Have you ever considered getting a dog? Or, do you already have a dog? If you said yes to any of these questions, these tips are for you. With knowledge, comes power…and you’re about to become powerful.
Hugging is okay but kissing should be avoided. Kissing a dog might seem cute, but they have dirty mouths. Dogs root around in garbage pails, drink enthusiastically from the toilet bowl and love to lick and smell certain body parts of other dogs. It’s an old wives’ tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. It’s not true.
Store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in a safe place where your dog cannot get them. Swallowing a couple pills could can serious health issues, even heart attacks and seizures. When your dog happens to get at your meds, call the vet ASAP.
When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.
Talk to your vet about what kinds of foods you might want to keep your pet away from. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Be cautious of what you feed your dog.
Learn what health problems are most typical for your breed of dog. Research his history and figure out what problems he may be a candidate for. You should inquire with your vet about how you can take care of your dog the right way.
Local Pound
If you’re thinking about getting a dog that is pure bred, keep the local pound in mind. Unfortunately there are many people out there who simply cannot care for their dogs anymore and they end up at the local pound. Just give a quick call to your local humane society to see what breeds they may have available. You’ll be saving a life.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. As it usually happens, many times owners focus more on bad behavior rather than good ones. This could cause lots of problems for you. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. Dogs stand a much better chance of displaying good behavior if that is the case.
Get politically active for your dog! Watch to see if there are any laws passed that affect your situation as the owner of a dog. These sort of things typically happen because of a few dogs acting out, or popular opinions about a certain breed. Talk to your local officials on behalf of responsible pet owners worldwide.
When the weather gets warmer, begin checking your pup for ticks and fleas daily. You can also use a comb to expel any fleas. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Try talking to your vet about these products or other available options.
Give serious thought to the idea of having a dog prior to adopting one. There is a lot involved and it’s too simple to fall for a cute puppy’s face. Make a thorough, honest evaluation of your preparedness and suitability before you agree to care for a dog.
Were you aware that vitamins are not good for your dog? Don’t give a dog extra vitamins. Certain vitamins can be overdosed and result in damaged joints, bones and blood vessels. Speak to a vet before beginning any dog vitamin regimen.
When you first start out training the dog see what kinds of rewards work best. Look for cues as to what motivates your dog to learn the quickest. If food works best for your dog, reward it with tiny hot dog pieces. If you have a dog that likes toys, let the dog play tug of war after doing what it was told. Some dogs will enjoy being petted and rubbed by doing this.
Take special care during the summer. Dogs get overheated quite easily. Have a cool, shaded area for your dog in the summer. Your dog should have access to water that is clean and cool. Your vet should be able to provide you with different options for dog sunscreen as well.
Don’t go overboard with what you allow your dog to do. If they do anything bad, you cannot give in; don’t let them misbehave. This is particularly the case when the dog is very cute! If you’re firm, you won’t have these accidents. If your dog learns that it is not necessary to wait patiently for a few scraps and prefers jumping up to help himself, you may find that the dog takes whatever is in reach without waiting for your permission.
Just like a human, any dog needs consistent cleaning. That doesn’t mean daily baths for the dog, but a bath once a week is recommended. This keeps those skin conditions away, and it also makes for a cleaner home.
Did you learn all you could from what you just read? There are many tips for you to take in. They’ll really help when you’ve got an issue and need to take quick action. Use these tips everyday to better you and your dog’s relationship.