Are you now a dog owner, or have you been in previous years? If the answer is yes, you should know that dog ownership can be wonderful. However, dog ownership comes with responsibilities. Neglect these responsibilities and you will miss out on many of the rewards of being a pet owner. This article exists to supply you with high quality advice on dogs.
It is important to puppy-proof your home. Your entire home should be safe prior to bringing the dog inside. Cleaning supplies and medications should be locked away, and any indoor trash cans need to be put in a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.
It's good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. Kissing a dog might seem cute, but they have dirty mouths. Dogs poke around trash cans, love smelling and licking other dogs' body parts and enthusiastically drink from toilet bowls. It's just a myth that your dog's mouth is just as, or cleaner, than yours. It simply is not the case.
Always have your dogs spayed or neutered. Research has proven that this can reduce your dog's risk of cancer and make them healthier in general. Also, dogs that get fixed won't feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won't get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
Your dog cannot communicate through speech; therefore, you must learn its non-verbal language. If you notice the dog being hesitant in a new situation, don't force your dog to socialize if it doesn't want to. It could end up with someone getting bit. Watch for any of these non-verbal cues and let these guide your actions.
If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Taking just a few such pills can have devastating consequences for a dog. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.
Watch out for dog flea treatments. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Ask your vet for recommendations. Be sure to keep children away while you're applying any flea treatment.
Try hand signals in conjunction with verbal commands when training your dog. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Test out both methods to see which works for you.
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. Some puppies take longer to develop, and some types of food may be too rich, leading to an upset belly or vomiting. Always be cautious when you're thinking of feeding your dog.
As stated at the start of this article, it is extremely rewarding to own a dog. It is best, however, when you are knowledgeable about dogs before you take one in. Armed with the knowledge imparted here, you have a deeper understanding of the care of dogs. Follow the advice presented here to have an excellent relationship with your dog.
