Know These Things If You're A Dog Owner!
A dog is much like a child in that you have to care for him night and day. At the same time, your dog can't talk back, nor can he draw on the walls. While kids and dogs each have their own pros and cons, this article only discusses how to care for your dog.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog's mouth is extremely dirty. Dogs root around in garbage pails, drink enthusiastically from the toilet bowl and love to lick and smell certain body parts of other dogs. It's an old wives' tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. That tidbit of information is plain wrong.
Much like people in the United States, many dogs are overweight. Having a few extra pounds on their frame can lead to a number of health problems, like cancer or diabetes. Many owners simply overfeed their pets. Talk to your veterinarian about how many calories your dog needs each day so you can adjust their meals accordingly.
If you're training your dog, don't just use verbal commands. Try hand signals as well. When provided with signals of this type, dogs tend to pick things up faster. Give both methods a shot, and see what your pet prefers.
Schedule regular veterinary visits. Regular veterinary exams are extremely important for your dog's overall health - as with humans, it is important to catch any health problems early on. The vet will make sure that your dog is up to date on his vaccinations, and check for any other issues such as weight and dental problems or parasites.
A dog is around for only around ten to fifteen years, so making the most of his life is extremely important. This article provides you with so much data, you may find it overwhelming. That said, take it one step at a time and you can make your dog's short life amazing.