Are you a dog owner, or did you have a pet at another time in your life? If so, you are already aware of the many blessings that come from dog ownership. A solid base of knowledge will prepare you to be an even better dog owner, just as is the case with so many other life skills. You will find plenty of excellent advice about owning a dog in this article.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. However, this simply is not the case.
It is important to puppy-proof your home. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Do not have any pills out in the open and put all supplies in cabinets. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Obviously, dogs are unable to sleep. Therefore, you have to pay attention to your canine’s non-verbal cues. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. This could cause the dog to bite. By reading the body language of your dog, you can ensure that this does not happen.
Consider the situation before allowing a dog to kiss your face. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. It simply is not true.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
Have your dog spayed or neutered. Research shows that taking this simple action can help your pet live a longer life, as it can reduce the risk of cancer. Dogs who have been neutered or spayed are also less likely to run or wander away from home.
Think about your life and then find a dog breed that will fit in well with your habits. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. However, if you’re someone who stays mainly at home then seek out a small dog that loves to be adorned with lots of love while lounging around the house. Steer clear of a breed mismatch if you want to be a happy dog owner.
Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
Providing foster care for a homeless dog can be a great way to see if you are suited to care for a dog. There are many less than fortunate dogs in shelters that would love to find a forever home. Fostering an animal will help animals and help you decide whether or not you would like to keep a dog of your own.
Clip your dog’s nails. It can be quite painful for your dog if his nails start curling under. It is easy to purchase a pair of clippers and attend to these yourself. Can’t hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.
Give your dog a lot of love. Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. Your dog will develop more behavioral problems if you adopt this attitude. You should mostly focus on praising and petting your dog when you notice a good behavior. Your dog will be better behaved.
Do not try to save money by choosing the cheapest dog food. High quality foods are always your best bet. While this may mean paying higher prices for a premium brand, you can be assured your dog is getting the proper nutrients from wholesome sources.
Ensure your dog will return by placing some type of identification on them. 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. On the tag, make sure to include your pet’s name and your phone number. Micro-chipping is an even better method.
Always follow through with instructions from your vet if your dog has medication or needs special attention. While a cone around the head is not a pleasant experience for your pet, it may be a necessary requirement for a short time. If you fail to listen to your vet, your dog may end up sick or injured.
It is best to train your dog entirely by yourself. Everyone trains differently, and this can lead to confusion for your dog. Have a single person focus on training your dog, and have anyone else work to reinforce what the dog is learning. No matter what their opinions are, they should stick to the rules set by the trainer.
If you have to leave your dog alone for a whole day, leave a radio or a TV on. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. When it comes to treating your pet’s anxiety, a little music could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Bring your dogs to their scheduled appointments. Your vet can notice health ailments long before you can, and many of the tests he can perform will help to detect or prevent things like diabetes, kidney or thyroid problems. Regular check-ups will keep your dog healthy, and may save you a lot of cash in the long run.
Dogs sometimes get tiny cuts on their paws. Wash any small cut your dog has with some antiseptic and then put a bandage on it. If the cut seems deep, visit your vet.
Were you aware that vitamins can be harmful to dogs. If your dog’s already getting the nutrients that it needs, you won’t need to add vitamins to its diet. If you give your dog a large amount of vitamins, you could be damaging his joints, bones, and blood vessels. Before you begin giving your dog any vitamins or supplements, make sure that you check with your vet first.
Did you know that vitamins could actually be harmful to your dog? Don’t give a dog extra vitamins. Excessive amounts of some vitamins can harm the bones, joints and blood vessels. Before you begin giving your dog any vitamins or supplements, make sure that you check with your vet first.
Make sure you and your dog are prepared for hot summer weather. It does not take much for dogs to become overheated. You need to have a place for them to get out of the sun in the summer months. You should also ensure that your dog can get plenty of clean, cool water. Dogs can also be negatively affected from the sun, so speak with your vet regarding sunscreen for dogs.
The temperature of your dog’s nose is not a good indicator of its health. A cold and wet nose could be due to many reasons, and it does not preclude illness. Assess the health of your dog by observing its mood, energy level and appetite. These are all good ways to gauge how well your pet is doing. You can check the dog’s temperature rectally.
Do not have overly high expectations for your dog. When you train your dog, they will have a shorter attention span. Try to keep your training sessions fun, so that your dog stays interested.
You should take the time to reflect about your lifestyle before getting a dog. Wanting a dog is easy, but it is not always easy to deal with responsibilities of dog ownership.
If you can’t be with your puppy all day, crate training is probably ideal for you. Doing this can prevent your items from being damaged and keep the dog from using the bathroom inside the home.
Remember, your dog isn’t a human. Dogs have a much shorter attention span than humans do, so adjust your training time with your dog accordingly. Keep training sessions short and sweet (just a few minutes, if that’s all that works) so that your dog won’t get frustrated and form negative associations with the training process.
Your dog, like you, must be kept clean. Though dogs don’t need bathing every day, they ought to have one each week. This keeps skin issues at bay, and also keeps your home clean.
You have to keep your dog as clean as you are. Though dogs don’t need bathing every day, they ought to have one each week. This will allow you to keep your house cleaner, as well as help the dog to have less skin problems.
Take some time to consider where you want your new dog to sleep. Crate training means starting from the very first night. If, however, you want your dog to sleep with you, just make sure you are okay with this happening every night for the entire course of your pet’s life.
Walk your dog each day regardless of your other commitments. You need the exercise, so does he, and he will be having a good time while out. Walks are very important to your dog’s development and will keep it happy and in good shape.
Make sure your dog eats healthy foods. Contrary to popular opinion, the most expensive dog food is not always the best. Your vet can advise you about the right food for your dog, taking his age, breed, and health into consideration. This can help make your dog’s life longer.
Scheduling is important when you care for children, and this fact prepares parents well for handling a dog. Dogs are quite similar to children in this respect. Uncertainty about where the day is going will make your dog irritable and prone to disobedience. The behaviors they show will reflect their mood. That is why they need set times for training, meals, and play.
Scheduling is important when you care for children, and this fact prepares parents well for handling a dog. Dogs are also of a similar nature. If your dog does not know how its day is going to be, it can become hyperactive and cranky. Their mood is reflected in the behavior they display. This is why there should be times set aside for eating, training and playing.
If you find your dog chewing on inappropriate items, consider purchasing a few dog toys or chewable treats such as antlers and bully sticks. Those items are made for dogs and will help to keep your dog entertained. A lot of these toys can be gotten at pet stores and even online if you prefer.
Give your dog rules to follow, and stick to them. Maybe your spouse is out of town, and you’d like your dog to lay in bed with you one night. This confuses your pet as it will not know why it cannot do it all of the time. Do make exceptions to the rules you’ve made.
As you’ve read, you can get a lot out of dog ownership. It is best, however, when you are knowledgeable about dogs before you take one in. You will now know all about dogs after you have read this article. Take advantage of what you have learned and enjoy a healthy, happy relationship with your dog!
If your dog experiences diarrhea, and it lasts more than 48 hours, go to the vet. A dog might have diarrhea for a day due to eating something they weren’t supposed to. But when it lasts, there might be something serious happening, so take the animal to the vet.