When it comes to owning a dog, it is never a piece of cake. You will have to care for him in many of the same ways that you would a child. Do you know everything there is to know about dog care? The tips in the article that follows will give you a great start.
Make your home safe for your dog. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Put up all of your cleaning supplies and medications, and be sure you put away any trash cans. Certain plants are toxic, and it’s best to move them, too.
Just like people need regular yearly physicals, dogs need the same thing. Since your dog cannot talk to you, it may be hard to determine when arthritis is setting in or a tooth begins hurting. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.
When you get a puppy, have him fixed at around two years old. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. Not only that, but neutered and spayed dogs feel less need to wander away from home, so they are not as likely to be hit by a vehicle or become lost.
Make sure to keep prescription drugs out of the reach of your dogs. Even if the dog were to eat a couple of pills, it could have very life threatening effects. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.
In addition to verbal commands, employ a variety of hand signals when training your dog. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily. Not every dog will learn the same, so try different techniques with your dog.
You need to use these tips to raise a healthy and happy dog. Cultivating a solid base of knowledge on the subject will make you into a more responsible, reliable dog owner. Use all that you now know, and your dog will be eternally grateful for your love, support, and leadership!