Are you worried about properly taking care of your dog? The many responsibilities of dog ownership can be overwhelming to a lot of first-time owners. Other people may feel like they have a pet that just isn’t going to behave. The information that follows can help you be a responsible pet owner.
Getting a dog is going to cost you some money. Food and supplies can run you over one thousand dollars a year. One huge expense you might encounter is emergency vet care, so you may want to think about getting health insurance for your pet.
You should talk to your vet about the foods you give your dog. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. Never give your dog any food you are not sure of.
Be sure to praise your dog freely and consistently whenever he exhibits a desired behavior. After all, your goal is for your dog to know when it is doing something good. Your dog will quickly understand that the praise is connected to a certain action.
If your dog has to stay outside during cold weather, give him a dog house. Particularly if his feet get wet, extended exposure to extreme temperatures causes stress and can lead to health complications. Keep your dog safe from precipitation and winds by providing him with a place that is spacious, with a dry floor.
Never force a dog to do something. If you have food or treats your dog does not like, leave it alone. When you first get a dog, you should take some time to get to know what it likes and what it dislikes.
Regularly brushing your dog’s fur won’t just stop your pet from shedding on your furniture. It’ll also give them a very beautiful and shiny coat. This is because the motions you go through while brushing evenly distributes the skin’s oils and helps keep the skin healthy, shiny and soft.
Become acquainted with dog food labels and avoid buying based solely on cost. Overall, your dog will benefit form a lifetime of quality food. This may mean that you have to pay a higher price, but you will know your dog is receiving all of the nutrients he needs.
If you have your heart set on a purebred dog, realize that the city pound may be somewhere to look. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. You may be saving a dog’s life.
If separation anxiety plagues your dog, or you want your dog to feel less lonely, play some music while you are at work. Having noise will help your dog feel more secure and comfortable while you are away. It might help with any anxiety issues.
When you are training your dog, don’t have too many people telling your dog what to do. Be sure that each person working with the dog uses the same commands and responses. One person should be the master while the others reinforce what the dog is learning.
You need to perform daily tick and flea inspections on your dog as spring and summer approaches. If you do find fleas, you can use a flea comb. There are a lot of products that can assist you with fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet about which options are best.
Current Pet
When you are finding out what kind of dog you want to get, you might want to introduce the prospective pet to your current pet. Dogs are usually social creatures, but sometimes they just won’t get along. Finding a dog that gets along well with your current pet will be best for everyone in the long run.
Some vitamins can be bad for your dog’s health. You don’t need to give vitamins to your dog if you feed a properly balanced food. Too much of a good thing can compromise the liver, kidneys and other essential organs. Speak with your vet to determine the correct course of action for your dog.
Cold Nose
Don’t rely on just a wet and cold nose to determine a dog’s health. There are a lot of reasons that dogs will have a wet or cold nose, even when they’re not sick. Your dog’s health can be judged by his demeanor, appetite and energy level. These are good indicators for how your dog feels. A dog’s temperature can be taken rectally if need be.
As someone who owns a dog, you know that a dog can keep you busy. At times you may feel like it’s a full time job taking care of your dog. However, now that this article is something you’ve read, you should have the knowledge you need to know to care for dogs. You will not worry any longer.
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