http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/index.cfm?forumid=3 FuseTalk Basic Edition http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=844 2010-09-06T20:30:55 -05.00 poodle17 1 I lost my dog Lady, 2 years this coming November. She was my joy,
companion, best friend, and my angel in fur.

After losing my job last year, I knew I had to do something that I had a passion
for and loved.
It came to me, I wanted to be a good dog trainer and correct the mistakes
I made with Lady. She was perfect in evey way to me. The 2 things that
I didn't know how to do correctly was master the walk and recall. Two very
important commands to learn.

I graduated in May from Penn Foster Career School and Brother of the Wolf
in June with Honors.

I love animals very much and I wish to other people's dogs the way I treat
my own. With love, respect, kindness and lots of lots of praise, hugs and
kisses.

Carol Anne and Darlin

Darlin is my granddog that I adopted last September from my daughter in
Canada who is a single mom with a little baby. Without hesitation I told her
I would take Darlin. I love having a dog. I grew up with animals, but never
had the true connection until I got Lady at 3 weeks until she passed away at
the age of 17 in 2008. ]]> http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=794 2010-07-14T10:57:55 -05.00 PassionPetnanny 2 Normally I would meet at least 24hrs before the pets arrive here, so this feels abit strange for me. Do you have any information on this I could use? ]]> http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=739 2010-03-09T18:38:25 -05.00 ianwhite 1
When you just have one cat in the house, it will soon become apparent that the whole home is their new territory! A single cat will quickly find their favourite spot where they like to sleep, play and relax. That means that even after spending a small fortune on a cat bed, they might still prefer to sleep on your hardwood floors or crushed up against a corner in the room. Once you introduce a second cat into the home the once placid, docile animal you had will change overnight and feel threatened and insecure, as he seeks to protect his territory from the "invading" second cat. This will result in a great deal of hissing, growling and the odd swat here and there. Fortunately, this usually subsides as the cats re-establish their boundaries. The cats will settle down and appear to get along, but then you may notice that the old territory dispute comes up again.

One way that you can help solve this territory dispute among your two cats is to let them have their own space. Do not insist on them sleeping together on the same cat bed, eating out of the same food bowl and using the same litter tray. Like humans, cats like to have their own space and feel free to come and go as they please. If they feel pressured to spend every waking hour together, they will get on each other's nerves. That is why some of them will start to fight. You may never know exactly where each cat's territory starts and ends, but the cats will know and will let each other know how they feel.

Cats that differ in age also clash from time to time. For example, an adult cat that has been with since he was a kitten will be well established and comfortable in your home. A second cat, that is a kitten, will have want to play. When the cats get together, they will want different things and will fight when one does not want to play and so forth. So do not be surprised if you open a door and find your kitten pouncing on your adult cat and wrestling him to the floor. It may look vicious, but it could be a simple play fight rather than a real cat fight. Unless the adult cat becomes aggressive and starts fighting back violently, do not interrupt or you risk being scratched or bitten.

As the kitten grows older, his playful, fighting tendencies will abate and hopefully your two cats will get along better. But in the meantime, carefully keep an eye on what is happening and have a squirt bottle handy in case the fight gets out of control. If one cat is violent and draws blood, squirt him and warn him off. Do this each time he looks like he wants to pick another fight and he will soon back off.

By Soph... published with permis ]]> http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=468 2008-11-17T16:55:22 -05.00 ianwhite 2
First of all, try to identify what is causing the odor. If the dog is eliminating on the carpet, the cause will be obvious. But sometimes Fido is house-trained and still leaves a strong odor in the house. It could be that your dog has a yeast infection of the skin. Another common cause of odor is the smell of saliva. If your dog has a "hot spot" that he is licking constantly, you will most likely notice an odor.

If your dog has a "hot spot", you can usually get a cortisone shot from the veterinarian, which will take care of the itchiness and allow the area to heal. Make sure that the spot isn't caused by flea bites, because if it is, the biting and licking of the spot will resume in a week or two after the shot wears off.

You can also combat the saliva odor by having your dog's teeth cleaned on a regular basis. There are also commercial products that can freshen your dog's breath. Since your dog has to breathe, and you don't want the air he emits to be foul, keeping his mouth clean is a must!

Now that you have identified and fixed the cause of the odor, you need to get rid of it. Couch cushions, carpets and even throw pillows may need to be cleaned. Vacumn your carpets throughly, and then either have them cleaned professionally or use a wet vac with a special enzyme cleaner that is made to remove pet odors.

If your dog has been on the couch, you will also need to have the couch cleaned, or use the attachment on your wet vac to clean it yourself. Check for the colorfastness of the fabric before attempting this. You will also want to use cold water. Throw pillows can be thrown in the dryer with a dryer sheet to freshen them up again.

There are freshening enzyme sprays that you can buy as well. You can spritz them on the carpet and furniture to remove mild smells. This can be done on a regular basis, and in the case of inappropriate pet elimination, can help stop the problem from occurring in the future.

Scented products for the home do not remove odor, but they certainly do a good job of covering it up. Burning scented candles on a regular basis can do wonders for vistors' first impressions.

Finally, as a last resort, consider keeping your dog outside more often. If the problem persists, you may find that you are becoming resentful of the dog, and it may be possible that everybody will be happiest with a more separate arrangement.

Copyright © 2008, Ian White pet-sitters.biz ]]> http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=458 2008-11-02T20:21:45 -05.00 ianwhite 2
Cats are more savvy than dogs, less prone to blind obedience and more inclined to do their own thing. (Some might say they're more bloody-minded). However, this doesn't mean they're more independent. The myth of feline independence has unquestionably caused harm to be inflicted by ignorant owners. By definition, house cats are domesticated animals and domestic animals depend on humans to varying degrees. Before you leave your cat to it's own devices, consider that there is often a thin line between respecting your cat's independence and benign neglect.


Personalities and Genes

Animal lovers know that their pets have personalities and that pets from the same litter can have very different dispositions. Some cats are naturally more circumspect around humans and reticent about being handled, but most are affectionate and fond of human company - and not just at mealtimes. If a cat is wary or distant, its easy to make recourse to the myth of the independent cat: 'that's how cats are' or 'its in their genes'. In fact, as with humans, cats give back what they receive. It's as likely to be a reflection of their socialization and their relationship with the owner as a personality trait or genetic quality.


Wandering Cats

While it is true that tomcats, including neutered toms, tend to have larger territories than queens (females), cats are not genetically programmed to roam. If your cat goes missing for stretches of time, it isn't necessarily an assertion of its independence. (Neglected dogs would probably do the same if they could get over the wall but most can't, so they appear more dependent and loyal). It might well be that the wandering cat isn't getting the attention and affection it needs at home. Cats are expert at befriending and are perfectly capable of shacking up somewhere else, or taking on a second home, if their needs aren't being met. Could your cat's 'independence' be a matter of it voting with its feet?


The myth of the independent cat also has other effects. Most owners will act speedily if a dog disappears. With cats, it's tempting to resort to the old chestnut about feline independence and wait for it to return. Probably, in due course Fluffy will wander in as if s/he's never been gone. But cats don't have nine lives and they do sometimes get themselves into trouble: accidentally locked into sheds, caught in drains and so on. With any missing pet, the sooner you get on the trail the more likely you are to find it. Dismissing the absence as down to the cat's independent nature is a waste of valuable time during which your cat may be suffering.


Cats can look after themselves

Whereas cats are probably more adaptable than many dogs, and more effective urban predators, the origins of domestication lie in their dependence on humans for food. The notion that cats are less fussy about mealtimes, or that if they're hungry they'll pop out and catch themselves a mouse, is sadly misplaced. Just as much as dogs, cats are creatures of habit. Like children, they thrive on routine. If they are normally fed at 6 p.m. they'll certainly survive a delay, but disruptions to their routine may upset some cats, especially if they are more elderly. Feline independence should never be used to justify irregular feeding - but often is. A bowl of cat biscuits, and fresh water, should always be on hand to compensate for breaches of routine.


It is not uncommon for people to leave their cats alone for weekends, or longer, based on the same misconception. Just because your cat can survive a few days with a large bowl of kibbles left out for it doesn't mean it will be happy to live this way. Cats get lonely. They can even suffer from separation anxiety.


It could be you...

If your cat is snooty, or a wanderer who keeps bringing in baby birds, don't blame the genes. It could be you. Perhaps a mouse tastes better than that bottom-of-the-range cat food you've supplied. Perhaps your cat gets more attention from passers-by and neighbours than it does from you. A well-kept, well-loved cat will show some signs of independence but still needs people. Your cat will reward you in spades for looking after it well and recognising that the cat really does depend on you.

Ian White, pet-sitters.biz ©2008 ]]> http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=251 2008-01-25T11:16:32 -05.00 AtHomePetCare 6 http://www.pet-sitters.biz/Forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=220 2008-01-06T19:07:31 -05.00 ianwhite 2
Perfectly healthy dogs occasionally make hacking or coughing sounds when they are exposed to dust or get something stuck in their throats or noses. In such situations, canines experience brief coughing spells that are simply attempts to clear their throats or noses. This type of coughing goes away as soon as the external stimulus causing the animals to need to clear their airways is gone.

However, coughing not triggered by some sort of bronchial irritant is another matter entirely.

Read Entire article Does My Dog Have Kennel Cough?

The risk of pets catching contagious diseases from other animals is a major reason homeowners would prefer their pets stay in their own environment. ]]>