There is great joy in owning a dog. There are things you need to know about taking care of your pet. Keep reading to discover great tips for raising a dog properly.
There are many pleasures derived from dog ownership, but it is also a serious financial commitment. Every dog is going to need supplies, good food, and will also need medical care. After all is said and done this could cost about $800 or more. Pet health insurance can help; although you will pay a monthly or yearly fee, you will often be covered if a big medical emergency occurs for your pet.
If you have prescription or over-the-counter medication in the house, make sure that your dog does not have access to it. Swallowing just a few pills could lead to catastrophic health issues for your dog, including a seizure or heart attack. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Associate some hand signals to verbal commands when training your dog. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Try these things to find out what is the best for your pet.
You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. Puppies may lack the development needed to tolerate certain kinds of food without getting sick. Err on the side of caution when feeding food to your dog.
Carefully consider what your home is like when deciding on a breed of dog. For example, someone that stays inside a lot would want a calm lap dog and not a hyper breed. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.
Avoid the bargain brands of pet food. The cheaper brands actually contain a lot of preservatives, additives and other ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. Try using animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness to get a list of great dog foods that have high professional recommendations. Your dog will be much better off.
Make sure to exercise your dog often. Dogs need game time and regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically healthy and happy. From a walk to chasing a ball, everything counts. You will thus offer necessary exercise, but will also build strong bonds with the animal.
When seeking pure bred dogs, you shouldn’t automatically rule out pounds. A lot of dog owners leave their dogs in the city pound when they can’t look after their dog anymore. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. This could help you save the life of a dog.
Dogs need to be exercised physically and mentally in order to stay healthy. You can even teach your dog useful tricks such as fetching the newspaper for you. This gives him a job to do and he’ll feel fulfilled as a result.
Dogs can often get cuts by stepping on glass and other debris. If you spot a cut on your dog’s paw, clean it using an antiseptic before bandaging the cut. If the cut seems unusually deep, take your dog to see the veterinarian.
If your dog accidentally goes to the bathroom inside, remove every trace of it. Make sure that you clean up the mess quickly and thoroughly. If any scent remains, the dog might soil the area over and over.
Make a careful selection when choosing your dog’s food. There are a lot of foods out there, but you have to choose foods that are right for the size and age of your particular dog. Though just giving your dog your own leftovers is cheaper, it is not good for their health.
Do you go on many vacations? Are you home infrequently? Should you really get a dog? Lots of people want dogs, but actually caring for them requires a real commitment.
When engaged in dog training, stick to the methods that use positive reinforcement. Rewards and praise make your pet learn faster than threats and violence. Humane treatment is more effective and works better over time. Therefore, be kind during training; you are going to get better and quicker results.
You need to provide your dog with shade and water during the summer. It does not take much for dogs to become overheated. Give your dog a cool, shaded area to retreat to when it gets hot. Make sure your dog has access to clean and cool water. In addition, dogs are affected by the sun’s rays, so ask your vet about doggie sunscreens.
Table Scraps
Don’t surrender to your dog’s whims. Dog owners may feel that they can let their dog destroy toys or that it’s okay for them to eat table scraps. This is particularly the case when the dog is very cute! However, if you’re firm, you’ll be able to avoid problems down the line. For instance, you may like to give your dog table scraps when you have finished your meal, but doing so may encourage your dog to abscond with your entire meal if you are not vigilant in the future.
When you bring home a new puppy, it is best to help it learn to get along with other dogs and puppies as early as possible. Taking the dog to the groomer, the dog park and on doggie play dates is a great way to socialize your do to other dogs.
Being a good dog owner can be a lot of work, but it is also a very enriching experience. You can’t just pick the cutest puppy at the store and live happily ever after. It takes time, responsibility and effort on the part of you, the pet owner. Have the best experience with your pet by following the advice presented here.
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