Easy To Follow Tips About Dog Care
Do you currently own a dog or have you owned one in the past? Then you understand what great joys dogs are. But, there is always more to learn. This article provides a wealth of information about owning and caring for a dog.
Make sure that your dog gets neutered. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. Also, dogs that have been neutered or spayed stick closer to home, limiting their exposure to dangerous traffic and other hazards.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. They eat garbage or poop and even sniff other dog’s butts. It’s an old wives tale that your dog’s mouth happens to be cleaner that a human being. This is simply false.
If you take your dog with you on vacation, keep a photo of him on your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.
When you take your dog on vacation with you, get a snapshot of them for your phone. In the event that he gets separated from you, you have easy access to a current photo to put on flyers that will help identify him.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. Some treatments contain dangerous ingredients that may put your kids at risk for diseases like cancer. Bring up the subject of alternative and family-friendly treatments the next time you see your vet, and always be sure to apply these treatments when no children are present.
Be sure to praise your dog freely and consistently whenever he exhibits a desired behavior. You need your dog to realize that you’re proud of their behavior and want to see it more often. This is called positive reinforcement.
Try not to give a dog table scraps. Not only will table scraps turn your dog off on their regular food, but it will also teach them to constantly beg. Feeding your dog table scraps can cause obesity and a number of digestive issues. Train your dog to remain in another room while the family eats so no one is tempted to slip something to him under the table.
Be sure to address your dog’s bad behavior when you first notice it. If you don’t address it head on, you will discover that it becomes more difficult to control in the future, possibly with disastrous consequences. You need to make sure your dog is happy to keep them in control and so he does not hurt anyone.
Your daily lifestyle should help guide your choice of dog breed. If you are a hunter for example, perhaps a retriever is the dog for you. If you are more of a homebody, a smaller, less active dog who enjoying being pampered is the better choice. Selecting the right dog will make you both happier.
When making a dog food selection, the cheap stuff is rarely the best choice. Later on, it will help that you’ve fed your dog quality and nutritious food. Sure, it’s more expensive. But, isn’t your pet worth it?
Don’t buy the cheapest food for your dog. Cheap brands usually are loaded with additives that can be bad for health. Use an animal advocacy group or some kind of consumer awareness group to see if you can get a list of good foods that are professionally recommended. Your dog will benefit greatly from better food.
Set up a vet check for a new dog. In fact, do it the same day as you bring the pet home so you don’t forget. This allows the vet to look him over and schedule the necessary vaccines. Speak with a vet about getting your dog neutered or spayed since there is a massive dog overpopulation problem that you don’t need to add to.
As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. 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.
Put a leash on your dog at all times when walking him. Keep your dog at your side when you are taking a walk. This ensures his safety and will make going for walks more enjoyable for you. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.
Brushing your dog every day is going to stop them from shedding in your home, but more than that. Brushing your pup daily will help make their coat shiny. This is mainly due to the fact that brushing allows the oils in the skin to be distributed evenly. That keeps the skin soft, shiny, and healthy.
If you think you want a dog, but are not sure if you are ready for the commitment involved, consider becoming a foster home. Many homeless dogs are waiting for a home in shelters, where overcrowding is a major problem. Foster one of these dogs to help and see if you wish to care for one.
Always buy high quality food for your best friend. Your dog will enjoy greater health benefits from nutritious food. While this could mean that you’re going to have to pay more money, you can know that you’re doing the best for your dog to keep it healthy.
Help your dog to stay active mentally and help him to exercise enough. Teach him to get the newspaper and do other helpful things around the house. This gives him a job to do and he’ll feel fulfilled as a result.
Schedule a veterinary checkup for your new dog. When you bring them home, schedule a vet appointment. This allows the vet to look him over and schedule the necessary vaccines. Unwanted puppies are a tragedy, so make sure your dog gets spayed or neutered.
Be careful when choosing what to feed your dog. There are many to choose from, so focus on those that are for your dog’s age and size. Serving table scraps to your dog may be cost effective, but it does not provide a balanced and healthy diet for your dog.
Never leave a dog outside for long periods of time. Understand that dogs need to interact with other people and animals. Your dog may be lonely if it is just him. 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 vitamins can be bad for your dog’s health. If you feed your dog a balanced diet, there is no need to give him extra vitamins. Excessive amounts of some vitamins can harm the bones, joints and blood vessels. You should ask your veterinarian if you are not sure what to do.
Take some time to trim your dog’s paw beds during every grooming session. This can help prevent mats. Comb the tangles out before you start trimming. A professional groomer may be a good solution if you are confident about trimming the hair yourself.
Consider your lifestyle before you choose to have 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.
If you have your heart set on a purebred dog, realize that the city pound may be somewhere to look. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Call the pound to see what they have available. You may save a poor dog’s life if you do this.
Outdoor dogs are not solitary creatures. If you leave your dog alone for extended periods, he may chew, dig and/or bark out of sheer boredom. Your dog might also become more aggressive. Play with him often and let him know you love him, and he will be happy.
Watch if your female dog is in heat if you do not want her pregnant. Males can pick up the scent of a female dog in heat, and this can even happen from several miles away. This causes fights as well as sexual behavior.
If your dog is going to be left alone during certain times of the day, create training it is probably a good idea. Crate training helps to keep your dog safe, your household intact, and prevents doggy accidents.
You need to train the dog by yourself; more than one person might confuse him. People have different ways of doing things, and having multiple commanders can confuse your dog. You should train your dog for a few minutes several times a day and encourage everyone else in your household to reinforce what you have been doing.
If you want a well disciplined dog, consider sending the pet to a training program. You and your dog are going to be much happier if you train him properly according to commands. Puppies learn quickly, but older dogs are perfectly capable of learning.
If your dog is kept outside, he still needs your attention as much as a dog that is kept inside. If you leave your dog alone for extended periods, he may chew, dig and/or bark out of sheer boredom. He could also become aggressive. Give your pet a lot of love and play with it too so that it’s happy.
It’s important enough to restate the plain fact here: Owning a dog can be an immensely fulfilling experience. It’s even better if you know what you’re doing. After reading the previous article, you now should understand better the joys of dog ownership. Use what you have learned here and you will have a great time with your pet!
Take steps to keep your dog cool in the summer. Dogs get overheated quite easily. Reserve a cool and shady area for your dog to hang out. Keep clean, fresh water readily available at all times. The dog can also be sensitive to the sun, so talk to your veterinarian about dog sunscreen.
