Article written by-Harrell Juhl
Dogs are excellent pets for the whole family but they can also be a lot of work. Knowing what your dog needs is the first step. Read on for
Learn Even more Here that will help you take care of your dog over his lifetime.
If you are looking for a great family pet, but are on a budget, consider rescuing an animal.You can get one at a local shelter for minimal costs and the dog will come with a clean bill of health and all his shots. If you are interested in a specific breed, contact a rescue group specializing in only those pooches.
Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. This is vital to the care of a happy dog. Many people don't bother to exercise their dog, thinking that walks are enough. Dogs are active creatures and need to play. Talk to your veterinarian about how much activity your dog needs, and make sure he gets it.
If your young dog is teething and gnawing at everything, buy him a fun chew toy and keep it in the fridge. Not only does this provide him with a good alternative to your furniture, but the cold will help to make his gums feel better. Most younger dogs gnaw out of necessity, not poor manners.
If your dog does something that you do not like, try to avoid just saying no. To your dog, no doesn't really explain what you want your pup to do. Instead of saying no if your dog is jumping, try to get your dog to sit or lay down. By doing this, you provide your dog with an instruction of what to do.
Praise your dog when he behaves or performs in the way that you have been training him to. This communicates to your dog that he is doing just exactly what you want. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
What Is The Best Dog Food For Puppies
Don't assume your toy-sized dog's bite isn't dangerous, just because he's little. A lot of owners brush-off training, thinking that the smaller breed dog can get away with a little bad behavior and this isn't true. As a responsible canine master, you've got to make certain your dog does not pose a threat to anyone by having him well trained.
Make sure your let your dog know you love him. Similar to other areas of life, dog owners notice a dog's bad behavior rather than the good. With dogs, this can lead to trouble. You should ensure you give your dog positive reinforcement. This increases the chance that your dog will repeat the good behavior rather than the bad.
If you're going to adopt a new dog from an animal shelter, you need to get a vet appointment scheduled as soon as possible. Dogs in shelters could be sick or may have already been exposed to some viruses. Your puppy needs to get a few shots before you can safely bring it home.
To discourage your dog from chewing everything in the house, combine equal parts of water, white vinegar and apple-cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Gently mist things like shoes and umbrella handles and this should repel your dog. If not, dab a little minty muscle ointment on the things he's prone to chomping and that should work for sure.
The hair around a dog's paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. Straighten hair with a comb a bit before you trim it. A professional groomer may be a good solution if you are confident about trimming the hair yourself.
If you've got the most well-behaved and lovable dog around, share his good nature with those less fortunate. You could bring him to visit the elderly in nursing homes or sick children in hospitals. Not only will you be improving the quality of life for those people, but your dog will love being a super-star wherever he goes!
Just like people, dogs need their exercise too. Playing a game of fetch or Frisbee is a great way to get your dog to burn some calories, while having fun at the same time. Dogs should also be walked everyday. Some dogs require more exercise than others, which is why it is so important to understand your dogs needs.
It is natural to want to get your dog trained as quickly as possible. However, remember that there is a limit as to how fast this process is going to go. If you are not realistic, you are much more likely to get frustrated with your pet, which could damage your relationship. Your pet will learn over time, but it may not happen as fast as you would like.
Your dog needs attention and shouldn't be left alone outdoors all day. Dogs need to interact with people or with other animals. If you have a single dog, it may feel lonely outside on its own. Also, when the weather gets bad, you need to keep your dog inside.
What Is Best Dog Food
If you are a very enthusiastic owner of a pure-bred dog, join your local AKC. They are an active social group where you can share your love for your dog, learn a lot and make new friends too. The experience can also help prepare you and your dog for entering contests and winning shows!
Wash the water and food bowls for your dog often. Your dog deserves clean bowls as much as you do. Be sure to wash your dog's bowls daily and provide fresh, clean food and water.
Give your dog love, just as you would with a child. Dogs are intended to live in groups, and in those settings they tend to be affectionate with one another throughout each day. To give your dog what it needs you must show it love through petting and snuggling. This will only strenghthen the bond that you will have through the years.
Now you can probably see that taking care of a dog isn't going to be too hard. You will probably become impatient at times, but just remember what you have read here and you should be fine. Dogs are very great pets as long as you treat them well, so use this article to help you to do that.