It’s natural that you would love having a dog. Dogs have been great pets for thousands of years. It’s always a great idea to get a dog, but you have to remember that you are also taking on some responsibility when you bring a dog into your house. Here are some ways you can handle those responsibilities.
When you are trying to teach your dog new tricks, you should always be patient. Different dogs will learn things differently. If your dog isn’t picking up a new trick right away, give him time. You could also try changing your teaching method. Your dog may respond better to a different approach.
Not everyone is good at training dogs, so quit trying if you see things are not going as well as planned. Instead of beating yourself up about it, get in touch with a trainer in your area. Since they have more experience with dogs, it may be much easier for them to train yours.
Your vet will provide sound advice regarding medication or special needs for your pet, so ensure you pay heed to their words. While a cone around the head is not a pleasant experience for your pet, it may be a necessary requirement for a short time. Your vet will recommend things that are good for the health of your dog, so make sure that you follow his advice.
Be prepared for natural disasters that also impact your dog. Have an emergency supply of water and food for him and know in advance if your local shelter for people will allow pets inside. Too many pets are injured or lost following storms, floods and other situations that cause chaos in a community.
If you are training your dog, make sure the treat you are giving him really is desirable. Pets have preferences too, and if your dog does not like the treat you are providing, there is not going to be much motivation to do the right thing. Try out a few different brands, and remember that soft, chewy treats are generally the most well-received.
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!
When you train your dog remember that the end result might be ruined if too many people try to take charge. Training methods vary by person, and multiple trainers can confuse the dog. Assign a person to do the training and then have others fortify what he learns by following the same guidelines and respecting the procedure.
When the weather gets warmer, begin checking your pup for ticks and fleas daily. Comb your dog with a good flea comb to eradicate fleas. There are a lot of available products that can control fleas and ticks on your dog. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you on your best options.
Before you decide to go get a dog you should think about the individual needs of different breeds of dogs. Some dogs can get enough exercise in the home, while others may need a few hours outside each day. These factors can mean a lot when it comes to meeting the needs of your new family member.
Be very firm in your commands. When you first bring a dog home, you might think it’s fine to sneak them table scraps or let them chew on your shoes. This is especially the case with a very cute dog! Do not give in or you will only confuse the dog and end up with more problems. For instance, you might want to give your dog a few scraps after dinner, but it may cause the dog to feel entitled to the full plate.
If you are in the market for purchasing a dog that has been breed you need to make sure that you have every stipulation in writting. For example, if the breeder promises to spay or nueter the pet, you must get that in your contract. Doing this will protect you from any conflict later on.
It is wise to check your area to find out what the local leash laws are. Many areas require a dog to be leashed at all times if it is not on your property. keeping your dog on a leash is a good idea anyway, as it can be dangerous to let your pet run unattended, where he could be hit by a car, or fight with other dogs.
If you have a dog, it is your responsibility to clean up behind him or her. Keeping some plastic bags by the front door will help remind you to bring them along on your walk. It can be embarrassing when you forget your little baggie, and in some places you can also be fined.
If you are going to bring a new dog into your home you should do a lot of the preparation ahead of time. You should have a nice place for it to sleep, food, grooming products and toys all on hand before they arrive. This will make the transition easier for everyone involved.
In order to properly train your dog, be sure that your timing is accurate. This is important both with rewarding and punishing the dog. It is not able to link an action with a reward or punishment unless it happens during or right afterward. It is also important that your dog is clear on which action your are rewarding or punishing. For instance, if a dog defecates in your house and you yell at it – it may think that you are mad that it defecated, not that it did it on your nice carpet.
Having a dog isn’t all fun and games. You have to give yourself some time to really think about what you’re doing, and to act accordingly. You can use the tips here to help you to know what you need to do. You can always have a happy dog, if you take the time to give it a little thought.