Dogs are an incredible addition to the daily lives of a significant number of people and provide amazing amounts of joy and companionship. To ensure the health and contentment of any dog, a good amount of research and understanding is in order. The information that follows below can serve as a tremendously valuable resource for any dog owner.
When preparing to groom your pet, start the session off on the right foot by helping your dog relax. Spend a few minutes simply petting him, starting with the head and then rubbing the back, paws, belly and even tail. Once you feel your dog is happy and content, begin grooming him.
Some people think that it is necessary to bath a dog often. The truth is that unless your dog gets into something to get dirty, they only need bathed once every two to four months. Bathing more often could strip their skin of the oils they need for a healthy coat and skin.
Make your own dog biscuits to provide your beloved canine with the healthiest treats. Most commercial products are over-loaded with chemicals that aren’t good for dogs, despite adding flavor and aroma. Use quality ingredients and tell your dog what you’re doing in the kitchen! Get him all excited and let him taste-test as soon as they’re cool.
Be strong when the time comes to say goodby to your beloved dog. Many owners keep the animal suffering to keep them in their lives and that’s not fair to the dog. Consult with your vet, then talk it over with family. If it’s time to part ways with your dog, do what’s best for him.
If your dog has been playing outside, take the time to inspect its ears and neck for ticks. These parasites are very common and could make your dog sick if you do not take action right away. Take your dog to the vet if you do not know how to remove the ticks yourself.
To ensure that your dog is safe, you should try to make your home as dog-proof as possibly. This includes making sure that only safe play toys are within your dogs reach. If you have a problem with your dog getting into your kitchen trash or the things on your counter, you could consider getting a baby gate to prevent your pup from entering the kitchen.
When crate training a dog, be sure to allow it to stop making noise (barking, whining, crying) for at least 30 seconds before opening the crate up. This is important because otherwise the dog will believe that as long as it keeps making noise, you will come and open the crate. It can be hard to do this, but is necessary. Of course, always be sure that the dog is safe and not making noise for some other reason.
Never approach a dog you are unfamiliar with. Teach your children the same thing. An unfamiliar dog may look friendly, but he could have a vicious bite. Even if he is not a biter, he might jump on you, potentially causing harm. Always ask his owner for permission before approaching him.
If you are trying to teach your dog some basic commands, one of your first ones should be a recall. Everyone wants their dog to return to them when called for. If you have a solid recall for your dog, you will not have to worry about chasing your dog down it manages to get outside. It should come back to you when you use your recall word.
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.
If you are looking into getting a dog you should ask as much about the dog that you can think of. For example, you will want to know about its mannerisms, level of activity and how affection it is. Ask whatever you can think of, so that you do not regret your decision later.
During the summer, make sure your dog is comfortable. Dogs get overheated quite easily. Provide them with a cool, shady area to hang out in during the summer months. Also, be sure your dog has clean, cold water. Dogs can be affected by the sun just like people can, so talk to a veterinarian about canine sunscreens.
Wash your dog’s water and food bowls regularly. Your dog has no interest in dining from dirty bowls, nor would you. You need to wash the bowls on a daily basis.
When choosing a vet for your dog, make sure that it is a good experience for both you and your dog. You want your dog to feel comfortable so that the visit will go smoothly. It’s also important to find a vet that helps you fully with any concerns that you may have.
You need to trim your dog’s nails regularly. Avoid cutting too much or you could cause bleeding. If you can see a black line inside the dog’s nails, stay away from it. It is best to take your dog to the vet or to a professional groomer if you are not sure how you should cut your dog’s nails.
While you might find adorable if your puppy chews on your shoes, that won’t be the case if an adult dog destroys them. You must do something about these habits right away. Anytime your puppy does something you don’t want him doing, stop it immediately. This will prevent future headaches.
The joy and delight a dog can provide is truly something amazing to behold. The fact remains, however, that a significant amount of know-how is required in order to make life with a dog the very best it can possibly be. Hopefully the insights found above have provided a strong foundation for canine aficionados everywhere.