Dogs and people have been part of households for thousands of years. It is your responsibility to care of your dog. Here are a few ways you can make sure your dog is happy.
Make your home suitable for dogs. Create a safe area to bring a new puppy into the home. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Since some plants are very harmful because of their toxicity, it’s best to get rid of them or put them in an area that the dog cannot get to.
It takes a lot to take care of a dog. Emergency vet visits can cost a ton, so you may want to invest in health insurance for your dog.
Make sure your home safe for your dog.It is important that you bring a dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Make sure anything toxic is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your dog’s reach.
Don’t let a dog go off property without their leash, even if they’re well behaved. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. You are responsible if your dog does this.
Hugs are good, but steer clear of kisses. Dogs really get into everything, drink out of toilets and explore the hind quarters of other animals. It is an old wives’ tale that a dog has a cleaner months than humans. It simply is not necessarily true.
If you have medication for you or a family member, keep it in a place the dog can’t access it. Call the vet immediately if your dog swallows any pills.
Let your dog have rawhide rather than bones from the meat you eat. Real bones can splinter and can get caught in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract. Rawhide is healthy and good for their teeth, so don’t share that T-bone no matter what faces they make.
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use on your dog. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for kids! Talk to the vet about safer for use around small kids.
Talk to your vet about the foods are best for your dog. Always exercise caution when it comes to your dog.
When it is time to buy dog food, avoid buying the cheapest brand. After a while it’s good for the dog if it has been eating nutritious and high quality food. You’ll have to pay more, but you can be certain your dog gets the right vitamins and minerals from good sources.
This will show your dog that he is doing just exactly what you are looking for. It also reinforces the idea that he gets praised when he does what you’d like him to do.
Speak to your vet about your dog daily. While there are those that feed their dog whatever it says on the package, sometimes these guidelines are inappropriate for your dog. Your vet will give you know what your dog’s specific needs are.
If you think you want a dog, but are not sure if you are ready for the commitment involved, consider becoming a foster home. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. Fostering is a great way to help a dog and get a feel for what having a dog is like.
Your dog will need a dog house if he or she has to remain outside in cold weather. If his feet are wet, then the continued exposure can lead to stress and other health issues. Keep your dog safe by providing him shelter.
Make sure that your dog always has trimmed nails. If they begin to curl under, your dog will probably hurt a lot. You can purchase clippers from the pet store. If you can’t do it by yourself, you can take him to the groomers and have them done for very little money.
Stimulate your dog mentally by giving him exercise and physical activity. For example, train your dog to retrieve the newspaper or other helpful chores. Many dogs were originally bred to work, and will get frustrated if you do not give them a job to do.
There are many less than fortunate dogs in shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources.
Do not allow your dog outdoors all day long. Dogs need companionship and interaction with others. Your dog may be lonely if it is left outside by itself. In addition, during snowstorms and rainstorms, your dog needs to come inside in order to ensure its protection.
When choosing to introduce a new pooch to a home that already has one, it is best that you bring your current dog along to meet him. Some dogs get along better with one another than others. Finding a dog that gets along well with your current pet will be best for everyone in the long run.
Your responsibility is to care for your dog and meet its needs. This process isn’t too difficult if you’re aware of what goes into it, so use what you have read here to help. Just put the tips to work in your life, and you’ll see that your dog is even happier.