Content author-Harrell Roth
Owning a dog is like adding a child into the family. They need care, attention, love and discipline. If you do not prepare yourself for this addition, you may find difficulties in the months ahead. Take a few moments and read the tips below to learn the best advice for caring for your K-9 companion.
It doesn't matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. Anything can happen, causing your dog to run away or get in a fight with other dogs or even people. You are the only one responsible for your dog's safety and his actions.
Hugs are good, but kisses should be avoided. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs tend to dig through garbage cans, drink out of toilets and explore the hind quarters of other animals.
What Dog Food Brands Does All Pets Considered Carry believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. This is not in the least bit true.
How Long Should You Feed Your Dog Puppy Food
Hot summer days are harder for dogs to handle than humans. Always make sure your pet has enough water to drink. Provide them with a shaded area to rest if they are going to be outside for any length of time. And, if your dog begins acting in an unusual manner, call the veterinarian. Heatstroke could be fatal, so it is important to get medical care as soon as possible.
When choosing a dog for your home, don't forget to estimate the size it will be as a full grown adult. This is especially true if you have small children at home. Although a small puppy will be cute, it may grow into a large, one hundred pound dog. Do some research on the average adult size of the breeds you are considering.
If your vet prescribes medication, always carefully follow the provided instructions. He may want out of that cone immediately, but he needs to keep wearing it! If your veterinarian recommends something, it's because it's what's best for your dog. If you ignore recommendations, your dog could have some major health issues.
How Much Food To Feed Your Dog
Teach your dog to be trained, even if you don't plan on devoting a lot of time to special tricks. A dog needs to understand the basic hierarchy of the home and should be prepared to listen and learn throughout his life. Practice the basics like "sit" and "down" in the beginning and introduce something new every once in a while.
If you're going to be away from your dog for a short period of time, it might be a good idea to invest in a dog crate. A crate for your dog will provide it with a safe and secure area to go into when you aren't able to watch it for a period of time.
It is essential that you get your dog vaccinated. Vaccinations will protect your dog from different types of illness and diseases. Most vaccinations are done at your dogs yearly check-up. Your vet can explain what each vaccination is for. The rabies vaccine is required by law in many different states.
Always make sure your dog has fresh water available. Water is essential for the health of a dog. He can easily become dehydrated without it or look for unsafe water sources, such as puddles or contaminated ponds. Making sure your dog always has water is an easy way to keep him happy and safe.
When To Switch To Adult Dog Food
If you have a new puppy in the house that suddenly begins chewing things, do not fear. This could be a sign that your puppy is teething. To keep puppy from chewing on your belongings, make sure that you have provided him with plenty of chew toys of his own.
You must give careful thought to a decision to bring a dog into your life. While a puppy's face is adorable, you must consider everything as far as providing care. Weigh all of the positives and negatives before you make your decision.
Don't have expectations for your dog that are too high. When you're getting a dog trained, it may not have a long attention span. Keep training sessions short, especially at first. This prevents both of you from getting frustrated and keeps the training fun.
Be thoughtful about breeding your dog. Repeated breeding of a female can evetually lead to severe health problems for both the dog and the puppies that is born from her. If you plan to breed be sure to do your research first so that you can be sure that you are doing the right thing for your animals.
Before you have your dog fitted with a microchip, be sure and check the database of the company that will store his information. Not all of them are created equal and you want to know that you'll get a fast response if your dog is lost. Look for
Can You Feed Cats Dog Food that connects to shelters and vets near you.
Be a responsible dog owner, to represent the species well. For example, Pit Bulls are feared and often even hated in most places these days, due to irresponsible ownership. People tend to blame the animals when in fact it's the human factor influencing the dog's behavior. Train your dog well and leave a good impression on others!
Make sure there is one policy in your home for giving your dog table scraps. While some owners do not give their dog any table food at all, yet others wait until the family meal is done. This causes less confusion on the part of your dog, and makes meals much easier for your family.
Ask your regular vet about the brand of food your dog should be eating. Your vet will consider any special needs your dog has, as well as be knowledgeable about the quality of various types of dog food on the market. If you have a dog like this, the wrong food might be bad for his health. Your veterinarian is a great resource for you.
Time, energy and knowledge will make the living arrangement with a dog more enjoyable for everyone. Use what you have just learned to help the household adapt to the addition. Dogs can be great friends and companions if you take the time to train, love and care for them properly.