Dogs are loyal companions unrivaled by any other. That’s why you must learn all you can about keeping your canine friend happy and healthy. Continue on and begin your journey to taking care of dogs.
Make sure your home is dog-proof. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Some houseplants are toxic and need to be kept out of your dog’s reach.
If you’re taking your dog on a trip, be sure that you have a recent picture of them on-hand. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.
Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian, and see if he has more holistic treatment options that might help to keep your pet free from fleas and your family safe.
Table Scraps
Avoid giving your pup table scraps. This teaches dogs bad habits. You might be wrecking your dog’s health by giving him table scraps. To prevent temptation, have your dog separated from the area you eat in.
Dog training should take place on your property. It is unwise to do it where there are many strangers around. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
Take your new dog to the vet. Make an appointment as early as possible. This allows the vet to look him over and schedule the necessary vaccines. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Demonstrate plenty of affection to your dog. Like many things in life, many owners pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior. That could mean trouble later with your dog. Instead, scold your dog less and praise him more. Dogs stand a much better chance of displaying good behavior if that is the case.
If you’ve got just one dog and he doesn’t seem all that happy or is left alone a lot, think about getting him a friend. Dogs are usually in packs by nature and this means they enjoy being around one another. You need to match like-tempered dogs together.
Exercise is vital when you own a dog. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. This kind of play will make your dog feel like a contributing member of the family and keep his mental functioning at a high level.
Be proactive politically for your pet dog. Be on the lookout for changes in local laws and ordinances that may restrict and regulate a dog owner’s rights. It’s often only motivated by the actions of a specific breed or a few bad apples. You need to talk to your local officials and stick up for rights of dog owners.
Conduct tick and flea inspection on your dog during the warm seasons of the year. Use a comb for fleas to get rid of them. A number of products are available to control fleas and ticks on your dog. Ask your vet what they recommend.
When choosing to introduce a new pooch to a home that already has one, it is best that you bring your current dog along to meet him. Dogs are social creatures, but it’s true that some dogs are more friendlier than others. If you can find compatible dogs, it will save you a lot of trouble and anguish.
Make sure that you give the same amount of attention to all types of dogs. The dog could get bad habits still such as chewing, digging, or even barking if you don’t pay attention to it. The result might even be an aggressive pet. Be sure to play with your dog and show him friendship and affection so he will feel happy.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on what your dog is eating throughout its life. When they’re a puppy, you can give them calorie-dense foods since they need them for growth. When they become adults, if they eat too much, they can become obese which is not healthy.
Make sure you and your dog are prepared for hot summer weather. Dogs tend to get overheated easily. Have a cool, shaded area for your dog in the summer. Clean water will also be extra important during these months. The dog can also be sensitive to the sun, so talk to your veterinarian about dog sunscreen.
If your dog must be alone during the day, crate training is a very good idea. That way, you don’t have to worry that your things will be destroyed or that the puppy will have accidents all over the house.
Dogs must be kept clean, much like humans. While a daily bath might not be the answer, a weekly bath is definitely a good idea. A clean dog will be less likely to develop skin problems and will help you keep your house clean.
Dog ownership is one of the great joys of life. The best thing any prospective or current dog owner can do is spend some time studying up on the needs and care requirements of canines. The advice here will prove to be a good resource for many years.
