Dogs require much more than a bowl of food and love. Your dog needs attention and love all day. How can you know what it is that your dog? The following information will teach you what it takes to properly care for your dog.
Your dog may pick things easier when they get these type of signals. Try each way to see what works best.
Hugging is okay but kissing should be avoided. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs love to dig in garbage, get into the toilet, and then they lick their butts, yuck! There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This statement is most definitely not true.
Your daily lifestyle should help guide your choice of dog breed is a good match for you. For example, if you love to run, get a dog that loves to run too, not a poodle. If you are a homebody, seek out a small dog that loves to snuggle on the couch. You should find a choice that fits well with your personality.
Speak to your vet about your dog each day. While some people follow the direction on the back of the dog food packaging, sometimes these guidelines are inappropriate for your dog. Your vet will know how much to feed your dog’s specific needs are.
If you have over-the-counter medication or prescription medication in your home, keep it in a place the dog can’t access it. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, with a sick or dying dog. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.
You should always trim your dog’s nails regularly. If they start curling under, your dog will probably hurt a lot. You can use store bought clippers and do this at home. If you aren’t confident enough to do it yourself, a groomer can do it for little money.
Some dogs are more likely to suffer from health problems than others and so you should know if your dog. Research the breed of your dog and take preventative steps for problems you know he does not get any infections or diseases.
When it comes to dog flea treatments, you should proceed with caution. Several have cancer causing ingredients, and they can be especially harmful to young children. Ask your vet about alternative treatments that are more family-friendly, and be sure to keep small children away during applications.
A lot of people give their dogs to the city pound when they can no longer keep their dog anymore. Just call your local pound to find out what breeds they may have available. You could save a dog’s life if you do this!
If you have just one dog and he seems pretty lonely when you are gone, think seriously about adding a second animal to your family. Dogs naturally travel in packs by nature and like to have fellow canines around. Match them carefully by energy and temperament so that they can enjoy themselves.
Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. If you ignore an unwanted behavior, it is as good as reinforcing it. It will become very difficult to correct the more time passes. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.
If your dog is in heat, be very careful with her around other dogs or she may become pregnant. A male dog is able to smell her scent from as far as five miles away! This may cause a fight and it could also get her pregnant which will make her have puppies from an unknown source.
It is not unusual for dogs to injure their paws by stepping on bits of glass or other debris. If your dog experiences a cut, use an antiseptic and a bandage to clean and protect it. If the cut seems very deep, take your dog to see the veterinarian.
It is important that your dog’s nails are not allowed to get too long. Once the nails start to curl under, they can cause your dog a great deal of pain. It is easy to keep nails trimmed with simple implements available at pet stores. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
Take the dog for regular vet often. Puppies need the vet more than adults. You also should see a vet as soon as possible if your dog seems sick or hurt.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas every day when the weather gets warmer outside. You can get a flea comb to expel any fleas. There are a lot of flea and ticks under control. Speak with your vet to find the best option for your options are.
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. While this may mean paying higher prices for a premium brand, you can be assured your dog is getting the proper nutrients from wholesome sources.
When choosing an animal to cohabitate with an existing one, take your current dog to meet him if at all possible. Dogs are quite social, but it’s true that some dogs are more friendlier than others. Finding dogs that like each other will be best for everyone in the long run.
It is easy to want a dog, but it is hard to be a responsible dog owner.
Don’t leave your dog outside all day long. Dogs need companionship and interaction with their owners. When your dog is the only one you have, leaving him alone will make him sad. In addition, inclement weather and freezing temperatures can be dangerous for your dog.
Just because a dog is contained outside does not mean that he does not need less attention as an indoor dog. Your dog could develop bad habits such as chewing or barking if it’s left isolated for too long. Your dog could also become more aggressive. Give him lots of love and play with it too so that it’s happy.
Your dog should stay clean as you are. While it is not necessary to bathe your dog daily, you do want to be sure to give it a good cleaning at least once a week. This can keep his skin irritation and your home clean.
You may need to trim hair that grows near the dog’s paws to help keep it from matting. Before you trim it, use a brush to get it as straight as possible. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
The more you learn about them, the better you can care for them. Your dog deserves to be well taken care of and loved by a good owner. If you were in his position, wouldn’t you like your owner to invest time into learning about you?