Dog care is a huge responsibility. Do not expect to be a perfect owner right away. The following article will give you some great dog care advice.
Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. It’s an old wives’ tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. This is not true, at all!
Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. A yearly checkup will help you find any problems before they become huge issues.
Since you’re not able to speak with your dog like a person, you should pay close attention to the dog’s non-verbal speech. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. This may cause a human or the other canine to get bit. Watch for any of these non-verbal cues and let these guide your actions.
If you take your dog with you on vacation, keep a photo of him on your phone. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. Wild animals can get his attention and cause him to run out into the street, or a provocation could startle him and cause unpleasantness with other dogs or people. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.
To improve the dog training process, try using hand signals in addition to verbal commands. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
Your lifestyle should be a determining factor in the breed of dog that you choose. A good example would be if you are a runner. A dog that can keep up with you while you run would be a good choice. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.
Do not force your dog to eat things. If you’ve bought a treat that your dog doesn’t seem to interested in, don’t try to make your dog eat it. It will take you a little while to figure out what your dog likes and what he doesn’t, but you’ll get the hang of it.
Make sure that your dog receives plenty of exercise. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy. Not only will your dog benefit from exercise, you will as well. Every time you play with or exercise your dog, you will find that you are promoting a lasting bond.
Now that you are more educated about your dog’s needs, it should be a breeze to properly take care of him. You just need to be as loving and patient as possible with your pet. Keep reading to learn more, too.
