After my pet had a long, drawn-out battle with cancer, I realized that I needed to do a better job with understanding my pet's needs. I wanted to be there for them no matter what, so I started focusing on my other animals. They needed more love, attention, and medical care, so I focused on those things. I started taking them in for regular checkups and working on their physical appearance. I was able to spot a few other potentially catastrophic health conditions with my animals because of my actions. This blog is all about understanding your pet's needs.
Understanding Your Pet's Needs
Keep Your Dog Healthy And Happy By Teaching These Three Simple Things
Gisele Pereira
Some dogs instinctively know that a car ride means a trip to the veterinarian's office. Dogs often dread the vet because scary things can happen there.
You can prevent a lot of unnecessary veterinary appointments, like hit-and-run injuries, dental disease treatments, and poisoning, by training your dog some simple, yet lifesaving things. Here are three of the most important things you should teach your dog, and why these things will keep your dog healthy and your veterinary visits less traumatic.
Come Along, Little Doggy
If you teach your dog no other commands, master the command "come!" This one command can, without a doubt, save your pet's life. Regardless of whether your pet chases a squirrel into the road, takes off after a neighbor's child who is afraid of dogs, or mindlessly wanders out of your yard, this simple command can turn it all around.
The best way to teach this command is to associate it, always, with good things. Never use this command to punish your pet; every time that your dog comes on command, have a reward or praise ready. Then, when you really need to use this command, your dog is more likely to respond.
Walk on By
Dogs do not discriminate with food, and the "five second rule" has no bearing on the canine community. Unfortunately, not everything within reach is good for your dog.
Many common household foods are toxic for your pooch. Most people already know that chocolate and alcohol are poisonous to dogs, but did you know that even "healthy" foods, like avocado, onions, garlic, and raisins can also make your dog fatally sick?
As hard as it may be to believe, some people are not fond of dogs and will even take measures to kill yours. If your dog has a bad habit of defecating in neighboring yards, barking excessively, or trespassing, an offended party just might try to poison your pet.
The best way to keep your dog protected against both accidental and intentional poisonings is to implement an off-limits rule on floor food. This might sound impossible to teach, but with some patience and diligence, your dog will learn to leave all foodstuffs alone, unless you explicitly give permission.
All Hands on Deck
If your dog is like most dogs, you can scratch and caress and rub all over, but just don't touch the mouth or paws. Dogs hate having their feet and mouths handled, but this intolerance interferes with your ability to keep your pet healthy.
You should keep your dog's nails trim, preferably at a length where you do not hear the clackity-clack on a hard floor. Usually, a good trim every four weeks is enough, but you might need to attend to the nails more often if they grow fast.
Like people, dogs can suffer from periodontal disease. And, like people, dogs need daily brushing to prevent plaque from developing. If you cannot brush your dog's teeth every day, shoot for at least twice a week.
Unless you accustomed your dog to foot and mouth handling as a puppy, these tasks are can be daunting. Start playing with your dog's paws and mouth today; keep these sessions light and positive, so your dog looks forward to these times with you. Before you know it, your dog will let you trim those nails and other dog care, like that kibble breath.
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