Are you a dog owner, or did you have a pet at another time in your life? If you answered yes, you know how amazing owning a dog can be. But, like most other areas in life, dog ownership can be more rewarding when you are properly educated. The tips in this article will help any dog owner improve the care they give their pet.
When you get a puppy, have him fixed at around two years old. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.
Your home must be dog-proofed. Before you bring a new dog home, make sure the whole area is safe. Make sure anything toxic is put up. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Obviously, dogs are unable to sleep. Therefore, you have to pay attention to your canine’s non-verbal cues. Hesitant dogs need to be taken out of fearful situations. This might lead to a bite to another dog or even to a person. Watch out for those non-verbal clues and let your dog guide any actions you perform.
If there are prescription and other medications within your home, keep them away from your dog. Dogs can have very negative side effects from even small amounts of medications intended for humans. Call the vet immediately if you suspect that the dog has swallowed the medication.
Take a photo of your dog when you plan to take him on vacation. That way, if he happens to get separated from the family, you have an up-to-date picture of him that is easily accessible for showing people or can be downloaded for printing up “lost” flyers.
Flea Treatments
If there are prescription medications in your home, be sure to keep it out of your dog’s reach. If your dog has access to these pills, there can be fatal consequences. Be sure to contact your vet if your dog swallows your medication.
Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. Some treatments contain dangerous ingredients that may put your kids at risk for diseases like cancer. Talk to your vet to learn about flea treatments that are safer and more family friendly, and always keep flea medication out of reach of children.
Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. Your dog’s safety and behavior are your responsibility.
Don’t get your dog food based on how cheap it is. Less expensive brands of dog food often contain artificial coloring, additives, preservatives and so on that can be very bad for your dog. Check out professional recommendations from groups online. Your dog will appreciate your research.
Talk with a vet about which foods are good for dogs and which ought to be avoided. Depending on the type and age of dog, if you purchase the wrong kind of food it may upset their stomach. Use your vets advice and common sense to feed your dog properly.
Don’t make you dog eat something they don’t want to eat. If your dog doesn’t like a treat you give him, let it go. When you have a new dog, take time to learn what they do and don’t like.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. Do not buy a dog that is lazy if you are very active. On the other hand, if you are the type of person to sit at home, you need a smaller breed that will enjoy lounging around with you. Don’t get a dog that you don’t fit in with if you can avoid that.
Find out what is going on that is causing your dog to act out. Ignoring it for any length of time will only make it that much more difficult to contain later and you never know what could happen as a result of it now. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. Once they get to a length where they are curling under, this is likely to cause your dog some pain. You can use store bought clippers to trim them yourself. If you’re uncomfortable clipping them on your own, go to a professional groomer. Nail clipping is very affordable.
Giving your dog a good brush every day will definitely do more than lower their amount of shedding. A daily brush will make their coat radiant and shiny. The brushing motion encourages distribution of the skin’s oil, leaving the coat healthy, soft and glossy.
When obtaining a shelter dog, you need to set up an appointment with your local vet immediately. Dogs that live in shelters may be sick or may have been around other sick dogs. You should also get your dog all of his shots before bringing him into your home.
When you get a new dog, schedule a vet visit for soon after you’ve brought him home. Make a vet appointment right after the dog comes home. 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.
When selecting a brand of dog food for your pet, read the labels carefully and avoid the cheapest brands. Your dog will benefit from eating healthy, quality food. Even though you are paying more, it will save on health bills down the road.
Providing foster care for a homeless dog can be a great way to see if you are suited to care for a dog. Many abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting for adoptions, but there is a lot of overcrowding and many resources are scarce. Lend a hand by fostering a dog, and determine if it is a good fit for you and your family.
Your dog should not be left outside all the time. A lot of people allow this, but dogs are social creatures that need other beings. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. 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.
Some dogs are more likely to suffer from health problems and so you should know what to look out for in your dog. Research the heritage of your pup and learn how to prevent any common problems. Talk to the vet to find out what you are able to do to assist your dog in beating the prognoses of his breed.
A dog needs both mental and physical exercise. By teaching your dog tricks that he can do around the house, such as grabbing the newspaper, you’ll be keeping your dog mentally stimulated. Many dogs were originally bred to work, and will get frustrated if you do not give them a job to do.
Your dog needs plenty of affection. Most of the time you are paying attention to the very bad things they do and overlooking the good. If that persists, your dog may begin to act inappropriately to get your attention. You should mostly focus on praising and petting your dog when you notice a good behavior. This increases the chance that your dog will repeat the good behavior rather than the bad.
Bring your dogs to their scheduled appointments. Having the annual exam is the only way to diagnose problems that arise. Annual exams can prevent lots of unneeded expenses later on.
When you train your dog, don’t allow your efforts to be diminished by an excess of trainers. Everybody does things differently, and a dog can be confused by having several commanders. One person should be the master while the others reinforce what the dog is learning.
You cannot judge a dog’s health by the coldness and wetness of its nose alone. There are a lot of reasons that dogs will have a wet or cold nose, even when they’re not sick. Assess the health of your dog by observing its mood, energy level and appetite. These attributes will give you better cues into how your dog feels. Dogs can have their temperature taken rectally.
When your dog has a bathroom accident on the floor, be sure to thoroughly clean the area. Use a cleaner that gets rid of smells. Your dog may do his business in the exact same area if his scent from the excrement lingers.
Use different reward systems to find out what your dog prefers. Take the time to learn what will motivate your pet the most. Use food as a positive reward when you start. If he likes to play, engage him in a game when he successfully performs the action you are looking for. A few dogs are even motivated by being petted!
As this article went over before, it’s rewarding to own a dog. 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. Put the above tips to use and continue to learn more so that you are able to enjoy your new dog to the fullest.
You need to be very firm. Sometimes a dog owner feels that it’s okay to sneak them food or let them destroy a toy. This is often true with dogs that are particularly adorable. Be firm with your dog if you want to prevent behavior issues. Don’t feed him scraps, let him destroy something of yours or piddle on the floor.