Dogs are excellent pets for the whole family but they can also be a lot of work. Knowing what your dog needs is the first step. Continue reading this article to learn what needs to be done if you want to have a good relationship with your dog.
It’s good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs are always getting into garbage, drink from places like the toilet, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. It’s an old wives’ tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. Definitely do not believe that!
Your dog cannot communicate through speech; therefore, you must learn its non-verbal language. You should never pressure your pet into interacting with strangers, be they human or canine. One of the animals could become aggressive. By reading the body language of your dog, you can ensure that this does not happen.
When vacationing with your dog, use the camera on your phone to snap a quick picture. If the worst happens and your pet gets lost, you have a current picture that you can show others or use to make “lost” posters.
Avoid giving your pooch table food. Your dog will constantly beg for food when you are eating and will not be hungry when the time to feed it comes. Your dog may develop digestive problems and become fat if you feed it table scraps. Train your dog to remain in another room while the family eats so no one is tempted to slip something to him under the table.
Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Try both ways of giving commands to see what works best.
Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. Your pet shouldn’t be ahead of you, behind you, or anywhere that isn’t by your side. They should also answer correctly when you say “heel”. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. Even if you practice a loose leash walk, it’s still important for your pet to know this command.
You may need to trim hair that grows near the dog’s paws to help keep it from matting. A comb should be used first to straighten it before you do any cutting. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, take your dog to a groomer.
Follow instructions from the vet if the dog needs special attention or has medication. Your dog may hate wearing a cone, however it is prescribed for good reason. Any thing that your vet tells you to do should be done to ensure a healthy dog.
When seeking pure bred dogs, you shouldn’t automatically rule out pounds. 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. You could possibly be saving a dog’s life in the process.
When you leave to work, leave music on for your dog just to be nice, or if he has separation anxiety. The noise from the music will comfort the dog and that can help the animal to feel secure. It could be just what he needs to get over his anxiety while he waits for you to come home.
Demonstrate plenty of affection to your dog. Do not focus on just the negatives with your dog. If that persists, your dog may begin to act inappropriately to get your attention. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. Your dog’s behavior will improve because of your new technique.
If you only have one dog and they aren’t happy or can’t handle being alone a lot, consider getting them a companion. Dogs generally like to have companions that are dogs. Choose another dog whose energy level and temperament matches your dog’s, and you should have a good match.
Make sure that you can get your dog back by ensuring they carry some type of identification. A common method to make sure your lost dog is returned is to have them wear a breakaway collar with an identification tag. The tag should let people know what your dog’s name is along with your contact information. You can also have your dog micro-chipped.
Choosing a dog food needs to be done with great consideration. There are many kinds of dog food to pick from, but you must locate a type of food that is best for your dog’s size and age. You may be tempted to give your pet leftovers, but this is not healthy.
Dogs bring joy to all they meet. But, it is necessary to understand what must be done to have a happy, healthy pet. Hopefully this article gave you lots of excellent information about looking after “man’s best friend.”