on front page by-Rao Bonner

Dogs have been companions to humans for thousands and thousands of years. However, if you're having problems with your dog, you might feel as though you're in uncharted territory. This article will help you harness years of wisdom and give you the knowledge you need to nurture your beloved pet.

Always neuter or spay your pet. Research suggests that this small thing can give extended life to your dog by reducing cancer risk. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.

Take care to keep your dog cool while traveling during the summer by car. Even with your air-conditioning on, the dog may become over-heated in his pet carrier. A simple and low-cost countermeasure is freezing a few gallon jugs of water and placing them near him where he can curl up and cool off.

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.

Pet-proof your home before bringing a dog into it, just as you would for a crawling toddler. You need to move anything toxic to a higher shelf and consider the danger that plants may pose if nibbled by your dog. Remember that anti-freeze is deadly and that leaving things like pennies or crayons on floors can pose a choking hazard to curious pups.

Let your dog know who is boss! Unless shown otherwise, a dog will naturally assume that he is the leader of the pack - once this has been established it is quite difficult to persuade him otherwise! When disciplining your dog, be firm in tone, but calm. Never punish a dog in a physical manner, as this will lead to lifelong mistrust. Also, when he behaves, remember to praise him!

Always be the boss with your dog. A dog is not only much more apt to be obedient when you are in command, he'll also be much happier. husky dog need to know what's expected of them and that they are being led. This gives them a sense of security and you a more peaceful household.





To prevent the hair around a dog's paws from matting, you should keep it trimmed. Try to comb the hair to straighten it before trimming. You can always use a dog groomer if you find the process difficult.

Accept the aging process in your dog and know how to meet his changing needs. Your older dog may require dietary changes, more rest and not be as playful as he once was. This doesn't mean he should be left to grow old in a corner. Adapt to his needs and make his golden years enjoyable!

Having too many people trying to train one dog can cause problems. Everyone will have a different way of trying to teach the dog something, and that can make things confusing for the animal. Only allow one person to teach the dog things and then everyone else should learn what that person has taught the dog and stick with that.

Be strong when the time comes to say goodby to your beloved dog. Many owners keep the animal suffering to keep them in their lives and that's not fair to the dog. Consult with your vet, then talk it over with family. If it's time to part ways with your dog, do what's best for him.

If you've got the most well-behaved and lovable dog around, share his good nature with those less fortunate. You could bring him to visit the elderly in nursing homes or sick children in hospitals. Not only will you be improving the quality of life for those people, but your dog will love being a super-star wherever he goes!

If you want to take good care of your dog, you need to learn to think like a dog. Does your pet seem distressed? Think about what you might want if you were a dog. Is your pet having trouble sleeping? Consider where you'd want to sleep if you'd been born with a tail. Taking your pet's needs into account can make it easy to solve any problem.

If your dog makes messes in the house or chews when you are away, consider crate training. Crate training involves providing your pet with an appropriate sized crate to,stay in while you're out of the house. It can keep your pet and belongings safe. Just make sure to never leave him in the crate for a very lengthly period of time.

Do you have a hard time keeping your dog from barking? You might be encouraging this behavior without even realizing it. Your dog will keep barking if you acknowledge this behavior. It is best to ignore your dog until it stops barking, even if your dog wants to come inside.

Know the symptoms of dehydration in your dog, as it is a common ailment that can be dangerous. Particularly during hot dry summer months, your dog may pant excessively and experience a loss of the elasticity of his skin. If you see this, encourage him to drink water and add a little Pedialyte to rehydrate him.

If your dog is covering everything in the house with his shedding fur, grab a paper towel. Lightly wet it with water and rub it down his back in the direction of fur growth. The loose hair should come off easily on the paper towel and your dog will love the attention too!

When you bring a new dog home, the first thing you should do is make sure they'll always be able to get back to you. Invest in a safe collar and a tag that contains both your name and phone number. Most lost dogs don't make it home, but with a good tag, you can be sure yours will.

As you can see, it's not terribly difficult to deal with caring for a dog. It does take a some time and patience, but it is possible to do well at it. Just take in everything you've read here and you should be able to help your dog live a happy and healthy life.