Owning a dog carries a lot of serious responsibilities. It’s important for your dog to always be happy and healthy. If you know how to get that balance, you’ll do great; you just need the information below.
Don’t allow your dog to leave your property without being on a leash even if you think your dog is well behaved. There are quite a few things that could cause your dog to run off unexpectedly. You are solely responsible for the dog’s actions and for the dog’s safety as well.
Use your lifestyle to pick the dog breed you need to get. For instance, joggers may want dogs that can run along with them, instead of a toy breed that cannot. Likewise if you are quiet home-body, look for a smaller dog that enjoys pampering and living it up on your sofa. When you match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
Don’t buy your dog cheap dog food. Cheap brands usually contain preservatives such as sodium and other additives that can be dangerous for your dog’s health. You should contact an animal advocacy group or a consumer awareness program to get some recommendations for quality dog foods. Your dog will be much better off.
Pay attention to the nails of your canine. If they get too long, they may start to curl under and cause your dog pain. You can buy clippers in a pet store and do them yourself. If you can’t do it by yourself, you might want to try the groomers; it does not cost a lot.;
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. Regular play and exercise is essential to keep your dog happy, both physically and mentally. Whether you decide to take the dog for a walk or if you’re just playing fetch, it will benefit both of you. Not only will your canine buddy get the stimulation required for staying healthy, the two of you will bond much more closely.
You need to make sure your dog can walk on a leash. He needs to know to heel next to you, not behind you or in front of you. This will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you. By having your dog understand this command, it will be very helpful for most situations.
Some breads are prone to illness, and you need to know if yours is one of them. Take the time to read up on your breed so that you don’t get any surprises down the road. Speak with your vet about the positive steps you can take to help your dog avoid these sorts of breed related problems.
If your dog spends a lot of time alone, think seriously about adding a second animal to your family. Dogs like to be around their own kind. You need to match like-tempered dogs together.
Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly. You must keep up with vaccinations, heartworm testing and physical exams for your dog. You will have more frequent vet visits if you have a puppy. If your dog appears to be hurt or sick, they need to be brought to the vet immediately.
Be careful when choosing what to feed your dog. There are plenty of options, and you should find what best matches your dog’s age, weight and other characteristics. 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.
When choosing an animal to cohabitate with an existing one, try to arrange an introduction before deciding. Most dogs enjoy another dog’s company, but some dogs do not get along. If you are able to find dogs that are compatible you will not be troubled later on.
Never judge a dog’s health simply by how cold or wet its nose is. Even a sick dog can have a cold, wet nose. Pay attention to the amount of energy, type of appetite and the dog’s demeanor. These are good barometers of the dog’s health. Your dog’s temperature can be taken rectally.
Consider your daily routines, and decide whether a dog would fit into that scenario well. Wanting a dog is the easy part, but taking responsibility of one and giving it the love it needs is difficult.
When you are dog training, use the technique of positive reinforcement. Praise your dog and give it a treat when it does something well instead of using punishments to get rid of bad behaviors. It’s just a much better solution for immediate results and for the long term relationship too. If you treat your dog well during training, you’ll see excellent results.
Put your dog in a crate if you are not able to watch him. Doing so can prevent unwanted damage to household items, as well as help your puppy not go to the bathroom inside.
If you are thinking about getting a dog, it is also wise to think about a training course for that dog. Owning a dog will be much easier if the animal is properly trained and obeys your commands. It may be easier to teach a puppy things, but you can also teach older dogs if you’re patient.
Your dog should be walked on a daily basis no matter what you do or how busy you are. It provides your dog with the proper amount of exercise and can allow him to see the world around him. That is essential to development and growth, so prioritize walks.
These tips are meant to be used, so go do so! Make more of an effort to attend to your dog’s health and happiness and you’ll see a big improvement very soon. There isn’t a reason to have a dog if you don’t want their life to be fantastic.