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Content writer-Franco McCulloch
Before you own a dog, you might think they're all fluffy fun and adorable tail wags. Unfortunately, even the cutest of pooches can be a whole lot of trouble. This article is designed to help you with all aspects of dog care. If you take this advice, life with dogs should be a lot easier.
If you are looking for a great family pet, but are on a budget, consider rescuing an animal.You can get one at a local shelter for minimal costs and the dog will come with a clean bill of health and all his shots. If you are interested in a specific breed, contact a rescue group specializing in only those pooches.
Your dog needs to be secured when in a car. Not only will it make the journey safer, as it will lead to fewer distractions for the person driving the car, but in the event of an accident, it could also save your dog's life. Look for a seat belt harness, often sold at pet stores, that you can put in your car for your pet.
Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Talk with your vet concerning alternative treatments, and do not let small children come near while treating your dog.
Take your grown dog to the vet at least once a year. The vet will check to see if the dog's vaccines up to date. In addition, the vet will check the dog's teeth and vital signs. If any major health or behavioral issues come up between annual checkups, you should see the vet earlier.
Although the sound may be cute, your dog's nails shouldn't click along the floor when it walks. That's a sign that the nails are too long. The nails should actually just barely touch the ground. Seek the advice of a professional on what tools are the best for giving your dog a pedicure.
Dogs love to eat grass and other plants. When you're outside, this may not be much of a problem, but if you maintain houseplants indoors, chances are they are poisonous to dogs. Before bringing a dog into the home, make sure all your houseplants are well out of reach of a dog who may be tempted by a green tasty treat.
Let your lifestyle determine what breed of dog you should bring into your home. If you are a hunter for example, perhaps a retriever is the dog for you. Also, if you like to stay at home, find small dogs that prefer sitting on laps and being stroked. You and your dog will both be happier if you are a perfect match.
Keep your dog safe from dangerous chemicals. Similar to kids, cleaning chemicals and any car maintenance substances are harmful to them. These substances are poisonous, so if a dog gets any on them or ingests any, they could get burned, become very sick, or die. Store your hazardous chemicals in a place that your dog can't get to, or keep them in a closed area using a child-proof lock.
Dogs, like humans, can develop health problems, and because of this they should be taken to see their vet at least once eat year. This can help to diagnosis any health issues early on, reducing both the extremity of the illness and the cost to fix it. Do whatever you can to follow this rule of thumb strictly.
Your dog needs to have mental stimulation as well as ways to become physically active too. Teaching your dog tricks, such as fetching your shoes or the paper, is a fun activity and it also will stimulate your dog's mind, keeping him alert and attentive. This gives him a job to do and he'll feel fulfilled as a result.
If you have very high expectations of your dog, lower them slightly when you begin training. Your dog is not going to have the same attention span. Try training your pet little by little. Don't try to teach it too many things all at once, and be patient. This will help you to be sure that your dog doesn't associate training with being punished.
Get creative with your dog's ongoing training. For example, teach him commands in other languages or show him how to do something that will really impress everyone he meets. He will love showing off to people and the extra learning will create a more well-behaved animal who is happier with himself.
Make sure that you are keeping up with your dog's vet appointments. Your vet can identify health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid abnormalities before the problem is apparent to you. This can save you money if you catch a serious illness before it becomes worse. It may also save the life of your dog.
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Before you head out for a day of fun in the sun with your dog, dab a little sunblock on him! Dogs can get very serious burns on their noses and the inside of their ears, so include him in your sun-protection regimen. Just make sure there's no zinc or PABA in the product you use.
You have to dog proof your home before you bring them into it. Dogs are very similar to children, and are prone to play with things that were not intended for that purpose. They can also hurt themselves or others by knocking down things with their tales, so be sure to give your home a good dog proofing before they arrive.
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If you pick up a dog from a shelter, make sure that he has been seen by a medical professional. You don't want to bring home a sick dog unless you are aware of it, particularly if you have other dogs at home. Make sure to ask if the dog you have chosen has been around sick dogs in the past few weeks as well.
Do you feel stressed out a lot? Dogs have been proven to help lower your blood pressure and help you to feel calm. People who own dogs often live longer than those who do not. Dogs can also bring you happiness and comfort if you are suffering from an illness.
Time, energy and knowledge will make the living arrangement with a dog more enjoyable for everyone. Use what you have just learned to help the household adapt to the addition. Dogs can be great friends and companions if you take the time to train, love and care for them properly.
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