Owning a dog is definitely not a simple task. Dogs are like children, and they need food, exercise, grooming and doctor’s visits. What does it take to care for your dog properly? The tips in the article that follows will give you a great start.
Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Since dogs cannot talk, it’s difficult to know if your dog is in pain. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
Be sure to have your dog spayed or neutered. Research has shown that by doing this you can be sure your pet can have a longer life and not be at risk for things like cancer. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.
Make sure to keep prescription drugs out of the reach of your dogs. Consuming even a single pill can cause serious health problems or your dog. If the dog does consume some medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Make use of hand signals when training your dog versus relying only on verbal commands. Your dog can figure out things easier when they get these signals. Try both methods to see which your dog prefers.
Whenever your dog performs a good action, such as sitting or staying, give it praise and rewards. After all, your goal is for your dog to know when it is doing something good. This also shows the dog that good behavior will earn praise.
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. This is especially important during wet weather. Keep your dog safe from wind, rain and snow by providing it with a house with lots of room and a dry floor.
Trim your dog’s nails regularly. If they start to curl under then your dog may start to feel pain. You can buy clippers in a pet store and do them yourself. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.
Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. Research the kind of dog you have and see if there are any preventative measures you can take. Also, talk to your vet about things that can be done to increase the odds for your dog’s breed.
If you are in the market for a pure bred pooch, consider checking your local shelter. A lot of dog owners leave their pet at the pound if they do not want them or cannot keep them. Make a phone call to local pounds and shelters and see what kinds of dogs are there. This action could also help to save the life of a dog!
Give your dog plenty of love. As is often the case, dog owners frequently focus on bad behavior instead of good. That could be real trouble with the dog. Try to give your dog praise five times more than the amount of time you scold him. Your dog’s behavior will improve because of your new technique.
Make sure you exercise both your dog’s mind and its body. Teach your dog to retrieve the newspaper or perform chores in your home. The training will challenge him mentally and the affection you show for a job well done will bond him to the family routine.
The advice you have just read should be memorized so that you’re able to get the most out of owning a dog. Cultivating a solid base of knowledge on the subject will make you into a more responsible, reliable dog owner. A dog will love you virtually unconditionally, but your pet will be even happier if you make use of the knowledge you’ve received here.