Even if you don’t have a dog yet, you likely know what a big responsibility dog ownership is. This won’t be something you can start doing without knowing a few things first. To increase your knowledge, take a look at the tips below.
Being a dog owner requires a financial commitment. Dogs require quality food, medical care, and general supplies that can vary in costs. Getting into a vet if you have an emergency can cost quite a bit of money, sometimes in the thousands, so you may need pet health insurance too.
Hugs are great, but avoid kisses. While getting kisses from your dog may seem cute, your dog’s mouth is extremely dirty. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. Some believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. It simply is not true.
Always neuter or spay your pet. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to cancer. Also, dogs that get fixed won’t feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won’t get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
Since you’re not able to speak with your dog like a person, you should pay close attention to the dog’s non-verbal speech. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don’t force interaction. This may cause a human or the other canine to get bit. Watch for these non-verbal hints and let the dog guide your actions.
Be careful when selecting canine flea treatments. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.
Ask your vet the amount of food your dog needs daily. Although some dog owners stick to the recommended guidelines on the dog food, these guidelines can often be too much for your dog, which can lead to obesity. The vet will know what is best for your pet.
Try not to base your dog food choices on the price of the food. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Check with an animal advocacy group for a list of foods you should be feeding your dog. Your dog is going to be healthier if he eats better.
Don’t make you dog eat something they don’t want to eat. If your dog doesn’t want it, don’t force him to eat it. It’s important to take your pets likes and dislikes into consideration and to not push them into anything unnecessary.
Prevent matting on your dogs paws by keeping the area well trimmed. Straighten hair with a comb a bit before you trim it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, a professional can always step in to help.
Be sure your dog wears identification so it can always get back home. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. Make sure that a current telephone number and the dog’s name are included on the tag. Micro-chipping is an even better method.
Having too many people trying to train one dog can cause problems. Your dog might become confused by different methods, different vocal commands and different ways of offering praise or punishment. Have one person in charge of their training and let the others reinforce what they’ve learned by respecting their methods and using the same rules.
Now that you are more educated about your dog’s needs, it should be a breeze to properly take care of him. You just need some patience and love in order to have a happy, appreciative dog. Try to learn as much as you can, and enjoy having a dog around.
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