It’s so exciting to get a new puppy, but now the hard work starts.  You want your puppy house trained so you can have them in the home and not locked outside, you want your puppy well trained, so you can give easy orders and they obey and you want your puppy to be happy and healthy.

Housetraining is one of the most difficult things to master.  Some dogs learn very quickly, while others will always struggle and they will always have accidents, this is something you need to accept before you bring your new puppy home.  Dogs such as border collies and Labradors are quick learners and eager to please, while other dogs such as some of your terriers and bull dogs, will struggle to learn the basic housetraining.  It will take a lot of patience on your side, a lot of determination and a lot of reinforcement.

Crate Training

If you’re a busy person who doesn’t have time to take your new puppy outside every hour or so, you need to find other alternatives.  The first is crate training; this popular training technique can make toilet training a quick and easy process.

First you need to introduce your puppy to their new crate.  Don’t push them in, encourage them to enter on their own, they need a positive association with the crate as this is where they are going to spend a lot of their time at first.  Make sure you put a blanket and toys in the crate for them.

Once they’re happy with the crate you can lock them in there when you can’t be watching their every move.  It’s a known fact that a puppy or dog will not go to the toilet in their sleeping area.  This way you can control your puppies mess.

Remember that puppies will need the toilet when they first wake up, after eating and after hard play.  When you get home, take your puppy straight from the crate to outside, praise them when they go and then bring them back inside.

Restricted to One Area

If you don’t like the idea of putting your puppy in a crate, you can restrict them to a room in the house.  When you do this choose a room that is tiled, such as the bathroom or utility room.  Cover the room with newspaper.  Follow the same approach and as soon as you take them out of the room put them outside, praise them when they go to the toilet before bringing them back inside.  With this you can start reducing the amount of newspaper in the room until they’re going on one sheet.

Litter Box

If you’re feeling adventurous you can litter box train your puppy by restricting them to one room with newspaper.  Start reducing the newspaper until there is one piece left which they are using.  Take the wet newspaper with their smell on it and place it in a litter box.  The advantage with this is once they’re using the litter box you can place it in any room with ease.

Old Fashioned Newspaper Technique

If you’re busy and can’t watch your puppies every move, this process may take longer than required.  Restrict your puppy to an area and cover it in newspaper.  Reduce the amount of newspaper each day, placing a soiled piece on top of the others to encourage your puppy to use it.  Keep removing pieces of newspaper each day or two until there is one or two pieces left which your puppy is using.  You can now start moving the newspaper a few centimetres each day towards the outside door.  Once it reaches the outside door leave it there a couple of days before moving the newspaper outside.

Hourly toilet breaks

If you work from home you can try this technique.  Set an alarm so you don’t forget.  Every hour take the puppy outside and give it a command, you may choose ‘wee’ or ‘toilet’.  Give the puppy this order over and over, don’t play with your dog, and ignore it completely except for giving the command.  Once they go, praise them and bring them back in.  They will soon learn that when given the command and they go, you are happy.

Contribution made by Ray from Wish.co.uk – the UK experience online retailer that has something for everyone including a pet photoshoot – click here for more details.

The latest news from the pet insurance industry is that there may be a risk of owners actually cutting back on insurance policies as a way of combating the current recession.  However, a leading insurer has revealed that choosing not to compare pet insurance could end up being a serious false economy.

Speaking on behalf of NFU Mutual, their Insurance Underwriter Justine Simms-Gold stated that ‘Veterinary treatment continues to be an area of high claims, both in terms of numbers and costs. With that in mind, any money an owner may save by cancelling or failing to renew a policy could prove to be a false economy when compared to the expense of meeting bills for serious conditions or accidents’.

In the pet insurance area, there is usually a fairly significant increase in injuries as a result of dogs slipping on the ice and injuring themselves.  With the average fee for such incidents totaling as much as £2,000, going without a pet insurance policy that could cost as little as £50 seems like a bad move by Britain’s many dog owners.

For more of the latest news on pet insurance, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by clicking the link here.

Make sure that your kids are gentle when first meeting their dog, approaching him or her slowly, and not being too over-zealous, as this could lead to your kids intimidating the pet.  If they’re slow and take the time to build up, they’ll soon be getting along ok.

Ensure that your kids aren’t too rough.  Yes, one of the greatest things about having a dog is the potential for play-fighting, but that takes time.  Try and make sure that it is your pet who begins being playful: this shows that they’re comfortable doing so.  Once they are, then you can let your kids have fun!

It’s important that when playing, your kids don’t do so in a teasing way: make sure that they play productive games: teaching your dog new tricks and playing games that improve their fitness such as ball playing are great, and will keep both your kids and the dog in shape!

If your dog gets injured for one reason or another, make sure that your kids are once again very respectful and gentle with him, as injured dogs are more likely to be a bit more aggressive: just like humans!

For more information on pet care tips, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by clicking the link here.

1.     Ensure that you play with your pets at least once a day.  Dogs love attention!  Spending time with them will ensure that they’re always happy and fulfilled: and it’s a lot of fun as well!

2.     Ensure that your dog has his complete set of medical shots.  Certain shots are required by law, and others are just a great idea because they will ensure that your dog remains healthy, and health means happiness!

3.     Walk your dog at least once a day.  Not only is walking your dog a great bonding session for the both of you, it’s important to make sure that your dog gets regular exercise to keep him or her healthy.

4.     Spoil your dog.  It’s not just you that loves to have new things, you know!  Bringing toys and chews for your dog every now and then will keep them happy and entertained, which will mean they’re a lot friendlier and pleasant to be around.

5.     Enjoy having a dog!  This might sounds obvious, but it’s amazing just how many pet owners seem to treat the daily tasks as chores rather than something to be enjoyed.  If you’re off for a walk with your dog, enjoy yourself and treasure the time you have with them: it’ll make all the difference to both your and their happiness!

For more information on pets and pet care, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by clicking the link here.

One of the best ways to avoid ringworm is to ensure that you regularly sanitise and disinfect your pet’s food and water bowls.  As well as this, ensure that you give the same treatment to any housing that your pet may have.

If you have pets that regularly move around outside, such as horses, ponies or rabbits, then ensure you take the time to correctly manage the pastures they roam in.  Do your best to always remove droppings where possible, and ensure that you rotate which areas your animals have access to so you can correctly condition the other bits of their ground.

Always ensure that you have a comprehensive worming programme in place for any pets, and that this is regularly utilized from the time that your pets are at a young age.  If you require advice about the correct way to ‘worm’ a pet, then consult your vet, and they will be able to help you.

Finally, always ensure that you clean up thoroughly after your pet, and that you dispose of any faeces and urine clinically and carefully.

For more tips on pet care, as well as advice on pet insurance, visit simply pet insurance now by clicking the link here.

Speaking on behalf of the Dog’s Trust, their vetinary director Mr Chris Laurence has stated that it is advisable for most domestic animals to be kept indoors on November 4^th as opposed to being let out.

Mr Laurence revealed that the loud bangs and excessive light from fireworks could cause our pets some legitimate anguish and fright.

The trust’s advice was to allow your pet to ‘go somewhere where it feels less threatened’, giving the example that ‘a cat might go and sit in it’s double bed’ or ‘a dog would go and lie on it’s own bed.

Whilst many pet owners have noted that it would be possible for a vet to prescribe drugs that would calm pets down, Mr Laurence noted that this should only be used in extreme circumstances, and that pet owners should not automatically use this potential situation as the standard.

This latest advice came hot on the heels of the recent research published by the trust that over 40% of the respondents surveyed would like fireworks banned because they can be so distressing to animals.

For more news on pets and pet care, as well as the latest advice, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by clicking the link here.

Keep your pets inside as much as possible during the cold weather.  Yes, they might get a bit restless here and there, but it’s far better for them than damaging their paws on the freezing cold ground.  If they absolutely must go outside, then ensure you remain with them at all times.

Always ensure that they have somewhere nice and warm within the house to keep nice and warm.  Whether it’s a bed insulated with extra blankets (or even hay) or just a nice warm rug near the fire, give your pets every opportunity to warm themselves up.

If you have a cat, be wary of letting them anywhere near cars in the winter.  Felines aren’t at all opposed to curling up against a car engine to keep warm: something that needless to say can be fatal.  Ensure that you’ve checked beneath the car and made a bit of a racket before starting your engine.

Always keep an eye out for frostbite: an affliction that is far more prevalent in animals than it is in humans during winter.  Always keep an eye out for frost crystals forming in your animal’s paws, and take them to the vet if you.

For more information on pet care, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by clicking the link here.

Over the last twelve months, figures show that the cost of pet claims has risen by an extra-ordinary 12 percent in the last month, a figure which implies that whilst a pet insurance policy might be cheap, it is nothing compared to paying for treatment without it.

The research by NFU mutual shows that the average claim for a dog is currently £660 – a figure which is potentially three times more expensive than an approximate yearly claim for pet insurance.  These prices will inevitably concern those people who have already cancelled their pet insurance policy, a figure which is currently up to 15 percent of policy holders since the recession kicked in.

Speaking on behalf of NFU, their Chief Claims Manager John Kenny noted that ‘buying the cheapest pet insurance policy or cancelling the cover all together may seem cost effective at the time, but in the long run it could prove to be a false economy.’
Mr Kenny finally noted that whilst pet insurance can be pricey, there are different policies to suit different budgets, and that even the cheapest insurance would usually be far cheaper than paying for full price treatment.

For more news on pet insurance and advice on how best to care for your pets, visit Simply Pet Insurance here.

Your cat isn’t passing urine.  This is one of the most important symptoms when it comes to feline bladder problems, and should be reported to your cat’s vet at the earliest possible opportunity.

Agitation or obvious discomfort whilst urinating should be treated just as seriously as the above, as this is usually a sign of some form of mild blockage.

Moving back and forth to the litter tray without passing anything is a very strong sign of a bladder blockage, as this would imply your cat wishes to urinate but is unable to.

Passing urine in inappropriate places is another sign that your cat could be in some discomfort.  Obviously this is not the case for a kitten you are still training, but if your cat uses a litter tray normally then suddenly starts urinating in other places it may mean that they have no control over their bladder.

Finally, ensure that your cat is always kept hydrated, as this can make a big difference to your cat’s bladder health.  If your cat doesn’t seem to want to drink water that much, then try mixing some fish or chicken juices in with it.

All of the above tips should mean that your cat will remain healthy, and you’ll be able to leave your cat insurance alone!

For more information on pet care, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by clicking the link here.

What’s even more shocking is that Cassie was not taken from the front garden or in a park, but from outside a local shop.  Between the hours of 10.00 and 10.03, the dog’s owner had entered Smart Clothing having tied Cassie outside.  When she returned, the puppy was nowhere to be seen.

Christine Waering, the owner who lives in Curwen Street, Ribbleton stated that ‘You don’t expect a dog to go missing just like that’ adding that ‘One minute we had her and the next minute she was gone.’

There is one upside to the situation. Cassie – who has white paws and a brown brindle coat – has been recently microchipped, which may lead to the police or any local vets being able to eventually re-united her with her family, as the chip contains names and address details for the Waerings.

When asked for their advice on this situation, Thames Valley police simply stated that they strongly advised against leaving animals tied up outside any shops or other buildings, and also against leaving them unattended in vehicles.

For more information on pet insurance, visit Simply Pet Insurance here.

Always ensure that you’re still lavishing attention on your original pets.  Pets love to feel loved, so make sure that you give as much attention to the originals as you do to your new pets, otherwise your older ones could feel left out.

Don’t force your pets together.  Always introduce your old and new pets in controlled situations so that they can get used to each other gradually and adjust at their own pace.  When they’re feeling more confident then let them face their new housemates for longer periods.

Keep their feeding places separate.  The feeding area is one of the most territorial amongst animals, and it’s likely that they will begrudge having to share.  Always use separate food and water bowls for different animals, and make sure that whilst eating your pets are kept separate.

Always keep your pets under supervision until you are absolutely sure they get along OK.  The amount of time this takes will vary hugely: it could be anything from a week to two months.  However, never rush this – if two pets who don’t get along are forced to co-exist, things can turn violent.

For more information on pet care and pet insurance, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by clicking the link here.

Don’t leave your pet unattended outside.  Because of people playing pranks on animals (especially animals with Halloween links such as black cats) it is dangerous to leave them unprotected.

Whilst you might love those Halloween treats, don’t share them with your pets!  Not only are certain pets incapable of digesting chocolate and sweets, but the sticks and wrappers can lead to a choking hazard.

If you have any pumpkins in the house, keep them well out of reach of your pets, as they can be easily knocked over, and this has the potential to cause a fire hazard as well as injuring your pet.

Yes, a lot of people love being creative, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your pets will enjoy being dressed up.  If you absolutely have to put a costume on your pet, ensure that the get-up doesn’t interfere in the slightest with your pet’s ability to see, breathe, hear, move or bark.

Try and keep your pet in a separate room, away from the door.  This will not only prevent them from getting a nasty fright from some strangely dressed visitors, but will also mean that they are unable to sneak out of the door when it’s opened.

For more information on pet care and pet insurance visit Simply Pet Insurance now.

-The smaller the dog, the more vulnerable to the weather they are.  Smaller dogs such as Chihuahuas and minature Daschunds are especially susceptible, and should barely be allowed outside at all.  If they need to be exercised, ensure that they are wrapped up warm and aren’t let out for long periods.

-Ensure that your dog is fitted with boots in excessively cold weather.  If they’re consistently lifting up their paws, whining or frequently stopping on their walks, then you’ll know that their feet are uncomfortably cold, and they’ll need to begin wearing boots as early as possible.

-Ensure that you’re always making sure to trim the hair around your dog’s feet, as this is where iceballs can form on dogs with long hair.  They tend to appear between the pads and the toes of the feet, and are very painful to walk on: it’s the human equivalent of walking on rocks.

-A good way of keeping your dog’s feet healthy is to apply a small amount of Vaseline or cooking oil to the base of their paws to ensure that they avoid becoming stuck to the ground.  Ensure that whatever you use, though, is safe to consume, as most dogs will lick at their paws.

-If you have to walk your dog on any salted roads, make sure that you wash his paws afterwards, as salt can highly irritate a dog’s pads.  As well as this, make sure that you gently rub his pads as soon as you’re off the roads.

-Finally, cut back on what you’re feeding your dog during the winter months.  Because of the weather, dogs are naturally less active in this weather, so feeding them the same amount of calories that they consume during a full exercise programme.

For more information on pet care, visit Simply Pet Insurance now by click the link here.

This cold weather can be a concern for cat owners, however, all wishing to make sure that their four-legged friend is kept safe from the horrible winter conditions.  Because of this, simply pet insurance has come up with some hints and tips to help you out:
-Not many people are aware of the fact that you can actually help fortify your cat’s coat through his or her diet.  Feeding them vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower and fish can really make a difference to the thickness of your cat’s coat, which will be like an extra jumper in the winter months.

-Another way that diet can increase your cat’s fur during the winter months is by increasing the amount of protein that they take in.  Extra treats and food during the colder periods are a great idea, as long as your cat doesn’t have a weight problem.

-If your cat is slightly older and more arthritic, then ensure that you are more gentle with them during the winter.  They may have more difficulty in moving around due to stiff joints, so ensure that you’re around to help them in such normal activities such as jumping onto sofas and climbing up the stairs.

-Ensure that your cat has at least one warm place to sleep which is completely devoid of any outside drafts, and is preferably off the floor.  A cardboard box with a warm blanket in it would be a great idea.

-Always keep any fires screened.  It’s natural for your cat to revel in the luxury of a warm fire.  However, if they lie too closely, then they will be susceptible to hot cinders or sparks, as well as the heat leading to an increase in dry skin.

For more information on pet care, visit Simply Pet Insurance by clicking here.

Get the correct housing.  Hamsters are comfortable living in either a metal cage, or a decent size plastic tank, which will enable them to have plenty of space to move around in.  Remember to ensure that whatever housing space you choose, it has a removable lid or flap so that you can access the cage more easily for food replacement and cleaning.

As well as this, it is essential to keep the cage/tank in an area with the appropriate heat and light, to ensure that your hamster lives in comfort:  as long as the temperature is between 50 and 80 degrees farenheit, they’ll be fine.  Also avoid any room that has the potential for drafts or condensation, as sudden temperature changes can lead to the hamster moving into hibernation!

Let Them Exercise.  It is vital for the health of your animal that it’s given the opportunity to exercise.  Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for this, with silent exercise wheels available for fitting to the side of the tank or cage.  As well as this, you can purchase exercise balls for use when the kids are playing with the hamster outside: this will not only help the animal exercise, but keep the kids amused too!

Feeding your hamster.  Fortunately, this is fairly simple, especially when compared to some other pets. There are actually many different varieties of food that are suitable for hamsters, all of them easily purchasable from any main pet shop, and all of them ensuring that your pet will receive a balanced diet that keeps them healthy as well as providing all the nutrients they need.  It’s fine to feed them a small amount of carrot or fresh salad, but ensure that you never give them too much: this can upset their stomach.

As with any pet, take care of them and hamsters will bring you and your family lots of happiness and fun!

When you first decide to bring a dog into your life, the responsibility of caring for this animal can be an intimidating thing.  However, having a pet can be fulfilling and fun, so we’ve come up with some hints and tips that should help you get the basics right when caring for your new friend:

Diet.  This is one of the main priorities when caring for a dog: always make sure that you’re feeding it a balanced, controlled diet.  This will make a big difference to the dog’s general health, and of course it’s lifespan!  Most dogfoods available in supermarkets are made to offer a nutritionally balanced meal, so it will be easy enough to enforce the healthy lifestyle.

Cleanliness.  Bathing your dog regularly is a very important part of caring for them: the general rule is that once a month will normally be sufficient to enable your dog to keep safely clean.  It is very important that you don’t overdo the bathing, however, as this can lead to very dry skin and potential infections.  As long as you stick to the general rule, you should be fine.

Physical inspections.  Not as intimidating as it sounds, this is simply a matter of taking the time once a month to make sure that your dog hasn’t picked up any injuries.  Check the pads of his paws, to ensure that he hasn’t gained any scratches or cuts.  Also check your dog’s mouth to ensure that there aren’t any ulcers or other signs of illness.  If there are, then check with a vet immediately as it could be a sign of something more serious.

Exercise.  Making sure that your dog gets enough exercise is absolutely essential to ensuring their health.  The good news is that there’s a huge variety of exercises you can do with them!  Whether it’s playing with a football, running, play-fighting or simply a nice walk, dogs love to run around and have fun!

Spend time with them!  You’ve got a dog because you want a loving pet, and a faithful companion.  So why be like many others and keep them in the out-house?  Dogs love company, so take every opportunity to spend time with them, and they’ll always be happy.

Following the above tips will help you care for your new companion, and keep them healthy.  Good luck with your new dog, and remember: enjoy the hell out of your new pet!

Supervise any pets until you are CERTAIN they get along. It’s an unfortunate fact that some pets (like some humans) just aren’t destined to be friends.  Make sure that one of them is confined to it’s own room, and only let them interact at times when you can supervise them.

Control the Introduction. The first time the pets meet, it is important to make sure they’re restrained.  Keep dogs on the leash, and operate a no tolerance policy towards aggressive behavior of any kind.  If the introduction is between a cat and a dog, under no circumstances allow the dog to chase the cat, even if it does seem playful.

Don’t hold a cat in your arms when introducing him/her to a dog. If a cat’s nervous at the prospect of being introduced to a dog, then they could lash out – which means you might well get a nasty scratching.

Let your pets get used to their new home. Every now and then, take the time to confine your older pets to one room, so that the new pet can wonder freely throughout the house and become more comfortable with where everything is.

Separate the Food. It’s important when introducing a new pet to feed them in a separate place to your old pets, so as to avoid fights or disputes regarding territory/ownership of the food.  Even if both pets are the same species, still maintain this rule.  Also, if they’re both cats, then providing separate litter boxes will also help avoid this problem.

Give it Time. Introducing newer pets to older ones is not something that should ever be rushed.  Always take as much time as the animals need to get used to each other, otherwise they may end up having some very messy disputes with each other.

As always, enjoy and treasure your new pets, but always ensure that your older ones are also respected, and spend the time making sure that they mix well.  Following the tips above should hopefully lead to all of your pets becoming friends!

-Changes in Appetite. If your pet is usually the type that scoffs down his meals in thirty seconds and then begs for more, then any lack of appetite over a longer than average period of time could mean that he or she has a serious stomach upset, and it may be worth getting them checked to ensure that they’re ok.

-Urination behaviour. If your pet is struggling or visibly straining to urinate, then they may well need to be checked, as issues with urination can be a symptom of various potential illnesses such as bladder issues, or a urinary blockage. If they are urinating too much, this can be a sign of problems with the animal’s liver or kidneys.

-Skin/hair problems. Be very cautious if your pet shows visible signs of hair loss: in animals this can be a sign of cancer, and will need to be checked immediately. If your pet is visibly itching, then this can also be an issue arising from parasites or worms.

-Weight loss. Excessive weight loss can often be a sign of parasites or worms, so it is wise to consistently check your pet’s stool for any sign of tapeworms. It is worth consulting a vet either way, though, as the weight loss could still be as a result of a digestive problem.

-A change in breathing. If your pet is suffering from any form of unusual breathing patterns , or shallow breathing, then immediately seek help. This could potentially mean that your pet has problems with his respiratory system, which could lead to danger for him.

Always remember that it’s better to have something checked out that turns out to be nothing, than to ignore something serious! Use these symptom guides, and you should become of any problem with your pet as soon as possible, increasing the chances of effective treatment.

This latest revelation is the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth, and what an impact this can have on the health of your canine companions. As this is predominantly considered a ‘human’ habit, many people will often jump to the conclusion that it isn’t really applicable to animals. However, brushing your dog’s teeth should actually be as natural as your standard puppy vaccinations and other varieties of parasite control.

The reasons are similar to that of why tooth-brushing is important for humans: recent research has shown that the same bacteria that is responsible for tooth decay and gum disease is capable of being released into the bloodstream, where it can potentially lead to blood clots. With animals suffering far more from periodental diseases than humans, the risk in this area is actually far more.

Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that you should break out your own colgate and oral-b electric: any decent pet store will stock a variety of teeth cleaning materials that are specially suited to animals – long handled toothbrushes that improve access to the back recesses of your dogs mouth, as well as swallow-able toothpaste that is ready available in a variety of dog-suited flavours such as chicken and beef (I know, sounds lovely right? Your dog will love them, though).

Another great thing to consider is that across the UK, 100 vet practises are currently offering free dental checkups, as part of September’s ‘Pet Smile Month’.

The six month long research study has concluded that the benefits of wearing a collar vastly outstrip the possible downsides and that most cats actually like wearing collars (ED: it’s amazing what some people get paid to do isn’t it?!)

The study does serve, however as a good reminder of why you should consider fitting a cat collar to you favourite feline to help with identification and flea control and raise awareness of the importance of keeping an eye on your cat for the first few days after a new collar is fitted to make sure it is taking to the new accessory OK.

How to Fit a Cat Collar

Fitting a cat collar properly is easy providing you choose the correct one in the first place – and any good pet store or vet can help you with this. The key when putting it on your cat is to hold the animal securely as this will give you time to put it on without any mistakes or harm to either of you!

You should then tighten it only tight enough to allow you still to get two adult fingers in between the collar and the cat’s neck. Too tight and it can cause real issues if the cat ever gets stuck.

Any concern about the dangers of cat collars were very quickly dismissed however by the study as it found that fewer than 3.3 percent of cat collars got caught on the animal’s mouth or forelimb, or on another object.