Are you a dog owner or did you used to own one? If you answered yes, then you know how great it can be to own a dog. However, like everything else in life, owning a dog is great only if you truly understand them. You’ll be able to pick up some very useful dog tips by perusing the article below.
Make your home dog-proof. Create a safe area to bring a new puppy into the home. Store things like meds and cleaning products in a safe location, and be sure to keep any indoor trash cans behind a cabinet. Some house plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog’s reach or remove them.
Since you’re not able to speak with your dog like a person, you should pay close attention to the dog’s non-verbal speech. If you notice the dog being hesitant in a new situation, don’t force your dog to socialize if it doesn’t want to. This might lead to a bite to another dog or even to a person. Keep an eye out for your dog’s hints, and do what he needs you to do.
If you’re training your dog, don’t just use verbal commands. Try hand signals as well. Using hand gestures can help your dog to recognize commands quicker. Give both methods a shot, and see what your pet prefers.
If your dog does something the correct way, such as sitting before you put the leash on, make sure that you give it tons of affection and praise. This will show your dog that the behavior he is exhibiting is just what you are looking for. This will also give your dog incentive to be good.
If you aren’t sure of the amount of food your dog needs on a daily basis, talk to your vet. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. Your vet should be able to let you know what your dog’s specific needs are.
Don’t buy your dog cheap dog food. Cheap brands usually contain preservatives such as sodium and other additives that can be dangerous for your dog’s health. Instead, research which brands are considered to be nutritious. Better food will be very beneficial to your dog.
A dog’s bad behavior should always be corrected whenever you see the first signs of it. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. This should be one of the first things that you attend to when you’re bringing home a new pet. The vet is going to check over your dog to see if everything is okay, as well as set it up to get vaccinations it may need. Ask your vet about neutering your dog. Shelters are filled with unwanted animals and not neutering your dog means you could be making this problem worse.
Dog Feel
Separation anxiety could be a problem with your dog. If so, show him extra love and attention and leave music on while you are away. That noise will help your dog feel more secure, and it will help him feel he’s not alone. This little touch can help your dog feel less anxious as he awaits your return.
When the weather is hot outside, check your dog daily for ticks and fleas. If you spot any fleas, you can remove them with a flea comb. Fleas or ticks can be destroyed through numerous products on the market. Talk to a vet regarding these products or some other options.
When you select food for your dog, do so with care. There are many kinds of foods you can pick, but the one you choose should fit with your dog’s size and age. Giving your dog leftovers may be cheap, but it may not give them a lot of health benefits.
Dog ownership is not a responsibility you should take up without a lot of careful thought. There is a lot involved and it’s too simple to fall for a cute puppy’s face. Carefully consider the expense, the commitment of time and all the other important aspects of dog care before taking the plunge.
When you commence the training process, try different reward methods. What does your dog like best? If food works best for your dog, reward it with tiny hot dog pieces. Dogs that are more responsive to some play time can be rewarded with a game of catch. Other dogs may respond to affectionate petting and rubbing.
Just because a dog is outside doesn’t mean they need less attention than indoor dogs. If you leave a dog alone too much, it will eventually develop bad habits, such as chewing, digging, and barking. He could also develop an aggressive attitude. Be sure to play with your dog and show him friendship and affection so he will feel happy.
As stated before, there are many rewards to dog ownership. It can be even better when you are well informed about dogs. Now that you’ve gone over the things in the article above, dogs should be something you understand more. These tips will give you a good start with your dog.