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This Is Where You'll Find Dog-related Answers
Dogs may be man's best friend, but that doesn't mean they're always easy to live with. From fleas to barking, from bedtime issues to toilet troubles, there are a number of problems that dogs can cause. Thankfully, the tips in this article will help you to take top notch care of your dog.
If you are planning on getting a dog and you have never had one, then you need to dog-proof your home before bringing the new pet into your family. Make sure all houseplants are not poisonous to dogs. Buy some dog gates to keep them out of dangerous areas. Buy some childproof locks for your lower cabinets.
If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.
Teach your dog to be trained, even if you don't plan on devoting a lot of time to special tricks. A dog needs to understand the basic hierarchy of the home and should be prepared to listen and learn throughout his life. Practice the basics like "sit" and "down" in the beginning and introduce something new every once in a while.
When training your dog, consistency is everything. You must be consistent at all times. If your dog is not allowed to jump on people as they walk in, don't allow your dog to do it even if a person says they don't mind being jumped on. You should also make sure that everyone that's around your dog understands your rules and are consistent with them.
Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like "Come,"? "Heel,"? "Sit,"? and "Stay"? can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.
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.
Groom your dog frequently. Keep them clean and reduce the amount of hair they shed by brushing them frequently. When the weather warms up, start checking them for ticks and fleas daily. Dogs generally require a few baths a year. Before you give your dog a bath, make sure to cut or comb out mats and tangles. Rinse their coat thoroughly to avoid dirt sticking to any soap residue.
It is important that you regularly care for your dog's teeth. By neglecting their teeth, they may develop dental problems like gingivitis, which could lead to an array of health problems. Believe it or not, there are toothpastes made especially for dogs that you can put on a small toothbrush to brush their teeth.
Be careful around Christmas time with a dog in your home; it's the busiest time of year at 24/7 animal clinics! Things like hanging and tree lights pose a danger to your dog, as they could become tangled or gnaw their way down to raw wires. The loveliest of Christmas plants are also hazardous to a dog's health, so take extra care during holidays.
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.
Start training your dog as soon as you bring them home. Create a vocabulary list that all your family members will use to command the dog and stick to it. Dogs can become confused if the same words are not used to give them directions. The dog will see "get over here"? and "come"? as two different commands.
Dogs should understand they need to respect people of every size, even children. A dog of average size can easily knock a small child down. Even if you do not have children in your home, you should make sure your dog is socialized with people of all ages by visiting friends with children.
Giving your dog a bath is essential to his health. Depending on his size and activity level, toss him in the tub weekly or monthly and always use a shampoo that is made for dogs and is pH balanced. Pets have different pH levels than humans and a good dog shampoo will leave your canine clean with a beautiful shiny coat.
It is best to establish a schedule for your dog. Feed it two or three times a day and go for walks at fixed hours. Following a schedule will prevent you from forgetting a meal or a walk. Your dog will eventually get used to this schedule and you will not have to worry about accidents.
When you own a dog, you typically understand the general costs of ownership, such as food, vet visits, and grooming. A generally overlooked cost is emergency situations. Although it may not happen frequently, you should have a bit of money set aside for any emergency that may arise. It's better to be prepared for an emergency vet visit than to wonder how you are going to pay for it.
A great way to have some company on your car rides is to take your dog with you. Most dogs enjoy riding in the car. Riding in the car is also a good place to practice some training exercises with your pet as well. You can practice "stay"? when the dog enters and exits the vehicle. Always remember to leave windows down because heat from a closed car can kill the dog.
Caring for a dog can be extremely hard, but that doesn't mean it's not worthwhile. Thanks to the advice in this article, you can appreciate the best parts of being a dog owner without getting hung up on the bad. Take advantage of what you've learned here, and forge a better relationship with your pet.
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