You must be responsible when caring for your dog. If you decide to become a dog owner, be prepared to spending a lot of time training your dog and playing with it. Becoming a good dog owner is easy if you are motivated and have enough time. Want some advice? Read on.
Make your home dog-proof. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Some plants can be lethal, so move them out of your dog’s reach.
It’s good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog’s mouth is extremely dirty. They eat garbage or poop and even sniff other dog’s butts. It saying that the dog’s mouth is much cleaner than a human’s is folklore. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Research has shown that by doing this you can be sure your pet can have a longer life and not be at risk for things like cancer. Also, dogs that get fixed won’t feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won’t get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
Dogs don’t talk so you should learn his non-verbal language. For instance, if your dog is hesitating, it is not a good idea to force him to approach a person or another animal. This could cause your dog to get scared and to bite. Keep an eye out for your dog’s hints, and do what he needs you to do.
Dog training should take place on your property. Avoid training your dog where many people are present. This will make it more difficult for your dog to pay attention.
Nip bad behavior in the bud. When you let it go, he thinks it is okay to do. It is possible that your dog could injure a person, and that person could be you! So correct unwanted behavior right away.
Even if your dog is well-behaved, never leave home without putting him on a leash. Wild animals could get the dog’s attention and lead him into dangerous places, or unanticipated circumstances could provoke conflicts with others. Ultimately, you’re the one who’s responsible for your dog’s safety, as well as its actions.
Daily Brushing
Daily brushing brings great rewards – much more than just a reduction in shedding. Daily brushing helps the coat to stay beautiful and shiny. This is mainly due to the fact that brushing allows the oils in the skin to be distributed evenly. That keeps the skin soft, shiny, and healthy.
Whenever you adopt from the pound, take the dog straight to the vet. They may be carrying some sort of illness that they picked up at the shelter. A full check-up, a clean bill of health, and a full complement of the necessary shots is the best way to start off your relationship with your dog.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Pieces can break off of the real bone, which may cause your dog to choke. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.
When you buy dog food, avoid the cheap stuff. It is vital to give your dog the best quality food. You’ll have to pay more, but you can be certain your dog gets the right vitamins and minerals from good sources.
When you get a new dog, set up an appointment for him at the vet. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. You also want to check with the vet about fixing your dog if you will not be breeding him.
If you’d like to be a dog owner, but think you might not be able to handle the commitment, consider fostering dogs. Dogs who have been abused or left without a home stay in shelters until someone adopts them. Since there are so many dogs in shelters, there are little resources. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.
If your dog needs to be outside during cold months, buy him a house or build him one. Particularly if his feet get wet, extended exposure to extreme temperatures causes stress and can lead to health complications. Keep your dog safe from the elements by providing him the dry shelter he needs.
If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but it’s prescribed for a reason! Your vet will recommend things that are good for the health of your dog, so make sure that you follow his advice.
Taking Care
Taking care of a dog should be a serious matter. Do the best you can to keep your dog happy and in good shape. Taking care of a dog requires consistency and responsibility, and you can do it if you apply yourself. This article will highlight different ways to be a great owner.
Try not to force your dog to do new things. If your dog doesn’t want it, don’t force him to eat it. Learn about your dog’s various likes and dislikes when you first bring it home.
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