If you provide the proper care, dogs could be a great source of happiness. If you want your dog to be healthy and happy, then you must learn to help them with what they need. Read on for tips to help you have a great relationship with your dog.
Your home must be dog-proofed. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. Put up all of your cleaning supplies and medications, and be sure you put away any trash cans. Some plants that are usually kept in the home are poisonous to pets, so move them where your dog cannot get to them, or put them out of your home completely.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. Food, vet care and supplies can add up quickly. Getting emergency care from the vet is costly, so you may need to take a look at health insurance for your pet.
Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. A checkup every year can make sure that issues are caught before he is suffering too much.
Just like humans benefit from an annual physical, your dog should see the vet at least once a year. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. Annual checkups can catch issues before they develop into something serious.
Get your dog spayed or neutered. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. They are also more likely to remain close to home, reducing their risk of becoming lost or getting injured by a car or another animal.
Since dogs cannot talk, you’ll need to learn about your dog’s way of communication. If your dog is fearful or shy, do not insist that they interact. This may cause another dog or person to get bit. Pay attention to the posture of the dogs and let them take their time.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Find out about healthy treatments that can keep you and your pet safe.
If you are not sure of how much to feed your dog each day, talk to your vet about it. Dog food packages provide guidelines, but they can be wrong for your particular pet and lead to obesity. Speak with a vet to see what you should be feeding your dog according to its needs.
Whenever your dog performs a good action, such as sitting or staying, give it praise and rewards. This will show that you appreciate what your dog is doing. This will teach your dog that praise comes from good behavior.
Be certain that your dog is getting sufficient exercise. Dogs need physical activity and play time; it’s good for their physical and mental health. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. Exercise is a great way to bond with your pet.
If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. Most dog food packages include guidelines but keep in mind that these instructions might not be adapted to your dog. Speak with a vet about your dog’s needs and what they should have.
When you buy dog food, avoid the cheap stuff. Later on, it will help that you’ve fed your dog quality and nutritious food. While this could mean paying more for higher-end brands, your dog’s proper health will be guaranteed through eating healthfully.
Get a dog house if you have a dog that you leave outside, in case the weather gets bad. Particularly if his feet get wet, extended exposure to extreme temperatures causes stress and can lead to health complications. Keep your dog safe from the elements by providing him the dry shelter he needs.
When you get a new dog, set up an appointment for him at the vet. As soon as your dog is brought to your home you should get an appointment scheduled with the vet. The vet will check him over and prepare him for vaccinations. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. The best judge of what your dog likes is the dog himself. Fancy name brands mean nothing.
When choosing an animal to cohabitate with an existing one, try to arrange an introduction before deciding. This will give them a chance to socialize together. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.
Plenty of physical activity is one of your dog’s necessities. A dog requires regular exercise and game time; it keeps him healthy and happy, both mentally and physically. No matter what you do, whether it’s going for a long walk or simply throwing a ball or stick, both you and your dog will benefit. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.
Consider your daily routines, and decide whether a dog would fit into that scenario well. Wanting a dog doesn’t mean you’ll provide the best environment for him.
You can find many types of dogs at the pound, even pure breeds. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. Just give a quick call to your local humane society to see what breeds they may have available. When you adopt a dog, you save its life.
Positive reinforcement is a great tool when training a dog. Your dog will learn faster when you employ rewards and praise rather than negative reinforcement. Using humane training tactics will be healthier for the dog and will be much more effective. So treat your dog kindly when training and you will see better results.
Show your dog that you love him. As it usually happens, many times owners focus more on bad behavior rather than good ones. This may spell trouble in the future. Instead make it a habit to praise your dog much more often than any scolding. Make it five times to any one. Your dog will do its best to please you.
When you first start training, experiment with several types of rewards. What does your dog like best? If you are giving treats, try crumbled egg or ground turkey which has been cooked. If your dog has a favorite toy, reward the desired behavior with playtime with his toy. Petting can be the best reward too.
Ensure your dog will return by placing some type of identification on them. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. The tag needs to have your name and phone number on it. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
You have to watch what kind of food your dog consumes. Foods that are high in calories are great for growing puppies. If a high calorie food is fed to an adult dog, it could result in weight gain.
You should remember the quote about too many cooks spoiling the soup while trying to train your dog. Everyone has their own unique ways of training, and having multiple people trying to train a dog differently can leave it confused. Therefore, ensure that only one person is doing the training. The other people should only reinforce the person’s rules and stick by them.
Be patient with your dog and do not push the training too hard. While training your dog, keep in mind that his attention span is not as great as yours. Spend a few minutes a day training your dog what you want him to learn.
If your dog has an accident indoors, be certain you get rid of any sign of it. Use a product specifically designed to clean and remove pet odors. If your dog can still smell its waste, it may use the bathroom in that spot repeatedly.
After your new puppy has had all its vaccinations, it should be taken out for socialization with other dogs and with people. Socializing your dog can be done by going to dog parks, play dates and the groomer.
Choose your dog’s food carefully. Always consider your dog’s age, health status and size when selecting the brand and formula you want to feed your dog. While feeding your dog leftover food saves you money, it doesn’t make for a healthy diet.
Make sure your pet isn’t sitting at home, alone, in his crate for hours a day. Your dog should be able to spend an entire day alone while you are at work, but leaving your dog alone for longer periods of time could be dangerous. Dogs often enjoy having a TV or radio left on. You might think about using a petsitter as well so your dog doesn’t feel lonely.
If you already have a dog at home, take your existing dog to meet the potential new one. Dogs are social creatures, but it’s true that some dogs are more friendlier than others. Finding a dog that gets along well with your current pet will be best for everyone in the long run.
You should take your dog to the vet if it has diarrhea for a few days. Sometimes a dog will eat something that isn’t good for them that causes them to get the runs. If it is lasting too long, there might be something wrong with him.
You need to really consider adding a dog to your home. Do not adopt a puppy simply because it is cute. Always consider everything involved with becoming responsible for another life, and be sure you are able to handle it all.
If you need to leave town for several days, consider employing a pet sitter who can ensure your dog is well cared for. Pet sitters go to your house to walk and feed them. This is a good way to keep your dog in a familiar environment while making sure it is well taken care of.
Dogs are motivated by different incentives when you are training them. Determine what motivates your dog to obey. If they are food-driven, reward them with items like little hot dogs. Should your dog like toys, do some tug of war when your dog has done what you desired. Occasionally, a dog may just want to be petted for their reward.
There’s nothing that is the same as the happiness a dog brings to everyone. You must learn vital information on what keeps and makes them energetic and happy. The intent of this article was to provide you with such knowledge. Use it wisely and you will become a happier, more confident pet owner and a better friend to your canine companion.
Your dog needs to kept clean, just like you do. Your dog might not need a daily bath, but you should bathe him about once a week. A clean dog will be less likely to develop skin problems and will help you keep your house clean.