Top Five Tips in Photographing Your Dog

Not a professional photographer? No problem. You can still take grrreat pix of your pooch - as long as you've got patience (and a camera) you can easily capture Fido's good side every time you snap a shot. We've asked professional pet photographer Mark Rogers to share a few of his secrets with you...

Other than baby photos, pictures of pets are among the most popular in any household. Unfortunately, they also tend to suffer the most from poor quality or, as we term it in the trade, snapshot-itis. You may have this problem if friends start walking away fast when you mention the latest photos of your cat or if your dog’s loving brown eyes end up glowing green like some malevolent demon in every shot you take.

Well, here are 5 surefire tips to help avoid snapshot-itis

1) Change angles

Most pet photos are taken from the perspective of a human being looking down while the pet looks up. Bor-rinnnnnng! Try something different and get down at their level or, if they’re moving, pan with them as you take the shot.

2) Stick with natural light. Turn off or cover the on-camera flash

On-camera flashes are evil. They flatten everything out, cast harsh shadows and are the source of the infamous glowing green pet eyes. If you have to use a flash go with an off-camera one and bounce the light off a ceiling or wall.

3) Stay out of direct sun and shoot in the morning or late afternoon

Contrary to popular belief, bright sunlight is not a photographers friend. It wreaks havoc with your exposure and you typically end up with lots of nasty shadows in places you don’t want them. I avoid photographing subjects outside in direct light except first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon before sunset when the light is angled low.

4) Don’t wait for the perfect moment and don’t be afraid to take lots of shots but…

Most of us are shooting digital these days so you can essentially take as many pictures as you want. With pets, unpredictability is the rule of law. You never know how a shoot is going to go. All you can do is be there and hope you catch the moment. This requires taking a lot of shots in quick sequence and culling through them later for the best one.

5) …make sure you edit yourself

Some of the most important work happens after you shoot. It sounds cliche but less is more. It’s easy to become enamored of the 100 pictures you took of Spot playing with his new ball but chances are your friends won’t feel the same way. Limit what you show people to only the very best.

Mark Rogers is a San Francisco-based professionalpet photographer. His most recent work can be seen on his Smile Like a Dog blog and you can also follow him on twitter.

How to Care for A Miniature Dachshund

Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany to be courageous, tough and persistent in order to hunt badgers and also foxes and rabbits. Their small size and short legs enabled them to dig foxes, badgers, and rabbits out of their dens. Dachshund, means "Badger Dog". Dachshunds were originally larger than seen today but were bred to be smaller towards the end of the 19th century.

Things You’ll Need:

* Feed bowl
* water bowl
* collar
* dog bed
* Suitable toys

Step1
Grooming. Short haired Dachshunds will require only occasional grooming, long haired Dachshunds will require daily grooming.

A brush or grooming mitt will be needed to prevent the hair from becoming matted and to remove loose hairs. Long Haired dogs will require a stiff brush, whereas short haired dogs will require a soft brush.

Rubber Grooming Mitts fit over the hand allowing the dog to be groomed whilst firmly stroked.

Claws may require trimming from time to time with a pair of nail clippers.
Step2
The amount of food required will depend on its size and also on its age and daily exercise. Most commercially prepared dog foods will include a feed chart indicating the average food requirement by size of dog and this will act as a reasonable guide.

It is important when changing foods to do so gradually by feeding the old food with a small amount of the new food and then over a few days decreasing the amount of old food and increasing the amount of new. This should avoid any stomach upset due to change of diet and is particularly important with puppies and young dogs.
Step3
The Dachshund is very active and needs regular exercise. Early training is recommended. Long Haired Dachshunds require regular grooming and regular ear cleaning is needed for all varieties of Dachshunds.

How To Get Rid of Fleas

Fleas can transmit disease and cause tapeworm, so getting rid of fleas on your pet is a must for a healthy animal and a healthy home. Fleas prefer warm and humid conditions and is therefore more than a seasonal problem in some parts of the country. Follow these steps to help your pet and learn how to get rid of fleas.

Instructions:

Things You’ll Need:

* Washing machine
* Flea/tick pet shampoo
* Hot, soapy water
* Flea/tick spray or powder
* Prescription flea-control medication
* Pet flea comb
* Vacuum
* Veterinarian

Step 1:
The best way to get rid of fleas is by prevention; fleas thrive in heat and humidity (and are most active in summer and fall), so assess your pet and his environment frequently.

Step 2:
Help prevent fleas indoors by vacuuming your home thoroughly and frequently, paying close attention to corners, cracks, crevices and basements. Dispose of vacuum cleaner bags conscientiously, as adult fleas can escape. Also, choose your pet's friends wisely; avoid animals you suspect may carry fleas. Dog parks are fun, but a move-able feast for fleas!

Step 3:
Remove any fleas from your pet using a fine-toothed pet comb designed for flea removal, and drop the fleas into soapy water to drown them.

Step 4:
Wash pet bedding in hot, soapy water weekly; this is the most likely site for flea eggs and larvae.

Step 5:
Prune foliage and keep grass trimmed short to increase sunlight, as flea larvae cannot survive in hot, dry areas. Remove any piles of yard debris close to your home.

Step 6:
Bathe pets weekly, if possible, to get rid of fleas. If bathing is not an option, speak to your veterinarian about appropriate alternatives.

Step 7:
Watch your pet for signs of flea trouble: excessive scratching and biting, especially around the tail and lower back, and possibly raw patches where the animal has been biting and scratching himself. Also watch for 'flea debris' (black, granular dried blood) and fleas themselves on your pet's skin.

Step 8:
Talk to your veterinarian about various treatments for your flea-plagued pet: a flea adulticide applied monthly to the skin; a monthly pill that prevents fleas from reproducing but doesn't kill adult fleas; and multipurpose products that prevent flea reproduction and control heartworms, hookworms, whipworms and roundworms. Also consider flea collars and flea powders.

Step 9:
Look into chemical flea-treatment products to apply by hand around the environment in spray or powder form. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on the best product and how to use it.