You may already have a preconceived notion of what you expect from owning a dog. This may not be the reality when you take the pet home, however. Nevertheless, this article can teach you how to take care of your dog.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. Kissing a dog might seem cute, but they have dirty mouths. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. There is a belief that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is absolutely a myth!
It is smart to use your hands to signal while dog training, as opposed to just your voice. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily. Try each way to see what works well with your dog.
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. In some cases, your pet may not be able to consume certain food brands without becoming nauseous. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.
Which breed you need to buy depends on your lifestyle. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. However, if you’re someone who stays mainly at home then seek out a small dog that loves to be adorned with lots of love while lounging around the house. When you find the perfect match, you’ll both be happier!
Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Real animal bones can chip and pose a danger to your dog’s digestive tract and mouth. Rawhide is a healthy alternative and will help keep your dog’s teeth clean as he satisfies his need to chew.
Don’t force anything into a dog. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. Get to know your dog better to figure out how you can make it happy.
Teach your dog the proper way to walk while on a leash. Your dog should walk beside you, not lag behind or run ahead, and should obey the command “heel.” Doing this will not only be easier on you, but it will also keep your dog safe. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. Make sure you don’t only focus on the negative things that your dog does. This may spell trouble in the future. You should ensure you give your dog positive reinforcement. This will make them very happy when around you.
Dogs often get cuts from stepping on glass and other debris. Wash the cut with antibacterial soap, dry it thoroughly, and leave it to air dry unless it is bleeding or the dog is licking it. If the cut is deep, check with your vet.
Give serious thought to the idea of having a dog prior to adopting one. There is a lot that comes with dog ownership and one can quickly fall for the face of an adorable puppy. Consider all options so that you know you have taken care of everything.
You should take the time to reflect about your lifestyle before getting a dog. It’s easy to get a dog and think everything will go fine, but you have to be prepared to be a responsible pet owner.
If you do not have someone always watching your puppy, try crate training. Crate training helps to keep your dog safe, your household intact, and prevents doggy accidents.
Your dog should be walked on a daily basis no matter what you do or how busy you are. Your pet needs to exercise, but also they need to interact with other animals and people. This is something that has to be done for a dog to properly grow, so be sure you walk your dog.
With all of this great advice available to you, you would be a fool to ignore it. If you implement it in all you do, your dog will be like the dog you once dreamed of. When a dog loves you unconditionally, it’s happy.
