Dogs have special abilities that provide companionship and loyalty just as good as a human. That’s why you must learn all they are able to about keeping your canine friend happy and healthy. The following article is a great place to start.
Make your home dog-proof. Don’t take a dog into your home without being sure that it is safe from top to bottom. Put up all of your cleaning supplies and medications, and be sure you put away any trash cans. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.
You should take your older pet to the vet at least once a year. Your dog can’t speak to you, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. A yearly checkup every year can make sure that issues are caught before they become huge issues.
If you have prescription or over-the-counter medication in the house, make sure your dog cannot access it. Call your vet immediately if you suspect that the dog swallows any pills.
Dogs can’t talk, so you must learn their body language. If when meeting a new dog or person you find your dog is filled with dread, remove him from the situation. One of the animals could become aggressive. Take heed of these non-verbal cues, and act accordingly.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use for your dog. A lot of the ones on the market have chemicals that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Talk to the vet about safer alternatives.
Talk to your vet about what foods are best for dogs and which ought to be avoided. Be safe when taking care of what you feed your dog.
It doesn’t matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. Wild animals could grab their attention, causing them to run into dangerous territory, or they may have an unpleasant situation involving other dogs and people. You will be to blame if your dog gets hurt for being off his leash.
Take time to correct bad behavior when you first sign of it. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so keep him under control.
Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed nails. If they begin to curl under, your dog may experience a lot of pain. You can trim them yourself with clippers from the store. If you can’t do it by yourself, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
Build or buy a house for your dog if he has to stay outdoors for any length of time in cold weather. Especially if your dog’s feet get wet, exposure to very cold temperatures for long time periods can cause stress and other health issues. Make sure that your dog has a spacious home that they can go into to get out of the weather.
If you’re adopting your pet from a shelter, take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Shelter dogs have come into contact with viruses or may be ill already. You need to ensure your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
Do not allow your dog outdoors all day long. Dogs need interaction with others. Your dog will get very lonely if it is just him. In addition, in extreme weather, you need to bring your dog inside to avoid bad weather and extreme temperatures.
Certain dogs are prone to medical conditions and make yourself aware of this before selecting a dog. Research his background and prepare for problems he might have. Speak with your vet to determine the correct course of action.
Trim any hair around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. A comb should be used first to straighten it before trimming. If you’d prefer, it would be a good idea for you to go and get it done by a professional groomer.
Some dog breeds are more prone to problems than others and so you should know if your dog. Research the breed of your dog and figure out what problems he might have.
Demonstrate plenty of affection to your dog. Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. This may spell trouble in the future. Try keeping track of how often you praise and scold your pet in a day. For every one negative thing, make sure you say five positive things as well. This will make them very happy when around you.
Make sure you show your dog with affection at all times. As it usually happens, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. That could be real trouble later with your dog. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold him. Your dog will probably show proper behavior more likely to try to behave properly.
Stay involved politically for your friend. Be on the lookout for any new laws 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. Stand up for good dog owners and let local officials know your rights!
Always go to your dog’s yearly check-up. A good vet will be able to easily spot problems with your dog way before you actually see something. Giving your dog an annual physical can prevent unnecessary suffering to the animal and unnecessary expenses later on.
It is important that you think long and hard before you decide to make a dog a part of your dog’s life. There is a lot involved and it is simple to be in love with a puppy dog face. Consider everything beforehand so that you know whether or not you have taken care of everything.
There isn’t a doubht that there are benefits to owning a dog, and that can be the start of a great friendship. What any person that wants a dog should do is learn whatever they can about caring for one before they start caring for it. Even if you have a dog already, you need the knowledge you just read. This information will remain useful now and in the future.
When you’re snacking, you might be tempted to let your dog snack too. Some foods are okay to share, but there are foods that can be hazardous to a dog’s health. Grapes and chocolate should never be given to canines. These foods can hurt your dog’s health.