Every family and dog is different. Knowing what do you want to get as well as how to take care of that dog is a big decision. If you want to discover some handy advice for giving your beloved dog the outstanding care it deserves, check out the tips presented here.
Make your home dog-proof. Before you bring a new dog home, make sure the whole area is safe. Secure the trash can, stow way all medications and put away your regular cleaning supplies. Many common household plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog or get rid of them.
Dogs can’t talk, so you must learn their body language. If your dog seems hesitant when meeting another person or dog, do not force them to interact. If you do, someone may get hurt. Keep eye on non-verbal clues and look toward your dog for your next move.
If you take your dog with you on vacation, keep a photo of him on your phone. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
Use flea treatments with caution. A large number of them contain high doses of carcinogens and other hazardous ingredients. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.
Talk to your vet about what foods are best for your dog. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Be safe when taking care of your dog.
If your dog must be outside, build him a house. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Keep your dog safe by giving him shelter.
Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. The nails can cause the dog discomfort if they start to curl under. These can be trimmed at home if you use nail clippers from the store. If you lack the confidence to do this job on your own, a pet groomer will usually do it at a low cost.
Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. Keep your dog at your side when you are taking a walk. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. Your dog needs to get used to this.
Love your dog! Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. This can only lead to future difficulties. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. This increases the chance that your dog will repeat the good behavior rather than the bad.
To prevent your female dog from getting pregnant, be on the lookout for the times she becomes in heat. Male dogs from as far as 5 miles away may pick up the scent. The dog might also want to fight other dogs, and become pregnant.
Get involved with politics and stick up for your dog! Look for changes in the local laws that govern pet ownership in your area. It’s often only motivated by the actions of a specific breed or a few bad apples. You should always call the authorities.
Adding a dog to your life is not a decision that should be taken lightly. There are a lot of things you have to think about instead of just falling in love with the first dog you see. Make sure that you understand all of the care dogs need so that you will know if you’ll be able to do it all.
Were you aware that some vitamins could hurt your dog? If your dog eats commercial foods, he doesn’t need vitamin supplements unless your vet advises you to give them to him. Too much of certain vitamins could cause damage to the blood vessels, bones and joints. Speak to a vet before beginning any dog vitamin regimen.
Train your dog using positive reinforcement. Rewards and praise helps dogs learn faster than violence and dominance. Treating your dog humanely provides better results and is better for your dog long term. So be kind to your dog when you are training him; you will be rewarded with positive results.
During the summer, you need to be careful about leaving your dogs outside. Dogs have great difficulty dealing with extremely high temperatures. Make sure your dog has a cool and shaded area during the summer. Be certain that your dog always has clean, cool water. Use some doggie sunscreen, too, since sun rays affect dogs.
Socialize a new puppy as soon as you can. A trip to your groomer’s, a dog park, or an excursion with other pets is a wonderful way for your dog used to being around dogs.
If you have dog that loves to chew, buy him a toy or some raw hide bones. These items are made just for dogs and will prevent them from chewing on things they shouldn’t be. There are many places you can buy these things, including your local supermarket.
Do not leave your dog by himself for long stretches of time. A lot of people have day jobs, which a dog can get used to, but other than that be aware of how much time he spends alone. Try leaving the television or radio on for your pup. A pet sitter can also be great for the dogs that are going to be home alone for a while.
Do you feel relieved about caring for your dog right now? You now have the facts you need in order to feel good about caring for a dog. Apply the tips from this article, and do your best to keep your dog happy.