Dogs are excellent pets for the whole family but they can also be a lot of work. The trick is to acquire an understanding of what dogs need to truly thrive. Continue reading this article to learn what needs to be done if you want to have a good relationship with your dog.
You need to have a physical every year, and so does your dog. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. A veterinary checkup can speak when your dog cannot, and it might help you to detect health problems before they become severe.
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. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.
Watch out for dog flea treatments. Lots of treatments contain things that can be harmful to kids. Talk to a vet about safe alternatives and keep little kids away when applying any flea treatment.
You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Always be cautious about dog food.
Build or buy a house for your dog if he has to stay outdoors for any length of time in cold weather. If his feet are wet during very cold weather, it will stress him and lead to health problems. Make certain your dog house has a good floor that keeps your dog up off the ground and dry.
Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. You should never ignore bad behaviors when they are puppies because this will make it a lot harder to correct down the road. Neglecting your dog’s behavior can lead to injuries.
A foster home is something you can provide for a dog that needs it. Animals are overcrowded in shelters, and the resources available for them are not abundant. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. A comb should be used first to straighten it before you do any cutting. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.
Always follow your vet’s instructions to a tee. Your dog may hate wearing a cone, however it is prescribed for good reason. You will leave your dog open to serious health problems down the line if you do not follow the advice from your vet for the health of your dog.
Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. Many pet owners abandon their dogs at the pound when they no longer want to, or are able to, keep them. Call the pound to find ask what dog breeds are in house at the time. When you adopt a dog, you save its life.
Keep a close eye on a female dog when she’s in heat to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. A male dog is able to smell her from up to five miles away. There can be numerous problems, such as causing conflicts with neighbor’s dogs, and getting impregnated with puppies that you don’t know a lot about.
If you already own a dog and are getting another one, have the two meet before bringing the new one home. Just like people, dogs can have a personality clash. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.
Never judge a dog’s health simply by how cold or wet its nose is. Your dog’s nose could be wet and cold for many other reasons. Your dog’s health can be judged by his demeanor, appetite and energy level. They’ll all really tell the story of your pet’s health. Temperature can be monitored rectally.
Dogs bring joy to all they meet. However, in order to have a positive relationship with a pooch, you must take the time to learn about keeping him happy and healthy. With any luck, the article above has provided you with some valuable information when it comes to caring for your best buddy.
