How To Take Care Of Your Dog!

I am not a big animal lover but I feel every pet should be well taken care of. When pets are not properly taken care of I feel that people do not look at them as if they are important. I absolutely do not like when people tie a dog to a tree, leave it there, and gives it no attention. Maybe in their mind the pet is nothing more than a watch dog. I have actually seen dogs left tied to a tree in the rain, sleet, and snow and I really disapprove of this. A dog left to tend to himself has no special attention as far as petting the dog is concerned, and I am sure that just as humans need exercise and see a different scenery that dogs do to.

Sometimes people purchase a dog or maybe someone has given them a dog and they don't really know the proper care of the dog. They feel that they can just feed the dog bones or what ever is left over for dinner and that's sufficient not thinking or knowing about the real responsibility of having a pet. I feel that having a pet is just as a big responsibility as having a child. Children can be expensive and so can pets.

One of the reasons I am writing this is to bring awareness to the proper care of dogs and maybe people that are either mistreating their dog or just do not know the proper care of dogs will learn how to. I am hoping that if there are people mistreating their dogs with abuse or just the lack of everyday care will have a change of heart.

Dog grooming refers to the hygienic care and cleaning of a dog, as well as a process by which a dog's physical appearance is enhanced for dog shows or competitions. A dog groomer is a person that makes money grooming dogs.

Proper Diet-a dog diet may include raw or cooked meat, organ meats, vegetables, grains and fruits. There are pros and cons to feeding raw, cooked, or processed food. It is best to research different types of food and talk to a professional before deciding what diet is best for your dog.

Dogs should not consume: raw onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, or chocolate or anything containing caffeine, alcohol or root vegetables. These can be toxic to their bodies. Some houseplants can be poisonous if eaten by dogs, too.

To see the proper guidelines for feeding your dog visit this site. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/feeding.htm

Dental Care-Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth and providing your dog with the proper diet and plenty of chew toys will go along way when it comes to keeping the mouth healthy. Many pooches show signs of gum disease as early as four years old because they aren’t provided with the proper mouth care. Mouth odor is usually the first sign of gum disease.

Dog Petting-Dogs need attention just like we do. Petting reduces fear in dogs and it lets them know that they are loved too. When they accomplish something great, like being obedient, or something related to dog training this is a great opportunity to pet your dog. Beware when thinking about petting someone else's dog, make sure you ask the owner if it is alright to pet their dog because some dogs as we know are not too friendly.

Dog Walking-A dog is no different from us in the since that they need an outlet and exercise just as we do. Dogs that do not get a chance to get out and exercise can go through anxiety and being just plain out board and start misbehaving. It reminds me of a board child getting into things. A different scenery is something else that helps keep their minds from wondering what's in the neighbors yard. If they take walks then maybe they won't go off wondering.

Cleaning your dog-If you notice that your dog scratches a lot pick a shampoo that kills flees and or parasites. Make the water a little bit warmer than room temperature. You can use a rag or brush to clean your dog. Rinse your dog when you are finished and towel dry your dog. Make sure you do not get soap or water in the dogs eyes. You should not allow the wet dog to go outside because the coat will get right back dirty.

Brushing your dog's hair-Regular brushing and combing helps keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and looking good and to get the full benefits, you need to brush the entire dogs hair, not just the top coat. The most common brushing method is to brush backward against the lay of the fur and then brush it back into place. Brushing that way usually loosens and removes dead hair and stimulates your dog’s skin.

Breeds with corded hair, in particular, should not be brushed backwards,. Brush with the grain and remove all the tangles as you go. In brushing your canine companion, whether you go from tail to head or head to tail is entirely up to you. Just start at one end and work your way to the other to be sure that you don’t miss anything in between.

Clipping your dog's nails-Restrain the dog is to place him or her on a table. Stand on the side of the table opposite to the claws you are trimming. Drape your arms and upper body over the dog. When trimming the front claws, keep your left forearm over the neck to keep the dog from lifting its head. Hold the paw in your left hand and hold the trimmer in your right hand. If the dog tries to stand, lean your upper body over his/her shoulders to prevent him or her from rising.

Cleaning your dog's ears-Dirty ears are a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, which can trigger painful infections. Always take your dog to his veterinarian if he appears to have an ear problem, and use a veterinarian-recommended product to clean your dog's ears. As an alternative ear cleaning solution in cases where no problem is present, a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water can be used. This mixture can be used in the same way you would use a commercial ear cleaning solution. However, it is essential to have your veterinarian make sure your dog's eardrums are intact before you put anything in his ears.

The importance of vaccinations-Vaccinations have become more important for dogs today, as they can effectively prevent potentially serious diseases like distemper, rabies and hepatitis. Not only can regular vaccinations protect your pet's health, they can also keep the human members of your family healthy as well.

Take a look at this link to see the dangers of vaccinating your own dog. http://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_vaccinating_your_own_dog#.UWiDMkqQaKI

Getting your dog regular check-ups-An annual visit to the vet for a thorough check-up means helping identify potential emerging problems before they become serious. Regular check ups will give you the chance to keep your dog's vaccinations up-to-date, and find out more about any underlying issues that may be present.

To learn more about the care of your dog visit the Hills Pet official website at: http://www.hillspet.com/ideal-balance/ideal-balance-dog-food.html

Before a person takes on the responsibility of a dog for a pet. Special thought should be taken in consideration when it comes to the time, cost, and ability to care for a pet. If a person feels that he or she can not fulfill this obligation then I do not feel that person should be a pet owner. Dog's are somewhat similar to caring for a young child in the since that they need attention, they need to be fed, walked, cleaned, and most of what they need they can not do properly on their own. So the next time you think about taking on the responsibility of any pet ask yourself if you are ready, and if you are already a dog owner ask yourself if your dog is properly taken care of.

Copyright 2013 by Victoria Sheffield. All rights reserved.