Owning a dog is a very serious responsibility. It’s important for your dog to always be happy and healthy. By learning all that you can about being a good dog owner that knows what they’re doing, you can be sure that things go well for you and your dog.
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. If the worst happens and your pet gets lost, you have a current picture that you can show others or use to make “lost” posters.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Talk to the vet to determine if there are other options for your dog.
Keep table scraps to a minimum. This will make him want human food every time you have a meal. “People food” can also make dogs sick and contribute to obesity. Make your dog stay out of the room when the family is eating.
Always give your dog lots of praise and hugs when it does something right. This communicates to your dog that he is doing just exactly what you want. It also reinforces the idea that they will receive attention if they behave as you want them to.
Avoid cheap dog food. The brands that are cheaper actually have lots of additives, preservatives and other harmful ingredients that can endanger the health of your dog. Instead, research which brands are considered to be nutritious. Your dog can really benefit from better food.
Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Real bones can splinter and can get caught in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract. Rawhide is proven healthy and great for teeth as well, but don’t be tempted to share that T-bone, no matter what kind of eyes your dog gives you.
Take time and correct bad behavior when you first see it. You should never ignore bad behaviors when they are puppies because this will make it a lot harder to correct down the road. The dog may harm somebody, even you, so control them.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. If they start to curl under then your dog may start to feel pain. You can trim them yourself with a pair of store bought clippers. If your dog does not respond well when you try to trim the nails, a groomer or even your veterinarian can handle the task.
Don’t feed your dog the cheap stuff. Overall, your dog will benefit form a lifetime of quality food. Although it will cost you more, you can feel good about the fact that you aren’t skimping when it comes to what your pet eats.
When you get a new dog, set up an appointment for him at the vet. Directly after getting your dog, be sure to make a check up appointment with a trusted vet. This allows the vet to look him over and schedule the necessary vaccines. Unwanted puppies are a tragedy, so make sure your dog gets spayed or neutered.
Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. To properly walk your dog, he must remain directly at your side instead of behind or in front of you. This will not only make your walks more enjoyable, but it will also help keep your dog safe. Even if you’re using loose leashes for walking here and there, make sure the dog understands this command.
When you are training your dog, don’t have too many people telling your dog what to do. Everyone does things differently, and too many commanders may confuse your dog. Have one person train and make everyone else do exactly the same commands during the day.
When the weather gets warm, start checking your dog for ticks and fleas. Remove any fleas you find with a specialized comb. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Talk to your veterinarian about such products or any other options that are available.
This information is good to use, so do it. Make sure you change your ways to make your dog happy and you will be happy. If you won’t do whatever it takes to give your dog the best life possible, why have one at all?