There are lots of pets out there that a person can pick from. Reptiles, cats and hamsters are a few options. If you want a great companion, you should choose a dog. Read on to find out what it takes to take care of your dog.
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. This will be helpful should he get lost.
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. A lot of these medications have ingredients that can be harmful to children and can cause cancer. Talk to the vet to determine if there are other options for your dog.
Never take your dog away from home without a leash, even if he is well-behaved. A wild animal may set your dog off and send it running into traffic, or someone could provoke your dog and get injured by accident. As the owner, you will be held responsible for any damages your dog causes.
Your dog needs a dog house if he or she has to remain outside in cold weather. If his feet are wet, extreme temperatures can be stressful and bad for his health. Give your dog a shelter that is spacious and dry, and your dog will be protected from the hard winds and dampness.
If you get a dog that was in a pound or shelter, you must see a vet right away. Animals from shelters sometimes have viruses or might have already been sick when taken in by the shelter. You should also get your dog all of his shots before bringing him into your home.
If you’ve been considering adopting a dog but still aren’t sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. Fostering will help you become adapted to the life of a pet owner, and you will be making a difference in the life of a dog at the same time!
If you have to go out, leave the TV or radio on when you leave. The music will calm the dog down, and they’ll feel like someone else is there. The sounds might help to emulate a normal home environment when people are around.
There are many ways to show your dog how cherished he is. In life, it is far too common to give bad behavior more attention than good. If that persists, your dog may begin to act inappropriately to get your attention. Dogs need to be praised five times more frequently than scolding. This will make it more likely that your dog will behave well.
Be sure your dog wears identification so it can always get back home. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. The tag should let people know what your dog’s name is along with your contact information. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put in your dog.
Stay involved politically for your dog. Keep your eye on potentially-restrictive legislation regarding dogs. Sometimes people might misjudge a breed. Speak for dog owners that are responsible by talking to your local officials.
Make sure to keep all of your dog’s annual check-up appointments. The vet will be able to spot signs of diabetes, thyroid issues and kidney trouble a while before your dog shows any signs. Annual physicals for dogs can spare owners a lot of unnecessary expenses down the road and the animal a lot of unnecessary suffering in the meantime.
Bringing a dog into your home is no small matter, but with the knowledge you have gained from this article, you should be ready to take the plunge. Make sure you are always expanding your knowledge into healthy dog care. You will have a great hobby, and you’ll learn about how best to care for your dog.