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By Gerry Ronson
 The standard poodle has one of the most pleasing temperaments for show dogs. They tend to be elegant when they walk, full of dignity, and they are very well behaved. You will find they are extremely intelligent as well as trainable. The intelligence and eagerness to please will make training easy even in obedience classes. Unlike the miniature poodle you usually wont find the standard poodle doing tricks that are beneath their elegance. The standard poodle is also the calmest of the three types. They dont tend to be really energetic in play and they do not like being left alone. They are very dependent on their owners for affection and play time. They are great with children, but again it may help to socialize the poodle for the best results. The standard poodle tends to be wary of strangers, but on the whole friendly. They make good guard dogs, and dont bark as much as the miniature poodle.
Poodles are one of the most loved dogs around the country. It seems
that their temperament, as well as their ability to be great show dogs has endeared them to many dog owners. If you are interested in having a poodle for a pet you should consider first what type of poodle. There are three sizes of poodle from the miniature, standard, and teacup poodle. We will be discussing the characteristics of the standard poodle in this article to help you make your decision.
For care you should realize that the standard poodle coat does take a great deal of grooming. It is best to seek a professional groomer at least once a month to keep the coat looking beautiful and soft. You should also brush the standard poodle daily to keep the hair from tangling or matting. The standard poodle does need a daily walk and they love to play in water. They are not as demanding as some breeds when it comes to exercise, but it is best to give them plenty of time outdoors to exercise. They can live in apartments as they tend to be inactive indoors as long as they get exercise outside. You will find this breed can suffer from hip dysplasia, eyes and ear infections, and Von Willebrands Disease. For most standard poodles the life expectancy is going to be 12 to 15 years. When you are considering owning a dog it is important that you are willing to make the commitment for their life. Most dog breeds, and especially poodles will get attached to their owners. This can make it difficult if you can not handle the care of the pet and have to give it up. It is recommended for any adoption that you weigh all aspects of owning a dog before adopting.
The standard poodle will generally reach a height of 15 inches to about 20 inches. They will also weigh about 45 to 70 pounds. The standard poodle is considered a medium dog with a large body and smaller head. The head of the poodle is generally characterized by a narrow, but long muzzle, floppy ears, and a small angular skull. You will find the coat is generally curly, unless it has been sheared short. The coat should be soft, with natural oils, and rather luxurious looking. You will find that the coat is usually white, cream, black, blue, red, pink, gray, silver, and other single colors. A poodle will not have a mixed coat. They have a medium length tail to go with the rest of the body, and it is usually fluffy on the end.
Gerry Ronson runs the website dog. From his website you can learn about dog training. Companions, Workers, Helpers all on Four Legs!
By Maureen Brownell
 Dogs over the years have become a very integral part of our lives. They are our loyal companions. They do not talk back, they do not judge us, they are there when we need their companionship and their help.
Today we use dogs for a wide range of tasks. There are dogs to lead the blind, help people in wheelchairs, visit sick people in hospitals, sniff out drugs and so much more.
Of course for a dog to get to this point, extensive training is necessary. For some dogs they are specifically bred for some of these tasks. For example the Seeing Eye breeds their own German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden retrievers and Labrador/Golden crosses. These dogs spend time with a foster family until they are old enough to return for training.
It is the foster family's responsibility to love, care for and give gentle guidance to this possible future Seeing Eye dog. This dog will allow somehow who is visually impaired lead a normal independent life.
The foster family plays a very important part in the training process. They will be building the foundation for the intense training that these dog will go through.
They need to show this puppy as much of the outside world as possible. For example they need exposure to things such as traveling in a car, sounds, sudden noises, other animals, crowds etc. These dogs can not be spooked by these things when they are working as a Seeing Eye Dog.
If for some reason these dogs do not pass their training they are offered back to the foster family as a pet or are placed in a home or possibly another agency that will use the dog such as a police department.
Even though many of us that have dogs will never train our dog to this extent it is very important that we at least teach our dog the basics of obedience.
Our dogs need to learn how to walk on a leash, sit, lay down and come when called. Of course they also need to be housebroken. This training as I have said before starts the day we bring them home. You can't let that puppy run amuck for three months and then expect them to pick up on the training right away. You need to build the foundation blocks for future training.
One thing that people do seem to let a new puppy get away with is nipping. Some people seem to think since they still have their baby teeth it is no big deal. The nip just seems like a little love bite. What happens when your puppy outgrows those baby teeth and is still nipping? Well if you have a large breed dog I would say that someone could get seriously hurt. Even a small breed can do a lot of damage.
Would it not have been easier when the puppy first started this to correct it and refocus his biting over to an acceptable toy? Yes, I know, it is just so cute when they are biting your hand and growling when they are so small but it is not cute when they grow up and those jaws have enough force to not only break the skin but possibly break a bone.
Another thing that people tend to do when their puppy is small is to play rough with the puppy. The rough play does tire them out but unfortunately you are teaching them that this is acceptable behaviour. As they grow and become stronger they are going to be harder to handle. Wouldn't it be better to walk them or teach them to fetch a ball or a frisbee? This will also tire them out.
Even though you have introduced some bad habits right away these dogs are still very trainable. It may take a little longer, so remember to be patient when you are training. If you have the time and the patience you can teach you dog many things. Just training the basics is a good start but you can have so much fun teaching them other things as well. Not only will it tire them out but it will help you also.
Winter can be a miserable time of the year for those of us that get cold weather and snow. However I find it a great time to be out in the yard with the dogs. Their first snow has to be the funniest. Nothing to me is funnier than watching a dog catch a snowball and wondering where it went. The look on there face is priceless.
As an owner of dobermans for the last 25 years Maureen Brownell recognizes the need of properly training your dog. She offers useful hints and tips on training your dog. Go to http://www.traineddogsrule.com for more hints and tips on how you too can have a well mannered dog. Why Cats Make Such Good Pets
By Lory Sargu
 Cats are very good pets as they dont require as much attention as other options such as a dog. You dont have to walk the cat and you dont have to deal with it barking at everything that happens to walk by your home. Young cats are extremely playful and you can interact with them when you want to. However, most cats are content to play with toys or to be independent.
This doesnt mean that cats arent excellent companions though. They can be silly at times and they often enjoy curling up on your lap and purring. Your cat wont come running when you are home at the end of day and knock you over. They also dont lick or bite so you wont have to worry about how they will interact with others when you have company. Cats always seem to be able to tell when you need some comfort.
Taking care of a pet can help a child to become more responsible but some pets just come with too much time required. A cat makes a perfect choice for children because they tend to take care of themselves. As long as they are given sufficient food and water they will remain happy. Indoor cats will have to be trained to use a litter box but most of them learn very quickly so you wont have to deal with cleaning up such messes around your home. However, you need to clean the litter box regularly because cats do not like to use a dirty litter box.
Cats are clean animals as they spend a large amount of time grooming themselves each day. In the majority of cases, cats lead a very happy and long life without too many problems. They dont cost very much because cat food and litter are very cheap. They dont require as many vet visits for routine shots either like dogs do which can become quite expensive.
For those that have problems with mice, cats make a great natural system for taking care of them. This means you wont have to deal with messy traps or dangerous poisons around your home. Many cat owners claim they havent come across a mouse in their home for years with this line of defense.
Cats are very precious and beautiful animals as well. They have a gentle hum to them that can be relaxing for humans. They have coats in all colors as well as eyes that are very shiny and bright. Each cat has their own personality and you just cant help but adore them. There are many breeds of cats if you want a particular kind but some of the most beautiful cats are those that are mixed breeds.
Cats are very smart animals too so they will quickly catch up to what you like from them and what you dont based on the praise you give them. Contrary to popular belief, cats are obedient and they want their owners to be happy with them. They will learn fast that you dont like them scratching on the furniture or putting their tail in your face while you are sleeping.
Pat Andarton is a professional writer specializing in dog questions and cat questions To learn more about Vet Questions visit DrLarryPetVet.com Share Your Opinion. (0 posts)
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