Content writer-Dodd Rogers

You need to do more than pet and feed your dog. Taking care of a dog is a full-time job. Sometimes it is difficult to know what you should do when it comes to being a pet owner. This article provides you with a plethora of advice from top experts in the field, including your dog owning peers, so keep reading to pick up some new information.

If your dog is very rowdy or easily excitable, experts recommend that you don't bring them along on vacation. Many times the thrill and confusion of a new area filled with strangers is too much for the hyper dog and unpleasant incidents may occur. Find a great kennel to care for your pooch instead.

Groom your dog regularly. A dog requires constant grooming to keep his coat in tip top condition. Make sure that your dog is completely relaxed before you start the grooming session; this is especially important if he is excitable. Keep the session quite short (5 to 10 minutes at most) until he is comfortable with the idea of being groomed. Most importantly - be sure to praise him and offer a treat after a successful grooming session!

Don't give table scraps to your dog. Your dog will constantly beg for food when you are eating and will not be hungry when the time to feed it comes. In fact, a steady supply of scraps may encourage your dog to gain unhealthy amounts of weight and set off serious digestive problems. Keep the dog away from your table when you eat to avoid any temptation on both parts.

If your young dog is teething and gnawing at everything, buy him a fun chew toy and keep it in the fridge. Not only does this provide him with a good alternative to your furniture, but the cold will help to make his gums feel better. Most younger dogs gnaw out of necessity, not poor manners.

Don't assume your toy-sized dog's bite isn't dangerous, just because he's little. A lot of owners brush-off training, thinking that the smaller breed dog can get away with a little bad behavior and this isn't true. As a responsible canine master, you've got to make certain your dog does not pose a threat to anyone by having him well trained.

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.







Trim hair around a dog's paws so that hair mats don't form. A comb is a good tool to straighten the dog's fur before trimming. If this process is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.

Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. This is vital to the care of a happy dog. Many people don't bother to exercise their dog, thinking that walks are enough. Dogs are active creatures and need to play. Talk to your veterinarian about how much activity your dog needs, and make sure he gets it.

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Speak with a vet as soon as possible if you are adopting a dog. They may be carrying some sort of illness that they picked up at the shelter. Your puppy needs to get a few shots before you can safely bring it home.

If you have to go out, leave the TV or radio on when you leave. The sounds will help your pet feel safer and will make it feel like it's not alone. This may help ease the dog's fears and calm him down just enough so he isn't going crazy while he awaits your arrival.

How Much Wet Food To Feed Cat

Before you head out for a day of fun in the sun with your dog, dab a little sunblock on him! Dogs can get very serious burns on their noses and the inside of their ears, so include him in your sun-protection regimen. Just make sure there's no zinc or PABA in the product you use.

Be careful around Christmas time with a dog in your home; it's the busiest time of year at 24/7 animal clinics! Things like hanging and tree lights pose a danger to your dog, as they could become tangled or gnaw their way down to raw wires. The loveliest of Christmas plants are also hazardous to a dog's health, so take extra care during holidays.

How Much Food Should I Feed My Dog Chart

Be very careful when choosing your dog's food. Find a type suited for your dog's breed, age and condition and be sure to consider other factors such as potential allergens. When you give your dog leftovers to save money, you have to make sure your dog is getting the right nutrients and vitamins.

Keep your dog safe from dangerous chemicals. Similar to kids, cleaning chemicals and any car maintenance substances are harmful to them. These substances are poisonous, so if a dog gets any on them or ingests any, they could get burned, become very sick, or die. Store your hazardous chemicals in a place that your dog can't get to, or keep them in a closed area using a child-proof lock.

The kind of leash you use when walking your dog is very important. A small leash that would fit a small dog, like a chihuahua, is not going to fit a Rottweiler or pit bull. Get a leash that will fit your dog comfortably but also provided them with safety.

Pick up your dog's messes when you're out in public. There are still why dog food is bad who take their dogs on walks and don't bother to "poop scoop". This is not a wise thing to do for a number of reasons. Be a responsible dog owner and carry a little bag and scooper if necessary, so that you can properly dispose of the waste. best types of dry dog food -owners will thank you.

If you're having trouble clipping your dog's nails with regular nail clippers, you could try an electric alternative. A nail Dremel is a tool that will allow you to basically file down the nail. This is sometimes less stressful for your dog than traditional clipping. Before using the Dremel, make sure that you allow your dog to get comfortable with the sound and vibration of the tool.

Having a dog isn't all fun and games. You have to give yourself some time to really think about what you're doing, and to act accordingly. You can use the tips here to help you to know what you need to do. You can always have a happy dog, if you take the time to give it a little thought.