There is a common saying that a dog can be man’s best friend. That saying holds a lot of truth. If you have the information you need, you can create a wonderful lifelong relationship. This article has useful information that will help you build a friendlier relationship with your dog.
Your home needs to be ‘dog-proofed’. It is important that you try to foresee any problems your dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Put cleaning supplies and medications away and keep indoor trash inside a cabinet. Many common household plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog or get rid of them.
Since your dog can’t talk to you, it’s crucial that you listen to their non-verbal language. You should never pressure your pet into interacting with strangers, be they human or canine. This could cause your dog to harm a person or another dog. Pay attention to the posture of the dogs and let them take their time.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. It is unwise to do it where there are many strangers around. Your dog may have trouble paying attention, and even the simplest commands could go right over their head.
To improve the dog training process, try using hand signals in addition to verbal commands. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Find out the way that your dog prefers and use it.
If the dog is doing something right, like sitting before he is leashed, lavish him with praise and affection. After all, your goal is for your dog to know when it is doing something good. It will show your dog that doing the right thing will earn him praise from you.
If your dog spends time outside, he should have a good house. You can purchase one or build one yourself if you are handy. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Keep your dog safe from precipitation and winds by providing him with a place that is spacious, with a dry floor.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. Not all dogs like the same things.
Take the time to train your dog on a leash. He should be on your side, not behind or ahead of you, and he should know how to respond when told to “heel.” Doing this will not only be easier on you, but it will also keep your dog safe. Even if you’re using a loose leash from time to time, you should still train your dog so that it understands when you issue that command.
If you have a dog that seems unhappy or lonely, think about getting another dog. Dogs are pack animals by their very nature and usually prefer the company of their own kind. Get dogs of similar energy levels and temperaments for the best results.
Tag your dog with proper identification to make sure that you can bring him home if he is lost. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. The tag should include your name and contact information as well as the name of your dog. You can also have your dog micro-chipped.
Stay politically active for the sake of your dog. Keep an eye on legislation that might regulate or restrict your rights as a dog owner. It is usually indicative of a particular breed or certain owner’s recent actions. You need to talk to your local officials and stick up for rights of dog owners.
Know that an animal doesn’t need too many people telling it what to do when it’s being trained. Everyone has their own unique ways of training, and having multiple people trying to train a dog differently can leave it confused. Only allow one person to teach the dog things and then everyone else should learn what that person has taught the dog and stick with that.
Dogs tend to get cuts and scrapes on their paws from things they step on. If your dog has a tiny cut, use an antiseptic to wash it with and then bandage the area. If the cut continues to bleed, go to an emergency veterinary hospital.
Make sure you select dog food very carefully. Always consider your dog’s age, health status and size when selecting the brand and formula you want to feed your dog. Serving table scraps to your dog may be cost effective, but it does not provide a balanced and healthy diet for your dog.
If you already own a dog and are getting another one, have the two meet before bringing the new one home. Dogs are quite social, though not all get along well. If you find a dog that is compatible right away, you’ll save yourself some difficulties later.
Dogs are fantastic pets. The more you educate yourself about caring for them, the happier your relationship will become. You should have learned a lot here, and hopefully you’ll use what you have learned to build a happier life for you and your dog. Your dog will be your best friend.