Many people have pets throughout their lives. If you have a dog or want one, here is some information that will be helpful to you. This article will provide you with great tips on caring for your dog.
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. Several have cancer causing ingredients, and they can be especially harmful to young children. Speak with your vet to see if there are any alternatives that are healthier choices for your pet and your family.
Never let the dog go off your land without its leash, regardless of its good behavior. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. Your dog’s actions and safety is your responsibility.
Your lifestyle can help determine what dog breed is a good match for you. Do not buy a dog that is lazy if you are very active. When you prefer to stay home, choose a small dog who doesn’t need much outdoor time. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
If your dog does something the correct way, such as sitting before you put the leash on, make sure that you give it tons of affection and praise. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
Your dog needs a dog house if he or she has to remain outside in cold weather. Wet feet and cold fur can bring on health problems. Make certain your dog house has a good floor that keeps your dog up off the ground and dry.
Whenever you adopt from the pound, take the dog straight to the vet. A shelter is often a haven for kennel cough and other diseases. Have your dog checked over and given vaccinations as soon as possible.
Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. Comb the tangles out before you start trimming. If you are not comfortable with this process, it would be a good idea for you to go and get it done by a professional groomer.
Your dog needs plenty of affection. Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. This could cause lots of problems for you. On a ratio of five:one, seek out the positive things your dog does and reward him accordingly. This will make it more likely that your dog will behave well.
Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. You can have him fetch things like the paper, or perform other household tasks. Doing this will help your pet to feel like a loved and needed family member, and teaching your dog these skills will give it some much needed mental exercise.
Be cautious with female dogs in the heat. If you aren’t, you may have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. A male canine might sense her from a distance of five miles. Your dog could get into fights with other dogs or become pregnant.
Your dog needs to wear some sort of identification in case he escapes your house. One thing a lot of people do to be sure they get their dog back is they fit them with a collar that’s breakaway and has an ID tag. On the tag, make sure to include your pet’s name and your phone number. You may also want to install a micro-chip into your dog.
After taking in the above article, you should now have a lot of knowledge on how to properly care for a dog. So long as you use this information, your experience with dog ownership should be a positive one. This article describes everything you need to know about caring for dogs.