How Picky Can Your Cat Really Be?Written by Julia Imaeva
Most of pet owners know that their much loved four-legged members of family come with a lot of personality and unique, sometimes almost human-like behavior. For instance, my cat would act as a peacemaker when she smells human fight. If I become angry and start raising my voice during conversation with someone, she would just jump on my legs and slightly scratch me in an attempt to cool me off. I am sure that people can tell us plenty of such examples of interesting pet behavior. But do they realize that their pets can be very picky when it comes to choosing a new friend?
They do it using such criteria as smell, size, gender, age and even appearance. In fact, they can even discriminate other animals according to color of fur among other things, as I soon discovered about my new cat.
When I first brought home my jet black panther-looking cat Regina, I was so excited to have her in my house until I realized that she might feel lonely and need someone to play with her. So, I started to look around for a good match for her. I opened up flier and found advertisement for “Very cute cat to good home” and responded to it. Naively assuming that all cats that are cute and mellow will get along just fine, I brought him home. Almost immediately upon bringing him home Regina jumped into air with him screaming and hissing. I was surprised to find ugly side of my otherwise calm and sweet cat’s nature and immediately knew this would not work out. Later there were more cats: a white one, gray one, even multicolored cats, different ages and genders – although U.N. or Jesse Jackson would have been proud; it was always same story. Either they would fight or Regina would simply reject cat outright. I began to think that my unassuming cat was “racist” or maybe just a loner.
| | How to Crate Train Your PuppyWritten by Cass Hope
One of most difficult hurdles that any new puppy owner faces is housebreaking or as it is sometimes also referred to; potty training or doing business. Although there is no tactic that comes with a 100% guarantee, one of most successful methods is crate training. Crate training can drastically reduce amount of stress on owner and puppy that often comes with training new four-legged member of your family. So what is a crate? It is a cage that is usually made of plastic or wire. Wire ones are collapsible and puppy has a great view of his surroundings. The plastic crates are lightweight and easy to clean and tend to be most commonly used. Either can be purchased at a department or pet store. When purchasing a crate you must make sure there is enough room for puppy to stretch right out and to stand erect. Make sure crate is not too big though or all your potty training efforts in vain because puppy will be able to do her business in one end and sleep in other. Crates can also be used for a variety of other things than just potty training. It provides “den” security that can be traced back to their ancestors. It provides a place that is safe and cozy for puppy. Putting puppy in crate when there is company or a lot of activity going on it saves her from all reprimands from getting in way. It is great for travelling. When you have to leave puppy home putting her in her crate will save you from coming home to a disaster. It is also great for your puppy to sleep in through night without owner having to worry about her roaming around and possibly injuring herself. Puppies however, should NEVER be left alone in their crate for extended periods of time. What makes crate method of potty training so effective is because a puppy will not soil where it sleeps. However if you leave puppy in crate for too long it will have to do business and you will set your potty training efforts back to beginning. The most important things you need to remember about crate training are consistency and routine and lots and lots of rewards. A crate is used differently to potty train then if you have to go out and you are leaving her home alone. When you are leaving your puppy home you have to put crate in a small area, for example a bathroom and leave crate door open with newspapers down for puppy to do her business. Once puppy
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