WeirdBlog.com

Nicholas Tan asked:




A lot of people think that cats work on their own agenda, not paying much attention to their owner – provided they have clean litter, food, and water. Cats can behave in odd manners at times, which can easily confuse their owners and make it really hard to determine what the cat wants. As much as cat behavior can be confusing, there are some ways that you can solve common cat behavior mysteries.

A common behavior that almost all cats do is push their heads into any type of object that will allow them to do it. You’ve probably seen your cat do this before, probably against table legs, TV stands, or another object. This can be noticed more when you have other people who own animals or those with allergies over at your house. When a cat notices this, he will rub his head against the person. In doing so, he will put a touch of saliva on the individual. In a cat’s mind, he owns what he puts his saliva on.

By putting his saliva on something, that object or person will have a familiar scent. Although this can be very annoying, you have to understand that other people in your home are seen as odd or weird to your cat. When a cat does this, he is simply trying to make the visitor belong. When he brushes up against them and puts his saliva on them, he is trying to put his scent on them – which in his mind will mean that they belong in his territory.

Even though marking someone or something with saliva is beneficial to the cat, saliva is one of the most common forms of pet allergies. When someone wipes the saliva off of them, the scent will be gone and the cat will go back and attempt to do it again. Even though it may appear that cats target those with allergies, cats are actually just trying to make the visitor belong at the house. If the guest simply cannot take the saliva, allow the cat to rub himself on their pants leg a few times. Normally, this is all takes for a cat to leave the person alone.

Those of you who an indoor cat should expect the cat to spend quite a bit of time lying near windows. During this time, you may hear your cat make very strange noises or weird movements. You shouldn’t fear though, as he is simply acting out his hunting instincts. Whether it’s another cat or object outside moving about, the cat will see it and simply go into his native hunting instinct.

As most already know, cats love to play. They love to played with, especially with toys. They will pounce on things on occasion, which should always be expected. If you try to prevent this type of behavior, your cat will take a very negative approach and you’ll end up with a lot of broken things in your home. You can always play with your cat using a string, as he will love to chase the string around the room.

The longer you own your cat, the more odd behavior you’ll see him exhibit. Cats behave in strange ways, although they always have a reason for behaving the way they do. If you can understand why your cat behaves like he does, you’ll have no problems keeping him healthy and happy. If you simply pay attention to your cat and the way he behaves at times – you’ll be able to understand him better than ever before.

Samantha Markham asked:




Most dog lovers have favorite breeds. While some like to cuddle with a tiny toy breed, others prefer a gentle giant.

So, what criteria is giant breed status measured by? Well, giant breeds typically weigh over 100lbs, with some reaching 200lbs or more. In fact, recently, the world’s largest dog was found in England. Zorba, a Mastiff, can be found in The Guinness Book of World Records and weighs just over 343lbs.



Temperament of Giant Dogs



Paradoxically, some people are frightened of big dogs rather than small ones, believing that their large size makes them more viscous. In fact, it is quite the reverse. Large dogs are almost always more gentle, friendly, patient and easy-going, while it is the small breeds that can be aggressive, snappy and highly-strung.

Of course, the most obvious reason for this difference in temperament is that small dogs have to be aggressive to be intimidating, whereas large dogs do not. Obviously, there are exceptions to the rule, but a large dog is usually much more docile than its small counterpart is.



Do Giant Dogs Need a Lot of Space?



It is another commonly held misconception that large dogs need acres of garden or yard. Typically, larger dogs are much lazier than medium-sized dogs, for example, a St Bernard will not be as active as a Labrador.

Therefore, giant dogs can live quite happily in an average sized home. However, if space is a commodity in your house, then you should think carefully before getting a giant dog, because, his, or her, bed alone will take up more than its fair share of room.



Types of Giant Dog



Mastiff

As mentioned, above the largest recorded dog is a Mastiff, so these really are giant dogs. The Mastiff is a very powerfully built animal, with an extremely large head and a square-shaped body. Typically, Mastiffs are tan colored with black markings on the face. The Mastiff is a popular family pet, because it is known for its loyalty and its protectiveness. However, it is also a very friendly dog that is gentle with children and other animals.

St Bernard

The St Bernard is one of the most popular giant breeds, thanks, not least, to the movie Beethoven. The St Bernard was originally bred and trained as a rescue dog in Switzerland, a job that it is still used for today, so it is a particularly intelligent animal that is eager to please and a lover of humans. Due to this breeding, the St Bernard is also very strong and is sometimes used to pull carts. Usually, a St Bernard is black, white and brown in color, but there are some variations.

Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees, perhaps unsurprisingly, was bred as a guard dog to keep other animals safe from danger on mountain ranges. Like the St Bernard, they are very intelligent, obedient and, therefore, easy to train. The Great Pyrenees is a very calm animal and it is extremely affectionate and protective of its family. Additionally, it is a very attractive breed with long white fur.

Newfoundland

No prizes for guessing where the Newfoundland originated. The Newfoundland is a very strong swimmer and a lover of water. Therefore, if you have a pool, a Newfoundland will be very eager to get in. Newfoundlands, known affectionately at Newfies, have a particular reputation for being wonderful with children and will often take on the role of protector to any child in the family. The Newfoundland can be a variety of colors, including brown, gray and white, but the most common coloring is black.

A giant dog can make a wonderful family pet, but it is important to ensure that you can offer any new animal the care that it needs. Therefore, it is always advisable to do some research before committing yourself to a pet.

Patricia Ellison asked:




The holidays can be a busy, chaotic time; but also a very special time when we give gifts to the special ones in our lives and receive gifts as well. Now, some of those gifts are just what we wanted, others may not be as special but are warmly received none the less.

As a pet owner it can be a pretty scary time, with all the forbidden chocolate candies laying around, or the small toys received in a child’s stocking that an be chewed on and possibly chocked on. And then there’s the lights that flash and blink so beautifully.

Ok you’ve got your list made out and are ready to begin the shopping adventure. But, did you remember your best friend? I’m not talking about your 2 legged one, but the other one, You know, that 4 legged little one who is always there for you with love that is absolutely unconditional.

When the rest of the family is busy opening gifts; Where will they be?

Maybe safely confined in their new kennel, if they got one? Or lying on their new bed, maybe off playing with a new toy or busy chomping on a new treat, if they received any of these.

Dogs, cats or other pets don’t know there’s a certain time to open gifts so theirs can be and should be given early and with thought.

That new kennel will keep them safe from all the human excitement and a new toy or special treat will keep them occupied

A new sweater or doggy coat will be great for them as they don their new collar and leash and quietly wait for their special walk with you. How about a new scratching post or play toy for kitty as well as a bright new collar for when they’re out and about.

Maybe you have to be more on the practical side and look into training aids, whether it is to help with housebreaking or some behavior training aids. These are those dual purpose gifts, kinda like a new toaster is to the family, used and enjoyed by all.

I’ve talked mostly about pets already in the family, now let’s talk about a new pet that will be given or received as a gift. I am a Chihuahua breeder and this is the first time I will have puppies available for Christmas.

What an awesome gift, a new little Chihuahua puppy or any puppy for that matter. Take some time and consider, puppies need a quiet time to adjust to a new family and new surroundings.

Don’t just thrust them into a group of excited humans (adults or children), you will end up with a terrorized frightened puppy and it may take days, weeks or even months to get them back on track.

Chihuahuas get a bad rap for not being good around children when in reality it’s normally children who are not good around Chihuahuas. Now don’t get me wrong children don’t intentially do things to frighten a puppy, that’s where parents intervine with explanations and supervision.

Much of this bad rap has to do with how the puppy was socialized from the beginning and when they were brought into new surroundings. Giving them a safe and secure introduction to the family is the key. If you’re giving or getting a new puppy at Christmas prepare ahead for their needs.

A new pet is not a Christmas gift, but rather a lifetime friend and family member.

I can pretty much guarantee you your pet will not judge you for what you got them nor will they ask; “Where’s mine?” They will be right there by your side regardless of the any one sided gift exchange.

Samantha Markham asked:




The Egyptian Mau is one of the most majestic breeds of cat. It is also one of the rarest and most exotic breeds. With any rare breed, prospective owners can expect to pay huge amounts of money. However, to ensure a healthy, happy pet it is imperative to acquire your animal from a reputable source. Therefore, cat lovers should avoid breeders that are offering a rare breed at much cheaper than the average price.

That said, if you’re interested in the Egyptian Mau, here is some information about the breed that you may find both interesting and useful.



History of the Egyptian Mau



As its name suggests, the Egyptian Mau originated in Egypt. However, what is surprising is that the breed dates back to Ancient Egypt, several thousands of years ago. Therefore, some claim that it is the oldest cat breed in existence and some people believe that it may even be the cat from which all domesticated cats are descended. However, it cannot be categorically known whether the Egyptian Mau is indeed the ancestor of all household cats.

During the Mau’s formative years, in its native Egypt, it would have begun life as a feral animal. It would also have been worshipped, as the Egyptians held cats in extraordinarily high regard.

More recently, in the 1980s, the Mau was used as a breeding cat in the creation of a new breed, which came to be known as the American Keuda. Now, it is thought that there are approximately 3000 Egyptian Maus worldwide, making them one of the rarest of all cat breeds.



Temperament of the Breed



Most animals have specific character traits according to breed and the Mau is no different. Typically, the Egyptian Mau is known for its love of warm temperatures. Therefore, it is likely to occupy a spot by the fire more readily than other cats.

One of the most intriguing facets of the Egyptian Mau is its voice. Many people describe the noises that the Mau makes as chirping, singing or chortling. This alone makes the Mau unique amongst its feline companions. Additionally the Egyptian Mau is known as an excellent runner and one member of the breed has been recorded reaching 36mph. Unsurprisingly, that means that the Mau is easily the fastest domesticated cat.



Appearance



Two physical traits allow the Mau to reach such amazing speeds. The first is its legs, which are longer at the hind than the front. The second is a flap of skin that hangs around the abdomen and stretches to allow the cat to take gigantic strides that would otherwise be impossible.

With its incredible speed the Egyptian Mau can be compared to the cheetah, another member of the feline family, and, like the cheetah, the Mau also has attractive spots. Interestingly, the Mau is the only domesticated cat to have spots without the interference of human selective breeding. In addition, the spots of a Mau are not confined to the fur; it has been found that Maus that have been shaved have visible spots on the skin, too.

Another striking feature of the Egyptian Mau is that all adult cats have beautiful green eyes, a feature that is very popular with owners. A Mau can be found in five colors: silver, smoke, bronze, blue and black. However, the final two varieties are not classed as ‘show standard’.

The Egyptian Mau is a fascinating creature and of particular interest to cat lovers. However, if you are considering purchasing a rare breed, it is imperative to do some research first. Remember that owning a cat is a big commitment, so ensure that you’re prepared for anything that rare breed ownership may throw at you.

Rachael Fischer asked:




If you have never had a dog before, the idea of dressing him up in a cool Halloween costume might sound a little strange. It’s not like your puppy will be going door to door asking for candy. For some people, it may seem a little weird to need to dress the family dog, to others it’s just another way big companies have tried to monetize another holiday. Some people think it is charming to dress up their dog in a Halloween costume.

As anyone can tell you, dogs are a great way to meet new people. Especially if he is dressed up in a crazy costume. Even though it’s true some people are afraid of dogs, most people will come over and say hi to a cute puppy and offer to pet them.

Taking a long your dog with you when you go trick or treating is a great way to get a little bit of extra candy. Imagine how cute it would be and how impressed your neighbors would be if you actually took the time and effort to dress up your dog in a suitable dog costume. As a bonus, taking the family pet along for the trick or treat outing has a built in safety factor because even if the dog is small, any dog is good protection from people who may want to take advantage of children.

If it is a bigger dog like a Golden Retriever, you may consider dressing up the dog as a super hero with a long cape. If it is a small dog like a Chihuahua you can dress him up as a caterpillar or lady bug. These are just some ideas that people have done in the past but with the selection of costumes out there today, you can pretty much turn your dog into anything you desire.

On Halloween night, if a child is going to be the one walking the dog, make sure that they are able to control it. You do not want your dressed up doggie dashing across the street and possibly running into traffic. If the costume is a dark colored costume it may be difficult for motorists to identify the dog because they typically don’t see dogs dressed up in costume. Consider putting on a few stick-on fluorescent reflecting strips to help identify your dog.

Selecting a dog costume for your dog can be fun and exciting, but remember to keep your dog’s safety in mind at all times.

Samantha Markham asked:




The great cat controversy: whether to keep you cat indoors or allow it the freedom of the wider world, is one with convincing arguments on both sides. This article does not aim to prove which method of ownership is correct, because I don’t believe there is an easy answer. However, if you do allow your cat to roam the city or countryside, below you will find some tips for responsible cat ownership.



Facts and Figures



The natural instinct of cats is to prey upon smaller animals, which, after all, was man’s reason for domesticating them. Therefore, it is easy to see why many owners, particularly in European countries, believe that it is cruel to keep a cat indoors. However, it is worth bearing in mind that on average a single domesticated cat, one that we can assume is being fed well at home, will kill up to 40 animals each year. Predominantly, theses fatalities are small mammals, such as mice, and birds.

Of course, the only way to eliminate this problem is to keep your cat indoors all of the time. However, this can cause separate issues, such as boredom, weight gain and health complications associated with obesity. Subsequently, keeping a cat indoors is not an entirely satisfactory solution. So, below you will find tips on how to reduce your outdoor cat’s hit count.



Don’t Allow Your Cat Out at Night



Typically, the hunting instinct reaches its peak during the hours of darkness. Therefore, it is wise to keep you cat indoors overnight. If you are worried about restraining the cat’s natural inclination, it is wise to bear in mind that the more infrequently a cat is allowed to hunt, the less inclined it will be to do so.

Moreover, keeping your cat in at night will increase its safety, as cats are more likely to be run over during the hours of darkness. Additionally, feral cats predominantly hunt at night, so keeping your cat indoors will help prevent the likelihood that he, or she, is involved in a fight or a romantic rendezvous.



Raise the Alarm



Many owners feel that it is a good idea to attach a bell to their pet’s collar to announce his, or her, presence. This tends to be more effective with the cat’s mammalian prey and is far less effective with birds. Additionally, cats are very intelligent and will quickly learn to move without sounding the bell.

Therefore, you may find a sonic collar more useful and it is always advisable to purchase a safety collar that will not choke the cat should it become caught on a branch.



Turn Your Garden into a Haven for Birds



You may be thinking, “How will having more birds for my cat to kill help?”. Actually, the more birds that are in your garden the safer they will be. Predominantly, this is due to a bird’s natural instinct to sound an alarm call when danger is present. Subsequently, the more birds you have the more likely they are to sense the threat from your cat.

There are many ways to attract birds to your garden; feeders are a good place to start. In addition, you may wish to purchase a bird table and birdbath.



Ensure that Your Cat is Sterilized



It is advisable to have cat’s neutered at a very young age. This has obvious benefits for you and your cat, but it also has advantages to local wildlife. Firstly, a reduction in hormones will reduce your cat’s desire to hunt, but, more importantly, fewer unwanted pregnancies will result in fewer abandoned cats that are forced to fend for themselves in the wild.

Obviously, a cat will do what it is genetically programmed to do. It is impossible to eradicate the natural instinct of a cat to prey on smaller animals, but in the interests of wildlife conservation, it is wise to do all we can to reduce the number of casualties caused by our feline friends.

Moses Wright asked:


known comics ‘Peanuts’ made beagles a popular choice among many families. With its cheerful and loyal disposition, it isn’t difficult to understand just why. While the beagle has its roots in hunting, commonly used in seasonal fox hunts, it has gradually gained popularity as family companions.

Beagles Appearance – The Beagle has a keen sense of scent and an innate talent to chase and hunt. Beagles come mainly in 2 main sizes, between13 to 15 inches and a smaller size, under 13 inches. They are a member of the AKC’s Hound Group. Although there are differences in size, they all sport the similar floppy ears, long tail and a short coat. They are typically a combination of tan, black and white colors, although some are orange, black or tan with white colorations.

Beagles Characteristics – The Beagle is comfortable in an apartment or smaller space, but they can annoy neighbors if they frequently warn you about weird noises. As they are bright, they can serve as good guard dogs. Beagles have their roots in hunting and thus they have loads of energy and should be exercised to keep them happy. A long walk or playtime outside is perfect for them. It is not advised to let your beagle off the leash as they will follow interesting scents and trails and ignore all previous trainings and the owner.

Beagles get along famously with young children and other breeds, although they are more reserved towards felines. They are very playful and very affectionate, but they can sulk if the don’t get what they want. They are keen and responsive dogs, alert to emotions and might even feel bad if anyone makes fun of them. Kids should learn not to tease the Beagles keen awareness and emotions.

Beagle puppies should have professional obedience training when young in order to encourage them to follow commands. Beagles have a passion for food and are not choosy, and this is wonderful news when training as they can be rewarded easily. Beagles will even scavenge for scraps in the bins because of their passion to eat.

Beagles Health Problems and Grooming – Beagles don’t require a lot of grooming, but they should be brushed once a week for dirt and loose hairs. If they get enough exercise, toenails will be worn eroded, however, you should still check on them at least every four weeks.

Beagles are overall a very healthy breed, although heart disease and epilepsy can be an issue. Also, they can experience weight-related diseases due to their love of food. Beagles make wonderful companions for the family as they are cheerful and relatively obedient dogs.

Ling Tong asked:


When you bring home a new puppy, the first decision you have to make is what you will name this newest member of the family. Just as parents look at lists of names for babies, dog owners look through lists of names to find unusual dog names that suit the breed and personality of the puppy. Some dog owners like to name their small breeds of dogs after the names of perfumes, while large dogs tend to have names reflecting their size and skill and are named after Greek and Roman gods or famous warriors in history.

If you want something completely unusual in a name one thing you can do is choose a name you like in English and then look for the translation of that name in other languages. You do need to still adhere to the norm in choosing a name that is short and easy to say. This will make it easier for both you and the dog to get used to the name that you will be using many times during the day.

If you are a lover of nature and spend a lot of time outdoors with your dog, there are many nature names you can choose that are unusual. Some suggestions for you to think about are:

- Breeze

- Cloud

- Crystal

- Fire

- River

- Eddy

- Stream

- Storm

- Spring

- Sunset

- Autumn

- Tornado

- Thunder

You have an endless list of choices in choosing a name in this manner. Just think of your favourite outdoor activity and come up with an unusual name based on this.

It is best to stay away from normal girl and boy names that people choose for their children when you are looking for an unusual name for your puppy. If you have a Siberian husky, for example, why not look at names of places in Siberia that you can use as a name? There are many native names of towns in any countries of the North that would also be suitable and unusual names.

When you decide you want something out of the ordinary as a name for your pet, you can have a tremendous amount of fun sifting through the lists of names and trying to say each one. But who says you have to choose a name from a list? Why not make up a name? This would be truly unusual and would certainly cause others who hear the name to ask what it means and why you chose it. In this way, you could simply choose a word you like rather than have to think about the breed and the characteristics of the dog. Chap for example is a unique name that shows you feel that your dog is your best friend.  Since most dog owners refer to their dog affectionately as Fellow, you can use this name or change it to something similar such as Fella. One dog owner who couldn’t decide on a name decided to leave it up to the dog. When a person would ask what the dogs name was he would answer sk Her and this became the name that stuck.

Ty Brown asked:




The matchstick trick is a weird dog training technique. Every time I suggest it to a client I typically hear, “You want me to do what?” It works, though. Let me preface the trick first, however, with the reasons why you would want to do this trick.

The matchstick trick is a method for getting your dog to go to the bathroom right now. There are several reasons why you would want to use this trick.

1. You are house training a puppy. When you are house training a puppy or any age dog for that matter one of your main goals is to get your dog on a bathroom schedule. In order to get that dog on a schedule your dog needs to go to the bathroom when you want him to go to the bathroom. For some dogs this is a challenge. You take them out and they just sniff around for a while and don’t feel like going to the bathroom. You, being the person in the situation, know that it is going to be a while before Fido is going to have a chance to go to the bathroom again, so it would be in his best interest to go now. (It is tough explaining best interest to a dog) Use the matchstick trick and you will help Fido go now, and thus help him get on your schedule.

2. From time to time I have clients tell me that their dog is so conditioned to going to the bathroom only in the back yard. When they take their dogs on walks the dogs won’t go to the bathroom because they associate only the backyard with bathroom time. Use the matchstick trick and you can help change the association. You can show your dog that it is okay to relieve himself in spots other than the back yard.

3. Constipated dogs. If your dog has a health problem you should take him immediately to the vet. It may not hurt, however, to try the matchstick trick to see if you can help relieve your old pal of his burdens.

Ok, so what is this trick, you ask? First, get yourself a book of matches. They need to be the soft kind that you rip out of a book. Second, rip off a match. Third, this is where it gets weird; insert the NON-sulfur side, or the torn side, into your dog’s rear end. DO NOT LIGHT THE MATCH! I think that goes without saying, but believe me, I have fielded that question before. Insert the match about halfway into the backside of your dog and let the rest hang out. Any further and it could go all the way inside and that would be bad news. Now wait. The match is going to be an irritating feeling for your dog. Your dog is going to want to get rid of that feeling. To get rid of it your dog will squat to try and push it out. In the process of pushing out the match your dog will make a bowel movement and voila! Mission accomplished.

Please note, the use of a match in no way means that there will be fire in this dog behavior training technique. The only reason for using a match is because it is the right size and has a soft texture.

Obviously you must be careful with this dog behavior training technique. If you do it incorrectly it could cause damage to your dog. Do it correctly, however, and it gives you greater control when training your dog.

Ty Brown and Dogbehavioronline.com expressly disclaim any and all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which may be or is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of this method.