It is not easy to own a dog. Dogs, just like children, need to be fed the right foods, exercised, groomed and cleaned, and taken to the doctor. How can you learn all the steps you need to take? Learning these basics will get you off to a great start with your new dog.
Take your dog to the vet at least one time a year for checkups. Your dog can't speak to tell you he's in pain. You need to go to the vet every year to get a check up.
When you get a puppy, have him fixed at around two years old. Studies show that these operations help your dog live longer and can reduce cancer risks. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don't have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. In some cases, your pet may not be able to consume certain food brands without becoming nauseous. Always be cautious about dog food.
Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. For instance, if you are athletic, you might want an active dog, not a poodle. Likewise if you are quiet home-body, look for a smaller dog that enjoys pampering and living it up on your sofa. When you match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. You need to reward good behavior. In this way, your dog will learn that desired behavior brings praise.
Offer rawhide rather than actual meat bones. Giving them actual bones may cause them to fall apart and become lodged in the digestive tract or oral cavity of your dog. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don't share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
Take your new dog to the vet. This is one of the first things you should do. Your vet can make health recommendations, make sure that vaccinations are up to date and help with maintenance items like flea care and proper diet. Also, be sure to speak to the veterinarian about neutering or spaying your dog. There are plenty of dogs already in the shelter, and you don't want to increase that problem.
You need to ensure your dog will come back if he runs away; that is why you need to have a collar with his information on it. Have your dog wear a type of breakaway collar with identification to make sure they're returned to you. Include your dog's name and information on how to contact you. You may also want to install a micro-chip into your dog.
Your vet will provide sound advice regarding medication or special needs for your pet, so ensure you pay heed to their words. The dog may hate that cone on its head, but it's there for a very good reason! Your vet makes recommendations that will help your dog be happy and healthy, so you should follow your vet's advice.
It should be easy to take good care of your dog if you follow the tips presented here. With a lot of love and patience your dog will be happy and healthy. You need to look around to find out more information to make your dog happy.
