Frogs Swallows

Frogs are amphibians, animals that spend part of their lives under water and the remainder on land. They have long, powerful jumping legs and a very short backbone. Most Frogs have teeth (in the upper jaws only) but toads do not have any teeth.

Adult Frogs are characterised by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most Frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult Frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.

Life cycle: Like all amphibians, Frogs spend their lives near water because they must return to the water to lay their eggs. Frogs eggs are laid in the water. When they hatch into tadpoles, they breathe with gills and swim using a tail. As they mature, they lose their tail, and they develop lungs for breathing air. In harsh climates, Frogs bury themselves in sand and mud and hibernate (sleep very deeply) through the cold winter.

Diet: Frogs eat insects, catching them with their long, sticky tongue. They also eat small fish and worms.

Classification and Evolution: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia (amphibians), Order Anura (Frogs and toads). The first true Frogs evolved during the early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago (during the time of the dinosaurs).

The distribution of Frogs ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, but most species are found in tropical rainforests. Consisting of more than 5,000 species described, they are among the most diverse groups of vertebrates. However, populations of certain Frogs species are significantly declining.

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Turn A Dog Poster Into A Work Of Art

I know what you must be thinking. A dog poster? A work of art?

When we think of the word, 'poster,' most of us imagine a garish, wrinkled picture with tattered corners and torn edges, scotch-taped to the back of teen-ager's bedroom door or a college student's dormitory wall.

Certainly, not a Van Gogh by any definition!

However, with all the great framing and laminating options available today, it is possible to turn your favorite dog or puppy print into a masterpiece that any dog lover would be proud to display!

A great option for protecting and displaying your dog prints is wood-mounting. Laminated, wood-mounted posters or prints are chic, appealing and appropriate in any surroundings!

When you choose to have your dog poster wood-mounted, it is fastened to a 3/8 inch wood fiber board and then laminated with an ultraviolet filtering film. This film insulates your dog poster or print from dirt, moisture, fingerprints and other potentially damaging elements.

Your wood-mounted dog poster is then trimmed, beveled and finished in black to create a beautiful, elegant piece of art!

Wood-mounting is available for most posters up to a certain size. If wood-mounting is not available for your preferred size dog poster, you can choose to have it laminated which will extend the life of the print.

The next time you're shopping online for a new dog or puppy poster to adorn your wall, take the time to consider your framing options. It might cost a little more to have your poster framed, mounted or matted, but the final result will be worth it.

You'll have a stylish, attractive, well-preserved work of art that you'll be proud to display on any wall in your home!

Pet Tracking Technology

Recently I was talking to my neighbor and he was talking to me about how he was always losing his dog; He had no idea that pet tracking devices were even available! Not that I was surprised, I just found it ironic that I had a pet tracking site, and we had never really talked about the subject. I told him about the different options that were available, and he ended up purchasing a radio pet tracking device and uses it all the time!
I decided that it would be helpful to give people some information on the technology available.

Radio Pet Tracking
Using a radio pet tracking device is the most affordable way to track your pets. You can get radio transmitter collars in varying sizes, and a corresponding receiver that signals when pointed in the direction of you pet. So you can point the receiver in different directions, allowing you to basically use the 'hotter/colder' or 'marco/polo' approach to finding your pet. When the device is pointed in the direction of your pet, it will give you a signal. You can then approach that direction until you've found your pet. Most radio pet tracking devices can send and receive signals anywhere within 1 to 4 miles, depending on terrain and physical obstacles.
Here are some radio pet tracking devices manufacturers that we've been able to find:
Pettrax
Innotek

GPS / GSM Pet Tracking
GPS / GSM Pet Tracking is the newest technology available to track your pets. The basic concept: Your pet has a collar holding two devices:
A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver - Uses satellites to estimate position of your pet. Usually these GPS receivers can estimate your pets location to 15 meters or less.
A GSM (Global System for Mobile Technology) modem. More or less, this device is a cell phone for you pet that can transmit your pet's location to your mobile handset (cell phone) via SMS (text message) technology
GPS / GSM pet tracking devices are very reliable and insure that you can find your pet as long as it's in an area that has GSM cellular service. If you're interested in finding out whether or not there is GSM service in your area, you can find out at gsmworld.com. GPS pet tracking is the most reliable pet tracking available. Naturally it would be the most expensive.

Pet Tracking Microchips
Pet tracking chip are becoming more and more available but are extremely expensive. To find out more about pet tracking chips and microchips you can visit spah.com

Overview
There are good options available to track your pets! Radio pet tracking is fairly inexpensive, and if you have a bigger budget get your pet a cell phone type pet tracking device! Remember that there are also pet tracking chips to consider.

5 Secrets For Feeding A Happy, Healthy Dog

Do you really know all there is to know about your canine companion’s nutritional needs? Many pet owners think they’re doing what’s best for their dogs when it comes to food, but in reality they rely on pure instinct more than science. Nutrition isn’t a guessing game, even when it comes to your pooch. Think about it – if you were left to feed yourself based only on what you craved and had no knowledge of what your body needs to function, would you be eating 5 servings of fruit and veggies or would you head straight for the Ding Dong case at the market?

1. Make it a real meal.

Listen, nobody ever said you had to rely on a bag or can of food to feed your dog. You cook for your family all the time. Doesn’t your dog deserve similar treatment? Most owners say they’d love to cook for their pups but just don’t know where to start, and that’s where I come in. Now you can help fulfill all of your dog’s nutritional needs as well as his taste desires with just one quick flip through my new book, 180 Delicious Gourmet Dog Recipes. I know, I know, you’re busy, and there’s barely time to cook your family a proper meal. That’s why you’ll love this book – in addition to covering all of the usual recipes like traditional dog chow and cookies, I’ve created several that are healthy and delicious enough for you, your dog, and your family. Being skeptical is natural; after all, I never dreamed I’d come up with recipes I could easily share with my dogs! But how can you pass up recipes like biscotti, muffins, omelets, dinner mints, and even sushi?

2. Mix it up!

For the most part, pre-packaged food will help you cover all of the major nutritional requirements a healthy, fairly young dog has. This where many owners trip up simply because of the ease of the decision. Most think that the major choice is between dry and moist food, when in reality the best diet you can provide your dog is one varied in ingredients, textures, and nutritional value. Dogs, of course, are carnivores, and that instinct remains in their blood to this day. They continue to hunt prey (poor Kitty), love sausage-flavored treats, and adore the great crunch they get when chowing down on a bone. Those varied elements should give you a little bit of insight into how diverse your dog’s diet can be.

3. Cover all of the bases.

A dog’s diet can be as complex as any human’s (including yours!), and it’s absolutely essential that you, as an owner, hit all of the vital nutritional bases. A deficiency of certain vitamins and nutrients can lead to upset tummies, overly dry or oily skin, brittle bones, weight issues, and, in some of the worst cases, death. A balanced and proper diet is the building block of your dog’s overall health – if he doesn’t get the right blend of nutrients, the most impeccable care otherwise won’t mean a thing. But with the right diet, his defenses against disease and disorders are infinitely stronger than a dog whose owner hasn’t put much thought into an eating plan.

4. Move beyond meat.

Building some portion of his diet from meat gives you many of the crucial nutrients he needs for energy and growth, but he also needs fiber and carbohydrates to aid in digestion and stability. You could throw down a bowl of dry food every day and maybe give him a “treat” of moist food once a month, but how would you like it if the tables were turned and he insisted on feeding you pancakes every day for the rest of your life? Not such a sunny outlook, is it?

5. Give him some green.

Your dog needs a well-balanced diet, and the best way to accomplish that is through a wide variety of ingredients. Did you know that many dogs love veggies? In fact, if your dog likes to nibble on grass, he may appreciate some of the veggie-oriented recipes in the cookbook. Give it a shot and see what you – and your dog – think. After all, the worst that could happen is an improvement in your pooch’s health!

The only set rule in feeding your pup is to make sure his meals satisfy the unique nutritional requirements any dog has. You don't have to stick to the bag or the can, and you don't have to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. Making dishes for your dog can be a family event, and nothing expresses gratitude better than a big, sloppy, wet kiss.

5 Things You Need To Know Before Buying Your First Puppy

Your daughter will be cutting a cake for her 6th birthday next week and you are thinking of giving her a special gift! But what could it be?

Your beautiful child loves animals and all of your neighbors have pets, so how about a cute little puppy? That is a wonderful gift for your darling daughter. You probably couldn't make her happier any other way. But wait a moment, if you are buying a pet for the first time, there are a few things that you need to know before you actually set out to buy it.

1) You need to give it time: Keeping a puppy is like having a small baby in your house. It needs tender loving care and constant observation until it grows a little older. And yes, you also need to play and entertain them all day. If you can't, you may choose to get two puppies to entertain each other or use the services of day care centers for your pup.

2) Dogs need training: In order to train dogs and puppies, you first need to train yourself on how to train them! Unlike cats, which can be left on their own, dogs are dependent on you. You have to interact with them and give them proper behavioral training.

Once you have learned the techniques of training your dog, you may also train your kids on how to interact with the pet and train them. After all, your kids are the ones who will spend most of the time with them, walking the dog every evening and playing with it in the backyard.

3) Be prepared to spend money: Relax a little: it's not that much money. But yes, you need to see if that little puppy fits into your budget. You may have several expenses, especially when you get the puppy home. It will need a dog house if you plan on leaving him outdoors for extended periods, toys, registration, vet fees and shots, expenses for training it, and maybe even clothes!

Dog can be among the costliest pets and can cost you nearly as much as any other family member would. So don't get into the dog buying business without considering the cost factor.

4) Your little puppy will grow into an adult dog. You already knew that? Great! But it is also important to know that keeping a dog into it's adulthood may be a lot different than keeping it as a puppy. Your dog will grow fast and, depending on the breed, may soon outweigh your 6 year old child. Your cute little puppy will soon need a lot more food that it needs now!

5) Puppies need exercise: Puppies need exercise in the form of play. They can amuse themselves for short periods, but require interaction with people or other animals. Apart from toys, they also need another puppy or a person to play with them. Your children can't be with them always, so if the idea of running with the pack, so to speak, doesn't thrill you, you may opt for buying a breed that is less active.

If your dog is larger in size, it will need more exercise and you will have to take it for walk every evening when you come home after an exhausting day at work. So make sure that you include this activity in your schedule.

A dog is a wonderful animal and the most faithful of all pets. Having one in your house would definitely be a great experience, but only if you are prepared to take care of it, spend a little extra time and money and treat it like one of your family members. If you are willing to do these things, then you will have a loyal, loving companion for life.

Clicks Instead Of 'Good Boy' For Dog Training

The first major improvement in dog training since choke chains and spiked collars, click and treat has quickly establishing itself in becoming a big hit in the world of dog training. Currently, there are over 10,000 trainers who are using this training method everyday.

One advantage to using this form of training at home is it’s easy to learn for both the dog and his trainer!

Originally used to train marine mammals, click and treat breaks down the process into two separate steps, information and motivation. The click is the information, the treat is the motivation. While other trainers still work on these two steps, they try to teach them all at once, which can confuse the animal and slow down results.

Most trainers will verbally praise a dog for good behavior, while at the same time motivating the dog to repeat his actions. This can be a good method, however it takes longer for the dog to understand which behaviors and actions caused the praise from the trainer.

With the click and treat method, the processes are easily taught. In normal training, a person would say “good boy” when a welcomed action occurs and proceed with giving a treat. The clicker becomes a substitute for verbal praise and can actually catch the “good boy” behavior quicker than saying it, letting the dog know exactly which behavior he is being rewarded for.

Another way to look at click and treat training is viewing it as a secondary reinforcement, while food, water, physical affection and play (things the dog wants) become primary reinforcement. When you take a dog for a walk, the leash works as a secondary reinforcement. It is obvious to the dog that the leash is not taking him for a walk; the owner is, however, it triggers a reaction in the dog, telling him that the leash will let him know where he will go and where he will not. And if he reacts to the leash with good behavior, his reward will be a nice leisurely walk.

Click and treat works the same way. When a dog hears the clicker, he will know that he performed a good behavior and as long as he keeps hearing a click, there is a treat coming his way. So, the clicker works as a secondary reinforcement, teaching him boundaries and appropriate behavior.

A couple advantages of the click and treat method include;

1) Faster response than verbal praise. The clicker can identify the exact behavior at the time it happens.

2) It takes the place of treats. While motivating the dog to hear clicks, it will also teach him to work without the expectations of having treats given to him each time he does something good.

3) If the trainer is working at a distance from the dog, the clicker will still work, without having to be right next him.

Are you ready to try clicker training?

The first thing you’ll need to do is go to your favorite pet supply store and invest in a clicker. The clicker is nothing fancy and should just cost you under five dollars. While you’re there grab some pocket treats, little bits of dried liver work well.

A good method to use when getting started with click and treat is to stand in front of the animal. Click the clicker and give a treat. Continue doing this for 20-30 minutes, or until the dog becomes startled by the sound of the click. This will familiarize him to the clicking sound, while teaching him that every time he hears it, he has done something good. After he gets the hang of it, begin by adding commands, such as “sit” and “stay.”

Click and treat has proven to be a simple, yet consistent training method with quick results. So for the trainers out there who are looking for a new and innovative way to motivate and praise their animals, get out there, buy a clicker and... click!

Canine Health Information - For Older Dogs

Old age health care in dogs is a relatively new concept. Improvements in canine medical care, as well as an increase in our knowledge about how to take care of our pets, has lengthened the average canine lifespan. With a dog's average lifespan now twelve years, owners can reasonably expect their pets to be around for up to fifteen years. To ensure your dog has a long and happy life, there are a number of things you should know about caring for an older animal.

If you have a large dog, they may be considered old at around six to eight years. If your dog is a smaller breed they will not reach old age until around twelve years. Either way, there are a number of diseases that older dogs are more susceptible to. These include diabetes, cancerous tumors, kidney, heart or liver disease, cataracts and tooth and gum conditions.

You should plan frequent visits to your veterinarian once your dog reaches old age; regular blood tests can detect a lot of the above conditions in their early stages. Yearly appointments are essential, and some veterinarians may recommend a check up every six months.

In addition, you should look out for worrying symptoms of these conditions yourself. Contact your veterinarian if you notice rapid weight loss or gain, an unusual loss of appetite, excessive diarrhea or vomiting, extreme thirst and an increase in urine output, coughing and wheezing, a rapid decline in hearing or vision, or acute fatigue.

Changes in behavior can be indicators of medical problems that only you will be able to spot. If your dog suddenly dislikes being alone, becomes unusually aggressive and barks loudly for no reason, seems confused and disorientated, or begins to urinate in the house, you should also seek medical advice.

There is one disease that is common in older dogs that does not have any of the warning signs listed above. This is known as Cushing's disease, although its correct name is Hyperadrenocorticism, and is caused by excessive production of hormones from the adrenal glands.

Signs of Cushing's disease are similar to those of old age and are often missed. They include muscle weakness, hair loss, lumpy skin, a bloated stomach, high blood pressure, and an increase in food intake, liquid intake and urine output.

There is no cure for Cushing's disease but several drugs such as Lysodren, Ketoconazoten and Anipryl relieve symptoms and will enable your dog to live a long and happy life. Left untreated, this condition can lead to all manner of other problems such as diabetes, heart disease and liver or kidney failure.

As well as looking out for symptoms of illness, you can improve your old dog's quality of life by giving them the best possible diet. Switch to a food designed specifically for seniors to ensure they get all the nutrition they need. Consult your vet to see if your dog has particular dietary requirements according to their medical state. Perhaps a supplement to delay the onset of arthritis would be a good idea. Don't over feed your pet, as obesity can be a real issue for older dogs. Make sure they get plenty of exercise but don't overdo it. Older dogs can't keep going for as long as they could in their younger days, but they will try!

The best thing you can do for your older dog to maintain his quality of life is to be aware of the changes he is going through. Be patient with him, he will need your emotional support as this can be a confusing time, and sticking to a daily routine can help. Make sure he is still a part of your life, even if he is not as active as he used to be. Pay attention to his diet, medical needs and cleanliness, and you will find that your relationship with your dog will be just as rewarding as when he was just a puppy.