Friday, June 21, 2013

Being The Best Dog Owner In Town: Tips And Tricks

By Sally Byrd


Are you dissatisfied with the dietary options of the dog found at your local grocery store? A number of people feel like the dog food sold at big box stores isn't good enough for their pet. As a result, many dog owners have decided to do something about it. Continue reading to learn more about owning a dog and all that it entails.

Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. Food and supplies can run you over one thousand dollars a year. Health insurance for your pet can be a great idea to help you in emergency situations.

In addition to verbal commands, employ a variety of hand signals when training your dog. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily. Find out the way that your dog prefers and use it.

A dog that spends a lot of time outside should have a warm and safe shelter in case it is needed. If his feet are wet, extreme temperatures can be stressful and bad for his health. Build a shelter yourself or purchase a kit from the nearest pet store.

Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. When provided with signals of this type, dogs tend to pick things up faster. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.

Speak to your vet about your dog's eating habits. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, these guidelines can be incorrect and lead to an overweight dog. Check with you vet to find out about the feeding guidelines for your particular dog.

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. Make sure the new puppy gets their required shots before going home.

If you want to get yourself a new dog, but aren't totally sold on the idea, you could try to get a foster pet. Many abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting for adoptions, but there is a lot of overcrowding and many resources are scarce. You can foster one to help out the cause and find out if you want to keep one!

Be certain a lost dog can be returned to you by giving him some identification. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. This tag needs to contain all of your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. Micro-chipping is an even better method.

It is a common occurrence for a dog to get a cut after stepping on glass or other debris. If your dog suffers a cut, clean it with antiseptic and bandage the wound. If the cut seems deep, have a vet check it out.

Dogs will commonly get cut when they're walking because of the various debris on the ground. Wash the cut with antibacterial soap, dry it thoroughly, and leave it to air dry unless it is bleeding or the dog is licking it. If the cut is deep, it is best to go to a veterinarian.

If your pup seems lonely by itself, consider getting another dog. Dogs are, after all, pack animals; they usually like company that is like them. Choose a friend for your dog that has the same energy level and temperament and you will make your dog very happy.

Keep your dog mentally active along with providing him plenty of opportunity to get physical exercise. Teach him to get the newspaper and do other helpful things around the house. This will help your dog to feel like he is helping you out.

If your dog is in heat, be careful if you want her to not end up pregnant. Male dogs can pick up the scent of a female dog in full heat up to five miles away. This could also lead to unplanned pregnancy, or cause other dogs in the area to fight.

Crate training a puppy is a good idea if you're going to be gone all day and will have nobody there to watch your pet for you. This stops your house from being damaged.

Talk to your veterinarian about your dog's diet. There are a variety of medical issues that may decree your dog needs to be particular about its diet. If you don't follow that plan to the letter, your dog's health could be negatively impacted. Follow your vet's recommendations closely.

Anyone with kids knows how key a schedule can be to their daily lives. There is no reason they shouldn't in a dog's life, too. Without knowing what to expect during the day, your pet is likely to become cranky or mean-tempered. Their mood will reflect in their behavior. This is why they need time set aside to eat, romp and train.

Make rules, and make the dog follow them. Maybe your partner is away on business, and you think it would be okay for your dog to sleep in your bed for one night. It's unfair to your dog since he won't understand that this is not a permanent thing. Don't make exceptions to your rules.

If you notice diarrhea in your dog for several days, immediately take it to the vet's office. At times, dogs may eat strange items that are bad for their digestive system, which can result in diarrhea for a day or two. However, beyond that there is an issue that needs to be addressed by a professional quickly.

You don't have to worry about your pet's care anymore. Treating your dog right is not just a matter of feeding it and petting it; you have plenty to do and plenty to learn. Keep the information you've read here in mind as you work towards providing the right care for your dog.




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