Getting The Best Behavior From Your Dog

Are you a dog owner or were you one before? If this is the case you are aware of how great it is to own a dog. However, like most things, owning a dog is much easier if you have the right information and knowledge. The tips in this article will get you going in the right direction.

You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Obviously, dogs don’t speak, so it can be hard to figure out when they’re having problems with their bones or teeth. Check-ups can reveal that and more.

Be sure your house is dog-proofed. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.

Be careful when selecting canine flea treatments. Lots of treatments contain things that can be harmful to kids. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.

Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. They eat garbage or poop and even sniff other dog’s butts. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. It certainly isn’t the truth.

Train your dog in your backyard or home, as these are safe, convenient areas. It’s never good to try and train your pet when there are quite a few people around. Too many people causes distractions, making it hard to train them.

Spay or neuter your dog. A neutered dog will live longer and have less risks of developing cancer. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.

Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. Wild animals could grab their attention, causing them to run into dangerous territory, or they may have an unpleasant situation involving other dogs and people. It is your job to keep your dog safe, and to keep him from harming anyone else or causing anyone problems.

The dog breed you choose should blend in well with your lifestyle. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.

Rawhide is a great alternative to the meat bones that most people feed dogs. Bones can fall apart and become lodged between teeth or digestive system. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.

If you have a dog that does something right, like sitting when you’re getting out the leash, you should give the animal lots of praise and affection. You want to reinforce your dog’s good behaviors. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.

Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. If you lack the confidence to do this job on your own, a pet groomer will usually do it at a low cost.

Speak with your vet about how much food should your dog be eating each day. Most dog food packages include guidelines but keep in mind that these instructions might not be adapted to your dog. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.

Do not try to save money by choosing the cheapest dog food. In the long term, it’s crucial to feed healthy, high-quality food to your dog. Even though you are paying more, it will save on health bills down the road.

If your dog must be outside, build him a house. Especially if your dog’s feet get wet, exposure to very cold temperatures for long time periods can cause stress and other health issues. Protect them from precipitation and wind by providing them a dry and spacious shelter.

A dog needs both mental and physical exercise. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. Your dog will feel useful and like a contributing piece of the family, during the process of sharpening his mental capacity.

A trip to the vet should be at the top of your schedule if your new dog’s last home was the animal shelter. You never know what condition the dog might be in. It’s crucial that your pet has all necessary shots before it’s brought into your house.

Be sure that your dog has some kind of identification in case it were to escape from your home. A collar with identification is a great way to ensure that your dog is found and returned if it happens to get lost. This tag should include your contact information and your dog’s name. Another option is to have a micro-chip put on your dog.

Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. He ought to be next to you rather than ahead or behind. He should also respond to the “heel” command. This keeps you and your dog safe as you walk. Even if you’re using a loose leash from time to time, you should still train your dog so that it understands when you issue that command.

Don’t let too many people train your dog. Different people do things different ways, and you can confuse your pup. You should have one person take charge of the training procedure, and then ask everyone else to follow their lead once the dog has learned a few simple commands. This allows for consistency that is least likely to confuse your pet.

Fostering a dog teaches you about the responsibilities of dog ownership. Dogs who have been abused or left without a home stay in shelters until someone adopts them. Since there are so many dogs in shelters, there are little resources. Lend a hand by fostering a dog, and determine if it is a good fit for you and your family.

It is not unusual for a dog to step on sharp objects that leaves it with cuts. If your dog has a tiny cut, use an antiseptic to wash it with and then bandage the area. If it is a very deep cut, you should take him to a vet.

After reading the above information you now see what a great experience being a dog owner can be. Even more rewarding when you know all there is to know about dogs. You will now know all about dogs after you have read this article. Take this tips to heart, and love every minute of your life with your dog!

When the weather gets warmer, begin checking your pup for ticks and fleas daily. If you spot any fleas, you can remove them with a flea comb. Additionally, there are a number of other products and tools that help in controlling fleas and ticks on your dog. Try talking to your vet about these products or other available options.