Easy Ways You Can Be A Better Dog Owner
Have you ever thought about acquiring a dog as a pet? Are there dogs in your house right now? The following tips can help improve your abilities as an owner. You will find many pieces of information that can make owning a dog a wonderful experience for years to come.
It’s very important to make sure that your home is safe for a dog. It is important that you try to foresee any problems your dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Place any meds or household cleaning supplies out of reach, and place any trash cans in a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.
Keep a leash on your dog at all times. Dogs are easily distracted by other animals, cars, and kids, so always make sure to keep your dog on a leash for his own safety. You will be responsible for your dog’s actions and safety.
To improve the dog training process, try using hand signals in addition to verbal commands. When provided with signals of this type, dogs tend to pick things up faster. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, these guidelines can be incorrect and lead to an overweight dog. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.
Offer rawhide rather than actual meat bones. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. Studies have shown that rawhide bones are good for your dog’s health and their teeth. Don’t give in and let your dog gnaw on real bones. Stick to rawhide.
Brushing your dog on a daily basis has other benefits aside from the fact that he will shed less fur on your furniture clothing. Brushing keeps the coat shiny and healthy. Brushing distributes the natural oils of the skin throughout the hair coat for added sheen and softness.
You need to trim your dog’s nails regularly. Once they get to a length where they are curling under, this is likely to cause your dog some pain. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
Make sure that your dog receives plenty of exercise. Dogs need consistent physical activity to ensure they are physically and mentally fit. Whether you take a dog on an extended walk or toss a ball around, your dog and you will both benefit. This doesn’t just entertain and exercise your dog, it helps you form a bond.
When giving your dog medication or special treatment, follow vet instructions closely. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but it’s prescribed for a reason! You will leave your dog open to serious health problems down the line if you do not follow the advice from your vet for the health of your dog.
If you have to leave your dog alone for a whole day, leave a radio or a TV on. The sound will help him feel more secure and not as alone. This might just quell his anxiety while waiting for you to return.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. Like many things in life, many owners pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior. This can cause issues later. You should ensure you give your dog positive reinforcement. He’ll behave better more often this way.
Stay politically active for the sake of your dog. Look for changes in the local laws that govern pet ownership in your area. It often results from one bad breed or bad dog. Talk to responsible pet owners all around you by contacting your local officials.
Can you remember everything you just read? If this isn’t the case, go over the advice in the article one last time. You will be happy when you know how to fix the problem. Apply this guidance to achieve a wonderful relationship with your dog.