Dog care is a huge responsibility. This is not something you can just jump into with no information. You should keep reading to learn more being a good dog owner.
Make your home doggie-proof. This should be done before the dog shows up at your home. Hide cleaning supplies and medicines and hide trashcans in a cabinet. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. 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. Watch for any of these non-verbal cues and let these guide your actions.
When you take your dog on vacation with you, get a snapshot of them for your phone. By doing this, in case your dog gets lost, you can provide others with a picture and easily put up flyers, which will assist in finding your dog.
Keep table scraps to a minimum. This will make your dog beg all of the time and also will make it not want to eat its regular food as much. “People food” can also make dogs sick and contribute to obesity. If you spend the time to train your dog to spend mealtimes well removed from the table, there won’t be any scrap-feeding temptations to worry about.
When you begin training your pup, start in your yard or home. It is unwise to do it where there are many strangers around. They might feel distracted and not learn a thing.
You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.
Set up a vet check for a new dog. Once the dog arrive home, place a call to the vet and schedule that appointment. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. Also discuss with your vet about spaying or neutering your dog because there is a problem of over-population of dogs in shelters.
Put a leash on your dog at all times when walking him. Make him walk at your side, and do not let him pull far in front of you or stay far behind. Use the command “heel” to prompt him. This will not only make your walks more enjoyable, but it will also help keep your dog safe. Regardless of how you intend to take your walks, this is a good command for your dog to know.
Becoming a foster for a dog will help you decide if dog ownership is right for you. A lot of shelters that take in homeless or abused animals have a way to let you adopt them for a while. Fostering is a good way to do a good deed and determine if you want a dog of your own.
Do not keep your dog outdoors all day. Many people do this, but dogs need interactions with others. When your dog is the only one you have, leaving him alone will make him sad. Plan on bringing your dog inside when the weather is rainy, snowy, very hot, or very cold.
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. The noise make them feel more secure and keeps them company. It may just be the fix needed for the dog’s anxiety problems until you get back to the house.
Make sure you provide your dog with affection on a regular basis. Make sure you don’t only focus on the negative things that your dog does. You might have a hard time later on. On a ratio of five:one, seek out the positive things your dog does and reward him accordingly. When you do this, you’ll see much better behavior from your dog.
Keep dogs mentally active by giving them many opportunities for physical exercise. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. This kind of play will make your dog feel like a contributing member of the family and keep his mental functioning at a high level.
Be cautious with female dogs in the heat. If you aren’t, you may have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. Males can smell her scent for miles. Your dog could cause some fights and you will be responsible for finding new homes for the puppies if your dog gets pregnant.
You need to think carefully about getting a dog before you adopt one. Falling in love with a puppy is easy, but there is more to taking care of a dog than that. Think about finances, time commitment and your current household situation before making a decision.
Were you aware of how harmful vitamins can be to your pet? If your dog is eating a balanced diet,do not give him additional vitamins. Giving your dog too many vitamins can end up resulting in problems. Talk with your veterinarian prior to starting a vitamin regimen with your dog.
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about dogs, it shouldn’t be hard to care for them. All you must do is practice patience so your dog is aware you love him. Research some more to make sure you will enjoy the company of your furry companion.
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