Dogs make fantastic pets. They are extremely loyal and lovable. To be a great dog owner, make an effort to educate yourself on all of the dos and don'ts of dog ownership. This article is loaded with a number of great tips guaranteed to help your properly care for your pooch.
Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. If the worst happens and your pet gets lost, you have a current picture that you can show others or use to make "lost" posters.
If you are in the market for a new puppy, make sure you will have enough time to devote to his training. On average, you need to take a young dog outside to do his business eight times a day and that can take a lot away from your schedule. Training takes more time and patience than most people realize.
Let your dog know who is boss! Unless shown otherwise, a dog will naturally assume that he is the leader of the pack - once this has been established it is quite difficult to persuade him otherwise! When disciplining your dog, be firm in tone, but calm. Never punish a dog in a physical manner, as this will lead to lifelong mistrust. Also, when he behaves, remember to praise him!
Always make sure your dog understands how to walk correctly on a leash. He should know the "heel" command, stay close to you and not veer far ahead or drag behind. This will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you. This will also help to prevent your dog from choking themselves, when trying to pull ahead.
In order to make sure that your dog is healthy, be sure to allow it to have access to clean water at all times during the day. Just like with all living beings, water is one of the most important components. The only exception would be that you would want to keep water from a puppy for three hours before bedtime.
House-training your dog will be much easier if you adopt a routine. You should go for walks regularly throughout the day and come home during your lunch break if necessary. If your dog has to be home alone for long hours, do not leave a bowl full of water unless it is very hot.
As was mentioned in the opening of this article, dogs make amazing pets. They are loving, loyal and protective. To be a responsible dog owner you must educate yourself on the best dog-care tips and advice. Apply the knowledge you've learned from this article to properly care for your pooch.
