Category Pet behavior training

Moluccan cockatoos are undoubtedly God's gift to the maternal. No bird establishes the kind of bond with his owner that the Moluccan does, and therein lies both this bird's attractiveness - and his problems. To encounter a Moluccan is to be enchanted, and many an individual has entered an avian nursery for a casual visit only to leave with a young feathered dependent that they couldn't possibly walk away from.

Growing numbers of fish lovers are taking their aquarium hobby very seriously, sometimes spending thousands of dollars to build tanks in their homes. But few people are as serious about it as one man in South Florida who spent more than $300,000 - not including the fish. "He asked us to dig up his entire front yard to create a shark habitat," recalls Jim Post, an owner of Biscayne Aquaculture in Miami.

Everyone knows the joke: Why are fish smart? Because they're always in schools. Around the reefs thousands of schooling silversides dart back and forth, all in unison, seemingly to some internal melody that only the fish can hear. They turn, rise, and dive, and not a single fish misses a beat. It's one of nature's most beautiful ballets.

As I pour a cup of spiced tea from an ancient-looking samovar, I gaze up at the giant towering over me. Near a shimmering tree of Faberge-style glass eggs, in the flicker of candlelight, stands the great Ursus, the symbol of Russia, precariously balancing four sparkling globes above my head. In his belly, oddly enough, swim six pink parrotfish.

In grade school biology, you may have heard of the term "symbiosis," referring to a give-and-take relationship between two organisms. But, in fact, symbiosis refers to any number of different kinds of partnerships - some are mutually beneficial and some are not. Partnerships in which the host is harmed are termed "parasitic" and include diseases as well as mere symbiont exploitation until the host dies.

Wondering what to do with that old computer collecting dust in some corner of your home? It's completely useless, but you still can't bring yourself to throw it away when you think about how much it cost. Well, before you lug that old monitor out to the garbage heap, consider this: with about $80, a little time, the right tools and materials, and some good advice, you can transform your monitor into an aquarium.

There are a variety of medical causes of aggression in cats. Here is a list of the more common ones. Hyperthyroidism Whenever an aging cat shows a sudden change of attitude associated with aggression, hyperthyroidism must be high on the list of differential diagnoses. Affected cats show unexplained weight loss, hyperexcitability, increased appetite, increased thirst, and may have palpably enlarged thyroid glands.

Has your dog ever done anything strange during a full moon? The results were as follows: Votes % No 41.3% Yes 30.43% I'm not sure 28.26% We also got some interesting comments including: Mona wrote, “My bichon always is on “high” alert during a full moon. She will bark at the moon,the trees,buildings or anything that is highly visible in the lighted night.

As the Year of the Dog (2006) draws to a close, many people are wishing that it wouldn't end. The Chinese consider the Year of the Dog to be an excellent year to get married. Getting married in the Year of the Dog guarantees that a couple will be together for life. It is also a good year to have children.

Pet Crazy people everywhere are discovering that the best way to get a date is to let your dog do the networking. The new rage in dating is bringing Fido along to events and places that allow for pooches. After all, if your potential mate is smitten with your four-legged friend, chances are better for a match made in heaven.

It's Thanksgiving Day. The turkey is browning to perfection in the oven and the pies are cooling on the counter, the table is set with the finest linens, your favorite football team is playing on television - and they are winning. And to round out this perfect holiday moment, when your doorbell rings, your dog accompanies you to the door and sits quietly at your side as you greet your guests.

If you see a couple transfixed in mutual admiration, or strolling along hand in hand, or smooching on a park bench, it's almost a knee jerk reaction to say (or think) “look at that pair of lovebirds.” The expression originated presumably with reference to the apparent intense devotion of pair-bonded birds, as is commonly the case in the avian world, or, more specifically, to the behavior of the genus Agapornis , or actual lovebirds.

Screaming is one of the most common complaints by the owners of companion parrots, and the most common reason why birds are abandoned to shelters, euthanized or given away. But it is also a problem that can be addressed. Some screaming is a normal and necessary part of parrot behavior and must be accepted.

Parrots are highly intelligent animals that are easily motivated by praise and rewards, so if you keep training sessions short - 5 to 10 minutes once or twice daily - and positive, your feathered friend will be able to perform a repertoire of tricks before you know it. Use positive reinforcement during training when the bird is learning a new trick.

What Is a Dog Whistle and Does It Work? Francis Galton invented the dog whistle, also known as the “silent whistle” or “Galton's whistle”, in 1883. (By the way - Galton was the cousin of Charles Darwin.) He invented this device to test differential hearing ability. The dog whistle is a type of high frequency whistle that creates sound, which is outside of the frequency humans hear but within the hearing frequency of dogs.

Attracting wildlife to your home is fun and easy and provides an opportunity to view wild birds and mammals close to your home. Anyone can make their environment more suitable for wildlife, whether you live in the country on acres of ground or in an apartment in the city. Providing a few basic necessities usually pays off quickly, as wildlife comes to take advantage of the new amenities of your home.

Ah, the sights, the sounds and the smells of the holidays! The real question is…do cats experience holiday stress like we do? For some pets, the holidays are a cornucopia of joy. Dogs often like the hustle and bustle; new people, new things and, best of all, good food stream into the house. But the family cat generally views this as bedlam.

Cheap Litter Box - A Vet's Advice on a Cheap Litter Box Looking for a cheap litter box? Like many cat lovers, you probably want a budget-friendly option to keep your cat happy. But is it even possible to save money and give your cat an appropriate litter box? Veterinarians say yes-but it takes a little work from you.

The next time someone calls you a “birdbrain,” take it as a compliment. A University of Chicago researcher has learned that tiny Zebra finches are so smart that they silently practice their songs while they're asleep. Daniel Margoliash, an associate professor in the department of organismal biology and anatomy, placed a tiny recording device attached to the skull of the small, gregarious birds.

Your bird provides you with hours of entertainment. Now, with some of these toys, he can entertain himself. Bundle of Fun This toy is loaded with lots of fun things to do. Bunch-O-Bells Let your bird ring in each new day with this group of bells. Clip On Bird Toys This interactive toy is perfect for your small bird.