Exercising your Dog on a Pet Treadmill

Is your dog getting overweight and lazy? Would you like to be able to exercise him more but just can't find the time? Maybe you should look into investing in a pet treadmill like so many other pet owners have done. After all, exercise is just as important for dogs as it is for you. In order for your dog's heart and lungs to work well, his blood to circulate as it should, and to keep him in optimum health, he just has to get some exercise every day. No matter how limited your budget is or how small of a space you have for a treadmill, you'll be able to find something to meet your pet's needs.

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Acupuncture Treatments for Your Dog

Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese art of treating conditions that affect the body by using carefully-placed needles. This therapy is now being practiced all over the world, and many people claim to have gained great benefits from undergoing the treatment. Even today no one has really figured out why the procedure works the way it does, but even without scientific fact behind it, there are enough people to testify to its benefits that we can't completely discount the possibility that it is a viable treatment for pain and disease.

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Animal Shelter

Winter is coming to a close and you wait in anticipation as spring draws nearer, because with the advent of spring summerís not that far away. Itís a mixed blessing however, since during the long winter months your work at the animal shelter can only be considered as slightly insane. With summer on the way though, you and your coworkers will have your work cut out for you. Thatís the time when your ìonly slightly insaneî workload turns into the full fledged pull-out-your-hair kind of insanity.

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Dog Health Problem

If you are the proud owner of a dog health problems are no stranger to your household. They need not only be of the doggy variety either. By the very fact of owning a dog you open up your home to be bombarded by a myriad of different little health problems. Some of them might not be so bad, but for the most part if you have a dog health problems will also abound. You just canít stop that.

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Bird Bath Heater

One of the more enjoyable aspects of animals is that they act in interesting ways that sometimes seem to mimic our behavior. Birds have this tendency as well. They call to each other to come and have some great food, or to be aware of danger, they will even invite other birds to come and take a nice cleansing bath. For winter bird bathing having a bird bath heater will still let you take advantage of your bird watching hobby.

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Pet Jobs

Pet jobs can encompass many things the least of which is a job held at a pet store. There can be a variety of pet jobs to choose from, like working at a zoo, or animal shelter, or perhaps even a pet store. You could always find pet jobs around your neighborhood as well.

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Pet Health Insurance

Like everything else these days the veterinary bills for your pet are also out of this world. And just as you need health insurance have you ever thought about getting your pet health insurance? Itís not as bizarre as it sounds and might help you in the long run. By getting your pet health insurance you can be certain that at the times when your pet needs it the most you can give him the proper medical care and attention.

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Arthritis Cripples Older Dogs - Is Your Pet Safe?

It's a sad fact, but many people who look into the eyes of their faithful old dogs don't realize that their pets are suffering inside from the pains of arthritis. They just aren't able to tell you, so you need to watch for the signs. Have you noticed him slowing down from his younger frantic pace?

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Information on Dog Furniture

Just getting a dog home is not enough-you need to ensure to get the required furniture first. Before getting your lovely pet from a local breeder, make sure your house is fully equipped to handle the dog. For all the information you need on dog furniture, just read through the article.

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The Essential Tips for Washing Your Dog

A dog is often considered a man's best friend. So intense is the relationship that at times we tend to pay more attention to our pet than to our family members. This includes our dog's health and hygiene. We would now discuss the basic tips for washing your dog.

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Fashionable Pet Carriers for the Woman on the Go!

There are a number of choices when it comes to fashionable pet carriers. This is especially true if it is a woman that owns the pet! Fashion, style, elegance - all of these things are especially important to many women. Even for women who lead busy lives, and are always on the go, these types of fashionable pet carriers can prove to be relatively attractive.

There are a number of pet carriers that specialize in exhibiting the latest trends and hot topics when it comes to design, elegance, and natural flair. If you are a female that owns a small pet cat or a small pet dog, and you want the ability to transport your pet from one location to another with ease, and without all the bulk and fuss that traditional pet carriers come with, this may be the right product for you!

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Designer Pet Beds | Choosing the best pet bed is very important

Designer pet beds are great gift ideas for your pets. For many people their pets are not just animals, but also a member of the family. You want every member of your family to be happy and comfortable, right. When it comes to the happiness and comfort of your pet, there a few things that can be done that will ensure these traits. One way is by giving your animal companion a designer pet bed. But before purchasing just any old pet bed there are a few things to take into consideration.

Thats right, your pet has needs and these needs to have consideration when thinking of purchasing a designer pet bed. Among these considerations are size, look, shape and material. These are important to ensure that your pet will fit into the bed. The type of fabric that is used in the making of our pet bed needs to one that is comfortable for the pet.

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Pet Screen Doors: Your Door for More Freedom and Relaxation

Pet screen doors are designed to help your dog, cat or any other pet to go out or come in easily. Its saves you time and give your pet much more independence. It is a time consuming experience to always take the dog outside whenever it wants. Pet doors, also popularly known as dog doors can even be mounted on sliding screen doors and can be placed on the lower right or left corner of your screen door, it all depends on how your door opens.

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Safety Tips for Wheeled Pet Carriers

Wheeled pet carriers are growing in popularity among pet owners. These units are relatively easy to maneuver and are designed for the convenience of the pet owner. There are many different types of pet carriers that include wheels. You can choose from a basic design, to luxury pet carriers. Regardless of the type of wheeled pet carrier you elect to purchase for your pet, it is absolutely essential to ensure that you are familiar with a few safety tips for using this type of product.

Knowing the difference between proper use and improper use can make a large difference in the overall health and safety for your pet. While many pet owners are simply looking for convenience, safety is not always a popular topic. Here, you will learn some basic safety tips for wheeled pet carriers. Continue reading "Safety Tips for Wheeled Pet Carriers"

Choosing Stylish Pet Carriers that are best suited for your pet

Stylish pet carriers are becoming the latest trend when it comes to moving pets from one location to another. Many pet owners enjoy sporting their pet in the latest styles and fashions when it comes to modes of transportation. There are so many choices when it comes to choosing the right carrier for your pet that you may have a difficult time making the choice on just one.

This is the intent and purpose of this particular article. I want to share with you some essential steps on how to choose a stylish pet carrier that is appropriate for your pet. I know that you want the best for your pet, and stylish pet carriers can deliver just that, but it is also important to consider other areas that may have an impact on the pet's comfort, and your comfort as well. Continue reading "Choosing Stylish Pet Carriers that are best suited for your pet"

Understanding Pet Sitting Insurance

Pet sitting is basically a service on a contract basis, that is provided by those who take care of pet in their own home. There is also a professional pet sitting industry and the fact is that it is growing very rapidly. This is because the pet owners believe that there are great advantages in using pet sitting or sitters instead of using the more traditional methods of pet care.

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Saltwater Aquariums | Beautiful colors of fish from the ocean

The use of saltwater aquariums allows you to bring a small piece of ocean life into your home. There are many people who enjoy watching fish swim in their natural habitat. Some of the most beautiful fish found on this big earth are from the ocean. With bright colors and the slow movements that they make, watching these fish in action is a great way to pass the time. However, as with any type of pet, there are certain precautions that you should take when placing one of these saltwater aquariums inside our home.

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Soft Pet Carriers | Comfortable transportation for your pet

Soft pet carriers are great products to use when traveling with your pet. Many people like to take their pets with them when they travel. In doing this you always want your pet to be as comfortable as possible. Other types of pet carriers are hard and have no soft inside lining to allow this comfortability. Your pet is as much a part of the family as anyone else and deserves the same treatments as we do. With the use of the soft pet carrier, you can now offer this comfort to your pet and they will be happy for it.

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Types of Pet Travel Carriers that you can choose for your pet

There are many different types of pet travel carriers that one may elect to choose from when traveling to certain destinations. It does not matter if you are traveling down the road to a local grooming shop, or you are going across the nation to visit relatives, these handy little pet travel carrier units can make the trip a lot easier. When you travel, it is important to understand that, yes, you have a certain stress level and want to be as comfortable as possible.

However, your pet is also experiencing their own stress, and they need to be comfortable as well. This is where pet travel carriers come into play. Here, I will introduce you to a few of the many types of carriers that are available for traveling. Continue reading "Types of Pet Travel Carriers that you can choose for your pet"

Cage Hammocks | Travel comfort for your pet

Cage hammocks are designed for the comfort of your pets. When traveling, you want your pet to be as comfortable as possible. The need for this is so that your pet does not freak out and try to claw their way out of the cage. These cage hammocks are designed for them to climb in there and rest when taking long trips. Although it does not have to be just for traveling. Many of our pets such as cats, ferrets and the whole rat family are kept in cages. These hammocks used in this type of cage allows for your pet to rest comfortably while they are sleeping.

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Keeping Your Pet Fit With A Dog Treadmill!

It's a lot of fun having a dog, but it can be a lot of work, too. You need to be responsible for his basic needs, such as food, on a daily basis. You also need to make time for exercising him each day in order to keep him healthy and fit. He's depending on you for the things he's unable to do for himself. Keep in mind though, when grumbling about taking time to exercise your dog, you're also keeping yourself in shape, too.

Your dog loves you, but he really doesn't understand when you don't make time for going for a walk or playing with him. He wants to go out and run no matter what the weather is like out there, and you need to see that it happens. Being able to run and exercise every day is vital to his overall well-being.

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Tesco Pet Insurance | Covers Both Cats and Dogs

Tesco Pet Insurance is offered through many homeowner and auto insurance agents. This means that as a pet owner you can have a Tesco Pet Insurance policy through the same insurance agent that handles your other insurance needs. This is a terrific advantage and makes this type of insurance easy to acquire and easy to pay monthly.

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ASPCA Pet Insurance

ASPCA Pet Insurance is one of the leading pet insurances available on the market. They are so popular that you can receive a free rate quote on the Internet. Many insurance agencies that provide home and auto insurance also offer the option of ASPCA Pet Insurance for homes with family pets. We buy health insurance for our medical needs and health issues. Our pets deserve the same type and quality of insurance.

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Sliding Glass Door Pet Door

Home owners are no longer restricted to standard doors in their homes if they have pets. There are some wonderful sliding glass door pet doors available for home owners to use. A pet door is a great way to reduce accidents in your home. Bored or stressed pets can start destructive chewing. The freedom to go outside for a little exercise and play reduces the chances of destructive chewing. A sliding glass door pet door enables your pet to have freedom to venture outside when they choose to.

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House Training A Dog

It is hard to teach old dogs new tricks and so one need to begin house training a dog at an early age when he is most receptive to learning the correct behavior and be taught how to co-exist with his master. You will need to be patient as well as give your pet a lot of love before it leans how not to soil the interiors of the home. No doubt, owning a pet can be exciting and fun; but, you do have to train it so that it does not do its potty within the home thus not only soiling your expensive rugs, and furniture, but also leaving a foul smell that will be hard to get rid off.

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Tapeworms in a Cat: Kill the Leeches Before They Kill Your Cat

Almost all cats will experience at least one type of worm infection during their lifetime; among the most general worm infestations are that of the roundworm and the tapeworm.

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What Causes Worms in Cats?

Worms are a problem that many pets can be afflicted with, and although most people associate intestinal worms with dogs, they can develop in cats too. Normally, the most frequent feline sufferers of worms are kittens under the age of six months. For that reason, many veterinarians will recommend that a cat owner vaccinate their cat against worms once a month for six months until they are six months of age. The is important because many kittens are born with worm larvae inside them. De-worming kills live worms, but they do not kill worm eggs and if the worms have already laid eggs, that is the setting of the groundwork of a new infestation of worms, which is not something that anyone wants to deal with.

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What are the Causes of Worms in Dogs

If your dog is a pup, chances are that you have at least heard about the dangers that worms can pose to their health. Worms are a widespread affliction for dogs, especially those under six to eight months old. They are as widespread as flea bites and just as easy to cure, if not simpler - if you know what you are doing. If you don't know what you are doing and you are a new dog owner, that is alright too; your vet should know all that you don't know about worms and how to rectify the situation. Just in case, here are the nitty-gritty and causes of worms in dogs.

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How to Tell the Signs of an Overdose of Heartgard

Our pets take wonderful care of us; they provide love, company, tenderness and even exercise to contribute to a better quality of life for human beings. Isn't it only fair that we do the same for them? Heartworm is one of the most harmful illnesses that a dog can get, but that is only if it is not properly treated. Heartgard is one of the most in use forms of treatment for heartworm disease, most likely due to the fact that it is nearly always effective. It can destroy the worms that infect your dog's heart and save it's life, so needless to say Heartgard is an crucial part of any canine's heath regimen. Unfortunately, it can also be harmful. Those who don't know how to administer Heartgard to their dog can unwittingly cause an overdose of this medicine and if not rectified, an overdose of Heartgard can be fatal to your canine pal.

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How Dogs Get Roundworms

If you have a dog, one thing you need to be conscious of are roundworms. Of course you may be thinking what roundworms are and why they can be such a negative thing for your dog. Basically, roundworms are tiny worms that have a body that is rounded. Generally, they are measure between 3-5 inches in length and they live in the intestines of a dog, consuming food that has been somewhat digested. While they don't stick to the intestine, they do swim around in the food and the eggs are passed into the excrement of the dog.

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How Do Dogs Get Hookworms

Dogs are prone to be parasite central at times. They are the main host for heartworms, a parasite that infects cats and even humans. Fleas and ticks love them and they are a breeding ground for hookworms it seems. Dogs can easily get hookworms and they aren't as immediately detrimental to your pet's health as other types of parasites, but it is important to detect and treat hookworms as soon as possible or your dog could end up suffering and costing you a lot of money in vet bills in the long run.

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What Causes Heartworms in Dogs

They don't call dogs "man's best friend" for nothing. By spending time with us, walking with us, playing with us and loving us, dogs directly contribute to a better quality of life for human beings. Isn't it only fair that we return the favor? It is the sole responsibility of the dog owner to make sure that their canine companion is as well taken care of, healthy and happy as they can be and making sure that their pets are disease and heartworm free is one of the most wonderful ways of doing so.

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Screen Doors with Pet Doors: Let Your Pet Be Free

For anyone with pets, whether they have a dog or cat, you'll know that despite how enjoyable it is to have a pet, on occasion they can be a headache. This generally comes from wanting to go outside when you're preoccupied. However, this annoyance can be overcome if you get a screen door with a pet door.

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Menu Foods Tainted Pet Food: The Pain is Felt Everywhere

Menu Foods has been out of the headlines for awhile now, since news of tainted pet food broke back in the spring that contaminated wheat gluten imported from China was making pets ill across the nation, many of them dying.

"In fact, the Veterinary Information Network had reported 1500 deaths, but that number could fall far short of the reality, according to comments attributed to Veterinary Cardiologist Dr. Paul Pion appearing Christmas Day in Cleveland.com's The Plain Dealer. He says that number could easily be thousands, or tens of thousands," says Gordon Gibb, a writer with www.LawyersandSettlements.com.

"That number could have easily increased by five, had Janine Anderson and Mike Dainis failed to nurse their five cats back to health. The cats were hospitalized with kidney failure after eating some of the contaminated pet food eventually recalled by Menu Foods."

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The Pros & Cons of Pet Doors for Patio Doors

When it comes to the freedom of letting your pet to enjoy the great outdoors, pet doors for patio doors make a convenient enhancement to any house. With an variety of styles, shapes, sizes and features, many consumers like the fuss-free installation that comes with most models. Generally speaking, pet doors for patio doors caters to the needs of both the pet and the owner, as the trouble of regularly opening a door to the back yard for cats and dogs is eliminated, which saves time and effort.

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Pet Doors For Sliding Glass Door: Great For Pets But Bad For Security

If you have a pet, then you might want to let your pet to enter and exit as they desire. It can be troublesome to always have to think about letting your pet in and out, therefore a pet door can be a great convenience. One type of pet door that you may want to consider for your pet are pet doors for sliding glass doors. These doors can be installed beside your sliding glass door and you'll still be able to use the sliding glass door as usual. Instead of installing a pet door in the glass door, they come with a special panel that fits right into the track of your sliding glass door.

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Do You Need To Get An IR Dog Door For Your Dog?

Once a homeowner has decided to provide the freedom of a pet door for their pet, the process of picking just the right model begins. A variety of concerns often arises when approaching the purchase of a dog door, as one starts to mull over security problems and wondering if a stray animal will find its way into their home. With the purchase of an IR (infrared) dog door, various models provide coded locks that keep children in the house and other animals on the outside.

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Homemade Dog Food

Homemade dog food is the only type of dog food that many owners will give to their pets. One of the largest reasons for the increase of homemade dog food preference by owners is because of the scares in the pet food industry and pet food recalls.

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Saltwater aquariums Moray eel| research, reviews for a successful Moray eel saltwater aquarium

Although a saltwater aquariums moray eel is certainly an eye catching fish that will astound all your guests, this is hardly the type of fish suitable for a beginner. Before you even consider inserting a moray eel into your new aquarium, there are a lot if issues you need to be aware - for both your safety and the moray eel itself. You have to read and research on how to take care of a moray eel.

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Small Wet Dry System for Saltwater Aquariums| Bio filtering at work

For a long time, the idea of having a small wet dry system for saltwater aquariums at affordable prices was nothing but a distant dream. Thankfully, things change; and the time for that dream to become a reality is finally here. If you want the best filtering for your saltwater aquarium, the wet dry trickle filters are the best you can possibly wish for. They're easy to use and very affordable as a filtering system for your saltwater aquarium.

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Saltwater Aquariums Maintenance| Keeping the perfect environment for exotic fish

If you're concerned about your saltwater aquariums maintenance, there are a few tips and tricks I can share with you. Most people think a saltwater aquarium to be a costly and labor intensive affair, requiring critical maintenance done every day with preset and precise timings. Well... that's a myth, probably created by all those who have tried keeping a saltwater aquarium in top shape and failed. If you follow a simple saltwater aquariums maintenance schedule you'll have no problems keeping your fish environment healthy.

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Tank reef saltwater aquariums, self-sustaining environment

Tank reef saltwater aquariums are the holy grail of saltwater aquariums. Who wouldn't wish for a self-sustaining aquarium requiring little or no external intervention other than the air pumps and occasional food? Not having to worry with filtering systems would be a blessing. So, how can you turn your own aquarium into a Tank reef saltwater aquariums and live rock aquarium? That's what we're about to find out.

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Successful Small Saltwater Aquariums| Beautifying your home with oceanic colors

If there is such a thing as a key to the secret of successful small saltwater aquariums, it probably is: dedication. Most aquariums fail because people stop caring about it and let it die. If you're not sure about how serious you are regarding a saltwater (or freshwater) aquarium, it's best you wait until you know for sure. Just like having any other pet - you wouldn't let a dog or cat starve to death, would you? - Aquariums are the safe haven for living creatures that should be treated the best we can. By following some simple maintenance rules you can have successful small saltwater aquarium.

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Electronic Pet Doors

One of the complaints of pet owners that use pet doors is the intrusion of other animals into the home. One day a stray cat or someone else's dog may slip through the pet door opening to surprise you and your family. This can be an annoying frustration to say the very least. Electronic pet doors offer a solution to this problem of unwanted visitors.

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Insulated Pet Doors

While many home owners would like to use pet doors they have a concern about energy loss and the rise in electric bills. The solution to this problem is the insulated pet doors. These dual flap and thermal flap doors decrease the amount of heat and energy lost in your home each time your pet uses the doors.

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Pamper Your Pooch with a Dog Bathtub

Dog owners have to be able to bathe their dog. Even if you send your dog to the groomer regularly there will be occasions when something gets on your dog (or your dog gets into something) and he will need a bath at home. As an alternative to using the family bath tub to bathe your family dog you can purchase Fido a dog bathtub of his very own. It may sound like a crazy idea at first, but if you think about the benefits of dog bathtubs, you can see several benefits. It will allow you to bathe your dog at home, saving you groomers fees, and it will keep you from having to share a tub with Fido as well as keeping Fido from scratching up your bath tub.

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Ideas on Patio Pet Doors

Is your home filled with loving pets that are virtual members of the family? You are not alone because many home owners share their lives with various pets. Pets enjoy the independence and freedom to leave and return inside the home at will. If your yard is fenced in for your pet to be safe you might consider the option of patio pet doors.

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Dog Wheelchairs

The thought of our beloved pets being injured, recovering from surgery or even sustaining the loss of limbs can be a challenge. The invention of dog wheelchairs has now enabled many pet owners to give their dogs freedom and mobility that was never possible before. Dogs that have lost limbs or should limit mobility to recover from surgery now are able to have an active life with the assistance of dog wheelchairs.

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How to Remove Pet Stains Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are beautiful in a home and make a lovely addition to virtually any room. However, it you have pets there are a few things to keep in mind for removing pet stains from hardwood floors. Regardless of the types of accidents or spills it is imperative to remember to immediately tend to accidents when it comes to hardwood floors.

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Homemade Recipes for Carpet Shampoo

Hiring a professional to clean your carpets can be expensive. Many people own carpet shampooers and they are able to clean their carpets more frequently than those who have to hire someone to do the job. The manufacturers of carpet cleaning machines recommend using only their products to clean your floors, and they often charge more than $10 per bottle of carpet shampoo so it isn't surprising they suggest that you use their products.

Homemade recipes for carpet shampoo can save money while helping you to keep your floors clean. As with commercial carpet shampoos you should test a small inconspicuous area first to make sure you aren�t going to stain or damage the carpet - this is very important! Different carpets are made with varying materials and cleaning solutions react differently with each kind of carpet fiber. There are many different recipes for homemade carpet shampoo and various cleaning tips using household items instead of shampoo. Some recipes work better on one type of stain than another.

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Buying a Dog: Things to Consider Beforehand

A puppy is not something that should be an impulse purchase. In fact, this is a decision that will bring a new member into the family unit and another living being for which you are responsible. Below are a few things you may wish to consider during the process.

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Good Idea to Fit Bowls to Animal Size

It sounds so simple, but sometimes we forget the fact that a bowl may contain the food your dog eats, but if the dog is a "quick-eater" the area surrounding those bowls may be affected by this...

Get some good tips you can use in your home.

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Pet Birds

You want a pet but you don’t know what exactly you should get. A dog is out of the question since your flat is too small, and besides it would just be cooped up in there the whole day long while you went to work. A cat might be a good pet. It’s independent, it can take care of itself, and you can still come home to a warm living body that will curl up to you. But what about pet birds? Did you ever think of getting a bird for a pet?

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House Pets

If you’re a serious animal lover like me then there’s a good chance that you have a number of various house pets around your house. You’ll also probably have an intriguing number of other house guests roaming around your house as well. You know what I mean, all the strays and hurt little birds and four legged creatures that you just couldn’t desert.

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"Feeding Hummingbirds"

There are a few pleasures that one can enjoy for free and watching birds is one such pleasure. Watching hummingbirds is a definite joy.

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Dealing With An Abused Cat

Abused cats, whether physically or emotionally, are no different than any creature who's had to deal with a bad situation. They can be difficult to deal with because of the abuse and it will take patience to get them back to normal. Physically abused cats are obviously easier to spot since they likely will show physical damage to their bodies. However, those that appear to be in perfect shape on the outside may have sustained internal or emotional damage and are more difficult to spot. Physical damage is certainly bad, but emotional damage is a lot tougher to repair. However, cats who've been physically abused will still respond to a soft touch and voice, as long as they know the abuse has ended.

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"Humming bird feeders"

Everyone loves to watch Hummingbirds as they dart among the bright flowers in our gardens.

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Ferret Facts You Should Know

If you're looking for a different type of house pet than the usual cats and dogs, then you might consider getting a pet ferret. There are a number of things to recommend a ferret as they're charming little creatures that are very playful, which makes them a fun pet for the entire family.

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Leash Training Your Cat

It’s a rare sight to see someone walking down the street walking their cat on a leash. However, it certainly is something that can easily be done. As with training any pet, patience and practice is required and with cats being the creatures of habit that they are, once you’ve made it part of their regular routine, you’ll be able to walk her on a leash any time you desire.

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Cats Will Scratch

As a cat owner, you’re fully aware that your cat seems to scratch everything in sight. This is normal behaviour because what she’s doing is sharpening her claws and getting rid of the outer layer of the old claw. This behavior is so embedded into her instincts that even a cat that’s been declawed will continue to go though the motion of clawing and scratching.

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The Traveling Cat: Cat Carrier Training

It’s inevitable that most cat owners will one day plan to go on vacation and bring along their feline companion. This will often require your cat to endure long periods of time traveling in a car, a scary place if you haven’t properly prepared her for the trip. A cat let loose in a moving car will tend to jump all over the seats, moan and cry and become a general nuisance. Therefore, if you’re planning to travel with your cat, it’s a good idea to orient your cat first to help make her as comfortable as possible.

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Pet Health Tips For Summer

Summer can be a dangerous time for house pets. For pet owners being outside in the summer can be enjoyable - going on family vacations, relaxing at the cottage, sipping a cold drink by the pool etc. But for house pets, the high temperatures of summer can be dangerous.

Following are some pet health tips that will help you protect your house pet this summer.

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Acquiring Your First Dog: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

When you’re ready to acquire a new dog you’ll have several choices, with some methods definitely better than others. Pet shelters, Dog Breeders, Pet Stores and Puppy Mills are the most common sources, and it’s important that you carefully examine exactly what you’re getting into with each of these choices before making your purchase.

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Abyssinian Cats A Great Family Pet

The Abyssinian breed of cats has a long history going all the way back to ancient Egypt. The breed has a sleek, muscular body, arched neck, elegantly shaped eyes and large ears. While the name “Abyssinian” points to the country of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) as the breed’s place of origin, it’s more likely that the name, although derived from Abyssinia, does not point to the cat’s country of origin but to the country from which they were originally imported to Great Britain for frequently held cat exhibitions.

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Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?

Despite what has become common knowledge based on the old saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," it's important to realize that this is really a myth that has little basis in reality. Oh yes, it certainly is a bit more difficult for an older dog to accept being trained, but it certainly isn't impossible. This is especially true if you're patient and stay consistent with the dog's lessons throughout the entire process.

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Herding and the German Shepherd Dog

Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became domesticated, man became aware of the dogs herding ability. Tactics used by hunting wolves, witnessed by humans, such as driving and separating one animal from the flock, were further exploited and bred into these dogs. As in other dogs, the animals possessing the best inherent herding abilities were further developed to assist human shepherds in their daily duties.

As you know, German Shepherds fall into the Herding Category of dog breeds- the breed was derived in the late 1800’s from several different types of herding stock. As the breed gained popularity, it also gained new “jobs” and duties as varied as can be possibly imagined- from work in the wars, search-and-rescue, tracking, police work, protection, to guide dog, companion dog and more. Still, some animals(GSD’s) are used today actively as herding dogs.

Exactly what is involved in the process of herding? First, a willingness to work and to cooperate with others. In the wild wolves or wild dogs work as a unit when hunting prey and each animal may have a particular “job” to fulfill in order to bring down the intended victim. Some may be following the prey while others attempt to head it off. Still, another may be the pack leader who in essence coordinates the events of the hunt. Herding dogs now work essentially with a human as pack leader in attempting to control herds of livestock.

Herding dogs may have natural abilities and fall in one of two basic categories- either that of gatherer or driver. Drivers generally move the stock away from the handler while still grouped, while gatherers tend to head off stock, keep them grouped and move them toward the handler. Generally speaking, gatherers are more versatile than drivers and it is much easier to cross train a gatherer to drive than it is to cross train a driver to gather.

Overall, principles of herding are based on the dogs natural instincts though other training methods abound. First dogs must obey the handler and follow commands. This, along with mutual trust and respect, are the most important aspects of the working relationship between the dog(s) and the handler. After being introduced to stock, the animals are taught to position themselves in relation to the handler and stock based on their ”job” and the direction in which the herd is to be moved. It is the handlers job to give the dog guidance in working the stock.

Later in training directional commands are learned by the animal in training. Most commands are in the form of verbal cues or whistles although visual commands may sometimes be involved as well. Possible commands may include “easy” or ”steady” (move slowly), “stop”, “down”, or flanking commands such as move counterclockwise or clockwise around the herd. Once the dog masters the basic gathering commands it is taught to drive the herd and as it learns each lesson, it is taught other more difficult commands.

Qualities a good herding dog must possess are obedience, trainability, adaptiveness, good health, responsiveness and, most importantly, being able to use its own judgment. “Standing up” to uncooperative stock or being gentle with cooperative stock are other qualities of utmost importance in an actual working herding dog.

Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/ Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend"

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved

How Old is Your Pet- Really?

Just how old is your dog really? More than likely you know the dogs age in years, or at least have an approximation of its age, but do you really have any idea how old it may be- chronologically speaking?

I’m sure you’ve heard of the old “seven year theory”. You know, the system where each year of a dog or cats life is the equivalent of 7 of ours. An example of this thinking would be that a 1 year old dog would be the age and developmental equal of a 7 year old person. Now just how many 7 year old kids do you know that are sexually mature -and able to reproduce? A cat or dog is much more likely to have a litter when it is one year or younger, or at the other extreme,ten years or older, than is a human who is under the age of seven or over the age of seventy! This system was simple- but too simple. Many people today may still use these calculations when coming to some idea of their pets chronological age. Still, due to examples like the one above you can see why this most simple of systems is not accepted today.

In the early 1950’s a French veterinarian, Monsieur LeBeau, formulated another system to address this problem. In LeBeau’s system, a dog/cat of 1 year in age became the equivalent of a 15 year old person- due to the onset of puberty in each species. The second year of a dog/cats life became the equivalent of a 24 year old person- someone/ something that has reached full maturity. After two, each year of an animals life would equal 4 years of human life.

Pop quiz time! Just how old would a 6 year old cat “really” be using this newer system? According to the LeBeau theory, the dog/cat would be the equivalent of a 40 year old person. Remember, 24+ (4*4)= 40. How about a 10 year old dog? If you came up with 56 then you were correct! It is interesting to note that dogs and cats move up this newer age scale at the same rate until they reach the age of 14. At that time the rates begin to differ between dogs and cats compared in human age terminology. This chart would work quite well for a dog or cat having an average life expectancy(ALE) of 14 years. As we all know, oftentimes animals,as do people, may exceed the ALE which would call for further refinement of this age formula. For this we need to be aware of something called the maximum life span(MLS). Basically, the average life expectancy is the amount of years a person, animal, etc. may reasonably expect to live. The MLS on the other hand, is the genetically based maximum age beyond which no member of that species may live.

Now, with that in mind, consider this addendum to the first age chart. A human maximum life span is close to 110 years. A cats maximum life span is around the mid-30’s, while a dogs maximum life span is around 29. So, just how do you calculate a cat or dogs age who lives past the 14 year mark? In this event, each year of life past 14 for a dog would equal 2 1/2 human years, and only 2 for a cat. Due to recent research it has been found that many times an animal may live past his ALE when given improved care, activity, social and psychological stimulation. If we examine the oldest living dogs on record, we can begin to see that most had a regular moderate exercise program that included differing levels of psychological and social stimulation.

Currently, the oldest living dog on record worked as a herding dog in Australia(29 years old). The runner-up, a mere 27 years of age, was a Lab who lived in the home of a game keeper in England. Other famous notables include Higgins, the terrier on Petticoat Junction and the Beverly Hillbillies(20); Pal, the collie who started the role of Lassie(18);and,last but certainly not least, Rin Tin Tin, movie star and German Shepherd who lived to be at least 16 years of age.

The following charts will show you just how LeBeaux theories work when determining the age of your pet. We hope this material is of help to you in the future.

AGE

Cat/Dog Human

1---------------------------15

2---------------------------24

3---------------------------28

4---------------------------32

5---------------------------36

6---------------------------40

7---------------------------44

8---------------------------48

9---------------------------52

10-------------------------56

11-------------------------60

12-------------------------64

13-------------------------68

14-------------------------72

AGE Cats/Humans Dogs/Humans

15------------74--------------------74.5

16------------76--------------------77

17------------78--------------------79.5

18------------80--------------------82

19------------82--------------------84.5

20------------84--------------------87

21------------86--------------------89.5

22------------88--------------------92

23------------90--------------------94.5

24------------92--------------------97

25------------94--------------------99.5

26------------96--------------------102

27------------98--------------------104.5

28-----------100-------------------107

29-----------102-------------------109.5

30-----------104

31-----------106

32-----------108

33-----------110

34-----------112

Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/ Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend"

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

The Importance Of Early GSD Socialization And Training

I can't stress enough how important it is to perform GSD socialization and training activities early, and often, in your German Shepherd’s life. Go to the park, to as many dog-friendly stores as possible, on errands, etc.

Take your GSD puppy with you wherever and whenever you can. And when I say take the GSD puppy with you, I mean take it with you, not leave it in the car while you're in the store.

GSD socialization will occur whenever your puppy is introduced to new situations, new people and animals, and new places. They need to actively participate in socialization for it to really work - that means you must let them safely interact with new people, places and things.

This is definitely a great step in building the GSD puppies confidence and building a more stable temperament - more capable of coping with new and unusual experiences. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and these early GSD socilization lessons, being around new and different stimuli, will make your adult German Shepherd much more stable and confident - and this is exactly what you want.

Your new GSD puppy has spent the first few weeks of it's life with his mother, litter mates and breeders family. Your new GSD puppy may have gone on rides to many new places such as the veterinarian, short shopping errands, and on short training rides. It has probably heard many different kinds of noises: people, horns of cars, birds chirping, children, sounds of traffic, etc. If your German Shepherd puppy was raised in a farm type locale the puppy has probably seen, heard and smelled many different types of animals, larger farm equipment, etc. Other interesting things to introduce your puppy to are: slick floors (tile / linoleum), elevators, stairs and carpeting.

One of your new jobs as the GSD puppy's new owner is to add to all of those past experiences with many other new ones. Ask the breeder what kind of socialization has been done with your puppy and take it from there. The more new and exciting experiences that your make your GSD a part of, the better. I can't stress enough how important it is that you continue to socialize your GSD puppy during the first several months of its life. Discovery of new experiences and teaching the puppy to deal with them positively and confidently is highly important.

Many studies have been done that show the critical socialization period for a puppy is from eight to sixteen weeks of life. During this period it is essential that the German Shepherd puppy safely and positively experience as many new things as possible. Some of these experiences will be a little stressful, but you must support your puppy during these times and encourage them throughout the entire socialization process.

Here's a short example of how simple this process can be: Several years ago I was walking my 10 wk old GSD puppy, Cera, around our block on one windy day. Out of nowhere a small piece of trash paper blew by both of us, quietly startling her.

She watched the trash as it continued to blow up against the curb, changed direction and blew closer toward us. Curious, she wanted to check out the new object that was moving around on the curb in front of us and now moving toward us but unsure as how exactly to react to the new object.

It was obvious to me that she was curious enough to want to check it out, but also fearful enough that she wanted to run away from it. I waited to see what she would do. She watched the object as it moved around, sometimes backing up slightly, sometimes moving toward it. I allowed her the time to observe the paper and waited to see exactly what she was going to do about it.

It seemed longer, but I'm sure that it was only a few minutes until she decided to slowly approach that piece of trash paper. What a brave girl. Eventually she pounced on the paper and give it a good shake and chewing before I finally took it away from her! I praised her profusely. Not for tearing up the paper but more importantly for approaching it after her initial fear response.

She met her fear of this new and strange object face to face and overcame it. In future experiences with new and strange objects she would now be more confident. Over time and with more and more positive experiences like this one, Cera grew up to be a very emotionally strong, good-tempered and confident GSD. As the owner you play a major role in providing this confidence for your new GSD puppy.

It is extremely important to socialize your German Shepherd starting at as young an age as possible to make them more comfortable with other people and dogs and able to feel comfortable and confident in strange environments.

Puppy obedience classes, also referred to as “Puppy Kindergarten”, are an incredible means to introduce your puppy to the world outside of your home. This is both a prime GSD socialization experience as well as a wonderful training and bonding opportunity.

Puppy obedience training classes are set up in such a way as to teach the German Shepherd puppy the actual commands, but also to teach you, the owner, how to train the puppy specific behaviors and manners, now and in the future. Your dog will discover the link between your commands and the desired behavior.

It is entirely possible that you can train GSD puppy at home as well but compared to all the great socialization lessons your GSD puppy can gain from the puppy classes, there really is no comparison. In fact, I highly recommend it.

Finding a Dog : Tips for finding the perfect purebred dog or puppy

Finding a Dog 101 - Dogs are fantastic companions, and love you no matter what, but remember:

• Dogs DO take time! Remember, just like us, they are social animals who do not like being left alone. You can't just stick them out in the yard or leave them in the house alone all the time and expect everything to be all right. Many types of behavioral problems occur just as a result of this one thing. Do you honestly have ample time every day to spend walking, feeding, cleaning up after, grooming, exercising and playing with your dog? And dogs often live for ten to fifteen years, so enter into this as a seriously long-term commitment.

• Dogs DO cost money. There are food requirements which vary from dog to dog. They will need regular health care as well including: shots, wormings, check ups, etc. Some dog breeds will additionally need regular grooming. Puppies will damage things in your house from time to time - it's a fact. Finding a dog may lead to things being replaced more often. You will have to do more cleaning from time to time - shedding fur, etc.

• Dogs DO require ample space which can vary from breed to breed. Take the time to research ALL the requirements needed for all breeds you may be interested in. Do you live in an apartment? A duplex/townhouse or condo? A single family home? Do you have a securely fenced yard or access to a securely fenced in area for your dog to play in? If not, can you seriously make some other kind of suitable and realistic arrangements for your dog to get adequate DAILY exercise? Finding a dog requires a lot of forethought and planning.

1) Be Honest. Finding a dog can take some time. First of all, do you really want a dog? Is a purebred dog perfect for you? Or would you be just as happy adopting a dog from the local animal shelter or rescue organization in your area?

2) So you still really want a dog even will all the needs listed above in mind

If you can honestly answer all these needs mentioned above with a positive response then you're ready for step 2.

So now, you must now ask yourself:

Finding a Dog 101 - What breed of purebred dog do you want?

Research, research, research! Before selecting a purebred puppy breed you must first carefully consider many things about yourself and your family, such as: your exercise schedule, your own personality, your family and home situation, what you expect of your dog (watchdog, companion for your children, hunting, etc.), whether you live in a house with a fenced yard or in an apartment/duplex/condo, etc. You want to honestly match the dog's needs to yours as closely as possible for the best match possible. Finding a dog takes plenty of forethought and research.

For example, if you're athletically inclined, you don't want a doggie couch potato - a dog that has low exercise needs. If you're a couch potato yourself, you don't want a purebred puppy that needs a lot of exercise.

• First, DO NOT decide on any dog breed based on looks alone. When finding a dog take your time and do lots of research BEFORE making any new kind of new doggie addition to your family. The eight major purebred dog groups found in the AKC in particular (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding and Miscellaneous) is a great place to start. Feel free to use the dog breed resources on our site as a good place to start as well. We offer many individual dog breed profiles including lots of indepth information on many kinds of purebred dog..

Finding a Dog 101 - Next: Selecting Your Dog. Do you want an adult or puppy?

Almost everyone wants a puppy. Puppies are lots of fun and can be easy to train and socialize, but they require a lot of time and care. Adult dogs often require less care overall than puppies but may have developed some types of behavioral or socialization problems during their life. If you are more inclined to get an adult dog, one good choice to start with is a rescue dog, possibly from a local shelter or rescue organization. There are many shelters and breed rescue groups available which can be visited on the internet, via the phone or in person depending on your area and finding a dog in one of these places can potentially mean saving it's life. Sometimes these organizations may have puppies for adoption as well.

Finding a Dog 101 - Where is the best place to find a dog or puppy?

• First, consider adopting a dog from a shelter or purebred dog rescue organization. Way too many dogs are euthanized each year, and you might just find a dog - the perfect companion for you, at the local pound or through a rescue group for your favorite breed. And you saved a life in the process!

• Second, find a "real" breeder. A real breeder of purebred dogs usually belongs to a breed club for their specific dog breed as well as belonging to several other dog related organizations. Additionally, many purebred dog breeders may be involved in showing their own dogs or participating in other dog related activities as agility, lure coursing or herding events. Finding purebred dogs or purebred puppies here means you have a much better chance at learning abuot the dogs ancestors, breed health problems, littermates, seeing the actual living conditions the puppy was raised in, and have a resource for future questions and a new irend for the life of your new dog.

Other very important things to look for in a purebred dog breeder - do they: provide references; have a clean kennel with healthy, well-socialized animals; provide a pedigree and registration application form; give you written instructions on feeding, training and care; provide a written contract with conditions of sale and warranty; give you a record of vaccinations and wormings?

Are the breeders: interested in your qualifications to be an owner of one of their precious puppies (your home and family situation, etc); insistent that you take the purebred puppy to a vet for a check-up immediately after purchase; insistent that you continue with vaccinations and wormings on a regular basis; encouraging the relationship between you and the breeder as a continuing one; there for you on an "on-call" basis with ANY future questions or problems that you may have about you new puppy or dog?

Places to avoid when finding a dog:

• pet shop. These poor puppies are often poorly bred and raised in the most terrible living conditions. You'll never get a chance to see the parents, littermates or the actual original home they were bred in and you will never know what kind of inherited health problems they have until way too late. Finding a dog here means a potential lifetime of health problems as well as the potential to carry on this awful practice of puppy milling by supporting the sellers of their animals.

• backyard breeders. Typically these are people who own a dog but are not knowledgeable at all in the details about the breed, inherent health problems and risks, history of their dogs (other than their "papers"), etc. and think it will be "fun" or maybe even "profitable" to have a litter of puppies. Any dog breeders who lets you handle a very young puppy, shows signs of neglect (such as lack of water, and dirty conditions) in their kennel, are willing to sell a puppy under seven weeks of age are not looking out for the puppies best interest. Leave and find a reputable breeder asap! Finding a dog here also means many potential problems and no real support for your new puppy in the future.

You can find conveniently located breeders in our breeders directory. Remember, it is up to you to check them out thoroughly BEFORE buying / adopting.

We suggest you take your time when searching for your new canine companion. Call breeders, visit their websites if possible, contact parent clubs for references for reputable breeders in your area. The more research you do BEFORE you bring your new companion home, the better off everyone, including the doggie new addition, will be.

Puppy proof your house before you bring your new purebred puppy home.

You must first "puppy proof" the area in which the new puppy will spend most of it's time and then the rest of your home, outside included.

There are several considerations you must think of first to make sure that nothing unwanted happens to your things or to your puppy.

Try to see the area from the puppy's point of view. While I don't suggest that you have to crawl around on all fours, doing so does create a new understanding of exactly what your puppy may see. Especially which objects the pup may see and that may be of interest, and what things are out of reach.

If the puppy is to stay outside, then puppy proof the sleeping area / dog house for any potential problems - nails that may be exposed, loose boards, splinters or holes. Use your best judgment and go ahead and correct any problem before bringing your new puppy home.

If the yard is fenced (and this is highly suggested in any case of dog ownership) check for problems of any type in the fencing. Even more importantly, check for any openings or holes particularly at the bottom of the fence, near the gate area, etc.

You would be surprised just how small an opening a motivated puppy on a mission needs to get out and visit the neighbors cat. Check the fence posts for stability and the gate to make sure it works properly and latches securely. Also, it is best to invest in a lock of some sort to keep well meaning children out and your new puppy in. The safety of your puppy cannot be assured once it is outside of your fenced area without you.

If you don't have a fenced yard and plan to use a cable run make sure that it is firmly attached to an immoveable object . A shock absorber of some type is also recommended to help absorb the pull when the puppy reaches the end to prevent injury.

If using a stake, puppy proof it by making sure that it is placed in solid ground. Sandy or loose soils would be easy for the pup to pull out in a matter of time. Avoid chain tie outs since they are more apt to break over a short period of time due to day to day stress.

Also, depending on where you live, be well aware of the threat of rabies. Keep the puppy current on all it's shots and be very cautious of leaving your puppy out unsupervised at all times. Also, puppy proof the area and be very aware of where you feed your new puppy as this may also entice unwanted animals into your yard.

If your puppy is going to live indoors (highly recommended) make sure you puppy proof all low lying areas for potential hazards . Put up ALL chemicals (of any type) in areas that are inaccessible to your puppy. Antifreeze, cleaning chemicals, paints, etc. are all potential threats to your new pedigreed puppy. Check the location on all power cords. It is best to put them out of the pups reach - underneath rugs and behind furniture is one way to start.

Remember the saying : "out of sight, out of mind?" If you have any personal belongings you don't want the puppy to get, then put them up . Stuffed animals, shoes, clothing, figurines, low hanging table cloths and plants should ALL be moved to higher ground in the act of puppy proofing your house.

Be aware that many common house plants are poisonous to your GSD puppy if eaten. Check with your veterinarian or poison control to find out which ones are poisonous and which ones aren't.

Generally speaking, if you don't want the puppy to "get" a certain item, that item will be among the first to "get got" - unless you move it. Supply yourself with a wide array of puppy proofed and approved toys - chews, chew toys, etc., to keep the puppy occupied during this instinctive, and sometimes destructive, teething period.

Garbage cans seems to just hold some type of spell over small puppies (and some adult dogs for that matter). Make sure that you train the puppies right from the beginning that the garbage can and contents are off limits. All the odors and objects within are more than enough to tempt any self-respecting pup's desire. There are many dangerous items in there for them - poultry bones, glass and serrated can tops just to name a few.

If you have a pool, puppy proofing applies to this area as well. It would be a very good idea to invest in a canine life vest(s) . Above ground pools may be a little easier to restrict access to for your new puppy, but it is very important to make sure that the ladder is up, all pools decks are shut off to the puppy when not in use and that all pool chemicals and supplies are out of reach. Still, an inventive pure bred puppy may find it's way in and no way out if you are not overly careful. In ground pools, spa and hot tub owners - please be aware of potential dangers as well. Please keep all securely covered or locked up when not in use.
While it is important for the purebred puppy to learn to ride in a car, it is also your responsibility to provide for his safety while in your car. Do not let the puppy ride in the back of a pick up truck by itself and do not let it wander around inside your car as well. It could easily turn into a projectile if you had to break suddenly or make an emergency lane shift of some sort.

It is easy to restrict your dog by several methods while traveling with you. Puppy proof your car for traveling by providing your dog a crate, a car barrier or a harness of some sort to keep it in one area inside your vehicle. It is also important to keep your puppies head inside the vehicle at all times even though they so enjoy hanging out the window like a crazed circus performer. Many injuries can happen, and often do, as a result of this practice.

Puppy proofing is not all that hard, but it does take planning, forethought and time. You and your new puppy should enjoy getting to know each other without having to worry about any potential threats. Puppy proof first for safety!

Boredom in dogs

Boredom in dogs needs to be addressed by dog owners. There are many ways in which you can prepare for, and participate in, you dogs overall health.

Providing the necessary shots, diet and exercise are but a few of the ways in which we may meet their daily health demands. Still, there is one area which even many of the most well meaning owners, breeders, trainers, etc. overlook - the state of the dog's mental health. Providing for this is just as important as is their physical well being.

Just what exactly can someone do to make sure their dog is mentally healthy and to detect and solve problems before they reach a critical stage? Many solutions are available to combat the stresses of kennel life, or of life indoors, for a dog which remain alone a good bit of the time.

First, many behavior problems often occur as the result of simple boredom in dogs. Just how long do you think you could go on behaving “correctly” if you were deprived of social, physical and mental stimulation? The length of time would vary from person to person. The same holds true of your dog. Dogs are social creatures and rely heavily upon your contact with them. Again, some more-so than others. Still, as we all know, you cannot maintain 24 hour contact with any dog - unless maybe you were stranded on a island somewhere with only it as your companion. There are many other responsibilities we all share in other areas - family, career,etc. - which take up a great deal of our time and otherwise cut down on the amount we may spend in our kennels with our dogs. It is for this reason that it is so important to plan things to keep your purebred dog alert and stimulated mentally to cut down on problems which arise, most notably, from boredom in dogs.

Boredom in dogs is one thing kennel animals (and house dogs as well) face on a daily basis. Not only is this very bad for the dog, but it is highly preventable as well. Many of the most common problems or anti-social behaviors occur as the result of boredom in dogs. Excessive barking, fence running, digging and stool eating are all examples that may initially begin as acting out behaviors to overcome boredom.

Many of these problems could be solved with just a bit of forethought in the planning stages of kennel development. If your dogs kennel or living area is already constructed, then there are many other ways you can provide for your dogs mental health by overcoming or avoiding this problem or by making a few simple "revisions".

First, where exactly does your dog spend most of its time? You can provide toys as a way to relieve the anxieties of kennel/inside life. Not only do toys provide stimulation and fun but they are the easiest place in which to start. Once you have made sure they are size appropriate for your dog you have a vast array of kinds and types from which to choose. If you are creative and good with your hands then you can create many things yourself. Who says “store bought” is always better? Most importantly, make sure that the toys are too large for the dog to swallow.

Providing a different toy each day or week on a rotating basis is one idea to prevent the dog from becoming bored with the object first introduced to relieve the actual boredom. Moving the location of water and food dishes are another idea. The introduction of fruits or vegetable slices,

If the dogs kennel area will allow, hanging toys are a lot of fun for your pet. If suspended by a spring, they will snap back when the dog turns it loose. If you use a rope to suspend a toy make sure it is single strand. NEVER suspend it low enough that an accident may occur. The addition of bells or other types of noise makers are also good choices provided they are attached in such a way that the animal can’t get to them. Remember that you will need to check these additions frequently for signs of wear or needed repair.

If you allow your dogs out of their normal confinement, and you have an empty available space (large size is not required) in your fenced yard, then there are things you may add there as well to appease your dog. Obstacle courses can be set up in a minimum of space and with little or no monetary output. Being creative does help though it is not a necessity to overcome boredom in dogs.

Tires partially buried, upright so that the dog may pass through them, are quite effective and fun once you teach the dog how to successfully navigate them. Even the larger wooden slides, ramps and walk-throughs as found in many childrens play-grounds are very effective in working with your animals. While living in an apartment in the past, Cera, my main companion years ago, and I frequently visited the playground of a local elementary school to play on their equipment when school was out. Needless to say, she loved it.

Overall, the only limiting factor in overcoming boredom in dogs is you! Thinking creatively will allow you to easily modify your pets environment so that it is safe, interesting and fun. Freedom from boredom in dogs is essential. Mental stimulation is important to your dog, too!

Personal Dog Check Ups Are Very Important

For all dog owners, dog check ups, regular monitoring and examinations of your dog will give you a better idea of the animals overall health and prove as good quality time for both you and your pet. Also, this may help you catch a problem in the early phases, and certainly before it becomes life threatening.

The list of things you can do during this time could be long but below we have taken the time to list a few of the most basic and easy to read signs of your dog being off color. In addition to the usual dog check ups steps, these steps may help you in deciding your pets actual state of health.

CHECK YOUR DOG FOR THE FOLLOWING:

1) Build up in the tooth area. Also bad breath - which may suggest gingivitis or other tooth/gum problems.

2) Clean ears. Is there wax build up, ticks, mites or other parasites inside? Is a bad odor present?

3) Are the eyes discolored or irritated? Is extensive matter present?

4) A greasy coat? Is the skin grey white or red and irritated? Do you find evidence of fleas or other parasites? Is the smell of the animals coat on your hands, after checking it with your fingers, fishy, rank or offensive?

A doggy odor, while common, is still a sign of a low level of health.

If your answers to many of the above areas are YES, then you should plan some type of action to discontinue this cycle of bad health. First and foremost, diet is the best place to start. Consult with your vet and/or check into possible alternative therapies. In the end, your pets overall health is up to you, so these early warning signs found during dog check ups should not be overlooked.

A clean bill of health is the most valuable gift you can present to your pets- next to your love and attention.

What Do You Mean, We Need An Aquarium?

How could I have known that those words spoken 30 years ago would change my life and alter my destiny?

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New Kitten Check List

If you've decided it's time you adopted a new kitten, it's always a good idea to be prepared ahead of time and purchase all the items you'll need to make the new member of your household happy and secure. Once you have all these items tucked away, then you can set about finding your perfect feline companion.

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Dealing With Difficult Dogs

Dogs are wonderful creatures and I know you love your dog, but sometimes — you must admit — he can be a real pain! Some dogs are a real pain some of the time, but there are dogs that have taken it upon themselves to be a real pain almost all of the time. Dealing with a difficult dogs is, well, difficult. However, if you can figure out what might be causing this annoying behavior, you might be able to do find some solutions and make some adjustments to get your dog's behavior back to normal.

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How To Make Your Cat Happy

Cats are, for the most part, simple creatures that don't need a lot of high maintenance. If, as a cat owner, you take care of the basics, you'll have a healthy, happy and loving pet that will be your companion for life. So, it's really quite simple, all you need to do is make sure your cat is groomed properly, fed on time, given lots of love and attention and that you take care of their health needs.

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How To Teach Children to Care for Their Dog

From the moment your children enthusiastically assert, "Can we keep him? Please! Please! Please!" and you comply with their wishes, your household is going to go through a transformation. Yes, you've agreed to bring a new puppy into everyone's daily lives, and if you're a typical family, the children will likely spend the most time with your new dog. This makes it essential that you teach your children how to take care of him, so here are a few important dog care procedures they should learn.

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Choosing Your Cat's Breed

So many breeds to love and enjoy ... so little time. It's like being a kid in a candy store when you try to decide which breed of cat will be the new member of your household. If dog is man's best friend, then cats are a man's fancy.

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Make Money Tip: Sell Aquarium Fish

Here's a unique way to take your love for your aquarium hobby and turn it into a way to make some extra income. Why not breed and sell aquarium fish. You could start by selling them to your friends and family who might be interested in having their own aquarium system and even though this market may be limited, there are opportunities out there if you search them out.

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Dog Obedience Basic Training 101

Teaching your dog basic obedience skills is a challenge, especially if you've got a frisky and curious little puppy who likes to have the run of the house. This makes it even more imperative that you don't put off basic training until it's too late to change any bad habits your puppy can easily fall into.

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Does Your Cat Meow Too Much?

When you hear your cat meowing excessively, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Your cat is hungry, right? Often, this is the case, but not always. Excessive meowing by your cat can also indicate a number of other problems.

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Do Not Get A Dog If ...

There are many excellent reasons to get a dog, especially for people who grew up with dogs and understand completely what responsibilities are attached to this decision. Unfortunately, too many people become dog owner's for all the wrong reasons and quickly discover that the situation is almost unbearable. Many of these unloved dogs end up as strays, having been dumped by their owner and others simple wallow in neglect because they are ignored or, worse, poorly cared for. If you are serious about getting a dog, then it's imperative that you fully examine your lifestyle and reasons before you make your final decision.

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Cat Games You Should Be Playing

I spend a lot of time working at my computer, so it's always a nice break when Emma, my charming and very persistent tabby cat, decides she wants to play. She will go as far as to sit on my hand while I'm trying to operate my mouse and since work is almost impossible under those conditions, and since I'm Emma's only companion, I usually take the bait and spend some time frolicking with her. I've found that this is one of the best ways to strengthen the bond between us, and besides, any excuse to tear myself away from work can't be all bad.

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Do Cats and Dogs Get Along?

According to the movie Cats and Dogs, a secret war has been raging between the two species for eons with only a fragile truce keeping order. Dogs are, of course, man's best friend according to many, and cats are villainous creatures who are bent on world domination. Fact or fiction, with this type of stereotyping in the movies, it's no wonder so many people think that it's impossible for cats and dogs to live together peacefully. Granted, there are many instances where a cat and dog will have a major brawl that leaves one or the other with cuts and bruises but, in reality, it's quite normal for the two species to get along — and even to live together as friends.

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Child Safety - How To Prevent Dog Bites

Large dogs and small children can be a dangerous mix even if they’re in the same family. Child safety around dogs is important. You see, even a gentle dog can bite if unnerved by an energetic toddler.

A study done at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, examined 40 children aged 16 and under who had experienced a serious dog bite.

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When Your Dog is Expecting ...

You've been carefully preparing for this day for weeks and weeks and as the day arrives, you feel you're ready. Your dog, Hailey, is about to have puppies and you couldn't be more excited, however, the thought of little puppy feet scurrying around the house has you a bit concerned. Sure, having a litter of pups sounds like a lot of fun, but you also realize there's much work involved. As a final preparation, you check over the list of everything you've done and learned about how to get your dog and yourself ready for birth.

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Patience is a Virtue When Training Your Cat

A friend of mine has a favorite saying that goes like this: "Patience is an over-rated virtue." Now, of course, she's a dynamic business woman who has developed a very successful, International Software company and in the world of business, she may have a point. However, there are times when being patient is not the best strategy and there are times when it's the only strategy that makes sense. When it comes to training a cat, the patience of an ace poker champion and the stamina of a marathon runner would best describe the characteristics needed to do this with any hope for success.

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Excessive Barking is No Fun for Anyone

In picturesque neighborhoods everywhere, the peaceful, tree lined streets are shattered by the relentless sound of dogs barking day and night, causing many sleepless nights for those people sensitive to the ongoing racket. If you're losing sleep because a neighbor's dog keeps you awake all night, it's no fun. However, if you're the owner of the dog, it's even worse because, not only does he keep you awake, you have to constantly deal with angry neighbors.

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Don't Raise a Fat Cat

We sure love our cats, don't we? And our cat certainly loves us in return. How do you know? Well, every night when you return home after a long day at work or school you're greeted by that happy meow as she rubs against your legs and loudly announces to the world how happy she is that you have finally returned. You can't help but respond by giving her a lot of attention and a good back rub.

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How To Set Up An Aquarium

My cousin has an Aquarium room in his basement with at least 10 huge tanks filled with the most exotic and interesting fish I've ever seen. He's a major aquarium guy and I've never seen anyone so obsessed with getting the next expensive fish for his collection. Every time I'm in his aquarium room I feel so peaceful and calm I have a hard time leaving. I don't know if it's the subdued lighting or the haunting gurgle of the tanks, I just know it's wonderful place to spend some time.

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Choosing Your Dog: Purebred or Mutt

One of the dilemmas faced by those choosing their first dog is which breed will best suit their situation and lifestyle. You can choose either a specific breed, otherwise known as pure, or choose one that is of a mixed breed or what is often called a "mutt".

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How A Cat Communicates

There seems to be a preconceived assumption on the part of many people that cats are anti-social. However, the truth is, cats are quite sociable, just ask any cat owner. In fact, they quite easily bond with other cats in their household or neighborhood, their owners, even other pets such as dogs and birds. As a cat owner, I'm always fascinated by the different ways Emma communicates with me.

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Health Insurance For Your Dog a Wise Choice

Okay, let's get down to business and discuss everyone's favorite topic -- health insurance. Now, before you run screaming from the room, please consider that I have never been an insurance salesman and I do not plan to ever be one. However, one thing I'm sure of is that at some time or another we all have to take the time to plot out our strategies for securing the best insurance plan for our families. Therefore, the next time you are going through that process, why not consider health insurance for your dog.

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Should You Declaw Your Cat or Not?

Did you know that when a cat is declawed the operation is an amputation of the first joint of each front toe? This is required because the nail bed covers almost the entire joint, and leaving a portion of the claw can result in some really nasty infections and complications.

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Oh No! Did You Just Eat That?

Do you have a curious dog? I'll bet you do. Most dogs are very curious animals and natural scavengers, and if you're not careful, they can get into and eat just about anything. It's very prudent to be extremely careful because there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. I've put together a list of ten common household substances that you should keep out of your dog's reach.

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If Your Kitten is Shy ...

Some kittens are frisky and others are more laid back, but sometimes a kitten can be quite shy or they shy away from human touch. These are the loners who may constantly hide in secluded spots away from everyone as they grow if something isn't done to orient them to people. Although this behavior is not uncommon, it can be dealt with in a way that will open the kitten up to being more interactive with humans. If you find yourself with a new kitten that tends to shy away from people, here are a few suggestions that might help.

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What You Should Know About Turtles as Pets

Adding a turtle or tortoise to your aquarium is always a good idea. Sure, they're not cuddly and they can't play fetch the ball, but many people have long held a fascination for these magical creatures. Unfortunately this interest has lead to many turtles becoming targets of unscrupulous collectors that endanger the population and health of native turtles.

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Protect Your Pet During The Holidays

The holiday season is a time of the year that can present a few hazards to the health of your pet, and consequently to your peace of mind. Here are some ways you can prevent any unexpected mishaps and make this time a happy one for all.

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How to Avoid Dog Bites

It's unfortunate, but 4.7 million people get bitten by dogs every year. These bites range from minor nips to major attacks. Part of the problem is that many people have a soft spot in their hearts for any animal they see. Unfortunately, it's the people who care the most who are quite often the victims of dog bites, simply because they're just trying to be friendly to that stray dog or stranger's dog they meet from time to time. Being bitten by a dog, whether it's your own pet or not, can be a very traumatic experience depending on the extent of the injury. The best defense against being bitten by a dog is to avoid situations where that can happen.

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Litter Box Success

Yes, it's possible to teach a cat how to use your toilet, a topic I'll deal with in a future column, but the vast majority of cat lovers setup kitty pans filled with that glorious invention -- kitty litter. Fortunately, most cats instinctively use their litter box, but sometimes a problem will arise and when that happens, even the most dedicated cat lover has little patience with a cat that doesn't use its litter box. Yet patience is the key to litter box success.

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Obesity in Dogs

One of the major problems dogs, and people as well, are dealing with these days is obesity. As with humans, obesity in dogs is caused by excessive eating and unhealthy binges. This situation is usually triggered by environmental factors that, when not controlled, may lead to even more problems.

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Improve Your Health: Get A Pet!

Dogs are considered man's best friend, but I would speculate there are many cat, rabbit, ferret and hampster owners who would make the same claim of their preferred pet.

However, one thing is clear, having a pet has many positive heath benefits and side effects.

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Older Cat Care

Cats are not turtles. Okay, okay, I know, people aren't turtles, either. Actually, people are a lot closer to turtles than cats in the sense that turtles, as well as people, can live to be 100 years or more. Not so for cats. In human terms, a cat who's surpassed twelve years of life would be applying for their old age pension. Certainly they can live longer and, in fact, these days cats are living much longer thanks to many factors.

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Kids and Dogs

It's strange how many tales we hear of dogs attacking children. The news media tends to highlight these stories so much you'd think that every dog was a ravaging wild beast ready to attack anything that moves. Up here in Canada, where I live, the Ontario government has even gone as far as banning pit bulls due to a number of attacks over the past few years. I think this is overkill, to blame an entire breed because of the poor training and handling of a small group of pit bull owners. However, despite all the publicity, parents still choose to bring dogs into their families with little instruction or research.

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The Care and Feeding of Emma

There's something neat about bringing home a new kitten, almost as magical as the aroma that oozes all around you when you bring home a brand new car.

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Rabbits: Too Cute For Their Own Good

I've never owned a rabbit (or a bird for that matter). It's not that I don't like rabbits, it's just that, well, I've got this cat. However, since my job here is to discuss house pets of all kinds, I put my best investigative shoes on and went on over to visit my friend Kelly, a rabbit connoisseur if there ever was one. Kelly lives on the 10th floor of an apartment building that is surrounded by nothing but a large concrete parking lot, so it wasn't surprising she'd decided against the usual dog or cat type of house pet and decided on rabbits.

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Eliminating Your Puppy's Problem Behaviors

Introducing a happy, enthusiastic puppy into your household is a joyful experience for a new pet owner. However, if you're not careful, your new companion can quickly get into some bad habits that, if not eliminated, will cause problems as the puppy grows to adulthood. Eliminating these problem behaviors is one thing that most dog owners eventually face so it's always a good idea to stop them before they become an entrenched habit that will be difficult to get rid of as time goes on. In this article, I'll focus on a few of the most commonly encountered behavior problems.

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Do Pets Really Need Annual Vaccinations?

One of the standard guidelines for pets is annual vaccinations to protect them from diseases, no different than human vaccinations. If you follow standard recommendations, you are actually submitting your cat or dog to a painful shot as well as putting yourself through the anxiety of having to visit the vet every year in your effort to provide your pets with the best care you can.

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Choosing a Cat

Hello Pet Lovers! Starting today I'll be bringing you articles, tips and resources that I hope will enrich your Pet experience. First off, I'd like to share a few tips on Choosing a Cat.

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