Dogs have spent thousands of years as domesticated animals. The relationship seems reciprocal, with both dogs and humans benefiting from the arrangement. However, as the human, you have to make sure that your dog is well taken care of. Below is the information you need to make that happen.
Consider the situation before allowing a dog to kiss your face. Dog kisses are very unsanitary. Dogs poke around trash cans, love smelling and licking other dogs’ body parts and enthusiastically drink from toilet bowls. It’s an old wives tale that your dog’s mouth happens to be cleaner that a human being. Definitely do not believe that!
If there are prescription and other medications within your home, keep them away from your dog. Dogs can have very negative side effects from even small amounts of medications intended for humans. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.
Table Scraps
Don’t give your dog leftovers from your own plate. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Your dog may develop digestive problems and become fat if you feed it table scraps. Train your dog to sit far away from your dining room so that you and your family won’t be tempted to feed it table scraps.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. Dogs tend to respond better with these additional types of signals instead of always relying on voice commands. Experiment with each way and determine what works.
Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. By the same token, if you are a quiet person, you should choose a quiet lap dog. When you match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
If your dog behaves properly, be sure it is praised and given affection. This will show that you appreciate what your dog is doing. This is called positive reinforcement.
Don’t buy the cheapest food for your dog. Less expensive dog foods include fillers and additives that are not beneficial to your dog’s health. You can get a list of veterinarian-recommended foods from your vet or from animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness groups. Your dog will enjoy and benefit much more from healthier food.
Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
Get your new pet a veterinary exam. Don’t wait to long to make your appointment. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. In addition, consult your vet about spaying or neutering your dog. The shelters are already overcrowded, so you do not want to make that problem worse.
Keep trimming the soft hair near the paws of your dog to keep it from matting. Use a comb first, then start cutting. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
When you leave to work, leave music on for your dog just to be nice, or if he has separation anxiety. The noise from the music will comfort the dog and that can help the animal to feel secure. This may help ease the dog’s fears and calm him down just enough so he isn’t going crazy while he awaits your arrival.
Always make sure to keep your dog’s annual vet visits. Your vet may see problems, such as thyroid problems, kidney problems, and diabetes, before you’ll notice any signs. Annual physicals save dog owners money and saves your pet a lot of undue suffering.
When the weather gets warm, start checking your dog for ticks and fleas. Remove fleas with a special comb. 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.
You might feel the urge to feed your dog a piece of your snack. You can give him some things, but not others. Some foods you cannot give your dog are chocolate, grapes, or any caffeine. These types of food are very detrimental to your dog’s health.
Make sure that you reserve a sleeping area for your dog. A crate is a great place to put your dog in the first few months. If you do want your dog to sleep with you, make sure that you’re going to want to there every night.
As the human, you must care for your dog’s needs. It might be easier than you think after reading this article. Just try some of these tips, and you will see a positive difference in your dog.