There are plenty to choose from when deciding on a dog, and the type of family situation you have should determine how you pick one. Knowing the type of dog that will fit your family, along with how to care for your breed of choice, is a huge decision. Read on to get some tips to help you understand whether dog owning is for you.
Make sure your home is dog-proof. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Store things like meds and cleaning products in a safe location, and be sure to keep any indoor trash cans behind a cabinet. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.
Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Your dog can’t speak to you, which means it isn’t easy to tell if they’re having a tooth ache or issues with arthritis. A checkup every year can make sure that issues are caught before he is suffering too much.
When bringing dogs on vacation, it pays to take a photo of them to keep on your phone. If the worst happens and your pet gets lost, you have a current picture that you can show others or use to make “lost” posters.
Table Scraps
Fight the urge to feed table scraps to your dog. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Giving your dog table scraps isn’t good for his health as it could result in weight gain and digestive problems. Keep the dog away from your table when you eat to avoid any temptation on both parts.
Try not to base your dog food choices on the price of the food. Cheap brands are full of fillers, preservative and even chemicals. Professional associations and dog advocacy groups may offer lists of the highest quality foods available. Your dog is going to be healthier if he eats better.
Do not force your dog to do anything. If you got them a treat and they aren’t interested in it, don’t make them eat it. You need to find out what your dog does and does not like.
When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. Turning a blind eye to it just makes it harder to fix down the road. This could lead to huge problems down the road.
If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. Illness is common in shelters, and your new pet could be at risk or already nursing an ailment. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
Don’t buy cheap dog food. In the long term, it’s crucial to feed healthy, high-quality food to your dog. While this could mean that you’re going to have to pay more money, you can know that you’re doing the best for your dog to keep it healthy.
Train your dog how to properly walk when on a leash. Your pet shouldn’t be ahead of you, behind you, or anywhere that isn’t by your side. They should also answer correctly when you say “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.
ID your pet. A popular way to ensure your dog gets back home safely is to make them use a breakaway collar that has an identification tag. The tag should include your name and contact information as well as the name of your dog. Additionally, you can put a micro-chip on your dog.
Keep vet appointments for your dog. The vet can detect things like diabetes, thyroid problems and kidney issues long before you see the signs of them. This means reduced medical expenses for you in the long run, and it can also save your dog from a lot of pain and suffering.
You should check your dog for ticks and fleas every day during the summer months. If you do find fleas, you can use a flea comb. To rid your dog of fleas and ticks, look for products that get rid of them. Try to get your vet’s opinion on these products or what you can do to help your dog.
You can tell about your dog’s health by feeling is nose, but there are other factors, too. A cold and wet nose could be due to many reasons, and it does not preclude illness. Instead, pay attention to how well he is eating and whether or not he seems energetic. Evaluating them will give you a better picture of your dog’s health. Their temperature can be checked via their rectum.
Consider your daily routines, and decide whether a dog would fit into that scenario well. No matter how much you may want a furry friend, you may realize that you aren’t ready for that kind of responsibility.
When you first start to train your dog, you should give a number of reward systems a shot. You should try to find out what drives your dog to do well. If they are food-driven, reward them with items like little hot dogs. Tug of war is a great game that you can play with your dog as a reward. A lot of dogs love to be petted and loved on.
Do you think you’re better equipped to be a responsible dog owner with these tips under your belt? This advice will get rid of any worried you had about your dog. Use the information that you read here to ensure that you have a happy, healthy family dog.
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