You may already have a preconceived notion of what you expect from owning a dog. You may get something quite different. Still, you have to take care of your dog in the best way that you can, and the tips that follow will help you do that.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. Emergency visits to the vet can cost thousands, so you may want to invest in health insurance for your dog.
It is important to puppy-proof your home. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. Secure the trash can, stow way all medications and put away your regular cleaning supplies. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.
In the same way that a yearly physical is helpful to you, a yearly trip to the veterinarian is a must for your dog. Your dog can’t speak to tell you he’s in pain. A veterinary checkup can speak when your dog cannot, and it might help you to detect health problems before they become severe.
Table Scraps
Avoid giving your pup table scraps. This will only teach him to beg constantly and also inhibit his appetite toward his regular food. Table scraps can negatively affect the dog’s health and cause digestive issues or obesity. You need to make sure your dog is not near the dinner table. This will make it easier for your pet (and you!) to avoid temptation.
Try hand signals in conjunction with verbal commands when training your dog. It may be easier for your dog to learn commands if they see a visual signal. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
Let your lifestyle determine what breed of dog you should bring into your home. For example, if you’re a jogger, get a type of dog that can run with you, not a toy-poodle. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
Reward your dog for doing right things, such as sitting while you place it’s food down, with lots of praise and attention. You need your dog to realize that you’re proud of their behavior and want to see it more often. He’ll learn that praise will come when he is good, too.
Keep your dogâ”s nails trimmed. The nails can cause the dog discomfort if they start to curl under. Find some good clippers you can use to trim your dog’s nails yourself. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
Makes sure your dog gets adequate exercise. Dogs need physical activity and play time; it’s good for their physical and mental health. Playing fetch or going for a nice walk will be good for both you and the dog. You can get a lot of much needed exercise and build a stronger bond with your dog.
Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. They should walk by your side, instead of behind or in front of you, and they must respond to “heel.” This keeps you and your dog safe as you walk. Your dog needs to get used to this.
A dog should not be left outside all day. This is done for various reasons, but your dog needs interaction with people. Especially if it’s only one dog, it can get very lonely. Keep in mind that your dog can also get sick if the weather is too cold or humid.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. A comb is a good tool to straighten the dog’s fur before trimming. If you are not comfortable with this process, it would be a good idea for you to go and get it done by a professional groomer.
If you have just one dog and he seems pretty lonely when you are gone, think about finding him a friend. Dogs come from packs, so it’s in their nature to prefer spending time with a member of their own species. Match them carefully based on energy levels and temperament.
Bring your dog to a veterinarian regularly. Dogs need to go to the vet for a check-up, but also to check for heartworm and to ensure they have all their shots. When your dog is still a puppy, it’ll need to go to the vet more often. This will help your vet diagnose any physical issues with your dog.
You need to perform daily tick and flea inspections on your dog as spring and summer approaches. You can get a flea comb that will help with the removal of fleas on your dog. There are a lot of available products that can control fleas and ticks on your dog. Ask your vet which are best.
Carefully choose your dog’s food. Find a type suited for your dog’s breed, age and condition and be sure to consider other factors such as potential allergens. Giving your dog leftovers may be cheap, but it may not give them a lot of health benefits.
You need to think everything through before you bring a dog home. Dogs can easily steal your heart, but they also require a lot of care. Consider everything beforehand so that you know whether or not you can confidently manage it all.
Make sure that you use the tips and advice from above. Use whatever you’ve learned and apply it and you should have the dog that you’ve always dreamed of owning. Make that dog a happy one that loves you unconditionally.
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