How to Buy Repossessed Cars at the Lowest Price - Tips on Getting Your First Repossessed Car

Everybody who wants to get a vehicle is now considering to buy repossessed cars. Repossessed cars are those vehicles taken by some lending or financing companies from their previous owners because of two things: late payments or failure to settle their monthly amortizations. If the previous owner failed to settle with the lending company, the cars would usually be put up for sale at a significantly lower price. Compared to the original value of the car, a whopping 40 - 70% discount may be given to individuals who are considering to buy repossessed cars. Great deal right? But, is that all there is? Technically, buying "repo" cars may be a bit tricky or more complicated compared to your usual buying process. This is because repo cars more often are sold through public or private auctions. This means that once you have set your eyes on a "repo" car set for bidding, you would sometimes have to fight tooth and nail for it.

So if you are considering to buy repossessed cars, here are some tips that will help you get one.

1. Know where to look for them. As mentioned, most of the repossessed cars are sold in an auction, so the first thing that you would have to know is how to get a listing and what exactly do you need to get into one. More often, listings and the actual schedule of the auction can be found in the auction houses. So, you may want to take out your yellow pages and call them up to check if they have what you need. If the yellow pages are not enough, you may also check the Internet for other available listings.

2. Check your options, take your pick and inspect your potential buy. There are a lot of repossessed cars all over United States, your options are practically limitless. You can choose a sports car, a family van to a vintage model. Upon making your choice, request the auction house for a scheduled inspection. Remember that since you are buying a second - hand car, you have to inspect it down to the littlest details. "Repo" cars are usually sold on an "as - is" basis. So if some repairs need to be done, you would have to take care of it.

3. Prepare for the competition. Bring required identifications and put your game face on. An auction is a competition so you have be tough and firm if you need to. Set your budget and stick to it. If your potential buy gets to be too expensive for you, then by all means, step back. Accept defeat and move on to the next good deal. After all, you can always buy repossessed cars in the next auction date if you need to.

By George Tho
PressSearch.org

Government Auction of Repossessed Cars - Get a Good Deal Today!

Government auction of repossessed cars almost always guarantees to cut you a cheaper and better deal on cars. Why so? Because cars on these auctions are put up for sale 40 to 70% off its original price.

For those of you who do not know, cars acquired by the government came from people involved who are allegedly involved in criminal cases or those that have acquired their properties through dirty money. After "repossession" by the government, they are parked in a public garage while the case has been settled by the previous owner. Failure to settle voids out the right of the previous owner to reclaim the vehicle.

These cars are then sold to the public who are interested in them. They are mostly turned over by the government to private auction houses who will then open the bidding for dealers and private individuals alike. However, finding your way in one of those auctions may be quite tricky. You cannot just walk in a police station and ask them where they sell their seized cars. You would have to do a little research on your end.

As mentioned. government auction of repossessed cars, are usually handled by small auction houses that do not have enough funds for advertisements. You would have to take out your directory and check your yellow pages for their numbers. You may have to call them up and find out which one handles auctions of repossessed cars.

Once you get a confirmation from them, find time to visit their office. Once you are there, you may want to check the listings for government auction of repossessed cars. This way, you get to short - list several car models that you may be interested in. Maximize your initial visit by getting as much information as you can. Make it a point to know what documents do you need to present, how much cash do you need if ever you win the bidding and specifics like the time and date of auctions. If there is enough time for you to attend one as a mere observer, then do so. Witnessing the actual bidding yourself gives you a concrete idea how the process really works.

Lastly, enjoy but practice restraint if you need to. Auctions can have a very competitive air, giving the participants a constant adrenaline rush. So if the bidding price gets too high for you, step back and do not stretch your budget. There will always be another government auction of repossessed cars that can give you a better deal.

By George Tho
PressSearch.org

Cash For Clunkers Qualifying Cars

Cash for Clunkers qualifying cars must be at least 8 years old and have at least 18 miles per gallon fuel rate. This new stimulus package passed by congress will pay you amounts up to $5000 dollars for your old clunkers that run, or maybe not even that. Who cares what condition your car is in if you can get your hands on some cold, hard cash for it?

The purpose of this plan is to rid the country of old automobiles that pollute the environment with detrimental chemicals. The minimum that you'll receive is around $3500, granted your Cash for Clunkers qualifying cars are 8 years old and have an MPG of 18 or less. The trade in vehicle will be destroyed after trade in, and it will not be resold.

Unfortunately, there's only one discount per person, but family members can cash in with separate clunkers.

Trucks and SUVs have separate rules. For light trucks, SUVs, and minivans, the improved MPG must be 2 for a $3500 credit, and for an improvement of 5 MPG, you'll get a $4500 credit. The new, qualified truck or SUV must have at least 18 MPG.

So what kind of vehicle can you buy? The new vehicle has to have a MSRP of under $45,000.00; if you lease a vehicle, then you must lease it for 5 years or more.

I can guarantee that there is other information on the web regarding this topic; however, please be cautious as you may get conflicting or untrue information. Check out the government based website, http://www.FuelEconomy.gov because the site is federally owned, the information is accurate and easily understood. I'll see you at the dealership.

By Jose Barreda
PressSearch.org

Bank Repossessed Cars - Everything You Need to Know About Buying Cars Repossessed by Banks

The reason why the number of people looking for bank repossessed cars is really unknown, but the place where people can find them is something that people can learn more on.

Most of the time, these bank repossessed cars are sold during auctions - whether it be a public or a dealer's auction. If it is your first time joining in auctions like these, you can get to know about the schedules on local newspapers. Conveniently, you can also find out about these auctions through actual banks. You can inquire by calling them and asking about the necessary details. This is probably the most convenient method because you can do it even when you are just in the confines of your own home. Another convenient method that one can use to find out about the auctions selling these mentioned cars. Even though most online sites require a specific membership fee, you are guaranteed to hear the latest information about the auctions available.

The first thing that people should know when buying bank repossessed cars is that they are not buying brand new cars. Given this fact, they should be careful in choosing the car that they are going to buy. They must first research about the history of the car; how the previous owner took care and maintained the car that you are interested in. A vehicle history report comes in handy during times like this because you will know the damages and repairs done to the car when it still belonged to its previous owner. This is a very convenient way to make sure that your money will not be put to waste by buying the care that you are interested in. It is also safe to set a specific budget so that you can weigh your options properly when you are already there in the auction. Taking into consideration all the accessories and features included with the car is also a good move because this way, you will be able to truly gauge your budget fairly.

Even though many people feel that these kinds of cars are not a good buy, you can still make the most out of them. These bank repossessed cars become very handy and convenient when you are conscious about the amount of money that you are going to spend for it and when you are fully aware of the important information you need when buying one.

By George Tho
PressSearch.org

World Record For Largest Dog Breed

The holder of the world record for the largest dog breed is a Harlequin Great Dane by the name of Gibson. He is a familiar face for most of us, as many have probably caught any of Gibson's previous appearances in such television shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, the Montel Williams Show, Animal Planet's Guinness World Record of Amazing Animals and Larry King Live; and in magazines like Parade Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and Life Magazine.

Gibson may be truly busy with appearances left and right, but he sure has time to pursue another passion in his life: helping kids and adult cope with their medical conditions. Indeed, Gibson's heart is as big as he is tall. He makes the rounds of hospitals with his owner Sandy Hall, to put smile on sick children and grown-ups' faces and help them get through the healing process, by allowing himself to be petted and sometimes growling "I love you"-a hit among all the patients. When he is not out healing people's hearts or appearing on television, Gibson spends his days relaxing in their Grass Valley, California, ranch with a goat, a horse and a puppy.

As of the moment, Gibson holds the record for being the world's tallest dog, the world's tallest therapy dog, and the world's tallest Great Dane. He stands 42.6 inches tall at shoulder height, stretches up to seven feet and two inches on its hind legs, and weighs 180 pounds. When he was born on April 26, 2002, Gibson was the first to be born out of his mother's first litter of 12. He was named after his musician owner's favorite guitar. While he wasn't remarkably big in the first few months, Gibson began to fill out at four months. By the time, he had large paws and a lot of skin hanging on his body such that people mistook him for a shar-pei, according his owner. When he was one year old, Gibson had grown to be 40 inches high-a height that was not normal even by Great Dane standards.

Gibson has since learned many different tricks and earned different recognitions since. Aside from being a title holder in the Guinness Book of World Records, this Harlequin Great Dane is also a holder of the AKC Dutchman Meistersinger Pedigree, a premier line of Great Danes from as far back as the late 1800s in Germany.

Aside from his ability to growl "I love you," this certified therapy dog can also bite a regulation basketball and dribble it with his mouth. He recently co-authored with his owner a book entitled "Gibson Speaks," which is about his life and experiences as the tallest dog in the world.

Early this year, unfortunately, Gibson's front leg had to be amputated to prevent bone cancer from spreading to the rest of his body. The cancer was detected on the paw, but the veterinarians thought it best to cut the entire leg for Gibson's safety. Despite this, Gibson has not lost his happy heart, or his title as the world's tallest dog.

By Kevin Heathfield
PressSearch.org

How to Train My Puppy to Go Pee Outside

Training your new puppy to pee outside is something that new dog owners will want to accomplish quickly. You want to accomplish this quickly to ensure that your expensive flooring will not be ruined and that you will be able to take your new puppy out to different places with you more often. I know that for me I always try to accomplish this potty training as fast as possible so that I am able to take my new pet out more often to get him properly socialized. Here is a great tip that I have found that has worked out really well in getting my puppy to learn that he has to go outside to do his business.

The number one tip that I have found that works out really quickly in getting my puppy to learn that he needs to go outside is to take him out frequently. Now for many of us this sounds like it is a very time consuming task which at times it can be seen as very time consuming, but it is well worth the hassle when you figure out that if you cleaned up as often as when your dog goes inside versus taking him out you will end up saving time.

Now with my new puppy I normally would take him out about every fifteen to twenty minutes which he would then start going outside all the time rather than on my carpet. Once he started going outside more often I would gradually increase the amount of time in between my taking him out until he finally no longer had accidents in the house. This method would typically take me about a month to two months before he reached this point with only the rare accident.

By Jimmy Fisher
PressSearch.org

How to Express Dogs' Anal Glands

Checking your dogs anal glands during the regular grooming routine is important to making sure they are in optimal health. It is probably one of the least pleasant tasks for dog owners, although for years many people that had pets did not know that canine anal sacs existed.

How Dogs Anal Gland is Emptied

Dogs will empty these sacs while defecating. As the stool passes out of the anus, the pressure will generally empty the anal glands; however, because of the domestication of dogs, some of our canine friends have trouble clearing their glands. Impacted anal glands are most common in small dogs and is indicated by your dog scooting on the ground or licking and biting at his rear and you will probably notice an odor.

Why Expressing Dogs Anal Glands is Important

When emptying of the glands does not occur, they can become impacted and it is very uncomfortable and painful for your dog. They must be expressed or infection and abscess can follow if the impact isn't relieved. The normal size of the sacs is that of a kidney bean but when they are full the glands will enlarge and feel hard. Typically, the impacted glands will be very sensitive and your dog may react as if in pain when you touch near that area.

Where to Finds the Dogs Anal Glands

Anal sacs can be found on either side of the lower half and just inside your pet's anus. They are lined with cells that regularly secrete a very pungent discharge. If you look closely, you can probably see the tiny ducts through which a foul smelling liquid seeps. In the wild the secretions are used to mark territory, but in the domestic dog they have little use apart from the attention they receive from other dogs, who (for reasons humans find impossible to comprehend) find it attractive. There is no noticeable smell to humans when your furry friend is washed routinely and your dogs anal glands are in good shape. Other canines on the other hand have no problem detecting the odor.

Expelling the Sacs

To avoid the expense of having the sacs expelled, you can do this yourself; however, some dog owners feel it is well worth having a veterinarian perform this service, at least on the first occasion.

To express the glands, wear a disposable latex glove. Holding a tissue, place your thumb and forefinger on either side of the anus and squeeze gingerly. Anal sack material should exude from the ducts without much pressure and you will likely feel the glands become smaller as you gently squeeze. If you are unsure about doing this or notice anything unusual, consult your veterinarian. It is best to have someone hold your pet still while you do this.

A Change of Diet

Your veterinarian may suggest a diet high in fiber if you find your dog is having a consistent problem with blocked anal glands. The added fiber will help to express the anal sacs when your pet eliminates.

If Infection Occurs

If the anal glands become infected the sacs will enlarge and bursts through the skin by the anus. This will produce a painful draining abscess and will require proper veterinarian treatment and most likely manually expressing of the glands until the abscess has gone.

Re-occurring Impacted Glands

If the impacted anal sacs become a chronic problem for your dog, they can be surgically removed. This can often result in a more enjoyable relationship for you and your best friend.

This is considered routine surgery but there are potential problems because of the many nerves in that area and fecal incontinence may develop if too much damage occurs. Additionally, if your dogs anal glands tissue was not entirely removed, they have the potential to continue secreting fluid. When this accumulates, the result could be an abscess and possibly a persistent draining tract from the sac to the skin. If this occurs the veterinarian will need to go back and remove the sac tissue to have a successful outcome.

By Donna Boras
PressSearch.org

Dog Food Nutrition - 5 Lies You Have Believed

The most important decision you will make regarding your dog's health is the food you choose to feed him. More than any other factor, this choice will impact his health the most. Virtually all degenerative diseases that are seen in humans and dogs can be linked back to nutrition. As responsible dog owners, we want to choose the healthiest food we can for our dogs. But if you are like me you may have noticed how confusing this choice can be.

The marketplace is cluttered with claims from dog food manufacturers. Each one claims to be better or healthier than the one before. If our primary concern is the health of our dogs, feeding your dog dry food only is not the answer. We need to be discerning when choosing dog health food for our loving companions instead of just blindly believing what the marketers are telling us. Lies you have been told:

Complete balanced diet: Most manufacturers of dog dry food will insist you only need their certain food to provide a 100% completely balanced diet for your dog. Have you ever really considered what this claim really implies? First of all, it implies that they (the dog food manufacturer) actually know what a 100% balanced diet is. Second it implies that all dogs are exactly the same and require the exact same nutrients on a daily basis.

Dog Food Allergies: Pet owners are scared into believing that their dog has specific food allergies so they should not be exposed to that particular food. Allergies generally indicate that the immune system is being compromised or that the pet is receiving too much of one particular food. That is why variety is necessary and the key to pet nutrition. Food needs to be fed that will enhance the immune system.

Ingredient Game: Did you know that commercial dog food companies are allowed by the regulatory agencies to include polyethylene roughage replacement (plastic), undried processed animal waste products, hydrolyzed leather meal and other bizarre ingredients in your pet's food. However, they are prohibited from adding proven beneficial natural ingredients such as spirulina, bee pollen, L-carnitine, glucosamine that are readily available for human consumption. Because the regulators are concerned with having a certain percentage of this or that in the product, they really do not care how those percentages are achieved.

Inciting Fear: All a pet food marketing company has to do is put "No....corn, wheat, or whatever" on their label and we as consumers will automatically assume that the specific ingredient is bad and our pet should not have it. The marketers and pet food companies use this as a scare tactic so you will feel led to buy their product.

Heat Processing: The most dangerous threat to human health and canine health today is feeding yourself or your pet exclusively heat processed foods. Heat processing which includes cooking, baking, freeze drying and extruding all cause a multitude of molecular changes to the natural food. The heat process destroys many nutrients and it changes many components of the original food into dozens of toxins. The presence of these toxins added to the fact that many vital nutrients have been destroyed in this heat process can begin to show us why so many people and animals are acquiring these degenerative diseases. All dog dry food on your store shelves uses this heat process during production.

The truth is your dog needs dog health food. It may seem easier to grab that bag of the store shelf, but in the long run feeding your dog dry food exclusively will damage his health. Dog health food consists of fresh, natural food that dogs are biologically adapted to in order to maintain health.

By Kandace Black
PressSearch.org

Red Eyes in Dogs

Red eyes in dogs can be the sign of some very serious underlying conditions in your pet, and if your pet eyes do start to turn red you need to be very concerned. It could be something very routine and simple to treat, but it could also be the sign of something very wrong with your pet.

There is a huge misconception that pink eye or conjunctivitis is red eyes, but there could be nothing further from the truth. Conjunctivitis may be one of the symptoms of red eyes, but that is all it is; it is not red eyes.

To help to fully understand exactly what red eyes in dogs are and what the causes and symptoms may be, it helps fully understand what the eye is made up of as well as the functions.

Dogs Eyes Makeup:

Eyes are your dog's vessels to life and are made up of several parts. Each of these parts has extremely important functions and when attacked, these functions may break down.

The Anterior chamber of your dog's eye is the area that is located behind the cornea and is filled with a liquid substance called aqueous humor. It is a thick watery substance that actually sets between the lens and the cornea. It main function is to inflate the globe of the eye itself. The ciliary body is the structure that produces this fluid and is the front portion of the eye.

The Conjunctiva is the lining of the eyelids as well as the thin membrane which covers the white part of the eye known as the Sclera. It helps to lubricate your dog's eye as well as assisting in the production of mucus and the tearing. The Cornea is the clear covering of the front of the eye and the Iris is the colored part of the organ that helps to control the amount of light that enters into your pet's eyes.

The Lens of your dog's eyes is the portion that focuses light on the Retina and the pupil is the actual opening of the eye that looks like a dark circle. Your dog has one more part of the eye that is very interesting, the third eyelid.

It is translucent and can be drawn across the eye both for protection and for moisture. It is also called the nictitating membrane and is totally different the human eyelids as they can move horizontally.

Dog's eyes are very sensitive, but turning red is not a normal function. Here are some possible reasons for your pet's eyes to turn red.

Superficial Keratitis:

This is an inflammation of the cornea that is most often caused by a virus, bacteria, some type of an allergy, a constant irritation, or could even be caused by a traumatic situation. It is a common condition and is found in all breeds; and if becomes chronic, it is than called Pannus, and this eye condition is only found in dogs.

It causes a grayish pink film that spreads across your dog's eyes and will eventually cause a loss of some vision. As the lesion progresses, the cornea of the eye may turn opaque. Chronic conditions are believed to be caused by extensive sunlight, and although it is not painful to your dog other than squinting, it can cause blindness.

This is one of the conditions that will also cause a discharge. The treatment for this eye infection will be antibiotics depending on the underlying cause and than keeping your dogs eyes as clean as possible.

Anterior Uveitis:

This is an inflammation of either the iris or the ciliary and may also be triggered by bacteria, viruses, or trauma. However, it can also be caused by cancer. It will make your dogs squint as the pupil is constricted which may develop into a lot of tearing of the eyes. The Iris will appear swollen and the cornea may become very cloudy.

In severe situations it could result in a contraction of the pupil due to increased protein that is being sent to the eye as a natural defense. If left untreated, it could lead to glaucoma or cataracts. In smaller breeds of dogs this can also lead to secondary lens luxation.

Treating this eye infection will consist of anti-inflammatory medications to help to dilate the eyes as well as reducing the pain. This is a condition to take very serious as cancer could be the underlying cause.

Conjunctivitis:

This condition is well known as pink eye, and it is a potential cause of red eyes. It is the inflammation of the conjunctiva that is usually caused by allergies, infections, or irritants such as second hand smoke or other pollutants. With this eye condition the pupils will remain normal in size, but there will be a lot of discharge because of the infection.

Treatment will consist of antibiotics depending on the actual cause as well as keeping the eyes and eyelids clean.

Glaucoma:

Glaucoma is a very serious eye condition in your dog as what is happening is an increased pressure is being put on the eyes and causing them to turn a reddish tint. It is caused by the aqueous humor not allowing the increased fluid to drain from your pet's eyes. Additional fluid is being produced but because it is not draining, it becomes very similar to a water balloon.

This is an emergency situation in your dog as this balloon effect will eventually burst. When it does rupture, it damages to the eyes internal structures. They most likely will be either crushed or in very severe cases, totally displaced.

Treatment for this red eye condition will be antibiotics to reduce the pressure around the eye as well as reducing the extra fluid that have been produced. In most all cases, dilation of the pupil will also be necessary.

Summery:

Red eyes in dogs are not normal and in most cases there is something very wrong is happening. There are several other underlying causes of red eyes such as a corneal ulcer, hyphema or blood in the eye, or tumors in the eyes.

Your dog's eyes are the vessels in which they experience life. Protecting them with eye ointments and vitamin supplements designed especially for dogs eyes will help to prevent some of these conditions.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.

After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a preemptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.

By Frank Will
PressSearch.org

Best Dog Kennel Flooring

Undecided as to what is the best flooring for your dog kennel and run? With the multitude of flooring options available these days, it can be hard to make a decision on this. Sometimes you will have to base your decision on your budget or in other situations the length of time your pet spends in the run may be the deciding factor.

Grass and Dirt

If you're dog is going to be spending any amount of time in the run I would strongly advise against just leaving grass and dirt down. For one thing, your pet will soon run the grass down till you have large patches of dirt. Dirt gets wet and turns to mud. Or, in dryer climates, having large exposed sections of dirt will leave you with a real problem with dust. Not only does it look unsightly but it is pretty unpractical and hard to keep your dog clean. Dirt also is a wonderful breeding ground for mites and fleas and other undesirable pests.

Dog urine is also very strong, and no matter how hard you try to keep the run looking nice and grassy it's inevitable that bald patches will appear where ever the dog relieves himself.

Gravel

Pea gravel works quite nicely,and I've seen it used in a number of pens, even used it myself on occasion. There are a couple of cautions though, if you're planning on having puppies in the pen you might want to avoid using gravel as they can have a bad habit of eating the gravel and ending up with a blocked intestine. Even older dogs sometimes like to chew on things, so if that's your dog avoid this material.

The gravel needs to be raked from time to time, as it tends to gravitate towards the outer edges of the pen, or builds up in one spot. So, in order to keep it level you need to keep it raked.

It's fairly easy to keep clean, and porous enough for the urine to go straight through it. So, it is a viable option for fairly cheap flooring.

Cement

My favorite is cement. Why? Because it's easy to clean and hose off, the dogs seem to like running on it, and if it's sealed properly urine doesn't seep into it. It can be quite cold for your pets in winter, so you might want to invest in some stable mats to lay down in areas where the dog rests, and have the actual dog kennel flooring built up out of wood so they can rest up off the cold cement.

By Susan Westingham
PressSearch.org

Grooming Your Yorkie - Tips on How to Groom Your Yorkie at Home

For the pet owner, grooming a Yorkie can be quite a challenge. Here are a few tips on how to groom your Yorkie:

1) Frequency of bathing depends on the type of shampoo you use on your Yorkie. I use a natural shampoo on our fur babies (Yorkie Splash), and I bathe them once a week. Natural (organic) shampoos do not strip the natural oils out of the skin and hair, and bathing more frequently is okay. But, if you use a standard shampoo (one with alcohol and other chemical ingredients), it is (in my opinion) best to bathe your Yorkie about once every 2 weeks. Chemical products can remove the natural oils from the skin and hair. This can cause damage to the hair if used too frequently. But, if your Yorkie is dirty, give him a bath. I just don't suggest bathing more than once every 2 weeks with a regular shampoo if your Yorkie is not dirty.

2) Regular brushing is an important part of Yorkie grooming. Never brush a Yorkie if his coat is dry. This can cause the hair to break. When you brush your Yorkie's coat, use a spray conditioner to soften the hair. I use a diluted crème rinse in a spray bottle and spray the solution on to the brush. You should brush your Yorkie's coat daily. When brushing the hair, start at the end of the strands of hair and work your way up to the body. If you encounter a tangle or mat, do not pull on it with the brush. Use your fingers to pull apart the tangled hair (again, working from the bottom upward), then gently brush through the tangle. Be sure to check the underside of your Yorkie where the legs connect to the body - this is where most mats occur and they are easily overlooked.

3) Yorkies need special attention paid to their teeth. Yorkies, like other toy breeds, are prone to tooth decay. Regular brushing of your Yorkie's teeth is a good idea. I use regular brushing in combination with giving Greenies once a week, as well as yearly teeth cleaning by our veterinarian. There are many tooth cleaning products made for dogs, and you can find a tooth brush and paste at any pet supply store.

4) A Yorkie's nails need to be kept trimmed. You can have your vet or groomer do it for you, or, you can trim the nails yourself. I use a Millers Forge Pet Nail Clipper. It has a safety bar on it to help guide you when trimming the nails. Part of the difficulty in trimming a Yorkie's nails lies in the fact that the nails are black, and it is hard to tell where the underlying skin begins in the nail bed. If you are going to trim your Yorkie's nails yourself, it is a good idea to have some corn starch or flour on hand in case you do cut the nail too close and cause the nail to bleed. Some people prefer a styptic powder or liquid to stop a bleed (something like Kwik Stop), but, I prefer something as natural as possible. I have used a styptic pencil on myself in the past, and it burns, so I try to avoid using styptic products.

5) For younger puppies and some adults, it is necessary to keep the ear hair trimmed. This is something you can do yourself at home if you like. In order to encourage a puppy's ears to stand erect, it is important to remove the added weight of the hair on the ears. There are many different opinions on the best way to do this. Whichever way you are most comfortable with is probably the best way for you and your Yorkie puppy.

Personally, I use a 4 blade razor (like Gillette Mach 4 or Venus) to remove the hair from the ears. For puppies with thicker ears, I take off the hair about 3/4 down the ear on the outside and about 1/2 of the ear on the inside. For Yorkie puppies with thinner ears, I take off about ¼ to ½ of the hair on the outside, and the same on the inside. The easiest way I have found to do this is, after bathing while the ear is wet, run the razor over the ear going with the growth of the hair (moving from the base to the tip of the ear). Running the razor over once will essentially remove a layer of hair and thin the hair out. Don't worry, you aren't going to shave the ear bald with one "swipe."

If you want the ears to be completely hair free, plan on spending about 30 minutes going over and over the ear with the razor. I usually run the razor over the outside of the ear about 3 or 4 times, and usually 2 times on the inside. After I have thinned the hair on the ears, I also trim the hair on the ear tips with scissors. I usually just get as close to the ear leather as I can, holding the edge of the ear between two fingers (length-wise to protect the ear) and trim off the tips of the ear, about ¼ inch on each side of the tip.

a. After trimming the ear hair, it is a good idea to clean the ears. Ears are dark, moist places that can be prone to bacterial and yeast infections. Keeping the inside of the ears clean can prevent a lot of headache. To clean the ears, you can use any store brand ear cleaning solution, or you can make your own solution of ½ rubbing alcohol and ½ vinegar (any kind of vinegar will do: white, apple cider, anything). Put a few drops of solution into your Yorkie's ears and use a cotton swab around the inside of the ears to remove the debris. Be careful to only swab the part of the ear and ear canal that you can see. Though, because of the anatomy of a dog's ear it would be very difficult to harm the ear drum with the cotton swab, going too deep in the ear canal can pack any debris further down the ear canal. If your Yorkie has a lot of debris in the ear or if you suspect an infection, take him to your vet.

6) It is also a good idea to keep the area under your Yorkie's tail trimmed (right around the anus). Long hair in this area tends to get rather icky pretty quickly. How you trim up this part of your Yorkie is up to you and your comfort zone. A lot of people leave this to the groomer. Some people use an electric trimmer or scissors. I use scissors and do it myself, but your Yorkie has to really trust you.

7) As far as trimming the hair over the body of your Yorkie, I recommend taking your baby to a professional groomer. If you want to trim your Yorkie's hair yourself and you feel comfortable, go for it. But, for most pet owners, it is easier to take their Yorkie to the groomer once every month or two as opposed to the stress of clipping the hair themselves. If you want some tips on how to cut your Yorkie's hair yourself, there is some good information at http://members.cox.net/jrogan/care.html

By Sarah Henery
PressSearch.org

Siberian Husky Names - Naming Your Siberian Husky

Your Siberian Husky doesn't have to have a typical dog name. Throw out all those common names like Max and Daisy. Why not give your Husky a name as special as his breed? There's a wealth of awesome husky names out there; you just need to know where to look.

Huskies are cold-weather dogs. They were bred for their exceptional athleticism in extreme climates. There are a lot of great Siberian Husky names that you can draw from that history, starting with the regions of the world where they have been most popular.

Siberia encompasses most of the Northeastern portion of Asia. This includes parts of Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. If you look at a map of these areas, you will get all sorts of ideas for unusual Siberian Husky names. Look at rivers, mountains, towns, anything on the map. Of course, you don't have to be limited to Siberian regions. Look also at Alaska, Canada and Northern Europe. Pretty much anywhere cold and icy is suitable.

If picking Husky names from places doesn't suit you, consider a name from a foreign language. Get out a baby name book or look online in a baby name database or language translator. Search for the foreign words for something meaningful to you and your dog. For example, if your Husky is beautiful (and what Husky isn't?) try looking up the Russian word for beautiful. If he always wants to eat, look up the Norwegian word for pig. If she loves everybody, try the Inuit word for sweet.

Husky names can be as unique as your dog, with a little bit of effort.

Check out Siberian Husky Names for more tips and ideas for naming your Siberian Husky!

By Lia A. March
PressSearch.org

Why Do Dogs Howl?

Dogs howl at the moon. They howl when they hear the siren of a fire truck or the siren of an ambulance. The dogs howling adds to the noise of a police car. Is the dogs howling trying to convey that something ominous is about to happen? Dogs have heightened senses. Folks believe that dogs can see something that humans are unable to see. A howling dog is a permanent feature in horror movies.

A howl is always associated with something sinister. Do you not wish you have someone beside you when a dogs howling intensifies the eeriness of the dark, windy and rainy nights? The howling of the dog however can be quite amusing especially if done in broad daylight. Have you noticed how some dogs howl when it hears the family singing together? Do the singing voices hurt the dogs ears or is the pet howling because it wants to join in the fun?

There are many reasons why dogs howl. First and foremost is for communication. Wolves howl and bay. These progenitors of the present day dogs stay in packs. A dog that is separated from the pack will howl to inform the others of its location. It is the dogs way of telling the other pack members that everything is fine. Other dogs will then howl back. The howling sound carries for several miles. A dog howls to inform the others that prey has been found.

Dogs have been domesticated for thousand of years but howling, like the other inherent traits were not eliminated. Modern day dogs however, howl for a different reason. Dogs left alone and cooped inside the house all day or leashed in the backyard with nothing better to do will howl because of boredom. Loneliness is another reason. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety also howl. A dog whose master dies howls every night. The dog is probably missing its master although folks give another meaning to the howling. Some would believe that the dog is seeing its departed master. Howling is always associated with something ominous, but did you know that howling also signify a dogs happiness? Dogs are social creatures. They crave the company of their human family. A dog wild bark and howl when it sees its master coming and when it is included in the play activities of the children.

Dogs in the wild howl back when they hear a distant howl. So do not be surprised when your pet howls when the ambulance passes by. The howling is an instinctive response to what is interpreted by the dog as another howl. The high pitch sound of a musical instrument, the sound of the television will be responded to by the dog in the same manner.

By Jerry Welsh
PressSearch.org

Five Non-Shedding Dog Breeds

There are many people who would love to bring a dog into their home but, for various reasons, would prefer a non-shedding dog. Some have allergies and cannot tolerate the hair and the dander while others simply do not want to deal with the constant grooming and cleanup required when one owns a dog that sheds.

Below are five non-shedding dogs that will allow those want a pet dog to have one without having to deal with flying fur.

It is important to keep in mind that not all non-shedding dogs are going to be appropriate for someone with allergies as some of them do still produce dander that can be problematic to allergy sufferers. The best way to be sure your allergies will not affected by a certain dog is to spend time with that dog before bringing him home.

1. American Hairless Terrier
This may be one of the best choices for people with allergies as it is one of the truly "hairless" breeds. These dogs are born with a bit of short, fuzzy hair that soon falls out. These are intelligent and energetic dogs. Because they completely lack a coat, provisions must be made to keep them warm in winter, and sunscreen should be applied to prevent burning.
2. Bichon Frise
Many people are surprised to learn that these fluffy white dogs do not shed. While they do not shed, daily grooming is required to maintain their long coats. According to the American Kennel Club, calling this dog "non-shedding" is a bit misleading. The curly outer coat helps to prevent the dander from escaping and the daily grooming that is required removes the large majority of the hair before it has a chance to shed. These dogs are also a good choice for people with allergies.
3. Havanese
The American Kennel Club calls this breed playful. As with most dogs that are considered to be non-shedding, a small amount of hair is going to fall from the coat. While many people with allergies do fine with this dog, those with severe allergies may not tolerate this breed. While a small amount of hair will be shed, it will not be so much that daily cleanup of the hair from furniture of the floor will be required.
4. Schnauzer
This breed has a wiry coat and sheds very little. Because it comes in three sizes, the smaller version would be a good choice for apartment dwellers. This breed is alert and courageous, making it a good watch dog.
5. Scottish Terrier
The American Kennel Club calls this breed "alert and playful". A Scottie is not going to leave a hairy mess throughout your home, but there is a minimal amount of shedding. For that reason, people with allergies may not be able to tolerate this breed.

To call a dog "non-shedding" is a bit misleading. Most, with the exception of the truly hairless breeds such as the American Hairless Terrier, are going to have some shedding. "Low-shedding" is a more accurate term for most of these dogs.

If your concern is keeping hair off of the furniture then all five of these non-shedding, or low-shedding, breeds would be a good match. If, however, allergies are your concern, you'll need to spend some time with each breed to see how well you can tolerate them.

By Neil Lemons
PressSearch.org

Dog Training Information That Will Help You Train a New Puppy Or an Older Dog

There is a lot of dog training information available. You will find everything from training a new puppy, to dealing with a barking dog, and just about everything in between. This information will indeed be helpful and necessary if you have a new puppy in your home.

Many people believe that they can housebreak a puppy by "rubbing their nose in it" when they have had an accident. This does not work. All it really does is scare and humiliate your best friend and can actually make the problem worse.

The key to housebreaking your dog is to designate an area especially for this purpose. You should bring your dog to this area frequently at first, eventually they will have success, and you should praise him for it. Whenever you dog is successful in using the designated area, you should offer him a treat.

Each and every time you bring your dog to the correct area, you should use a keyword. Eventually your dog will associate this keyword with what your expectation is. If your dog has an accident, you should bring him immediately to this spot, and use the chosen keyword. Remember to be patient because this will take some time.

Training a dog to stop barking can at times be complicated, and quite time-consuming. One of the most important things to be remembered is to not reward your dog for barking. This will only reinforce and encourage the barking. Continuing to yell at your dog to be quiet may seem to your dog to be the answer because you yourself are barking back.

Proper socialization, a bit of obedience training, and the right amount of attention at the right time can help curb a barking problem. There is plenty of information available about this problematic issue. The most important thing to remember once again is to be patient because this will take some time to correct.

Many dogs enjoy digging and this is especially true for Labrador Retrievers. There many reasons that a dog may dig. Some of these include boredom, need for warmth or cooling, shelter, and even natural instinct. Although your dog does not see anything wrong with this, you certainly will.

If you have a large enough area in your yard, you may choose to designate a specific spot where your dog is allowed to dig. If this is not the case, there are quite a few techniques which will work to keep your dog from digging. When you spend time with your dog, and you see him begin digging, try spraying him with the hose, and firmly telling him NO! Another method that seems to work for many dog owners is to bury several inflated balloons in the area where your dog generally digs. When your dog begins digging, the balloons will pop, and startle your dog. This will generally be enough to make this behavior undesirable.

There are volumes of books available that are loaded with dog training information. If you are considering getting a new puppy, or adopting an older dog, you will definitely want to purchase one of these invaluable books.

By Harold Peterson
PressSearch.org

Puppy Growth Chart - How Big Will My Dog Get?

One of the first questions anyone asks when considering purchasing a dog or puppy is how big will it get? This is a very relevant and important question considering your need to ensure your puppy is cared for appropriately in your home.

If you are looking for a large or small sized dog and end up with an animal much larger than anticipated, this clearly is going to give you problems within the household. It is therefore, extremely important to understand the size of the dog you are thinking of getting and also importantly, the development stages of the dog within the first 18 months which is considered to be the primary growing period. Other considerations to take into account in terms of your puppy and eventual size are his or her exercise regime, its grooming requirements, and it's likely personality or temperament.

Puppy weight estimates are most effectively understood by looking at both the dogs parents wherever possible. This will give you an extremely good idea by looking at the puppy's family to ascertain what its end size and weight are likely to be. It is, however worth noting that mixed breed puppies are more difficult to assess in terms of size and growth. This is particularly relevant in situations where neither information around the size or the greed of the puppy's parents is available this is not an uncommon situation and can be overcome with a little research.

Here are some important considerations to give you an idea as to what the puppy's potential growth may be in the future;

1. Pay particular attention to the breed and the size and weight of parents

2. Look at the paws of the puppy, are they large? If so, it is likely that the puppy will develop into a much larger sized dog.

3. An unscientific formula which some believe is a good indication of eventual size is known as the 'double' formula, this, in essence, suggests that whatever the puppy weighs at around 14 weeks of age is doubled to provide an understanding of its final weight. This of course is not an exact science and the above methods should be used wherever possible.

So, what are the growth chart points of your puppy from 1 month to 18 months?

1 Month - puppy begins to wean and the teeth start to appear.

1 to 2 Months - your typical puppy begins cheering and playing with small items.

3 Months - your puppy enjoys chasing things in responding to his or her name.

4 Months - puppy begins to respond to simple commands and will heed when beckoned.

5 Months - Vaccinations and training regime to begin (Near adult height and weight for smaller breeds up to 25lbs)

6 Months- your puppy should fetch and understand simple commands and will be reaching sexual maturity for some small dogs.

7 Months - permanent teeth are cutting through which is a good time to schedule dental checkups with your veterinarian (near adult height and weight for medium breeds up to 55lbs)

9 Months - puppy training should be completed.

12 months - your dog will now be reaching adult height and weight for larger breeds over 55lbs.

18 months - your dog has now reached sexual maturity and the majority of large breeds over 50lbs - all dogs at 18 months will be approaching social maturity.

I hope the above puppy growth chart information and details around how to assess how big your dog will get has proven to be useful to you. Please visit my website for further dog training ideas and information.

By Kate Brielle
PressSearch.org

People Food Can Be Harmful to Your Dogs Health - 10 Human Foods to Never Feed Your Dog

Growing up twenty years ago people didn't really know about table scraps harming their dog. After dinner we would take all the leftovers and make a leftover gravy to dump over their dry dog food. You just can't do that anymore.

Most dogs will eat anything. Sometimes without even chewing. But you need to be careful on what to feed them. There are certain foods you should never feed your dog.

First of all, never give your dog any chicken bones. Pork and fish bones are also just as bad. They can splinter and get stuck in their jaw or throat. This can cause choking and even tear up their digestive system.

2. You may have heard not to feed dogs chocolate. This is true and includes white and baking chocolates. The darker the chocolates the more harmful.

3. No tea or coffee or anything with caffeine in it. There is a substance that can be extremely toxic and cause seizures. It can also effect the heart and nervous system.

4. Grapes or raisins if fed to your dog can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even kidney failure.

5. Dogs should not drink dairy products. Unlike most cats,dogs are lactose intolerant. There are however special milks made for dogs.

6. No Avocados. Everything to do with avocados including the tree, is toxic to dogs.

7. Dogs love gum, but sugar free gum contains a substance called xylitol. It can rapidly lower your dogs blood sugar levels and that can be deadly.

8. Do not give your dogs mushrooms because they may contain toxins that cause liver and kidney damage.

9. Onions that are raw or even cooked can be bad for your dog. They can damage a dogs blood cells and cause anemia.

10. And last on this list is macadamia nuts. They contain a compound that if eaten by your dog will cause temporary hind leg paralysis.

No one wants to feed their dog anything that will make them sick or worst. Hopefully this list will help you avoid those mistakes. Also take some extra time to analyze what you have been feeding your dog. It could make all the difference in their health and well being.

By Tara Devine
PressSearch.org

A Shockingly Simple Way to Stop a Dog From Barking

Getting your dog to stop barking is one of the most common causes of an owner bringing a dog to obedience training, second only to housebreaking. But before you can even think about getting your dog to stop barking for any reason, you have to know a few simple but important facts. Once you understand these facts, getting them to stop barking should be a breeze...

Expecting your dog to stop barking altogether is not a realistic expectation. Barking is a natural instinct in the dog and cannot be completely silenced. You can, however, teach them a trigger word which you can use to teach the dog to bark on command. This will surprise you as to how much the dog will start to reduce the crazy urge to randomly bark without getting the command. You can use the trigger word "speak", as it is an easy, one-syllable word that the puppy can understand.

After that, you can move on to trying to figure out how to actually stop the dog from barking when you don't want them to, or they are not supposed to. As you may know, the dog is barking for a reason, even if that reason isn't obvious to you.

Whatever it may be... alerting to danger, or trying to get your attention to something they seem interesting, you have to teach the dog that whatever it is making them bark is OK. If you completely remove the cause of the barking from that situation, that's even better.

By Cary Benjamin
PressSearch.org

A Shockingly Easy Way to Stop a Dog From Jumping

One of the more common behavioral problems that owners face is a puppy jumping up on strangers when they walk in the door. Perhaps the dog even jumps on familiar people, as well. This is very stressful for the owners and anyone who comes over their house or apartment because they know that they're going to get ambushed. Here are a few tips on how to stop your dog from jumping up and completely surprising your family and friends...

There is only reason that a dog will jump up when someone comes to the door. In order to understand why they do it, you have to understand a little bit about dogs in general. Dogs crave love and attention, no matter what type of dog or their background. Even if you give the puppy the most attention you could possibly give a dog, they'll still crave more. If you haven't figured it out yet, that is exactly why the dog will jump up on people coming to the door.

To them, that's just one more person that will pay attention to them, so they make sure their presence is known. So how do you go about making sure your dog is getting the attention it needs to stay down and not bother the person at the door?

You have to start by showing absolutely no interest in the dog when you walk in the door. If you pet them and get down on their level and greet them with a big hug or petting, they'll do that every time you (or someone else) comes to the door. Instead, simply walk in to your house and don't pay attention to them. There are a few other things you can do, as well.

By Cary Benjamin
PressSearch.org

10 Things You Must Teach Your Puppy Before They Are a Year Old

Have you ever come across a dog at the dog park, or had to look after a dog for a friend, and found that they had absolutely no doggie manners at all? That's because they haven't been trained properly. Here are the 10 things you MUST teach your puppy before they are a year old, so you can have the best behaved dog on the street!

OK - we'll start with the basics....

Toilet Training. We all know it's important to teach your puppy where to go to the toilet, but it's equally important to teach them to alert you WHEN they need to go to the toilet. You might think it's easier to teach the puppy to go at pre-arranged times (after meals and just before bed), and this is true. However, there may be times in your dog's life (such as when they are unwell) when they might just need an extra pit stop.

It's a great idea to teach your dog to alert you when they need to go outside. Or, you can teach your dog to answer your question "do you need to go pee?". No seriously - if you ask this question each time they go out to do their business, they will eventually associate that phrase with going to the toilet. So when you ask the question, they will either be disinterested, or jump up ready to go. Trust me - this comes in very handy later on in your dog's life.

Sit, Stay, Drop. It seems to me I shouldn't have to mention this, but it amazes me the number of dogs who won't sit on command! The earlier you teach your puppy, the better. Drop can be particularly hard for puppies, but it's worth persevering with. The Drop command is quite a submissive action for a dog, and can be very useful when there are young children about, putting the dog below them in terms of height.

Walk on Leash & Off Leash With You. Going for a walk should be fun, but not out of control. Teach your puppy from an early age to stand still while you put on their leash (and collar if they don't wear one indoors). When walking, your dog should walk beside you - not in front, and not wandering all over the place sniffing and peeing. Your dog can have some "free time" (see later on in this article), but most of the walk should be by your side and calm.

It's also a good idea to teach your dog to walk beside you off leash (once you have mastered on leash of course). It's best to start this off in your own fenced yard before you move outdoors. And always take the lead with you as back up. However, this is very handy if your dog somehow gets out or off leash when you are outdoors. You should be able to call them to you and then put them on leash or walk them home without one.

Fetch & Release. Throwing a ball or Frisbee and having them retrieve it is a great game for a puppy. It's great exercise, it's fun, and they are with you! However, it is just as important to teach your puppy to release the ball or Frisbee when they return to you. It is more important actually - they need to acknowledge that you are in charge of the game, and that the ball always gets given back to you.

Do NOT wrestle with the dog for the ball or Frisbee, and don't allow them to "play growl". Tug is a separate game played with a tug toy. In Fetch they must always release the ball back to you. If they won't - stop playing.

Doggie etiquette. When your puppy meets another dog or cat, it needs to know the right etiquette for introducing itself. Puppies usually learn this from their litter mates, but I have seen many cases where puppies were obviously taken away from their litter too soon, and they have no idea at all how to behave around other animals.

You'll know if your puppy has a problem by how it behaves when guests arrive. A well behaved puppy will approach the visitors and want a pat or some attention, but not demand it. Badly behaved puppies demand attention by pushing their noses at people, or jumping. If your puppy does either of these, chances are it won't behave very well around new animals either. And that could spell trouble at the dog park! Nip it in the bud now.

No jumping. Following on from our point on etiquette, you may think it's cute now that your puppy jumps at your legs to get attention or tries to jump on your lap. But wait until they are a fully grown dog, or when they try it on a frail elderly person and knock them over. No jumping on people - ever.

Sharing Food and Toys. This is a very important lesson to teach if you have, or plan on having, other animals or children in the house. Some dogs can be very possessive, especially with their food and/or toys. Puppies need to be taught at a young age that nothing is theirs alone - not their food nor their toys. You need to start this training when they are young. Take the toy or food away from the dog and give it to your child to give back to the dog. This teaches the dog that things come back - they won't necessarily lose them forever.

If you have another animal, especially another dog, then make sure that both (or all) dogs play with all toys. No toys belong to any one dog.

Go to your bed. Your dog needs a "safe" zone - somewhere they can go to get some time out, sleep, or eat their food. This can be their bed, a rug, or even their crate. Teach them from an early age to go there on command. This way, if puppy misbehaves you can send them for some time out with this command.

"Free" time. OK - I mentioned this when we talked about walking on leash. It is important that your dog is allowed some free time to run and play and be silly and sniff things and pee on things. Teaching your dog early by using the word "free" said loudly and happily will train your dog that now he can be himself! This is a great command to use at the dog park. You also need to have an "off" word so they come back to you when it's time to go home or back on the leash. Whether that's calling their name, or "come", or another word you use.

Who's in charge. If you have been able to teach your puppy all of the above behaviours, then you have also taught your dog who's in charge - you!

If you teach your puppy to be a well behaved, well mannered puppy, then you'll have a dog you can be proud of later in life.

By Daniel Ellis
PressSearch.org

Effective Constipation Remedies For Dogs

Dogs can sometimes suffer from constipation. You may realize that your dog is experiencing constipation if he is not having at least one to two bowel movements per day. Also, your dog may be constipated if his stools are hard and it seems that your dog is having trouble with his bowel movements. There are many causes for constipation in dogs, including an improper diet as well as a lack of exercise. Making sure that your dog is getting plenty of exercise and a proper diet can help to avoid this problem. There are constipation remedies that can be used to provide relief to your dog.

One of the most common constipation remedies is changing his diet. This is a very simple and easy way to provide your dog with relief. If this does not provide improvement within a few days, you may need to use other constipation remedies for dogs such as bran. You can easily add in just a couple of spoonfuls of bran to your dog's food daily. The fiber contained in the bran should assist with remedying the constipation.

Other options that can be used include the use of psyllium. Metamucil is an easy over-the-counter product that can be used for this purpose. Half a spoon can be provided daily to help your dog's constipation problem. Make sure you provide plenty of water as well. Mineral oil is also an effective treatment as well.

Remember that if your dog has not had any bowel movement for at least two days, it is possible that he may have an internal blockage. If that is the case, you should see your vet immediately as surgery may be required in order to remove the blockage.

By Mike Mullins
PressSearch.org

Stainless Steel Handrail Shapes Available Vs Aluminum Handrail Shapes

When choosing a handrail or balustrade system for a deck, stairs, Juliet balcony or a regular walk-on balcony, the shape of the hand rail can play a crucial part in your choice.

The standard shapes out there are mostly circular sections of varying diameters, starting from 40mm which is comfortable for holding onto on a stair railing, going up in diameter to 55mm-70mm.

The more interesting shapes out there are more intricate and include elliptical shapes of varying sizes and rectangular or square shapes.

Stainless steel handrail shapes are very limited, due to the extremely expensive tooling require to extrude or roll form these shapes the market tends to follow what is existent and very little room is available for architects to influence the shapes of the handrails. Many times architects will choose a stainless steel balustrade system or a stainless steel balcony and will want to have a "special" shape for their project, they will soon find the cost of this to be inhibitory, as well as in many cases unavailable to be done at all.

This is not the case however with aluminum handrails and railings. In fact as opposed to stainless steel balustrades, with aluminum railings the ability to influence the shape by the architects on the project is making these systems the preferred solution. In fact on a recent project I visited, a project in the Docklands in London, I found that the company that made the glass balconies allowed the architects to create three separate handrail shapes for three different areas on the project. One of the handrail was 120mm wide.

There is also a finish out there called "Royal Chrome" which looks virtually like stainless steel but it is actually a special finish on the aluminum and there fore still allows the flexibility of shapes that the aluminum railing systems allow.

In summary stainless steel handrails are more limited in the availability of shapes, whereas aluminum handrail systems allow an inexhaustible possibility of shapes.

By Robert Ashpole
PressSearch.org

Really, How Do I Hang My Hammock?

Hanging a hammock seems like an easy task. The average person might think that a hammock simply gets tied to two trees or posts and it's ready to be laid in. However, there is a right way to hang your hammock for maximum comfort. Follow these simple guidelines (along with manufacturer guidelines) to be sure that your hammock is secure and ready for relaxation.

· If your yard is blessed with trees: You're in luck, you have trees in your yard that might be able to accommodate a hammock, and you know that the trees will support the weight of one or two people. Trees need to be approximately 14-17 feet apart to hang a hammock. Don't panic if your space isn't exactly that distance. If you have a distance that is a little less than 14 feet, use less chain to make up the difference. A distance larger than 17 feet will require you to use more chain to allow for the extra length. Don't panic, it is possible to make it work with the trees you have in your yard.

· If your yard has only one suitable tree: Not to worry, you can still use what nature has given you. Attach your hammock to the available tree, and place a wooden or metal post the proper distance away to attach the other end of your hammock. When installing the post, be sure to dig a 1.5 to 2 foot hole and secure with some concrete for added support.

· If your yard has no trees: Don't curse Mother Nature because she hasn't blessed you with two trees to hang your hammock. You are in luck, you get to choose the location of your hammock, and you can even change your mind later (something you can't do with trees). Option one: place posts in the ground (digging down 1.5-2 feet and securing with concrete) anywhere in your yard that you would like. Option two: use posts on your deck or porch that might work for your hammock. Option three: choose a hammock stand that will meet the needs of your family and blend with the décor of your outdoor living space. Hammock stands are beautiful and versatile.

· If your hammock sags: When hanging your hammock, be sure that the hammock is fairly taught. The hammock should hang straight when you are not in it, and sink down once you climb in. If the hammock sags low to the ground before weight is added it will sink farther to the ground once you sit in it. When using any of the above installation methods attach the hammock chain or straps about 4-5 feet above the ground.

By Gabrielle DeLeone
PressSearch.org

Prevent Water Damage With Basement Waterproofing Paint

While most experts discourage homeowners from trying to perform exterior drainage system work on their property, waterproofing the inside of your home is a project you can learn to do yourself effectively. Basement waterproofing paint and other affordable products can help you beautify your home and protect it against water damage, flooding, mold and mildew.

When purchasing basement waterproofing paint, make sure you ask for assistance from an expert at your local home improvement store. Depending upon the type of walls you have, the shape they are in, and past waterproofing efforts, you may want to use a specific type of paint. If possible, bring in photos of your basement walls and let the expert know exactly what you are trying to do.

It's important to remember that basement waterproofing paint is not meant to prevent all flooding, but rather to prevent walls from becoming moist or damp (which can lead to mold and mildew growth). The prevention of flooding can only properly be done with exterior foundation drainage system maintenance. You can find out more about exterior waterproofing by calling a professional contractor in your area.

Before using basement waterproofing paint, a little preparation is needed first. Make sure that all small cracks are filled in and that the walls themselves are cleaned of any dirt or mold. Use a wire brush to scrape old paint off of the walls (while wearing a mask for safety, of course). Also, spray any existing mold with a mixture of bleach and water eliminate it.

When applying basement waterproofing paint, it's always best to put on more than one coat if you have the quantity available to do so. Make sure that they paint you choose has an anti-mold formula, and open all of the windows you can to provide adequate ventilation while you work. Although painting isn't exactly a dangerous project to work on, it's still smart to make sure you are as safe as possible when you're waterproofing your basement's interior.

By Paul R. Turner
PressSearch.org

Home Warranty Reviews

Home warranties is like an insurance policy against fixing the little things in your home, not the major things like fire or other natural disasters, but small things like appliances or light fixtures that break and need to be fixed or replaced.

Here are some things to look for in a site with reviews of home warranty companies.

Look For The Popular Websites - The more traffic a review website has, the more likely it is to have enough reviews to dilute the reviews that have been manipulated by the companies themselves. If you have over 100 reviews about a certain company, even if some of them have been manipulated by the company, for the most part, they will be accurate reviews from the public.

Check With The BBB - You can always check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there has been any fraudulent or unethical activity reported. Although, that won't get you a very balanced view, since most BBB reports are negative.

The Membership Review Sites Are Usually Better - Review and rating websites that have a paid membership usually have more honest and accurate reviews because the site owner have the ability to pay a staff of people to monitor the reviews and watch out for company manipulation of the reviews.

Look For Balanced Reporting - Look for a review site where both the consumer and the company have a chance to defend themselves. It will give you a clearer picture of what really happened in the incident.

Before you decide on which home warranty company to use, its important to do your research and read reviews from customers of many different home warranty companies.

See my top Recommended Home Warranty Review Site.

My recommended company is quickly becoming one of the most popular and reputable company review sources online. You can find reviews of many different kinds of companies in your area and nationwide.

By Z. Baker
PressSearch.org

Free Grant Money For Home Improvements - 5 Improvements to Get You Extra Money

Have you been thinking about doing some improvements to your home but are afraid to spend the money? If so, then be sure you now about the free grant money for home improvements available through the government. This extra incentive can be a win win for anyone wanting to do some home improvements. There has never been a better time to make those improvements.

So, you may be wondering exactly what type of improvements will qualify to receive extra funding. Of course, painting you home or installing that beautiful paver driveway will probably not be covered by any government funding, but if you need a new roof, water heater, air conditioner, new windows or doors, or even appliances, then you probably will be able to get a tax credit, resulting in more money in your pocket.

1. Get a new roof. If you roof is needing replaced within the next couple of years, then now is the time to replace it. Choose a metal roof or shingle roof that is listed on the qualified Energy Star product list and receive up to $1500 tax credit. Not only will you get a tax credit, but these new roofs will help keep your energy bills down too.
2. Get a new air conditioner. If you air conditioner is 10 years old or older, then it is time to upgrade to a new one. Especially now when you can be included in the tax benefits. You can upgrade to a 16-seer unit or 13 EER unit and receive the tax break. Again, not only will you receive the government tax credit, but you will also save money every month on your energy costs.
3. Change you water heater. Chances are if your water heater is over 10 years old, it needs replaced. These things get bogged down with lime and scale deposits rendering them less energy efficient. Get a new solar or tankless model and earn up to a $1500 tax credit.
4. Change out your windows and doors. If you house is like mine and over 20 years old, then new windows and doors can save you a bundle. Not only will you see the savings each month in your electric bills, but you will also qualify for a $1500 tax credit for your doors and one for your windows as long as you get the energy efficient types that meet the Energy Star Standards.
5. Appliances. Do you still have those avocado green or dark brown appliances in your kitchen? If so, it is time to change them out for more energy efficient ones. You will save on your monthly electricity costs to run them plus all across the country manufactures are running discounts and rebates on these Energy Star products.

In the end, it is important to do your research and make sure you are taking advantage of the multitude of tax credits and free grant money for home improvements. Remember, a tax credit is extra cash in your pocket at the end of the year.

By Zak Crawford
PressSearch.org

Free Grant Money For Home Improvement - Fix Your Home With Grants

Depending on where you live, you may qualify for home improvement grant money to help with your next home improvement project. Whether you need to replace your roof, make your home safe, or want to add energy efficient appliances, there are programs available that help individuals with these expenses. While the grant money that you qualify to receive may not be able to completely cover your expenses, they can provide as much as $20,000 to help with those projects.

The biggest difference between obtaining a home improvement grant over a traditional loan is that the money awarded will never have to be paid back. When you are awarded the funds, you do have to agree to terms that enforce restrictions on how the money could be spent. The penalty, if you are caught, for spending the money inappropriately is generally that you have to repay the money, and possibly with interest.

That just means you don't want to spend your home improvement grant on purchasing a new car. Use the money for the intended purpose, and you won't have any problems. Depending on the grant you are approved for, those acceptable expenses could be parts, labor and material costs for your project.

There are a wide variety of programs that may be available to individuals and real estate developer or contractors. By accessing online resources, you can find the funds that are currently available and find out how to appropriately apply for them. Most of these resources will provide detailed, step-by-step information on how to submit the best possible grant request and even provide sample applications for you to use as a template.

By Austin Warty
PressSearch.org

How to Build a Farm Pond

If you live in a suburban or rural area you may want to add a pond. Ponds can reduce your fire insurance fees, if pond is not too far from the house and increase your property value. And can provide water for livestock, as well as, a recreational, relaxing area for picnics, swimming and fishing.

In some regions there may be codes that have to be followed regarding pond construction. This should be investigated before making any plans. Once this has been accomplished it is time to begin. Picking the site is of utmost importance, if you want a pond that stays full of water. If there is a spring or springs that can be channeled for a steady water supply all the better. Care must be taken not to stop the flow from the spring in the process, often too much digging can interfere with it.

If you have owned your property for a period of time, you should be aware of the natural water courses
during heavy rains. This will help to determine the best site for your pond and its size. Larger ponds that can be kept filled by continual rain runoff are nearly maintenance free after construction. Pond sizes vary greatly, but while doing the initial investment of time and money , you are far better off going bigger rather than smaller. The deeper the pond, at least in some portion of it, twenty feet is good depth, the better.

Hiring a bulldozer operator who often builds ponds is a great advantage to the novice. Also friends or family with some expertise will make the project go more easily, with a more satisfactory outcome. Summer and early fall is the ideal time to clear the land and dig the pond to desired proportions.

Spillways or a center overflow pipe drain can be installed to desired water level when filled, all of which are done early on in the construction. You may want to dig a boat ramp type area for easy access to the pond and wide enough that you can later put in some sand at the edge for wading by the children. (A simple tip that really works-often your pond will seep water and decrease its water levels, so by getting ducks and or geese you can solve that drainage problem from the bottom of pond. The animal droppings act in the pond, just like stop leak in your radiator.) They will help keep snakes cleared away from the pond as an added benefit and look so peaceful floating along top of water. Snakes can be a hazard in southern states where there are poisonous water snakes. Products are available to help prevent unwanted visitors.

While you are waiting for your pond to fill, you can landscape and level area it, setting a place aside for recreation. It well may end up a favorite spot for the family to congregate. You may want to add an aerator spray for both water quality and its effect. You can add a dock, or even a float that you can use for sunbathing. If there are children in your family or neighborhood precautions must be made to prevent drowning as you would a swimming pool. Adults should always be present while children are swimming or fishing. Fish can be obtained through your county agricultural office or similar office.

By Jan Barber
PressSearch.org

Home Improvement Grants - Free Money to Help Repair Or Upgrade Your Home

If you are trying to sell your property in the current real estate market, you may not be able to get the price that you desire. To increase the value of your home by remodeling, repairing and upgrading your home, you may qualify for US government's home improvement grants. This is a great way to improve the value of your property without spending your own money or taking a loan.

By applying to a home improvement grant you may get free money from the government to upgrade, remodel and improve your property. Grants for home repair are interest and tax free funds that do not have to be paid back. All that is required to qualify for the grants is to be an American tax paying citizen over the age of 18. Additionally, you can apply to as many governments home improvement grants and private organizations offering grant programs that you qualify for.

As these home improvement funds are not loans, there is typically no need for collateral, income verification or a co-signer. These funds are provided by local and state government agencies regardless of the individual's credit history. Just be sure to use the grant funds according to the terms of the particular grant awarded and the money is yours to improve your home. When you search the updated online database of grant funds, make sure you check out the various available categories and apply to those that meet your specific needs.

Some of the home improvement grants are provided to help those who need to modify their home to make it handicap accessible. Other grants are provided to upgrade your home to make it energy efficient and develop your community. You may qualify for thousands of dollars in free grant money to turn your dream home into a reality.

By Sarah A. Baker
PressSearch.org

5 Reasons to Apply For Home Improvement Grants - Get Free Money For Upgrades and Repairs

Have you ever wanted to redecorate or remodel your home or property, but have never been able to afford to do it? If you qualify to receive free government money in home improvement grants you can quickly get those projects underway without having to undergo a credit check or be responsible for paying the money back. Not everyone will qualify, but millions do and you may be one of them.

If you have ever wondered what the benefits of applying for government grants to finance your home repair endeavors, here are the top five reasons why smart and resourceful American taxpayers look to the government for financial assistance when embarking on home improvement projects...

Your family is growing and requires more space - Many growing families find that they are in need of more space but do not desire to move. If you are eligible to qualify, government home improvement grants may cover a great deal, if not all, of the cost of this essential reconstruction project.

Your family has decreased and you now have too much space -Some homeowners who have adult children that have moved out on their own apply for funding this to reconstruct their now oversized single-family homes into multiple rental units. This can create a life long income at no cost to the property owner.

Your interior décor is terribly outdated - Perhaps you have not upgraded appliances, utilities, or décor since you've moved in, and maybe previous occupants neglected that as well. You may be able to obtain free government money just to give your home a decorative new facelift.

Home repairs and remodeling will increase your property value - Every single improvement you make, whether it be cosmetic, or a detrimentally essential repair project, it will build instant equity in your home and in most cases dramatically increase your property value.

Last but not least...

Home improvement grants are free and you will never have to pay them back!

If you are an American home owner there is no better time to apply for grants to improve your home. There is a great chance that you will be eligible to qualify for these amazing government grants opportunities, and by clicking on the links below you can find out today.

By Sarah Beckham
PressSearch.org

Home Repair Grants - Do Not Go to a Bank and Get a Loan When You Can Get Free Money!

If you have looked at information regarding home repair grants then this article can shed some more light on how to get free money from the government with no hassle. If you are at least 18 years of age and a United States citizen and you can be awarded money to repair your home. There no credit checks, there are no income checks, and there are no security checks. The government awarded over $1 trillion in government grant spending last year and you are no different. 5 million people were awarded this money. This averages out to be over $4000 per household in United States. And this program will continue year after year. So there is no reason to not to apply.

Home repair grants are one of the most popular grant programs that the government issues out. Money for this program is funded by major corporations that pay 5% of their earnings each year in order to stay in the same tax bracket. The government has many programs available under home repair grants to give you money to repair your roof and make minor home repairs so you do not have to apply for a loan and get further in debt.

Home repair grants can help you fix your roof, make minor home repairs, and you could even apply for a grant that will help you catch up on old late mortgage payments. There is no reason to get in debt and go to the bank to get a loan that you pay interest on when you can apply for a grant that wallboard you free money that you do not have to pay back.

I have found this resource for grants and I am sharing it with you. Find Free Government Grants.

Just select which Grant type you would like to apply for and they will send you free information.

The CD contains ways to get a government grant, how to write a grant and which ones are the best to apply for as this information is updated all the time. They also walk you through the process of applying and writing for a grant.

They are a reputable company, and specialize in this information. Find Free Government Grants.

This information only costs $2 to get shipped to you.

By Marq Samsun
PressSearch.org

Government Grants For Home Improvement - Repairs and Upgrades

We all know that this is not the appropriate time to sell properties due to the economic crisis. You might want to improve your property first so that the value could increase. You can do these without having to spend a lot of money by looking for home improvement grants. The government of the United States offers grants like this.

Government grants for home improvements, repairs, buyers are quite simple. A government grant refers to free cash award. These cash awards are then distributed to the American citizens who pay for their taxes. They can get a government grant after completing a government grant application and after qualifying for the requirements needed. Once approved, grantees will have large amounts of money, which they can spend for projects and other purposes that they specified in their proposal.

Similarly, home improvements grants can be used to raise the selling price and value of a property. How will this happen? It is very simple. Of course, the money one will get will be used to finance the remodeling of the property. The upgrade and repair of the property will be also financed. Definitely, the value and the selling price of the property will increase after the completion of upgrades and repairs.

The money from the government grant is free. This means that you do not need to pay it back after improving your home or any property. Simply put, you earn nothing but profit. Before selling your property, try getting a home improvement grant and use it to upgrade your property. Then you can now sell your property at a higher price. These are the trying times that you need to be wise and take advantage of every opportunity. Applying for a home improvement grant could seriously make you more money. There is nothing to lose.

By Jack Cartell
PressSearch.org

Home Repair Grants - Applying For Free Government Home Improvement Grants

There are ways to get free government grant money, and home repair grants can help individuals who need assistance with fixing, improving or expanding their home. Whether your house was disrupted from natural disaster, or some major repairs are needed to make your house safe and habitable for your family, there are home repair grants that may be able to help you.

Government grant programs are an excellent alternative to traditional bank loans. With a personal loan, there is a credit check and many additional terms that will need to be followed. But with home repair grants, the money is provided tax-free and with no repayments. By searching and applying for these funds, individuals can obtain the cash needed for their home improvement projects.

While these funds are often provided to low-income families, many state and local government agencies offer grant funds to all income classes as a way to improve community development. For instance, there are home repair grants to help rehabilitate homes in neighborhoods to increase property value and attract new home owners.

Regardless of whether a grant is need to repair your roof, install energy efficient appliances or make your home more safe, the money that is received never has to be paid back. Applying for grants does not typically require a credit check, down payment or any type of collateral.

By searching an updated grant directory, individuals who are at least 18 years old can quickly find and apply for free government grant money. By partnering with the government, you can put your tax dollars to good use and help improve the community, while enjoying the benefits of obtaining cash that never has to be repaid.

By Austin Warty
PressSearch.org

Attic Fans Can Significantly Cool Down Your House

Do you have an attic that is always hot? Have you considered using attic fans in order to blow out the heat? Many people that have attics are not aware of how dangerously hot it can get up there. If you frequently go up into your attic, you probably do not like to be up there for long when it gets hot. During the summer especially, people have a tough time dealing with all of the heat that gets built up in their attic. This is because trapped attic heat can make the temperature rise upwards to well over one-hundred degrees.

If you make use of your attic for storage, it is a great idea to get attic-fans to keep yourself cooler while you transport belongings and furniture for storage. You may not know that most attics also are heat traps, meaning that all of the sunlight shining onto your house gets stuck up in the attic on hot days. Even when it isn't very hot outside, your attic can still heat up quickly from direct-sunlight.

Attic fans allow your attic to blow away the entire accumulation of heat that gets trapped inside. There are many great types of attic-fans that will work effectively to keep your house at a cooler temperature and your attic feeling comfortable to walk into. These days, solar powered attic fans have become increasingly popular due to the fact that they will not rack up an electrical bill and are just as effective as attic-fans that require a plug-in. Solar-powered attic-fans work amazingly well during the hot summer months.

If you are thinking about buying some solar attic fans to help increase the amount of natural air circulation in your attic, then it is suggested that you shop around. Attic-fans are not going to be cheap, and will generally fall within the price range of $400 dollars to about $600 dollars. Do some research on various brands and read customer reviews of various styles of attic fans before you make a purchase.

Also realize that you will need to find a way to get your solar powered fans installed should you decide to buy some. Unless you are a natural handyman or do-it-yourself type person, it is probably wise to hire some outside installation help. You need to be extra careful when attempting to situate a new attic fan to function properly inside of your attic.

Even though not all attics will benefit from having a few functional attic-fans, most will significantly cool-down in temperature during the summer months. By cooling down your attic, you will be able to maintain a much more comfortable temperature in your house. In most cases, attic fans are very beneficial to set up in order to help keep your attic at a more comfortable temperature.

By Hampton Jackson
PressSearch.org

Home Improvement Grants - Money You Never Pay Back

Summer is upon us and home owners are putting their home improvement plans to work. Those who qualify for home grants can benefit from obtaining thousands of dollars to help pay for labor and materials as they improve their home. Regardless if the plans involve expanding, upgrading or repairing your home, there may be funds available that can help you cover these costs. As a result of applying for and receive grant money, individuals can obtain as much as $20,000 in tax-free money that never has to be paid back.

While these funds are often provided by local and state government agencies to help revitalize or improve home prices of community neighborhoods, there are numerous private foundations and nonprofit organizations that offer home improvement grants.

Home improvement grant money can:

* Pay for home repairs
* Install energy efficient appliances
* Assist with winterizing your home
* Make your home suitable for disabled persons

Unlike personal loans or traditional home loans you would get from your bank, grant money never has to be paid back. As long as the funds are used appropriately and in accordance to the terms of the particular grant you receive, the money is yours to keep.

Applying does not typically require down payment money, collateral or a credit check since there are no repayment terms. By using the available online resources that will help you quickly find and apply for money to work on your home improvement project, individuals can obtain a grant without the headaches that come with obtaining a personal loan.

By Austin Warty
PressSearch.org

Home Improvement Grants - Get Government Money to Pay For Upgrades and Repairs

If you are a property owner currently trying to sell, you know that you're going to lose money in the housing market right now. Home improvement grants from the United States government are a great way to instantly and dramatically raise your property value and enable you to also raise your selling price, without having to spend or lose any money.

What exactly are government home improvement grants?

It is quite simple actually. What a government grant is (any type of government grant), is a free cash award distributed to taxpaying American citizens who properly complete a government grant application and meet all eligibility requirements. If approved, large sums of free money are allocated to qualifying applicants to invest into various goals and projects that were part of their grant proposal.

So how do home improvement grants raise my property value and selling price?

This is an even simpler question to answer. In the case of home improvement and repair grants, the money awarded obviously will be put forth to finance a well thought out plan to remodel, repair or upgrade the property, or properties, that you are preparing to sell. Once major repairs and upgrades are completed, there is little to no chance that the property value will instantly increase, allowing the owner to considerably raise the selling price to create a larger profit.

You never have to pay this free grant money back...ever!

Because this was virtually free government money you have spent to repair, remodel and upgrade your sellable property, the increase in selling price is nothing but profit for you. If you are in the market to sell your home or property, and don't want to lose the money you have already invested due to a poor housing market, see if you qualify for home improvement grants to upgrade your home and build equity before you put it on the market. It could seriously make you a lot more money on your sale.

By Sarah Beckham
PressSearch.org

Top 10 Ways to Prepare Your Home For Winter

Owning a home is one of the most rewarding things ever, but it's not always a fun experience. One of the realities of home ownership is maintenance, and getting your house ready for a cold winter is not always a picnic. In this brief article, we'll discuss 10 key ways that you can prepare your home for the winter season. Hopefully by the time you're finished reading, you'll have a game plan together that will assist you in preparing your home.

1. Add a second layer of insulation to your attic.
2. Check the exterior of your home for peeling or cracked paint. Repaint if needed.
3. Inspect the chimney exterior for loose or damaged areas.
4. Install storm doors and windows.
5. Have your furnace checked and gone over by a professional.
6. Replace carbon monoxide detector batteries.
7. Ensure that hose bibs and waterlines are protected.
8. Clean out any debris in the downspouts and gutters.
9. Check the damper on the fireplace to make sure that it works correctly.
10. Inspect the caulking and weatherstripping around all windows and doors. Repair if needed.

Hopefully this short article has given you some good ideas on how to winterize your home this year. Owning a home can be a lot of fun, but it's vital that you stay on top of maintenance issues in order to protect your investment.

As winter approaches and while the weather still permits, take the time to address the 10 areas in this article and properly prepare your home for the cold months ahead.

By Jennifer Spiro
PressSearch.org