How Havanese Training Can Help Resolve Housetraining Frustrations

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

How to Use Havanese Training to Alleviate Mouthing and Nipping Habits

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 Origin of Betta Fish and Their Breed Variations Explained

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

Differences in Professional Breeders and "Backyard" Breeders

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

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

Tips In Choosing The Best Dog Breeders

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

The Makings Of Good Parrot Breeders

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

Finding the Right Breeder

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