Open The Can Of Worms About Pet Dog Ownership... Tip Number 17 Of 680

If your dog is a digger, make sure to protect him and your garden. Some plants are poisonous to dogs, not to mention the damage those paws can do to your prized flowers and produce. Put up an appropriately sized fence to keep him out or consider using an electric one.

If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, Cute Puppies and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

Do not make training your dog seem like a chore. Dogs pick up on this negative energy and will have a difficult time learning if you are not in the right mind frame. Make it fun and try to look at it as a bonding experience with your pet. When your dog is having fun, they will learn their training quicker.

Accept the aging process in your dog and know how to meet his changing needs. Your older dog may require dietary changes, more rest and not be as playful as he once was. This doesn't mean he should be left to grow old in a corner. Adapt to his needs and make his golden years enjoyable!

Never allow your dog to be alone with small children, no matter how much you trust his temperament. Many little kids have been attacked by family dogs who have otherwise never demonstrated a tendency towards violence. Sleeping dogs may be woken by a toddler and react negatively or some other offense is committed against the animal that sets him off.

When taking your senior dog to the vet for an annual visit, make sure to request senior blood work. A blood panel can help your vet to identify any kidney, heart or vascular concerns. If caught early, treatment is often minimally invasive and less costly. This is a great way to keep your pet healthy for years to come.

When clipping a puppy's toenails, start slow. Introduce your little dog to them before you begin cutting. You may only be able to get a single nail done during a sitting. It could take some time for puppy to become comfortable with the idea of nail clipping, but soon, you will be able to get through it all at once.

It is important that you find out before you do this in your dog's life. Falling in love with a puppy is easy, but there is more to taking care of a dog than that. Make sure that you understand all of the care dogs need so that you will know if you'll be able to do it all.

Dog training requires you to be consistent. Once you decide you want to establish a rule for your dog, do not make any exceptions. Make sure everyone at home helps you enforce the rule and encourage your guests not to let your dog jump on them or to not acknowledge your dog when it barks.

Consider teaching your dog hand signals along with verbal commands. Consistency and practice are key to teaching a dog these non-verbal commands. Many owners get frustrated and resort back to verbal commands, but a well-trained dog should understand both. Try using only verbal commands when the dog is out of sight range, but when close up, only use the hand signals.

Groom your dog frequently. Keep them clean and reduce puppies - topic the amount of hair they shed by brushing them frequently. When the weather warms up, start checking them for ticks and fleas daily. Dogs generally require a few baths a year. Before you give your dog a bath, make sure to cut or comb out mats and tangles. Rinse their coat thoroughly to avoid dirt sticking to any soap residue.

Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. Find out what your dog's breed frequently Doing Funny Things suffers from and the symptoms. Your vet will be able to tell you how you can help your pet prevent illness that it is prone to getting.

Yelling at your dog or displaying any other violent behaviors are not good options. Your dog will fear you and establishing a bond with your pet will be very hard. The best way to train your dog is to use positive reinforcement and simply say no in a firm voice when you catch your dog misbehaving.

Your dog speaks to you, but it is through non-verbal cues. Your job is to learn to listen carefully so you understand the message. If your dog seems hesitant when meeting another person or dog, do not force them to interact. If you do, someone may get hurt. So pay attention to your dog's demeanor and make your judgement from these cues.

There are so many amazing aspects of being a dog owner, and you should be able to appreciate all of them. With these suggestions, you'll be equipped to handle any kind of issue that your dog might throw your way. Keep this advice in mind, and enjoy your wonderful pet.

Your vet can give you some good advice on what you should feed your dog. Different breeds and stages of development might mean that certain brands and types of food cause an upset stomach. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.

When you are training your dog, don't have too many people telling your dog what to do. Training methods vary by person, and multiple trainers can confuse the dog. Assign a person to do the training and then have others fortify what he learns by following the same guidelines and respecting the procedure.