The domestication of dogs is ancient, predating most of human history. Humans and dogs are meant to interact and everyone should be glad. However, since you’re the human, you’re going to have to be sure that you’re caring for the dog properly. Here you will find some advice that should guide you if you wish to have a healthy dog.
You should have your dog spayed or neutered. This helps reduce the probability of cancer and extends the life of your dog. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.
If you’re taking your pup on a vacation, make sure that you take a picture of him for on your phone. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print “lost” flyers.
Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. If you do, he will hang around you constantly wanting more every time you eat. Your dog may also stop eating his own food as much. You might be wrecking your dog’s health by giving him table scraps. Insist that your dog wait away from the table during family meals to avoid temptation on his part – and yours.
Don’t force your dog to do anything. If your dog doesn’t like the treat you’ve bought, don’t make him eat it. Keep an eye on your dog’s likes and dislikes.
Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. If they start to curl under then your dog may start to feel pain. Nails can easily be clipped. Your local pet store will have the tool you need. If you’re uncomfortable clipping them on your own, go to a professional groomer. Nail clipping is very affordable.
If you get your dog from the pound, make sure you have a vet check him out right away. Dogs in shelters could be sick or may have already been exposed to some viruses. The best thing to do is to ensure that you new dog has all the necessary vaccinations before it comes home with you.
If you want a dog but don’t know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. Fostering a dog will allow you to do some charity work and see if you really want a dog!
Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. Before you trim it, use a brush to get it as straight as possible. If this scares you, have a professional do it.
Make sure you heed the vet’s instructions when it comes to medications and special care requirements. They might not be fond of having a cone attached to their head, but your vet recommended it. Your veterinarian only has your dog’s best interests at heart, and if you don’t listen, you may inadvertently cause your dog harm.
Certain dog breeds are susceptible to some health problems, so make sure you know what is typical for the breed of dog you have. Research his history and figure out what problems he may be a candidate for. Also, seek advice from your vet.
You might find a pure breed dog at the pound. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. It could mean you save a dog in the process!
Give your dog a lot of love. As with most things, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. This could cause lots of problems for you. You should mostly focus on praising and petting your dog when you notice a good behavior. Your dog is going to behave much more if you do that.
You need to take good care of all your dog’s needs. It is easier when you have good information. Do more research on dogs, training and other issues you run into.