You already know that your dog loves to be petted and brushed. But did you know that he relies on your touch to help him feel calm, release nervous energy and even bring relief from minor aches and pains? Just as humans love to be massaged, dogs relish in the undivided attention and physical benefits from massage as well. You don’t need an appointment with a professional massage therapist; follow these steps to massage your dog yourself.
Step 1: Choose a quiet and peaceful environment free from distractions. Have your dog lie on a rug or on a soft surface on top of a table.
Step 2: Start by talking softly to your dog and saying encouraging, praising phrases. This should relax your dog so you can begin the massage.
Step 3: With open palms and a light touch, start at your dog’s neck and run your hands along the length of his body in the direction of his hair growth. Repeat this until his breathing becomes regular. You might even hear the telltale sign of relaxation; a big sigh.
Step 4: Apply pressure with your fingertips to the either side of your dog’s spine and work from his neck to his buttocks. Move your fingers in a slow circular motion and continue this exercise, each time getting further and further from his spine until you’ve massaged his entire back. Do not massage any lumps you may feel but make a mental note of their location so that you can share the information with your veterinarian.
Step 5: Move to the front legs. Start at the top of each leg and massage downward, paying attention to sore joints along the way. His toes and feet might be ticklish; if he twitches, move quickly away from the area. Repeat with hind legs.
Step 6: Your dog should be comfortable enough now to allow you to massage his stomach and chest. Move your open palms in a circular motion, starting wide and working towards his heart.
Step 7: Return to your dog’s neck and lightly massage around his ears and the back of his head.
Step 8: Place one hand under your dog’s jaw and with the other hand, massage your dog’s nose and the area between his eyes. Massage his ears from this position as well. Switch hands and continue his face massage as this will help to relieve any last tension he may have been feeling.
If at any time during the massage your dog appears uncomfortable, stop the massage immediately. This writting was submitted by the authors from pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring great deals on dog gates and electric dog fences.
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Scrapbooking has become a popular hobby in recent years. It is a fun and creative way to store special memories of loved ones and significant events. There’s no reason why you can’t create a scrapbook honoring your pet!
Step 1: Visit a scrapbook store and choose a scrapbook from the wide variety of selections. Purchase stickers, alphabet letters, stamps, themed pages, etc. You will be surprised at the number of pet paraphernalia the scrapbook aisles contain.
Step 2: Start organizing your pictures of your pet. You’ve been meaning to do that for a while now anyway and this is a great reason to get you started. Organize them chronologically and then set them aside.
Step 3: Create a timeline of your pet’s life. Write down significant events and the dates that they occurred. The pictures you organized might help jog your memory for this task.
Step 4: Collect special mementos from your pet’s life. Do you have an extra identification tag that can be placed in the scrapbook? Or maybe you can cut off a corner of your pet’s favorite blanket to adhere to a page in the memory book?
Step 5: Have your pet’s prints memorialized. You can easily do this at home with an inkpad and some patience. Simply press your pet’s paw into the inkpad and then onto the decorative paper that you’ve chosen as the background for this special page.
Step 6: Start typing up anecdotes from your pet’s life. Think about particularly cute or funny things that your pet did to get your attention. Ask family members for their special memories of your pet and add these to the collection. When typing up these stories, use creative fonts and colors and print them out separately, to be placed amongst the pictures you’ve gathered.
Step 7: Now you’re ready to begin assembling the pages of your scrapbook. Use the timeline you created as a guideline, but do not glue anything in just yet. You’ll want to be sure you have your scrapbook laid out and organized to your liking before you place anything on the pages permanently.
Now that you’ve completed the scrapbook, you can add to it regularly. Place pictures and stories in the book as they occur. This keepsake will be a special memento of your pet and the times you’ve shared together.
This article was written and provided by the authors at pet-super-store.com. Visit their website to find great pet products including: dog houses, dog carriers and dog car seat covers.
What a helpless feeling: watching your beloved bird pick out its beautiful feathers. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why a bird plucks; but, it is safe to say that the habit affects a number of species. With a little thought and help from your avian veterinarian, there are a few ways you can rule out possible causes. Getting to the root of the problem is the best method of treatment.
Normally, birds pluck feathers in two ways. They either pull the feather out entirely, or they break the feather off at the shaft. Sometimes just the way your bird plucks can tell about the cause. For instance, if your bird is experiencing itchy skin, then she may break the feathers off in an effort to get closer to the skin.
Since it is often difficult to figure out why your bird is plucking, it is best to start with the help of an avian veterinarian. Take your bird in for a visit to make sure there are no physiological problems. The vet can examine your bird, taking past records and current health into account. If a health problem is identified, then your vet can recommend and prescribe methods of treatment. Your vet can also examine your bird’s diet. Sometimes, a poor diet can lead to plucking. Even if an underlying health problem is not identified, your veterinarian can still provide insight to the plucking. Remember, this is a fairly common problem with birds, so your vet has probably dealt with it numerous times.
If there are no health concerns, then you need to focus on ruling out other possibilities. Birds are smart creatures that require constant mental stimulation. Are you providing your pet enough attention? Your bird does not fully benefit from perching on your shoulder; instead, you should be spending one-on-one time with your bird. The lack of stimulation and interaction with you may be leading your bird to the destructive behavior. Start spending more time with your bird to see if the plucking lessens.
Has anything changed in your bird’s environment? Even the smallest alteration can affect your bird. If you have relocated your bird’s cage to a new area, then consider moving the cage back to its original location. If your bird was accustomed to being in the center of all the commotion, then taking her away and isolating her may have played a big role; the same is true in reverse. What about in the rest of your home; has anything changed? A family member leaving the home or moving into the home, remodeling on a home, or bringing a new pet into a home have all been known as feather plucking causes.
On the same note as your bird’s environment, you need to consider if she is comfortable. Many of the birds we call pets come from wet habitats. If your bird is not getting enough moisture, then her skin could be drying out. As mentioned before, birds have been known to pluck or chew to relieve dry skin. Consider taking your bird into your bathroom while you are showering. The warmth and steam from the shower will feel good on her feathers.
Many of birds have been known to pick out of attention. Similar to interaction, a bird simply needs your one-on-one attention. Once your bird discovers that feather plucking gets her the attention she craves, she will continue to pluck. This is often obvious if she only plucks while you are around. To deter this behavior, completely ignore her when she is pulling. It may be hard, but even acknowledging her actions can add to the plucking. Walk out of the room, and don’t show any emotions. You should start rewarding your bird for her good behaviors (such as repeating a phrase) to show her how to get attention.
Nobody likes to see their beloved pets pulling out feathers. There are many reasons a bird may pluck, and it’s up to your to find the underlying cause. Before you begin your investigation, you should start by taking your pet to your avian veterinarian to rule out any health causes. If no causes are identified, then start paying close attention to your bird and her environment. Perhaps a little more interaction or a move of her cage could stop the problem.
Article provided by Jessica Taylor and Pet-Super-Store an online pet site featuring dog training collars from PetSafe and Dogtra.
You have tried everything it seems: obedience classes, corrective behavior, anything to get your dog to stop jumping on the furniture or walking through the garden. Or, perhaps you pooch is in the middle of obedience training, and he just hasn’t mastered the “off” and “away” commands yet. Whatever the reason, sometimes you are forced to search for additional help to combat the problem. Here are a few temporary suggestions to help keep you pooch out of where he isn’t supposed to be.
These aversives are not meant to solve a problem. Instead, they can be used with your normal training to help deter a habit. Think of it as keeping a cat out of a houseplant: she doesn’t need to be there, and you don’t want her there. These methods are also not guaranteed to work with your pooch. You have to work to find what it is that your dog does not like; it can be a trial and error process. You aren’t finding his dislikes to hurt him or hold them against him, but you are using his dislikes to help with your training regime. Never use a substance or material that can cause your pet harm in any way. Remember that many household items are poisonous to animals; and, for this reason, such items should not be used. It’s all about making the item or location less attractive, not teaching your pet a lesson!
Indoor problems: Maybe your pet loves to lie on the sofa, and you just can get him to stop. It is up to you to make the sofa less appealing. Most dogs dislike sticky materials and substances to touch their paws. So, grab a roll of double-sided tape. Add pieces of tape to another material, such as aluminum foil or paper. Place the material, sticky side up, on the area of the couch where your pet likes to lie. You can be sure he won’t sleep on top of the sticky tape! You can also use double-sided tape around plants, trash containers, and valuable items. When you use a sticky substance, it is important that you protect your possessions. That is why aluminum foil or paper is used instead of sticking the tape directly on the sofa. Be creative!
Sometimes, indoor problems can also be taken care of with bad-tasting or malodorous substances. Pet stores sell repellents that keep pets away from certain items. Once the animal gets a bitter taste or pungent whiff, he may leave the item alone. In addition to repellents, citronella, citrus juices, hot sauce, and pepper have all been known to keep a pet “off” and “away” from an object.
Outdoor problems: A digging dog is one of the most common outdoor issues. However, dogs may also get themselves into trouble with flower beds and gardens. To keep a dog out of an off-limits area, make the area less attractive. For instance, use sharp or pointed rocks as the perimeter for your garden. You can even use wire (sharp edges turned down), to keep your pet out. Repellents and citronella may also work in outdoor areas.
There are other things you can use both inside and outside your home. Water bottles with spray heads, whistles, specialized citronella/citrus spray collars, water guns, and noise makers can all get your pet’s attention and keep him from doing what it is you don’t want him to do. Even just distracting your pooch with a toy or treat can do wonders! Whatever you do, remember that your pet will not learn unless you show him the desired behavior. Every time you correct his behavior, you should immediately show him what to do instead. As he picks up on things, reward him for his new actions.
Sometimes, obedience training needs a little push. No matter how hard you try, you pooch just isn’t getting the “off” and “away” messages. During times like these, it is important that you look for ways to deter his behavior, while showing him the proper way to act. Find out what your dog doesn’t like, such as sticky substances or citric odors, and use those items to reform his behavior. Always look out for the health and wellbeing of your pooch, and never introduce an item that could cause harm!
Article provided by Jessica Taylor and pet-super-store a pet site featuring personalized dog beds, dog crate pads and dog strollers.
Not only does a dog’s curiosity lead him to places he should not be, but his tendency to want to follow you everywhere can also lead him to off-limit areas. If you have ever left a window open or a door cracked, then you may have had to go searching for a curious pooch. You can always work on your forgetfulness to close the door, and you can also work on your pooch’s willingness to run out the door at every opportunity. Teaching your dog to stay inside not only helps with obedience, it also helps keep him out of danger.
It is normally easier to start training with a puppy. However, I recommend starting this training once the puppy is potty trained and has a basic understanding of “sit” and “stay.” My reasoning for this is that the dog will have to sit and wait at the door until you allow him to leave. A puppy that does not know how or why he should not “hold it” is likely to pee in your floor. But, it’s up to you to start the training when you feel it is necessary. For this training, you will need your pooch, a handful of treats, and a door that leads outside. You may also need a leash in the beginning stages of training, and a helper in the later stages. Remember to keep the sessions under fifteen minutes.
If your pooch likes to follow you out the door, then you won’t need to use the leash. However, if your pooch is preoccupied or isn’t too concerned with you leaving the home, then go ahead and place him on the leash. Walk toward the door. Visually mark a place a couple of feet in front of the door as the “stop zone.” It will help if you stop at this spot, and have your pooch stop at the spot, every time you head out the door. When you get to the spot, tell your pooch to “stop.” He probably won’t understand the command yet, so you should follow “stop” with “sit.” Open the door and close it. You don’t have to go outside, but the action of the door opening will help his associate the behavior. Give him a treat, a little praise, and repeat. Do this several times until your pet understands what you want him to do.
Now, have your pet “stop” and “sit.” This time, tell him to “stay” as you open the door. Walk out the door (to where your pooch can’t see you), and then immediately return. Give him a treat for staying. You may have to remind him to “stay” as you walk away. Once he stays without following you, begin to walk out farther and stay out a little longer. Now, when you exit, turn back toward your pooch and release him. You can release him by saying “release,” “okay,” or whatever you prefer. Give him a treat for coming to you. If you think your pooch has the “stay” part of the training down, then grab a helper. It’s time for the next part.
Have the helper head to the door, and make sure your dog is following. The helper may need to grab the dog’s favorite toy or another item to get his attention. You should be somewhere near the door where your dog can see you. Once the helper approaches the door, tell your pooch to “stop” and “sit.” Repeat the training from the beginning, having the helper exit and return. Once the helper makes it outside a few times, then start releasing your dog. Since you are the one training, it is important that you are the one giving the commands until your pooch gets the hang of things. Eventually, your pooch will learn to “stop,” so “sit” and “stay” may not have to be used.
If your dog darts outside at every opportunity, then it’s a good idea to teach him to wait on your approval. A loose dog can endanger himself and others. Training your dog not to go until you command him to will make him less likely to dart out the door without your permission, keeping him out of trouble!
Article provided by Jessica Taylor from pet-super-store.com a website featuring aluminum dog crates, dog doors and dog beds.