Would you like to save one of the pound? Or do you prefer to get a dog from a professional breeder? Whether he is a pure bred or a mutt from the shelter, you’ll have lots of love in your life by getting a pup. That said, there’s plenty of responsibility that comes with dog ownership, so read this article in full to learn what lies ahead.
A physical is good for you, and a yearly vet trip is good for your dog. Your dog can’t speak to you, which means it isn’t easy to tell if they’re having a tooth ache or issues with arthritis. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.
Hugs are good, but avoid kisses. Dogs rummage through trash, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. It saying that the dog’s mouth is much cleaner months than a person. It simply is not necessarily true.
If you have medication for you or a family member, make sure your dog cannot access it. Call the vet immediately if you suspect that the dog swallows any pills.
It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print “lost” flyers.
It is not a good idea to train them in areas where there are many strangers around. They might feel distracted and it will be more difficult to teach them even the most basic commands.
Talk to your vet about which foods are good for dogs and which ought to be avoided. Be safe when it comes to what you feed your dog.
Always make sure to keep any prescription medications away from your dog. The same holds true for over-the-counter meds. If your dog ingests your medications, it could be fatal. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Let your dog have rawhide rather than meat bones. Real bones can chip or break and become lodged in harmful place such as the dog.
Avoid pushing things into your dog. If your dog doesn’t like the treat you’ve bought, set them aside. Learn about your dog’s various likes and what he doesn’t.
Try not to feed your dog any table scraps. This will only teach him to beg constantly and also inhibit his appetite toward his regular food. In addition, table scraps are simply not good for your dog’s health. They can cause obesity and other problems. Resist the temptation and only give dog food to your pup.
Brushing your dog daily will do much more than keep them from shedding all over your home. Brushing every day can also help your dog’s coat is shiny and beautiful coat. The brushing motion will distribute the oil through the dog’s oils from its skin so it looks soft and shiny.
Make sure that your dog always has trimmed weekly. If they get too long and start to curl, they will be in discomfort. You can always do your own trimming with clippers and do this at home. If you aren’t confident enough to do it yourself, hire a professional.
Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.
Schedule a vet appointment for the new dog with your local veterinarian. The vet will provide a full health check and also talk to you about vaccinations. You also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Follow instructions from the vet if the dog needs special attention or has medicine. He may want out of that cone immediately, but it’s prescribed for a reason!
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Be safe when taking care of your dog.
If your female dog is in heat, be careful if you want her to not end up pregnant. A male dog is able to smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. This may cause a fight and it could also get her pregnant which will make her have puppies from an unknown source.
Use a cleaner that works. If your dog can still smell its waste, your dog may be inclined to soil in the same area again and again.
Rawhide treats are better for your dog than real meat bones. Real bones can chip or break and are dangerous for the dog. Rawhide is a great treat you can use in lieu of real bones.
Be careful when you select food your dog is eating. You may be tempted to give your pet leftovers, but this is very unhealthy.
Now that you understand the responsibilities of good dog care, you can be confident in bringing your new pet home. Keep learning as much as possible, and find answers online when you come up with questions about your new dog. You may want to look for a forum of other dog owners to share and learn information. There’s always more to learn about caring for dogs, so get in the habit of educating yourself!
Pay attention to the nails of your canine. The nails can cause the dog discomfort if they start to curl under. You can trim them yourself with a pair of store bought clippers. Can’t hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.