It is not easy to own a dog. Just like children, dogs need to be groomed, fed a nutritious diet, have plenty of exercise, and visit the doctor regularly. Is it impossible to learn every twist and trick in the dog ownership game? The tips in the article that follows will give you a great start.
It takes a lot of money to raise a dog. Food, supplies and vet bills can add up to $1,000 or more per year. Emergency care for animals can cost thousands of collars, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. Kissing a dog might seem cute, but they have dirty mouths. Dogs are always getting into garbage, drink from places like the toilet, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. Some believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. It’s not true.
Beware of flea treatments for your dog. A lot of these medications have ingredients that can be harmful to children and can cause cancer. Speak with your vet to see if there are any alternatives that are healthier choices for your pet and your family.
If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. It’s important that you pooch is aware that they did something good. This is called positive reinforcement.
If you are not sure how often you should feed your dog, ask your vet. Sometimes the guidelines on pet food labels aren’t correct, and following them could lead to obesity. Speak to the vet about what makes sense for your dog.
Do not force your dog to eat things. If you’ve bought a treat that your dog doesn’t seem to interested in, don’t try to make your dog eat it. It’s important to take your pets likes and dislikes into consideration and to not push them into anything unnecessary.
A dog’s bad behavior should always be corrected whenever you see the first signs of it. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. It is possible that your dog could injure a person, and that person could be you! So correct unwanted behavior right away.
Make sure that you’re giving your dog enough exercise. Exercise keeps your dog healthy, both physically and mentally. Even the smallest amount of exercise, such as throwing a ball, will be good for your pup and you. Exercise is a great way to bond with your pet.
Health Problems
What types of health problems are typical for your dog? Find out what health problems to expect and learn how to prevent those that your dog is prone to developing. Your vet will be able to tell you how you can help your pet prevent illness that it is prone to getting.
If you have your heart set on a purebred dog, realize that the city pound may be somewhere to look. A lot of dog owners leave their dogs in the city pound when they can’t look after their dog anymore. Call the pound to see what breeds they’ve got. You may get to save a canine’s life if you do this!
If you have to go out, leave the TV or radio on when you leave. The noise will keep him company and make him feel a little more secure. It may just be the fix needed for the dog’s anxiety problems until you get back to the house.
Watch if your female dog is in heat if you do not want her pregnant. Males can pick up the scent of a female dog in heat, and this can even happen from several miles away. Your dog could cause some fights and you will be responsible for finding new homes for the puppies if your dog gets pregnant.
You need to train the dog by yourself; more than one person might confuse him. People have different ways of doing things, and having multiple commanders can confuse your dog. You should train your dog for a few minutes several times a day and encourage everyone else in your household to reinforce what you have been doing.
Your dog needs to be protected in the summer time. Dogs get too hot very quickly. Have a shaded, cool area they can go to in the summer. Your dog should always have access to clean and cool water. Your vet should be able to provide you with different options for dog sunscreen as well.
If your dog is going to be left alone often, crate training may be a great option for you. By doing this, your dog will use the bathroom outside and cause less damage to your home.
Your vet can give great advice about appropriate dog food for your canine friend. Dogs with medical issues will need special foods. Certain types of food can be harmful for a dog with certain medical conditions. Ask your vet to learn more.
Give some serious thought to the food you feed your dog. Some types of dog food cost more than others, and often it’s not the food in it that’s bumping up the price. Seek the advice of your vet in matching your dog with the best food for his health, age and breed. Feeding a good diet will help your dog live a long and happy life.
Dog Ownership
Dog ownership is a long and complex adventure, and you never know when some of the advice you’ve just reviewed will come in handy. When it comes to mastering dog ownership, you have the foundation you need to make it happen. If you just apply the tips above, you and your dog can be very happy together.
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