Don’t Know Much About Dogs? Check This Out!

TIP! Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. They contain carcinogens proven to cause cancer in kids.

Having a dog is not really very easy. You will have to care for him in many of the same ways that you would a child. Is it impossible to learn every twist and trick in the dog ownership game? The tips in the article that follows will give you a great start.

TIP! Avoid giving your dog scraps from your table. Doing so teaches it to beg and ruins its appetite for its regular food.

Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. Dog kisses may be seen as cute, but their mouths aren’t all that clean. You don’t know where your dog’s tongue has been, and you’re better off not knowing. It’s an old wives tale that your dog’s mouth happens to be cleaner that a human being. It simply is not the case.

TIP! Dog training should take place on your property. Avoid training your dog in heavily occupied areas.

Your dog needs annual medical exams. Your dog is not able to talk, so it is not easy to know when he’s got arthritis or an aching tooth. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.

TIP! Don’t let a dog go off property without their leash, even if they’re well behaved. A dog might run after an animal and get into trouble, or it might get into a fight with another animal.

It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. When provided with signals of this type, dogs tend to pick things up faster. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.

TIP! Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it’s best to stick to rawhide. Real bones can chip and fragments may become lodged in their mouths or digestive tract.

You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. Be safe when taking care of your dog.

TIP! If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. Wet feet and cold fur can bring on health problems.

Be sure to show your dog lots of praise and love when they do something good. You want to let your dog know that the behavior is something that you want to see. This will teach your dog that praise comes from good behavior.

TIP! You should always trim your nails. If they start to curl, your dog may feel a lot of pain.

Avoid cheap dog food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren’t the best for your dog. Contact an animal advocacy group about which foods are best for your dog. Higher quality dog food will offer your dog many health benefits.

TIP! Make sure your dog engages in sufficient amounts of exercise. Regular exercise and play time promotes the health and happiness of your dog.

Don’t try forcing anything into your dog. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.

TIP! You can find pure breeds at the dog shelter. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound.

Take your time to teach your dog what kind of behavior is right or wrong as soon as it occurs. When you let it go, he thinks it is okay to do. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.

TIP! Let your dog feel the love that you have for him. Like many things in life, many owners pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior.

Make sure your dog engages in sufficient amounts of exercise. Regular play and exercise is essential to keep your dog happy, both physically and mentally. From a walk to chasing a ball, everything counts. In addition to providing much needed exercise, you will develop a lifelong bond with your pup.

TIP! Take care any time a female dog is in heat, as you likely do not want her to become pregnant. Males can detect the scent from miles away.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog, but aren’t sure you want to make the commitment, try serving as a foster home. Shelters are full of abused and homeless dogs and they are hard pressed to give them all proper care. Not only will you be helping a dog in need, but it will help you figure out if you would like to become a dog owner.

TIP! If you are getting a second dog as a companion for one that you already have, consider taking your current dog along when you make your final selection. Most dogs enjoy another dog’s company, but some dogs do not get along.

When you leave to work, leave music on for your dog just to be nice, or if he has separation anxiety. The dog will be less likely to feel anxiety if there is a familiar noise. It can help his anxiety as he waits for your return.

TIP! Do not believe that a wet, cold nose can judge the health of your dog. Your dog’s nose may be wet and cold even if they are sick.

ID your pet. Consider purchasing a breakaway collar for your pet. Your dog’s name and your contact info should appear on the tag. You can also opt to have a micro-chip inserted into your dog.

TIP! Think over what you have to do every day, including vacations and anything else before you get yourself a pet. It is easy to want a dog, but it is much harder to take care of the responsibilities that come with being the parent of a loving dog.

Bring your dog to the vet for an annual check-up. Your vet can identify health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid abnormalities before the problem is apparent to you. By having a physical each year, you can avoid unnecessary expenses later on and your dog will not suffer.

TIP! The bowls your dog eats and drinks from need to be washed regularly. Your dog does not want to eat and drink out of dirty dishes any more than you do.

This expert advice has now been committed to your memory so you can use it every day for your dog. You now know what it takes to be a responsible, caring master. Use all that you now know, and your dog will be eternally grateful for your love, support, and leadership!


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