Do you have a dog? Does someone you know have a dog? Are you just interested in learning more about dogs because you want to get one? Whatever the case may be, there are some things you must know about dogs. Consider the below advice if you have any interest in dogs.
It is OK to hug your dog but avoid those wet kisses. Dog kisses are adorable, but your dog’s mouth is filthy. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water, and lick other dogs’ body parts. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. It’s not true.
Take care to keep your dog cool while traveling during the summer by car. The dog may become over-heated in his pet carrier even with your air-conditioning. A simple and low-cost countermeasure is freezing a few gallon jugs of water and placing them near him where he can curl up and cool off.
Consider space before deciding what type of dog to get for your family. Even though you may love the bigger dogs that you can wrap your arms around, you may not have adequate space for a large breed. Consider your home and yard size before bringing home a new puppy.
Be careful if you’re searching for a new dog on Craigslist or other classified ads. Many people exaggerate the truth to unload problems or challenging training issues, and you could end up with an impossible situation on your hands. Only talk to verifiable people through vet records and demonstrate positive handling experience.
Apply positive reinforcement if you struggle to get your pet to behave during a grooming session. With your words and tone, praise your dog for anything little thing that they do well when you are working with him. Please give him a treat when you are finished, so he begins to associate grooming with something good. You should turn your dog’s behavior around in no time!
You may be tempted to use your favorite hair shampoo on your dog, but this should not be done. Human shampoo can cause dog skin to dry out. Instead, find a quality shampoo that is made for dogs. When you bathe your dog, rinse all residues out of his fur.
If your vet gives you medication to take home and administer to your dog, be sure and ask for ideas on getting him to swallow it. Dogs differ in their tolerance of pills and badly-flavored liquids, so have a few tricks up your sleeve if he resists. Getting a dog to take medicine is important but often challenging.
When you are trimming your dog’s nails, keep a close eye on the tips of the nails. Once you see a pale oval on the tip, stop clipping. This is a sign that you are close to the vein. If you go too far, apply a little bit of styptic powder to it to help stop the bleeding.
Determine your dog’s specific exercise regimen. Dogs have different fitness needs based on their sex, overall health, age, breed mix, or breed. Every dog should have a couple of 10-minute walks a day around the block. Dogs between 6 and 18 months, active breed or mixed breeds, terriers, hounds, and herding dogs will most likely require more fitness than other dogs.
If you’re trying to break one of your dog’s unwanted habits, make sure that you understand that it will not happen overnight. Breaking a habit takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged and give up if it seems like your pup isn’t making progress. Keep at it and maybe try changing your approach to the training. Sometimes this can be the boost that your dog needs.
Be strong when the time comes to say goodbye to your beloved dog. Many owners keep the animals suffering to keep them in their lives, and that’s not fair to the dog. Please consult with your vet, then talk it over with family. If it’s time to part ways with your dog, do what’s best for him.
If your dog has been playing outside, take the time to inspect its ears and neck for ticks. These parasites are prevalent and could make your dog sick if you do not take action right away. Take your dog to the vet if you do not know how to remove the ticks yourself.
Always be the boss with your dog. A dog is not only much more apt to be obedient when you are in command, but he’ll also be much happier. Dogs need to know what’s expected of them and that they are being led. This gives them a sense of security and a more peaceful household.
It would be best to learn how to introduce your dog to other dogs. Keep him on his leash during introductions so you have better control. Start with a walk by while keeping his attention on you. Then, allow the dogs to sniff each other on the next walk by. This will allow them to get to know each other without the dangers of attacks.
Do you have a hard time keeping your dog from barking? You might be encouraging this behavior without even realizing it. Your dog will keep barking if you acknowledge this behavior. It is best to ignore your dog until it stops barking, even if it wants to come inside.
If you have tried everything to get your dog to stop digging in your garden to no avail, head to your kitchen. Mix up a batch of cayenne pepper (five tablespoons), hot sauce (also five tablespoons), and a quart of water in a spray bottle and spray it where he digs. It should discourage him quickly.
You can probably see that taking care of a dog isn’t too hard. You will probably become impatient at times, but remember what you have read here, and you should be fine. Dogs are great pets as long as you treat them well, so use this article to help you do that.
