Why Pet Insurance Is A Good Financial Investment

By Eddie Lamb

If you have ever considered how many people you know have pets, it is likely that you will find most everyone has at least one type of pet. Some individuals have a combination that is made up of cats, dogs, birds and fish. Luckily birds and a fish hardly ever have a health problem which requires the expertise of a veterinarian. If you have a cat or dog, then this is a different story. Both dogs and cats can get sick with illnesses that can require extensive veterinarian care. It is for this reason that it is a wise thing to invest in pet insurance.

By purchasing a policy for your pets, you are protecting the financial interests of your family. Vet bills for an emergency situation can put you thousands of dollars in the red. You can avoid this with a very low cost insurance plan.

The same illnesses that plague mankind can also strike our canine and feline friends. It is not uncommon for a dog or a cat to have cancer. There are other diseases which can strike our little friends which can drive up a huge veterinary bill. This is including the chance that your pet would be severely injured in an accident. A pet which had to have an operation and veterinary stay because of an illness or accident could cause the owner to pay thousands of dollars in veterinary care. An insurance policy which covers our little friends would help absorb the impact of such a high medical bill.

The human members of your family more than likely have regular doctor and dental visits. Chances are, you probably also have insurance which will cover all or part of the costs involved in this preventative care. Some health insurance policies will also cover your pet for preventative healthcare. This may include regularly scheduled veterinary checkups, as well as dental examinations.

While shopping for insurance for your cat or dog it would help if you kept in mind how much money you would like to pay out of pocket for each visit. Your deductible will determine how much your insurance will cost. The higher your deductible, the lower the insurance premium will be. Keep in mind that the typical policy for a pay it will run you less than $20 monthly. This is a very minimal amount, considered that some vet bills for extended care can run up a bill in the thousands of dollars.

One of the main factors you may want to keep in mind while looking for a health insurance policy for your dog or cat is the amount of your deductible. You should also make about whether or not the policy will cover multiple pets. Some insurance companies will allow you a discount for insuring more than one pet.

Since this type of insurance has become very popular, you may be surprised to find that your own personal insurance company may offer coverage for your pet. You should ask your insurance agent if they cover pets, because you might be able to get it cheaply. If your current insurance agent does not offer policies for pets, you can find it elsewhere at a very low monthly fee. You can also pay for a year upfront and possibly save even more money.

Since pets are viewed more as family members, it is easy to justify spending a small amount of money each month to ensure they are covered in case of an accident or major health concern. When you purchase pet insurance for your beloved pets, you are investing in a healthy future for them as well as reducing the risk of having to meet a large financial bill on your own. - 29895

About the Author:

You love your pet a great deal and that is why you need to treat him like one of your family. By investing in pet plan pet insurance or which pet insurance, you can rest assured that in case of a calamity, your pet will acquire the greatest veterinary attention possible.

Training Aggressive Dogs

By Carl Covason

A major problem many dog owners face is dog aggression. Not only is it trying for the dog owner to deal with an aggressive dog but it can be hazardous as well.

The very first thing you should do before trying to tame an aggressive dog is to figure out what it is that is making him aggressive.

Is your dog exhibiting aggression towards other dogs?

If so, one way to tame an aggressive dog that seems to be out to get other dogs is when you are taking your dog for a walk and you see another dog, get your dogs attention.

If you know anything about dog training and dog training commands then you might be familiar with the command "Watch Me". This is a great command to use when your dog is getting near another dog because what the command means is for your dog to look you in the eye and give you his full attention.

If you are able to get your dogs attention on you then you have a great chance that they will walk right by the other dog without getting aggressive.

You also want to make sure your dog cannot make direct eye contact with the other dog. When dogs make eye contact with each other they are challenging each other to prove who the leader is. This can be a major cause of aggression if both dogs think they are king of the hill.

Another form of dog aggression is food aggression. Some dogs feel threatened when they are eating and become very territorial around their food. If this is something that sets your dog off then you need to be very careful if you have children around your dog.

One of the ways to help get rid of food aggression in dogs is to make sure that they do not get feed until everyone else in the house has finished eating their meals. This will show your dog that you are the head of the pack and help you gain his respect which is needed if you are going to be able to train your dog not to be aggressive. - 29895

About the Author:

If your dog is exhibiting signs of aggressiveness, such as food aggression in dogs or dog aggression towards other dogs then it is time to do something about it. SafeDogObedienceAdvice.com is a free resource for training your dog.

Have a Dog? Help Him to be Your True Best Friend

By Michelle Robert

Are you a dog owner? If so, then you will undoubtedly agree that sharing your life with a dog has it's shares of ups and downs. There are wonderful moments, and then there are others that are extremely challenging for all kinds of reasons. The fact remains however, that through it all, dogs are still "man's best friend" in my opinion...it is just harder to make friends with some dogs than with others.

Currently we share our home with a very smart, and very loving little miniature schnauzer. Although things are great with him, they weren't always. Shortly after he came to live with us, we learned that he:

1. Barked at everything and jumped/growled at anyone who came to visit us

2. Completely despised his monthly visit to the groomers to be clipped.

So what could be done to help him...and us? Well we did some research, and spoke with our veterinarian to learn some techniques and strategies to help him become a "good friend". This article will discuss what we learned.

1. His barking/jumping/growling problem took a little time, because as a schnauzer, he was a bit territorial like many terriers tend to be. While it was important to him to protect his territory, it was important to us to be able to have visitors to our home! So we tried many different ways to improve this: reward systems, squirting water, coins in a can, newspaper, and more. You name it, we tried it, but nothing worked. We finally discussed the situation with our vet who suggested a remote training collar. After more research, we settled on the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer for a couple of reasons. Probably most important for us, we liked that it has 9 stimulation levels so that we could very carefully control the settings to use the least amount of stimulation that would be effective. We also liked the tone-only training option, that gave us even more versatility. We also decided to get the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer, 300 yds., which provided us with a 300 yard range to be able to train from a distance. And I can say that it worked! In a very short period of time, the Innotek Ultrasmart helped our little guy to become the model doggie citizen, and our friends were now happy to visit us.

2. Helping our dog overcome the stress of going to the groomers each month involved not really training him. but training us. We figured that if we could learn to do his monthly clip at home, we would be able to help him feel more comfortable, and be able to get the job done quicker, making him happier as well. So we invested in the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper, and it has made all the difference in the world. We chose these clippers because as an Oster product, we knew they would last forever, so we wouldn't have to buy new ones each year, and because of the reviews on what a smooth, quiet, and fast job they did. I will say that we have been very pleased with how the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper works: other than it getting warm, which we easily solved with cleaning and changing out the blades and using Oster Kool Lube, it has been so easy to do his clipping. Once we learned how to do home grooming, voila, no more schnauzer trauma! In fact, since our dog gets a treat at the end, I actually think he likes getting clipped each month.

Having a dog can, and should be a joy, but it often takes a little work to get to that point. In our case, we had a little help from the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer, and the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper. But the investment and time we took to use these tools to help make life with our dog better for us and for him have been so worthwhile. The reward has been a merry, little schnauzer whose intelligence, loving nature, and desire to please truly make him our best friend! - 29895

About the Author:

Find out how your dog can be trained to be a happy and well-mannered best friend. Learn more about the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer and the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper, read the reviews of the product from other happy dog owners, and see if they are what you and your dog need.

How to Housebreak a Puppy - Part 1

By Ana Walsh

When it comes to housebreaking a puppy, you need to make sure to start potty training them right from the start. It's easy to get caught up in their cuteness and the excitement of having a new pet, but you want to be sure to establish good habits with them right from the beginning or it could cause problems later on.

When it comes to housebreaking, there are plenty of methods out there for doing it. Paper training is one commonly taught method, which I don't recommend. Paper training involves training your puppy to pee and poop inside of your house on a puppy pad or on newspapers. Then, after they've learned to do that, training them to go outside. It's much more effective to train them to go outside right from the start if that's where you plan on them going for the long term.

Crate training is another popular technique. With crate training, you leave your puppy in a crate whenever you're not able to supervise them. To crate train your dog, you'll need to get a crate that's about the same size as your dog's bed. This prevents them from peeing or pooping in it when you leave in there, because if they do, they'll be forced to be in close proximity to it for the remainder of the time they're in there.

Whenever there is a time you can't supervise your puppy, such as when you leave the house, or you are cooking, working, cleaning, working on crafts, etc. you place your puppy inside the crate. This way, they learn that if they need to go potty, their body is able to hold it. It makes them realize they don't have to immediately go potty every time they feel the urge.

Purchasing the right size crate is crucial for this method. If the crate is too large, they may use that extra space to go potty in, which defeats the purpose. On the other hand, if it's too small, it'll be very uncomfortable for them because they can't lay down comfortably. The crate should give them just enough space to lay down and to turn in circles to re-situate themselves and get comfortable.

Here's an excellent tip that you'll really like. You can teach your puppy a 'potty word'. No, I'm not talking about profanity! A 'potty word' is a word/phrase you tell them when you want them to do their business quickly, instead of just goofing off in the yard. It doesn't matter what your phrase is, it can be anything. I'd suggest using a word that's exclusive to that though, not something you may say on a regular basis. Make sure you use this phrase consistently every single time.

When your puppy is outside going potty, you will say the 'potty word', then praise them and give them a treat. This will teach your pup to go potty when you take them outside for that purpose.

When you take them out to play games or go for a walk, you wouldn't use the word. This way they know the difference between going outside to play, and going outside to go potty. - 29895

About the Author:

Get more tips and tricks to train a dog at DogBehaviorExpert.com, where I provide information to solve all types of dog behavior problems.

Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Dog

By Joanne Gallagher

Deciding what kind of dog food and dog treats are appropriate for your dog is as important as deciding what to feed your family. Reading ingredient labels to stay aware of recalls is necessary to insure your pet is receiving safe and healthy meals.

Recent recalls include dog food. Not all manufacturers were affected by this recall Merrick 5 Star, Solid Gold, Rotations, Pinnacle, Health Food for Dogs and Dogswell are examples of dog food manufacturers whose products were not affected by the contaminated dog food recall. Thankfully products affected were taken off the shelves and the recall is over.

As dogs age their metabolism slows down. Sound familiar? Older dogs require special diets. Veterinarians suggest a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates and low in fat for dogs who don't engage in an active lifestyle. There are many brands of dog food specific for aging dogs such as Merrick 5-Star Dry Dog Food Senior Medley. Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, no animal fat and real meat make Senior Medley an appropriate choice for senior dogs.

Veterinarians recommend daily exercise for diabetic dogs and a diet to manage their insulin. A dog looks forward to treats and rewards and luckily diabetic dogs can enjoy a dog treat that is in line with their diabetic regimen. The Old Dog Cookie Company Diabetic Cookies are all natural dog treats that contain herbs and ingredients that help reduces your dog's blood sugar.

When the cartilage in your dog's joints breaks down and wears away a dog begins to suffer from arthritis. Glucosamine is a natural supplement that can prevent arthritis and relieve arthritis symptoms. Feeding your dog an all natural dog food like Dogswell HAPPY HIPS dry dog food with Glucosamine & Chondroitin will help maintain healthy hips and joints and apples and cage free chicken create a well balanced meal.

Food allergies are common among many breeds of dogs. Wheat, corn and soy based dog food can cause itchy skin, hair loss, and frequent bowel movements in a dog with an allergy to these products. Pinnacle Holistic Trout & Sweet Potato dry dog food with Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids for a healthier skin and coat contains no allergens such as corn, wheat, rice, barley, sorghum or soy.

Overweight dogs need to be on a special diet. If a dog is eating table scraps too may dog treats, and not getting enough exercise they will become overweight. This happens frequently when a dog is in a crate during the day and then spoiled all evening with love and food.

Caring for your dog from puppy to senior is an educational process. During each stage there are nutritional requirements that need to be met so your dog will be healthy and have the wonderful life every dog deserves! - 29895

About the Author:

Choosing what kind of dog food and dog treats are appropriatefor your dog is as vital as selecting what to feed your family. Joanne Gallagher is an authority on dog health and suggests browsing to Jake's Dog House for healthy dog treats that are not only nutritious, but fun for your dog.

Train Your Dog At Home

By Adrian Logan

In the past, nearly every dog owner relied on home dog training to get their dog to obey and perform tricks. This was in the days before obedience classes were popular, or even available.

Pet owners who wanted a well behaved dog really had no choice but to spend time teaching Fido at home, and had to have the patience, willpower, and desire to do so. Many people learned how to train their dogs from their parents who had owned dogs, while others used instructions found in dog training books.

You can either train your dog through dog obedience classes or conduct home dog training just as your ancestors did. If you are low in budget, conducting home training is a better choice.

To train a dog, you can use a mixture of consistency, praise, and treats as dogs are quite a simple creature. Give them enough of those, and they'll be doing whatever you want in no time. You can teach them to obey you and to amuse your friends by performing some cute tricks.

One of the best method to train your dog is to model the behavior you want from him. For example, if you want him to sit on command, then gently place him in a sitting position while saying 'sit' in a firm tone.Remember to look into your dog's eyes too while conducting this training.

Continue to do it for many times and eventually your dog will be able to sit upon your command. When your dog does correctly, remember to give him a treat and praise him. If he still cannot do it properly, continue to do the training and your dog will one day able to obey your command.

Some dogs can learn the tricks quite fast while some take a bit more time. But the good things is they will get it one day.

With home dog training, just be sure to keep praising and giving treats for the first several times your dog does the right thing on command. After a while, you can forego the treats, but be sure to always praise, at least a little. Your dog wants to know he is making you happy. - 29895

About the Author:

Who else wants their dog to be well behaved around people and other dogs? AND have them obey all of your house rules even when you're not around! Click here to discover powerful insider information at Secrets to Dog Training.

3 Top Carpet Types for Indoor Pets

By Shawne M. Patrick

Selecting a type of flooring could be a massive decision for those who are on the lookout for certain features. Carpet is a popular choice for many folks, preferring it over area rugs, hardwood, laminate, vinyl or tile. Carpet adds comfort to any room and it feels warm and comfy under bare feet. But let's not forget about our pets! Indoor pets are people's companions, chums and members of their family. We like them indoor - with us. So to choose the best fiber type carpet that may last and still look good for both the family and indoor pets, keep reading!

Recycled Fiber is carpet that has been made of recycled plastics. More and more carpet today is being made of polyethylene terephthalate. Massive words for big results! This is excellent carpet for indoor pets because it is very resilient to serious traffic, it's static resistant and best of all, water resistant! No more stains, no more'wet patch' looks and no electrical shocks! For the reasons mentioned, Recycled fiber is rated as the best fiber type carpet to have in the home with indoor pets. Maybe someday soon they will come out with Recycled fiber area rugs!

The second most popular fiber type carpet bought in the carpet industry - Nylon. Nylon type carpet is the hottest type of carpet that's acquired for residential homes. It claims 90% of the market! It's producing strategy and quality varies in style as it does with prices. This type of carpet does extremely well with a house full of children and indoor pets. It's highly resilient under traffic and it resists marking and soiling. It's mostly sold as complete flooring or you can get nylon fiber area rugs too.

Third best would be the next highest purchased kind of carpet - Olefin. Olefin fiber carpet is made of polypropelene. Polypropelene is one of the fibers that is commonly used to make carpet. Like nylon, it too is resilient under traffic and it resists staining and soiling too. This kind of carpet can work best for families with indoor pets as it will last for a few years. This is generally acquired for commercial purposes.

For example, plenty of business offices have this type of carpet. It's highly durable and though it's acquired for commercial use, it's excellent for indoor pets too. - 29895

About the Author:

Carpet comes in many differing sorts and styles and colours. Selecting one to serve the needs of housing indoor pets needs some research so you know which one will offer low maintenance, resists stains and will last a life-time!