A dog can make for a wonderful addition to any person’s life, just as long as the dog is properly cared for. Before you can keep a dog happy and healthy, you must learn how. Continue reading for great information on having a terrific relationship with a dog.
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. For example, if you live an active lifestyle it is probably best for you to find an active dog instead of a little dog. 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. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. You need your dog to realize that you’re proud of their behavior and want to see it more often. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
Rawhide treats are better for your dog than real meat bones. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. Rawhide is a great treat you can use in lieu of real bones.
Try not to force your dog to do new things. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. When you are a new dog owner, it may take a while to figure out what he does and doesn’t like.
If you’re adopting a dog through a local shelter, try scheduling a vet appointment right away. Dogs in shelters could be sick or may have already been exposed to some viruses. It’s smart to ensure your dog has all shots necessary before you take him home.
Follow instructions from the vet if the dog needs special attention or has medication. They might not be fond of having a cone attached to their head, but your vet recommended it. It is always best to follow the recommendations shared by your veterinarian.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. Do not focus on just the negatives with your dog. This causes problems with dog behavior. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. Your dog will do its best to please you.
Identification will be great in the event that your dog gets away from you. A common method to make sure your lost dog is returned is to have them wear a breakaway collar with an identification tag. Your dog’s name and your contact info should appear on the tag. It is also possible to get your dog micro-chipped.
When you are training your dog, don’t have too many people telling your dog what to do. Everyone will have a different way of trying to teach the dog something, and that can make things confusing for the animal. Pick a single person to be responsible for all training, and let others support the decisions made by demanding the same standards of behavior from the dog.
Never miss one of your pet’s annual check-ups. Vets can detect diabetes, kidney, and thyroid issues before you see signs. By having a physical each year, you can avoid unnecessary expenses later on and your dog will not suffer.
Choosing a dog food needs to be done with great consideration. There are many to choose from, so focus on those that are for your dog’s age and size. Ask your vet for advice.
You might be tempted to share your food with your dog. It might be alright to give your dog some foods, but not all foods are good for dogs. Grapes and chocolate should never be given to canines. They can make you dog seriously ill or even cause death if enough is ingested.
A dog can enrich your life. Although one must be knowledgeable and understand what it takes to sufficiently care for the pet so they are happy and healthy. This article should have provided you with great information on how to care for your pooch.
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