A dog truly is man’s best friend; they are loyal, happy and are great company. However, they are not this way from birth. That said, you have to train them to be the best. This guide can teach you about dogs, so read on.
Always neuter or spay your pet. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to cancer. Also, dogs that have been neutered or spayed stick closer to home, limiting their exposure to dangerous traffic and other hazards.
Hugs are great, but steer clear of kisses. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. This is completely wrong!
Since you’re not able to speak with your dog like a person, you should pay close attention to the dog’s non-verbal speech. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don’t force interaction. This could cause your dog to harm a person or another dog. By reading the body language of your dog, you can ensure that this does not happen.
Yearly physicals help you and yearly vet checks help your dog. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. A checkup once a year will help diagnose any problems.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. Some foods can cause sickness or an upset stomach. Therefore, ensure you are cautious whenever providing your dog a new food.
Be sure your dog is neutered or spayed. Studies show that these operations help your dog live longer and can reduce cancer risks. Also, dogs that are fixed do not want to run away as much.
Let your lifestyle determine what breed of dog you should bring into your home. For instance, if you jog, a toy poodle may not be as great a choice as a dog that is able to run with you. Also, if you like to stay at home, find small dogs that prefer sitting on laps and being stroked. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.
Your lifestyle should be a determining factor in the breed of dog that you choose. A good example would be if you are a runner. A dog that can keep up with you while you run would be a good choice. If you prefer to stay at home, seek out a small dog that loves to snuggle on the couch. Steer clear of a breed mismatch if you want to be a happy dog owner.
Your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. If they get too long, they may start to curl under and cause your dog pain. Find some good clippers you can use to trim your dog’s nails yourself. If you’re uncomfortable clipping them on your own, go to a professional groomer. Nail clipping is very affordable.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food you can find. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. Although you may have to spend more money, you will ensure your dog’s diet is as healthy as possible.
Should you visit a shelter to adopt a dog, take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. A shelter is often a haven for kennel cough and other diseases. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
If you want a dog but don’t know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. Foster one of these dogs to help and see if you wish to care for one.
Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. Your dog should walk beside you, not lag behind or run ahead, and should obey the command “heel.” If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.
Get your dog’s hair trimmed around its paws so that hair doesn’t get matted up. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If you’re uncomfortable doing this, you should get a professional groomer to do it.
Avoid keeping your dog outdoors all day, every day. Dogs need companionship and interaction with their owners. When your dog is the only one you have, leaving him alone will make him sad. Plan on bringing your dog inside when the weather is rainy, snowy, very hot, or very cold.
Whatever your vet recommends, do it. Your dog likely will not enjoy wearing a cone, but the vet prescribed it for good reason. The recommendations of your vet are always in your dog’s best interest.
Make sure you provide your dog with affection on a regular basis. As is the case with most things in life, owners often pay more attention to the bad behavior than the good. This can cause issues later. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold them. This will make it more likely that your dog will behave well.
If you have your heart set on a purebred dog, realize that the city pound may be somewhere to look. Many pet owners will abandon dogs at pounds when they don’t want them or can’t keep them anymore. Just call your local pound to find out what breeds they have available. You could save a dog’s life by doing so!
Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. He will always feel useful and a part of the family, while the constant reinforcement of training will keep his thinking skills sharp.
If your dog seems unhappy and is alone a lot, consider getting a second dog. Because dogs typically run in packs, they typically love being around other canines. By choosing another dog that matches your pup’s energy level and temperament, you’ll ensure that your dogs will be great companions for each other.
Be cautious with your female dog if she’s in heat. If you don’t, she may become pregnant. Males can smell a female’s scent from a full five miles away. There can be numerous problems, such as causing conflicts with neighbor’s dogs, and getting impregnated with puppies that you don’t know a lot about.
If your dog has an accident indoors, be certain you get rid of any sign of it. Use a cleaner that’s professional strength and follow that up with a good odor remover. If your dog can still smell it, he may repeatedly defecate in that area.
Get into pet politics! Keep an eye on legislation that might regulate or restrict your rights as a dog owner. This typically occurs because of a certain kind of breed that has attacked other people, usually because of the negligence of the owner. Get in touch with administrators and legislators to exercise your rights as a responsible citizen and reliable dog owner.
You are probably tempted to give Fido a bite of whatever you’re having. Certain foods are fine, but other are not very good for dogs. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. These can be fatal if ingested.
Don’t skip your dog’s annual checkup. Vets can find problems such as kidney troubles, thyroid issues and diabetes well before symptoms appear to you. By having a physical each year, you can avoid unnecessary expenses later on and your dog will not suffer.
Don’t rely on just a wet and cold nose to determine a dog’s health. Even a sick dog can have a cold, wet nose. Using your dog’s appetite, attitude, and amount of energy, you can determine its health. These are good barometers of the dog’s health. You can also check the temperature rectally.
Do you go on many vacations? Are you home infrequently? Should you really get a dog? Wanting a dog is the easy part, but is your lifestyle ready to handle a full time commitment like a canine?
Taking Care
Positive reinforcement is the best method of training a dog. Giving your dog praise and rewarding them will teach them better and quicker than force or violence. Humane training is better for years to come and it’s more effective. So treat your dog kindly when training and you will see better results.
After reading the above information you know that taking care of dog is not as hard as it may seem. It might be hard at first, but this article can help. Take everything that you’ve learned here, and you should have no trouble taking care of your furry friend.
Clean your dog’s food bowls on a daily basis. Just like you do not want to continuously eat and drink from bowls that are not very clean, your dog doesn’t either. Wash the bowls every day and fill them with fresh food and clean water.