How To Care For A Dog: Tips And Advice

Growing up with a pet is not the same thing as being the adult responsible for it. If you are someone who now owns a dog or may be considering getting one, there are some things you should know. The tips provided in this article will help you care and enjoy your dog for years to come.

Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.

Make use of hand signals when training your dog versus relying only on verbal commands. It may be easier for your dog to learn commands if they see a visual signal. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.

Never give your dog milk! It's not necessary for his body and he doesn't have the proper enzymes to digest it anyway. Feeding your dog cow's milk can lead to chronic diarrhea and leave him with an upset stomach, among other health problems. Stick with plain old water for a healthy and hydrated dog.

When preparing to groom your pet, start the session off on the right foot by helping your dog relax. Spend a few minutes simply petting him, starting with the head and then rubbing the back, paws, belly and even tail. Once you feel your dog is happy and content, begin grooming him.

Buy or build a dog house if he is going to be outside for long periods in the winter. If the dog gets wet feet that could make him stressed out and cause other health problems as well. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.

It is important that your dog's nails are not allowed to get too long. If they get so long that they start curling under, your dog will probably hurt a lot. It is easy to keep nails trimmed with simple implements available at pet stores. If you don't feel comfortable doing this on your own then you can hire a groomer to do it for a little bit of money.

Know the basics of pet first-aid if you have a dog in your family. Being able to react quickly in an emergency, such as your pooch being bitten by a snake, can mean the difference between life and death. Read a good book on the subject or ask your vet to brief you on the basics.

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.

Know your dog's behavior and body rhythms well, to keep him at his healthiest. Medical issues often present themselves in slight nuances early on and if you know your dog, you'll see them. Pay attention to input and output, sleep duration, energy levels and so forth to keep on top of important issues that affect his health.

There is a lot that goes into owning a dog as evidenced by this article. So long as you apply these tips, you can avoid any issues. Read carefully and talk to your vet should you have some questions.

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