Arguably, dogs can be as great a loyal companion as any person can. That’s why you must learn all you can about keeping your canine friend happy and healthy. The following article will teach you all about dogs.
Hug your dog, but don’t kiss him. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog’s mouth is extremely dirty. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. It’s an old wives tale that your dog’s mouth happens to be cleaner that a human being. This is not true, at all!
Dogs don’t talk so you should learn his non-verbal language. 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 could lead to the other dog or person getting bit. Watch for any of these non-verbal cues and let these guide your actions.
When training a dog, practice in the yard or your home. You do not want to train your dog around a bunch of people. This can cause your dog to get distracted, which can make training them simple commands almost impossible.
When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. Your dog may have a better time understanding you when you use manual signals. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
Give your pooch rawhide bones instead of those from real meat. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
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. Dogs from pounds are exposed to more illnesses than others. Giving your dog shots before taking it home will keep everyone healthy.
When making a dog food selection, the cheap stuff is rarely the best choice. Overall, your dog will benefit form a lifetime of quality food. Sure, it’s more expensive. But, isn’t your pet worth it?
Always follow any instructions from the vet carefully, especially if your dog requires medication or other special attention. Dogs may resist wearing cones, but they are there for good reason. Any thing that your vet tells you to do should be done to ensure a healthy dog.
When you’re picking out another dog to live with the one you already have, your current dog should meet the new one first. Dogs are social creatures, but it’s true that some dogs are more friendlier than others. Finding a dog that gets along well with your current pet will be best for everyone in the long run.
You need to really consider adding a dog to your home. A cute puppy tugs at the heartstrings, but you’re not thinking about all the responsibilities caring for it will involve. Make sure that you understand all of the care dogs need so that you will know if you’ll be able to do it all.
Are you aware that vitamins can actually harm dogs? As long as your dog has a good diet, he or she needs no extra vitamin supplements. Excessive amounts of some vitamins can harm the bones, joints and blood vessels. If you’re going to be giving your dog vitamins, be sure to talk to your vet first.
Even a properly contained, outdoor dogs need a lot of attention. If the dog is left alone too long, it can begin some really bad habits like digging. chewing, and barking. Your dog could even become aggressive. Play with him often and let him know you love him, and he will be happy.
There is a reason they refer to dogs as man’s best friend. The best thing any prospective or current dog owner can do is spend some time studying up on the needs and care requirements of canines. Keeping the advice from this article in mind will help ensure that your dog grows up happy and healthy.