Having A Dog-related Crisis? End It By Reading This
Are you considering the idea of adopting a dog? Do you already have one? If you are a dog owner or are interested in getting a dog, it is important to educate yourself first. You should go over the following article to learn more about what being a dog owner entails.
Be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to 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.
Keep your dog on leash any time he leaves your fenced yard, regardless of his gentle nature and good behavior. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.
Talk to your vet about what kinds of foods you might want to keep your pet away from. Certain brands may not be right for a small pup and could cause him to get a stomachache or become sick. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
Give your pooch rawhide bones instead of those from real meat. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. Rawhide is a great treat you can use in lieu of real bones.
Bad Behavior
Correct your dog’s bad behavior immediately. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. Not only will it be difficult to curb the bad behavior, he can pose physical harm to you or someone you love.
If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. Animals from shelters sometimes have viruses or might have already been sick when taken in by 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.
Properly teach your dog how to walk with a leash. Your dog should learn to walk by the side of you, teach them to ‘heel’. This keeps you and your dog safe as you walk. Your dog needs to get used to this.
If your dog seems lonely or seems to have separation anxiety, leave the radio or a CD on when you leave the house. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. That might work to appease his anxiety during the time you aren’t home.
Get your dog spayed, and if you have a female in heat, take extra care that she does not become pregnant. Male dogs from as far as 5 miles away may pick up the scent. Your dog could get into fights with other dogs or become pregnant.
Stepping on sharp objects or glass is a common hazard for dogs waling outside. If your dog experiences a cut, wash the area with antiseptic and put a bandage on it. See a vet if they have a deep cut.
Bring your dog to a veterinarian regularly. Your dog needs to see a vet for full check-ups, heartworm blood testing, and for making sure all of their shots are up to date. Having a puppy means regular visits to the vet. If your dog seems ill or becomes injured, you must take it to a vet immediately.
If you are getting a second dog as a companion for one that you already have, consider taking your current dog along when you make your final selection. You need to see if they are going to be compatible or not. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.
Always use positive reinforcement when training your dog. A dog learns quickly when he knows he will be rewarded. It’s just a much better solution for immediate results and for the long term relationship too. So, behave in a friendly manner when you train your dog for best results.
During the warmest months of summer, it is especially important to care for your dog properly. Dogs become overheated very quickly. Make sure they have somewhere shady to hang out during the summer months. Give him water, too. Additionally, the sun can affect your dog, but you can get doggie sunscreen.
Try to always be firm. If they do anything bad, you cannot give in; don’t let them misbehave. This is particularly true when the dog is cute! If you’re firm, you won’t have these accidents. For example, you might not care that your dog begs for food from time to time, but eventually that dog will think it can just jump on the table and start eating whatever is on it.
If your dog has plenty to do, he will feel happy. Dogs get bored so easily. Boredom leads to barking, digging and chewing. A good thing to realize is that if your dog is tired they are happy. Keeping your dog occupied will ultimately end up keeping them calm and happy.
Establish house rules that your pet must follow, and remain firm by them. You might have the bed to yourself for a night and think that your dog would be fine in the bed for that night. That isn’t fair to your dog, as he isn’t going to understand the difference from one night to the next. Exceptions to the rules can put your training progress back a few steps.
Have you soaked up all the information in this article? If you have not, give the article another look. When an issue arises, you’ll be happy when you’re able to deal with it. Utilize this advice, and you and your dog will have a wonderful relationship.