Are you considering the idea of adopting a dog? Do you already have a pet dog? If either of these apply to you, the following tips are ideal. Continue ahead to the following article and learn about different ways to enhance the experience of being a dog owner.
Just like humans benefit from an annual physical, your dog should see the vet at least once a year. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. Regular checkups will help you find these issues prior to them becoming a serious problem.
If your dog behaves properly, be sure it is praised and given affection. Let a dog know that their behavior is what you wish to see. This will teach the dog that when they do what you wish, they’ll get praised.
Let your dog chew some rawhide rather than meat bones. Real bones can break into pieces that can then become dangerous due to how sharp and small they can be. Rawhide is a healthy alternative and will help keep your dog’s teeth clean as he satisfies his need to chew.
Correct bad behavior the first time you see it from your dog. The longer you ignore it, the more difficult it will be to correct it later, and the consequences could be dire. You need to make sure your dog is happy to keep them in control and so he does not hurt anyone.
Make sure to exercise your dog often. Regular exercise is a necessity, as is playtime in order to keep him physically and mentally happy. No matter what, whether throwing their ball or taking a long walk, you’ll both benefit from it. In addition to providing much needed exercise, you will develop a lifelong bond with your pup.
Do not buy cheap food items for your dog in an effort to save money. After a while it’s good for the dog if it has been eating nutritious and high quality food. Quality brands are more expensive but they will significantly increase the life expectancy of your dog.
When you get a new dog, schedule a vet visit for soon after you’ve brought him home. As soon as you bring your new dog home, make an appointment with your vet. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. In addition, consult your vet about spaying or neutering your dog. The shelters are already overcrowded, so you do not want to make that problem worse.
Fostering Dogs
If you’d like to be a dog owner, but think you might not be able to handle the commitment, consider fostering dogs. There are many animals who need a temporary home until they are adopted. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home – who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
Do not leave your dog outdoors for extended periods of time. Dogs need companionship and interaction with their owners. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. Also, they could be bitten by ticks, hurt by other animals or even abducted.
Some breeds have inherent health issues you need to watch for. If you don’t know the type of dog he is, research it so you will know the type of problems your dog could have. Also, see what advice the vet has in terms of helping your dog overcome breed liabilities.
Keep dogs mentally active by giving them many opportunities for physical exercise. For example, train your dog to retrieve the newspaper or other helpful chores. This will help your dog to feel like he is helping you out.
Female Dog
Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. Male dogs can pick up the scent of a female dog in full heat up to five miles away. Your dog could cause some fights and you will be responsible for finding new homes for the puppies if your dog gets pregnant.
Dogs can cut their paw beds when stepping on glass, rocks or other debris. If your dog experiences a cut, wash the area with antiseptic and put a bandage on it. If the cut seems deep, visit your vet.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas daily once it gets warmer outside. Comb your dog with a good flea comb to eradicate fleas. There are lots of products that can help with ticks and fleas. Ask your vet which are best.
Choose your dog’s food carefully. A variety of foods are available, but that doesn’t mean they’re all perfect for your pet. You may be tempted to give your pet leftovers, but this is not healthy.
Even outdoor dogs require lots of love and attention. He will develop very bad habits, like barking, digging or chewing if left alone too often. Also, he may develop aggressive tendencies. Your dog needs lots of play and love to ensure his happiness.
Teaching your dog to stay in a crate while you’re away is great for people that cannot be home all the time. That way, you don’t have to worry that your things will be destroyed or that the puppy will have accidents all over the house.
Can you recall all of the great points made in the above article? Why not reread the article one more time? You will be happy when you know how to fix the problem. The above advice can be used to improve the relationship you have with your canine.