Life Hacks Every Dog Owner Needs to Know

Dogs are like babies... furry, little babies that need tons of care. Here are some helpful tips for you and your best friend.

Cutting Their Nails...

• Have styptic powder or cornstarch near by. It will help clot the nail quick and stop the bleeding if you accidentally cut too far.

• Hold their paw firmly, but gently. Place clippers around the tip of your dog’s nail.

• Check that the clippers aren’t touching the red part of their nail.

• Lightly file their nails. This will help eliminate any sharp edges.

• Reward your puppy with a treat and lots of affection!

If Your Dog Gets Loose...

• DO NOT CHASE AFTER THEM. KEEP CALM AND...

• Stop, drop, and lie down. This might sound strange, and dogs will also find the behavior bizarre. When you don't chase after them and instead lie down, a dog will get curious and will normally come back to see if you are okay or to see what you are doing.

• Stop, drop, and curl into a ball. Because you are not moving and your hands are closely wrapped around your head, they see you as less of a threat and will come back to check you out. This will give them a chance to sniff you and discover that it’s you, their owner, and you will be able to then pet them and grab their collar.

• Run in the opposite direction. I know, it seems odd but some dogs love a good chase. Instead of you chasing them, let them run after you. They may be curious about your strange behavior and follow along. So, run back into your house or car or someplace safe where it is easier to grab hold of him.

• Sit down with your back to your dog and wait. Once more, your dog will be thrown off by this strange behavior and become curious and approach. Also, if you have any treats, place some around you to draw them near.

• Open your car door and ask your dog if they want to go for a ride! It almost seems too simple and silly to work, but many dogs have been fooled into hopping into a car because they were invited to go for a ride. It makes sense though, especially if your dog associates the car with good things like the dog park.

If Your Dog Eats Chocolate...

• Chocolate contains stimulants called methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your dog's metabolic processes, resulting in chocolate toxicity. Symptoms of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, and more.

• Dogs are individually sensitive to methylxanthines and therefore, different dogs may react differently to chocolate. Regardless, chocolate is still top of the list on things to keep your dog away from. If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.

• If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, you should call your vet immediately and watch your dog closely for the following symptoms of chocolate toxicity: Vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, increased thirst, elevated blood pressure, tremors, collapse, elevated body temperature.

If Your Dog Gets Skunked...

• Use this DIY recipe to help get rid of the smell.

• 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (found at any pharmacy or supermarket)

• 1/4 cup of baking soda

• 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap

• Wear rubber gloves, work the solution into your dog's coat, and wash them thoroughly. Don't leave the solution on their fur for too long since peroxide can bleach his fur. Then rinse completely. You might have to repeat the process more than once.

If Your Dog Is Choking...

• It’s bound to happen sometime. Your pup swallows a bone and starts choking. Lucky for you the Heimlich maneuver works on dogs, and you can take action to save your best friend.

• Make sure your dog is really choking. Dogs eat weird stuff all the time and get things caught in their throat. Usually with some coughing and hacking, they can dislodge the object themselves. If your dog can cough effectively, leave him alone and let him do his thing. When he hacks up whatever was bothering him, give him a reassuring pat on the head.

• If your dog doesn’t cough, but is instead pawing at his face, throat, and generally acting panicked, he might need some help getting whatever is stuck in his gullet out.

• Check their mouth. If you can see something, try to pull it out with your fingers. Don’t confuse the small bones in a dog’s throat for the foreign object. Pulling those will injure your dog.

• Give your dog back blows. Just as you would with a human, give your canine friend five sharp blows on the back between the shoulder blades. You can try raising his hind legs above his head while doing this in order to put gravity on your side.

• If your pup is still choking, perform the doggy Heimlich maneuver.

• Stand behind your dog and grasp him around the waist.

• Place your fist just below the ribcage and give five quick thrusts.

• Be sure to take your dog to the vet even if you get the object out. He’ll need to be examined to see if there were any internal injuries.