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When we brought our newborn son home from the hospital, we encouraged our dogs to interact with the baby. What we didn’t expect was the constant licking by our golden retriever. After four weeks of this behavior, we decided that instead of putting chili pepper on the baby, we’d follow these steps to get the dog to stop licking the baby!

Step 1: Respect. Ideally, training the dog for the baby’s arrival should begin long before the baby comes home. You can begin teaching your dog to have reverence and respect for your baby by teaching him boundaries, which will carry over to the baby when he comes home. Train the dog that he can’t enter the baby’s room without permission, that he’s not allowed to play with the baby’s toys or lay on his blankets, etc.

Step 2: Basic commands. If your dog doesn’t yet know how to sit, you will need to start there. Once he has command of this command, put it into practice. Each time your dog approaches the baby, ask the dog to sit.

Step 3: More basics. Once the dog understands the sit command, make sure he understands the stay command. When he sits near the baby it will be important for him to remain at a respectable distance. In order to achieve this, he will need to be able to understand the “stay” command.

Step 4: Don’t build resentment. Naturally, your dog is curious about the new addition to the family. You don’t want to build resentment into the dog-baby relationship by forbidding the dog to get close. Allow him to sit and stay at a comfortable distance. Encourage his interest in the baby while maintaining the boundaries you’ve set.

Step 5: Reward your dog. When your pup sits protectively by the baby and is able to keep his tongue in his mouth, reward him with praise, affection and treats. Remember that he still wants your approval and he has probably been lacking in attention since the baby’s arrival. Be conscious of those facts and remember to recognize his efforts!

Step 6: No means no. Don’t be afraid to be stern with your dog when he fails to respect the boundaries that you’ve set up.  With a firm tone, say “No” and move the dog to a place near the baby that you are comfortable with. Do not allow your dog to leave the scene until he has shown he remembers the boundaries.

This article was provided by the authors over at pet super store. Visit their website for more great information and pet supplies including: patio pet doors and dog houses.

If you have an indoor pooch, then you probably let him spend some time outdoors.  When you are home, it is easy to let him out, since you can keep a close eye on him.  But, when you are away, leaving him outdoors may not be an option.  Installing a pet door can allow your pet to move freely indoors and outdoors.  Along with other safety measures, the pet door can give you and your pet a little more freedom.

            A pet door can be beneficial in a variety of settings, but having it lead to a fenced in area of your yard is the most beneficial.  That way, your dog can move freely indoors and outdoors and you do not have to worry about the dangers of a free-roaming pet.  Even though your pet may love the comfort of your home, it is nice for him to get to spend time outside.  Your time is also freed up, since you would not have to physically walk your dog outside every time he needed to do his business.

            Finding a pet door is not as hard as it may seem.  When the thought of a pet door comes to mind, many people envision the labor of taking down a door, sawing a rectangle into it, and then going through the hassle of installing the door.  The truth is many pet doors are being developed with your home in mind.  For instance, if you have a sliding glass door, there is a panel that rests in the open space of the door.  The panel, made like a window, fills a gap between the sliding door and the wall.  At the bottom of the panel is a pet flap.  These panels are great, because they are easy to install, and they do not compromise the exterior look of your home. 

            Many people also worry about the energy lost by the use of a pet door; since the pet can move in and out, cooled or heated air from inside the home escapes outside, while cold or hot air from outside moves in.  Luckily, you can also find energy-efficient pet doors!  The Extreme Weather Pet Door claims to be 4.5 times more energy efficient than other doors.  This door consists of three-panels.  The panels create an air-tight seal, keeping outdoor conditions, well, outdoors.  Not only will you not have to worry about outdoor temperatures, you can also relax knowing that bugs and insects are also kept outside.  If you live in an area where temperatures can get exceptionally hot or cold, then you can attach the included weather cover over the door, providing even more temperature protection, when it is not in use.

            If you are looking for something a little simpler, then check out the Freedom Aluminum Pet Door.  This door is easy to install.  The aluminum frame is sturdy and long lasting.  This door also has a weatherproof flap that provides a seal from outdoor conditions.  The great thing about this simple pet door is that it can be locked, so you can control when your pet can leave or enter your home.

            Perhaps you have considered installing a screen door in front of your already-existing door.  Before you rush out to a home improvement store, consider options for your pet.  You can find screen doors that already have the pet door installed.  One such screen, the Storm Doors 4 Pets Patio Door, can be customized to fit your home.  It comes in a variety of colors, and you can even choose to have the windows tinted.  If you are not too fond of handy work, then let the manufacturer install the door for you.

            Finding a proper pet door is not a difficult task.  Consider your needs, and then start searching for an appropriate door.  Your pet will enjoy the freedom of being able to go outside, and you will not have to worry about taking him out to do his business.  If you decide to install a door, then keep the safety of your pet in mind.  Have the door lead to a fenced-in area, or choose a door that can be locked for those times when you do not want your pet to go out.

This article is sponsored by pet super store. An excelled online pet store featureing pet strollers and dog crates.

You already know that your dog loves to be petted and brushed. But did you know that he relies on your touch to help him feel calm, release nervous energy and even bring relief from minor aches and pains? Just as humans love to be massaged, dogs relish in the undivided attention and physical benefits from massage as well.  You don’t need an appointment with a professional massage therapist; follow these steps to massage your dog yourself.

Step 1: Choose a quiet and peaceful environment free from distractions. Have your dog lie on a rug or on a soft surface on top of a table.

Step 2: Start by talking softly to your dog and saying encouraging, praising phrases. This should relax your dog so you can begin the massage.

Step 3: With open palms and a light touch, start at your dog’s neck and run your hands along the length of his body in the direction of his hair growth.  Repeat this until his breathing becomes regular. You might even hear the telltale sign of relaxation; a big sigh.

Step 4: Apply pressure with your fingertips to the either side of your dog’s spine and work from his neck to his buttocks. Move your fingers in a slow circular motion and continue this exercise, each time getting further and further from his spine until you’ve massaged his entire back. Do not massage any lumps you may feel but make a mental note of their location so that you can share the information with your veterinarian.

Step 5: Move to the front legs. Start at the top of each leg and massage downward, paying attention to sore joints along the way. His toes and feet might be ticklish; if he twitches, move quickly away from the area. Repeat with hind legs.

Step 6: Your dog should be comfortable enough now to allow you to massage his stomach and chest. Move your open palms in a circular motion, starting wide and working towards his heart. 

Step 7: Return to your dog’s neck and lightly massage around his ears and the back of his head.

Step 8: Place one hand under your dog’s jaw and with the other hand, massage your dog’s nose and the area between his eyes. Massage his ears from this position as well. Switch hands and continue his face massage as this will help to relieve any last tension he may have been feeling.

If at any time during the massage your dog appears uncomfortable, stop the massage immediately. This writting was submitted by the authors from pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring great deals on dog gates and electric dog fences.

Scrapbooking has become a popular hobby in recent years. It is a fun and creative way to store special memories of loved ones and significant events. There’s no reason why you can’t create a scrapbook honoring your pet!

Step 1: Visit a scrapbook store and choose a scrapbook from the wide variety of selections. Purchase stickers, alphabet letters, stamps, themed pages, etc. You will be surprised at the number of pet paraphernalia the scrapbook aisles contain.

Step 2: Start organizing your pictures of your pet. You’ve been meaning to do that for a while now anyway and this is a great reason to get you started. Organize them chronologically and then set them aside.

Step 3: Create a timeline of your pet’s life. Write down significant events and the dates that they occurred. The pictures you organized might help jog your memory for this task.

Step 4: Collect special mementos from your pet’s life. Do you have an extra identification tag that can be placed in the scrapbook? Or maybe you can cut off a corner of your pet’s favorite blanket to adhere to a page in the memory book?

Step 5: Have your pet’s prints memorialized. You can easily do this at home with an inkpad and some patience. Simply press your pet’s paw into the inkpad and then onto the decorative paper that you’ve chosen as the background for this special page.

Step 6: Start typing up anecdotes from your pet’s life. Think about particularly cute or funny things that your pet did to get your attention. Ask family members for their special memories of your pet and add these to the collection. When typing up these stories, use creative fonts and colors and print them out separately, to be placed amongst the pictures you’ve gathered.

Step 7: Now you’re ready to begin assembling the pages of your scrapbook. Use the timeline you created as a guideline, but do not glue anything in just yet. You’ll want to be sure you have your scrapbook laid out and organized to your liking before you place anything on the pages permanently.

Now that you’ve completed the scrapbook, you can add to it regularly. Place pictures and stories in the book as they occur. This keepsake will be a special memento of your pet and the times you’ve shared together.

This article was written and provided by the authors at pet-super-store.com. Visit their website to find great pet products including: dog houses, dog carriers and dog car seat covers.

What a helpless feeling:  watching your beloved bird pick out its beautiful feathers.  It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why a bird plucks; but, it is safe to say that the habit affects a number of species.  With a little thought and help from your avian veterinarian, there are a few ways you can rule out possible causes.  Getting to the root of the problem is the best method of treatment.

Normally, birds pluck feathers in two ways.  They either pull the feather out entirely, or they break the feather off at the shaft.  Sometimes just the way your bird plucks can tell about the cause.  For instance, if your bird is experiencing itchy skin, then she may break the feathers off in an effort to get closer to the skin. 

Since it is often difficult to figure out why your bird is plucking, it is best to start with the help of an avian veterinarian.  Take your bird in for a visit to make sure there are no physiological problems.  The vet can examine your bird, taking past records and current health into account.  If a health problem is identified, then your vet can recommend and prescribe methods of treatment.  Your vet can also examine your bird’s diet.  Sometimes, a poor diet can lead to plucking.  Even if an underlying health problem is not identified, your veterinarian can still provide insight to the plucking.  Remember, this is a fairly common problem with birds, so your vet has probably dealt with it numerous times.

If there are no health concerns, then you need to focus on ruling out other possibilities.  Birds are smart creatures that require constant mental stimulation.  Are you providing your pet enough attention?  Your bird does not fully benefit from perching on your shoulder; instead, you should be spending one-on-one time with your bird.  The lack of stimulation and interaction with you may be leading your bird to the destructive behavior.  Start spending more time with your bird to see if the plucking lessens.

Has anything changed in your bird’s environment?  Even the smallest alteration can affect your bird.  If you have relocated your bird’s cage to a new area, then consider moving the cage back to its original location.  If your bird was accustomed to being in the center of all the commotion, then taking her away and isolating her may have played a big role; the same is true in reverse.  What about in the rest of your home; has anything changed?  A family member leaving the home or moving into the home, remodeling on a home, or bringing a new pet into a home have all been known as feather plucking causes.

On the same note as your bird’s environment, you need to consider if she is comfortable.  Many of the birds we call pets come from wet habitats.  If your bird is not getting enough moisture, then her skin could be drying out.  As mentioned before, birds have been known to pluck or chew to relieve dry skin.  Consider taking your bird into your bathroom while you are showering.  The warmth and steam from the shower will feel good on her feathers.

Many of birds have been known to pick out of attention.  Similar to interaction, a bird simply needs your one-on-one attention.  Once your bird discovers that feather plucking gets her the attention she craves, she will continue to pluck.  This is often obvious if she only plucks while you are around.  To deter this behavior, completely ignore her when she is pulling.  It may be hard, but even acknowledging her actions can add to the plucking.  Walk out of the room, and don’t show any emotions.  You should start rewarding your bird for her good behaviors (such as repeating a phrase) to show her how to get attention.

Nobody likes to see their beloved pets pulling out feathers.  There are many reasons a bird may pluck, and it’s up to your to find the underlying cause.  Before you begin your investigation, you should start by taking your pet to your avian veterinarian to rule out any health causes.  If no causes are identified, then start paying close attention to your bird and her environment.  Perhaps a little more interaction or a move of her cage could stop the problem.

Article provided by Jessica Taylor and Pet-Super-Store an online pet site featuring dog training collars from PetSafe and Dogtra.