https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2019/10/08/aha-journal-study-owning-dog-may-help-you-live-longer/3907770002/ create by-Upchurch Hussain
Owning a dog is no simple task. They require a ton of care, from being bathed to fed to checked over by the vet. With so much to do, how can you keep track? This article will give you some simple tips to help you get the job done right.
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.
Neuter or spay your dog. A neutered dog will live longer and have less risks of developing cancer. Furthermore, altered dogs do not have the tendency to wander off, so they will stay safer.
Take care to keep your dog cool while traveling during the summer by car. Even with your air-conditioning on, the dog may become over-heated in his pet carrier. A simple and low-cost countermeasure is freezing a few gallon jugs of water and placing them near him where he can curl up and cool off.
Not everyone is good at training dogs, so quit trying if you see things are not going as well as planned. Instead of beating yourself up about it, get in touch with a trainer in your area. Since they have more experience with dogs, it may be much easier for them to train yours.
Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Plenty of dogs are overweight, and just like humans, this can lead to health issues. People tend to overfeed their dogs, and many also feed them table scraps. A dog doesn't need as many calories as most people think; talk to your vet about how much you should feed him each day, and what food is most suitable. A vet will advise you based on his size, age and lifestyle.
It can be really helpful to incorporate hand signals with verbal commands when first training your dog. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.
How Much Dog Food Per Day
To ensure that your dog is safe, you should try to make your home as dog-proof as possibly. This includes making sure that only safe play toys are within your dogs reach. If you have a problem with your dog getting into your kitchen trash or the things on your counter, you could consider getting a baby gate to prevent your pup from entering the kitchen.
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.
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Digest Food
Dogs love to eat grass and other plants. When you're outside, this may not be much of a problem, but if you maintain houseplants indoors, chances are they are poisonous to dogs. Before bringing a dog into the home, make sure all your houseplants are well out of reach of a dog who may be tempted by a green tasty treat.
If you're on a tight budget at home, think carefully before getting a dog. They actually cost hundreds of dollars annually, but many people don't realize this until they've actually forked over the money. Depending on the size and regular maintenance requirements of your new dog, you could be getting in way over your head and forced to part with him later so make sure beforehand.
How To Make Dog Food
If you've brought home a new puppy, getting them on a strict feeding schedule should be your top priority. Dogs thrive on routine, and making sure they know exactly when they'll get fed can eliminate a host of problems. Getting an older dog on a schedule can be hard work, but you may find it's worth the effort.
Before you decide to go get a dog you should think about the individual needs of different breeds of dogs. Some dogs can get enough exercise in the home, while others may need a few hours outside each day. These factors can mean a lot when it comes to meeting the needs of your new family member.
When you bring a new dog home, the first thing you should do is make sure they'll always be able to get back to you. Invest in a safe collar and a tag that contains both your name and phone number. Most lost dogs don't make it home, but with a good tag, you can be sure yours will.
Owning a new puppy is very similar to having a new baby.
http://tavrinfo.net/?selling-pet-food-online-directly-to-customers-article-by-Robbie-Finn.html need a lot of attention and have to be taken care of constantly. They are not ready to be left alone for long periods of time and need to have a fair amount of attention devoted to them.
During the summer, make sure your dog is comfortable. It is easy for a dog to become overheated, and this can cause health problems. You need to have a place for them to get out of the sun in the summer months. You need to ensure your dog has some cold and clean water. You don't want your dog to develop skin cancer, either, so pick up some sunscreen for dogs!
You should have your dogs spayed or neutered before they reach the age of six months. Spaying before your dog is mature can cut their risk of developing breast cancer. Neutering prevents males dogs from developing issues that may affect the testes and prostate. The neutering process also stops several breeds of dogs from being aggressive.
Puppies are cute and cuddly, but remember that puppies eventually grow into dogs, and rather quickly. Make sure that you put a lot of thought in your decision to get a dog. Taking a dog into your home is a long-term commitment and comes with certain costs and responsibilities, but is ultimately rewarding.
While perfection is elusive, the simple ideas you have read here are easy to implement, bringing benefits immediately. When you have more questions, seek out the answers online on forums or by reading other articles. As long as you continue to try to be the best dog owner you can, you will achieve it every day.