There is more to having a dog than simply providing it with food and the occasional petting. Make sure that you give your dog a lot of love. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know how to properly care for your dog. This article provides you with a plethora of advice from top experts in the field, including your dog owning peers, so keep reading to pick up some new information.
It’s good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. A dog has a very filthy mouth. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. This is completely wrong!
Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Obviously, dogs don’t speak, so it can be hard to figure out when they’re having problems with their bones or teeth. Annual checkups can catch issues before they develop into something serious.
Resist the urge to give your dog table scraps. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Your dog may develop digestive problems and become fat if you feed it table scraps. While you and your family dine, keep your dog in another room so that table-feeding isn’t an option.
Consult with your vet about the types of foods that are good for your dog. A lot of the time a dog might not want to eat some brands of dog food, this might make them sick. Be cautious of what you feed your dog.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If you got them a treat and they aren’t interested in it, don’t make them eat it. The best judge of what your dog likes is the dog himself. Fancy name brands mean nothing.
Find out what is going on that is causing your dog to act out. If you ignore an unwanted behavior, it is as good as reinforcing it. It will become very difficult to correct the more time passes. Not only will it be difficult to curb the bad behavior, he can pose physical harm to you or someone you love.
Brushing your dog every day is going to stop them from shedding in your home, but more than that. A daily brush will make their coat radiant and shiny. The brushing motion will distribute the oil through the dog’s fur.
Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed weekly. Your dog will be in pain if the nails begin curling. You can do this yourself using a pair of dog clippers from the pet store. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.
Take your new dog to the vet. As soon as you bring your new dog home, make an appointment with your vet. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. Unwanted puppies are a tragedy, so make sure your dog gets spayed or neutered.
Follow your vet’s advice when it comes to medications and special care requirements. Dogs do not like having a cone around their head, but it was given for a reason. You will leave your dog open to serious health problems down the line if you do not follow the advice from your vet for the health of your dog.
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. The sounds might help to emulate a normal home environment when people are around.
Show your dog that you love him. As is often the case, dog owners frequently focus on bad behavior instead of good. If you focus on the negatives, they will not maximize their potential. Rather, stroke, praise and pet your dog at least three to four times more than you scold or speak sternly to him. Your dog is going to behave much more if you do that.
If you have just one dog who spends lots of time alone, consider getting a buddy dog. Dog’s love the companionship of others and enjoy another partner to play with. Matching a dog up with another of a similar disposition will make your dog very happy.
It’s not rare for dogs to acquire cuts by stepping on debris or glass pieces. If you find a small cut on your dog, wash it with antiseptic fluid and bandage that area. If the cut seems like it’s too deep, then head off to see the vet.
You will become a much better dog owner if you take the time to learn more about him. Treating your dog with love and care is what you have to do. If you were in his position, wouldn’t you like your owner to invest time into learning about you?