Owning a dog is one of life’s joys, but that isn’t the case with every dog. To really get the most out of your relationship with your dog, you need to spend a little time learning about proper dog ownership. This article will tell you all about dog ownership.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. Every dog requires good quality food, general supplies and medical care; this can range in cost from $700 to $1000 per year. It can cost a lot of money to take your dog to the vet in an emergency, so you will want to investigate health insurance for your pet.
Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Because your dog can’t speak with you, you may have trouble knowing when your dog is feeling pain like if it has arthritis. Regular checkups will assure these issues are caught before they turn into something big.
It is a good idea to use hand signals when you are trying to train your dog, instead of just relying on verbal commands. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Experiment with each way and determine what works.
It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. If you are a hunter for example, perhaps a retriever is the dog for you. Also, if you like to stay at home, find small dogs that prefer sitting on laps and being stroked. Steer clear of a breed mismatch if you want to be a happy dog owner.
Talk to the veterinarian about the proper amount of food for your dog. While some individuals give their dogs food by following the package, sometimes these guidelines are inappropriate for your dog. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.
You don’t want to buy the bargain dog food. Generally, food that is less expensive is not as healthy for your pet due to preservatives and additives put into the food. Check with an animal advocacy group for a list of foods you should be feeding your dog. Your dog will enjoy and benefit much more from healthier food.
Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you ignore it you might make it worse than before. Neglecting your dog’s behavior can lead to injuries.
The hair around a dog’s paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. Before you trim, carefully run a comb through the hairs to separate them. If this process is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.
Proper identification can help ensure that your pet is returned to you if he becomes lost. A collar with identification is a great way to ensure that your dog is found and returned if it happens to get lost. This tag should include your contact information and your dog’s name. It is also possible to get your dog micro-chipped.
When you’re snacking, you might be tempted to let your dog snack too. This is okay with certain foods, but some things are very bad for a dog. Chocolate, caffeine, and grapes are some examples of food that should not be given to dogs. Foods such as these can do a lot of harm to your dogs health.
There are a lot of factors that go into owning a dog. Sometimes, it is hard to resist the adorable face of a puppy or dog, but remember how much is involved in the proper care of a pet. Take everything into consideration first to make sure you can provide your puppy with everything that he needs and to be able to manage it successfully.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is the best tool for dog training. The promise of reward or praise will motivate your dog more quickly and pleasantly than domination or force. Positive reinforcement is more efficient and will allow you to connect with your pet. Be kind and you will enjoy great results.
When you start to train your dog, try out various reward systems. Determine what motivates your dog to obey. If you are giving treats, try crumbled egg or ground turkey which has been cooked. Maybe your dog will respond better to a game of tug-of-war with a favorite toy. Certain dogs respond well to petting and rubbing.
Table Scraps
Don’t go overboard with what you allow your dog to do. When you first bring a dog home, you might think it’s fine to sneak them table scraps or let them chew on your shoes. This is particularly true when the dog is cute! But, when you’re tough on your dog, less accidents will occur. You might not mind giving table scraps, but if you fail to be consistent, your dog might one day help himself to your dinner!
If you or family members are away from home and can’t watch your new puppy, consider crate training. Doing this can prevent your items from being damaged and keep the dog from using the bathroom inside the home.
Pay attention to your dog’s diet. There are some excellent brands of dog food that are not especially expensive. Talk to your dog’s vet about which food you should feed your dog based on their age, health and more. This most definitely can help boost your pet’s life.
Begin young when setting rule for your dog. Something that is cute as a puppy won’t be as cute when he or she gets bigger. It is important to prevent those habits from developing. When a puppy does something that they should not do, stop them right away. Doing this can prevent you from having big troubles down the line.
There are many different things needed to be the best dog owner you can be. You can’t just pick the cutest puppy at the store and live happily ever after. A serious degree of responsibility is demanded. Use the information obtained here to enjoy your pet more and make him feel like part of the family.
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