There are a number of different pets available. You could get a cat, a fish, a reptile, or even a amphibian. If what you’re looking for is unconditional love, though, there’s no better bet than getting a dog. This article will give you tips on caring for your pup.
Being a dog owner requires a financial commitment. Food, supplies and vet bills can add up to $1,000 or more per year. Health insurance for your pet can be a great idea to help you in emergency situations.
Make your home safe for your dog. Before you bring a dog into your home, you should be sure that the area you’re bringing it to is safe. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Some indoor plants are poisonous, so put them high up.
Neuter or spay your dog. Studies have shown that this leads to the pet living a longer and much healthier life. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.
If you decide to take your dog with you on a trip, take a photo of him on your phone. If the worst happens and your pet gets lost, you have a current picture that you can show others or use to make “lost” posters.
Be careful when selecting canine flea treatments. A lot of these medications have ingredients that can be harmful to children and can cause cancer. Bring up the subject of alternative and family-friendly treatments the next time you see your vet, and always be sure to apply these treatments when no children are present.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. It is unwise to do it where there are many strangers around. It is very difficult to teach a dog that is distracted by people and disturbances.
Try using hand signals when training a dog instead of just using verbal commands. It may be easier for your dog to learn commands if they see a visual signal. Try each way to see what works well with your dog.
Don’t go for the cheap stuff when you buy dog food. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Looking at a pet advocacy group website can give you recommendations of the best food for your dog. Your dog will be much healthier if you feed it some healthy food.
Rawhide Bones
Rawhide bones are the best options for your dog. Pieces can break off of the real bone, which may cause your dog to choke. Studies have shown that rawhide bones are good for your dog’s health and their teeth. Don’t give in and let your dog gnaw on real bones. Stick to rawhide.
Should you visit a shelter to adopt a dog, take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. Shelter dogs may have come into contact with viruses or may be ill already. Make sure the new puppy gets their required shots before going home.
Take your new dog to a vet. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. The vet is going to check over your dog to see if everything is okay, as well as set it up to get vaccinations it may need. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.
You may need to trim hair that grows near the dog’s paws to help keep it from matting. Use a comb and a small pair of scissors for this task. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.
Know any canine laws that might affect your ownership. Watch for local laws that people are trying to pass to restrict how dog owners have to behave and what their rights are. It’s often only motivated by the actions of a specific breed or a few bad apples. Get in touch with administrators and legislators to exercise your rights as a responsible citizen and reliable dog owner.
You should remember the quote about too many cooks spoiling the soup while trying to train your dog. Many people do it differently than just having a few commands to give your dog. Only allow one person to teach the dog things and then everyone else should learn what that person has taught the dog and stick with that.
If your dog poops or pees in the house, you need to clean it up. Use a cleaner that gets rid of smells. If any scent from their excrement is left behind, they may keep soiling that area.
Never judge a dog’s health simply by how cold or wet its nose is. Your dog’s nose can be wet and cold for numerous reasons, even when it’s sick. The overall amount of energy your dog has, its eating habits, and its general behavior are what you should watch. These are more reliable signals of your dog’s health. If necessary, you can get a rectal temperature reading as well.
Make sure that you give the same amount of attention to all types of dogs. If you leave your dog alone for extended periods, he may chew, dig and/or bark out of sheer boredom. It can also lead to aggression. Give him a lot of love and play with him often if you want him to stay happy.
When it is hot outside, do everything necessary to keep your dog safe. Dogs can quickly overheat and become dehydrated, which can be extremely dangerous. Be sure your dog can cool off in the shade during the summertime. Be sure there is always cool and clean water within the dog’s reach. You can also get doggie sunscreen to help keep your pet out of harm’s way.
Owning a dog is not an easy thing; however, thanks to the wisdom that has been provided to you, you should be prepared to do it. Continue to do your research on canines. You’ll not only have an interesting pastime, but a way to care even more for your pet.
Get the most reliable pet sitter and dog walker in your neighborhood. Our associates are not employed by us and as such can work with you directly. We pay our bills through adverting.
