When you seek loyalty, love and affection, a dog is the perfect choice as a pet. They make for an amazing pet the whole family will love. Continue on for some excellent tips about understanding how to properly care for your dog.
Get your dog neutered. Research has proven that this can reduce your dog’s risk of cancer and make them healthier in general. They are also more likely to remain close to home, reducing their risk of becoming lost or getting injured by a car or another animal.
It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. In the event that he gets separated from you, you have easy access to a current photo to put on flyers that will help identify him.
When you begin training your pup, start in your yard or home. Training in busy areas with lots of people around should be avoided. This may distract your pet which will make it a lot harder to teach it even basic things.
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to handle particular foods, which may cause stomach issues. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.
Avoid cheap dog food. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Check with animal advocacy groups or consumer reviews to find the best dog foods that are recommended by professionals. Better food will be very beneficial to your dog.
Be sure your dog is physically active. Dogs require metal and physical exercise to ensure a happy puppy. Your dog will get the exercise it needs (and you’ll be a little more active yourself!) from virtually any kind of outdoor activity you share with it. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.
Do not leave your dog outdoors for extended periods of time. While this is what many people do, dogs require socialization with people and/or other animals. Especially if it’s only one dog, it can get very lonely. Keeping them out for too long also exposes them to the elements, so its best that you bring them inside so they don’t get sick being outside in really bad weather.
If you are interested in adopting a pure breed, consider visiting the dog pound. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Call the pound to see what breeds they’ve got. You could get the dog you are looking for and save a life in the process.
Owning a dog involves following through on quite a few responsibilities. There is more to dog care than going for walks and providing food. It’s important you know how to properly take care of your dog. You will have many great years with your dog if you learn how to care for them properly.