Searching for the Right Vet?
Commonsense Tips to Help You Choose A Veterinarian
First, see if your breeder can recommend you to his/her vet. Also ask for recommendations from other dog owners that you can trust. You can learn a lot from their experiences.
If you do not know anyone who owns a dog, your next bet is to check the Yellow Pages or better yet, the internet.
Below are 3 considerations when choosing the right vet for your dog.
Proximity: Is the vet close to your home? Try to find an office as close to your home as possible, driving distance. It’s very important to know that help is just a few miles away. As a back-up, it’s also a good idea to identify the nearest animal medical center/hospital for emergency situations.
Small Practice? Large Practice?: Similar to human health care, veterinary care is either done in a small practice (where you are able to see the same vet on every visit throughout your dog’s life), or a large practice (where you get to see the first available vet on duty).
In a small practice, your vet will be able to get to know your pet on a more personal level. This will help him with his diagnosis and keep track of your dog’s health better in the long run.
On the other hand, it may be more practical to choose a vet that belongs to a large practice because it is quicker to get an appointment in an office where there are more doctors available. This is crucial, especially during an emergency.
Specialist: If your dog suffers from a specific type of health problem, look for a veterinarian who specializes in that field.
Avoid Dog Injuries Due To Leash Straining
Whenever you see owners being dragged down the street by their dogs, it begs the question: “Who’s walking whom?”
It’s strange . . . leash pulling usually becomes an “issue” only after a large dog has finally succeeded in pulling its owners off their feet, resulting in embarrassment or worse yet, injury.
Most dog owners have no idea that their frustrated leash-pulling dog might actually suffer physical harm during their daily tug-of-war. And tug-of-war it is: for a dog who is intent on straining the leash, even choke chains and pinch collars are not a complete solution. Some dogs will cease pulling only long enough to cough, regurgitate or take a few deep breaths, then continue struggling forward.
Studies have shown that a significant percentage of dogs who are serious leash-strainers or who experience repeated harsh jerks suffer from neck or spinal injuries.
So what to do?
SitStayFetch - Dog Training To Stop Your Dog Behavioral Problems!
Save your dog from spinal injury and yourself the embarrassment and get help on proper dog training methods that will solve the behavioral problem that’s causing leash-straining.
How to Take Care of a Dog…
If you’re searching for information on “How to take care of a dog?” . . . you may first want to get the answer to: How Much Care Does a Dog Need?
You want your dog to live a long and happy life, right? Then there are certain things you should do to ensure that he (or she) stays healthy. A dog does not need as much care as a small child or baby would, but it does need attention and regular care to keep it healthy.
You need to feed your dog regularly! Provide him with adequate fresh water every day and enough healthy food for his breed type. Investigate the amount and type of food required for your dog.
Grooming is important for dogs. You must bathe your dogs once a month and keep their coats brushed and free from ticks and fleas. A dog’s teeth are very important and care is required to keep them healthy. Your dog’s ears and eyes must also be cleaned often and watched for diseases. You may also need to clip your dog’s nails on a regular basis. You may not have the time to carry out these tasks or feel confident enough to do them. That’s okay – you can always hire a dog groomer to groom your dog for you.
A dog needs plenty of exercise, and generally the bigger the dog, the more exercise it will need. If you are not prepared to exercise your dog on a daily basis then perhaps you should think about getting another kind of pet. Not only is regular exercise good for your dog’s health, but it also gives him the opportunity to be with you. Dogs crave company and like to be with their ‘pack’ as much as possible. Remember when you are walking your dog he should always be on a leash.
Your dog needs to have an identity tag and regular vaccinations. Check what your local laws require. The dog tag should be attached to the dog’s collar and have your name, address and contact phone number on it, in case your dog gets lost. Once you have brought your dog home, you will need to take it to the veterinarian for health check-ups and vaccinations on a regular basis.
For more tips on how to take care of a dog, visit www.DogCareDigest.com
