Dogs can be great to have around, as they are loyal and friendly. But a great pet doesn’t necessarily come naturally. They need to learn what to do to behave, and they have to be cared for. This guide will allow you to learn those things and more, so continue on.
Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. Quite a few of them use ingredients that are very unsafe for kids, including an ingredient that has been linked to cancer. Find out about healthy treatments that can keep you and your pet safe.
Do not feed your dog from the table. This will make your dog beg all of the time and also will make it not want to eat its regular food as much. Feeding table scraps to your dog could lead to digestive problems or obesity. Train your dog to remain in another room while the family eats so no one is tempted to slip something to him under the table.
Consult with your vet about the types of foods that are good for your dog. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. Err on the side of caution when feeding food to your dog.
Ask your vet the amount of food your dog needs daily. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. Your vet should be able to let you know what your dog’s specific needs are.
If your dog behaves badly, correct the behavior immediately. Ignoring it for a while can make it harder to correct later and you don’t know what may happen if you don’t. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.
What types of health problems are typical for your dog? You might be able to prevent some conditions from developing by taking a little extra care of him from the beginning. Also, see what advice the vet has in terms of helping your dog overcome breed liabilities.
If your dog has to listen to many people, he may end up confused. Everyone does things differently, and too many commanders may confuse your dog. Have a single person focus on training your dog, and have anyone else work to reinforce what the dog is learning. No matter what their opinions are, they should stick to the rules set by the trainer.
Set a regular schedule for doggie check-ups at your vet. He should visit once a year for tests, weighing and vaccinations. A puppy requires more constant vet visits. You will also need to see a vet right away if your dog starts showing signs of illness or injury.
You might find out you do not like taking care of a dog. 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. With the advice provided to you here, caring for a dog should now be relatively easy.
