The topbar beehive is not a new concept. Historical reference to the top-bar hive date back to the 1600's. Most of today's top bar bee hives are derived from work in the 1960's. It was perfected for use in Kenya, Africa, and is often referred to as the Kenya Hive. Today it is also used in many other developing countries for it's simple design and cost effective management methods. In recent years it has also become more popular in the United States.
The traditional Langstroth beehive consists of several boxes (supers) and numerous other parts that are either difficult to build or expensive to buy. In addition to the beehive, the Langstroth hive requires many other pieces of equipment to harvest honey and manage your bees. Not so with the top bar hive as you can read below.
Simple and Maintenance-Free
The top bar hive has only a few components: the hive body (box), 20 to 30 top bars (frames), and a lid. That's all you will ever need. Compare that to your Langstroth hive. Bees build their own comb which eliminates the need for costly frames. The top bars are re-used after the harvest.
Non-Invasive Design
The top bar hive is healthier for bees. To check your bees, you will not have to take the whole thing apart. Hence, your bees will be less disturbed by your presence and checking of the comb.
Easy Harvest
To harvest your honey, you simply remove the bars with honeycomb. Unlike traditional methods, you won't have to take the hive apart and disturb the bees as much. Not only is the top bar hive less stressful to harvest for you, it also does not disturb the bees as much. In addition to honey, the top bar hive has more beeswax to harvest. You also do not need a honey extractor/centrifuge or uncapping knife which saves you thousands of dollars. Smoking is completely unnecessary and many top bar hive users do not wear protective clothing either. (For the beginner I do advise to use some kind of protection, gloves and veil as the minimum!) Once you remove the honey comb, the bees will go about their business as usual. Try that on a Langstroth hive.
Healthier Bees
The top bar hive is designed for the bees' optimal living conditions. This makes a colony much stronger and enables it to fight off pests and diseases on their own, much better than in a Langstroth hive. Besides healthier bees this will save you hundreds of dollars in medication as well as disappointment.
Why doesn't everyone use top bar hives?
The top bar hive is not designed for maximum honey production, although there have been reports otherwise. For the hobby beekeeper a few pounds less honey are well worth the ease of management. You will harvest more beeswax with a top bar hive though. Any hobbyist should have more of an interest in keeping healthy bees than in squeezing out a few more pounds of honey from a stressed, overworked colony. With just one top bar hive, you will still have more than enough honey for your whole family and friends.
2008年9月17日星期三
2008年9月5日星期五
Housebreaking Your Pit Bull Terrier: Puppy Dog Training
Housebreaking any new pet can often be a daunting challenge, and housebreaking your Pit Bull puppy will be no exception. It is a necessary step that you as a dog owner must take if you intend your Pit Bull to be an indoor pet, but one that many owners dread. The earlier you start training your dog the better, and many veterinarians recommend starting housebreaking at around eight weeks old.
Pit Bulls tend to learn well by repetition, so it is important to develop a daily routine and stick to it as much as possible. They also crave lots and lots of attention, which will help them to feel more secure in their new home and possibly make training easier. It is best if someone is at home at all times with the Pit Bull during housebreaking, as it will definitely make the process much faster. It is important that you have a designated area for your Pit Bull that is to be considered his individual space. Ideally, his space should be somewhere easy to clean up, like a tiled floor for example, because accidents are likely to happen, especially in the beginning. The area will need to have his bed, chew toys, and food and water since this is the area he will spend a lot of time in, especially if you are away. Make sure the area can be closed off so that the dog cannot get out and gain access to other areas of the house when no one is home. Baby gates tend to work well, because the dog can still see you and won’t feel as though he is shut in.
During your time at home, try to give your Pit Bull puppy as much of your attention as possible. Try to go outside with him at least every thirty minutes or so, and make sure you praise or reward him for relieving himself outside. Praise and rewards will help him learn that it is good to potty outside, and he will catch on quick.
Expect your puppy to have accidents in the house. It is just something that is going to happen no matter how diligent you are in training him. Punishing your puppy for this will only lead to more setbacks. The best way to handle housebreaking is to be patient, and remember that it is a long process for both of you that won’t happen overnight. The more attention you give your new Pit Bull puppy, the more he will thrive and do well. During all of the time you devote to training your puppy, you are building a good relationship with him as well, hopefully one that will last a lifetime.
Pit Bulls tend to learn well by repetition, so it is important to develop a daily routine and stick to it as much as possible. They also crave lots and lots of attention, which will help them to feel more secure in their new home and possibly make training easier. It is best if someone is at home at all times with the Pit Bull during housebreaking, as it will definitely make the process much faster. It is important that you have a designated area for your Pit Bull that is to be considered his individual space. Ideally, his space should be somewhere easy to clean up, like a tiled floor for example, because accidents are likely to happen, especially in the beginning. The area will need to have his bed, chew toys, and food and water since this is the area he will spend a lot of time in, especially if you are away. Make sure the area can be closed off so that the dog cannot get out and gain access to other areas of the house when no one is home. Baby gates tend to work well, because the dog can still see you and won’t feel as though he is shut in.
During your time at home, try to give your Pit Bull puppy as much of your attention as possible. Try to go outside with him at least every thirty minutes or so, and make sure you praise or reward him for relieving himself outside. Praise and rewards will help him learn that it is good to potty outside, and he will catch on quick.
Expect your puppy to have accidents in the house. It is just something that is going to happen no matter how diligent you are in training him. Punishing your puppy for this will only lead to more setbacks. The best way to handle housebreaking is to be patient, and remember that it is a long process for both of you that won’t happen overnight. The more attention you give your new Pit Bull puppy, the more he will thrive and do well. During all of the time you devote to training your puppy, you are building a good relationship with him as well, hopefully one that will last a lifetime.
2008年9月2日星期二
Arthritis Treatment for Dogs
Storm and I were best friends from the day I found him abandoned and covered with ticks. About 6 years ago, however, our playtime became a burden to Storm instead of fun. He developed arthritis. The symptoms began with general slowing down of his movements. Then it became harder for him to move because of stiffness in his joints. He had trouble getting up and climbing stairs.
I took Storm to the vet and was disappointed with the arthritis treatments for dogs that were available. The vet suggested giving Storm aspirin for the pain. That did work for a while, but it didn't fix the problem. It just hid it. I stopped giving Storm aspirin after he almost died from taking it! He contracted a very serious intestinal infection. This almost tragic event sparked my desire to find a safe arthritis treatment for dogs. I wanted to find an arthritis treatment for dogs that didn't just cover up the problem, but actually helped. I found a product called Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine that claimed to be an arthritis treatment for dogs. I ordered a bottle and started to give it to Storm.
The first thing I liked about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it was easy to give. It came with a built-in measuring spout. All I had to do was measure it out and pour it over his food once a day. Storm didn't even notice that I had put it on his food. He didn't mind the taste at all. The best thing about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it didn't really have any side effects, which was a relief after the scary events with the aspirin.
Storm started to show improvement in about a month. The slowness that he had been experiencing improved and he was able to get around much easier. The stiffness also improved. Storm didn't struggle to get up and could climb the stairs again. He wasn't a puppy, but Storm and I could continue to make our trips to the park. In fact, we continued to play (although more slowly) until he passed away from old age at 15, which is quite an old age considering that Storm was a large dog. I gave him the glucosamine arthritis treatment for dogs every day and that probably helped him live a longer, healthier, more fulfilling life.
Thousands of our customers have had the same experience with their arthritic dogs as I did with Storm. Liquid glucosamine can't be beat as an arthritis treatment for dogs.
What makes liquid glucosamine work so well? The main reason that glucosamine is a well accepted and effective arthritis treatment for dogs is that it works without negative side effects! Glucosamine is not only an accepted arthritis treatment for dogs, but for humans as well. The ease of administering glucosamine makes dog owners feel at ease that they are giving the treatment correctly and makes it easier to stick with the treatment. Dogs either don't notice the taste of the glucosamine, or don't mind the taste. Out of the thousands of customers using glucosamine as their arthritis treatment for dogs, only one has reported that their dog refused to eat food with the glucosamine poured on it.
When I began to search for a treatment for Storm's arthritis, I didn't want something that would just cover over the problem as it continued to get worse. Many anti-inflammatory, and sometimes dangerous, drugs do just hide the pain while allowing the arthritis to worsen. Using glucosamine as an arthritis treatment for dogs does not hide the pain. It works by actually rebuilding and regenerating joint tissue. Glucosamine helps repair the damage that arthritis causes to joints.
Most dogs, and people, will suffer from arthritis to some degree as they get older. Because of this, we recommend giving your dog glucosamine starting with the second half of their lives because this is the time of life when arthritis begins to set in and start to cause damage. Giving liquid glucosamine is so easy and effective as an arthritis treatment for dogs that it just makes sense to stop the pain arthritis can cause before it happens.
I took Storm to the vet and was disappointed with the arthritis treatments for dogs that were available. The vet suggested giving Storm aspirin for the pain. That did work for a while, but it didn't fix the problem. It just hid it. I stopped giving Storm aspirin after he almost died from taking it! He contracted a very serious intestinal infection. This almost tragic event sparked my desire to find a safe arthritis treatment for dogs. I wanted to find an arthritis treatment for dogs that didn't just cover up the problem, but actually helped. I found a product called Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine that claimed to be an arthritis treatment for dogs. I ordered a bottle and started to give it to Storm.
The first thing I liked about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it was easy to give. It came with a built-in measuring spout. All I had to do was measure it out and pour it over his food once a day. Storm didn't even notice that I had put it on his food. He didn't mind the taste at all. The best thing about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it didn't really have any side effects, which was a relief after the scary events with the aspirin.
Storm started to show improvement in about a month. The slowness that he had been experiencing improved and he was able to get around much easier. The stiffness also improved. Storm didn't struggle to get up and could climb the stairs again. He wasn't a puppy, but Storm and I could continue to make our trips to the park. In fact, we continued to play (although more slowly) until he passed away from old age at 15, which is quite an old age considering that Storm was a large dog. I gave him the glucosamine arthritis treatment for dogs every day and that probably helped him live a longer, healthier, more fulfilling life.
Thousands of our customers have had the same experience with their arthritic dogs as I did with Storm. Liquid glucosamine can't be beat as an arthritis treatment for dogs.
What makes liquid glucosamine work so well? The main reason that glucosamine is a well accepted and effective arthritis treatment for dogs is that it works without negative side effects! Glucosamine is not only an accepted arthritis treatment for dogs, but for humans as well. The ease of administering glucosamine makes dog owners feel at ease that they are giving the treatment correctly and makes it easier to stick with the treatment. Dogs either don't notice the taste of the glucosamine, or don't mind the taste. Out of the thousands of customers using glucosamine as their arthritis treatment for dogs, only one has reported that their dog refused to eat food with the glucosamine poured on it.
When I began to search for a treatment for Storm's arthritis, I didn't want something that would just cover over the problem as it continued to get worse. Many anti-inflammatory, and sometimes dangerous, drugs do just hide the pain while allowing the arthritis to worsen. Using glucosamine as an arthritis treatment for dogs does not hide the pain. It works by actually rebuilding and regenerating joint tissue. Glucosamine helps repair the damage that arthritis causes to joints.
Most dogs, and people, will suffer from arthritis to some degree as they get older. Because of this, we recommend giving your dog glucosamine starting with the second half of their lives because this is the time of life when arthritis begins to set in and start to cause damage. Giving liquid glucosamine is so easy and effective as an arthritis treatment for dogs that it just makes sense to stop the pain arthritis can cause before it happens.
2008年8月24日星期日
Feeding your dog a nutritious and healthy diet
Nutritious and healthy food is important for the overall growth of your dog and different dogs have different requirements. The feeding and the diets change depending on the breed and the age of your dog. The healthier the diet is the stronger your dog will be.
A dog is not just another animal - it took 17 generations of wolves to get the modern day dog, the most lovable and adorable of all pets, a true companion and a loyal friend. It would be tough to sum up the happiness a dog brings into any family and so if you have a dog then you are among the luckiest families around.
Taking care of your dog is very important and this is where feeding comes in. There are different types of brands and variety of dog food available in the market but then you just can’t pick up any food for him. You can buy food that has either been recommended by the vet or something that is highly nutritious like the pro plan dog food. You may ask what is so great about pro plan dog food? The truth is that a pro plan diet or food has been created keeping in mind the different requirements of puppies as well as adult dogs of different breeds.
It is extremely important for you to know what type of food is good for your dog and what is not; what is healthy and what is harmful; what will give your dog extra calories and make him sleep through the day and what will provide him with proper nutrition and keep him active. This is the primary focus of pro plan dog food and diets have been created accordingly. For example: the Purina Pro Plan Selects is a unique mix of natural and wholesome ingredients that have been tested prior to packaging so that your dog can get maximum nutrition as well as a good taste. There’s a feel good/healthy factor to pro plan food, which makes it must-have in dog diet plans.
One of the main advantages of choosing pro plan nutrition is the variety. For example: if you choose the pro plan selects then you will have three options if your dog is of a large breed like German Shepherd Dog or Labrador Retriever. The options are:
· Natural lamb and oat meal formula
· Natural turkey and barley formula
· Natural salmon and brown rice formula
You can also opt for the pro plan dry food unless the vet has specified any other diet in particular. You need to be extremely careful when it comes to dog food because unlike us they can’t eat just about anything as they are highly prone to infections and diseases. You need to look for food that is good for his heart, bones, skin and coat and strengthens his immune system. Hence, Pro plan dog food has been made in such a way that it contains high-quality protein, the required amount of vitamins, vital anti-oxidants and all essential minerals. After all, there is nothing more important that the health of your dog!
A dog is not just another animal - it took 17 generations of wolves to get the modern day dog, the most lovable and adorable of all pets, a true companion and a loyal friend. It would be tough to sum up the happiness a dog brings into any family and so if you have a dog then you are among the luckiest families around.
Taking care of your dog is very important and this is where feeding comes in. There are different types of brands and variety of dog food available in the market but then you just can’t pick up any food for him. You can buy food that has either been recommended by the vet or something that is highly nutritious like the pro plan dog food. You may ask what is so great about pro plan dog food? The truth is that a pro plan diet or food has been created keeping in mind the different requirements of puppies as well as adult dogs of different breeds.
It is extremely important for you to know what type of food is good for your dog and what is not; what is healthy and what is harmful; what will give your dog extra calories and make him sleep through the day and what will provide him with proper nutrition and keep him active. This is the primary focus of pro plan dog food and diets have been created accordingly. For example: the Purina Pro Plan Selects is a unique mix of natural and wholesome ingredients that have been tested prior to packaging so that your dog can get maximum nutrition as well as a good taste. There’s a feel good/healthy factor to pro plan food, which makes it must-have in dog diet plans.
One of the main advantages of choosing pro plan nutrition is the variety. For example: if you choose the pro plan selects then you will have three options if your dog is of a large breed like German Shepherd Dog or Labrador Retriever. The options are:
· Natural lamb and oat meal formula
· Natural turkey and barley formula
· Natural salmon and brown rice formula
You can also opt for the pro plan dry food unless the vet has specified any other diet in particular. You need to be extremely careful when it comes to dog food because unlike us they can’t eat just about anything as they are highly prone to infections and diseases. You need to look for food that is good for his heart, bones, skin and coat and strengthens his immune system. Hence, Pro plan dog food has been made in such a way that it contains high-quality protein, the required amount of vitamins, vital anti-oxidants and all essential minerals. After all, there is nothing more important that the health of your dog!
2008年8月19日星期二
Let's Take Special Precautions for Our Pets
Do you have pet insurance? Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet of late, pet insurance has probably crossed your mind. If not, you may well want to read on if you want to save yourself millions of pounds on maintaining a pet.
There's a reason why cats are said to have nine lives so if you're planning to own a pet cat, be aware that the normal lifespan of a pet cat kept indoors could reach up to 17 years or so. If you are like myself and leave your pet or pets indoors during the day with a doggie door to the backyard, always have at least a whole days worth of food and water available as you might not be able to return home during or after an emergency. Before you get a pet rat, make sure you will have time to interact with it every day and clean out the cage at least once a week.
Having been a grief counselor and a pet loss support group facilitator for many years, I have encountered a wide range of stories from people who have suffered cruel and insensitive statements from those around them, to others who receive wonderful support and unconditional love from their family and friends after the death or disappearance of a beloved animal. When people decide to get a pet, they often don't consider how they will deal with the inevitable unexpected illnesses or accidents. Myth: Individuals who experience intense grief over the loss of a pet are somehow strange or weak people.
As with human health care insurance, pet insurance pays the health care provider. And also just like human health care insurance, pet health care insurance pays for veterinary care and often for prescription medication as well. Almost all pet care insurance provides health cover that includes cuts, illnesses, accidents, abrasions and also dental expenses.
Buying online pet products can also give you access to a veterinarian of a food expert. If you want to give your dog natural, healthy food, but you don't have enough time to prepare raw meals for your pet, you can buy some of the food products such as those ready-to-eat freeze dried and frozen materials or raw meals.
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits to purchasing pet supplies online is the selection of products available. Perhaps the most common way that a pet owner purchases pet supplies for their family pet is by visiting their local pet store. Due to this pet supplies, have become widely available, with shops popping up on most high streets, even in places you would not even dream of looking.
Now that the Internet is here, an online pet memorial is the next best option in terms of keeping the memory of a pet alive forever. Making the decision to buy a Pet sparks the beginning of a beautiful relationship. And many families across the country own at least one pet.
One of the convenient ways to move your reptile long distance is by overnight postal service, though USPS won't guarantee live delivery; they might be only liable if the box in which you were moving your pet would have been damaged, but if your beloved one baked or freezed to death you would get nothing. Before moving take all the health records of your pet from the current veterinarian to transfer them to a new one.
There's a reason why cats are said to have nine lives so if you're planning to own a pet cat, be aware that the normal lifespan of a pet cat kept indoors could reach up to 17 years or so. If you are like myself and leave your pet or pets indoors during the day with a doggie door to the backyard, always have at least a whole days worth of food and water available as you might not be able to return home during or after an emergency. Before you get a pet rat, make sure you will have time to interact with it every day and clean out the cage at least once a week.
Having been a grief counselor and a pet loss support group facilitator for many years, I have encountered a wide range of stories from people who have suffered cruel and insensitive statements from those around them, to others who receive wonderful support and unconditional love from their family and friends after the death or disappearance of a beloved animal. When people decide to get a pet, they often don't consider how they will deal with the inevitable unexpected illnesses or accidents. Myth: Individuals who experience intense grief over the loss of a pet are somehow strange or weak people.
As with human health care insurance, pet insurance pays the health care provider. And also just like human health care insurance, pet health care insurance pays for veterinary care and often for prescription medication as well. Almost all pet care insurance provides health cover that includes cuts, illnesses, accidents, abrasions and also dental expenses.
Buying online pet products can also give you access to a veterinarian of a food expert. If you want to give your dog natural, healthy food, but you don't have enough time to prepare raw meals for your pet, you can buy some of the food products such as those ready-to-eat freeze dried and frozen materials or raw meals.
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits to purchasing pet supplies online is the selection of products available. Perhaps the most common way that a pet owner purchases pet supplies for their family pet is by visiting their local pet store. Due to this pet supplies, have become widely available, with shops popping up on most high streets, even in places you would not even dream of looking.
Now that the Internet is here, an online pet memorial is the next best option in terms of keeping the memory of a pet alive forever. Making the decision to buy a Pet sparks the beginning of a beautiful relationship. And many families across the country own at least one pet.
One of the convenient ways to move your reptile long distance is by overnight postal service, though USPS won't guarantee live delivery; they might be only liable if the box in which you were moving your pet would have been damaged, but if your beloved one baked or freezed to death you would get nothing. Before moving take all the health records of your pet from the current veterinarian to transfer them to a new one.
2008年8月12日星期二
Lesser-Known Dog Breeds
Have you ever seen a beagle? Sure you have. What about a basset hound? Of course! How about a Polish Owczarek Nizinny? Didn’t think so. Its one of many unfamiliar breeds of dogs roaming the Earth and though it has a funny name (to Americans anyway), it is a beautiful creature. There are a great many dog breeds out there that, unless you’re a dog expert, you may never have heard of. Here are a few.
Affenpinscher:
The smallest dog in the family that includes pinschers and schnauzers, the Affenpinscher is a toy dog with a good demeanor. These little guys are very intelligent and trainable and make wonderful family pets. They have a dark, wiry coat and are naturally affectionate towards humans.
Anatolian Shepherd:
The Anatolian Shepherd has a large frame and is considered to be quite courageous. These are strong and loyal dogs that see a good deal of use in the United States as military and hunting dogs.
Basenji:
The Basenji is a medium sized muscular dog that is also known as the African Barkless Dog. They never bark, but not because they are mute; apparently they just don’t want to. Basenjis were originally bred in Africa as hunting dogs. They do not naturally make good pets, but overcome their aversion to humans if they are handled consistently from an early age.
Bouvier des Flandres:
These small but sturdy dogs have the appearance of a sort of terrier. They usually have a dark rough coat and a generally calm manner. They were originally bred as herders in France and today are used in both police work and as guide dogs or assistance animals for the blind.
Central Asian Ovtcharka:
The Central Asian Ovtcharka is a large and muscular dog. It is known as loyal and fearless and has protective instincts that make it an excellent herder and watchdog. Typically they have their ears and tail docked at an early age.
Polish Owczarek Nizinny:
This guy is a medium sized shaggy dog with a long coat that covers its eyes. Loyal and devoted dogs, they make great pets as long as they won’t be left alone for long periods of time since they are known to cause trouble when unsupervised for too long.
Affenpinscher:
The smallest dog in the family that includes pinschers and schnauzers, the Affenpinscher is a toy dog with a good demeanor. These little guys are very intelligent and trainable and make wonderful family pets. They have a dark, wiry coat and are naturally affectionate towards humans.
Anatolian Shepherd:
The Anatolian Shepherd has a large frame and is considered to be quite courageous. These are strong and loyal dogs that see a good deal of use in the United States as military and hunting dogs.
Basenji:
The Basenji is a medium sized muscular dog that is also known as the African Barkless Dog. They never bark, but not because they are mute; apparently they just don’t want to. Basenjis were originally bred in Africa as hunting dogs. They do not naturally make good pets, but overcome their aversion to humans if they are handled consistently from an early age.
Bouvier des Flandres:
These small but sturdy dogs have the appearance of a sort of terrier. They usually have a dark rough coat and a generally calm manner. They were originally bred as herders in France and today are used in both police work and as guide dogs or assistance animals for the blind.
Central Asian Ovtcharka:
The Central Asian Ovtcharka is a large and muscular dog. It is known as loyal and fearless and has protective instincts that make it an excellent herder and watchdog. Typically they have their ears and tail docked at an early age.
Polish Owczarek Nizinny:
This guy is a medium sized shaggy dog with a long coat that covers its eyes. Loyal and devoted dogs, they make great pets as long as they won’t be left alone for long periods of time since they are known to cause trouble when unsupervised for too long.
2008年8月11日星期一
Bad Dog Obedient Class!
Education begins at home, but it doesn't end there. It's important that you supplement your dog's home schooling with a good obedience class - or several! Why is obedience school so necessary? Well, here's a starter list:
1. You and your dog will learn more advanced commands. You've got a good start with "sit" and "let's go," but in class you'll master exercises like "down," "stay," "heel," "stand" and "come" as well - the vocabulary she'll need to become a really responsive and trustworthy friend and partner.
2. Your instructor can address your specific needs. Books and videotapes are great, but they can't stay after class to discuss your dog's individual problems or strong points, they can't demonstrate new moves to you, and they can't tell you whether you're holding your leash funny or giving your dog a confusing command. There's really no substitute for the one-on-one attention and suggestions of a good instructor.
3. You 'II learn from the other people and dogs in the class. Your classmates may have new ideas for you, or you may pick up tips just from watching them. And you'll find that they're sympathetic to your problems and proud of your successes in ways that your non-dog-loving friends may not be.
4. Your dog will get used to other people and dogs. This is a biggie. No amount of backyard practice can teach your dog to behave in the presence of other exciting people or pups. And if your dog is still a little worried about the world at large - and many of them are - obedience class will give her a chance to make friends and gain confidence. So even if you've already been through obedience class with another dog and know the ropes, it's a good idea to take your new dog to a class of her own.
5. It'll give you an incentive to train your dog. Let's face it, sometimes it's tough to get motivated for your daily training sessions when you know only a couple of exercises and you don't have an instructor and classmates to keep you from getting lazy!
6. You'll have a terrific time. Obedience class is fun! You'll make new friends (I know several married couples who met in obedience class) and get lots of exercise, and your relationship with your new dog will soar to new levels. And who knows? You might just get hooked on dog training and find yourself with a new hobby.
1. You and your dog will learn more advanced commands. You've got a good start with "sit" and "let's go," but in class you'll master exercises like "down," "stay," "heel," "stand" and "come" as well - the vocabulary she'll need to become a really responsive and trustworthy friend and partner.
2. Your instructor can address your specific needs. Books and videotapes are great, but they can't stay after class to discuss your dog's individual problems or strong points, they can't demonstrate new moves to you, and they can't tell you whether you're holding your leash funny or giving your dog a confusing command. There's really no substitute for the one-on-one attention and suggestions of a good instructor.
3. You 'II learn from the other people and dogs in the class. Your classmates may have new ideas for you, or you may pick up tips just from watching them. And you'll find that they're sympathetic to your problems and proud of your successes in ways that your non-dog-loving friends may not be.
4. Your dog will get used to other people and dogs. This is a biggie. No amount of backyard practice can teach your dog to behave in the presence of other exciting people or pups. And if your dog is still a little worried about the world at large - and many of them are - obedience class will give her a chance to make friends and gain confidence. So even if you've already been through obedience class with another dog and know the ropes, it's a good idea to take your new dog to a class of her own.
5. It'll give you an incentive to train your dog. Let's face it, sometimes it's tough to get motivated for your daily training sessions when you know only a couple of exercises and you don't have an instructor and classmates to keep you from getting lazy!
6. You'll have a terrific time. Obedience class is fun! You'll make new friends (I know several married couples who met in obedience class) and get lots of exercise, and your relationship with your new dog will soar to new levels. And who knows? You might just get hooked on dog training and find yourself with a new hobby.
2008年8月7日星期四
Don't be a Doggie Butler: Get a Dog Door!
The main benefit of a dog door is obvious: with the addition of a simple flap to your back door, your dog will be free to come and go from your house. With a dog door, you will no longer have to wake up before dawn to let your howling dog out. Whenever nature calls, your dog will be able to use your dog door to get to your backyard. And while it is not a substitute for walks and games of fetch, allowing your dog to go outside when it wants to run around will help your dog maintain its health.
There are some potential problems with having a dog door, however. A manual dog door, a simple wooden or plastic flap installed in a wall or door at ground level, can cause a host of problems. The main problem is that, in the process of allowing your dog to come and go when it wants, you could also be opening your house up to anything else that can fit through the dog door. Stray dogs and cats have been known to wander into houses through the open flap. Also, if you have multiple pets, it will be difficult to allow only some of them to use the door. And if the hole is sufficiently large, a burglar could use it to gain access to your house.
Getting an electronic or magnetic dog door can address many of the concerns you may have with a manual flap. With an electronic dog door, the door remains bolted shut until an infrared key attached to your dog's collar triggers it. Similarly, a strong magnet on your dog's collar would unlatch a magnetic door. While more expensive, an electronic or magnetic dog door will help ensure that it is only your dog that is making it into or out of your house. Indeed, electronic dog doors can even be attached to your home security system.
No matter what type of dog door you decide to install in your home, you should at a minimum consider the following features. For security purposes, it is best to get a dog door that can be securely locked. If you already have one that cannot be properly locked, you can purchase a pane that can drop into place over the hole.
A final consideration is your local climate and the potential loss of cold or hot air through the new hole in your door or wall. If you live in a fairly temperate area where you do not have to heat or cool your house, then this will not be a major concern. Otherwise, you should take steps to ensure that your dog door is properly insulated. This requires buying a dog door with thicker materials, and with a panel that forms a perfect seal when closed. In particularly harsh climates, you may want to consider purchasing a model with a double flap.
There are some potential problems with having a dog door, however. A manual dog door, a simple wooden or plastic flap installed in a wall or door at ground level, can cause a host of problems. The main problem is that, in the process of allowing your dog to come and go when it wants, you could also be opening your house up to anything else that can fit through the dog door. Stray dogs and cats have been known to wander into houses through the open flap. Also, if you have multiple pets, it will be difficult to allow only some of them to use the door. And if the hole is sufficiently large, a burglar could use it to gain access to your house.
Getting an electronic or magnetic dog door can address many of the concerns you may have with a manual flap. With an electronic dog door, the door remains bolted shut until an infrared key attached to your dog's collar triggers it. Similarly, a strong magnet on your dog's collar would unlatch a magnetic door. While more expensive, an electronic or magnetic dog door will help ensure that it is only your dog that is making it into or out of your house. Indeed, electronic dog doors can even be attached to your home security system.
No matter what type of dog door you decide to install in your home, you should at a minimum consider the following features. For security purposes, it is best to get a dog door that can be securely locked. If you already have one that cannot be properly locked, you can purchase a pane that can drop into place over the hole.
A final consideration is your local climate and the potential loss of cold or hot air through the new hole in your door or wall. If you live in a fairly temperate area where you do not have to heat or cool your house, then this will not be a major concern. Otherwise, you should take steps to ensure that your dog door is properly insulated. This requires buying a dog door with thicker materials, and with a panel that forms a perfect seal when closed. In particularly harsh climates, you may want to consider purchasing a model with a double flap.
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