Content written by-Moreno Boyd

Bringing a dog into the home is a decision that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering, or have already extended your family to include a dog, there are things that you should know. Below, you will find a list of quality tips to use to help the transition easier for you and your dog.

When you are trying to teach your dog new tricks, you should always be patient. Different dogs will learn things differently. If your dog isn't picking up a new trick right away, give him time. You could also try changing your teaching method. Your dog may respond better to a different approach.

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.

When training your puppy or dog, keep the sessions short! Experts say that a dog has the attention span of a small child, sometimes less, and that longer sessions will actually cause him to forget everything you've learned together. Use positive reinforcement and limit your training sessions to no more than 15 minutes.

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.

Remember that dogs are creatures of habit and anything you start with him will be expected in the future. If you're not keen on him sleeping with you, don't let him do it only on occasion. Likewise, if you don't want him begging at the table, never offer him a bite of people food. He will learn and accept things if you are consistent.

Avoid the bargain brands of pet food. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Contact an animal advocacy group about which foods are best for your dog. Your dog will be in better health when he has high quality food.

When choosing a dog for your home, don't forget to estimate the size it will be as a full grown adult. This is especially true if you have small children at home. Although a small puppy will be cute, it may grow into a large, one hundred pound dog. Do some research on the average adult size of the breeds you are considering.

Never leave your dog home alone for more than a few hours each day. For example, if you are planning on being away from home for a few days, you should find a place to house them where they can get regular care. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uomS_aDN1CuRNTYl244EiP9rfJNwgFsPgFswXR0gvoc/edit?usp=sharing can become anxious when left alone for extended times, so consider their feelings and provide them with the care that they need.

When you own a dog, you typically understand the general costs of ownership, such as food, vet visits, and grooming. A generally overlooked cost is emergency situations. Although it may not happen frequently, you should have a bit of money set aside for any emergency that may arise. It's better to be prepared for an emergency vet visit than to wonder how you are going to pay for it.

You need to ensure your dog will come back if he runs away; that is why you need to have a collar with his information on it. This is typically a collar with a tag on it. Your dog's name and your contact info should appear on the tag. If a tag doesn't feel like the right option for your dog, consider a microchip.





If you want a dog that behaves well you must take the time to properly train it. If you do not do this then you will almost surely be dealing with behavioral problems for the length of the dog's life. Training is the only way that you can prevent this from happening.

Punish your dog carefully. You should never punish your dog for a mischief that happened more than fifteen minutes ago since your dog will probably not establish a connection between the punishment and the bad behavior. If you catch your dog misbehaving, say no in a firm voice and have your dog sit in a corner for a few minutes.

How Long Does It Take A Dog To Digest Food

Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog the habits that you would like to see from them. For example, if you notice that your dog barks anytime someone enters your home you could reward him for not barking with a treat. The dog will then associate being quite with the reward that he will receive.

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Do you have a hard time keeping your dog from barking? how much dog food to give a puppy might be encouraging this behavior without even realizing it. Your dog will keep barking if you acknowledge this behavior. It is best to ignore your dog until it stops barking, even if your dog wants to come inside.

Not all dogs are meant to be outdoor dogs. If you plan to keep your dog outside, carefully choose the breed. Small dogs, short-hair, or older dogs will not do well being kept outside. Choose one that has a nice thick coat, that is mature and one that is extremely healthy.

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If you bathe your dog often, watch out for signs of painful earaches that can be problematic for canines. They can happen when too much water gets into the ears. Use cotton balls dabbed in baby oil while giving him a bath, and that should keep water from getting in, even if he splashes around.

Your dog should always have access to fresh water. You should always keep a bowl full of water where your dog can access it or purchase a small drinking fountain for your dog. If you have to leave your dog alone for long hours, so not leave more water than your dog needs.

To summarize, a dog provides its owner with a wealth of unconditional love which is really not reciprocated by anyone else in the same way. To get the most from that relationship with the dog, you must learn all you can about them. The tips in the article above can give you a starting foundation on quality care for your pet. Use what you have learned here and learn whatever else you can about owning a dog.