Isn’t owning a dog great? Everyone loves to own a dog! Dogs are quite affectionate and like to be active and have fun. They can also be used as watchdogs. Because of this, you should be a good friend to your dog and provide them with everything they need. These suggestions can help you.
If your dog comes with you on vacations, you need to have an up-to-date picture of it on hand and in your phone. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print “lost” flyers.
When training your dog, use hand gestures along with the verbal commands. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
Talk to your vet about appropriate nutrition for your canine. Even though many people stick to the label on the can or package of the dog’s food, sometimes these guidelines might not work for the type of dog that you have. This could lead to your dog becoming obese. Speak with a vet to see what you should be feeding your dog according to its needs.
Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren’t the best for your dog. Instead, research which brands are considered to be nutritious. Your dog will be much healthier if you feed it some healthy food.
A daily brush does a lot more than just prevent shedding. Brushing daily can ensure your dog’s coat is shiny and healthy looking. The reason for this is that brushing helps distribute the skin’s oils throughout the coat to condition the fur and skin.
Trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. If they get too long and start to curl, the result could be painful injuries to the nail beds and your dog’s paws. It is easy to purchase a pair of clippers and attend to these yourself. If you lack the confidence to do this job on your own, a pet groomer will usually do it at a low cost.
Train your pet on how to behave correctly when leashed. He ought to be next to you rather than ahead or behind. He should also respond to the “heel” command. This will not only make your walks more enjoyable, but it will also help keep your dog safe. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.
You might find a pure breed dog at the pound. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Contact the pound in your area to see what kinds of breeds they have at the time. You can save the life of a dog this way.
Proper identification can help ensure that your pet is returned to you if he becomes lost. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. The tag needs to have your name and phone number on it. You may also want to install a micro-chip into your dog.
You should check your dog for ticks and fleas every day during the summer months. Remove fleas with a special comb. There are lots of flea and tick products for dogs. Consult with your vet to learn more about flea and tick control.
You have to watch what kind of food your dog consumes. Foods that are high in calories are great for growing puppies. If an adult eats this food, he’ll quickly become overweight and unhealthy.
During the warmest months of summer, it is especially important to care for your dog properly. It is easy for a dog to become overheated, and this can cause health problems. Make sure they have somewhere shady to hang out during the summer months. You need to ensure your dog has some cold and clean water. Also, dogs can have problems with the sun’s rays, so see if the vet has any sunscreens for dogs.
Wash the dishes your dog uses on a fairly frequent basis. Your dog deserves clean bowls as much as you do. Clean the bowl every day and refill with clean water and fresh food.
Be patient with your dog. Remember that your dog’s attention span is rather short, and watch for signs that he is ready for a break from training. Try to train him only a few minutes at any time to make sure he doesn’t end up disliking training and you don’t get too frustrated.
Always remember that you are responsible for the well-being of your dog. As long as you use the tips you read above, you will do your job of caring for your new dog well. The article above surely has shown you how to have a wonderful life with the best friend of your life, your new wonderful dog.