Have you ever considered getting a dog? Does a dog live with you? If the answer to these questions is yes, the following tips are great for you. This information will give a better life to you and your dog.
Take the time to make sure your house is dog-proofed. Before you bring a dog into your home, you should be sure that the area you’re bringing it to is safe. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Some indoor plants are poisonous, so put them high up.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Dogs love to dig in garbage, get into the toilet, and then they lick their butts, yuck! There is a belief that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is completely wrong!
Resist the urge to give your dog table scraps. 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. Make sure your dog does not sit near the table and beg, so you aren’t tempted.
Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Real bones can chip and become lodged in harmful place such as the digestive tract. Rawhide is a great treat you can use in lieu of real bones.
Don’t force anything into a dog. Some dogs won’t love all treats, and you shouldn’t push your dog to like something. Learn what he likes and what he doesn’t.
Your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. Purchasing some nail clippers at your local pet store is a good idea. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
When making a dog food selection, the cheap stuff is rarely the best choice. In the long run, it is beneficial to be feeding your dog high quality, nutritious food. It costs more, but you’ll save money on vet bills for health issues down the road.
If your welcome a new dog into your family, immediately schedule a check up for him. Once the dog arrive home, place a call to the vet and schedule that appointment. Your vet can make health recommendations, make sure that vaccinations are up to date and help with maintenance items like flea care and proper diet. Remember that there is a tremendous dog overpopulation problem, so you should have your dog spayed/neutered.
The hair around a dog’s paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. Clean and comb the hair before you trim it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.
Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. Lots of dog owners take animals to the pound when they can’t care for them any longer. Simply call the area pound to determine which breeds are available. It could mean you save a dog in the process!
Be politically active when it comes to your dog. Keep up with local legislation to learn about new changes that might have an effect on your situation as a dog owner. It’s often only motivated by the actions of a specific breed or a few bad apples. You should speak out as a good dog owner, and talk with officials in your area.
Have you carefully read the above advice? There are many tips for you to take in. You will be relieved when you have a problem and already know how to rectify the situation. Use these tips everyday to better you and your dog’s relationship.