Owning a dog isn’t easy. Owning a dog is a bit like raising a child: they need love and kindness, but also food, shelter, exercise, hygiene, and health care. How can you ever remember everything you need to do? Therefore, you need to be a responsible owner, and this article will guide you into becoming one.
Be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered. Studies have shown that this leads to the pet living a longer and much healthier life. In addition, dogs that are spayed or neutered do not have as strong of a desire to wander from their home, meaning that they are less likely to get lost or hit by a car.
Since your dog cannot talk to you, you have to learn how to listen to your dog’s non-verbal language. If you notice the dog being hesitant in a new situation, don’t force your dog to socialize if it doesn’t want to. This could cause the dog to bite. By reading the body language of your dog, you can ensure that this does not happen.
If you have medication is your home, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. If you notice that your dog has consumed any of your medication, you need to immediately contact your vet.
Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. For example, someone that stays inside a lot would want a calm lap dog and not a hyper breed. Likewise if you spend quite a lot of time at home you may want to get a dog that likes to be pampered a lot. Don’t get a dog that you don’t fit in with if you can avoid that.
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. If his feet get wet, being exposed to extreme weather can cause health issues and stress. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.
Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. If they get too long, they may start to curl under and cause your dog pain. Nails can easily be clipped. Your local pet store will have the tool you need. If you do not want to take this matter into your own hands, hire a professional.
Take your dog outside so that he can get fresh air and exercise. Dogs need routine activity and play in order to stay happy and healthy. From a simple walk to a vigorous game of fetch, both of you will find the time well spent. It also grows your bond with the dog.
When you get a new dog, schedule a vet visit for soon after you’ve brought him home. Schedule a visit with the vet right away. A vet will make sure the dog is healthy and also set up a future schedule of vaccinations. Also see about getting your dog fixed because there are tons of animals in shelters and adding to that problem isn’t good.
If you want a dog but don’t know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. There are many animals who need a temporary home until they are adopted. Fostering a dog will allow you to do some charity work and see if you really want a dog!
Always follow through with instructions from your vet if your dog has medication or needs special attention. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but it’s prescribed for a reason! If your veterinarian recommends something, it’s because it’s what’s best for your dog. If you ignore recommendations, your dog could have some major health issues.
Separation anxiety could be a problem with your dog. If so, show him extra love and attention and leave music on while you are away. The music will calm the dog down, and they’ll feel like someone else is there. When it comes to treating your pet’s anxiety, a little music could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Get into puppy politics. Keep track of local laws which affect dog owners. That legislations is often motivated by certain breeds or certain dogs that have behaved badly. Get in touch with administrators and legislators to exercise your rights as a responsible citizen and reliable dog owner.
If your dog has to listen to many people, he may end up confused. If the other people who help you train your dog are not consistent with what you started teaching, your dog will have a hard time. One person should be the master while the others reinforce what the dog is learning.
Anytime your dog has an accident in your home, remove any trace of it. Utilize professional grade cleaners and odor removers as well. If you leave behind any type of a scent from the dog’s accident they may end up using the bathroom again in that spot.
When you eat snacks, you might be tempted to offer some to the dog. Certain foods are okay for this, but some foods are not good for dogs. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. These food items can seriously harm your dog.
This expert advice has now been committed to your memory so you can use it every day for your dog. This information provides a good foundation for dog ownership that you can build on in years to come. When you use these tips to become a more responsible master, your dog will reward you with love.
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