Are you ready to change a dog’s life? Whether you already own one or are planning to adopt one, the time is now to learn how to take really good care of them. This article details a bunch of great ideas, some you may never have thought of before, relating to dogs, so read on.
Your dog can not tell you what is wrong, so just listen to his body language. Avoid forcing your dog to interact with others if he doesn’t want to. This might result in another dog or a person being bit. Keep eye on non-verbal clues and look toward your dog for your next move.
Don’t purchase 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. Check out professional recommendations from groups online. Your dog will enjoy and benefit much more from healthier food.
If training has become routine and boring with your dog, consider introducing agility exercises into the mix. These will still teach your dog to obey and be challenging, but they tend to be a lot more fun than the regular commands. Get the whole family involved by making an obstacle course and working the dog through it frequently.
Avoid leaving your pup outside all day. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. Also, when the weather gets bad, you need to keep your dog inside.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. Prior to trimming it, straighten the fur using a comb. Another option is to take your dog to the groomers and ask for this task to be performed.
Keep your dog in comfortable housing. They should be able to rest off the floor and away from drafts. A training crate is a good choice or any covered shelter outside. Try placing a dog bed inside that has a warm blanket or a pillow inside. Wash the dog’s bedding frequently.
When you own a dog, you typically understand the general costs of ownership, such as food, vet visits, and grooming. A generally overlooked cost is emergency situations. Although it may not happen frequently, you should have a bit of money set aside for any emergency that may arise. It’s better to be prepared for an emergency vet visit than to wonder how you are going to pay for it.
Pay attention to your dog’s breath. Dogs will always have “dog breath,”� however, really bad breath is a sign that they need a dental check up. Plaque buildup caused by bacteria could be the culprit and that will need to be treated by a professional. After their treatments, you will need to brush their gums and teeth and feed them food that helps maintain good dental health.
If you bathe your dog often, watch out for signs of painful earaches that can be problematic for canines. They can happen when too much water gets into the ears. Use cotton balls dabbed in baby oil while giving him a bath, and that should keep water from getting in, even if he splashes around.
It is natural to want to get your dog trained as quickly as possible. However, remember that there is a limit as to how fast this process is going to go. If you are not realistic, you are much more likely to get frustrated with your pet, which could damage your relationship. Your pet will learn over time, but it may not happen as fast as you would like.
Never give your dog away for free, no matter how desperate you might feel to get rid of it quickly. Even if you can not care for the animal, it is still your responsibility to be sure that it will have a good life to come. Instead, take the time to investigate the person that you will give it to and charge a re-homing fee to ensure that they are serious about caring for the animal.
Your dog should always have access to fresh water. You should always keep a bowl full of water where your dog can access it or purchase a small drinking fountain for your dog. If you have to leave your dog alone for long hours, so not leave more water than your dog needs.
Do you feel stressed out a lot? Dogs have been proven to help lower your blood pressure and help you to feel calm. People who own dogs often live longer than those who do not. Dogs can also bring you happiness and comfort if you are suffering from an illness.
Naming a dog can be an absolute blast, but there are several things you should consider. Be sure that your dog’s name doesn’t rhyme with a word like stop or no, as this can be extremely confusing for your pet. Try and keep the name at one or two syllables in length, so that it’s easy for you to call out in a hurry.
One if the keys to training your new dog is lots of practice. The repetitive and consistent training is the best way to teach your dog proper behavior and good long term habits. If you do not have the time to devote to training a dog, you should consider choosing a different pet.
Remember, your body language tells your dog a lot about what you want and expect. In fact, body language is often a more effective training tool than simply using your words. Therefore, if you are training your pet, have someone else observe your training sessions and give you feedback on what kind of body language you are using.
Now are you really ready to care for your dog in the best way possible? As long as you endeavor to use what you have learned, you should be! Take your new knowledge and put it to use and you’ll see changes right before your eyes. Enjoy your dog and love them to bits!
