Last week the dog (9 months now), growled to my 2 year old daughter and to my wife too when she tried to correct her after the action. They were watching TV and it looks like my daughter approached her face to the dog, she has done this before without this kind of reaction and last night she pet her on her back and the dog pull her lips up like if she was ready to bite.

She never growls to anyone and she is very friendly and some times very submissive with people and other dogs.

I’m thinking that this is something to do with my daughter’s stature, she is a dwarf and I guess the dog looks at her as lower level because she is actually smaller than the dog.

I read the book trying to find something to do but I see you suggest a professional advice.

I don’t want to risk the safety of my daughter or wife, if there is something I can try that you suggest I will appreciate.

Thank you
Guillermo Rodriguez

Dear Guillermo:

I would be careful about letting your daughter be around the dog at this age, however… I would not recommend getting rid of the dog if…

1. You recognize that more than likely, based on what you’ve told me, you don’t have a bad dog. What you’ve seen is very common amongst young dogs. They are reaching adolescents and are testing out their position in the pack. They are experimenting with new behaviors to see what kind of response it will elicit from the rest of the pack. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD ENDANGER YOUR CHILD, but rather that you need to keep a very close eye on the two at all times.

She’ll likely do this behavior a couple more times. When it happens, it must be met with a no-nonsense, extremely firm correction. (See page 45 and page 174) You must “psych” her into believing that if she tries to harm you or any other member of the pack again, then you will kill her. Make her never, EVER want to even THINK about trying such a behavior again.

2. Let me repeat, this is a very common behavior amongst young dogs. However, your child’s safety comes first. I would not let a young child of this age be in direct contact with a dog, period. Regardless of the dog.

Please let me know if there is something you do not understand.

That’s all for now, folks!
Adam

Adolescent Dog Snapped At Baby is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential as they help with the proper formation of cell membranes, cardiovascular functions, nourish the lining of the digestive tract, and work to keep your pet’s skin and coat smooth, soft and shiny. Another essential function of omega 3 fatty acids is that they work to reduce inflammatory problems in the body. If you find your pet’s coat is dull and brittle or if he/she tends to have dry skin and scratch a lot, it may be due to a lack of this particular fatty acid.

There are different types of essential fatty acid supplements that are available, however which kind you choose to supplement your dog or cat’s diet can be a bit of a dilemma.

Pure plant oils such as flax oil, evening primrose oil, safflower oil or a blend of plant oils is a good alternative to fish omega-3 fats. These should be “cold-pressed” oils, as opposed to oils that are typically extracted with chemical solvents. The problem with plant oils is that animals have a harder time converting the fatty acids to a form best used by the animal’s system.

Fish oils, such as salmon oil, halibut liver oil, or cod liver oil are more easily converted and used by an animal’s body. The downside is that fish oils often contain deadly toxins, including high levels of dangerous PCBs, dioxins and detectable levels of mercury. Farmed salmon is the worst for contamination and contains less omega 3 acids than wild salmon. At present nearly 30% of all fish are farmed, with salmon being in the 90% farmed range. As well, farmed salmon are often carriers of disease and parasites. When supplementing your pet’s diet with fish oils, choose oils that come from wild sources, not farmed.

There are also blended fish and plant oil supplements available. These often include a mixture of salmon or cod liver oil and flax, safflower or other such oils that provide a mixture of 3 to 4 parts omega 3 oils to 1 part omega 6 oils. Giving your animal a combination fish/plant supplement may be a good alternative to consider, as they should contain fewer toxins since they are not strictly fish oils, yet still should be better assimilated by the animal’s body than straight plant oils.

Adding Essential Fatty Acids To Your Pets Diet is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

The conventional method of dog training tips and guide would be to list a series of things that you should Do and you might even know the A-Z of dog training! But sometimes what should be done can be said best by telling what should not be done. Hope you agree with me!

This article seeks to list 18 Dont when you train your dog. The reasons for the don’ts will become evident as the lessons continue and each one is based upon the distinctive psychology of the dog’s mind.

1. DON’T punish your dog while you are angry or lack control of yourself.

2. DON’T punish your dog with the lead or any instrument of training or anything he should associate with duty or pleasure.

3. DON’T sneak up on your dog or grab him from the rear.

4. DON’T chase your dog to catch him; he must come to you or run after you.

5. DON’T coax your dog to you and then turn upon him with the whip. You will regret the deception.

6. DON’T trick or fool or taunt your dog. It is cruel and inconsistent to tease your dog to come to you when he can not.

7. DON’T punish a dog by stepping on his paws needlessly. They are exceedingly sensitive. Don’t twist his ears playfully or otherwise. Never strike him on the backbone, in the face or on the ears.

8. DON’T grab your dog or reach for him quickly. He should never fear his master, should not be made nervous by his master, and should feel that punishment given is deserved.

9. DON’T nag your dog; don’t be giving orders to him constantly; don’t pester him with your shoutings.

10. DON’T praise a dog for doing a certain act, then at a later time, scold him for doing the same act. If you permit him to bite your toes today and think it fun, do not strike him for doing it tomorrow, when you are not in good humor. Consistency is a chief virtue in dog training.

11. DON’T train your dog immediately or soon after he has eaten.

12. DON’T lose patience with a puppy younger than six months. Never throw or kick a puppy nor lift him by the head or leg or skin of the neck.

13. DON’T train him in feats requiring much strength or endurance until he is at least six months old.

14. DON’T work your dog without some short rest or play periods during training. A five-minute rest for every fifteen minutes of training is desirable.

15. DON’T permit everyone to give commands to your dog. While you are training him, he must be a one-man dog, depending on you alone to feed him and care for him.

16. DON’T consider tricks the chief end or the chief part of training. Usefulness is the object sought in all instruction of the dog. Acts that spring naturally from the dog’s instincts are to be fostered.

17. DON’T expect your dog to be a wonderful dog after a few weeks of training; four months to a year may be necessary in order to make the master proud of him, but the work is worth the effort. Training never ends.

18. DON’T jump to the conclusion that your dog is dumb. He may differ with you believing that the trainer should know more than the dog.

To end, try to remember these 18 Donts rules, enjoy training your dog and most importantly have lots of fun along the way!

Achieving Dog Training Success With The 18 “Don’ts” Rules is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

There are wide varieties of insurance coverage provided with relation to the health of the pet and sometimes even the pet is replaced by a new one. The important benefit got out of pet insurance is the medical coverage which is provided by the insurance companies. But care needs to be taken to go through the terms and conditions of insurance company when going for a pet insurance as the insurance policies rely on the health and age of the pet. If the pet is of more age, more surcharges will be charged on it. Some insurance companies may not even provide any insurance for pets whether more than 9 years old. But, again it all depends on the health of the pet.

Keeping Pet Insurance Premiums Low:

It is more or less the same as other insurance policies. Before taking an insurance policy, it is good to look around and research a little bit on the available pet insurance policies. Monthly and annual costs of the insurance should be analyzed well; also the co-payments and deductibles too need to be taken care of. In case of owning more than one pet, the owner can very well ask the insurance company to provide discounts for multiple pets. A clear understanding of the coverage and non coverage clauses of the policy should is a must to avoid any disappointments after taking the pet insurance policy.

In case if the pet insurance does not cover the pet for preventive measures like the rabies injections etc, it is good to check up with the local clinics which may offer such injections free of cost for people who cannot afford to pay for them. Medicines which are not covered under the insurance policy may also be got from a shop which provides medicines and other supplies for the pets at a cheaper rate. Some online medical stores also offer discounts.

By following some preventive measures, the pet owners can keep the cost of the pet insurance policies at bay. If the pets are provided with right kind of food, the chances of their getting any illness are very low. It has been found that certain over fed pets and pets which were fed with table scrap develop obesity which is the main cause to all kinds of illnesses in pets. A due care to the pets diet and having their weight checked up from time to time will help them to be healthy avoiding all expenses for treatment of their illnesses.

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Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing accessories for your pet:

1. Food and water bowls:

The most important thing about choosing good bowls is that they are not easily tipped over. You will probably want to check that especially the water bowl is pretty sturdy. It’s vital that your dog has free access to water at all times and one of the ways people are doing this is by buying large water systems for their pets. Much like human watering systems these will keep your dog with fresh water for longer.

2. Dog Collar:

Whether you want a plain or fancy variety – collars are important and will be an item you use daily. This means the comfort and fit are important. Experts recommend a space between the dogs neck and the collar to be at least 2 fingers wide. A collar should never be too loose or too tight. Make sure you get a good fit and take your dog along when you buying a collar.

3. Dog leash:

It’s not hard to choose a leash – you just want to keep in mind that it needs to be strong enough to hold your dog. Leashes are often sold clearly marked with the breeds the leash is suitable for.

4. Grooming accessories:

Depending on the kind of breed you have the amount of grooming accessories needed will vary.

If you have a dog that will need relatively little grooming, that is with a short coat, then you will need only a basic toolkit.

You will need
- dog shampoo
- dog clippers
- styptic powder
- dog toothbrush
- dog toothpaste
- dog brush or comb

These are the basics. There are many other products you can use to keep your dog clean and fragrant. If you have a more high maintenance dog you will need these plus a wider variety of brushes and combs to care for your pets coat and grooming needs.

5. Dog houses:

If your dog will be sleeping outside then its important that they have their own place for shelter. A dog house will keep your dog out of the harsh sunlight or rain or even snow. When choosing a dog house try to choose the right size. The dog should fit snuggly inside with enough space to move around.

6. Dog beds:

If your dog will be spending time inside it’s also a good idea to buy a dog bed. This gives your dog a ‘retreat’ and they will value having their own comfy space where they can go when cold or sleepy. Again just try to choose the right size. Many dog beds are designed for specific breeds so you won’t have a problem finding a bed for your dog.

7. Dog toys and treats:

Most dogs love playing, and just like children, love being spoilt. It is especially important if you are away for long periods of time that your dog has something to play with. It’s best to give them a variety of toys; this will keep them away from your slippers!

Again the most important thing is the size. Treats and toys should be size appropriate. If the toy is too big they won’t be able to play with it and it won’t be fun for anyone.

There is a wide variety of toys for you dog to chew, play and bite. Spend some time choosing some fun toys for your dog.

These are the most important accessories you will need for your dog. There are many more things you could buy your dog but by catering for the items on this list your dog should have everything he needs to be a healthy, happy dog.

Accessories You Need Before Bringing Puppy Home is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

Any marine enthusiast will tell you that setting up a marine tank is tricky and so is choosing the right saltwater aquarium fish! This is because its easy to make mistakes with the kinds of fish you choose. Its usually best to start your marine tank with a few hardy and affordable fish. The majority of saltwater aquarium fish are collected from nature rather than captive raised so dont waste that gift by making mistakes that result in the death of your fish.

Damsels are a great saltwater aquarium fish to start off with. Damsels are hardy little creatures and can survive in poorer water conditions than many other marine species. They are not fussy about their food and wont cost you the earth. Unfortunately damsels are also quite aggressive. You can easily keep one or two of these tough saltwater aquarium fish in a tank but dont try any more than that.

Its best to start with damsels and then add more aggressive fish later, If you want to house saltwater aquarium fish that are more shy, you need to take your damsels out before adding more timid varieties of saltwater aquarium fish. Blue and yellow damsels are two species that are less aggressive than others.

Mollies are an alternative starter saltwater aquarium fish. Mollies that are used to salt water allow you to start with cheaper fish while you learn how to make sure the salinity of your tank is correct for more sensitive creatures. On the other hand mollies are raised and bred in captivity so you wont get much real experience in keeping them. Get them used to the tank by allowing saltwater to drip into the bag for about 6-8 hours. When the bag becomes full remove some water. After the tank cycles you can keep the fish in the tank.

Clownfish are cousins to damsel fish and are a fairly hardy saltwater aquarium fish. They are not that easy to acclimate to a marine tank, though. They are also quite territorial but arent likely to be aggressive to other species. They dont have to have an anemone to survive. If you do get one bear in mind that they need water that is very clean and high quality lighting.

Blennies or gobies are fairly hardy and small and shouldnt be a problem for the other saltwater aquarium fish in the tank. They are character fish but they are small and so might get lost in very big tanks with bigger saltwater aquarium fish. They are a good choice to help control algae but if you have a fish only tank they may not be easy to keep fed.

Tangs are a hardy saltwater aquarium fish which are a little sensitive and tend to contract marine ich (also know as “White Spot”). They eat algae so as soon as you grow some you might try to introduce some tangs.

Triggerfish or lionfish are an ideal saltwater aquarium fish for a tank which will eventually contain large aggressive fish. However they can be costly if you make mistakes. It might be a good idea to practice on fish that are both cheaper and easier. You will need to feed them lots of shell fish and other sea creatures to keep them healthy.

Angels and butterflies are very sensitive and difficult saltwater aquarium fish to keep. They need special diets most of the time so they are not that easy to care for in a tank. The same goes for batfish.

Once you gain more experience in keeping conditions in your tank stable you can add a few other varieties of fish. Choose from hawkfishes, grammas, dottybacks, basslets and wrasses. But make sure to find out about how to take care of them properly because some are not as easy as others. However they are a much easier bet that angels and butterflies.

So which saltwater aquarium fish should beginners avoid? You should not attempt angelfish, butterfly fish, pipefish, seahorses, long-nosed filefish, blue ribbon eels, stonefish, and Moorish Idols as well as mandarin fish until you really know what you are doing.

What about invertebrates? Contrary to popular belief invertebrates are well suited for mini or micro-reef tanks. Many invertebrates do well in non-reef tanks. For the novice aquarist the hardy species are best. These include shrimps like the cleaner shrimp, blood shrimp or peppermint shrimp and coral banded shrimp. As is the case with saltwater aquarium fish, stick to the hardier shrimps to begin with.

Anemone crabs are another option you might try along with your saltwater aquarium fish. And why not add some sea urchins and starfish which are quite well suited to beginners with a couple of months experience? They differ in size, shape and color and some are poisonous so be careful! Sea urchins and starfish eat detritus and algae and other small bits of food so they will help to keep your tank clean and your saltwater aquarium fish healthy.

Anemones are not really suited for beginners. They need special lighting and top-notch water conditions so if you cant foot the bill for the lights stay away or youll live to regret it. Invertebrates you should avoid include tridacna clams, flame scallops, Octopi, Nudibranchs, or any hard or soft coral and sea squirts. Like the saltwater aquarium fish listed previously these invertebrates have special feeding and living requirements.

When you choose saltwater aquarium fish, you need to bear in mind that they are a bit more expensive then the freshwater varieties. For this reason you should take care with them and try to keep them alive. When fish are captured and moved from the store to your home they are liable to get stressed, especially since most of them have been taken from the ocean mere days ago. So make sure you can properly care for your new friends before you bring them home!

About Saltwater Aquarium Fish! – Beautiful… is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

What we can do, though, is to conduct a simple dog food comparison to determine which foods best fit our dog’s requirements and our personal schedule. After all, some foods offer much greater convenience than the more natural, less processed types of food which may require freezing, thawing, cooking and preparation.

Convenience aside, the best food to give your dog depends not on the brand or the style, but rather on your dog’s age and any special requirements he might have. For example, older dogs require food containing a careful balance of protein, fat and fiber. Most commercial dog food companies address this need with offerings such as senior dog food, containing about 18 % protein, and food for dogs diagnosed with renal failure, containing about 14% protein.

Dare to Compare Dry Dog Food

The vast majority of dog owners go for dry dog food. Between the supermarket and specialty pet stores, owners enjoy many brands to choose from. Dry dog food consists of kibble typically made from one primary ingredient such as chicken, beef or lamb. More specifically, the main ingredient is usually a meat byproduct that’s been processed, dried and sold in packs or bags for easy dispensing. Needless to say, meat byproducts are far cheaper than meat, so this type of dog food is not only easy to store, it’s much less expensive than other types.

Hard kibble comes with some advantages. For example, it gives your dog’s mouth some exercise, and kibble’s less likely to contribute to plaque than softer foods.

When comparing brands, it helps to remember that there are essentially two types of dry dog food on the market: premium dog food and economy dog food. A smart owner will avoid purchasing the economy food, which is made from lower grade ingredients (for example, economy dog food will often substitute cheap corn for the more expensive meat byproducts). The “end” result, as it were, is that your dog can’t absorb many nutrients but simply passes the food through his body. So in addition to enjoying less nutrition, your dog will produce larger stools — and you might find yourself with more frequent vet bills.

Other Popular Contenders: Canned, Semi-Moist and More

Other categories of dog food include the semi-moist type and canned food. Many owners like to mix in some canned food with dry food, to potentially cover more nutritional bases without taking too big a hit to the pocketbook.

Semi-moist food is attractively convenient to owners, and dogs love it. Unfortunately, it may cause dental problems in the mid-term and worse in the long term, because semi-moist food is loaded with corn syrup and other sugars, which dogs just aren’t designed to process.

Recently, more natural, “premium” dog food has been introduced to the market, in which higher quantities of quality, nutritious ingredients are used to manufacture the food — often human-grade, in fact. Since vegetables, fruits, real meat and quality grains are used as the primary protein source in the highest-quality dog foods, these foods are a fast route to healthy skin and beautiful fur. For the most part, they contain no artificial coloring and preservatives, but are chock-full of vitamins and minerals instead.

Although this food costs more, you can feed your dog less of it, because it’s more nutritionally dense. So in terms of both convenience and nutrition, a premium, natural dog food is one of the best choices available to your dog, whether off-the-shelf or purchased online.

A Tale Of Four Dog Foods: Finding The Best Chow For Your Hound is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

With Quick-Tag, customized and engraved pet ID tags can be created at affordable rates in a very short time. The machine features a computerized engraver and video touch screen. The machine supports both credit card and cash payments to enable self service. Token payment is also possible, if required. Tags in different colors, shapes and sizes can be produced.

PetScribe can create engraved pet ID tags in less than sixty seconds. The machine allows engraving on both sides in two sizes (large and small). A number of tag styles including bone, large heart, bell, oval, rivet, small decorative, etc., can be used. Portable and fixed units of model 40 B pet tag stamping press of Your Supply Depot Ltd. are in the market.

FINDER Lost Pet Tag System uses patented communication technology. With the help of the next generation technology, someone who finds a lost pet can contact the owner using a toll-free number. The system can dial any of three stored phone numbers but the caller does not have access to these numbers. Users can change telephone numbers and messages as many times as required. The system is designed by Secure Connections in McLean, Virginia with the help of the American Humane Association.

The iMARC Pet Tag Engraver is designed for a variety of countertops. Different anodized aluminum tag styles including hydrant, rivet, heart, etc are provided for easy selection. The machine is equipped with three tag holders for different sizes. Engraving on both the sides, lower and upper case text, and logo options help in creating quality pet tags.

Pet ID tags are essential tools that help quickly find lost animals. A wide range of pet tags are available at affordable prices but even diamond pet tags are available for celebrity pets. From the working dog on a sheep farm to the tiny Chihuahua in a socialites arms, all pets should wear pet tags.

A Review of Pet Tag Machines is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

Seem far-fetched? On average, dog owners say they spent more than $263 on their four-footed friends in the past 12 months (not including food expenses). Cat owners spent more than $100. One reason for the improvement of animals’ quality of life is that animal welfare organizations such as the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have worked to change the way people think about and treat them. Celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, the association is the oldest animal welfare organization in the Western Hemisphere. The association will mark its anniversary with a yearlong celebration highlighting the progress it has made for animals since it was founded by a New York City socialite in 1866.

With the mark of this milestone anniversary, the group is launching what it calls its most aggressive initiative to date, working city by city to turn the United States into one “Humane Community.” The program is designed to bring community organizations together to help ensure that no adoptable companion animal is euthanized for reasons other than behavior or medical issues.

The new initiative includes increasing the demand for adoptable shelter animals, while at the same time reducing the number of unwanted litters being born. Additionally, the association’s “Meet-Your-Match” program is being revamped and will more effectively pair new pet owners with shelter dogs and cats. The group plans to expand its Humane Law Enforcement Department as well, allowing for more investigations and arrests for animal cruelty.

“While our 140th year is gearing up to be one of unprecedented growth, it is our sincerest hope that the further we get from our date of inception, the closer we come to being an organization that is no longer needed-that our work will have permeated society to the point that the rights of companion animals will be second nature to everyone,” said Ed Sayres, president & CEO, the ASPCA.

There are more than 140 million pet cats and dogs in the U.S.

A Pet’s Tale: Keeping Animals Safe is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

From the Peoria Humane Society website: Melatonin the Marvelous!!!

Amazingly, an effective treatment for thunderstorm and noise phobias may be an over-the-counter hormone used by humans to prevent insomnia. Melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland, sets the body’s internal clock in response to exposure to light. The body creates melatonin only in total darkness (the pineal gland stops production when any part of the body, even the back of the leg, is exposed to light). In humans, melatonin has been shown to calm the nerves, reduce anxiety, relieve panic disorders, prevent migraine headaches and facilitate deep sleep. In birds and other animals in the wild, melatonin levels trigger spring reproduction, fall migration, and winter hibernation. Actually, hibernation is what brought melatonin to dogs with thunderstorm/noise phobias.

Melatonin has helped some noise-phobic dogs go from being panicked to only mildly concerned with thunder or other loud noises such as fireworks and gunshots (it has not been found to be effective in other stressful situations, only when noise is a major factor). It isn’t a sedative. Your dog will stay awake and alert. Instead of being extremely afraid during a thunderstorm, a dog may just simply stop being afraid.

It is not quite known how melatonin works, but it has an acute effect on the central nervous system’s neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit nerve impulses. It appears that melatonin increases serotonin production and that it is a major inhibitor of dopamine release. Dopamine and serotonin are the important neurotransmitters involved in behavior. It may also have something to do with cortisol levels.

You may find Melatonin in health food stores, pharmacies and some supermarkets. It comes in a number of forms and a wide variety of dosages, so make sure to examine the labels carefully and select a product that contains the proper dosage for dogs. Make sure that it does NOT contain other herbs or nutrients. The usual dosage is 3mg for a dog that weighs over 30 pounds. In a few cases, very large dogs weighing well over 100 pounds needed 6mg, but that’s unusual. For dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds, give 1.5mg. For a tiny dog, reduce the dosage even further. Keep in mind that 1,000 micrograms (mcg) is equal to 1 milligram (mg), so a 200mcg pill, which is a common dosage form, contains only 1/15 of the amount recommended for a large dog.

Whenever a thunderstorm is predicted, give the dog melatonin before you leave for the day. The supplement remains effective for several hours. Otherwise, give it whenever thunder seems imminent. If the dog becomes agitated, give the melatonin immediately. It may not be as effective on a dog that is already highly aggitated, however, giving it may prevent the situation form getting worse. Melatonin’s benefits may be cumulative with a maximum benefit occurring by the third day.

Are there any dogs that shouldn’t take melatonin? It has been said that you shouldn’t give melatonin to humans with autoimmune disorders, so check with your veterinarian before giving it to your dog. However, it has been given to dogs with autoimmune disease, elderly dogs that had a number of diseases, dogs with heart problems and dogs with other illnesses, without any serious side effects. So again, you must consult your veterinarian before giving it to your dog if it has an illness.

The long term safety of melatonin supplementation has been debated by physicians and many holistic health experts warn against taking it for more than ocasional, short term use. However, no clinical trials have been conducted on its actions in dogs. Over-the-counter melatonin is not recommended for children because any hormone supplement may disrupt the developing endocrine system, so it is believed that it shouldn’t be given to puppies for the same reason. As always consult your veterinarian.

That’s all for now, folks!
Adam

A New Cure For Separation Anxiety is a post from: Home And Family Blogs