When you invite a dog into your home, you are getting more than a pet. This animal will quickly become your best friend and a member of your family. Knowing the best methods of caring for him will help both of you learn to live together in peace. Keep reading to learn some tips about caring for your new friend.
Your pet needs vaccinations, much in the same way that your baby does. Some common vaccinations that dogs require include rabies, hepatitis and distemper. Each pet is different, and each will have a different immunization schedule. Your veterinarian is a great resource when it comes to which vaccinations are right for the age and breed of your pet.
Refrain from making the training sessions with your dogs too long. Extended sessions can make a dog tire out and become bored easily when you are trying to teach them new things. Limit your training sessions to 20-30 minutes, as this will help to keep the full attention of your dog.
Avoid impersonating a medical professional when it comes to your dog’s health. In an attempt to save money, many people try to diagnose their pet’s conditions or use human treatments on various elements and that can be very dangerous to the animal. Tell that to the doctor and ask their advice anyway or if they could arrange a payment plan for you if you can’t afford full vet care.
Try taking a couple of weeks off work so you can spend some time with your puppy and teach it a few good habits if you are thinking about adopting a dog. If you are home, training your puppy and helping it get used to its new environment will be much easier.
If you’re adopting your pet from a shelter, it’s important that you take it to see a vet immediately. Shelter dogs may have come into contact with viruses or may be ill already. It’s crucial that your pet has all necessary shots before it’s brought into your house.
Make sure that you trim your dog’s nails on a fairly regular basis. You do not want them to get too long since it will make it uncomfortable for them to walk and they may develop health issues. They should be at a length that just about touches the ground.
If you want a dog but don’t know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. Fostering a dog could help the cause as well as find you a new companion you cannot bring yourself to return.
Check and double check your fenced in yard for spots your dog could escape through before letting him roam. The most secure method of keeping your dog outside is on a long run with a strong collar, but if you are comfortable that your fence can hold him, he’ll enjoy that even more. Just make sure there’s no room for error!
Be careful to not over feed your dog. Obesity is a huge problem for animals these days due to the fact that many dog owners allow the animal to determine how much it eats each day. For the best results, and health of your dog, you should follow the instructions of your vet when it comes to feeding habits.
You should now have a better understanding of what is necessary for the proper care of your furry friend. Keep these tips in mind as you live your day to day life. Soon, you will not have problems of any kind and will have a healthy companion to enjoy and love.