Usually, having a dog is an enjoyable part of life. However, this is not true for all dogs. You need to learn a few things in order to properly care for your dog. Keep reading for some helpful advice on becoming a great dog owner.
Make your home doggie-proof. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Hide medications and chemicals, cover your trash, and put food where he can’t get to it. Some plants that are usually kept in the home are poisonous to pets, so move them where your dog cannot get to them, or put them out of your home completely.
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. By doing this, in case your dog gets lost, you can provide others with a picture and easily put up flyers, which will assist in finding your dog.
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. This will be helpful should he get lost.
If you are on any kind of medication, you should ensure your dog never gains access to it. Consuming even a single pill can cause serious health problems or your dog. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.
Keep your medications out of paw’s reach. Consuming even a single pill can cause serious health problems or your dog. If your pet does manage to ingest some medicine, contact the vet right away.
When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. If you jog a lot, buy a dog that likes to run, and not something like a toy poodle. If you spend more time in the home, a more sedate, indoor dog will fit your lifestyle best. Getting the right fit for you will give you both much more joy.
Don’t give your dog leftovers from your own plate. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Table scraps can negatively affect the dog’s health and cause digestive issues or obesity. Keep your dog away from the family dinner table for training purposes and to avoid any temptation.
Be sure your dog is physically active. Dogs need consistent physical activity to ensure they are physically and mentally fit. Even the smallest amount of exercise, such as throwing a ball, will be good for your pup and you. In addition to fulfilling the physical need for exercise, you will foster a strong bond with your dog that will last a lifetime.
In your backyard or in your house itself is the right place to start training your dog. Avoid training your dog where many people are present. Too many people causes distractions, making it hard to train them.
If you want a pure bred dog, do not discount the pound as a place to find him. Dogs are abandoned daily at such facilities, and they are in need of new homes. Call the pound to see what breeds they’ve got. You could get the dog you are looking for and save a life in the process.
A daily brush does a lot more than just prevent shedding. Regular brushing encourages a healthy, shining coat. When you brush the coat, oils from the skin are distributed throughout, and this is makes the coat soft and silky.
Leaving a radio playing while you are gone will help your dog stay calm and may alleviate separation anxiety. The music will calm the dog down, and they’ll feel like someone else is there. This is a good way to keep your dog from feeling lonely.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Dogs require metal and physical exercise to ensure a happy puppy. Throw a ball around the park with your dog and play fetch. In addition to fulfilling the physical need for exercise, you will foster a strong bond with your dog that will last a lifetime.
Keep dogs mentally active by giving them many opportunities for physical exercise. Bring him outside and teach him how to fetch. Doing this will help your pet to feel like a loved and needed family member, and teaching your dog these skills will give it some much needed mental exercise.
If you have a dog that doesn’t look like it’s very happy because it’s always alone, think about getting your dog a friend. Dogs come from packs, so it’s in their nature to prefer spending time with a member of their own species. Match them up carefully by temperament and energy levels and your dog should be in canine heaven!
If your female dog is in heat, be very careful with her around other dogs or she may become pregnant. A male is able to smell her from as much as five miles in the distance! The end result of letting an in heat dog run free is not only an unwanted litter, but also a dog who is prone to fighting and the resulting injuries.
Stepping on sharp objects or glass is a common hazard for dogs waling outside. 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.
Keep vet appointments for your dog. This will give your dogs the best chance to avoid life-threatening diseases. Annual dog physicals can spare lots of money later for owners and keep them from suffering now.
When the weather gets warmer, begin checking your pup for ticks and fleas daily. Try to get rid of any fleas by using what is called a flea comb. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Ask your vet which are best.
If your dog accidentally goes to the bathroom inside, remove every trace of it. Use a cleaner that is professional strength, and follow up with an odor remover. If your dog can still smell the spot he has marked, he will be likely to mark it again.
Carefully choose your dog’s food. There are a lot of foods out there, but you have to choose foods that are right for the size and age of your particular dog. Letting your dog eat leftovers is something you may think can save you money, but really that’s not healthy for it at all.
If you’re adding a second dog to your home, try to let your first dog meet the second before bringing it home. Though most are sociable, certain dogs are better able to get along with other dogs than others. If you find two dogs that can get along, you’ll save yourself some trouble.
Prior to getting a dog, take into consideration your lifestyle and the amount of time you are away from home. You may want to get a dog, but there are lots of hard responsibilities that are involved in being a great dog owner.
Lots of things are required from good dog owners. It’s not a simple task choosing a puppy and it magically becomes that great loving companion. A serious degree of responsibility is demanded. Take the information learned today and use it to make the experience with your dog very rewarding.
Try to use positive reinforcement on your dog. Rewards and praise make your pet learn faster than threats and violence. Humane treatment is more effective and works better over time. If you treat your dog well during training, you’ll see excellent results.