Dogs can be a tremendous source of joy in anyone’s life, provided proper care methods are observed. The secret to keeping your dog in good spirits and good health is to educate yourself about what your pet needs. Keep reading to learn more about the many things you can do to keep your dog happy.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. Emergency visits to the vet can cost thousands, so you may want to invest in health insurance for your dog.
Make your home suitable for dogs. It should be perfectly safe before you bring a dog in. Make sure chemicals, medications and any garbage is out of reach of the dog. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.
You should not kiss your dog. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. Dogs poke around trash cans, love smelling and licking other dogs’ body parts and enthusiastically drink from toilet bowls. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. This is absolutely a myth!
You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Your dog is not able to talk, so it is not easy to know when he’s got arthritis or an aching tooth. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.
If you have prescription or over-the-counter medication in the house, make sure that your dog does not have access to it. Just a few of your pills can be disastrous for the dog, inducing a heart attack or seizure. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. Dogs tend to read body language and signs very well. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
If your dog does something the correct way, such as sitting before you put the leash on, make sure that you give it tons of affection and praise. He needs to understand that this is the right thing to do. This will teach your dog that praise comes from good behavior.
The cheapest dog food may not always be the best buy when considering what food to feed your dog. Your dog will enjoy greater health benefits from nutritious food. Although it will cost you more, you can feel good about the fact that you aren’t skimping when it comes to what your pet eats.
When you train your dog, don’t allow your efforts to be diminished by an excess of trainers. Not everyone will do things the same way, which can cause confusion. Have a single person focus on training your dog, and have anyone else work to reinforce what the dog is learning. No matter what their opinions are, they should stick to the rules set by the trainer.
Were you aware that vitamins can be harmful to dogs. If your dog already has a good diet, avoid giving him supplements. Giving your dog too many vitamins can end up resulting in problems. Speak to your vet about your dog’s requirements.
Don’t let the temperature of your dog’s nose be the indicator of his health. Your dog’s nose can be wet and cold for numerous reasons, even when it’s sick. Instead, focus on his energy level, bathroom habits, appetite and thirst. These are better signs of how your dog is feeling. Dogs can have their temperature taken rectally.
You need to establish a healthy diet for your dog. Foods high in calories are fine for puppies who are growing. However, when these same foods are eaten during adulthood, they could cause extreme weight gain, which can cause damage to your dog’s health.
Washing your dog’s bowls should be done regularly. Just like you won’t eat or drink from dirty bowls, your dog won’t either. You should wash your dog bowls every day.
Find a good training course for your new puppy. By educating yourself from professionals, you and your new furry companion will be happier because you will know how to better care for it. It is easier to start training with a puppy, but even an older dog can be trained successfully.
Dogs have the potential to bring unrivaled joy to anyone’s life. That said, you need to be educated about what it takes to have a happy, healthy dog. Hopefully, this article has offered some useful guidance on caring for dogs.
Identify the perfect pet sitter and dog walker in your neighborhood. Our registered members are not employed by us and therefore can work with you directly. We do not get paid a commission on any transaction that you and our members settle upon. Our source of income is generated by advertising
