Dogs are an incredible addition to the daily lives of a significant number of people and provide amazing amounts of joy and companionship. To ensure the health and contentment of any dog, a good amount of research and understanding is in order. The information that follows below can serve as a tremendously valuable resource for any dog owner.
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.
Never push your dog to do anything he doesn’t want to. If he refuses to visit with another dog, don’t make him do it. If he seems scared of a person, keep him away. This will help you avoid fear-based reactions such as biting or peeing on the floor.
To discourage your dog from chewing everything in the house, combine equal parts of water, white vinegar and apple-cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Gently mist things like shoes and umbrella handles and this should repel your dog. If not, dab a little minty muscle ointment on the things he’s prone to chomping and that should work for sure.
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.
How frequently you reward your dog is just as important as how frequently you punish him. While you may be quick to tell him when he does wrong, are you quick to also tell him when his behavior is good? Use the same words for both, such as “no” and “yes”, so he knows what you’re talking about.
Always make sure your dog has fresh water available. Water is essential for the health of a dog. He can easily become dehydrated without it or look for unsafe water sources, such as puddles or contaminated ponds. Making sure your dog always has water is an easy way to keep him happy and safe.
Always use the same wording when you are training your dog. For example, come up with a word that means “good job”, such as “yes” said with a specific tone. That way he knows when he has been good, and you can use that same word all day long when his behaviors are appropriate.
The joy and delight a dog can provide is truly something amazing to behold. The fact remains, however, that a significant amount of know-how is required in order to make life with a dog the very best it can possibly be. Hopefully the insights found above have provided a strong foundation for canine aficionados everywhere.
