Dogs are extremely popular pets. If you are thinking about adopting a puppy, there are a few things you should know first. The following article contains dog care tips that you need to know.
Make your home suitable for dogs. Prior to bringing the pooch home, check that the whole home is safe. Place any meds or household cleaning supplies out of reach, and place any trash cans in a cabinet. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. Kisses seem nice, but dogs have very dirty mouths. After all, dogs eat out of the garbage, drink from toilet bowls, and lick all over their body. Many people say that dogs have cleaner mouths than people. This is completely wrong!
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print “lost” flyers.
It can be really helpful to incorporate hand signals with verbal commands when first training your dog. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
Talk to your vet about appropriate nutrition for your canine. Although some dog owners stick to the recommended guidelines on the dog food, these guidelines can often be too much for your dog, which can lead to obesity. The vet will know what is best for your pet.
Don’t buy your dog cheap dog food. Cheaper brands usually contain lots of additives and preservatives that can harm your dog’s health. Get a list from an animal advocacy or consumer awareness group of the highest recommended foods to give your dog. Your dog will be in better health when he has high quality food.
Take the time to train your dog 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”. Doing this will not only be easier on you, but it will also keep your dog safe. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. A comb should be used first to straighten it before you do any cutting. Another option is to take your dog to the groomers and ask for this task to be performed.
If you want a pure bred dog, do not discount the pound as a place to find him. A lot of dog owners leave their pet at the pound if they do not want them or cannot keep them. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. You could get the dog you are looking for and save a life in the process.
Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. Train him to fetch the newspaper and help with other household chore. This will make your dog feel helpful and simultaneously keep your dog sharp physically and mentally.
Schedule a visit to the vet for your dog on a regular basis. He should visit once a year for tests, weighing and vaccinations. Puppies have to go to the vet more often than older dogs. If your dog seems sick or hurt, you should go to the vet immediately.
When you are enjoying a snack, you might be tempted to share a little with your dog. Some foods are fine to give, but others really are not. Do not give dogs any chocolate or caffeine, as these foods are detrimental to their health. These types of food are very detrimental to your dog’s health.
Stick to your guns. Some dog owners put up with destructive behavior and allow their dog to break the rules they have made. Small dogs are even harder to discipline! This will prevent accidents from occurring in the future. For example, you might give your dog table scraps after you have eaten, but your dog might think there is nothing wrong with jumping on the table and eating your entire meal.
Now that you’ve read this article, you probably have a better understanding of everything dog care entails. So long as you apply these tips, you can avoid any issues. Read carefully and talk to your vet should you have some questions.
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