Pet insurance and its benefits

Only a pet owner would know the joy of having a pet at all. Surveys show that owners who keep pets, often look at them as an extended member of the family instead of just as a mere dog or a cat. Which probably explains why companies all over the world, actually spend millions on research into the most basic things to do with pets, for example food, and pet toys. Pet habits and preferences are closely studied, in order to develop the best of products. However, if you are a pet owner you can do more for your pet. Buying a pet insurance could save you lots of money in the case of any emergencies.

Pet insurance works in much the same way as any other kind of insurance. It protects you, and gives you a kind of cover in the face of uncertainity. Pets like humans are prone to accidents, and if timely care is not given, the effects could be substantial. At the same time, the worse the injury chances are more expensive will be the operation. There are so many options that are available in the market today which go beyond covering just the vet fees or ensuring your bill is not too heavy in case of an operation. In fact, every policy differs from the other in some way or the other. Some insurance companies go as far as having policies, which will protect your pet in case he damages somebody else’s property. Or if the pet is lost and money needs to be put in for advertising and rewards, the insurance company will step in for you.

Pet insurance has only just started picking up in popularity. For a long time people were content with a trip to the vet. But pets being boisterous in nature, may fall ill quite frequently or meet with other accidents too. In countries like the USA and the UK, pet insurance is frequently advertised and looked at seriously. Enough of money has gone into research of animals itself to give us a clearer picture of what diseases they are likely to catch and at what age. Diabetes is an illness that can affect both cats and dogs alike. Certain specific breeds like Labradors are susceptible to renal atrophy.

Moreover, most proper diagnoses often require a full scan, x ray or MRI. Some owners have had to take the difficult option of putting the pet to sleep, for lack of funds to pay for the operation and treatment. There are some points to look at when going for a pet insurance. You have to be clear about what you are looking for, have an idea about how much you can spend, and also, for how long you intend to keep the policy. The two basic covers offered are a lifetime cover and a time limited cover. The first cover is best for pets that have recurring diseases or illnesses and which need to be treated for a lifetime.

Pedigree cats and dogs often come into this bracket. The second cover is best for pets that need treatment after recovering from an operation or illness. This works well for those owners who cannot afford lifetime cover and yet want to give the best care for their pet after some incident. Whatever be the cover you choose, do not hesitate when it comes to getting a good cover for your pet. After all, he is family.

Horse Breeding Overview

Nature itself has always had an impact and influence on breeding over the years. In the wild only the strong survived, horses roamed free and were unprotected by man. The stallion (male leader) fought other stallions to protect and maintain his herd. Any weakness threatened his entire lifestyle.Today man has a major role in breeding, no longer is the need for strength and survival so important. Rather we are able to do selective breeding for traits such as color, breed, conformation and athletic ability.When horses were first domesticated we either needed them for transportation or as work animals to help on farms. All work was demanding of the horse and man saw what he needed from horses. Certainly no thoroughbred should endure pulling a tank in the snow for weeks on end. A heavy set horse is far better suited for that job. And so began the mixing and mingling of bloodlines and breeds. As we have progressed in life with conquering new lands so we have taken our trusted steed along for the ride. Horses that travelled to distant lands were bred with the native horse of that land. A new breed evolved and man bred to refine the qualities and characteristics. Horse breeding is natural, but not all horses are meant to be bred. In order for two to make three we need a stallion (male) and a mare (female) which mate. A mare can only be bred with when she is in season. If the covering (mating) is successful she will give birth to a foal (baby) ten months later.If you are interested in breeding for what ever personal reason, the best place to begin is with a sound, healthy horse. Generally the stallion owner offers his horses services during the breeding season for a fee. If you want to make money breeding then you certainly need to own a stallion that has good bloodlines, good conformation and temperament.Those three aspects are essential ingredients for breeding. A mare has a little more elbow room in her requirements. This is only because she is going to produce a single foal per year, whereas a stallion is bred to around 40 mares per season with live cover and a lot more when using artificial insemination. The resulting foal is definitely a combination of mare and stallion qualities, the stallion does not have more influence in the gene pool. You do not need a top competing mare in order for you to breed for a foal. Any horse owner with a mare can choose to breed.With that said I do not mean that any horse owner should choose to breed. If you are interested in breeding become educated in horse breeding first. Talk to people who have bred, visit stud farms and learn about the industry. Horse breeding is a fascinating and wonderful career. If you cannot afford the stud fee for the top horses you could investigate working on the stud farm. There are a number of studs that offer benefits and incentives to staff which can include a free service to a mare.When deciding to breed your horse, know what kind of horse you would like from the match. Know the rules of the horse breed, some horses will not be accepted into the breed registry without specific traits like color. Always look for a stallion that compliments or improves on the qualities of your mare.

The Quiet Revolution That is Sweeping the Horse World

Over the past couple decades, thanks to the efforts of a list of well known trainers and authors too long to mention, the majority of horse trainers and owners have turned to “natural horsemanship”. Millions of Americans have read the book or seen the movie, “The Horse Whisperer,” and were amazed at the connection between trainer and horse. This movie presented a fine example of Natural Horsemanship. If you are not familiar with this type of horse-rearing, it is based on understanding and applying the natural herd hierarchy or pecking order: how horses use body language to communicate and the understanding of horses’ ‘explosive flight’ instincts that have helped protect them from natural predators.

At a very grassroots level, the kindler gentler more basic concepts of natural horsemanship have ignited new ideas that are taking that movement to a higher level. A new culture is emerging whose mantra is “Bitless, Treeless and Barefoot”. They are avid natural horsemen or horsewomen who use bitless bridles, ride in treeless saddles, and use a barefoot natural trim on their horses’ feet. They believe these things eliminate the discomfort, pain and injury that can be caused by bits, traditional treed saddles and horseshoes. Eliminating pain brings them closer to their horses so they can enjoy the magical relationship that so many horse lovers dream of. While they and their horses are enjoying the time they spend together more, they also claim that bitless bridles, treeless saddles, and barefoot trims help the pair perform better together.

Perhaps the most dramatic change of this new subculture is that, from backyard hacks to endurance to competitive games to high level dressage, people are claiming that they perform better when they use a bitless bridle. Although bitless bridles have existed in many forms throughout the centuries, the use of bits is an important and established part of equestrian teaching and tradition. Equestrian competitions usually require that participants use bits in their horses, even if the horse and rider can complete the task bitless.

Zoe Brooks, a quality management consultant, horse farm owner and designer of the latest model of bitless bridle, says: “Attila the Hun succeeded by teaching his army to control their horses with metal bits. While today’s bits aren’t as primitive, the fact is that much of our modern equestrian practice evolved from military training. I think it’s time we looked for some new role models!”

Zoe admits her first foray into owning a horse didn’t start with the mutual caring relationship of her dreams. Instead, her horse pushed her around, stepped on her, shoved her down and threw her off. It wasn’t until Zoe ‘took a step backwards’ to learn the basics of natural horsemanship that a whole new world opened up. Then she could train her new big opinionated mare ‘Hazel’ and was thrilled to have the big horse follow her around like a puppy and even go on trail rides in a rope halter. As soon as Zoe tried riding her with a bit and bridle Hazel’s personality changed and she became combative. That’s what led Zoe to design the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle.

“Training and riding bitless took us to whole new level! It removed the fight and the mutual worry of impending pain form the bit. We worked better together and learned to trust.”

In fall of 2006, Zoe and her husband Gerry used their own methods of natural horsemanship to train 4 young horses in only 2 days. Using their bitless bridle, after only one hour of ‘nurtural training’ three people were able to ride a 2 year old stallion who had never seen a saddle before that day. The 3 year old gelding accepted his first rider in under an hour and hit the open fields on Day 2. The two young fillies had their first rides in their second lesson. Brooks believes: “With a little nurturing, you don’t need to spend a lifetime or a fortune to train a horse.”

Bitless bridles are gaining credibility among all sectors of the horse set; from the casual pleasure rider to the precision of Grand Prix Dressage riders, horse owners are discovering the difference ‘going Nurtural’ can make. They feel like their horses are calmer and happier to be with them.

While many horse lovers see the value in the Natural Horsemanship movement, they may balk at bitless bridles, believing they all look like a standard hackamore. The often bulky or rudimentary appearance of hackamores doesn’t seem to mesh too well with the grace and poise required when showing. But bitless bridles have become so refined and elegant in appearance, that at first glance, many riders don’t even realize a horse isn’t using a standard bitted bridle.

“Once they see the responsiveness and control that a bitless bridle can offer, and the smile it puts on their horse, most riders become convinced,” says Brooks. “After all, what horse owner wouldn’t want to find a more nurturing and gentle way to work with the horse they love?”

Visit www.nurturalhorse.com for more information about Zoe Brooks & the Nurtural No-Bit BridleTM .

Are You Unknowingly Harming Your Horse?

Owning your first horse can be a dream come true. Yet many new horse owners may find their new-found dream less-than-perfect as they struggle with issues of behavior, manners, training and respect. Perhaps they are inadvertently harming the very creature they’ve fallen in love with. Even though they’re large, majestic animals, horses require a lot of gentle TLC. Unfortunately, many of the long-standing practices in traditional horsemanship may be harmful. Growing numbers of horse owners are seeking more humane ways to train, ride and care for their horses.

That’s why Natural Horsemanship has become so popular. It’s based on understanding the natural herd hierarchy or pecking order, how horses use body language to communicate and how the practiced application of ‘pressure and release’ can cause the horse to willing work with you – respecting and obeying you as the lead horse. It also promotes a deeper bond between horse and rider, based on the creation of a trusting relationship. Building trust isn’t always easy— that’s why it’s crucial for first time horse owners to make sure they’re not unknowingly hurting their horse.

Here are five key things new horse owners must know:

1) A horse’s mouth is sensitive. Many first-time horse owners assume they must use a bitted bridle to control their horse. But a metal bit can quickly become an instrument of torture in a horse’s tender mouth. Consider trying a bitless bridle instead. They cradle the horse’s head to let you apply gentle consistent pressure and release signals to ‘tell’ the horse where to go and provide exceptional control with less pain for the horse. Do your research – the effectiveness of bitless bridles vary with the design of each model!

2) Heavy hands hurt! New horse owners think they have to tug strongly on the reins to control the horse. This can cause pain and lead to health problems for the horse. Many ‘behavior’ problems actually stem from heavy-handed riders. Talk to a qualified trainer about the best way to hold the reins to avoid confusing and/or hurting your horse. Riding in a bitless bridle can also help you develop softer hands and improve your use of other aids like your seat and legs.

3) Saddles are NOT one size fits all. You shouldn’t just walk into a tack store and buy the first saddle you see, or pick up bargain. A saddle should be fitted to your horse’s size and shape. Call the tack store ahead of time and get instructions to correctly measure your horse. Ask about treeless saddles; they’re softer, more flexible and more comfortable for the horse and rider.

4) Not all horses need shoes. Depending on where and how you ride and your horse’s living conditions, your horse may not need shoes. Hooves help pump the horse’s blood and some experts believe this function is enhanced when a horse is ‘barefoot.’ But it’s best to talk with your vet and farrier about what’s right for your horse’s specific needs.

5) Reward your horse. Don’t confuse intimidation with respect. Teaching your horse to obey because it’s frightened of you does not lead to a good relationship. Spend time bonding with your horse. Hang out in the round pen and consider riding freestyle. Simply petting your horse is a good way to reward good behavior.

Zoe Brooks, a quality management consultant and horse farm owner, admits her first foray into owning a horse didn’t start with the mutual caring relationship she expected. Instead, her horse Hazel pushed her around. That’s when Zoe did some research and began using Natural Horsemanship methods and a whole new world opened up. Hazel was content to take trail rides outfitted in a rope halter with no bit. But as soon as Zoe tried riding her with a bit and bridle Hazel’s personality changed and she became combative. That’s what led Zoe to design the Nurtural No-Bit Bridle.

“When you think about the mechanics of shoving a harsh hunk of steel into a horse’s mouth, it sounds rather barbaric,” says Brooks, co-founder of Nurtural Horse. “The idea behind the bitless bridle is that if you remove the distraction and pain of a bit, the horse and owner are happier. Because bitless bridles are so much gentler yet still offer control, we’ve discovered they’re especially useful in training young horses and new riders.”

For more information visit www.nurturalhorse.com.

Basic Horse Care

Horses are amazingly beautiful and sensitive creatures. Horses require not only understanding and patience to have a horse as a pet, it also requires a whole lot of care.

Herd Mentality:
Observe horses in the herd system, each horse's welfare in the wild depends upon an instinctive submission to the discipline of the herd. The instinct is for immediate action. To the horse, action is survival. When horses live in an herd environment, they often take turns sleeping and standing guard for any predators. When the leader of the herd signals danger they take flight.

Learning respect and ascending to authority starts on the first day of life for the foals, there is a distinct pecking order in herds of horses.

It is important to keep a quiet profile around horses. Horses naturally do not like unnecessary noise because in the wild their survival depends on detection of predators with their hearing. Extraneous noise interferes with this predator detection. This predator detection is tightly coupled with a horse's flight reflex. Due to these survival genetics, horses have a physiological wiring in their brains that predisposes them to prefer quietness and to become bothered by unnecessary noise. Many horses can get startled easily from abrupt noises and this could result in injury to the horse, the rider, or people around the horse. Talk to your horse in a quiet, reassuring voice.


Relationship With Horses:
A horse will love you if, first and foremost, you treat it fairly, and secondly, if you allow yourself to develop a relationship with it in the same way you would a human partner. There are too many who will look after the horse's material needs but put nothing back into the partnership itself. The horse born in captivity will identify with an alternative provider and companion, resulting in a healthy relationship from the beginning. A healthy relationship with your horse requires: trust, coupled with respect, fondness with compliance, and a desire to please.

Check Your Horse:
Examine your horse every day and especially prior to riding the horse. Carefully examine the horse's legs and back for any unusual heat or lumps. Make sure that the horse's eyes are alert and not glazy. Listen for any excessive noise or gurgling sounds coming from your horse's stomach. Catching problems before they become serious is critical to keeping a show horse sound and alive.

Exercise caution and discretion when around stallions and mares when they are in heat. They are dealing with hormones on an order of magnitude that you probably can not comprehend. Stallions typically bite and some may be easily triggered into violent behavior.

Grooming Horses:
Keep your horse clean. Keep your horse's entire coat free from dirt, mud, sand, and sweat. Brush your horse every day. Pick out your horse's feet every day. Wash out any sweat residue from the saddle pad or girth every day. Wash out any dirt or sand residue, as from the riding arena, on your horses legs every day. A number of different problems can result if a horse's coat is not kept clean.

Barn Care:
Keep your horse's stall clean. Make sure that your horse's stall is cleaned every day. Be sure that any wetness is removed with the manure. Replace the removed bedding with fresh, clean, dry bedding. Water should be dumped from buckets every day without exception. Unhealthy dirt and bacteria can build up in a bucket if it is not cleaned on a daily basis. Clean water is essential to maintaining a healthy horse. Make sure your horse always has clean, fresh water available.

Training A Horse:
The intelligence of the horse increases rapidly with education. An intelligent trainer can make an intelligent horse. A kind but firm trainer will result in a disciplined but pleasing horse.

Horse Feed:
Feed your horse(s) at the same times every day. A horse may get upset and colic or injure themselves by kicking the stall or pawing, if not fed when feeding is expected. You should not make radical changes in a horse's feed program. If you must make a change in the feed program, make the change gradually. Drastic changes in a horse's feed program can cause the horse to colic and in some cases, may die. Your horse's stomach is a highly sensitive bio-reactor that maintains a delicate balance of the organisms that digest food in your horse's digestive track.

Visitors should not feed a horse that you do not own without the owner's permission; no carrots, no apples, no treats, nothing. The horse could potentially, get sick if they have an allergy or sickness.

Pay attention to everything that goes into your horse; that means all feed, all hay, all water, all treats, all supplements, all pills, and all shots. This knowledge could save your horse's life in an emergency situation. Post this information on your horse's stall door so that it is available to a vet if you are not around in an emergency. Make sure that your horse gets high-quality feed and hay. Your horse's health and soundness depends on the nutrition that you provide for them. Take good care of your horse. A rider without a horse is no rider at all.

Vet Care:
Make sure that you have a good equine veterinarian. A good vet will save you money in the long run and may save your horse's life some day. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure your horse has all the vaccinations that are normal for your geographical location. All horses should be on a good worming program to control intestinal parasites. A horse should be wormed by a vet at least twice a year.

Horse Flies:
In the summer spray your horse trailer down with fly spray about 10 minutes before you load the horses. The flies should leave, and your horses will be without those pesky flies!

Cooling Horses:
Never spray a hot, sweaty horse with cold water immediately after working the horse. This can cause muscle spasms and binding, or shock that can lead to death. Wait until the horse is breathing regularly, and use warm water if it is available. If a horse has heat shock, consult your vet and the vet may instruct you to cold hose the horse, even if still hot and sweaty. Never put a horse in a stall or confined area while sweaty or while they are still breathing heavily. This can result in shock and/or colic that can lead to death. Walk the horse until the horse is cooled out and the breathing is normal.

Shoeing:
Horses' hooves generally grow approximately 1 cm in a month, and take nearly a year to grow from the coronet band to the ground. Horse's hooves need to be trimmed regularly (about every 6-8 weeks). Shoeing a horse does not hurt them. If you were to grow out your finger nail, you could put an earring/pin through it without causing discomfort; however, if you pushed the pin through the part of your nail that is attached to the soft tissue of your finger, it would hurt. When horse shoes are nailed in, they are nailed at an angle so which the horse doesn't feel it.

Make sure that you have a good farrier, especially if you show your horse over jumps. The concussion from landing from jumps amplifies any problems in a horse's shoeing. If a horse gets sore feet or legs from bad angles or bad shoeing, the horse can not just take his shoes off, sit back on a couch, and rub their feet, or find another pair of shoes like you can. Bad shoeing can result in your horse becoming lame due to a number of problems including: bowed tendons, popped splints, or shoulder/back soreness or spasms. Bad shoeing can ruin a good horse, so don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish where shoeing is concerned. A laid-up horse is far more expensive to maintain than a good farrier. And remember not all horses need to have shoes, only if they are competing, walking on hard/rocky surfaces, or have hoof problems.

Sleeping:
Horses do lay down to sleep, but only if they feel completely comfortable in their environment. It is not enough to provide a dry stable, food and water. Horses will often sleep standing up by locking their knees. Horses are one of the few animals that can put one half of their body asleep while the other half is wide awake. Emotionally and mentally, all horses need to feel they have and be comfortable in their own space!

To fully enjoy a horse's finer qualities you must treat them with both kindness and quality care. In the end, a happy horse will mean a nicer ride and a happier rider.

Inspiring your Dog's Lives

It is often thought that owning dogs in the city is cruel. They have no back yards and the city is busy and noisy. How lucky are city dogs? They have no green space or yards. Dogs in the suburbs and country have it far better. These dogs have yards to run about in and often spend all day and night outside. How lucky are these dogs? They have yards! Well, maybe the suburban dogs are not as lucky as we think. Maybe these are the dogs that are missing out.

Life of the well-cared for dog in the city is a wonder of social interaction. Think: owner gets up; dog goes out for a morning walk and often to a local dog park for a run. Midday, person comes in and takes dog for a walk while owner is at work. Dog gets used to someone else being with him and waking with other dogs. In the evening, owner walks the dog again – often back to the dog park! On the weekends, they go visit friends and relatives in the suburbs. During the daily walks, the dog gets used to different surfaces and how to relax around crowds. Sirens and trucks do not bother him nor does the honking of horns. People in uniforms, carrying bags, wearing hats and hoods or flapping coats are all part of his daily life. Dog gets to see many sights and smells and meet people. When he is at home, he has plenty of interactive toys in case he gets bored. These toys and a good walk in the morning help alleviate boredom and take off the edge off of built up energy from a good night's rest. His owner also knows that since he lives in an apartment, barking dogs create a nuisance so reducing boredom is crucial. Boredom and too much energy are a big cause of nuisance barking. The dog has learned it is good to potty outside and all he has to do is cue his owner when he needs to potty. Plus, the midday walker means that the dog is not forced to hold an unreasonable amount of time! Does this life sound all that bad?

Let's look at life of the average dog in the suburbs. Owner gets up, dog goes out to go potty in the yard while owner gets ready for work. If lucky, the dog will be brought inside while owner works. If not, he will stay outside during the day. It is easier than hoping the dog holds his bladder and sure beats getting someone in to walk the dog midday. However, the dog has not learned good house training and even at two years of age, still does not know how to ask to go potty. The dog sees two situations – house and yard. He has no idea how to behave around other people or dogs, as he has never had a chance to interact with them. On the rare occasions when owner does take him out, the dog shies at trucks and sirens; he lunges at other dogs and panics when he sees a flapping coat. He does not encounter new things regularly and is very under socialized. He has no idea how to react to many situations. When outside during the day, his excess energy from sleeping as well as lack of stimulation leads him to become a nuisance barker. He bothers the neighbors who are at home during the day and one has even made a noise complaint to the police. The dog is bored and has no good outlet for his physical and social needs. Neighborhood kids torment him as they walk to and from school. The owner, when home, ignores the barking and the dog learns that children are a threat. One time he even bit a child who leaned over a fence to say “Hi.” But all the dog knows is children are danger and that danger must be fought. The danger is on his turf and the turf has to be protected. He never gets to dog parks and has no idea how to interact with his own kind. In his excitement of seeing his own kind, the dog lunges and barks and people think he is aggressive. In actuality, the dog is not well trained or socialized and does not know how to respond to others of his own kind. Does this sound good?

Part of enriching our dogs' lives is proper socialization. The average suburban, and to a greater extent country, dog lacks in this area as owners have the luxury of a yard for the dog to go out in. There is no need seen to walk the dog. But walks are vital for socializing opportunities. How else can the dog learn that the world does not have to be feared? It is amazing what dogs will view as a threat and either shy from or snap at trying to escape that threat. By getting the dog out and building confidence in the world, the dog becomes less likely to respond adversely. But the sprawl of suburbs and yards makes dog owners lazy and the dogs under socialized. Dogs who are bored tend to develop destructive and annoying behaviors such as barking, chewing and digging. The dogs are not getting back at humans; they are just trying to entertain themselves. Dogs who spend all day alone and isolated from the pack may develop barking problems as well as become escape artists. Owners see the dog as hard to handle, trying to “get back at me” and refuse to take him out even more as a form of punishment for not behaving. This does nothing but exacerbate the situation. The dog is not being given the opportunity to learn and he is being even more socially deprived. The dog has no idea why he is being deprived or punished. All he knows is frustration. Is this fair?

One way to get dogs out and around other dogs in a social environment is through training classes. Ideally, training in classes should begin as soon as pup has completed his 12-week shots or ten-week shots depending on the schedule your vet uses. (Some vets go 6, 9, 12 and others 6, 8, 10, but pup should have three sets of shot for his own health). A good puppy-k program will emphasize socializing and give you ideas how to better socialize pup. Even a good adult program will teach socializing and what should be done. Another great way to socialize is sports. Agility, Flyball and such gets dogs out and about with other dogs and working around them. Another way to socialize is going to dog parks. Many communities have them. And if not, have friends with social dogs get together once a week for a play date at a house with a fenced yard. Isolation from his own kind is misery for a dog.

Now, what about enriching our own homes for our dogs? Dogs view the world as a chew toy until we teach them what they can and cannot chew. A dog that is totally deprived of stimulus will find his own entertainment. That antique chair may fall victim to boredom and lack of training. The dog is not bad or trying to get even, he is just trying to fill a void. There are a variety of things we can do to fill this void and let our dogs act out the natural behaviors of chasing, chewing, tearing and digging. Toys and bones you can fill with a tasty treat are one way to alleviate boredom and let a dog be a dog. Kong toys, hollow bones and such can be stuffed with a bit of spread cheese, spread meats, cheese cubes, hot dog chunks, semi-soft dog treats, canned dog food, etc. The dog gets to work and chew to get the treat out. If you hide these toys, the dog gets to enjoy the hunt and seek for a reward. Sturdy chew toys (hard-pressed rawhide, ropes, etc.) also allow for chewing. A toilet paper or paper towel tube with some kibble put in it and the ends crumpled allow the dog to tear into a toy. A clean milk jug with the top off and kibble dropped in lets the dog throw and tear and tackle. Buster Cubes and similar toys have various compartments inside that kibbles rolls about in, Sometimes the kibble comes out. Feed your dog one of his daily meals or even both in this fashion (works better if you have a single dog, for multiple dogs I use stuffed bones). A strong rope tied to a tree with heavy bungee cords lets the dog pull and tug. Games of hide and seek are wonderful! One person hides and another gets the dog to go find. Once the hiding person is found, a toy gets tossed for the dog. Or hide a toy for the dog to find. Start simple (behind a chair on the same room) and build up the complexity (up the stairs and down the hall and under a box in your room). Take a bunch of plastic or paper cups and lay them out mouth down. Put a treat under just one cup and encourage the dog to find the treat. Big boxes make great tunnels and many dogs will fit through the play tunnels sold at many human toy stores. Small logs and lengths of PVC pipe (4” and 5”) can be laid down for the dog to walk and jump over while playing. (For safety, dogs under 12 – 18 months of age should have all jumps very low). Make a digging area for your dog! In your yard, lay down a 4'x4' box and fill it with a soft sand and dirt mix. Encourage your dog to dig here and not in your garden. Use landscaping timbers to mark off the dog's digging box. A toy buried or some kibble sprinkled over the area can help redirect his digging from your Azaleas to the box! These are all things above and beyond fetch that we can do to help enrich our dogs' lives. And if you have a higher- to high-energy breed, these games are wonderful for burning off that energy! Get creative. However, monitor toy use and if you suspect a toy is not suited for your dog, do not use it. There is no toy ideal for all dogs and safety with toys is essential!

Boredom in dogs leads to undesired behaviors. However, enriching their environment, getting them socialized and understanding that we make our dogs what they are goes along way in making our lives together happy and healthy.

Know Your Pet

Spending time with a pet is the most important thing you can do for it. Not only is it good for both you, psychologically and emotionally, but it pays to understand your pet's moods and habits. Many pet owners have gotten a feeling that "something isn't right" before any symptoms of a disease start showing. They may not be able to pinpoint what is wrong -- maybe Fluffy wasn't as interested in usual in being petted, or Rex didn't seem as hungry for his dinner -- but they know something is different.

For most pets, a change in behavior is your first warning that something is wrong, or that a significant event, such as giving birth or shedding a skin, is imminent. Most illnesses cause our pets to change their daily habits in slight ways. Your pet may feel sick, but not yet have a runny nose, hair loss, or other symptom. He may instead show his feelings by wanting to sleep when he would usually play, or by turning up his nose at a favorite treat. By recognizing that your pet is acting differently, you are getting a jump on treatment.

Some of our pets aren't far removed from their ancestry in the wild. Birds and lizards, in particular, instinctually hide their symptoms from observers, since otherwise, in the wild, they could be targeted by predators as easier prey. Often, by the time a bird or lizard shows a symptom, the illness has progressed dangerously far and the animal is just too weak to hide it any longer. The illness will now be much harder to treat sucessfully.

By spending time with your pets, and getting to know their routines, moods, and history, you have an invaluable jump start on their care.

I knew my rat would give birth that day because I knew how approximately how long she had been pregnant, and she and her cagemates started showing interest in smelling her nether regions. Giving her some privacy helped the birth be a little less stressful.

I knew my tarantula would molt soon because she stopped eating crickets, her abdomen had a new bald patch, and I knew she hadn't molted for about 10 months. Increasing the humidity in her tank helped her wiggle out of her old exoskeleton.

I knew my guinea pigs wanted grapefruit, because I give them a slice at the same time every evening, and they expected it. Guinea pigs can't metabolize Vitamin C on their own, and it breaks down so quickly that it must be provided fresh daily.

Once explained, my "insights" no longer seem very psychic. However, I did have to spend time with each of these pets every day, in order to recognize the changes each of them were going through, or in the case of my guinea pigs, know their routine. Do the same with your pets, and you have another weapon the fight to keep them healthy and happy.