My friend had had these dogs for over 7 years and was in a desperate position. While she loved them very much, she simply could not manage their behavior towards her 18 month old baby any longer. If your dog is not well trained or is a little rusty on basic commands then get her signed up for training classes as soon as possible. If you can not trust your dog to stay in a sit or a down without a baby in the house then chances are you will have no control over her when your baby comes home. 2. Use a crate to create a safe place for your dog. If your dog is not crate trained then this is the time to get her acclimated to one. Crates should never be in your bedroom or the baby’s bedroom and should contain comfortable bedding. Think of a crate as an indoor dog house or a place where your dog can go to rest and relax. When the baby comes home you should be able to tell your dog to go to her crate whenever you and the baby need time and space without having to worry about doggie interference. Your dog might also appreciate a toy and a soft bed in her crate far, far away from the crying baby!

3. Practice by getting your dog used to a doll. Work on setting boundaries between your dog and the fake baby. With practice you should get to the point where you can place the doll on the floor and tell your dog no and she will not go over to investigate.

Make sure that the dog is close enough to smell it (in the room should suffice) and try placing the fake baby on the floor again to test the boundaries and allow your dog to have a preview of the new baby’s smell.

In addition to these tips, be patient with your dog. If you start early and commit to consistently working with her your chances of a happy homecoming will increase dramatically. Learn more at pet-super-store a site featuring training collars, pet crates and petsafe radio fence.

Posted: March 11th, 2009 under Blog.
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Next to visits to the vet, grooming can be a nerve-wracking experience for your pet. Mobile pet grooming is a convenient solution for the professional grooming care for your pet; the services are quick, clean, easy, and convenient for the pet and his owner.

Mobile pet grooming services are normally mobile trailers that contain the tools to care for and groom cats and dogs on the go. These mobile offices provide services such as bathing, teeth cleaning, nail clipping, flea and tick control, ear care, eye care, blow and fluff drying, coat-cuts and sometimes de-shedding agents. Many mobile pet care companies also provide natural shampoos and washes for pets with sensitive skin. These trailers are also provided with plenty of light in addition to climate control when the weather is extra hot or cold outside.

Most mobile pet grooming services in your area will come to your workplace or your home in order to care for your dog. With mobile pet grooming, the owner is able to do away with the hassle of taking their pet to the groom shop for a daylong experience. This way, pets are not subjected to being locked up in a cage near barking animals while they wait their turn to be groomed. The mobile grooming service is excellent for elderly or nervous dogs, because the experience is personal, quiet, less time-consuming, and has a low-impact physically and emotionally on your pet. For nervous pets, most mobile grooms also allow the owner to stay with their animal so they can provide support.

As with any other at-home service, such as plumbing or cable provider, appointments need to be made in advance. As when looking for any service, you will want to check up on the grooms’ certification (i.e. the National Dog Groomers Association) for assurance of credibility. Before you call to make an appointment, be sure to decide which services you would like provided for your pet. Once you choose a local company, call and find out exactly what services their grooms provide so you can make sure they offer what you need for the proper care of your pet.

Like any other business, prices vary for mobile pet grooming, so it is advisable to hop on your computer and google search the pet grooming services in your area. Visit their websites to view ratings, certifications, comments, and the like. A website can tell a person a wealth of information about the credibility and quality of a company. Once you have chosen your mobile pet grooming company, go ahead and give them a call for an easy, positive, and simple pet grooming experience.

This article was generously submitted by the authors at Pet Super Store - visit this site for: a pet carrier, dog kennels, and pet gates.

Posted: February 11th, 2009 under Blog.
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The Lavender Ball Python is a product of a crossbreeding technique using a Punnett Square to track genes (this type is a color mutation with a recessive gene). The Lavender Ball Python was named such since a lavender hue is in place of the white base color of an Albino Ball Python. The Lavender Ball Python has a brighter tinge of yellow, close to being florescent, and the bright orange outlining the yellow pattern is solid. This particular mutation of the ball python is said to fetch a big price for exotic pet collectors. Some have turned pet owning to an enterprise by morphing their collections and selling them. Handling a Lavender Ball Python is easy since ball python species are docile. They are the perfect reptile pet since they grow just under 5 feet and live for 20- 40 years. Being able to care for one does not follow the regular pet acquiring routine.

In purchasing the Lavender ball Python (actually in all reptile species), a prospective owner must decide what kind of equipment and cages you'd prefer to have for your Lavender Ball Python and purchase these first. These reptiles stay in terrariums. This must have a substrate that is best for your ball python and easy for you to clean up. The terrarium needs a hide box for your snake since it likes hiding most of the time. Your ball python should have a piece of wood to brush up against during shedding. Remember to sterilize and dry this piece of terrarium "furniture" to prevent parasites from invading its space.

Proper heat and lighting are needed for your Lavender ball Python. The best way to install a heat source would be under the terrarium itself. Be careful to put a ply board in between the heat source and the terrarium though to stave off possible burning of "furnishings". Some first-time owners think of saving on heating by situating their terrarium at the path of sunlight. Unless you'd like to see your pricey Lavender Ball Python die in front of you, it is best to invest in proper heating and lighting equipment. A water basin is also needed for your snake to take a dip or drink. Regular checking of the water should be done to prevent bacteria from breeding and spreading into sickness.

Choosing a healthy Lavender Ball Python is the same in all snakes. Make sure at first glance the snakes skin does not droop or hang on itself. Do not choose a snake that has its backbone sticking out. These signs indicate nutritional problems or that the snake is not eating well. If you decide to get a closer look at the prospective snakes, check for mites around the eyes and ticks along the length of the body.

Avoid choosing snakes that scabbed areas on its body, it may have wounds due to manhandling if its wild caught. Snakes that gag, wheeze or gurgle at close inspection have respiratory difficulties, thus crossing it out from your list. For Ball Pythons, like the Lavender type, choose one that is round in appearance and not triangular. Ball Pythons are known to heap itself into a ball, thus the rounded appearance. Experienced breeders advise choosing from captive born snakes. Captive born snakes have feeding records that are available for you to see how often it is fed and what it prefers. For a better choice of lavender Ball Pythons, captive bred are available early summer through late fall.

Continue the feeding record your breeder started, you can add to the information needed in the record. Indicate its established eating schedule, its diet, and the amount it eats. You can also start a fact sheet for your ball python, record its name, gender, age and date of acquisition, its shedding dates. The purpose of these records are for reference for trips to the vet, potential breeders who'd like a strain from your snake or for a buyer if you plan to sell your Lavender Ball Python in the future.

Feeding your Lavender Ball Python depends on its age. A hatchling eats hopper mice or any furry rodent once a week. Feeding a hatchling twice a week is also advisable to help it gain weight. Be sure your snakes’ meal is bought from sterile mice breeders. Sub-adults and adults eat once a week with bigger food items of course. DO NOT attempt to feed your ball python by holding the food with your hand.

Refusal to eat or anorexia is a common problem during shedding periods. Aside from this, it may indicate an on-set of sickness. Experts advice to force feed your ball python. Be careful to get instructions or assistance from experienced snake handlers.

Dehydration- the outward signs of probable dehydration is wrinkly eyes or your Lavender ball Python is shedding in pieces. This is the best time to check on the heating system of the temperature in the terrarium. There may be a need to transfer or amend set-up.

Proper handling, housing and caring for all pets is prime in any pet owners guidebook. Having an exotic pet like the Lavender Ball Python requires attention to detail. You've just taken a step towards a long and loving relationship with a pet that retains its alertness and activeness in its old age.

Article submitted by Pet Super Store authors - visit this site for great deals on pet supplies like: dog ramps, pet steps, and dog bowls.

Posted: February 3rd, 2009 under Blog.
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Have you always wanted a dog, but you or a family member is allergic and always gets sniffley or itchy when they are around pets? There are actually several dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic. This means that they produce much less dander than most dogs, thus reducing the allergens for sensitive people. Many people with common allergies to dogs are able to own a hypoallergenic dog; an excellent choice of such a dog is a Shih Tzu. Here’s why.

The Shih Tzu may also be referred to as a “lion dog” or a “chrysanthemum dog.” The name Shih Tzu is literally Chinese for “lion dog.” The hair around their faces grows in an outward direction, and vaguely resembles a lion’s mane or a chrysanthemum’s flower appearance. The Shih Tzu dog breed originated in Peking, China, and was a favorite among the nobility dating as far back as the 1500’s. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that China allowed these dogs to be imported into other countries. In 1930, England was the first recipient of these regal dogs, and Shih Tzu’s were recognized as an official dog breed in 1946. After that, the Shih Tzu breed came to America and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969.  Since then, this breed has become highly popular as common family pets and for regal show dogs.

The Shih Tzu is considered a small dog, and they usually grow to be about 11 inches in height, and weigh anywhere from 9 to 16 lbs, roughly. Their coloring is usually black, white, tan, caramel, or a mixture of any of these colors. Their outer coat is long and flowing and their undercoat is thick and wooly. Many owners will pull back the dog’s “bangs” with a hair clip or bow to help them see. Otherwise, owners simply choose to keep the hair around their eyes clipped closely. These dogs have extremely short snouts that sometimes cause wheezing or snoring. They have round, global eyes, that are wide set and dark in color.

The temperament of this breed is particularly friendly and energetic. These are great pets for small children. They are also ideal for apartment living because they are energetic and are able to use their energy playing with their toys, and they don’t need to be taken out on walks frequently. Shih Tzu’s love people and are always happy and excited to see someone new come into the home. They are also alert and well aware of their surroundings, and never seem to miss a beat. Sometimes they are a little arrogant and snobbish, but it only adds to their loveable charm.

Because Shih Tzu’s are such friendly and welcoming animals, they are ideal for families with children. They are also considered hypoallergenic, so it gives people a chance to own a dog and not be limited by their sensitivity to pet allergens. These dogs are fun loving, friendly, and usually live up to 15 years. They make wonderful pets and you won’t regret owning a dog from this regal breed!

This article was submited by the authors at Pet Super Store which features pet products like: raised dog feeders, dog beds and patio pet doors.

Posted: January 30th, 2009 under Blog.
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    The personality and behavior of a mature dog is strongly affected by how it interacts with littermates, mother, people, and the surrounding environment that it comes in contact with during the first 12 weeks of life. The lessons learned at this crucial time will shape there personalities and lay the ground work for bad behavior if not monitored.

    All puppies love to play by being mouthy and biting or chewing anything they can get their sharp little teeth into. These sharp teeth are the reason that it is crucial for puppies to learn bite inhibition  during the first few months of life. Normally this is learned naturally and effectively through contact with mom and other littermates. If the puppy bites mom during nursing mom can roll the dog over to correct it or just get up and walk away. Hungry puppy learns very quickly to control there teeth if it wants to eat. Likewise when playing with littermates, if a puppy gets bitten too hard it will yelp and stop playing.

   From his littermates, the puppy acquires additional knowledge on how to interact with members of his own species. Through their play, puppies learn about dominance and submission, get an introduction into mating behavior, and receive a wide range of stimulation for the development of their senses and physical abilities. Puppies that have no littermates or come from litters that were split up at an early age, typically have difficulty interacting with dogs later in life. Not knowing how to react when confronted by a member of their own species, they tend to be either overly shy or aggressive. Often, they fail miserably in multi-dog households.

  That is why it is extremly important to make sure that your pet was with its littermates until at least 7 to 8 weeks of age, before the adoption.

This article was provided by pet super store. An online pet store featureing shock collars and electric dog fences.

Posted: October 28th, 2008 under Blog.
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