Owning a dog comes with some responsibilities. When a dog needs to relieve himself, he might scratch on a door. When a dog want attention, they may stare at you with yearning, sad puppy eyes. Unfortunately, it’s tough for a dog to tell you what he wants, so read this article for information on your dog’s needs.
Because non-verbal communication is vital to dogs, you should devote yourself to learning how to read your dog’s signals. If your dog is fearful or shy, do not insist that they interact. This could lead to the other dog or person getting bit. Watch for these non-verbal hints and let the dog guide your actions.
No matter how nicely your dog behaves, never take it off your property unless it is on a leash. A wild animal could draw his attention and make him run off into danger, or an unexpected provocation could result in some unpleasant situation with other people and their dogs. You’re responsible for their actions and safety.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. These signals will help you keep your dog under control in a noisy environment. Experiment with each way and determine what works.
When your dog is good, praise him immediately. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. This will teach your dog that praise comes from good behavior.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. Rawhide is healthy and good for their teeth, so don’t share that T-bone no matter what faces they make.
When a dog behaves badly, correct him immediately. If you ignore an unwanted behavior, it is as good as reinforcing it. It will become very difficult to correct the more time passes. If your dog is not under control, he could end up hurting you or someone else.
If your vet prescribes medication, always carefully follow the provided instructions. While a cone around the head is not a pleasant experience for your pet, it may be a necessary requirement for a short time. The recommendations of your vet are always in your dog’s best interest.
Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop certain health issues. Find out what health problems to expect and learn how to prevent those that your dog is prone to developing. Also, seek advice from your vet.
Tag your dog with proper identification to make sure that you can bring him home if he is lost. A good way to ensure your dog is returned if he is lost is to attach an identification tag to his collar. This tag needs to contain all of your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. It is also possible to get your dog micro-chipped.
Know that an animal doesn’t need too many people telling it what to do when it’s being trained. Different people do things different ways, and you can confuse your pup. You need to put just one person on the task of teaching the dog.
It is not uncommon for dogs to get cuts on their paws from stepping on pieces of glass and debris. If your dog suffers a cut, clean it with antiseptic and bandage the wound. If the cut seems very deep, take him to the vet.
Have your pet checked out by your vet on a regular basis. An annual check-up should include blood tests and any needed booster shots. When your dog is still a puppy, it’ll need to go to the vet more often. Plus, you need to take immediate vet action if the dog shows any signs of injury or illness.
When the weather gets warmer, begin checking your pup for ticks and fleas daily. Remove fleas with a special comb. There are lots of flea and tick products for dogs. Consult with your vet to learn more about flea and tick control.
Don’t be hasty when deciding if you will get a dog or not. It’s one thing to fall head over heels in love with a puppy. It’s another to provide a forever home for a dog. After you have thoroughly contemplated all of the pluses and minuses of having a new dog in your life, you can make an informed decision.
Do not believe that a wet, cold nose can judge the health of your dog. A cold and wet nose could be due to many reasons, and it does not preclude illness. You can get a feeling about a dog’s overall health by watching its demeanor, appetite, and energy levels. These are good indicators for how your dog feels. You can also take his temperature with a rectal thermometer.
When thinking about acquiring a dog, be sure to take your entire life (special events, weekends away, vacations) into account. You might feel like you are ready to be a dog owner because you love animals but you need to carefully consider the pros and cons of having a dog.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on what your dog is eating throughout its life. Young puppies need foods rich in calories to grow. Adult dogs can’t eat everything because it will cause them to gain weight and have health problems.
Don’t surrender to your dog’s whims. Don’t overfeed your dog or let him destroy your possessions. This is particularly the case when the dog is very cute! Consistency is key. For instance, giving scraps to a dog may seem harmless, but if you keep doing it, the dog may think it is fine to jump on a table and take a whole course.
Because man has a history of friendship with dogs, many think they can tell what their dog needs just by the look on their face. The tips in this article, though, can help you during those times that you feel overwhelmed with being a pet owner. Your dog will love that you do this!
