Dogs have lived together for many millennia. It is your responsibility to care of your dog. Here are several tips that you keep your dog is happy.
Make your home safe for your dog. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Medicine and cleaners should be stored, and indoor trash should be placed in a cabinet. Some plants that are usually kept in the home are poisonous to pets, so move them where your dog cannot get to them, or put them out of your home completely.
It takes a lot to take care of a dog. Emergency vet visits can cost a ton, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
If you keep some medication in your home, be certain your dog cannot reach it. Call your vet immediately if your dog has swallowed the medication.
When you begin training your pup, start in your yard or home. It’s never good to try and train your pet when there are quite a few people around. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use for your dog. A lot of them 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 different forms of treatment that are safer alternatives.
It is not good to teach them in areas where there are distractions. They might feel distracted and it will be more difficult to teach them even the most basic commands.
Try not to buy low quality food for your dog. Generally, food that is less expensive is not as healthy for your pet due to preservatives and additives put into the food. Find a trusted group that offers a list of healthy dog food. Your dog will be much healthier if you feed it some healthy food.
Your dog can figure out things easier when they are given these signals. Try both ways with your dog to see what works best.
Talk to your vet about what you feed your particular dog. Be cautious about what you feed your pet.
Nip bad behavior in the bud. Ignoring it for a while can make it harder to correct later and you don’t know what may happen if you don’t. This could lead to huge problems down the road.
Don’t go for the cheap stuff when you buy dog that’s from a bargain store. Cheap brands usually are loaded with additives that can be bad for your dog’s health. Check with an animal advocacy groups or consumer reviews to find the best dog foods you should be feeding your dog. Your dog will thank you feed it some healthy food.
Take time to teach your dog what kind of behavior when you first see it. Your dog might hurt someone else, including you, so take steps to control him early on.
Train your pet on how to behave correctly when leashed. The dog needs to stay beside you, not behind or in front of you. It also needs to know the command “heel”. This will not only make your walks more enjoyable, but it will also help keep your dog safe. If you are using a loose leash, you help your dog to realize this is the best way to go about it.
If you are going to get a dog from the shelter, find a vet who can examine your new dog. Dogs are more illnesses than others. You need to be sure that you get your dog gets their shots.
Make sure that your dog engages in sufficient amounts of exercise. Dogs need physical activity and play in order to stay happy and healthy. No matter what, whether it’s going for a long walk or simply throwing a ball or stick, both you and your dog will benefit.
Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop certain health issues. Research his ancestry and take steps to prevent problems he might be prone to. Talk to your vet about prevention, too.
Schedule a visit for the new dog with your local veterinarian. The vet will provide a full checkup and create a schedule for his vaccinations. You should also want to check with the vet about fixing your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Trim any hair surrounding the dog’s paws so that it does not become matted. A comb is a good tool to straighten it before trimming.If you have a hard time with this, have a professional groomer do the job.
It is not uncommon for dogs to get cuts on their paws from stepping on pieces of glass and debris. If your dog experiences a cut, wash the area with antiseptic and put a bandage on it. If you think the cut is fairly deep you should see a vet.
If your pup seems lonely by itself, think about finding him a friend. Dogs naturally travel in packs by nature and like to have fellow canines around. Match them on energy levels and temperament so that they can enjoy themselves.
Be proactive politically active on behalf of your pooch! Be on the lookout for any new laws and ordinances that may be passed which could restrict your rights as a dog owner’s rights. It is usually indicative of a particular breed or bad dog. You can be a great help by showing the local officials and stick up for rights of dog owners.
Sometimes we think it’s okay to feed our pups some of what we are eating. Some foods are okay, but many foods aren’t good for dogs. Your should not give your dog grapes, caffeine, or chocolate, for instance. These foods can cause health problems in your dog.
Everyone will have a different way of trying to teach the dog something, and too many commanders may confuse your dog.
You have a duty to your dog, to make sure his needs are met and he is well taken care of. Now that you know what to do, you should be prepared to do it. Use the suggested tips and put them into practice with your new dog.
If your dog is kept outside, he still needs your attention as much as a dog that is kept inside. If you leave your dog alone for extended periods, he may chew, dig and/or bark out of sheer boredom. Your dog could also become nervous or fearful of people. You should play with your dog a lot to ensure it’s happy.