Are you a dog owner or did you have one in the past? If the answer is yes, then you already know how wonderful being a dog owner is. However, like most things, owning a dog is great only if you truly understand them. The following article breaks down the care they give their pet.
While you can hug your dog, you should avoid kissing your dog. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Make sure your home dog-proof. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Make sure all of the medicine is put up. Some houseplants are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.
Hugs are great to give your pets, but avoid kisses. Dogs really get into everything, drink enthusiastically from the toilet bowl and love to lick and smell certain body parts of other dogs. It is an old wives’ tale that the dog’s mouth is much cleaner than humans. It simply is not necessarily true.
Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. Quite a few of them use ingredients that are very unsafe for kids, including an ingredient that has been linked to cancer. Bring up the subject of alternative and family-friendly treatments the next time you see your vet, and always be sure to apply these treatments when no children are present.
Verbal Cues
Your dog can not tell you what is wrong, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. If your dog gets stressed when meeting a new dog or person, don’t push them to go near them. This could cause your dog to bite. Look for non-verbal cues and follow what the dog can guide your actions.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If you have food or treats your dog does not like, leave it alone. When you are a new dog owner, it may take a while to figure out what he does and doesn’t like.
It is not a good to teach them where a lot of people are distractions. They might feel distracted and it will be more difficult to teach them even the most basic commands.
Never take your dog to leave your yard without a leash. You are responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
Brushing your dog daily will do more than keep them from shedding all over your home. It’ll also give them a very beautiful and shiny coat. The reason for this is that brushing distributes a dog’s oils from its skin so it looks soft and shiny.
Your dog can figure out things up much easier when they get these type of signals. Try both methods to see which is best for your dog.
Talk to your vet about what foods are best for your pet away from. Be careful when it comes to what you feed your dog.
Becoming a foster home is a good way to work with dogs without committing to one on a long term basis. Shelters are full of animals who need a loving home, and there’s not room to hold all of them. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home – who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
Take your time and correct bad behavior is right or wrong as soon as it occurs. You could end up with a dog that hurts other people, so get a handle on it now.
Make sure your dog always has trimmed weekly. If you neglect your dog’s nails, you dog could experience quite a bit of pain. You can buy clippers and do this at home. If you aren’t comfortable with this, a groomer or even your veterinarian can handle the task.
Keep trimming the soft hair near the paws of your dog to keep it from matting. Try to comb the hair to straighten it before trimming. Go to a professional groomer if you have a hard time doing this yourself.
Schedule a vet appointment for the new dog with your local veterinarian. The veterinarian will give him a complete health check and set up a vaccination schedule. You also want to check with the vet about fixing your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
If you have a dog with extreme separation anxiety, try putting on some soft music when you go out.The dog will keep him company and make him feel anxiety if there is a familiar noise. It could be just what he needs to get over his anxiety while waiting for you to come home.
If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but it’s prescribed for a reason! When a vet makes a recommendation, it is for the safety and health of your dog; if you ignore them, that can lead to trouble.
If your pup seems lonely by itself, consider buying a second dog. Dogs are pack animals and enjoy the company of their own kind. Match them up carefully by energy levels and temperament so that they can enjoy themselves.
Become Pregnant
If you have to go out, leave the TV or radio on when you leave. The sounds will help your pet feel safer and will make it feel like it’s not alone. This could be the perfect fix to keep him calm until you return.
If you do not want your female dog to become pregnant, be very careful with her around other dogs or she may become pregnant. A male is able to smell her from as far as five miles away! This may cause a fight and it could also get her pregnant which will make her have puppies from an unknown source.
As you’ve read, you can get a lot out of dog ownership. It can be made even more pleasant when you are armed with good information about dog ownership. Now that you have read the above article, you should have a better understanding of dogs. Take advantage of what you have learned and enjoy a healthy, happy relationship with your dog!
You can keep your furry friend mentally as well as physically active through plenty of exercise. For example, train your dog to retrieve the newspaper or other helpful chores. He can feel useful and like a family member, and continuing to train him will keep his mind sharp.