The loyalty of a dog is what it makes it such a wonderful pet. Having said that, understand that dogs are not automatically this way. You need to train them, and you have to be aware of how you must care for them. This short guide can help you learn some things about dogs. Read on!
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. After all, dogs eat out of the garbage, drink from toilet bowls, and lick all over their body. There is a belief that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. It certainly isn't the truth.
Always, have your dog spayed or neutered. Research has shown that by doing this you can be sure your pet can have a longer life and not be at risk for things like cancer. Also, dogs that are fixed do not want to run away as much.
Be wary of the flea treatment you're going to use on your dog. A large number of them contain high doses of carcinogens and other hazardous ingredients. Talk to your veterinarian about the safest options, and don't let your kids near the dog while you're doing a treatment.
Table Scraps
Don't give table scraps to your dog. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Table scraps can actually lead to obesity and other health concerns. Keep your dog away from the family dinner table for training purposes and to avoid any temptation.
Never force a dog to do something. If you've bought a treat that your dog doesn't seem to interested in, don't try to make your dog eat it. You need to find out what your dog does and does not like.
Be sure to address your dog's bad behavior when you first notice it. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.
If you've been considering adopting a dog but still aren't sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. There are many animals that need love and care. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home - who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
Your dog should not be left outside all the time. Many people do this, but dogs need interactions with others. Dogs become lonely. Also, they could be bitten by ticks, hurt by other animals or even abducted.
Trimming around the paws of your dog will ensure your dog's fur doesn't get matted. You ought to use a comb as a means to straighten it before trimming. A professional groomer may be a good solution if you are confident about trimming the hair yourself.
Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. Find out what health problems to expect and learn how to prevent those that your dog is prone to developing. Also, you can speak with the vet to see what can be done so that your pet will have a better chance at avoiding health problems.
Identification will be great in the event that your dog gets away from you. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. On the tag, make sure to include your pet's name and your phone number. Micro-chipping is an even better method.
Get into puppy politics. Keep an eye on legislation that might regulate or restrict your rights as a dog owner. That legislations is often motivated by certain breeds or certain dogs that have behaved badly. Stand up for your rights!
Having too many people trying to train one dog can cause problems. Everyone trains differently, and this can lead to confusion for your dog. Only allow one person to teach the dog things and then everyone else should learn what that person has taught the dog and stick with that.
It is probably clear to you at this point that it is not very hard to care for a dog. It will be a little difficult at first, but the above advice should have you pointed in the right direction. Take everything you have learned here, and use it to take care of your four-legged friend.