A dog is undoubtedly a very fine choice as a pet. They’re loving, affectionate creatures. For this relationship to work out well, you need to learn all you can about caring for your pet. This article provides lots of tips on taking care of your pup.
Neuter or spay the dog. This helps reduce the probability of cancer and extends the life of your dog. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Talk to your veterinarian about safer alternatives.
You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. Depending on the type and age of dog, if you purchase the wrong kind of food it may upset their stomach. Err on the side of caution when feeding food to your dog.
Rawhide bones are the best options for your dog. Real bones can break into pieces that can then become dangerous due to how sharp and small they can be. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.
Regularly brushing your dog’s fur won’t just stop your pet from shedding on your furniture. Brushing every day can also help your dog to have a shiny and beautiful coat. When you brush your dog, the oils on their skins are spread, creating skin that is soft, shiny, and healthy.
Set up a vet check for a new dog. Immediately after bringing home the new dog, schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. Your vet will provide a full check up and establish vaccination dates. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.
Always make sure your dog understands how to walk correctly on a leash. He should know the “heel” command, stay close to you and not veer far ahead or drag behind. Having a dog that can properly walk on a leash will be more enjoyable for both you and your pup. The heel command is crucial for your dog, even if a loose leash walk is being used.
A foster home is something you can provide for a dog that needs it. Shelters are full of abused and homeless dogs and they are hard pressed to give them all proper care. Fostering an animal will help animals and help you decide whether or not you would like to keep a dog of your own.
Make sure that your dog is not left alone outdoors all day. Dogs are social creatures and need interaction with others. Dogs become lonely. Keeping them out for too long also exposes them to the elements, so its best that you bring them inside so they don’t get sick being outside in really bad weather.
Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. Before you trim it, use a brush to get it as straight as possible. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.
Whatever your vet recommends, do it. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. Vet recommendations are for the health and well-being of your dog and failure to adhere to them could result in serious problems.
Be cautious with your female dog if she’s in heat. If you don’t, she may become pregnant. A male dog can smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. This causes fights as well as sexual behavior.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas daily once it gets warmer outside. If you do find fleas, you can use a flea comb. There are lots of products that can help with ticks and fleas. Talk to a vet regarding these products or some other options.
Make sure that you wash your dog’s food and water bowls on a fairly regular basis. Your dog deserves clean bowls as much as you do. You should wash your dog bowls every day.
Training Sessions
Do not have overly high expectations for your dog. Your dog’s attention span is relatively short. Training sessions should only last for a few minutes, so the dog does not wind up hating training sessions, and you do not become overly frustrated.
You have to keep your dog as clean as you are. That doesn’t mean daily baths for the dog, but a bath once a week is recommended. This keeps those skin conditions away, and it also makes for a cleaner home.
Schedules play a key role in the lives of children. Your canine friend is similar to your children in this way. Without having a set schedule to expect when things will happen, your dog may become agitated or grumpy. Their mood is reflected in the behavior they display. So have a scheduled time for training, meals, sleep and play.
Getting a puppy can be frustrating. Remember that your little puppy needs about a month to be fully acclimated to a new place. Bad behaviors seen in your dog, such as excessive chewing or difficulty in house training, can be caused by anxiety. Keep your patience level high and you’ll get through it.
In summary, dogs help their owners experience unconditional love. However, you should learn as much as you can about your dog to have a good relationship with it. This article provided you some information about how you can be an expert with dogs. Use these tips to ensure you reap all the benefits of dog ownership.