Tried And True Meathods On Training Your Dog

Are you thinking about getting a dog? It can seem to be a difficult chore to look after a dog. For other dog owners, curbing their pets’ independent streak seems impossible. The advice that follows will give you some tips on what can be done if you’re someone that is dealing with dogs.

Your home must be dog-proofed. Make sure any area your dog will be in is safe. Do not have any pills out in the open and put all supplies in cabinets. Some house plants are poisonous, so keep them away from your dog’s reach or remove them.

Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. You should never pressure your pet into interacting with strangers, be they human or canine. It could end up with someone getting bit. Keep an eye out for your dog’s hints, and do what he needs you to do.

Ask your vet the amount of food your dog needs daily. While there are those that feed their dog whatever it says on the package, this may not be good for your dog and can make it overweight. Ask your vet for the proper amount based on your dog’s needs.

If your dog spends time outside, he should have a good house. You can purchase one or build one yourself if you are handy. A dog can get ill if he is left out in rough weather, so make sure you have a warm, dry dog house where he can rest. Always protect him from wind, sun and rain by making sure he has a dry shelter to go to.

Try not to force your dog to eat things. If you got them a treat and they aren’t interested in it, don’t make them eat it. Not all dogs like the same things.

Take your dog outside so that he can get fresh air and exercise. In order to stay fit and sharp-minded, a dog needs to spend plenty of time being physically active and playing constructive games. Playing fetch or going for a nice walk will be good for both you and the dog. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.

Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. In fact, do it the same day as you bring the pet home so you don’t forget. The vet will give him a complete health check and set up a vaccination schedule. Also, be sure to speak to the veterinarian about neutering or spaying your dog. There are plenty of dogs already in the shelter, and you don’t want to increase that problem.

If you want a dog but don’t know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.

Let your dog know that you care about him. Many owners inadvertently spend more time focusing on their pet’s negative behaviors than on all the good things they do. This can cause issues later. Try keeping track of how often you praise and scold your pet in a day. For every one negative thing, make sure you say five positive things as well. Your dog is going to behave much more if you do that.

If you own a dog, you have much to do. Sometimes, caring for a dog can seem like a never ending job. You have the suggestions you need, now you just have to use them. Soon, you’ll be doing a lot less worrying.