Dogs require more than just food and love. He needs to have TLC throughout the day. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know how to properly care for your dog. The following information in the article you’re about to read has a wealth of knowledge from experts who understand what it takes to properly care for a dog.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. Your dog’s mouth is fairly dirty at any given time. They eat garbage or poop and even sniff other dog’s butts. There is a belief that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. It is not necessarily true.
Yearly physicals help you and yearly vet checks help your dog. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. A checkup once a year will help diagnose any problems.
Never take your dog outside your yard without a leash. You never know when something might spook him or distract him, leading to devastation. As the owner, you will be held responsible for any damages your dog causes.
Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.
If your dog needs to be outside during cold months, buy him a house or build him one. If his feet are wet, extreme temperatures can be stressful and bad for his health. Your dog needs a space that is dry and provides him with adequate shelter.
Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. The dog may harm somebody, even you, so control them.
You should always trim your nails. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. You can trim them yourself with a pair of store bought clippers. If you’re uncomfortable clipping them on your own, go to a professional groomer. Nail clipping is very affordable.
Put a leash on your dog at all times when walking him. They should walk by your side, instead of behind or in front of you, and they must respond to “heel.” This ensures his safety and will make going for walks more enjoyable for you. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.
A dog should not be left outside all day. Even though a lot of people tend to do this, a dog requires human interaction to feel good. If there is only one dog, he may become lonely. In addition to the socializing need, you should not leave a dog to fend for himself in heavy rainstorms or very cold weather. Bring the dog indoors until the inclement weather passes.
Make sure you heed the vet’s instructions when it comes to medications and special care requirements. Your dog likely will not enjoy wearing a cone, but the vet prescribed it for good reason. The directions that you get from your vet are focused on the health of your pet and ignoring them can be detrimental to your pet.
Some dogs are more likely to have certain health issues, so you need to know what is expected for your dog. Research the heritage of your pup and learn how to prevent any common problems. Your vet will be able to tell you how you can help your pet prevent illness that it is prone to getting.
For pure bred dogs, don’t discount local pounds to find one. Some owners leave their dogs, which gives you an opportunity to give them a better life. Paying a trip to your local shelter might help you to find the exact dog you have been searching for. You could save a dog’s life by doing so!
If you have a dog that doesn’t look like it’s very happy because it’s always alone, think about getting your dog a friend. The company could do your pet a lot of good. Match them up carefully by temperament and energy levels and your dog should be in canine heaven!
Take some time to learn about dog training and dogs in general so that you can master the subject. This means that you can give your dog a longer life by letting it become your loyal companion. Imagine being a dog: wouldn’t you want the same done for you?
