It’s never going to be easy all of the time when you own a dog. Issues like finding the best dog food, getting quality medical care, grooming and regular exercise have to be fully considered. How will you know what to do? Reading this article is a great start.
While it’s great to show your dog affection, you shouldn’t kiss them. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog’s mouth is extremely dirty. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. Your dog’s mouth is not really any cleaner than a human’s mouth. Definitely do not believe that!
Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. If when meeting a new dog or person you find your dog is filled with dread, remove him from the situation. This may cause a human or the other canine to get bit. Watch out for those non-verbal clues and let your dog guide any actions you perform.
Keep your medications out of paw’s reach. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. Call the vet immediately if you suspect that the dog has swallowed the medication.
Speak with your vet to determine whether or not certain foods are okay to give to your dog. Some foods can cause sickness or an upset stomach. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.
Do not try to feed your dog something they do not like. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t make him eat it. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.
As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. The longer you ignore it, the more difficult it will be to correct it later, and the consequences could be dire. Your dog could hurt somebody, including you, so keep him under control.
If you want to get a pet from a shelter, find a vet who can examine your new dog. Dogs that live in shelters may be sick or may have been around other sick dogs. Therefore, you should ensure your new dog receives its vaccinations as soon as you obtain it.
Adequate exercise is an important consideration for dog owners. Regular exercise is a necessity, as is playtime in order to keep him physically and mentally happy. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. Exercise is a great way to bond with your pet.
The cheapest dog food may not always be the best buy when considering what food to feed your dog. Overall, your dog will benefit form a lifetime of quality food. Sure, it’s more expensive. But, isn’t your pet worth it?
If you buy a new dog, set up a vet appointment as soon as possible. Once the dog arrive home, place a call to the vet and schedule that appointment. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. Also see about getting your dog fixed because there are tons of animals in shelters and adding to that problem isn’t good.
Make sure that your dog is not kept outside your home all day long. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. If there is only one dog in your household, he may feel lonely outdoors. Also, when the weather gets bad, you need to keep your dog inside.
Whatever your vet recommends, do it. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. Your vet will recommend things that are good for the health of your dog, so make sure that you follow his advice.
Really show your dog some love. A lot of owners focus on correcting bad behaviors rather than displaying affection for their dog. If you focus on the negatives, they will not maximize their potential. Rather, be sure to give praise five times more frequently than you reprimand. Your dog is much more likely to showcase the proper behavior if you do so.
Dog Ownership
Dog ownership is a long and complex adventure, and you never know when some of the advice you’ve just reviewed will come in handy. When it comes to mastering dog ownership, you have the foundation you need to make it happen. Use this information, and you and your dog can spend many happy years together.