Dogs are great companions since they’re good company and always loyal. But, it may take some work to get them to that point. You need to take the time to encourage good behavior and make sure your dog learns a few commands. This article is packed with tips about owning a dog, so read on.
Your dog can not tell you what is wrong, so just listen to his body language. If your dog is fearful or shy, do not insist that they interact. This could end up in negative biting or fighting behavior. Watch out for those non-verbal clues and let your dog guide any actions you perform.
Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. A lot of these medications have ingredients that can be harmful to children and can cause cancer. Talk to the vet to determine if there are other options for your dog.
Practice training your dog in your house or yard. Don’t train in a park. Being around others can cause distractions, meaning it is more difficult for your dog to master basic commands.
Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. You’re responsible for everything your dog does, and for his safety. as well.
Try hand signals in conjunction with verbal commands when training your dog. These types of signals are sometimes easier for a dog to learn. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
Talk to your vet about which foods you should be feeding your dog. Sometimes you’ll find that a puppy can’t eat certain brands of foods because it will make their stomach upset. Always be cautious about dog food.
If you aren’t sure of the amount of food your dog needs on a daily basis, talk to your vet. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, these guidelines can be incorrect and lead to an overweight dog. Check with you vet to find out about the feeding guidelines for your particular dog.
Try not to base your dog food choices on the price of the food. 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. You can get a list of veterinarian-recommended foods from your vet or from animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness groups. Your dog will be much better off.
Make sure your let your dog know you love him. As is the case with most things in life, owners often pay more attention to the bad behavior than the good. Your dog will develop more behavioral problems if you adopt this attitude. Instead, scold your dog less and praise him more. This will reinforce that positive behavior brings due rewards, and thus lead to a better behaved pet.
If you have just one dog and he seems pretty lonely when you are gone, think about finding him a friend. Dogs prefer living in groups with other animals. Matching a dog up with another of a similar disposition will make your dog very happy.
Be cautious with your female dog if she’s in heat. If you don’t, she may become pregnant. Male dogs from as far as 5 miles away may pick up the scent. There can be numerous problems, such as causing conflicts with neighbor’s dogs, and getting impregnated with puppies that you don’t know a lot about.
It is important that your dog is equipped with some kind of ID. Have your dog wear a type of breakaway collar with identification to make sure they’re returned to you. Your dog’s name and your contact info should appear on the tag. If a tag doesn’t feel like the right option for your dog, consider a microchip.
Conduct tick and flea inspection on your dog during the warm seasons of the year. Try to get rid of any fleas by using what is called a flea comb. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet concerning these products and other options.
After reading the above information you know that taking care of dog is not as hard as it may seem. It may seem slightly hard, but the tips and advice from above will help you move towards the proper way to care for your dog. Use what you learned today to help make it easier for you and your furry companion to adjust.
Get a dog walker to look after your animals. If you have a pet cat or puppy or other animals who requirea sitter, browse through our web site and locate the most suitable pet sitter for you.
