Are you a dog owner? Was a canine friend a part of your family in the past? If you do, you understand the benefits a dog brings. However, like most things, owning a dog is much easier if you have the right information and knowledge. You’ll be able to pick up some very useful dog tips by perusing the article below.
You need to take your older pet to the vet at lease once a day. Your dog is not able to talk, so it is not easy to know when he’s got arthritis or an aching tooth. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. If they’re separated from you, then you’ll have a current photo that you can easily access and show others or to download for “lost” flyers.
Choose a dog in that can easily and happily blend into your lifestyle. If you jog a lot, buy a dog that likes to run, and not something like a toy poodle. 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 match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
If your dog displays a good behavior, praise it or reward it with a treat. This communicates to your dog that he is doing just exactly what you want. In this way, your dog will learn that desired behavior brings praise.
Try not to force your dog to do new things. If you offer him a treat he doesn’t seem to like, do not make him eat it. Find out your dog’s likes and dislikes and feed him accordingly.
Nip bad behavior in the bud. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.
Brushing your dog every day is going to stop them from shedding in your home, but more than that. Brushing daily will give them a shiny, beautiful coat. This is caused by the motions since brushing distributes oils that keep skin, soft, shiny and healthy.
Your dog’s nails need to be trimmed regularly. If they get too long and start to curl, the result could be painful injuries to the nail beds and your dog’s paws. Try trimming them with scissors you buy at the store. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
Your dog should not be left outside all the time. It is important that your dog has interaction. If there is only one dog in your household, he may feel lonely outdoors. It’s especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.
Take care any time a female dog is in heat, as you likely do not want her to become pregnant. Male dogs from as far as 5 miles away may pick up the scent. Also, she can cause a fight between other dogs, as well as become pregnant with unwanted litter from an unknown origin.
Bring your dog to a veterinarian regularly. You need to make sure your pet is caught up on shots, and it’s smart to get tests done for heartworm and other issues. Puppies need to go to the vet more often then adult dogs. If your dog becomes ill or is injured, don’t delay in getting him to the vet.
When you’re snacking, you might be tempted to let your dog snack too. It might be alright to give your dog some foods, but not all foods are good for dogs. Grapes and chocolate should never be given to canines. These foods can hurt your dog’s health.
You must give careful thought to a decision to bring a dog into your life. There is a lot involved and it’s too simple to fall for a cute puppy’s face. Consider all options so that you know you have taken care of everything.
Take a long, hard look at your lifestyle to determine whether a dog is a good fit for you. No matter how much you may want a furry friend, you may realize that you aren’t ready for that kind of responsibility.
Use different reward systems to find out what your dog prefers. Figure out what motivates your dog to perform well. If your dog likes food, try giving them food as a reward. You could also play tug of war for a few minutes to reward your dog. Others will be happy to do as you ask for a simple belly rub.
If your dog must be alone during the day, crate training is a very good idea. This can help lessen the damage in the home and assist in housebreaking 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. Crate training means starting from the very first night. Before letting your dog into your bed, you should be sure that you’re okay with this being a long-term sleeping arrangement.
As discussed above, few things are as rewarding as owning a dog. It’s better if you know what you’re doing. Now that you have read the above article, you should have a better understanding of dogs. Apply what you’ve learned here, and enjoy quality time with your pooch.
