Owning a pet is a lot of fun but there are many responsibilities involved. In order to have a great dog who you truly love to be around, there are some important things you must consider. Keep reading to discover great tips for raising a dog properly.
Owning a dog is quite a large financial commitment. Food, vet care and supplies can add up quickly. Emergency vet visits can cost a ton, so think about purchasing health insurance for your dog.
If you have medication for you or a family member, be certain your dog cannot reach it. Getting into those pills could seriously impact your dog’s health and even cause death. If this does happen, call your vet immediately.
Watch out for dog flea treatments. A large number of them contain high doses of carcinogens and other hazardous ingredients. Talk to a vet about safe alternatives and keep little kids away when applying any flea treatment.
Talk to your vet about your dog’s food portions. Sometimes the guidelines on pet food labels aren’t correct, and following them could lead to obesity. The vet will know what is best for your pet.
Don’t ever give your dog bones. Real bones can chip and fragments may become lodged in their mouths or digestive tract. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
Buy or build a dog house if he is going to be outside for long periods in the winter. Adverse weather conditions can be detrimental to your pooch, causing illnesses, anxiety and poor behaviors. Protect them from precipitation and wind by providing them a dry and spacious shelter.
Your dog’s nails need to be trimmed regularly. Once the nails start to curl under, they can cause your dog a great deal of pain. Purchasing some nail clippers at your local pet store is a good idea. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
Proper leash walking is something that you should teach to your dog. Make him walk at your side, and do not let him pull far in front of you or stay far behind. Use the command “heel” to prompt him. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. Even if you’re using loose leashes for walking here and there, make sure the dog understands this command.
Your vet will provide sound advice regarding medication or special needs for your pet, so ensure you pay heed to their words. Your dog may hate wearing a cone, however it is prescribed for good reason. Vet recommendations are for the health and well-being of your dog and failure to adhere to them could result in serious problems.
If you are in the market for a pure bred pooch, consider checking your local shelter. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. Call the pound to see what they have. You could save a dog’s life by doing so!
ID your pet. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. Include all personal information necessary on this tag. It is also possible to get your dog micro-chipped.
Having too many people trying to train one dog can cause problems. Training methods vary by person, and multiple trainers can confuse the dog. Therefore, ensure that only one person is doing the training. The other people should only reinforce the person’s rules and stick by them.
Make sure that you are keeping up with your dog’s vet appointments. Your vet can detect any health problems before they are too serious. An annual check-up for your pet can help to avoid future expense and needless suffering for your dog.
Dogs can get a cut on their foot if they step on glass or debris. If you notice a small cut on your dog, use antiseptic to wash it, and then put a bandage around it. If it is a very deep cut, you should take him to a vet.
Get to your vet on a regular basis. He should visit once a year for tests, weighing and vaccinations. Puppies tend to need the vet more than adults. If your dog seems ill or becomes injured, you must take it to a vet immediately.
If your puppy has an accident, take the time to clean thoroughly. Use a cleaner that’s professional strength and follow that up with a good odor remover. If you leave behind any type of a scent from the dog’s accident they may end up using the bathroom again in that spot.
Vitamins are not necessarily a good thing for your dog. You don’t need to give vitamins to your dog if you feed a properly balanced food. Certain vitamins can be overdosed and result in damaged joints, bones and blood vessels. Speak with your vet to determine the correct course of action for your dog.
You need a lot of things to become a great dog owner. Bringing him home is only the start of the journey. This forces you to be mature and responsible as an owner. Use the advice that has been provided to have an enjoyable time with your new dog.
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