Excellent Tips On Training Your New Puppy

Dogs can be big or small. They can be furry or furless. They can be black, white, brown, red, or grey, or even a mixture thereof. They can be happy or sad, and which they are often falls upon your shoulders. If you want a happy, healthy dog, read on to find out how it is done.

Be careful with your dog around Christmas season, many dangers are lurking just under the festive ambiance. For instance, electrical chords are typically strewn about during the holidays, and dogs often chew them, creating an electrical hazard. Dogs may be tempted to eat the decorations on the tree. They may also be tempted by the tree water, which can be toxic.

Do not fall prey to the temptation to feed table scraps to your dog. Your dog will constantly beg for food when you are eating and will not be hungry when the time to feed it comes. Your dog may develop digestive problems and become fat if you feed it table scraps. Make your dog leave the room if he begins to beg, or train him to spend mealtimes in another room entirely.

Take your grown dog to the vet at least once a year. The vet will check to see if the dog’s vaccines up to date. In addition, the vet will check the dog’s teeth and vital signs. If any major health or behavioral issues come up between annual checkups, you should see the vet earlier.

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Always neuter or spay your pet. Studies have shown that this leads to the pet living a longer and much healthier life. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.

Instruct your dog clearly about how to walk with a leash. Your dog should walk beside you, not lag behind or run ahead, and should obey the command “heel.” That way, your dog is safe and the walks are better for you as well. Not having to hold the leash tightly will make going for walks easier.

Have a rotating schedule for dog-related responsibilities in your home. It’s not fair for one person to always be taking care of him, and he’ll feel more like a family pet if everyone pitches in. Kids often lose interest in a pet and leave the work to parents, but it’s important that you teach them to keep up the commitment!

When taking your senior dog to the vet for an annual visit, make sure to request senior blood work. A blood panel can help your vet to identify any kidney, heart or vascular concerns. If caught early, treatment is often minimally invasive and less costly. This is a great way to keep your pet healthy for years to come.

Whatever type of dog you have, and whether or not you are a novice owner or a pro, the advice you have read here should be able to help you out. When you take the time to learn, as you have today, you really are working hard to make your dog as happy as possible. Great job!