Are you thinking about getting some discus then and want to know a little about them. Have you been to the aquatics and seen some lovely colourful discus in there show tanks. A lot of people will tell you that discus are only for advanced fish keepers but in my experience they are easy to keep as long as you follow some basic rules.

First of all, discus require clean water free of chlorine and heavy metals. You may be best to invest in a water purifying unit. Make sure the water is on the soft and acidic side. pH between 6.0 and 7.5 with a general hardness between 5 and 15. Now is you want to been them these will have to be lower.

The water should be well filtered but slow moving and be heated at around 82 ? 86F.

Another point to cover is that discus are best suited to large deep aquariums as they commonly grow to around 6 or 7 inch. They prefer to be in shoals of no less than 6 when they are growing up.

They can be kept in bare tanks but benefit from bog wood and plants as these help the discus feel safe knowing they have some where to hide. If they get stressed and scared in a bare tank they can dash around and damage there selves.

Ideal tank mates for discus include small tetras from South America i.e. neon tetras. They are also ok with various cat fish and plecs but please make sure the discus is the largest fish in the aquarium.

Discus can be fed on most aquarium foods and practically like sinking pellets. They also like frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Young discus should be fed 3 times a day and adults just once.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and learned a little bit more about discus fish. If you would like more information on discus fish please visit my site http://www.discus-fish-secrets.com

Rob Clarke owns Discus Fish Secrets website helping begginners and advanced fishkeepers with discus problems inluding keeping and breeding them. Please visit the site for more discus information

Quite simply, a fish tank is designed to offer marine life with a familiar and contained environment. As a hobby, fish tanks allow individuals to purchase fish as pets and keep them inside their home. The first fishkeeping, for personal use, became increasingly popular in the 1950′s and was widely enjoyed through the use of glass aquariums that are still famous today.

A fish tank typically features the tank itself, along with a filter, lighting and an aquarium heater. Purchased in a variety of different sizes, a fish tank can range in size from the small to the very large models. For this reason, prices vary greatly depending on the size and features of the fish tank.

The features of a fish tank are very important to the survival of the marine life. As they are used to moving water, filtration is a must. Otherwise, the water would become cloudy and the fish would deteriorate quickly. While lighting is perhaps not as important as a quality filtration unit, it does provide a sense of a routine in a distinction between light and dark. While in the wild, marine life experiences the difference between day and night and will find a similar lighting routine to be similar to their natural habitat.

It is very important that the water in a fish tank be tested regularly with the use of a test kit. In addition, regular water changes are required of every fish tank in order to keep the fish?s life clean and safe. Regular tap water, however, will likely feature contamination that may prove harmful to the fish. Chemicals and purifiers used to treat the water is found in most tap waters so, instead, a fish tank should be filled with distilled water. When changing the water in a fish tank, the owner must remove up to 20% of the current water and replace it with new , which is achieved through the use of a mix.

There are a number of ways to find the perfect fish and a fish tank to keep it safe. A pet shop is the most likely place to find rare marine life and provides the biggest selection, while many retail stores offer a freshwater fish selection. When purchasing, it is a good idea to ask if the fish comes with any type of guarantee and/or special car instructions. Fish are fragile and must be treated according to specific guidelines, which any pet shop owner will detail depending on the fish that you select.

To find out more about fish tank, please visit our website at http://www.fish-tank-guide.info It contains tons of free fish tank articles, resources and tips.

In today’s modern home, pets are part of the family, and pet owners need to design good feeding practices suitable for their particular pet, and also suitable for their own lifestyle. Owners need to consider too, factors like cost, convenience, variety and availability of foodstuffs for dog food. They need to think about the individual needs of their own pet and combine foods in a way that the dog food meets those needs.

Most pets in the household live indoors, and are not in regular work so will require what is termed a maintenance diet dog food. This dog food diet needs to provide a balance of nutrients in the correct amount to keep the animal fit both physically and mentally, and to encourage peak condition and reduce disease. The dog food also needs to be concentrated adequately so that your dog is not having to eat large volumes of it, and it also should taste good so that your dog eats all its meal. Make feeding time with your dog fun as this will help with bonding your dog to you. Dog food time is often the high spot of many a dog’s day!

Dogs are omnivorous although we group them with the carnivores. They can quite happily eat fruit and vegetables as well as meat. My own dog Toby loves nothing better than eating apple cores or cheddar cheese. It makes a change from dog food! He does however, have a preference for meat, and will eat it raw or cooked.

Healthy adult dogs can be fed with a variety of foods, or just one complete dog food. These complete diets can be either dry, semi-moist or canned. It is advisable to avoid sudden changes in your dogs diet as this will often result in diarrhoea. Introduce new foods slowly by combining them with the current regime, gradually increasing the new food. Often the easiest way to vary the diet is to offer different varieties of food from the same manufacturer.

Feeding your dog once a day is often all that is required to keep their appetite satisfied. I would tend to advise against feeding too late in the evening as this may prompt calls for the toilet in the middle of the night. Some dogs are happier fed two to three times a day after their owners have eaten, and this can be okay too, provided that an eye is kept on the dog’s weight, and obesity doesn’t become a problem. I would advise that dogs which are feeling unwell be fed little and often. The same would go for dogs with a poor appetite, and also very old dogs.

So how do you tell if you are feeding your dog adequately? The best way to tell would be by the appearance of your dog. Does he look in good condition? Does his coat shine? Is his skin in good condition? Is he full of life and vitality, and not too thin or too fat?

Finally, keep a regular check on your dog’s weight and have him checked at least every six months at your local veterinarian. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Feed your dog a well balanced dog food and let him live to enjoy many years at your side. He may be the key to long life for you too.

Leonard Mutch is a dog owner and trainer with over 25 years experience working with dogs. Learn the 7 essential components of good dog feeding on his website : dog food information

You might disagree, but hear me out on this. Dog treats are not something that you give as bait for better behavior of your dog. Dog treats are not something that is cheap to come by.

When you think of dog treats you are probable thinking of doggie bones and snacks. There are a lot more different kinds of dog treats out there that you can choose from for your family pet. You are able to purchase many different items such as soft chew treats so that you dog is not going to be able to eat up their treat right away. When you are purchasing a dog treat that is a soft chew treat you know that you are not going to need to purchase a new different treat right away in most cases.

No matter if your dog is just a family protector for the long night or if they are part of the family, because you spoil them you are going to want to get your dog some kind of a treat every now and then. If you notice that the dog has bad breath then you may want to even check out the dog treats that will help them out with bad breath. That could be a good lifesaver if your dog is one that likes to make sure that you are up in the morning so that you do not end up running late. Just think if you are getting them one of the dog treats that will help with bad breath then you are not going to be knocked out in the morning when they are trying to get you moving.

No matter what kind of a dog treat you are looking for there is so many different ones out there that you can purchase for your dog. There are even ones that you are going to be able to make in the privacy of your own home so that you are going to be able to save a little money in the long run. Plus you may end up feeling better if you are making the dog treats for them instead of buying them all the time. At least when you make them you are going to know what all is in the dog treat that you made them.

In conclusion, never make a dog treat like bait. Use them wisely and you can reap the benefits of giving your dog the treats they deserve.

Depending on you, dog treats can have a positive or negative effect on your beloved dog. Know more about dog treats for FREE by visiting this website: http://www.1-dog-treats.info

An untrained dog is a direct reflection on you, the pet owner, and how much you care about the dog. In fact a dog that is not trained becomes a nuisance to the owner and the environment. You can probably give to your dog basic obedience training, i.e. teaching it to respond to simple commands. Whether it’s a puppy or a fully-grown dog you can teach them with a little effort on your part.

Dogs are intelligent animals. They have been trained to do specific tasks like sniffing out drugs and explosives and performing search and rescue missions. All these are possible by the efforts of the dog owner. But how can you train your dog to obey you?

First, you need to know about the genetic make up of your dog. Like wolves, dogs are hierarchy conscious. They instinctively gravitate toward living in pack under a leader. Your family is your dog’s pack and it needs to understand that you are the leader.

Even as a puppy, your dog can learn that it is subordinate to you. How? Try holding its gaze with your eyes until it looks away. Also, rubbing the dog’s belly while on its back is a good exercise, as this puts it in a submissive position. If your dog is being a nuisance and does not stop when you say ‘No’, try ignoring it or leaving the room.

When your dog responds to your commands, it is acknowledging that you are in charge. If you, as the owner, do not establish your position of leadership, your pet may conclude that it is equal or superior to you and this might affect its behavior.

To teach your dog basic commands, you will need a collar, a leash and plenty of patience. For successful training, you will have to follow the steps below:

a. Give a simple, one-word command, b. demonstrate the desired action and c. immediately give praise when the action is done. Your tone of voice is more important than the word you use. A command should be given in an affirmative tone and praise be given in a happy, affectionate tone.

Physical punishment, such as hitting or kicking, is not necessary. Simply say ‘No’ in a sharp tone, prolonging the vowel, so that the dog will know that you are displeased with its performance. A dog is intelligent enough to know when you are rewarding or reprimanding.

If anything more drastic is needed, you might grasp the dog by the scruff of its neck and shake it lightly while saying ‘No’. Reprimands should be given during or immediately following the undesirable behavior. Remember, a dog cannot discern why it is being scolded if scolding occurs minutes or hours after the act. Neither does it understand why a certain action is acceptable on one occasion but not on another, so be consistent.

Training of a dog is a continuous process, but the nucleus for all obedience is the command ‘Sit!’ if your dog understands this basic command it becomes quite easy to train your dog in the other basic commands. For example, you can tell your dog to sit when it begins to jump on visitors. To teach your dog to sit, put the leash on it and give the command while pushing down on its hindquarters and gently pulling its head up with the leash. Give praise immediately. Repeat these steps until the dog obeys the command on its own.

To teach your dog to remain in the position, use the command ‘Stay!’ while standing in front and putting your hand out with the palm facing flat toward the dog. If the dog moves, say ‘No’ and place it back into position. Repeat the command and praise the dog when it stays sitting for a short period. Gradually increase the time it sit and then the distance between you and the dog as it responds to the command.

The best way to teach your dog to come to you is to use a long leash and give a gentle tug while calling your dog’s name and giving the command ‘Come!’. Back up as the dog moves towards you and continue to praise. Soon it will respond to your call without being prompted by the leash. Never use the word ‘Come’ for a negative reason, such as to reprimand. Your dog must learn that responding to ‘come’ will bring pleasurable results, whether praise or a food treat. If you lose your patience while teaching this command, your dog will learn that coming is unpleasant and will be avoided.

You can teach your dog to walk by your side without pushing ahead or lagging behind. To do this without stress, use a link-chain training collar and a short leash. With the dog on your left, give the command ‘Heel!’ and step out with the left foot. If your dog attempts to push ahead or lag back, give a quick, sharp jerk on the leash and repeat the command. Give praise for compliance.

Remember, a dog is a social and intelligent animal. Long period of confinement can lead to excessive barking, hyperactivity and destructive behavior. But with training, your dog can become a delightful, loyal companion instead of a nuisance.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dog Training

Who doesn?t like to visit the local discount/Dollar store in search of deals? Many pet care items can be purchased at these stores, some of these items are not obviously for pets. A trip to the Dollar store can be an excellent time to stock up on grooming supplies, as well as an opportunity to build a pet First Aid kit.

Boar Bristle brushes are often available at these stores, in the section for human hair care. These brushes are a necessity for a nice glowing finish. You can find quilted cosmetic pads for ear cleaning, as well as tearless Baby Shampoo to use on your dog?s face. If you want to smooth the nails without the use of a nail grinder (which must be used with care), you can find packages of emery boards to smooth out the rough edges after you clip. Tweezers are a good thing to have, get a pair to put in your Dog?s Fist Aid kit.

You can really clean up in the medicine isles of these stores. It?s a great place for non-buffered, non-coated aspirin( NOT Ibuprofen). Real aspirin is basic in your Dog?s first aid kit. This can be administered to dogs for muscle strains, joint aches, teething pain or any inflammation. Call your vet for dosage. You will need a bottle of liquid bismuth (pink stuff), this helps diarrhea and upset stomach. Again, call your vet for dosage. There will be a variety of non-adhesive bandages here, as well as gauze. Get plenty, they are always good. (Make a stop at your farm store, get some co-flex bandage wrap (sticks only to itself). This will hold your bandage in place, and so worth the $2.00 you will spend on it.) Although you don?t need these things often, when there is an emergency and you need them, it?s really awful not to have them. And having dogs is a lot like having kids, at some point, sometime, something will happen.

Get a pair of blunt nosed gauze scissors if they have them, as well as gauze fasteners (these are just small pieces of metal with teeth at each end).You will need a tube of antibiotic ointment, which they should have. It?s usually called triple antibiotic or Bacetracin or the like. If they carry thermometers, rectal or not, grab one. A dog normally has a body temp. of 101 F, a temp. can tell you much about what?s going on, and if your dog should see a vet. If there is a bottle of buffered saline solution for eyes, this makes a very nice eyewash in a pinch. Occasionally, these stores carry Electrolytic Solution for dehydration (generally in the Baby section), if so get one of these. Ipecac can be a good thing to have on hand also, in case of accidental poisining that calls for you to induce vomiting. In the case of poisoning, call your vet IMMEDIATELY, with some substances YOU DO NOT WANT TO INDUCE VOMITING. I can?t stress enough the importance of having your vet?s number posted and using it in these cases.

Jen Thon lives with her beautiful family in a small town in Michigan. She has been involved with pets for 30 years, as a trainer, the owner of my own grooming shop for ten years, and as a pet lover. Even though she has a BS in Psychology with studies in Animal Behaviorism, still she constantly learns new things from pet lovers she meets online and off. Jen says As a mom, I found it was necessary to work from my home, on my own (or rather the kid’s) schedule. So I, combined my love of animals with my experience of what works and what doesn’t nutritionally, and that was the beginning of Small Town Pets. I’ve always heard you’re supposed to make a living with what you love, that way you love your job! So that’s what I’ve done, with the advent of my online holistic store. Also, as a pet owner for three decades I’ve found many things that work for cleaning, and many that don’t. Cats and dogs (in most cases) are much smaller than humans, therefore they are much more suseptible to the negative effects of chemicals that are in the most common of products. That is why she decided it was so important to try and educate owners on the dangers of feeding chemicals, and using harsh cleaning products.

In her store, at www.smalltownpets.net/TownStore/ you will find an array of natural cleaning products that Jen uses herself, and wholeheartedly recommends. So please, browse the site and store, enter Pet of the Week contest, and leave a comment on the blog or forum!