You may be looking for the perfect companion and a preconceived notion of what you expect from owning a dog. What you get may be completely different from this. No matter what, you need to be a good pet owner, and the following paragraphs will help you do just that.
Be sure your dog is neutered or spayed. Research has proven that this can reduce your dog’s risk of cancer and make them healthier in general. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.
It takes a bit of money to take good care of a dog. Emergency visits to the vet can cost thousands, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, you shouldn’t kiss them. Dogs are always getting into garbage, dine on garbage, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. It saying that the dog’s mouth is much cleaner mouth than a human’s is folklore. It is not true.
Never let the dog go off your land without its leash, regardless of its good behavior. There are quite a few things that could cause your dog to run off unexpectedly. You will be responsible for your dog’s actions and safety.
You should take your dog to the vet at lease once a day. Since your dog cannot talk to you, you may have difficulty figuring out if a tooth starts hurting or where arthritis is developing. A checkup once a year will help you find any problems before they become huge issues.
Be wary of the flea treatments to use for your dog. A lot of them have ingredients that might be bad for children. Talk to the vet about safer for use around small kids.
A daily brush does a lot more than just prevent shedding. Brushing them daily can help them keep a shiny and beautiful coat. The reason for this is that brushing helps distribute the skin’s oils throughout the coat to condition the fur and skin.
Don’t give your dog food meant for humans. This will only teach him want human food every time you have a meal.
Never take your dog to leave your yard without a leash even if he seems very trustworthy and calm. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s actions and his actions.
If you are in the market for a pedigree pup, you just may find him 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. You’ll be saving a life.
Cold Weather
Your dog needs a dog house if it is going to be outside in cold weather. If his feet are wet during very cold weather, then the continued exposure can lead to stress and other health issues. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by giving him shelter.
Don’t let too many people train your dog. Not everyone will do things the same way, which can cause confusion. Only allow one person to teach the dog things and then everyone else should learn what that person has taught the dog and stick with that.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food. It will benefit your dog the best quality food.Although the food may cost more, you can feel good about the fact that you aren’t skimping when it comes to what your pet eats.
Always make sure your dog to walk correctly on a leash. This ensures his safety and will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you.Even if you practice a loose leash walk, you should still train your dog so that it understands when you issue that command.
Anytime your dog has an accident in your home, remove any trace of it. Use a cleaner with professional strength, followed by any odor remover. If your dog can still smell its waste, it may use the bathroom in that spot repeatedly.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up.A comb is a good tool to straighten it before you do any cutting. If you’re too scared, you should probably have your dog groomed by a professional.
Follow through according to your vet’s suggestions if the dog needs special attention or has medicine. Your dog likely will not enjoy wearing a cone, however it is prescribed for good reason.
When you start training your dog, experiment with different rewards systems. Each pet is different, and therefore, what motivates him or her is going to be different as well. If food works best for your dog, reward it with tiny hot dog pieces. If your dog prefers toys, have a quick game of tug of war once your pup does what you want. Some dogs just like to get petted and rubbed when they’re good.
You would be silly to ignore the great advice at your fingertips. Use it every day and your dog will soon be your dream dog. You will also find that there is no better friend than a dog that loves you.