Special Pets Store - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are there some breeds of dogs that are better suited for homes with children?
Just how well a particular dog will get along with children depends a lot on how that dog was raised. Dogs need to be introduced to and socialized well with children from an early age in order to get along with them. Nevertheless, there are some dog breeds believed to be just naturally better suited for children. The age of the children, however, is also an important factor. For small children, you'd generally want to avoid large, boisterous breeds like German Shepherds or Bullmastiffs, though these breeds may be ideal for older children. On the other hand, small or toy dogs can do well with children, particularly older, considerate children, but many will not tolerate the antics of young or ill-behaved children. A few breeds that many believe to be good with children include Beagles, Bearded Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Newfoundlands, Pugs, Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies, Springer Spaniels and, of course, the all-time family favorites, Golden Retrievers and Black Labs. Keep in mind, though, that just because a particular breed is believed to be good with children, there are no guarantees. All dogs need to be well socialized and trained.

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At what age should housetraining begin?
Most people take home puppies around the age of 8 weeks and, given that, it's really never too early to start housetraining. One of the best ways to get started is to pick up your puppy if you notice him starting to go the bathroom and carry him outside where you want him to go. Be sure to reward him well, and he'll no doubt begin to learn simply by association. Just keep in mind that housetraining can take a great deal of patience and understanding.

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How much time is alright for a dog to be crated?
Dogs should not be crated for longer than eight hours at a time, and quite a bit less for younger dogs. If you're concerned that your dog may be spending too much time in the crate, you can always try testing to see if he can be left free in the house. Try leaving the house for five minutes and go for a walk. If he's fine with that, try it again at ten minutes and so on. Otherwise, you may want to consider a dog day care or day camp for your dog or even having a dog walker come to your house in the middle of the day to give him some attention and exercise.

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How often should cats get a check up at the vet?
One check up per year is usually sufficient for most cats, though more frequent check ups may be required for cats with chronic medical conditions. In addition, older cats may need to be seen more frequently, usually twice yearly.

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My cat seems to be getting more aggressive as she gets older. Is this normal?
It's not uncommon for cats to become more aggressive as they age, either toward people or other pets. It is, however, important that you have your cat checked by your veterinarian. There are many medical problems that can lead to an increase in aggression, including arthritis pain, a loss of hearing or vision, and a number of diseases effecting the nervous system. If there are any medical conditions present, treating them can help to change your older cat's behavior. Certain stresses or changes, such as a move, can also lead to aggression.

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I have a new kitten who has been sneezing for several days.
It's a good idea to check the litter you use, also. Some litters (particularly the clay type) throw up a lot of dust when kitty scratches in the box, and can exacerbate allergy problems in both cats and humans.
Any excess mucous, secretions, tears, or matter should be routinely cleaned from these areas. Most pets will collect a small amount of eye secretion or debris at the inside eye lid corners, just like we do. However, be sure NOT to mistake an eye infection or other problem for "normal" secretions. If your pet has any eye redness, swelling, pain, excess discharge, loss of vision, changes from normal eye ball appearance, excess blinking or pawing at the eyes, he or she may have an infection or problem. If you have any concerns about your pet's eyes, see your veterinarian immediately.
To clean normal tears or debris from the eyelids, use a moistened, soft, clean cloth, cotton ball, or tissue to gently wipe any secretions away. Avoid rubbing or touching the eye ball, as this can cause injury to delicate eye structures. If a large amount of debris has built up, you may need to soak the area with your moist cloth to soften the secretions before removal. Some pets may need this cleaning repeated daily. Some breeds with long facial hair will greatly benefit from careful trimming or grooming to keep hair out of the eyes. If you choose to trim this hair yourself, use care to avoid injury to the eye or eye lids. Consider using a professional groomer as well.

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How to Use Training Treats
Training is the single most important ingredient to assure that your pet is successfully contained with your new PetSafe Pet Fence. It is not uncommon after a couple of days of training for your pet to appear as though he understands the boundaries, this however is not the case. The ability of a pet to learn and retain what they have learned is very different from that of a human. With pets it is about conditioning the pet to remember by marking a moment in time over and over again. Training treats and positive reinforcement are the best way to accomplish this. It is only through repetition and positive reinforcement of the proper behaviors that your pet will learn its boundaries and stay contained within your new PetSafe Pet Fence. When your Underground or Wireless Pet Fence arrives it will include instructions on how to train your pet. The following basic guidelines will supplement those instructions and help assure that this training is done in the most effective way possible. These guidelines are not meant to be used as the sole method of training, only to supplement the training that is included in your pet fence. Please read the training instructions that come with your pet fence in their entirety. Prior to beginning training feed your pet some Training Treats so that they immediately recognize them during actual training as something they like. PHASE 1 Flag Training During this phase of training the pet fence is turned off, and your pet will wear the receiver collar. You will have training flags placed every 10 feet around your boundary. Have your pet on a six foot or longer training lead and take him to the boundary. While in the safe zone at least 6 feet away from the training flags give your pet a Training Treat and some pats and hugs saying "good boy/girl". Next put a treat to their nose to smell it and throw it past the training flags. The dog will try to get the treat. DO NOT allow them to get it! When they reach the flags pull back firmly on the lead and say "NO" and lead your pet back into the "Safe Zone" once there give them a Training Treat and lots of love saying "Good Boy/Girl" Repeat this over and over around the entire boundary 15 minutes a day for 3 days. This helps establish a basic understanding of the boundary for your pet. The Training Treats are vital because they help mark that moment in time and reinforce the proper behaviors. PHASE 2 Correction Training During Phase two of training you will have the system turned on and your pet will experience an actual correction from the containment system and collar. You will do everything exactly the same as you did in PHASE 1 of training, only you will feed your pet a Training Treat and then throw one into the "Correction" zone. Allow your pet to go into the "Correction" zone DO NOT allow them to get the treat you have thrown there. When he receives the correction pull him back and give him a treat and a lot of "Good Boy's". The reason you throw a treat into the "Correction" zone is to teach the pet that no matter what they see outside of the safe zone?it is not OK to go after it. This phase lasts 10 minutes a day for 3 days. More than ever Training Treats play a vital role in training. The initial corrections will make your pet uneasy. By giving him a training treat and praise he will not only get over it quickly, he will remember the moment and be more effectively trained to the system. The type of Training Treat that you use is very important. If you use anything too big it will satisfy your pets needs to quickly and will not drive him to continue his training. You also risk the pet becoming sick from over eating during the training sessions. If the treat is not desirable enough you risk your pet ignoring it. Our treats are specifically designed and formulated for effective training. They are semi-moist and highly aromatic, immediately appealing to your pet sense of smell. They are also small enough that they will whet your pets appetite without satisfying their hunger or limiting their need for more. They also will not make your pet sick from over indulgence

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What difference there is between UPS, USPS and FexEX?
Depending on delivery address, it can be more favourable to perform delivery with one or another company. A tracking number is provided with UPS and FedEX. With USPS, you have a delivery confirmation (signature mandatory)
Insurance is always included.

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What are the delays of deliveries according to the service of delivery chooses?
Shipping in Canada or in the United States.
- UPS Ground : can take up to 7 days
- USPS Parcel : can take up to 10 days
- USPS Priority Mail : can take up to 5 days
International Shipping
- UPS Worldwide Expedited : can take up to 7 days
- USPS Express Mail : can take up to 7 days
- USPS Priority Mail : can take up to 20 days
Note that delivery time begin when the payment was processed and order shipped. Average delays of order processing is 2 days.

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How can I evaluate the duties fees?
Duties fees can be added to the reception of your order when this one is outside the United States.
Note that every package delivered with UPS will have these duties fees on reception.

In Canada, these fees correspond to the provincial tax (TVP). This rate vary between 5 and 10 % according to provinces. For more information visit the website of Canada Post. Item with a value less than 20$ are exclude.

For European Union countries, theses fees correspond to the Tax on the Added value (T.V.A.). In France, the rate is 19,60 %. To see the website of customhouse France here
In United-Kingdom, theses fees correspond to the (V.A.T.) tax which is 17,5%. Item with a value less than £18 are exclude.

Somes administratives fees can also applied.
Check with your delivery service.

Other informations on others countries will soon follow.

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Is the plastic used in Hawkeye's Aquatanks as good as glass?
Yes, the acrylic used in our tanks is as safe for your fish as the glass aquariums, and its seamless construction eliminates the risks associated with aquariums that have glued seams. However, all tanks should be tested for cracks that may have occurred during transportation. Fill the tank with water and let it stand for an hour before beginning the set up procedures.

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Why are there bubbles on top of my tank?
This is generally a result of water imbalance. Once your tank has cycled and is brought into balance, the bubbling should end. An aquarium usually takes a month or so to completely cycle, and during this time, make sure that the food for your fish isn't sitting on top of the bubbles where the fish can't get to it. Another common cause for foaming is the decorative gravel that has not been rinsed as thoroughly as necessary to clean it completely.

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My water gets very cloudy in just a few days. Why?
This is another common condition in new tanks. Just leave the tank alone, keeping everything in operation. DO NOT EMPTY THE TANK AND REPLACE THE WATER. It should disappear in a few days and is not harmful to your fish, but if you prefer there are chemicals available to speed up the clearing process.

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How often should I clean my aquarium?
The frequency depends on the number and kinds of fish, but usually once every week or two is sufficient. Replace 20%-25% of the water with fresh, treated water. If you use a gravel cleaner to siphon debris and uneaten food from the bottom of the tank while removing old water, the job will go quickly. There are almost no circumstances where you should completely empty the tank and start over. If you have a problem with your aquarium, consult a reliable pet or aquarium dealer to test your water and help you determine the best remedy for your problem. By draining a tank completely, the bacteria colonies established within the first few weeks will be wiped out. These bacteria break down the ammonia produced by fishes and convert it into harmless nitrates. Without it, the ammonia can be toxic to the fishes.

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How long after setting up the aquarium should I wait before adding fish?
If you have thoroughly rinsed all non-electrical parts of your aquarium, as well as your gravel and ornamentation, fill your tank with water and aerate it a few days (or a week if you have the patience). By allowing the water to stabilize, you reduce the stress on the new fishes. In fact, most pet and aquarium specialty dealers will test your water as a service to their customers to ensure a balanced tank. It is our strongest recommendation that you follow their advice; their expertise will provide you with invaluable information and assistance along the way. Additionally, there are easy-to-understand books available at most pet stores that will answer most of your questions. You will be anxious to introduce fish to your new aquarium, but first be sure that the environment you have created is a healthy one for them.

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