There are a lot of breeds of dogs, and lots of different families. It’s a big decision to own a dog. The following article will help you to properly take care of your dog.
Just like people need regular yearly physicals, dogs need the same thing. 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. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.
Because dogs cannot speak to you, it is important to learn their non-verbal cues. If your dog seems hesitant when meeting another person or dog, do not force them to interact. That could lead to another person or dog being bitten. Look out for non-verbal hints so that the dog can guide your actions.
If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. Training a dog in a very populated area is never a good idea. People will only distract your dog, making it more difficult to train him.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
Certain Foods
Speak with your vet to determine whether or not certain foods are okay to give to your dog. Keep in mind that a young puppy’s stomach is not ready for certain foods. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.
If your dog behaves properly, be sure it is praised and given affection. You want to reinforce your dog’s good behaviors. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy. No matter what, whether throwing their ball or taking a long walk, you’ll both benefit from it. Not only will you both get adequate exercise, these activities help you develop a long lasting bond with your dog.
Some breads are prone to illness, and you need to know if yours is one of them. Check out their heritage and try to prevent problems that you know they’re prone to. Your vet can also tell you how to give your dog the best odds for overcoming any conditions that are typical for his breed.
Dog Feel
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. The sounds help your dog feel like others are still home and help your dog feel more secure. This is a good way to keep your dog from feeling lonely.
Show your dog that you love him. As is the case with most things in life, owners often pay more attention to the bad behavior than the good. Your dog will develop more behavioral problems if you adopt this attitude. Rather, stroke, praise and pet your dog at least three to four times more than you scold or speak sternly to him. Your dog will do its best to please you.
When the weather gets warm, start checking your dog for ticks and fleas. Remove any fleas you find with a specialized comb. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet concerning these products and other options.
It often feels right and natural to offer your faithful canine buddy a morsel of whatever treat you’re enjoying. This is okay with certain foods, but some things are very bad for a dog. Chocolate, caffeine, and grapes are some examples of food that should not be given to dogs. They won’t agree with your dog and could even cause him to become very sick.
Do you feel more confident about taking good care of your pooch? To cultivate your dog-care skills and attend to your pet’s needs with confidence, all that’s required is a little self-education. Use the suggestions in this article to help your pet live the best life possible.