Dogs are among the very best pets around. They provide unconditional love and bring joy to their owners’ lives. That being said, if you want a happy, healthy dog, you need to know as much information as possible. To become a truly responsible master to your dog, take a look at the savvy advice presented below.
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.
Keep your dog on leash any time he leaves your fenced yard, regardless of his gentle nature and good behavior. You never know when something might spook him or distract him, leading to devastation. It is your job to keep your dog safe, and to keep him from harming anyone else or causing anyone problems.
When you are trimming your dog’s nails, keep a close eye on the tips of the nails. Once you see a pale oval on the tip, stop clipping. This is a sign that you are close to the vein. If you go too far, apply a little bit of styptic powder to it to help stop the bleeding.
Keep your dog warm during winter with the latest in canine fashion and accessories. You may think it’s just for show, but dogs need protection from the elements too! Keeping your dog’s paw-pads dry is essential to their health in sub-freezing weather, so invest in suede or leather footwear and pick him up a coat while you’re at it. Make them instead if you are creative!
If you do not have any ear cleaner solution on hand, you can use a baby wipe instead. Simply wrap it around the tip of your finger and wipe the inside of the ear’s surface. Only go as far as your finger can easily fit. Do not use Q-tips as they can injure the ear.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. Schedule a visit with the vet right away. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.
Respect your pet. When out on a walk, do not force your dog to interact with other people or animals if he does not want to. There is a reason why your dog may not want to get too close, and it is important that you listen to him. If you try and make him interact, your dog may begin to act out over time.
Determine your dog’s specific exercise regimen. Dogs have different fitness needs based their sex, overall health, age, breed mix, or breed. Every dog should have a couple 10-minute walks a day around the block. Dogs between 6 and 18 months, active breed or mixed breeds, terriers, hounds, and herding dogs will most likely require more fitness than others types of dogs.
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!
Humane Society
Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,” “Heel,” “Sit,” and “Stay” can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.
Nothing can match the unconditional love of a loyal dog. In order to be a responsible and trustworthy master to your dog, you should make the effort to educate yourself in the field. This article has given you what you need to know to be an expert with dogs. Put these tips into practice; they will help you enjoy your life with your dog.
