Article created by-Keller Nelson
Raising a dog is a big undertaking and long term commitment. The responsibilities that come along with owning a pet are numerous, however so are the rewards. This article aims to provide you with a few useful tips to help you with the different aspects of owning and caring for a dog.
Make your home safe for your dog. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Make sure anything toxic is put up. Some plants can be lethal, so move them out of your dog's reach.
When giving your dog a bath, make sure that you only put on shampoo that is intended for canines. Using lukewarm water, get the entire body wet and then begin applying the shampoo to their face, working your way down their body. Wait a few minutes and then take a washcloth and wipe off the suds from your pet's face. Wash off the rest of the shampoo as well.
If training has become routine and boring with your dog, consider introducing agility exercises into the mix. These will still teach your dog to obey and be challenging, but they tend to be a lot more fun than the regular commands. Get the whole family involved by making an obstacle course and working the dog through it frequently.
Always be prepared to pick up after your dog with a scoop and bag. Although most people think that this is simply a polite thing to do so that others don't step in it, your dog's excrement is actually hazardous!
It contains a bacterium that can contaminate local supplies when it washes through to ground water.
Talk to your vet about how much your dog should eat. Dog food packages provide guidelines, but they can be wrong for your particular pet and lead to obesity. Your vet will give you personalized advice.
Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Plenty of dogs are overweight, and just like humans, this can lead to health issues. People tend to overfeed their dogs, and many also feed them table scraps. A dog doesn't need as many calories as most people think; talk to your vet about how much you should feed him each day, and what food is most suitable. A vet will advise you based on his size, age and lifestyle.
Unless you're okay with your dog playing with your shoes and other things around your home, buy him some toys. He will enjoy having things of his own, particularly if they are interactive like pull-toys you can use together. Also buy him things he can use to occupy himself and stay out of trouble!
Have a rotating schedule for dog-related responsibilities in your home. It's not fair for one person to always be taking care of him, and he'll feel more like a family pet if everyone pitches in. Kids often lose interest in a pet and leave the work to parents, but it's important that you teach them to keep up the commitment!
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Exercise your dog frequently. This will keep his bones and muscles strong and healthy. No matter what you do, whether it's going for a long walk or simply throwing a ball or stick, both you and your dog will benefit. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.
If your dog is a digger, make sure to protect him and your garden. Some plants are poisonous to dogs, not to mention the damage those paws can do to your prized flowers and produce. Put up an appropriately sized fence to keep him out or consider using an electric one.
Be careful to not over feed your dog. Obesity is a huge problem for animals these days due to the fact that many dog owners allow the animal to determine how much it eats each day. For the best results, and health of your dog, you should follow the instructions of your vet when it comes to feeding habits.
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If you're going to be away from your dog for a short period of time, it might be a good idea to invest in a dog crate. A crate for your dog will provide it with a safe and secure area to go into when you aren't able to watch it for a period of time.
Consider the placement of your dog house carefully. Think about the way that the winds typically blow and face the door on the opposite side. If you tend to get winds from all directions, consider a house with a door flap. There are some states that require a door flap, so check with your local animal shelter to learn more.
Check you dog for parasites and take preventative measure. Flea and tick collars are important. Keep in mind certain collar work better in different seasons and geographic areas. In addition, check your dog's ears. Ear mites are common. Also, check the dog's stool to ensure he hasn't picked up worms in his digestive system.
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Be careful when choosing what kind of food to feed your dog. Some dog foods contain dyes and fillers that are simply not healthy for them. When choosing a food, look on the label for words like "AAFCO feeding studies" and "feeding tests". These foods have gone through feeding trials and have been proven to be healthy.
Check you dog for parasites and take preventative measure. Flea and tick collars are important. Keep in mind certain collar work better in different seasons and geographic areas. In addition, check your dog's ears. Ear mites are common. Also, check the dog's stool to ensure he hasn't picked up worms in his digestive system.
If you're considering introducing trick commands to your dog, make sure that you have first covered all of the basic commands, such as sit, lay down, stay, and come. Although trick commands are fun and entertaining, having a well mannered dog is more beneficial. Having a dog "stay" when asked will be more fulfilling than having a dog "play dead."
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Adopting a dog is an important decision, but you should have a better idea of whether or not it is a good option for you after reading this article. Continue your education on dogs and their care by reading all you can find. This way, you and your dog can enjoy many happy years together.