You might already own a dog or are thinking about becoming an owner – either way you are aware that it’s a huge responsibility. There is a lot to learn about taking proper care of your dog. The following article has the tips and advice you need to properly care for your dog.
Make your home dog-proof. Take the time to tour your home with an eye for safety before you introduce your dog to your home. Secure the trash can, stow way all medications and put away your regular cleaning supplies. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.
Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.
Whenever you bring your dog along on vacations, take a quick snapshot of him and keep it on your phone. This allows you to have a photo of him if he gets lost.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. It is not a good idea to train them in areas where a lot of people are present. This will make it more difficult for your dog to pay attention.
It can be really helpful to incorporate hand signals with verbal commands when first training your dog. It may be easier for your dog to learn commands if they see a visual signal. Experiment with each way and determine what works.
Talk with your vet about the foods you should feed your dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to handle particular foods, which may cause stomach issues. Be careful when it comes to what you feed your pet.
Which breed you need to buy depends on your lifestyle. If you are very active, think about getting a dog that will run with you. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.
When making a dog food selection, the cheap stuff is rarely the best choice. In the long run, it is beneficial to be feeding your dog high quality, nutritious food. Although this could mean paying a higher price for a better brand, at least you know that your pet is getting the required amount of nutrients in their diet.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. Immediately after bringing home the new dog, schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. This allows the vet to look him over and schedule the necessary vaccines. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.
It should be easy to care for your dog with the advice found above. As long as you care for your dog with love and patience, your pet will let you know what a good job you’re doing. Always keep learning – with dogs there is still so much to learn!
