A dog is a very loving pet and who makes a great companion for any person. A dog makes a great family pet, or a companion for someone who lives alone. If you’d like to better care for a dog, be sure to use these tips.
If your dog has long hair, make sure to take the time to trim the fur around his feet. If you allow your dog’s hair to grow too long, they can get things stuck in their fur. This could lead to injuries between the pads of the feet and around the nails.
Make sure that you trim your dog’s nails on a fairly regular basis. You do not want them to get too long since it will make it uncomfortable for them to walk and they may develop health issues. They should be at a length that just about touches the ground.
Designate a family member or close friend to be responsible for your dog, should something happen to you. If you are in an accident and unable to get home, your dog will need someone to feed him and address other needs. Perhaps you trust a neighbor with your house keys and they could act for you in a time of need.
Be prepared to have a lot of patience with your dog during potty-training. Much like children, dogs learn at different speeds and ages and your canine may be slow or stubborn. Have good resources at your fingertips to assist your efforts and remember not to get angry when your dog has “accidents” as that will only impede his progress.
If you are planning on getting a new puppy, plan on investing in some training classes. These classes offer a great opportunity for your puppy to socialize with other dogs and learn basic commands. These classes will provide your new puppy with a great foundation for future training and will help them get a great start in life.
The kind of leash you use when walking your dog is very important. A small leash that would fit a small dog, like a chihuahua, is not going to fit a Rottweiler or pit bull. Get a leash that will fit your dog comfortably but also provided them with safety.
It is important to train your dog as soon as you get him or her. Behavior that might seem cute as a puppy, can develop into bad habits as your dog matures. It is essential that your dog understands and obeys simple commands. Not only for your safety, but the safety of your dog as well.
Outdoor doghouses are not enough to keep your furry friend comfortable in cold weather. You must also provide some sort of bedding for him. Choose from straw, hay, cedar bedding or even blankets. Make sure that you change the bedding often no matter what you choose to ensure that there no bugs move in and mold doesn’t grow.
When training your dog, always make sure that you enter a room before allowing the dog to. This is important because it is an obvious form of dominance that your dog will understand. Establishing dominance will help with your ability to train your dog and with its overall behavior patterns.
If you are starting to train, start by rewarding them in different ways. Take the time to learn what will motivate your pet the most. If they are food-driven, reward them with items like little hot dogs. If you have a dog that loves toys, play a game with them quickly after they do something you trained them to do. Certain dogs just need love and affection whenever they behave.
Keep in mind that some behavioral problems in your dog could be connected to health issues, especially if your dog is displaying a new behavior. Your dog might become aggressive when you touch it because of a pain and it might have a hard time with house-training because of an infection.
Your dog needs to kept clean, just like you do. They don’t need to be bathed frequently, but they do need to be brushed daily. This can keep his skin healthy and your home clean.
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.
Buy your dog chew toys in order to avoid chewing on unwanted items. These are specially made for dogs, and they can help your pet to satisfy his need to chew without destroying items in your home. You can find a variety of these toys at pet stores or big box franchises.
Walk your dog on a daily basis. Even if your dog has a large yard to run in, he needs time to interact with you and experience life outside of his back yard. Keep him safe by investing in a sturdy collar and leash. This is a great way to enjoy time with your pet.
Dogs should understand they need to respect people of every size, even children. A dog of average size can easily knock a small child down. Even if you do not have children in your home, you should make sure your dog is socialized with people of all ages by visiting friends with children.
Just like the two-legged members of the family, canines have to keep their teeth clean. This will keep the bacteria out of your dog’s mouth. Ideally, a dog owner should brush his dog’s teeth every day. Besides maintaining your pet’s oral health, frequent tooth-brushing can make slobbery dog kisses less of an ordeal!
There is a lot involved in taking good care of your dog. The job doesn’t end with setting out food and taking the occasional walk. Knowing how to care properly for your dog is important. This will make the both of you very content in the long run.