Responsible Pet Ownership

There is a common misconception that cats can "take care of themselves." Consequently, they are taken to the veterinarian far less frequently than dogs, statistically about half as often. Like all companion animals, though, cats require ongoing veterinary care to live happy, healthy lives.

Knowing what place your puppy comes from is important. It helps protect the health and safety of pets and humans. Some puppies imported (brought) to the United States are born and raised at "puppy mills." Puppy mills are large-scale dog breeding operations that don't always make sure the dogs are kept safe and healthy.

One of the most important concepts that every new pet owner must learn, if they want to become an effective dog trainer, is how to motivate their dog to want to follow commands and participate in training.

Finding a good trainer is a very personal thing, because trainers will essentially be teaching you how to teach and communicate with your dog. A good trainer can work with a variety of people and dogs, will give you honest feedback about your chance of meeting your goals, and will use a range of methods and tools to help you achieve those goals.

When you find yourself needing dog training or pet training services, it's important to understand the different types of services providers and services. Professionals in the pet-behavior field fall into four main categories.

Dog training is simply shaping the animal's behavior to conform to what is acceptable to people. When training, it is important to teach each new skill or exercise to the dog in three stages - the Teaching Stage, Correction Stage, and the Proofing stage.

If you are tired of seeing your cat climbing everywhere they can in your home or apartment, then maybe it's time to purchase some cat furniture. You might not be aware, but your feline loves vertical spaces and needs an appropriate climbing place. Cat furniture is specially designed to address the instinctual needs of cats.

Every year, an estimated 400,000 children, most ages 5—9, seek medical attention for dog bites. Most dog bites to children occur while a parent is standing within three feet of the child, supervising the interaction. When dogs and children interact, parents need to recognize when the dog is saying "I'm doing fine and enjoying this interaction" or "I'm worried about this interaction and if it doesn't stop, I may have to take action!"

Do you have questions about the drugs your veterinarian prescribes for your pet? Do you have questions about how and where to report a problem with an animal drug or pet food? If you're traveling with your pet—do you know where to get travel requirement information?

Most dogs, not all, like food treats. New dog owners quickly learn that using food works well to reward a dog for doing something they ask the dog to do. That's why using food as a motivator is as old as the domestic dog.