Tips For Becoming A Better Dog Owner
Dog’s are truly our best friend. There is a reason that saying came about. If you understand how to properly take care of your pet, you will find that the two of you can have a fantastic relationship. This article will give you some great advice on having a dog as your best friend.
When vacationing with your dog, use the camera on your phone to snap a quick picture. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
Table Scraps
You should never give table scraps to your dog. Doing so teaches it to beg and ruins its appetite for its regular food. Table scraps are also not nutritionally sound for a dog, and this might mean digestive problems, obesity, and other ailments. Make your dog stay out of the room when the family is eating.
When you begin training your pup, start in your yard or home. Don’t train in a park. They are going to become distracted, and the easiest commands can be tough.
Always have your dog on a leash when he’s off your property. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health over time. Check with animal advocacy groups or consumer reviews to find the best dog foods that are recommended by professionals. Your dog can really benefit from better food.
When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so take steps to control him early on.
Whenever you adopt from the pound, take the dog straight to the vet. Shelter dogs could be sick or exposed to different viruses. Giving your dog shots before taking it home will keep everyone healthy.
Save Money
Do not try to save money by choosing the cheapest dog food. It is best to invest in quality dog food. It costs more, but you’ll save money on vet bills for health issues down the road.
If your welcome a new dog into your family, immediately schedule a check up for him. This should be done as soon as he is adopted. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
The hair around a dog’s paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. Use a comb first, then start cutting. You can always use a dog groomer if you find the process difficult.
Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. There are often pure bred dogs at shelters and rescues, and they are desperately in need of homes. Call the shelter to find out which dogs they have available. This action could also help to save the life of a dog!
Dog Owners
Stay involved politically for your dog. Watch local legislation that passes to see how it regulates or restricts the rights and behavior of dog owners. Many times new, overly-restrictive ordinances have incredibly broad impacts when they’re only intended to affect a tiny minority of pet owners. Stand up for good dog owners and let local officials know your thoughts.
Dogs make for amazing companions. When you know how to care for your dog, the relationship will be long and happy. Now you know much more about having a happy, healthy dog. You’ll know the true meaning of the phrase “man’s best friend”.