Pleasing 4 Pets

Proper discipline can often help to avoid your cute, lovable puppy becoming a badly behaved dog later in life. And contrary to the widely held belief that a dog less than 6 months of age is too young to train, it is never too early in your pups’ life to begin training him. It is possible to begin influencing your puppy’s behaviour from the moment you take him home.

Most new owners start by endeavouring to house-break their pooch. This is the commonest form of initial training. The next step is typically some form of basic obedience training. Your pet’s obedience will reinforce and strengthen the bond between the two of you, as well as causing you less stress and frustration. Canines appear to be motivated by the pleasure shown by their owner and begin learning behaviour patterns early on in their lives, so that’s obviously the most apt time to commence basic dog training. If you take on the challenge together, the process can be an important time in your owner-dog relationship. You will discover how to trust each other and as a result will benefit from each others company more.

A committed owner may often attempt to go further than the basics. Alternatively, many dog owners these days feel that they simply do not have the expertise to train their dog successfully, and as a result many are now turning to the professionals to help them to coach their canine companions. If you make the decision to opt for any form of professional training you should bear in mind that some breeds are more difficult to train than others. Some professionals may specialise in certain breeds, and might help you to train your pet more successfully than others.

Most professional Dog Trainers will be able to advise you and offer assistance with anything from house-breaking, lead-training and reacting to simple commands obediently, to dealing with problem behaviour such as digging, chewing, growling and inappropriate aggression in grown dogs. With proper training all of these types of behaviour and many more can be addressed. You should make a decision on which area’s of support will be most conducive to both you and your dog and discuss them with your trainer. Look to teach your four-legged friend what you expect from him behaviourally and with a bit of luck (and perhaps some expert help!) he will likely provide you with that and more in return.

• Consider having your dog neutered. This can lessen aggression but is not thought to affect your dogs’ protectiveness.
• If you can, try to spend some time with a dog before adopting it. Practice extra caution when introducing a dog into your home if you have an infant or toddler. Any animal with a record of aggression is definitely inappropriate in a home with children.
• Take special care to train your puppy early from very early on. Encourage him to socialise but do not tolerate any form of aggressive behaviour.
• Never ever leave infants, toddlers or young children with a dog even if it is the family pet, without adult supervision.

• If you come across a dog which is roaming and appears unsupervised, do not approach it. You should immediately call your local authority dog warden and advise them of the situation, so that they can take the necessary steps required to ensure the safety of the public.
• Never shock or surprise an animal that is eating, caring for puppies, sleeping or even playing with a toy.
• When you are initially introduced to a dog, let them approach you and sniff you. If the dog becomes aggressive, stand still, try not to scream or move suddenly.
• If a dog attacks you, protect yourself with anything that you are able to lay your hands on – a bag, jacket or even a bicycle. If you are knocked to the ground by the animal, attempt to lie face down or curl yourself up into a ball with your hands around your head. Try to remain still and refrain from making noise until the dog has ceased its attack.
• If you are bitten, wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with a mild antiseptic lotion and plenty of water. Contact a doctor for advice and report the bite to the authorities.

Caring for a pet has often been reported to enhance your sense of well being and can provide you with a natural psychological boost. Animal companions such as cats and dogs are accepting and non-judgmental friends who grant their owners unconditional love. They offer warmth and affection, and can help to improve self-esteem. A well chosen pet can bring you a sense of purpose and encourage exercise. They also offer great opportunities to meet new people and make friends. In other words, cats and dogs can have a positive influence on the emotional and physical health of their owners.

Various research and analysis has confirmed that in almost every situation, primary interaction between humans elevates the heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. By comparison, interacting with a pet typically reduces the levels of blood pressure in both the animal and their owner, this in turn can help to relieve anxiety and stress or tension since the fear of disapproval or criticism does not exist in a pet-owner relationship.

A recent survey showed that 70% those who took part sought comfort from a pet when feeling unhappy. Whilst 90 % spoke to their pets, 75% reportedly felt that having a pet increased their overall contentment.

Pets have been used as far back as the 18th century in the UK when they were found to be beneficial to the well-being of mental patients, with many tending farm animals as a form of early therapy. Today, animal-facilitated therapy programmes are used as rehabilitation for a vast range of patients, including the mentally ill, physically and developmentally disabled people, emotionally traumatized adults and children, the elderly and many terminally ill patients. There have been numerous cases of unresponsive and withdrawn patients in Psychiatric Hospitals who have begun to interact with visitors or staff after being involved in animal-facilitated therapy programmes.

But it is important to remember that the pet-owner bond is not always unquestionable and cannot be guaranteed by the fact that people and animals live together. The relationship between the two must be nurtured to ensure a bond is developed. Without this the animal may well suffer, whilst the owner will draw little or no benefit from the match.

If you are considering adopting a cat or dog, it is important to reflect on how the animal will be integrated into your everyday routine. Not all lifestyles are conducive to the ownership of a pet and you should bear in mind that your pet will be a permanent family member. That said, taking on the responsibility of a pet will reward you with the pleasurable experience of a pet-owner relationship.

When the sun is shining and the weather is nice, it’s tempting to take your dog with you whilst you run errands or pop to the local supermarket, but during the summer months the temperature inside a parked car can reach 100° within minutes, even if the vehicle is parked in the shade and windows are left open a touch.

On a sunny day the windows of your car will collect light and trap heat inside. When the temperature outside is 85° the temperature within your car can reach 102° inside of 10 minutes, even with the windows left slightly open. Within 30 minutes the temperature can reach 120°, since at 110° your dog is at serious risk of heatstroke the situation can swiftly become lethal.

All this can only spell trouble for your canine friend if he is left inside. Dogs are designed to conserve heat and are unable to perspire and so are only really able to dispel heat by panting. Their sweat glands, located on the nose and pads of their paws are not sufficient to cool them on hot days. If they only have access to over-heated air, a dog can suffer organ and / or brain damage within just 15 minutes.

Leaving your pooch in a hot car even if only for a brief time can cause them to suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and in some cases the results can unfortunately be fatal. Pugs, bull dogs and other short nosed breeds are particularly vulnerable to the stresses caused by heat. The only guaranteed way to prevent your dog from suffering either this summer is to eliminate the risk by leaving your pet at home whilst you travel.

Getting a new kitten can be a very exciting and pleasurable time, but it is worth bearing in mind that it can be an enormously stressful time for your kitten. You should think very carefully about taking on such a big responsibility since your new pet will be just a baby and will have been separated from his Mother and siblings in order to join you.

Your kitten will likely be upset and anxious when you first take him home. Make sure that his first few hours with you are in a calm and peaceful environment. Gently encourage him to play to occupy him, or encourage him to sit on your lap to sooth him. Avoid introducing him straight into a noisy environment if at all possible, as this may distress him further.

Your new kitten shouldn’t be separated from his Mother before he is 8 weeks old, this will avoid any unnecessary behavioural difficulties later on. He will need to be fed at least 4 times daily at first, so you need to make sure that you have the time required to dedicate to him. If your kitten will be alone for long periods of time, say for example when you are out at work during the day, you should contemplate getting 2 kittens, this way they can keep each other company when you are not able to be around. Kittens of the same sex are usually more compatible as companions

In time he will grow accustomed to his new habitat, and the general noise and routine of your household will bother him less as time goes on. Your kitten will require all the help that you can offer him to adjust to his new life, so it’s important that you are patient and affectionate with him, particularly during his settling in period.