Caring For Your Dogs: Simple Advice And Care Tips
It’s a big responsibility to care for a dog. In some ways, it’s almost like taking care of a child, except this child barks instead of crying. Even though it’s a big responsibility, you can learn to do it well. The following tips will help you achieve this goal.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. You don’t know where your dog’s tongue has been, and you’re better off not knowing. It’s an old wives tale that your dog’s mouth happens to be cleaner that a human being. However, this simply is not the case.
Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
Which breed you need to buy depends on your lifestyle. If you are a hunter for example, perhaps a retriever is the dog for you. When you prefer to stay home, choose a small dog who doesn’t need much outdoor time. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
Wet Weather
If your dog needs to be outside during cold months, buy him a house or build him one. This is especially important during wet weather. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. It’s typical that dog owners will pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior. Your dog will develop more behavioral problems if you adopt this attitude. You should ensure you give your dog positive reinforcement. This will make it more likely that your dog will behave well.
Stay involved politically for your dog. Keep track of local laws which affect dog owners. Frequently, this sort of thing is just a knee-jerk reaction based on an isolated incident. Make sure that your voice is heard on behalf of other dog owners.
Know that an animal doesn’t need too many people telling it what to do when it’s being trained. Everyone has their own unique ways of training, and having multiple people trying to train a dog differently can leave it confused. 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.
Always make an annual checkup appointment for your dog. If your dog is regularly checked out by its veterinarian, they’ll be able to catch things like diabetes or kidney problems before they grow into a major issue. This can save you money if you catch a serious illness before it becomes worse. It may also save the life of your dog.
You need to perform daily tick and flea inspections on your dog as spring and summer approaches. Use a comb for fleas to get rid of them. There are many products out there that can help you control your dog’s ticks and fleas. Consult with your vet to learn more about flea and tick control.
Be careful about the kind of food your dog is eating. Always consider your dog’s age, health status and size when selecting the brand and formula you want to feed your dog. Though just giving your dog your own leftovers is cheaper, it is not good for their health.
When you are enjoying a snack, you might be tempted to share a little with your dog. Some foods are okay, but many foods aren’t good for dogs. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. They can make you dog seriously ill or even cause death if enough is ingested.
Give serious thought to the idea of having a dog prior to adopting one. It’s not difficult to love a puppy when you see them for the first time. Consider everything beforehand so that you know whether or not you can confidently manage it all.
In terms of your dog’s diet, you should monitor things carefully. Puppies can eat higher fat options to help them grow. These rich foods can cause health issues when your dog reaches its adult size and.
If you have very high expectations of your dog, lower them slightly when you begin training. Dogs don’t have long attention spans. When you’re training your pup, short sessions are best to avoid boring your dog or frustrating yourself.
Keep your dog clean and sanitary at all times. They don’t need to be bathed frequently, but they do need to be brushed daily. This keeps those skin conditions away, and it also makes for a cleaner home.
Take your vet’s advice about which food is best for your dog. Some dogs with medical conditions, like diabetes, need a specific diet. If your dog is in this category, feeding him the wrong food could harm his health. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend just the right foods.
Taking proper care of your dog should be taken seriously. You dog’s health and happiness depend on your care in exactly the same way as the health and happiness of a child. There will be a lot of responsibility, but in the end, it is worth it. Just use these suggestions if you need some extra help, and keep caring for your pet.