It’s widely accepted that the majority of horses are “good” but without proper care or handling, good behaviour can quickly give way to bad behaviour.

There are a variety of reasons for this bad behaviour and these can range from genetically inherited psychological frailty, natural aggression, distrust or dislike of a rider or unhappiness because of illness or poor conditions.

Whatever the reason for the bad behaviour though it goes without saying that poor behaviour can not only be dangerous for the horse and its’ stable mates whom he may attack through temper but also to the rider who may be the focus or victim of the aggression.

There are various manifestations of this behaviour from stall kicking, rearing, halter pulling or resistance to instruction. Biting, kicking and bolting are also signs of poor behaviour, although they may also be signs of excitement or fear and should not be scolded but dealt with. Just ensure if you are looking at horses for loan you don’t pick the wrong one.

Preventing Bad Behaviour

Expert trainers who prepare horses for professional and working use are obviously not able to accept bad behaviour because this could hurt or injure members of the public and so they adopt a “prevention rather than cure” method of working with the animals they train.

Adopting a firm behaviour policy, ensuring the comfort of the horse and using proper riding techniques in horses from foal age is just one of the ways in which poor behaviour can be stopped before it has chance to develop.

The consideration here is that once certain habits have developed, it can be very difficult to discourage the horse from behaving in a certain way but in not allowing the poor habits to develop then the rider and the horse are spared from any danger their behaviour might cause them to be in.

Changing Developed Behaviour

There are a number of ways to fix or manage bad or aggressive behaviour and rather than punishment or whipping, many experts believe that a much less aggressive reaction is key to altering behaviour. They recommend identifying the vice, determining the cause, making any necessary changes to facilities, exercise, nutrition and other physical aspects and then making the necessary changes to training practices. It may be that the bad behaviour is a result of a medical condition and these should be treated wherever possible.

There is also the danger that a behaviour, which may be a one-off or occasional reaction to a situation could become habitual if it is not “nipped in the bud” so to speak and therefore it is essential to react quickly but effectively to any unwanted behaviours before they have the chance to become problematic. Poor handling for example may on one occasion lead to a rear or bolt but as long as it is only allowed to happen once, it is unlikely to repeat itself – especially if it does not yield the desired result.

A good routine can also be essential to maintaining and managing behaviour. The horse may get bored or emotionally distraught if they feel that they have been left or abandoned or have not had enough exercise but a small adjustment to the time in between exercise can quickly dissolve these feelings.

This is a guest post on behalf of Martha Broadbridge, who enjoys horses, blogs on horse trailers and the outdoors.

Having a dog around the office is a great way to reduce stress and increase morale among employees. Most people like having a dog around and a charismatic pup may soon become the office mascot. However, there are a few things to remember in order to ensure a fun and safe office space for humans and canines alike.

Provide Food and Water at All Times

Dogs need two or three meals a day to maintain a healthy weight. They also need to have access to water at all times in order to prevent dehydration. Have a food and water bowl where the dog can always reach them and enlist the help of employees to make sure meals get served on time.

Take Frequent Potty Breaks

Nobody wants a smelly work space, so office dogs need to be taken outside regularly. Taking a dog for a walk is also necessary to burn off the excess energy that could turn into destructive habits indoors. An office dog should go for a short walk once every two hours. Give employees a fifteen minute break and let them take turns going out with the dog. Not only will this keep the dog happy, but a quick spin outside will also refresh employees and boost productivity.

Provide a Safe Environment

Owning a dog in any space means taking responsibility for its well-being. Trash cans should be kept out of the dog’s reach or in a well-supervised area, as well as any other potentially dangerous or messy objects such as loose wires or lunches.

Have a Kennel or Dog Bed

It’s also vital that the dog have a kennel or bed to go to when he or she wants some privacy. A stressed out dog can become a liability very quickly and may bite if provoked. Having a safe space to go to can help calm a dog after it has become fearful or anxious.

Keep Up to Date on Vaccinations

Offices see a constant traffic of employees and customers alike, so office dogs must be kept up to date on vaccinations. This will likely be required by insurance companies in case the dog bites someone and will also prevent it from picking up diseases from the outside world.

Watch the Door

Finally, a simple safety rule is to either cut off the dog’s access to the exit, usually via another door or a baby gate, or to watch all comings and goings carefully. Many dogs will show no interest in escaping, but others will slip out if given the opportunity. Even if an office dog has never been inclined to run for the door, it should have a collar and identifying tags on at all times.

By following these practical guidelines, any office can experience the joys of having a canine companion around. Dogs are lovable and gregarious creatures and even having one relaxing within sight can reduce employee stress. With the right precautions, you may wonder how you ever got by in a dog-less office before.

Rosie writes for Principal Corp a leader in the consumer electronics and managed services industry, Principal specialises in Office Systems and fax machines amongst other practical IT based solutions.

Dog groomers need a variety of tools and equipment to be able to do their jobs well. In order to maintain a high quality of care for animal clients and provide quality, professional services, there are some pieces of equipment that are mandatory for any dog-grooming business. Whether you are going to be working for a pet store or an already established dog grooming company, or you are going to start your own professional dog grooming business, these are the tools and equipment pieces that you will need to get started:

Dog Grooming Tub

All dog groomers need a sturdy and durable tub for washing. There are many different types of dog grooming tubs on the market, but the most common are metal tubs that come with a hose and sprayer. A tub that is big enough to fit large breed dogs will work best. Some dog grooming tubs come with ramps or doors for easier access, but these are not necessary components for a dog-grooming tub.

Dryers

After a bath, a dog will need to be dried using a dog grooming dryer. The dryer not only dries the excess water from the dogs coat, but also helps to prep the coat for any grooming or trimming. There are different types of dryers for different stages of drying. The initial drying process will normally consist of a high-speed heat dryer. Next, a dog can either be put into a cage dryer, or dried with a hand-held dryer that looks similar to a human hair dryer.

Grooming Table

The table is where the grooming actually takes place, so having a good dog-grooming table that will fit with your needs and preferences is very important. Adjustable tables are a great choice for dog groomers that like to both sit and stand, or are going to be accommodating a large variety of dog breed sizes. The most important consideration is the safety of the dog and the groomer, so be sure that the table is sturdy, strong, and safe.

Brushes and Combs

The brushes and combs are the dog groomers first line of defense against a dog’s coat. Dog groomers should have a variety of brushes and combs to accommodate different types of coats. The brushes and combs will detangle hair and remove any excess hair when a dog is shedding. Some brushes are specially designed for certain dog breeds with undercoats.

Clippers, Scissors and Shears

To cut or trim a dogs hair, a professional dog groomer will need a variety of clippers, scissors and shears. The tool needed will depend on the dog’s coat, and the style that the owner wants. Dog groomers should have multiple clipper blades to achieve various length trims.

Cages

A dog grooming business needs cages to contain dogs either before, during, or after the grooming. The cages should be large enough for all dog breeds, and comfortable yet clean. Cages can be stacked to house large dogs on the bottom level and small dogs on the upper level, as long as the cages are stacked properly to ensure the safety of all dogs.

I’m going to start off by saying that I have three different birds: two beautiful lovebirds named Charlie and Lola (or baby Charles and Lolita), and a daft little parakeet named Oteill. The lovebirds are about 3 years old, and they were a gift from my sister who has a friend who breeds lovebirds.

After 3 years of loving and training them to “step up” and be nice, they’re still a little skittish around people but climb on top of my shoulders and my head whenever they get a chance. After these 3 years, my sister saved a parakeet that was flying around an empty apartment at a complex where she used to work. She kept Oteill for a while, but then had to move and couldn’t keep him anymore. So, I took it upon myself to adopt this little guy and make him part of my crazy family.

At first, I kept Oteill downstairs next to the lovebirds. Mistake number one. Lola is a very territorial bird (as most females are), and did not take well to this new little green creature taking over. The thing about Oteill is that he’s very energetic and wants to be in the middle of everything. He’d somehow find a way to escape from his cage and end up on top of Charlie and Lola’s cage, which drove them absolutely insane! I always had to keep an eye out on him and snatch him away before anything crazy happened.

Well, one day, something crazy happened. I guess Lola had just enough of this little guy infringing upon her territory. She’s always been a biter; ever since I got her, she has been trying to nip on fingers and anything she can get her red beak on. Oteill was on top of their home, per usual, and Lola bit him on the foot and he started bleeding, heavily. Since that happened, I had to take him upstairs and far away from the other birds.

While the territorial thing was going on, Lola got so stressed that she started plucking out her feathers. It was incremental, at first, and then all of a sudden her chest was bare. I knew she wasn’t sick because she was still her feisty little self and didn’t show any other signs of being a sick bird. Plus, Charlie was completely fine and fully feathered, so if she was sick, then he had to be sick, too. I even asked the vet what was going on, and she said that Lola was stressed and felt very threatened by Oteill.  Even though the birds have been separated, Lola still plucks out her feathers. The vet said that it’s because she started a habit (like biting fingernails), and she can’t really stop.

I try to spend equal amounts of time with the lovebirds and Oteill, but it’s kind of hard. See, Charlie and Lola at least have each other, whereas Oteill is all alone. Luckily, I have a job that allows me to work from home a lot, allowing me to spend some quality time with the little guy.

The whole point to this whole story? Be very careful when introducing a new bird to your avian family, especially when they’re extremely protective and territorial. I didn’t know too much about birds when I first got them, so everything for me was definitely a learn-as-you-go-and-then-Google-it process. I didn’t really do any research online that gave me some good advice until something had already happened.

Also, take it one step at a time. I really should have kept Oteill away from them at the very beginning, and then slowly brought him downstairs for playtime with the other birds. Maybe Lola wouldn’t have picked up her plucking habit, and they’d all be friends. But, it was definitely a learning experience for me. Now, I get to share my experiences with all of you in hopes that I can help someone who is going through a similar process.

Gabrielle Matthews is a recent college graduate from the University of Central Florida, where she studied Marketing and English writing. She loves animals, exercising, vegetarian cooking, and has 3 pet birds. Click for save the date printing.

Whether you are crazy about cats or devoted to dogs, one thing is for sure, you’ll want to make sure they are protected should anything untoward happen to them.

Unfortunately, costs for your pet can mount if visits to the vet are becoming a frequent occurrence, and for many of us our pets are worth the expense. However, there is a way to alleviate the financial pressure of the medical care your pet receives; with pet insurance.

Pet insurance is available from various providers that can offer the security that so many owners need to ensure they don’t get into financial difficulty. So how do you know which policy to choose?

Well, firstly it obviously depends on the type of pet you own. If you have a house cat that spends its day’s laying in the sunshine, the policy needed will be far different for a farm dog working in a field, so it’s important to know what cover you’re expected to need. Obviously, you also need to take your pets age into consideration; a puppy may be young and healthy but it is also likely to chew various household items or run away when being walked. An older dog may be better trained but as it ages, it may start to suffer from joint or dental problems – if you choose the right insurance company, you can ensure the cover is made clear for your pet.

One of the main aspects to check is to ensure the policy you choose suits your pet’s needs. You don’t want an incident to occur that you thought was covered by your pet insurance, only to find out this isn’t the case; resulting in a huge vet’s bill a few weeks later.

With this in mind, it is often the cost of insurance that sways the policy a person chooses, but by choosing the right insurance, you may find you actually save money because you may not need cover for expenses such as neutering or spaying if this has already occurred.

There are also some policies that will provide cover for various situations, which may be better suited to your lifestyle. For example, there are companies that offer cover to help you find your pet should they go missing, as well as help you find a registered pet owner if you are due to go on holiday; it’s these small extras that can really make the difference to the policy you choose and the decision of which provider you go with.

Finally, take the time to research the various companies out there; don’t just rely on comparison websites, but speak to people and utilise resources such as the internet to find companies that are offering competitive deals.

Many people often decide not to have insurance due to the additional expense month on month, however the risk of a tragedy occurring plus the additional stress of vet’s bills far outweighs the small amount you can pay to cover your pet year on year in order to secure your pet’s health and your wallet!

Written by Jenny Pilley on behalf of Debenhams Finance – providers of affordable of pet insurance.

There are people who like dogs and then there are dog lovers. You know the type. The ones who talk about their dogs like they’re humans, the ones who always have a picture of their pooch on hand and readily whip it out to show off, those ones who break into a strange baby voice when referencing their furry friend.

If that sounds like anyone you know, then you might want to use their love of animals when buying them a gift.

Dog and Human Play Dates

There are all kinds of activities specifically geared toward dog lovers. Consider purchasing admittance to a class or activity of some kind for your friend and his or her pup. A doggy/owner yoga class, doggy/owner spa date, or even a doggy/owner vacation are some ideas to get you started. Look in to events coming up in your area to find what’s available. Many cities have 5k runs created especially for dog owners. Dog parks and vet offices sometimes hold fairs where attendees can learn the best methods and find new products for training, grooming, and loving their dog. A ticket to anything like these would be a fun and unique way for a dog lover to spend some time with his or her pooch, and you if you decide to join!

Dog Care Tools or Accessories

Think about what all dog lovers need to care for their dogs if you’re looking for something more practical to offer. Grooming tools and supplies, dog treats, toys, poop scoops, or training guides are some everyday essentials. You could create a customized gift basket with treats for the dog and the person. Spice up the dog’s wardrobe and find a stylish leash and collar or if you live in a cooler climate and the dog gets cold easily, dog clothing comes in all sizes and shapes these days. Giving a dog lover something they’ll get a lot of use out of is a thoughtful and helpful gift.

Dog Art

One thing dog lovers can’t get enough of is pictures of their beloved companion. Even if you think their house is already full of pictures, consider framing a special picture of their dog or finding an artist to paint a one-of-a-kind portrait of the pup. You can also find all kinds of artwork, magnets, coffee table books, bookmarks, and other novelty items relating to dogs and their owners.

Free Petsitting Coupons

A major issue for many dog lovers is having to leave the pooch behind for vacations or business trips. You could alleviate your dog lover’s worries and give a truly perfect gift by offering some free pet sitting. Not only can you save them a lot of money, they’ll be leaving their prized companion in the hands of someone they trust. Plus, a weekend with a doggie companion never hurt anyone so you’ll be doing yourself a favor as well!

Animals Etc

Most likely your friend’s love for animals doesn’t stop at dogs. Or maybe you think they need to expand their animal repertoire. Since it’s quite possible the dog lover already has everything under the sun relating to his or her dog’s breed or personality, you could also branch out and fill their life with some other animals. Get socks with elephants on them or a funny shirt about a cat. Look online for zebra, lion, bear, or giraffe gifts. There’s a safari of choice for everything from gag gifts to daily essentials relating to the animal kingdom.

Dog lovers, like their furry companions, are pretty easy to please usually. Taking time to plan an outing or anything that involves the human and the dog will mean a lot to a dog lover. Plus you’ll show them you understand and appreciate their love of dogs.

If you’re a pet owner, you know just how loveable and adorable pets can be. You also probably know how mischievous and cunning they can be as well. The Pet Hooligans blog was started as a way for pet owners to find excellent tips and information about all types of pets, and the Pet Hooligans Social Networking site is just an extension of that goal.

The Pet Hooligans Social Networking site is a great place for pet owners to meet and talk about all things pets. Each member has the opportunity to make an individualized profile page which features personal info and, of course, information about the member’s pet or pets. Members can easily view each other’s profiles and converse with other members through the message boards and forums on the site.

The best part of the Pet Hooligans social networking site is that it is absolutely free to join and there is never any pressure to sign up for other services or buy any products. It’s simply a great place for pet lovers to hang out. Members can join groups based on their particular pet interests, or participate in forums that cover a wide range of topics. A section for videos and photos round out the site and provide pet owners a place to upload pictures and home videos of their lovable and mischievous pets.

As the network of pet owners on the social networking site grows, members will be able to talk with pet owners that have the same type of pet or breed as they do. Members can share funny stories, pictures and lessons learned from their pets. Whether you want tips and information about the best way to care for your pet, or you just want a place to talk to other pet owners, than Pet Hooligans Social Networking site is the place for you. Come and join us today, you and your hooligans will be made very welcome!

It may be difficult for animal lovers to understand why certain species of cute and cuddly creatures are not able to be legally owned because owning a pet that no one else has is very tempting. However, any animal that finds itself on the Endangered Species List is off limits for ownership. People expect certain dangerous exotic animals like the Siberian Tiger, for example, to be unavailable for ownership, but there are less obvious creatures that you will find yourself in serious trouble for if you attempt to keep one as a pet.

Since ferrets are a popular pet in North American, you may be surprised to learn that one of the ferret species, the black-footed ferret, native to North America, has been on the endangered species list since 1967 and is therefore illegal to own. Another tempting North American creature for ownership is the pygmy rabbit which, as indicated by his name, is the smallest known species of rabbit in the world. They made the endangered species list in 2001 and there is only one known group of pygmy rabbits living in the United States, located in Washington.

Australia, as a result of its geographic isolation, is home to many exotic animals. Sadly, many of these amazing creatures are also endangered and not available as pets. This includes the adorably small creatures such as the Northern Hairy-nosed wombat, The Shark Bay mouse, The Central Rock rat, and The Eastern Jerboa marsupial.

However, fuzzy and lovable creatures are not the only animals on the endangered list that cannot be pets. Many animal lovers enjoy keeping reptiles as pets, but there are a lot of reptiles that are also barred from ownership. For example, these endangered reptiles should never be found in a pet shop: the Monito Gecko, Virgin Islands Tree Boa, Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard, Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle, Indian Python, Three-keeled Asian Turtle, Roque Chico de Salmor Giant Lizard, and American Crocodile.

There are even quite a few species of fish that should never end up in your aquarium. Unique, scaley friends that have made the endangered species list are the Rainbow Parrotfish, Ala Balik, Devil’s Hole Pupfish, Tidewater Goby, Steelhead, Pallid Sturgeon, and Nevada Pupfish. These are small fish that are still fighting to maintain numbers that will prevent their extinction. Many of them do not appear particularly exotic so it may be difficult to determine that they are, in fact, on the endangered species list. This is why it is important to exercise extreme caution when considering a pet for purchase.

If you truly love creatures of all kinds, it is understandable that you would want to care for one or more by keeping them as a pet. However, you should educate yourself about the species that are illegal for ownership so that you can spot trouble when you are at a pet shop or talking to someone who wants to sell you your next best friend. It can be tempting to want to own an exotic animal that not many people will have ever seen, let alone own, but they are protected for a good reason. Respecting the endangered species list means that those animals will have a chance to thrive.

Since many endangered species look unassuming, it can be difficult to determine if a fish, reptile, or small mammal you are looking at is on the list. Be sure to ask a lot of questions of the individual selling the animal and ask them the name of the species. Then, do your research before you purchase. Look up the species on the internet and make sure the pictures you see look like the animal being sold. After you confirm the species of the fish, reptile, or small mammal, confirm that they are not on the endangered species list. Never conduct business with individuals who lie about their animals and report them to the proper authorities if you discover they have done so.

With educated animal enthusiasts aware of the rules regarding endangered species, we can do more to protect the most fragile of our slimy, scaly, feathered, and furry friends!

Chris is experienced marketing consultant and he worked for some of biggest Australian brands. In his spare time he enjoy playing and walking with his Pekingese, Sunny and edits Pets for Sale section of classifieds site. Loves Koalas too!

Whether you live alone or have a family having a pet around can be great for the residents of your home. Pets are a great way to teach children responsibility, relieve stress and just provide a little entertainment around the house. Knowing that you have a furry companion to come home to every day is a great feeling. Dogs are great to have around as well to help protect your house and ward off intruders. Cats are great pets if you wish to have something that views you as a humble servant in its kingdom. And, if you choose to adopt a pet you could be saving that animal’s life!

You may think that your pet lives a luxurious life void of any concerns or commitments. And honestly, compared to you, they really do. Their days pretty much revolve around sleeping eating and lying in the sun. It’s not a bad life at all. But, this does not mean that your little furry friends are not prone to experiencing stress. Animal stress is a common problem among pets everywhere. Like humans, animals are also creatures of habit and they can become particularly perturbed when you are moving. It takes them time to acclimate to their new surroundings just like any person who is moving to a new area. If you follow these tips you will be able to help your dog or cat avoid stress during your move.

• Local Move – If you are just moving locally it may be wise to leave your pet with a friend during the course of the move. This way your pet does not have to experience the move first-hand and then you can incorporate them into their new surroundings when your new home is all set up and ready go. The less change your pet has to experience, the better.

• A Favorite Toy – We all love our pets. But, dogs and cats are not always the most brilliant, logical companions! They’re confused during a move and could definitely use a familiar item to soothe their minds. Giving them their favorite stuffed animal or other toy during the move can give them a sense of familiarity during the move and help alleviate their stress level.

• New Tags – Make sure that you get the tags with your new address and phone number before you go through with your move. This is important to ensure that you will be contacted correctly if your pet decides to run away during your move.

• Territory – Cats and dogs can be territorial creatures. If you give them their own little space in their new home they will feel much more comfortable with their surroundings and will become acclimated to them more quickly.

• Keep Them Safe – By storing you pet in a kennel during the move they will not be able to run free. This will prevent them from being subject to things like falling boxes and prevent them from getting underfoot of one of the movers and causing damage to them or your belongings.

Your pet is a valued member of your family. It is important to make sure that they stay as happy possible during your move. Just think — you fully understand the scope of your move and you still get stressed out about it. So, imagine what your pet goes through. Follow some of these simple steps and you will make your upcoming relocation much easier on both you and your pet!

Worming your cat or dog is an extremely important part of protecting him or her from harmful parasites that could negatively affect his or her health. A comprehensive worming treatment plan, discussed with your vet, is your best bet against fighting the common types of worm infections that frequently plague cats and dogs.

It’s much easier to prevent worms and parasitic infections than it is to treat an infection after an animal is infested, so being proactive is the best plan of action. You can also buy wormers over the counter and online:
www.vet-medic.com/Brands/Drontal/list.htm

A dog or cat can get worms from a variety of different sources, both inside and outside. Some of the most common sources include infested soil, raw meat, fleas, feces of infested animals, and mosquito bites. Kittens and puppies are also at risk of being infected from their mother during the birthing process. It’s possible for all cats and dogs of any age to get worms, but there are some situations that put dogs and cats at higher risks for worms. Avoid exposing your cat or dog to other animal feces, areas where there may be fleas, or places where a dog or cat could potentially dig or scavenge through contaminated soil or wooded areas.

The different types of worms that most commonly affect dogs and cats are roundworms, tapeworms, heartworms, hookworms and whipworms. A cat or dog may appear perfectly fine, even when they have worms, so it’s tough for many pet owners to discover that their cat or dog has worms. Regular vet visits to test a dog or cats stool for worms is a good way to check that your pet is worm-free. You can also keep a close eye on your pet for any signs that he or she may have worms.

Some signs that may be an indicator that a dog or cat has worms include a lack of energy, weight loss, diarrhea, a dullness of the coat, change of appetite (either increase or decrease), a swollen stomach, and difficulty of breathing. As is the case with any major change in behavior, you should be aware that a change has taken place and contact a vet to see if something could be seriously wrong.

A proper worming schedule set up by your veterinarian will protect your dog or cat from more serious health issues that could come from a worm infestation. Puppies and kittens should be dewormed every two weeks until they are around three months old. Adult cats and dogs should be treated regularly, dependent on their exposure to areas where they could get worms.

Preventative measures will guard against worms, and also intestinal parasites. Talk with a veterinarian about a specific schedule for your pet that works best with your pets lifestyle and needs. Also be sure to have a fecal examination for worms done at least once per year in order to ensure that your pet is healthy and worm-free. It’s much easier to take preventative measures to guard against worms than it is to treat a dog or cat that has worms. Once a dog has worms, the possibility for reinfestation is very high, and all worms, eggs and larvae must be completely killed to ensure reinfestation does not take place.