Proven Advice That Will Help You With Your Dog

Are you interested in adopting a dog from a shelter? Or maybe you want to get a dog that is purebred. No matter if your dog is a puppy, show dog, or a old mutt, you need to make sure they are loved. But, you have to be responsible as well, which is why you should read the whole article that follows.

Make sure your home is dog-proof. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. Secure the trash can, stow way all medications and put away your regular cleaning supplies. Some plants can be lethal, so move them out of your dog’s reach.

Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. Since dogs cannot talk, it’s difficult to know if your dog is in pain. A yearly checkup will help you find any problems before they become huge issues.

Have your dog spayed or neutered. It is a known fact that doing this will lessen the probability of your dog getting cancer. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.

Since your dog can’t talk to you, it’s crucial that you listen to their non-verbal language. If when meeting a new dog or person you find your dog is filled with dread, remove him from the situation. This could lead to the other dog or person getting bit. By reading the body language of your dog, you can ensure that this does not happen.

Be sure to keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. When your dog happens to get at your meds, call the vet ASAP.

Try not to buy low quality food for your dog. Cheaper brands have tons of additives, preservatives, and ingredients that can harm a dog’s health. Instead, research which brands are considered to be nutritious. You will see a difference in your dog’s activity level and general happiness when you feed him “good” food.

Real Bones

Don’t ever give your dog bones. Real bones can break into pieces that can then become dangerous due to how sharp and small they can be. 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.

Buy or build a dog house if he is going to be outside for long periods in the winter. If the dog gets wet feet that could make him stressed out and cause other health problems as well. Keep your dog safe by giving him shelter.

Nip bad behavior in the bud. If you don’t address it head on, you will discover that it becomes more difficult to control in the future, possibly with disastrous consequences. You need to make sure your dog is happy to keep them in control and so he does not hurt anyone.

Dog care is now your expertise. Use online resources, which change fairly frequently, to learn as much as you can about dog ownership. There are many forums that are great for dog owners. Educating yourself is something you continue to do for life, so now is not the time to stop!