Miriam Fields-Babineau
Professional animal trainer since 1978.
Author of 42 published pet books covering topics from training and behavior to care and breeds; numerous articles for magazines and newspapers.
Provider of trained animals for media productions.
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Author of 42 published pet books covering topics from training and behavior to care and breeds; numerous articles for magazines and newspapers.
Provider of trained animals for media productions.
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- 124,912
- Content
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- Fans
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- Contributor since
- 5/12/2009
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Education/Experience
BS Degrees in Psychology and ZoologyAffiliations
International Assoc. of Canine Professionals, Assoc. of Pet Dog Trainers, Dog Writers of AmericaFavorites
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Displaying Results 1 - 121 (of 121) for All Content
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What is Your Dog Telling You?How to understand some basic canine communications such as "I need to go outside to potty", "I'm not feeling well", "I want to play" and "I'm trying really hard to please you."
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Redirecting the Reactive DogOvercoming reactive behavior is as easy as changing direction while showing your dog how to earn rewards in a more positive manner. -
5 Visual Cues that Improve a Dog’s Learning CurveExplanation of 5 visual cues that improve a dog's understanding of the behaviors being taught.
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Keeping Your Dog Tuned Up when You Are Tuned OutBeing bedridden does not mean you can't work with your dog. There are many ways they can be helpful, which also keeps them happy and helps you heal.
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Don't Buy Sealy MattressesHotels at Home sells Sealy Mattresses that last less than 6 months and then the company will not honor their 10 year warranty of replacement.
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6 Dog Grooming EssentialsThere are 6 pet grooming tools I would never be without: ear cleaner, toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton balls, nail clippers and a brush. -
Teaching Your Dog How to Use a Doggy DoorInstalling a doggy door aids with housetraining and gives you peace of mind when you are away from home for long hours each day.
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How to Tell if Your Cat is IllLists of physical and behavioral changes in cats who are ill. -
5 Items Essential to a Pet First Aid KitEvery pet owner should have a pet first aid kit readily available. Here are 5 items that are must haves in order to handle the most common emergencies. -
Start Training Early and You’ll Enjoy Your Pet for LifeStart training your pet from the moment he enters your life and you will enjoy each other for many years. -
Teaching Your Cat How to Walk on a LeashLeash walking gives your cat a chance to explore and enjoy the great outdoors without risking his life and health. Once learned the two of you can spend more quality time together, improving your bond. -
Healthy Treats for Good EatsGiving your pet healthy treats will insure his physical well-being; making him earn them insures the two of you enjoy each other for a lifetime. -
The Dos and Don’ts of Changing Your Dog’s FoodThere are many reasons to change your dog’s current diet. Learn how to do it correctly. -
Teaching Your Cat to Wear a HarnessA well exercised cat is relaxed, non-problematic and happy. Learning to wear a harness is the first step in offering your cat a means to exercise in a safely supervised manner. -
Teaching Cats to Not Scratch the FurnitureProviding plenty of alternative scratching surfaces will automatically help in redirecting your cat away from destroying your furniture with her claws.
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5 Ways to Ensure the Safety of Your Pet This Holiday SeasonWays to keep your pet safe during the holidays and to also enjoy their company.
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Training an Exotic Pet CatTraining any cat requires patience and persistence. Training an exotic pet cat also requires total respect for a wild creature. Earning the feline's trust is the first step.
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How to Acclimate Cats into New EnvironmentsPatience, not force, will help a new cat adjust faster, with a more positive outcome.
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How my cat changed my lifeA feral tomcat finds his person, is instantly at home, and displays the ability to learn and perform, while constantly cementing a strong bond.
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Social Pet-working at Barkworld ExpoBarkworld participants learn how to use social media to promote and brand their pets. Through social networking media, pet owners can recieve free pet products and some can earn income through partnering with brand-name companies.
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How to Make Your Dog a YouTube RockstarYour dog star must first be trained a base series of behaviors, then you need to be creative in presenting your dog performing in a sequence to catchy music.
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Social Networking Pet Enthusiasts Converge at Barkworld Expo in AtlantaFor social networkers, pet owners and content writers, Barkworld Expo offers many opportunities to learn more about new social media platforms and how to obtain free samples and earn money for blogging.
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Exercising Your Dog's Mental HealthTeaching your dog new behaviors throughout his life will keep him healthier in mind and body.
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Teach Your Dog to Roll OverStep by step procedure to teach your dog how to roll over.
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Training Puppies Who are Deaf and/or BlindSpecial needs dogs can easily be trained using the senses in which they are still capable.
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How to Teach Your Dog the Command "Place"The Place behavior can be used in many situations; from greeting guests at the door, to eating your meals in peace
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How to Use a Comfort Trainer Head HalterDirections on how to use a Comfort Trainer Head Halter for dogs from application to usage during training.
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Israel's Right to Defend ItselfThe attacks on Israeli citizens and soldiers on August 18, 2011 is a recent reminder of the constant dangers they face.
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Knowing when to Contact a Feline BehavioristCats display anxiety, boredom and fear through nuances in their behavior. Here is a list of behaviors that, if observed, should prompt a cat owner to contact a professional cat behaviorist in order to solve the problem.
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5 Easy, Economical Ways to Keep Your Pet HealthyNot everything for your pet needs to be bought at the pet shop. There are easy, economical ways to care for your pet using everyday household items.
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Economic Pet NutritionYou want to keep your pet healthy but have a tight budget. This article will list ways you can achieve appropriate nutrition while staying on budget.
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5 Fun Summertime Activities for Your DogHere are 5 suggestions to keep your dog occupied and enjoy your time for him during the dog days of summer.
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Teaching Children How to Greet AnimalsTeaching children how to properly greet animals is safer for the child and considerate of the animals they meet. Teaching your child how to do this will insure positive experiences for all involved.
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5 Ways to Keep Your Dog HealthyDog care can be easy provided you follow these 5 suggestions.
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Keeping Your Dog Healthy at a KennelEnsure that your dog remains healthy while kenneled. From vaccinations and diet to how to tell if the kennel is right for your dog.
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6 Ways to Help Your Child Become More Comfortable and Safe Around PetsChildren and pets are a great combination. Here are 6 ways to insure they live harmoniously together..
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Things You Should Never Train a CatWhile fun to ttrain cats, there are some behaviors you should avoid teaching in order to maintain your own sanity. This article lists some of the mistakes made by a professional trainer and, while extremely funny, they are also a curse.
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Multiple Cats? How to Make it WorkSeveral routines to follow in order to create a harmonious environment with multiple cats.
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Preparing Your Cat for a New BabyCats are very territorial and sensitive to their environments. They need to have appropriate preparation before the arrival of a new baby.
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Scottish Deerhound Wins Best in Show at WestminsterThe Scottish Deerhound is the breed of the moment, but it is not a breed for everyone. Find out why.
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Off to Westminster -- AgainRhonda Kuhn has been showing at Westminster Kennel Club Dog show for 30 years. This year she exhibits Saphira, a 4 year old bitch who earned her championship in less than 6 months.
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Westminster Dog Show Q&A: Susan Smith, Owner and Handler of JamieSusan Smith has raised, trained and conditioned her Irish Wolfhound, Jamie, to compete at the Westminster Kennekl Club Dog Show, held at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 14-15, 2011..Also published on:
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Training Dogs to Understand Our LanguageDogs can learn anything, we merely need to put in the time and effort. The latest record is over 1200 words taught to a Border Collie, Chaser, by Psychologist, Dr. John Pilley.
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Solving Litter Box ProblemsMost cats prefer to use their litter boxes. This article describes why they may have accidents and how to cure the problem.
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Reaons Not to Feed Dry Food to CatsThis article explains why the most popular way we feed our cats is not the healthiest way and continues with an explanation of how they should be fed.
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Toilet Training a CatNo need for cat litter and smelly cat boxes! Teach your cat to use a toilet using positive methods which direct the cat into making the right choice.
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5 Ways to Maintain Harmony in a Multi-Cat HouseholdPrevent feline spats and aggression in your Multi-cat household through proper management and training.
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Shedding Weight on Your FelineFeline obesity is a big contributor to premature death among cats. Here are 5 ways to give your cat a healthier, longer life.
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5 New Year Resolutions for Your Dog5 Easy ways to improve the life of your dog in the form of New Years' resolutions.
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5 Ways to Overcome Your Dogs' Fear of Vehicles5 Steps to help your dog overcome his fear of entering and riding in a vehicle.
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5 Ways to Keep Your Dog OccupiedHealthy, constructive, safe ways to keep your dog occupied when you cannot supervise him.
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5 Pet Training Professional's Training TipsThese 5 training tips will insure that you and your pet can communicate with each other clearly and maintain a positive relationship.
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5 Ways to Prepare Your Dog for Dog ShowsDogs must be well prepared to be in a dog show. Here are 5 ways to make certain your dog will be ready to enter the ring.
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5 Ways to Socialize Your Dog5 ways to insure that your dog is a pleasure to have around and easily accepts other animals and people.
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5 Ways to Ease the Stress of Veterinarian VisitsPrepare your dog for vet visits by taking him places in your vehicle and making the entire experience fun through the use of praise and treats.
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Adopting a Dog from Lynchburg Virginia Humane SocietyFive years ago, I adopted a Jack Russel Terrier from Lynchburg, Virginia Humane Society. They have a nice facility and the adoption process is thorough, but easy.
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Teaching Dogs to Behave at the DoorUsing positive training techniques to teach dogs in multiple dog households how to behave properly when someone knocks on the door or rings the doorbell.
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Preparing Your Pet to Work as an Animal ActorIt requires more than good looks and great personality for your pet to be an animal actor. It also requires specific training knowledge.
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Facing Your Horse's FearsA spooking horse causes the majority of equine related injuries. Teaching your horse how to spook safely will enhance the trust between horse and rider.
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Training a Dog Who Lacks TrustTraining a dog who lacks trust can be very challenging. Here are a couple ways that I've had success with this behavioral disability.
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Using Successive Approximation to Overcome Food Aggression in DogsFood aggression is a prevalent behavior problem in many pets. Teaching your pet to earn his food will develop trust and extinguish the problem.
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Animal HoardingWhat begins as good intentions can sometimes turn into a living nightmare for numerous animals, neighbors and family members. Animal hoarding is a psychological disorder that can be difficult to identify without actually viewing the situation.
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Knowing when to Say No to Getting Another PetAnimals are great companions, but too many can cause stress to your psyche and budget. Here's the signs to recognize when you must stop taking in the strays.
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Heeling with a Deaf and Blind DogUsing a gentle training tool, Comfort Trainer, along with lure/reward and positive reinforcement methods, a deaf and blind Great Dane learns how to heel on leash.
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How to Train a Dog Who Cannot Hear or SeeHow to use positive reinforcment and a list of touch cues that can be used when training a dog who cannot see or hear.
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Fast and Easy Puppy TrainingPuppies are wide open to learning as young as 5 weeks of age. Using positive reinforcement and luring you can teach your puppy to come, sit and walk with you in 10 minutes, or less.
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Training Dogs Who Have Physical DisabilitiesWhether a dog is born with or develops a disability, any dog can be trained using positive reinforcement and cues that utilize what the dog can understand.
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Building Your Dog's ConfidenceMany dogs lack confidence when faced with new situations, locations, new poeple and even other animals. Here's the means of helping your dog learn to have more confidence and to trust your judgement.
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Distraction Proofing the Dog-aggressive DogDog aggressive dogs can be taught to perform in the proximity of other dogs. It requires patience, persistence, good timing and the ability to redirect your dog into proper behavior through the use of positive reinforcement... and great rewards.
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Recognizing When Your Dog Has Food AllergiesThere are several tell-tale signs that your dog has food allergies. This article explains how to recognize these physical abnormalities.
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Knowing When to Say Goodbye to Your PetIt's never an easy decision, but knowing when to say goodbye will save you the heartache of seeing your pet in pain and discomfort as well as be humane to your pet.
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Teaching Your Cat How to Accept Bathing and GroomingMost cats hate being bathed and brushed. Through positive training and shaping procedures your cat will learn to love it.
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Training Dogs Who Have Non-Traditional Thought ProcessesWhile most dogs respond to normal training methods, there are some who do not. These are dogs who function on a different cognitive level and the training approach must reflect these differences.
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3 Ways to Teach Your Dog to Stop BeggingBegging is a learned behavior. Not only must you stop triggering the response, but you must also teach the dog that it is inappropriate.
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Stopping Your Dog from Rushing the DoorYou can teach your dog to stop rushing through an open door using three positive training methods.
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The No Jump Box Will Quickly Stop Your Dog from Jumping UpThe No Jump box is an easy to make tool which will stop your dog from jumping on you and others.
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Liberty Training: This Can Improve Your Relationship with Your HorseLiberty training teaches your horse to respond without the use of tack or domination. It builds a relationship with your horse with many fringe benefits.
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How to Deal with the Big Spring ShedHow to help your pet shed out his winter coat while also helping to condition his skin and have him enjoy the process.
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Distraction Proofing Your DogGetting your dog out in public is the best means of teaching him to behave in public. Learn where to go and how to teach your dog to behave while there.
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TV Dogs Trainers Don't Give You the Full PictureNobody can train a dog in a half hour. TV dog trainer programs should be viewed for their entertainment value and not as complete education on the subject.
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Regress to ProgressDogs learn at different rates. This article will show you how to both recognize when your dog has overshot his learning curve and how to go about keeping the training positive by going back to where your dog performed correctly.
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A Professional Trainer's View of the Sea World TragedyWorking with animals can be dangerous but is also rewarding. Any animal can cause injury; some even death. Through professional observation of animal behavior a trainer can glean much about how the animal will perform.
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Why I Would Still Purchase a ToyotaI am presently the owner of a 2007 Prius. Regardless of the Toyota recalls, I would still purchase a Toyota in the future.
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How to Prepare Your Dog to Compete in Rally Dog SportRally is the newest canine performance sport offering elements of many other dog sports put together. There are both obedience and agility exercises as well as Freestyle.
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Cat Training: 3 Ways to Teach a Cat to Come When CalledThere are 3 ways to teach your cat to come to you on cue. The first is classical conditioning, the second is through facilitation and the the third is through behavior shaping.
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How to Make and Use a Cat Training ToolWhile there are plenty of dog training tools on the market there are not cat training tools. This article will teach you how to make it with little expense and time and teach you how to use it, improving your cat's training responses.
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Cat Vs. Cat - How to Make Initial Introductions Go SmoothlyIt is often difficult to introduce a new cat into an established cat household, but not impossible. Understanding your cats and helping them through this difficult time will insure the event will go smoother.
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What is My Dog Telling Me?Dogs use body language, vocal tones and the sense of smell to communicate with each other. Observing their behavior will enlighten you and give you the ability to teach your dog how to speak human.
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Dog Ears: The Messages They ConveyDogs convey a lot of emotions through the movement of their ears. Watch closely to learn what your dog is telling you.
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How to Prepare Your Home for a New DogSupplies and arrangements: the supplies you will need and the mind set you must have prior to bringing home a new dog or puppy.
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Choosing a DogTo insure a great dog-owning experience you must consider the pros and cons of each breed of interest. Then you should match these facts with your own personality and lifestyle.
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Pet Boarding: How to Know If You Are Taking Your Pet to a Good Boarding FacilityFrom the building to the personnel, how to know that your pet will be safe and happy when boarded.
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Does Your Cat Have Star Potential?It is not just about beauty and breed, but also personality. Few cats are comfortable working in unfamiliar places among unfamiliar people. Here is a description of the perfect feline personality required for work as a studio animal.
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Horseback Riding in Virginia: 5 Great Trail RidesA list and description of 5 great places to horseback ride in the state of Virginia.
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Guide to Feeding Your PuppyBesides the differences in how a puppy is fed, you also need to consider what you feed.
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Canine Halloween: Safely Involving Your Dog in a Halloween CelebrationSuggestions to keep Fido safe and healthy during Halloween celebrations.
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5 Pet Food Ingredients to AvoidInsure the health of your pet by purchasing foods that don't contain common allergens.
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5 Great Places to Go with Your DogExercise and exploration are more fun with your canine.
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10 Dog Toys Under $10Dog toys don't have to be expensive to be safe and enjoyable for your dog.
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Where to Find a Large Variety of Pet ProductsFive places where you can find anything you need for any kind of pet you have.
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Feline Dental CareFeed high quality food, offer dental treats and brushing your feline's teeth regularly will insure she maintains a healthy mouth and will prolong her life span.
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Five Great Summer Treats for DogsFive easy to make, inexpensive summer treats that dogs will love.
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Dogzilla Dog ToysFinally, a dog toy based on scientific research! Dogzilla toys can be easily seen, smelled, tasted and stuffed.
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Where to Find Inexpensive Pet ProductsSix great online locations to purchase a huge variety of inexpensive pet supplies.
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Curing Canine Possessive AggressionPossessive aggression occurs for many reasons, but is easily cured through the use of positive reinforcement and successive approximation.
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Stop Your Dog from Jumping on YouThe key to teaching your dog to not jump on you is to make it more rewarding for him to sit.
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Training Two Dogs at the Same TimeWorking canine housemates at the same time has many benefits. They learn to listen to you while in the presence of other canines and to cooperate with each other.
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10 Safe, Healthy Toys for Cats for Under $5No need to purchase expensive cat toys when there are many available for under $5 each that are interactive and safe, offering hours of feline fun.
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Traveling with Your PetPets require specific supplies to insure their comfort while traveling. They also require close observation to prevent, or cure, illness and injury.
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Equilite Flower Essences Take Care of Behavioral Problems NaturallyThe use of flower essences dates back thousands of years. Equilite has created target specific flower essence mixtures to use in conjunction with training to overcome many behavior problems.
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Benefits of Adopting a HorseSave money and save a horse at the same time.
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Introducing Dogs and CatsIt has long been a myth that dogs and cats cannot live harmoniously together. It is usually possible to make it work using appropriate introduction and management techniques.
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Three Steps to a Well Trained DogThere are three main steps to follow when training a dog to perform nearly any new behavior: Lure him using something he likes, mark the moment that he does as you requested and reward him for his performance.
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Train Your Dog Using Canine Body LanguageDogs are very visually perceptive. Using your body language appropriately expedites the training process as it creates better communication between you and your dog.
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How to Walk Multiple Dogs at the Same TimeWalking two, or more, dogs at the same time not only makes it easier for you, but also teaches the dogs to cooperate with each other.
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How to Train Your Dog for Life: Obedience Training Overcomes Most Canine Behavioral ProblemsDogs need to have leadership; people need the learning experience associated with obedience training classes.
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Train Humane: Use a Head HalterHead Halters offer a means of quickly teaching a dog to walk with you without injuring himself or you.
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Puppy Bumpers Keep Your Small Dog SafeThis article describes a new product that is easy to use and improves the life of your small dog.
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Rat Training: These Chic, Easy-to-care-for Pets are Easy to TrainNo other pet fits so neatly into a busy lifestyle. Fine when left alone for hours, loves attention and interaction, rats offer the alternative to a high maintenance pet and are easy to train.
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Breaking Down the Communication Barriers Between Canines and HumansTraining dogs using positive reinforcement and a bridging signal will help humans and dogs communicate more effectively and form a stronger bond.
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Traveling Without Your PetA cage at the vet's office, a run at a kennel, pet sitter, or a pet resort; which is the right place for your dog? There are pros and cons to each option.
