Content author-Bullard Regan
Dogs are a great friend to man due to their love and affection. There is a great deal of truth in that. If you are aware of how to take care of a dog, you can have a good relationship with him. If you'd like to forge a closer bond with your canine companion, just take a look at the great suggestions provided here.
Whenever you travel with your pet, don't skimp on the packing. Of course you need to be well supplied with his food, water and any medications he may be on, but experts advise that you also bring his grooming supplies, vaccination paperwork, tags and an extra leash. Also, bring a flat sheet for when your dog will be on hotel furniture.
If your dog gets lost, it is very unlikely that you will see him again unless he has proper identification. Tags can come off, so the best option is a microchip. It is quick to put in your dog, and it causes minimal discomfort. Simply register the chip ID after it is put in, and your pet will always have his identification with him.
When training your puppy or dog, keep the sessions short! Experts say that a dog has the attention span of a small child, sometimes less, and that longer sessions will actually cause him to forget everything you've learned together. Use positive reinforcement and limit your training sessions to no more than 15 minutes.
Take your grown dog to the vet at least once a year. The vet will check to see if the dog's vaccines up to date. In addition, the vet will check the dog's teeth and vital signs. If any major health or behavioral issues come up between annual checkups, you should see the vet earlier.
Talk to your vet about what kinds of foods you might want to keep your pet away from. Some puppies take longer to develop, and some types of food may be too rich, leading to an upset belly or vomiting. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.
Before deciding on what type of dog to get for your family, consider space. Even though you may love the bigger dogs that you can really wrap your arms around, you may not have adequate space for a large breed. Take your home and yard size into consideration before bringing home a new pooch.
Always take your dog for his yearly check-up. A good vet will be able to easily spot problems with your dog way before you actually see something. Yearly physical exams can save money down the line and save the dog from suffering unnecessarily.
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.
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Control your voice to control your dog. When he is a good boy, speak in a high-pitched voice and shower him with praise. When he misbehaves, use a very low and gruff voice to indicate your displeasure. Being consistent with this will help him learn faster, making training him much easier on you and him.
Identification will be great in the event that your dog gets away from you. One thing a lot of people do to be sure they get their dog back is they fit them with a collar that's breakaway and has an ID tag. This tag needs to contain all of your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. A micro-chip can also be installed on your dog.
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Don't forget about your dog when writing your will. Many pets end up being fought over or neglected completely because specific instructions were not left regarding their care. Include a clause that clearly directs your loved ones on what to do with your dog so that he's well taken care of.
Stay involved politically for your dog. Watch for local laws that people are trying to pass to restrict how dog owners have to behave and what their rights are. Breed-specific laws are typically the result of media hype. Take action and speak up on behalf of your pet by calling or emailing local officials.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas every day when the weather gets warm. Use a flea comb on your dog's fur. There are also other products you may want to consider using to get rid of fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet before using anything and ask them what your options are.
You should check your dog for ticks and fleas every day during the summer months. Remove any fleas you find with a specialized comb. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet before using anything and ask them what your options are.
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 everyone's rules are different, your dog is just going to get confused, which will make the training process much longer and more difficult.
Make sure that you spend adequate time on each thing that you try to teach your dog. Even though your dog might catch on to something, for example the "sit" command, it may not be mastered. You'll want to make sure that the command is done every time that you ask no matter what situation you are in before you move onto a new command.
Consider the placement of your dog house carefully. Think about the way that the winds typically blow and face the door on the opposite side. If you tend to get winds from all directions, consider a house with a door flap. There are some states that require a door flap, so check with your local animal shelter to learn more.
There's so much to know about dog care that it can seem like too much to take in. However, if you utilize the recommendations that this article has given you, it should seem a lot less overwhelming. You know all you need to know to be a great dog owner. Now all you have to do is be one.