Dogs provide joy to many lives when they get proper care. Learning about a dog’s needs is key to its health and happiness. Keep reading for great tips on developing a good relationship with your pup.
Hugs are good, but kisses should be avoided. Kisses seem nice, but dogs have very dirty mouths. Keep in mind that dogs drink from toilet bowls and eat whatever is on the ground. Many people believe that dogs’ mouths do not have as much germs as humans’ mouths. This statement is most definitely not true.
Don’t give table scraps to your dog. Doing so teaches it to beg and ruins its appetite for its regular food. “People food” can also make dogs sick and contribute to obesity. Make sure your dog doesn’t hover around your dinner table so it isn’t tempted to eat your food.
Purchase or construct a dog house if your dog must stay outside when the weather is cold. Wet feet and cold fur can bring on health problems. Keep your dog safe by giving him shelter.
Do not force your dog to do anything. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. Get to know your dog better to figure out how you can make it happy.
You should always trim your nails. If they start to curl under then your dog may start to feel pain. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. If this idea makes you uneasy, a groomer can easily attend to them for you.
Avoid leaving your pup outside all day. While this happens quite often, a dog needs interaction during the day. If you have a single dog, it may feel lonely outside on its own. Also, any extreme weather can cause problems for your dog.
If you have to leave your dog alone for a whole day, leave a radio or a TV on. The sounds will help your pet feel safer and will make it feel like it’s not alone. That might work to appease his anxiety during the time you aren’t home.
Show the dog that he is loved. Like a lot of things, people notice bad behavior more often that good behavior. This causes problems with dog behavior. Instead, make sure you pet or praise your dog five times more often than you scold him. When you do this, you will probably end up with a better behaved dog.
Stimulate your dog mentally and physically with plenty of exercise. Teach your dog to get your newspaper as well as other things that are useful in your home. Your dog is going to feel useful and also stay quite sharp.
Be sure your dog sees the vet once a year. Your vet will give your dog an annual exam with any vaccines that your dog might need. When you own a puppy, you may need to see a vet more often. When your dog seems to be sick or injured in any way, it is time to go to the vet.
If you already own a dog and are getting another one, have the two meet before bringing the new one home. Dogs are social creatures, but it’s true that some dogs are more friendlier than others. Finding the right dog for you will save you lots of trouble in the end.
When snacking, you might allow your dog to have a bite or two of your food. This is true of some snacks, but not of others. A few foods that you should not allow your dog to have include grapes, chocolate and caffeine. They can make you dog seriously ill or even cause death if enough is ingested.
Dogs bring joy to all they meet. It is very vital that you know what is going to make your dog happy. The intent of this article was to provide you with such knowledge. Use it wisely and you will become a happier, more confident pet owner and a better friend to your canine companion.