In Need Of Dog Advice? Read This
Caring for an animal is a lot of work. Being a dog owner is almost like being a parent. Just replace barks for cries. If you have the patience and knowledge necessary, you will be in a great position to care for your dog. The following tips will give you these necessary skills.
Make your home doggie-proof. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Make sure anything toxic is put up. Since some plants are very harmful because of their toxicity, it’s best to get rid of them or put them in an area that the dog cannot get to.
Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Even the best dog owner will find it difficult or impossible to detect the first signs of health troubles, like a tooth infection or arthritic joints. Bringing your dog to the vet each year can help stop these health issues from becoming a huge problem.
Hugs are great, but avoid kisses. Dog kisses are adorable, but your dog’s mouth is really dirty. Dogs are always getting into garbage, drink from places like the toilet, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. It saying that the dog’s mouth is much cleaner than a human’s is folklore. This is not in the least bit true.
Make sure you are using the right flea treatments on your pet dog. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Bring up the subject of alternative and family-friendly treatments the next time you see your vet, and always be sure to apply these treatments when no children are present.
Always neuter or spay your pet. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.
Table Scraps
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. Therefore, if your animals get lost, there is a recent photo that can be used for the purpose of locating them.
Keep table scraps to a minimum. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Table scraps are also not nutritionally sound for a dog, and this might mean digestive problems, obesity, and other ailments. Make sure your dog does not sit near the table and beg, so you aren’t tempted.
If you keep some medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. Just a few of your pills could literally kill your dog. If the dog does consume some medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Practice training your dog around your home, where you and your pup can be alone. Training in busy areas with lots of people around should be avoided. It is very difficult to teach a dog that is distracted by people and disturbances.
Anti-flea products are dangerous. Lots of treatments contain things that can be harmful to kids. Ask your vet for recommendations. Be sure to keep children away while you’re applying any flea treatment.
Speak with a vet as soon as possible if you are adopting a dog. Shelters expose dogs to a number of illnesses, and your pet could be ill already. Make sure the new puppy gets their required shots before going home.
Don’t let a dog go off property without their leash, even if they’re well behaved. There are quite a few things that could cause your dog to run off unexpectedly. Your dog is your responsibility.
When you get a new dog, schedule a vet visit for soon after you’ve brought him home. This is one of the first things you should do. The vet will examine your dog. Also discuss with your vet about spaying or neutering your dog because there is a problem of over-population of dogs in shelters.
The dog breed you choose should blend in well with your lifestyle. If you jog a lot, buy a dog that likes to run, and not something like a toy poodle. If you prefer to stay home curled up on your couch, go for a small dog that likes to be spoiled and that will curl up along with you. When you find the perfect match, you’ll both be happier!
If you’ve been considering adopting a dog but still aren’t sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. Shelters for abused or homeless dogs are often looking for temporary homes, called foster homes, where dogs can live until they are adopted out to a permanent home. Lend a hand by fostering a dog, and determine if it is a good fit for you and your family.
Try not to force your dog to eat things. If you offer him a treat he doesn’t seem to like, do not make him eat it. Not all dogs like the same things.
Whatever your vet recommends, do it. Your dog may hate wearing a cone, however it is prescribed for good reason. The directions that you get from your vet are focused on the health of your pet and ignoring them can be detrimental to your pet.
Always make sure that your dog is wearing some sort of identification on their collar. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. This identification tag needs their name and your own contact information. You may also want to install a micro-chip into your dog.
When seeking pure bred dogs, you shouldn’t automatically rule out pounds. Many pet owners will abandon dogs at pounds when they don’t want them or can’t keep them anymore. Call the pound to see what they have. You can save the life of an abandoned dog this way.
When you are training your dog, don’t have too many people telling your dog what to do. Everyone does things differently, and too many commanders may confuse your dog. One person should be in charge, and everyone else needs to reinforce everything this person teaches the dog.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, or you simply want to be extra nice to him, leave some music on when you go to work. Having noise will help your dog feel more secure and comfortable while you are away. That might work to appease his anxiety during the time you aren’t home.
Dogs need regular check-ups, too. You need to make sure your pet is caught up on shots, and it’s smart to get tests done for heartworm and other issues. When you own a puppy, you may need to see a vet more often. At the first sign of illness or if your dog is injured, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet.
Really show your dog some love. Many owners inadvertently spend more time focusing on their pet’s negative behaviors than on all the good things they do. This may spell trouble in the future. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold them. This will reinforce that positive behavior brings due rewards, and thus lead to a better behaved pet.
If you already have a dog at home, take your existing dog to meet the potential new one. While dogs are naturally social, some find it easier to get along with newcomers than others. If you manage to find two dogs who are instant best friends, it will make your job of training them to get along that much easier.
Always take your dog for his yearly check-up. Having the annual exam is the only way to diagnose problems that arise. An annual physical can save your dog’s life.
Take some precautions for your dog when it’s hot out. It’s easy for dogs to overheat. Find a shaded and cool area for them to hang out in during the summer. Be sure there is always cool and clean water within the dog’s reach. Consult with your vet about the necessity and advisability of sunscreen for your dog.
Put a lot of thought into the well-being of your dog. Owning a dog is almost like having a child in that you’re the one responsible for keeping your dog alive. It’s a hefty task, but you are more than qualified to do it. Use the tips from this article to take good care of your dog and get help from your veterinarian if you need to.
Your dog, like you, must be kept clean. While your dog will not need a bath every day, you do want to be sure to give it a good cleaning at least once a week. This can help temper any skin problems, and it’ll keep your house much cleaner too.
