Owning a dog is no small feat. If you decide to become a dog owner, be prepared to spending a lot of time training your dog and playing with it. Through the task is a big one, you can take care of a dog with patience and knowledge. Keep reading for terrific dog ownership advice.
Since your dog cannot talk to you, you have to learn how to listen to your dog’s non-verbal language. If when meeting a new dog or person you find your dog is filled with dread, remove him from the situation. This can lead to a bad ending for your dog, the other pooch or the other person. Pay attention to the posture of the dogs and let them take their time.
Anti-flea products are dangerous. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Talk to the vet about different forms of treatment that are safer for use around small kids.
Do not feed your dog from the table. This can make your dog not want to eat his dog food, and it will promote begging. Table scraps can negatively affect the dog’s health and cause digestive issues or obesity. Make your dog leave the room if he begins to beg, or train him to spend mealtimes in another room entirely.
Dog training should be take place out in the yard, or even inside your home. It’s a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. Distractions occur, making it difficult to get your dog to focus on basic commands.
Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. Also, rawhide is better for the health of your dog’s teeth.
Do not force your dog to do anything. If you’ve bought a treat that your dog doesn’t seem to interested in, don’t try to make your dog eat it. It will take you a little while to figure out what your dog likes and what he doesn’t, but you’ll get the hang of it.
If you’re adopting a dog through a local shelter, try scheduling a vet appointment right away. Dogs from shelters might have been exposed to viruses or might already be sick. Your puppy needs to get a few shots before you can safely bring it home.
When giving your dog medication or special treatment, follow vet instructions closely. Your dog won’t like a cone, but he has to wear it. If you fail to listen to your vet, your dog may end up sick or injured.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, or you simply want to be extra nice to him, leave some music on when you go to work. The sound of music could help him feel more secure and keep him company. It may just be the fix needed for the dog’s anxiety problems until you get back to the house.
If you’re the owner of a lone, lonely dog, you should consider getting a second pooch. Dogs are, after all, pack animals; they usually like company that is like them. Get one that is similar in energy level and temperament and your dog will be in heaven.
Dogs need to be exercised physically and mentally in order to stay healthy. Find ways for your dog to help you each day, such as training it to fetch the morning paper. Your dog is always going to feel like it’s a part of your family while getting trained so that it’s mentally fit.
Put a lot of thought into the well-being of your dog. In the same way you would care for a child, you must make sure that your dog has everything necessary to survive. Though it is a big job to do, you should be able to do it. This article has provided you what you need to know.