I got my shih tzu, Tashi, as a little puppy and enthusiastically began training him. He very quickly learnt to sit, stay and fetch and was very reactive to my commands. I used treats initially to incentivise his good behaviour and then began to mix in simple praise.
Whether you have a guinea pig, a cat or a dog, no matter what type of pet you have when buying toys you need to take care. Unlike children’s toys there are no safety restrictions or standards imposed on manufacturers of animal toys and your pet can be at risk if you don’t check out the toys before you buy.
If you have a couple of cats or have a cat that is getting into cat fights with neighbouring cats you may be wondering how you can deal with them when they happen. Cats fights can be quite ferocious so to save yourself some hefty vet bills here’s some tips on breaking them up:
There is a growing campaign against dog owners who systematically allow their dogs to foul public areas such as parks, country lanes and pavements and rightly so. It amazes me that people think it’s perfectly justified to leave dog muck littered around these days. We all know the dangers of toxoplasmosis and other bacteria that is carried in dog faeces. If you don’t it can be dangerous for pregnant women, small children and some bacteria can cause blindness. In areas where children play it is imperative that you keep it clear of dog mess.
It’s a terrible feeling when you realise your pet has gone missing. I’ve had two such experiences. One instance was when my dog Tashi appeared to have escaped through the garden gate. We searched high and low in the neighbouring area and when I had just about given up I trekked back home with a heavy heart only to be greeted by a distant yap from upstairs. Tashi had managed to clamber upstairs and hearing my calls and realising he wasn’t allowed upstairs had kept steadfastly quiet! I was so relieved to see him I quite forgot to reprimand him for being somewhere he shouldn’t be! My second experience wasn’t as happy an outcome. My cat Tabitha went missing and was found some days later a few streets away. She had been knocked down and killed.
