:The Flash Advancer

I have encountered folks who have complained to me about their numerous (dog) `behavior problems.’ And interestingly enough, I usually discover that most of the behavioral problems are linked to a common factor. That common factor being pet owners all too often miss crucial, pet communication signals because of their busy lifestyles.

What do I mean, “…miss crucial, pet communication signals…?” While many people love the idea of having animal companions, we also have daily responsibilities such as jobs, attending school, families, and other priorities. And usually, our pets end up last place on life’s totem pole.

Another issue that certainly plays a key factor in how capable we are to understanding our animals’ needs and wants is whether or not we have indoor or outdoor pets. Though indoor pets may pose a little extra patience with regard to training, I highly recommend (as does the Humane Society ) keeping pets indoors with family.

What most individuals do not take into account is that once a collective choice is made to adopt an animal, that is precisely what is being done: we are adopting a living, feeling, creature into our lives; thus, we must consciously realize that by adopting an animal, he or she is to become a permanent addition and family member.

We certainly wouldn’t adopt a newborn and place him outside on a chain all day until we returned from work, would we? Therefore, we must always remember to treat our animals just as considerately and compassionately as we would our own children.

Puppies and dogs, like their human toddler counterparts, are innately curious, clumsy and tend to have accidents. When we understand that these commonalties exist and we anticipate this prior to welcoming Rover into our hearts and homes, we are better able to coexist and develop a long-term and loving reciprocal relationship with our animal counterparts.

So step one into understanding our pets is to unconditionally accept them into our homes. Having several, large canine companions, (whom all live indoors with me), I’ve learned to recognize and distinguish types of body language and visual dialogue that speaks volumes. When our dogs live indoors with us, we can interpret the language of love. Not only do we see their personalities unfold before our eyes, we learn to be intuitive to each of our pets’ needs, similar to our own.

From experience, I can literally close my eyes and distinguish each dog’s presence simply by touch and sense. Why? Because by having them alongside me, I’ve learned their individual motions, breathes, sounds and feel. And in turn, they present their comical and goofy sides, their playfulness and their unconditional love for us.

When we invite our dogs into our lives - truly into our lives - we discover a world of fascination, innocence, inspiration, laughter, amusement, and an indescribable love. So how can pet owners learn to better understand their dog’s behavior? Give Beethoven a bath, bring him inside and watch how his character evolves. The more time we spend one-on-one with our dogs, the better we are able to recognize specific traits and how to employ gentle behavior training techniques.

Having seven huge dogs, I’ve come to terms that dogs are one of life’s most precious gifts. They are here for just a little while. When we take time to get to know them individually, we gain more than just a pet; we gain a friend for life.

© 2005 - Why Don’t I Understand my Dog?
By C. Bailey-Lloyd
aka. LadyCamelot
Public Relations’ Director &
Staff Writer
www.holisticjunction.com
www.mediapositiveradio.com

About the Author

C. Bailey-Lloyd
aka. LadyCamelot
Public Relations’ Director &
Staff Writer
www.holisticjunction.com
www.mediapositiveradio.com

Comments Off

Spot is a long time member of your beloved family. Because Spot is a close member of the family, he needs to have the best kind of food and the have the best health as you could actually provide him. Unfortunately, not all kinds of food for pets are the same. There are those that promise health and there are those that actually deliver them. Fortunately, the AAFCO is on the lookout for those that misuse or abuse terms and words found in product labels on pet foods.

The following are tips and ways to make sure that your pet get to eat what they so long deserve. They are family and it’s good to discriminate what they eat:

It is best that you read and re-read any and all labels found on the product of pet foods. It is not enough to just read them though, one should also try - as much as possible - to understand what a particular product description means. When a product label reads chicken-cat food, this description basically means that the food in the can consists ninety five percent of chicken. However, if the product label reads as cat-food-with-chicken, this description basically means that the food in the can contains three percent chicken. The chicken description does not end there though, there are product labels that read: with a flavor of chicken. This description basically means that the pet food contains no chicken. What it does have is the taste of chicken as well as its flavor.

As much as it is possible, try to read carefully all the ingredients found on the product label of the pet food. It is a must that manufacturers list down all the ingredients used into making the food. Plus, this should not be merely a list though. The specific weight of each ingredient must also be indicated. The dominant ingredient in the pet food is usually listed as the first one.

Also, try to avoid those pet food products that merely indicate meat. The best kind of pet food must have a specific kind of meat in them and this kind of meat must be present and described in the label — be it beef, chicken, salmon or lamb. Also, those kinds of meat that usually contain bones, organs, tendons of animals are usually those that are the surplus of slaughterhouses. It is best that these kind of meats be avoided and not be given to your pets as these are merely byproducts. Usually this term is used to actually mean reject-foods. These are the kinds of food that are the product of a process that has left the food overcooked and usually are extremely processed. This is not widely known to the general public.

It is best that you look for the food that indicates that any tests done on animals on the pet food product has been done using procedures authorized by the AAFCO. This ensures that adequate testing on the food has been done.

If your pet is currently undergoing a special health problem, or if your pet is pregnant, diabetic or has allergies, it is best that you find and purchase the pet food that is just as right and appropriate to what they are similarly going through. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that are highly specialized for pets in all forms and sizes, be it that the pets are lactating, mature or have hair balls.

If you find out that the pet food you are to purchase is about to expire in a few days or so, it basically means that the food has been long sitting on the shelf. As much as possible, get foods that are still somewhat fresh off the shelf, so to speak.

If you are to introduce a new food to your pet, do it slowly but surely. Try mixing a little bit of the new food with the old one your pet may be used to eating. Continue to do this for three days or more. Be observant as to how your pet is taking it. Is he having an allergy? Is he scratching? Do you see any reactions that are not normal?

In summary, your pet is only as healthy as the food you give them. So give them the best so that he or she can live optimally.

Linda Robins is an author and website publisher on health and natural healing topics. Stop by and visit for tips on pets and the latest articles and news on their care.
http://www.happy-pets-info.com

Comments Off

We all want what is best for our pet. Yet sometimes because of your hectic schedules, we tend to put our dog’s care at the bottom of the list or it just becomes a habit of chores we perform every day without giving it much thought. We stumble out of bed in the morning, let the dog out, fill the water bowl, dump some food in the dish and go on with our daily routine. Let’s face it this can get very boring for you and especially for your dog.

In order to maintain your dog’s health there are really only three simple steps you need to follow:
1.A good diet
2.Plenty of fresh water
3.Exercise

A good diet is essential to your dog’s health. Be careful what you buy! Read the ingredients label not just the name of the dog food. An all natural dog food is what you should be looking for, not one that contains filler and by-products. Remember you get what you pay for. Although an all natural dog food may be more expensive, studies have shown that your dog will in almost all cases eat more of the “bargain brand” than the all natural, nutritious dog food. The “bargain brands” will pass through your dog more quickly because they do not contain as much of the daily nutrients your dog requires. This leads to your dog being hungrier more often and thereby eating more. Your dog will retain more of the nutrients contained in the all natural food which means they will be less hungry, have healthier coats, more energy and better overall health.

Give your dog plenty of fresh water. Change it as often as you can. A good rule to follow is that every time you get yourself something to drink, add new water to your dog’s bowl.

Exercise your dog daily. This is good for you also. Take long walks, throw a ball or stick around the backyard or park. Remember your dog’s cardiovascular system, heart and muscles need exercise just like yours.

About the Author

Jim De Fazio is the successful webmaster of http://www.natural-pet-supplies.com. A site that offers all natural food and supplies for your dog or cat.

Comments Off