Owning a dog is a big responsibility. You have to be sure that you have a happy and a healthy dog. As with many other life skills you want to cultivate, solid education is the key to being a successful dog owner. Check out the tips below and expand your fund of canine care knowledge.
Consider the situation before allowing a dog to kiss your face. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. Some believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. However, this simply is not the case.
Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. Doing so teaches it to beg and ruins its appetite for its regular food. Feeding your dog table scraps can cause obesity and a number of digestive issues. While you and your family dine, keep your dog in another room so that table-feeding isn’t an option.
Take the time to make sure your house is dog-proofed. Prior to bringing the pooch home, check that the whole home is safe. All cleaning materials and drugs must be put away, and put your trash receptacle inside a cabinet. Certain plants are toxic, and it’s best to move them, too.
Training your dog should be done in your yard or inside your home. You should avoid training in heavily populated areas. Too many people causes distractions, making it hard to train them.
It doesn’t matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. A wild animal may set your dog off and send it running into traffic, or someone could provoke your dog and get injured by accident. You’re responsible for their actions and safety.
Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. Your dog can figure out things easier when they get these signals. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Dogs poke around trash cans, love smelling and licking other dogs’ body parts and enthusiastically drink from toilet bowls. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. This statement is most definitely not true.
Your daily lifestyle should help guide your choice of dog breed. For example, someone that stays inside a lot would want a calm lap dog and not a hyper breed. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. Both of you are sure to be happier if you choose a good match.
Always give your dog lots of praise and hugs when it does something right. This will show your dog that the behavior he is exhibiting is just what you are looking for. It teaches the dog that he gets praised when he does what you’d like him to do.
Rawhide bones are the best options for your dog. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. It has been proven that rawhide is healthy for your dogs teeth, therefore avoid giving your dog natural meat bones.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. Keep in mind that a young puppy’s stomach is not ready for certain foods. Always exercise caution when it comes to your animal’s food.
Trim the hair around your dog’s paws to prevent it from getting matted up. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If you’re too scared, take him to the groomer instead.
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. The sound will help him feel more secure and not as alone. The sounds might help to emulate a normal home environment when people are around.
Proper identification can help ensure that your pet is returned to you if he becomes lost. Consider purchasing a breakaway collar for your pet. On the tag, make sure to include your pet’s name and your phone number. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
Reward your dog for doing right things, such as sitting while you place it’s food down, with lots of praise and attention. You want to let your dog know that the behavior is something that you want to see. This is called positive reinforcement.
If your dog poops or pees in the house, you need to clean it up. Use a cleaner that’s professional strength and follow that up with a good odor remover. If your dog can still smell it, he may repeatedly defecate in that area.
Choose your dog’s food carefully. Find a type suited for your dog’s breed, age and condition and be sure to consider other factors such as potential allergens. Though just giving your dog your own leftovers is cheaper, it is not good for their health.
This information is for you to use, so start now! Use what you learned and you can have a great pet. If you won’t do whatever it takes to give your dog the best life possible, why have one at all?
Don’t get your dog food based on how cheap it is. Cheaper brands usually contain lots of additives and preservatives that can harm your dog’s health. Get a list from an animal advocacy or consumer awareness group of the highest recommended foods to give your dog. Higher quality dog food will offer your dog many health benefits.
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