If You Want To Learn About Dogs, We Have The Goods
Are you a dog owner or did you used to own one? If you are, then you’re already aware of how great dog ownership can be. However, like most things, owning a dog is much easier if you have the right information and knowledge. Read on to find some new advice.
Dog-proof your home. This should be done before the dog shows up at your home. Secure the trash can, stow way all medications and put away your regular cleaning supplies. Some house plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog’s reach or remove them.
Make sure to keep prescription drugs out of the reach of your dogs. If your dog has access to these pills, there can be fatal consequences. If your dog does ingest some of your medication, get in touch with your veterinarian immediately.
Table Scraps
Fight the urge to feed table scraps to your dog. Doing so teaches it to beg and ruins its appetite for its regular food. Giving your dog table scraps isn’t good for his health as it could result in weight gain and digestive problems. You can keep your dog healthy and avoid any temptation to feed it from the table by teaching it to spend dinnertime well away from your family.
If you’re training your dog, don’t just use verbal commands. Try hand signals as well. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Give both methods a try to find out which works best for your particular pup.
Talk with your vet about the foods you should feed your dog. Sometimes, your puppy may not be developed enough to consume certain brands, as this can lead to an upset stomach or sicknesses. Always be cautious about dog food.
Be sure to show your dog lots of praise and love when they do something good. You need your dog to realize that you’re proud of their behavior and want to see it more often. This is called positive reinforcement.
Rather than purchasing an actual meat bone for your dog, go with rawhide instead. Real animal bones can chip and pose a danger to your dog’s digestive tract and mouth. It has been proven that rawhide is healthy for your dogs teeth, therefore avoid giving your dog natural meat bones.
Don’t force your dog to do anything. If you offer him a treat he doesn’t seem to like, do not make him eat it. You need to find out what your dog does and does not like.
Regularly brushing your dog’s fur won’t just stop your pet from shedding on your furniture. Regular brushing encourages a healthy, shining coat. This is because the motions you go through while brushing evenly distributes the skin’s oils and helps keep the skin healthy, shiny and soft.
Makes sure your dog gets adequate exercise. Dogs need game time and regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically healthy and happy. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. Exercising with your dog will help you establish a bond with it.
Remember the saying “The more people that work on something, the less likely they are to succeed” while you train your dog. Everybody does things differently, and a dog can be confused by having several commanders. You need to put just one person on the task of teaching the dog.
If your pet slips up and uses the bathroom in your home, be sure to remove every trace of the mess. Utilize professional grade cleaners and odor removers as well. If you do not clean up the mess well enough, your dog might just go again in the same spot.
When it becomes hot, do tick and flea inspections. Try using a flea comb to remove any fleas that you find. There are a lot of things on the market that will help you get your dog’s fleas and ticks under control. You can also consult your vet.
If you have a dog but are thinking of getting another one, try to get the two to meet. Dogs are social creatures, but it’s true that some dogs are more friendlier than others. If you manage to find two dogs who are instant best friends, it will make your job of training them to get along that much easier.
Positive Reinforcement
Always use positive reinforcement when training your dog. Do not hit your dog as this will only make him fear you. Treating your dog well isn’t just the humane thing to do, it’s effective. Be kind to your dog and use positive reinforcement at all times.
Your vet can give great advice about appropriate dog food for your canine friend. Your dog may need a special diet if it has a medical condition, such as diabetes. If this is the case, then eating anything else could be hazardous to your dog. Your vet will be able to tell you what the best food is.
What does your dog eat? Some food brands are much better than others and price is not always a good determining factor. Consult with your vet on the best food for your dog, taking into account his age and the overall state of his health. Feeding the best food to your pet can be a great way to ensure a long life for your dog.
If you find your dog chewing on inappropriate items, consider purchasing a few dog toys or chewable treats such as antlers and bully sticks. Those are particularly for dogs, and can satisfy him without destroying things in your house. A lot of these toys can be gotten at pet stores and even online if you prefer.
Dog Ownership
As this article discussed earlier, dog ownership can be a rewarding endeavor. It can be made even more pleasant when you are armed with good information about dog ownership. The article you just read has given you many valuable ideas to make your experience the best it can be. Utilize the advice to its fullest.