Having a dog is a great joy, but this isn’t so with every dog. To enjoy the time you spend with your pet, you need the right information. In this article, you’ll find suggestions that will help you become a better dog owner.
Make your home suitable for dogs. This should be done before the dog shows up at your home. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.
Do not feed your dog from the table. This will encourage constant begging and reduce their appetite towards their own food. Table scraps can be bad for his health as well, leading to obesity and digestive disorders. Make your dog leave the room if he begins to beg, or train him to spend mealtimes in another room entirely.
If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. He needs to understand that this is the right thing to do. This also shows the dog that good behavior will earn praise.
Speak with your vet to see how much you’re going to have to feed your dog daily. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. The vet will know what is best for your pet.
Give your pooch rawhide bones instead of those from real meat. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.
Daily brushing your dog has more benefits that just reducing shedding. It leaves them looking gorgeous, for one thing. This is caused by the motions since brushing distributes oils that keep skin, soft, shiny and healthy.
If you get a dog that was in a pound or shelter, you must see a vet right away. Shelter dogs may have come into contact with viruses or may be ill already. Giving your dog shots before taking it home will keep everyone healthy.
Really show your dog some love. In life, it is far too common to give bad behavior more attention than good. That could mean trouble later with your dog. Try to give your dog praise five times more than the amount of time you scold him. Dogs stand a much better chance of displaying good behavior if that is the case.
If you do not want your female dog to become pregnant, be careful with her when she goes into heat. Males can smell a female’s scent from a full five miles away. This can lead to aggression among other males, and you certainly don’t want to be left with an unexpected litter of pups.
Get politically active for your dog! Look to see if your local government is passing laws which limit dog owners’ rights. This typically occurs because of a certain kind of breed that has attacked other people, usually because of the negligence of the owner. Make sure that your voice is heard on behalf of other dog owners.
Keep vet appointments for your dog. If your dog is regularly checked out by its veterinarian, they’ll be able to catch things like diabetes or kidney problems before they grow into a major issue. Annual physicals for dogs can spare owners a lot of unnecessary expenses down the road and the animal a lot of unnecessary suffering in the meantime.
If you are getting a second dog as a companion for one that you already have, consider taking your current dog along when you make your final selection. Dogs are social animals and may or may not get along. Finding a compatible dog will save you anguish and trouble.
Outdoor dogs need attention just like indoor dogs do. When left by himself all the time, he may pick up negative habits, such as biting, chewing, and barking. He may start being aggressive, too. Your dog needs lots of play and love to ensure his happiness.
Keep your dog busy; this will keep him happy. Lack of stimulation is a leading cause of behavioral problems in dogs. This can cause chewing or other bad behaviors. Tired dogs generally make happy ones. So keep your dog busy to ensure he behaves properly.
If your dog whines, do not comfort him. It can be tempting to provide your dog with comfort as it whines, but doing so may cause your dog to feel as it has a reason to worry. Instead, play with your dog so he forgets his worries.
If you notice diarrhea in your dog for several days, immediately take it to the vet’s office. A day or two of being sick can be due to a minor issue that will resolve itself quickly. However, if the diarrhea continues, a vet should be consulted to rule out a more serious problem.
Never overfeed your animal. Dogs need to consume a specific amount of food every day. If they eat too much food, they may develop an obesity problem. A fat dog might get sicker easier than one that is not. If you’re unsure how much to feed your dog, talk to a vet for guidance.
Think about the well-being of your dog during holidays. Dogs tend to get skittish on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July, as they are very noisy holidays. During times like these, make sure your dog is in a quiet and safe place and ask your vet for tips of what to do.
Schedule veterinary visits for your dog regularly. It is important for your dog to have a good vet. He will make sure to administer any shots and prescribe any medications your dog needs. He is also going to make sure that there are no serious issues going on.
There is a wealth of information available to help you to become a fantastic dog owner. It is a bit tougher than just choosing a cute puppy. This forces you to be mature and responsible as an owner. Improve the quality of your pet’s life (and your own!) by making use of the handy advice you’ve received here.