Whether you want to get a dog or already have one, you should know a dog requires a lot of care. It can be hard to jump right in off the bat. The following article will help you to be the best dog owner possible.
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Talk to a vet about safe alternatives and keep little kids away when applying any flea treatment.
Train your dog in your backyard or home, as these are safe, convenient areas. Avoid training your dog in heavily occupied areas. There are too many distractions there.
Don’t let a dog go off property without their leash, even if they’re well behaved. There are quite a few things that could cause your dog to run off unexpectedly. It is your job to keep your dog safe, and to keep him from harming anyone else or causing anyone problems.
If you’re training your dog, don’t just use verbal commands. Try hand signals as well. Your dog may have a better time understanding you when you use manual signals. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. You should be careful when you are feeding your dog.
If you get a dog that was in a pound or shelter, you must see a vet right away. A shelter is often a haven for kennel cough and other diseases. Error on the side of caution and get your dog all its shots.
Your dog has to be leash trained. 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”. Walking in this manner keeps your dog safe, and you are bound to enjoy walks more as well. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.
If your vet gives you special instructions for your dog’s care, follow them to the letter. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. Your vet will recommend things that are good for the health of your dog, so make sure that you follow his advice.
If you wish to get a dog that’s a pure breed, you may have some luck with the pound. Many pure bred dogs are abandoned at dog pounds or shelters when owners aren’t able to care for them. Simply call your pound and see what they have. It could mean you save a dog in the process!
Make sure you provide your dog with affection on a regular basis. Like many things in life, many owners pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior. This can only lead to future difficulties. Rather, stroke, praise and pet your dog at least three to four times more than you scold or speak sternly to him. This will make it more likely that your dog will behave well.
It is a common occurrence for a dog to get a cut after stepping on glass or other debris. If your dog has a tiny cut, use an antiseptic to wash it with and then bandage the area. Go to a vet if it seems like the cut is very deep.
If your pet slips up and uses the bathroom in your home, be sure to remove every trace of the mess. A combination of an industrial strength cleaner preceding an odor remover is effective. If any scent remains from this accident, you may find that your dog relieves itself in the same place numerous times.
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about dogs, it shouldn’t be hard to care for them. You just need some patience and love in order to have a happy, appreciative dog. Do all the research you can and you’ll have a great friend that will be by your side for a long time.
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