Do you enjoy being a dog owner? There is a reason why they call dogs a man’s best friend, as they sure do make a great companion to just about anyone. They are loving, affectionate and always up for a good time. Dogs make for some great companions. But it works both ways – you also need to be a great companion to your dog, ensuring that he is well cared for. Read on to find out more.
Don’t give your dog leftovers from your own plate. This causes regular begging and will cause him to dislike his food. You might be wrecking your dog’s health by giving him table scraps. You need to make sure your dog is not near the dinner table. This will make it easier for your pet (and you!) to avoid temptation.
When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. On the other hand, if you are the type of person to sit at home, you need a smaller breed that will enjoy lounging around with you. You will be much happier when you make a choice that is complementary to your lifestyle.
Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health over time. Check out professional recommendations from groups online. Food that is healthy will benefit your dog.
Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual meat bones. Real bones chip apart and can become dangerously lodged in the oral cavity or digestive track. Also, rawhide is better for the health of your dog’s teeth.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. This is one of the first things you should do. 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.
Teach your dog the proper way to walk while on a leash. He should be on your side, not behind or ahead of you, and he should know how to respond when told to “heel.” Walking in this manner keeps your dog safe, and you are bound to enjoy walks more as well. 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.
Help your dog to stay active mentally and help him to exercise enough. Teaching your dog tricks, such as fetching your shoes or the paper, is a fun activity and it also will stimulate your dog’s mind, keeping him alert and attentive. 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.
Know that an animal doesn’t need too many people telling it what to do when it’s being trained. Everybody does things differently, and a dog can be confused by having several commanders. Be sure that one individual is in control of the training and keeps others working with the dog on the same page.
It is not uncommon for dogs to get cuts on their paws from stepping on pieces of glass and debris. If you notice a small cut on your dog, use antiseptic to wash it, and then put a bandage around it. Deep or serious wounds must be seen by a vet.
You may think it’s okay to share your own snacks with your dog. Some foods are okay, but many foods aren’t good for dogs. Always avoid giving your dog chocolate and grapes, for instance. These food can have harmful effects on your pup’s health.
Affection works both ways; love your dog as much as he loves you. You can be the best caregiver for your dog with these tips in hand. It is important to provide your dog with a good environment and take good care of it so it lives a long happy life.
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