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.
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You need to take your older pet to the vet at lease once a day. Obviously, dogs don't speak, so it can be hard to figure out when they're having problems with their bones or teeth. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.
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Just like humans, dogs should go to the vet for a checkup yearly. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. You need to go to the vet every year to get a check up.
If your young dog is teething and gnawing at everything, buy him a fun chew toy and keep it in the fridge. Not only does this provide him with a good alternative to your furniture, but the cold will help to make his gums feel better. Most younger dogs gnaw out of necessity, not poor manners.
When training
how to treat panosteitis in dogs or dog, keep the sessions short! Experts say that a dog has the attention span of a small child, sometimes less, and that longer sessions will actually cause him to forget everything you've learned together. Use positive reinforcement and limit your training sessions to no more than 15 minutes.
Pet boarding and day-care services are a billion dollar business, so make sure you get your money's worth if you have to leave home without your dog. Although kennels offer interesting opportunities to socialize, your dog will be happier with familiar surroundings. Thoroughly check references for a sitter-service and keep him in his own home if at all possible. Otherwise, put him in a reputable kennel and check up on him oft
When your dog has a bathroom accident on the floor, be sure to thoroughly clean the area. Use a product specifically designed to clean and remove pet odors. If you do not clean up the mess well enough, your dog might just go again in the same spot.
Make sure that you trim your dog's nails on a fairly regular basis. You do not want them to get too long since it will make it uncomfortable for them to walk and they may develop health issues. They should be at a length that just about touches the ground.
It's not that unusual for dogs to cut themselves after stepping on discarded debris or broken glass. 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. Go to a vet if it seems like the cut is very deep.
Keep your dog in comfortable housing. They should be able to rest off the floor and away from drafts. A training crate is a good choice or any covered shelter outside. Try placing a dog bed inside that has a warm blanket or a pillow inside. Wash the dog's bedding frequently.
Don't bathe your dog after you have applied a flea or tick medication. Some medications tout that they are waterproo, but they only mean against rain or swimming. They will largely wash away with a dog shampoo, rendering the treatment ineffective. If you must bathe the dog after a treatment, use a soap free shampoo.
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.
When taking your senior dog to the vet for an annual visit, make sure to request senior blood work. A blood panel can help your vet to identify any kidney, heart or vascular concerns. If caught early, treatment is often minimally invasive and less costly. This is a great way to keep your pet healthy for years to come.
Your dog needs to exercise regularly. Like humans, dogs must exercise to burn calories, remain healthy, and help their minds stay sharp. Exercising also helps them avoid boredom that can cause destructive behaviors. Keeping your dog active can curb chewing, biting, digging, and chasing urges. It can even help them avoid depression.
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.
When you're picking out another dog to live with the one you already have, your current dog should meet the new one first. While dogs are social instinctively, certain breeds and temperaments get along better with others. If you find a dog that is compatible right away, you'll save yourself some difficulties later.
Although a puppy chewing on your shoes may be adorable, you won't find this so enduring whenever it is grown and ripping your shoes apart.
view to nip habits like these in the bud. If your pup is doing something bad, make him stop immediately. This is sure to save on aggravation down the road.
When you first start out training the dog see what kinds of rewards work best. Be on the look out for what motivates your pet to perform well. If your dog is food driven, try using small pieces of hot dogs as a reward. Dogs that are more responsive to some play time can be rewarded with a game of catch. Pet your dog if this is something he enjoys.
It isn't enough to feed your dog; you need to make sure that you give him a full life that he can enjoy. The tips in this article are meant to help you to think more about how you can be there for your dog. After all, isn't he there for you?