A dog can make for a wonderful addition to any person’s life, just as long as the dog is properly cared for. Learning about a dog’s needs is key to its health and happiness. Building a relationship with your dog starts by reading this article.
Consider the situation before allowing a dog to kiss your face. Kisses seem nice, but dogs have very dirty mouths. Dogs will eat their own waste, dine on garbage, and gulp water straight from your toilet. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. This statement is most definitely not true.
In the same way that a yearly physical is helpful to you, a yearly trip to the veterinarian is a must for your dog. Your dog can’t speak to tell you he’s in pain. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
Obviously, dogs are unable to sleep. Therefore, you have to pay attention to your canine’s non-verbal cues. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don’t force interaction. This may cause another dog or person to get bit. Follow your dog’s body language.
It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. Therefore, if your animals get lost, there is a recent photo that can be used for the purpose of locating them.
Don’t force your dog to do anything. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. When you have a new dog, take time to learn what they do and don’t like.
Always make sure your dog understands how to walk correctly on a leash. Your dog should remain at your side and know the command “heel.” If your pet is leash trained, it’ll be safer, and you’ll enjoy walks more as well. Even if you’re using a loose leash from time to time, you should still train your dog so that it understands when you issue that command.
If you are looking for dog of a particular breed, don’t discount your local pound. There are often pure bred dogs at shelters and rescues, and they are desperately in need of homes. Just give a quick call to your local humane society to see what breeds they may have available. It could mean you save a dog in the process!
If your dog seems lonely or seems to have separation anxiety, leave the radio or a CD on when you leave the house. The noise will keep him company and make him feel a little more secure. This may help ease the dog’s fears and calm him down just enough so he isn’t going crazy while he awaits your arrival.
Let your dog know that you care. A lot of owners focus on correcting bad behaviors rather than displaying affection for their dog. This could lead to trouble down the line. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. When you do this, you will probably end up with a better behaved dog.
Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise- both physical and mental. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. This will make him feel like an active member of the family.
Always make sure that your dog is wearing some sort of identification on their collar. A popular way to ensure your dog gets back home safely is to make them use a breakaway collar that has an identification tag. This tag needs to have the dog’s name as well as a way to contact you. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
If your dog has to listen to many people, he may end up confused. Everyone has their own unique ways of training, and having multiple people trying to train a dog differently can leave it confused. You should train your dog for a few minutes several times a day and encourage everyone else in your household to reinforce what you have been doing.
When you select food for your dog, do so with care. Find a type suited for your dog’s breed, age and condition and be sure to consider other factors such as potential allergens. Although the temptation to feed your dog scraps off the table, this is not the most healthy diet for your dog.
Vitamins can be harmful to dogs. Your dog should not need vitamins in addition to eating right. An excess of some vitamins can cause blood vessel damage, as well as damage to his joints and bones. You should always speak to your vet concerning your dog’s vitamin regimen.
Remain firm. Sometimes a dog owner feels that it’s okay to sneak them food or let them destroy a toy. This happens even more with really cute dogs! Be firm with your dog if you want to prevent behavior issues. If you are not firm, your dog will take advantage of you.
You must pay attention to your dog’s water and food bowls. Your dog does not want to eat and drink out of dirty dishes any more than you do. Clean the bowls once a day, and then add new food and water.
If you’re a parent, you are aware that schedules are important. Dogs are no different. If your pet has no knowledge of how the day is to proceed, the end result can be a cranky and ill mannered dog. The behaviors they show will reflect their mood. So, set up fixed times for training, play and meals.
There isn’t anything like dogs and the joy they add to the lives of nearly anybody. Still, you must understand how to be a good owner if you want your pet to have a good life. Hopefully, this article gave you good insights to help you take proper care of your dog.