Humans domesticated dogs thousands of years ago. Obviously, humans and dogs were intended to be companions, and both parties are pleased with the arrangement. However, as the human, you have to make sure that your dog is well taken care of. You should keep reading to learn more about being a good dog owner.
You need to have a physical every year, and so does your dog. Your dog can’t speak to tell you he’s in pain. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
It is important to puppy-proof your home. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.
Always make sure to keep any prescription medications away from your dog. The same holds true for over-the-counter meds. Many medicines that benefit you can be harmful or fatal to your dog. If the dog does consume some medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Dogs don’t talk so you should learn his non-verbal language. You should never pressure your pet into interacting with strangers, be they human or canine. One of the animals could become aggressive. Keep eye on non-verbal clues and look toward your dog for your next move.
Talk to the vet about which foods you should avoid giving the dog. Different breeds and stages of development might mean that certain brands and types of food cause an upset stomach. Always be cautious when you’re thinking of feeding your dog.
Always make sure to keep any prescription medications away from your dog. The same holds true for over-the-counter meds. If your dog ingests your medications, it could be fatal. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Speak with your vet about the amount of food you should be feeding your dog each day. While some individuals give their dogs food by following the package, sometimes these guidelines are inappropriate for your dog. Speak to the vet about what makes sense for your dog.
Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. Quite a few of them use ingredients that are very unsafe for kids, including an ingredient that has been linked to cancer. Talk with your vet concerning alternative treatments, and do not let small children come near while treating your dog.
Rather than purchasing an actual meat bone for your dog, go with rawhide instead. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. It has been proven that rawhide is healthy for your dogs teeth, therefore avoid giving your dog natural meat bones.
Do not feed your dog from the table. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. A dog fed on table scraps will be prone to unhealthy weight gain, disruptive digestive problems, and other health issues. Keep your dog away from the family dinner table for training purposes and to avoid any temptation.
Avoid trying to force things into your dog. If you have food or treats your dog does not like, leave it alone. It’s important to take your pets likes and dislikes into consideration and to not push them into anything unnecessary.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. Don’t train them in any areas full of people. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
Grooming your dog every day will ensure it doesn’t shed all over the place. Daily brushing helps the coat to stay beautiful and shiny. Brushing helps to spread the oil on the skin which results in soft, shiny, and healthy skin.
When you are training your dog, it is always best to incorporate the use of hand signals in addition to using verbal commands. Dogs tend to read body language and signs very well. Try each way to see what works well with your dog.
If you get a dog that was in a pound or shelter, you must see a vet right away. They may be carrying some sort of illness that they picked up at the shelter. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
You should carefully trim the hair near the paws to avoid matted hair. Straighten the hair with a comb slightly before you do any trimming. If you’re too scared, take him to the groomer instead.
Avoid keeping your dog outdoors all day, every day. While this is what many people do, dogs require socialization with people and/or other animals. Especially if it’s only one dog, it can get very lonely. In addition, if severe weather strikes, your dog needs to come inside in order to ensure its protection.
Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. Research his heritage and take preventative steps for problems you know he is a candidate for. Speak with your vet to determine the correct course of action.
You may need to trim hair that grows near the dog’s paws to help keep it from matting. Use a comb first, then start cutting. If you’re uncomfortable doing this, you should get a professional groomer to do it.
Dog Gets
Leaving a radio playing while you are gone will help your dog stay calm and may alleviate separation anxiety. The noise can help him feel more secure. The sounds might help to emulate a normal home environment when people are around.
Identification will be great in the event that your dog gets away from you. One thing a lot of people do to be sure they get their dog back is they fit them with a collar that’s breakaway and has an ID tag. The tag should include your name and contact information as well as the name of your dog. Micro-chipping is another great option to help in the event that your dog gets lost.
Make sure that you can get your dog back by ensuring they carry some type of identification. Keep identification on your dog’s collar. Make sure that a current telephone number and the dog’s name are included on the tag. Have you considered micro-chipping your dog?
It often feels right and natural to offer your faithful canine buddy a morsel of whatever treat you’re enjoying. It might be alright to give your dog some foods, but not all foods are good for dogs. Caffeine, grapes and chocolate should never be fed to dogs. These types of food are very detrimental to your dog’s health.
You need to perform daily tick and flea inspections on your dog as spring and summer approaches. You can get a flea comb that will help with the removal of fleas on your dog. There are a lot of things on the market that will help you get your dog’s fleas and ticks under control. Speak with your vet about which choices are best.
During the summer, you need to be careful about leaving your dogs outside. Dogs tend to get overheated easily. Find a shaded and cool area for them to hang out in during the summer. Your dog should always have access to clean and cool water. Also, the sun’s rays can affect your dog, so ask his vet about sunscreens that are made for dogs.
Use a lot of positive reinforcements during dog training. Rewards and praise make your pet learn faster than threats and violence. Humane training is better for years to come and it’s more effective. Be kind to your dog and you’ll see some great results.
Remain firm. Some dog owners put up with destructive behavior and allow their dog to break the rules they have made. This is very common when dogs are cute little puppies. But, when you’re tough on your dog, less accidents will occur. For instance, you might not mind offering your dog your scraps when finished, but this can lead to your dog thinking it’s fine to jump and grab the whole steak from your plate!
You don’t need to have unrealistic expectations with your dog. Your dog will not be able to pay attention for very long when you are training him. Keep training sessions short, especially at first. This prevents both of you from getting frustrated and keeps the training fun.
When you have a dog, you are going to be responsible for it and will have to meet its needs. It is simple when you have the right knowledge, of course. Use what you learned here and you can have a healthy and happy dog.
When your family gets a brand new puppy, socialize him with different dogs immediately. Getting your pet groomed, taking it on play dates with other dogs, or going to the dog park can help your dog to socialize with other animals.