Article writer-Mitchell Bowman

They say that a dog is man's best friend, and truer words have never been spoken. If you are a dog owner, you know how loyal and loving a dog can be. However, it is not enough just to love your dog. You also know how to care for your dog properly. The following advice will help.

If you are thinking of getting a new dog for your family, be sure you are prepared for this commitment. Smaller dogs will require at least a 14-16 year commitment, and larger dogs will require at least 10 years. If you are not prepared to own the dog for its entire life, then do not choose a dog as a pet.

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.

you could check here with your vet about the types of foods that are good for your dog. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. You should be careful when you are feeding your dog.

Make sure you have the correct dog supplies. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, be sure that you are equipped with the right supplies. Every dog needs a good sized food and water bowl, a collar and leash, toys, and a comfy place to sleep. Also, remember to purchase an identification tag immediately.

Pick and choose when you are going to groom your dog. You do not want to attempt grooming when your pet is in a particularly frisky mood, because the process will not go well. Instead, do so only when your dog is calm and tired, like after you have taken him for an especially long walk.

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.







If you are considering owning a dog, keep in mind the size of your home when selecting the breed. Large dogs do not mix well with small apartments unless you have the ability to walk them frequently. They need exercise and room to roam. In this situation, a smaller barred might be the better choice.

Your dog needs to exercise regularly. Like humans, dogs must exercise to burn calories, remain healthy, and help their minds stay sharp. Exercising also helps them avoid boredom that can cause destructive behaviors. Keeping your dog active can curb chewing, biting, digging, and chasing urges. It can even help them avoid depression.

You can find pure breeds at the dog shelter. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound. Contact the pound in your area to see what kinds of breeds they have at the time. You may even save a poor dog's life.

Dogs often get cuts from stepping on glass and other debris. If your dog gets a small cut, wash it with an antiseptic and place a bandage around the area. If the cut seems deep, visit your vet.

If you've just brought home a new puppy, you need to designate a sleeping area for him. Crate training means starting from the very first night. Before letting your dog into your bed, you should be sure that you're okay with this being a long-term sleeping arrangement.

If you live with other people, make sure they are aware of your training "rules." It is important that everyone redirects the dog off of the furniture, for example, and that they use the same language when doing so. If everyone's rules are different, your dog is just going to get confused, which will make the training process much longer and more difficult.

Never give your dog away for free, no matter how desperate you might feel to get rid of it quickly. Even if you can not care for the animal, it is still your responsibility to be sure that it will have a good life to come. Instead, take the time to investigate the person that you will give it to and charge a re-homing fee to ensure that they are serious about caring for the animal.

Consider spaying or neutering your dog. This simple operations increases the lifespan of your dog and will help you avoid many behavioral issues, including running away or aggressiveness. If you do not want to have your dog neutered, be responsible and do not let your dog go outside without supervision.

Try out a variety of rewards when training. Take the time to learn what will motivate your pet the most. Use food as a positive reward when you start. Maybe your dog will respond better to a game of tug-of-war with a favorite toy. Occasionally, a dog may just want to be petted for their reward.

Check with your vet about the type of food you should be feeding your dog. Dogs with medical issues will need special foods. Certain types of food can be harmful for a dog with certain medical conditions. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend the best diet for your dog.

When border collie 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.

The information is at your fingertips, so delay no longer. Make sure you change your ways to make your dog happy and you will be happy. You will get the most out of the relationship with your pet if you do your best to keep it happy.