Many kinds of dogs exist, as do many kinds of families. It’s a big decision to own a dog. The following article will help you to properly take care of your dog.
Be sure your house is dog-proofed. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Store things like meds and cleaning products in a safe location, and be sure to keep any indoor trash cans behind a cabinet. Some house plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog’s reach or remove them.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. Dog kisses may be seen as cute, but their mouths aren’t all that clean. Dogs love to dig in garbage, get into the toilet, and then they lick their butts, yuck! There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is not in the least bit true.
Let your dog chew some rawhide rather than meat bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide is healthy and good for their teeth, so don’t share that T-bone no matter what faces they make.
When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. It is possible that your dog could injure a person, and that person could be you! So correct unwanted behavior right away.
Brushing your pup daily can do much more than reduce shedding in your home. Brushing every day can also help your dog to have a shiny and beautiful coat. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.
Make sure that you’re giving your dog enough exercise. Exercise keeps your dog healthy, both physically and mentally. Get out and do something with your dog. Go for a walk or play fetch. Not only does it give them the exercise they need, but it also improves your relationship with your dog.
When buying your dog’s food, do not get the cheap stuff. Your dog will enjoy greater health benefits from nutritious food. Quality brands are more expensive but they will significantly increase the life expectancy of your dog.
Providing foster care for a homeless dog can be a great way to see if you are suited to care for a dog. Many abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting for adoptions, but there is a lot of overcrowding and many resources are scarce. Fostering is a good way to do a good deed and determine if you want a dog of your own.
Be politically active on behalf of your pooch! Make sure that you know all legislation that may be going through your local system. Some of it may be trying to regulate you as a dog owner. Many times new, overly-restrictive ordinances have incredibly broad impacts when they’re only intended to affect a tiny minority of pet owners. Get in touch with administrators and legislators to exercise your rights as a responsible citizen and reliable dog owner.
Keep your annual appointments for check-ups with your dog. Vets can detect diabetes, kidney, and thyroid issues before you see signs. Yearly physical exams can save money down the line and save the dog from suffering unnecessarily.
Clean up after accidents immediately. Use a cleaner that is professional strength, and follow up with an odor remover. If you leave behind any type of a scent from the dog’s accident they may end up using the bathroom again in that spot.
If you already have a dog and want to get another one, allow your existing dog to meet the new one before you make your final decision. Dogs are quite social, though not all get along well. If you are able to find dogs that are compatible you will not be troubled later on.
Consider your daily routines, and decide whether a dog would fit into that scenario well. No matter how much you may want a furry friend, you may realize that you aren’t ready for that kind of responsibility.
When it is hot outside, do everything necessary to keep your dog safe. It is easy for dogs to overheat. Reserve a cool and shady area for your dog to hang out. You should also ensure that your dog can get plenty of clean, cool water. You don’t want your dog to develop skin cancer, either, so pick up some sunscreen for dogs!
If you’ve got kids, you’re aware of scheduling around their lives. There is no reason they shouldn’t in a dog’s life, too. If the dog isn’t sure of what to expect as it goes about its day, it could become cranky. A dog’s behavior will come from the mood that they are in. That’s why it’s important to provide proper training, playtime and nutrition.
The happiest dogs are busy dogs. In fact, a leading cause of behavioral issues in dogs is a lack of stimulation. This can lead to negative behaviors like chewing. Tired dogs are generally happy dogs. So always give your dog attention and access to toys and activities in order to help him to behave how you want him to.
Try to avoid leaving your dog on its own for extended time periods. Most people have to work, and your dog can get used to that, but otherwise think carefully about how long your dog is by himself. Leaving the TV or radio on can be helpful. If you’re away frequently, you might want to look into hiring a pet sitter so that your dog won’t feel abandoned.
By now, you should feel a little more confident about owning a dog. You have the information you need to make sure that you don’t have to worry about your pet anymore. Implement these tips into your daily lifestyle to help ensure your family pet is always taken care of.
