Despite all that is written about the wonderful effects of housebreaking, havanese dog owners need to accept that helping the dog lasts into many months, sometimes even until the dog is up to a year old! But such is th reality of Havanese Training.

Everybody has been down the road of helping a Hav several months old finally comprehend the concept of exclusively going outside. The dog is wonderful at not having any accidents for almost a week, and what's more, without the need to crate the dog. Then out of the blue, the owner wakes up to a day of pee and poo accidents. So much for having the diligence to take the dog out 10 times day and night, complete with a chart of the dog's poo/pee schedule!

But there are a few consoling thoughts here that all dog owners do know about, but need to remind themselves of regularly. First up is the fact that in no way can a dog be blamed for the housebreaking accident. On the contrary, all the signals and signs point to the dog's trainer-humans as the culprits responsible for the mess!

Second, all dog owners need to be aware that plenty of housebreaking training instructions out there imagine the ideal world of a pup that is 10 weeks old and never has a setback. Another not-so-helpful set of instructions essentially tell the owner that the dog is like a toy that can be turned "off" (when owners get bored of it) by locking it away in a crate all day.

Now, if anything can upset the best laid plans for housebreaking, it would definitely be stress, changes, and food changes. The first two are easy to picture out: noise of carpentry at home, the departure of familiar people and arrival of those that the dog does not know, etc. Food changes are however, easily taken for granted. Whether or not the dog has a housebreaking problem, there is always the need to give the dog some time to get adjusted. This can be done by gradually mixing by parts the new dog food into the old one for every meal.

Some owners are quick to give their best the widest time allowance possible. For example, some dogs are capable of using the pads they were trained to use. Others in the same house simply cannot, and find it unthinkable to have to eliminate without the owner by their side, and so will eliminate on some nearby rug or hardwood floor.

As the passing months seem to call for more and more Havanese Training vigilance, owners must not let up crating the dog or at least gating it off just to remind it of house training. Besides, Havs take longer than larger dogs to fully absorb house training. Moreover, dog owners believe it can take a dog as much as a year in order to be fully committed to house training, and that happens to be a small investment compared to the profit of at least 12 years of happiness the dog is capable of giving!

by: Richard Cussons

Havanese puppy owners may have to expect puppy biting and nipping as one of the hurdles of puppy raising. A typical Havanese Training case study involves the magnetic and charming puppy that is socialized and mostly potty trained, yet very energetic and prone to mouthing and nipping once in a while. Every solution may have been tried already, yelping in imitation of littermates, scruffing the dog, and ignoring the dog, yet the mystery remains of the dog that refuses to give up on its unwanted behavior.

Note that this dog gets plenty of exercise in the form of mile walks early in the day and late afternoon, and play sessions throughout the day.

The question is obviously what immediate intervention needs to be done. True, the puppy mouthing/biting stage will truly end at some point, but this does not mean that mouthing/biting limits are not needed. On the contrary, so much learning may get wasted if the dog does not learn those limits.

One short run solution that has an effect is to abruptly pick the dog up and put it in its crate for a five minute "time-out", after which it may settle down a good deal. But even this is not enough to address the underlying causes and-or triggers of the biting, an example of which is screaming after being bitten, which seem to excite the dog.

First of all, there is a need to avoid trying too many things in so short a time. The ignoring routine does work, but there is a need to be consistent by indeed getting up, ignoring the dog (plus avoiding eye contact) for at least a minute. This will also have to be patiently worked on for days, in order for the dog to really understand what's going on.

Next, everyone needs to know that teaching bite inhibition is really something that can deliver results, provided it is consistently performed. Since its interaction with its littermates ought to have been the earliest "school" for bite inhibition, an owner will need to follow it all up by taking advantage of the puppy's nips and bites at him or her.

The Havanese Training basics of bite inhibition is that every time the dog makes attempts on the skin, clothing or whatever, the human needs to give the puppy-like yelp, and to exaggerate ignoring the dog and doing an about face. The dog will soon be coming over to make up. But when it does, the human needs to be ready with chew toys that will really catch the dog's attention, e.g. bully stick, calves hooves, or a plastic doggie teething ring.

by: Richard Cussons

The beautiful colors of Betta Fish that catch our eye did not exist when the species was first discovered. Due to the fact that the Siamese people were solely interested in their fighting ability, breeding practices concentrated more on building endurance, strength, and the typical aggressive attitude that they posses. Most of the Betta Fish in those days were short-finned, so as to give their opponents less to grab on to, and had a greenish-brown color.

In 1840, when the King of Siam made a gift to Cantor, most Betta Fish colors very plain. By the time the Betta Fish began appearing up in North America, some had begun to develop rounded tails and longer fins. Some also developed specks of bright colors.

There are seems to be basic color genes either present or missing in the Beta Fish. The Base color is yellow, which is followed by black, red and then blue. There are also sub colors. The blue gene, for example, can be represented by royal blue, metallic blue, or bluish green. The beautiful royal blue is really a mixture of the other blues.

If you spend some time with Betta Fish experts and you will hear terms like "Veil Tail," "Delta Tail," "Crown Tail," and "Half Moon" hearing all of this you might become confused. So we will give you a quick introduction to the various lines of the glorious Betta Splendens. Actually, the basic difference among the types of Bettas has to do with their tail.

Veil Tail - About 80% of Betta Fishs sold in pet stores are typically VT males. Veil Tail's are characterized by the bottom fin rays being a bit longer than the top rays. What are Rays? Rays are the little "spines" you see in the fins. With the fins flared out, VT Betta Fish look a bit rectangular or even diamond shaped. Most breeders and Betta care show enthusiasts frown on the VT Betta as an inferior breed. I believe that they are incorrect because I think that the VT Betta Fishs multiple colors and wavy fins are one of the true miracles of creation.

Round Tail - The tail is round in appearance. The circular shape originates from the middle ray of the tail being the longest, with the remaining rays being progressively shorter away from the middle.

Delta Tail - The tail has a triangular shape, which emanates from the outermost rays on the tail being equal in length as the middle ray. In Betta Fish circles the widest tailed of the delta tails are the most desired.

Half Moons - A Delta Tail's tail can be so wide that it seems to form a half circle, or half moon shape. At this point it becomes known as the Half Moon Betta Fish. Half Moons Betta Fishs are popular among hard-core Betta enthusiasts.

Double Tails - These cute little fish have their tail divide into two halves. Double Tails are genetic rarities that you probably will never find at a pet store.

Crown Tails - With this Betta the rays of the tail actually extend well past the webbing, this gives the tail a spiky appearance. The Crown Tails are the most common among the single rayed. After this breeders bred double rayed Crown Tails which then had tail rays branching off. Since then breeders have developed "double double rays" and "double double double ray" Crown Tails, which are the scarcest and costliest Betta Fishes you can buy.

We hope that this information was of help to you and that it will be beneficial for your Betta Fish care needs.


by: Mike Hickmon

Early in the lives of the Shih Tzu puppies, the very best of care is crucial to well-rounded Shih Tzu puppy development. Dams and their litters do not survive alone. There is more to raising Shih Tzu and the Toy breed puppies in general than truly meets the eye.

Not only does one need to carefully consider the pedigrees and health histories of each mating, but one must continue to study to become an expertise in general puppy care. Yes, there is much, much more to breeding than just putting two dogs together and allowing nature to take its course. Dog breeding is a science. It is a discipline. It is a profession.

Shih Tzu breeding must be carefully thought out and is most definitely a profession that does require specialized knowledge. Regardless of the location of your breeding establishment, whether it is in your backyard, your garage, basement or an establishment that is especially built for breeding purposes, you the breeder is who makes your establishment professional or non-professional. The breeder is who determines what type of establishment, professional or non-professional, the breeding establishment is. Location, such as the backyard, basement or buildings especially designed for breeding purposes does not determine whether or not the establishment is professional.

If a breeder fails in their responsibilities to the early lives of Shih Tzu puppies, it is either through ignorance or lack of commitment. Ignorance, lack of knowledge and lack of commitment more closely defines the “backyard” breeder, and or those raising puppies in puppy mills. The committed and professional breeder realizes there is no real profit in rearing a litter of Shih Tzu puppies other than the satisfaction of doing the best job possible.

Once Shih Tzu puppies open their eyes the real work and expense of rearing a litter begins. Shih Tzu puppies begin to display individual character traits. It is at this time that Shih Tzu puppies rely more heavily upon the breeder and less with the dam. The professional breeder recognizes and readily assumes the responsibilities of caring for a Shih Tzu litter and does not abandon them to their dam’s care alone.

A large Shih Tzu litter may require supplementary feeding while continuing to allow the dam and offspring full access to each other. Smaller or premature Shih Tzu puppies often require supplementary feeding around the clock. The healthy brood matron should be vibrant, should not carry excess weight nor appear undernourished. An emotionally and physically healthy dam consistently maintains an active and lively interest in her puppies and environment. The professional breeder must be observant enough to care for the captain (the brood matron) just as well as to care for the Shih Tzu litter providing her with adequate food, water and emotional support.

There are very distinctive differences between the “backyard” unprofessional breeder and the professional breeder, some of which are detailed here in this article. There are many other differences, far too many to mention in one article.

by: Connie Limon

Identifying the right Chihuahua breeders is not easy. As for the dog itself, you might have seen the Chihuahua on the cover of some tabloid magazine being held close by a celebrity. But the drift is not that, the point is that the Chihuahua, rooted from a small place in Mexico, is one of the more famous dogs around. Given more airtime than some boy bands, the famous little tyke of breeds has shown its famous face and tiny body in many Hollywood movies, in TV shows and even in comic strips.

If you choose to purchase one of these Chihuahua’s, then you need to know how to identify the right Chihuahua breeds, the ones that fits your needs and what you expect out of a dog. The Chihuahua is truly your best friend and will be with you all the way. It is also known to be an extremely jealous and sometimes over protective dog, but this is because of the fact that much of it is due to the almost instant emotional connection the dog has with it owner.

The breed of Chihuahua will set the scene for many things, as some breeds are more excitable than others, while others are much more temperamental. Some breeds even require special care that includes caring for their health when they are transported from their normal environments to your home.

Choosing the right Chihuahua breeds also depend a lot on you. Are you living alone or do you have a family? If you do have a family, does it consist of many infants or small children? Where do you stay? It also depends a lot on the climate conditions of your country as Chihuahua are usually used to warm climates. Transporting them to the fringes of Alaska is usually not a good idea.

Another thing, where you live is also very important. The type of breed that you will purchase depends on factors like if you live in a high rise apartment or if you live in a landed house with a large field. Try to find a breed that is not so energetic if you are staying in a rather small apartment, or if you do have an extensive backyard to offer them, then you might consider those with high energy levels and a higher tendency to run around a lot.

Also, you must understand that owning a Chihuahua is not well suited to those who have a lot of kids in their company. Because of their size, they are more than likely to get frightened, especially with strange infants who start to play with them and this will make them react in the most natural way they know how – which is to bite.

Don’t let the size of the dog fool you, Chihuahua’s are known for their ferocity and loyal devotion. Choosing the right Chihuahua breeders is really about matching your needs with the realities of owning this cute but fierce dog. Once you are able to find the right balance between situation and price, then you will be able to find the right Chihuahua for you.


by: Clarence Clark

Dog breeders could be found anywhere. However, buying the best-looking puppy in the pet store does not necessarily guarantee that you bought a pet with a top breed.

What are the different types of breeders? Which of them provide the best dog breeds?

1) Look for reputable breeders. Well known breeders know specific details about their specialized breed. They examine genetic diseases that are known to have physical and emotional impact on that breed, perform veterinary maintenance and sustain breeding records.

A breeder of good reputation will provide you with both the good and bad points about the breed you prefer. They offer useful advice and assistance to new dog owners.

You could spot a reputable breeder when they grant quality for the dogs they personally own. They would let you experience the kind of care they give the dogs and allow you to see where the dogs live.

Most outstanding breeders are not out to make money. They provide a written health guarantee with all the dogs they sell.

Majority of the reputable dog breeders belong to local or national breed organizations and clubs.

2) Avoid backyard breeders, puppy mills and pet shops.

* Backyard Breeders. These people have limited education about the breed standards. Commonly, backyard breeders do not maintain a regular check-up on the dog’s diseases and genetic makeup. Usually, these people breed to make money and allows the dogs to leave without screening the present home of the dog.

* Puppy Mills. This is a term commonly used to describe a business that produces large quantities of dogs. Majority of the puppies born and trained in puppy mills do not usually follow a regular veterinary care and appropriate feeding they need. Puppy mills do not sell directly to the public. They only allow sale to pet shops, brokers and dog auctions.

There is no generic breed testing executed in puppy mills. The dogs born here have not been adequately socialized and trained. Most of the puppies are sold in large numbers at the age of 3 to 4 weeks that could later give the dogs emotional and health problems.

* Pet shops. Many pet shops grant guarantees. However, these guarantees last for only a year while majority of genetic diseases found in dogs materialize when the animal is over a year old. Most pet shops buy their dogs from puppy mills at a very young age for a cheap price. Young puppies that are not suitably socialized could cause behavior problems and poor health.

Finding the best dog breeder means your pet could last a longer life. Find a reputable breeder now and spare yourself from possible heartache.


by: Jack Russell

If you are looking for a pet that can live and last for so many years, then you should consider buying a parrot for a pet. Because of their friendly nature and interesting personalities, a wide variety of parrots have been in the pet trade for parrot lovers to enjoy.

But, owning a parrot entails great responsibility. You must be able to give proper care and attention so your pet parrot will enjoy long and healthy life.

Taking care of parrots

Parrots are known for creating close bonds with their owner or the ones who handle them. If there were one person that must understand the bird well, that should be the parrot breeder.

Parrot breeders are significant figures in the lives of parrots because they play a major role in taking care of them. In the lives of parrots, the parrot breeders are foster parents because they take care of the bird from the beginning.

Since the parrot breeders are the ones who look over the well-being and welfare of parrots since birth, the overall health and personality of the parrot depends on the methods of breeding they use. Future behavioral patterns, ability to relate, levels of socialization and emotional health of the parrot will also greatly depend on the kind of care it received from its breeder.

One of the major responsibilities of parrot breeders is feeding the parrot. Since there are different parrot species, parrot breeders will have to learn how to respond properly in feeding in each kind. Aside from knowing the kinds of food and the right diet for each kind of parrot, the proper way of feeding should also be paid attention, too. Parrot breeders should know the proper way of feeding each kind so as not to put the baby parrot in danger.

Aside from feeding, “weaning” and “bathing” are other major responsibilities of parrot breeders. Because of the great responsibility a parrot breeder must take into consideration, not everyone can be a parrot breeder.

Time, energy, commitment, patience, and resources should be considered to be successful in this endeavor. Since time and dedication is quite crucial in obtaining healthy, non-hybridized specimens of parrots, interested parrot breeders should prepare themselves for this tedious but rewarding task.

There are actually a long list of parrot and tropical bird breeders available on line. Whether you are located in United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Australia, or in any of the states of United States, there is a directory of seasoned parrot breeders who understand the needs of the parrots very well. You might want to visit these sites in order to ensure the well-being of your parrot.


by: Low Jeremy

Before you go hunting for a family pet you want to make sure that you know exactly what kind of dog you are looking for. It is important to know what kind of Labrador you want in order to find the right Labrador breeder. There are several things you should keep in mind if you are considering making a Labrador your pet, breeding is one of them.

Once you have researched and studied about Labradors, and you have decided that you want to make one part of your family life, you will then need to find a good breeder. There are several things you should consider when you are looking for Labrador breeders. Remember that a breeder is only as good as his knowledge. You want one that will be able to answer all your questions concerning your pet to be. So, do your research about the different types of Labrador dogs so that you are sure you are asking the right questions. Be sure that when you are talking to breeders and asking questions that the Labrador breeders are able to answer your questions correctly. They should be able to give your valuable information.

An important point to consider is to be wary of Labrador breeders who don’t ask you questions. Dog breeders should be screening the people who are buying puppies from them. Good dog breeders are as interested in who their puppies will belong to as you are in getting the right puppy for you and your family. So if the breeder doesn’t ask you about where you live, how you plan to raise the puppy, and things that like, it’s probably not a good idea to buy a dog from them. Make sure that the Labrador breeder that you pick is taking an interest in you as a potential owner because that means that the breeder is also interested in where this puppy will go.

By asking questions of Labrador breeders, you will get a good idea about how much they care for their own dogs and how knowledgeable they are about Labrador dogs in general. This will give you an idea as to what kind of puppy you might be taking home.

A good Labrador breeder should never be afraid to answer your questions about his breeding program. Be sure to ask questions such as: are there any papers to go with the dogs? How many puppies has this dog had? Is she a good mother? How does the breeder know the parents aren’t related? What kind of health problems do your dogs have? Have any other people who have bought puppies from you been disappointed?

Remember that you should only get a puppy from a Labrador breeder who you are comfortable with, who has been able to answer all your questions, and who has shown concern about whom will be raising his puppy. Do your research first so you know that you are making a good choice. Visit several breeders to compare. Take the time to get to know the Labrador breeder that you have picked. These are just a few things will help ensure you’ve made the right choice when choosing a Labrador puppy to join your family.

by: Denise Duncan

Not many people know that cats can also suffer from asthma. This disease in cats is also known as feline asthma, allergic bronchitis, feline bronchial disease, allergic asthma and allergic airway disease. The allergen when enters a cats body it can cause the tightening of the muscle in and around the airway and swelling of the airway which results in the narrowing and blocking the smooth flow of the air. Also, due to the allergen the airway starts producing extra mucus as a result of which the airway narrows down creating problems for the cat to breathe properly.

Symptoms of Asthma in cats: Dry and hacking cough, Wheezing, Labored breathing, Panting and Open mouthed breathing

These symptoms can be mild as well as severe depending on the stage of the disease. In a mild condition, occasional coughing and wheezing can be observed while in a severe stage wheezing and open mouthed breathing becomes regular which lead to a constricted airway. If not cured properly, the result can be as severe as death.

Diagnosis

There are few other medical circumstances which are similar to asthma such as pneumonia, heartworm, congestive heart failure and bordetella. Your vet will have to properly examine and find out the correct problem. The vet has to carefully listen and check the cat's breathing. An x-ray should be taken to find symptoms of enlarged lungs, bronchial inflammation, doughnuts and flattened diaphragm. A tracheal wash is necessary to find out the existence of eosinophils.

Treatment

Asthma is a disease which can be cured completely; however in most of the cases it can be managed. Steroids in oral form can be used to reduce the inflammation; however there are side effects of using these steroids for a long time such as pancreatitis, diabetes, weight gain, increased urination and change in the behavior. The steroids in inhaler form can also be used for reducing the inflammation. Comparatively, inhaler steroids have fewer side effects than the oral ones since they do not get into a system as much as the oral ones do.

In a situation of severe wheezing or coughing bronchodilators are very helpful in opening up the airway. In a situation like this, take your cat to the vet as quickly as possible. A corticosteroid should be injected immediately to reduce the inflammation and a bronchodilator should be used to open the airway. In some most severe cases, ephedrine is also used to save the life.

By: Alister Barrow

It was the day after we brought Sadie home that I discovered that she was a fear-piddler. She was about six months old and house-broken, and I was glad to see her, and not the least angry at her.

When I walked in the door, Sadie started to do the happy dance. I bent down to stroke her neck, just the way I've done with every dog I've ever had, and she let loose her bladder contents on the rug.

Dog fear piddling is not that unusual, and there are several things you can do to prevent it. The important thing to know is that it's a sign of submission to a more powerful creature.

1. Don't punish the dog for fear piddling. It just increases her fear and makes the behavior more likely to happen. In fact, if you don't want her to be scared when you come home, don't punish her for anything she's done in your absence. If she chews your favorite shoe, hit yourself with it for leaving it where she could get at it (she's just chewing it because she wants to be close to your scent).
2. When you arrive home after an absence, either take the dog outside to pet her or give a calm but friendly greeting and walk past her until she has calmed down. Let her go outside and do her business before you greet her.
3. Although Sadie was more afraid of me than of my husband, some dogs are more likely to piddle around men. Speak softly around the dog until it becomes accustomed to the tone of your voice, and remember to avoid the kind of stance that looks threatening to a dog.

4. When you stand over a dog and reach down to pet it, the dog sees that as an attack stance. It's better to sidle up next to a nervous dog and gently rub its back. Even a firm look in the eye can be frightening to a timid dog or challenging to an aggressive dog. You might also squat to the dog's level and let it come to you. Pet it gently and then walk away.
5. I learned that when I said, "Come here, Sadie," she came, piddling all the way. I had to change the words I use to call her. I now say, "Hi, Sadie," when I want her to come, and she comes without fear. So keep in mind that if some verbal signal seems to trigger the fear, you can use a different one -- whatever makes sense to you -- to escape those bad associations.

We've had Sadie for more than four years now, and most of those fearful behaviors have gone away. I still have to watch the things I do that might seem threatening to her, but she's a friendly and loving dog, even to our active 4-year-old grandson.

JV Bear trained her first dog when she was 8 years old by the "demonstration method," which she made up (and recommends only if you're 8 and spend hours a day with nothing to do but hang out with the dog). She has owned at least one dog, usually two, throughout her adult life and recommends clicker training from her own experience.

Click here http://writingroadtowealth.com/recommended/dog-clicker-training for more information about clicker training.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JV_Bear

Few parents can resist the first wide-eyed plea for a puppy from a four-year-old. Parents are, however, not the only ones searching for a puppy for sale. Some have very specific requirements when buying a puppy.

People looking for a puppy for sale are spoilt for the sheer amount of choices available. There are many breeds to choose from. You could buy a puppy from a pet shop, from a dog breeder, or even over the internet.

Prices match the number of dog types in variety. There is something to literally suit every pocket. Parents who buy dogs for their four-year-olds would probably make pet shops their first stop. These tend to be the cheapest.

Parents who want dogs with a specific personality for their children could approach dog breeders for advice. The good news is that these breeders are much easier to reach through technology such as the Internet than in the past.

Discerning dog owners could also contact dog breeders for their specific needs. Some like the image associated with certain types of dogs, for example, while others like to show off their pricey dogs to company or at dog shows. In addition to being great companions and potential status symbols, puppies can also grow into very good watchdogs.

Whatever your purpose in buying a puppy, there is a pet shop, breeder, or website that can help you. Puppies come in all shapes and sizes, with many different personalities. Somewhere the perfect puppy for sale is waiting to bless your household, become your friend, and possibly increase your security.

By: Bill James

To start with, it is best to identify which one of these groups your dog fits into. This way you can get clear as to which action plan needs to be put in place to get the best results.

1 Make A Good Dog Great
If your dog ticks all, or most of these boxes, then it belongs here.
Is of calm nature
Looks at you often
Non aggressive to strangers
Non aggressive to new dogs
Won't bite if tail stood on by accident
Listens to more than one persons commands

He is a joy to have around

2 Make A Bad Dog Manageable
If your dog ticks all, or most of these boxes, then it belongs here.
Overly excitable
Rarely looks at you
Aggressive to strangers
Aggressive to other dogs
Bites if tail is stood on by accident
Only listens to one persons commands and does poorly at that

He is just plain nasty

3 Make An OK Dog Good
If your dog ticks all, or most of these boxes, then it belongs here.
Short attention span
Can be excitable
Non aggressive to strangers
Non aggressive to other dogs
Jumps up on you and others
Cocks his leg and pees then scratches the ground
Listens and obeys commands perfectly one day and the next day completely ignors' them

He is the likable scallywag

What To Do With The Dogs In Each Group

Group 1: A joy to have around
Once you have him following the basic commands of
come, sit, stay and stop it...you can then move on to the fun parts, like games and tricks

Group 2: Just plain nasty
Seriously consider letting him go to another home.
The new owner may be able to control him better and have him in an environment where he can cause minimal harm to other people and dogs.
There are so many well natured pet dogs, there is no reason why one of them can bring joy to your life.

Group 3: The likable scallywag.
Life with them can be a rollercoaster ride of emotions...from fun to have around, to causing so much embarrassment because of their free spirit nature. With these dogs, its about accepting their nature and bring some resemblance of control over them.

Get A Dream Dog With This Exciting New, And FREE Report

This is NOT fear based training.
This is Not "hug your dog" and all will be well.

Your Dream Dog report is waiting at http://www.goldenretriever1.com/ Report is for ALL breeds and crosses of dogs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ewen_Vile

Is your cat refusing to use the litter tray, no matter where you move it to, or whether they are alone or not?

I know how it feels, it is frustrating, right? Well do not worry, it is a common problem and as a fellow cat owner, I can tell you that there is a solution.

The truth is that cat litter training is not just largely misunderstood, but it is also a little more complex than many people make out.

That is not to say that it is hard to train your cat to use the litter tray, it is just that you need to know where things are going wrong, and even more importantly, what is causing the problems at the root.

In almost all cases, cat litter problems stem from behavioural/psychological issues with your cat. That is why cat litter training advice is a staple part of most cat training books/programs.

But right now, it is important to spot mistakes you could be making which are not always obvious. So, here are a few pointers to try and get you on the right track as quickly as possible...

1 - Throwing your cat off the scent

Many cat owners use heavily scented cat litters for their cats litter boxes. However, many cats do not like strong smells. Therefore, using unscented cat litter might be a better choice for most cat litter boxes or trays.

2 - Hide and seek

Many cat owners use covers for their cats litter box, but the problem is that covers tend to keep odors trapped inside the litter box, and as a result, may cause some cats to avoid their litter box completely.

3 - I wanna poop in peace!

Litter boxes should always be placed in quiet areas of the house where the cat may use the box without distractions or interruptions. If a cat has any reason at all to run off, or play, or generally be deterred from staying in once place to go to the toilet, then you can be sure as anything that they will.

4 - Give me space!

Cats generally prefer large litter boxes instead of smaller boxes. In fact, most cats tend to have individual preferences as to the type of cat litter and litter box provided. It is worth testing different types and sizes for best results.

5 - I cannot shoot that high!

Most kittens and older cats (especially cats with musculoskeletal difficulties), do not want to try and climb or struggle to go to the toilet. It is all about making their life easier, and when training a cat to use the litter tray, a tray or box too high can be all it takes to make them choose the carpet instead.

These simple pointers should give you a huge advantage in training your cat to use their litter tray. Do not forget to apply them today!

Isn't it time you discovered why most cat training aids do not work, and how to get inside your cats mind and quickly teach them perfect behaviour from any age?

By: Nick Brydon

Pet ownership is full of many responsibilities. Which vet to go to and how to best accommodate your pet while on vacation are just two of many decisions that most pet owners eventually face. Simply giving your pet a name is a huge responsibility. Sadly, one of the most important responsibilities of a pet owner is often times one of the most overlooked: making sure your cat gets enough water.

Cats, like all animals, need water to survive. Water is necessary for the liver to cleanse the blood of toxins and also to make sure that organ tissues are healthy. It aids in the metabolism of nutrients for energy, in body temperature maintenance, and in regulating fluid and electrolyte balancing. In other words, a cat needs water for all the same reasons we do.

But your cat doesnt know all of these facts. The question then becomes: how do you get your cat to drink enough water?

A good starting point is to know how much your cat needs. An average seven pound cat needs about 6-7 ounces of water per day, but if theyre on a dry food diet, theyre only getting about an ounce of water from their food. Cats on wet food diets get more water from their food, but not enough to sustain bodily functions.

Pet fountains are a great way to ensure that your cat is getting enough water. Running water constantly breaks the surface tension of the water and draws oxygen from the air into the water. This process, known as aeration, makes drinking water more appealing cats. And its not hard to understand why would you rather drink water from a bowl sitting on the ground for hours or from a running tap?

Our Drinkwell Pet Fountains ensure that your cat is getting aerated water with little maintenance required from you. Not only is the water aerated, but the charcoal filter removes tastes and odors. A fresh, running stream of water is the best way to make sure that your cat is not only encouraged to drink water, but that it has the highest quality of water to drink.

Even just knowing your cats drinking habits can help point out problems. For instance, if a cat is drinking more water than they normally do, it could be an indication that he or she might have diabetes. Drinking too much means different things for different cats, which is why it is important to know the regular amount of water your cat drinks.

So, making sure that your cat gets enough water is not only about keeping them healthy and happy, but understanding their habits and needs. Visit www.mythreecats.com for more products and information to help get your cat the water they need to live happy lives.

Training your Chihuahua to be your Best Bud

We have all seen the tiny Chiwawa, small enough to fit in the crook of your arm but mighty enough to take on an intruder ten times its size. The Chi dog is a special breed of dog that craves attention and will strive very hard to make you happy. But just like any other dog, attitude comes with discipline and puppy training is the key.

Start with the Number One Basic Rule

The first sixteen weeks of your Chihuahua's life are very formidable. Since many live to be eighteen years old, what you do in the beginning can shape them into either a personable companion or a snippy little tyrant. Dogs are all creatures of their heredity when they used to run in packs and every pack has a leader. Puppy training your Chiwawa to recognize you, as the leader is the very first thing that they need to learn to put them at ease.

How do I know my Chihuahua is Happy with Puppy Training?

The Chi dog is intelligent and attentive to its leader, which is you. Beginning with potty training, spend the necessary time, encouraging and praising your dog and reward with treats. Be careful not to fuss over your Chi dog and do not reward unless an order is obeyed. When one puppy-training goal has been reached, move on to the next. Crate training is important in establishing their territory and when praised and rewarded, your dog will look forward to learning a new lesson. Remember, when you are happy, your Chiwawa is happy.

The Chihuahua, A Social Butterfly

Socialization and obedience is part of puppy training. Your Chiwawa needs to know what is expected of them in public and around other dogs and people. This is a huge step in building your bond that will last a lifetime. You will begin to form as a team, each knowing the other's moves, just like a best friend. Your dog wants to be a huge part of your life and going on outings can be a real treat for both of you when your Chi dog is trained to interact well with others.

Should I let my Chihuahua have the Run of the House?

A Chiwawa does not like to be alone but you can't take him/her to work with you or to church. Puppy training to stay alone without anxiety separation is another hurdle that must be jumped. Remember, you are the leader and your Chi needs guidance as to what his/her role is when you are away. With proper training, your dog will not be afraid, anxious or angry upon your leaving. It will just be a part of the routine to go to the crate when you need to depart.

Keeping your Chihuahua Healthy

Do not overfeed your Chiwawa. An overweight dog gets tired and sluggish and is bad for their health and attitude. Dogs are not people and their systems do not react the same as ours. You are doing damage when sharing your food or overfeeding because you think they are hungry. Get tips on the proper weight from your vet and stick to it. Having a Chi as your best bud can be very rewarding for a long time for both of you when proper puppy training is correctly put into action.

Last thing - Be Consistent in Your Puppy Training!

I can't stress how important it is to be consistent in training your Chi. If you allow your Chi to bite and tear an old t-shirt, you are actually expecting it to do the same thing your beautiful dinner gown one day. They do not know how to differentiate which fabric is allowed to bite and which is not.

by: Ricky Chea

Cat training aids that you can use to get the cat behavior that you want. Be prepared to be patient with your cat and you will get good results.

Food Tray The cat must be taught to eat only in their food trays to avoid begging constantly or having them steal food from the dining table. These must be situated far from the dinner table. It will also help to feed the cat before dinner. They sleep after they eat.

Scratching Posts It is part of the nature of the cat to claw, however this should not be tolerated. It can be very damaging to the furniture. This can be easily resolved by providing scratching posts for cats to claw on instead of the furniture.

Repellent Liquid repellent can also be used to keep cats from scratching on certain furniture. The taste of such repellents is so terrible that the cat will learn to stop from scratching eventually. Cat behavior in this regard it learned by patience.

Yarns and Balls Cats also need exercise. They are generally playful. Kittens like to play with just anything. To avoid having them tinker with delicate things, it is good to give them yarns or soft balls to play with. Older cats can be trained to use harmless leads.

Treats Cats can be taught tricks. They can be taught to shake hands or fetch something. However, to properly train cats, it is important to give them rewards when they successfully accomplished a task. Treats are good rewards.

Litter Trays One of the drawbacks of keeping a cat indoors is dealing with their dirt. Litter trays will come in handy at this point. This is a must in toilet training an indoor cat.

Water Spray Fighting with other cats and caterwauling are also problematic cat situations. Spraying the cats with water when they do these things will eventually keep them from doing them. The water spray is a helpful deterrent for other bad behaviors.

Cat Grass Plant eating is also a habit of the cats. They do this to induce vomiting and sometimes just out of curiosity. Cat grass is a good substitute to keep your plants safe.

Nesting Spot Cats enjoy going to elevated spots to see more. It is their way of seeking company. To keep them from jumping on furniture, it is best to get a nesting spot. This should elevated and comfortable. Rub a treat into the spot to attract the cat.

Training the cat with these aids will still require patience and consistency. Still, this is worth all the efforts. The good behavior of the cat is reward enough.

Training your cat for the toilet: Make the Cat More Loveable

Cats are very lovable creatures. They are tame, cuddly and are indeed beautiful. Most cat owners want them to be indoors, to keep them safe and clean always. However, keeping cats indoors poses the problem of dealing with their wastes. Thus it is necessary to toilet train the cat.

Toilet Training Essentials

1. Cats should be trained early on. It should start when the kitten is around 8 weeks old.

2. Before starting with the toilet training, make sure that the cat already responds to its name. This will be very helpful in responding to the behavior of the cat.

3. Cats generally are not difficult to toilet train. For one, they have the instinct already to bury their wastes. Thus all that is needed is to provide a litter tray.

This can be bought in pet shops. A litter tray usually is made of plastic or enamel. The container should be filled with soil, sand, sawdust or commercial cat litters.

4. Generally, a kitten that is raised together with a mother that uses the litter tray will learn to use the tray itself eventually.

5. For kittens or cats that still have to be trained, it is best to acquaint them with the litter tray. The cat should be placed inside the tray after being fed, after play or when it wakes up.

6. Make sure that the litter tray is placed in a quiet and secluded place. Cats would not like to be seen when they use the litter tray. This is typical cat behavior.

7. When the cat uses the litter tray, make sure that you praise it for the good behavior.

The best way to praise the cat is to pet it or pat it on its head. Food rewards are also good tools to praise the cat.

8. However, a cat or kitten being trained that failed to make use of the litter tray should be reprimanded. The cat must be corrected immediately. A loud and sharp "no" or squirting the cat with water are the usual ways to reprimand the cat. Never use physical punishment. It is not a good practice. It also affects the relationship of the cat to the owners.

The cat has to be constantly praised or reprimanded for its toilet behavior until it finally learns to go to the litter tray by itself.

Owning a toilet trained cat can be very rewarding. Attention and consistent effort will be greatly needed at the toilet training stage. Just be patient always.

by Gregg Osbourn

If you follow the easy steps I outline in this article you will quickly have a dog who responds instantly and enthusiastically to the command "sit!". The sit command could save your dog from many dangerous situations. Even before you can recall him, you can use "sit!" to make him stop and wait for you before he wanders onto a road, for example.

So, what are the steps you need when training a dog to sit? Here they are:

1. Have a small tasty treat in your hand and hold it near the dog"s nose.

2. Move the treat towards the back of his head and as he follows it, he will naturally sit down. If he jumps up instead, you are holding the treat too high.

3. As soon as his bottom touches the floor, give the command "sit!" in a clear voice and give your dog the treat. The timing needs to be spot on, so that the dog connects the command with the action and the pleasant experience of the treat.

4. Give your dog lots of praise and fuss. This will soon be enough reward for him without the treat and encourages a happy and responsive pet.

5. Repeat 4 or 5 times in a session. Don"t overdo it in one go. Lots of short, pleasant sessions will be better than one boring long one.

Training a dog to sit in the home with treats will only be the start. Once he has grasped that, just give praise. Then you can start to give the command while out on a walk. This should be on the lead to begin with, but progress to making him sit and wait while he is off the lead. You must then move on to other commands, such as heel, come, and fetch.

Dogs are social, active creatures that like people need attention, activity, structure and in many cases a job! Without daily interaction with your dog trouble will ensue! Bored and neglected dogs get frustrated which can manifest itself in a variety of ways to include acting out with behavior problems by being destructive in the home, not to mention health issues such as being over weight and depressed.

A while ago I adopted a nine-year-old Queensland Heeler who was clearly down in the dumps. She had spent the last few years left to her own devices in the back yard, excluded from family life in the house, she was only walked occasionally. She was overweight, her coat was dull and she seemed older than her years. My heart went out to this girl, especially when I found out in addition to being in bad condition she suffered from acute separation anxiety.

This was a very intelligent dog that needed some life and a sense of purpose breathed back into her, so it became my mission to cheer her up. Hiking became a part of our daily routine, the exercise did us both good. After she relentlessly shoved tennis balls in my lap I discovered she was a ballaholic, so then came regular trips to the dog park where I stood endlessly throwing the ball for an exuberant dog! As a herding breed her true calling was to herd cattle, so off we went to herding classes where she got to round up sheep. Now we had a hobby together that we both looked forward to. Within a matter of months this down trodden dog was transformed and I had developed a great bond with her. The years and the weight seemed to melt off her, there was sheen to her coat and a glint in her eyes, her energy was back and so was her confidence!

When we make that commitment to bring a dog into our lives it is vital that we provide daily activity and stimulation for this member of the family. There are all kinds of activities that can be incorporated into your lifestyle and daily exercise routine, the level and type of activity best suited to the dog will be determined by the breed of dog. For example a Border Collie has a lot of energy and requires a great deal of physical and mental activity, they excel in both agility and herding as it challenges them mentally and physically. On the other hand a Basset Hound has a low energy level and would be satisfied with a mild day walk. In return for providing daily activity to your dogs life you will be greatly rewarded by the bond that you develop with your dog, you will also benefit from living with a happy, healthy, confident and well mannered dog. Who knows, you may even discover a new hobby together!

Here are a few activity suggestions for you and your canine companion:

Dog Park A daily trip to the local dog park is a great way to socialize your dog, particularly beneficial for dogs that are left alone all day, they can run around off leash, play ball, tug of war, hang out with their buddies!

Hiking Whether its a stroll in the neighborhood or a hike in the hills every dog needs to get out and about in new surroundings, exercise, take in the new smells, mark its territory and greet dogs along its path.

Running Need a running partner, interested in cross-country running? Certain dogs can fulfill this role and will provide great camaraderie.

The Beach I have yet to meet a dog that does not enjoy a good invigorating run on the sand, play with the tide, chase the birds, what Retriever doesnt like to swim and fetch a stick from the water? Dont forget to bring some Dry Dog Instant Clean to wipe your dog down and get rid of the sand afterward. Click here for more info about taking your dog to the beach.

Rollerblading - Leash up and rollerblade with your dog, off road of course! Great for high-energy dogs that benefit from a daily run. Only recommended for people that are adept skaters!

Sheep Herding A fantastic sport for the herding breeds who were bred to herd livestock and without fulfilling this instinct and the need to be mentally stimulated can become a challenging companion.

Agility A fast moving sport where dogs are directed off leash by their handlers through a obstacle course to include the A-frame, dog-walk, weave poles, seesaw, pause table, collapsed tunnel, pipe tunnel, different types of jumps and hurdles to include a tire, triple and double jumps. This sport does wonders for building confidence, obedience and teamwork skills.

Obedience Classes Weekly classes are very beneficial for teaching your dogs good manners, every dog should learn basic commands for both practical and safety reasons. Hyper dogs may have a hard time focusing, we suggest trying Sleepytime Tonic so that your dog gets the most out of his class.

So you've just adopted a precious little kitten or cat. Now what do you do? Well you need to get prepared before bringing your new cat home. There are certain things you absolutely must have on hand.

1. A litterbox, litter and scoops are vital. Get a nice covered litter pan that will give your cat privacy and keep odors to a minimum. It is a good idea to get the clumping type of litter because it's so easy to scoop out and throw away. If you only have one cat, you might want to invest in an automated litter system such as the Litter Maid - but these don't work well with multiple cats.

2. Your cat will require 2 bowls that won't tip over. The food dish should be relatively shallow and the water bowl should be a bit deeper. It is a good idea to feed your cat twice a day - both dry food and canned food. And water should be changed daily.

3. Your cat will also need plenty of toys to keep him/her stimulated. My cats have always enjoyed the bizzy balls best of all. They go by different names, but here's what I'm talking about - they're plastic balls with bells inside. There's a wide variety of great cat toys on the market and most are pretty cheap - just try out a bunch and you'll find what suits your kitty best.

4. A scratching post is very important as cats have an inborn need to stretch and sharpen their claws. If you don't provide them with a suitable place to scratch, then they'll end up doing it on your furniture or carpet. Even with a scratching post, they'll probably still scratch where you don't want them to. So you might want to spray cat deterrent or put double sided tape on your best furniture.

5. Of course a collar and id tag is important whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat. An indoor cat can slip out the door in a flash and without some form of identification - you might never see her again.

6. Cat beds are optional. I've bought different cat beds over the years and to tell you the truth, they've rarely been used. Most cats like to seek and find their own places to nap - and it usually varies from day to day. One day it may be on your bed; one day it may be on your couch; one day it may be on the floor; and one day it may be in a kitchen chair.

7. Flea and tick prevention are extremely important too. I am partial to the Frontline liquid stuff that you place between your cat's shoulder blades - it works well and doesn't cause any problems for your cat.

8. Be sure and schedule a visit to your veterinarian. The vet will let you know if there are any underlying health problems or conditions that you should be aware of and get your cat started on a good regimen of disease prevention.

Jennifer has been researching and writing articles for about 5 years now. In addition to writing about cats and pets, you can check out her latest website on single serve coffee makers at http://www.coffeemakerspoint.com/. A website dedicated to bringing you reviews and information related to coffee makers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Manning

There are a few things that you need to consider when you are buying aquarium fish food. Without this knowledge, you might be feeding the wrong food to your fish and this can soon cause health problems. So what are the main things to look for and the essential things you need to know?

First, you need to know what fish you will keep in your aquarium or tanks. Different fish breeds require different kinds of nutrition. If you are keeping predator fish, then you should have a stock of other small fish that will serve as food. However, not all fish might prove to be beneficial to your predator fish. Next, select what form the food should be in. You can buy flake food, pellet food, some that float and others that sink. Pellets are dried and are usually used for large fish. Pellets may either float or sink. Flakes do not have moisture because they are baked. This kind of food is commonly used for invertebrates.

Lastly, never forget to check the expiry date of the fish food that you are going to buy. Without checking this, you might come across and expired product and you will soon realize that your fish are getting sick. Worse, they can be poisoned because of stale food.Always buy small tubs, not the big bargain ones.

The ingredients are also very important because this is how you will know if the supplements are complete for your fish. If in doubt, check them out with an expert and do your own research. There are lots of materials on the Internet that will guide you on what nutrients fish need. Better still talk to knowledable staff in your local aquarium centre or other fish keepers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Perry_Stevens

When you get a new puppy or a new adult dog, the most important things you can do for your dog's health is to prevent them from being exposed to illness or diseases.

The Parvo Virus has taken the lives of so many puppies and adult dogs that it has put a lot of fear in the hearts of dog owners everywhere. Parvo is an illness that has the ability to take the lives of young puppies, weak dogs and elderly canines.

You don't have to be fearful and there are a few things you can do to help your beloved dog avoid getting parvo.

There are vaccinations that can guard against your dog getting the virus. And that is a very good thing. The problem is you that you cannot give the vaccination to newborn puppies.

It is suggested by most veterinarians that you wait until your puppy is at least 4-6 weeks old because during those first weeks your puppy will be receiving a lot of immunity and strength from its mother. So during those first few weeks of its life your puppy is very much at risk for parvo attack.

Symptoms of parvo can include severe vomiting, high fever and diarrhea that is bloody. It is also possible that your puppy will not show any signs of being sick before they die from it. You may be able to save your dog by getting help from your veterinarian - but often once a dog gets parvo they don't usually survive it.

It is important for your new puppy to get well socialized as you introduce them to their new family and surroundings - however because of the danger of the virus it is important to protect them from contact with other dogs until after they have gone through the full series of vaccinations which usually takes at least 16 weeks.

When the weather is cooler your dog will really benefit from a heated dog house or a warming dog house heater.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ella_Sanchez

If you are like me you want the best for your dog. You want to provide for his safety and well being. You want him to have a good life in good health. You will want to keep him around as long as possible and free of disease. And believe it or not, the best way to do this is with natural pet home remedies.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs. Cancer is many times the result of inflammation produced by vaccines. Vaccines are used to prevent some diseases but they are overused. They affect the dog's immune system and trigger immune related diseases including anemia and cancer.

Conventional veterinarians use many chemicals to treat our dogs. Not only the vaccines, but many of the medications prescribed to our dogs are very harmful. The heartworm prevention pill, which is administered once a month, contains pesticides which are toxic, and are cumulative over a period of time. These toxins cause severe damage to the dog's kidneys and liver, and their immune system is weakened.

Our dogs have to tolerate all these attacks from medications as well as from the environment. They need to build a good immune system in order to be able to stay healthy. There are many natural pet home remedies that will give your dog the necessary nutrients that he needs.

A good healthy diet is essential. A lot of the commercial packaged dog food is made with waste that is leftover from processing human food, such as blood, bone, tails and ligaments. You should be aware of this and look for certain ingredients that are necessary for a healthy diet, such as an animal based protein, fatty acids, natural preservatives and antioxidants. Some basic things to avoid are by products, food fractions, artificial coloring and artificial flavoring.

A dog also needs a good daily supplement. Dog food, even the healthiest, will not provide your dog with rich nutrients necessary to build up his immune system. The only way to prevent your dog from getting serious diseases is through a good daily supplement. Experts agree that the best way to prevent cancer in dogs is by building up their immune system with supplements.

Dogs today suffer from many chronic disorders due to a weakened immune system. Natural pet home remedies is the answer to this predicament. From treating cancer, to allergies, to arthritis, natural pet home remedies are producing great results.

Become informed about treating your dog with natural pet home remedies. You can take charge of your dog' health and make sure he receives the best care. You will be saving a lot of trips to the vet as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cristina_Santeiro

Anesthetic and a range of topical treatments from a local aquatic outlet will form the basis of the box, but the peripheral equipment is just as important, if not more so. A mild liquid disinfectant suitable for use on human skin for initial cleansing of a wound will be invaluable. Cotton wool sticks will help when applying it.

A roll of kitchen paper for wiping and drying wounds, and a plastic bag or bin for waste materials help to keep everything tidy and hygienic. A box of latex gloves will be useful for protecting the hands from treatment chemicals, some of which may stain and be carcinogenic. A spoon and accurate scale to weigh out chemicals will also be useful.

A pair of tweezers will make it easier to remove dead scales and visible parasites. A handling sock for lifting and moving fish will be invaluable. However, being confined to a small volume of water is stressful for the fish, so observe it continuously and remove it from the dip if it becomes distressed.

A bath is a much larger container of water and is useful when a longer confinement is necessary. The treatment given may be the same as for a dip, but at a lower strength medication for a longer period of time. Again, consider providing additional aeration at this time. Treatment is not confined to eradicating parasites.

Secondary infection often sets in and damage can easily occur when a net is improperly used, for example. Dress any open wounds to prevent them spreading further and to minimize the risk of the infection becoming systemic.

Come visit the author latest websites on Organic Flower Delivery and Cheap Golf Clubs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Nabila

Guppies are so prolific that many people buy a pair with the hopes of breeding them for fun or profit. Some beginners, unfortunately, think that because a single female will have anywhere from 30 to 60 babies every four weeks they can just raise the baby guppy fish haphazardly and hope for the best. If the group of fry (newborn fish) dies because of neglect, there is only a short period of time to wait before the next attempt can be made.

This isn't the ideal way to learn how to raise guppies. The overall goal should be to grow healthy adult fish that people might actually want to keep in their home aquariums. If this is not done, then a beginner fish keeper's aquarium can become overrun with poor quality fish - leading to disappointment. There are a few tips about the proper baby guppy diet that can help anyone raise healthy adults!

1 -- Feed a variety of foods. In nature, fish eat whatever they can find that they can digest. This means that they are often eating something they haven't actually ingested recently. This is a clear advantage since no two foods have the identical nutritional value. A variety of foods fed to a baby guppy group will mimic this natural instinct. Some foods to consider are microworms, daphnia, and grindal worms.

2 -- Feed often. The best tip to improve growth of your guppies is to feed them regularly. Feeding up to 6 times per day can ensure that their bellies are almost always full. A full stomach means nutrients and energy are always being taken in and converted to muscle mass and other organs/tissues!

3 -- Choose your foods wisely. Young fish are attracted by foods that move. Their attention is grabbed when flake food floats by. Live foods do this job even better! Fish that are fed live foods have to swim after their meals - developing stronger muscles. Flake foods are still an important aspect of any baby guppy diet though so don't rely solely on live foods!

In case you are interested in other information about fish, John has written a lot of information about such topics. His most recent venture is a website about custom fish tanks. One topic that might be of interest is the custom aquarium which can be perfect for small guppies!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnathan_Thomas

Parrots, also known as psittacines are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most warm and tropical regions. Parrots have a pan-tropical distribution with several species inhabiting the temperate Southern Hemisphere as well. The greatest diversity of parrots is found in South America and Australasia.

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Most parrots are predominantly green, with other bright colors, and some species are multi-colored.

Cockatoo species range from mostly white to mostly black, and have a mobile crest of feathers on the top of their heads. Most parrots are monomorphic or minimally sexually dimorphic. They are the most variably sized bird order in tems of length.

The most important components of most parrots' diets are seeds, nuts, fruit, buds and other plant material, and a few species also eat insects and small animals, and the lories and lorikeets are specialised to feed on nectar from flowers, and soft fruits.

Almost all parrots nest in tree holes (or nestboxes in captivity), and lay white eggs from which emerge altricial (helpless) young. Parrots, along with ravens, crows, jays and magpies, are some of the most intelligent birds, and the ability of some parrot species to imitate human voices enhances their popularity as pets.

Trapping of wild parrots for the pet trade, as well as other hunting, habitat loss and competition from invasive species, have diminished wild populations, and parrots have been subjected to more exploitation than any other group of birds.

Recent conservation measures to conserve the habitats of some of the high-profile charismatic parrot species has also protected many of the less charismatic species living in the ecosystem.

By: alvi

In dog training there are a few major pitfalls that you are sure to encounter. Knowing them before you get there is very helpful to avoiding stressful situations later. The biggest mistake most people make with dog training techniques is also the easiest for new trainers to fall victim to. This is the danger of expecting too much.

Dogs are very intelligent creatures and, by and large, enjoy training. Thus when you visit the park with your untrained dog and the person next to you is playing Frisbee with their German Shepherd and the Poodle down the way is sitting patiently rather than attacking picnic goers, it is easy to think your dog should know these behaviours from birth.

We often times forget the many hours of dog training that have been put into these wonderful dogs. Your dog can learn these very same antics but it will take time for these dog training techniques to be instilled. Do not expect your dog to learn all of these routines over night. This would merely set you up for downfall number two.

The second problem people encounter in dog training is losing their temper. This usually results in an out of breath owner who is yelling at the top of the vocal capacity, a frightened dog and possibly a visit from the local animal welfare department depending on how the individual vents their frustrations. In lesser cases it can go the other way and a dog decides to defend itself.

To avoid this downfall, make a conscious effort never to yell at your pet and hitting is always wrong. Raising your voice to your pet will do little to correct their errant behaviour and do much harm to your relationship with the animal and undermine your dog training techniques. It will result in a nervous animal that cowers from you rather than obeys your commands or sees you as a threat, you might even get bitten.

The third dog training pitfall to avoid occurs at the other end of the spectrum. These people let the dog become the master. This is equally detrimental to your relationship with your dog as the animal has no control to its behaviours and can quickly become a danger to itself and others. An animal with that attitude will ignore all of your dog training techniques.

Dogs are pack animals and quickly decide who the leader is and who follows who. If you do not take the leadership role from the beginning both through attitude and dog training techniques, you can rest assured that your pet will. A dog without a master will run amok and will quickly get into trouble chasing cars and people, destroying property and making a nuisance of itself. This mistake is tantamount to animal abuse and is very nearly as bad as the previous one.

Fourth in line of things to avoid for effective dog training is the mistake of giving up. Many a dog owner has a pet that has never reached its full potential due to the owner losing interest in their training. Dogs love to learn, especially when the owner uses dog training techniques that reward well learned behaviour traits.

Many owners, lacking the time or perhaps the patience for proper dog training, will be quite happy to have a pet that merely answers to its name and stops barking when repeatedly shouted at. Please do not let yourself fall into this trap.

Your pet is a highly intelligent animal and is capable of learning so much more. Occasionally, dogs have even been known to develop neuroses due to boredom from not being challenged enough. This results in an unhealthy animal that can be poorly socialized and destructive of furnishings or even its own body. Your dog can and will respond to your dog training efforts if given the time to do so.

A fifth point that we keep reiterating (and well we should) is people’s failure to be consistent with their dog training efforts. If you tell the dog to sit and your pet doesn’t do it, stick with it until they do. Always use the same command words and enforce the same action each and every time. Manually enforce the command if it is necessary to get the desired reaction and reward the animal with some play time or some verbal praise for properly performing the routine.

Consistency is the major key to training your pet. Repetitive lessons taught on a regular basis with consistent rewards are necessary to the effective dog training.

Knowing these five pitfalls ahead of time will save you many frustrations with your dog training and will result in a much a healthier and happier relationship with your pet.

By: Tim Guy

You can easily teach train your dog to lie down and look elegant with its paws crossed by following these simple instructions:

Step 1: Start the exercise with your dog in the down position (of course he should already be trained to do so before attempting the 'cross paws' trick)

Step 2: Now have your dog offer his paw on command. If he does not know how to respond to this command yet, simply reach out and grab one of his paws. Be sure to click once (using a clicker) and offer a small treat each time. It is important that your dog remains in the down position while doing this.

TIP: If he still struggles to understand how to give you his paw, simply use the treat and place it in the palm of your hand a few inches is a way from one of his paws. Soon enough, he will naturally move to touch the treat that is in your hand in hopes that you will release the tasty snack. Be sure to click each time he taps your palm.

Step 3: Continue having your dog offer his paw, but be sure to concentrate only on one paw at a time and do so repetitively with a click and a treat.

Step 4: When your dog has reached the stage where you can rely on him to target your hand with one of his paws, slowly move your hand closer to your dog's other front paw. Now in order to offer you is paw, he must lift it up and move over sideways in order to reach your hand.

What may happen is that he may choose to lift the opposite paw instead of continuing with the trained paw. Each time this happens, all you have to do is pull away your hand and simply ignore this response from your dog.

Step 5: Your almost done. When your dog can target your hand as it has moved to the opposite side, near his other paw, quickly snap your hand back at the last second. His moved paw should now land right over the other paw and in a crossed-paw fashion. Be sure to click and offer a treat.

Step 6: Continue repeating this training regimen and each time his paw crosses over, slowly fade your hand away so it is further from the dog. Eventually, your dog will automatically cross his paws when he sees your hand signal, and at increasingly longer distances away from you.

By: Jerry Mace

A sure sign that your cat has a urinary tract infection is seeing him straining to urinate when in his litter box. This is often accompanied by vocalizing and eventually abandoning the litter box altogether.

What can you do to prevent urinary tract infections in cats? The most important thing you need to do is take your feline friend in to see a veterinarian immediately. This situation can be life threatening if not caught in time and treated effectively. What are some things you can do at home to try to prevent urinary tract infections from happening with your cat?

1. Herbal remedies. Try herbs such as hydrangea, gravel root and corn silk. These are all effective at acidifying the urine and possibly dissolving any existing bladder stones.
2. Ample water supply. Make sure you cat has lots of opportunity to drink water throughout the day. Just like with humans, drinking enough water is critical to flushing the system out and preventing any crystal buildup in the urethra and bladder.
3. Diet. There are foods available from your veterinarian formulated specifically to maintain good bladder health in your cat. A lot of cat foods available in the supermarket are very high in ash and can contribute to blockages.

My wife and I have a cat that came down with a urinary tract infection a couple of years ago that ended up costing us a small fortune. If we had brought him in to the vet in time, it likely would have saved us a lot of money and heartache.

We did a lot of reading about urinary tract infections in cats on the Internet and weren't entirely satisfied with what we found. We spent the next several months compiling all the most relevant information and also interviewing veterinarians in our area and around the world.

The results of our research can now be found at StopCatPeeing.com where we have many articles relating to inappropriate urination in cats. A cat that pees outside the litter box is a frustrating problem and one that could prove fatal to your cat if you don't know what to do. Do your homework and help your cat before it's too late.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Whyte

Guppies are a great small live-bearing fish that are easy to care for - even for the novice fish keeper. Guppies are a great first choice of fish because they are small, can be kept in smaller fish tanks, and do not need any special foods to thrive. One thing that many beginners enjoy about guppies is that they are quite simple to breed successfully. All that it takes for preparing for pregnant guppies is to remember these three easy tips.

1 - Feed pregnant guppies well. Each female guppy can have up to 60 tiny babies in her every month. She requires enough energy to properly care for the developing eggs and babies. Since they hold them for up to four weeks before giving birth then start a new cycle almost right away, it is important to feed these fish well. A good quality flake food should be given two or three times per day. Overfeeding will destroy the water quality while underfeeding will lead to unhealthy babies.

2 - Be ready for the babies before they are born. There are two basic artificial ways to help ensure a higher survival rate of guppy fry. One is a breeder trap, and the other is a breeder net. The trap has a small area for the mother with a slot that the fry slip through when born. Babies are kept safe from the adult. The net is just a way to keep a mother away from the community fish tank for the birth of the babies. The pregnant guppies can still eat the babies if not removed fast enough.

3 - Have lots of hiding places. When pregnant guppies are ready to "drop" the babies, they will try to seek cover in the tank. Providing caves and a bunch of plants will make them feel safe and also protect fry that can seek shelter. Good plants include java moss, java ferns, floating plants, and grasses. Driftwood and caves are also helpful in this regard.

Besides writing about guppies, John enjoys many aquatic topics. Most recently, he has started a website about custom fish tanks. Learn about why to buy wall mounted aquariums!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnathan_Thomas

To cultivate swallow since the building was originally a bird waletnya very easy because we do not need to call the birds and swallow Swallow again. In addition, the welcome swallow and would have lodged in place so no need to change the condition of the building again. In order to obtain good bird's nest quality and quantity, management and maintenance required as well as building maintenance and building waletnya. Treatment efforts include the following points:

1. Organize and maintain the building as possible. The condition of the building should be noted that swallow swallow bird density is not too high because it can cause a bird's nest shape each other and do not coincide perfectly.


2. The addition of food in the dry season. In the dry season, availability of natural food in very little. This will affect the swallow bird life. The quality and amount of food obtained swallow every day will affect the production of saliva. In the dry season swallow should be given additional food in the form of flying insects that live in trees or on the ground. Insects include moths, flying ants, plant hopper, fleas. Feeding can be done in the afternoon.


3. Efforts should be made to eradicate and prevent pest attacks that can disrupt the life swallow.


4. How to harvest the bird nests is well done and with the appropriate programs. Harvest the wrong way can lead to decreased quality of bird's nest, and the more fatal again, swallow bird can fly to move to another place.

a. Preparation of swiftlet house

1). Site selection


Building site selection strongly supports the success of swiftlet building operation swallow. In these locations, must be considered environmental factors are suitable for swiftlet bird life. These environmental factors should be based on the nature and the factors that are naturally favored by the bird or birds swallow Swallow, as follows:



• Lowlands with a maximum altitude of 1000 m above sea level. In general, do not want to swallow a house or building occupied an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level.


• Areas far from the reach of influence of technological progress and development of society. In other words the area is relatively pure and natural as the best residential swallow.


• Rice fields, grasslands, open forests, beaches, lakes, rivers, marshes are the most appropriate area to hunt food for the swallow.


• An area that was safe for life and Swallow swallow, which is a remote area of disturbance wild birds eating meat. This wild bird species including eagles, birds alap-alap, eagle.


• A location that many birds around Swallow. This indicates that the area suitable for developing swiftlet nests producing useful.

2). House swallow


In planning your building or home making swallow, to note the things as follows:



• The shape and construction of houses
  

  Generally, swiftlet house like a big building that the width varies from 10 x 15 m2 - 10 x 20 m2. Elevation walls of the house practically equal to swallow Swallow house, which is about 5-6 m. High walls are not included wuwungan. High wuwungan greatly affect the low temperature and humidity conditions swallow building.

  Wuwungannya higher, the better for swiftlet house and is preferred by birds swallow. The greater the distance between the ridge of the ceiling means the cavity between the ridge with the ceiling increased. Given the large distance, the volume of air in the room is also bigger, so hot air does not completely offensive ceiling.
  The house may not be as high as that covered by tall trees around it because it would just swallow the hole into the entrance of the house free of trees. If the house is covered by trees around the house should be built higher.

  
  

  Walls made of plaster, while the outer part of the cement mixture. The inside walls should be made from a mixture of sand, lime, and cement in the ratio 3:2:1. The composition is similar to the composition of the swiftlet caves and very good nature to control the temperature and humidity in the room swallow the building. To reduce the smell of cement can be sprayed with water every day. The wall more frequently doused with water, the faster the smell of cement missing. Roof frame and insulation, insulation to attach swallow's nests should be made of strong wood and old enough to be able to survive in the long run, is not easy to eat and not have to RENGAT quickly replaced. Replacement is too often can disturb the peace swallow.

  
  
• The shape of the room and the entrance swallow



The room can be made based on the story height, minimum of 2 m. Each level of criss-crossed back into the room so that will create an atmosphere like in the caves of natural rock.




Often swallow bird circling in front of the cave, before entering into the nest. Therefore, the building is equipped with a swallow needs rovings room as a place to spin and resting room as a place to rest and nest. To prevent the entry of too much light, resting room sectional is made. Between one patch with another patch interconnected.




Hole to be made out of birds at the top, calculated that the birds can freely in and out without disturbance of trees around the buildings. The size and shape of holes can vary. If a square, ideally measuring 20 x 20 cm2, when mamanjang size 20 x 35 cm2, and if the shape of a circle 20 cm in diameters.




Hole out of the numbers of birds depending on the needs and condition of the building. Clearly, the fewer the number of holes the better. Enough room for a one-hole course. Too many holes that can affect the temperature, humidity, and light in the building that will result in krasannya not swallow live in the building.
Location of the hole should not be facing east, because in the morning when going out swallow, his eyes dazzled in the sun in the morning. Walls should be painted black holes to be easily seen by birds from a distance and will help to quickly swallow know his house. In addition, painting with black color can also reduce the light entering from outside the building so the room becomes darker.



• Paint the house and lighting



Paint used for swiftlet house of lime should be smooth and flat enough to not easily damaged. Inner wall layers do not need painted to match the natural cave conditions and can reduce the light.




To reduce the refraction of light from outside the building, in the hole and out of antidote was given a funnel-shaped beam of black cloth. In this way, the incoming light can be focused in one direction so that the situation in the building will be dark.



• Wall around the building as a safety from interference



To maintain security swallow and production of pest and theft, then around the building needs to dipagar wall swallow. Will be more perfect, if the outside walls are made trenches filled with water is always flowing.

b. Preparation of the parent and the egg

1). Preparation of the parent


To cultivate Gedongan swallow, swallow selected as the parent birds who endeavored to Swallow to nest in the new building. The new building will serve as the building when it began to swallow a bird occupied Swallow. Because the birds will occupy Sriti new building, whereas swallow normally would occupy the building that has a lot of bird droppings Swallow. This is due to the new building still smelled of cement. To speed up the entry process swallow, usually building new walls are often covered with bird droppings Swallow and the wood covered with bird's nest dishwater.


2). Preparation of eggs


In the cultivation swallow, swallow eggs need to be prepared for a bird's nest hatched on Swallow. Eggs can be obtained from building owners who are doing swallow "the egg harvest waste in a way this egg preparation, keep in mind the characteristics of swallow eggs to avoid the mistake of Swallow bird eggs because they almost the same. Generally, egg white swallow bluish, while the egg white Swallow speckled dark brown. In this case, need to choose a normal-sized eggs, not too big or small the average size of egg swallow. In addition, select a good egg, not cracked, rough, not contaminated dirt, water, or oil. Generally, waste contaminated eggs will not hatch. Therefore, the decision of the goal needs to be done with caution.




To check the quality of the eggs, can be done by observation. Binoculars are made from egg cartons and then directed to the light, it will show the inside of the egg. In this observation, which needs attention is the condition and location of air bags, state and location of egg yolk, and the presence or absence of blood spots. Good hatching egg has an air bag is relatively small, stable, and does not shift from its place. Location of egg yolk must be in the middle and not moving, not found in blood spots. Eggs that have blood spots, power tetasnya only 56.3%. After selection and obtained a good hatching eggs, the next step is to incubate the eggs in the nest tesebut Swallow.

c. How to hatch eggs

Between Swallow swallow and had many similarities, both about the food, ecosystems, biological and habitat development. With these equations, it is possible if the eggs hatched in a nest swiftlet Swallow, then nurtured and raised by birds Sriti until such time as the child can swallow their own foraging and grow into an adult swallow.




To hatch the eggs in the nest swiftlet Sriti first thing to do is replace the eggs with egg Swallow swallow. This can be done when the season arrives Swallow bird eggs. Egg retrieval must be done carefully, do not use the hand directly, but with a plastic spoon or tissue paper. This is to avoid damage and contamination of eggs that can cause the bird would not mengeraminya Swallow. Endeavored to transport any way not many shocks and collisions. Egg replacement done in the daytime, when birds Sriti out of the building to search for food. Furthermore, swiftlet eggs will be incubated by the birds Sriti and after hatching would fosterage to swallow can fly and feed themselves.

In addition to the expertise required in swiftlet farming, the natural conditions are also a key factor in the decline advanced swiftlet population in our country. In fact, swallows can live and multiply rapidly in our homeland. However, to find potential areas, required knowledge of the ideal environment to swallow. Here are two environmental factors, namely macro and micro, which affect the propagation swallow.

MACRO ENVIRONMENT

To build a barn swallow should first note the stable environment that will be built swiftlet. Do observations in the afternoon when the birds are returned to their cage. For stable macro environment is crucial swallow increased or decreased swiftlet population. Macro environment for the cultivation of swiftlet nests is influenced by several factors, including the following:

• Food factor



Increased or reduced production and quality of swiftlet nests are determined by factors of food eaten the bird. Most of the food was provided by nature, including the moths, flies species, brown plant hopper, and other flying insects. Swallow food source is in the rice paddies, swamps, plantations, and forest areas. The authenticity of the region will make swallows breed rapidly.

• Occupancy factor



The characteristics of swallow is life like clusters and highly dependent on the group. Thus, the stable development swallow must also consider the centers swallow. This means, in the area there are many barn swallows that have produced a nest swiftlet. Therefore, the chances of success for fishing and expand scattered through larger swallow.

• Water Factor



All living things depend on water, as well as the swallow in desperate need of water. Besides food, water factor was also very influential in the process of population and quality of swallow nests. To swallow, works for drinking water, bathing, and neutralize the room temperature.

• Altitude factor



Another feature of the swiftlet bird is not like the height region more than 1,500 m above sea level. Therefore, the cultivation of swiftlet nests take advantage of the lowlands. Cultivation of swallow's nests will not be successful if undertaken in the highlands, which is more than 1,500 m above sea level. In this area generally can not swallow rapidly proliferate.

• Safety factor



Swiftlet population and the quality is also very dependent on the security factor. Swiftlet makes its nest in the dark room, not in the branches of trees like other birds. This method aims to safeguard the security of their own child and parent.

• Factors season



Indonesia is the country's largest producer of swiftlet nests in the world. In this country these birds breed rapidly. Indonesia has two seasons, namely dry season and rainy season so it helps the propagation swallow. As the rainy season, the birds were looking for partner to marry and generations. While in the dry season, swallows will use it to release the feathers on the old body.

MICRO ENVIRONMENT

Kennels located in swiftlet caves. In nature, these caves had chambers of darkness that is used by the swallows to nest and breed. Conditions in the cave is compliant to swallow life. Here are some micro-environmental factors that support growth and development swallow:

• Humidity



Humidity in each room swiftlet nests ranged from 85-95%. These conditions are created so similar to the natural caves as their natural habitat swallow. In order for optimum moisture, in the barn swallows that have been placed in the pot with cement leveling compound that permeates. This vase filled with water placed at the edge of the room.

• Temperature



Quality of swiftlet nests is strongly influenced by humidity and temperature. To obtain the ideal temperature, in addition to placing a large vase in each room, making artificial rain in the dry season is also an effort to maintain stable temperature in each room. The ideal temperature for the space between the cage swallow 25-29 0C.

• Aroma



The smell in the barn swallow is dominated by the smell of feces and nest swiftlet swiftlet. With the smell of it makes swiftlet home was in the room.

• Light



Swallow live in a dark room. Therefore, for the stable room-divider swallow partitioned to be dark. The size of the light in the room for two candles.

Swallow an insect-eating birds that are aerial and like gliding. This dark-colored birds. Flying faster with body size is. Sickle-shaped wings are narrow and pointed. Swallow very strong wing. Her legs were so small that the birds of this species had never landed on the tree. Beak is very small. Swallow a habit of living in the caves or houses are quite humid, dimly lit until dark. Walet use the ceiling to attach the nest as a place to rest and breed.

Types swallow

There are several types of swallows are known in Indonesia that can produce a nest. However, not all nests produced can be consumed and have benefits. Environmental conditions are suitable, Indonesia has six types of swallows. Some of these types can be distinguished based on body size, voice, hair color, behavior in making a nest, and the materials used in making a nest. Because the swiftlet bird likes to fly in the air, often referred to swallow swallows.

Many people argue, that the bird is a bird Swallow kite. Swallow birds nesting in the home and the nest can be used to incubate the eggs swallow. Initially, these bird species are considered the child of a cow swallow almost the same as passing. Upper body feathers Sriti greenish black, shiny and does not have small hairs on her toes. While the cow swallows, feathers covering her shiny blue-black color and on the toes have little hairs.

All types of swallow has a shape similar body. Rather swallow bird hanging on the rocks with sharp claws and nest in caves or the ceiling. Because of his habit landed on the ceiling, the "catch" for this bird to nest in a house built.

Here are the types of swallows in Indonesia:

• White swallow



White swallow, so called because it produces a white nests. This swiftlet feathers brown with blackish fur bottom or grayish brown. There was a slight gap on the tail. High-pitched voice. Including medium-sized swallow with a body length of about 12 cm. Dark brown eyes, black beak and black legs.




Swallow-wing is more rigid and stronger flying too. If he rarely foraging around in low places. White swallow prefer foraging near tall trees there is lots of small insects. Also frequently seen gliding into the water for bathing and drinking, then flew again.In nature, its nest is located in the crevices of the rock, or limestone caves that are difficult to achieve. Nest is made entirely of saliva, so they're expensive and often find nests pickers. Eggs are white, elongated shape. Usually only a couple of eggs. White swallow nest seasonally, depending on the chosen nesting place.

• Big swallow



This type of black swallow with brown hair dark bottom. His voice was loud and crackled. Is a kind of swallow the big size compared to other swallow species. Body length about 16 cm.




Because the wing and larger body, swallow can fly higher and faster. When flying, he preys on small insects that become food. Prefer big swallow nests in the holes of the stone (a small cave), or in the crevices of rocks near the waterfall. Nest can not be eaten. This bowl-shaped nest, made of a mixture of roots, moss, and the fibers. Compared with other types swallow, swallow's nest of dirty and disorganized including. If the eggs are usually only a grain. Color the egg white, slightly oval shape. In November and December large swiftlet nesting season usually enter.
search

• Black nest swiftlet



Swallow coat color is blackish brown with gray-brown tail feathers. This swallow hairy legs evenly. In terms of body size, it includes a medium-sized. Body length about 12 cm. When seen first glance, looks very much like white swallow. Dark brown eyes, black beak and black legs. Unlike other swallow, this kind of squeaky voice. Swallow is also eating small insects that snatched when flying. For the location of the nest, much like the limestone caves. Nest called black nests for the saliva to build a nest mixed with feathers black body. When laying only one. Color the egg white, elongated shape. Wedding season with a white swallow. Like white swallow, black nest swiftlet also easier to be cultivated than other swallow species.

• mountain swiftlet




Black color of this bird, but the color gray tail blackish. Gaps in the tail feathers. Her legs were a little hairy or not hairy at all. His voice was distinctive sound of creaking swallow. Relatively large body size. Body length about 14 cm. These birds fly rapidly clustered near a cliff or a mountaintop. Small insects eat their food when flying. Nests built in crevices of rocks. Usually the nest is built on the former mountain crater. Because made of grass and little or no saliva in nest material, then the mountain swiftlet nests can not be eaten. In the mating season, usually laying two eggs.

• Moss nest swiftlet



This colorful bird feathers blackish brown, but color darker tail. The tail just a little crack. Viewed from afar, looks like a white swallow. High-pitched voice. Medium-sized body. Body length about 12 cm.




Type swallow this little-known people because it is difficult to find. Nest built on parts of the deeper caves and very difficult to achieve. Strong fly far and high. Rarely flew low circles near the surface of the ground. As he flew he live prey small insects. Good nest with a smooth surface and more rounded shape. The moss is used for additional nest so the nest is a nest of moss.

• Swallow cow



This swiftlet feathers bluish black with a shiny color. Feathers dark gray bottom, the little white belly. Is a kind of swallow the smallest size. Body length is only about 10 cm. Dark brown eyes, black beak and black legs. High-pitched voice. Habitat includes all the surface heights, both on an open wooded grasslands or forests.




Swallow if flying in groups, but does not irregular. Swallow does not a strong cow fly away. Normally low-flying spinning only near the surface soil or river for bathing and drinking. When looking for food, often around large trees and lots of high insect, especially small wasps. Irregular-shaped nest, composed of a mixture of moss and grass held together with saliva. In the light of the cave opening, slit the cow swallows the stone can be nested. When the eggs are usually only two eggs. The eggs are white and slightly oval. Swiftlet nest cow does not depend on the season, he can nest throughout the year.

Traits swallow

In its original habitat swiftlet nests found in the caves of the remote. Generally, the cave in the cliffs are steep near the open sea. In the vicinity of the cave is usually surrounded by dense forest. Swallow would have preferred that it had water (rivers or lakes), grasslands, and tall trees and dense. In such areas, many small insects which are swallow food. In Indonesia, there are almost swallow the whole province. Swallow do not like the areas barren. Despite the high flying, swallow does not like areas with an altitude of more than 1,500 m above sea level.
For the location of swiftlet nests are in need of a humid place. Humidity space needed is about 85-95%. Room temperature is suitable for swiftlet between 25-29 0C. Walet wanted a quiet location, safe, and not contaminated by air pollution. Swallow is a bird that lived in groups. Although members of a group can move to other groups, but no swallow a live separate from the others. The number of members of a group of different swiftlet, depending on the size of dwelling. The greater the residence swallow, the greater the members of the group.

In a house or a cave can be inhabited by several groups. Walet group in all activities of life. They include groups for hunting insects along the forest. Leaving the morning and afternoon with back together again. One group will build a swiftlet nests are close to where he lives. Never in a swiftlet house dispute occurred between groups. While living crowded in one place, swiftlet swiftlet not disturb each other.

After a day looking for food, swiftlet home and went to rest in the nest. If you usually swallow flew straight while hunting, then returned home when swallows will fly circles around the house. In the nesting season and lay eggs, swiftlet home faster than a regular day. Swallow is the type of bird cage home properties. Swallow tied to his home and always going back to that place again for a state where appropriate and safe.

Swallow like a dark place. Moreover if the incoming sunlight is very small. This is in accordance with the original habitat in swiftlet caves and dark shade. Unlike other animals, swallow does not have trouble with the darkness around the nest. To overcome this dark situation swallow does not rely on his senses. Swallow using reflected sound system as a measure of distance (ekholokasi). Usually, swallow home after dusk and the circumstances in which they live is very dark moment. To know exactly the position of the nest, they let out a shrill. The sound is reflected back by the wall of the house where they lodged, leading them to find out the location in the room. That is why swallow can enter into a dark cave with no trouble at night. There are also exceptions. Types of large swallow and swallow a cow ekholokasi not use. This situation applies to swallow residing in a well-lit places.

Swiftlet nests are made at night after coming home. Nests were not made in isolation. The two couples swallow, male and female, working together applying saliva to form a nest. In a pair of throat swallow salivary glands that can produce saliva. Works to build a nest continuously every day. The process of forming a nest finished until it takes 40-80 days. When you swallow food of many insects and not laying on the season, the time it takes about 40 days. However, during spawning season, spent his days twice as long as that is up to 80 days.

Outside the spawning season, smaller nest size. Nest less good form and irregular. These nests are made only as a place to rest. In contrast, nests in the spawning season for the larger and better shaped. At this time, the nest is used in addition to rest also to lay eggs and raise children swallow. When the nest was taken on the spawning season, swallows will soon build a new nest again. New nest was made in a faster time than the making of the nest that had been taken. Nest-making should not be successive. Capture successive nests in spawning season would be detrimental. Swiftlet will lose a sense of security. Especially when the people who pick it when swiftlet nests are home and resting or incubating eggs.

In the breeding season, would swallow each other find the way mate romp in the air. This can be done when the swallows hunt insects. Males and females will be chasing each other high flying. The pair quickly formed swallow seeking a suitable place to build nests. After the nest swiftlet mating made jointly formed with the good and big enough. The marriage process can take 5-8 days, after that then the female will soon lay eggs. Swallow normally lay eggs only two. Egg hatch was also carried out together, male and female will take turns incubating the eggs until hatching time.

Child swallows being fed from the food issued from the parent part. These foods can be digested by the baby swallow because previously been crushed by its mother. Within a week, children swallow feathers have started to grow wings. After the wing feathers grow, followed by growth of back hair. Then swallow whole body hair appear. At the age of 45 days after hatching, have strong swallow flying to find food themselves. Like most insectivorous birds, beak triangular swallow.

Swallow food consists of insects become pests common to cultivated plants. Insects swallow foods such as the types of plant hopper, beetles, small grasshoppers, moths, ants, winged, white rice pests, rice straw exploiters, and sundep. Indirectly swallow an enemy of this pest biology that can reduce the cultivation of plants. Thus swallow a boon to agriculture in the surrounding businesses.