A dog is more than a cute bundle of energy that needs food and petting. A dog needs total care. What is the right way to treat your dog? This article is going to give you some things you need to know about owning a dog. It will teach you information experts on dogs know, so continue on.
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Obviously, dogs don’t speak, so it can be hard to figure out when they’re having problems with their bones or teeth. An annual checkup can help catch such issues before they become a major problem.
Know about what could go wrong with flea treatments if you have a dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian, and see if he has more holistic treatment options that might help to keep your pet free from fleas and your family safe.
Don’t let your dog out of your property without wearing a leash, regardless of how well he behaves. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. Your dog is your responsibility, so treat him right.
If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. Some people feed the dog based on their food package recommendations, but these can be wrong and cause them to be overweight. Speak with your veterinarian about what your dog’s needs are and what amounts are proper.
Avoid trying to force things into your dog. If you’re trying to get your dog to eat a new treat and it’s not showing any interest, don’t force them to eat it. When you get your dog you should spend some time with it to learn exactly what kinds of things it enjoys.
There are more advantages to daily brushing of your dog than just keeping your home hair free. Brushing keeps the coat shiny and healthy. Brushing helps to spread the oil on the skin which results in soft, shiny, and healthy skin.
Speak with a vet as soon as possible if you are adopting a dog. Shelter dogs could be sick or exposed to different viruses. That is why it’s important to have a full checkup and a course of vaccinations before you bring your puppy home.
Take the time to train your dog on 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. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. Even if you decide to give him additional slack on the leash from time to time, teaching your dog to heel remains an important task as a pet owner.
Follow your vet’s advice when it comes to medications and special care requirements. For instance, your dog may need a cone and not like it, but your vet prescribed it for a reason. Recommendations that a vet makes are for the good of your pet and if you don’t adhere to these things it could be bad for your pet.
Health Problems
Some dogs are more likely to have certain health issues, so you need to know what is expected for your dog. Find out what health problems to expect and learn how to prevent those that your dog is prone to developing. Also, you can speak with the vet to see what can be done so that your pet will have a better chance at avoiding health problems.
If you have to go out, leave the TV or radio on when you leave. The noise make them feel more secure and keeps them company. This little touch can help your dog feel less anxious as he awaits your return.
Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. Males can smell her scent for miles. Your dog could cause some fights and you will be responsible for finding new homes for the puppies if your dog gets pregnant.
Stay on top of canine politics for your friend. Be on the lookout for any new laws that may be passed which could restrict your rights as a dog owner. Many times new, overly-restrictive ordinances have incredibly broad impacts when they’re only intended to affect a tiny minority of pet owners. Stand up for your rights!
Don’t let too many people train your dog. Be sure that each person working with the dog uses the same commands and responses. You should have one person take charge of the training procedure, and then ask everyone else to follow their lead once the dog has learned a few simple commands. This allows for consistency that is least likely to confuse your pet.
By taking time to educate yourself on dog behavior, you are more likely to succeed in raising an excellent pet. Then you can provide your dog with an excellent life in exchange for his loyalty and friendship. If you were in his position, wouldn’t you like your owner to invest time into learning about you?