Dog ownership is not a responsibility to take lightly. It’s similar to caring for a small child that barks. While it can seem overwhelming at times, you have the potential to be a great owner. Tips about dog care follow in this article.
It’s very important to make sure that your home is safe for a dog. Before you bring a dog into your home, you should be sure that the area you’re bringing it to is safe. All cleaning supplies and medications should be moved out of reach of your dog. You should also find a way of securing your trash somewhere that your dog cannot get to, such as in a cabinet. Some house plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog’s reach or remove them.
Since dogs cannot talk, you’ll need to learn about your dog’s way of communication. If you notice your dog is hesitant to meet a particular person or dog, don’t force it. This could lead to the other dog or person getting bit. Watch for these non-verbal hints and let the dog guide your actions.
Be careful with canine flea treatments. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Talk to the vet about different forms of treatment that are safer for use around small kids.
When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. These types of signals are sometimes easier for a dog to learn. Find out the way that your dog prefers and use it.
Talk with your vet about the foods you should feed your dog. Puppies can’t eat adult food and vice versa. Be cautious of what you feed your dog.
When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. If you spend more time in the home, a more sedate, indoor dog will fit your lifestyle best. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.
Rawhide is a great alternative to the meat bones that most people feed dogs. Real bones can chip or break and are dangerous for the dog. Rawhide is great for oral health, so don’t give Rover any of your T-bone, regardless of how much you know he wants it.
You shouldn’t make your dog do something it doesn’t want to do. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t make him eat it. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.
Take time and correct bad behavior when you first see it. Ignoring it for any length of time will only make it that much more difficult to contain later and you never know what could happen as a result of it now. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.
Makes sure your dog gets adequate exercise. Dogs need physical activity and play time; it’s good for their physical and mental health. Your dog will get the exercise it needs (and you’ll be a little more active yourself!) from virtually any kind of outdoor activity you share with it. You will thus offer necessary exercise, but will also build strong bonds with the animal.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food you can find. It is best to invest in quality dog food. Even though you are paying more, it will save on health bills down the road.
Do not allow your dog to remain outdoors all day long. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. If there is only one dog in your household, he may feel lonely outdoors. It’s especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.
You can find pure breeds at the dog shelter. Many pet owners will abandon dogs at pounds when they don’t want them or can’t keep them anymore. Call the pound to see what they have available. This action could also help to save the life of a dog!
Carefully choose your dog’s food. A variety of foods are available, but that doesn’t mean they’re all perfect for your pet. Serving table scraps to your dog may be cost effective, but it does not provide a balanced and healthy diet for your dog.
Dog care actually takes a bit of time and work. Your dog must be cared for as carefully as you would take care of a child. He must have what he needs to thrive. It can be a huge undertaking but something that can be easily accomplished by just about anyone. This piece is a great resource for helping you care properly for any dog.