Hot Pets & Animals How-Tos

How To: Safely catch a bat

Bats getting caught in houses is a regional problem. In general, bats are scared of humans, but they will bite when they feel cornered. The New York State Health Department produced this video to urge New Yorkers to avoid the risk of rabies and rabies treatment by capturing and submitting for laboratory testing any bat found in their home that may have come in contact with humans or pets.

How To: Clicker train rabbits

These rabbit tricks are from the Santa Barbara Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter Association. BUNSSB.org is training the bunnies to respond to a clicker using principles of Pavlov's dog. She shows his tricks and when you must click and give a treat to reinforce the trained behavior.

How To: Start a gravel vacuum for a fish tank

Instructional video explaining how to start a siphoning gravel vacuum. Create a siphon or suction through a tube to clean a fish tank. The carbon gravel will clean the water of junk or debris. Fish tank maintenance is critical to keeping the fish and aquatic life healthy and happy.

How To: Clip your cat’s nails

Long nails are bad for both your cat and your furniture. For cats, nails that are too long make it hard to walk comfortably, and in an effort to shorten them they will scratch up your precious Pottery Barn furniture. So to save both your cat's sanity and your own, check out this video to learn how to clip your cat's nails.

How To: Teach your dog to do a simple obstacle course

What to teach your new dog an old trick? Then follow along with this pet how-to video to learn an easy way to teach your dog how to do a simple obstacle course. An obstacle course is a simple trick you can teach your dog with treats. Follow the steps below to teach him or her this great obstacle trick.

How To: Set up a hummingbird feeder

Watching hummingbirds feed can be a lot of fun. But in order to attract them you need to know how to properly set up a hummingbird feeder. Watch this how-to video to learn the proper way to take apart, clean, fill, and hang a feeder. Enjoy watching your hummingbirds feed on fresh nectar.

How To: Clean hummingbird feeders

Here is a bird how-to video with information on cleaning hummingbird feeders. Follow along and learn what accessories work best. It is important to keep your hummingbird feeders clean as they can form mold and this could be detrimental to your birds.

How To: Attract and feed orioles

Here is a bird how-to video that offers tips on attracting and feeding orioles. Orioles like hummingbirds are attracted to a specific color. When choosing an oriole feeder you want to pick one that is orange. Follow along as the owner of a birding store gives you more great tips on choosing a feeder and food material for a orioles.

How To: Choose a hummingbird feeder

Here is an animal how-to video with tips on how to choose a good hummingbird feeder. Watch as the owner of a birding nature store shows you what qualities to look out for in a feeder. Always look for red colors in your feeder and one that is easy to clean. Good luck choosing a hummingbird feeder for your backyard.

How To: Make hummingbird nectar

Here is a quick how-to video on how to cook nectar for hummingbirds. Sweet nectar is a great way to attract hummingbirds to your feeders. All you need to make nectar is one part granulated sugar to four parts water. Don't use honey or brown sugar. Watch and see how to prepare this sweet drink for the hummingbirds.

How To: Make anti-flea biscuits for your dog

Watch this how-to video from the Dog Channel and learn how to make healthy and tasty anti-flea biscuits for your dog. These anti-flea biscuits are sure to be a hit with your dog. Not only are they healthy but they have the added benefit of flea control.

How To: Clean up dog accidents properly

This housekeeping how-to video offers five tips for cleaning up your dog's accidents. Follow along and clean up dog accidents properly with help from the Dog Channel's five tips. Learn to clean up urine or soil, keep your home smelling fresh and prevent future accidents.

How To: Battle dog odor in your home

Sometimes as a pet owner it is difficult to keep your home clean and smelling fresh. In this Housekeeping how-to video the Dog Channel offers five tips to battle dog odor in your home. Follow these five tips and have your home smelling fresh.

How To: Keep areas clean for your dog

Your dog travels all around the house all day. Here are five places to remember to keep clean. Watch this how-to video as the Dog Channel offers five places your dog encounters that are important to clean regularly. Remember he always travels to his toys, crate and bed.

How To: Vent a fish

Scientific studies have shown that species with large swimbladders, especially bottom dwelling fish such as grouper and snapper, derive an immediate benefit from venting.

How To: Bathe a pet rabbit and trim its nails

This audio slideshow shares experiences and tips on how to effectively and safely bathe your pet rabbit and also how to trim their nails. These are basic and necessary care routines to help you keep your rabbit healthy and happy. Follow along with this how-to tutorial to learn the best way to keep your rabbit happy, clean, and trimmed. Bathe a pet rabbit and trim its nails.

How To: Set up a playroom for your pet bunny

This audio how-to slideshow shares experiences and tips on how to set up a playroom or exercise room for your pet rabbit. Like people, rabbits don't like to be constantly confined in a small cage/space, so setting up an area or room where your rabbit can hop around and relax will make them live happier lives. Follow these helpful tips from an experience pet owner and learn how to set up a playroom for our pet rabbit. Set up a playroom for your pet bunny.

How To: Build a backdrop for a reptile terrarium

A well-designed terrarium is essential for the health of your reptiles. This how-to video demonstrates the process of making a backdrop for your pet's terrarium. Start out by lining the aquarium with strips of bark. Then use caulk to secure them into place, and allow to dry for 36 hours. Apply eco-dirt to the bark, and then shake and brush off the excess. Watch this video pet care tutorial and learn how to build a backdrop for a reptile terrarium. Build a backdrop for a reptile terrarium - Pa...

How To: Skate with a dog

This is a short tutorial on safety on how to start skating hybrid with your dog. Heelys are great because they let you keep control of your dog. You can brake and handle your dog much better than on other skates. Find a smooth, clean street or parking lot, and make sure your dog is just as protected as you are. Learn how to pull a dog on skates by watching this video pet trick tutorial.

How To: Groom a horse properly

During the grooming process, it's important to be aware of how the horse is being handled. If a horse decided to kick or strike out, it's important to be aware of safety. The right grooming equipment will also make horse care easier. Watch this video animal care tutorial and learn how to groom a horse. Groom a horse properly.

How To: Groom a horse's mane and tail

A horse's main and tail can get filled with knots. This how-to video shows how to care for their hair. You will learn how to comb and trim a horse's mane and tail according to the breed and purpose. Watch this video pet grooming tutorial and learn how to care for a horse's mane and tail. Groom a horse's mane and tail.

How To: Clip a horse

Electric trimmers are useful for clipping down a horse's coat. Trimming will help keep the horse's bridle path clean. Watch this video animal care tutorial and learn how to groom a horse by clipping the coat. Clip a horse.

How To: Crate train a dog

Dogs naturally want to have a den, so a crate gives him his own space. Puppies will get security and comfort from a crate. Because a dog will not want to go to the bathroom where they sleep, they won't make a mess in their crate, making it useful for housebreaking a dog. Watch this video pet care tutorial and learn how to crate train a dog.

How To: Teach a freestyle move hurdle dog trick

Here is a quick how-to video showing how to teach this very cool canine freestyle trick; hurdles. A clicker is quite hard to hold during this exercise and it clicks right under the dog which can make them confused. If possible, you can get a friend to help mark the behavior. Check out this video pet care tutorial and learn how to train a dog to do a hurdle freestyle trick.

How To: Train a dog not to pull with loose leash walking

This how-to video quickly outlines exercises to get your dog walking on a loose leash by your side. Put very basically, teach the dog what you want them to do! And secondly, stop reinforcing them when they pull! A clicker training method is used, but if you do not have one, you can always use a verbal marker like yes. However you will get much faster and reliable results by using the clicker. If you hold the clicker in the same hand as the leash, and keep the treats in the other hand, you wil...

How To: Care for a pet mouse

A mouse in the house? Why not? Pet mice are cute, easy to care for, and fun to watch. You will need a wire cage or ten-gallon glass aquarium, aspen shavings, paper, or hay, rodent food, a water bottle, untreated wood blocks, paper towels, toys, an exercise wheel, and of course, a pet mouse. Find out how to care for a pet mouse by watching this video animal care tutorial.

How To: Make a fleece hammock for a ferret or rat

This is a short video on how to make a simple fleece hammock for your pet rat, or ferret. All you need is a square, or rectangle piece of fleece, some scissors, and clips. Give your pet rat or ferret a bed by watching this video animal care tutorial and following along with the steps to make a hammock.

How To: Make a gentle dog shampoo with Raven-Symone

Disney star Raven shows us how to make a gentle dog shampoo for a pet. You will need two cups of water, two teaspoons of castille soap, two teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and one teaspoon of olive oil. This shampoo will cleanse your dog's fur and coat, without drying out the skin. Watch this video pet care tutorial and learn how to wash a dog with an organic home-made shampoo by following along with Raven-Symone.

How To: Groom, style, and trim a long-haired dog

Long-haired dogs require extra attention when grooming. Thick fur can become matted, which not only looks messy, but can actually be painful and even unhealthy for the dog. Watch this video pet grooming tutorial and learn how to style and trim a long-haired dog's coat.

How To: Bathe a dog

Dogs need occasional bathing to clean off excess dirt, and even to inspect general health. This how-to video demonstrates the simple steps to safely washing a dog. Learn how to bathe a dog by watching this video pet and animal care tutorial.