Article written by-Hu Stryhn
Do you want a canine companion? Do you understand what you will be responsible once you take possession of your dog? There are many responsibilities which come with dog ownership, and they start the first time you bring your puppy home. This article will show you the ropes and get you ready for your new best friend.
Your home needs to be 'dog-proofed'. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Put up all of your cleaning supplies and medications, and be sure you put away any trash cans. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.
If your dog has fleas, and they fall off his coat onto your floor, vacuum them up. However, remember that fleas are pretty good escape artists, so you need to throw out the bag immediately after you are finished. To be on the safe side, tape the bag completely shut before you take it out to your trash can.
It doesn't matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. There are a number of distractions that could cause your dog to run off into a dangerous situation. You are responsible for anything your dog does, as well as for his safety.
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. That helps the dog feel like someone is around. This may help ease the dog's fears and calm him down just enough so he isn't going crazy while he awaits your arrival.
When giving your dog a bath, make sure that you only put on shampoo that is intended for canines. Using lukewarm water, get the entire body wet and then begin applying the shampoo to their face, working your way down their body. Wait a few minutes and then take a washcloth and wipe off the suds from your pet's face. Wash off the rest of the shampoo as well.
Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog the habits that you would like to see from them. For example, if you notice that your dog barks anytime someone enters your home you could reward him for not barking with a treat. The dog will then associate being quite with the reward that he will receive.
Playing music in your home when you leave for your job may help your dog with separation anxiety. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. The sounds might help to emulate a normal home environment when people are around.
When you own a dog, you typically understand the general costs of ownership, such as food, vet visits, and grooming. A generally overlooked cost is emergency situations. Although it may not happen frequently, you should have a bit of money set aside for any emergency that may arise. It's better to be prepared for an emergency vet visit than to wonder how you are going to pay for it.
If you are having trouble training your dog, see a professional. A lot of people wait until their problems are enormous, but if you would see a dog trainer as soon as you start having difficulty, you will find training goes more easily. Not only that, but you will save yourself a major headache.
Make sure you make and keep yearly vet appointments for your dog. Vets can find problems such as kidney troubles, thyroid issues and diabetes well before symptoms appear to you. Annual physicals for dogs can spare owners a lot of unnecessary expenses down the road and the animal a lot of unnecessary suffering in the meantime.
Be strong when the time comes to say goodby to your beloved dog. Many owners keep the animal suffering to keep them in their lives and that's not fair to the dog. Consult with your vet, then talk it over with family. If it's time to part ways with your dog, do what's best for him.
Consider getting your dog from a shelter. Many of the dogs that are brought there are well behaved, yet the owners could not handle the responsibility that came with raising them. For the best results, visit the shelter a few times so that you can find the dog that is right for you and your lifestyle.
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If your dog is covering everything in the house with his shedding fur, grab a paper towel. Lightly wet it with water and rub it down his back in the direction of fur growth. The loose hair should come off easily on the paper towel and your dog will love the attention too!
If you leave your dog with a boarder, there are certain things you need to tell them. First, make sure the boarder has a number to reach you in case of an emergency. Also, tell them of any behavioral issues you dog has. If the dog needs special foods or medication, let the boarder know this as well.
Use an olive oil spray to keep your dog's dish sparkling clean. Particularly if you feed him canned food, it can quickly cake-up and dry on the inside of the bowl, making it hard to wash later. As a bonus, the olive oil will help to keep his coat shiny too.
Give your dog love, just as you would with a child. Dogs are intended to live in groups, and in those settings they tend to be affectionate with one another throughout each day. To give your dog what it needs you must show it love through petting and snuggling. This will only strenghthen the bond that you will have through the years.
If you live with other people, make sure they are aware of your training "rules." It is important that everyone redirects the dog off of the furniture, for example, and that they use the same language when doing so. If
What Is The Best Wet Dog Food are different, your dog is just going to get confused, which will make the training process much longer and more difficult.
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Anyone who owns a dogs knows how amazing they can be. However, anyone who owns a dog also knows that they can be a ton of trouble. If you use the suggestions in this article, you'll be able to cut down on the bad and enjoy more of the good.