Caring for a dog is a lot of work and you should not underestimate the responsibilities of being a dog owner. This, because of the patience needed, can be hard on just about anyone. The following article will help you to be the best dog owner possible.
Avoid kisses and stick with hugs. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. It simply is not true.
If you decide to take your dog with you on a trip, take a photo of him on your phone. This way, if you find out that your dog went missing along the way, you will have a recent picture that you can show to people when you go out to look for you pet.
Be sure to keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets. Swallowing a couple pills could can serious health issues, even heart attacks and seizures. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Table Scraps
You should never give table scraps to your dog. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Table scraps can be bad for his health as well, leading to obesity and digestive disorders. 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.
Try using hand signals when training a dog instead of just using verbal commands. Using hand gestures can help your dog to recognize commands quicker. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
Ask the vet about how much the dog should eat each day. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. Therefore, ask your vet the acceptable amount of dog food your dog needs to ensure its health and well-being.
Schedule a vet appointment for the new dog. As soon as you bring your new dog home, make an appointment with your vet. The veterinarian will make sure your pet is as healthy as you think he is and also talk to you about vaccinations. Consider having your pup spayed or neutered as there is already an overpopulation problem.
Proper leash walking is something that you should teach to your dog. Your dog should remain at your side and know the command “heel.” Walking this way will help to keep your pet safe, and it will make it easier for you to enjoy walks too. 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. There are many animals that need love and care. You can give one a home for a while to help the cause and you can also keep it if you like it!
Make sure that your dog is not left alone outdoors all day. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. Especially if it’s only one dog, it can get very lonely. In addition to the socializing need, you should not leave a dog to fend for himself in heavy rainstorms or very cold weather. Bring the dog indoors until the inclement weather passes.
If you do not want your female dog to become pregnant, be careful with her when she goes into heat. A female’s scent can travel a very long distance. As well as possibly causing a fight amongst male dogs in the area, she might actually get pregnant.
Be sure that your dog has some kind of identification in case it were to escape from your home. Consider purchasing a breakaway collar for your pet. Your dog’s name and your contact info should appear on the tag. If a tag doesn’t feel like the right option for your dog, consider a microchip.
Clean up after accidents immediately. Start with a professional quality cleaner, and follow that up with an odor remover you know will work. If your dog can still smell its waste, it may use the bathroom in that spot repeatedly.
It is very important for you to monitor all of the food your dog eats. A puppy is fine with eating calorie-laden food, as it helps him grow. Eating the same sorts of food once they’re fully grown can be bad for dogs, though, making them overweight and putting them at risk for all sorts of health problems.
With your new knowledge of dogs, you ought to be able to care for them with ease. You must be loving and patient to ensure they appreciate it. Continue to look up information and have fun with your canine.
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