Owning a dog is definitely not a simple task. Issues like finding the best dog food, getting quality medical care, grooming and regular exercise have to be fully considered. Do you know everything there is to know about dog care? Continue reading and learn more about being a responsible pet owner.
It is fine to hug your dog, but avoid those wet kisses. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Dogs are always getting into garbage, drink from places like the toilet, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. Your dog’s mouth is not really any cleaner than a human’s mouth. Definitely do not believe that!
Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Research shows that doing this can make your animal live longer and reduce their cancer risks. Spayed and neutered dogs wander less often as well, so this reduces likelihood of your dog getting hit on the road or lost.
If you’re training your dog, don’t just use verbal commands. Try hand signals as well. When provided with signals of this type, dogs tend to pick things up faster. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
Talk to your vet about what foods are best for your dog. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. The brands that are cheaper have preservatives, additives, as well as other things that aren’t good for your dog. Professional associations and dog advocacy groups may offer lists of the highest quality foods available. Food that is healthy will benefit your dog.
Don’t ever give your dog bones. Pieces can break off of the real bone, which may cause your dog to choke. Also, rawhide is better for the health of your dog’s teeth.
When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. When you ignore this behavior, your dog thinks that it is okay. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.
Always teach your dog to walk properly on a leash. He should stay by your side, not in front of or behind you, and respond to the command “heel”. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. Even if you’re using loose leashes for walking here and there, make sure the dog understands this command.
You should carefully trim the hair near the paws to avoid matted hair. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If you’re uncomfortable doing this, you should get a professional groomer to do it.
Show the dog that he is loved. A lot of owners focus on correcting bad behaviors rather than displaying affection for their dog. This could lead to trouble down the line. 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. He’ll behave better more often this way.
Get your dog spayed, and if you have a female in heat, take extra care that she does not become pregnant. A male canine might sense her from a distance of five miles. In addition, a female dog in heat can cause fighting among dogs in the local area. If you don’t want a set of puppies, keep her away from male dogs.
Pet Owners
Get involved with politics and stick up for your dog! Keep your eye on potentially-restrictive legislation regarding dogs. Many times new, overly-restrictive ordinances have incredibly broad impacts when they’re only intended to affect a tiny minority of pet owners. Talk to responsible pet owners all around you by contacting your local officials.
Dogs can often get cuts by stepping on glass and other debris. If you find a small cut on your dog, wash it with antiseptic fluid and bandage that area. If you think the cut is fairly deep you should see a vet.
Get to your vet on a regular basis. At regular intervals your dog needs heartworm testing, vaccinations, and general check-ups. When your dog is still a puppy, it’ll need to go to the vet more often. If you see any signs of injury or illness, talk to your vet immediately.
Responsible Dog
This expert advice is something that you will remember so that you may use it with your dog every day. With the things you’ve learned, you’re prepared to make a fine start as a responsible dog owner. You’ll find the road to responsible dog ownership a little smoother and less challenging, and you and your canine companion will have a longer, better relationship.
Locate someone to take care of your animals. If you have a kitten or dog or other animals who needa sitter, go through our website and locate the most suitable dog walker for you.
