Dogs are fantastic as pets because they give you loyalty and can be great company. This, however, doesn’t mean that they just come that way. They need to be taught, and you should know what it takes to properly care for them. The information below will help.
Hugs are great, but steer clear of kisses. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. It’s just a myth that your dog’s mouth is just as, or cleaner, than yours. This is not in the least bit true.
Because dogs cannot speak to you, it is important to learn their non-verbal cues. Avoid forcing your dog to interact with others if he doesn’t want to. This could cause your dog to harm a person or another dog. Look out for non-verbal hints so that the dog can guide your actions.
If you’re taking your pup on a vacation, make sure that you take a picture of him for on your phone. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.
Train your dog in your backyard or home, as these are safe, convenient areas. This will give you security and an area that your dog is comfortable. They are going to become distracted, and the easiest commands can be tough.
Associate some hand signals to verbal commands when training your dog. When provided with signals of this type, dogs tend to pick things up faster. Try both ways and see which is best for your dog.
Talk with a vet about which foods are good for dogs and which ought to be avoided. Some foods can cause sickness or an upset stomach. Always be cautious about dog food.
Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual meat bones. Real animal bones can chip and pose a danger to your dog’s digestive tract and mouth. It has been proven that rawhide is healthy for your dogs teeth, therefore avoid giving your dog natural meat bones.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. Make an appointment as early as possible. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.
Train your pet on how to behave correctly when leashed. Your pet shouldn’t be ahead of you, behind you, or anywhere that isn’t by your side. They should also answer correctly when you say “heel”. This keeps you and your dog safe as you walk. Even if you practice a loose leash walk, it’s still important for your pet to know this command.
Keep trimming the soft hair near the paws of your dog to keep it from matting. Prior to trimming the hair, make sure the hair is straight by using a comb. If you’re too scared, take him to the groomer instead.
You might find a pure breed dog at the pound. Lots of dog owners will leave their dog stranded whenever they don’t want it anymore. Paying a trip to your local shelter might help you to find the exact dog you have been searching for. This action could also help to save the life of a dog!
In the case your dog has separation anxiety, leave music or the television on when you leave your house. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. It may help them conquer their anxiety while waiting for you to return.
Make sure you are providing your dog with the opportunity for plenty of physical exercise as well as staying mentally active. You can have him fetch things like the paper, or perform other household tasks. He will always feel useful and a part of the family, while the constant reinforcement of training will keep his thinking skills sharp.
Take care any time a female dog is in heat, as you likely do not want her to become pregnant. Male dogs can smell her scent from up to five miles. This can cause dogs to fight over her, and she may get pregnant by a dog you are unfamiliar with.
Make political decisions which will help your dog! Local legislation that could restrict or regulate the rights of dogs and their owners might be on the table. It often results from one bad breed or bad dog. You should always call the authorities.
During hot weather, check your dog for fleas and ticks daily. Try to get rid of any fleas by using what is called a flea comb. Fleas or ticks can be destroyed through numerous products on the market. Talk to your vet if you are not sure which products should be used.
Don’t be hasty when deciding if you will get a dog or not. Falling in love with a puppy is easy, but there is more to taking care of a dog than that. Consider all options so that you know you have taken care of everything.
Being a pet owner doesn’t have to be hard. It can be hard at first, but this advice should help you. Take all of the things you learned here and put them to good use.
