OK, so after lurking here for a while, I'm taking the plunge and asking for some advice on my photos. I really enjoy pet photography, but I feel that there is so much room for improvement that I need as much help as I can get. I have no intention of doing anything commertial, I just enjoy it and want to get (much!) better. I am fairly new to photography as a whole and would really appreciate any feedback from the people on this forum, who's work I really admire. I am also new to reducing images for the web (but still maintaining some of the original quality), so any help there would also be greatly appreciated!
Inside shot of Staffie and BC.

A fairly rough and ready attempt at a "studio" type set up using two off camera flashes. I later learnt (here!) that the normal bulb I was using to assist focusing was creating the color cast and the lighting (shadows) was all wrong.
Outside shot of 3 BCs

My own problems here are the leg and tail hanging off the seat that spoils the composition, as well as the grass in the one dogs tail (I could clone out, but my PS skills are shaky at best.)
Sorry for such a long first post. Please don't worry about being polite - I really need to see where I am going wrong!