Owning a dog is fun but you should not take your responsibilities as a dog owner lightly. You must check to make sure your dog stays happy and healthy. You need to educate yourself about caring for a dog in order to become a good owner. Start by reading this article for some useful tips.
Make your home safe for your dog. It is important that you try to foresee any problems your dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Put all medication and cleaning supplies away, and keep your indoor trash can inside a cabinet. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Hug your dog, but don’t kiss him. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs will eat their own waste, dine on garbage, and gulp water straight from your toilet. It is folk wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a humans. This is absolutely a myth!
Because non-verbal communication is vital to dogs, you should devote yourself to learning how to read your dog’s signals. If your dog seems hesitant when meeting another person or dog, do not force them to interact. That could lead to another person or dog being bitten. Keep an eye out for your dog’s hints, and do what he needs you to do.
If you keep some medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog’s health and even cause death. Be sure to contact your vet if your dog swallows your medication.
Whenever your dog performs a good action, such as sitting or staying, give it praise and rewards. This will show your dog that the behavior he is exhibiting is just what you are looking for. This shows your pup that when things are done right, he will be rewarded.
Rather than purchasing an actual meat bone for your dog, go with rawhide instead. Bones can fall apart and become lodged between teeth or digestive system. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
If your dog has to stay outside during cold weather, give him a dog house. If your dog happens to get his feet wet for a long period of time in cold temperatures, it can cause health complications. Protect your dog from wind and precipitation by giving him a shelter that has a dry floor and plenty of space.
Stop trying to force your dog to do things. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. Find out your dog’s likes and dislikes and feed him accordingly.
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 needs to have your name and phone number on it. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put in your dog.
What new laws or regulations concerning pets will affect you? Keep watch on legislation in your area that may affect your rights as a pet owner. That legislations is often motivated by certain breeds or certain dogs that have behaved badly. Speak for dog owners that are responsible by talking to your local officials.
When selecting the ideal diet for your dog, investigate the options thoroughly. There are many to choose from, so focus on those that are for your dog’s age and size. You certainly can save some money by serving your dog leftovers, but it is difficult to achieve a balanced diet and include all of the right nutrients.
Always think carefully before you bring dog into your home and life. There are a lot of things you have to think about instead of just falling in love with the first dog you see. Make a thorough, honest evaluation of your preparedness and suitability before you agree to care for a dog.
You can tell about your dog’s health by feeling is nose, but there are other factors, too. There are lots of reasons why his nose may be this way, even if he is feeling ill. Instead, focus on his energy level, bathroom habits, appetite and thirst. These indicvators will tell you how your dog feels. A rectal thermometer will come in handy to see if your dog is feverish.
When you are dog training, use the technique of positive reinforcement. Giving your dog praise and rewarding them will teach them better and quicker than force or violence. Treating your dog humanely when training is what is most effective and what is best for him. Be kind to your dog and you’ll see some great results.
Always keep an eye on your dog’s diet. Foods high in calories are fine for puppies who are growing. If a high calorie food is fed to an adult dog, it could result in weight gain.
Now that you know what to do, don’t wait to get started! Implement the tips included above, and you will be happy with the results. There is no reason to get a dog if you are not willing to do everything you can to make sure he has a good life.