http://www.riderscorral.com/blog/category/pets-animals/ Blog categories... http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/proper-discipline-for-puppies/ The idea of punishing a puppy makes no more sense than the idea of punishing an infant child. Have you ever heard of anyone spanking a baby? The onl...
If you choose to punish a puppy, the most you will do is scare it and make it wary of you. If you smack a puppy, even lightly, all it knows is the pain of the strike and the fear it feels at that moment toward you. It doesn’t learn that it was doing something wrong because it’s too young to understand that concept.

If your puppy is chewing on something for instance, and you punish it with even a light tap, of course it will probably stop what it’s doing. It’s surprised and possibly feels pain from the smack, and now feels very frightened of you. It doesn’t link the punishment with what it was doing, though, and has no way of predicting when it might be punished next.

Shouting at the puppy can also do damage to your relationship. If you startle the puppy with a shout, of course it might stop what it’s doing. But again, the puppy doesn’t understand the relationship between its actions and your shouting. Even the angry tone of your voice can cause your puppy to be afraid for a moment.

If you use these punishments on a puppy, the puppy will learn to be afraid of you, or at the very least it will learn that you can be mean. The puppy might not trust you, because it doesn’t understand why you frighten it. This can keep the puppy from every really warming up to you, and you’ll be unable to have a good relationship as the puppy grows.

Some dogs are very passive, and will respond to you in a very defeated way. Your dog might stay in line all the time, solely out of fear, but it won’t ever trust you. Other dogs have a more stubborn streak, and because they feel threatened by you may attempt to dislodge you as the one in charge. Dogs are pack animals, and if your dog thinks it should be the leader, you might be in for many behavioral problems big and small.

At the very least, you won’t have as good a relationship with your dog as you could have.

Just as you would do with a very small child, use gentle correction when your puppy does something he shouldn’t do. Use gentle movements and a kind but firm tone of voice, so that your dog understands to stop without becoming frightened.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/winnie/blog/proper-discipline-for-puppies/ Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:42:14 +0000 Winston http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/popular-dog-breeds/ There are 16 popular dog breeds that people turn to when they are looking to find a dog to own. Each of these breeds is popular for different reasons....
The 16 popular dog breeds are:

Beagle - The beagle is a scent hound and is an energetic dog, great for a family. Beagles love to hunt and are prone to wander if given the chance to escape.

Boxer - The boxer is a working dog with a shorthair coat. They are used in search and rescue work as well as police work and in the military. They are lively and strong and extremely loyal. They also have a high energy level like the Beagle does.

Bulldog - The Bulldog is a non-sporting dog that is strong, kind and courageous. This is NOT a vicious or aggressive dog. They crave human attention and need their humans to pay attention to them in order to be happy. They are very possessive of food and should never be fed while kids or other pets are present. They make excellent guard dogs.

Chihuahua - The Chihuahua is a toy breed with an average weight of only 6 lbs. They are the oldest but smallest breed in America. They can have very unique personalities and are energetic, yet graceful. They are often spoken of regarding their "human-like" expressions. They are NOT well suited for families with kids or those with other pets.

Dachshund - The Dachshund was originally bred for hunting badger. "Dachs" is the German word for Bader. This is a very intuitive dog and makes a good companion who loves to be around people. This is a very friendly and outgoing dog.

German Shepherd - The German Shepherd makes a great companion dog and is a dedicated worker, good for herding. This is a strong dog that is highly energetic, curious and dependable. They usually get along well with other household pets.

Golden Retriever - The Golden Retriever is a loyal dog that is kind and very energetic. This is a water lover who also loves to retrieve objects. They are very perceptive and very intelligent. They are good with other household pets and patient and gentle with kids. They require lots of attention and would not do well with a two-career family as they crave human companionship.

Labrador Retriever - The Labrador retriever is a sporting dog that is a popular family pet. They are highly intelligent, loyal and a very deeply devoted pet. They get along well with other dogs and make excellent watchdogs. They are very high-spirited dogs that love to play with family members, run and swim.

Maltese - The Maltese is a toy breed averaging in weight from 4 to 7 lbs. They are very playful, social dogs that are happy to be the center of attention. They are very gentle and trusting. They love to be cuddled and held. They do not do well with ill-behaved children. They can be over-protective of their human family, and of their "territory". They are fearless, and agile and require a high level of exercise. They do need to be securely leashed and supervised at all times.

Poodle - The poodle is a non-sporting breed that comes in all colors such as silver, cream, gray, blue, black, white, apricot, red, and brown. This is a very loyal dog, can be very athletic and yet graceful. The poodle is very devoted to its owner. They have sensitive natures and do not respond well to harsh or heavy-handed methods. They usually love to swim and enjoy walks. They will run off if not secured with a lead or leash. The toy poodle tends to be neurotic. The Standard poodle does well with children.

Pomeranian - The Pomeranian is another toy breed that comes in all colors and pattern of coat. They are intelligent, and extremely loyal and loving towards family members. They are not good in homes with children as they can be very temperamental. They do make good guard dogs and will bark when they sense danger. They are easy to train but difficult to housebreak. They can be litter box trained though, so that makes up for the difficulty in housebreaking. They only require short walks. They do well in apartments.

Pit bull - The pit bull is a favorite of farmers and ranchers for protecting livestock and to catch hogs and semi-wild cattle. This dog is really loyal and deeply devoted but affectionate and good-natured. They do NOT make good guard dogs for humans though as they are too friendly. They need early socialization and obedience training. They need lots of exercise such as long walks, hiking, and plenty of play sessions with a Frisbee or ball.

Pug - The pug is another of the toy breed dogs but can get up to 18 lbs in weight. Pugs make excellent watchdogs despite the size. They are very sturdy and can be a devoted companion. They are extremely good with kids. They get along with other dogs but need to be socialized when they are young. They are very lively little dogs. This dog is susceptible to breathing problems and tires easily.

Rottweiler - Rottweilers are working dogs and are usually black with tan markings. They do well with tracking, herding, police work, and guarding. They are a fun loving dog and can be very protective of a family and their home. They need to be socialized at an early age. Obedience training is a must for this dog. They need a very large yard to run around in, preferably fenced. They love long walks and do well in different sports. They need two hours of exercising each day.

Shih Tzu - A Shih Tzu is a very active and happy dog. This is an intelligent dog that gets along well with older kids and other pets. These dogs can be easily spoiled. The Shih Tzu needs extensive grooming because they can get tangles and mats. They can be very difficult to housetrain. They do not respond well to punishment. They do well with obedience training provided it is done with positive motivation. They are well suited for apartment living.

Yorkie - The Yorkie is another toy breed favorite and loves to be your "lap dog". They are very intelligent dogs that crave human attention and make great companions. They are loyal and do well with older children. They learn very quickly and must be given lots of praise during training. They do not need much exercise but do love do go for short walks. They need lots of attention.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/popular-dog-breeds/ Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:58:35 +0000 michael http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/buying-versus-adopting-a-cat/ When the time comes to welcome a cat into the family, the question of whether to purchase a cat from a breeder or pet store or to instead adopt a cat

...]]> When the time comes to welcome a cat into the family, the question of whether to purchase a cat from a breeder or pet store or to instead adopt a cat from another family or an animal shelter can come up. If you’re looking for a purebred cat to take to cat shows then there is no question that you will probably wind up dealing with an expensive purchase, but if you don’t really care about the purebred status of a cat then your options are wide open.

Purchasing a cat from a breeder or pet store comes with some benefits. Many of these places offer guarantees and documentation which allows you to not submit your cat to shows and to use your cat for breeding purposes, but for some people it’s a matter of status. Some cat owners swear by certain breeds with regards to a good temperament or healthy constitution, and the only way these folks can be guaranteed that they are getting exactly the breed of cat they want is by purchasing one that has accompanying documentation. For some people, this is the only way they would consider bringing a cat into their home.

Adopting a cat opens up the possibilities considerably, because there are usually a huge variety of cats of all breeds and ages awaiting adoption. Since a lot of these cats had previous owners, most of them are litter box trained and used to living with people. Some cats at shelters come with a full history, such as if they deal well with young children or with other pets. There is also a great feeling that can come with adopting a cat since some cats that are never adopted wind up euthanized by the shelter. There simply isn’t always enough room for all the cats in the shelter, so sometimes there is no other choice. By adopting a cat, you’re saving the cat’s life.

Not all adopted cats come from shelters. Some people have to give their cats away for whatever reason – allergies develop, moving to another city, financial problems – so if you peruse the pet ads within a local newspaper you’ll probably find an impressive selection of cats looking for new homes. The advantage of adopting a cat from another family is that there usually isn’t any charge involved unless the cat is a purebred with documentation. The disadvantage is that unless you take the cat to a veterinarian beforehand, you can’t ever be quite sure if the cat has some underlying health issues that may wind up costing you quite a bit of money.

The choice of whether to purchase a cat or instead adopt one is easy for some people, while other folks may struggle with the decision. If you aren’t sure with which route to explore, start at your local animal shelter and take a look at the cats there. Chances are you’ll find a great cat that will fit right into your family nicely, and as a bonus you can feel good knowing you’ve saved a life.

]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/buying-versus-adopting-a-cat/ Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:18:45 +0000 michael http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/bathing-your-dog-without-needing-to-redecorate/ Dogs usually fall into two categories: there are those that love to be bathed or at least quietly submit to it, albeit looking as pathetic as a drowne...
Sure, bathing your dog without needing to redecorate is not brain surgery, but there are simple dos and don’ts to observe nonetheless.

1.Have a tub that is big enough to hold the entire dog. Split sinks - such as they are found in the majority of kitchens - are great for a Yorkshire terrier but when it comes to a Rottweiler they might be a bit undersized. You do need to have enough space for the dog to fit into the tub in its entirety.

2.Dogs hate slipping. Many a time when a dog is trying to escape a bath it is not the water or bathing that it loathes but the feeling of slipping in the tub. Placing a cheap rubber mat on the bottom of the tub is an easy way to fix this problem and keep the pooch securely in place.

3.Prior to the bath, brush dogs with long coats to get rid of tangles and also clumps of hair. Waiting until after the bath makes detangling a lot more difficult and will also clog your drain.

4.Invest in a high quality shampoo for the dog. Do not use dish soap or shampoo as this will dry out your dog’s skin in no time, leading to endless scratching and chewing, bald spots and before long the need for costly treatments. Considering that a dog is only bathed once very two to three weeks, you will get a lot of use out of that bottle of high priced shampoo and splurging should not hurt the pocket book overmuch.

5.Use lukewarm water – cold water is just as distasteful to your dog as cold showers are to you – and take care to not get water into its ear canals! If necessary, consider gently placing a little cotton ball into the ear canal to keep the water out.

6.Massage the shampoo into your dog’s fur and gently talk to your pooch. The dog should associate relaxing and soothing tones with the activity, not barked orders and pulling on tails or yanking on ears. Just like with a child, this is not the time to interrupt and take a phone call while the dog is freezing in the tub. When you are bathing your canine, it is best to stick with the activity at hand and not interrupt.]]> http://www.riderscorral.com/michael/blog/bathing-your-dog-without-needing-to-redecorate/ Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:21:27 +0000 michael