I cannot sing enough praises about crate training as puppies. I am happy when I come home from work because there are no messes to clean up. The puppies are happy to see me because I am not yelling about having just stepped in it. I just come in the door (leaving it open) and then release the hounds. They run out the open door to do there business and I shut the door. They’re back within 5-minutes to say hello and tell me they are happy to see me. No exited piddling on the floor because they just went out.

My pets are so conditioned from years of using there indoor dog kennel that if I open the puppy treat cupboard they immediately get into there beds and wait for their treats. I often find them in there sleeping with the door open. They really do feel safe and secure in their familiar beds.

I count on my canines for security. I live in a rather remote area. When a stranger comes to the door, they bark viciously and attack the door. They are trained to go back to the dog kennel on command. This enables me to keep my animals from greeting strangers directly. If someone comes to the door to try and sell me something in an attempt to see if my home is an easy mark, they cannot befriend my dogs and they see that they are aggressive and well trained. No easy mark here.

Are you looking for a specific breed or a show cat with a full pedigree? If this is the case, the absolute best option to take is to visit a reputable breeder. Good breeders are experts in the particular breed they are raising, and can give you all the information you need to take proper care of them. Just do a bit of background research and tour the facilities to make sure that everything is well taken care of before you complete the transaction.

Avoid the pet store. For many reasons, the pet store is a far less than ideal place to buy a cat. Aside from the health problems that come from being exposed to all the different people who pass through and the poor conditions they are kept in in order to ensure that people feel sorry enough for them to purchase them, pure breeds that are sold in pet stores tend to come from so-called, ‘kitty mills,’ whose sole purpose is to produce as many kittens as possible, and frequently do so in less than ideal conditions.

Unless you are sure that you want a specific breed or cat or are looking to begin a cat show career, it is best to steer clear of breeders and pet stores and instead look to your local animal shelter or rescue society for a new friend. Sure, you still have to pay an adoption fee, but you are saving a life that otherwise may not have another chance.

If you are interested in learning more about cats, visit the Newborn Kittens Guide.

Teacup and small breeds tend to be more difficult to housebreak than larger breeds. It is harder for them to distinguish the boundaries of their “den” (which they won’t soil) because of their small size. To them, an average house is massive and small dogs instinctively like to establish small living spaces. The task is essentially to teach them the boundary lines of the den. Once any dog understands this, they won’t soil inside those lines. Housebreaking can take anywhere from two weeks to four months, if you are consistent with the training. There are three universal methods for housetraining:

Umbilical cord method: This is a great method for very small breeds. You simply put a leash on your dog’s collar and either hang on to it or attach it to yourself somehow.  This prevents your dog from wandering around without supervision and yet gives you the freedom to move around. It is important to keep a close eye on your Chihuahua and notice signs that he or she needs to use the bathroom. Look for a sudden increase in sniffing at the ground, as that is usually a sign that they are looking for an appropriate spot to relieve themselves. Puppies have very small bladders, so be sure to visit the backyard every two to three hours, or about 20 minutes after eating or drinking anything. Consistent visits outside and ample praise after EVERY time that your Chihuahua pees or poops outside will very quickly result in housebreaking.

Gate Method: this method gives you a little more freedon, but still requires that you pay plenty of attention to your Chihuahua and make frequent visits outside. The idea is to just block off certain rooms of your house, usually carpeted rooms, so they are not given any opportunity to soil the floor and establish a scent there. Remember that Chihuahuas are extremely social and will need lots of physical attention from the person to whom they are bonded. Do not leave them alone in a large space for long periods of time, as they can become anxious and feel abandoned.

Crate method: Most people think it cruel to put a dog inside a crate, but small dogs actually enjoy having a confined space to retreat to for a sense of safety. Crate training also prepares your dog to be a better traveling companion and also teaches him/her to tolerate a dog kennel (should you ever need to use one).  Make sure to pick a crate that gives your Chihuahua room to stand, turn around and rest comfortably. If your dog refuses to go into the crate, dont worry, it’s probably just because it is a strange object to them. Leave the door open with food nearby and gradually your Chihuahua will become comfortable with it and venture inside. An important note: Never take your dog out of the crate if it is barking!  That will only encourage your Chihuahua to bark for attention. When you do let your dog out, immediately walk him/her outside (or show them to the litter box).

Put some genuine time and effort into training your Chihauhua. Patience and consistency will pay off for you, and your dog will be a happy ,friendly and well trained friend.

Getting rid of the fleas is the main objective but there are natural flea treatment options that are very effective and they don’t have the same side effects as other forms of flea treatment. Many of these options for natural flea control can be used on your pet as well as your carpet an furniture.

A Peluchi dog bed, that’s what. He’ll love you for life… if he ever decides to get out of the thing.

This type of dog bed is the absolute ultimate in luxury.

Handmade with the most wonderful soft cosy lining, the Peluchi dog bed is chic, smart and totally washable.

Hey, what a cute name for a dog. Peluchi.

‘Come, Peluchi… sit, Peluchi… down, Peluchi… poo bag, Peluchi?’

Here’s a thought.. have any academic studies ever gone into the thinking behind dogs’ names? The psychology of what makes them call a massive hound Shortie, or a teeny Jack Russel terrier Samson?

Here, Freud… Sit.. Stay. Good boy. Now, come and tell us what you think…

The downside of not making sure that your pet gets enough exercise is that it will eventually become ill and will require expensive treatments. Even if you have an affordable pet insurance you will probably still have to pay for some of the treatment and medications that are not covered by the insurance and that is not the worst part. The worst part is that you’re putting your pet through unnecessary treatment that could have been avoided with exercise.

horse stalls friends by valentin.d at flickr

Horse barns of all sorts exist. From bank barns, to pole buildings, shed rows, to steel buildings. All have a place in the horse world. When making plans for a new building, horse stall widths and aisle widths, and overhead clearances are the primary considerations. The aisle of the barn is the open channel that runs from one end of the barn to the other. Most horse stables have an open construction with one door at each end. This helps with air flow and also ease of access for horses and equipment. A shed row barn is the only style that does not feature an aisle.

Stall widths should be ideally twelve feet clearance on the inside of the stalls. The aisle should be a minimum of sixteen feet up to twenty feet across. This gives adequate room for driving a tractor down, and also provides for easy of passage with one horse to another. A wide aisle can also provide a place for a young horse to begin it’s under saddle training. I have ridden many youngsters down the aisle at a walk. Minimum height of the inside of the barn should be twelve feet. This may sound really tall, but when considering how high a horse can reach when they jump forward or rear, the 12′ clearance might save you some vet bills in the future. Play it safe and custom design your barn to meet your needs and your horses. Horse stall design is a wise way to keep your horse investment safeguarded.

So, after so many delays I finally decided to give paper training a try.  I’m lazy, I know but  think that paper training a puppy might be the best investment of my time to have a well-mannered dog, at least from a canine point of view.  I also think that I have to take advantage that Skoop is in a really young age, so he can “absorb” all the paper training very well.

So far, following the steps of my dog paper training handbook, I’ve already set up a confined area with a dog pee pad, and I’m taking Skoop to eliminate regularly.  I’m not having great success so far, but I’ve only one it for one day! Patience, my friends, is key when you want to teach your dog anything.