Singaporeans love dogs. Dogs are man’s best friend but when they bark excessively, they will become our neighbour’s enemy. Yes, dogs bark and it is in their nature to bark but if it is excessive, everyone around us will suggest that we evict our dog. We do not want that so before worse things happen, we have to curb our dog’s excessive barking.

Barking is a communication tool for our dogs and though it sometimes annoys everyone around, they only mean well. For example, dogs bark to protect their territory (our house), raise an alarm or they want to play. There are dogs who bark to show or voice out their separation anxiety.

To curb our dog’s excessive barking, we have to identity where they are coming from. If we know what sets them off, then we can work from there. Before starting, we have to understand that getting our dog to bark less will definitely take time, practice, work, consistency and of course, patience. Disciplining them will not happen overnight. We have to employ different techniques and we do not need to rely on experts. We only need to research and keep track on their progress.

We can start from the basic like:

• Speak calmly: When dogs bark and we keep shouting at them, they will think that we are joining them. Dogs will be stimulated and they will never stop barking until they are too tired. The first thing that we have to do is to speak calmly and slowly. Yelling will not make a difference.
• Train dogs to understand “quiet”: We are no Cesar Milan but we can train our dog to understand quiet. When training, we have to say “quiet” in a calm but firm voice. We have to wait for him to stop barking and then praise him by giving treat. If this won’t work, we can alternatively train him to “speak” when he is asked to.
• Tire him: Just like people, dogs get tired and when they are tired, they are usually quiet. So, before we leave him alone and let our neighbours endure his barking, we have to tire hum. We can for instance take him to a long run or walk and play with him.
• Do not allow for the excessive barking to go on: If the behaviour continues, it becomes a habit and we all know how hard it is to break it. Dogs are like this. If we allow his excessive barking to continue, we will have more problems curbing it.

Hopefully some of the tricks mentioned above can help us disciplining our dog.

A dog-friendly environment is an important part of home planning especially for the pet lovers. After all, dogs are man’s best friend and they keep the house guarded when everybody’s away. If you travel a lot or spend most of your day away from home, your worry about your pup. Will he be safe while you’re away? Will the things in your house still be as organize? What will he do when you’re not around? Here are a number of things you can do to make your home pet-friendly.

1. Let Fresh Air In

Since Singapore has warm climate, access to windows is ideal for homes. Install windows that are large enough for your dog to enjoy fresh air. Have your panel windows screened, leave it open, and let your pup soak in the sight, sound, and smell of the outdoors. Avoid getting a doggy door that leads to the yard to avoid mess or any possibility of escape. Unless your dog is trained, windows are your best alternative.

2. Adorn Your Home With Interactive Furniture

More and more furniture designers create home furnishings that are suitable for both the owner’s and pet’s needs. Consider having a coffee table with a little hammock underneath it. Built for smaller cats and dogs, the table’s built-in hammock provides a place for your pet to relax. This can be a great idea for owners with smaller floor area to work with.

3. Install an Indoor Dog House

Keeping your dog indoors doesn’t mean you cannot install a dog house. In fact, you can bring a dog house indoors. If interior space is a major concern, build a dog house underneath the staircase. This is a great space-saving idea to provide your dog their own private area.

4. Keep a Doggy Seat In a Nice View

If you have windows that are deep enough to add a seating, install a comfortable window bench where you and your dog can enjoy a nice outdoor view. You can buy ready-made window benches or get your creative juices flowing by making it a DIY project. Line the window seat with decors you love, in colours that complements your interiors. Adding a doggy bench by the window is a stylish way to provide comfort to your dog.

Any home can actually be enough to keep a dog. However, making it more dog-appropriate makes your home much safer and comfortable for your beloved pup.

In the Chinese zodiac, 2014 is the year of the horse. To usher Chinese New Year, SingPost (Singapore Post) will release horse stamps on January 3, 2014. The horse stamps have local, S$0.65 and S$1.10 denominations. Apart from that, SingPost will also release S$5 and S$10 special edition denominations.

What is so special about the year of the horse? People believe that the year of the horse signifies leaping or galloping fortunes and other blessings. Apart from this, you should look scientifically. Here are some physical characteristics and description of horses:

Metabolism

Horses have slow metabolism. Because of their slow metabolism, horses have longer life. The life span of the horses depends on how you take care of them. There are horses that can last up to forty years or longer.

Senses

People have five senses, right? Horses have five senses too! Horses rely on their senses to move. If you may notice, they have eyes on the side of their head because it gives them astounding peripheral vision. They have long ears that can magnify the sound. You will be amazed that their ears can turn up to 180° that allows them to hear various sounds at once.

Locomotion

Horses are known for their movement, they are built for speed. Their natural ability can be enhanced by careful breeding. For example, Arabian horse breeds are for racing, quarter horse breeds are known for its agility and speed and thoroughbreds are for sprinting. You should also know that horses have four natural styles to include galloping, trotting, walking and cantering.

Respiratory System

The respiratory system of horses is similar to people but it is larger. Horses are built for speed and with that, they need tremendous amount of oxygen so they can perform well. When the respiratory system of horses is compromised, you will see a decline of their performance.