Do You Have Questions Concerning Canines? Get The Answer Below

Article written by-McMahon Wilhelmsen

Isn't it great to have a dog? A dog is always there for you after a long day, and doesn't ask for anything but your love all day. In return, you must give him a safe home, with food and water. However, there are other things that must be done as well. Read this article for tips about how to keep your dog happy.

Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to you can look here about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.

Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. Your dog can't talk, it might be difficult to find out what is wrong if there is an issue. Bringing your dog to the vet each year can help stop these health issues from becoming a huge problem.

It is important for you to take your dog in to see the vet on a fairly regular basis. Just like humans, dogs can develop health problems like toothaches, arthritis and weight gain. Do not wait until you think your dog is sick before taking him in to be seen.

You may be tempted to use your favorite hair shampoo on your dog, but this should not be done. Human shampoo can cause dog skin to dry out. Instead, find a quality shampoo that is made for dogs. When you bath your dog, make sure to rinse all of the residue out of his fur.

If you do not have any ear cleaner solution on hand, you can use a baby wipe instead. Simply wrap it around the tip of your finger and wipe the inside of the ear's surface. Only go as far as your finger can easily fit. Do not use Q-tips as they can injure the ear.

If your vet gives you medication to take home and administer to your dog, be sure and ask for ideas on getting him to swallow it. Dogs differ in their tolerance of pills and badly-flavored liquids, so have a few tricks up your sleeve in case he resists. Getting a dog to take medicine is important, but often challenging.

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!

Be careful around Christmas time with a dog in your home; it's the busiest time of year at 24/7 animal clinics! Things like hanging and tree lights pose a danger to your dog, as they could become tangled or gnaw their way down to raw wires. The loveliest of Christmas plants are also hazardous to a dog's health, so take extra care during holidays.

Make sure your dog engages in sufficient amounts of exercise. A dog needs to play and exercise on a regular basis so that it can be happy and healthy. Get out and do something with your dog. Go for a walk or play fetch. Baby Food For Cats doesn't just entertain and exercise your dog, it helps you form a bond.

Does your dog chew a lot? This could be a sign that your dog is bored or anxious. You need to provide your dog with some toys that can be chewed and perhaps leave a shirt with your smell near your dog to avoid separation anxiety, especially if your dog is very young.

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. Dogs 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.

How To Transition Dog Food

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.

Be careful to not over feed your dog. Obesity is a huge problem for animals these days due to the fact that many dog owners allow the animal to determine how much it eats each day. For the best results, and health of your dog, you should follow the instructions of your vet when it comes to feeding habits.

Don't let too many people train your dog. Everyone will have a different way of trying to teach the dog something, and that can make things confusing for the animal. Have one person train and make everyone else do exactly the same commands during the day.

Keep in mind that the pads on a dog's foot are very similar to the skin at the bottom of a human foot. This means that they have a hard time withstanding extreme heat and cold. If you have to take your dog out in extreme weather, make sure that you cover their paws, or you don't have them out for very long.

If you have very high expectations of your dog, lower them slightly when you begin training. Dogs don't have long attention spans. Train for a couple of minutes at a time to ensure you don't turn him off training.

You should have your dogs spayed or neutered before they reach the age of six months. Spaying before your dog is mature can cut their risk of developing breast cancer. Neutering prevents males dogs from developing issues that may affect the testes and prostate. The neutering process also stops several breeds of dogs from being aggressive.

After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of how to take care of your dog. By using this advice on a daily basis, you can enjoy many years of companionship with your furry friend. Keep your dog happy and healthy throughout its life by using these tips.