you and your dog. He will learn much faster, and give you a greater reward for your training efforts, vise-versa.

 

Getting To Know Your Dog or Puppy

 

To train your dog or pup to the best advantage for both, you must get to know their personality, for example there are sensitive or shy dogs who squeal at the slightest noise with disciplinary action and the merest jerk of a training lead, grooming comb or word of discipline, causing you to hurt his feelings and mistrust. Take caution and try to understand this dog or puppy’s personality, this is vital to their mental health and needs to be taken in a very slow, easy manner. If a stronger, more aggressive training method is used with this type of personality it cannot be reversed, and will ultimately result in a very scared, confused pet. Then there is the more assertive type dogs, they may need a stronger form of training and attention spans may need to be focused on, "Fearless" Fun loving, and go for it types of dogs always pushing himself at you for your attention, he jumps on your guests, slobbers on them, forces his "Here I am" on you, your guests, children or the elderly. This personality may or may not need a more aggressive training method, depending on the breed and the owner's training abilities.

Make the Lessons Fun

Dogs get bored with long training sessions. If you work them for over 20 minutes at a time, they will lose interest and stop listening to you. For a younger dog or puppy, 5 to 10 minutes is long enough for one training session. But do it frequently, and again with, praise or training reward treats.

Basic Dog Training Commands

(1) Leash Training: This is the first and foremost of all dog and puppy training. Say you need to take your pet to the Veterinarian for a check up...this cannot be done without a well leash trained dog or puppy. Work with your dog or puppy daily  DO NOT: pull, drag or force your dog to follow the leash, take it easy.....let them walk to you, stop...say "Good Dog" Reward them with a treat, and let them sit, then, pet, praise them. Give them time, always be patient, they will respond soon to your leash training, it is so very important not to scare them while leash training!!!! They will never feel safe with you!!

 

(2) Heel: You teach your dog to walk on you left side without pulling in front of you; he always walks beside you, comfortably, easily and will never pull at the leash. When he tries to walk in front of you, you jerk back on the lead and say the word "Heel". Use this command with easy, gentle commands, do not "Yank" on the lead, be very, very gentle or this will cause your dog to become scared and try to bolt and make the "Heel" command frighten your dog, therefore, reversing your training and all trust established with your dog or puppy. Please always use good sense and respond to your dogs action or "Reaction" to "Leash and Heel" Training.

(3) Sit: Pull the leash straight up and while pushing down on his hindquarters, saying the word "Sit". Most dogs learn this very quickly.

(4) Down: You don't want your dog or puppy to jump on people, especially, elderly guests, children or anyone else that is coming to visit your home. Your dog needs to learn this after he is confident with his leash training. Grasp the leash or collar just under the dog's neck and while gently pulling in the downward motion as you say, "Down"

(5) Stay: This is a very important command, as it can save your dog from a situation were harm or injury may occur, and this can be beneficial to the both of you. This command can save you or your dog from being hit by cars, or any other dangerous situation, this can your dogs life. To teach the "Stay" command put your dog in a sitting position and talk a few steps away, and if he attempts to come to you, firmly say "Stay" and stop walking, ask your dog to sit, and start again, keep repeating this procedure until he stays, this may take some time, remember keep the lessons short, and be consistent.

(6) Come: Be sure to do this with a leash or long lead. First put him on the "Stay" command, use the word "Come" and give the leash a light tug toward you, when he responds a comes to you give him praise and or a reward treat and repeat this lesson until your dog is responsive to the command, then you can remove the leash or lead and repeat the lesson. This is one of the easiest lessons dogs learn very quickly.  With all said and these simple, easy to follow training guidelines, you should have a long and happy relationship with your dog or puppy. Note: Never give up, be patient, consistent and always praise!!!! Love your dog like he loves you.

YOUR DOG

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.....You are his life, his love, and his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy ofsuch devotion. "

Author unknown:

 

 

 

 



Joseph

samanta wolon asked:


Just like children, pets provide a lot of love but they also take a lot care. Most of us start out thinking that our pets will never cause the kind of damage we've seen at Other People's Houses. Oh no. It won't happen to us.

 

And then, real life happens. The dog gobbles a hot dog from the street while we aren't looking and gets sick in the house an hour later. The cat gets a urinary infection and just can't get to the litter box in time.

 

I could go on. But you know the problem well or you wouldn't be reading these words.

 

So what should you do after the fact? How can you get rid of the stain from your carpet, floor, or upholstery?

 

No single remedy works with all kinds of stains and odors. Stains and odors are the result of the chemical composition of the substance that caused the stain, the chemical composition of the material the substance landed on, and the interaction between the two. While sometimes the result is irreversible, in most cases the stain can be eliminated or at least made much less noticeable.

 

The first rule is to act as quickly as possible. If you witness your pet in the act, mop up as much of the offending substance as quickly as possible while trying to keep it from spreading. Always mop up from the edge of the area toward the center so as not to make the stain any bigger than necessary.

 

Of course, often your pet won't make a mess in your presence. In that case, the urine or vomit may have sunk into the carpet, wood floor, or upholstery. If there is some solid material involved, first carefully remove it. Try not to rub it into the carpet or upholstery.

 

Spray the area with a half and half mixture of water and household vinegar – just regular vinegar, not wine or cider vinegar. If done in time, this should stop the stain from setting permanently in the carpet or fabric. Now blot up the moisture by applying clean cloth or paper toweling to the area. Use pressure to get as much liquid out as possible.

 

If the stain is still visible, baking soda may do the trick. Add a few teaspoonfuls of baking soda to the vinegar solution and apply the mixture liberally to the stained carpet or fabric, and then blot dry as before. There will be a chemical reaction between the two that will reactivate the stain and make it easier to remove. When the area is completely dry, a thorough vacuuming should remove any remaining traces of baking soda.

 

If these simple home remedies don't do the trick, it's time to call in the professionals. They'll bring the appropriate equipment and materials to restore your home to its former state.

 

Accidents do happen. Don't let them spoil relationship with your pet or your home.



Brynn

Article Manager asked:


Are you perplexed about a gift for your friend’s birthday, who is a pet lover? Don’t you think pet portrait is the best gift for your friend? Yes, it is. If you know that your friend is very fond of pets, then definitely you are thinking in the right direction by presenting him/her with the portrait gift. Many people are having very affectionate attitude towards their pets and they take care of them as their own children. Pets give an unconditional love and affection throughout the life. So, gifting any pet portrait to your friend is surely going to be a rocking and unique idea.

Although, you can purchase or order various pet portraits but cat, dog and horse portraits are the most common and popular choices among the masses. Idea of these portraits are slowly and steadily gaining popularity these days because of the following two main reasons-

•    Firstly, handmade portraits are those memories which a person can hold and cherish for lifetime. Moreover, they are much lively than usual photographs.

•    Secondly, it is a fact that after a few years’ pets will eventually leave you. So, having their portrait in the house is like showing your love, concern and appreciation towards them and paying the tribute to them in the most elegant manner.

However, a professional artist can only give natural and true feelings to all your imaginations by painting the satisfactory and finest quality of portraits. These professional artists are specialized in painting beautiful portraits by using either pastel or oil paints because pastel and oil paints are considered as the best paints for portraits. The only effort required from your side is to give the photo of your beloved pet to them and rest leave everything on their natural talent. These professionals are experts in delivering breathtaking portraits within the time span of 3-4 weeks at the most competitive prices.

Through the internet you can easily find out various websites that can provide you with this valuable service. You just have to send the photo online by disclosing all the necessary details such as size of your pet portrait, the style you want, and many more. And thus, get your desired imagination turn into reality at the pocket-friendly prices.



Shyanne

Jim Thornton asked:


When you share your home with children and pets, carpets often start to look aged and dingy before their time. Luckily, with a few simple carpet cleaning tips, the like new look of your carpet can be maintained for years to come, no matter the spills, accidents and uh-ohs that happen when animals and children are involved.

Tip 1: Vacuuming. Vacuuming is something you probably already do regularly, but if not, know that regular vacuuming will greatly extend the life of your carpet. Vacuuming at least once a week will keep the heaviest dirt from being ground into the carpet and causing dinginess. However, for a more effective solution, take some time and evaluate the traffic patterns through the carpeted areas of your house. Is there a spot where the dog likes to lay, or a path the children run from room to room? Giving these high-traffic area a quick once over with your vacuum cleaner every day or so will keep the wear from showing up as quickly.

Tip 2: Child-related stains. When you've got young children in the home, spills are bound to happen. Juice, food, paint and all kinds of other things will surely find their way to your carpet. The most essential thing to remember when dealing with spills and stains is that the faster you can treat it, the better. Use a standard carpet cleaner to treat the spot as soon as you notice it. Follow the instructions on the package of the carpet cleaner closely and pay attention to the type of stain you're dealing with. Some carpet cleaners work especially well on organic stains, such as fruit juice or food, while other cleaners are designed to remove things like melted wax or paint. Keep a couple of different carpet cleaners on hand so that you're ready for any accident.

Tip 3: Pet accidents. No matter how well trained your cats and dogs are, the occasional accident does happen. Not only accidents, but some more territorial pets are prone to marking their territory. In this case, again, it is important to treat the area as soon as you notice the stain. You do not want to give the pet urine time to settle down into the pad beneath the carpet, as this will make removing odors much more difficult. Visit your favorite pet store and look for a carpet cleaner specifically designed for pet stains. There are enzymes in these carpet cleaners that break down the offensive material and eliminate both the stain and the odor. Not only will this keep lasting damage from happening, it will also prevent the pet from marking the same area over and over again.

Tip 4: Steam cleaners. With regular vacuuming and quick treatment of stains, your carpet will stay in good shape for the most part. However, for some more difficult stains or stains that had a chance to set before you could reach them, a professional carpet cleaning machine is in order. A carpet cleaning machine can be rented from many local grocery stores, and there are even some personal carpet cleaning machines that make sense for individual purchase. The combination of steam and industrial grade cleaning solutions is sometimes what is needed to get rid of those persistent stains. Additionally, make it a habit to go over your whole carpet, especially those high traffic areas, once every month to two months with a professional carpet cleaning machine. These machines will bring up deep, ground in dirt that has settled into the carpet, instantly renewing the look and feel of the rug.

Tip 5: Professional Carpet Cleaning Companies: If you've moved into a new home with carpets that are a bit more dingy than you would like, or if you'd like to attempt to revitalize your old carpet rather than purchase an entire new one, look into the possibility of having a professional carpet cleaning company come out to your home. Your local yellow pages will have many listings for these types of companies. Be sure to get several quotes and ask about multi-room discounts. If you have been considering replacing your carpets, do yourself a favor and instead have a company come out for professional cleaning. The cost is much less than installing new carpeting, and you'll be amazed at how fresh and new your carpets will look.

Whether you're starting with brand new carpets or simply trying to extend the life of your current carpets, these tips will help keep them looking as fresh and new as the day you bought them. Most importantly, vacuum high traffic areas often, treat kid and pet stains as quickly as you can, and when all else fails, consider a professional carpet cleaning.



Nataly