You'll find Doberman difficulties that are health related that you'll want to be conscious of if you currently have (or are looking at) a Doberman in your home. Several of the issues are linked to the breed, but many are just aging concerns. Identifying issues asap will be the single biggest key to helping your dog stay healthy rather than getting sick enough they cannot be helped. Becoming acquainted with the indicators and warning signs to watch for with typical health issues could save your best friend's life.

Thyroid issues are among the most common medical related ailments to watch for. These are often the things you need to be looking for: lethargy, depression, weak joints, obesity, weight loss, skin/coat problems and anemia. Many internal organs in your dog's body rely on the thyroid so when it's not functioning correctly, it may also trigger a slowed pulse and whelping complications in females. A thyroid test is one of the things that your vet should do annually for your Doberman.

Cancer generally seems to be really prevalent in Dobermans. Bone cancer is the type seen the most often. This can be detected early by becoming conscious of any new lumps on your dog under his skin any time you groom him. Additional common cancers that are seen in Dobermans are prostate cancer (in males) and mammary cancer (in females). The best thing you can do is attempt to discover the issue early so chemotherapy can be started.

When you have a Doberman you also will need to be mindful of the dangers of dilated cardiomyopathy. The disease causes the heart to deteriorate and can frequently be fatal. Unfortunately, at times the dog doesn't show any symptoms. Many Dobermans appear totally fine until they finally collapse. Other dogs will show indicators of wheezing, becoming tired, coughing and weight loss. Annual tests should be performed to check your dog's heart beat and check for heart disease.

Spinal problems causes something called Wobbler Syndrome. You will need to learn about this if you have a Doberman. It is caused by a disc expansion that applies pressure to the spinal cord after it ruptures. The result of this problem is that the nerve function is interrupted so that it does not function right. The dog then sways as he walks and can't stand correctly,

You're in charge of taking care of this loving and faithful companion of yours. You need to be watching for potential health difficulties. If you have a dog, you need to take the responsibility seriously. When you recognize any medical related issues, see your vet immediately. In most cases, the earlier the sickness is identified, the better for your dog.

Click on doberman problems for more helpful information Click here for more information on doberman pinscher barking

Written by TJ Jackson using tags: doberman, doberman problems, dog problems, Dogs, stop dog growling

Some sorts of dog behaviour problems have been encountered by most people who have owned a dog for any length of time. It's very easy to react inappropriately to common problem behaviors such as chewing, biting, barking and other undesirable things your dog may do. You might have no experience with dogs and are looking into getting your first one, or maybe you already have a dog that has began exhibiting these kind of problems. In order to prevent behaviour problems from occurring, or to correct them if they're already present, it is important to understand why your dog does those things. Proper training will teach your dog to obey and will prevent or correct any dog behaviour problems.

Undesirable Barking

It's normal for dogs to bark to some degree, and some also whine or howl. However, when this barking or howling starts to disturb the neighborhood you've got a behavior problem on your hands. First you've got to figure out the underlying cause of your dog's need to bark incessantly.

So how do we learn to control how much a dog barks? It's important to be even handed and unchanging in your efforts. You may want to work on commands for barking and silencing your dog. Ultimately you need to stick with the training and provide your dog with positive reinforcement.

Destroying Furniture, Shoes and Other Possessions

The desire to chew is an inborn behavior with dogs, such that it's just something they naturally want to do. This natural behavior can quickly run out of control though when your dog doesn't know what to chew and what not to chew.

By providing your dog with things that it's okay to chew on you can provide positive reinforcement. By removing things you don't want to get chewed from your dog's environment you can reduce the chances of a relapse. Confine your dog to a safe area where he can't do any damage when you have to be away from the home. Sharp noises are a good way to deter problem behaviors like chewing, but you must catch your dog in the act. Then give him a chewable toy in place of the object on which he was chewing. If your make sure your dog is getting a lot of exercise, you war well on your way to fixing this and a lot of other major behavior issues.

Digging is another popular pastime of dogs that can easily become a behavior problem.

Digging is also a normal instinct for many dogs, but one which can cause a problem for homeowners. Some kinds of dogs, such as terriers, will dig more than others, mainly because of their breeding as hunting dogs.

But it will still be annoying when you find your your lawn or flower bed has been dug up by your dog. If you're able to figure out why the dog is digging you can then go straight to the root of the problem. You may need to spend some extra time with your dog, be sure he gets additional exercise and possibly more training too. You can also provide a place where your dog can dig without doing any harm, such as a sandbox, and let him know that it's okay to dig there.

Anxiety When You're Not Around

A common dog behaviour problem is anxiety caused by separation from its owner. Behaviours associated with the anxiety can be unsuitable defecation and urination, chewing or other types of damaging activity, and barking and whining.

Correcting separation anxiety is difficult, necessitating zealous training involving desensitizing and behavior modification exercises. If your dog's anxiety is too severe you may even need to get medication from your vet.

Failure To Housebreak

Improper elimination is perhaps the most annoying of the dog behaviour problems. Such problems can make your dog an unwelcome guest in other people's homes, in public and can cause damage to your own home. The first rule in dealing with inappropriate elimination is to consult a vet to be sure that there are not underlying medical problems causing the unwanted behavior.

Puppies, especially those less than twelve weeks old, will have a certain amount of inappropriate elimination due to their level of maturity. With full grown dogs though you may need to look into behavior modification and other training techniques as this is a very difficult behavior to correct once it has been learned.

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Stop Dog Aggression , stop dog jumping

categories: dog behaviors,dog problems,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog problems, family, Pets

Clickertraining is a very basic method of dog training that utilizes a low-cost clicker device as an encouraging tool to positively reinforce good behaviors and discourage bad. "Clickertraining" lets you easily and effectively train your dog in the comfort of your home. You don't need to be a professional, all you need is a clicker - which can be bought at any pet superstore or local shop - and a copy of our comprehensive training guide.

Our easy-to-read ebook is so effective that it has been translated into several languages and used successfully by dog lovers around the world. Try finding live sessions with a professional dog trainer for less than $49.95, the price you pay to gain immediate access to "Clicker training: 4 Secrets to Becoming a Supertrainer." Clickertraining can help you solve all your dog problems, including disobedience, house training, and defiance from any aged dog. Can you actually improve your dog's behavior with it?

Absolutely! You'll have access to all the information and guidance you need to create an obedient and mindful dog with our program." Clicker training is so powerful and easy to implement that you can even train more than one dog at a time. You get a fifty-six day, 100% money-back guarantee that lets you see that the program will work for you, or you get a refund. This guarantee is real proof that this is a reliable system, as only a very few purchasers have ever wanted their money back.

After you purchase Clickertraining, you will have instant access to it via our website with a password that will be sent to you so you can return to reference it again and again. This password allows you to access the website and operate directly from it at your own speed. Our program is so effective that it has been used successfully to train dogs for the sight-impaired. When your dog is misbehaving and you don't know what to do, "Clicker training: 4 Secrets to Becoming a Supertrainer" is a cost-effective alternative to hiring an expensive, professional dog trainer. Do you wonder what other program users have said about it?

After selling it to thousands, many of our customers have posted a lot of comments and feedback about our program on our website.

This book, is an actual tool to be used for all of your dog-training needs; it doesn't just explain the concept of clickertraining. I'm so confident in Clicertraining's ability to help you with your dog obedience problems that I know you won't hesitate to recommend it.

Simply put in the effort required to train your dog using the method, and you'll see the rewards in a well behaved dog. When you apply the valuable information provided in "Clickertraining: 4 Secrets to Becoming a Supertrainer:" on a consistent basis, you'll soon be awarding your formerly misbehaving pooch with "Best in Behavior."

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Online Dog Training , Dog Training Guide

categories: dog behaviors,dog problems,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog problems, family, Pets

If you really want to start seeing some positive results in your pup or older dog's behavior, then I highly recommend "Puppy and Dog Training Online" by Dove Cresswell. The most recent and innovative teaching techniques are displayed for you in very easy-to-understand video and audio formats on the Internet in a 7-lesson program. For many people, online lessons are a great alternative to attending dog training courses every week away from home, they are much more convenient and cost-effective. Instead of a specific hour set up on a certain day of the week for obedience class, a simple and upbeat 10 to 15 minute video lesson from Dove Cresswell is much easier and convenient to fit into my hectic schedule. Whether you have a good understanding of canine behavior already, or if you are a first-time dog owner, "Puppy and Dog Training Online" can be of great assistance to you. It also addresses all the normal things that can occur with a dog in real life. What I find is most convenient for me is to watch a video lesson and then go right on out to work on it with our family Beagle.

Covered Lessons and Training Techniques

Dove Cresswell's training program includes 7 audio and video training lessons for your dog, complete with photos and additional audio training tips and support. No matter what your pup's breed, Dove Cresswell's program will give offer just what you need. Because each dog, as well as each dog owner, is different she highlights the various methods that can work better for particular types of dogs and certain owners. Each lesson offers a few different variables for any particular situation. She will encourage you to try all of them out to find out which one your dog responds best to, and what feels most comfortable for you as well. The lessons are geared to spell everything out for you, so there is no confusion. You can expect to learn the following skills and techniques in this program:

housebreaking,

* Basic Dog Obedience

techniques to get your pup to heal at your feet,

* Reasons for Crate Training

coming to you on command,

proper manners, and even a special part on doing certain tricks.

Cresswell's online course outlines the same training techniques that she has had great success with in training canines for movie and television roles. Having seen other DVDs or eBooks on training dogs, I can tell your her techniques are different than anyone else.

It's very impressive to see just how well every lesson is presented, how easy it is to jump right into a specific area you may be looking for, and how uncomplicated the website is. What I have found to be really helpful is hearing the tone she uses for each of the commands. It is helpful to hear her tone so you can do it yourself throughout the training process - you learn what to say and more importantly, how you should say it. It's such an awesome concept! Clearly the visual and sound aspects of these lessons set them apart from any other online canine instructional guide.

Basically,

If you are an audio-visual learner you will find Dove Cresswell's Puppy and Dog Training Online program to be the best one for you. Rather than printing out page after page of boring material that you don't want to read anyway, now you can watch, listen, and learn "firsthand" from a highly renowned dog trainer. Having the ability to actually hear how Dove uses her own voice, as well as seeing her body language, has been the greatest help for me to developing my own style of training. You can go to the "Puppy & Dog Training Online" web-page for a free trial video session right now. I would highly encourage anyone who wishes to learn more about their dog to visit the site today!

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Stop Dog Aggression , stop dog jumping

categories: dog behaviors,dog problems,dog digging,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog digging, dog problems, family, Pets

Golden retrievers have become a favorite choice among pets preferred by families today and there are a number of reasons for their popularity. Goldens are a good-tempered and playful breed, they are an especially good choice for families with small children. Golden retriever training is worth your time and effort because these dogs want to please and are intelligent enough to learn. But that still doesn't mean that training a Golden is going to be a walk in the park, there may be some bumps along the way. The following are a few tips that will help you to train a Golden Retriever puppy so that you can turn it into the perfect family pet.

Housebreaking Your Puppy:

The first lesson in your golden retriever training course will be getting your puppy to relieve himself in the proper places. That will generally be in an outdoors area, and the easiest way to teach your dog this lesson is to use a crate. A crate can be both a sheltered, snug bed for your pet and an aid in training him to control his bodily functions. Most dogs won't do their business in the same place that they sleep, so by keeping your puppy in a crate at night he will learn not to go to the bathroom inside the house. Reinforce the Golden retriever training by giving your puppy abundant praise once he's gone to the bathroom where he is supposed to do so.

Inappropriate Chewing and Biting

Just because a dog explores its world by using its mouth, doesn't mean it is okay for the animal to do so when interacting with its owners. You need to teach your puppy that it isn't okay to nip, bite or mouth you or any family or guests. Golden Retrievers especially like to chew, and they don't care if its their favorite tennis ball or your favorite pair of loafers. Dogs who are lacking in attention or who are left along for long periods of time may develop a bad chewing habit, destroying objects in your home. By giving your dog a plethora of chew toys, you can stop this issue before it becomes a problem. Also be sure to correct him promptly if he starts to chew on furniture or shoes so he understands that that is inappropriate behavior.

It's time-consuming and a real test of patience to successfully complete your golden retriever training, but it is possible and will be rewarding as your dog develops into a model of good behavior. High energy levels and short attention spans may plague your training sessions, even though Golden retrievers are smart and want to please you. Fit in lavish praise and positive reinforcement whenever you can and keep your training time short and to the point. A happy pet and a very happy family for years to come will be the end result.

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Stop Dog Aggression , stop dog jumping

categories: golden retriever,dog behaviors,dog problems,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog problems, family, golden retriever, Pets

Dogs exhibit many behaviors that might make their masters anxious. They may run away, yap ceaselessly, defecate the inside of your home or chew on anything they can get their teeth on. These kinds of behaviors can be corrected if dogs get proper training very early in their lives. The right training necessitates that the owner is unswerving when it comes to rewarding their dog for good performance or punishing them for bad behaviors. Canines are happy to captivate their handlers, and therefore it is sometimes possible to alter their attitude by praising them when well-behaved and paying less attention when they are mischievous. One more issue that is common with dogs is the act of digging.

The Causes & Resolutions

Digging can be a manifestation of many triggers, and thus handlers ought to investigate the causes of the behavior in order to prevent dogs from digging. A dog who engages in digging may do so for the sake of his own pleasure. There are some dogs who get bored and look for some form of stimulation and activity. Those not spayed or neutered may be attempting to flee their enclosures in order to locate a mating partner. Dogs may also like to dig in freshly placed fertilizer or gardens that have been recently turned over. Some dogs dig in order to hide treats or food. Other dogs, as a product of their breed, are known for digging. Some other dogs enjoy creating a den to lie down in and this is why they dig.

One of the keys to stopping this behavior and stop your dogs from digging is to make sure you play with them and give them adequate opportunities to exercise. All dogs like to be taught new tricks and to undergo new experiences. A disinterested canine is often also a ruinous one, therefore a pet that has plentiful opportunities for physical exertion and exposure to novel experiences is less likely to destroy items in their paths.

An alternative method you could use to stop your dog from digging would be to shy away from giving him chew bones, which he may want to bury in the yard. Any treat you give your dog should be totally edible, leaving them nothing to bury. You could even place a balloon in your dog's favorite digging spot so that when he returns to that spot to start digging again, the balloon will pop and frighten him; thus, he is provided with the negative underlining needed to prevent him from digging there anymore. A dog that digs need to supervised at all times while in the yard. If you are with them and they go to dig, you can frighten them away from digging by wetting them with a spray bottle or your garden hose.

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Secrets to Dog Training Review , Dog behavior problems

categories: dog behaviors,dog problems,dog digging,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog digging, dog problems, family, Pets

As puppies mature into grown up dogs, there are various negative behaviors that can be unknowingly created. It is a fact that a dog receives less attention as an adult than as a puppy, and undesirable behaviors which were allowed to continue may become more of a problem when the dog is left to his own devices. Most owners are disturbed by continuous barking and seek ways to rectify the behavior. Although this is relatively harmless, it can obviously be frustrating. On the other hand, visitors greeted with a dog jumping up on them are not only bothered by the behavior, but they can be injured by it as well.

Motivations for the Behavior and How to Improve It

The main reason for a dog jumping up on you is simply to show her affection, and to express how excited she is to see you. Another cause for this can be that your pooch is simply bored and is looking to you something to do. Your dog could possibly even be trying to establish dominance over visitors. The downside to the pleasure of being greeted so enthusiastically is to possibly have your clothing ruined, be scratched by claws or even be physically knocked down. Jumping behavior can be even more hazardous if the home is frequently visited by the elderly or small children, as it is much easier for them to suffer a major injury from a seemingly innocent jump.

The dog should be stopped as a puppy from jumping up on any guest or member of the family. Jumping up should never be given positive attention, as this only praises the dog for his behavior. When time and again a dog comes to realize that jumping up will never result in the attention it is seeking, it will eventually be discouraged from doing so. She will then begin to realize that she must be obedient to receive attention. Allowing a dog to jump up some of the time because it's "cute" and praising her, only to discipline her for doing it at other times, only confuses the dog. If this is the case, she may never really understand. The dog must learn consistency, that it is as bad to jump up on its owner at any time as it is to jump on other people.

The best way to stop your dog from jumping up is to position yourself facing away from her when she tries, not giving the dog any eye contact. Ignore her completely until she is no longer overly excited, and then give her eye contact. One effective method to stop a dog from jumping up is to divert her attention from the negative behavior to focus on a positive one, such as giving her the command to "sit." This is a great way for your dog to maintain good behavior to get the affection she craves, rather than jumping up to get it.

Dog training is James' specialty, providing owners with consulting services to develop an enduring bond with their animal through effective training methods. Training dogs while still puppies is another focus of his work. For useful hints and a free dog training guide, visit his site which features training product reviews as well as puppy training advice.

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Online Dog Training , Dog Training Guide

categories: dog behaviors,dog problems,dog jumping,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog jumping, dog problems, family, Pets

Your brand new puppy just came home with you but won't stop whimpering, and the noise is driving you crazy. The kids are disappointed with the whiny little pup and you don't know what else to do. You are well aware that the whining must stop, but you certainly don't want to take back the cute little puppy.

So what do you do? Don't worry; stopping your dog from whining is possible with a few clever tricks. A possibility is to employ an electrical tool capable of creating unappealing sounds audible only by the dog.

Another option used to stop a dog from whining is to be unwavering in your commands to stop anytime the dog commences the noise. The owner's constant, or very frequent presence will be essential, but eventually the dog will cease whining and silence will be restored. The focus of this article will may be on ways to make your dog stop whining, but there are plenty of other behaviors that will need to be addressed.

Training Devices

Electrical devices to help your dog stop whining are not expensive and are completely safe to use. Your dog will not like the sound they produce, which will prove to be a key factor in the training process. As a great analogy, imagine hearing a loud, unpleasant sound every time you ate fattening food.

To keep from hearing that awful sound one more time, you would probably be willing to give up the fattening food. This is the idea behind electrical sound emitters that are used to help your dog learn how to stop whining. Should there be uncertainty regarding the tools, you are reluctant to antagonize the dog, or are worried that the tool will do harm to the animal, options other than audio tools exist to help make the dog stop whining.

Predictable Teaching

The next best solution is to be present when your dog is whining so that you can get him to stop whining. Simply tell the dog "No!" or make another loud noise when the whimpering begins. You should never strike the dog. In fact, regardless of the pet's behavior, it is not right or even effective to hit it. Rather than spanking your dog, there are other, better methods to make it stop whining or displaying other behaviors you don't like.

At the moment you catch the dog in the behavior you want to eliminate, try clapping very loudly with your hands, or hit your open palm with a folded newspaper. Canine ears are finely tuned, therefore the audio tools are very effective, and though the smacking of a newspaper against a hand may not seem bothersome to the owner, it will certainly irritate the dog. Consistently repeat this every single time your dog starts to whine. By following these tips consistently, you will find your dog will stop whining and your neighbors stop complaining about the noise.

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Online Dog Training , Dog Training Guide

categories: dog behaviors,dog problems,dog whining,family

Written by Hugo H. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog problems, dog whining, family, Pets

There are as many issues faced by dog owners as there are dogs. You might have problems with your dog jumping on people, digging, or barking too much. The most effective method to solve these difficulties is to catch them before they even start to become habit, and this is done by training your puppy to understand what is expected of him or her through positive reinforcement of correct behaviors.

A common training problem that occurs is how to stop dog chasing, as this can be hazardous to the dog and person. You might try any one of many techniques to discourage your dog from chasing things. No matter what method you choose to use to stop dog chasing you need to be consistent to get your message across.

Stop Dog Chasing: Prevention

One of the better ways to keep a dog from chasing cars is to be sure that he is never allowed outside without a responsible person and a leash. Dog should not be allowed outside without a leash in the first place as this can be dangerous both for the dog and for others whenever the dog approaches a road. Regardless of where you reside, be it rural with little traffic or the suburbs, you should train your dog to remain within the yard, in order to prevent any potential accidents that could be caused by the dog chasing. Yard training also keeps dogs from chasing individuals that come hear his turf. If you let your dog chase other people or animals you are creating a situation that endangers all of the parties concerned. Moreover, this can easily bolster a dog's aggressive nature, which is the last thing a dog owner wants to have.

Even if the dog is chasing a person in play, there should not be any positive reinforcement of that specific behavior. While play chasing may be fun, it does promote aggressive tendencies and reinforces the chasing behavior that you may be trying to prevent in the first place. One of the easiest ways to stop a dog from engaging in chasing behavior is to simply not run away when he begins this game. You should turn your back on the dog and refuse to grant him or her any attention when trying to engage in this behavior. After the dog calms and no longer shows this behavior, then turn around and praise the dog, giving him or her plenty of attention. Also, when the dog shows this behavior, consider telling the dog the moment it starts the chase behavior. Avoid the dog if he is engaged in an unwanted behavior and give him attention once he sits so that you are encouraging the positive behavior.

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Stop Dog Aggression , stop dog jumping

categories: dog behaviors,dog problems,dog chasing,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: dog behaviors, dog chasing, dog problems, family, Pets

When it comes to training a dog, there are many variations that will affect the best way to train your do, one of which is the breed that you choose. Asserting your dominance over the dog and establishing yourself as the leader is critical in making sure your dog is well behaved and listens to commands when given.

There are many different reasons that you will want to train your dog including making sure they are housebroken, keeping them from jumping on guests in your home, preventing them from chewing and destroying your possessions, and avoiding several other negative behaviors.

Let's say, for example that you are interested in training a Boxer dog; if this is the case, you will need to specifically look into techniques for training Boxers as there will be some Boxer training techniques that will be more successful than other general ones.

One aspect of Boxer training is usually coaching them on how to be a good guard dog, a specialty of the breed. Boxers are actually a very playful breed, though many people consider them instinctively hostile dogs, which couldn't be further from the truth. People base their opinion of the dog on the posture and aggressive looking physique of the dog and assume that they intend harm. However, if you don't take the steps to train your boxer well, this might very well be the case.

Boxers are very intelligent dogs which means they can be a bit unwilling to undertake training, but it also can be very useful. You will often find times during the training process that you are telling the dog to perform a specific task and he tells you off with his looks; he know exactly what he is meant to do and understands you perfectly but cannot be bothered with doing it at the present time. It is always important to exercise patience during these circumstances to keep things positive. A good time to begin training your boxer is as early as 6 weeks old; if you start at this age they will be able to grow up properly just be sure to teach the dog as well as play with him and socialize him so that he remains interested.

Hugo is a consultant who specializes in dog training methods to increase the pet owner's satisfaction with their pet. Looking for a free guide to dog training? Visit James' site to get one, see other helpful hints and read training product reviews. Take a look at: Online Dog Training , Dog Training Guide

categories: boxer dogs,dog behaviors,dog problems,family

Written by Hugo I. Cercil using tags: boxer dogs, dog behaviors, dog problems, family, Pets