Lots of different kinds of dogs exist, and there are dogs that will work with different families. Taking care of a dog requires a big responsibility and its decision that should not be taken lightly. The following article can help you care for your new pup.
It is important to puppy-proof your home. Your entire home should be safe prior to bringing the dog inside. 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.
Since dogs cannot talk, you’ll need to learn about your dog’s way of communication. If when meeting a new dog or person you find your dog is filled with dread, remove him from the situation. This could cause your dog to get scared and to bite. Look for your dog’s non verbal cues and react accordingly.
If you decide to take your dog with you on a trip, take a photo of him on your phone. That way, if he happens to get separated from the family, you have an up-to-date picture of him that is easily accessible for showing people or can be downloaded for printing up “lost” flyers.
Associate some hand signals to verbal commands when training your dog. These signals will help you keep your dog under control in a noisy environment. Test out both methods to see which works for you.
Praise your dog when he behaves or performs in the way that you have been training him to. This is to let the dog know that you want more of that behavior. Your dog will quickly understand that the praise is connected to a certain action.
Bad Behavior
A dog’s bad behavior should always be corrected whenever you see the first signs of it. If you ignore it, you are going to make the problem harder to contain, and you aren’t sure what the result of bad behavior will ultimately be. It is possible that your dog could injure a person, and that person could be you! So correct unwanted behavior right away.
Make sure you heed the vet’s instructions when it comes to medications and special care requirements. Your dog likely will not enjoy wearing a cone, but the vet prescribed it for good reason. Your veterinarian only has your dog’s best interests at heart, and if you don’t listen, you may inadvertently cause your dog harm.
Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Just give a quick call to your local humane society to see what breeds they may have available. This can help save the life of a beautiful dog.
Get your dog spayed, and if you have a female in heat, take extra care that she does not become pregnant. Male dogs can smell her scent from up to five miles. The end result of letting an in heat dog run free is not only an unwanted litter, but also a dog who is prone to fighting and the resulting injuries.
Always make sure that your dog is wearing some sort of identification on their collar. A common method to make sure your lost dog is returned is to have them wear a breakaway collar with an identification tag. The tag should let people know what your dog’s name is along with your contact information. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
When it comes to training your dog, you should never have several people in charge. Folks all do things differently, and it is important not to confuse the animal. One person should be the master while the others reinforce what the dog is learning.
Anytime your dog has an accident in your home, remove any trace of it. Clean it well, and then snuff out any remaining smell with an odor remover. If the smell from your pet’s mess stays there, it might motivate your dog to continue defecating there.
Conduct daily flea and tick inspections on your dog when it starts getting hot outside. Remove any fleas you find with a specialized comb. There are a lot of available products that can control fleas and ticks on your dog. Speak with your veterinarian about various flea and tick remedies.
If you are getting a second dog as a companion for one that you already have, consider taking your current dog along when you make your final selection. Dogs happen to be social creatures, but that doesn’t mean they all get along. If you find a dog that is compatible right away, you’ll save yourself some difficulties later.
Think over what you have to do every day, including vacations and anything else before you get yourself a pet. Wanting a dog is a piece of cake, but actually taking care of one is harder.
When you undertake training for your dog, use positive reinforcement. Rewards will really help the training much more than threats and violence. Humane treatment is better for your dog, and it’s a lot more effective. Always treat your dog with kindness during training so you will see a much better end result.
Wash your dog’s water and food bowls regularly. Your dog doesn’t want to eat from a dirty bowl, just like you wouldn’t want to. Wash the bowls every day and fill them with fresh food and clean water.
If your dog is going to be left alone often, crate training may be a great option for you. By doing this, your dog will use the bathroom outside and cause less damage to your home.
Do you feel more confident about taking good care of your pooch? This article has given you important advice than will ensure you know how to care for your dog. Put what you’ve read here to use, and you will be sure that you have a dog that’s taken care of properly.
