Dogs are great pets to have and can be very loving if you make sure that you properly care for them. Before you can keep a dog happy and healthy, you must learn how. Continue reading this article to learn what needs to be done if you want to have a good relationship with your dog.
Whenever you travel with your pet, don’t skimp on the packing. Of course you need to be well supplied with his food, water and any medications he may be on, but experts advise that you also bring his grooming supplies, vaccination paperwork, tags and an extra leash. Also, bring a flat sheet for when your dog will be on hotel furniture.
If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.
If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. Don’t train them in any areas full of people. Your dog may have trouble paying attention, and even the simplest commands could go right over their head.
Keep your dog on leash any time he leaves your fenced yard, regardless of his gentle nature and good behavior. A wild animal could draw his attention and make him run off into danger, or an unexpected provocation could result in some unpleasant situation with other people and their dogs. It is your job to keep your dog safe, and to keep him from harming anyone else or causing anyone problems.
Not everyone is good at training dogs, so quit trying if you see things are not going as well as planned. Instead of beating yourself up about it, get in touch with a trainer in your area. Since they have more experience with dogs, it may be much easier for them to train yours.
Not every dog is capable of going to the dog park. Some dogs will not do well around other dogs that they do not know. Get to know how your dog does around friends’ or neighbors’ dogs before you attempt to take him to the park. This way, you will know if he will be aggressive towards other dogs.
If separation anxiety plagues your dog, or you want your dog to feel less lonely, play some music while you are at work. The sounds help your dog feel like others are still home and help your dog feel more secure. It may just be the fix needed for the dog’s anxiety problems until you get back to the house.
If you have a smaller breed dog, make sure everyone who touches him knows the proper way to hold him. Small dogs can be easily injured by inappropriate handling and many owners find this out the hard way. Gently lift at the belly from under his front legs and secure him with both hands.
A dog needs plenty of love and attention. You should try spending at least a couple of hours a day with your dog. Play in your backyard or take your dog to the nearest park. You should get plenty of exercises before coming home and petting your dog for a while.
Perform tick and flea inspections daily on the dog when it gets warmer out. Use a comb for fleas to get rid of them. There are lots of flea and tick products for dogs. Speak with your veterinarian about various flea and tick remedies.
If your dog suffers from constipation or diarrhea, you can try feeding the pet canned pumpkin. This is not same as pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin contains fiber which helps with constipation. In addition, it also absorbs water which helps with diarrhea. Don’t give the dog much, just a teaspoon or two with the dog’s regular meal.
If your dog makes messes in the house or chews when you are away, consider crate training. Crate training involves providing your pet with an appropriate sized crate to,stay in while you’re out of the house. It can keep your pet and belongings safe. Just make sure to never leave him in the crate for a very lengthly period of time.
Be sure to keep your dog’s nails clipped in order to prevent injury. This can occur both from the dog scratching itself or also from having its nails get caught in things such as carpet. In order to be sure you are cutting the nails correctly, be sure to check with the veterinarian or groomer.
Never punish your dog for their negative behaviors. This will only lead to confusion and possibly resentment as well. If you want a well behaved dog it is best to instead focus on the behaviors that you like and work from there to train them to add more positive behaviors to the list.
If diarrhea happens for multiple days, it’s time for a vet visit. A dog may eat something questionable, particularly from outside, and may have the runs for a day. If it doesn’t clear up, this could be a sign of something more wrong and a vet visit is in order.
Keep your dog from jumping. It is instinctual for dogs to want to greet people at face level. That is how they greet other dogs, and they want to jump up to reach a human’s face. Discourage this behavior by not rewarding him for it. If the dog has a tendency to jump on visitors, put him in a crate during the visit.
If you want to use your pup as a guard dog, it is best to avoid introducing it to strangers. Teach your dog never to accept food from strangers and keep it outside or in a different room when you have company. If your dog gets used to strangers, it will not alert you in case of a break in.
Dogs can be one of the most joyful presences in your household. It is important to know what it takes to keep a dog happy and full of energy. Hopefully, this article gave you some useful information on how to care for your dog properly.