When It Comes To Dogs We Know It All... Tip Number 41 Of 101
When selecting a brand of dog food for your pet, read the labels carefully and avoid the cheapest brands. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. Although the food may cost more, you know that your dog is receiving the correct nutrients from quality food.
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 bath your dog, make sure to rinse all of the residue out of his fur.
If you are training your dog, make sure the treat you are giving him really is desirable. Pets have preferences too, and if your dog does not like the treat you are providing, there is not going to be much motivation to do the right thing. Try out a few different brands, and remember that soft, chewy treats are generally the most well-received.
Make sure your pet has time each day to stretch his legs and move around. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy. No matter what you do, whether it's going for a long walk or simply throwing a ball or stick, both you and your dog will benefit. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.
Hot summer days are harder for dogs to handle than humans. Always make sure your pet has enough water to drink. Provide them with a shaded area to rest if they are going to be outside for any length of time. And, if your dog begins acting in an unusual manner, call the veterinarian. Heatstroke could be fatal, so it is important to get medical care as soon as possible.
When training your puppy 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.
Groom your dog frequently. Keep them clean and reduce the amount of hair they shed by brushing them frequently. When the weather warms up, start checking them for ticks and fleas daily. Dogs generally require a few baths a year. Before you give your dog a bath, make sure to cut or comb out mats and tangles. Rinse their coat thoroughly to avoid dirt sticking to any soap residue.
Consider teaching your dog hand signals along with verbal commands. Consistency and practice are key to teaching a dog these non-verbal commands. Many owners get frustrated and resort back to verbal commands, but a well-trained dog should understand both. Try using only verbal commands when the dog is out of sight range, but when close up, only use the hand signals.
If you are not allowed to place a fence in your yard but want your dog to run freely there, consider an electric fence. Electric fences are easy and inexpensive to install, and they can help to keep your free roaming pet safely contained. Using them will require a little training, but they are quite effective if you put the work in.
Sometimes our dogs can get a little fat. This usually happens do to dietary reasons and due to a lack of exercise. The excess weight isn't Doing Funny Things much for your dog's physical appearance or it's health. You can help your dog lose that weight by using the tips included below.
Does your dog chew a lot? This could be a sign that your dog is bored or anxious. You need to provide your dog with some toys that can be chewed and perhaps leave a shirt with your smell near your dog to avoid separation anxiety, especially if your dog is very young.
Avoid impersonating a medical professional when it comes to your dog's health. In an attempt to save money, many people try to diagnose their pet's conditions or use human treatments on various elements and that can be very dangerous to the animal. If you can't afford full vet care, tell that to the doctor and ask their advice anyway or if they could arrange a payment plan for you.
When choosing a dog for your home, don't forget to estimate puppies - topic the size it will be as a full grown adult. This is especially true if you have small children at home. Although a small puppy will be Cute Puppies, it may grow into a large, one hundred pound dog. Do some research on the average adult size of the breeds you are considering.
Look into subsidized health care for your dog if money is tight. Many local communities, in cooperation with groups like the SPCA offer discounted services that have proven invaluable to dog owners. Look into getting your dog spayed or neutered and vaccinated for a fraction of veterinary costs at a sponsored event probably close-by to you. Just contact the SPCA or an animal shelter in your town.
Owning a new puppy is very similar to having a new baby. Puppies need a lot of attention and have to be taken care of constantly. They are not ready to be left alone for long periods of time and need to have a fair amount of attention devoted to them.
If you have a snack, you might think that it's okay for your dog to take a bite. You can do this with some foods, but not all. Do not give dogs any chocolate or caffeine, as these foods are detrimental to their health. These food can have harmful effects on your pup's health.
