Tips You Should Know When Dealing With Dogs
Do you currently own a dog or have you owned one in the past? If this is you, then you’re aware of how incredible it is to be a dog owner. That said, just like all aspects of life, knowledge is key. This piece will offer terrific advice for any dog owner.
Since dogs cannot talk, you’ll need to learn about your dog’s way of communication. If your dog gets stressed when meeting a new dog or person, don’t force them to meet. This could cause the dog to bite. Look out for non-verbal hints so that the dog can guide your actions.
Make sure your home is dog-proof. Before you bring a dog into your home, you should be sure that the area you’re bringing it to is safe. All cleaning supplies and medications should be moved out of reach of your dog. You should also find a way of securing your trash somewhere that your dog cannot get to, such as in a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.
Take a photo of your dog when you plan to take him on vacation. This allows you to have a photo of him if he gets lost.
Take some time to schedule dog training sessions in your own home and backyard. You do not want to train your dog around a bunch of people. Too many people causes distractions, making it hard to train them.
Avoid giving your pup table scraps. You will spoil him and his appetite and set up begging behavior. Table scraps can also be unhealthy and lead to excess weight and digestive problems. Make sure your dog doesn’t hover around your dinner table so it isn’t tempted to eat your food.
Don’t allow your dog to leave your property without being on a leash even if you think your dog is well behaved. There are a number of distractions that could cause your dog to run off into a dangerous situation. Your dog’s actions and safety is your responsibility.
Keep your dog on leash any time he leaves your fenced yard, regardless of his gentle nature and good behavior. There are a number of distractions that could cause your dog to run off into a dangerous situation. You will be to blame if your dog gets hurt for being off his leash.
When you are training your dog, it is always best to incorporate the use of hand signals in addition to using verbal commands. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. Turning a blind eye to it just makes it harder to fix down the road. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. On the other hand, a cuddly small dog may be perfect for those who enjoy a quiet evening reading on the couch. Keeping a mismatch out of play makes both of you happy.
When it is time to buy dog food, avoid buying the cheapest brand. When you look at the big picture, it is good for your dog to consume nutritious, good quality food. While this may mean paying higher prices for a premium brand, you can be assured your dog is getting the proper nutrients from wholesome sources.
If you are not sure whether dog ownership is a good idea for you, then you might want to try being a foster care provider for a needy dog. There are many animals that need love and care. You can foster one to help out the cause and find out if you want to keep one!
If you have to go out, leave the TV or radio on when you leave. That noise will help your dog feel more secure, and it will help him feel he’s not alone. The sounds might help to emulate a normal home environment when people are around.
Make sure that your dog is not kept outside your home all day long. Lots of folks do this, but it’s bad because dogs need constant attention. If you don’t have more than one dog, the dog will get lonely when he’s not around you. Not only that, but during heavy rainstorms and snowstorms, it is imperative that you bring your dog indoors as well, to avoid the inclement weather and temperatures.
Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. A male canine might sense her from a distance of five miles. This may also make other dogs fight and it could also get her pregnant which will make her have puppies from an unknown source.
If your dog seems unhappy and is alone a lot, consider getting a second dog. Dogs love to be social and hate to be alone. Make sure that you match the dogs up by their personality types.
Ensure your dog will return by placing some type of identification on them. A common way to find a lost dog is to ensure it has a collar with an ID tag. Include your dog’s name and information on how to contact you. You can also opt to have a micro-chip inserted into your dog.
Be sure that your dog has some kind of identification in case it were to escape from your home. A good way to ensure your dog is returned if he is lost is to attach an identification tag to his collar. The tag needs to have your name and phone number on it. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
Annual vet check-ups are important. Your vet can notice health ailments long before you can, and many of the tests he can perform will help to detect or prevent things like diabetes, kidney or thyroid problems. An annual check-up for your pet can help to avoid future expense and needless suffering for your dog.
It’s not that unusual for dogs to cut themselves after stepping on discarded debris or broken glass. Small cuts can be treated by washing, flushing with hydrogen peroxide and bandaging. If you believe your dog has a deep cut, you need to visit your vet.
Do you go on many vacations? Are you home infrequently? Should you really get a dog? It’s easy to get a dog and think everything will go fine, but you have to be prepared to be a responsible pet owner.
When the weather outdoors become hotter, you need to search for ticks and fleas on your dog each day. You can also use a comb to expel any fleas. There are lots of products that can help with ticks and fleas. Speak with your veterinarian about various flea and tick remedies.
When you’re beginning training, experiment with various reward systems. Determine what motivates your dog to obey. If your pet loves food, try giving it its favorite vet approved treat. Tug of war is a great game that you can play with your dog as a reward. Petting can be the best reward too.
Sometimes we think it’s okay to feed our pups some of what we are eating. Be careful, because some foods are harmful to dogs. Your should not give your dog grapes, caffeine, or chocolate, for instance. They can make you dog seriously ill or even cause death if enough is ingested.
Be consistent. Dog owners sometimes think that it is alright to occasionally let their dog have table scraps or destroy a toy. This is particularly true when the dog is cute! Nonetheless, it is best to establish rules and maintain them firmly to avoid problems. For instance, giving scraps to a dog may seem harmless, but if you keep doing it, the dog may think it is fine to jump on a table and take a whole course.
Are you aware of the fact that some vitamins might hurt your dog? If you are feeding your dog a well-balanced dog food, specific to his age, weight and health needs, additional vitamins can do damage. Too much of a good thing can compromise the liver, kidneys and other essential organs. Always seek your vet’s advice before giving supplements to your dog.
Wash your dog’s dishes regularly. Just like you, your dog doesn’t want to use food and water bowls that are dirty. Clean the bowls daily and give your dog fresh water and food.
As mentioned in the introduction, dog ownership can have many rewards. This can be great if you know all there is to know about dogs! Thanks to the advice above, you should know a lot more about dog care. Use the tips given so you can enjoy all your time with your canine friend.
A dog needs to be clean – just like a human. While a daily bath might not be the answer, a weekly bath is definitely a good idea. This can keep his skin healthy and your home clean.
