Tips For Having A Healthy And Happy Dog
Have you ever owned a dog, or are you considering getting one? Then you understand what great joys dogs are. However, like everything else in life, owning a dog is great only if you truly understand them. This piece will offer terrific advice for any dog owner.
You need to take your older pet to the vet at lease once a day. Obviously, dogs don’t speak, so it can be hard to figure out when they’re having problems with their bones or teeth. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
It is a good idea to use hand signals when you are trying to train your dog, instead of just relying on verbal commands. It may be easier for your dog to learn commands if they see a visual signal. Try both ways of giving commands to see what works best.
Which breed you need to buy depends on your lifestyle. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. Also, if you like to stay at home, find small dogs that prefer sitting on laps and being stroked. By selecting the right dog breed, both you and your dog will be more content.
Buy or build a home for the dog if they need to stay outside when it’s cold. If your dog’s feet get wet, then the continued exposure can lead to stress and other health issues. Protect your dog from wind and precipitation by giving him a shelter that has a dry floor and plenty of space.
Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.
Daily brushing for your dog does more than simply prevent shedding. Brushing every day can also help your dog to have a shiny and beautiful coat. Brushing distributes the natural oils of the skin throughout the hair coat for added sheen and softness.
A trip to the vet should be at the top of your schedule if your new dog’s last home was the animal shelter. Dogs from pounds are exposed to more illnesses than others. Have your dog checked over and given vaccinations as soon as possible.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy. From a simple walk to a vigorous game of fetch, both of you will find the time well spent. In addition to fulfilling the physical need for exercise, you will foster a strong bond with your dog that will last a lifetime.
Schedule a vet appointment for the new dog. Immediately after bringing home the new dog, schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. You also want to check with the vet about fixing your dog if you will not be breeding him.
Providing foster care for a homeless dog can be a great way to see if you are suited to care for a dog. Shelters for abused or homeless dogs are often looking for temporary homes, called foster homes, where dogs can live until they are adopted out to a permanent home. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.
Make sure you exercise both your dog’s mind and its body. Teach him to get the newspaper and do other helpful things around the house. This gives him a job to do and he’ll feel fulfilled as a result.
As this article went over before, it’s rewarding to own a dog. You’ll get even more out of dog ownership when you’re knowledgeable about your pet. The article you just read has given you many valuable ideas to make your experience the best it can be. Use what you have learned here and you will have a great time with your pet!