Do you truly enjoy your dog? There is a reason why dogs are the most popular pets around. They are active, enjoy having fun, and are affectionate. They make great companions. That is why you want to make sure you are doing your part to give them the best possible care. Consider the following suggestions to help guide you.
You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Dogs can’t talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? Annual checkups can catch issues before they develop into something serious.
Spay or neuter your dog. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. Don’t train them in any areas full of people. It is very difficult to teach a dog that is distracted by people and disturbances.
If your dog displays a good behavior, praise it or reward it with a treat. This will show your dog that the behavior he is exhibiting is just what you are looking for. This will also give your dog incentive to be good.
Give your pooch rawhide bones instead of those from real meat. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. Also, rawhide is better for the health of your dog’s teeth.
Don’t buy cheap dog food. Your dog will enjoy greater health benefits from nutritious food. While this could mean that you’re going to have to pay more money, you can know that you’re doing the best for your dog to keep it healthy.
Take your new dog to the vet. This should be done as soon as he is adopted. Your vet will administer the necessary shots and make sure your dog is in good health. Also discuss the spaying or neutering process with your vet. This can help to eliminate unwanted animals and keep your dog happy and healthy for a longer period of time.
If you are not sure whether dog ownership is a good idea for you, then you might want to try being a foster care provider for a needy dog. A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. You can give a hand by fostering a dog without a home and try on the role of dog owner too!
Keep trimming the soft hair near the paws of your dog to keep it from matting. Use a comb first, then start cutting. If this process is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.
Your dog will be your best friend, and it’s only fair you return the favor. You can more effectively care for your dog when you remember the tips listed in this article. Your dog is deserving of a great life and if you use what you have learned in this article, you’ll have a fantastic life too.