Are you looking for tips for being a responsible dog owner? If so, you have come to the right place. There are quite a few tips that can help you when it comes to owning a dog. Continue reading to learn more about being the pet owner your dog deserves.
If you are looking to get a dog but do not know where to look, turn to your local ASPCA or animal shelter. Getting a dog from one of these establishments is ideal because not only are they in need of a good home, but they have probably also been well taken care of. Most dogs are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and checked for illnesses at these places.
Keep your dog from jumping. It is instinctual for dogs to want to greet people at face level. That is how they greet other dogs, and they want to jump up to reach a human's face. Discourage this behavior by not rewarding him for it. If the dog has a tendency to jump on visitors, put him in a crate during the visit.
Your dogs nails don't clip themselves, so it is important that you tend to them. Taking your dog out for walks is helpful, but they will grow regardless of how much time is spent on concrete. If you are too scared of hurting your dog, ask your vet to do it for you.
Use an olive oil spray to keep your dog's dish sparkling clean. Particularly if you feed him canned food, it can quickly cake-up and dry on the inside of the bowl, making it hard to wash later. As a bonus, the olive oil will help to keep his coat shiny too.
Be sure to keep your dog's nails clipped in order to prevent injury. This can occur both from the dog scratching itself or also from having its nails get caught in things such as carpet. In order to be sure you are cutting the nails correctly, be sure to check with the veterinarian or groomer.
If you can afford professional training classes for your dog, take them. These formal training classes are a great way for your dog to socialize with other animals. They also are usually taught by a trained professional who can give you tips on how to train your dog. If you cannot take formal training classes, try reading some books on how to train your dog.
If your dog is prone to getting burs in his coat, keep a can of Crisco in your kitchen cupboard. Next time you notice a bur, put gloves on to protect yourself and work the Crisco around until you can pry the bur out. Give him a nice shampoo to get the shortening out later.
If your dog does something that you do not like, try to avoid just saying no. To your dog, no doesn't really explain what you want your pup to do. Instead of saying no if your dog is jumping, try to get your dog to sit or lay down. By doing this, you provide your dog with an instruction of what to do.
Even though they like the taste, do not feed your dog chocolate or anything with caffeine. These foods contain methylxanthines, which are poisonous to your dog. Depending on the dose your dog ingests, he may experience symptoms ranging from nausea to seizures. In a large does, the substance can kill your dog.
Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog the habits that you would like to see from them. For example, if you notice that your dog barks anytime someone enters your home you could reward him for not barking with a treat. The dog will then associate being quite with the reward that he will receive.
Always use the same wording when you are training your dog. For example, come up with a word that means "good job", such as "yes" said with a specific tone. That way he knows when he has been good, and you can use that same word all day long when his behaviors are appropriate.
Not every dog is capable of going to the dog park. Some dogs will not do well around other dogs that they do not know. Get to know how your dog does around friends' or neighbors' dogs before you attempt to take him to the park. This way, you will know if he will be aggressive towards other dogs.
Make sure your outdoor dog has protection against the weather or outdoor elements. This shelter could include a dog house, enclosed and covered kennel, carport area or shaded porch. Dogs can become over heated without side, and excessive rain or wind can be dangerous for them. If you do not have shelter available, bring them inside when weather gets severe.
If your dog is still getting used to the grooming process, only work with him or her in short bursts. Groom for about five minutes and then stop and move on to another activity. Eventually, start adding on veiled chameleon food list or three minutes to your total grooming time until your pet is able to handle a full session.
If your dog is ruining your home while you are gone, it is probably suffering from anxiety. This issue is very common in young puppies, especially if they are still getting used to being home alone. You should find some toys your dog can play with and let your dog have a shirt or a blanket that smells like you.
Correct bad behaviors as soon as possible. If you do not take action and let your dog misbehave for some time, getting rid of the bad behavior will be very hard. You should not make any exceptions and react to the bad behavior every time to make sure your dog understands you do not want to see this behavior anymore.
Train your dog for an hour every day. If he can't tolerate an hour without becoming bored, then do it for less time, but do repeat it every single day. Doing it for too long will upset your dog, and doing it for too little time will make the duration of training longer.
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.