The domestication of dogs began thousands and thousands of years ago. It’s clear that people and dogs are destined to share lives. You are the human, so that puts you in charge of ensuring your dog is healthy. This article will tell you all about dog care.
Make your home dog-proof. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. All cleaning materials and drugs must be put away, and put your trash receptacle inside a cabinet. Since some plants are very harmful because of their toxicity, it’s best to get rid of them or put them in an area that the dog cannot get to.
If you bring your pet on vacation with you, keep a picture of him with you, particularly on your phone. If the worst happens and your pet gets lost, you have a current picture that you can show others or use to make “lost” posters.
It can be really helpful to incorporate hand signals with verbal commands when first training your dog. Your dog might learn commands more easily using this approach. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Rawhide is a healthy alternative and will help keep your dog’s teeth clean as he satisfies his need to chew.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. When you are a new dog owner, it may take a while to figure out what he does and doesn’t like.
As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. If you don’t get his behavior under control, your dog could end up biting someone.
Brushing your pup daily can do much more than reduce shedding in your home. Brushing keeps the coat shiny and healthy. This is caused by the motions since brushing distributes oils that keep skin, soft, shiny and healthy.
Your dog’s nails need to be trimmed regularly. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. It is easy to purchase a pair of clippers and attend to these yourself. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
When obtaining a shelter dog, you need to set up an appointment with your local vet immediately. Shelter dogs may have come into contact with viruses or may be ill already. Error on the side of caution and get your dog all its shots.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Regular play and exercise is essential to keep your dog happy, both physically and mentally. Get out and do something with your dog. Go for a walk or play fetch. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.
When you’re choosing your dog’s food, don’t cut costs by going with the cheapest option. Your dog will benefit from eating healthy, quality food. Although the food may cost more, you know that your dog is receiving the correct nutrients from quality food.
If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions 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 your dog spends a lot of time alone, think seriously about adding a second animal to your family. Dogs come from packs, so it’s in their nature to prefer spending time with a member of their own species. You need to match like-tempered dogs together.
Your responsibility is to care for your dog and meet its needs. The information you have read should get you well on your way to being a great dog owner. Just put the tips to work in your life, and you’ll see that your dog is even happier.
