Christian

TIP! Know about what could go wrong with flea treatments if you have a dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children.

There are many different types of pets to choose from. Fish or snakes, birds or turtles, cats or ferrets are but a few. If you want a great companion, you should choose a dog. This article will show you how to care for your dog once you adopt him.

TIP! When your dog is good, praise him immediately. You need the dog to realize that he or she has done something you like.

Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. It is not true that a dog has a cleaner mouth than a person. It certainly isn’t the truth.

TIP! Ask your vet how much food your dog should get every day. While there are those that feed their dog whatever it says on the package, this may not be good for your dog and can make it overweight.

Because non-verbal communication is vital to dogs, you should devote yourself to learning how to read your dog’s signals. Don’t force interaction with other pets or people if your dog is showing reluctance. This can lead to a bad ending for your dog, the other pooch or the other person. Keep eye on non-verbal clues and look toward your dog for your next move.

TIP! Don’t go for the cheap stuff when you buy dog food. The cheaper dog foods have tons of additives and preservatives which aren’t the best for your dog.

Make sure you are using the right flea treatments on your pet dog. Some medicines can put your children in harms way. Talk with your vet concerning alternative treatments, and do not let small children come near while treating your dog.

TIP! Try not to force your dog to eat things. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t make him eat it.

Even if your dog is well-behaved, never leave home without putting him on a leash. A wild animal may set your dog off and send it running into traffic, or someone could provoke your dog and get injured by accident. Understand that any damage your dog causes to other people and their pets is your responsibility, so you need to always use caution when off your property.

Real Bones

Don’t give your dog real bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide is a great treat you can use in lieu of real bones.

TIP! If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. Your dog may hate wearing a cone, however it is prescribed for good reason.

Correct bad behavior the first time you see it from your dog. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. This could lead to huge problems down the road.

TIP! Certain dogs are prone to medical conditions and make yourself aware of this before selecting a dog. Research the kind of dog you have and see if there are any preventative measures you can take.

Take your new dog to a vet. Directly after getting your dog, be sure to make a check up appointment with a trusted vet. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.

TIP! Be sure your dog wears identification so it can always get back home. Have your dog wear a type of breakaway collar with identification to make sure they’re returned to you.

You can always choose to foster a dog for a few weeks if you’re not sure about making the full commitment of dog ownership. The shelters are full of homeless pups and lack many resources because of the overcrowding. You can give a hand by fostering a dog without a home and try on the role of dog owner too!

TIP! Be careful when choosing what to feed your dog. There are plenty of options, and you should find what best matches your dog’s age, weight and other characteristics.

Keep the fur around your pup’s paws trimmed so that it does not get matted. Prior to trimming it, straighten the fur using a comb. Another option is to take your dog to the groomers and ask for this task to be performed.

TIP! Prior to bringing home another dog, arrange a meeting between your current pet and your prospective pet. Just like people, dogs can have a personality clash.

If your dog seems sad and lonely, consider investing in a friend for him. Dogs are, after all, pack animals; they usually like company that is like them. Match them carefully by energy levels and temperament so that they can enjoy themselves.

TIP! Some vitamins are not beneficial for dogs. If your dog already has a good diet, avoid giving him supplements.

Set a regular schedule for doggie check-ups at your vet. Your dog needs to see a vet for full check-ups, heartworm blood testing, and for making sure all of their shots are up to date. Puppies have to go to the vet more often than older dogs. You will also need to see a vet right away if your dog starts showing signs of illness or injury.

TIP! Never judge a dog’s health simply by how cold or wet its nose is. Sick dogs often have cold, wet noses.

Bringing a dog into your home is no small matter, but with the knowledge you have gained from this article, you should be ready to take the plunge. Take some time to continue educating yourself on the proper care for a dog, and learn about all the things that make these creatures wonderful additions to any home. You will have a great hobby, and you’ll learn about how best to care for your dog.