Dogs are loyal companions. But, you need to train your dog to be good. You need to take the time to encourage good behavior and make sure your dog learns a few commands. The following article will make you more educated on dogs.
Make sure your home is dog-proof. Create a safe area to bring a new puppy into the home. Hide cleaning supplies and medicines and hide trashcans in a cabinet. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Dogs will eat their own waste, dine on garbage, and gulp water straight from your toilet. It is not true that a dog has a cleaner mouth than a person. It's not true.
Obviously, dogs are unable to sleep. Therefore, you have to pay attention to your canine's non-verbal cues. Avoid forcing your dog to interact with others if he doesn't want to. This might lead to a bite to another dog or even to a person. Keep eye on non-verbal clues and look toward your dog for your next move.
You should never give table scraps to your dog. Not only will table scraps turn your dog off on their regular food, but it will also teach them to constantly beg. Table scraps can also be unhealthy and lead to excess weight and digestive problems. If you spend the time to train your dog to spend mealtimes well removed from the table, there won't be any scrap-feeding temptations to worry about.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. If you are very active, think about getting a dog that will run with you. Likewise if you are quiet home-body, look for a smaller dog that enjoys pampering and living it up on your sofa. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.
Correct bad behavior the first time you see it from your dog. Ignoring it can help your dog to establish lifelong bad habits. The longer you wait to address the problem, the worse the problem will become. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.
Your dog's nails need to be trimmed regularly. If they get too long, they may start to curl under and cause your dog pain. These can be trimmed at home if you use nail clippers from the store. If you are worried about doing this, simply take him to a groomer - it doesn't cost very much to get his nails trimmed.
You should know that taking care of a dog isn't that hard. Although in the beginning it might make you frustrated, stick to the proven tips that will have you headed down the correct path. This will help you take the best care possible of your dog.
