Article written by-Lang Buchanan

Dogs are known for being great pets because they're loyal and friendly. However, if you don't know how to properly care for a dog, they could be trouble. If you're wondering what you can do to be sure you're dog is being cared for properly, read over this article carefully.



Having fresh and clean water available to your dog at all times is a must. Dogs become dangerously dehydrated in a matter of days, so its very important to always have water ready. Dogs will also appreciate water that is clean. If you find it necessary to drink filtered or bottled water because of the quality of water from your tap, then be sure to provide your dog with the same high quality water.

If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

Your dog has teeth just like you, so it makes sense that he needs proper dental care. Invest in a dog toothbrush and brush his teeth often. Simply allowing the vet to do it at his regular checkups is not enough. You can also purchase treats that are specifically meant to help with your pet's teeth.

If your dog has long hair, make sure to take the time to trim the fur around his feet. If you allow your dog's hair to grow too long, they can get things stuck in their fur. This could lead to injuries between the pads of the feet and around the nails.

If you notice your dog gets dry skin in the winter, you probably need to brush him or her more often. Doing so will get rid of old fur and help get their oil glands working properly. Try brushing once in the morning and once in the evening to see if it makes a difference for your pet.

Not every dog is capable of going to the dog park. Some dogs will not do well around other dogs that they do not know. Get to know how simply click the following web site does around friends' or neighbors' dogs before you attempt to take him to the park. This way, you will know if he will be aggressive towards other dogs.

Make sure the hair located on your dog's paws is trimmed in order to prevent matting. Try to comb the hair to straighten it before trimming. If can dogs eat raw meat is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.

Dogs need a great deal of attention on a daily basis. If you have a hard time making time for your dog you will soon notice that there are behavioral problems that were not there before. In the least, you should try to set aside an hour each day just to love your dog.

Check and double check your fenced in yard for spots your dog could escape through before letting him roam. The most secure method of keeping your dog outside is on a long run with a strong collar, but if you are comfortable that your fence can hold him, he'll enjoy that even more. Just make sure there's no room for error!

To discourage your dog from chewing everything in the house, combine equal parts of water, white vinegar and apple-cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Gently mist things like shoes and umbrella handles and this should repel your dog. If not, dab a little minty muscle ointment on the things he's prone to chomping and that should work for sure.

Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog the habits that you would like to see from them. For example, if you notice that your dog barks anytime someone enters your home you could reward him for not barking with a treat. The dog will then associate being quite with the reward that he will receive.

Perform tick and flea inspections daily on the dog when it gets warmer out. You can get a flea comb that will help with the removal of fleas on your dog. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Speak with your veterinarian about various flea and tick remedies.

Identification will be great in the event that your dog gets away from you. A breakaway collar that includes an ID tag will ensure the return of your dog if they should wander. On the tag, make sure to include your pet's name and your phone number. A micro-chip can also be installed on your dog.

Never allow a puppy to climb up or down steps in order to prevent joint problems in the future. This is extremely important, especially with breeds that are at high risk for hip dysplasia. Any sort of high impact shock such as jumping or stair climbing should be avoided due to the fact that their growth plates are still developing.

Make sure that you spend adequate time on each thing that you try to teach your dog. Even though your dog might catch on to something, for example the "sit" command, it may not be mastered. You'll want to make sure that the command is done every time that you ask no matter what situation you are in before you move onto a new command.

Remain firm. When some people own dogs they give them extra treats and allow them to misbehave. If a dog is very cute, it will often be spoiled in this manner. But, remaining firm makes it less likely that accidents will occur. For example, you might not care that your dog begs for food from time to time, but eventually that dog will think it can just jump on the table and start eating whatever is on it.

Just as you would with a baby who has just begun to walk, you should take certain measures to protect your dog from harm in your home. For instance, if you decide to get a dog, get rid of any poisonous plants you have in your home. So many dog injuries and deaths can be prevented by taking a few simple steps.

You should always keep in mind that taking care of a dog is a lot of work. Just like having a baby, a puppy requires constant care. You can do a great job if you are motivated and want to provide the best environment possible for your dog. This article should have given you a good understanding of what your pup needs, so it's time to get started.