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Date: 9-23-10

How to choose a cage and the appropriate bar spacing for your new bird?

With the purchase of a new bird, you will realize that there are many different choices you need to make on how to care for it, what to feed it, and as important - the proper bird cage. Here are some ideas on your next cage selection.

When choosing the cage, several items must be taken into consideration:

The cage has to be large enough for the bird(s) to be able to completely open/stretch their wings, without toys, ladders, perches, swings etc... getting in the way.

Although there are many sizes and styles of bird cages to choose from the most important thing about a cage is the bar spacing. The proper spacing must be selected to accommodate the size of the bird the cage is going to house. An easy, rule of thumb rule is that the bird's head must NOT fit through the bars (between the bars) at any time.

With the proper cage selection will provide a healthy environment for the bird, and many years of enjoyment and entertainment for their owners.

Date: 9-14-10

How to choose the correct lighting for my terrarium and position a heating light for my reptile?

When selecting the correct lighting for your terrarium selecting the proper size (wattage) heating light for your specific reptile is important. There are a number of different strength heating bulbs available for a variety of reptile applications. In addition to heat lamp applications, consideration must also be given to UVA/UVB fluorescent lighting based on the specific needs of your reptile.

The location of the heat lighting should be able to provide the terrarium with a heat zone (highest heat source), a medium heat zone and a cool down area. This is typically achieved best when the heat source is placed at one side of the terrarium.

Heating lamps and UVA/UVB lighting get the best results when set-up on a timer that simulates actual “sun timing.”

Date: 9-7-10

Aquarium and Stand Set-up

So you have just purchased your aquarium/stand set-up, now its time to set it up. This guide should help you get started.

Choose an area of the room which you want to set the tank up and keep it away from direct sunlight. Also, remember to leave space behind the aquarium if you are using a power filter (over-the-back) or for the tubes and water lines if using a canister filter. Now the most important step, make sure that the stand is level then make sure that the aquarium is level. A leveled aquarium is very important because if the tank and/ or stand is out of level even a little the extra weight of the water on the glass could compromise the strength of the glass panels effected.

Once the tank and stand are level its time for the decorations and ornaments. Place gravel and ornaments/plants into the aquarium to your liking, get all air walls and/or bubblers in place with the necessary tubing that they require. Also this is the time to place your filters and heater in their proper locations.

Once everything is located to your liking it is time to start filling the aquarium with cold tap water. Do NOT use hot or warm water. Once the tank is filled to approximately 1 inch from the top start your filter and air pump. However, allow 30 minutes for your heater to acclimate itself before plugging it into your power source.

After the heater has acclimated to your water temperature, it is time to plug it in, heat the water to 80 degrees for tropical fish. While the heater is warming the water place all your water conditioners into the aquarium. After the proper temperature is achieved start adding fish gradually over a period of time. It is important not to add a lot of fish too quickly.

As always don't overfeed your fish and enjoy the newly set-up aquatic display.

Date: 8-27-10

Housebreaking a Puppy:

There is no fool proof method for house training a puppy, but crate training is a great way to begin the process. The crate training process teaches the puppy to hold it until the opportunity to relieve himself somewhere more acceptable presents itself.

The crate training method is based on the theory that puppies prefer not to mess up their living space if they don't have to. To be sure that this idea is accomplished, the crate should only be large enough for the puppy to turn around and lay down in. This helps prevent the puppy from relieving itself in a corner or opposite end of the cage. For the puppies comfort while inside the crate or cage a dog bed or mat can be placed inside. Puppies should not be left in the crate for extended periods of time, usually no more than a couple hours when they are young. If your puppy does relieve himself in the crate because he could no longer hold it the training process could reach setbacks. You don't want them to become used to doing this and developing undesirable habits.

During the training process if you should need to leave the house for a prolonged period of time and are unable to bring your puppy along. The puppy should be placed in a uncarpeted room with a door or that can be easily blocked with a baby gate. As soon as you arrive home take the dog outside on a leash, play with the puppy for a while if he relieves himself, make sure you give him lots of praise. This will help him associate going to the bathroom outside with a positive experience. Always remember that after feeding, the puppy will need to go outside soon after. This training process should be repeated until he is successfully trained.

An important thing to keep in mind during the house training process is to be consistent and give an enormous amount of praise. The training process may take a while but it is very important to understand that if the puppy happens to have an accident during the training it is fine, and you should just increase the amount of trips outside. Remember if he has an accident after his training has been completed successfully, don't punish him. Positive reinforcement is all that's needed for training him. Just go back to the training process for a short duration and you should be back on track in no time.