Dogs Bark - How to Stop a Dog From Barking

By Penelope Diamante

Have you ever tried to ask yourself what have you done to stop your dog from barking? Your dog may have attended obedience classes and you may have even taken time to provide your canine with home training. It may be time to consider obedience training classes.

The advantages of obedience training outweigh the time and effort that you invest in it, and it will solve your barking dog problem.
 
The ideal way to control barking is to allow your dog to bark when it is appropriate, but to discourage barking when it becomes a nuisance. Ideally you should train your canine to stop barking on your command.

This article describes the immediate solutions to manage the problem of barking dogs. There are many products on the market today to stop your dog from barking. Ultrasonic devices can be placed your house or yard, and when your dog barks, they emit ultrasonic sounds which are inaudible to people. Ultrasonic devices work on the principal of it is safe and humane to simply distract even the most relentless barker. These external systems may also be used to control your neighbors barking dogs.

You can also try collars that are designed to stop your dog from barking. Obviously a collar-based solution can only be used on your own pet. Your neighbor will probably not approve of you putting a collar on their canine.

Anyway the most effective collars are either citronella spray collars or electronic collars. Citronella collars emit spray when the dog barks. A number of dog owners have had measurable success with this type of bark collar, but it really depends on the individual dog.

If your dog refuses to stop barking and barks at virtually everything, then you are probably going to experience more success with an electronic bark collar. Barking dogs can be a severe nuisance for you and your neighbors, so any investment in solving the problem will help improve the quality of life for the humans who have to listen to endless barking.

Solving a barking dog problem requires patience. Remember that dogs communicate by barking, so insisting that your dog not bark may be like asking people not to talk. Even still there is definitely a difference between necessary and unnecessary barking. The key is that your dog learns to distinguish one from another.

Sometimes dogs bark for attention so if you respond by giving the dog attention, you are only training your dog to bark at inappropriate times.

Read more about how I solved my barking dog problem at dogloversonly.com: http://www.dogloversonly.com/blog/dog_barking.html

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How to Train a Cat to Use the Toilet

By L. Zackarian

Did you ever wonder if it is really possible to train your cat to use the toilet instead of a litter box? Did you ever think how wonderful it would be to never have to clean a dirty, smelly litter box ever again? Well, it certainly is possible to do and if you learn how to train a cat to use the toilet, you will never have to clean that litter box again!
 
There are many different ways to train your cat to use the toilet and oddly enough which method you use will depend on what breed of cat you own. Each breed responds differently to training techniques and there are so many options to try when you are really serious about eliminating the litter box. I can remember all the times I changed my cats stinky litter box, thinking to myself, there has got to be a better way. Not to mention that kitty litter costs a small fortune. I hated every time I had to spend money on it, and I thought to myself, I can't believe I have to spend so much money on something that my cat is going to go to the bathroom on.

After a couple years of spending my money on cat litter, I decided to search for some ideas on how to train a cat to use the toilet. The internet is the perfect place to find information on just about any subject so I did some research, visited many websites, and found lots of information from other people on what they think is the best way to approach this. I tried several suggestions that I found along the way, but to my disappointment, nothing worked. My cats did not want to hear it, and I was beginning to think I was doomed to a life of cleaning dirty litter boxes.

I continued my search, and one day I stumbled upon a website and bought an ebook on how to train a cat to use the human toilet. I figured the price is very reasonable with a money back guarantee, and all the free information got me no results at all. I took a chance and to my surprise, this book is filled with tons of helpful and effective training methods. I learned that it really depends on what breed of cat it is as to what method works the best. I would have never known that otherwise.

There are many different methods to try when teaching your cat to use the toilet. One of them is to slowly start moving the litter box closer and closer to the toilet until it is right next to it. Then, once your cat gets used to the new location you can make a container that will fit inside the rim of the toilet and put cat litter in it and introduce it to your cat, don't forget to remove the litter box at this point, but I do recommend you have a litter box in another area of your home so if your cat does not take to the new bathroom situation, it will not go on the floor. The cat should recognize the cat litter as the place to go to the bathroom. It may not happen overnight but with persistence and patience, your cat should learn to use it. Once you have established that your cat is using the toilet, then you can try removing the cat litter all together. If your cat stops using the toilet, you may have to put the litter back for a while longer but eventually you should be able to remove it.

I am still in the process of teaching my cats the techniques in this book, as with anything else, it does take time and persistence. But, I have achieved some success, and was thrilled the first time my cat actually used the toilet! I still keep the litter box around though because I don't want any "accidents" on my floor while my cats are in training, but this is the most helpful information I have found.

Please visit my blog at http://pet-products-reviews.blogspot.com for more information and teach your cat how to use the toilet.

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Atrial Fibrillation in Cats

By Frank Will

Atrial fibrillation in cats can and does occur, and when it does, in most all cases it will remain a permanent condition. In the severe cases, it can be fatal, and in most of the cases, your cat will also be in what is referred to as CHF, or congestive heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is actually an electrical disturbance that is marked by very rapid contractions of your cats atrial heart muscle. This than causes an irregular heart beat as the electrical activity that is usually very well coordinated, is suddenly lost.
 
The actual definition of atrial fibrillation in cats are abnormal heart rhythms in which the atria, which the upper chamber of your pets heart, become out of sync with the ventricles, which are the lower chambers. When atrial fibrillation occurs, the atrium actually quivers or wiggles chaotically, and as a result the ventricles start to beat irregularly. If the condition is considered atrial flutter, the atria will beat regularly but it will be faster than the ventricles.

Both of these situations are very dangerous for your cat, as they dramatically reduce the proper functioning of their heart. Atrial fibrillation can occur as a stand alone problem, but in most cases is a combination of a heart muscle disease or a chronic heart valve disease. What makes this condition so very dangerous is that it can rarely be cured or corrected back to a normal state of operation. It is estimated that over 90 percent of all the cases can not be corrected.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of atrial fibrillation in cats will not be real specific, and as a result, can be very difficult to detect. The first symptom will be an unwillingness of your cat to attempt any type of exercise. This should not be treated lightly and assumed that your cat has become lazy. Most all cats can be very slow and methodical at times, but in this case, it will develop into a situation where it will be all of the time. But they are not being lazy; their heart will not allow them to do much exercise.

If you suspect this, the first thing you should do is to check your cat heartbeat. If it is atrial fibrillation, their heartbeat will be both rapid as well as chaotic. The normal pulse rate, or heartbeat of your cat, should be between 130 and 240 beats per minute. Checking their pulse, however, can be somewhat challenging. The first method is to run you hands along the inside of your cats thighs at the groin until you can feel the femoral artery. If you can not locate the artery, there is another method to try.

Press your hands on your cats ribcage directly over their heart. Do this while your cat is standing, and you will feel their pulse directly below their elbow. With either method, count the number of beats in a fifteen second cycle, and than multiply it by four. Do it three to four times to make sure it is accurate. If they indeed have atrial fibrillation, it will be much more rapid. You may also be able to feel the actual chaotic rhythm as well.

The final symptom will be congestive heart failure. This occurs as the result of fluid accumulation in your cats chest, abdomen, or both.

Treatments:

Treatments for atrial fibrillation in cats will all depend on the actual underlying heart condition. The major objectives of any type of treatment will be to do three things; control the congestive heart failure, control the heart rate, and to provide home therapy to slow the progression of the condition. In most all cases, you can never reverse or completely stop it, but you can certainly slow it down considerably. The initial treatment for your cat may require hospitalization that will involve both drugs and oxygen. If your cat is in congestive heart failure, the fluid will have to be drained.

The first form of treatment is usually with a diuretic drug that will prevent your cats kidneys from retaining an excessive amount of sodium and water. It will be very important that your cat does not retain water, and this is the main reason this is the first form of treatment. However, this can be a very tricky process; if it is too high, it may cause kidney failure or lead to an excessive loss of potassium. Potassium is absolutely critical for you cat to survive.

For this reason, a potassium supplement will also be used. Liquid forms are usually advised as they absorb much quicker and much more effectively in your cats system. Most all cats will also be given an angiotensin which acts as a very powerful controlling agent in regards to controlling arterial pressure. It is also very effective at preventing sodium or salt retention. However, it is also very tentative, as it can also cause kidney failure, but it can also dramatically lower your cats blood pressure.

Beta-blockers may also be used to control your cats heart rate as well as controlling and protecting the heart muscles. But before these are used, ask for a second opinion; they are extremely dangerous if the dosage is too high. As a result, your veterinarian will usually start out with very small doses and work up slowly until it starts to produce results.

However, by far and away the safest and most effective treatment will be an immediate modification of your cats diet. Fish oil supplements are recommended in most all cases. There is mounting evidence that tuna and salmon eaten twice a week has had a huge impact of atrial fibrillation in humans. Raw tuna and salmon fed to cats can be dangerous, but cat foods that contain them as well as fish oil supplements are extremely effective. Vitamin E and the coenzyme Q10 are also very effective in treating atrial fibrillation in cats.

Coenzyme Q10 helps to ignite the cellular power stations in your cat and this powerful antioxidant is found in concentrated levels in your cats heart muscles. Because of this, in supplement form it may help to reinforce your cats natural ability to control the condition.

Summary:

Atrial fibrillation in cats is a very dangerous situation that may never be reversed or even stopped. But it can be controlled if you watch your cat and catch it as early as you can. If your cat suddenly becomes lazy, there is a reason. Check their pulse when you spot these initial symptoms and than immediately notify your veterinarian. Next, modify your cats diet as soon as possible. However, reinforcing your pet diet with these very simple supplements may prevent it from ever occurring.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field. He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds. After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach. Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process. Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website;

Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets
http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

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Best Female Cat Names - Got a Girl Cat to Name?

By Anne Sterck

Female cat names and female kitten names are not hard to find but a good female cat name can be elusive!

Elusive? With all those lists of names on the web?

They are, especially if you don't want your cat to have the same name as every other cat on the block.
 
If you're looking for that particular, memorable or special name, it's time to put your thinking cap on.

Some of the best female cat names come with a lovely story attached. Like the black cat who got her special name, Friday, because she was brought home from the cat rescue center on Friday the 13th! Lucky for her.

What's behind the best female cat names?

Has your new kitten or cat got a story to tell? Could that story provide the inspiration for her special, unique cat name? If so, go for it!

No story? No worries.

How about a name that describes her beautiful eyes or her fur? Cocoa for a tortoiseshell or Calico cat, Honey if she's red or ginger, or Bluebell for the feline with blue eyes to die for.

Want cool, unique or cute kitten names? Chanel after the perfume for the luxurious cat, Silk and Lightning for the unique sophisticated feline, and why not Dinky, Bambi or Bubbles for the cutest of kittens?

Still no inspiration? Lets mine the beautiful world of crystals and precious stones. Could you imagine your beautiful cream-colored cat with a name like Pearl? Or Amber if she's ginger, and Sapphire if - you guessed it - it's those big beautiful blue eyes again.

Time for tea, anyone?

I did much of the research on my female cat names in the UK, a great source for names. Something British... Cadbury, perhaps, or Miss Marple from Agatha Christie's famous detective stories.

You can be extra-creative and check out Wiccan cat names based on nature or something a bit spooky. Why not Hallowe'en?

Or something to do with trees - like Cypress, Holly or Hazel, or from within the magical plant kingdom you could consider Poppy, Rose, Gentian or Valerian.

If none of these work for you, there's no reason to give up - not at all. You could go for something popular: enter Miss Kitty, Millie and Sophie, all beautiful girl cat names for your special kitty.

Good luck in your quest. May the inspirational female cat naming muse light your way!

Anne Sterck, 'The Siamese Cat Lady', has never been without a cat or two or six! She is presently owned by Cumin, the cutest and naughtiest Siamese cat in France and a collection of cat waifs and strays that decided to come in from the cold.

Obviously she couldn't include all the best female cat names here. For more help with cat naming ideas and inspiration, please go to http://www.loving-siamese-cats.com/female-cat-names.html.

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Leopard Gecko Care - Why Gut Loading is a Must

By Jo S. Morris

If you're thinking about getting one of these great little critters as a pet, then one of the most important leopard gecko care concepts you must learn about is 'gut loading.' In a nutshell, gut loading is the practice of giving the insects nutritious food before feeding them to your leopard gecko, effectively using them as shells to transport that food into your leo's belly. Without gut loading, feeder insects such as crickets and mealworms are simply not nutritious enough foods to keep your pet in good health.
 
Note that 'not nutritious enough' a lot of the time means 'too high in phosphorous and too low in calcium.' Commonly used feeder insects usually have these characteristics, which is a problem, because calcium is essential if these geckos are to avoid metabolic bone disease. Research show that gut loading is a very effective way of ensuring that feeder insects carry the necessary amount of calcium into the bodies of reptiles that they are fed to.


In terms of what to use as gut load, a calcium fortified chicken egg laying mash fed to the feeder insects 24-48 hours prior to them going into your leo's terrarium is effective. However if you are raising the feeder insects yourself, an even better option is to raise them on high calcium food such as turnip greens, dandelions, or cactus powder. You can even make a gel comprised of agar and cactus powder that works both as water and as food.

If you've read this far you might be wondering how leopard geckos are able to get the nutrients they need in the wild without anyone to carefully gut load their food. The answer is firstly that in the wild their diet is much more varied. In the wild these geckos eat pretty much anything they can overpower, including all types of insects and even small rodents. In captivity by contrast, their diet is likely to be limited to just a few staples like the two big favorites, crickets and mealworms.

The other reason wild leopard geckos are able to get the nutrients they need is that in the wild, the insects and rodents that they eat will in turn have had a much more varied diet than those bred by humans as reptile food.

If you own a leo, then learning about how to properly gut load feeder insects in order to replace the much more varied diet that it would get in the wild is a really important responsibility in leopard gecko care that you have. Establish a good routine for gut loading your leo's feeder insects early on, and you'll be doing the best you can to ensure that your leopard gecko leads a long and healthy life.

Jo Morris is a leopard gecko enthusiast and author of the book " Leopard Gecko Secrets Revealed ". To learn more about leopard gecko care, visit http://www.leopardgeckocenter.com.

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Signs of Worms in Dogs

By Frank Will

Signs of worms in dogs can range from mild to severe, depending on the actual worm infestation, but in some cases your dog may show no initial signs at all. But eventually, any type of a worm infection will start to show you symptoms and the key to helping your dog as quickly as you can is in understanding these signs.

There are some general signs that you can watch for that will show you that something is starting to go wrong. If your dog starts to lose weight, their coat begins to become very scruffy, or they start to vomit repeatedly, these all may be signs that your dog has a worm infection. However, the most telling as well as most chilling sign that they have become infected by worms, is coughing.
 
Coughing by your dog may occur on rare occasions, but the key is rare. Coughing is simply not normal in your dog, and when they cough it should stop you cold in your tracks as it is that serious.

Types of worms:

There are arguably six different types of worms and each one will show you a different set of signs.


They include Pin Worms, Round Worms, Hook Worms, Tape Worms, and Whip Worms. But the last, Heart Worms, is by far and away the most serious threat to your dog and they will also show you the most serious signs.

Pin worms:

Pin worms are small white worms that are generally spread to dogs either by contaminated food or water that has been infested. These parasites will migrate into your dogs stomach where they than exit out through there anus. They are very common in dogs and can cause very intense itching, especially around the anus area, but are generally considered quite harmless.

Signs:

The most common sign that your dog has this type of worm will be when they start to scratch their butt area or drag it across the floor to relieve the itching.

Round worms:

Round worms are almost the exact opposite of pin worms, in that they can be very large, and in some cases can grow up to 10 to 12 centimeters. They also multiply very rapidly and can be found in extremely high number in your pet. Adult dogs can become infested with roundworms by infected water or food, or by the vomit or feces from another infected dog. As disgusting as it sounds, all owners know that dogs will eat almost anything, including vomit and feces in some situations.

Puppies can become infected by contracting this parasite during pregnancy or by drinking the milk from their infected mother. If one of the puppies becomes infected, the entire litter will become infected in most all cases. This particular form of worm is extremely sticky and is similar to spaghetti in both substance as well as appearance, and can be transmitted easily between dogs and humans.

Signs:

The signs of worms with this parasite will be a very sudden development of colic in puppies, which is a persistent crying. The next sign is with the nursing mother, as she may not be able to produce milk as long as needed. Adult dogs will show signs of abdominal swelling, followed by sudden bouts of vomiting. They will also have very abnormal feces, and these worms will be visible to the naked eye. If this worm migrates into the lungs, your dog will also start to cough.

Tape worms:

Tape worms are perhaps the easiest worm to detect in your dog as they are very long and flat and have numerous segments to them. You can spot them in your dogs stool as they will look like rice particles. They may also stick to your dogs anus, again appearing like small pieces of rich. They can be transmitted by fleas, but the most common cause of infestation with this type of worm is by contaminated grain in commercial dog food.

Signs:

The signs with this type of worm will also be a very itching butt area, but they can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and if severe enough, anemia. They are very similar to pin worms but slightly more severe.

Hook worms:

Hook worms get their name from their major characteristic, hooking or attaching to your dogs intestine walls and they can be fatal to young dogs. However, they are in most cases, lethal in puppies. Infestation with this type of worm is caused by a larval penetration to their skin. Puppies are infected by their mother.

Signs:

The signs of with this parasite are the rapid loss of nutrients that they cause, and this will result in a very rapid development of anemia as they are literally sucking your dogs blood form their body. Your dog will very quickly start to appear unhealthy as a result, and their linings of the nostrils, lips, and ears will turn very pale. They will also start to show a very dark and tarry stool. If the hookworm migrates to the lungs, your dog will also start coughing. If they are not immediately treated at this point, it can cause sudden death in your dog.

Whip worms:

Whip worms are long and very thin worms that are transmitted by infested matter, or by another infected dog. These worms can lay in wait for several months to several years and still be very contagious.

Signs:

The first sign that you will see that your dog is affected with this type of worm is severe intestinal stress. It usually start out with gas, and than will quickly develop into diarrhea. They can also cause severe dehydration very rapidly in your dog.

Heart worms:

Heart worms by all rights, should be in a category by them selves, as they are that serious. They are transmitted by mosquitoes, and are by far and away the most lethal of all the worms to your dog. It only takes a couple of these worms to attack your dog, and they very quickly can destroy your pets heart muscles. What makes them so lethal and sudden, is that in the early stages they show absolutely no symptoms at all.

Signs:

The signs of this demon of worms start with a very sudden development of a hacking cough, and you will know it when you hear it as it will sound like a smokers cough. This is than rapidly followed by a shortness of breath that will lead to your dog fainting. By now they have become very weak as they will have a very high blood pressure as congestive heart failure has set in. If these signs do develop, it is the beginning of the end for your dog.

Summary:

Signs of worms in dogs can be very mild to extreme in the worst of cases, especially if heart worms are involved. The good news is that there are several very effective treatments for any type of worms. It will be absolutely critical that you understand the signs of worm infections, but more critical to use preventive measures and use heart worm medications throughout their entire lifetime.



I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field. He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds. After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach. Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats. I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process. Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website; Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com.

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Why is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam?

By Kenny Leones

When it comes to our dogs, most of us will stop at nothing to ensure that they are well-taken cared of; comfortable and even pampered beyond compare. After all, man's best friend only deserves the best, right? This is why, any sign of discomfort; illness or general unhappiness; will have us scrambling to the vet for answers. One particular situation that may have us scared stiff relates to the question "Why is my dog coughing up white foam?"
 
Most dogs have undergone such an episode that directly asks the question Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam? Now, before we get into a state of panic, there are several reasons why our dogs may be vomiting what looks like white or even yellowish foam.

WHY DO DOGS COUGH UP WHITE FOAM?

There are quite a few explanations pertaining to our inquiry of Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam? One of these is that they may have ingested something that's not right for them - or is not compatible with their stomachs. An upset stomach can sometimes result in dogs vomiting some sort of whitish substance, usually foamy and thick.


Another reason behind Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam is what is generally called a bilious vomiting syndrome. When there is too much bile in the dog's tummy, they release it through vomiting. Too much bile can also result in the dog feeling nauseated hence, the vomiting.

This syndrome usually occurs after a good night's sleep. Usually, if our dogs simply vomit this bile and has no other indications of other illnesses, then it is highly likely that the dog has the bilious vomiting syndrome.

WHAT WE CAN DO

On the other hand, if we are asking Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam and has been feeling restless for several days; is not eating and experiencing other symptom, then it is time to take the dog to our trusted vet. A visit to the vet can alleviate our fears and also give the proper medication to our dogs if they have more than just a bilious vomiting syndrome.

Since the reason behind Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam is this syndrome, what we can do is give the dog a small snack in the middle of the night just so they won't wake up hungry which may cause the syndrome to occur. We can find out more about this condition via the internet and more importantly through our trusted vet. Both measures can give us helpful tips and the necessary emergency care in case our dogs start to vomit white foam again.

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