Are you a current or former pet owner, or are you considering becoming one? If so, you surely realize how great having a dog can be. But, in order for it to be as enjoyable as it can be, you should be educated. The following article breaks down the different techniques that you must learn.
Make sure your home is dog-proof. Your entire home should be safe prior to bringing the dog inside. Medicine and cleaners should be stored, and indoor trash should be placed in a cabinet. Some houseplants are toxic and need to be kept out of your dog’s reach.
Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Research suggests that this small thing can give extended life to your dog by reducing cancer risk. Also, dogs that get fixed won’t feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won’t get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
Always make sure to keep any prescription medications away from your dog. The same holds true for over-the-counter meds. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog’s health and even cause death. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. Not only will table scraps turn your dog off on their regular food, but it will also teach them to constantly beg. You might be wrecking your dog’s health by giving him table scraps. Put your dog in another room while the family eats, and do not allow him to reenter the dining space until dinner is done.
Practice training your dog around your home, where you and your pup can be alone. Training in busy areas with lots of people around should be avoided. This can cause your dog to get distracted, which can make training them simple commands almost impossible.
Hand signals are great when they are paired with verbal commands. It may be easier for your dog to learn commands if they see a visual signal. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. Keep in mind that a young puppy’s stomach is not ready for certain foods. Use care when feeding your dog.
The cheapest dog food may not always be the best buy when considering what food to feed your dog. Over the course of the dogs life he will be much healthier if you stick to high quality food with plenty of nutritional value. Although this could mean paying a higher price for a better brand, at least you know that your pet is getting the required amount of nutrients in their diet.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. Do this as soon as your dog arrives at your doorstep. The veterinarian will make sure your pet is as healthy as you think he is and also talk to you about vaccinations. Talk with a vet about your dog being spayed or neutered. There are lots of homeless dogs and you don’t want to make the problem worse.
Even if you seek a pure bred animal, you should not overlook the pound. Lots of dog owners take animals to the pound when they can’t care for them any longer. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. It could mean you save a dog in the process!
As stated at the start of this article, it is extremely rewarding to own a dog. It’s even better if you know what you’re doing. With the knowledge you’ve gotten here, you are better prepared than ever to be a great dog owner. Take advantage of these suggestions and have fun being a dog owner!
