Borzoi Puppy And Dog Information

The Borzoi can survive in an apartment as long as she gets frequent exercise. A properly fenced yard could be better for her but keep in mind that she can easily jump a six foot fence. Once she gets on the run, she may catch a scent and be gone. She can not be trusted around small animals including the neighbors cat. She can kill an animal before you can stop her. She is ok with children but this is iffy. She dislikes roughhousing, arguing and likes her rest. She seems to be a one person dog that can be difficult to train. She is royal looking and beautiful.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Borzoi is at least 28 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 75 to 105 pounds and the female is at least 26 inches to the withers and 60 to 90 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Borzoi is no exception. Keep on the look out for gastric torsion (life-endangering distension of the stomach with gas), retinal atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness), heart disease, and Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). They are also possible sensitive to certain drugs especially anesthetics and topical insecticides. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Borzoi has a long, silky coat with waves or curls. She should be brushed regularly. She is a seasonally heavy shedder. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet. Her hair between her toes also needs to be maintained.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Borzoi can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Borzoi is thought to hail back to the thirteenth century nobleman who used them to hunt. They were first registered with the American Kennel Association in 1891.

Some Registries:
Borzoi Club of America
UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 6 to 7 Borzoi puppies

Category: Hound. Member of the Greyhound family.

Terms To Describe. Well mannered, gentle, intelligent, graceful, loyal, sweet, sensitive, aloof, royal, swift

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Medium watch dog.
They rarely bark.
Good with dogs.
More of a one person dog.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Poor guard dog.
May kill small animals.
Can easily jump a six foot fence.
They keep themselves clean.
Keep them on a leash as they will run.
Can be a picky eater.
Does not like to play rough with children.
Stubborn and difficult to train.
Not good with children.

*Other Names Known By: Russian Wolfhound, Russian Sighthound

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only. Additional information on the Borzoi can be found at http://www.petpages.com

Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular pet site: http://www.petpages.com. He provides informative advice on all pets including dogs, puppies, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs. Petpages.com also has an extensive pet classified ads section.

Do Alternative Therapies Work For Pets?

Natural and holistic therapies are not new but even their use in humans has only recently gained popularity in the UK. More and more people are shunning traditional medicine not only for themselves but for their pets. According to Direct Line Insurance over 750 000 of the UK's dog owners use alternative or complimentary treatments - with 30% doing so on recommendation from their vet.

So, why have some of the oldest and most natural treatments only recently seen a revival and do they actually work?

Part of the answer is they never went away. Holistic treatments such as acupuncture and herbs are still the mainstream in many eastern countries such as China, inclusive of their pet population. It seems to be a predominantly Western attitude to have adopted traditional medicines as we know them. Some orthodox medics frowned on them as 'quack' methods, a seemingly odd approach as many of the pharmaceutical drugs available today are derived from plants - the basis for herbalism. However, they have stood the test of time and been documented throughout history, one of the oldest books of acupuncture in animals, is 'bo le zhen jing' (Boles Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture) an equine acupuncture book believed to have been written between 659B.C and 621B.C.), so is it likely they would still be mainstream in other cultures if they didn't work?

The main objection to natural therapies by most opposing doctors and vets, are that they are untested, unproven and unregulated. That may have been true once but now as more veterinarians are aware of the impact of modern life on pets and the need to treat the 'whole' not just the symptom, alternative therapies are being more widely used by those best able to judge their worth.

The limitations of orthodox medicine particularly with long standing conditions has caused some vets to look for alternatives and as a result it seems many are being more readily adopted as essential first point of calls rather than as solely 'complimentary'. - "Within months of qualifying in 1992, while still in Beeford, I was beginning to question the wisdom of conventional medicine. I could not help thinking, "Is that all there is to treat animals?" says Nick Thompson, a qualified vet from Bath, who uses herbs, acupuncture and homeopathy in both small and large animals.

Acupuncture - is already recognised by the American Veterinary Medical Association as suitable for the 'treatment of numerous conditions in animals' It also says 'Veterinary Acupuncture and acutherapy are now considered an integral part of veterinary medicine' (1)

It's very effective in managing pain and research in 1989 reported that out of 191 dogs with disc disease in their spines that out of those treated with acupuncture

* 85 dogs with only back pain - 94% recovered
* 37 dogs with back pain, lack of 'hind leg co-ordination and use' - 89% recovered
* 59 dogs with paralysis, unable to stand or walk or bear weight, but pain response present - 79% recovered
* 10 dogs with paralysis, unable to stand or walk or bear weight, and pain sensitivity absent - 20% recovered (2)

Homeopathy - is based on the concept 'like cures like'. Hippocrates is credited to be the first to use it in 400B.C.when he noted that herbs given in a low dose tended to cure symptoms that they created when given in a large dose. (Not unsimilar to modern day vaccination principles). There is very little research so far, but of the trials completed there is positive evidence for its use in kennel cough in dogs, Cushing's Disease in dogs and horses and in conditions found in other animals. A more dramatic use featured in the case of a Collie with ivermectin (a wormer) poisoning - his prognosis was poor - but the 'like cures like' principle was used and the vet gave a homeopathic dilution of the poison. The dog's condition improved rapidly and the dog recovered within a week. (3)

Herbs - have probably seen the greatest acceptance into conventional care. Their potency has been acknowledged by the National Office of Animal Health issuing license under its Controls of Animal Medicines to the Dorwest Herbs range. Before an animal medicine can be sold in the UK it must be approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate who must be satisfied that 'the product is safe, it works, and that it is of good quality'. The range of conditions treated is varied and includes epilepsy - given in conjunction with orthodox drugs, veterinary surgeons have found that it is possible to reduce the quantity of epileptic drugs required and thereby the side-effects often experienced.

In light of some of the startling results being seen in the veterinary profession, the objections that just because alternative medicines were seen as 'natural' did not mean they were safe, seems to have some ground.. Some herbs such as garlic, valerian and ginseng can cause problems such as bleeding and low blood sugars when a patient is given a general anaesthetic (4). With the potential to have undesirable effects, their adoption into mainstream veterinary care can only be seen as a positive move, even by their opponents. As research slowly catches up, whether it is undertaken by those who wish to disprove it as bunkum or those who want confirmation of its abilities the outcome can only be of help to our pets.

Ref:
(1) Sarah Probst, University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine
(2) Janssens and Prins, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (1989) 25, 169-174).
(3) R J Optimeer. How The Similia Principle of Homeopathy Resolved An Emergency. Case History of Ivermectin Poisoning in a Collie. (1997) 122, 36-9)
(4) The Journal of the American Medical Association 2001;286:208-216.

Research:

Day CEI. Isopathic prevention of kennel cough is vaccination justified? J Int Assoc Vet Hom 1987; 2: 45-51.
Elliott M. Cushing's Disease: a new approach to therapy in equine and canine patients. Br Homeopath J 2001; 90: 33-6.
Tijdsrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 1997

Direct Line Insurance Press Release - research carried out 11-15 May 2006

http://www.noah.co.uk - National Office of Animal Health
http://www.holisticvet.co.uk - Nick Thompson BSc.(Hons), BVM&S, VetMFHom, MRCVS. Research papers and further information on the HolisticVet practice can be found at his website.

Sarah Fields writes articles on natural remedies for pets and other pet related subjects http://www.woofnwhiskers.co.uk/healthcare-natural-remedies-for-pets-c-57_87.html

Colorful Black Labradors

Out of all of the different types and colors of Labradors, the black Labrador is one of the most popular. Black Labradors are usually solid black in color. They are sleek and graceful looking animals. They are a large breed of dog and must be taken seriously because they can harm small children or frail individuals because they have so much enthusiasm for life and they want to play with everyone. However, black Labradors are very smart and they learn quickly. They can be trained quite easily not to jump up on people or cause other problems because of their energy levels and large size. Some people might be frightened by large dogs such as the black Labrador, but spending time with these dogs will show most people that there is nothing to fear except that you might be licked with much enthusiasm.

Pay Attention To Energy Levels

There are many different breeds of dogs in this world today, and they can differ not just in their looks but in their temperament and their energy level as well. This is important to be aware of when looking into getting a large dog such as the black Labrador. High energy dogs are often very enjoyable to the person or the family that likes a lot of outdoor activity, but this type of dog might not be as good of a choice for the person that works all day or lives in an apartment. This does not mean that the black Labrador would not make a good pet, but it is not healthy for the dog to be closed up in an apartment all day and could result in destructive behavior simply because the dog would be bored.

Big Dogs Need Big Spaces

For those that are interested in owning a black Labrador, space must be considered. Those who live in apartments either do not own dogs or only own small dogs because large dogs with a lot of energy are often unhappy in an apartment all day. However, for the family that has space for a large dog, a black Labrador would be a good choice because they make good guard dogs yet are gentle and affectionate with people that they know including small children.

Denise Duncan loves all dogs, especially labradors, and enjoys training and raising them. She is a contributing author and editor for http://www.AllAboutLabradors.com .

Should You Get A Dog?

So the time has come and you are thinking of buying a new pet. http://www.petmillions.com is the leading pet contest online supporting pet charities across the globe. Dogs and cats remain the most popular household pet, with 39% of US households owning at least 1 dog and 6.1 million in the UK. However every year close to 20% of animals find their way into animal shelters.

It's true what they say - dogs are mans best friend. They have qualities that cats simply don't. Dogs are intelligent, faithful and fun, unlike cats they will take up a lot more time and energy. Depending on the size of your dog you may also find they take up more space are quite expensive to look after.

So is a dog right for you? Here is the http://www.petmillions.com checklist...

Q) Are you out most of the day?
Q) Are you buying this dog for teenage children?
Q) Are you elderly and buying a puppy?
Q) Do you live in a flat or small house with no garden?
Q) Do you live in a city or area with little green/outdoor spaces?
Q) Do you have a limited income?
Q) Do you move around a lot?

If you answered yes to most of these questions you need to rethink having a dog.

So what do dogs need? http://www.petmillions.com offers some key things you need to remember if taking a dog as a pet.

Companionship - to be with other dogs or people and not to be left alone for too long.

A balanced and nutritious diet, and the occasional bone from the butcher or left over from sunday lunch to gnaw on

A constant supply of fresh, clean water, which is easily accessible to the dog

A bed, blanket and toys such as ball, dog rope and chew bones. Visit http://www.petmillions.com for loads of pet retailers and offers.

A strong fenced garden to play and exercise in, the bigger the dog the bigger the garden. the key is if they can't run and have to pant the garden is probably not big enough.

Short and Long hair dogs need to be brushed and groomed, at least once a day.

Like humans dogs need to see the vet dentist.

Regular walks and a lead for walking near traffic or farm animals.

Dog mess is pretty awful, but you MUST pick it up with a pooper-scooper.

Never leave a dog in an enclosed space like a car or small room, even with the window open.

A collar with identity tag Plus vet microchip.

To be properly trained.

To be neutered,if you want a puppy remember you won't get just one with your dog and pregnancy will be costly!

To be taken to a vet if they are ill.

Regular and necessary injections to prevent serious diseases.

Worming and regular flea treatments.

To be looked after when you are on holiday by a professional career or someone who can give your dog the time and attention it needs.

So if you think you have what it takes to look after a dog, then go for it and remember an animal shelter is a good place to start. Please vote for Coco in th epetmillions contest - http://www.petmillions.com/vote.asp?vote=1033 you will be supporting charities and animal shelters across the globe PLUS you can get a chance to win up to a $1,000,000 in cash!

Henry Jackson hails from Ill. and has a brace of beautiful retrievers, including Coco. You can vote for Coco in the petmillions.com pet phot contest - her pet ID is 1033 (http://www.petmillions.com/vote.asp?vote=1033)

German Shepherd Coat Colors And Patterns Vary Greatly

Genetics of German Shepherd Coat Colors

Concerning the GSD and German Shepherd coat colors, the breed standard from the SV specifically states: "The color of the GSD is in itself not important and has no effect on the character of the dog or on its fitness for work and should be a secondary consideration for that reason. The final color of a young dog can only be ascertained when the outer coat has developed."

Of all undesirable things to try to eliminate and to consider in a German Shepherd Dog, coat color should be at the bottom of the list. Good pigment should be sought after but many factors such as health and temperament, to name a few, should be much more important than coat color which should always be subordinate to structure, gait, type, and character and should never take precedence over the working ability of the dog. Eye color should be dark and nose pigment should be black as well.

Concerning the coat coat of the German Shepherd, the SV breed standard states the following: "The normal (stock) coated GSD should carry a thick undercoat and the outer coat should be as dense as possible, made up of straight hard close lying hairs. The hair on the head and ears, front of the legs, paws and toes is short. On the neck it is longer and thicker, on some males forming a slight ruff. The hair grows longer on the back of the legs as far down as the pastern and the stifle, and forms fairly thick trousers on the hindquarters. There is no hard or fast rule for the length of the hair, but short mole-type coats are faulty." "No good dog is a bad color" -- Max von Stephanitz (breed founder of the German Shepherd Dog) concerning German Shepherd coat colors

Ask just about anybody to describe a German Shepherd Dog and they will almost always mention the "saddle Back" markings. It is also just as possible for the GSD to be one solid color such as black (solid white is considered a conformation disqualification for showing by the AKC) or sable. Sable German Shepherd coat colors are easily identified by multi-colored individual hairs all over the body. Sable GSD's may also be masked by dark or black guard hairs.

German Shepherd coat color patterns may include any of the following: black & tan, black & red, black & cream, solid black, solid white, (considered a conformation disqualification), sable (also called agouti or wolf gray, in various colorations), black & silver, liver (rare - conformation fault) and blue (rare - considered a conformation fault).

Richer pigmentation is preferred, color wise. While I won't delve deeply into the science of genetics (feel free to do that on your own if interested), just know that the liver color comes as the result of matched recessives in the black series and the blue color happens as the result of matched recessives in the dilution series.

German Shepherd coat colors and inheritance in the GSD is very complex and controlled by several series of genes. Following is a very brief description and summary of the various gene series in the GSD responsible for color based on information from "The German Shepherd Dog: A Genetic History" and "Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders", both by Malcom Willis. Both of these books should be considered as required reading for any serious German Shepherd fan and even more importantly for breeders. Another suggested resource is "The German Shepherd Today" by Winifred Strickland and James "Jimmy" Moses.

THE AGOUTI SERIES

The basic body color of the German Shepherd is controlled by the genes. The order of German Shepherd coat colors dominance is as follows: golden sable, grey sable, saddle marked black and tan, bicolor* black and tan (bicolor is where the dog only has tan on the legs and face, not on the body), and black.

Additionally, know that the black gene is recessive to all the other colors in GSD's.

Solid black German Shepherds bred to solid blacks German Shepherds will only produce blacks. The sable colors are dominant over the other colors and patterns in the German Shepherd breed.

THE BLACK SERIES

This gene controls the black pigment formation on the GSD, not the hair color. The German Shepherd coat colors order of dominance is exactly as follows: Black pigment including nose, eyerims and pads; Carrier for liver color; Liver color - brown black colors, brown nose, eye rims and pads.

Note: most GSDs are considered black pigment including nose, eyerims and pads.

THE WHITE SERIES

White coat color in the German Shepherd Dog is recessive to all other colors. In order to get a white coat color in the German Shepherd, both parents must carry the white gene (either be white themselves or be carriers.) The order of dominance is as follows: Melanin is produced. (Standard GSD's colors have this); Partial albinism (not seen); White coat with dark eyes and nose (not albino); Yellowish coat collar (proposed).

THE COLOR SERIES

This controls the intensity of the non-black coloration. The order of dominance is as follows: Lightest tan (cream); Intermediate tan (tan); Darkest tan (red).

The intensity of the color series determines whether GSD's with color (i.e. not all- black or all-white recessives) will be black & cream,black & tan or black & red.

Coat Lengths in GSD's

Short-coated German Shepherd's maintain a short coat, which lies close to the body.

These dogs usually have less undercoat.

"Plush" Coated GSD's have a medium length coat with a thin, fluffy under coat.

These dogs do not have any feathering as in the long coated GSD's.

Long coated German Shepherd's have much longer fur around their ears, on the backs of their legs, chest and tail (feathering) than other German Shepherd's.

THE DILUTION SERIES

This controls how intense the black pigment will appear on your German Shepherd.

The order of dominance is as follows: Dense pigment; blue dilution.

Black pigment combined with blue dilution will produce a blue coated German Shepherd which looks as though it has a dusty or flour sheen.

THE MASK SERIES

This controls whether or not a mask appear on your German Shepherd.The order of dominance is as follows: a black mask on the face; dark coat with no mask; Brindle (rare, will be seen as striping on the legs); clear tan.

All these genes put together determine your own German Shepherd's coat colors.

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com and http://www.total-german-shepherd.com, is a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast. Interested in more dog information? Training and health tips? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? Interested in the German Shepherd Dog in particular? Need to promote your dog related website and get additional in bound links? Check out pedigreedpups.com , total-german-shepherd.com or http://www.pedigreeddogs.com (purebred dog breed directory) for more information.

The Importance of Using a Crate

You have just brought home your precious new puppy. There is no more pressing task for you than to see to it that your puppy eliminates where you feel he needs to. Puppies should always have a designated area to eliminate. As a matter of fact, most puppies who have not been trained correctly in elimination are usually abandoned in the first year because their owners cannot put up with the constant mess.

There are natural instincts in dogs which make house training a fairly simple process. Puppies that are taught the process of elimination correctly tend to keep their "den areas" clean. This is why crate training is so vital in training the new pup.When dogs eliminate they leave scent chemicals called pheromones in their waste. When dogs smell this scent it causes a reflex to eliminate in the same spot.

Some people think crate training is barbaric, however, dogs are den animals. They feel most secure in a den enclosure. This is why a lot of dogs will lie under the table or beds. By using a crate, you are providing your dog with his own safe den and they will try hard to keep it clean. A puppy should not be left in the crate for longer than 3 hours. Anymore time and he will not be able to hold himself. This also creates a regular schedule for elimination.

There are other benefits to using a crate too. Crates are great for transporting your puppy by car. They help to keep him safe from sudden stops and swerves. Crates prevent young pups from getting into too much mischief! We all know how it feels to find the little one chewing on our favorite shoes or coffee table legs. Crates are great to house your pup when staying at hotels or friends homes.

There will always be times when you can have your eye on your pup. Having a crate helps greatly in these situations and provides your puppy with a spot that he will always be comfortable and safe. Find a good pet supply company that offers a variety of crates in different shapes and sizes and be sure to match the crate to the dog, (size).

Mary Reid lives in South Carolina. She has done research on all types of dog related supplies and natural dog food diets. At the time of this writing she owns two beautiful Labrador Retrievers, one black and one chocolate. You can find more articles at her webpage http://www.all-natural-pet-and-more.com. She also has a great site on Organic Food, Skincare and Supplements found at http://www.yourorganicchoices.com.

Pooches in Pictures; How Hollywood influences the dogs we bring home

No actor wants to share the stage with a dog, for he will undoubtedly be upstaged. Its all but impossible to watch a dog movie without falling head over heels into puppy love. Consider Mom, the warm-hearted Border Collie from the 1995 blockbuster Babe. There was nary a dry eye in the theater as she watched her pups sold. Disneys 101 Dalmations left an audience crying (as Cruella), I want those puppies! Even television commercials tug at our heart-strings. Dinky started a Chihuahua craze the world over as the spokes-dog for Taco Bell, while Spuds Mackenzie ushered in a new generation of Budweiser Beer drinkers. There is no doubt about it; the media has great influence over pet popularity, particularly those of the canine persuasion. In itself, this isnt a terrible thing, but when it comes to choosing a pet for your family, Hollywood can spell disaster!

Just imagine a couple going to a movie featuring a cute child. On screen the child is humorous, attractive, and clever. It never gets into trouble, except when it is funny. Imagine the couple falling in love with this on-screen child, going so far as deciding to have a baby of their own, without taking any of the complications of child-rearing into consideration. They dont expect to have any troubles with their childthey naturally expect it to resemble the child from the movie.

Sound ridiculous?

Now imagine that same couple six months after their baby is born. They are now trying to find a family to adopt their child. It takes up too much room, and they cant leave it home by itself while they work all day. They had no idea how much money it cost to feed and diaper it, not to mention the doctor bills! The baby demands too much attention, and over all, they cant take anymore crying.

This same scenario happens over and over again every time Hollywood releases a dog movie. Dont get me wrong, I love a good dog movie as much as the next canine enthusiast, but there are good reasons Sandi Dreimel of TheDogInformant.com sites this as one of the four worst reasons for getting a dog.

The next time you think about bringing home Rin-tin-tin remember: Dogs are great stars, and often several dogs share one role. Nine different dogs have played the part of Lassie since it first premiered in 1943. These dogs are trained by experts for years before they are accepted on the set. Special tricks and effects can give animals human-like qualities. But real pets are only tooreal, and individuals end up disappointed when the pet they purchased doesnt behave like their screen counterpart. Disappointment quickly turns to annoyance and sometimes can even become abuse.

Besides expert training, many Hollywood dogs require extensive care. Frequently films will feature rare and exotic breeds that are difficult to care for. Take our little talking tacquito friend. Chihuahuas, while smart and affectionate, need careful socialization to keep them from becoming suspicious of strangers, jealous, and even aggressive! Their tiny frames, while adorable, make them vulnerable to injuries. All of these traits make Chihuahuas an unsuitable companion for children, but these arent traits generally advertised on Taco Bells commercials. However they should definitely be taken into consideration before bringing home Tacos twin.

At times Hollywood has actually created a breed boom with a movie. Unfortunately this instant popularity can attract the wrong crowd. There are irresponsible breeders out there who are more interested in making money than careful breeding. Their negligence can result in animals of poor health, bad temperament, and inferior structure. Sadly these breeders are everywhere. It may take a little research to buy a purebred, something impulse buyers, like those influenced by the latest Hollywood trend are unlikely to do.

What happens to these pooches when people become bored or disillusioned with them? Too often yesterdays fads become a burden on shelters and rescue groups struggling to place forsaken pets. Roughly 60% of animals in shelters are eventually euthanized. So, before you go looking for that Lassie look-alike, remember that choosing a pet is a lifestyle choice, not a fashion statement. Think through your decision, realizing that dogs require time, money, and a lifetime commitment. (Most dogs live between 10 and 15 years.) If your child has her heart set on Pongos stunt double, consider buying her the DVD, or better yet, a stuffed animal. And if you do decide to get a dog, make sure you read up on its breed, spend time with it, talk to real dog owners, and set realistic expectations for yourself and your new pet. Theres a reason dogs are known as mans best friend. But as with people, choose your friends with care!

Emma Snow an animal lover works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

Do Alternative Therapies Work For Pets?

Natural and holistic therapies are not new but even their use in humans has only recently gained popularity in the UK. More and more people are shunning traditional medicine not only for themselves but for their pets. According to Direct Line Insurance over 750 000 of the UK's dog owners use alternative or complimentary treatments - with 30% doing so on recommendation from their vet.

So, why have some of the oldest and most natural treatments only recently seen a revival and do they actually work?

Part of the answer is they never went away. Holistic treatments such as acupuncture and herbs are still the mainstream in many eastern countries such as China, inclusive of their pet population. It seems to be a predominantly Western attitude to have adopted traditional medicines as we know them. Some orthodox medics frowned on them as 'quack' methods, a seemingly odd approach as many of the pharmaceutical drugs available today are derived from plants - the basis for herbalism. However, they have stood the test of time and been documented throughout history, one of the oldest books of acupuncture in animals, is 'bo le zhen jing' (Boles Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture) an equine acupuncture book believed to have been written between 659B.C and 621B.C.), so is it likely they would still be mainstream in other cultures if they didn't work?

The main objection to natural therapies by most opposing doctors and vets, are that they are untested, unproven and unregulated. That may have been true once but now as more veterinarians are aware of the impact of modern life on pets and the need to treat the 'whole' not just the symptom, alternative therapies are being more widely used by those best able to judge their worth.

The limitations of orthodox medicine particularly with long standing conditions has caused some vets to look for alternatives and as a result it seems many are being more readily adopted as essential first point of calls rather than as solely 'complimentary'. - "Within months of qualifying in 1992, while still in Beeford, I was beginning to question the wisdom of conventional medicine. I could not help thinking, "Is that all there is to treat animals?" says Nick Thompson, a qualified vet from Bath, who uses herbs, acupuncture and homeopathy in both small and large animals.

Acupuncture - is already recognised by the American Veterinary Medical Association as suitable for the 'treatment of numerous conditions in animals' It also says 'Veterinary Acupuncture and acutherapy are now considered an integral part of veterinary medicine' (1)

It's very effective in managing pain and research in 1989 reported that out of 191 dogs with disc disease in their spines that out of those treated with acupuncture

* 85 dogs with only back pain - 94% recovered
* 37 dogs with back pain, lack of 'hind leg co-ordination and use' - 89% recovered
* 59 dogs with paralysis, unable to stand or walk or bear weight, but pain response present - 79% recovered
* 10 dogs with paralysis, unable to stand or walk or bear weight, and pain sensitivity absent - 20% recovered (2)

Homeopathy - is based on the concept 'like cures like'. Hippocrates is credited to be the first to use it in 400B.C.when he noted that herbs given in a low dose tended to cure symptoms that they created when given in a large dose. (Not unsimilar to modern day vaccination principles). There is very little research so far, but of the trials completed there is positive evidence for its use in kennel cough in dogs, Cushing's Disease in dogs and horses and in conditions found in other animals. A more dramatic use featured in the case of a Collie with ivermectin (a wormer) poisoning - his prognosis was poor - but the 'like cures like' principle was used and the vet gave a homeopathic dilution of the poison. The dog's condition improved rapidly and the dog recovered within a week. (3)

Herbs - have probably seen the greatest acceptance into conventional care. Their potency has been acknowledged by the National Office of Animal Health issuing license under its Controls of Animal Medicines to the Dorwest Herbs range. Before an animal medicine can be sold in the UK it must be approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate who must be satisfied that 'the product is safe, it works, and that it is of good quality'. The range of conditions treated is varied and includes epilepsy - given in conjunction with orthodox drugs, veterinary surgeons have found that it is possible to reduce the quantity of epileptic drugs required and thereby the side-effects often experienced.

In light of some of the startling results being seen in the veterinary profession, the objections that just because alternative medicines were seen as 'natural' did not mean they were safe, seems to have some ground.. Some herbs such as garlic, valerian and ginseng can cause problems such as bleeding and low blood sugars when a patient is given a general anaesthetic (4). With the potential to have undesirable effects, their adoption into mainstream veterinary care can only be seen as a positive move, even by their opponents. As research slowly catches up, whether it is undertaken by those who wish to disprove it as bunkum or those who want confirmation of its abilities the outcome can only be of help to our pets.

Ref:
(1) Sarah Probst, University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine
(2) Janssens and Prins, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (1989) 25, 169-174).
(3) R J Optimeer. How The Similia Principle of Homeopathy Resolved An Emergency. Case History of Ivermectin Poisoning in a Collie. (1997) 122, 36-9)
(4) The Journal of the American Medical Association 2001;286:208-216.

Research:

Day CEI. Isopathic prevention of kennel cough is vaccination justified? J Int Assoc Vet Hom 1987; 2: 45-51.
Elliott M. Cushing's Disease: a new approach to therapy in equine and canine patients. Br Homeopath J 2001; 90: 33-6.
Tijdsrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 1997

Direct Line Insurance Press Release - research carried out 11-15 May 2006

http://www.noah.co.uk - National Office of Animal Health
http://www.holisticvet.co.uk - Nick Thompson BSc.(Hons), BVM&S, VetMFHom, MRCVS. Research papers and further information on the HolisticVet practice can be found at his website.

Sarah Fields writes articles on natural remedies for pets and other pet related subjects http://www.woofnwhiskers.co.uk/healthcare-natural-remedies-for-pets-c-57_87.html

A Healthy Dog is a Happy Dog!

A healthy dog is a happy dog. And a happy dog is the best companion anyone could wish for. Unlike people, dogs can't figure out when something is wrong, or tell you about it. It's your job as the owner to look out for problems and step in quick to keep your hound happy. Illness doesn't just mean breaks, parasites or viruses, it include the scourge of humanity too - obesity. Just like in humans, obesity in dogs can lead to arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and premature death. Also like in humans, this is a recent development. The availability of cheap food for pets has caused an obesity spiral in the developed world.

So what should you feed your dog? Obviously, breed plays a part, but in general, kibble is the best base (dried dog food) with tinned stuff as a treat. Too much tinned stuff can give your poor pooch the runs! Don't feed him human cakes biscuits and the like, no matter how much he seems to enjoy them - dog's digestive systems are not designed for this kind of food! A diet based on these principle will ensure a shiny coat and clear eyes, both necessary if your dog is going to win thru to the finals of the http://www.petmillions.com contest and a chance to win you a million in cash!

Dental care. Dogbreath is a byword for bad smelling breath. Help your dog keep his teeth and gums healthy by offering him bones to chew (note - NEVER chicken bones!). If it's a real bad case, there are even special 'doggy tooth cleaner' products available at the store.

Worms. Keep him healthy with regular shots against the 4 biggies - distemper, heartworm, parvovirus (which is rare, but fatal!!!) and kennel cough (which is also rare unless you keep the dog out on cement all the time). You can do the worming routine yourself - crush the tablets and sprinkle them onto some tinned food. He WILL be able to smell it, but what the hey, food is food, right? Woof! Only use a small amount of tinned food to ensure he eats all the tablet powder. Don't know what distemper is? Kind of like dog flu, with runny nose and eyes. Worms tend to cause lack of appetite, bad coat, and a tendency to drag his backside along the ground. These are easily passed to humans so fix it fast!

That brings us to fleas and ticks. Treat regularly with one of the many excellent 'dropper' products now available. They really work, and fast too. Ticks can be a nightmare - they can cause swelling, then paralysis and death, so you have to guard against them very carefully, especially if you live in an area prone to dog ticks.

That's my routine with Jess, now be a pal, willya, and vote for him at http://petmillions.com! His ID is 3083, and it's free to vote!

Brendan Gunstan is an IT consultant, who passes the really difficult tasks onto his 12 year old crossbreed Jess.

Afraid Of Making Money

I believe one of the obstacles that keep people from succeeding is one very basic fear:

The fear of making big money.

Not just fear of making money... but the big moolah.

If you don't think that is a fear that is stopping you then you analyze those rich people closely.

Some of them feared making money because their parents were not high earners. If they made more money than their Father, they reasoned, what kind of son or daughter would they be?

Sounds crazy but this is not what we want but what this is what our sub-conscious mind is reminding us.

Others fear that making big money would 'change' them somehow and they would not be the same person anymore- the same person that people know, love and care for.

True story:

I have a friend whose friends are no longer close to her anymore because she has grown to be more successful than them. She has become a 'bigger' person now.

They start to pick on her like...

"She thinks she's the only person busy with her work."

The truth is... she is BUSY with her work and building a strong financial support but her friends don't have that kind of being busy privilege.

And they'll look for her weaknesses to find chances to pick on her.

Are her friends bad? Not really. They're just reacting towards 'change'. Instead of responding, they're reacting.

They'll feel...

"She's not the same person anymore."

Yes, she chanced to be better and wiser.

So if she changes to be more successful, she'll fear that her friends might not like her they way they used to.

That's just one example.

The fear of making big money is REAL. It's in your mind and the only thing that is moving you is YOUR MIND.

However, you may not believe you are influenced by this fear because it sounds really silly.

But think about it for a minute.

Maybe what you really fear is 'change'... and if you made big money it would change you and your life.

That is why most lottery 'millionaires' end up spending or losing most of their winnings a year or so after they've won... they seek 'normal' lives again where nothing ever changes.

It's not hard to make big money... the hard part is giving yourself permission to make it and keep it.

Yes, I said give yourself PERMISSION to start making big money.

The game of becoming rich is an internal one... just like golf, or becoming an Olympic athlete. The problem is inside us... lack of confidence and self-esteem are the enemies.

Don't let fear of making money stop you. Start believing in yourself, check your self-esteem and make a wise informed and profitable choice for your future.

One of the way to solve this is by using... an anchor.

With an anchor, you have the power to do a simple act and you'll instantly be able to eliminate that fear of making money. Sounds interesting, isn't it?

No, this is not trying to use affirmation. It's scientifically proven to work. The 'technology' for using anchoring is introduced in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).

This is probably the fastest way to change your emotions instantly.

I'll show you how to experience 'success'.

Think of a time when you have a very successful experience. It can be when you get number #1 in any competition.

It can be an experience when you beat Your competitors to be a winner.

It could even be when your wife agreed to marry you!

Now focus on the feeling of success you have experienced last time. Pull out the memory of how it felt like ... to be successful, to be on top of your game.

Engage that feeling. Are you feeling it?

I know it's hard while reading this article but you'll need to practice it if you want to know how it works.

See yourself when you have achieve success, hear the claps and cheers, remember the smell of room where you're winning the prizes and feel it.

Then it's time for you to create an anchor at that exact moment of time.

Many types of actions can be an anchor for you.

You can twist your ear, move your fingers 5 times, clinch your fist 3 times, rub your hands together, make an arm swing or just do anything you can think of that can have a special meaning for you.

This anchor will be engrossed with the state you in. And the state that you're in at that moment of time is when you're experiencing your successes.

The more passionate or lively the experience, the better anchor you will create.

Copyright 2006 Patric Chan

Patric Chan is an author, international speaker and founder of the "You Chan Do It! Personal Achievement Newsletter of eSuccessMastery.com. You can get his latest success tips and strategies to achieve your goals quicker and easier for FREE at his blog: http://www.motivatedforsuccess.com

Are You Ready for Start-up? Financing: 8 Cons & 5 Pros - From a South African Perspective

Almost every entrepreneur has a start-up financing horror story, how the banker giggled while reviewing the business plan. Because of experiences like these, entrepreneurs often assume that lenders and investors lack either money or good business sense to know a good deal when they see one. But the real reason that most entrepreneurs cannot get financing for their new business is they are just not ready for the money. In other words, if they received the money today, most entrepreneurs would spend it without any long term positive results. Being ready for start-up financing means having a plan for spending the money wisely and being able to prove to others that they will follow it. failing to convince potential lenders and investors that they can add value to their business using these peoples money is a surefire way to be rejected. Here are some of the reasons why entrepreneurs fail to get start-up money:

1. Poor communication: Refers to inadequate description of the business.

2. Insufficient sales and marketing strategies: Remember the old adage: " Nothing in business happens until someone sells something." Investors like to see about 30% of a business plan devoted to marketing and selling.

3. Ignoring the negatives: Every business venture faces threats and problems. Investors get nervous if an entrepreneur cannot explain them.

4. Over-emphasis on the product or service. A common tendency of entrepreneurs is to fall in love with their product or service concept. Spend time in selling the entire business concept.

5. No assumptions for financial projections.

6. Insufficient evidence of the market.

7. Failing to know how much money you need.

8. Failing to set yourself and your business apart from the rest.

What can you do to prove you are ready for the financing you need?

1. Your business plan must explain the business, not just the product or service and its competitive advantage.

2. Your business plan must show that you understand the power of the bottom-line, providing a way to pay back loans or produce an attractive return on investment.

3. You must have a clear strategy for marketing your product or service and know what it will cost to make or provide.

4. You must show exactly how you will use the money to meet your company's goals.

5. You must prove that the business concept will work, that customers will buy your goods or services, before looking for money.

Andrew Smit

Associate Marketing: Is It the Simplest Means To Make Money Online?

Affiliate marketing has been around long before the internet, but it has become so much more popular as a way to make money since then. Let's take a quick look at what it is and what it is exactly that makes it so special, shall we?

Affiliate marketing is not about writing your own product and trying to find people to buy it. Affiliate marketing is about recommending someone else's product or products and making a percentage from that sale. It's basically piggybacking on the efforts of other peoples work, which is ok, because they want you to!

These marketers who have their own products will be very eager for you to recommend their products. If they know what they are doing then you are their best friend! And you can easily have a great, profitable business relationship with these other marketers; they create the products and you sell them!

This is really great for both the affiliate and the creator of the product. The average affiliate marketer just wants to make some extra money. They do not bother with creating products or services or even handling other tasks that come along with being a product creator or owner, like customer service, updates, upgrades, etc. Great affiliates are really good at figuring out what people want to buy and then directing those people to the product. This is one of the many wonderful advantages to being an affiliate marketer: It is not your job to sell the item. It is your job to simply pre-sell the item. Let the items sell themselves.

Affiliate marketing can be even more lucrative for the affiliate marketer by offering buyers incentives for buying through your affiliate link. What kind of special offers? Well, the smartest affiliates are affiliates that have actually tried the product or service they are promoting. When the affiliate has actually tried the product, they can create better offers based on what they know of the product! The affiliate marketer that does this can provide additional reports or even videos that explain the advantages or secrets of what the buyer can do with the product or service! If you are an affiliate marketer selling a software application, then you can tell your visitors that they will receive a video from you showing the best ways to make use of the software program.

Back to the original question: Is affiliate marketing the easiest path to make good money online? Without a doubt, yes, it is. Once you take into consideration the fact that you do not have to make a product and all that you have to do is promote products to people that are already looking for products you are promoting, taking candy from a baby could not be easier.

John Gottshall has a FREE step by step guide to making money online. It is not one of those guides that's disquised as a sales letter for something that costs money, it's the real thing. Get it while it's still free => http://www.secretprofitfiles.com

The Queen of Soccer - Mia Hamm Biography

Women's soccer never would have been the same if Mia Hamm hadn't started up soccer when she was little. She had such an impact on women's soccer that she is often thought to mean as much for it as Pele or Cruyff meant for men's soccer. But before being a great soccer player and athlete that broke down almost every possible record at her level, Mia Hamm is a great person and I'd like you to meet the human behind the soccer god in this Mia Hamm biography.

If you're like me, you're probably wondering how and when did Mia Hamm start playing soccer and what events drove her to become a super star of women's soccer. Mia Hamm's childhood circled around sports and athleticism and as her brother recalled, she was faster and more athletic than most of the boys on the block, so she was able to play competitively with and against them.

After taking up youth soccer training at her school's football team when she was only 12 years old, she learned the basics of soccer and started enjoying the sport more and more. Little did she know that three years later, when she was just 15, she would be called up for the United States national womens soccer team, becoming the youngest player ever to play for her country at that level (one of her first broken records).

That was kind of a weird situation, since Mia Hamm was a soccer player for her national squad but didn't have a fully professional playing contract with a club. But after seeing her performances, the North Carolina Tar Heels quickly signed her and they made quite a deal, since Mia Hamm stayed with the club for 4 seasons, scoring over 100 goals during her time here.

Probably one of Mia Hamm's most important accomplishments is that she managed to bring womens soccer to a level close to what men are playing. She is one of the two women named in Peles "List of 125 Best Soccer Players of All Times" and she is a symbol of women's sports throughout the World.

She also holds two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, which she got in 2001 (the first year the trophy was given) and 2002. Unfortunately, she would have gotten a lot more of these awards, but with the World Player of the Year awards being granted for women when Mia Hamm was already nearing the end of her career, she didn't really have a chance to widen her trophy room.

In numbers, Mia Hamm was the United States top goal scorer, with 158 goals in 275 matches, a remarkable record that will probably dust and rust before it is beaten. She scored more goals than any man or woman for her national team, although many soccer specialists will agree that the level of women's soccer is still in an early grade and cannot be compared to mens soccer yet.

She won the Women's World Cup twice, in 1991 and 1999 and also put the US national team through a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in 1996. All these titles, records and awards make Mia Hamm one of the most important players in women's soccer and the fact that Pele considered to put her on the same list as legendary male players such as Maradona, Cruyff, Platini or Beckenbauer says a lot about the influence she had in the game.

Niv Orlian is the author and the owner of http://www.soccer-fans-info.com a website that provides information on various topics related to soccer such as the history of soccer, rules, famous soccer players, real time news, statistics, and training guides.

Your Guide to Making Money on the Internet

There are many sites offering you ways to make easy money on the internet but most of them are scams. Even though making money on the internet is possible, it is not in the ways these sites suggest. You will never get rich quick using a scheme which will guarantee success. Don't you agree that if someone knew how to make a fortune overnight they would use it for themselves and not sell it to you for $30? This is how these sites work - they make money on the internet by giving false hopes to the broke or poor.

Despite that, it is still possible to make money on the internet. I personally do that as a freelance writer. What I really like about the internet is that it gives you more work opportunities. First of all, you can work from home which is always a pleasant thing to do. Secondly, you can be your own boss as you can set your own work hours and get paid when you finish your tasks. Another advantage of the internet is that it allows you to connect to many other people and in case you are good at marketing yourself you can sell your services quickly. Despite all these great advantages, there is no miracle solution. Even though you shouldn't leave the house in order to make money online, you still have to get the work done.

As a freelance writer I use the countless opportunities of the Internet to meet potential employers. One thing I use is craigslist. It is very helpful as there are hundreds of jobs offered every day so you have to quickly discover useful contacts. To be completely honest, I should admit that there are many better resources for making money online but all it comes to are connections. One way to develop them is to ask for referrals from your previous employers. Even though you might never meet the people you work for, when making money over the internet is concerned, it is almost the same as real life work - you do need connections. Consequently, making money on the internet is not such a difficult task. However, what is really hard is to make your living on it and not just an additional income.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning money. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.makingmoneymanual.com/making-money/making-money/your-guide-to-making-money-on-the-internet.html

Dealing with a Jumping Dog, or "Jump up, jump up and get down!"

Often its ok for a dog to jump on its owner, but awkward and even harmful when he jumps up on others, such as other family members or friends. This can be confusing for the dog, but a well-trained dog can quite happily learn never to jump on strangers, and when its ok and to jump on you (playtimes, for example). A dog jumping up on a child can be a frightening experience, especially when the dog becomes taller than the child when he rears up. A dog jumping up on strangers is always a bad look.

During greetings, always try to prevent your dog from jumping up in the first place. Put your hand (or both hands) out in front of you and hold still. A trained dog will be able to respond to this gesture, without any verbal commands, and realize that it should stay down. If he gets down on his own accord, then start using the down command to accompany the behavior. Ideally, you always want the dog to perform the correct behavior first before using a verbal command, so they have some action to associate it with.

For most, this type of prevention does not work right away, especially for puppies that lack enough formal training. Youll have to know how to react when your dog starts jumping up. Mostly, this involves what NOT to do. For example, dont be over-enthusiastic during your greetings. This obviously reinforces the behavior. And do not forcefully push the dog away from you. They interpret this as a form of playful engagement. The result: dogs always push back. Its instinctive (and the same principle is the reason for the majority of cases where dogs pull on leashes - they are encouraged by the force exerted on them).

Turn your back and ignore the dog. And calmly ask him to sit. When he has calmed down, and ideally responded to the sit command, then you can turn and greet the dog. If it starts jumping again, repeat the process. Be patient, this is where you get to send a message mainly through your body language, and the dog will surely take many trials to receive it. Often it is recommended that you stick your knee up and put the dog off balance, which is almost a reflex reaction. Turning your back and stonewalling is better if you can manage.

One of the absolute best suggestions I can give is to always greet a calm dog at its level. Squat or kneel down, and open your palms open toward the dog. This is a non-threatening posture that dogs very quickly associate will impending praise. We all like when others try to meet us on our level. Dogs are no different in this respect. But make sure they earn it first!

Avoidance is your best bet when introducing new people into your house. If you have established your position as the dominant member of your pack, then your dog should never be allowed to position himself in front of you when the front door opens. Time for you to become the Alpha Dog if thats the case, which is means more training for you.

Martin Olliver is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team (http://www.kingdomofpets.com). For more great articles on problem jumping, visit: http://kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/jumping_dog.php.

From Educator To Working At Home - and Making Money!

My name is Ron and Im 52 years old. I taught high school math and coached basketball for 27 years and enjoyed many successes and personal satisfying moments. I left that part of education 3 years ago and am now the athletic director at our school.

Coaching allowed me to meet many of the most successful coaches in college basketball history and attend their clinics and even work at their summer camps. The educator in me has always wanted to know what makes successful people - successful. Ive accumulated ideas from hundreds of biographies and autobiographies of successful people in all areas of life. Ive tried to incorporate those into my teaching and coaching to help prepare young people for life. It didnt make me a lot of money, but it was very rewarding. Someday Id like to develop a website for success ideas/stories/inspirations of all the material Ive collected over the years. But thats for another time right now.

I spent many years in that career I loved, but unfortunately didnt profit from huge salaries. Ive really learned to love exploring on the computer and as I near retirement I was searching for something that was enjoyable and yet something that could be profitable. Searching the web for these kind of ideas is almost incomprehensible! I have sifted through literally hundreds and thousands of ideas and sometimes it makes my head spin.

However, recently Ive come across an opportunity called The Ultimate Wealth Package. It is a program developed by Mark Warren and is definitely different from all those other head spinners. Mark is very thorough in his explanation and completely lays out exactly what you need to do in order to be successful. He explains that this is not a get rich quickly program, but if you follow his plan you can make some money and enjoy what youre doing at the same time. Im not the most computer savvy person in the world - but this is very easy to follow. I am also not the most liberal person - most of my ex-students and athletes would probably say Im very conservative! However Marks program is one that I felt completely comfortable with am looking forward to making part of my life from here on out. If things could work as well as I may hope - it may even allow me to move my retirement up a few years and allow me to enjoy things Ive only dreamt about.

I dont know if youre situation is anything like mine or not, but it really doesnt matter. I think this is an opportunity that could be good for anyone. I would say proceed carefully (like I did) and compare this to other programs youve researched. I really dont think youll be disappointed.

Ill end with a quick motivational story from a book that is probably my favorite of the hundreds/and even thousands from those Ive read. If you havent read Gary Barnetts book HIGH HOPES - you should do so immediately. He took over an absolute dismal college football program at Northwestern and a few years later had them in the Rose Bowl. He simply said: What they (the players) didnt understand was that at 211 degrees, water is just hot. At 212, one more degree of temperature, water turns to steam, which can create enough energy to move a train through a mountain pass. We were simmering at 211.

Ive always tried to inspire my students and athletes to work hard for that one little extra degree. Then they can watch the fruits of their labor pay off. This is exactly how Im going to approach this program. It has inspired me in much the same way.

I wish you well and hope that you will reach for that one last little degree in whatever it is that you want to be good at!

Ron Probst was a high school math teacher and basketball coach for 22 years. Since retiring from the coaching side of education he has gone back to school to earn his administrators license and is currently a high school athletic director. To find out more about Mike Warrens program, log onto http://www.yaswebsites.com/M305663W

Five Steps to Making Money With Other Peoples Products

If you want to make money online without having you own products, selling other people's products could be the ticket. Selling others products has many advantages. You do not have to spend time on creating the products, you do not have to set up a system to sell and deliver the products, and you do not have to get a merchant account and pay recurring merchant account fees. The person who owns the product does all of these things for you. All you have to do is market the product and make money with it.

So how can you make money with other people's products? People who have created products usually run affiliate programs. An affiliate program is a way for you to earn commissions every time you sell someone else's product. When you sign up for an affiliate program, you will get your own unique id you use to link to products you are promoting. Once you make sales using your affiliate links, you will generate commissions.

Here are five steps to take to make money with affiliate products:

- Find A Product To Sell. Before going any further, you need to find a product that will sell. A product should have a professional appearance, be presented on a professional web site and be a quality product that you would want to recommend to others.

Once you find the product, join the affiliate program for it and get your affiliate links.

- Create A Web Site To Sell The Affiliate Product. Having your own web site to promote the affiliate products is best. I always recommend that you get your own domain name and web hosting to host your web site.

The cost of domain names and web site hosting has come down considerably since just a few years ago. You can now get a domain name for about $8 per year and web site hosting for under $10 per month. At these prices you don't have to be a millionaire or commit to a large capital outlay to start your own web site.

- Create Content For The Web Site. To get more visitors and more sales, you need content for your web site. It is not enough to just link to the product with your affiliate link. In order to make money with your affiliate link you need to bring potential buyers to your web site. A great way to bring them in is with content that is of interest to them, and is related to the product you are promoting.

One good way to generate the content for your web site is by creating your own content and articles that are related to the topic of the product you are promoting. Another good way is by using the articles that were written by the author of the product. Many authors allow their affiliates use the authors' articles on their web sites, and use the affiliate link in the resource box.

- Optimize Your Web Site for Search Engines. Search engine optimization is the process of modifying web page content and meta-information to improve the search engine ranking of the page. Successful search engine optimization will greatly increase the number of visitors that come to your web site. The more visitors to the web site you have, the more affiliate products you will be able to sell, and the more money you will make.

Make sure you optimize every page of your web site for search engines; that way you will get more web site visitors.

- Use Your Articles To Promote The Affiliate Product. Article publishing is a great way to drive traffic to your web site. Start by writing a few articles that are of interest to the people who would want to purchase the product you are promoting. Use the About The Author Resource Box to promote the product. Then take your articles and submit them to article directories. Doing this will bring more traffic to your web site and help you make more money.

Remember, you do not need to create your own products to make money online. Follow the five steps we outlined above to make lots of money selling other people's products.

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ATTN : Webmasters and Ezine Publishers:

Free Content for your newsletter or your website! You are invited to use this article in your newsletter or website. The only requirement is the inclusion of the author's bio and link to the URL displayed.

John J Farina is a successful affiliate marketer. He provides expert reviews on which affiliate programs to join and which ones to avoid like the plague. He shows people how to actually generate substantial income on-line using very simple, easily modeled systems. An example of such a system that you can study and duplicate is at: http://www.johnnysreviewsite.com

Secrets to Becoming the Alpha Male

Up until a few months ago, I always looked at "alpha males" in completely negative terms. I saw them as pretentious, obnoxious, cocky and arrogant. The only reason they got women, I thought, was because women are lame, dense, and go for pricks. The alpha males success has nothing to do with them, I said, and everything to do with nice girls, going for bad boys.

But over the last few months, my attitude has changed. Ive actually found that adopting an "alpha attitude" is crucial towards attracting women. In fact, the guys who do best with women arent necessarily jocks; theyre just the ones who are assertive, ambitious, confident and clever: in short, they are decidedly alpha.

What transformed my perception? Well, it was a best friend who taught memans best friend, to be exact. My attitude changed as a result of none other than learning about dog training. Alpha-dog training, to be exact.

Heres what I discovered: As dogs today are still pack animals, with the same instincts as "a pack of wolves," its important for dog owners to behave like the "Alpha", or leader, of the group. In the wild, dogs would follow a structure, and in the absence of a solid "alpha" leader, the "betas" and "omegas" of the pack would rebel. So as a dog owner, if you dont make it clear to the dog that YOU are the leaderby eating first, going through doorways first, etc.its all over from there: these wolf-like creatures are going to do the complete opposite of what you tell them to, and even become aggressive and untame.

Sounds kind of like what happens if you let girls run all over you, doesnt it?

However, if you are firm and consistent in asserting yourself as the Alpha of your dogs "pack" (ie, the family household), he will respect you and do what he or she is told. Youll avoid so many problems, just by taking the time to show a dog that YOU are the boss.

Because, much like women, dogs WANT someone whos in control. They dont want to have take up the role of leader themselves. Theyll actually love you more when you walk around with pride and confidence.

Theres more we can apply to female attraction from alpha dog training. When a low-ranking dog rebels against the "top dog," successful dog trainers do the same things alpha wolves do in the wild: they ignore the dog for a couple days, until it comes back apologetic and willing to do what it is told. If the dog acts well upon return, he is rewarded and given the socialization and attention he needs.

As youll learn below, you can use this same principles towards ladies you meet at a bar or club.

Of course, you cant go overboard. A dog that obeys out of fear does not behave as well as a dog who behaves out of respect. In fact, its been found that being too assertive and physical with a dog will only lead to aggressive and reckless behaviors. So it pays to be firm, but not brutal. Just like with the ladiesyou want to be confident and assertive, but not arrogant and mean.

Here are some more benefits to carrying "alpha attitude" around the ladies:

* By asserting yourself as the leadersomeone to be respected, not fearedyou gain peoples respect. As I said, females dont want to have to adopt male leadership themselves; they just want to be around someone whos not afraid to be a stand-up, assertive kind of man. But let me be clear: women dont want an insecure guy who feels he has to act macho and sexist to get his buddies approval, like so many jocks, but a guy who naturally acts confident, and expects people to show him respect. Thats what youre aiming for, and thats what women who are worth your time want.

* Conversely, by being the "follower" instead of the "followed," people, especially girls, will treat you as what you present: someone whos not a leader, someone whos NOT confident, tough, and full of power; in short, someone whos not full of value. You get what you give, so its up to you to GIVE a lot!

* When a girl, particularly one youve just met at a bar or any social venue, treats you with disrespect, its up to you, as the "alpha male," to ignore her. Shut her out, move on, and shell eventually come back to you the same way a dog would: with her tail between her legs, apologetic, and hungry for your respect. But dont address her until youre sure you have her respect, otherwise youre allowing her to "move up the pack," which, as with dogs, will only create future problems.

This actually goes to show why guys who ignore girls, get more than those who dote on them and act needy. Its all evolutionary.

* Conversely, when a girl treats you well, gives you love, and yes, does as shes told (though Im not suggesting you guys bark out commands!), you must treat HER with respect. This especially applies to girlfriends, but also a girl youve only known or dated shortly: Show your thanks, show your appreciation, the same way an alpha leader would display love and affection upon a well-behaved canine.

* You can even apply the alpha dog training to dates. Since the alpha leader eats first, chooses what to eat, and eats the biggest portions, YOU must decide where to eat on a date (dont let her choose the restaurant!), you mustnt be afraid to eat first (although social conventions do dictate that we must wait for both our plates to be served!), and you should get the best bites. If youre splitting a piece of cheesecake, for example, dont be afraid to dig in and get the best portion! The girl will actually respect you for it, much more so than if you bashfully gave up the best piece to her. Again, retain your position as the "top dog."

* Finally, you have to show that youre an alpha not just one-on-one, but also in groups. An alpha wolf doesnt gain his position by submitting to others in the pack; he asserts himself in front of others and makes it known that hes the leader. That doesnt mean you treat your buddies and strangers like crap; it just means you dont let them push you around. In short, you must be what the guy I think has the whole "alpha attitude" down pat, Carlos Xuma, calls "being a stand-up guy." That means standing up for yourself , AND standing up for your girl, by not taking crap from anyone. You dont have to be a jock to let people know they cant push you around.

Quite the contrary. Xuma knows that in order to be big, youve gotta THINK big, and he does this himself by adopting alpha characteristics. What are some great alpha characteristics? In his Secrets to Becoming the Alpha Man course, Xuma rattles off a number of them, including being:

- Clever/smart/cunning
- Ambitious
- Excited
- Honorable
- Dominant (not aggressive, but demonstrating superior social skills)
- Stable
- Fit (healthy lifestyle)
- Curious
- Balanced
- Natural

Doesnt sound like you? No worries. With Xumas course you can learn how to NATURALLY become the leader. It all starts with attitude. Carlos teaches some fascinating, real-life subjects like:

Qualification: The Essence of Alpha Attitude
REAL Game Philosophy
Three Winning Attitudes to Impress Women
5 Things to Never Talk About with Women
The Keys to Dating Success
Motivating Yourself to Get More Girls
How Even Geeks Can Get 10s with Alpha Attitude
What Bad Boys Have That Nice Guys Dont
I highly recommend trying Xuma out. You can start with his free mini-course and newsletter, and see how you like it. I personally find it fascinating and down-to-earth gritty.

In short, it pays to be alpha. The best part is, You dont have to be a football player to do it. The lasting reward is feeling good about yourself, and getting the girls all the other alpha males get. Whats wrong with that?

James Brito is the author of "How to Be Irresistible to Women." His years of dating experience and international travel have tutored him in the art of meeting and seducing women the world over. His immersion in international dating circles brings forth a gritty, no-nonsense approach to dating and developing relationships necessary for the modern single man. Learn more about how to attract the woman of your dreams at: http://www.000relationships.com

The Parent-Child Sex Talk

In the already infamous condom episode of South Park, the town decides that sex education is desperately needed in the schools after a number of the kids are caught innocently milking male dogs. As with most South Park episodes, much raunchy humor follows. And also as with most South Park episodes, there's a final moral that ends up being both serious and legitimatein this case the point that sex education needs to be taught not in the schools (or at least not primarily in the schools) but at home. Which is, of course, easier said than done.

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In fact, talking to our children about S-E-X is one of the most difficult talks that many parents will face. That tiny, 3-letter word seems to hold a spell over us and by uttering it to a child we think we are going to hell. Some parents are afraid that if they discuss sex with their child, Child Protective Services will soon be knocking at their door. They think that if they talk sex they are going to be accused of pedophilia or being weird. Others feel that if they teach their child about sex and birth control they are advocating promiscuity. Some of us are so damn uptight that we just hope that the schools will do a good job of teaching sex or our kids will see other kids getting pregnant or an STD and decide on their own to wait. A wise, responsible parent will equip their child with the knowledge that will help and protect the child should they become sexually active. Each year roughly two million children are born to unmarried parents in the United States alone. If you don't want your child to be one of these parents or you are not ready to be one of the grandparents, you better get with the program and start talking about sex. Hopefully you will start at an early age and keep right on talking even after you have the kids married off.

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When children are young we talk to them using terminology that they can understand but do not hide the obvious or the truth. If they see a couple of dogs hooking up you explain that the dogs are making babies. We can read toddlers and small children books that are written at their level. When you see your children touching themselves you need to let them know that it is okay to touch it but to do so someplace private. And you want to make sure that a small child understands that their private area is not to be touched by others and that if someone tries to or does, they need to tell you right away and that you will not be mad at them.

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During all sex talks turn off the television, radio and cell phone. Turn on the telephone answering machine and select a time when you are less likely to be disturbed by someone coming to the door. Make the talks special and, if you have more than one kid, don't try to save time by having them all at once. While it is okay for older children to be in on the conversation with the younger children, the opposite is not advised. When a 13-year-old boy sees that his 10-year-old sister is getting hairy armpits and the only hair he has is on his head, he feels that something horrible must be wrong. So have two separate talks. Reassure your son he's not a monster, and tell your daughter about menstruation so that when she experiences that first flow she won't think she's bleeding to death. I would suggest purchasing a good book on puberty and not just give it to them but also first read it yourself and then together and answer any questions they may have. Books like this can be found in bookstores or at educational websites like Ask Uncle Terry.

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By the age of 13 you should be talking about birth control and masturbation. Let your child know that masturbation is something most all of us practice and it is normal. Tell him about precum and semen so that the first time your son has an orgasm he will not think that he broke something. Put lotion and tissue in your son's room for those runny noses and to keep his hands soft. This will not embarrass him and it will help you with the cleanup. But there are other times, of course, when a topic has to be addressed directly.

When these times come up you can't be afraid to explore the topic candidly. Remember you are the parent, so be strong and stay the course and, if necessary, demand that your children do, too. Take control, be open, have a dialogue and have them tell you what they have learned from school, their friends or on their own. Answer their questions fully without sugar coating. Discuss masturbation, sexual safety, STDs and protection. Remember that diseases like AIDS and hepatitis can be deadly, making the use of condoms mandatory.

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Oral sex has become a prevalent form of sex among our children, so discuss it openly and remind them that while they will not become pregnant through oral or anal intercourse they can still get a sexually transferred disease. Answer their questions about oral sex and anything else is one way of showing that you are always there for them. Make it perfectly clear that they need to wait until adulthood before becoming sexually active, but if they do make the plunge earlier don't turn your back on them or refuse to answer questions about condoms or birth control. It may make you feel uncomfortable, but that's the price that you need to be willing to pay for knowing you are doing your best to protect your tween and teen children from raising children of their own.

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For parents that needs a little refresher course on abstinence, sex and masturbation, check out http://www.askuncleterry.com

Terrance Lile (Uncle Terry) is not your typical writer and advisor on sexual relationships. He serves frank, down to earth, sometimes brutal advice on sex and life. He uses humor and knowledge gained through extensive reading and personal experience. He has the support of advisors from medical and mental professionals to educators and clergy and pornographers to prostitutes. Uncle Terry can be found at http://www.askuncleterry.com

Peculiar Pets

People have found shelter and comfort in pets since the beginning of time. Animals have been man's best friend, protector and a source of great pleasure. Dogs, cats, parrots, birds, rabbits and horses are the most commonly kept pets. In societies people keep undisruptive animals. Hardly any house is left that does not have a pet! Pets are considered no less than family members, and hence are given the same shelter, love, food as any of their family is liable to receive. Human nature possesses an inclination towards matchlessness. Peculiar pets are found across the world and by the passage of time their number is increasing. These animals vary from reptiles, endangered species of birds, snakes, lizards, spiders and so on. Rare animals are now managed and controlled and made pleasant, exuberant companions.

There are many people in this world who are fond of being different from others. They crave for anything that is extraordinary and distinct. Dogs have been kept as pets since the begging of time and there is simply no substitute for them. Over the lapse of centuries dogs have earned their status as the man's best friend. There are common dogs and these are poodles, hound dogs etc. There are some dogs that can be categorized as rare dogs because people do not keep them as common pets. Bull terriers and Beardies are two species of rare exotic creatures. Beardie is a dog that was used a long time back as a shepherd dog. Bull terriers are vicious looking dogs and they suit people living in countries sides because they are a good source security. These dogs are a mixed breed of a bull dog and an extinct white English terrier. These dogs are highly aggressive and need their space. They are huge and scary and perfect athletes. They can be particularly friendly towards people.

There are monkeys that aren't still very common but these pets are full of enjoyment. Monkeys can imitate and learn quickly that is the reason people want to keep them as pets now more and more.

There are people who pay thousands to possess boa constrictors and other snakes and keep them as pets, enough to scare a visitor. Spiders such as tarantulas and camel spiders are increasing in number. There are kangaroo cats, iguanas, monitor lizard, etc. Some people also keep panthers, lions as pets and often face dangerous consequences. But however keeping such animals as pets makes people feel extraordinary and distinctive.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for http://etotallypets.com/ - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for http://supershoppingtips.com/ and http://familyinformationsource.com/