We’re Sharing These Dog Ownership Secrets Against The Pro’s Advice
Owning a dog is a serious matter. You must check to make sure your dog stays happy and healthy. Doing your research will help you reach this balance, so be sure to properly read the following information.
Dog-proof your home. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Cleaning supplies and medications should be locked away, and any indoor trash cans need to be put in a cabinet. Since some plants are very harmful because of their toxicity, it’s best to get rid of them or put them in an area that the dog cannot get to.
When you take your dog on vacation with you, get a snapshot of them for your phone. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print “lost” flyers.
If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. It’s never good to try and train your pet when there are quite a few people around. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. Wild animals could get the dog’s attention and lead him into dangerous places, or unanticipated circumstances could provoke conflicts with others. Understand that any damage your dog causes to other people and their pets is your responsibility, so you need to always use caution when off your property.
Reward your dog for doing right things, such as sitting while you place it’s food down, with lots of praise and attention. Always make sure your dog knows when they perform a behavior you wish to see repeated. Your dog is looking for ways to please you, and giving him your praise lets him know he has done just that.
If you want to get a pet from a shelter, find a vet who can examine your new dog. Shelter dogs have numerous opportunities to be exposed to harmful bacteria and viruses; these can result in dangerous illnesses. Your puppy needs to get a few shots before you can safely bring it home.
If you’ve been considering adopting a dog but still aren’t sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. Shelters are full of abused and homeless dogs and they are hard pressed to give them all proper care. Fostering a dog could help the cause as well as find you a new companion you cannot bring yourself to return.
Do not allow your dog to remain outdoors all day long. A lot of people allow this, but dogs are social creatures that need other beings. Your dog may be lonely outside if he is the only dog in your household. It’s especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.
You may need to trim hair that grows near the dog’s paws to help keep it from matting. Use a comb and a small pair of scissors for this task. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.
These tips are meant to be used, so go do so! You’ll get the greatest benefit from making the most changes. Dog ownership is about responsibility, not laziness.