Article by-Carr Beier

Dogs are excellent pets for the whole family but they can also be a lot of work. The key to having a happy and healthy dog is taking the time to learn about their needs. Keep reading for some valuable tips on how to develop a wonderful relationship with your canine companion.

Always give your dog plenty of attention and affection. When your dog behaves properly, make sure you let the dog know you are happy and give them some affection. This will help reinforce the good behavior and the dog will try to behave in this manner for the positive attention..

Just like people need regular yearly physicals, dogs need the same thing. Dogs can't talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? An annual checkup can help catch such issues before they become a major problem.

If your dog is a digger, make sure to protect him and your garden. Some plants are poisonous to dogs, not to mention the damage those paws can do to your prized flowers and produce. Put up an appropriately sized fence to keep him out or consider using an electric one.





When choosing a dog for your home, don't forget to estimate the size it will be as a full grown adult. This is especially true if you have small children at home. Although a small puppy will be cute, it may grow into a large, one hundred pound dog. Do some research on the average adult size of the breeds you are considering.

Keep a leash on your dog at all times. 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. Ultimately, you're the one who's responsible for your dog's safety, as well as its actions.

Use an olive oil spray to keep your dog's dish sparkling clean. Particularly if you feed him canned food, it can quickly cake-up and dry on the inside of the bowl, making it hard to wash later. As a bonus, the olive oil will help to keep his coat shiny too.

Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it's best to stick to rawhide. Pieces can break off of the real bone, which may cause your dog to choke. Rawhide bones are tested and veterinary approved, and they can benefit your dog's teeth and gums too. Treat your dog to one regularly.

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.

Feed your dog dry, premium-quality dog food. This kind of dog food helps to make sure your dog gets all of their vital nutrients. Making sure that they get proper nutrition helps them live a longer life and reduces their chances of obesity, malnutrition, skeletal problems, muscular problems, and many more conditions.

If you have a new dog in the house, be careful with how much freedom you give him or her initially. The freedom to have access to all areas of your home needs to be earned. If you allow your pet to roam too soon, you may have to deal with damaged furniture and other issues. Use baby gates to help restrict your dog's movements, and house him in an appropriately sized crate when you cannot watch him.

Instruct your dog clearly about how to walk with a leash. He should stay by your side, not in front of or behind you, and respond to the command "heel". This will keep him safe, and it'll make walks more enjoyable. If you are using a loose leash, you help your dog to realize this is the best way to go about it.

Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like "Come,"� "Heel,"� "Sit,"� and "Stay"� can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.

The pads of your dog's feet can become dry and cracked, so make sure that you moisturize them regularly. Ask your veterinarian for advice on which product to use. Avoid using moisturizers that are intended for humans, because they can make the pads too soft and your dog may get hurt.

Just like people, dogs need their exercise too. Playing a game of fetch or Frisbee is a great way to get your dog to burn some calories, while having fun at the same time. Dogs should also be walked everyday. Some dogs require more exercise than others, which is why it is so important to understand your dogs needs.

Consider puppy training classes for your young pet. Puppies are eager to learn, and a class is a wonderful atmosphere to let them do so in. Classes are also often cheaper than individual lessons. This will teach your pup essential behavioral skills and allow the two of you bonding time too.

Not all dogs are meant to be outdoor dogs. If you plan to keep your dog outside, carefully choose the breed. Small dogs, short-hair, or older dogs will not do well being kept outside. Choose linked web site that has a nice thick coat, that is mature and one that is extremely healthy.

When taking care of your dog's grooming needs, do not neglect their feet. Obviously, dog's do not wear shoes so their feet are exposed to the elements and could hurt their feet in debris outside. Look for https://cynthiazholt.blogspot.com or abrasions on their feet and if you find something serious, bring him or her to their vet.

A dog is around for only around ten to fifteen years, so making the most of his life is extremely important. This article provides you with so much data, you may find it overwhelming. That said, take it one step at a time and you can make your dog's short life amazing.