Do you wish the grocery store had more choices when it comes to what you feed your dog? Many people have concerns over the quality of dog food that is mass produced. People tend to look for ways to care for their dogs. Follow the tips presented here to learn how to provide your dog with the kind of responsible care needed for a long and happy canine life.
Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Since your dog does not speak the human language, he simply cannot tell you if his tooth aches or his arthritis is making it difficult for him to walk. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. If your dog gets stressed when meeting a new dog or person, don’t force them to meet. You might cause your dog to bite someone or another dog. Watch out for those non-verbal clues and let your dog guide any actions you perform.
Avoid letting your dog walk without a leash outside of your property, regardless of how well he behaves. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. You will be to blame if your dog gets hurt for being off his leash.
Speak with your vet about the amount of food you should be feeding your dog each day. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, these guidelines can be incorrect and lead to an overweight dog. Speak with your vet and work out an appropriate eating plan for your dog.
Don’t get sub-par food for your dog that’s from a bargain store. The cheaper brands actually contain a lot of preservatives, additives and other ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. You should contact an animal advocacy group or a consumer awareness program to get some recommendations for quality dog foods. Food that is healthy will benefit your dog.
Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. Long nails cause huge amounts of pain. You can use store bought clippers to trim them yourself. If you aren’t confident enough to do it yourself, take the dog to a local pet groomer.
When you get a new dog, set up an appointment for him at the vet. Schedule a visit with the vet right away. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Properly teach your dog how to walk with a leash. To properly walk your dog, he must remain directly at your side instead of behind or in front of you. This keeps you and your dog safe as you walk. Your dog needs to get used to this.
Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound. All you have to do is give your local shelter a call, and you can find out which breeds they have. This could help you save the life of a dog.
If you have a dog that can’t function properly when they aren’t around you and develops separation anxiety, try putting on some soft music when you go out. The noise make them feel more secure and keeps them company. This might just quell his anxiety while waiting for you to return.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. As it usually happens, many times owners focus more on bad behavior rather than good ones. If that persists, your dog may begin to act inappropriately to get your attention. Try to ensure that you praise or give affection to your pet at least five times for every instance of reprimand or scolding. Your dog is much more likely to showcase the proper behavior if you do so.
You can be a great dog owner. There is more out there available to your dog. Remember the tips provided here when you are caring for your dog.
