Dogs provide lots of love and affection to humans when cared for properly. You need to know what your dog wants to make sure they are happy. Continue on to gain some valuable insights on the best way to take of your friendly companion.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. You will have to spend between $700 and $1000 a year to cover food and medical expenses. 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.
It is fine to hug your dog, but avoid those wet kisses. Dog kisses are cute, in theory, but understand a dog’s mouth is typically very dirty. Dogs tend to dig through garbage cans, drink out of toilets and explore the hind quarters of other animals. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. However, this simply is not the case.
Be sure your dog is neutered or spayed. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to cancer. Besides, a neutered dog will be less likely to run away or to get in fights with other animals.
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. This will be helpful should he get lost.
If you have prescription or over-the-counter medication in the house, make sure that your dog does not have access to it. Many medicines that benefit you can be harmful or fatal to your dog. Call the vet immediately if you suspect that the dog has swallowed the medication.
Table Scraps
Fight the urge to feed table scraps to your dog. If you feed from the table, he’ll become a beggar and stop eating his own food. Giving your dog table scraps isn’t good for his health as it could result in weight gain and digestive problems. You can keep your dog healthy and avoid any temptation to feed it from the table by teaching it to spend dinnertime well away from your family.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. Hand signals can really help your dog. Try both methods to see which your dog prefers.
If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. Dogs from pounds are exposed to more illnesses than others. The best thing to do is to ensure that you new dog has all the necessary vaccinations before it comes home with you.
When buying your dog’s food, do not get the cheap stuff. Overall, your dog will benefit form a lifetime of quality food. This may mean that you have to pay a higher price, but you will know your dog is receiving all of the nutrients he needs.
Dog Owner
If you’d like to be a dog owner, but think you might not be able to handle the commitment, consider fostering dogs. The shelters are full of homeless pups and lack many resources because of the overcrowding. Not only will you be helping a dog in need, but it will help you figure out if you would like to become a dog owner.
If your dog is lonely, consider a friend for him. Dogs are usually in packs by nature and this means they enjoy being around one another. Match him with a dog that shares the same temperament and energy level to ensure canine bliss.
When you first start training, experiment with several types of rewards. Try to figure out what your dog needs to do good. If you are giving treats, try crumbled egg or ground turkey which has been cooked. If he likes to play, engage him in a game when he successfully performs the action you are looking for. Some dogs just like to get petted and rubbed when they’re good.
You need to watch your dog’s diet. Puppies can eat lots of calorie packed foods because they are still growing. As your dog ages, his caloric intake should be reduced to avoid obesity.
There’s nothing that is the same as the happiness a dog brings to everyone. But, it is necessary to understand what must be done to have a happy, healthy pet. With some luck, this article will give you some great information on how to care for your dog.
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