House-training your dog will be much easier if you adopt a routine. You should go for walks regularly throughout the day and come home during your lunch break if necessary. If your dog has to be home alone for long hours, do not leave a bowl full of water unless it is very hot.
If your dog makes messes in the house or chews when you are away, consider crate training. Crate training involves providing your pet with an appropriate sized crate to,stay in while you’re out of the house. It can keep your pet and belongings safe. Just make sure to never leave him in the crate for a very lengthly period of time.
Bigger is not better when selecting a dog house. Allow for room for growth, but do not go much bigger than what you will need for him to be comfortable as an adult. This will allow the entire house to heat from his body heat during the cold winter months.
If you have a new dog in the house, be careful with how much freedom you give him or her initially. The freedom to have access to all areas of your home needs to be earned. If you allow your pet to roam too soon, you may have to deal with damaged furniture and other issues. Use baby gates to help restrict your dog’s movements, and house him in an appropriately sized crate when you cannot watch him.
Brush your dog often, even if he’s got short hair. It’s good for his coat and skin and can alert you of possible issues like fleas, tics and eczema. The dog will also enjoy the attention and brushing him regularly will keep more of his fur from flying around the house and landing on your furniture and carpets.
Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. Train your dog to perform useful activities like fetching the newspaper. Many dogs were originally bred to work, and will get frustrated if you do not give them a job to do.
Clean up after accidents immediately. Use a cleaner specifically made to clean up such messes. If your dog can still smell the spot he has marked, he will be likely to mark it again.
Keep in mind that some behavioral problems in your dog could be connected to health issues, especially if your dog is displaying a new behavior. Your dog might become aggressive when you touch it because of a pain and it might have a hard time with house-training because of an infection.
Caring for your dog starts with a good education, and this article is a stepping stone to true understanding of the species. Thankfully, you have read it in full, so keep these tips in mind as you continue loving your dog. Read as much as you can to learn more about your pet.