There is no better friend than a good dog. There is truth in those words. If you learn how to care for and handle your dog, you can have a great relationship with it. If you’d like to forge a closer bond with your canine companion, just take a look at the great suggestions provided here.
It can cost a lot to take care of a dog. Each dog needs quality food, medical care and general supplies. It can cost you around $1000 each year. Emergency vet visits can cost a ton, so think about purchasing health insurance for your dog.
You may know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but you may not know the specifics. Chocolate is dangerous because of the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous, with a high amount of stimulants. White chocolate contains the least amount of stimulants. Take you dog to vet if he ingests chocolate.
Make sure you have the correct dog supplies. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, be sure that you are equipped with the right supplies. Every dog needs a good sized food and water bowl, a collar and leash, toys, and a comfy place to sleep. Also, remember to purchase an identification tag immediately.
Let your dog know who is boss! Unless shown otherwise, a dog will naturally assume that he is the leader of the pack – once this has been established it is quite difficult to persuade him otherwise! When disciplining your dog, be firm in tone, but calm. Never punish a dog in a physical manner, as this will lead to lifelong mistrust. Also, when he behaves, remember to praise him!
Always follow through with instructions from your vet if your dog has medication or needs special attention. There’s a reason dogs have to endure uncomfortable situations like a cone-collar! Recommendations that a vet makes are for the good of your pet and if you don’t adhere to these things it could be bad for your pet.
If you have a new puppy in the house that suddenly begins chewing things, do not fear. This could be a sign that your puppy is teething. To keep puppy from chewing on your belongings, make sure that you have provided him with plenty of chew toys of his own.
Be prepared for natural disasters that also impact your dog. Have an emergency supply of water and food for him and know in advance if your local shelter for people will allow pets inside. Too many pets are injured or lost following storms, floods and other situations that cause chaos in a community.
If you are not allowed to place a fence in your yard but want your dog to run freely there, consider an electric fence. Electric fences are easy and inexpensive to install, and they can help to keep your free roaming pet safely contained. Using them will require a little training, but they are quite effective if you put the work in.
Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,”� “Heel,”� “Sit,”� and “Stay”� can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.
Know the symptoms of dehydration in your dog, as it is a common ailment that can be dangerous. Particularly during hot dry summer months, your dog may pant excessively and experience a loss of the elasticity of his skin. If you see this, encourage him to drink water and add a little Pedialyte to rehydrate him.
If your dog suffers from constipation or diarrhea, you can try feeding the pet canned pumpkin. This is not same as pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin contains fiber which helps with constipation. In addition, it also absorbs water which helps with diarrhea. Don’t give the dog much, just a teaspoon or two with the dog’s regular meal.
Dogs are awesome. When you know more about dogs and what they need, you can have a better relationship with your pet. Now you know much more about having a happy, healthy dog. You’ll be able to have the best friend you’ve always desired.
Are you looking for tips for being a responsible dog owner? If so, you have come to the right place. There are quite a few tips that can help you when it comes to owning a dog. Continue reading to learn more about being the pet owner your dog deserves.
If you are planning to take your dog on an extended car-ride, talk to your vet about motion sickness medication first. Avoid feeding him before setting out to prevent queasiness and vomiting and make sure you buy him bottled water if you are traveling to any destination that is known to have issues with water quality.
When you are trying to teach your dog new tricks, you should always be patient. Different dogs will learn things differently. If your dog isn’t picking up a new trick right away, give him time. You could also try changing your teaching method. Your dog may respond better to a different approach.
Be careful around Christmas time with a dog in your home; it’s the busiest time of year at 24/7 animal clinics! Things like hanging and tree lights pose a danger to your dog, as they could become tangled or gnaw their way down to raw wires. The loveliest of Christmas plants are also hazardous to a dog’s health, so take extra care during holidays.
Make your own dog biscuits to provide your beloved canine with the healthiest treats. Most commercial products are over-loaded with chemicals that aren’t good for dogs, despite adding flavor and aroma. Use quality ingredients and tell your dog what you’re doing in the kitchen! Get him all excited and let him taste-test as soon as they’re cool.
Do not make training your dog seem like a chore. Dogs pick up on this negative energy and will have a difficult time learning if you are not in the right mind frame. Make it fun and try to look at it as a bonding experience with your pet. When your dog is having fun, they will learn their training quicker.
If you are a very enthusiastic owner of a pure-bred dog, join your local AKC. They are an active social group where you can share your love for your dog, learn a lot and make new friends too. The experience can also help prepare you and your dog for entering contests and winning shows!
Be a responsible dog owner, to represent the species well. For example, Pit Bulls are feared and often even hated in most places these days, due to irresponsible ownership. People tend to blame the animals when in fact it’s the human factor influencing the dog’s behavior. Train your dog well and leave a good impression on others!
Get involved with politics and stick up for your dog! Keep track of local laws which affect dog owners. This is just motivated by some bad apples or a certain breed. Take action and speak up on behalf of your pet by calling or emailing local officials.
If you are training your dog, make sure the treat you are giving him really is desirable. Pets have preferences too, and if your dog does not like the treat you are providing, there is not going to be much motivation to do the right thing. Try out a few different brands, and remember that soft, chewy treats are generally the most well-received.
Know the symptoms of dehydration in your dog, as it is a common ailment that can be dangerous. Particularly during hot dry summer months, your dog may pant excessively and experience a loss of the elasticity of his skin. If you see this, encourage him to drink water and add a little Pedialyte to rehydrate him.
Always make sure your dog has fresh water available. Water is essential for the health of a dog. He can easily become dehydrated without it or look for unsafe water sources, such as puddles or contaminated ponds. Making sure your dog always has water is an easy way to keep him happy and safe.
If you want a happy and healthy dog, you must be a responsible pet owner. There are many things you must do and that will not only help your dog, but will be helpful to you and your relationship with him, too. Use the tips here to make sure your time with your dog is the best it can be.
Dogs are loyal companions. They don’t usually come that way, though. They need to learn what to do to behave, and they have to be cared for. The below article will inform you on how to raise a dog properly.
Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.
If you are in the market for a new puppy, make sure you will have enough time to devote to his training. On average, you need to take a young dog outside to do his business eight times a day and that can take a lot away from your schedule. Training takes more time and patience than most people realize.
Never take your dog away from home without a leash, even if he is well-behaved. Anything can happen, causing your dog to run away or get in a fight with other dogs or even people. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
Speak with your vet to see how much you’re going to have to feed your dog daily. Many people look at the guidelines on the dog food bag; the problem with this is that some of the recommendations may be inaccurate and could cause your dog to gain weight. Ask your vet for the proper amount based on your dog’s needs.
You may be tempted to use your favorite hair shampoo on your dog, but this should not be done. Human shampoo can cause dog skin to dry out. Instead, find a quality shampoo that is made for dogs. When you bath your dog, make sure to rinse all of the residue out of his fur.
Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. This is vital to the care of a happy dog. Many people don’t bother to exercise their dog, thinking that walks are enough. Dogs are active creatures and need to play. Talk to your veterinarian about how much activity your dog needs, and make sure he gets it.
Dog training requires you to be consistent. Once you decide you want to establish a rule for your dog, do not make any exceptions. Make sure everyone at home helps you enforce the rule and encourage your guests not to let your dog jump on them or to not acknowledge your dog when it barks.
You must learn how to introduce your dog to other dogs. Keep him on his leash during introductions so you have better control. Start with a walk by while keeping his attention on you. Then, on the next walk by, allow the dogs to sniff each other a bit. This will allow them to get to know each other without the dangers of attacks.
Control your voice to control your dog. When he is a good boy, speak in a high-pitched voice and shower him with praise. When he misbehaves, use a very low and gruff voice to indicate your displeasure. Being consistent with this will help him learn faster, making training him much easier on you and him.
Know the symptoms of dehydration in your dog, as it is a common ailment that can be dangerous. Particularly during hot dry summer months, your dog may pant excessively and experience a loss of the elasticity of his skin. If you see this, encourage him to drink water and add a little Pedialyte to rehydrate him.
Although some dogs do well on the recommended amount of food to be given each day, some dogs need more or less. Instead of just going by what your food says to feed your dog, try to keep an eye on your dog’s body. If you notice that your dog is gaining a bit of weight, cut the food intake back a bit.
You might find out you do not like taking care of a dog. It might seem tough in the beginning, but the tips here have likely given you the proper direction to take. With the advice provided to you here, caring for a dog should now be relatively easy.
Many different types of dogs and different types of family situations exist. That means there’s a lot to consider when it comes to taking care of your dog. Continue reading if you want to be sure that you’re taking care of your pet properly.
If your young dog is teething and gnawing at everything, buy him a fun chew toy and keep it in the fridge. Not only does this provide him with a good alternative to your furniture, but the cold will help to make his gums feel better. Most younger dogs gnaw out of necessity, not poor manners.
Keep a leash on your dog at all times. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
Ask your vet about which foods he can eat. Puppies can’t eat adult food and vice versa. Use your vets advice and common sense to feed your dog properly.
Be careful if you’re searching for a new dog on Craigslist or other classified ads. Many people exaggerate the truth in order to unload problems or challenging training issues and you could end up with an impossible situation on your hands. Only talk to people who are verifiable through vet records and demonstrate positive handling experience.
When preparing to groom your pet, start the session off on the right foot by helping your dog relax. Spend a few minutes simply petting him, starting with the head and then rubbing the back, paws, belly and even tail. Once you feel your dog is happy and content, begin grooming him.
Schedule regular veterinary visits. Regular veterinary exams are extremely important for your dog’s overall health – as with humans, it is important to catch any health problems early on. The vet will make sure that your dog is up to date on his vaccinations, and check for any other issues such as weight and dental problems or parasites.
Try not to base your dog food choices on the price of the food. Cheap brands are full of fillers, preservative and even chemicals. Use an animal advocacy group or some kind of consumer awareness group to see if you can get a list of good foods that are professionally recommended. Your dog will be much healthier if you feed it some healthy food.
Daily brushing your dog has more benefits that just reducing shedding. Brushing every day will also help give them a gorgeous, glossy coat. When you brush fur, you’re also spreading around the oils that help keep your pet’s coat looking shiny and healthy.
Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. This is vital to the care of a happy dog. Many people don’t bother to exercise their dog, thinking that walks are enough. Dogs are active creatures and need to play. Talk to your veterinarian about how much activity your dog needs, and make sure he gets it.
Not every dog is capable of going to the dog park. Some dogs will not do well around other dogs that they do not know. Get to know how your dog does around friends’ or neighbors’ dogs before you attempt to take him to the park. This way, you will know if he will be aggressive towards other dogs.
The hair around a dog’s paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. Prior to trimming it, straighten the fur using a comb. Go to a professional groomer if you have a hard time doing this yourself.
It is very common for objects to get lodged in the pads of your dogs paws. Check them regularly to make sure that nothing is in there. If you see something, be very careful about taking it out, or it may become lodged even deeper. It is a wise to use tweezers for this.
Before you have your dog fitted with a microchip, be sure and check the database of the company that will store his information. Not all of them are created equal and you want to know that you’ll get a fast response if your dog is lost. Look for a large database that connects to shelters and vets near you.
Do you feel relieved about caring for your dog right now? You now have all the necessary information, so you don’t need to worry regarding the care of your pet. Use these ideas to ensure that your dog is happy and well cared for.
Dog grooming is essential for both your dog’s good looks and his health. However, doing these tasks at home may be complicated, so you might want to consider the benefits of professional dog grooming.
1. Healthy Grooming
Professional pet groomers know exactly how to make your dog handsome without causing any injuries. If you try grooming your dog at home you might end up hurting your dog with cuts, scratches or skin irritations.
The pet groomers will thoroughly inspect your dog’s paws for cuts, thorns or punctures. When detecting these they will apply antiseptic solutions to avoid an infection.
If your pet has a skin condition, a groomer will be able to apply the most suitable products to protect your dog’s skin. If you try grooming your pet at home and he has a skin condition, you might only cause irritations.
2. Trouble-Free Nail Trimming
Dogs need a nail trim once a month. Nail trimming is a dreaded task for most pet owners. Dogs don’t like the process and you can end up cutting the nail too short. A dog groomer knows exactly how to make your dog cooperative and cut the nails to the appropriate size.
3. Professional Hair Cuts
There are certain dog breeds such as Poodles with continuously growing hair. These dogs will need a hair cut and a professional groomer knows how to give your dog the perfect style.
4. Appropriate Grooming Supplies
Just like humans, pets have different needs: long haired dogs need different grooming supplies than short haired breeds. The professional groomers are aware of this and use the most appropriate grooming supplies for top results and to avoid any irritations. A groomer will know what type of hair brush to use and will give a hair cut when needed.
5. Enjoyable Massage
Massaging your dog can be difficult when you don’t know your pet’s muscle groups. A groomer will be able to give your dog a healthy and pleasurable massage that will relax your pet. A proper massage has numerous health benefits: de-stresses the pet and stimulates the dog’s circulatory system.
6. Detection of Early Warning Signs
Professional groomers are familiar with dog anatomy and if they notice abnormalities such as lumps, skin discoloration, rashes, skin lesions, bald patches, gum discoloration or bleeding, they might be able to detect early warning signs of illnesses.
7. Detection of Parasites
A well-trained professional groomer will be able to tell you immediately if your dog has parasites. He will check your pet’s coat for fleas, the ears for ear mites and other parasites that may not be visible for you.
8. Valuable Tips
A professional groomer can observe if your pet’s skin is too dry or too oily and will be able to make suitable dietary recommendations for your dog’s well-being. The skin of your dog will reflect his diet. If this is imbalanced, your dog will have unhealthy skin. An unhealthy skin means dull fur and hair loss, so it’s better to detect the problem from its root and start healing the skin to a get shiny, good-looking coat for your pet.
Your groomer will also give you extra tips for day-to-day maintenance such as brushing or teeth cleaning.
