You may be looking for the perfect companion and a preconceived notion of what you expect from owning a dog. You may get something else entirely. No matter which dog you end up with, you can find some tips here to help.
Be sure your house is dog-proofed. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Place any meds or household cleaning supplies out of reach, and place any trash cans in a cabinet. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.
You need to take your older pet to the vet at least once a year. Since your dog can’t speak, he simply cannot tell you if his tooth aches or his arthritis is making it difficult for him to walk. Regular checkups will assure these issues prior to them becoming a serious problem.
If you are going to taking your dog on vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. This will be helpful should he gets lost.
Avoid pushing things that your dog dislikes onto him. If you got them a treat and they aren’t interested in it, don’t make them eat it. When you have a dog, get to know his likes and dislikes.
Speak to your vet about your dog’s eating each day. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, they are sometimes incorrect and may make your dog overweight. Speak with a vet about what makes sense for your dog according to its needs.
Don’t go for your dog that’s from a bargain store. Cheap brands usually contain preservatives and additives that can be dangerous for your dog’s health. Check with animal advocacy groups or consumer reviews to find the best dog foods you should be feeding your dog. Your dog will enjoy and benefit much healthier food.
There are more advantages to daily brushing of your dog than just keeping your home hair free. Your dog’s coat will be super shiny and beautiful if you brush them every day. The brushing motion will distribute the oil through the dog’s fur.
Some dogs are more prone to problems and you should know if your dog could have problems. Research the breed of your pup and learn how to prevent any common problems.
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want your dog to feel less lonely, leave music on while you are at work. The sound of music could help him feel more secure. It can help them conquer their anxiety issues.
If you’re considering becoming a dog owner, but are unsure if you’re ready to take the step, you can foster one. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. Fostering an animal will help animals and help you decide whether or not you would like to keep a dog of your own.
Make sure you show your dog affection on a regular basis. As is often the case, owners often pay more attention to the bad behavior than the good. This could lead to trouble in the future. Try to give your dog praise five times more than when you scold them. Your dog is going to behave much more likely to showcase the proper behavior if you do that.
Make sure that your dog with the opportunity for plenty of physical exercise as well as staying mentally active. Teach your dog to retrieve the home to help or perform chores in your home. This will make your dog to feel like a contributing member of the family and keep his mental functioning at a high level.
If you have a pure bred dog, make sure you educate yourself on what type of problems are “normal” for that breed. Research the kind of dog you have and see if there are any preventative measures you can take. Also, you can speak with the vet to see what can be done so that your pet will have a better chance at avoiding health problems.
If your female dog is in heat, you need to be careful if you’re not trying to get her pregnant. Males can smell her scent from miles away. This may cause a fight and it could also get her pregnant which will make her have puppies from an unknown source.
Everyone has their own methods, and too many commanders may confuse your dog.
It isn’t unusual for dogs to injure their paws by stepping on bits of glass or other debris. If your dog gets a small cut, wash it with an antiseptic and place a bandage around the area. If you think the cut is fairly deep you should see a vet.
When choosing to introduce a new pooch to a home that already has one, your current dog should meet the new one first. Dogs are very social by nature, but sometimes they just won’t get along. Finding dogs that like each other will save you anguish and heartache in the long run.
There’s an abundance of advice in this article, and you should take full advantage of it. Use it all, and soon you may see that your dog is responding in just the way you’ve always dreamed of. Happy dogs give unconditional love, and that is what you should strive to achieve.
You shouldn’t use a chilly, wet nose to gauge your pet’s health. There are a lot of reasons your dog might have a cold and wet nose. You can get a feeling about a dog’s overall health by watching its demeanor, appetite, and energy levels. These can be great ways to know how your dog’s health is. A rectal thermometer will come in handy to see if your dog is feverish.