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Guide to Puppy Obedience Training by Royal Cats & Dogs England
3 Ways to Control Your Cat’s Shedding by Royal Cats & Dogs England
Your new puppy Charlie just hit your house like a tiny canine whirlwind. Earlier this week, you adopted a seven-week-old. When he arrived home, this frenzied little pooch sniffed out every corner before thrashing his toys into submission. Next, he began nipping at your ankles. Although you can dismiss his chewing behavior now, it won’t be so amusing when he’s a full-grown dog with more impressive choppers. Clearly, the Pup needs to acquire some discipline — and soon. Fortunately, your veterinarian recommended a puppy obedience class that will provide your rambunctious dog with guidelines for acceptable behaviour.
General Training
Charlie's obedience class should be designed for puppies from 8 to 16 weeks of age. Typically, these classes run for about four weeks, with one-hour sessions to accommodate puppies with short attention spans and lots of energy.
His instructor will likely cover topics including general health, diet and nutrition, potty training, and behavioral issues. They explain the benefits (and techniques) of using positive reinforcement to teach a desired behavior. Your puppy will also become comfortable socialising with other dogs, along with adults and children. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions and meet other owners; and you might even snag a few doggie play dates.
Basic Obedience Commands
Your little Charlie's training session will also include exposure to basic obedience behaviors. His instructor should teach him to come, sit, stay, lie down, and heel upon your command. Although he can learn more advanced commands during adult obedience training, this basic skill set will make him a more disciplined dog — and you’ll be a calmer owner.
Finding a Puppy Obedience Class
Before enrolling your Pup into his puppy obedience class, ensure that he has the required vaccinations. Although classes are likely available within your community, your veterinary clinic might also offer periodic sessions. By attending a clinic course, your young dog will develop a positive association with the vet and its staff. In addition, the veterinary technician can provide valuable health-focused information you won’t find elsewhere.
When Charlie next visits your veterinarian, he should be a more obedient pooch who doesn’t chew on your ankles. To help your puppy (or older dog) develop more desirable behaviors, contact your APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) http://www.apdt.co.uk/ - unique cat cushion organic dog paw soother
Car Safety for Puppies
by Royal Cats & Dogs England
Have you recently added a puppy to your household? Congratulations! Little Charlie has lots to learn in his first year, as he figures out the do’s and don’ts of being a dog. One thing he’ll need to get used to is riding in cars. Whether you plan to take your canine pal out and about with you frequently, or only for occasional veterinary appointments or dog park excursions, you’ll need to keep your furry friend safe and comfortable in the car.
Here are some important tips:
Safety
We strongly recommend keeping your canine pal crated on car rides. There are far too many ways for a curious puppy to get into trouble if he’s loose in the car! Be sure to choose the sturdiest crate you can find. You can also get doggy seat belts and harnesses, or wire or mesh barriers, but these may not offer Charlie enough protection in case of an accident. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.
Comfort
Little Charlie won’t be used to the stops and starts a car ride entails, and may slide around a bit until he gets the hang of it. Be sure to make his crate comfy by adding a soft blanket or pillow.
Temperature
Keeping the little one at comfortable temperatures is very important. Never, ever leave a dog in a hot car! Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can reach deadly levels in just minutes.
Carsickness
Did you know that dogs can get carsick? If little Charlie isn’t used to cars, he may get an upset tummy. To prevent carsickness, don’t feed your pooch just before car rides, and crack the windows enough to allow good airflow.
Leashes
You’ll want to keep your canine pal leashed while going to and from the car, but unclip his leash while traveling. Choose a leash that you can easily snap on and off your pup’s collar.
Papers
Make sure that little Charlie always wears his tags and collar for car rides. We also recommend keeping copies of his vaccinations in your glove compartment, so you always have them.
Puppy Car Kit
Make a little car kit for your pup. Include a few gallons of water; a dish; a leash; treats; a first aid kit; plastic bags; and a waste scooper.
Cats certainly have beautiful coats. Your kitty’s soft, pretty fur is one of her most distinctive traits, and helps make her unique. That lovely coat, however, definitely looks a lot better on your cat than it does on your clothing or furniture. While you can’t entirely stop your feline friend from shedding, you may be able to at least reduce the amount of fur you find on your sofa and clothing. Here are a few tips:
Brushing
Kitties are very diligent about their beauty rituals. Your feline friend will carefully groom herself each day to make sure her fur stays soft and clean. This doesn’t mean that Molly can’t use a helping hand now and then, however. By brushing your cat regularly, you’re helping remove dead fur that may otherwise end up stuck to your sofa. The more fur you get with the brush, the less you’ll find on your clothing and furniture. Brushing your furball will also reduce the amount of fur she swallows, which will in turn help prevent hairballs. Incorporate treats and cuddles to make this more fun for both you and your kitty!
Keep Kitty Indoors
Indoor kitties often shed less than those who are allowed outdoors. This is because outdoor kitties are more exposed to the temperature and seasonal changes that trigger shedding cycles. Keeping Molly indoors is not only beneficial in reducing her shedding, it’s also much safer for her overall. Outdoor cats are at risk from cars, predators, other cats, toxins, weather, parasites, and other hazards.
Proper Diet
Make sure that you are feeding your feline buddy a healthy, nutritious diet. This will keep that pretty fur shiny and healthy, and can reduce the amount of dead hair your furry friend sheds. Certain vitamins and supplements may also be beneficial. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, for instance, can be great for Molly's skin and coat. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.
Tips
There are a few tricks that will make cleaning up Molly's fur a bit easier. Try using a squeegee on your sofa: you might be surprised at how effective it is! You can also use blankets or furniture covers to protect couches and chairs.
How to Stop Your Cat From Keeping You Up at Night
Does your kitty often wake you in the middle of the night? Molly may be adorable when she plays with her favorite toys, but her antics are probably not as cute when you’re trying to sleep. Below, you’ll learn a few tricks to help stop a nocturnal feline from keeping you up at night.
Playtime
Playing is good for your cat in many ways, both mentally and physically. Play sessions give your furball a chance to indulge her inner huntress; offer mental stimulation; and will help keep her strong and healthy. Another great reason to play with your feline friend is that vigorous play will burn off some of Molly's excess energy. This will leave you with a calmer, perhaps slightly tired, kitty. Since cats love sleeping, the odds of your cat napping after playtime are pretty good! To get the most out of Kitty’s play sessions, schedule them for just before bedtime.
Feed Dinner Late
kitties often get sleepy after eating. Feed your cat her dinner shortly before your bedtime. This will most likely result in Molly yawning and looking for a comfy spot to curl up in just as you’re turning in for the night.
Spay/Neuter
If your cat hasn’t been neuter yet, we strongly recommend scheduling surgery as soon as possible. Kitties that have been spayed or neutered tend to be calmer than intact pets. They are also much less inclined to wailing romantic songs about their search for kitty love!
Stimulation
Make sure that your cat has plenty of stimulation to keep her amused while you’re at work. Set up a cat tower or kitty window seat in a spot where your furball can watch birds, and offer plenty of toys.
Napping Buddies
A cuddly furball curled up next to you, purring, can be a great sleep aid. A cat that pounces on your toes or meows and scratches at the door every night? Not so much. Whether you choose to let Molly sleep with you or not is a matter of preference, so our main advice here is to be consistent. If you want to keep your kitty out of the bedroom, but sometimes give in and open the door, your furball will only try harder.
Please contact your vet for further guidance.
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BRITISH ROYAL DOGS HISTORY
Members of the British Royal Family share a special relationship with their pet dogs, one that reveals a very soft and caring side to the Family. The breed of dog most commonly associated with the British Royal Family today is of course the Corgi, which is synonymous with Queen Elizabeth II and her father, the late King George VI first bought a Corgi from his local kennels 1933, when Elizabeth was 9 years old. Queen Elizabeth II received a Corgi named Susan for her 18th birthday.
Queen Victoria had a Collie named Noble. A Terrier named Caesar was given to King Edward VII.The Duchess of Cornwall has two Jack Russell Terriers, named Rosie and Tosca. Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge recently adopted a black male Cocker Spaniel, who will surely make for an excellent companion for their son, young Prince George.
ROYAL CATS HISTORY
Ancient Egyptians worshipped cats like royalty and were thought to be magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. To honor their treasured cats, Egyptian Royal families dressed them in jewels and fed them treats fit for royalty. When the cats died, they were mummified. According to Egyptian mythology, gods and goddesses had the power to transform themselves into different animals. Only one deity, the goddess named Bastet, had the power to become a cat. The worship of cats in ancient Egypt was well-founded.
Cats once saved lives by defending families from vermin. Without them, civilization as we know it might have never survived!
It is believed that domestic cats were brought to europe around 3000 years ago by Greek and Phoenician traders. Romans valued cats highly for pest control and the Roman Legions would have certainly taken cats with them as they moved through Gaul (modern day france) and eventually Britain. Evidence of early domestic cats in Britain also comes from an Iron Age (in Britain, about 800 BC–AD 43) settlement called Gussage All Saints, near Dorset in southern England.