Many people have had a dog in the house when they were young, or they have one now. If you’re in the market for a dog, you need to know some stuff. This article provides some great information about owning a dog so you will be prepared to properly care for one.
Get your dog neutered. Research shows that doing this can make your animal live longer and reduce their cancer risks. Also, dogs that get fixed won’t feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won’t get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
Keep your medications out of paw’s reach. Your dog could have a heart attack or a seizure if it swallows some pills. Make sure you have your veterinarian’s number handy in case your dog does accidentally swallow your medicine.
Don’t let a dog go off property without their leash, even if they’re well behaved. A wild animal may get his attention and cause him to run off, or he may have a bad situation with others and their dogs. Understand that any damage your dog causes to other people and their pets is your responsibility, so you need to always use caution when off your property.
Think about your life and then find a dog breed that will fit in well with your habits. If you like to go out running in the evenings, select a dog that also enjoys vigorous exercise. Likewise if you spend quite a lot of time at home you may want to get a dog that likes to be pampered a lot. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.
Reward your dog for doing right things, such as sitting while you place it’s food down, with lots of praise and attention. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. This shows your pup that when things are done right, he will be rewarded.
Your dog deserves to have quality dog food. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Looking at a pet advocacy group website can give you recommendations of the best food for your dog. Food that is healthy will benefit your dog.
Real Bones
Don’t give your dog real bones. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. Rawhide is very healthy and will help your dog develop some strong teeth. Never ever give him a real bone!
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Dogs need physical activity and play time; it’s good for their physical and mental health. Whether you take a dog on an extended walk or toss a ball around, your dog and you will both benefit. Besides just getting some exercise, you’ll be creating a bond between you and your dog.
If your dog has separation anxiety or you wish to be really nice to them, keep music on while you are going to work. That helps the dog feel like someone is around. It might help with any anxiety issues.
If you only have one dog and they aren’t happy or can’t handle being alone a lot, consider getting them a companion. Dogs naturally live in packs, and they are happiest when they are allowed to do so. Giving them some canine companionship can have a very positive effect on their mood and behavior. By choosing another dog that matches your pup’s energy level and temperament, you’ll ensure that your dogs will be great companions for each other.
Make sure you exercise both your dog’s mind and its body. For example, train your dog to retrieve the newspaper or other helpful chores. Your dog is always going to feel like it’s a part of your family while getting trained so that it’s mentally fit.
Carefully choose your dog’s food. You’ll find a wide variety of food to buy, but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Choose the food that fits both your dog’s age and size. Feeding your dog leftovers is a good way to save money but provide your dog with a healthy diet is not easy if you feed it leftovers.
When you’re snacking, you might be tempted to let your dog snack too. Certain foods are okay for this, but some foods are not good for dogs. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. Foods like these can cause huge medical problems.
Never judge a dog’s health simply by how cold or wet its nose is. Even a sick dog can have a cold, wet nose. Your dog’s health can be judged by his demeanor, appetite and energy level. These are more reliable signals of your dog’s health. You can also take his temperature with a rectal thermometer.
As a responsible dog owner, you’ll want to pay careful attention to your dog’s food and eating habits. Puppies can eat highly caloric foods, which facilitate proper growth. However, when these same foods are eaten during adulthood, they could cause extreme weight gain, which can cause damage to your dog’s health.
Make sure that you reserve a sleeping area for your dog. Putting the puppy in your bed if you intend to eventually crate him at night will lead to problems down the road. If you allow him into your bed, keep in mind that this may be where he ends up every night.
These tips will help you become a better owner for your dog. When you use these tips, you’ll have no problems in the future. If you’re still unsure of what to do next, just go over this article one more time.
Are you an A+ pet sitter? Do you have unblemished work values and love the pet sitting industry? Then why not promote your services with us. Unlike other pet sitting websites, our associates keep every penny you pay them. We make our money through advertising. Interested? Register HERE
