Normally, a blue tongued dog would be a cause for concern. However, when that blue tongue belongs to your Chow Chow, it is completely normal. Chow Chows have a black tongue with a distinctive bluish tint.

The Chow Chow originated in China, where it was used as a hunting dog. Asian sailors brought these dogs with them to England, where their exotic appearance quickly made them popular. This breed is classified by the American Kennel Club as a member of the Non-Sporting group.

The Chow Chow is a 45 to 70 pound dog that stands 17 to 20 inches high. Its down turned lips can give this breed a deceptively angry appearance. This unfriendly impression is offset by the tail curling over the dog's back and its thick double coat. The red Chow Chow is most common, but these furry dogs also can have black, blue, cinnamon, or cream colored coats.
 
Chow Chows are not high energy dogs, but they do need a bit more exercise than an apartment provides. A small fenced yard is adequate for this breed. If you do live in an apartment, be prepared to take your Chow Chow for a daily run. However, do not allow him to run loose in the park, as Chows are prone to aggressiveness toward other dogs.

While Chow Chows are devoted to their families and usually love children, they do not often do well with other pets. New owners should concentrate on socializing their puppies to be sure they do not grow up to be dangerous or aggressive to strangers. Puppy obedience classes are a good way to socialize your puppy while being sure it receives thorough obedience training.

Besides their tendency to be aloof and unfriendly to people outside the family, these dogs do have a few other drawbacks. They have a tendency to dominate people if they can get away with it and they can bully inexperienced dog owners. You will have to be firm with your dog and should always be sure to follow through on commands.
 
Since they are not extremely active dogs, Chows do not eat a lot. You should feed your dog a nutritious puppy food while he is young and a good adult dog food when he grows older. While they are easy to feed, they do require quite a lot of grooming. Their thick coats are hard to brush because they are so dense. 

While they are big dogs, Chow Chows should not spend too much time outside during the summer, since their thick coats do not protect Chows from heat sensitivity. These dogs also can suffer from hip dysplasia and often have problems with their knee joints.     

If you don't mind that Chow Chows have a bit of an attitude problem when they are dealing with strangers or other animals, then this might just be the right breed for you. After all, there is nothing quite like hugging one of these fuzzy, bear like dogs on a chilly winter night. 

Although many dog owners successfully train their pets without outside assistance, some benefit greatly by using a professional dog trainer.  A quality dog trainer can help instruct the dog while also providing the owner with invaluable guidance and assistance.  Very problematic dogs—those who seem inordinately aggressive or unruly, for instance—often pose training problems that outstrip the ability of even a relatively well-informed dog owner and a finding a great dog trainer becomes essential.

Dog trainers do not require specific licensing.  Any person with a desire to do so can simply proclaim himself or herself a dog trainer, hang up a shingle, and begin soliciting customers.  The bar for entry into the dog training profession is set so low that it is no surprise that there are many inadequate trainers trying to do business.

When choosing a dog trainer, how is a dog owner to decide who they should trust with their pet’s care and education?  Choosing a dog trainer can be a very difficult proposition but separating the untalented and amateurish from the truly gifted is essential to your dog’s well being.  Making a mistake in hiring a dog trainer will not only fail to help your dog, it could worsen his behavior and make it harder to correct later.

There is no magic formula for choosing the right trainer.  There are any number of factors you may want to consider to find someone with whom you can successfully work and upon whom you can truly rely.  However, there are at least two considerations that should guide most any selection of a dog trainer:  Experience and reputation.

Experience

One should try to search out a trainer with significant experience.  Experienced trainers are more likely to be able to successfully deal with the unique circumstances of your pet based on their track record with other animals.

Additionally, experience inherently communicates at least a reasonable likelihood of talent.  One is not likely to have stayed in business as a dog trainer for any significant period of time if they lacked talent and failed to produce desired results.  Experience, in essence, is also a proof of at least some ability.

What about new trainers?  After all, even the most veteran and experienced trainer began as a rookie.  Does this mean one should pass over every trainer who lacks a long track record? 

You may be able to find a truly great trainer among the ranks of the less experienced.  There is, however, the increased risk that the trainer will be unable to satisfactorily train your dog.  If you are considering a novice trainer, grill them about their past experiences prior to entering the profession.  Find out what kind of dogs they have dealt with, if they have a more experienced mentor, and how they feel they have qualified themselves to work with your dog.  Picking a rookie trainer could work out perfectly, but it does increase the chances of dealing with someone who is woefully unprepared to handle the job responsibilities of training.

Reputation

Experience is an indicator of talent, but it is not a foolproof way of assessing a trainer’s talents.  It is possible for a crafty marketer to stay in business a long time, after all, regardless of the quality of their work.  As such, it is appropriate to inquire about the reputation of the dog trainers you are considering.  Solicit opinions and references from a variety of sources in order to find the right trainer for you.

Great sources for information regarding wonderful trainers and those you should avoid might include veterinarians, breeders, pet storeowners and close acquaintances who have used a dog trainer.  By asking around, you can find out which trainers are most highly regarded.

Ask the trainer himself or herself, too.  See if they will provide some references you may contact, preferably past clients.  Any trainer who is unwilling to do this should be eyed with some degree of suspicion.  Most qualified and talented traders will be happy to give you references to contact.  Be sure to follow through.  Talk to the references and find out all you can about the trainer and the quality of training the former customers and their dogs experienced.

There are a variety of factors that one may want to consider when seeking out a trainer for their dog.  The importance of a trainer to a dog’s life is significant and great care should be taken during the selection process.  Two things that must be kept in mind when seeking a trainer are the trainer’s experience and reputation.

If you want a friendly cat and don't mind that the breed you've chosen is a bit of an upstart in the cat world, since it only has existed since the nineteen sixties, you may want to consider the American Bobtail. 

The American Bobtail is one of only three breeds in the Cat Fancier's Association's Provisional Class, which is where cat breeds are placed until they show that they are able to stay true to their standards. This breed is a lightweight compared to many other breeds, weighing in at seven to fifteen pounds.

The American Bobtail received its name because of its extremely short tail. While no one is completely sure how this breed was developed, cat fanciers suspect that the American Bobcat, Manx, and Japanese Bobtail breeds are all ancestors of the American Bobtail. However, while the Manx can be completely tailless and still are able to compete in the show ring, the American Bobtail must have a tail. The tail should be short enough to stop before it reaches the cat's hocks.

While many cats have a sleek, slender appearance, the American Bobtail standard calls for a stocky, muscular cat with big paws and a slightly wild appearance. This cat's head is wedge shaped, but broader than normal. The Bobtail breed can be a shorthair or a longhair, but even shorthair cats do not have smooth coats. The shorthair coat still is long enough to give the cat a bit of a shaggy look. While the Bobtail can come in any color, fawn and white, blue tabby, red tabby, and brown tabby are the most common colors. Shorthair cats are much more common than longhair cats, since the shorthair gene is actually dominant.

Since American Bobtails are very friendly and a bit nosy, they are prone to get into quite a bit of mischief if they are unsupervised and become bored. If you are away from home for long periods of time, you should be sure that there are plenty of toys available so that your cat can amuse himself and still keep out of trouble. Since this breed is fairly sociable, you may also want to add a second cat to the household to avoid having your cat feel too lonely.

The American Bobtail's outgoing temperament makes this breed an ideal choice for families. If you socialize your kitten from a young age, he should actually look forward to having friends and family visit.

When the Bobtail was first developed, this breed had quite a few common health problems. However, in the late twentieth century, concerned devotees of the breed worked to rid it of most of these problems. Today, the American Bobtail is a strong, sturdy cat.

Since even the shorthair has a coat of some length, you will need to groom your cat at least once a week. Although the longhair coat does not tangle easily, you may need to groom your longhair Bobtail a bit more frequently. If you accustom your kitten to the grooming process when he is young, he will actually grow to enjoy the attention.

If you want to own a cat who is sweet and sociable, but still has an undomesticated streak, then the American Bobtail may just be the perfect breed for you.

An Overview of the Debarking Debate

One of the most controversial subjects in the field of dog training is the question of debarking surgery.  Debarking surgery is a procedure designed to minimize the volume of a dog’s bark.  It is generally used by those with dogs who have both a loud bark and a tendency to bark incessantly.  The procedure is most commonly used on very loud larger dog breeds.  Shetlands and collies, for instance, make up a large percentage of those dogs subjected to the surgery.The procedure generally requires the use of a general anesthesia and involves punching, cutting or otherwise manipulating the tissue around a dog’s vocal chords to soften or significantly reduce his ability to bark.  Access the areas targeted during the surgery can come either through the dog’s mouth or via an incision on the dog’s neck.

Debarking does not, usually, complete eliminate dog’s bark.  The volume of the bark is decreased substantially by the surgery, but most dogs will still have some bit of “bark” left subsequent to surgery.  It is sometimes referred to a bark softening for this reason. 

Not surprisingly, debarking is a very contentious issue, with experts having lined up on each side of the argument.  Some advocate debarking as a helpful last-resort for incessant barkers while others maintain the process is cruel and unnecessary.

The Debarking Advocates

Those who support the continued use of debarking procedures argue that it is generally pursued only in egregious circumstances.  Only dogs who have been resistant to alternative methods of reducing their excessive barking tend to be subject to the procedure.  The surgery is reserved, the say, for problematic pets when no workable alternative exists and when the nature of the dog’s bark makes them a legitimate nuisance—not merely an inconvenience.

They argue that the debarking surgery, if conducted by a properly trained veterinarian creates a more pleasant life for the dog.  No longer subject to constant criticism and correction for his barking, the dog’s quality of life is enhanced. 

Some have even maintained that the debarking process saves dogs’ lives.  They state that dogs with constant barking issues are often abandoned by owners or given to shelters and eventually euthanised as result of a barking problem that can be surgically corrected.  Proponents of debarking see the surgery as a form of behavior modification can be a great benefit to frustrated humans as well as the dogs themselves.

The Debarking Detractors

Those who oppose debarking operations often do so on the grounds of inhumanity.  They object to the surgery on principle, noting the dog has no ability to consent to the action and that since it is not a health-related matter, the elimination of a dog’s bark via surgery is simply moral wrong.  There is no justification to expose the dog to the risk of surgery for the mere sake of convenience, they will argue.

Additionally, they note that the surgery does nothing to eliminate the underlying reasons for the dog’s constant barking.  The dog is likely to continue to “bark” albeit silently or at a lower volume because root causes of the unappreciated behavior are not addressed.  This cuts against the potential benefits of the surgery as the real nature of the dog’s life is not changed—they still suffer from the same issues as before.  Post-surgery, however, they suffer in relative silence, which decreases the owner’s impetus to explore what problems led to the errant behavior in the first place.

Those who reject the procedure also note the medical risk inherent in any major surgery and any procedure requiring use of a general anesthetic.  This line of thought purports that the risks associated with the procedure outweigh the minor benefits that may it may possibly produce.

The question of whether or not a dog should be considered a prospect for a debarking procedure remains a highly personal one.  There are many who would argue that, under the right circumstances, a dog and owner can both benefit from the procedure.  There are just as many who reject the procedure out of hand as a wasteful act of inhumanity.

Debarking surgery remains a controversial and divisive issue within the dog community and it is not likely that a consensus will soon emerge either for or against the procedure.  There are reasons to support the practice often seemingly solvent act debarking, yet many reasons to be distrustful of the procedure, its true efficacy and moral justifications. 

If you've always thought cats were too snooty and unaffectionate, you haven't met an Abyssinian. These cats are very personable and affectionate animals that love to interact with their families.

The Cat Fancier's Association classifies the Abyssinian as a part of the Championship Class, along with thirty six other cat breeds. This breed is often smaller than many other cat breeds, weighing in at only nine to sixteen pounds.

The Abyssinian has a graceful tail that is as long as the rest of its body. Although Abyssinians can have coats in almost any shade, from red to lilac, they all are tabbies with a ticked appearance. This means that each individual hair has bands of dark and light color. This cat breed has a wedge shaped face with eyes that are green, amber, or hazel colored.
This breed is much older than many other cat breeds. Images in ancient Egypt show cats with a very similar appearance, right down to the ticked appearance of their coats. The first Abyssinians to arrive in England came from Ethiopia in the eighteen hundreds.

Abyssinians have a reputation for being very curious. These cats want to know everything about what's going on around them. They seem to actually try to help their owners complete household chores and like to hang out with them in the garden. It is no surprise that such a curious breed is also extremely active. This breed spends a lot of time playing and needs a lot of toys. If you don't provide playthings, your cat will use your belongings to create his own toys. Abyssinians will scale any barrier in their quest to explore their surroundings, from curtains to fences. If you allow your cat to spend time outdoors, keep a close eye on him, as he will most likely be a bit of an escape artist.

This breed's personality means that it needs a lot of attention and affection from its owner. An Abyssinian is the wrong choice for anyone who spends a lot of time away from home. If you aren't home a lot, you may want to consider adding another Abyssinian to the household, as this breed does enjoy playing and interacting with other cats.

Abyssinians are so intelligent that they can easily learn a few simple commands. Don't be surprised if your cat learns to come when he is called and picks up some tricks like fetching a toy.

Although most Abyssinians aren't chow hounds like some other cat breeds, you may still want to be sure your cat doesn't overeat. If he starts to become too fat, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about feeding him a weight management cat food, instead. Although urinary tract infections are not as common in this breed as they are in some other breeds, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about feeding a diet that helps prevent infections if you have an altered male cat.

One common health problem this breed does often have is an inherited eye disease called retinal atrophy. This is very unusual in cat breeds, although it is fairly common in many dog breeds.

With its short sleek coat, the Abyssinian needs very little grooming. However, these cats often enjoy receiving the extra attention, as long as you are gentle.

If you want a cat breed that is as affectionate and devoted as any dog, then the Abyssinian is the perfect choice for you.

Dogs, in their natural state, are pack animals.  We tend to think of them simply as autonomous pups and don’t often consider their immutable core nature as pack animals, however.  This failure to take into account the true nature of dogs can make training more difficult.  Likewise, understanding what it means to be a pack animal can unlock one of training’s greatest secrets.

Dogs, in packs, have leaders.  The leadership role in dog packs is one of great influence.  Other dogs in the pack naturally subordinate themselves to leadership and will look to their leader for guidance and instruction. 

Of course, domesticated dogs don’t travel in packs.  Instead, they build a pack based on those with whom they regularly interact.  In essence, the owner and the owner’s family members or close friends become the dog’s pack. 

This creates a wonderful opportunity for dog trainers.  By casting yourself as the leader of your dog’s pack, the dog will naturally tend to follow your lead, will naturally feel inclined to respect you and will demonstrate an instinctive need to learn from you.  Since a dog’s real social structure will always be seen through the innate canine perspective of packs and leaders, it only makes sense for trainers to take advantage of this by assigning roles for both pet and master that will make dog training especially effective.

There are several things a trainer can do to emulate being a pack leader.  These techniques will allow your dog to find what he will rightfully feel is his place in your family’s social order and will make him substantially more amenable to your training.  Some may say it is as easy as “making sure the dog knows who is the boss,” but that is an oversimplification.  Being bossy is not the same as being a leader.  Simply trying to enforce your will on a dog does not necessarily communicate to him that you are truly the pack leader.  The talented trainer will understand this and will take specific actions to emulate a pack leader.

Some expert-recommended techniques include:

Consistency

Good leaders are consistent enforcers of rules and regulations.  Leaders who too often “look the other way” are not taken seriously.  A dog will notice whether your rules and expectations are consistently maintained and may even test your mettle upon occasion, pushing the boundaries of established behavioral norms to determine who is really in charge.  By being a wholly consistent leader, you are likely to establish yourself as being the head of your pack and your dog will then be much more apt to follow your lead.

Respect

Leaders are respected not just as an arbitrary outgrowth of their assigned position but because of how they behave in that role.  A firm, but fair leader is far more likely to be admired and followed.  One must be firm with their dog when training, but cannot hold unreasonable expectations or enforce their rules with violence or punishment.  A good pack leader can still use the positive-reinforcement techniques that have been proven the core of successful training.  Being a respectful leader will create a respectful follower in your dog.  Their submission to you should be premised in respect and appreciation—not in fear or humiliation.

Interaction

The successful pack leader will interact with his dog in ways that reinforce the notion of the social hierarchy.  Dogs, for instance, look for cues from leadership in the eyes.  By maintaining eye contact with your pet during training, he will better understand your role as leader.  Likewise, it is desirable to occasionally demand your dog’s attention while walking, playing or during more intense training sessions.  By commanding your dog to heel and to look at you, for instance, you will further reinforce your position as pack leader.

Unlocking the power of being a pack leader can make training much more effective.  With roles clearly established, one can avoid much of the struggle others may experience while training their pets.  Additionally, by assigning yourself the role of pack leader you create an environment in which your dog will naturally look to you for its guidance.  Pack leadership is an essential component to any fully optimized training program.

If you've never owned a cat before, you may not realize that cats can suffer from quite a few different health problems. Some of these problems are easily preventable, while others are hereditary.

One of the most common cat health problems is the hairball. Cats groom themselves constantly with their tongues. The loose hair comes off on their tongues and is swallowed. Sometimes the hair gradually forms into a ball instead of passing through the cat's body. If your cat starts coughing and hacking, he may have a hairball. Usually, the cat will expel the ball on his own. To prevent hairballs, groom your cat frequently to remove loose hair. In addition, feed your cat food that helps control hairballs. Recently, cat treats that help control hairballs have become available, as well.

Another common health problem in cats is the urinary tract infection. This infection is particularly common in un-neutered male cats, although female cats can also develop this problem. If your cat has suddenly stopped using his litter box, a urinary tract infection could be the culprit. If your cat's urine smells strong, you should suspect a urinary tract infection. These infections need to be treated by your veterinarian. Be sure to ask about cat foods that help alleviate the chance of an infection re-occurring.  

There are also several dangerous viruses that cats can catch. Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Feline Leukemia Virus.

FIP is a disease that is related to Corona virus. This problem is serious, because there is no known treatment for the disease. Cats who test positive for this disease may not actually have it, as Corona gives the same result on the titer. There is a vaccine for FIP, but many veterinarians and scientists say that it actually is not very effective. Luckily, this disease is not as easy to catch as some other diseases.

FIV, or cat AIDs, is not always fatal. Some people are afraid that they will catch HIV from a cat with FIV, but that cannot happen.

FLV is preventable if the cat has not been exposed to the virus before being immunized. Although the disease is not always immediately fatal, cats with FLV rarely have a long life expectancy. You should never bring other cats into your household when you have a cat with FLV.

Worms are also a problem for many cats. Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms are the most common types that infect cats. However, they can occasionally develop heart worms, as well. If your cat seems unable to gain wait, is infested with fleas, or has white specks that look like grains of rice in his stools, you should take him to the veterinarian to be tested for worms. A cat with worms is easily cured with a few doses of medication, but worms can prove fatal if left untreated.

Finally, if your cat spends time outdoors, you should keep a close eye on him for ticks. If you find a tick on your cat's body and he has been acting lethargic or moving slowly and acting as if he was in pain, you should ask your veterinarian to test him for Lyme Disease. This disease is transmitted to people and animals by ticks.

You’re the proud owner of a new boxer puppies.  Unfortunately, you are also the not so proud owner of a soggy living room carpet.  It doesn’t take long to realize this can’t keep happening.  So what do you do?  It might just be time to housebreak your new pet. 

If you follow these simple rules, your carpets and your new pet should be able to coexist peacefully and relatively free from stress.

Cats are prehaps the easiest of all household pets to look after and the simple reason is because they are very independent, undemanding and very self sufficient, but which cat should you go for? Pedigree Cat or a Mongrel Cat?

A american bull dog is much more than a pair of sad eyes and droopy jaws, but this dog's appearance is a major reason for its popularity. The other reason these dogs are so popular is that they have a sweet and gentle nature.