Want A Dog? Read This First!

You may be looking for the perfect companion and a well-behaved dog when you expect from owning a pet store or pound. What could happen may differ completely different from this. No matter what the situation, you have the job of taking care of your dog, and the piece below shows you how.

Make your home is dog-proof.It should be perfectly safe before you try to foresee any problems your dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Make sure anything toxic is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe.Some common house plants that are toxic and need to be kept out of your home.

Neuter or spay the dog. Research shows that doing this can make your animal live longer and reduce their cancer risks. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.

If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. Call your vet as soon as possible if you suspect that the dog swallows any pills.

Be wary of the flea treatments to use for your dog. A lot of these medications have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Talk to the vet to determine if there are other options for use around small kids.

Take some time to become familiar with your canine’s non-verbal language. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. This could cause your dog to get scared and to bite. Look for your dog’s non verbal cues and react accordingly.

Rawhide bones are better for your dog than real meat bones. Real bones can chip or break and become lodged in harmful place such as the dog.

Take the time to correct bad behavior in your dog at the first see it. Your dog might hurt someone else, including you, so take steps to control him early on.

If you are not sure of how much to feed your dog each day, talk to your vet about it. Although some dog owners stick to the recommended guidelines on the dog food, these guidelines can often be too much for your dog, which can lead to obesity. Speak with a vet about your dog’s needs and what they should have.

If you get a dog that was in a pound or shelter, you need to get a vet appointment scheduled as soon as possible. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to more illnesses than others. You need to be sure that you get your dog gets their shots.

Trim the hair that’s around your dog’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. A comb is a good tool to straighten it before you do any cutting. If you’d prefer, take your dog to a groomer.

Don’t force anything into a dog. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. Find out your dog’s likes and dislikes and feed him accordingly.

Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop certain health problems and so you should know what to look out for in your dog. Research his heritage of your pup and take preventative steps for problems you know he is a candidate for.

Be sure that your dog has some identification. A common method to make sure your lost dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. This tag needs to have the dog’s name and your own contact information. You can also want to install a micro-chip inserted into your dog.

As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. When you ignore this behavior, your dog thinks that it is okay. If your dog is not under control, he could end up hurting you or someone else.

Stay involved politically for the sake of your dog. Be on the lookout for changes in local laws and ordinances that may restrict and regulate a dog owner. It often results from one bad breed or certain owner’s recent actions. Stand up for good dog owners and let local officials know your rights!

Take your dog to the veterinarian regularly. Puppies tend to need the vet more often than adults. You need to see a vet as soon as your dog starts showing signs of illness or hurt.

Daily brushing for your dog does more than simply prevent shedding. Brushing every day will also help give them a gorgeous, glossy coat. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.

Be very careful when you select food for your dog’s food. You may be tempted to give your pet leftovers, but it is difficult to achieve a balanced diet and include all of the right nutrients.

When you start training your dog, experiment with various reward systems. You should try to find out what motivates your dog to do well. If your dog enjoys food, reward them with items like little hot dogs. If your dog prefers toys, engage him in a game when he successfully performs the action you are looking for. Certain dogs respond well to petting and affection whenever they behave.

Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. In order to stay fit and sharp-minded, a dog needs to spend plenty of time being physically active and playing constructive games. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. Not only will you both get adequate exercise, these activities help you develop a long lasting bond with your dog.

Walks are very important to your dog’s life.

It may look cute when your puppy chews on your slipper, but you won’t appreciate it if he chews them up. You cannot let behavior like this as soon as they start. If your pup is doing something bad, don’t ignore it. This can save you the future.

If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. It can help his anxiety as he waits for your return.

If you find your dog chewing on inappropriate items, buy him a toy or some raw hide bones. These dog toys will help satisfy him so that he doesn’t feel the need to destroy your dogs urge to chew on items. You can find them at most big box and pet store or discount stores.

Do not let your dog stay home by himself for long stretches of time. A dog might not be cool with being alone all day long. Your dog may feel less lonely if there is a tv or radio on. You can also think about getting a petsitter as well so your dog doesn’t feel lonely.

Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. Males can pick up the scent of a female dog in heat, and this can even happen from several miles away. She could also cause fighting among other dogs, along with becoming pregnant with an unwanted litter of unknown origin.

Keep up with the news regarding pet food recalls.There are recorded cases of lethal pet products being sold in stores.An excellent way to stay informed on recalled products is visiting online message boards. These blogs and forums typically pass information in a much quicker than traditional news outlets.

You should not comfort your dog when it whines. It may be tempting to reassure them, but doing so may cause your dog to feel as it has a reason to worry. Play a fun game with a dog so that they can forget about their anxiety.

Schedule appointments with the vet regularly. Your dog requires an annual checkup and testing for heartworm, and the vet can ensure that your dog has had all the necessary vaccinations. With a puppy, you will need to visit your vet a little more often. If your dog shows signs or injury or illness, you must see a vet immediately.

With all of this great advice available to you, you would be a fool to ignore it. Use it all, and soon you may see that your dog is responding in just the way you’ve always dreamed of. A happy dog is one who loves you unconditionally, so make it so.

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