Dogs have the ability to provide companionship and loyalty just as good as a human. Thus, it is smart for dog owners to learn everything possible about animal care. The following article is a wonderful place to begin.
Just like humans benefit from an annual physical, your dog should see the vet at least once a year. Because your dog is unable to speak, you may not know for sure when your dog feels sick or has an injury. Bringing your dog to the vet each year can help stop these health issues from becoming a huge problem.
Keep your medications out of paw’s reach. Even if the dog were to eat a couple of pills, it could have very life threatening effects. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Try each way to see what works well with your dog.
If your dog behaves properly, be sure it is praised and given affection. This communicates to your dog that he is doing just exactly what you want. Your dog is looking for ways to please you, and giving him your praise lets him know he has done just that.
Rawhide is a great alternative to the meat bones that most people feed dogs. Real bones can break into pieces that can then become dangerous due to how sharp and small they can be. It has been shown that rawhide bones are safe and great for their teeth, so be sure to not give your dog that ham bone next time.
When obtaining a shelter dog, you need to set up an appointment with your local vet immediately. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to viruses or might already be sick. It’s smart to ensure your dog has all shots necessary before you take him home.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. This should be done as soon as he is adopted. The vet will provide a full health check and create a vaccination schedule. Also, be sure to speak to the veterinarian about neutering or spaying your dog. There are plenty of dogs already in the shelter, and you don’t want to increase that problem.
If you’ve been considering adopting a dog but still aren’t sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. Shelters are full of abused and homeless dogs and they are hard pressed to give them all proper care. Fostering is a great way to help a dog and get a feel for what having a dog is like.
Your dog needs plenty of affection. Similar to other areas of life, dog owners notice a dog’s bad behavior rather than the good. This causes problems with dog behavior. Instead make it a habit to praise your dog much more often than any scolding. Make it five times to any one. He’ll behave better more often this way.
Ensure that your dog will come back after being lost by having some type of identification tag. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. Make sure that a current telephone number and the dog’s name are included on the tag. You may also want to install a micro-chip into your dog.
Dog Owners
Get involved with politics and stick up for your dog! Keep track of local laws which affect dog owners. Frequently, this sort of thing is just a knee-jerk reaction based on an isolated incident. Stand up for good dog owners and let local officials know your thoughts.
Conduct daily flea and tick inspections on your dog when it starts getting hot outside. A flea comb can help you remove fleas that you see. There are also other products you may want to consider using to get rid of fleas and ticks. Ask your vet which are best.
If you already own a dog and are getting another one, have the two meet before bringing the new one home. While dogs are social instinctively, certain breeds and temperaments get along better with others. Having dogs that get along with each other makes your life that much easier.
Were you aware that some vitamins could hurt your dog? Don’t give your dog extra vitamins if he’s eating a well-balanced diet. Some vitamins cause irreversible damage. Speak to your vet about your dog’s requirements.
When you start training your dog, experiment with different rewards systems. See what motivates your dog to succeed. If your dog likes food, try giving them food as a reward. On the other hand, if your dog enjoys playing with toys, provide him with a new toy whenever he behaves. Certain dogs just need love and affection whenever they behave.
Walk dogs each day, regardless of how busy you are. You and your dog both need exercise, and a walk is a nice break in routine for man and beast. This is key to its development and growth, so walking your dog is a priority.
Owning a dog is a wonderful experience that is very rewarding and offers tremendous companionship. If you are thinking about getting a dog, you should learn as much as you can about it. Use the great advice from the article above as a resource to keep your pet healthy and happy.
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