Dogs are really one of the very best pets you can own. They offer unconditional love while bringing joy to the lives of their owners. You both will be happier if you have a greater knowledge of their needs. This article has tips that will help you on the path to doggy wisdom.
Your home must be dog-proofed. Before you bring a new dog home, make sure the whole area is safe. Put cleaning supplies and medications away and keep indoor trash inside a cabinet. Some indoor plants are poisonous, so put them high up.
You need to take your older pet to the vet at lease once a day. It can be difficult to know what could be causing your dog pain since they cant talk to you. Check-ups can reveal that and more.
Just like humans benefit from an annual physical, your dog should see the vet at least once a year. Since your dog doesn’t talk, you may have difficulty figuring out if a tooth starts hurting or where arthritis is developing. An annual checkup can help catch such issues before they become a major problem.
If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Dogs can have very negative side effects from even small amounts of medications intended for humans. You should contact your vet right away if your dog swallows some medication.
Be sure your dog is neutered or spayed. Research has proven that this can help your dog live longer and also specifically help prevent 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.
Practice your training regimen for your puppy near your home. Avoid training your dog in heavily occupied areas. This will make it more difficult for your dog to pay attention.
When your dog is good, praise him immediately. Let a dog know that their behavior is what you wish to see. Your dog will quickly understand that the praise is connected to a certain action.
Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. You are solely responsible for the dog’s actions and for the dog’s safety as well.
Ask the vet about how much the dog should eat each day. Many people look at the guidelines on the dog food bag; the problem with this is that some of the recommendations may be inaccurate and could cause your dog to gain weight. Ask your vet what the right meal plan is for your dog.
Try using hand signals when training a dog instead of just using verbal commands. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
If your dog has to stay outside during cold weather, give him a dog house. Especially if your dog’s feet get wet, exposure to very cold temperatures for long time periods can cause stress and other health issues. Make sure that your dog has a spacious home that they can go into to get out of the weather.
Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.
When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. If you don’t address it head on, you will discover that it becomes more difficult to control in the future, possibly with disastrous consequences. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.
If your dog has separation anxiety or you wish to be really nice to them, keep music on while you are going to work. Your dog will appreciate the company of the sound, and he will feel more secure. It can help his anxiety as he waits for your return.
Keep the nails on your dog trimmed. If the dog’s nails curl under, your dog might be in pain. You can buy clippers in a pet store and do them yourself. If you do not want to take this matter into your own hands, hire a professional.
If you have a dog that doesn’t look like it’s very happy because it’s always alone, think about getting your dog a friend. Dogs naturally travel in packs and like to have fellow canines around. Make sure that you match the dogs up by their personality types.
When making a dog food selection, the cheap stuff is rarely the best choice. Over the course of the dogs life he will be much healthier if you stick to high quality food with plenty of nutritional value. You’ll have to pay more, but you can be certain your dog gets the right vitamins and minerals from good sources.
When the weather outdoors become hotter, you need to search for ticks and fleas on your dog each day. Use a type of flea comb to get rid of fleas you see. There are a lot of things on the market that will help you get your dog’s fleas and ticks under control. Try to get your vet’s opinion on these products or what you can do to help your dog.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. Make a vet appointment right after the dog comes home. The vet will give him a complete health check and set up a vaccination schedule. Unwanted puppies are a tragedy, so make sure your dog gets spayed or neutered.
Were you aware that vitamins are not good for your dog? If your dog’s already getting the nutrients that it needs, you won’t need to add vitamins to its diet. Excessive amounts of some vitamins can harm the bones, joints and blood vessels. Before giving your dog vitamins, get your vet’s OK.
Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. Research the kind of dog you have and see if there are any preventative measures you can take. Also, ask your vet what you can do to help your canine beat the odds for his breed.
Rely on positive reinforcement when you train your dog. Rewards and praise work better and faster than violence and dominance. Humane treatment during training is much more effective and much better for your dog over time. Treat your friend kindly when training to see better results.
If you are in the market for a pedigree pup, you just may find him at 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. Make a phone call to local pounds and shelters and see what kinds of dogs are there. You could save a dog’s life by doing so!
Just because your dog is contained outside does not mean that he does not need as much attention as an indoor dog. He is sure to acquire poor habits such as digging and chewing if without company for long periods. Your dog could also become nervous or fearful of people. Provide them lots of playtime and love to maintain their happiness.
If your dog seems unhappy and is alone a lot, consider getting a second dog. Dogs like to be around their own kind. Matching a dog up with another of a similar disposition will make your dog very happy.
If you do not have someone always watching your puppy, try crate training. If you do this, your house will not get messed up.
If your female dog is in heat be cautious – she could very easily become pregnant. A female’s scent can travel a very long distance. This may cause a fight or impregnation if a male dog spots her.
It is important to keep your dog clean. While a dog doesn’t need a daily bath, they at least need a bath once a week. Doing so will stop skin problems from occurring. It will also prevent your home from getting dirty.
Proper identification can help ensure that your pet is returned to you if he becomes lost. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. This tag needs to contain all of your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. Additionally, you can put a micro-chip on your dog.
If you decide to get a dog, think about a canine training course. You and your dog are going to be much happier if you train him properly according to commands. Start training your puppy at a young age and expect to spend more time on training if you are getting an older dog.
Stay involved politically 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. It is usually indicative of a particular breed or certain owner’s recent actions. You should speak out as a good dog owner, and talk with officials in your area.
In summary, dogs help their owners experience unconditional love. But, to really get the most of the relationship you have with your dog, you need to know as much as possible about them. The article you have just read has provided you with excellent advice on how to raise the best dog. Use them and any other tips you read to reap the benefits of being a dog owner.
Make sure you make and keep yearly vet appointments for your dog. Your vet can identify health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid abnormalities before the problem is apparent to you. Giving your dog an annual physical can prevent unnecessary suffering to the animal and unnecessary expenses later on.