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When seeking a new dog, you are sure to want a gentle companion who will keep your feet warm at night. What you end up with may be a different story. Even so, you are now responsible for caring for the dog, so learn the ropes from the article that follows.
Just as you need to keep up with your annual doctor’s appointment, your dog needs to see his vet annually too. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. Making an annual trip to the vet is the best way to discover and deal with these kinds of problems when they’re still manageable.
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. That way, if he happens to get separated from the family, you have an up-to-date picture of him that is easily accessible for showing people or can be downloaded for printing up “lost” flyers.
If you have medication for you or a family member, be certain your dog cannot reach it. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog’s health and even cause death. If you notice that your dog has consumed any of your medication, you need to immediately contact your vet.
Think about your own lifestyle when considering the dog breed you want. For example, if you’re a jogger, get a type of dog that can run with you, not a toy-poodle. If you prefer to stay at home, seek out a small dog that loves to snuggle on the couch. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
Don’t buy your dog cheap dog food. Cheap brands usually are loaded with additives that can be bad for health. You should contact an animal advocacy group or a consumer awareness program to get some recommendations for quality dog foods. Your dog will be much healthier if you feed it some healthy food.
Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual meat bones. Giving them actual bones may cause them to fall apart and become lodged in the digestive tract or oral cavity of your dog. Rawhide is very healthy and will help your dog develop some strong teeth. Never ever give him a real bone!
Exercise your dog frequently. This will keep his bones and muscles strong and healthy. Regardless of the activities you choose, the dog and you will surely benefit a great deal. Exercising with your dog will help you establish a bond with it.
Take your new dog to the vet. Schedule a visit with the vet right away. The veterinarian will set the dog up with the proper vaccinations and give it a routine health checkup. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. He should know the “heel” command, stay close to you and not veer far ahead or drag behind. Your dog will be safer in this position, and you’ll both enjoy your walks more this way. The heel command is crucial for your dog, even if a loose leash walk is being used.
Make sure the hair located on your dog’s paws is trimmed in order to prevent matting. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. Another option is to take your dog to the groomers and ask for this task to be performed.
If your vet gives you special instructions for your dog’s care, follow them to the letter. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but it’s prescribed for a reason! The recommendations of your vet are always in your dog’s best interest.
For pure bred dogs, don’t discount local pounds to find one. Many pet owners abandon their dogs at the pound when they no longer want to, or are able to, keep them. Call the pound to see what breeds they’ve got. It could mean you save a dog in the process!
Make sure your let your dog know you love him. As it usually happens, many times owners focus more on bad behavior rather than good ones. This could cause lots of problems for you. Give your dog positive reinforcement every time they do something right. This will make them very happy when around you.
Your dog needs to have mental stimulation as well as ways to become physically active too. You can teach your dog to be helpful with and respectful of things in your house. Your dog will feel like a useful member of the family, and the reinforcement will keep his training sharp.
Do you go on many vacations? Are you home infrequently? Should you really get a dog? Many people romanticize having a dog, but the reality involves consistency, responsibility and commitment.
Outdoor dogs need attention just like indoor dogs do. If the dog is left alone too long, it can begin some really bad habits like digging. chewing, and barking. He could also develop an aggressive attitude. Therefore, ensure you provide your dog with a lot of attention to ensure his overall health and happiness.
Don’t go overboard with what you allow your dog to do. Dog owners may feel that they can let their dog destroy toys or that it’s okay for them to eat table scraps. This happens even more with really cute dogs! Be firm with your dog if you want to prevent behavior issues. 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.
Don’t ignore this great advice that you have available. Make use of it all in everything you do and you will find your dog becomes more like the dream you once had. You will also find that there is no better friend than a dog that loves you.