Lots of folks have pets now, or have had them in the past. If you are a dog owner or looking to become one, there are several things you should know. This article provides some great information about owning a dog so you will be prepared to properly care for one.
Make your home safe for your dog. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Do not have any pills out in the open and put all supplies in cabinets. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.
When you have medications of any sort, keep them where your dog cannot get to it. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog's health and even cause death. Call the vet immediately if you suspect that the dog has swallowed the medication.
Your lifestyle should be a determining factor in the breed of dog that you choose. For instance, joggers may want dogs that can run along with them, instead of a toy breed that cannot. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. You and your dog will both be happier if you are a perfect match.
If your dog displays a good behavior, praise it or reward it with a treat. Always make sure your dog knows when they perform a behavior you wish to see repeated. This is called positive reinforcement.
Never give your dog a real bone to chew on. Real bones can chip and become lodged in harmful place such as the digestive tract. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.
Do not force your dog to eat things. If you've purchased your dog treats that it doesn't want to eat, set them aside. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.
When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. If you let it fester it can only make the problem much worse and eventually the dog becomes extremely difficult to train. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so take steps to control him early on.
When it is time to buy dog food, avoid buying the cheapest brand. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. While this could mean that you're going to have to pay more money, you can know that you're doing the best for your dog to keep it healthy.
If you are in the market for a pure bred pooch, consider checking your local shelter. There are people who drop off pets for many different reasons, such as moving abroad or the death of an owner. Contact the pound in your area to see what kinds of breeds they have at the time. This could help you save the life of a dog.
Make sure your let your dog know you love him. Most of the time you are paying attention to the very bad things they do and overlooking the good. This could cause lots of problems for you. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold them. Your dog is going to behave much more if you do that.
Be politically active on behalf of your pooch! Watch for local laws that people are trying to pass to restrict how dog owners have to behave and what their rights are. This typically occurs because of a certain kind of breed that has attacked other people, usually because of the negligence of the owner. Speak for dog owners that are responsible by talking to your local officials.
Dogs tend to get cuts and scrapes on their paws from things they step on. If you spot a cut on your dog's paw, clean it using an antiseptic before bandaging the cut. If the cut seems very deep, take him to the vet.
If you're adding a second dog to your home, try to let your first dog meet the second before bringing it home. While dogs are naturally social, some find it easier to get along with newcomers than others. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.
You should take the time to reflect about your lifestyle before getting a dog. No matter how much you may want a furry friend, you may realize that you aren't ready for that kind of responsibility.
Always use positive reinforcement when training your dog. Using praise and rewards helps your dog learn quicker than other ways, such as dominance or violence. This form of training will give you many benefits in the future for your dog. Therefore, be kind when training your dog and enjoy the great outcome!
If you will be away from your dog for periods of time, consider crate training him. Doing so can prevent unwanted damage to household items, as well as help your puppy not go to the bathroom inside.
If you are thinking about getting a dog, it is also wise to think about a training course for that dog. You and your dog are going to be much happier if you train him properly according to commands. While puppies usually learn commands easier than adult dogs, older dogs are still able to learn.
If you're going to be out of the city for a while, get a petsitter to watch your dog. The pet sitter will come into our home and care for your dog. This is a good way to keep your dog in a familiar environment while making sure it is well taken care of.
After the above article, you should understand what you'll need to do to care for your dog. As long as you're applying and sticking with the tips, your dog ownership should go smoothly. This article describes everything you need to know about caring for dogs.
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