There are a lot of different kinds of pets you can get. You could pick a cat, dog, rat, chinchilla, fish, lizard or snake. If you’re looking for a loving companion, dogs make the perfect fit. This article will show you how to care for your dog once you adopt him.
Make your home dog-proof. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Place any meds or household cleaning supplies out of reach, and place any trash cans in a cabinet. Keep house plants out of his reach, especially if they could be poisonous.
You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Since your dog doesn’t talk, you may have difficulty figuring out if a tooth starts hurting or where arthritis is developing. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
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Avoid giving your dog scraps from your table. This will make him want human food every time you have a meal. Feeding your dog table scraps can cause obesity and a number of digestive issues. Make sure your dog does not sit near the table and beg, so you aren’t tempted.
Try hand signals in conjunction with verbal commands when training your dog. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily. Try these things to find out what is the best for your pet.
If your dog behaves properly, be sure it is praised and given affection. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. This is called positive reinforcement.
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Don’t get sub-par food for your dog that’s from a bargain store. 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. Get a list from an animal advocacy or consumer awareness group of the highest recommended foods to give your dog. You will see a difference in your dog’s activity level and general happiness when you feed him “good” food.
A dog’s bad behavior should always be corrected whenever you see the first signs of it. You should never ignore bad behaviors when they are puppies because this will make it a lot harder to correct down the road. If your dog is not under control, he could end up hurting you or someone else.
Make sure your dog always has trimmed nails. Long nails cause huge amounts of pain. You can use store bought clippers to trim them yourself. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.
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If you’re thinking about getting a dog that is pure bred, keep the local pound in mind. Some owners leave their dogs, which gives you an opportunity to give them a better life. Call the pound to find ask what dog breeds are in house at the time. You could possibly be saving a dog’s life in the process.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, or you simply want to be extra nice to him, leave some music on when you go to work. This will help him feel more secure and provide him with a little company. This little touch can help your dog feel less anxious as he awaits your return.
Keep vet appointments for your dog. Your vet can detect any health problems before they are too serious. An annual physical can save your dog’s life.
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Take your dog for regular vet visits. Your pet will need to go to the vet so it can get tested for heart worms, get a general check up, and to see if the shots are still up to date. Puppies have to go to the vet more often than older dogs. If your dog becomes ill or is injured, don’t delay in getting him to the vet.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas every day when the weather gets warm. Remove fleas with a special comb. Fleas or ticks can be destroyed through numerous products on the market. Speak with your vet concerning these products and other options.
Be careful when choosing what to feed your dog. There are many kinds of dog food to pick from, but you must locate a type of food that is best for your dog’s size and age. Feeding your dog leftovers is a good way to save money but provide your dog with a healthy diet is not easy if you feed it leftovers.
Taking in a dog is not a small task, but the information you have learned from this article should make it that much easier. Take some time to read more about the amazing world of canines. This way, you and your dog can enjoy many happy years together.
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