There are many kinds of dogs, and many different kinds of families who own them. Knowing what do you want to get as well as how to take care of that dog is a big decision. The following article can help you care for your new pup.
Hugs are great, but avoid kisses. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water and lick other dog’s body parts. Many people say that dogs have cleaner mouths than people. It’s not true.
If your puppy or dog is constantly chewing up your furniture, invest in some chew-toys. Scatter them around the floor, especially around the legs of the sofa and end-tables. Be enthusiastic about your offers to play with the chewies with your dog to encourage frequent use. This should eventually deter him from chomping your furniture.
Do not feed your dog from the table. Your dog will constantly beg for food when you are eating and will not be hungry when the time to feed it comes. “People food” can also make dogs sick and contribute to obesity. You can keep your dog healthy and avoid any temptation to feed it from the table by teaching it to spend dinnertime well away from your family.
Be careful if you’re searching for a new dog on Craigslist or other classified ads. Many people exaggerate the truth in order to unload problems or challenging training issues and you could end up with an impossible situation on your hands. Only talk to people who are verifiable through vet records and demonstrate positive handling experience.
If you are struggling to get your pet to behave during a grooming session, apply positive reinforcement. With your words and your tone, praise your dog for anything little thing that he or she does well during the time you are working with him. Give him a treat when you are finished, so he begins to associate grooming with something good. You should turn your dog’s behavior around in no time!
It is very important for you to keep your dog’s ears clean. Keeping the inside of the ears clean will help prevent infections of the ear. This is also a good time for you to inspect the ear for fleas, ticks and any other pests that could have made your dog’s ear home.
Do not keep your dog outdoors all day. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. If there is only one dog, he may become lonely. In addition to the socializing need, you should not leave a dog to fend for himself in heavy rainstorms or very cold weather. Bring the dog indoors until the inclement weather passes.
Your dog needs to exercise regularly. Like humans, dogs must exercise to burn calories, remain healthy, and help their minds stay sharp. Exercising also helps them avoid boredom that can cause destructive behaviors. Keeping your dog active can curb chewing, biting, digging, and chasing urges. It can even help them avoid depression.
Invest in a separate tub if your dog gets frequent baths. Buy a large metal basin where you will have plenty of room to scrub, but won’t risk clogging the pipes in your bathroom. Giving him a bath outside and away from the slipperiness of a porcelain tub is also safer for you
If your dog is prone to getting burs in his coat, keep a can of Crisco in your kitchen cupboard. Next time you notice a bur, put gloves on to protect yourself and work the Crisco around until you can pry the bur out. Give him a nice shampoo to get the shortening out later.
To discourage your dog from chewing everything in the house, combine equal parts of water, white vinegar and apple-cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Gently mist things like shoes and umbrella handles and this should repel your dog. If not, dab a little minty muscle ointment on the things he’s prone to chomping and that should work for sure.
It often feels right and natural to offer your faithful canine buddy a morsel of whatever treat you’re enjoying. While some foods are fine for sharing with your dog, there are some that must be avoided. Grapes and chocolate should never be given to canines. They can make you dog seriously ill or even cause death if enough is ingested.
Consider puppy training classes for your young pet. Puppies are eager to learn, and a class is a wonderful atmosphere to let them do so in. Classes are also often cheaper than individual lessons. This will teach your pup essential behavioral skills and allow the two of you bonding time too.
Do you feel like you know more about taking care of your dog now? This article has given you important advice than will ensure you know how to care for your dog. Use the advice and tips you have seen here to ensure your pet is taken care of.
