Even if you don’t have a dog yet, you likely know what a big responsibility dog ownership is. This is not something you can just jump into with no information. The following article will help you to be the best dog owner possible.
If you have prescription or over-the-counter medication in the house, make sure that your dog does not have access to it. Even if the dog were to eat a couple of pills, it could have very life threatening effects. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
While it’s great to show your dog affection, you shouldn’t kiss them. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog’s mouth is extremely dirty. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. It’s just a myth that your dog’s mouth is just as, or cleaner, than yours. This is not in the least bit true.
Take some time to schedule dog training sessions in your own home and backyard. It’s a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
A physical is good for you, and a yearly vet trip is good for your dog. Your dog can’t speak to you, which means it isn’t easy to tell if they’re having a tooth ache or issues with arthritis. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
Talk to your vet about what foods are best for your dog. Sometimes, your puppy may not be developed enough to consume certain brands, as this can lead to an upset stomach or sicknesses. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
If you’re taking your dog on a trip, be sure that you have a recent picture of them on-hand. If they’re separated from you, then you’ll have a current photo that you can easily access and show others or to download for “lost” flyers.
Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. For instance, if you love to run, get a dog that loves to run too, and leave the miniature breed for someone who is less active. If you are more of a homebody, a smaller, less active dog who enjoying being pampered is the better choice. By selecting the right dog breed, both you and your dog will be more content.
Consult with your vet about the types of foods that are good for your dog. In some cases, your pet may not be able to consume certain food brands without becoming nauseous. Be safe when taking care of your dog.
Don’t buy cheap dog food. Cheap dog food contains lots of preservatives and additives that your dog doesn’t need. You can get a list of veterinarian-recommended foods from your vet or from animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness groups. Your dog is going to be healthier if he eats better.
Positive reinforcement is very important in training your dog. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. This shows your pup that when things are done right, he will be rewarded.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If your dog doesn’t like the treat you’ve bought, don’t make him eat it. The best judge of what your dog likes is the dog himself. Fancy name brands mean nothing.
Correct your dog’s bad behavior immediately. The longer you ignore it, the more difficult it will be to correct it later, and the consequences could be dire. It is possible that your dog could injure a person, and that person could be you! So correct unwanted behavior right away.
Trimming around the paws of your dog will ensure your dog’s fur doesn’t get matted. A comb is a good tool to straighten the dog’s fur before trimming. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, a professional can always step in to help.
Make sure your pet has time each day to stretch his legs and move around. Regular exercise is a necessity, as is playtime in order to keep him physically and mentally happy. Playing fetch or going for a nice walk will be good for both you and the dog. Every time you play with or exercise your dog, you will find that you are promoting a lasting bond.
If you have a dog with extreme separation anxiety, you can help reduce it by playing music or leaving the television on whenever you leave your home. This will help him feel more secure and provide him with a little company. It could be the right trick to help relieve your dog’s anxiety.
Do not allow your dog to remain outdoors all day long. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. Only having one dog can cause him to get lonely. In addition to the socializing need, you should not leave a dog to fend for himself in heavy rainstorms or very cold weather. Bring the dog indoors until the inclement weather passes.
Demonstrate plenty of affection to your dog. As with most things, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. This often results in problems later. Rather, stroke, praise and pet your dog at least three to four times more than you scold or speak sternly to him. Your dog will probably show proper behavior more if this is done.
If you have just one dog who spends lots of time alone, consider getting a buddy dog. Dogs naturally live in packs, and they are happiest when they are allowed to do so. Giving them some canine companionship can have a very positive effect on their mood and behavior. You need to match like-tempered dogs together.
If you’re the owner of a lone, lonely dog, you should consider getting a second pooch. Dogs are, after all, pack animals; they usually like company that is like them. Make sure that you match the dogs up by their personality types.
Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise- both physical and mental. You can have him fetch things like the paper, or perform other household tasks. Your dog is going to feel useful and also stay quite sharp.
Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. Teaching your dog tricks, such as fetching your shoes or the paper, is a fun activity and it also will stimulate your dog’s mind, keeping him alert and attentive. Your dog will feel useful and like a contributing piece of the family, during the process of sharpening his mental capacity.
Get into puppy politics. Make sure that you know all legislation that may be going through your local system. Some of it may be trying to regulate you as a dog owner. This typically occurs because of a certain kind of breed that has attacked other people, usually because of the negligence of the owner. Stand up for good dog owners and let local officials know your thoughts.
Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. Male dogs from as far as 5 miles away may pick up the scent. As well as possibly causing a fight amongst male dogs in the area, she might actually get pregnant.
Don’t be hasty when deciding if you will get a dog or not. It’s one thing to fall head over heels in love with a puppy. It’s another to provide a forever home for a dog. Consider everything beforehand so that you know whether or not you can confidently manage it all.
Too many trainers spoil the process. Many people do it differently than just having a few commands to give your dog. Have one person in charge of their training and let the others reinforce what they’ve learned by respecting their methods and using the same rules.
You should not always use the same rewards when training your dog. This will make things more fun and enjoyable for your dog. If food is what drives your dog, use small, hot dog pieces as reward. Tug of war is a great game that you can play with your dog as a reward. Some dogs will consider petting as a reward.
Make sure that you are keeping up with your dog’s vet 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. By having a physical each year, you can avoid unnecessary expenses later on and your dog will not suffer.
Keep your dog clean. You may not need to bathe your dog daily, but it should get a thorough cleaning once weekly. Not only will this help you to avert future skin problems – it’ll also help you to keep your house tidy.
Your dog’s nose is not a way to determine if your dog’s health is good. Even if your dog is sick, there are different reasons his nose may be wet and cold. Instead, pay attention to how well he is eating and whether or not he seems energetic. They give you a better indication as to the state of your dog’s health. Their temperature can be checked via their rectum.
When you bring home a new puppy, it is best to help it learn to get along with other dogs and puppies as early as possible. Your dog can get together with other dogs at the doggy park, at the groomer, or through play dates.
A clean dog is a great dog. While your dog will not need a bath every day, you do want to be sure to give it a good cleaning at least once a week. This can help to maintain a clean home and will help prevent your dog from having skin issues.
Now that you know more about your dog, your concerns about providing good care may have eased. Remember to love your pet and act calmly and patiently for a happy existence. Continue learning all that you can to ensure a great relationship with your pup.
Once you buy a puppy, make sure to get it socialized as quickly as you can. Your dog can be socialized in many ways, such as at the groomers, play dates, and the dog park.