Do you own a pet that is not well behaved? Does he destroy your valuable items without hesitation? Perhaps your dog needs some behavioral lessons. In this article you will find the information you need to turn your dog into a well behaved family member.
Neuter or spay your dog. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. High quality dog food, medical care, toys and treats can easily run close to $1,000 in a year. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
If there are prescription medications in your home, be sure to keep it out of your dog’s reach. Just a few of your pills could literally kill your dog. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Since dogs cannot talk, you need to learn your dog’s cues. If it seems as though your dog holds back when around other dogs or people, don’t insist that they interact. This can lead to a bad ending for your dog, the other pooch or the other person. So pay attention to your dog’s demeanor and make your judgement from these cues.
It is smart to use your hands to signal while dog training, as opposed to just your voice. These signals will help you keep your dog under control in a noisy environment. Test out both methods to see which works for you.
Make sure to keep prescription drugs out of the reach of your dogs. If your dog ingests your medications, it could be fatal. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Ask the vet about how much the dog should eat each day. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. Therefore, ask your vet the acceptable amount of dog food your dog needs to ensure its health and well-being.
Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. Lots of treatments contain things that can be harmful to kids. Ask your vet about alternative treatments that are more family-friendly, and be sure to keep small children away during applications.
Do not try to feed your dog something they do not like. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. Keep an eye on your dog’s likes and dislikes.
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy. Regardless of the activity you choose, whether it is a game of fetch or a walk around the neighborhood, both of you will benefit. It gives you exercise and helps develop a relationship that will last forever with your dog.
Do not try to save money by choosing the cheapest dog food. In the long run, it is beneficial to be feeding your dog high quality, nutritious food. You’ll have to pay more, but you can be certain your dog gets the right vitamins and minerals from good sources.
Your dog should not be left outside for the entire day. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. If you have a single dog, it may feel lonely outside on its own. 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.
If you wish to get a dog that’s a pure breed, you may have some luck with the pound. There are often pure bred dogs at shelters and rescues, and they are desperately in need of homes. Call the shelter to find out which dogs they have available. Taking this option may save the life of a dog.
Keep trimming the soft hair near the paws of your dog to keep it from matting. You ought to use a comb as a means to straighten it before trimming. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. The sound will help him feel more secure and not as alone. It may help them conquer their anxiety while waiting for you to return.
Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. A male can pick up on her scent from as far as five miles away! The dog might also want to fight other dogs, and become pregnant.
You can keep your furry friend mentally as well as physically active through plenty of exercise. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. 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.
Ensure that your dog will come back after being lost by having some type of identification tag. A breakaway collar that includes an ID tag will ensure the return of your dog if they should wander. Make sure that a current telephone number and the dog’s name are included on the tag. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
Take your dog to the vet regularly. Your dog should be checked for things like heartworms regularly, and his shots need to be current. Puppies have to go to the vet more often than older dogs. At the first sign of illness or if your dog is injured, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet.
Get politically active for your dog! Make sure that you know all legislation that may be going through your local system. Some of it may be trying to regulate you as a dog owner. These sort of things typically happen because of a few dogs acting out, or popular opinions about a certain breed. You should always call the authorities.
Perform tick and flea inspections daily on the dog when it gets warmer out. Use a comb for fleas to get rid of them. There are a lot of things on the market that will help you get your dog’s fleas and ticks under control. Talk to your vet if you are not sure which products should be used.
Remember that too many people training your dog can mess up the training. Everybody does things differently, and a dog can be confused by having several commanders. 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.
Make wise choices when it comes to your dog’s diet. Find a type suited for your dog’s breed, age and condition and be sure to consider other factors such as potential allergens. It’s also tempting to feed your dog foods that humans eat, but your dog isn’t human and needs dog food that contain the nutrients that a dog needs.
Dogs often get cuts from stepping on glass and 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 like it’s too deep, then head off to see the vet.
When you’re picking out another dog to live with the one you already have, your current dog should meet the new one first. Though most are sociable, certain dogs are better able to get along with other dogs than others. Having dogs that get along with each other makes your life that much easier.
Have your pet checked out by your vet on a regular basis. Your dog should be checked for things like heartworms regularly, and his shots need to be current. Your puppy will have to go to the vet more when they are young. If your dog seems sick or hurt, you should go to the vet immediately.
You need to consider your own life when you are thinking about getting 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 are bringing a new dog into your home, arrange a meeting between your current dog and the newcomer. Dogs are quite social, though not all get along well. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.
When you start to train your dog, try out various reward systems. This will make things more fun and enjoyable for your dog. Some pets enjoy getting treats when they do well. Dogs that are more responsive to some play time can be rewarded with a game of catch. Some dogs just like to get petted and rubbed when they’re good.
Dogs do not necessarily need vitamin supplements like humans. You don’t need to give vitamins to your dog if you feed a properly balanced food. Too much of some vitamins can cause injury to the bones, joints and blood vessels. Speak to your vet about your dog’s requirements.
Even if your dog spends most of its time outdoors, it still needs lots of attention. If your dog is left alone frequently, he may develop unwanted habits, such as barking and chewing. The result might even be an aggressive pet. You should play with your dog a lot to ensure it’s happy.
Take your dog on a walk every day, no matter how busy your schedule is. Not only does your pet need the exercise, but walks give your canine friend a chance to see new things and possibly interact with new people. That is crucial to his growth and development, so make your walks a priority.
Crate training a puppy is a great idea if no one is available during the day to watch him. This will prevent your puppy from damaging your home, and he will not use the bathroom anywhere he shouldn’t.
Your dog’s unwanted behavior should stop soon. You don’t have to have your home destroyed anymore. Your dog’s behavior depends on you. Take the advice provided to you here and have a happy, loving dog.
Talk to your veterinarian regarding the right food for your dog. Your dog may need a special diet if it has a medical condition, such as diabetes. Certain types of food can be harmful for a dog with certain medical conditions. Your vet can make recommendations for the best feeding plan.