Authored by-Deleuran Beasley

A dog is more than a cute bundle of energy that needs food and petting. Your dog needs TLC all day long. Sometimes it is difficult to know what you should do when it comes to being a pet owner. The article below has the information you need to become the best dog owner ever.

Make your home doggie-proof. Your entire home should be safe prior to bringing the dog inside. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Since some plants are very harmful because of their toxicity, it's best to get rid of them or put them in an area that the dog cannot get to.

Do not buy the cheapest dog food. Cheaper brands usually contain lots of additives and preservatives that can harm your dog's health. Find a trusted group that offers a list of healthy dog food. Your dog will be much healthier if you feed it some healthy food.

When giving your dog a bath, make sure that you only put on shampoo that is intended for canines. Using fish based dog food for small dogs , get the entire body wet and then begin applying the shampoo to their face, working your way down their body. Wait a few minutes and then take a washcloth and wipe off the suds from your pet's face. Wash off the rest of the shampoo as well.

Brushing your dog's teeth is important, but it is not easy. If your dog is resisting, once a day simply lift their lips and use your finger to rub their teeth lightly. Do it quickly at first, and then begin to draw out the time you spend performing this action. This will help them get use to the process. After that, you can begin using an actual brush and toothpaste.

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. You should congratulate your dog when it displays a good behavior, for instance by giving it a treat or petting it. Talk to your dog in a soft voice and make sure you praise it every time the good behavior is displayed.

If your dog has long hair, make sure to take the time to trim the fur around his feet. If you allow your dog's hair to grow too long, they can get things stuck in their fur. This could lead to injuries between the pads of the feet and around the nails.

To protect your dog in the event he is lost or stolen, have a microchip surgically implanted by your vet. These handy chips store data that can be retrieved by a shelter or animal officer and used to contact you. They are painless to put in and offer peace of mind for the pet lover!

Just like people, dogs need plenty of exercise for optimum health. Dogs are naturally hunters and love to run by instinct. Take your dog to the park, play Frisbee with him and give him a daily walk. This will help keep him physically healthy but will also make him mentally healthier.

If you have a new puppy in the house that suddenly begins chewing things, do not fear. This could be a sign that your puppy is teething. To keep puppy from chewing on your belongings, make sure that you have provided him with plenty of chew toys of his own.





If you're going to be away from your dog for a short period of time, it might be a good idea to invest in a dog crate. A crate for your dog will provide it with a safe and secure area to go into when you aren't able to watch it for a period of time.

Carefully choose your dog's food. There are a lot of foods out there, but you have to choose foods that are right for the size and age of your particular dog. While feeding your dog leftover food saves you money, it doesn't make for a healthy diet.

How Much Canned Dog Food Equals Dry Food

Make sure that you're feeding your dog a good quality food. Most dog foods available at your grocery store are mainly made up of grains or corn. Instead of this, you should try to find a dog food that is mostly made of meat. Foods that are high quality can provide you with many benefits, such as having a healthy pup, less vet visits, and your dog's coat will shine more.

Punish your dog carefully. You should never punish your dog for a mischief that happened more than fifteen minutes ago since your dog will probably not establish a connection between the punishment and the bad behavior. If you catch your dog misbehaving, say no in a firm voice and have your dog sit in a corner for a few minutes.

How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Digest Food And Poop It Out

Use different reward systems to find out what your dog prefers. Be on the look out for what motivates your pet to perform well. If they are food-driven, reward them with items like little hot dogs. If https://docs.google.com/document/d/16NBQkh4Gslg8trImrcEAllBh3SemY9VZkVvetRw-WY0/edit?usp=sharing likes playing with toys, tug of war might be a good game for them. You may even find that your dog is best motivated by a little rubdown and affection.

When taking care of your dog's grooming needs, do not neglect their feet. Obviously, dog's do not wear shoes so their feet are exposed to the elements and could hurt their feet in debris outside. Look for any cuts or abrasions on their feet and if you find something serious, bring him or her to their vet.

How Long Can Dog Go Without Food

Keep up with pet food news, especially the news about products that have been recalled. Sometimes, dangerous pet products may be out in stores, which can seriously injure your dog. Online communities are convenient for staying informed on recalled products. These resources often provide notice of problems well before the issues reach the national media.

It is important that you choose the best veterinarian for your dog. Randomly picking out a name from the phone book may not be such a good idea. Instead, ask friends or family members if they know of a good vet or look online for reviews on vets in your area.

It is no simple decision to take on a dog, but now that you are better informed about what to do, it's time to take the next step. Keep learning more about dogs and how to care for them. You can turn it into a hobby and make your pet a happy one.