This Article Contains All The Dog-related Answers You Need

There are lots of pets out there that a person can pick from. A myriad of choices awaits, such as a cat, reptile, fish or even a small rodent. But, if you want a pet to be faithful and your best friend, the dog is the way to go. This article can show you just how to take care of one.

While it’s great to show your dog affection, you shouldn’t kiss them. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Dogs root around in garbage pails, drink enthusiastically from the toilet bowl and love to lick and smell certain body parts of other dogs. It’s an old wives’ tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. It certainly isn’t the truth.

Make your home suitable for dogs. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Hide medications and chemicals, cover your trash, and put food where he can’t get to it. Some indoor plants are poisonous, so put them high up.

Spay or neuter your dog. It is a known fact that doing this will lessen the probability of your dog getting cancer. Not only that, but neutered and spayed dogs feel less need to wander away from home, so they are not as likely to be hit by a vehicle or become lost.

Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. Your dog is not able to talk, so it is not easy to know when he’s got arthritis or an aching tooth. You need to go to the vet every year to get a check up.

Anti-flea products are dangerous. They contain carcinogens proven to cause cancer in kids. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.

Since dogs cannot talk, you need to learn your dog’s cues. If you notice your dog is hesitant to meet a particular person or dog, don’t force it. This may cause another dog or person to get bit. Look for your dog’s non verbal cues and react accordingly.

Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. As the owner, you will be held responsible for any damages your dog causes.

If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to keep it away from your dog. Your dog could be seriously injured or killed by ingesting a couple of small pills. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.

Hand signals are great when they are paired with verbal commands. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.

Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. Dogs are easily distracted by other animals, cars, and kids, so always make sure to keep your dog on a leash for his own safety. You are responsible if your dog does this.

Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Real bones can splinter and can get caught in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract. Rawhide is a healthy alternative and will help keep your dog’s teeth clean as he satisfies his need to chew.

Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. These signals will help you keep your dog under control in a noisy environment. Try both ways of giving commands to see what works best.

Buy or build a dog house if he is going to be outside for long periods in the winter. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Give your dog a shelter that is spacious and dry, and your dog will be protected from the hard winds and dampness.

Think about your life and then find a dog breed that will fit in well with your habits. 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. If you like to stay at home, perhaps you would like a small dog. You should find a dog that fits well with your personality.

Make sure your dog engages in sufficient amounts of exercise. Exercise keeps your dog healthy, both physically and mentally. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.

Be sure to praise your dog freely and consistently whenever he exhibits a desired behavior. After all, your goal is for your dog to know when it is doing something good. It also teaches your dog that when he does the things you want, he will get praised.

Always make sure your dog understands how to walk correctly on a leash. He ought to be next to you rather than ahead or behind. He should also respond to the “heel” command. This will keep him safe, and it’ll make walks more enjoyable. Even if you’re using a loose leash from time to time, you should still train your dog so that it understands when you issue that command.

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.

Even if you seek a pure bred animal, you should not overlook the pound. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Just give a quick call to your local humane society to see what breeds they may have available. You may save a poor dog’s life if you do this.

Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. Keep your dog at your side when you are taking a walk. If you walk in this way, you will be sure that your pet is safe so that your walks are more enjoyable. The heel command is crucial for your dog, even if a loose leash walk is being used.

Demonstrate plenty of affection to your dog. Like many things in life, many owners pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior. This can only lead to future difficulties. Instead, make sure you pet or praise your dog five times more often than you scold him. He’ll behave better more often this way.

Your dog should not be left outside all the time. Dogs need to interact with people or with other animals. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. In addition, if severe weather strikes, your dog needs to come inside in order to ensure its protection.

If your dog is lonely, consider a friend for him. Dogs are pack animals by their very nature and usually prefer the company of their own kind. Get dogs of similar energy levels and temperaments for the best results.

Stimulate your dog mentally by giving him exercise and physical activity. Teach your dog to get your newspaper as well as other things that are useful in your home. This will make your dog feel helpful and simultaneously keep your dog sharp physically and mentally.

Be politically active when it comes to your dog. Legislation aimed at dog owners is proposed every now and then, and you need to know if this affects you. Sometimes, a small number of bad dogs get more publicity than a large number of good dogs. Take action and speak up on behalf of your pet by calling or emailing local officials.

Get politically active for your dog! Watch for local laws that people are trying to pass to restrict how dog owners have to behave and what their rights are. Sometimes, a small number of bad dogs get more publicity than a large number of good dogs. Take action and speak up on behalf of your pet by calling or emailing local officials.

Always make sure to keep your dog’s annual vet visits. Vets can detect diabetes, kidney, and thyroid issues before you see signs. Regular check-ups will keep your dog healthy, and may save you a lot of cash in the long run.

You dog should go to the vet on a regular basis. An annual check-up should include blood tests and any needed booster shots. A puppy requires more constant vet visits. At the first sign of illness or if your dog is injured, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet.

If you have very high expectations of your dog, lower them slightly when you begin training. A dog’s attention span tends to go in and out, so you must be aware of that when training him. Train him a little at a time at first to avoid frustration.

Watch your dog’s diet carefully. A puppy is fine with eating calorie-laden food, as it helps him grow. When they reach adulthood, these same foods can lead to obesity and health problems.

If you do not have someone always watching your puppy, try crate training. You can prevent unwanted accidents and damage to your belongings by using an appropriate crate.

This article has primed you for bringing home a new dog. Keep learning about dogs and keep finding out as much as you can. You’ll discover a new pastime and take better care of your furry friend.

When you’ve gotten your new puppy, you should begin socializing it. A trip to your groomer’s, a dog park, or an excursion with other pets is a wonderful way for your dog used to being around dogs.