Do you enjoy being a dog owner? For a great reason, dogs seem to be the preferred pets of most people in the country. Not only do they give lots of love, they also enjoy going whereever their owner takes them. They are fantastic at being companions. Your dog could be a great addition to your family if you take the time to train it properly. Consider the following suggestions to help guide you.
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. By doing this, in case your dog gets lost, you can provide others with a picture and easily put up flyers, which will assist in finding your dog.
If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Consuming even a single pill can cause serious health problems or your dog. If your pet does manage to ingest some medicine, contact the vet right away.
Beware of flea treatments for your dog. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Discuss family-friendly alternative flea treatments with your vet. Be sure to store all flea treatments out of the reach of children.
Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. This will encourage constant begging and reduce their appetite towards their own food. You might be wrecking your dog’s health by giving him table scraps. Make sure your dog doesn’t hover around your dinner table so it isn’t tempted to eat your food.
Talk to your vet about what kinds of foods you might want to keep your pet away from. Following his advice on the different foods for different stages of your dog’s life can avoid sickness and stomach upset. Be cautious about what types of foods you feed your dog.
Be sure to show your dog lots of praise and love when they do something good. This is to let the dog know that you want more of that behavior. This will teach the dog that when they do what you wish, they’ll get praised.
Do not force your dog to eat things. If your dog doesn’t like a treat you give him, let it go. Keep an eye on your dog’s likes and dislikes.
Daily brushing brings great rewards – much more than just a reduction in shedding. Brushing your dog every day helps its coat become beautiful and shiny. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.
You have to be the same kind of friend that your dog is to you. If you take these tips and put them to good use, you will have a healthy and happy dog. Your dog should have the best life possible and by using this advice, you will find your life to be more enjoyable as well.