dog with chew toy

Pet Safety by Woodlands Doggie Village

Dog Care Tips To Keep Your Pups Healthy

Dogs can bring you joy for a long, long time if you take good care of them. Having a healthy and happy dog depends on your ability to meet their needs. Read on for information that will help you take care of your dog over his lifetime.

You may know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but you may not know the specifics. Chocolate is dangerous because of the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous, with a high amount of stimulants. White chocolate contains the least amount of stimulants. Take you dog to vet if he ingests chocolate.

Never allow your dog to ride in a car unsecured. Sitting on your lap or in the front seat is dangerous both to him and your ability to drive. Always place him in an appropriately sized pet carrier or invest in a pet seat belt that will keep him snug and safe in the middle of the back seat.

If your puppy or dog is constantly chewing up your furniture, invest in some chew-toys. Scatter them around the floor, especially around the legs of the sofa and end-tables. Be enthusiastic about your offers to play with the chewies with your dog to encourage frequent use. This should eventually deter him from chomping your furniture.

Hot summer days are harder for dogs to handle than humans. Always make sure your pet has enough water to drink. Provide them with a shaded area to rest if they are going to be outside for any length of time. And, if your dog begins acting in an unusual manner, call the veterinarian. Heatstroke could be fatal, so it is important to get medical care as soon as possible.

Never lose your temper or punish your dog if you find that they did something wrong. Negative reinforcement will simply make your dog scared, which will make it difficult for you to train them. Use positive reinforcement at all times to get your dog to cooperate when teaching him new things.

If you notice your dog gets dry skin in the winter, you probably need to brush him or her more often. Doing so will get rid of old fur and help get their oil glands working properly. Try brushing once in the morning and once in the evening to see if it makes a difference for your pet.

A dog has the ability to bring a great amount of joy into your life. However, you need the right information that tells you what keeps a dog energetic and happy. Use what you learned here, and you can be a great and responsible dog owner.

Oh, wait! One last way to care for your dog and treat them like treasures is to board them at Woodlands Doggie Village day care when you’re busy running errands around town or going on a day trip. Check out our dog day care and dog boarding pages for more info.