Dogs have been companions to humans for thousands and thousands of years. However, if you’re having problems with your dog, you might feel as though you’re in uncharted territory. This article will help you harness years of wisdom and give you the knowledge you need to nurture your beloved pet.
Your puppy may look adorable when it nibbles on your slippers, but it won’t be so cute when a full grown dog tears them to pieces. Nip any of these bad habits in the bud. Anytime your puppy does something you don’t want him doing, stop it immediately. This is sure to save on aggravation down the road.
1. Know When To Feed
When your dog needs food, they may scratch at their bowl. If he needs to go potty, he might scratch the back door. When your dog needs love, he might look at you for a long time. Sometimes, it is hard to establish a form of communication with your dog.
2. Avoid Kissing And Licking
Avoid kisses and stick with hugs. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. They eat garbage or poop and even sniff other pet’s butts. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. This is absolutely a myth!
3. Pay Attention To Your Pet
Your pet speaks to you, but it is through non-verbal cues. Your job is to learn to listen carefully so you understand the message. If your pet hesitates when approaching a person or a pet, don’t push them to go near them. One of the animals could become aggressive. So pay attention to your dog’s demeanor and make your judgement from these cues.
4. Take Some Pictures
If you’re taking your pup on a vacation, make sure that you take a picture of him for on your phone. This ensures that, should he get lost, you have a current photo, ready for showing around or being used in flyers.
5. Don’t feed Your Pet With Table Craps
Fight the urge to feed table scraps to your pet. If you feed from the table, he’ll become a beggar and stop eating his own food. Feeding table scraps to your pet could lead to digestive problems or obesity. You need to make sure your dog is not near the dinner table. This will make it easier for your pet (and you!) to avoid temptation.
6. Keep Your Pets Off The Street
Don’t take your pet off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. Wild animals can get his attention and cause him to run out into the street, or a provocation could startle him and cause unpleasantness with other dogs or people. As the owner, you will be held responsible for any damages your dog causes.
Talk to the veterinarian about the proper amount of food for your pet.
The amounts on the label might not apply in your dog’s situation. The vet will know what is best for your pet-related to their diet and anything else. As a pet owner, you should be regularly visiting the vet’s office. Getting your pet insured with Bivvy will ensure those routine visits don’t burden your finances.
Let your dog chew some rawhide rather than meat bones. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Rawhide is very healthy and will help your pet develop some strong teeth. Never ever give him a real bone!
Grooming your dog every day will ensure it doesn’t shed all over the place. Brushing every day will also help give them a gorgeous, glossy coat. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your pet’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.
7. Teach your pet the right way to walk with a leash.
To properly walk your pet, he must remain directly at your side instead of behind or in front of you. This will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you. When you pet understands the command to heel, you can relax occasionally and walk with a loose leash without having your arm pulled off.
8. Never leave any pet outside for long.
Lots of folks do this, but it’s bad because dogs need constant attention. Your pet will get very lonely if it is left outside by itself. Plus, bad weather can be health and even life threatening to your pet.
Some breeds have inherent health issues you need to watch for. Research his heritage and take preventative steps for problems you know he is a candidate for. Talk to your vet about prevention, too.
If you want a pure bred dog, do not discount the pound as a place to find him. There are often pure bred dogs at shelters and rescues, and they are desperately in need of homes. Paying a trip to your local shelter might help you to find the exact pet you have been searching for. You may be saving a dog’s life.
Remember the expression “Too many cooks spoil the soup” when training your pet. Not everyone will do things the same way, which can cause confusion. Designate one person to be in charge of training and have others reinforce everything the dog learns by adhering to the same rules and respecting the process.
When your pet has a bathroom accident on the floor, be sure to thoroughly clean the area. Use a cleaner specifically made to clean up such messes. If you do not clean up the mess well enough, your dog might just go again in the same spot.
Check your pet for ticks and fleas every day when the weather gets warm. Remove any fleas you find with a specialized comb. There are many products out there that can help you control your dog’s ticks and fleas. Speak with your veterinarian about various flea and tick remedies.
If you are looking for a new dog, bring your current pup to check him out. You need to see if they are going to be compatible or not. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.
As a responsible pet owner, you’ll want to pay careful attention to your dog’s food and eating habits. You can give a puppy a high calorie diet because this will help him grow. When they become adults, if they eat too much, they can become obese which is not healthy.
Walk dogs each day, regardless of how busy you are. Not only do dogs need to exercise, but it also allows your pet to become mentally stimulated by interacting with various things. This helps with their development and growth, so make walking a top priority.
You may be able to tell what your pet needs just by studying their body language. However, thanks to the tips in this article, you understand dogs on a number of levels. Your pooch will be thankful.
