Author: Nitin Agarwal

  • The History Of Model Railroading

    The History Of Model Railroading

    Model railroading is a hobby that evolved from wood to electric; from scale model railroading to toy trains; from HO trains to N scale trains and then Z scale which is even smaller in size. By the 1980s, the digital control systems were developed and were popular among Baby Boomers.

    Some toy train sets are worth thousands, while others carry no significant value other than sentiment. This is a hobby for the “little boy” in every man. It isn’t so much the value of the item that draws collectors as it is the ownership.

    By the 1890s, a series of electronic-powered and wind-up train sets were designed. In 1901, Lionel built an electronic train set for their store display that had the “WOW-factor” and amazed even the heart of an adult.

    In 1901, Lionel built an electronic train set for their store display that had the “WOW-factor” and amazed even the heart of an adult. Lionel’s Union Pacific Veranda Turbine diesel-turbine power train set was different than most train sets. Some toy train sets are worth thousands, while others carry no significant value other than sentiment.

    Over a century ago, the first train was assembled. It is not uncommon for someone today to have in their possession a model railroading train set older then them.

    Now in 2006, the model railroading hobby has grown beyond all expectations of our ancestors. There are well over 500,000 participants in model railroading hobby clubs across the nation: United States, Canada, Australia, England, Japan, and Germany. From those who craft to those who collect, the model railroading hobby keeps on growing.

    The design included a true-life sound system that imitated the big rigs and increased the level of excitement in owning such a grand train set. Lionel’s Union Pacific Veranda Turbine diesel-turbine power train set was different than most train sets.

    It is not uncommon for someone today to have in their possession a model railroading train set older then them.

  • All about Standard Gauge Toy Trains

    All about Standard Gauge Toy Trains

    Standard gauge toy trains are one of the most popular collectible toy trains. If you’re new to collecting toy trains or are just looking for unique pieces to add to your collection, you’re about to find out what makes these mini-locomotives a one-of-a-kind tradition in toy trains.

    Standard gauge toy trains are one of the most popular collectible toy trains. If you’re new to collecting toy trains or are just looking for unique pieces to add to your collection, you’re about to find out what makes these mini-locomotives a one-of-a-kind tradition in toy trains.

    The concept of toy trains has existed for centuries and at one time, was the toy of choice for many youngsters in America. The standard gauge toy train was an idea originally put into motion by the Lionel Corporation, in an effort to boost the sales of toy trains in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. The term “standard gauge’ refers to the size and diameter of railroad tracks for the toy trains.

    The concept of toy trains has existed for centuries and at one time, was the toy of choice for many youngsters in America. The standard gauge toy train was an idea originally put into motion by the Lionel Corporation, in an effort to boost the sales of toy trains in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.

    What exactly makes a standard gauge toy train more desirable than others? Compared to other toy trains, such as replicas of old Lionel, standard gauge trains truly have a unique way of grabbing the attention of a collector.

    Standard gauge toy trains remain a popular collection item as it nears its centennial anniversary. There are several places to locate standard gauge toy trains and for good deals if you know where to look. You can also find some informational websites and places to participate in blogging on standard gauge toy trains.

  • Issues with keeping Lizards as Pets

    Issues with keeping Lizards as Pets

    Potential owners must carefully observe the lizard before buying it. There are signs that give indication about whether the pet is healthy or not. Swelling on the abdomen or on any other part of the body should also be checked out.

    Before thinking of buying a lizard, the most important factor to be considered is the full-grown size of the lizard as some of the species can grow up to six feet long. Naive pet owners should certainly opt for the ones, which are easier to handle, and certainly not for the ones which grow very big. They are small in size, require less maintenance and do not demand special conditions such as big terrariums with special UV lightning.

    Naive pet owners should certainly opt for the ones, which are easier to handle, and certainly not for the ones which grow very big. The bigger the lizard the more challenging it becomes to have them as pets. A temperature gradient is a must so that the appropriate temperature can be provided to the pet.

    If the reptile has any respiratory disease, its eyes will be swollen and there will be mucus formation around the nose. Ask for handling the pet. This should be done to test the strength of the lizard.

    Most of the lizards are very specific about the temperature. Lizards are cold-blooded, they require warmth for healthy growth. A temperature gradient is a must so that the appropriate temperature can be provided to the pet.

    Lizards are cold-blooded reptiles belonging to the Squamata order. They are also very-good inexpensive pets. The cost can be cut down a bit by not relying on the pet store completely and doing some self-research.

    They are also very-good inexpensive pets. The cost can be cut down a bit by not relying on the pet store completely and doing some self-research.

    The bigger the lizard the more challenging it becomes to have them as pets. Other animals that pose a challenge as pets are chameleons, savannah monitors, iguanas, white tegus, geckos, and Argentinean black.

  • Chameleons How And Where To Find Them For Pets

    Chameleons How And Where To Find Them For Pets

    Chameleons are interesting and very fascinating as pets. Choosing a chameleon could be tricky. There are many ways and sources to get a chameleon for you.
    Never buy a chameleon that is sick. Unhealthy chameleon will have sunken eyes, runny droppings or red streaks in droppings for more than two days discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth, swollen joints etc.When you’re ready to purchase a chameleon, its best if you can observe several chameleons at one time and make the selection yourself.
    Don’t rely on the salesperson at the pet store you bought your chameleon from because they don’t always have the right information unless of course, they were the ones to breed these specific chameleons themselves.

    The following are some of the sources you can try getting your pet from;
    PET STORES: The larger pet stores across the country often have an extensive reptile section as opposed to some of the smaller shops. Dealing with a local pet store has its benefits, as you can actually see the animal you are interested in purchasing, but make sure that the store you are dealing with has trained their employees properly in the care and maintenance of their reptiles.
    MAIL ORDER: The biggest downfall to mail order is the fact that you can’t see your animal before it arrives on your front porch. Many dealers do an excellent job of describing the animals they have to offer. When the dealer’s integrity or reputation is in question, ask for references from satisfied customers.
    BREEDERS: Commercial and hobbyist breeders are one of the best sources of parasite-free, well-acclimated animals and information. Most breeders keep extensive records of genetics, lineage, health, and observations about the animals they work with.

    Chameleons are interesting and very fascinating as pets. There are many ways and sources to get a chameleon for you.
    Unhealthy chameleon will have sunken eyes, runny droppings or red streaks in droppings for more than two days discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth, swollen joints etc.When you’re ready to purchase a chameleon, its best if you can observe several chameleons at one time and make the selection yourself.

  • Exotic Pets: Chameleon

    Exotic Pets: Chameleon

    Chameleons are kept as pets because many people find them very fascinating. If the owner has made up his/her mind, they should certainly go for a chameleon, which has been brought up in captivity and is trained. When the wild chameleons are caught and shipped to the destination, there is a possibility of it dying on the way itself.

    Another amazing fact of chameleons is that they rotate their eyes in two different directions. Along with slugs and insects they also eat plants.

    They even have a very long tongue, which they use to catch flying preys. Chameleons have the ability to stretch their tongue up to one and half the length of their body. Some of them also are gifted with prehensile tails, which are also used to take good grip while climbing.

    Chameleon has been derived from the Greek words chamai and leon meaning earth lion. The structure and size of chameleons varies a lot. Chameleons are kept as exotic pets because of their characteristic color-changing capability.

    Chameleons do not have the ability to change colors from birth. Various colors show emotions such as stress, sense of temperature change, excitement and to communicate with other chameleons. Few other colors are also seen when the chameleon takes transition from color to another.

    Species that are kept as pets are Panther Chameleons, Veiled Chameleons and Jackson’s Chameleons. They shouldn’t be kept with other pets and it is a really bad idea to keep two male chameleons together as they will fight and injure each other.

    The chameleon should be able to change colors and also should be active. They should be brightly colored and the flesh of the body should be smooth and not scaly.

    Chameleons do not have the ability to change colors from birth. Various colors show emotions such as stress, sense of temperature change, excitement and to communicate with other chameleons. Few other colors are also seen when the chameleon takes transition from color to another.

    The chameleon should be able to change colors and also should be active. They shouldn’t be kept with other pets and it is a really bad idea to keep two male chameleons together as they will fight and injure each other.

  • Cat Training With A Clicker

    Cat Training With A Clicker

    Clickers are used most often for support when training a cat for a reward. Cats associate the clicker with a good behavior, they will use for a long time.

    Why use a clicker and not tell a cat or make a sound to get your cat to do a trick? With using a clicker, it is more of a training tool to get the behavior started with the cat. With the clicker, a cat can be trained using three easy steps: Get a behavior, mark a behavior, and reinforce the behavior. Training a cat with a clicker can be fun for both you and the cat. For exercising, you can have the cat use a hoop, play with a toy, and climb on the scratching post or something that focus on the cat getting exercise.

    With the clicker, a cat can be trained using three easy steps: Get a behavior, mark a behavior, and reinforce the behavior. Next marking the behavior: You will have to show the cat the hoop. Reinforce the behavior Remember to have snacks handy so when you do see your cat go through the hoop a snack is available.

    Why use a clicker and not tell a cat or make a sound to get your cat to do a trick? With using a clicker, it is more of a training tool to get the behavior started with the cat. You can put the clicker away for that behavior or trick once a cat has learned the behavior.

    The cat will get good exercise and be a healthy cat once you have used a clicker. The cat will be happier and you will be happier with the new behaviors that you have taught your cat.

    Clickers can come with books to help you train, treats, and a clicker. Check out a pet store, Internet sites give lots of information on training and using a clicker. Check out companies that make the clicker by using the Internet to see what kind they offer and any additional information that you might need to get the process of training done.

    Training a cat with a clicker can be fun for both you and the cat. Try not to rush a cat in training, as they can become confused especially if they did not get the step before dawn.

    When taking the cat out for a walk or on a trip, the clicker is a good item to carry along with you. In addition, a clicker can help you with having your cat walk with you instead of wondering around.

    To sum up training your cat, important things to remember is have patience, love and the clicker.

    The clicker is a good exercises tool for a cat. For exercising, you can have the cat use a hoop, play with a toy, and climb on the scratching post or something that focus on the cat getting exercise.

  • Toilet training a cat – pros, cons & guide

    Toilet training a cat – pros, cons & guide

    Cat toilet training in easy steps:

    How to toilet train a cat (do it yourself):.
    Toilet training your cat depends entirely on the cat’s personality. Training your cat to use the toilet can take anything between 2 weeks up to 3 months, depending on the individual cat’s personality.

    The advantages of cat toilet training:
    Teaching your cat to use the toilet can hold several advantages for any cat owner. The biggest advantage of having your cat use a toilet is that eliminating most of the disadvantages that using cat litter holds. After toilet training your cat, you won’t ever need to buy cat litter again.

    Toilet training your cat is an easier task than you might think. Several techniques can be used for training your cat to use the toilet, and you can even buy products that will assist you in toilet training a cat.

    Cat toilet training basically consists of a simple procedure: gradually moving your cat’s litter box closer and closer to the toilet, finally placing a bowl with cat litter inside the toilet, and removing it altogether when your cat is comfortable and used to it. Toilet training a cat is a gradual, step-by-step process, consisting of making small changes to the location of the litter box and only continuing to the next step when your cat is entirely comfortable with its current situation.

    Cat toilet training steps:.

    1. Start gradually moving your cat’s litter box nearer to the toilet until finally it should be next to the toilet. Ensure that your cat is sure and always comfortable of its litter box’s location.

    A normal rate to increase the height of the litter box would be about 5cm a day, but be very attentive to signs that your cat is not comfortable with the current height, and adjust the pace of raising the litter box accordingly. The cat litter box should be raised until it is at a level height with the toilet bowl. Throughout this process it is very important to keep the toilet lid open and the seat down, because your cat will get used to it and might even start climbing on the toilet seat in order to reach its litter box.

    1. Move the litter box to rest on the open toilet seat. Keep it there until your cat seems comfortable with this arrangement.

    While your cat is using the metal bowl inside the toilet, be attentive to where its paws are. Normally the cat will first sit entirely inside the metal bowl, then with front paws on the toilet seat, and finally it should sit with all four paws on the toilet.

    The biggest advantage of having your cat use a toilet is that eliminating most of the disadvantages that using cat litter holds. After toilet training your cat, you won’t ever need to buy cat litter again. Toilet training your cat depends entirely on the cat’s personality. Cat toilet training basically consists of a simple procedure: gradually moving your cat’s litter box closer and closer to the toilet, finally placing a bowl with cat litter inside the toilet, and removing it altogether when your cat is comfortable and used to it. Toilet training a cat is a gradual, step-by-step process, consisting of making small changes to the location of the litter box and only continuing to the next step when your cat is entirely comfortable with its current situation.

    Fill the bowl with a cat litter (preferably the flushable type). Now remove your cat’s litter box entirely. If you have reached this step successfully, you are very close to having a toilet-trained cat!

  • Cat Training Techniques & Information

    Cat Training Techniques & Information

    Cat training is the best way for indoor pets to live a healthy and happy life with their owner. A cat that is not properly trained will not understand what is acceptable and what is not, which is why cat training is so important to both the cat and his/her owner.

    Many people are surprised to know that cat training can also involve an actual toilet, which will eliminate the expense and odor associated with a litterbox. During this type of cat training, the litter can be suspended above the toilet using either a small bowl or box. At the conclusion of cat training involving the toilet, the cat will be able to use the toilet by perching over the bowl.

    The bonding process is especially important while you attempt cat training. It is much easier to instill cat training techniques on a kitten as opposed to a cat, which is something that every pet owner should consider prior to selecting a new addition to their family.

    Many people are surprised to know that cat training can also involve an actual toilet, which will eliminate the expense and odor associated with a litterbox. At the conclusion of cat training involving the toilet, the cat will be able to use the toilet by perching over the bowl.

    Cat training for indoor cats may also involve the implementation of a scratching post, which will prevent them from ruining furniture or carpet with their nails. While it is very possible to trim the nails, great care must be taken so as to avoid cutting a vein if the nails are cut too short.

    It is much easier to instill cat training techniques on a kitten as opposed to a cat, which is something that every pet owner should consider prior to selecting a new addition to their family.

    It is best to begin cat training as early as possible. If you have a kitten, start early and teach him/her the basic behavior that is expected from an indoor pet, such as not clawing the furniture and how to use the litterbox.

  • Great Tricks To Train Your Dog Easily

    Great Tricks To Train Your Dog Easily

    Timing is essential when you are training your dog, you want to spend enough time training them but do not want go overboard. Start out with a small training session and up the time every day. See where your dog starts not paying attention to the training session.

    When training your dog, you should always give your dog only one order at a time. If you give your dog more than one command at the same time, your dog will be confused about what order it should follow. Dogs learn better with consistency and when everyone in the dog’s household gives a consistent message, unwanted barking can be eliminated faster.

    Timing is essential when you are training your dog, you want to spend enough time training them but do not want go overboard. A tired dog is often a well-behaved dog.

    When training your dog not to bark, choose a consistent command or sound to use. Make sure everyone in the household knows the command or sound to use and applies it consistently. Dogs learn better with consistency and when everyone in the dog’s household gives a consistent message, unwanted barking can be eliminated faster.

    You are building a foundation for a lifelong enjoyable relationship with your pet if you take the time to train your dog the essentials. You can even teach an old dog a few new tricks with the right strategy. Here are a few neat dog training pointers.

    A great dog training tip is to get everyone on the same page. You don’t want a family member enabling that bad behavior if you’re trying to correct certain behavior. By having everyone on the same page, your dog will be much more likely to respond to training.

    When your dog understands the benefits and rewards of learning the tricks you teach it, the desire to learn is often as rewarding as the reward itself. Your dog will be happier, and so will you.

    When training your dog, you should always give your dog only one order at a time. If you give your dog more than one command at the same time, your dog will be confused about what order it should follow.

    Never ever hit your dog, especially when training. While it may appear to work because the dog stops the behavior, in reality they have only learned to fear you and not do that behavior in your presence.

    Try to walk your dog at least three times a day. A tired dog is often a well-behaved dog.

    When training your dog, you should never punish it for something it did wrong, way after it occurred. If you do not punish your dog immediately after a wrong deed, then you should not punish him at all.

  • Finding Good Dog Training Supplies

    Finding Good Dog Training Supplies

    Dog training supply stores sell everything for anti bark collars to dog appeasing pheromones! There is always something for every dog at one of these stores and many come highly recommended. , if you can’t find anything in your local store the internet offers a vast range of dog training products and will ship to anywhere.

    If you think it will hurt your dog in any way, before trying out a product always read the instructions thoroughly before hand and do not attempt to use the product. Learning is supposed to fun, for both you and your dog. Make it good by purchasing a few good toys along with your dog training supplies!

    Dog training supplies are available in your local supermarket and pet shops. Always choose dog training supply items that are humane and look safe, anything that restricts your dogs breathing or movement is not a good option for training.

    Your local dog training supply shop should have a lot of different products for you to take and try home with you, training your dog is serious business and the more help you can get the better. Always take dog training products seriously! If they didn’t work, they wouldn’t be out there.

    Dog appeasing pheromones are new on the market, they help your dog relax a little which is great because in today’s world there are lots of disturbing noises and smells out there and with a dog’s senses a lot more sensitive than ours they need that extra bit of comfort. There are three different ways to use dog appeasing pheromones and your local dog training supply store should have them. Your local dog training supply shop should have a lot of different products for you to take and try home with you, training your dog is serious business and the more help you can get the better.

    Dog appeasing pheromones are new on the market, they help your dog relax a little which is great because in today’s world there are lots of disturbing noises and smells out there and with a dog’s senses a lot more sensitive than ours they need that extra bit of comfort. There are three different ways to use dog appeasing pheromones and your local dog training supply store should have them. The three ways are a dog appeasing pheromones diffuser, which works by plugging it into a socket and letting it scented the room like an air freshener.