Dogs can make amazing pets. They’ve got an amazing ability for unconditional love which brings a ton of joy to a house. The more you know about caring for dogs, the better. Here are the basics in learning to understand and care for your dog.
Store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in a safe place where your dog cannot get them. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog’s health and even cause death. If your pet does manage to ingest some medicine, contact the vet right away.
Never allow your dog to leave your yard without a leash even if he seems very trustworthy and calm. You never know when something might spook him or distract him, leading to devastation. Your dog’s actions and safety is your responsibility.
Bad Behaviors
As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. You should never ignore bad behaviors when they are puppies because this will make it a lot harder to correct down the road. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.
Make sure your dog engages in sufficient amounts of exercise. Dogs need game time and regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically healthy and happy. No matter what, whether throwing their ball or taking a long walk, you’ll both benefit from it. Not only will your canine buddy get the stimulation required for staying healthy, the two of you will bond much more closely.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, but aren’t sure you want to make the commitment, try serving as a foster home. Shelters are full of abused and homeless dogs and they are hard pressed to give them all proper care. Fostering an animal will help animals and help you decide whether or not you would like to keep a dog of your own.
Trim hair around a dog’s paws so that hair mats don’t form. Before you trim, carefully run a comb through the hairs to separate them. A professional groomer may be a good solution if you are confident about trimming the hair yourself.
Dogs can often get cuts by stepping on glass and other debris. If your dog gets a cut, make sure that it is washed with antiseptic and then have a bandage wrapped around the wound. If the cut is relatively deep, bring your dog to the vet.
Conduct tick and flea inspection on your dog during the warm seasons of the year. Use a flea comb on your dog’s fur. If the infestation is bad, there are treatments available. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you on your best options.
Sometimes we think it’s okay to feed our pups some of what we are eating. This is true of some snacks, but not of others. Caffeine, grapes and chocolate should never be fed to dogs. These types of food are very detrimental to your dog’s health.
Did you know that vitamins could actually be harmful to your dog? As long as your dog has a good diet, he or she needs no extra vitamin supplements. Too much of some vitamins can cause injury to the bones, joints and blood vessels. Have a conversation with your veterinarian before adding any vitamins to your dog’s diet.
Do not believe that a wet, cold nose can judge the health of your dog. Sick dogs often have cold, wet noses. Judge your dog’s health by energy levels, appetite and demeanor. These are great indicators of how your pooch is really doing. A dog’s temperature can be taken rectally if need be.
You need to be cautious when caring for your dog during the summertime. It’s easy for a dog to get overheated. You should have a cool, shady place they for them to go in the summer. Keep clean, fresh water readily available at all times. Also, your dog might not like the sun’s rays, so ask the vet if you can get some sunscreen for your dog.
Avoid high expectations with your dog. Your dog will not be able to pay attention for very long when you are training him. Try to limit your training sessions to several minutes so your dog does not come to dislike the sessions and you can avoid a lot of frustration.
Finally, dogs unconditionally love their owners in a way that is not easily found elsewhere. But, to really get the most of the relationship you have with your dog, you need to know as much as possible about them. This article shows you exactly how to do this. Use what you have learned here and learn whatever else you can about owning a dog.
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