There is nothing easy about dog ownership. Issues like finding the best dog food, getting quality medical care, grooming and regular exercise have to be fully considered. So, how do you know what to do? This article will teach you everything that is needed to be a great dog owner.
Speak with your vet to determine whether or not certain foods are okay to give to your dog. Keep in mind that a young puppy’s stomach is not ready for certain foods. Use your vets advice and common sense to feed your dog properly.
Speak with your vet about the amount of food you should be feeding your dog each day. While there are those that feed their dog whatever it says on the package, this may not be good for your dog and can make it overweight. Your vet will give you personalized advice.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Rawhide is proven healthy and great for teeth as well, but don’t be tempted to share that T-bone, no matter what kind of eyes your dog gives you.
Bad Behavior
A dog’s bad behavior should always be corrected whenever you see the first signs of it. Turning a blind eye to it just makes it harder to fix down the road. Not only will it be difficult to curb the bad behavior, he can pose physical harm to you or someone you love.
When making a dog food selection, the cheap stuff is rarely the best choice. It will benefit your dog greatly if he is fed food that is nutritious and high in quality. Sure, it’s more expensive. But, isn’t your pet worth it?
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. Make a vet appointment right after the dog comes home. Your vet will provide a full check up and establish vaccination dates. Also see about getting your dog fixed because there are tons of animals in shelters and adding to that problem isn’t good.
Teach your dog the right way to walk with a leash. Make him walk at your side, and do not let him pull far in front of you or stay far behind. Use the command “heel” to prompt him. This will not only make your walks more enjoyable, but it will also help keep your dog safe. This command will be very useful if you walk your dog while keeping the leash very loose.
Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. Prior to trimming it, straighten the fur using a comb. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, a professional can always step in to help.
If you have a pure bred dog, make sure you educate yourself on what type of problems are “normal” for that breed. Find out what your dog’s breed frequently suffers from and the symptoms. You can also speak with the vet about steps you can take to increase their lifespan.
Keep a dog tag on your dog at all times. A breakaway collar that includes an ID tag will ensure the return of your dog if they should wander. The tag should include your name and contact information as well as the name of your dog. You may also consider having a micro-chip implanted.
This expert advice has now been committed to your memory so you can use it every day for your dog. If being a great dog owner is what you want to do, you should now be a few steps closer to that goal. Your dog will show his appreciation with his love if you use all you’ve learned here.