Having a dog is one of the greatest things in life. Everyone loves to own a dog! Dogs are quite affectionate and like to be active and have fun. A dog makes a fabulous companion. That is why you want to make sure you are doing your part to give them the best possible care. The following tips will help you out.
It is fine to hug your dog, but avoid those wet kisses. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water and lick other dog’s body parts. It’s a folk tale that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. This is not in the least bit true.
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.
Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. Your dog is your responsibility.
When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. For instance, if you like to go running, you’re not going to want a little dog that can’t keep up with you. If you like to stay at home, perhaps you would like a small dog. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.
Speak with your vet about the amount of food you should be feeding your dog each day. The amounts on the label might not apply in your dog’s situation. Your vet will give you personalized advice.
Don’t force anything into a dog. If you’ve bought a treat that your dog doesn’t seem to interested in, don’t try to make your dog eat it. When you get your dog you should spend some time with it to learn exactly what kinds of things it enjoys.
Your dog’s nails need to be trimmed regularly. If they start to curl, your dog may feel a lot of pain. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. If you’d prefer, you can have the groomers trim your pup’s nails.
If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. You need to find out if they picked anything up at the shelter. You need to ensure your dog gets their shots.
When selecting a brand of dog food for your pet, read the labels carefully and avoid the cheapest brands. Your dog will benefit from eating healthy, quality food. Quality brands are more expensive but they will significantly increase the life expectancy of your dog.
If you buy a new dog, set up a vet appointment as soon as possible. When you bring them home, schedule a vet appointment. The vet is going to check over your dog to see if everything is okay, as well as set it up to get vaccinations it may need. Also, be sure to speak to the veterinarian about neutering or spaying your dog. There are plenty of dogs already in the shelter, and you don’t want to increase that problem.
When you train your dog, don’t allow your efforts to be diminished by an excess of trainers. Your dog might become confused by different methods, different vocal commands and different ways of offering praise or punishment. Have one person train and make everyone else do exactly the same commands during the day.
Dogs often get cuts from debris or pieces of glass. Wash any small cut your dog has with some antiseptic and then put a bandage on it. If you believe your dog has a deep cut, you need to visit your vet.
When it becomes hot, do tick and flea inspections. Use a flea comb on your dog’s fur. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet about which choices are best.
When you are snacking, it may be tempting to share with your dog. You can give him some things, but not others. Dogs should never be given things such as grapes, chocolate and caffeine. These foods can hurt a dog from the inside out.
Always think carefully before you bring dog into your home and life. You can quickly fall deeply in love with a puppy without considering everything that is involved. Take everything into consideration first to make sure you can provide your puppy with everything that he needs and to be able to manage it successfully.
If you do not have someone always watching your puppy, try crate training. This will prevent your dog from roaming and breaking items in the house.
Your dog should stay clean just like you! While your dog will not need a bath every day, you do want to be sure to give it a good cleaning at least once a week. Also, this will help prevent skin issues from forming on your dog.
If you’ve recently added a new dog to your home, you’ll have to decide where you want your dog to sleep. If you will expect your pup to sleep in a crate, don’t ever let him in your bed. If you allow the dog in bed, be certain you are always going to be okay with that.
Your dog’s diet is worth some consideration. There are some excellent brands of dog food that are not especially expensive. Talk to your vet about the choices available and your dog’s specific nutritional needs. You’ll likely find that what the vet recommends is best and will extend your dog’s lifetime.
You are your dog’s best friend as he is yours. Use these tips to take great care of your pooch. The tips will also help you and your dog to live happily with one another.
