Are you worried about properly taking care of your dog? The many responsibilities of dog ownership can be overwhelming to a lot of first-time owners. Others believe they are doomed to live with a dog that simply cannot behave. This article contains some of the most often recommended tips that can help your dog to live a happier life and behave in a more respectful way toward your family and friends.
Take some time to become familiar with your canine’s non-verbal language. If your pet hesitates when approaching a person or a pet, don’t push them to go near them. This could cause the dog to bite. Take heed of these non-verbal cues, and act accordingly.
Keep your medications out of paw’s reach. Taking just a few such pills can have devastating consequences for a dog. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Ask your vet about alternative treatments that are more family-friendly, and be sure to keep small children away during applications.
Purchase or construct a dog house if your dog must stay outside when the weather is cold. If your dog happens to get his feet wet for a long period of time in cold temperatures, it can cause health complications. Always protect him from wind, sun and rain by making sure he has a dry shelter to go to.
Brushing your dog daily will do more than keep them from shedding all over your home. Brushing every day will also help give them a gorgeous, glossy coat. Oil is distributed as you brush their hair, which keeps both fur and skin healthy.
When you’re choosing your dog’s food, don’t cut costs by going with the cheapest option. Overall, your dog will benefit form a lifetime of quality food. This may mean higher costs for a better brand, but your dog will get great nutrition from proper sources.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. The vet will check him over and prepare him for vaccinations. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Always make sure your dog understands how to walk correctly on a leash. He should stay by your side, not in front of or behind you, and respond to the command “heel”. Your dog will be safer in this position, and you’ll both enjoy your walks more this way. Even if you’re using a loose leash from time to time, you should still train your dog so that it understands when you issue that command.
If you’ve been considering adopting a dog but still aren’t sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. You can foster one to help out the cause and find out if you want to keep one!
Make sure the hair located on your dog’s paws is trimmed in order to prevent matting. Try to comb the hair to straighten it before trimming. Go to a professional groomer if you have a hard time doing this yourself.
Know any canine laws that might affect your ownership. Be on the lookout for any new laws that may be passed which could restrict your rights as a dog owner. This is often caused by a few bad dogs, or a particular breed. Get in touch with local officials to let them know about the good behavior of your dog.
Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly. You must keep up with vaccinations, heartworm testing and physical exams for your dog. Puppies must visit the vet more often. It is also important to visit a vet immediately after seeing signs of injury or illness.
If you have a snack, you might think that it’s okay for your dog to take a bite. This is fine with some foods, but other foods aren’t healthy for dogs. Never give foods like grapes, chocolate or caffeine to a dog. Such foods tend to harm the health of dogs.
You shouldn’t use a chilly, wet nose to gauge your pet’s health. It is certainly possible for your canine’s nose to feel cold or wet even if an illness is present. Pay attention to the amount of energy, type of appetite and the dog’s demeanor. These indicvators will tell you how your dog feels. If you need to take a temperature, you can do so rectally.
When you start to train your dog, try out various reward systems. Trying different techniques can help you find one that really clicks with your dog’s learning style. If you are giving treats, try crumbled egg or ground turkey which has been cooked. If your dog is toy driven, short games can be a great reward. Certain dogs just need love and affection whenever they behave.
It is often a difficult job to be a dog owner. Your pet’s care becomes a full-time position. Hopefully, the advice in this piece has helped you feel more prepared to raise a pet. Less stress is going to lead to a much happier you.
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