Dogs are great fun. They can be a great pet for anyone from a small child to a very old senior citizen. However, you need to make sure that you are caring for your dog in the right way. After all, you want your dog to live with you for as long as possible, right? Here are some tips to help you have a healthy, happy dog.
Your dog needs a stimulating environment if it is going to live a long and healthy life. Providing him or her with one is not really that hard. Simply make sure you take your dog for walks each day, and purchase a few toys that you and your pet can play with together.
Not everyone is good at training dogs, so quit trying if you see things are not going as well as planned. Instead of beating yourself up about it, get in touch with a trainer in your area. Since they have more experience with dogs, it may be much easier for them to train yours.
If training has become routine and boring with your dog, consider introducing agility exercises into the mix. These will still teach your dog to obey and be challenging, but they tend to be a lot more fun than the regular commands. Get the whole family involved by making an obstacle course and working the dog through it frequently.
Don’t be upset if your dog does not want to get dressed up. It’s becoming more popular to dress your dog in dog clothes, but some dogs just don’t like the feeling of having clothes on. If your dog does not relax after the clothing is on, you should remove the clothing to avoid your dog trying to remove it by itself.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. Your dog will be in pain if the nails begin curling. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.
House-training your dog will be much easier if you adopt a routine. You should go for walks regularly throughout the day and come home during your lunch break if necessary. If your dog has to be home alone for long hours, do not leave a bowl full of water unless it is very hot.
To make your dog happy and increase the bond between you, try learning how to give him a massage! It’s been shown in recent studies that structured massages are highly beneficial to a dog’s health and can improve their overall well-being. This activity can also be very relaxing for you as well.
Prove to your canine friend that your love for him is true. Do not focus on just the negatives with your dog. This causes problems with dog behavior. Rather, stroke, praise and pet your dog at least three to four times more than you scold or speak sternly to him. This increases the chance that your dog will repeat the good behavior rather than the bad.
Do not make training your dog seem like a chore. Dogs pick up on this negative energy and will have a difficult time learning if you are not in the right mind frame. Make it fun and try to look at it as a bonding experience with your pet. When your dog is having fun, they will learn their training quicker.
Healthy dogs that are happy are the most fun of all. That is why you need to heed the information presented in this article. You will see that when you really start concentrating on providing the best care for your dog, your dog is a better companion for you and your family.