Owning a dog is definitely not a simple task. Dogs require feeding, grooming, and vet visits. Sometimes it can be hard to meet the challenges that come along with owning a pet. Continue reading and learn more about being a responsible pet owner.
You must dog-proof your residence. Take the time to tour your home with an eye for safety before you introduce your dog to your home. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some houseplants are toxic and need to be kept out of your dog’s reach.
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.
Avoid giving your dog scraps from your table. 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. Scraps can be terrible for his diet and lead to obesity and other health problems. Make your dog leave the room if he begins to beg, or train him to spend mealtimes in another room entirely.
To improve the dog training process, try using hand signals in addition to verbal commands. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
Check with your vet to determine the amount of food to feed your dog daily. Dog food packages provide guidelines, but they can be wrong for your particular pet and lead to obesity. Your vet should be able to let you know what your dog’s specific needs are.
Find out what is going on that is causing your dog to act out. If you ignore an unwanted behavior, it is as good as reinforcing it. It will become very difficult to correct the more time passes. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.
If you get your dog from the pound, make sure you have a vet check him out right away. Illness is common in shelters, and your new pet could be at risk or already nursing an ailment. Your puppy needs to get a few shots before you can safely bring it home.
Take your dog outside so that he can get fresh air and exercise. A dog requires regular exercise and game time; it keeps him healthy and happy, both mentally and physically. From a walk to chasing a ball, everything counts. Besides just getting some exercise, you’ll be creating a bond between you and your dog.
Avoid matting on your dog’s paws by keeping the hair on them trimmed. Straighten hair with a comb a bit before you trim it. If this process is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.
Make sure you exercise both your dog’s mind and its body. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. This gives him a job to do and he’ll feel fulfilled as a result.
Never miss one of your pet’s annual check-ups. This allows the vet to catch any diseases in the early stages before they can cause enough damage for you to even notice. Regular check-ups will keep your dog healthy, and may save you a lot of cash in the long run.
Clean up completely if your dog uses the bathroom on your floor. You must make use of an effective cleaner and a strong odor remover. If any scent from their excrement is left behind, they may keep soiling that area.
These tips can be used in your daily life with your dog. Cultivating a solid base of knowledge on the subject will make you into a more responsible, reliable dog owner. Use what you learned here and your efforts will be rewarding for both you and your dog.
