For thousands of years now, dogs have been domestic animals. It’s clear that people and dogs are destined to share lives. It is your job, though, to take proper care of your pup. Here are several tips that will help you keep your dog healthy.
Take the time to make sure your house is dog-proofed. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some plants that are usually kept in the home are poisonous to pets, so move them where your dog cannot get to them, or put them out of your home completely.
Spay or neuter your dog. 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.
Resist the urge to give your dog table scraps. Feeding a dog from the table only reinforces begging. The dog will also be less likely to eat its normal food. Scraps can be terrible for his diet and lead to obesity and other health problems. While you and your family dine, keep your dog in another room so that table-feeding isn’t an option.
Don’t allow your dog to leave your property without being on a leash even if you think your dog is well behaved. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.
Provide your dog with rawhide to chew on rather than actual meat bones. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.
Make sure that your dog is not kept outside your home all day long. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. A dog left alone outside will get very lonely. Also, any extreme weather can cause problems for your dog.
You should carefully trim the hair near the paws to avoid matted hair. A comb should be used first to straighten it before you do any cutting. Another option is to take your dog to the groomers and ask for this task to be performed.
Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. You might be able to prevent some conditions from developing by taking a little extra care of him from the beginning. Also, talk to your vet about things that can be done to increase the odds for your dog’s breed.
If you are in the market for a pedigree pup, you just may find him at the pound. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. Simply call your pound and see what they have. You may be saving a dog’s life.
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. This will help him feel more secure and provide him with a little company. It could be just what he needs to get over his anxiety while he waits for you to come home.
There are many ways to show your dog how cherished he is. As is often the case, dog owners frequently focus on bad behavior instead of good. This can cause issues later. Dogs need to be praised five times more frequently than scolding. When you do this, you will probably end up with a better behaved dog.
Too many trainers spoil the process. Different people do things different ways, and you can confuse your pup. Pick a single person to be the main person doing the training, and let the others know what that person’s methods will be so they can follow along.
Dogs sometimes get tiny cuts on their paws. If your dog gets a small cut, wash it with an antiseptic and place a bandage around the area. If it is a very deep cut, you should take him to a vet.
You may not have known that some vitamins can harm your dog. Don’t give a dog extra vitamins. You can cause damage to your dog’s joints, bones and circulatory system with excessive vitamins. Speak with a vet before starting your dog’s vitamin regimen.
You need to consider your own life when you are thinking about getting a dog. Wanting a dog is easy, but it is not always easy to deal with responsibilities of dog ownership.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a great tool when training a dog. Rewards will really help the training much more than threats and violence. Humane treatment in training is not only better for the dog in the long run, but will be more effective as well. Be kind to your dog and use positive reinforcement at all times.
Try to always be firm. Often, dog owners think it’s fine to sneak some food to them or let them tear apart a toy. This can especially be true if the dog is a cute one. Be firm with your dog if you want to prevent behavior issues. For example, you might give your dog table scraps after you have eaten, but your dog might think there is nothing wrong with jumping on the table and eating your entire meal.
Give your dog toys or rawhide if he loves to chew. Made specifically for dogs, rawhide bones can help the dog satisfy his chewing needs without destroying things inside your home. Many pet stores and supermarkets sell them.
Being a pet owner means you are responsible for your dog’s needs. Apply the tips you just read to make sure your dog is happy and in good health. Use these tips to make your dog a lot happier.