When you first dream of getting a dog, it’s all sweetness and submissiveness. You might end up with something really different. Even so, you are now responsible for caring for the dog, so learn the ropes from the article that follows.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. Kisses seem nice, but dogs have very dirty mouths. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. Some believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. It simply is not true.
Just as you need to keep up with your annual doctor’s appointment, your dog needs to see his vet annually too. Your dog can’t speak to tell you he’s in pain. Making an annual trip to the vet is the best way to discover and deal with these kinds of problems when they’re still manageable.
Always neuter or spay your pet. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to cancer. Furthermore, altered dogs do not have the tendency to wander off, so they will stay safer.
When bringing dogs on vacation, it pays to take a photo of them to keep on your phone. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.
Always give your dog lots of praise and hugs when it does something right. You want to reinforce your dog’s good behaviors. This shows your pup that when things are done right, he will be rewarded.
If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. While some people follow the direction on the back of the dog food packaging, they are sometimes incorrect and may make your dog overweight. Therefore, ask your vet the acceptable amount of dog food your dog needs to ensure its health and well-being.
Rawhide bones are the best options for your dog. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. In contrast, rawhide has health benefits for your pet.
Your dog will need a dog house if it is going to be outside in colder temperatures. Adverse weather conditions can be detrimental to your pooch, causing illnesses, anxiety and poor behaviors. Make certain your dog house has a good floor that keeps your dog up off the ground and dry.
Correct bad behavior the first time you see it from your dog. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.
A daily brush does a lot more than just prevent shedding. Regular brushing encourages a healthy, shining coat. Brushing helps evenly distribute the oils in the fur and skin, which keeps things looking shiny, healthy and soft.
The hair around a dog’s paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. A comb should be used first to straighten it before you do any cutting. If this process is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.
Make sure that you use the tips and advice from above. Use it all, and soon you may see that your dog is responding in just the way you’ve always dreamed of. When a dog loves you unconditionally, it’s happy.
