Many people have had a dog in the house when they were young, or they have one now. If you have a dog or want one, here is some information that will be helpful to you. Go over the following article to learn more about dogs and make sure you could properly take care of a pet.
It can be quite costly to own a dog. Dogs require quality food, medical care, and general supplies that can vary in costs. Getting into a vet if you have an emergency can cost quite a bit of money, sometimes in the thousands, so you may need pet health insurance too.
Make your home doggie-proof. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. All cleaning supplies and medications should be moved out of reach of your dog. You should also find a way of securing your trash somewhere that your dog cannot get to, such as in a cabinet. Some plants can be lethal, so move them out of your dog’s reach.
Dogs can’t talk, so you must learn their body language. If you notice that your dog is timid around strangers or other dogs, you shouldn’t attempt to force its interaction with them. If you do, someone may get hurt. Look out for non-verbal hints so that the dog can guide your actions.
Don’t give table scraps to your dog. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Scraps can be terrible for his diet and lead to obesity and other health problems. Insist that your dog wait away from the table during family meals to avoid temptation on his part – and yours.
Rawhide is a great alternative to the meat bones that most people feed dogs. Real bones can chip and splinter, this can cause your dog to choke and wreak havoc on his digestive tract. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
If your dog needs to be outside during cold months, buy him a house or build him one. Adverse weather conditions can be detrimental to your pooch, causing illnesses, anxiety and poor behaviors. A roomy shelter that protects from the windy, rainy, and snowy weather is the best option.
Make sure that your dog is not kept outside your home all day long. Many people do this, but dogs need interactions with others. If you don’t have more than one dog, the dog will get lonely when he’s not around you. Not only that, but during heavy rainstorms and snowstorms, it is imperative that you bring your dog indoors as well, to avoid the inclement weather and temperatures.
To prevent the hair around a dog’s paws from matting, you should keep it trimmed. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If you’re uncomfortable trimming hair, you should probably have your dog groomed by a professional.
If your dog gets anxious about being away from you, or you want to give him a little treat, leave music on while you are at work. The sound will help him feel more secure and not as alone. It might help with any anxiety issues.
Show the dog that he is loved. Like many things in life, many owners pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior. With dogs, this can lead to trouble. On a ratio of five:one, seek out the positive things your dog does and reward him accordingly. He’ll behave better more often this way.
Get into pet politics! Be on the lookout for any new laws that may be passed which could restrict your rights as a dog owner. This is often caused by a few bad dogs, or a particular breed. Make sure that your voice is heard on behalf of other dog owners.
Since reading this piece, you know what it means to properly care for your dog. As long as you’re applying and sticking with the tips, your dog ownership should go smoothly. Read this article over as many times as you must.
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