Dogs are great companions since they’re good company and always loyal. However, they are not this way from birth. It takes time to train your pet and to learn how to properly care for them. This article is packed with tips about owning a dog, so read on.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. Not only do you have to buy food, but you have to pay their vet bills and purchase other items that they need. You could spend as much as a thousand dollars in one year on your pet! Emergency care for animals can cost thousands of collars, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. Dog kisses are very unsanitary. He probably doesn’t mind eating dirt, enjoys drinking water from the toilet if he can get at it, and tries in vain to clean himself with his tongue. Many people believe that dogs’ mouths do not have as much germs as humans’ mouths. This is not the truth!
Just as you need to keep up with your annual doctor’s appointment, your dog needs to see his vet annually too. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.
You should talk to your vet about the foods you give your dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Therefore, ensure you are cautious whenever providing your dog a new food.
It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. If you jog a lot, buy a dog that likes to run, and not something like a toy poodle. If you spend more time in the home, a more sedate, indoor dog will fit your lifestyle best. When you match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
Don’t feed your dog the cheap stuff. When you look at the big picture, it is good for your dog to consume nutritious, good quality food. This may mean higher costs for a better brand, but your dog will get great nutrition from proper sources.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. When you bring them home, schedule a vet appointment. The vet will provide a full health check and create a vaccination schedule. In addition, consult your vet about spaying or neutering your dog. The shelters are already overcrowded, so you do not want to make that problem worse.
Instruct your dog clearly about how to walk with a leash. 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. Walking like this can keep them safe and help you enjoy walks too. Regardless of how you intend to take your walks, this is a good command for your dog to know.
Fostering a dog teaches you about the responsibilities of dog ownership. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home – who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
You can keep your furry friend mentally as well as physically active through plenty of exercise. For example, train your dog to retrieve the newspaper or other helpful chores. They’ll feel like a useful family member and the constant reinforced training will maintain their sharp thinking skills.
You might find out you do not like taking care of a dog. It may take a bit more energy at first, but use what you learned in this article. Use what you learned today to help make it easier for you and your furry companion to adjust.
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