How To Take Care Of A Dog
Dog ownership can be a joyful experience, but only if you know how to be a responsible owner. To enjoy the time you spend with your pet, you need the right information. This article will tell you all about dog ownership.
Make sure your house is free of doggy danger. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Because dogs cannot speak to you, it is important to learn their non-verbal cues. If your pet hesitates when approaching a person or a pet, don’t push them to go near them. This may cause a human or the other canine to get bit. Take heed of these non-verbal cues, and act accordingly.
Practice training your dog around your home, where you and your pup can be alone. It is not good to teach them where there are distractions. Your dog may have trouble paying attention, and even the simplest commands could go right over their head.
Speak with your vet about the amount of food you should be feeding your dog each day. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. Ask your vet what the right meal plan is for your dog.
Build or buy a house for your dog if he has to stay outdoors for any length of time in cold weather. Exposure to extreme weather for long periods can cause health issues, particularly if the dog’s feet get wet. Protect them from precipitation and wind by providing them a dry and spacious shelter.
If you are going to get a dog from the shelter, make a appointment with the vet. Dogs are more likely to be sick or have exposure to viruses in the shelter. Giving your dog shots before taking it home will keep everyone healthy.
If your vet prescribes medication, always carefully follow the provided instructions. For instance, your dog may need a cone and not like it, but your vet prescribed it for a reason. Your veterinarian only has your dog’s best interests at heart, and if you don’t listen, you may inadvertently cause your dog harm.
Show the dog that he is loved. It is easy to overlook the good behavior your dog shows while you concentrate on eliminating the bad. You might have a hard time later on. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. When you do this, you’ll see much better behavior from your dog.
If you want to do right by your dog, you need to learn a lot of things. Bringing him home is only the start of the journey. Owning a dog requires a person to be responsible when caring for it. Apply what you’ve just learned, and you and your pet will enjoy each other.