Fine Pet Care .com

The Business of Horses - How Much is a Pedigree Worth?

petlover — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:54:04 +0000

Often we hear from a seller that his horse has so and so in its background and that the horse is worth more money because of that. But is that really true?

All horses come with a pedigree, whether they are good or bad but when we sell that animal, who is on that pedigree helps determine the price that we can ask for the horse.

Throughout this article, you will not find a price that you should ask for your horse. But we will discuss the importance of a pedigree when you are selling a horse, raising a foal or buying a stallion or mares.

To begin, we should examine those breeding programs that are in demand by the public, which stallion is producing the most winners out of a diverse population of mares and which mare is producing the largest number of winners. Once we have that information, we should examine the pedigree involved in producing those animals. They may be the product of line-breeding certain horses or they may be from an outcross that produces a superior animal. Something that you should keep in the back of your mind is that not all horses are created equal even if they are the same breeding or full brothers and sisters. Genetics are a fickle creature. In my personal experience, I have seen great horses and full brothers who were complete opposites. One being a superior animal and the rest were just mediocre in conformation and type. Because they were full brothers, they were able to produce foals that brought more than the average and as such were successful for their owners. However, they never attained the success of their sibling.
In order for us to be successful in the horse industry, I think that you have to research what the breeders and trainers have done with the bloodlines that you may or may not want to use. This will help us in our quest to train or breed the next world champion or super horse. If someone has made it work for them and has been successful, maybe we can be too. It will only happen though if we apply the same dedication to our business as the person who developed the type of horse that you are going to produce or train.

And there lies the problem. Many of us do not apply the same dedication and work ethic to our horse program that the original developer did. Every horse program that has succeeded in the past has been through the efforts and dedication of the major entities involved (horses and their owners). Even if you have the best in the barn, you will not succeed if you are not prepared to promote and sell your product at every opportunity.

A successful program involves being innovative in our methods. We should follow our research but we should be willing to change if it does not produce the results that we want. Over the years I have seen working horses evolve into halter horses and vice-a-versa, trainers have gone from look-pretty horses to ride and slide horses and are still very competitive. In a changing world we must change with it if we are going to survive in the horse industry. Our goals should be clear from the beginning but our methods of reaching those goals should be under constant change in order to achieve them.

Another thing to remember is that the program that you are emulating was the product of many years of trial and error. You will experience the same. You should not be disappointed but view it as a challenge to be met. The great horsemen who are the legends of our industry had an ideal in their minds at all times and labored to create that type consistently. If you have looked at many horses, in your mind you can tell which program the horse came from. The breeders created those horses to have certain traits that set them apart from others of the same breed. You can tell an Impressive bloodline from Doc Bar line, Barlink Macho Man from Scribbles, and etc. etc. simply by the type of horse that you are looking at.

Which brings us down to how much a pedigree is worth to you as a horse buyer or seller. If our interests are working horses as opposed to halter horses, or vice-a-versa we would look for an animal whose parents came from bloodlines that had that breeding. We would consider horses whose relatives, preferably close up in pedigree, had been outstanding individuals in the discipline that we want to play in.

If you are a breeder or wanting to produce a foal, you would want the same things. Your mares would be uniform in type, conformation and pedigree and your stallion should have qualities,(type, conformation, pedigree), that would improve the shortcomings of your mares. And the foals should as uniform as their parents.

Will it happen all the time? NO. But it will happen more often than not. The end result is that you, more often than not, will produce a product that will bring a better price than the horse that may be the equal of yours but does not have the pedigree that people are looking for. Translation; if you have horses that sell for more money than the average most of the time, you will survive the ups and downs of the market. They may bring less money, but certainly more than the person who has been haphazard about their program and its direction. Over time, one can be quite successful with their horse program.

By Ralph Bain

M. R. Bain has been a horseman all his life and a professional trainer since 1955. He is an owner and breeder and has been employed as a breeding and stable manager. His intent on writing these articles is to educate horse people on how to operate a successful horse business. You may contact him at MRBain@businessofhorses.com with your questions and comments.

Also, look for his upcoming book, The Business of Horses–Creating A Successful Horse Business

Things To Think About When Caring For Your Horse

petlover — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:48:00 +0000

THE SIMPLE PLEASURE OF FEEDING

Food is one of the simplest and greatest pleasures of our horses, so make sure that your horse always has all the food requirements that he/she needs.

There are three types of food that your horse may eat. Pasture is the favorite meal of all horses, supplying needed nutrients, roughage and protein. Pastures and forage crops provide a major part of the nutritional needs of horses almost year-round. Horses are constant grazers, I mean 24/7. There are many types of pasture grass so do your homework, different parts of the country have different types of grasses that grow better in different areas and will provide the proper nutrients for your horse.

Hay is another type of food for horses, when fresh pasture is not available, hay is the best choice. There are many types of hay, such as alfalfa, coastal, T&A, Tifton, and the list goes on. Make sure you provide the best hay for your horses needs. Some hay such as alfalfa has tons of protein and for some horses you will want to give this type of hay sparingly as too much protein is not good for your horse, so do your research.

Secondly, always store hay in a dry but well-ventilated area. Feeding your horse with moldy hay can lead to various medical complications. Feeding your horse with hay alone will never make a sufficient diet so consider including another component in your horse’s diet such as horse pellets or sweet feet to ensure that all your horses nutritional needs are met. Do not forget to consider what your horse does, for example: racing, pleasure, show, competitive, jumper, etc. Horses that expend allot of energy need higher percentage of protein feed and a higher quality hay. Ask you vet for help in determining your horses diet needs.

WATER AS THE SOURCE OF LIFE

Horses are always thirsty, and can consume up to 10- 15 gallons of water daily. As such, it is extremely important that you have a ready supply of fresh water for your horse. During the winter months make sure that you place the water in heated buckets to prevent it from freezing.

SALT, MINERALS, AND HORSE TREATS

Salt and minerals are also important factors in your horse’s diet. Consult your veterinarian as to what your horse should take to consume the necessary vitamins and minerals. Salt blocks and horse treats can be purchased from your local feed store.

EXERCISING YOUR HORSE

The amount of exercise your horse needs depends primarily on its role in life. If you are using it for competitive riding, team penning or pleasure, whatever you choose will determine what type of exercise it needs and how many times it should exercise each and every week. As for all other types of horses, daily exercise is encouraged to allow horses’ muscles and bones to strengthen and not become affected by arthritis, etc. when they become older.

CARING FOR YOUR HORSES’ HOOVES

Horses need their hooves trimmed at least every 6-8 weeks. Pick your horses feet every day, and after each ride or workout. Depending on the work (pleasure, barrels etc.) you choose for your horse, will determine whether on not you need to have your horse shoed. Talk to some of your friends or your Vet, someone who can recommend a good farrier. Remember that just as it is with our feet, the hooves of horses are also the most abused and neglected part of their body so it’s important for us to give them the best care we can afford. The old saying “No hoof, No horse really does apply!

CARING FOR YOUR HORSES’ TEETH

Unlike human teeth, there is no end to periodontal growth for horses. As such, uneven usage of their teeth can lead to the development of sharply pointed teeth and which may cause chewing problems. Your Vet may have to (float) the teeth which means that he will have to file them down a little to help your horse’s eating enjoyment. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you have your veterinarian check your horses’ teeth annually.

GROOMING FOR YOUR HORSE

Allow your horses to enjoy baths regularly. Most horse enjoy their baths immensely but others need a little more coaxing in that area. Afterwards, use a sweat scoop to take off excess water and remember to brush their coat slowly, carefully, and thoroughly. Make sure that you use grooming products that are specifically designed for horses, they are reasonably priced and loads to choose from.

Above all, the best way to make your horse’s life absolutely wonderful is by showering them with your love and affection!

By Michele Anderson

Clipidy Clop to the Postershop for all your poster needs. Horse posters and western movie hero posters @ Posterhorse.com

Keeping Your Pet Safe During The Holidays

petlover — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:07:21 +0000

by NewSun

The holidays are a time to create and share memories, laugh and eat great food; however, there are many hidden dangers that are lurking around your home that can cause serious injury or even death for your four legged family members. Here’s a list of some common holiday dangers to look out for:

1. Holiday Plants: even though they are beautiful, they are also poisonous if ingested. Some poisonous plants include holly and holly berries, ivy, lilies, pine, mistletoe and poinsettia. If your pet ingests these plants, common symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and lethargy.

2. Christmas Trees: Using a tree stand with water that your pet can drink from is very dangerous- the water may be contaminated with chemicals or insecticides leached from the tree itself. Also, look out for the metal hooks that display your ornaments, you don’t want your pet swallowing them for obvious reasons. Most cats love to play with string, ribbon, rubber bands and tinsel. What cats don’t know is that if these items are ingested, they can cut their intestines.

3. Food: Unfortunately, you can’t share your holiday food with your pets. Turkey and ham should never be given to your pet because they contain large amounts of dangerous bacteria. Do not feed your pet bones- especially poultry bones that splinter easily. Each year, pets are treated for consumption of splintered bones which cause pain and sometimes death. Sweets, chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, coffee, alcoholic drinks and even bread dough can also be fatal if your dog ingests it.

4. Toys: Be sure that small toy pieces, crayons, and paints are put away in a safe place. More often than not, ingested plastic or cloth toys must be removed surgically.

5. Other Holiday Items: Wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, candles, and styrofoam.

If you are hosting the party, surely you will have some form of stress getting everything ready. What you forget is that your pets can usually feel that stress too, since they are much attuned to your emotions and what you are up to. During a party, make sure you have a place to bring your pet to relax from all the commotion. The excitement can sometimes stress them out. Also, be sure to have a collar on your pets- with the front door opening and closing constantly, there will be no doubt that your pet will think of this as an opportunity to take a little walk around the neighborhood. Be sure that they are safe and not walking around in the streets- with people rushing all over the place, it just takes one driver to ruin your holiday spirit.

We hope these tips will help you and your pet this holiday season!

The Corner Animal Hospital is an online pet pharmacy/ store (www.shop.corneranimal.com) and veterinary service (www.corneranimal.com) in Long Island, NY. Other services include : annual physical exams, vaccines, heart worm tests and preventative measures, dental exams and cleaning, spays and neuters, x-rays, soft tissue surgeries, ultrasound, endoscopy, orthopedic surgeries, and boarding.
Submitted by NewSunGraphics (www.NewSunG.com)

Horseback Riding Tips - The 5 Fundamental Horseback Riding Tips Every Horse Rider Should Know

petlover — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:45:42 +0000

There are always some kind of hints or tricks that can make something that might seem so difficult end up seeming so easy. There are gardening tips for those with a black thumb, there are cooking tips for those who aspire to have their family not run when you say that dinner is ready and then there are those who just want to be able to stay on a horse. Those are the ones that could easily benefit from some of these horseback riding tips:

Tip1 - Don’t go about riding like you’re stomping snakes. You want to approach your horse with a gentle tone and manner so that they feel comfortable around you. I don’t like people yelling at me for no reason and neither does a horse.

Tip 2 - If you are a new to horseback riding, remember that no matter how much money you spend on those fancy clothes or boots, they’re going to get dirty. And the good news is that getting them dirty can be really fun. Also, money doesn’t make a good rider. I’ve seen some of the best riders in the world wear pants and boots with holes in them and a shirt thin enough it’s only there to keep the flies at bay and I’d give my eye tooth to ride half as good as they do.

Tip 3 - When you get on a horse you should always use the left side of the horse. Many horses are only trained to have a rider get on from the left side and might freak out if you get on the right side (I’ve actually seen that happen to people). This is just one of those things that is the way it is because it has always been that way in all horseback riding ranches.

Tip 4 - If you don’t want to get out of the saddle with a sore back remember your horseback riding posture. It’s never been good to sit all slouched over at any other time in your life and sitting on a horse is another time when it’s just not appropriate. You’re back will end up sore and it can mess up the rest of your body posture such as the way your hips are in the seat and the way that your feet are in the stirrups.

Tip 5 - Never, ever put your foot too far into the stirrup. I put some emphasis on this horseback riding tip because if you fall off of your horse with your foot shoved all the way in the stirrup nice and tight, odds are if you fall off you will be dragged behind the horse. I’m sure that you all remember the old westerns with the man being dragged by the running horse. When you put your foot in the stirrup, my rule of thumb is that you want the ball of your foot just about centered on the bottom of the stirrup. That way your toes (of course inside your boot) should just barely be out of the stirrup and the majority of your foot is out and should be pointing down. You don’t want your heel set above your toes as that might lead to the foot slipping into the stirrup further. But if your heel is slightly lower than your stirrup your foot should stay right in place where it belongs.

I hope that you were able to benefit from these horseback riding tips. They are ones that were always pointed out to me by my trainer when I was young and I have found them to still hold true today.

Did you know that 90% of falls and horse related injuries result from an inexperienced rider? Don’t let this happen to you. Take a few minutes to learn the essential horseback riding and horsetraining methods practiced by experts for generations which are guaranteed to improve your horse riding skills.

By Clinton Lyons

Clinton Lyons has been raising foals and horses for over 35 years. He is a professional horse trainer and expert horseback riding instructor. Visit his website to learn more about horse training and horseback riding here: http://www.horsetrainingranch.com

Choosing The Right Diet For Your Horse

petlover — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:50:46 +0000

If you’re a horse owner you will realise that keeping such animals can be an expensive proposition. You will therefore want to ensure that your horse is well looked after.

It is essential that you are providing your horse with all of the nutrition it needs to promote both good growth and healthy development. For almost all owners, a horse is something that you will invest a great deal of time and energy in, and in return it is going to be very loving and loyal to you. It is not enough to simply give your horse adequate nutrition - instead you must provide it with excellent nutrition.

Your particular make and breed of horse will have a strong bearing on its dietary requirements and what you will need to provide it with in terms of good nutrition. A shire-horse will obviously need a different diet to a miniature horse. Good horse fodder is essential and unless you are familiar with your animal’s feeding requirements already, you will need to do your research.

Another important factor to bear in mind is not only what the breed type, but also what their lives and routine involve. Are they working horses, pets, or even racing horses. Do you show them, or are they simply work horses fir use around the farm? All of these are important questions to ask, as the answers to will help you figure out the appropriate and best diet to give your horse.

Once you are clear on all of the above aspects of your horse, you can then go about choosing the right type of horse feed. Buying horse feed is not as simple or straight forward as buying for a dog or a cat. Make sure you find a good and reliable horse-feed supplier that can make the right decisions about the best feed for your horse and can provide you with good advice on quantities per feed.

The different seasons in the year can have an effect on your horse’s body and as a result the food requirements. It may be necessary that you change the feed or vary what you are giving them as far as amounts go, at different times of the year. This is also a question that you should discuss with your vet. Get plenty of advice and ensure you are doing what is right for your horse’s health at all times.

Finally, like any well loved animal you are likely to want to treat your horse to the odd snack now and again as a reward - particularly during training times. It is also important that you give them the right type of snack Talk to your vet about what type of snack is appropriate for your horse and keep a good supply of the snacks that you know your horse loves on hand.

By Garnett Johnston

Garnett Johnston runs several free information service websites on the internet, including one for horse owners everywhere. If you are interested in more horse training information then please pop over to our site at http://www.masterhorses.info

Best Horse Toys - Ways To Alleviate Boredom In Stall Bound Horses

petlover — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:43:44 +0000

Horse toys are important for horses confined to their stalls for long periods of time. It prevents the restless equine from picking up bad habits out of boredom

Bad habits are difficult to break. They can cause great distress for:

• The horse owner
• the boarding stable owner
• and the horse

Below are some ideas horse toys that might help keep your equine buddy occupied.

The “Jolly Ball” Can be pushed, pulled - even stepped on - and if not bitten or punctured, will re-inflate on its own.

I had a ball for my horse to kick around. She broke it immediately. I can’t remember what kind it was but it was not cheap and it still broke.

If you are going to get a ball make sure it has a warranty!

Horse Treats

This cylinder shaped horse toy has treats inside. When the horse pushes it with his nose, the treats fall out. This type of toy is supposed to encourage horses to graze in their natural, head-down position, while treats are dispensed by gravity. As long as there are treats it will provide hours of stimulation. Shown is one that is mounted on the wall.

Giant Scented Apple

This is a popular and relatively inexpensive horse toy. 10 inch high red plastic apple in the stall to amuse him. Hang it up from the ceiling and he will butt it with his head. It is a good deterrent for horses that have taken up the terrible habit of weaving side to side.

“Jolly Stall Snack with Apple Treat”

A new tasty way for your horse to be entertained, while helping to alleviate stall boredom. Hang it from the ceiling of the box stall.

The treat that goes inside is also sold separately. The horse can finish up the treat sometimes very quickly by knocking it out of the holder and gobbling it up. It is a great boredom alleviator if he licks it as he is supposed to do.

Make your own Amusement Ball

Horse toys don’t have to be expensive or complicated to make.

Here is what it takes to Make your own amusement ball.

Supplies needed

1 gallon milk or water plastic jug Grain or fat and fiber

Rope

Hook

scissors

Directions

Clean out the empty container. Pierce small holes (about 10) around the sides of the jug, tie a strong rope to the handle and hang it from the ceiling low enough for the horse to be able to butt it with his nose.

Open the cap fill it a small quantity of grain or treats such as apple crunch and let him figure it out. If it breaks just make a new one.

The Scratch-Scratch-Post

A Scratch’n Pole provides a safe and comfortable place for your horse to scratch.
Natural sisal rope is wound around a heavy duty plastic pipe and supplies the feel good scratch for your horse, and can easily be replaced when worn out.

To make one:

Take a piece of strong rubber or plastic piping wrap it around with twine and fasten it to a wall of the box stall.

How about getting your horse a pet.

Perhaps a rabbit. My friend Anna Maria had a rabbit for her horse. The rabbit hopped around in the stall and the horse never stepped on it. The Rabbit was good company. A goat is also a good pet for a horse. But they tend to eat everything in sight. A rabbit is less upkeep.

By Ronnie Kellner

For more information on other horse games please visit my website http://www.livingwithhorses.com. Living with horses was created after moving to our ranch in St. Lazare, Quebec. As city “slickers” my husband and I sold our duplex in downtown Montreal, packed up our graphic design office and moved everything out to the country. We did it on a whim and we never looked back! Isn’t it time you started living your dream? I think life is about having experiences and having fun in the mean time.

How To Set Up a Great Betta Fish Aquarium

petlover — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:49 +0000

If you’re serious about your betta fish care then it’s important to set up a great betta aquarium. While your fish can live in a small bowl or jar it will do better and be happier with more space. The problem with setting up a fish tank is that a lot of people think that it’s a hard or expensive process. Luckily for you the fish that you’re getting is pretty easy to take care of. Here’s the stuff that you’re going to need to make a happy betta home!

1. Get a small aquarium. They don’t need much space; so don’t worry about getting a big, expensive aquarium that’s going to take up your entire counter. A single betta will be perfectly happy in a 1-5 gallon aquarium, which can usually be purchased for $10.00 or so and are no bigger than a shoebox. Make sure you rinse your aquarium before setting it up. Department stores can be dusty! Don’t worry about using soap unless there’s an obvious reason to. If you do then really be sure that you’ve rinsed it all out before your betta fish goes in. They don’t like living in soap!

2. Install your filtration system. On a small tank like this there doesn’t need to be a big filter, so make sure you check it out before you buy it. There should be a tank size recommendation on the package, so make sure they match up. A proper filter will help keep your water aerated and clean so that you don’t need to change the water nearly as often. Don’t get too big a filter as it can keep your betta from swimming properly, which will stress them out.

3. Get some clean gravel. If you know what color betta you plan to get then you can coordinate your gravel color with your fish color! Avoid sharp, jagged gravel, as bettas will spend some time near the bottom. The sharp gravel will really tear at their fins. You’ll want about one pound of gravel per gallon-sized tank. It doesn’t hurt to rinse the gravel, either.

4. Add plants. There are all kinds of options as far as real, plastic, or silk plants. As long as you clean the plants and they are soft then all of those are fine. Make sure you get soft plants without jagged edges as the plants just like the gravel can damage the betta’s fins. Real plants obviously take more care, but can be beautiful.

5. Add distilled, treated water. Tap water can be full of all kinds of chemicals that can be harmful to your fish. By getting distilled water and then conditioning it (get some water conditioner from your pet store) you’ll be giving your fish a much healthier environment.

6. Let the tank run for a couple of weeks. This step is optional, but it helps the tank get going. When you have a new tank the helpful microorganisms that build up in the gravel and filter aren’t there. They take a while to get going. Until they get a foothold the tank won’t filter as well as a mature tank will. Letting the tank go for a couple of weeks without putting your betta in will help ensure a nice home for your betta.

There are six easy steps to building a low-cost, happy home for your betta fish that doesn’t have to take over the whole room. With a little bit of preplanning you can give your betta a pleasant place to call home, for both them and you.

By Isaac Wilkins

To really learn how to care for your betta fish I recommend that you check out http://bettacare.blogspot.com today!

Boston Terrier Dog - Five Reasons To Get One

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:39:01 +0000

By Abhik Sarkar

If you are mulling over getting a Boston Terrier dog, but are unsure if it is the best choice for you and your family, then this article will expose five reasons to help make a decision.

While all too often dog lovers decide to get a breed based more on the look of the breed, it is not what should ultimately decide which one you get.

Although you may have already fallen in love with the Boston Terrier dog, here are five reasons why it could be the perfect four- legged companion for you:

A bundle of energy - If you are looking for a dog that just drags himself lazily around the house like a sleepy mop, then the Boston Terrier is definitely NOT for you! They are predisposed to being very active, lively and playful and thrive on being busy.

A true socialite - They are not called the “American Gentleman of Dogs” for nothing. If you use the right methods of training, Boston Terriers are very social and prove to be great entertainers for everyone around them. If you have any other pets, canine or non-canine, or have children in the house they prove to be safe and friendly with their diverse surroundings. A true family companion.

Grooming nightmares - Well, there are none to speak off! Due to their very short and shiny coat not only do you not have to groom frequently, you will avoid the frustration of having shedding and having to clean up the hair from your furniture and carpets.

The empty house - Are you or family away from home for large parts of the day? If yes, then I would strongly advise you to avoid getting this breed. One of the main reasons that they have increased in popularity is because they love and thrive on human company and lots of it. They don’t just love being with people, but need to do so. Therefore, if leaving him/her alone at home for long periods is a distinct possibility, then you should refrain from getting one.

Woof Woof - If incessant barking drives you up the wall, then you are in luck. The Boston Terrier dog while it does bark when he’s alerted to something unusual at night, are generally very quiet and don’t create much noise. They are a quiet bundle of energy, you and your family will enjoy.

The above five reasons should help you and your family make the right decision when choosing a companion that is right for your home.

To learn the secrets to raising and training Boston Terriers the right way, head over to http://www.boston-terrier-secrets.com

Are You Getting A New Dog?

petlover — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:19:49 +0000

By Ken Charles

Think about it first.

1) Why do you want a dog? It may be that you have recently lost a dog to illness or old age and she has left a blank space that you need to fill. If your children are now grown up and moved away, it may be that you need a new companion, who will also ensure that you get out and take plenty of exercise.

Perhaps you would like a big dog, to help you feel more secure in your home.These factors will help you to decide what breed of dog will be most suitable and also whether it should be an adult dog or a puppy.

2) You need to decide which breed of dog will suit your situation. There is such an enormous choice among all the different breeds. Will it be a large hound or a small terrier, a German Shepherd or a Bichon Frise? Will the size of the dog and the size of your home be compatible? You may decide not to get a pure bred dog but may find the ideal companion at the local Rescue Centre. This would certainly save you a lot of money.

3) If you decide to get a rescue dog, be aware that it may come with problems from a previous unsuitable owner. On the other hand, such a dog may be so grateful for a happy, loving home that it will turn out to be the ideal companion.

Dog breeders can vary from the superb to the criminal. Some are little more than puppy farms, with unhygienic quarters and indiscriminate breeding. Refer to your local breed society to find a reputable breeder and be sure to check the pedigree of the parents and the Kennel Club registration.

4) Who will train the dog and how? Will you take your dog to training classes, or employ a professional trainer? Are there other members of the family who could share in this necessary exercise. Perhaps you can do it yourself, with the aid of one of the excellent training courses which are available online.You must be prepared to devote time and patience to training your dog, to get the very best from your relationship.

5) Who will take most responsibility for the dog’s welfare? Will it all fall on you? You need to consider feeding, exercise, training and possibly grooming. Can you depend on promises of help from the kids and other members of the family, once the novelty has worn off?

If, on the other hand, you are now living alone, the trust and demands of a new dog in your life could be the very best thing to lighten your days!

6) Separation anxiety can be a big problem for a new puppy or an adult dog. He has suddenly been plunged into a new, strange environment and, in the case of a puppy, been taken away from his mother and siblings.

If the dog is then left alone in the home for long periods of the day, look out! He will be frightened and then bored and may resort to chewing and other destructive behavior, or keep up endless barking or whining, much to the annoyance of neighbors. And you may return home to a disaster zone!

7) Food. In the wild, your dog was a meat eater. Making sure that he gets a suitable diet, with all the correct nutrition is vital to his health and well-being. Just feeding him leftovers from your dinner table is not sufficient. Did you know that garlic and onions can be toxic to dogs?

Several vets and other authoritative sources have issued serious warnings that some commercial dog foods are potentially lethal, as they contain substances which are banned from human consumption. Visit the link at the bottom of this page for the full report.

8) Consider the cost of owning a dog. For a start, buying a pure bred dog with a good pedigree can be pretty expensive. He will need an initial health check with the vet and possibly you may want to have him micro-chipped. Whilst you are at the vet’s, you may want to get an idea of his normal fees, which should send you looking for pet insurance.

Once you’ve covered all that, there is the continuing cost of food, toys, collars, leashes, training and possibly a crate or kennel.

Get the right dog and he’s worth every penny!

http://allabout-dogs.co.uk covers all aspects of dog ownership, including dog training, dog breeds, dog health, dog food and dog supplies

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Charles
http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Getting-A-New-Dog?&id=904887

Breeding Your Goldfish

petlover — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:17:06 +0000

If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know that it’s not an easy task. It will take a lot of patience, a lot of space in the tank and quite a bit of money too. Don’t get into breeding if you think it’s going to be profitable, because it isn’t! Breeding goldfish is best left to a professional but if you still want to breed them, here’s how to begin:

Decide on the breed: You also must decide before hand what variety of goldfish you want to breed. Ideally, if you are a beginner you should decide on breeding a good quality single tail type fish like the comet.

Pair and choose the breeds: You must choose high quality goldfish to breed high quality goldfish. The goldfish you choose should be two-four years. A good quality goldfish would be assessed according to its finnage, body shape, size and color. They should be at least 4-6 inches or larger and very healthy. It’s better to breed with younger fish as the older ones might produce eggs that are deformed and infertile.

* The ideal female goldfish would be heavy at the rear, protruding on the left part of her body and her anal area would be soft.

* The ideal male goldfish would be a great chaser and there should be signs of his breeding tubercles on his gills and pectoral fins.
Begin with two females and three males. The idea is to have two males for every female.

Time to breed
Here’s the time plan to breed goldfish –

* You would need to plan a year ahead in the months of July or August. This is when most breeders sell their surplus fish at cheaper rates. If you skip this period than would find it hard to find a good breeding quality pair of goldfish.

* During the winter you must feed the fish and help them build enough body mass to last the winter and be ready for spawning in the early spring. By October or November, your fish would need less food and this is the time to not only clean the fish but also separate the males from the females.

Cleaning the fish: The solution you need to clean the fish is one measure of Terramycin, 80 drops of Formaldehyde and 6 drops of copper sulphate in four gallons of water. The solution should be at the right temperature and the fish should get enough oxygen to breathe. Allow the goldfish to remain in this solution for 20 minutes and then move them to a separate container of clean water while you prepare a spawning tank.

* Make sure you make the new tank a natural spawning area with bushy natural plants, artificial fibers or spawning mops and coconut fibers, all materials that can receive the spawn. Goldfish need such props for spawning.

Size of the spawning tank: You will need at least a tank that can hold 20 gallons of water. If the fish were bigger than you would need a bigger tank.

* Now that the fish are clean and the tank is clean too, do not feed the fish anything for the next two months except some amount of live food like insect larvae,worms, and brine shrimp. This preparation will help the females develop healthy and the males, milt that is needed to fertilize the eggs.

* If the winters are too cold in your area, you can consider using a heater.

* Watch the male goldfish developing breeding tubercles that look like white pimples on their gill covers and the pectoral fins.

* Watch the females become rounder body as it fills up with roe or eggs.
How do you spot the spawning moment?

* Spawning usually happens in the early morning.

* The colors of all the goldfish will look brighter then before.

* The fish would group together while swimming.

* The males will be chasing the females at random.

* Finally the active males zero in on one particular female and chase her more than before.

* The chase will intensify with the male getting aggressive and pushing against the female goldfish till she ejects her eggs.
* As the eggs are out the male will fertilize them by depositing milt over the eggs.

* The eggs will fall through the water, landing on plants. They stay in the same spot till they hatch.

* The spawning may begin again after some days of rest.

Point of note: Goldfish eat their eggs. Of the 10,000 eggs that are laid in one spawning session, hardly any will be left if the fish are not removed. So once the eggs are laid, move the parents back to another tank.

By Dane Stanton

Dane Stanton is an expert on goldfish health care. To visit his website visit http://www.goldfish-secrets.com for more information on Goldfish care and other aquarium related topics.