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Why Dogs Bite Kids

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  Study Shows Common Links As medical reports of dogs biting children continued to increase, researchers started to ask, “Why?” Henceforth, a veterinary behavior clinic in Philadelphia embarked on a study to help us understand what makes a dog’s mind tick…or at least what ticks it off when it comes to kids. As reported in the medical journal  Injury Prevention , researchers at the veterinary behavioral clinic examined 111 cases of dog bites by 103 dogs (representing 41 different dog breeds) that took place over a four-year period. Several notable patterns came to their attention: the dogs displayed territorial behavior, anxiety, or were coping with medical issues at the time the biting occurred. Territorial Behavior Researchers suggest the main cause of aggression in dogs stems from territorial behavior: Children under the age of 6 were more likely to be bitten when a dog felt the kids were threatening to take his food or toys. Older children were bitten when the dog felt the ...

Pets and Children

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  5 Facts vs. Myths The thought of watching your toddler frolic with a puppy may give you the warm and fuzzies, but the reality can be very different. Growing up with a beloved  pet is a great experience — as long as you have realistic expectations. Many experts agree a child should be at least six years old before a kitten or puppy is brought into the family. Of course, only you can judge if your child is mature enough to treat a young animal with care. Here are five myths about pets and kids and how to make the right choice for your household. Myth 1: Puppies or Kittens are Best If you have toddlers or preschoolers, you might think that a puppy or kitten would be safer than an older dog because they are smaller and will adapt easier to your household. This is not necessarily so. Young  animals are fragile and injure easily, especially if you have curious kids who like to experiment by pulling tails or who enjoy picking up the pet. Puppies and kitte...

Stress-Free Visits to the any Vet

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  Make Veterinary Experiences Better For You And Your Pet For some, a visit to the veterinarian begins with a game of tug-of-war at the clinic’s front door. Your pet knows exactly where he is, and remembers the last visit—the probing and prodding, the smell of fear in the air and the whimpering sounds coming from behind closed doors. It’s no wonder you find yourself coaxing your pet to go inside, right? Familiarize Pets At An Early Age Visiting your veterinarian doesn’t have to be so frustrating. Minimize your pet’s stress by taking proactive measures, especially while your pet is still young. Familiarize your pet with being handled. Frequently touch his paws, toes and ears. Open his mouth, rub his gums. Reinforce cooperation with affection and training treats. Comfort Goes A Long Way Is the pet carrier beginning to feel like prison to your pet? Create an inviting environment: add a towel or blanket, a couple of toys and a sprinkle of catnip. Eliminate any panic-by-association and ...

Dog Breeders and Licenses in the US

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  The state of the US does not require you to have license if you are a dog breeder. But you have to bear in mind that the state authorizes its towns and cities to require a license if you are going to start and maintain a breeding business. The different towns and cities under the state are tasked to regulate and monitor the activities that pertain to the commercial treatment of the animals. Majority of towns in the US do not have a separate classification for licensing dog breeders. What they do is they classify the grounds as kennels or pet stores depending on the number of animals, the layout and its operations. If the business boards pets, then it is considered as a kennel, but if they have a separate area intended for the sale of the dogs then it is classified as a pet store for example  puppy on sale  at any  pet shop  . They will be charged differently for operating two separate businesses. There might be some confusion when classifying businesses b...

Basic puppy training for beginners

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   A well trained puppy is a happy puppy. Find out how to train your puppy in a variety of ways, from toilet training and crate training to ‘sit’ and ‘stay’, and some advice on how to deal with a puppy if you have children. Obedience training will not only ensure you have a well behaved puppy, it will also stimulate your puppy mentally and ensure your puppy grows up to be happy and confident. You should start basic training as soon as your puppy has settled in to his/her new home. Puppies, like young children, only have a short attention span, so aim for no more than 5 minutes at a time for obedience training in the early weeks. As your puppy gets older he will be able to concentrate for longer. As well as training your puppy at home you should look for obedience classes or puppy classes to take him to. This will provide him with a chance to socialise as well as giving you other ideas on training and obedience. There are some basic principles of obedience training that you ca...