Have Dog Questions? Read This Helpful Piece

You must take the responsibility of owning a dog seriously. You need to have a happy, healthy dog. You’ll do great you just need the information below if you know how to get that balance.

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. You should never pressure your pet into interacting with strangers, be they human or canine. One of the animals could become aggressive. You can ensure that this does not happen, by reading the body language of your dog.

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 death and life. Read a good book on the subject or ask your vet to brief you on the basics.

Not every dog is capable of going to the dog park. Some dogs will not do well around other dogs that they do not know. Get to know how your dog does around friends’ or neighbors’ dogs before you attempt to take him to the park. This way, you will know if he will be aggressive towards other dogs.

Keep your dog’s teeth healthy and clean with regular brushing. Most canines don’t mind you brushing their teeth, provided you introduce them to the process slowly and gently. Use a specially designed dog brush, along with other products made just for him. Remember to provide him with biscuits and toys that will also clean and protect his teeth.

Dogs, like humans, can develop health problems, and because of this they should be taken to see their vet at least once eat year. This can help to diagnosis any health issues early on, reducing both the extremity of the illness and the cost to fix it. Do whatever you can to follow this rule of thumb strictly.

Getting a dog on a whim is rarely a good idea. You need to make sure you can afford to feed a dog and cover medical expenses before getting a pet. Research different breeds to figure out which dog would be best for your family, your lifestyle and the size of your home.

If your dog is prone to getting burs in his coat, keep a can of Crisco in your kitchen cupboard. Next time you notice a bur, put gloves on to protect yourself and work the Crisco around until you can pry the bur out. Give him a nice shampoo to get the shortening out later.

Make time for your dog. You are probably aware that your dog always has time for you, so it’s time to return the favor. You might take the dog out for some exercise, or you might just set some time aside to rub his belly. Remember to spend a bit of special time with your dog, and he’ll appreciate it.

Make sure that you buy an appropriate sized collar for your dog in order to ensure its safety and health. If the collar is too lose, it may become snagged on something. If the collar is too tight, it may restrict the dog’s breathing ability. Allow for a two finger space between the dog and the collar.

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.

The information is at your fingertips, so delay no longer. When you adjust your behavior to help your dog, you are going to see good results. You owe it to your dog to provide him with the best life possible.