Owning a dog is one of the great joys of life, as any dog owner will say. However, not everyone has the same appreciation for dogs as pet owners do. Therefore, to be the best neighbor possible, it’s important to follow these tips and guides.
Teach Commands
The most basic, yet most important, aspect of training your dog to be a good neighbor is learning commands. Your dog needs to know that you are in charge, and that what you say should be adhered to immediately. Go slowly, and understand your dog is trying, so be patient. Rewarding works much better than punishing, so be sure to stock up on treats.
Focus on learning one command at a time, so that your pup does not become overwhelmed. Wait, heel, leave it, quiet and no are good commands to start with. This way, your can ensure your dog is a quiet, well-behaved neighbor even as they learn the more serious commands. Once they have down the basics, emergency commands are just as important. Your dog needs to be able to drop whatever they are doing and come to you immediately when you give the command. This can save your dog from bothering strangers, being hit by a vehicle or ingesting something dubious.
Dog Park Visits
Dog parks are a great way to exercise and socialize your pup, especially as a tired dog is usually a well-behaved dog at home. However, it’s important to know proper park procedure for your pooch. The very first thing to do is get your dog up to date with their vaccines. This not only protects your pet, but it keeps disease from spreading. If your dog is anxious, keep them in a less populated area of the park. A scared dog, no matter how well-trained, might snap, and you don’t want to have a fight start.
Make certain you clean up your dog’s messes,and not only their waste. If they dig a hole, it’s your duty to fill it before you leave. Do not let anything distract you while you are supervising your dog. Sadly, this means children and books should be left at home as you cannot split your attention between them and your dog. Conflict can happen in an instant, and you need to be there to prevent tension between your dog and another from escalating.
Be certain that your dog has on an appropriate collar coupled with an ID tag. This is important if there is an incident with another dog, or if your dog happens to escape.
Visiting Others
Being a dog owner and socializing are not always good combinations, yet our lives don’t stop because we have a pet. If a neighbor invites you over, leave your dog at home unless they specifically told you to bring Fido. Even if your neighbor seems happy to greet your dog on the street, they may not want them in their home. However, if you’re visiting someone for an extended period of time, you have two options. You can pay someone to watch your dog, and this includes friends, or you can politely ask to bring your dog. If you receive permission, you must train your dog. If you cannot make your dog understand the basics like drop or to stop barking on command, if they jump or beg, you should leave them behind. Use treats as a reward when training and you may find it easier to get your dog to obey.
You want those around you to not be troubled by your dog, no matter where you are. At home, you want to treat your neighbors with respect. When out and about, you want to ensure your dog does not make mischief. Training your dog, and being properly prepared for the situation at hand, are your best bets at having a smooth experience as a dog owner.
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