Money Or Happiness? - Mid-Career Changers Find Both

Evan Carmichael, master of small business motivation and strategies, warns about "The Cage"--a stable, well-paying job that lacks many of the characteristics that translates into a happy professional. If you're suffering from a lack of fulfillment, feel as though you're not being challenged, or that you're sorely undervalued, you just might be a candidate for a job change. But breaking out of the cage requires a delicate combination of audacity and strategy. Simply jumping ship could end in disaster. Recognizing the need for change and then knowing when and how to do it are keys to a successful transition.

When You Feel Like Your Spinning Your Wheels

Familiarity breeds comfort, particularly in the workplace. In fact, you may even be staying with a job you hate just because your subconscious appreciates reliability--a steady, even competitive, paycheck, fixed hours, a short commute, a likeable boss, or team of colleagues. However, something in the back of your minds tells you the grass may be greener. It may or may not be, but you may never know unless you find out for yourself.

Aside from career permanence, excessive stress might also be nudging you towards the door. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, stress may play a more critical role in your desire to change careers than you may realize.

* 40 percent of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful

* 25 percent of workers view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives

* Three-fourths of employees believe they experience more on-the-job stress than a generation ago

* 29 percent of workers felt "quite a bit" or "extremely" stressed at work

* 26 percent of workers said they were "often or very often burned out or stressed by their work"

* Job stress has a direct correlation to health complaints

When to Change Careers--and When Not To

It can be tough to know if you should listen to the voice in your head telling you that you deserve better. If you've spent the better part of your life specializing in a particular career or industry, pulling the trigger is even more difficult. CNN Money reveals some telltale signs that it's time to move on.

* The Grunt Work. If you find yourself being forced to take on assignments that no one else in the department wants, that could be a red flag

* Clipped Wings. Despite the fact that you have specialized skills and talents, you're excluded from new projects or taking on additional responsibilities

* Continuous Exclusion. You're consistently railroaded from important meetings or decision-making sessions. Your opinion means little to new strategies

* Good Old Fashioned Hate. If getting up in the morning and going to the office summons your gag reflex, a change may be immanent.

On the flip side, there are definitely situations where changing jobs or careers can be a step backwards. Understanding where your feelings come from is traditionally vital. The Brazen Careerist contends that, in some instances, working through your problems can be a better solution than just jumping ship. Desires such as ridding yourself of an oppressive boss, looking for more prestige, wanting to meet new people or attaining happiness often can't be satisfied through a job change.

If You're Going to Change Jobs, Do It Right

Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. of QuinCareers offers these common career change mistakes that most people make--and you should avoid.

* Changing Careers without Education. Going back to school and absorbing new information is essential to success in your new role

* Deciding Based on Outside Forces. If you're changing careers based on other's opinions, outside pressures or the money factor, this could sabotage your ultimate goal

* Excluding Self-examination. It might not be the job--it might be you. A fresh perspective on your current position might possibly change your mind

As a final thought, America's Job Exchange encourages you to volunteer in an industry that interests you and return to school for additional training if you're serious about making that move.

Kelli Smith is the senior editor for http://www.Edu411.org. Edu411 is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and technical institutes.

Be the Pack Leader By Cesar Milan - The Dog Whisperer Speaks

If you have seen his National Geographic Show, The Dog Whisperer, then you pretty much know what you are getting in the book Be The Pack Leader, Cesar Milan has out right now. The book is an amazing journey through the ins and outs of transforming your Dog's life and yours as well. It gives deep insights into what Dog ownership is all about and how to get your Dog to behave the way you want him or her to. It not only makes the dog's life better it makes your life better.

In this bestseller book, the author lays out how to talk to your dog. He explains and makes clear the different tones and voices for the different tasks you want your dog to perform. Milan is a genius and an icon when it comes to communicating and learning how to recognize what it is your dog wants and needs by different prompters. There are so many helpful tips and explanations of different situations it is hard to imagine how a dog owner couldn't have a copy on their book shelf. If you are truly a dog lover and have always wondered what is going on in your dog's head, this is the book for you.

The voice of the book sounds very familiar as the writer, Cesar uses is his own. The book reads just like he sounds on TV. That is a talent well appreciated when reading a book like this. His calm and casual manner translates well onto the written page making it a fun and quick read. This is not a step by step book with lots of commands and demands put upon your pet. Rather, it is more of an overall mind set to have when dealing with your pet and how to keep your dog happy and healthy.

In Be The Pack Leader, Cesar Milan gives great insight not just into your dog's psyche but also into being a dog owner as well. He teaches how to be a good dog owner in much the same way parenting books teach how to be a good parent. The main thing about the book as we mentioned is the voice. This is an easy read that makes you want to read more. It is informative and entertaining all at the same time. No dog owner should be without this book. It is very helpful and you will refer to the book over and over again.

Sherry Harris the author of a wide range of dog topics including, but not limited to: dog training, dog grooming, pet travel, pet insurance, pet food, house training, dog breeds and dog supplies. For hundreds more free dog expert articles visit http://www.DogStyleNetwork.com. Hope you found the book review: Be The Pack Leader, Cesar Milan informative. To order this book, or to check out the bookstore visit us today!

Irish Setter - Intelligent Hunting Dog With A Passion For Fun

Irish Setter Dog breed. Childish, frisky, loud and mischievous. The Red setter will steal your heart!

With its elegant carriage and long, silky chestnut coat, the Irish Setter is a breed that is immediately recognizable in any situation. They are popular pets in both the United States and in Europe and for very good reason.

This breed has been around for at least three hundred years and its many positive traits point to them being around for many years to come.

Despite it's reputation for being a great family pet, the Irish setter has its roots in Ireland as a hunting Dog. With its keen nose and sharp self-restraint, an Irish setter could be depended on to "point" at upland game birds.

During the early part of the 19th century, Irish setters were brought to the United States, where the breed was praised for its sharp nose, impressive speed and general sturdiness over every sort of terrain.

By the 1940's however, the breed was dwindling and it was put forth that an out cross with another Dog breed could bring some vitality to the failing Irish setter. Through the efforts of a man named Ned LaGrange from Pennsylvania, the breed was preserved.

LeGrange spent a great deal of money to acquire the last pure examples of this breed in America and to import specimens from Europe. The traditional red and white Irish setters were crossbred with English setters. This has resulted in the modern red setter, a dog that is a bit lighter than the original breed.

There is a great deal of debate whether to consider this cross breeding the new type of Irish setter and whether to allow this breed to show.

If you are in a position to think about adopting an Irish setter, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

First remember that the Irish setter was once praised as a hunting dog. This indicates that this is a breed that requires a fair amount of daily exercise. Irish setters are goal oriented dogs, and they do not take terribly well to being let loose in a small yard.

A certain amount of fenced yard space or a commitment to take the dog out for walks and runs on a daily basis is an important part of ensuring that this breed stays happy.

While its size might lead people to use it as a guard dog, the Irish setter is usually considered too friendly to be a good guard animal, although its loud bark might warn off intruders.

Also, Irish setters are considered to be a moderately healthy breed of dog, although they are prone to genetic disorders including hip dysplasia, hyperthyroidism, and epilepsy.

Many people note that an Irish setter stays a puppy long after he or she has achieved adult size.

These dogs are known to be intelligent and mischievous, a condition that can be a bit tough on new dog owners. Obedience training that is both consistent and interesting is important to keeping this breed behaving properly, and if neglected, can lead to a dog that is more than a little headstrong.

On the other hand, Irish setters are a very gentle breed that is known to be good with children, and if treated well, can be excellent pets and companions.

By John Adams Dog breeds explained.

The Irish Setter is loyal, frisky, sometimes deaf, stubborn but lovable. Is that you:

Irish Setter dog explained. Is this dog breed right for you?

Do Dogs Feel Guilty?

Most people have walked into their home at least once and found their Dog waiting for them with a look they interpret as guilty for some not yet discovered Doggie misdeed. Did she eliminate on the carpet, chew up a favorite shoe, bark all day and disturb the neighbors? It could be. Or maybe, just like an innocent person sitting in front of a jury in a courtroom, the Dog is worried about the situation and exhibiting body language that is meant to say something along the lines of "I'm happy you're home, but nervous you're going to punish me for something because you have in the past," rather than "I am feeling so guilty for what I did." If dogs had lawyers, they would surely advise them that a jury might be more likely to convict you if they think you look guilty, so hold your head up high, wag that tail and gosh darn it...look happy!

Bernie, a rescued 5 year-old English Cocker Spaniel, has been wrongly convicted on a number of occasions, so I decided to step in as her advocate during a recent lesson with her family. They insisted that when they walk in the door, if Bernie averts her eyes and her head, ears and tail are held lower than usual, she is feeling guilty. I explained that while there are certainly some similarities between human and animal behavior, there is also a tendency to take a superficial similarity and apply it in broad and inaccurate ways. With that said, while they may express a look that reminds us of what a person might look like when feeling guilty, guilt is not part of their emotional repertoire. A dog might certainly exhibit this sort of body language if she is in a situation where she believes punishment (or something else unpleasant) is imminent. But, rather than being a display of guilty feelings it is the dog's way of showing they are no threat and more importantly hope to decrease the possibility that you might be one to them.

They were a tough jury, so I decided to employ some of the tactics I had seen on TV court shows. I would provide a demonstration to argue my case. As Bernie and I had a lovely, trusting relationship with no history of me reprimanding her I thought for expediency it might be best to enlist the help of one of the family members to prove my point. I asked them to walk out the front door and re-enter after 5 minutes, then to walk up to Bernie with their hands on their hips and a stern look on their face. Lo and behold, Bernie's ears dropped lower than usual (and that is pretty low, considering she is an English Cocker Spaniel), and she not only averted her gaze, but turned her head completely away. If there had been a pile of sand nearby, I suspect she would have tried to imitate an Ostrich and hide her head in it.

I scanned the jury and was confident that I was headed towards triumph. I had clearly instilled reasonable doubt in the minds of everyone. Maybe her 'guilty' look was a pretty measly amount of evidence to make a conviction? Maybe she wasn't feeling guilty after all? Maybe she was just a bit, dare we say it, scared? It seemed very likely that Bernie's look of 'guilt' was a response to people's body language and not necessarily an indication that she was making an association with any potential misdeed. Odds are, the family had at some point come home to find that Bernie had done something inappropriate. She may have been reprimanded and as a result become more sensitive about the family's arrivals home, their body language or tone of voice. As a result, when they walk in the door, if they look or sound even a bit like they did when they reprimanded her in the past, she is more likely to display the 'guilty' look her family now saw for what it really was.

It had been a tough case, with a jury that seemed to have gone into the 'courtroom' with their minds made up. But, by the time I was ready to leave I was sure Bernie and I had won with a unanimous verdict of not guilty!

Andrea is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers and a Certified Pet Partners Team evaluator for the Delta Society and the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. She is the Director of Andrea Arden Dog Training in New York, and was named the best dog trainer in New York by New York, W, Time Out, Quest and the Daily News. Her website is located at http://www.andreaarden.com and she can be reached at 212-414-9597. You can follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/andreaardendogtraining.

10 Weight Loss Statistics

On the surface, weight loss sounds like a simple concept: eat fewer calories than you burn, and you'll lose weight.

But our world's growing obesity problem has completely changed the way we view weight loss, leading to some truly desperate measures and shocking statistics.

Here are ten of the most startling facts about weight loss:

1. The whole world needs to lose weight.

According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion of the world's inhabitants are overweight. (That's almost equal to the number of people who are malnourished in the world.)

Globally, over 22 million children under the age of 5 are considered overweight. This epidemic is largely due to increased consumption of processed foods high in calories and saturated fat, and a decrease in physical activity.

2. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese.

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly two-thirds of all American adults are overweight. The National Center for Health Statistics recently found that 34% of Americans are clinically obese.

3. 50% of American women and 25% of American men are currently on a diet.

With numbers like the ones above, it's no wonder most Americans feel the need to count calories.

However, society's obsession with thinness comes at a price: Chronic dieting and emerging eating disorders are becoming more common among elementary school children.

4. America's top three killers are linked to obesity.

National Geographic published some eye-opening facts about mortality in the USA.

They found that the top three most statistically likely causes of death were heart disease (with a 1 in 5 chance), cancer (with a 1 in 7 chance), and stroke (with a 1 in 24 chance). All of these have been linked to excess weight.

5. Surprisingly, America isn't the world's fattest nation.

The World Health Organization gives that dubious honor to Samoa, where more than 93% of the population is overweight or obese. The Pacific isle of Kiribati comes next, with an 82% obesity rate.

America rounds out the top three, but is closely followed by Germany (66.5%), Egypt (66%), and Bosnia-Herzegovina (63%).

6. The weight loss industry is fat and happy.

The obesity epidemic might mean misery for some, but it's certainly padded the pockets of the weight loss industry.

In 2007 alone, the American Diatetic Association found that Americans spent $58 billion on weight loss products. Considering that obesity has gone global, you can imagine how lucrative the weight loss industry must be.

7. Over half of the diet industry's claims are false.

As with any booming industry, there are plenty of unscrupulous sellers trying to prey on people's weight loss dreams. The Federal Trade Commission published a study in 2002 which found that 55% of all weight loss claims "strained credibility".

The American Diatetic Association concurs, pointing out the fact that most weight loss products focus on atypical success stories instead of real chances of success.

8. Bariatric surgery doesn't always work.

Discouraged by multiple failed attempts at weight loss, more people than ever are turning to bariatric surgery. However, there is no evidence that gastric bypass or banding result in permanent weight loss.

The University of Virginia conducted a study that revealed gradual weight regain after 6 years post-surgery.

9. Diets don't work either.

The National Institute of Health has estimated that dieters can expect to regain two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of completing their diet plan. These dieters can expect to regain all of their weight, and possibly more, within 5 years.

10. Fortunately, there is a perfect recipe for lasting weight loss.

The National Weight Control Registry tracks 3,000 people who have lost more than 30 pounds and kept it off for more than a year.

They have found that most of the successful dieters have four behaviors in common: they keep a food journal and monitor their weight; they never skip breakfast; they get an hour of exercise almost every day; and they eat diets consisting of 24% fat, 56% carbs, and 19% lean protein.

You can follow that perfect weight loss recipe for yourself and enjoy better health for years to come.

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Guinea Pigs As Pets: How to Raise Healthy, Happy Guinea Pigs

If you have ever considered raising guinea pigs as pets, you aren't alone. Many are attracted to the idea of having guinea pigs as pets, mainly due to their cuteness. Not only that, they're actually one of the easiest pets to own. But even they will need some attention for both their health and safety. As with all pets, being a responsible owner is always important.

Before you go to your local pet store and bring home a guinea pig, you should educate yourself on some of the basic requirements for taking care of a guinea pig. Even though they are popular as pets, finding all the guinea pig information in advance will help you and your new pet enjoy a long and happy life together. There is a lot of info on guinea pigs that's available today, and you'd be wise to gather all the information on guinea pigs you can before bringing one home as a pet.

By finding as much information as possible, and then apply it, you are showing that they're more than just a pet, they're a living, breathing animal. The following are some general responsibilities necessary to properly care of guinea pig pets:

Their Nails

To begin with, just as it's with humans, their nails are growing and must be trimmed from time to time. If not, they'll be too long and will be painful for your pet. However, instead of using nail clippers as you'd do for yourself, using bricks, rough stones, rocks or other rough surfaces for your guinea pig to walk on enables them to naturally keep their nails short. Make sure that whatever you choose will have no holes that they might get caught in.

If you decide to trim their nails with nail clippers, ensure you don't cut them too short. If you do snip them too close, you could hit the blood vessels located at the top of the nail. This is usually referred to as the 'quick'. You can easily see this area because the nails are generally clear in color and the area containing the blood is pink in color. However, there are certain breeds who's nails are darker. If so, it'll be difficult to see where the blood vessel in the nail lies.

If the nails are clear, cut just above the pink area. If the nails are dark to black, you would be better to trim them more often and not let them get too far grown in order to ensure that you don't cut into the blood vessel area.

If you do cut the 'quick', they'll bleed. To stop the bleeding, many pet shops sell 'Quick Stop' to stop the bleeding. If you don't have this handy, iodine will work.

Of course, until your pet is used to this routine, they'll probably squirm a bit. If you have someone to help hold them steady while trimming their nails, this will make the job much easier and minimize cutting too deeply. Wrap your guinea pig in a towel so that their feet stick out and have the person helping you hold them still.

If there is no one to help, another way to trim their nails is to place them on a tennis racket so that the toe nails are sticking out the other side of the rack. Make sure to cover them with something warm to keep them calm.

The Teeth

Without exception, most rodents have teeth that grow continuously. You must ensure that your guinea pig's two front teeth don't grow too long. If this happens, they'll not be able to chew their food. Should this be the case, take them to the vet and have their teeth cut shorter.

Other ways to help them keep their teeth short is by providing a hard surface for them to chew on. They are natural chewers and this will help to keep their teeth from getting too long. Items such as hay cubes, toilet paper cores, or old stale bread will provide them with something to chew on to keep their teeth short. You will want to provide these items to keep your pet from chewing on objects that may harm them, such as their wire cage or nesting box.

It is also a good idea to perform a regular inspection of their teeth to make sure nothing is cracked or broken. Broken teeth can result in them suffering pain or discomfort as a result. If you find chipped or broken teeth, contact your veterinarian as to what should be done to correct this problem.

Brushing

Another aspect of the regular care of your new pet is to keep their hair clean, shiny and healthy. A way to do this is with regular brushing. If the length of their hair is long, you will need to brush them daily. If their hair is short, a few times a week should be enough.

A type of hair brush that works well is a baby's brush. The brushes are often soft and gentle and won't be too hard on their scalp. If your guinea pig has long hair, a metal greyhound comb will easily remove any tangles. Regular brushing will remove excess hair, especially during the shedding season.

Bathes

Unless they get dirty, it isn't necessary to give them a bath. In fact, guinea pigs don't much like a bath, no matter what! They can become stressed when placed in water, and it has been known to lower their immune system as well. Guinea pigs can go their whole lives without ever needing a bath. So, unless directed by your veterinarian, it's not necessary to give them a bath.

If it becomes necessary, make sure you use a shampoo that's gentle to their skin. You can use shampoos that are made for kittens or babies. It's also wise to stay away from any shampoo that's medicated unless designated by the vet.

Well, there you are! By first learn everything about guinea pigs and then applying the guinea pig info listed above, you and your new pet will have a long and healthy life together!

If you have been thinking about getting a guinea pig [http://www.learninglifeebooks.com/products/Guinea-Pigs-as-Pets%3B-How-to-Raise-Healthy%2C-Happy-Guinea-Pigs.html], but didn't know where to begin, we can help!   If you want to learn more about this, we have the answers at http://LearningLifeEbooks.com [http://www.learninglifeebooks.com].

Top 10 Dogs Good With Kids - A Parent's Guide to Kid-Friendly Dogs

Every child wishes for a puppy at one point or another. As a parent, you want to make your child's wishes come true. But you also know that choosing a puppy is not always as easy as it may seem. Before a decision can be made, serious thought on which breeds make the best Dogs for kids is required. You will want a Dog that is loving and patient with your children - a Dog that won't mind being dressed up by your kids in funny costumes and has fun being chased around the house by your kids. You will want a dog that is playful and will run around with your kids for hours in your backyard; one that lets your kids use him as a pillow when they want to cuddle.

If you have very young children, you would not necessarily want to pick a dog in the toy breed category. These dogs tend to be a little too fragile for all the rough housing your kids may want to do. If you have very young children, they could unknowingly hurt your dog by handling him too roughly.

You may want to stay away from extra large breeds as well. Dogs in this category may not always know when they are playing too roughly with your children and could accidentally harm your child during play. They could also knock small children over when running and playing in your home.

The trick is picking a dog somewhere in between the toy and extra large breeds with a friendly and tolerable nature. There are breeds that are well known for being the best dogs for kids as well as great companion's for adults.

Here is my top 10 list of dogs good with kids:

1. Golden Retriever


2. Labrador Retriever


3. Beagle


4. Boston Terrier


5. English Bulldog


6. Cocker Spaniel


7. Boxer


8. Collie


9. Staffordshire Bull Terrier


10. Bearded Collie

If you choose a dog from my top 10 list of Dogs Good With Kids you can rest assured that you made a good choice. All of these breeds are known to be dogs good with kids because of their playful and loving demeanor. Your kids will enjoy playing in your yard or at the park and teaching your dog different tricks. He will also be a comfort to your kids, keeping the "monsters" out of their bedrooms at night. Your dog will definitely be your kid's best friend.

Bringing my very first puppy home was an exciting day for me. Unfortunately, I ran into a load of issues with house training him - from potty training him to dealing with him chewing up everything but his own stuff, including my son's toys. He was my very first dog so I really had no clue how to train him. I was ready to give up until I found a simple way to end all of his bad dog behaviors. You can see them for yourself at iHeartDogsOnline.com.

Understanding Dog Fleas: How Fleas Breed & Affect Your Dog's Health

Fleas belong to the insect order Siphonaptera. They are common pests and may attack many mammals, including man. They can be a year round problem because they infest not only pets but also the home of the owner. Because of this, treatment of the pet alone may only temporarily solve a flea infestation.

Although many species of fleas feed primarily on one type of animal, the common cat and Dog flea will readily take blood from a variety of animals, including man. Flea infestations of pets and their homes will most likely involve the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis and occasionally the Dog flea, C. canis.

Fleas are small (2 to 4 mm in length), brownish to black insects which are characteristically flattened from side to side. Adults are wingless and capable of jumping relatively long distances. Adults feed exclusively on blood with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. When not actively feeding, adult fleas often hide in locations frequented by the host animal such as your Dog bedding, sofas, or carpeted areas.

The common cat and dog fleas breed throughout the year. After feeding and mating, the female deposits her eggs, usually on the host. Several eggs are laid daily and up to several hundred over a lifetime. Eggs normally fall off the host into bedding material or similar areas and hatch within two weeks.

Flea eggs accumulate in areas where the host spends most of its time. In addition, adult fleas defecate small pellets of digested blood which also drop off into the environment. A flea comb will often gather this fecal matter at the base of the tines providing a good sign of flea infestation. The combination of white flea eggs and black dried blood specks may appear as a sprinkling of salt and pepper where an infested animal has slept.

Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis, that is, they pass through four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Immature fleas do not resemble adults at all.

Flea larvae are tiny, light colored, and, worm-like, without legs. They feed primarily on various debris and organic material including the droppings of the adults which contains digested blood. Flea larvae occur indoors and outdoors, wherever the eggs have fallen off the host. In houses, flea larvae live in carpeting, furniture, animal bedding and other protected areas with high humidity. Flea larvae also live outdoors in areas where animals spend time such as under porches in and around dog houses, etc.

Because flea larvae depend on the adult's fecal pellets of dried blood as a food source, they cannot live in lawns or other outdoor areas unless the pet visits those areas enough to provide this food.

Depending on the species of flea and environmental conditions the larvae will pupate in one week to several months. The pupa is contained within a loose silken cocoon which is often covered by bits of debris. Under average conditions, the life cycle of the flea normally requires between 30 and 75 days but may take much longer. Adult fleas inside the cocoon, called pre-emerged fleas, will stay in that condition for weeks to months if no external cues from a host is available.

However, when disturbed by the presence of a host such as vibrations or carbon dioxide from exhaled breath, the fleas emerge simultaneously and attack the host. This is why it is possible to return to a house or apartment that has been empty for months and find it full of fleas.

When the normal host is available, fleas may feed several times a day but they are capable of surviving extended periods of starvation. In household situations, the normal host is a cat or dog. However, if the normal host is removed, starved fleas will readily seek other sources of blood and more often than not, man is the alternate host. In severe infestations, fleas will attack humans even though the normal host is present.

Certain species of fleas have been known to transmit such diseases as bubonic plague and murine typhus. These have never been a major problem. The major problems with fleas is as a nuisance pest of pets. The irritation and itching from flea bites results in scratching and potential secondary infection. Fleas may also transmit the double-pored dog tapeworm to dogs and cats.

Finally, persistent attacks from fleas can cause severe allergic responses in some people and pets. Once sensitized, a single flea bite may produce symptoms including hair loss, usually around the base of the tail, dermatitis, and intense itching. In worse cases, puppies and young kittens can also died from serious fleas infestations.

With proper flea management knowledge, flea problems will not be a big issue and can be battle and win over easily.

Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dog obedience training, dog training book reviews and dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

Solutions for Problems With International IP Rights Regarding Plants Native To India

I. Possible Methods To Protect Indian Rice Industry

In the past there has been some controversy regarding a patent on basmati rice developed by a company called "RiceTec." RiceTec also uses the term, "Texmati" for its Texas-grown variety of basmati rice. Initially, RiceTec's patent seems to misappropriate India's national heritage in basmati rice. However, after learning about the myriad intellectual property schemes, the extent of the Texmati patent rights seems limited. India may safely grant product patents for Western inventions if India speeds up efforts to patent Indian products. What India needs to protect its indigenous plant knowledge is a combination of "scientific mumbo-jumbo and legal savvy." The CSIR formed a team that identified 400 herbs with medicinal uses. Now the CSIR plans to seek patents for these cures to prevent foreign companies from claiming these remedies.

A. Pursue Cancellation of U.S. Patent

The PTO seldom fully cancels a patent once granted. However, the USPTO may cancel a patent for a limited period after issuing the patent. If a patented invention is shown to not be novel, useful, or obvious, then the PTO may cancel the patent.

For RiceTec's basmati patent, India's best point of attack is novelty. DNA fingerprinting may determine whether RiceTec's rice germ plasm originates from a naturally occurring rice. If so, then India could argue that RiceTec's rice contains no substantial differences from a naturally occurring variety, negating the rice's novelty. RiceTec maintains that their patented rice's breeding material came partly from an agricultural seed repository in Idaho that is available to anyone.

If the rice provides no substantial benefits over natural basmati, India may attack the patented rice's usefulness. RiceTec's patent describes the plant as being cultivated in only the Americas and the Caribbean. RiceTec may seek to counter India's claim of a lack of utility. RiceTec could state that the company's rice plant is useful because it grows in a region that does not naturally allow basmati rice to grow.

Indian government officials and rice industry representatives have publicly stated that growers cannot cultivate basmati rice outside of the northern region of the Indian subcontinent. Similar statements have expressed that RiceTec's rice is the same type of rice grown in India for many years. The Indian government should decide on whether RiceTec's rice is the same as Indian basmati or different. If the patent rice is identical to Indian basmati, then RiceTec's invention is not novel. If the rice is not the same, then India may lose a contest on novelty, but may consider geographic indication protection.

B. Plant Breeder Rights

India currently provides no protection for plant varieties. TRIPs only provides plant variety dispute settlement to countries that have national plant variety protection. The Indian parliament unsuccessfully attempted to pass a plant variety protection law in 1994. If India adopts a plant variety patent law soon, India may pursue international protection of indigenous plants.

However, any protection will only pertain to future acts as TRIPs will not apply plant variety protection retroactively. India cannot use TRIPs to contest foreign plant patents if India does not provide plant variety protection at home. Previous Indian governments did not pass a plant protection act, despite urging by Indian professionals in the environmental, food, and patent fields. If such an Indian plant patent system existed, India would have an easier task of protecting its basmati rice industry today.

Although this avenue is currently ineffective to thwart RiceTec's patent, passing a plant patent act now will be valuable for future disputes. The TRIPs agreement requires that any laws on biodiversity, plant, and microorganism protection be in place before 2000. India has not yet begun enacting such legislation.

C. Trademark, Certified Mark, Co-op Mark

RiceTec has a registered U.S. trademark for "Texmati." The trademark registration claims that RiceTec has used "Texmati" for the previous twenty years. If India cannot refute this statement, passing off is hard to prove.

Again, TRIPs provides no dispute resolution process if a member country does not have a conflicting trademark under its own laws. No Indian trademark exists for "basmati." RiceTec does not have a registered trademark of "basmati" anywhere. In the U.S., the word, "basmati," is not registered alone, although other companies have registrations for phrases containing the term. These registrations contain disclaimers that no claim is asserted to the word, "basmati." India needs to consider whether "basmati" should be trademarked in India first, then in other countries.

If India is unsuccessful in pursuing trademark protection, certified marks or collective marks may be worth considering. A certified mark may indicate to consumers that the rice was grown in the Himalayan region of India, as Columbia's coffee growers demonstrate through their Juan Valdez marketing promotion. Perhaps India's rice exporting organizations should pursue creation of a collective mark to distinguish rice from India's rice growers.

D. Marketing

Perhaps Indian basmati's greatest disadvantage to American basmati is poor marketing by the Indian rice industry. Today, the two basmatis do not compete directly in the U.S. Currently U.S. supermarkets usually do not stock the Indian product. Normally, Indian basmati sells only in large bags in specialty markets. Specialty markets do not sell the American basmati.

Hopefully, improved marketing can allow Indian basmati to prevail over American basmati. India may benefit by aggressively competing directly with Texmati and other American basmatis. If store shelves stocked Indian and American basmatis side-by-side, consumers may choose the Indian variety. Informal taste comparisons seem to show that Texmati's flavor and aroma is inferior to the Indian variety. Indeed, one culinary expert described Texmati rice as being starchier and having less aroma than Indian basmati rice. The Indian basmati rice was more fragrant and saliently superior to the Texmati rice. This important distinction, along with Indian rice being generally less expensive, in the U.S., than U.S. rice, should enable India to increase revenue while diminishing RiceTec's market share.

A recent technological development by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute may increase India's basmati rice production. This development, India's first hybrid basmati rice, may give a higher yield than any current Indian basmati rice. If India's new basmati rice successfully competes with RiceTec's Texmati, then India's exploitation of biotechnology could increase the Indian rice industry's profits. If this Indian hybrid is indeed superior to other basmatis, the Indian government can help the Indian rice industry by passing the appropriate patent legislation and pursuing international intellectual property protection for this hybrid rice.

However, bioengineering of food products does not always spell success in the marketplace. For example, U.S. tomato growers breed varieties of tomatoes that resist damage when hauled in trucks, stay fresh for longer time periods, and even have a square shape to improve the packing arrangement in cans. However, these significant improvements result in a dramatic loss of flavor.

India markets a high-yielding disease-resistant basmati rice variety, "Pusa No. 1," that is not as fragrant or flavorful as traditional Indian basmati rice. Indian basmati rice commands a high price for its delicious traditional flavor. In the eighties Pakistan introduced high-yielding varieties to improve productivity. Some believe that the Pakistani rice industry currently receives a lower price for its basmati rice because Indian basmati rice is perceived as a higher quality basmati rice. Fearing a similar fate, Indian basmati exporters hope that the Indian government designates rices like Pusa No. 1 as "basmati-parentaged" instead of "basmati." They hope that this will help consumers to not become confused by lower quality basmati-like rice.

Even India's food and commerce ministries refuse to recognize Pusa No. 1 as basmati rice. Perhaps the Indian government should also seek to have foreign governments to classify RiceTec's Texmati and similar rices as basmati-parentaged. Such a description may assist consumers in identifying Indian rices and Indian-style rices.

E. Do Nothing

If India were to do nothing regarding RiceTec's patent, India's basmati market may suffer little, if any, damage. RiceTec's U.S. patent provides no advantage over Indian growers. U.S. patent laws do not apply to India.

A patent does not grant the patentee the right to use an invention. A patent merely grants the right to exclude others from using the invention for twenty years. If India successfully convinces the PTO to cancel RiceTec's patent, RiceTec would still be free to use the rice as no other patent exists to be infringed. Canceling the patent only allows anyone to use the rice. Also, India still can continue to sell its basmati worldwide, whether the USPTO cancels the patent or not.

II. Suggested Future Efforts

* Develop home country protection for trademarks, plant variety protection, and geographic indication to take advantage of international agreements.

* Build computer databases to document and protect Indian plants and plant products.

* Employ Indian embassies to monitor patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights in foreign countries.

* Follow Malaysia's practice of conducting research and collecting information on traditional Malay medicinal plants with the intention of patenting them for commercial purposes.

IIII. Conclusion

Initially, RiceTec's patent seems to misappropriate India's national heritage in basmati rice. However, after learning about the myriad intellectual property schemes, the extent of the Texmati patent rights seems limited. As a practical matter quality Indian basmati rice is still superior to Texmati. It is incumbent upon the Indian rice industry to aggressively ensure that this message reaches the consumer. Concerted efforts between Indian business and government can effectively promote the use of India's large pool of scientific manpower to protect indigenous plants from exclusively foreign exploitation. This technologically-endowed work force provides potential for India to profit from improved intellectual property protection.

© Frederic M. Douglas, April 1999; 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Frederic M. Douglas is an IP litigator, dedicated to pursuing practical resolution of problems concerning patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and other areas of law.

fdouglas@cox.net
(949) 293-0442
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/frederic-douglas/17/37b/7a1

Everything You Need To Know About Pugs

Pugs are one of the best breeds of Dogs that exist on the planet. Why? Because I own one! Seriously now though, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about pugs and hopefully give you some reasons for buying one.

The First Great Reason For Owning A Pug

If you were wondering which breed of Dog has the best personality, then yep, you guessed it, the pug. One of the best traits that pugs have is their amazing ability to constantly act cheerful even when they are being maltreated. Experts say they are the best dog to have for children because they will never attempt to injure a child in any way. Infact it's usually the opposite! Another reason why they are so great for children is because they have a small and compact bodytype which enables them to be played with to a semi rough extent. My pug loves being thrown all over the place and if you lie on the ground she will attempt to jump on you and pick a fight! I usually let her win.

A Second Great Reason Why You Should Own A Pug

Pugs originated from China where they were officially named the Chinese lap dogs. The Emperor would sit at his thrown with a pug on his lap. So what's the second great reason then? Because when you first buy your pug, you will be amazed at how much they love to just be with you and the great thing about this is that they can be around you all the time because they are indoor dogs with short fur and are very easy to manage. I mean if the emperor of China chose to have pugs in his company, then surely they would be good enough for the rest of us right?

The Third Great Reason Why You Should Own A Pug

The last reason for owning a pug is because of the low costs involved. My dog gets two small bowls of specially designed dog biscuits in the morning and the night everyday. This adds up to around about $15 a week. Other larger dogs can rack up huge food bills, some over $100 a week and I bet they get now where near as much pleasure from the company of their dog than what I do with mine.

In case you're wondering how someone could feel so much love and compassion for a dog, then I tell you a little story. When I was younger, we had a male pug that we named 'Lucky'. One day my father came home to find that he had fallen off our balcony and had died. Now my father was a very strong man that didn't show his emotions all that often, but when this happened, he wept for a week. I doubt that he would have felt as badly if it had of been me who fell of that balcony. So what is the meaning of this story, it's this. Pugs make you love them no matter what.

Dane Stanton is the owner of PugTrainingReview.com which is an extensive review of the top Pug Training courses on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your Pug! http://www.PugTrainingReview.com

Breed of the Month - The Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog, or Blue Heeler, is also known as the Australian Heeler, Hall's Heeler, Queensland Heeler, or Red Heeler. The term "heeler" refers to the breed's instinct to snap and bite at the heels of the animals they are herding. They have alert and happy facial expressions, pointed ears, and although they appear small, they are muscular and agile. They come in a mixture of colors--mostly blue with tan and black, or mostly red speckled.

They were bred as a combination of Scottish collies and Australian dingoes and blended with some Australian Kelpie, Dalmatian, and Bull Terrier to be an extremely hardy breed that can withstand long hours and harsh weather conditions with ease. ACD's are more 'work-minded' than other herding breeds and as a rule, are not as good as pets because of the aggressive characteristics specifically bred into them. But, as with every breed, there are often exceptions to the rule.

Here's the breakdown:

Temperament 2 out of 5

The Australian Cattle Dog is an excellent companion and is always awaiting the next command from its master. But ACD's need a lot of exercise or they will become highly destructive. About two hours a day is ideal. They need to be with their pack (that means you!) most of the day or else they develop behavioral problems. These can include severe aggression, depression, or anxiety. This is not a breed to leave at home for hours on end, nor tied up in the back yard. If an ACD must be left alone, they will do best with one or two other Dogs for companionship. They are bred to be highly sensitive guard dogs, so as a rule they do not like strangers coming onto their property. ACD's should be socialized regularly if you want them to be friendly toward other animals and guests. ACD's do not distinguish a difference between wild animals or your small pets, so they are not recommended around cats, rabbits, mice, or smaller dogs. Most of the time, a well-socialized ACD will do well with children, but they are not recommended. They often herd children, so keep an eye on them--you don't want them to snap at your child's heels. Even a highly socialized dog can be aggressive, depending on the child it interacts with.

Training 5 out of 5

ACD's have what I like to call, "extreme intelligence." Like Border Collies, they can be trained to do just about anything. The downside of a highly sophisticated breed, though, is that they become bored easily so you always need to have a job for them. The sky is the limit on what you can teach them. ACD's can be very independent and stubborn due to their intelligence, so firm training is a must. This breed responds well to consistent training and discipline, although they catch on quick and hate to disappoint their masters.

Grooming 4 out of 5

The ACD's short coat is weather resistant but they are average shedders so brush often with a firm bristle. You only need to bathe when necessary. They never need shaving or haircuts--their coat has been developed to endure all kinds of weather. Never dock their tail--they need it for work! Even the AKC recognizes a full tail, so there's never a need to dock.

Overall Score 3.5 out of 5

ACD's weigh about 30-55 pounds and live about 12 to 15 years. They do best on the farm with animals to herd, but if you don't raise cattle or sheep, a large yard will do, along with plenty of exercise. ACD's are great candidates for competitions such as agility trials, flyball, frisbee, and of course, herding. I recommend ACD's for owners who wish to work with their dog, compete with them, or give them a job on the farm. They are not suited for suburban or city life. They tend to be very vocal so its best not to have neighbors too close by. If you're buying your ACD puppy from a breeder, consider purchasing two or three from the same litter. They'll be happier pets in the long run having their brothers and sisters with them. Adopting an ACD is tricky if you have existing pets, so make sure you talk with the organization you're adopting from--they'll know if that particular ACD would do well with other animals.

Mandy has been a dog trainer and family pet advisor for ten years. She is passionate about matching the right pets with the right families and has fostered countless animals in her lifetime. Currently she is a staff writer for Plugged In Parents, providing parents with family pet solutions and information. Plugged In Parents is also an online resource for up-to-date health and safety, nutrition, and baby info along with recipes, family movie reviews, money and tech tips, and more! Visit pluggedinparents.com today!

How to Choose Between All the Puppy Breeds

With all the different cross breeds coming into being, along with the many hundreds of pure bred Dogs there are, it can in fact be very difficult for a person to decide what type of puppy they should get. So you have to know there are a lot of different puppy breeds available for a person who is interested in getting a new puppy to add to their home and family.

There are different ways to get the information you need. You can use the internet looking for information, visit a few pet stores to look over the different puppy breeds available there,
or buy or borrow a book or two or three on different puppy breeds.

Once this is done you must go through the many needs and requests you are looking for in a puppy. For example, are you looking for a cute puppy, do you want a funny puppy or do you want a small toy puppy?

How you are living also play a great part in the search for puppy breeds which might
suit you. Do you live in an apartment; do you have a large garden, small garden, or do you not have a garden at all? Is your puppy going to be alone many hours every day or will it have company most of the time? Do you have children or do you live alone, maybe with other grownups? Are there other pets in your household?

Answering these questions and others, such as whether you're allergic to Dogs, as honestly as you' can will help to narrow down the field of different puppy breeds you need to look at. When you are answering these questions, you can make a list of the traits you want in your puppy, like for instance whether you want a watch dog, or whether you want a hunting dog,
or just a best friend to keep the lonely hours away.

These will all help you to find the perfect puppy for you and your family.
You might have to look at a few dozen of puppy breeds before you do so,
but it is when you put in some effort, the satisfaction tastes best!
Good luck in the search for the best puppy breed for you!

Randi Foerde is a web designer, and she also writes articles on subjects like how to choose the right puppy breeds for your life situation. Read her blog here: [http://puppy-dog-breeds.blogspot.com/]

What Kind of Exercise and Play Do Puppies Need?

Puppies all know how to rough-house with their litter mates. It is a great game, but humans need to avoid getting too physical with their puppy. Generally, all physical play between you and your puppy should be at the Dogs level of strength, ability and understanding. Puppies are learning to trust and if you go too far with play, you could be over-stimulating. That can result in aggressive behavior such as biting. If your pup does come back at you with teeth, do not punish. Simply stop the play and rub the tummy of your puppy to show affection. It is natural for puppies when playing in the litter to bite back at whoever was getting too rough.   

Puppies need exercise, but taking your puppy for long, brisk jogs at a very young age should be avoided. In fact, the larger your Dog will be as an adult, the more you should avoid or limit the amount of jumping, running, jogging or hard exercise as a puppy. These type of physical activities for a large breed puppy can damage growing bones.   

There are a couple of different kinds of walks for a puppy. There is the bathroom walk, the training walk and best of all, the sniff everything walk. The bathroom walk is simply your puppy on a leash and taking him to where you would like him to do his business. Just remember to be patient with him and say good Dog when he has gone to the bathroom. The training walk is where your puppy will be bouncing all over the place while you try to get him to walk next to you. Eventually, after many trips on the leash your puppy will graduate to the perfect walk right next to you. The exercise walk that we all see, with the owner running to remove the excess winter fat with his Dog running next to him, is not for puppies.   

The best walk for your puppy is the socialization walk. This is the one where it is a calming type of exercise. You take your puppy for a great scenic walk. He gets to smell everything, see every duck, squirrel and critter. It allows you to teach your puppy how to meet other dogs, how to not jump to greet friends, and how to stand quietly while being patted and loved. Who can resist to pet a puppy? 

The best type of exercise for a puppy is chase with a ball or a gentle tug of war with a pull and tug toy. Puppies love squeaky dog toys, but remember to keep a watchful eye on your chomping puppy. Squeakers can be very dangerous and costly when swallowed by accident. Puppies need to chew. Just like babies, they have baby teeth and they teeth as their adult teeth are growing. The best chew toys are made of a very durable rubber. Some of the best puppy dog toys is Pup Orbo by Planet Dog.  This dog toy even has an area for treats. 

Never give your puppy real bones or rawhide. Pieces can splinter or break off and lodge in their throat or puncture their internal organs when swallowed. If you like the look of a bone, consider the West Paw Design Hurley or similar bone shaped hard rubber chew toy.  Also, consider that puppies like babies, will have their favorite soft toy. It is always a good idea to have a nice assortment of toys. You should only give 2-3 at a time. Once a toy has been chewed (which your puppy will do), simply replace it with another.  Do not forget to have a few dog ball toys around. Puppies love to chase and bounce balls.  Balls are great to throw and have your puppy retrieve.  

Just remember to supervise play with your puppy. Do not overdo play and make your puppy too frantic. Replace toys as they become worn. Take your dog for walks, but make them slow and easy- more for socializing. Simply enjoy the antics of your new puppy and shower him with love. 

By Ann Shevin
http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.com
Mickey's Pet Supplies
Where Pets Want to Shop

Choose a New Puppy - English Springer Spaniel

Spaniels are always high on the list when people decide to choose a new puppy. The Springer Spaniel is probably one of the most interesting and enduring of the spaniel breeds but is it the right Dog for you and your family?

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium sized Dog with a big personality. Over the years English Springer Spaniels have been breed for two main reasons, dog shows and working. This has resulted in two strains, the show dog tends to have longer legs whereas the working dog is shorter and stockier. The Springer makes a great pet and devoted companion, provided you have the energy to keep up with him. If you are thinking that a Springer is the dog for you, there a number of important points to take into consideration.

1. 
   The Springer is a very energetic animal. A couple of 40 minute walks a day on a lead is not going to be anywhere near enough for him. He needs to be able to run and wear of some of this energy each day in order to be easily controlled. You need to have space for him to run around in, a Springer in a small house with a pocket hankerchief sized garden soon becomes a nightmare.
   
   
   
   



2. 
   The Springer is very intelligent. It is not by chance that the breed is used for drug sniffing at airports, for example, as well as for field sports. The Springer wants to learn and loves to please. This makes him very trainable. In fact, you must be prepared to train him, or, like an intelligent child who is bored, he can soon become a trouble maker.
   
   



3. 
   The Springer is a very faithful hound. Your energetic, intelligent friend will not want to be separated from you. The Springer does not like being left alone and will probably do something to show his displeasure if left alone. This will usually be something destructive. He will be delighted to see you on your return and completely forget his earlier protest, until the next time you leave him. If you are going to have to leave him alone on a regular basis, you may consider getting another dog as a companion for him. Two dogs does not always mean double trouble.
   
   



4. 
   The English Springer Spaniel is a friendly, affectionate, sociable dog. He gets on well with adults and children, other dogs and animals. This makes the Springer a good family pet. He will want to be included in everything that goes on, including sitting on the sofa to watch television. Also, he is greedy by nature, so do not be surprised if he helps himself to food that is at his level.
   
   



5. 
   All Spaniels love water, especially the Springer. If you take him for a walk off his lead near water, do not expect to go home with a dry dog. The Springer will happily jump into icy water for no apparent reason and swim. After you have marvelled at how proficient a swimmer he is and how like an otter he looks when swimming, you can ponder the question of how to get him dry. The silky coat and feathers on his tail and legs look great dry and groomed but hold water for a surprisingly long time. Grooming is necessary to keep the Springer looking his best. Special attention needs to be given to the ears as they tend to fall into his food when he eating unless you use a cloths peg to peg them over his ears!
   
   

Basically the English Springer Spaniel is a great dog. He is energetic, intelligent, faithful and affectionate, even if he does like to get a little wet. The breed is not for the faint hearted, the Springer has an adventurous and fun personality.

It is advisable when you get your new pet dog not to waste the valuable window of time in the early days by not implementing proper training. To to this you can consult a pet behavior specialist or training school in your area. It can be far less expensive, however, to learn the basic training techniques yourself. A full and complete guide called 'The Secrets to Dog Training' is available at http://www.poochdogs.com This guide, which has been used by over 200,000 owners worldwide, also will detail the best strategies for puppy house training. Visit the site today to complete your research.

Is a Shih Tzu Puppy the Right Dog For You?

If you're planning on getting a new Shih Tzu, the Dog's gender and color will most likely play a role in what you decide to get. You will also have to make the decision on what age you'd like the Dog to be. The age of the Dog is an important decision because taking care of a puppy and an adolescent or a senior Dog is very different.

However, most people that are looking for a new Shih Tzu or any other dog for that matter will most likely want a puppy. Hopefully, you're prepared for the work, responsibility and the expense of taking care of a puppy. Here are some things that you'll have to think about before getting a puppy:

1) A New puppy will have to go through housetraining and obedience training

No matter how cute a puppy is, they do not know the first thing about living in a human home. They don't know that your expensive carpet is not the bathroom and your shoes aren't chew toys. You will have to have a lot of patience with a puppy; they need a lot of training. Are you patient enough to put in the quality time needed to get your puppy to the point where he or knows the difference between your carpet and the bathroom?

2) Stature

Shih Tzu puppies are small dogs; however, they are a lot tougher than other smaller breeds, but they can still be injured rather easily by a rough child, other dogs, or a mistake. You need to keep them out of harm's way on a regular basis.

3) Socialization

Puppies are not aware of the big bad world that they're in; they don't know much about people, other dogs, and places. Therefore, be careful about how you expose them to these situations, because the wrong exposure could lead to behavioral problems such as anxiety, fear, or aggression. It is important for you to properly socialize your Shih Tzu puppy so that he or she grows well-adjusted to their lives with humans.

4) Energy

Although the Shih Tzu is not a hyper active breed, a puppy is a different story. As you know, all puppies have an abundance of energy that is unrivaled. Therefore, if you get tired just thinking about keeping up with a puppy, maybe an older dog will be right for you.

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Panic Attacks in Dogs

Panic attacks are sudden, brief periods of intense fear, nervousness or anxiety. It is a natural reaction to threat, a signal to prepare our body to respond to what we perceive to be a harmful situation or an uncomfortable condition. Those of us who feel panic may show symptoms of shaking or trembling, our heart beats irregularly, we sweat and gasp for air.

Similarly, when experiencing panic attacks Dogs may react in such a way that it protects itself when they are subjected to a threatening condition or situation. It is either they fight what causes their fear, or they flee from it. Many Dogs would show signs of panic by aggresive barking or growling, and positioning themselves in a fighting stance. But in some panic attacks Dogs may flee from the cause of fear, shaking and trembling. But instead of barking, they whimper and hide. Most Dogs rarely develop an avoidance behavior, although there are some who may be affected by this frightening condition they would rarely go out of the house or from their hiding places. Case in point would be when there are firecracker explosions.

Nurturing from their owners and reassuring touches sometimes would do the trick to make dogs bounce back from their panic attacks. Sometimes, the owners have to apply exposure therapy method to their pet dogs. By regularly exposing them to the cause of their panic, in this case, firecracker festivities, then with reassurance, the dogs will learn that there is nothing to fear about firecrackers. Behavior training is also effective as it teaches the dog to react in a way that it is not disruptive to his owners or to the people around him. It will take a lot of patience and effort on the owner's part to discipline his dog but it will relieve them both of undue stress and suffering.

But just like human beings, it may be high time to seek the help of a professional animal psychotherapist when, after panic attacks dogs become a threat themselves. The dog may need some serious medical attention to determine of their attacks are caused by some other underlying causes.

After 7 years of constant anxiety and panic attacks Ryan Rivera has finally managed to overcome his anxiety problem without any help of drugs or expensive doctors. Now he is helping other people to change their life the way he did in minimum of time.

You can read more about anxiety violent thoughts on his regularly updated website.

Or take anxiety quiz to receive a report with detail information on your anxiety level, graphs and a personalized interpretation for your test scores.

Is a Siberian Husky The Perfect Dog For You?

The Siberian Husky is without a doubt, one of the most impressive looking Dogs on this planet. Their wolf-like appearance will turn heads wherever they go. Studies of canine DNA have proven being in the Spitz family; they are among the oldest domesticated breeds.

Originating in Eastern Siberia, this Dog was bred to work in harsh conditions and seems to thrive the harder they are driven. Surprisingly, they were also cherished family pets, which may explain why even today, they are so naturally drawn to and interact so well with children.

They were brought to Canada and the United States during the Gold Rush era, to transport miners and supplies to areas where other pack animals could not survive. They have also been used by the military for search and rescue missions, under the most inhospitable frigid conditions.

A medium size Dog, they normally weigh 60-70 pounds. What surprises most about them is how little they eat. Bred to survive on little rations, they are economical as far as the grocery bill is concerned.

It has been said, "The eyes are the window to the soul." Huskies have striking eyes! They range from tawny to brown, from ice blue to deep, dark blue and any combination there of. When a Husky looks at you, souls meet.

This is a Dog that hates to be left alone. A card-carrying pack animal, the Husky wants to be with their pack, be it human or canine. They as a rule get along well with other dogs. However, when left alone or bored, if they have an ounce of energy they will get into trouble. You can take that to the bank! It is highly recommended that until they mature and prove they can be trusted, they should be crated when you leave the house.

Start crate training when they are young. Most dogs instinctively love the den-like security crates offer. It also provides them with their own private space to retreat to, when they feel the need to be alone.

Don't think you are going to leave this dog in the backyard alone either. They will easily scale a 6-foot fence, or dig a hole under it. Once they are out, they are gone! This is not a dog you can let off lead in an unsecured area. Unless your dog is phenomenally trained to respond to recall immediately, they will vanish right before your eyes. On your best day, you will never catch them. Most are not that good about finding their way home! Since they usually lack street smarts, too many become the unfortunate victims in the incidences of dog vs. car. Getting lost is also one of the reasons why they end up as strays in shelters.

It's wise to have your Husky micro-chipped. That way you can be contacted, should they be found.

Huskies are intelligent, but they can also be unbelievably obstinate. Due to that block, they are not the easiest dog to train without help. Trainers constantly hear owners bemoan about their dog's Jekyll and Hyde behaviors. "Why is he/she so good in class, but at home...?" The answer is quite simple. A Husky will instinctively follow the strongest leader. If they sense a lack of leadership at home, they will have no respect for you. As a fundamental survival instinct they will take over you, your family, the house, the yard and if they could drive, the car too! They often behave like little angels in class, because they instinctively sense the leadership the trainer is projecting.

Dogs learn by association, but the Husky takes it to the max. They are known for keenly watching and imitating what their family does. They have been found opening doors and gates. Owners have claimed they have seen their dog try to follow them up a ladder or open the refrigerator. Never let your pet watch you dig in your garden. Much to your chagrin, you will find them "helping" you every chance they get.

This is a dog that should have positive reinforcement, punishment free Puppy Kindergarten and socialization group classes at the earliest age possible. It is easier to train them before the "stubborns" set in. In addition, they should have frequent 'refresher" obedience classes and daily obedience drills for life. With a Husky there is to be 'no free lunch." They must be made to work for everything. Ironically, being working dogs they thrive on the challenges and rewards for their hard work.

As a way to establish and maintain your leadership status, always make your Husky wait. They should wait for you to enter and exit the house. They should be fed after you eat. They should be made to wait until told to "load up" when getting into the car, and told to "wait" until you release them to get out of the car. You will be surprised at how well behaved and respectful they respond if you follow the "no free lunch" method fairly, firmly and consistently.

Obedience training and lots of socialization is important for them to peacefully co-exists with smaller pets. They are powerful. Supervision is a must when they play with children or smaller animals. They can get rough when they get carried away. They have a high prey drive. Anything that moves, children, other dogs, cats, squirrels and even you, are fair game. Your skills as a leader will be tested.

Ask Husky owners to describe their dog and you will hear: affectionate, silly, loving, independent, great with kids, busy, stubborn, happy, friendly, will-full, agile, loves everyone, lousy watchdog, too friendly, never gets tired, tenacious and did we mention mulish? Because of their unbelievable stamina, they do need an active person or family. They are not couch potatoes! If bored, they may eat the couch.

Normally, they are not the easiest dogs to housebreak. It will take lots of patience, but eventually they do get the message.

Capable of surviving temperatures as low as -70 (F) degrees, Huskies are happiest in colder climates. Even though their dense, double coat acts to both heat and cool them, they prefer the cold. When you exercise or jog with your dog, it has to be done in the coolest parts of the day.

Exercise, exercise, exercise! This is an animal that needs more than most dogs. If they do not get sufficient exercise, they will develop serious behavioral problems. They would love nothing more than a long, brisk walk or jog and about an hour of interactive playtime with you twice a day. If you cannot commit to that, this is not the dog for you.

Grooming their dense double coat is work! To provide them with protection from sub-zero temperatures, that thick undercoat and softer topcoat serves as insulation. Their undercoat is almost impenetrable. Many owners have their pets professionally groomed twice a year, when shedding is heaviest. In-between, they will need to be seriously brushed out at least weekly. Expect huge balls of fur! Break it up and toss it outside; birds love it for their nests.

Their snowshoe feet, with long hair between the pads and toes needs to be checked often for burrs and hitchhikers. Otherwise you will find your dog frantically gnawing on them.

A fairly healthy breed, most of their health problems are genetic. For that and to get a dog with a sweet temperament, it is strongly suggested to find responsible, trustworthy breeders. Some of the most common health issues are with those beautiful eyes! They are prone to Corneal Dystrophy, cataracts, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Some suffer from a skin condition called Zinc Responsive Dermatitis. There is also a chronic lung condition, referred to as Bronchial-pulmonary Disease.

Their average life span is 12-15 years.

It cannot be stressed enough, this is not the right dog for an inexperienced or meek owner. Even those with years of experience, will sometimes find themselves nose-to-nose, toe-to-toe with their Husky. It may be true they deem the older they get, the dumber we get.

Bottom line: Do your homework. Research the breed. Talk to Husky owners. This is an awesome pet for the right person or family. The entire family will have to provide indisputable leadership. Because they can be pig-headed, destructive and that propensity to run away; the Husky is one of the most surrendered or picked up breed by animal control. Be sure you are ready for the challenges they will pose, before you both end up with broken hearts. Run; do not walk away from puppies at pet stores, classified ads and flea markets. They only perpetuate horrifying puppy mills and sloppy, inexperienced backyard breeders. It may cost a bit more, but a reputable, responsible breeder is your best bet for a healthier, happier dog. If you cannot afford a good breeder, check with shelter and rescues. Odds are, on any given day they will have a more than few Huskies anxiously awaiting a forever home. You just may find your new best friend waiting for you.

Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! - DOG TRAINING and BED-n-BISCUITS dog boarding and training - Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida - AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN and S.T.A.R. PUPPY Evaluator
http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite
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Animal Facts For Kids

Educating our children is one of the most important aspects of parenting. This article on animal facts for kids makes for interesting reading about little known facts about the animals that inhabit planet earth. Encourage your child to read and learn in a fun way, and share knowledge with friends and have great fun doing it. You can arrange family fun quizzes and make the learning fun!

In biology the word "Animal" comprises all species belonging to the animal kingdom; it is very interesting to read about the little known facts about these animals found in our world today.

Some of the more interesting animal facts for kids:

o A cow can produce more milk than a single human being can consume in one lifetime - approximately 200,000 glasses of milk! Apart from this staggering figure, you will never find two cows with the exact same pattern of spots!

o Horses weighing approximately 1,200 pounds eat roughly seven times their own weight each year!

o When a lion roars you can hear the sound from a distance of about 5 miles away.

o Cheetahs are swift and merciless toward their prey. Scaring the living daylights out of man and beast but the sound they emit is anything but scary - more like a Dog yelping. However you can hear them a mile away!

o Elephants are the largest land animals alive in the present age. An elephant's tusks grow all through its lifetime and can weigh as much as 200 pounds; usually tusks grow for the male species. The females are seldom found with very small tusks or no tusks at all.

o The Chimpanzee is often considered the closest of all animal species to man, with an intelligence that supersedes all other animals. Chimps as they are commonly referred to actually make tools and use them to get their food. They adopt highly refined hunting strategies to get their food. To Chimps status is important; they are also very manipulative and deceptive in their behavior patterns. They can be taught to use symbols, numbers and some aspects of the human language.

o The Giraffe is the tallest living mammal in the animal kingdom and has approximately double the blood pressure of any other animal to enable blood circulation, especially to the brain.

o Some interesting animal facts include: rats live longer without water than even the Camel does; squirrels bury their nuts and often forget where they have hidden them, inadvertently helping to plant millions of trees.

The animal facts for kids detailed above are only a tip of the iceberg; it is hoped that once a child's interest is awakened, he or she will continue to read more.

Galen spends 48 hours on the Internet every day as the Online Marketing Manager of Mediafreaks. He is currently driving the online marketing efforts of various free online adventure games and commercial projects produced by the award-winning 3d animation studio based in Singapore and China. Galen is also known fondly as 'The China Man' by his colleagues as he spent years in China running the Mediafreaks China office.

German Shorthaired Pointer - Dog Breeds

Group: Sporting

Weight: male: 55-70, female: 45-60 lbs

Height: male: 23-25, female: 21-23 inches

Overview

The German Shorthaired Pointer breed was first bred during the 1800s for hunting purposes. They were created by crossing the old Spanish pointers with several other breeds such as scent and tracking hounds; Foxhounds, Italian Pointers, German Tracking Hounds, German Bird Dogs and English Pointers. This mixture produced an open, lean, hunting Dog with great flexibility, being capable to retrieve both fur and feather, on land and water. These dogs do very will in companion hunting as well as field trials, hunt tests, tracking trials and as show dogs.
Temperament

This breed was bred to be a family friendly dog as well as a hunter. German Shorthaired Pointers should affectionate and clever dogs that are easy to train. They are happy, gracious and very sociable. German Shorthaired Pointers love children and will get along well with them, but some puppies can be too lively. If taught from puppyhood, these dogs can as adults make wonderful companions to children. This breed makes an outstanding watch dogs seeing that they are so protective and loyal to their families.

Care

Although these dogs have short, coarse coats that shed a lot - a weekly brushing will help to reduce the shedding. A good diet will also help lessen the shedding, together with enhancements such as omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil. These dogs should only be bathed when it is really needed, and it is vital for these dogs to be dried properly after hunting to prevent coldness. Their feet should be checked after working in fields, as burrs, sticks and other unknown objects can become stuck into the pads. It is also important to keep their ears dry in order to prevent infections.

Training

The German Shorthaired Pointer will need an owner with previous dog ownership experience as they require lots of proper training. It is part of their character to work in long distances from their handlers, should therefore know that the handler is in control and to come when they are called. There are only a small number of hunting breeds that can execute all gundog roles; and they are the pointer, the retriever, the water and upland bird dog and scent hounds. They are effortlessly trained to do these activities, but it does take some time to perfect.

Health problems

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a fairly healthy breed, but they can have problems with disorders such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, entropion and skin disorders. Most dogs with droopy ears struggle with ear infections, and regular cleaning of the ears are therefore necessary. This breed can without difficulty gain weight if not exercised. They will need a lot of food when worked, but should not be overstuffed. If left overweight, these dogs are prone to injury when having to work and exercise.

Visit the following links for more info on the German shorthaired pointer or a full list of Dog Breeds.

Anesthesia, Surgery and Your Pet

As pet owners, we are all concerned about the risks associated with anesthesia and surgery. Anesthesia and surgery is a more exact science than you might expect. The safety of general anesthesia is dependent upon the anesthetic agent, the equipment used, the methods of patient monitoring, patient status, and the expertise of the people involved. In fact, the safety of general anesthesia is dramatically improved by giving adequate attention to each of these areas.

To the doctors and staff of Research Pet and Bird Hospital, nothing is more important than taking steps to maximize the safety of a procedure. In fact, our core values demand that we use only the safest anesthetic agents, precise delivery systems, intense patient monitoring, and all measures available to improve the patient's status to make the procedure a success. For us, it is a mission. Our focus and intensity does not wane until the patient is fully recovered and ready to go home. Anything else is a complete failure in our minds and hearts.

If you are planning to have your Dog spayed, cat neutered, your bird's broken leg fixed, the mass in your ferret biopsied, or the teeth in your rabbit floated, these procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Your pet's safety is our greatest concern.

Our goal is to minimize the risks associated with anesthesia. In order to make anesthesia as safe as possible, we use some of the safest anesthetic agents available. The use of precision vaporizers allows a constant and exact amount of anesthetic to enter the patient and allow rapid adjustments of anesthetic depth and rapid elimination of the anesthetic agent permitting quick recoveries. Our anesthetic machines also deliver 100% oxygen to provide adequate oxygen delivery to the tissues.

Our surgical nurses are the best in the business. They are hand picked to take on this profound responsibility. They understand this tremendous responsibility and they take it very seriously. We charge them with caring for the most important animals on the planet, your pet. To them, guiding your pet through the procedure to a successful conclusion is their single most important task. We train them to be the best. They are so good, our doctors ask for their assistance on their own pets. Our surgical nurses are intensely trained and care so much that often it may seem they are making too many recommendations. The reason is simple, your pet's safety is their responsibility and they want every advantage.

If you have ever seen us working on your pet under anesthesia, you would notice all the devices connected to your pet. We use state of the art monitoring equipment to provide up to the second information about patient status. Continuous cardiac and respiratory monitoring is performed and adjustments in anesthetic depth are based on objective measurements such as pulse rate, respiratory rate, % saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen (pulse oximetry), blood pressure, and electrocardiographic tracings. These measurements are balanced along with our assessments of patient status.

We take into account variables such as patient age, size, weight, and health as well as the nature and expected duration of the procedure and make adjustments according to changing observations or expectations during the anesthetic period. Without a doubt, one of the most important keys to the safe conclusion of an anesthetic event is understanding patient status. What we learn during your pet's history and physical help us identify the three greatest risk factors: the presence of pre-existing illness, organ dysfunction, or sensitivity on the part of an individual to a particular anesthetic agent. In addition, we strongly recommend pre-surgical blood screens or profiles for all patients for all anesthetic procedures. In some cases, we are already aware of a pre-existing condition that should be monitored by these tests. In other cases, these tests may reveal a hidden illness or problem that could increase the patient's anesthetic risk. Complications to anesthesia are rare, but some are serious and may result in patient death. Under no circumstances do we want to jeopardize your pet's health if we feel the risk is too high.

Pre-surgical testing decreases the overall risk of anesthesia and helps prevent unexpected complications to anesthesia and surgery. This helps to decrease the risk of anesthesia by identifying problems before the procedure, instead of finding out about them afterwards. Typical tests are a complete blood count (CBC) to identify hidden infection, anemia, potential bleeding problem, or immune suppression. It also includes chemistry tests to avoid stumbling into situations where inadequate organ function impairs anesthetic elimination or increases the likelihood of complications. An EKG is a simple way to screen patients for heart disease and potentially life threatening heart rhythm abnormalities. The testing is designed to complement the doctor's assessment of patient status and risk of the anesthetic procedure. It is used to uncover undetected illness or to monitor known problems. It provides valuable information that may prevent us from unnecessarily endangering our patient. The likelihood that the findings will impact our decision to perform a procedure in healthy adults is small, but this does happen and there is no question those patients will be better off in the long run with that information. In some cases, a decision is made to postpone the procedure and try to resolve the problem first. In other words the pre-surgical testing decreases the overall risk of anesthesia and helps prevent unexpected complications to anesthesia and surgery. This type of testing is needed and is extremely important for any patient that will be anesthetized.

Intravenous catheters are always recommended to provide immediate access should emergency measures or other medications become suddenly necessary during the procedure. The administration of intravenous fluids during anesthesia is known to improve patient recovery and is a wonderful way to improve patient status.

If we made the recommendation for your pet to have something done with general anesthesia, you can be sure the benefits outweigh the risks and that we will do everything possible to bring about an uneventful recovery.

Some of the agents we use for anesthesia are Sevoflurane and Isoflurane (anesthetic gases) and Propofol (an intravenous induction agent to take the patient from awake to anesthesia).
Some of the other medications we use before and during surgery are sedatives, tranquilizers, and pain medications may be given alone or in combination. We use tranquilizers such as valium or acepromazine; pain medications such as buprenorphine, morphine, butorphanol; and non steroid anti inflammatory drugs such as Rimadyl or Metacam. Patients are maintained on anesthesia by driving the anesthetic agent with oxygen through an airway tube known as an endotracheal tube.
Species of animals we perform anesthesia and surgery on include Dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, hedgehogs, prairie Dogs, and chinchillas, lizards, snakes, and turtles.

Common procedures include spay, neuter, endoscopy, lump removal, tumor biopsy, intestinal biopsy, liver biopsy, pancreatic biopsy, intestinal obstruction, foreign body removal, mass removal, tumor removal, fracture repair, bone plating, knee surgery, ACL repair, tracheoscopy, esophagoscopy, rhinoscopy, nasal biopsy, lymph nod biopsy, radiography, contrast studies, dewclaw removal, abscess surgery, urethral obstruction, bladder stone removal, fustula removal, resection and anastamosis, intussusception, perineal adenoma, perineal urethrostomy, perineal hernia, abdominal hernia, diaphragmatiac hernia, inguinal hernia, dentistry, dental cleaning, dental prophy, tooth extraction, oral surgery, periodontal therapy, root planing, gingivoplasy, external fixation, vaginoscopy, urethroscopy, cystoscopy, cysotomy, gastropexy, gastrotomy, feeding tube placement, jejunostomy, mast cell tumor removal, bile duct surgery, gall bladder surgery, corneal and eyelid surgery, enucleation, bulla osteotomy, lateral ear resection, total ear canal ablation, pelvic surgery, correctional osteotomy, and surgical sexing of birds.

Dr Paul Skellenger is the Veterinarian for Veterinarian Care us and has over 20 years in Veterinarian medicine and experience with Anesthesia, Surgery and small animals. For additional information you can contact one of our Veterinarians in your area.