Dogs make fantastic pets. They are extremely loyal and lovable. To be a great dog owner, make an effort to educate yourself on all of the dos and don’ts of dog ownership. This article is loaded with a number of great tips guaranteed to help your properly care for your pooch.
You may know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but you may not know the specifics. Chocolate is dangerous because of the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous, with a high amount of stimulants. White chocolate contains the least amount of stimulants. Take you dog to vet if he ingests chocolate.
If you are thinking about adopting a dog, try taking a couple of weeks off work so you can spend some time with your puppy and teach it a few good habits. Training your puppy and helping it get used to its new environment will be much easier if you are home.
Nip bad behavior in the bud. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. Bad behaviors that are left uncontrolled can result in human injuries to you, your child, your friend or your neighbor. This is why it’s important to nip them in the bud immediately!
If your dog seems lonely or seems to have separation anxiety, leave the radio or a CD on when you leave the house. The sounds help your dog feel like others are still home and help your dog feel more secure. It may help them conquer their anxiety while waiting for you to return.
Dogs, like humans, can develop health problems, and because of this they should be taken to see their vet at least once eat year. This can help to diagnosis any health issues early on, reducing both the extremity of the illness and the cost to fix it. Do whatever you can to follow this rule of thumb strictly.
Always use a leash when your dog or puppy is out in public. This helps you make sure your dog always stays by you and prevents them from wandering off or getting into trouble. This can also help you restrain your dog if something upsets them so that they don’t hurt another animal or person.
If your dog is prone to getting burs in his coat, keep a can of Crisco in your kitchen cupboard. Next time you notice a bur, put gloves on to protect yourself and work the Crisco around until you can pry the bur out. Give him a nice shampoo to get the shortening out later.
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.
Check you dog for parasites and take preventative measure. Flea and tick collars are important. Keep in mind certain collar work better in different seasons and geographic areas. In addition, check your dog’s ears. Ear mites are common. Also, check the dog’s stool to ensure he hasn’t picked up worms in his digestive system.
Some people think it is cute to give their dog alcohol, but it is dangerous. In high doses, alcohol is toxic to humans and even more so for animals. In addition, it affects co-ordination, causing accidents, and can decrease a dog’s respiratory rate. Even small amounts of alcohol can kill a dog.
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.
Puppies are cute and cuddly, but remember that puppies eventually grow into dogs, and rather quickly. Make sure that you put a lot of thought in your decision to get a dog. Taking a dog into your home is a long-term commitment and comes with certain costs and responsibilities, but is ultimately rewarding.
You need to teach your dog a few simple commands at a very young age for its own safety. Your dog should always come when you call its name and a command such as ‘give’ should be used to get your dog to stop gnawing at a potentially dangerous object.
Your dog needs shelter from the sun in the summertime. You should not let your dog outside for too long unless there are a few cool spots in which your dog can be shielded from the sun. You should also make sure your dog always has access to some cool water and.
Put your dog in a crate if you are not able to watch him. This will prevent your puppy from damaging your home, and he will not use the bathroom anywhere he shouldn’t.
When your family gets a brand new puppy, socialize him with different dogs immediately. Taking your dog to a dog park, on a play date, or to a groomer is a good way for them to socialize with other dogs.
If you have a new dog, you need to determine where he will sleep. If you want to crate your dog, never let him into the bed. If you are going to allow your dog on your bed, be sure you’re going to want this to go on every night.
Pay attention to your dog’s diet. Contrary to popular opinion, the most expensive dog food is not always the best. Talk to a vet about food recommendations for your dog, considering their health, age and breed. A good diet will help your pet live longer.
As was mentioned in the opening of this article, dogs make amazing pets. They are loving, loyal and protective. To be a responsible dog owner you must educate yourself on the best dog-care tips and advice. Apply the knowledge you’ve learned from this article to properly care for your pooch.