Be sure to have your dog spayed or neutered. A neutered dog will live longer and have less risks of developing cancer. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.
Take a photo of your dog when you plan to take him on vacation. If he gets lost, you have a recent picture you can immediately access in order to print "lost" flyers.
If you have medication is your home, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, with a sick or dying dog. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.
In your backyard or in your house itself is the right place to start training your dog. Training a dog in a very populated area is never a good idea. It will be very distracting for your pup.
It is smart to use your hands to signal while dog training, as opposed to just your voice. Your dog may have a better time understanding you when you use manual signals. Find out the way that your dog prefers and use it.
Don't buy your dog cheap dog food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren't the best for your dog. Professional associations and dog advocacy groups may offer lists of the highest quality foods available. Your dog will thank you for feeding him a better food.
Try not to force your dog to do new things. If your dog doesn't like a particular treat, don't make him eat it. Not all dogs like the same things.
If your dog behaves badly, correct the behavior immediately. You should never ignore bad behaviors when they are puppies because this will make it a lot harder to correct down the road. Your dog could hurt somebody, including you, so keep him under control.
You need to trim your dog's nails regularly. Once the nails start to curl under, they can cause your dog a great deal of pain. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. If you're uncomfortable clipping them on your own, go to a professional groomer. Nail clipping is very affordable.
Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. The dog needs to stay beside you, not behind or in front of you. It also needs to know the command "heel". This keeps you and your dog safe as you walk. Even if your dog is sometimes walked on a loose leash, it should still know the command anyway.
Make sure that your dog is not left alone outdoors all day. Dogs need companionship and interaction with their owners. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. In addition, inclement weather and freezing temperatures can be dangerous for your dog.
If your dog gets anxious and lonely when you leave, put some music on before you head out. That noise will help your dog feel more secure, and it will help him feel he's not alone. This little touch can help your dog feel less anxious as he awaits your return.
If your dog is a female and in heat, you need to be careful if you're not trying to get her pregnant. A male dog can smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. She could also cause fighting among other dogs, along with becoming pregnant with an unwanted litter of unknown origin.
Make sure to keep all of your dog's annual check-up appointments. Vets can detect diabetes, kidney, and thyroid issues before you see signs. This can save you money if you catch a serious illness before it becomes worse. It may also save the life of your dog.
Do tick and flea inspections on a daily basis with your dog whenever the weather becomes hot. If you find fleas, use a flea comb and get rid of them. There are a lot of products that can assist you with fleas and ticks. Talk to a vet regarding these products or some other options.
When you're picking out another dog to live with the one you already have, your current dog should meet the new one first. You need to see if they are going to be compatible or not. Finding dogs that are compatible is a good way to save yourself hassle and heartache.
Were you aware of how harmful vitamins can be to your pet? Your dog doesn't need a vitamin supplement if he is eating a well-balanced diet. Certain vitamins can be overdosed and result in damaged joints, bones and blood vessels. Before giving your dog vitamins, get your vet's OK.
You should now know what taking care of a dog entails, so get ready to take that purebred or mutt home! Keep learning as much as possible, and find answers online when you come up with questions about your new dog. A great place to discuss your dog with other dog lovers would be an online forum. Learning goes on for your entire life, so embrace the process.
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