Caring for your dog is a major responsibility. It's similar to caring for a kid, except they bark instead of cry. Becoming a good dog owner is easy if you are motivated and have enough time. Continue reading to find out some great tips for caring for your dog.
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. Check-ups can reveal that and more.
Be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered. Research suggests that this small thing can give extended life to your dog by reducing cancer risk. In addition, dogs that are spayed or neutered do not have as strong of a desire to wander from their home, meaning that they are less likely to get lost or hit by a car.
If you take your dog with you on vacation, keep a photo of him on your phone. You'll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
When you begin training your pup, start in your yard or home. You do not want to train your dog around a bunch of people. Too many people causes distractions, making it hard to train them.
Your dog's nails should be trimmed regularly. If the dog's nails curl under, your dog might be in pain. Simply purchase a pair of 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.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. Make a vet appointment right after the dog comes home. The vet will examine your dog. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
Providing foster care for a homeless dog can be a great way to see if you are suited to care for a dog. The shelters are full of homeless pups and lack many resources because of the overcrowding. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home - who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
Follow through according to your vet's suggestions if your dog needs something special or has medicine. They may not like their cone, but they need it for a purpose. Your vet will recommend things that are good for the health of your dog, so make sure that you follow his advice.
A dog needs both mental and physical exercise. Find ways for your dog to help you each day, such as training it to fetch the morning paper. Your dog will feel useful and like a contributing piece of the family, during the process of sharpening his mental capacity.
Those who want to care for dogs should take it seriously. Just like having a baby, a puppy requires constant care. It's a hefty task, but you are more than qualified to do it. This piece is a great resource for helping you care properly for any dog.
