Dogs have an uncanny ability to provide unrivaled levels of loyalty and friendship to their human counterparts and are therefore a valuable part of the lives of many. The key, though, is for any dog owner to learn everything they can about what dogs need and what helps them live their best possible lives.
The article is a terrific resource for helping them do that.
Avoid insisting that your dog socialize nicely with every other passing dog. Experts recommend that your dog be able to tolerate introductions through sniffing and eying with another animal but say forcing the issue can create problems. Accept your dog's lead when meeting and greeting other animals and allow for natural interaction.
If you are in the market for a new puppy, make sure you will have enough time to devote to his training. On average, you need to take a young dog outside to do his business eight times a day, and that can take a lot away from your schedule. Training takes more time and patience than most people realize.
Take your dog to the vet regularly.
This may seem like an added expense that you don't need, but when you take your dog to the veterinarian, he can screen your dog for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This, of course, prevents problems down the road.
Keep your dog in good shape.
He can suffer with the same weight-related issues that you can, so make sure he gets plenty of healthy exercises and eats a well-balanced diet. Remember that walking will benefit you as well, so make it a part of your daily routine together to be happier and healthier.
If your dog is still getting used to the grooming process, only work with him or her in short bursts. Groom for about five minutes and then stop and move on to another activity. Eventually, start adding on two or three minutes to your total grooming time until your pet can handle a full session.
Keep the nails on your dog trimmed.
If they start curling under, your dog may experience a lot of pain. Find some good clippers you can use to trim your dog's nails yourself. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
If you are having trouble training your dog, see a professional. A lot of people wait until their problems are enormous, but if you would see a dog trainer as soon as you start having difficulty, you will find training goes more easily. Not only that, but you will save yourself a major headache.
It is hard to dispute the critical role dogs play in the lives of countless individuals. From providing companionship to offering legitimate service for the disabled, dogs can do amazing things to improve the daily experiences of humans. The piece above has hopefully offered some useful insights as to how any dog owner can facilitate this type of beautiful relationship.