There is a lot that goes into raising a dog. In a way, it’s almost as if you have a child, but your dog barks vs crying. With lots of patience and knowledge, owning a dog isn’t as overwhelming as you might think. Keep reading for the information you need.
Hug your dog, but don’t kiss him. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. Many people say that dogs have cleaner mouths than people. This is completely wrong!
Take some time to become familiar with your canine’s non-verbal language. If you notice your dog is hesitant to meet a particular person or dog, don’t force it. This could cause the dog to bite. Pay attention to the posture of the dogs and let them take their time.
If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to keep it away from your dog. Consuming even a single pill can cause serious health problems or your dog. If your dog eats your medication, see a vet right away.
Always have your dog on a leash when he’s off your property. Anything can happen, causing your dog to run away or get in a fight with other dogs or even people. Your dog is your responsibility, so treat him right.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
It is important that your dog’s nails are not allowed to get too long. If they start to curl, your dog may feel a lot of pain. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. If you do not want to take this matter into your own hands, hire a professional.
Your dog should not be left outside in the yard by himself for the entire day. Dogs need to interact with people or with other animals. If there is only one dog, he may become lonely. In addition, if severe weather strikes, your dog needs to come inside in order to ensure its protection.
Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. You should do some research on the dog breeds you are interested in to learn more about the health issues they are likely to develop. Also, see what advice the vet has in terms of helping your dog overcome breed liabilities.
Let your dog know that you care about him. Make sure you don’t only focus on the negative things that your dog does. This may spell trouble in the future. Instead make it a habit to praise your dog much more often than any scolding. Make it five times to any one. Your dog will probably show proper behavior more if this is done.
Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. Teach your dog to get your newspaper as well as other things that are useful in your home. Your dog will feel like a useful member of the family, and the reinforcement will keep his training sharp.
Make sure that you are keeping up with your dog’s vet appointments. This allows the vet to catch any diseases in the early stages before they can cause enough damage for you to even notice. It’s best to take your dog for annual physical, since that is the best way to ensure that there aren’t an problems that have gone undiagnosed for a long time. In the end, you will save money.
It is a common occurrence for a dog to get a cut after stepping on glass or other debris. If your dog suffers from a little cut, it should be washed with some form of antiseptic and the bandaged. If the cut is deep, it is best to go to a veterinarian.
Dog care is something you have to be careful with. Your dog will need everything it must have to survive, plus attention and love from you. Though it is a big job to do, you should be able to do it. Use the tips from this article to take good care of your dog and get help from your veterinarian if you need to.