Answers For Your Dog-related Questions Are All Right Here
Owning a dog can be quite joyful. There are things you need to know about taking care of your pet. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips you can use when it comes to being a responsible pet owner.
Take the time to make sure your house is dog-proofed. Prior to bringing your dog into your home, be sure that it is entirely safe. Hide cleaning supplies and medicines and hide trashcans in a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.
If you take your dog with you on vacation, keep a photo of him on your phone. This will be helpful should he get lost.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. For example, someone that stays inside a lot would want a calm lap dog and not a hyper breed. Likewise if you spend quite a lot of time at home you may want to get a dog that likes to be pampered a lot. Both of you are sure to be happier if you choose a good match.
If you want to keep your dog outside, build him or her a small shelter. Wet feet and cold fur can bring on health problems. Keep your dog safe from the elements by providing shelter.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. If they get too long, they may start to curl under and cause your dog pain. You can do this yourself using a pair of dog clippers from the pet store. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. Make an appointment as early as possible. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. Ask your vet about neutering your dog. Shelters are filled with unwanted animals and not neutering your dog means you could be making this problem worse.
If your vet has given you medication or special instructions for your dog, make sure that you follow them. He may want out of that cone immediately, but he needs to keep wearing it! Vets are professionals who have experience dealing with your situation.
When seeking pure bred dogs, you shouldn’t automatically rule out pounds. A lot of people give their dogs to the pound because they can no longer keep their pet for whatever reason. Contact your pound and ask them what breeds are currently there. You may even save a poor dog’s life.
Show your dog that you love him. Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. That could be real trouble with the dog. On a ratio of five:one, seek out the positive things your dog does and reward him accordingly. This increases the chance that your dog will repeat the good behavior rather than the bad.
Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly. Your pet will need to go to the vet so it can get tested for heart worms, get a general check up, and to see if the shots are still up to date. If your dog is younger, make sure that you go to the vet often. You need to go to the vet as soon as your dog seems sick or hurt.
There is a lot to being a good, responsible dog owner. It’s not all peaches and cream. It takes some responsibility on your part. Enjoy the time you spend with your dog now.