Dogs are among the very best pets around. They’re loving, affectionate creatures. It’s advisable that you learn as much as possible about dog care before getting a dog so that you and your new best friend can have an excellent experience. Here are the basics in learning to understand and care for your dog.
Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Since your dog does not speak the human language, he simply cannot tell you if his tooth aches or his arthritis is making it difficult for him to walk. A yearly checkup will help you find any problems before they become huge issues.
If you take your dog with you on vacation, keep a photo of him on your phone. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
Flea Treatments
Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. A lot of them have chemicals that might be bad for kids! Discuss family-friendly alternative flea treatments with your vet. Be sure to store all flea treatments out of the reach of children.
Avoid giving your pooch table food. This will make your dog beg all of the time and also will make it not want to eat its regular food as much. Feeding your dog table scraps can cause obesity and a number of digestive issues. Train your dog to sit far away from your dining room so that you and your family won’t be tempted to feed it table scraps.
Train your dog indoors or in the backyard. This will give you security and an area that your dog is comfortable. This may distract your pet which will make it a lot harder to teach it even basic things.
Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. Sometimes you’ll find that a puppy can’t eat certain brands of foods because it will make their stomach upset. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.
Talk to your vet about how much to feed your dog. While some people follow the direction on the back of the dog food packaging, they are sometimes incorrect and may make your dog overweight. Speak with your veterinarian about what your dog’s needs are and what amounts are proper.
Correct bad behavior the first time you see it from your dog. If you don’t address it head on, you will discover that it becomes more difficult to control in the future, possibly with disastrous consequences. Your dog could hurt somebody, including you, so keep him under control.
Brushing your pup daily can do much more than reduce shedding in your home. Daily brushing can help them acquire a beautiful, shiny coat. Oil is distributed as you brush their hair, which keeps both fur and skin healthy.
Teach your dog the right way to walk with a leash. Your dog should know how to heel and not behind you or ahead of you. Following this tip can make walking safer for your pet, and it can also make walks more enjoyable for both of you. Understanding that command is great, even if you choose to still walk with a loose leash periodically.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. Prior to trimming the hair, make sure the hair is straight by using a comb. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.
After all is said and done, dogs are going to give their owner a form of love that just can’t be found elsewhere. However, in order to maximize your relationship with your dog, it’s necessary to know all you can about them. This article has provided you with many tips to become a great owner. Incorporate the tips you learned today and use them to get the most out the relationship with your dog.