When it comes to cats, thought of black cats will hardly miss
you. What you think of course depends on whether you love them
or loath them. But whatever your feeling may be, black cats are
very special, as pets, in identity making and social and
cultural aspects.

Black cats capture our imagination in many ways. They are
possibly the only animals adored and hated equally. Associated
with feelings of mystery, power, hate, loyalty and cunningness,
the black cats rule the cat community in terms of recognition.

Most cultures, especially Asian and African cultures regard
black cats as symbols of evil and ill luck. They are associated
with all imaginable forms of black magic and the fear of black
cat bringing bad luck is unfortunately high, prompting their
killing. While other cultures are not so extreme about the
‘blackness’ of the black cat, they are still not the immediate
pets. People have a lot of explaining to do around to get a
black cat adorn their homes.

Black cats can be of any breed. Most black cats would surprise
you by their shiny coats and contrast eye color that could well
send the chill down the spine for the faint hearted. Black cats
are most common as pets in Europe and North America, in other
places; it is the mixed feelings that hold back an otherwise
great looking animal from being a favorite pet. Although black
cat is actually considered a sign of good luck possible only in
UK, still black cat is the favorite association, at least
namesake, for the club couture. In fact, places with teeming
nightlife have come to be known as black cat places and
communities, a phenomena possibly triggered by the growing
number of places with black cat names.

Whatever the black cats stand for, they are the epitome in
feline beauty. The poise of black cats makes them a fashion
statement and associated with very rare tastes. Just try and
recall, you’ll find the most classy and crafted characters in
films having a black cat purring on their laps. Black cats are
also almost a staple presence in displays of female power and
mystic. Take up a magazine and you are sure to find at least one
commercial of a ‘powerful’ beauty with a black cat at her feet.
Black cats are also associated with stealth, courage and wisdom.
This makes the black cats the favorite mascot of military and
security services, corporations and groups the world over.

Love them, hate them, you can’t avoid admire them. Black cats
truly represent a mix of the ancient and the modern and the good
and the bad. How you look at them is your viewpoint, but you
cannot stop looking at the Black Cat.

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Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog. Positive reinforcement training is so important that it is the only method used to train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in circuses and in the movie and television industry.

Proponents of positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their techniques, and it is true that the vast majority of dogs respond well to these training methods.

One reason that positive reinforcement training is so effective is that is uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected of it. When the dog performs the desired behavior, he is provided with a reward, most often in the form of a food treat, but it could be a scratch behind the ears, a rub under the chin or a pat on the head as well. The important thing is that the dog is rewarded consistently for doing the right thing.

Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years, but chances are some sort of reward training between humans and dogs has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.

When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some knowledge of the history of humans and dogs is very helpful. The earliest dogs were probably wolf pups that were tamed and used by early humans for protection from predators, as alarm systems and later for guarding and herding livestock.

It is possible that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most easily trained, or it is possible that these early dogs were orphaned or abandoned wolf pups. Whatever their origin, there is little doubt today that the vast variety of dogs we see today have their origin in the humble wolf.

Wolf packs, like packs of wild dogs, operate on a strict pack hierarchy. Since wolf and dog packs hunt as a group, this type of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the survival of the species. Every dog in the pack knows his or her place in the pack, and except in the event of death or injury, the hierarchy, once established, rarely changes.

Every dog, therefore, is hard wired by nature to look to the pack leader for guidance. The basis of all good dog training, including reward based training, is for the handler to set him or herself up as the pack leader. The pack leader is more than just the dominant dog, or the one who tells all the subordinates what to do. More importantly, the pack leader provides leadership and protection, and his or her leadership is vital to the success and survival of the pack.

It is important for the dog to see itself as part of a pack, to recognize the human as the leader of that pack, and to respect his or her authority. Some dogs are much easier to dominate than others. If you watch a group of puppies playing for a little while, you will quickly recognize the dominant and submissive personalities.

A dog with a more submissive personality will generally be easier to train using positive reinforcement, since he or she will not want to challenge the handler for leadership. Even dominant dogs, however, respond very well to positive reinforcement. There are, in fact, few dogs that do not respond well to positive reinforcement, also known as reward training.

Positive reinforcement is also the best way to retrain a dog that has behavior problems, especially one that has been abused in the past. Getting the respect and trust of an abused dog can be very difficult, and positive reinforcement is better than any other training method at creating this important bond.

No matter what type of dog you are working with, chances are it can be helped with positive reinforcement training methods. Based training methods on respect and trust, rather than on intimidation and fear, is the best way to get the most from any dog.

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Dog Owner’s commonly ask me the same questions repeatedly. This article aims to help dog owners prevent and find information about the most common dog health problems. Understanding the basics of these problems will go a long ways to helping your canine friend live a long healthy life.

1. By far the most common question I get asked from dog owners is a desperate call about their dog’s vomiting. Vomiting can have many causes, but the most common cause is eating garbage, or wolfing down food. In most cases the easiest cure is to withhold food from your dog for 24 hours, but continue to give water. Then after 24 hours, start by giving small meals again. This rest period will allow the stomach to heal. If vomiting continues after this you should see your veterinarian.

2. The next most common question I get asked are reproduction questions. These questions range from breeding their dog, questions about whelping, and about raising puppies. While it is beyond this article to cover everything, here are some basics to keep in mind. Dogs come into heat every 6-7 months which is the time to breed them. The gestation length ranges from 59-63 days. Breeds that can have trouble with whelping are the pug, bulldog, Chihuahuas, Boston terriers, and the Pekingese. Whelping, the act of giving birth, can take from 2 to 24 hours. With several hours in-between the time puppies are passed.

3. Third, are questions about skin problems. These questions range from masses and bumps, to scratches and rashes. Whenever you find a mass on your dog it is important that you show it to your veterinarian. Most masses are benign lipomas, which are fatty tumors. Another common tumor of female dogs are tumors of the mammary gland. You can greatly decrease the risk of your female dog getting a mammary gland tumor by spaying your dog. One of the most common skin tumors owners are likely to see are Mast cell tumors. Mast cell tumors can appear anywhere on the body, and can range from benign to very aggressive.

4. Fourth are questions about the musculoskeletal system. Two possible causes of limping in dogs are arthritis and torn anterior cruciate ligaments. Arthritis is common in older dogs. To treat arthritis try some joint supplements like chondroitin. For dogs with torn anterior cruciate ligaments, surgery is needed. The anterior cruciate ligament is a ligament in the knees of dogs. Signs of this injury is when the dog is running and all of a sudden the dog whimpers in pain and starts to limp on its rear leg.

5. The fifth most common question is about allergies. Many dogs suffer from allergies. The most common clinical signs are the dog chewing its paws, reddened skin, and scratching. For a definitive diagnosis allergy testing can be done by your veterinarian. Allergies are often treated by antihistamines and in severe cases steroids.

With a little knowledge pet owners can be more proactive in the health care of their pets. With greater knowledge you can help your veterinarian come up with the best treatment plans for your pet, and are able to give a more complete history on your pet which can lead to a quicker and more accurate diagnosis.

For the complete top 10 list visit my website: http://www.free-online-veterinarian-advice.com/doghealth.html

About The Author

Dr. Chris Suckow, DVM lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

To get answers for all your dog questions visit him at http://www.free-online-veterinarian-advice.com/doghealth.html .

Make sure your new baby starts off with healthy food and treats. It all starts now. Once you cultivate certain eating habits, it’s almost impossible to break them, especially with cats. It is not uncommon for a cat to get hooked on one food only. If that food is a good food then you lucked out. If it is not a good food, conversion may be extremely difficult for you and your cat. When your dog doesn’t want to eat his breakfast or dinner, don’t let him persuade you to add something to the food or find something more desirable to eat. If he seems as healthy and happy as usual, chances are that he just isn’t hungry; his body doesn’t need the food. He will eat it later or the next day. Once you add something to the food, you will create a picky eater and possibly jeopardize his nutrition. In other words, once you’ve done your home work and selected the best food and treats for your pet, dog or cat, be prepared to stand up to any challenge they may give you. Remember that the food and treats you select will help determine your pet’s fate. Make sure it is premium dog and/or cat food and treats.

Teach Boundaries. From the first day, determine where your pet can or cannot go and things you simply don’t want your pet doing. Pets are creatures of habit. Once they do something a few times, they tend to continue that behavior. Once you determine your boundaries, stick to them, even if they break your heart. Remember that what may seem cute now (chewing on pillows for example) will be disastrous later on! Realistically, many of the boundaries we set will be trial and error. Sometimes it takes bad behavior for us to take a look at a situation, declare it out of hand and make rules that will change it. Pets can get mighty creative in their curiosities and in their rebellions.

House breaking. Of course there will be accidents; - however, the goal is to complete toilet training. Cats are easy. Bring your kitten to the cat box and put her in it. As long as she knows where the box is, toilet training will be accomplished. Dogs take their toilet habits more seriously, and so should you. There are many methods of toilet training but sticking to the same regimen is key and rewarding with a treat and or a kiss ensures success.

Obedience training = A well trained dog. Summer obedience classes are fun. These necessary classes are given by humane societies, veterinarians, or trainers. They socialize dogs so that they get along with other dogs and people. They also teach the basics for good behavior and show you how to be the head of the household.

Pick a talented vet. Your veterinarian is critical to your new pet’s health. General check ups, vaccines, flea control and heart worm preventive must be taken seriously. Select a Veterinarian you feel comfortable with. Visit the veterinary hospital first. If the staff is friendly and the hospital smells good, you are on the right track. Ask to meet one of the veterinarians. If you both get along, then you probably found your pet a family doctor. Don’t select your veterinarian just based on location.

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. Enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit Lifes Abundance Dog Food for more information.

It was raining, and I did not want to leave my Golden Retriever in the house alone. I put him in the laundry room, and planned to be back within the hour. One hour became two; when I finally got home, my beloved, handsome two year old dog had chewed through about five rolls of paper towels. My “How is my sweet dog?” voice changed to “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??” in about half a second. My dog cowered in the corner, begging me to forgive his destructive behavior. I quickly began picking up the shredded paper and found myself lecturing my dog about why he should not chew paper towels. I soon stopped myself, realizing that a ten minute lecture was not going to train my dog. I started to look up ways of correcting dog behavior and found some helpful tips online.

First and foremost, I learned that all dogs chew. It is a fact of life, and one that all dog owners must understand and accept this fact. (Puppies especially need to chew because of teething.) Part of the paper towel fiasco was my fault. I didn’t leave my dog any other toys to play with while I was gone, and I was gone much longer than I thought. My dog was not used to being cooped up in the laundry room for long periods of time and was most likely chewing because of stress, anxiety, or simple boredom. Dogs often become restless when alone and chewing relieves that stress and energy.

Second, I learned that I should leave a variety of toys for my dog to chew, whether I am home or not. Tennis balls, rope toys, Kongs, compressed raw hide are all good choices and add some variety to my dog’s chewing life. Whenever I see my dog chewing on his toys, I praise him for his behavior. If I catch him chewing on one of my shoes or my couch, then I firmly scold him with a verbal warning and then direct him to one of his toys. As soon as he starts to chew on his toy, I praise him. Dogs need a lot of praise and consistent behavior in order to learn not to chew. Don’t set your dog up for failure. If you don’t want him to chew up your shoes, don’t give him an old shoe to play with. Also, if there are items that you think he might be tempted to chew, put them out of his reach.

As with any dog training issue, stay patient and be consistent. If your dog is chewing up your house, it will take awhile to change his behavior. If the toys don’t seem to be helping, there are some safe products you can buy to spray on items you want your dog to avoid. Sometimes it also helps to hire a professional trainer to get some additional tips on training your dog. Don’t give up on your dog. Hang in there and put the paper towels on a higher shelf!