Owning a dog is fun but you should not take your responsibilities as a dog owner lightly. You must ensure your dog’s happiness and health at all times. If you know how to find a balance with your canine, make sure you learn by reading ahead.
Make your home safe for your dog. Take the time to tour your home with an eye for safety before you introduce your dog to your home. Put all medication and cleaning supplies away, and keep your indoor trash can inside a cabinet. Keep house plants out of his reach, especially if they could be poisonous.
Hugs are great, but avoid kisses. 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. It saying that the dog’s mouth is much cleaner than a human’s is folklore. This is completely wrong!
Store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in a safe place where your dog cannot get them. Swallowing a couple pills could can serious health issues, even heart attacks and seizures. Call the vet immediately if you suspect that the dog has swallowed the medication.
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 responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.
Make use of hand signals when training your dog versus relying only on verbal commands. These signals will help you keep your dog under control in a noisy environment. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.
Ask your vet what kinds of foods you should feed to your dog and what to stay away from. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. You should be careful when you are feeding your dog.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. For example, if you’re a jogger, get a type of dog that can run with you, not a toy-poodle. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. Don’t get a dog that you don’t fit in with if you can avoid that.
Provide your dog with rawhide to chew on rather than actual meat bones. Bones can fall apart and become lodged between teeth or digestive system. Studies have shown that rawhide bones are good for your dog’s health and their teeth. Don’t give in and let your dog gnaw on real bones. Stick to rawhide.
Brushing your dog on a daily basis has other benefits aside from the fact that he will shed less fur on your furniture clothing. A daily brush will make their coat radiant and shiny. This is because the motions you go through while brushing evenly distributes the skin’s oils and helps keep the skin healthy, shiny and soft.
If you’re going to adopt a new dog from an animal shelter, you need to get a vet appointment scheduled as soon as possible. You need to find out if they picked anything up at the shelter. It is best to make sure your new puppy gets all the shots needed before you bring it home.
When selecting a brand of dog food for your pet, read the labels carefully and avoid the cheapest brands. Your dog will be healthier and happier if you feed it the highest quality food. Though this may cost you a bit more, you can rest easily knowing that the dog is eating properly.
In the case your dog has separation anxiety, leave music or the television on when you leave your house. Your dog will appreciate the company of the sound, and he will feel more secure. This is a good way to keep your dog from feeling lonely.
Be very careful when choosing your dog’s food. A variety of foods are available, but that doesn’t mean they’re all perfect for your pet. Feeding your dog leftovers is a good way to save money but provide your dog with a healthy diet is not easy if you feed it leftovers.
Be sure to thoroughly and regularly clean the bowls that your dog uses. Just as you would hate to eat out of dirty bowls, a dog is the same. Each day, clean out your dog’s dishes before filling them up with fresh water and food.
This information is all yours, so use it to get started right away. Make an effort to accommodate your dog’s needs, and you will be rewarded. If you won’t do whatever it takes to give your dog the best life possible, why have one at all?