So, as a dog owner, you like to have your dog groomed? Since dog grooming parlors are pretty easy to find, there is nothing wrong with that as you are not alone. Many dog owners actually spend more money on their dog than some parents spend on their own children!

Doesn’t your dog deserve that kind of care and pampering?

Well yes, your dog does deserve the best care you can provide, and there is no reason why occasional trips to the groomer can’t be part of that.

However, just because there’s no reason not to make the odd trip to the groomer part of your dog’s life doesn’t mean you should give all the responsibility over to the groomer. In fact, that’s precisely where it becomes a bad idea.

After all, the groomer is more experienced in the area of grooming your dog than you are, right? Don’t most of us car owners allow mechanics to take care of the maintenance of our cars - why not let the groomers handle our dogs grooming needs?

We don’t form emotional relationships with our cars.

Sure you hear lots of people talking about how they “love” their cars, and some of them probably even believe it, but it’s not the same kind of relationship you have with your dog. For one thing, the emotional bond between driver and car is not reciprocal.

Your car will never claim to love you nor will it ever be able to express it.

Your dog is another story. The more time you spend with your dog, and the more you take care of him, the better and stronger your relationship is going to be. That’s important, because taking the time to groom and care for your dog is one more thing that you can use to help instill good behavior.

Your dog is worth your time - so give it to him!

Breed Standard And History Of White Persian Cats

Persian cats are one of the oldest breeds of cats known to man. Long hair and a snubby face that often leads to some health problems for the breed characterize them. The Persian cat breed is among the most widely recognized due to the characteristics that are present in this particular breed of cat.

There are many color variations of the breed as well as color pattern. There are also some variations of the facial features in some of the Persian cats that range from a snubby nose to a straighter nose. White Persian cats are among the most popular colors sought by buyers and pet seekers.

Background Of Persian Cats

This breed of cat originated in the Iranian plateaus bordering Mesopotamia. Some illustrations also connect the Persian cat with the ancient Pallas cat. An Italian by the name of Pietro Della Valle introduced the breed to European society. The first known written acknowledgement of the Persian cat was in the year 1871 in the annals of the Cat Fanciers Association. White Persian cats were already around during that time.

Standard of the Persian Cat

Persian cats usually come in a variety of colors such as white, blue, black and tortoiseshell. And are generally accepted in any color or any pattern marking as well. Silver, black and white Persian cats top the most sought after colors as pets while other colors are also sought after for show. White Persian cats and others with lighter coloration have a difficult time keeping themselves clean and may need their owner?s help in doing so. Regular bathing, conscientious drying and brushing are among the grooming chores that these longhaired cats need.

The temperament of Persian cats is basically similar to other cats. They are highly independent and need to go out once in a while. Despite their very refined appearance, Persians, especially silver or white Persian cats are very capable of taking care of themselves. They may look fragile but they are very hardy.

Persian cats are coveted because of their beautiful looks. The more popular cats are silver, black and white Persian cats. The coloring of the cats does not affect their temperament or their activity. There are some illnesses or sicknesses that are associated with Persian cats due mainly to their facial structure. Some breeders strive too much to get the blunt faced cats that some selective breeding has turned out deformities in the cats. These deformities contribute to difficulty of breathing and nasal problems.

Dogs are wonderful unique creatures with extraordinary personalities. They can make you smile and laugh even when you are feeling sad. They can be very demanding and want a lot of attention but that is one thing that makes them so special. Dogs will be your best friend and stand beside you during any situation. Playtime seems to never come to an end and they will protect you with everything they have. However, sometimes they can be a little stubborn and you may need a little help keeping them under control. This is when finding a certified dog trainer becomes important.

To spite all the great character possessed by these loving animals they can be quite stubborn. This is why certified dog trainer qualities can make a significance difference when it comes to teaching your dog obedience. They have the patience, kindness and firmness that are needed to teach your pet how to behave. Their qualities include having confidence and they understand what your dog needs to learn what they are teaching. All breeds of dogs learn in different ways, so what will work for one, will not be so great for another. A certified dog trainer can tell which method will work the best. They will also put the safety of your dog before all else.

A good dog trainer is a person who appears cool and relaxed and lets the dog progress at its own pace.

This is why using a certified dog trainer is the best way to teach your dog how to be well behaved in all areas. They have the qualifications to teach your pet how to be calm and respond positively. They have access to all the latest research and newest technology. They also have the training needed to be able to take this information and apply it their dog training techniques. When you use a certified dog trainer you know that your pet is in good hands and with someone you can depend on. Their professionalism will show through and you will be able to tell a big difference in your dog’s actions.

Certified dog trainer qualities will help to improve your overall dog’s behavior. You will find that they get along with humans and other dogs better than ever before. If you tell them to sit you will only have to say it once. You can tell them to stay and not worry if they will listen or run off at the first opportunity they get. Having your beloved pet disobey your commands will be a thing of the past. Your dog will be a lot healthier and happier when they are trained properly. You will be able to enjoy all the benefits of having a wonderful dog for a companion without the stress that many people have to endure.

A parrot is a wild animal. Since it will take some time to tame the bird, you should know the appropriate steps to make them feel that you are their friend.

Once the parrot is at your home, it is important that he be around people who love birds and that he stay in his cage for at least the first 24 hours. If the parrot appears nervous, slow down and allow it more time.

When you think the parrot is ready to come out, cover all the mirrors and windows then open the cage. Soon, the bird will come out and if it doesn’t, entice it with some food or a branch. Make sure to keep your hair out of the way and wear clothing that will not easily be snagged.

Don’t ever speak in a loud voice to your parrots. Do not look straight into his eyes or he will think you are a predator.

If your parrot does not want to take food from your hands, then use clippings and put them in the cage. You should praise them whenever they eat so eventually, you can feed them using your own hand.

The parrot will have to fly once in a while to exercise its wings. If the bird is still frightened, you can use a low bird stand and two sticks of varying lengths to carry the bird around. Two sticks are needed so the parrot can go from one stick to the other. This must be done slowly but deliberately as sudden movements will frighten the parrot.

The first few weeks of taming a parrot are going to be challenging. Once you have made some improvements, you can now teach it certain commands like “step up”. This will teach the bird that you are the master and if this is said, the parrot is aware that it must go to you especially when there is imminent danger so both of you can get out of harms way.

A very important command that you want your parrot to learn is “NO”. If the parrot does something wrong then correct the bird so it will know not to do it again.

It will take time to tame the bird. After your parrot’s initial fear has been conquered and there is now a bond of trust and friendship, you can begin to teach him to speak certain phrases or even to sing along with you.

Watching Birds is Great Fun!

Enjoying birds and bird watching is one of the best ways to get out of the house and into the countryside and away from your back yard. By watching them in their natural habitat you will see them in their normal environment and it will be a different experience than watching them at the bird houses and bird feeders in you yard.

Birding is now a very popular hobby and more birders are joining in every year. Due to increases in available time for other activities many of use now have the time to go birding. Many also realize that being interested in the natural world will provide a better appreciation for the environment and the habitat in which birds live.

If you are new to bird watching or birding then it will help you if you have some idea of the best way to approach your new hobby to ensure that when you go out looking for birds you will be successful in seeing some. Putting up a bird feeder in your yard is a good way to start but once your interest increases you will want to go further afield to see more and different birds.

Be There At Dawn!

The best time to see the biggest number of birds is very early in the morning when the birds will be extremely active and easier to see. This applies wherever you happen to be when you are bird watching including in the back yard, at a park, in the woods or at some coastal location.

The night before your birding trip make sure you get to bed early too so that you are fully rested for the early start the following day. If possible get to your location just before dawn or very soon after. Then for a few hours you will see many birds. Later in the morning as the sun gets higher bird activity and the number of birds you will see will decrease.

Bright Clothing Is Not Allowed!

When out bird watching make sure that you do not wear bright colored clothes as this will make it much easy for the birds to see you and any movement you make could scare them away even before you see them.

As a birder you should try and wear clothing that has a more natural and darker color that fits in with the area and foliage where you will be bird watching.

It is a great idea to wear anything that will camouflage you when in the birds habitat while bird watching. Get the ultimate gear if you want to see the biggest number of birds or when you go into an area where birds are nervous and difficult to see.

Do Not Talk And Tread Quietly

Noise is probably the major reason for failing to see many birds so be quiet. Talking with friends and other birders will mean birds will be scared away before you see them and also you will not hear any sounds that the birds make so you will not even know that they are nearby.

So if you have to communicate with other birders with you just whisper quietly and when close to birds you are trying to see use hand signals or gestures to indicate where the birds are, but do not move you arms around to point out locations as if the birds see this then they will be gone!

To ensure that the birds do not see your silhouette you should locate yourself behind something big such as a bush or tree trunk because if they detect movement the birds will probably leave the area.

Do Not Wander Off The Trail

Always stick to the trail to avoid disturbing the bird habitat and never go crashing through the undergrowth in pursuit of a bird. In fact never chase or try to flush out a bird as this will disturb the birds and could stress them unnecessarily.

Also if you do not already have bird feeders or bird houses in your yard you should definitely put some up in appropriate locations and start feeding the birds as this will get many more birds into your back yard and make them much easier for you to see.

The birds welfare should always be paramount and you should do whatever you can to ensure that the birds you are watching are not disturbed by your actions and always stay away from birds nests.

You Also Need a Scope or Bincoulars

It is easy and safer to see birds from a distance and this is why you should invest in a good pair of binoculars and as you get more serious about watching birds you might also want to buy a spotting scope to get the closest views of birds possible.

If you are a lover of nature then bird watching can be extremely enjoyable. It does not have to be expensive and although birding can become a bit of a challenge it always remains great fun.

Becoming a birder is easy to do and just by placing a nesting bird house and bird feeders in your back yard you will be able to get enjoyment from watching the birds.

Enjoy Bird Watching!

Go on a bird watching trip to find more birds.

If your dog training isn’t going as planned, you might have a lot of dog behavior questions concerning your pet. However, often the problems are not due to the behavior of your dog, but by the behavior of you - the trainer. When training dogs, there are a few things you need to keep in mind, in order for it to be a successful and rewarding experience.

You must have patience when trying to develop good behavior in your dog just about as much as raising a child. For the most part we as humans don’t have that much patients. So when trying to train your dog to behave you may need to train yourself.

You will need to have training sessions daily in order for your dog to learn a new skill. The minimum amount of time you dedicate per day should be a half hour, but an hour would be optimal. However, if you are finding yourself losing your patience, you should end the session, regardless of how long this session has been.

Your goal should be to increase the “time to boiling point” bit by bit every day. Don’t forget that you and your dog are working together in this training and that your dog is only able to understand commands at the level of a two-year-old toddler. This is even true for breeds that are easily trained. There may be exceptions to this, but those are few and far between.

Dog behavior questions can always be answered by thinking about nature. In nature, dogs live in packs where there is an alpha dog or leader. When training your dog remember you are the boss or alpha dog. Remember in order for your training to work you must assert yourself as the leader and not the other way around.

When training your dog to obey, you should not be doing it for yourself, but for your dog and the safety of others. YOU will be rewarded with a constant companion. Once you begin training you must stick with it and continually praise your dog for its efforts. Remain diligent through failures and do not punish your dog for them.

This won’t an always be easy - some dogs are natural leaders. But an even in purely wild packs that role can and does change an among and an individuals when the more assertive an individual insists on taking it. Be consistent don’t give up and your dog will follow your orders.

No matter how well you train your dog, your dog still has a mind of its own and won’t always follow the commands you issue. You and your dog will get frustrated if you expect him to learn a command with too few repetitions or to always perfectly follow one that you taught him before. Your dog does not have the same memory as a human. It is even different from very young humans. Get to know your dog. Acknowledge your dog’s unique qualities, his learning capability, and any limitations he may have.

Breeds vary in their ability to be trained as do individual dogs. There are dogs more energetic and spirited by nature such as terriers, retrievers and Dalmatians. Some are more calm like basset hounds and collies. Age plays an important role too. A ten-week old puppy will not pay attention the same way a three-year old dog will.

The best way to train your dog is by working with their unique personality traits. Do not yell at your dog needlessly or use strong physical punishment whenever they don’t immediately obey. This will not help train your dog. In the end, training is about building trust with your dog so that he will obey you by choice rather than through fear.

If you enjoy watching birds, you might want to know how to identify them, too. It can be exciting to find a bird you haven’t seen before, but it’s even more exciting to be able to identify them. It’s not always a simple thing to do, though. It can be frustrating if you don’t have the proper information to work with. Having a good field guide is a good way to start. However, you’ll also need to glean some knowledge on your own before you can even use the field guide properly. If you’re just starting out as a bird watcher, then, there are a few things you can do that will help you identify birds more accurately.

The Size of the Bird

Take a look at the size of a bird if you don’t know how to identify it. Is it the size of a robin, a small sparrow, a chicken, or even an ostrich? Is the bird plump, skinny, short, or very long? Take a look at the entire body and take every feature into consideration, including the size and shape of the wings, tail and beak.

Note the Colors

What colors does the bird exhibit? Certain birds tend to exhibit certain colors, so you can identify some birds by color or pattern alone. However, colors, too, can be tricky. The lighting can affect the color so that the bird appears a different color than he or she really is. In addition, make sure you note colors on each part of the body as well. Are the legs of a certain color, or are the wings? Are there any specific and unique markings anywhere on the body that you could use to help identify the bird?

Where Are You?

You can also identify birds by location in many cases. Certain types of bird tend to live in certain types of terrain. So whether you are in a forest, in your back yard or out on the ocean will have a bearing on what types of birds are present.

Listening to Identify Birds

One of the most important tips for beginner bird watchers that want to identify birds is to listen. Every single bird has a unique song that they sing and if you listen you may be able to identify the bird just by what you hear. If you are listening closely you may even see some birds that you would have never seen otherwise, and while this won’t always help you identify a bird, it can definitely help.

So, next time you go out bird watching, keep all of these tips in mind. They’ll help you identify the birds you see and have a more fun and rewarding experience out in the wild.

If you have ever trained a dog before you know that there are certain things that you should remember. First you need to know that using positive dog training techniques is normally the best way to go. To accomplish this you should always reward your dog for good behavior instead of punishing them from bad behavior.

However, scolding your dog is something that needs to be done on occasion. While a positive approach is most effective, there are times when your pet needs scolding in order to distinguish right from wrong. Like humans, dogs respond better to positivity and frequent scolding will only serve to hinder his performance. It is extremely important to know when to use each during training.

Give your dog a little treat any time he does what he is supposed to. Whether he stays when you tell him to, relieves himself in the correct manner, or follows any other command, be sure to praise him with a reward!

You dog will enjoy just about anything as a reward, words of love, special treats, a belly rub or a good old rub on the head are all appreciated!

Your dog really wants to know that he is making you happy, and this is why a positive dog training approach is most effective. However, don’t keep on giving him treats when he doesn’t listen to what you say.

Don’t ever be harsh with your dog unless there truly isn’t any other alternative. Only such behaviors as growling, chewing things up, or pulling on the leash justify a reprimand.

It is important to note that you only scold your dog if you catch him in the act. Otherwise, the reprimand will not be effective because the dog will not know why he is being reprimanded. A quick and sharp word of “bad dog!” or simply “no!” is enough to get the message across.

Let him know by the tone of your voice that you are displeased, and be quick to respond if your dog has disobeyed you. Don’t go overboard with the reprimands, though, because after a while your dog will just stop paying attention to them. You should not hit him under any circumstances. If you do hit your dog, you are just setting yourself up for trouble.

If you are using a positive dog training method, one important thing to remember is when you should scold and when you should praise. Remember, your pet has just begun learning, and is trying. So be patient with your new friend. With a loving and understanding approach, your dog will find training easy and it will be a wonderful experience for both you and your dog.

As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to learn the training methods for teaching your dog not to bite anyone. This is a critical part of pet ownership, in fact, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. These bites result in unwanted medical bills and law suits, and, in some cases, the dog has to be put to sleep. With a little training, none of these negatives have to happen to you or your pet.

Training a dog to refrain from biting can vary by the breed, age, and personality of your animal, just as with anything else you teach him. Here are some tips to help you teach your dog not to bite:

The younger the dog, the easier the training will be. Because mouthing, nibbling, and nipping come naturally to a puppy, an owner must be firm to stop this behavior when it starts. Even though it may begin as a cute nuisance, it can turn into a bad habit if not contained from the get-go.

Puppies as young as five weeks old can begin to respond to simple commands. For biting behavior, a gentle, firm “No!” and a slight squeeze of the muzzle can be a good place to start.

Be careful not to squeeze the muzzle too hard or high enough to hurt his nose. Dogs have very sensitive and delicate odor receptors and you wouldn’t want to damage this in any way.

The squeezing isn’t really a form of punishment. It is to teach the dog that the verbal command goes along with discomfort. Dogs don’t like having their muzzle squeezed and learn to associate biting with the unpleasant feeling and may be reluctant to bite in the future.

What can you do to train your dog besides discouraging bad behavior verbally and physically? Allow him to develop appropriate social behaviors as early as possible. This will develop his confidence and self-assurance, which in turn will make him less frightened of strangers, and less likely to attack.

While still young, socialize your dog with other dogs preferably those that are non-aggressive. Being exposed to other dog breeds will help him cope up with territorial behavior.

Although dogs may take gentle nips at their litter mates, they rarely bite them seriously. This is an attribute you can develop, by encouraging your pet to consider welcome humans and animals as part of his “pack”.

When introducing your dog to other household pets, restrain both your dog and your other pets. They will learn to gradually approach each other naturally.

You must be aware that some usual indicators of oncoming dog aggression are body tension, snarling, and erect ears. You can prevent possible aggression by ordering your dog to sit, back stroking, and or reaching out your hand to the other animal. If you have conveyed the smell of your pet to the other animal, let them interact naturally.

Many dogs can be trained to curb thier urge to bite by the time they are four and a half months old, but it may take your dog longer than that. It varies by breed, and each individual dog within a breed is different. And you know that saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? It’s not exactly true, but training an older dog to stop biting is much more difficult than it is to teach a puppy.

Some dogs are not fully trained to not to bite other people and animals. In this case, the owners need to take special care to insure the dog is never put in a situation where it can harm another person or animal.

While it may take some time and patience to train your dog not to bite, your efforts will eventually pay off with a more calm and playful pet which in the long run is much better than having to pay off a lawsuit!

Bringing home a new puppy is fun and exciting, but also comes with responsibilities. Your new friend is depending on you to help grow in to a healthy, happy dog so learning how to care for a puppy from day 1 is key. Here are 5 things you can do to help ensure the health, safety, and comfort of your new family member.

1. Your Puppies Comfort

In order for your new puppy to be secure and comfortable in your home, you should prepare for its arrival. Set up a special place for your puppy to sleep, with a soft, warm bed as well as toys and a convenient location for food and water.

Besides that, you should make sure you leave plenty of time to spend with your puppy in order for him to know you and feel safe and secure when around you. Make sure he knows that you are there to take care of him. Don’t forget that your puppy has just been stripped of his mother and siblings and the only home that he has ever had. In order to feel safe he is going to need a little reaffirmation.

2. Proper Food

Puppies have delicate digestive systems so do some research before choosing what you will be feeding your puppy. When you acquire your puppy, ask the owner what they have been feeding the dog. If it is not the food you would choose, gradually mix the old food with your new food. Start with a small amount of the new food and gradually increase the amount until you reach 100% of the new food.

When he comes home, your puppy may want to eat your table scraps, but you should introduce these foods slowly. His stomach will need to adjust before it can handle a lot of “people” food.

3. Veterinary Care

One of the most important aspects of learning how to care for a puppy is making sure your provide adequate Veterinary care. You’ll need to make sure to schedule regular appointments at the veterinarian’s office. Sometimes a puppy needs to be wormed; they also need regular vaccinations to stay healthy. Be sure to find a veterinarian and schedule check ups soon after your puppy comes home. This step will ensure your puppy has the best chance of being healthy.

4. Puppy Safety

Just as you “child proof” your home before you bring home baby, you should “puppy proof” your home before you bring home that new addition to the family. Puppies are naturally curious about their new world, and need to be protected from danger. That danger not only comes from what is in your home, but also from older and/or stronger pets who want to play too rough with the puppy. Also, make sure that any young children are taught that the puppy is a real live creature, because many puppies have been injured by a child who thinks they are a stuffed animal.

5. Training

A well trained dog is a joy to be around, but a poorly trained dog is a nuisance. You’ll want to start training your puppy early on so that he is a joy!

Learning how to care for a puppy isn’t hard, but it takes a bit of planning and commitment on your part. Don’t worry, if you plan it properly and give your puppy lots of love, you will be amply rewarded.