Having a dog is a great joy, but this isn’t so with every dog. In order to have a great dog who you truly love to be around, there are some important things you must consider. In this article, you’ll find suggestions that will help you become a better dog owner.
Make sure your home is dog-proof. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Do not have any pills out in the open and put all supplies in cabinets. 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.
Make your home dog-proof. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Hide medications and chemicals, cover your trash, and put food where he can’t get to it. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
When you take your dog on vacation with you, get a snapshot of them for your phone. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
Hugging is okay but kissing should be avoided. Dog kisses are cute, in theory, but understand a dog’s mouth is typically very dirty. Dogs poke around trash cans, love smelling and licking other dogs’ body parts and enthusiastically drink from toilet bowls. Some believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. However, this simply is not the case.
Avoid giving your dog scraps from your table. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Scraps from the table obesity, digestive problems, or other health issues in dogs. Put your dog in another room while the family eats, and do not allow him to reenter the dining space until dinner is done.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
Dog training should take place on your property. It is not good to teach them where there are distractions. They might feel distracted and not learn a thing.
Your daily lifestyle should help guide your choice of dog breed. For example, if you’re a jogger, get a type of dog that can run with you, not a toy-poodle. Likewise if you spend quite a lot of time at home you may want to get a dog that likes to be pampered a lot. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.
Never take your dog outside your yard without a leash. A wild animal may set your dog off and send it running into traffic, or someone could provoke your dog and get injured by accident. You will be responsible for your dog’s actions and safety.
If the dog is doing something right, like sitting before he is leashed, lavish him with praise and affection. You want to reinforce your dog’s good behaviors. It also reinforces the idea that they will receive attention if they behave as you want them to.
Don’t give your dog real bones. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. Rawhide bones are tested and veterinary approved, and they can benefit your dog’s teeth and gums too. Treat your dog to one regularly.
If you want to get a pet from a shelter, find a vet who can examine your new dog. Dogs are more likely to be sick or have exposure to viruses in the shelter. It’s smart to ensure your dog has all shots necessary before you take him home.
Pay attention to the nails of your canine. If they start to curl under then your dog may start to feel pain. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. If you can’t do it by yourself, you might want to try the groomers; it does not cost a lot.;
Get your new pet a veterinary exam. In fact, do it the same day as you bring the pet home so you don’t forget. The veterinarian will set the dog up with the proper vaccinations and give it a routine health checkup. You also want to check with the vet about fixing your dog if you will not be breeding him.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Dogs require metal and physical exercise to ensure a happy puppy. Playing fetch or going for a nice walk will be good for both you and the dog. It also grows your bond with the dog.
You need to make sure your dog can walk on a leash. Keep your dog at your side when you are taking a walk. Walking in this manner keeps your dog safe, and you are bound to enjoy walks more as well. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.
Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. Your dog should learn to walk by the side of you, teach them to ‘heel’. This will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you. Regardless of how you intend to take your walks, this is a good command for your dog to know.
Make sure that your dog is not kept outside your home all day long. Understand that dogs need to interact with other people and animals. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. Not only that, but during heavy rainstorms and snowstorms, it is imperative that you bring your dog indoors as well, to avoid the inclement weather and temperatures.
If you want to get yourself a new dog, but aren’t totally sold on the idea, you could try to get a foster pet. 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. Become a foster parent to test the waters.
If separation anxiety plagues your dog, or you want your dog to feel less lonely, play some music while you are at work. The noise can help him feel more secure. It could be just what he needs to get over his anxiety while he waits for you to come home.
Make sure you are providing your dog with the opportunity for plenty of physical exercise as well as staying mentally active. You can even teach your dog useful tricks such as fetching the newspaper for you. Your dog will feel useful and like a contributing piece of the family, during the process of sharpening his mental capacity.
There is a lot to being a good, responsible dog owner. Picking out a new puppy to be your companion is the easy part. A serious degree of responsibility is demanded. Use the tips you have learned in this article so you can enjoy your pet even more.
You should be an activist for your dog. Local legislation that could restrict or regulate the rights of dogs and their owners might be on the table. It often results from one bad breed or bad dog. You can be a great help by showing the local officials that responsible owners should have rights.