Caring for an animal is a lot of work. There are many similarities between the care of a pet and the care of a young child. While it can seem overwhelming at times, you have the potential to be a great owner. You should read the following article to get a better idea of what owning a dog means.
Make sure your house is free of doggy danger. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Hide medications and chemicals, cover your trash, and put food where he can’t get to it. Certain plants are toxic, and it’s best to move them, too.
Always make sure to keep any prescription medications away from your dog. The same holds true for over-the-counter meds. Just a few of your pills could literally kill your dog. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. You should avoid training in heavily populated areas. Distraction ensues, and it is harder to get your dog to focus on basic commands.
Ask your vet the amount of food your dog needs daily. Dog food packages provide guidelines, but they can be wrong for your particular pet and lead to obesity. Your vet should be able to let you know what your dog’s specific needs are.
Don’t ever give your dog bones. Bones can fall apart and become lodged between teeth or digestive system. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.
Make sure your dog always has trimmed nails. If they get so long that they start curling under, your dog will probably hurt a lot. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. If you’re uncomfortable clipping them on your own, go to a professional groomer. Nail clipping is very affordable.
When you get a new dog, it is best that you schedule a check-up at the vet right away. This should be done as soon as he is adopted. The vet will examine your dog. You also want to check with the vet about fixing your dog if you will not be breeding him.
Take the time to train your dog on a leash. To properly walk your dog, he must remain directly at your side instead of behind or in front of you. If you walk in this way, you will be sure that your pet is safe so that your walks are more enjoyable. Even if you practice a loose leash walk, it’s still important for your pet to know this command.
Dog care is something you have to be careful with. Looking after a dog is almost no different in the level of responsibility it takes to look after a child. You can do a great job if you are motivated and want to provide the best environment possible for your dog. This article should have given you a good understanding of what your pup needs, so it’s time to get started.