Unlock The Secrets Of Being A Great Dog Owner

Owning a pet, especially a dog, is a serious commitment. Dogs are like children, where they need proper food, exercise, cleaning and grooming and to visit a physician. How can you learn all the steps you need to take? Learning these basics will get you off to a great start with your new dog.

Avoid kisses and stick with hugs. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. Many people believe that dogs’ mouths do not have as much germs as humans’ mouths. This is completely wrong!

When vacationing with your dog, use the camera on your phone to snap a quick picture. This ensures that, should he get lost, you have a current photo, ready for showing around or being used in flyers.

Always have your dogs spayed or neutered. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to cancer. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.

It is a good idea to use hand signals when you are trying to train your dog, instead of just relying on verbal commands. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.

Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. A wild animal may get his attention and cause him to run off, or he may have a bad situation with others and their dogs. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.

Talk to the veterinarian about the proper amount of food for your dog. Most dog food packages include guidelines but keep in mind that these instructions might not be adapted to your dog. Speak with a vet to see what you should be feeding your dog according to its needs.

Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. For example, someone that stays inside a lot would want a calm lap dog and not a hyper breed. If you are more of a homebody, a smaller, less active dog who enjoying being pampered is the better choice. Finding a dog that matches your personality will make both of you happy.

Your dog should not be left outside for the entire day. Yes, people do this too often, but dogs require interactions with people and other dogs for their well-being. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. In addition, if severe weather strikes, your dog needs to come inside in order to ensure its protection.

Talk to your vet about how much to feed your dog. The amounts on the label might not apply in your dog’s situation. Speak with your veterinarian about what your dog’s needs are and what amounts are proper.

Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. Before you trim, carefully run a comb through the hairs to separate them. If this scares you, have a professional do it.

Giving your dog a good brush every day will definitely do more than lower their amount of shedding. Brushing daily will give them a shiny, beautiful coat. When you brush a dog, you are moving the skin’s oils evenly throughout its fur, so it really makes the fur shine and feel great.

If you have one dog that seems lonely or is by himself often, consider another dog. Dog’s love the companionship of others and enjoy another partner to play with. Choose another dog whose energy level and temperament matches your dog’s, and you should have a good match.

Take your new dog to a vet. This is one of the first things you should do. The vet is going to check over your dog to see if everything is okay, as well as set it up to get vaccinations it may need. Also discuss with your vet about spaying or neutering your dog because there is a problem of over-population of dogs in shelters.

Exercise is vital when you own a dog. For example, train your dog to retrieve the newspaper or other helpful chores. This kind of play will make your dog feel like a contributing member of the family and keep his mental functioning at a high level.

Your dog should not be left outside all the time. This is common for people to do, but dogs should interact with others. If you don’t have more than one dog, the dog will get lonely when he’s not around you. Keep in mind that your dog can also get sick if the weather is too cold or humid.

It is a common occurrence for a dog to get a cut after stepping on glass or other debris. If you find a small cut on your dog, wash it with antiseptic fluid and bandage that area. If the cut is relatively deep, bring your dog to the vet.

Certain breeds of dog are prone to certain health problems, and you should be aware of what’s typical for your type of dog. Take the time to read up on your breed so that you don’t get any surprises down the road. Ask your veterinarian what steps can be taken to prevent issues that are common with your dog’s breed.

Choose your dog’s food carefully. There are plenty of options, and you should find what best matches your dog’s age, weight and other characteristics. Also, avoid giving your pet table scraps. They are unhealthy for him.

Give your dog plenty of love. Many owners inadvertently spend more time focusing on their pet’s negative behaviors than on all the good things they do. This can cause issues later. Rather, stroke, praise and pet your dog at least three to four times more than you scold or speak sternly to him. Your dog will more likely showcase proper behavior when you do that.

When you’re snacking, your dog may look at you with big, begging eyes, asking for a treat. You can give him some things, but not others. Dogs should never be given things such as grapes, chocolate and caffeine. Such foods tend to harm the health of dogs.

Make sure your dog gets an annual health check-up. Your vet can identify health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid abnormalities before the problem is apparent to you. This saves you money on vet bills later on, or heartache from your pet’s suffering.

Some vitamins can be bad for your dog’s health. If your dog’s already getting the nutrients that it needs, you won’t need to add vitamins to its diet. Do not give your dog too many vitamins as this can get them sick. You should ask your veterinarian if you are not sure what to do.

Dogs can cut their paw beds when stepping on glass, rocks or other debris. If your dog gets a cut, make sure that it is washed with antiseptic and then have a bandage wrapped around the wound. If the cut seems deep, have a vet check it out.

Outdoor dogs are not solitary creatures. If the dog is left alone too long, it can begin some really bad habits like digging. chewing, and barking. The result might even be an aggressive pet. Play with him often and let him know you love him, and he will be happy.

When choosing an animal to cohabitate with an existing one, try to arrange an introduction before deciding. This will give them a chance to socialize together. Having dogs that get along with each other makes your life that much easier.

Be careful with your dog in the summer. It does not take much for dogs to become overheated. Have a shaded, cool area they can go to in the summer. Your dog should always have access to clean and cool water. Use some doggie sunscreen, too, since sun rays affect dogs.

Outdoor dogs need attention just as much as indoor dogs do. If your dog is left alone frequently, he may develop unwanted habits, such as barking and chewing. Your dog could also become nervous or fearful of people. Lavish attention and love on him.

Be very firm in your commands. Often, dog owners think it’s fine to sneak some food to them or let them tear apart a toy. If a dog is very cute, it will often be spoiled in this manner. Be firm with your dog if you want to prevent behavior issues. You might think it is okay to give your dog table scraps, but pretty soon he’ll be jumping up on the table and helping himself.

Be firm with your rules. Dog owners at times think it’s fine to let them destroy toys every now and then, or to sneak food to them sometimes. The cuter the dog, the greater the temptation to bend the rules! But, by staying firm on the rules, you can avoid issues. In this way, your dog will always know what to expect, and you will not be surprised by unacceptable behaviors.

The advice you have just read should be memorized so that you’re able to get the most out of owning a dog. It should help you build the strong foundation that you need. As long as you use what you have learned, your dog will thank you for your efforts with love and affection.

Be patient with your dog. Dogs don’t have long attention spans. Try to train him only a few minutes at any time to make sure he doesn’t end up disliking training and you don’t get too frustrated.