Are you worried about properly taking care of your dog? Some people tend to feel overwhelmed when it comes to a dog owner’s responsibilities. Some people just give up. Keep reading to find out how to care for your dog.
When you get a puppy, have him fixed at around two years old. It is a known fact that doing this will lessen the probability of your dog getting cancer. Also, dogs that get fixed won’t feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won’t get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Dogs can have very negative side effects from even small amounts of medications intended for humans. Call your vet as soon as possible if your dog swallows any pills.
Train your dog indoors or in the backyard. Training a dog in a very populated area is never a good idea. They can get distracted, which can make it harder to train them even basic commands.
Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
If you aren’t sure of the amount of food your dog needs on a daily basis, talk to your vet. 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. Check with you vet to find out about the feeding guidelines for your particular dog.
Avoid buying your dog bargain-based food. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health over time. Instead, research which brands are considered to be nutritious. You will see a difference in your dog’s activity level and general happiness when you feed him “good” food.
Giving your dog a good brush every day will definitely do more than lower their amount of shedding. Daily brushing helps the coat to stay beautiful and shiny. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.
Keep trimming the soft hair near the paws of your dog to keep it from matting. Prior to trimming it, straighten the fur using a comb. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.
If your vet has given you medication or special instructions for your dog, make sure that you follow them. The dog may hate that cone on its head, but it’s there for a very good reason! If you fail to listen to your vet, your dog may end up sick or injured.
If you have a dog that has problems with separation anxiety, or to be nice, you should leave music on when you’re going out of the house. The noise from the music will comfort the dog and that can help the animal to feel secure. Doing this might help your dog get past its anxiety while it awaits your return.
If you have a dog that doesn’t look like it’s very happy because it’s always alone, think about getting your dog a friend. Dogs prefer living in groups with other animals. Match him with a dog that shares the same temperament and energy level to ensure canine bliss.
Always make sure that your dog is wearing some sort of identification on their collar. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. This tag should include your contact information and your dog’s name. You may also want to install a micro-chip into your dog.
Dogs can cut their paw beds when stepping on glass, rocks or other debris. If you find a small cut on your dog, wash it with antiseptic fluid and bandage that area. If the cut seems deep, have a vet check it out.
It often feels right and natural to offer your faithful canine buddy a morsel of whatever treat you’re enjoying. Some foods are okay, but many foods aren’t good for dogs. Grapes, chocolate, and caffeine are all things that you should never give your pup. Foods such as these can do a lot of harm to your dogs health.
If you have a dog then you know that a lot goes into it. Sometimes, caring for a dog can seem like a never ending job. You have the suggestions you need, now you just have to use them. This will cause a lot less stress on your part.