Would you like to get a little puppy from the pound?Or maybe you are interested in purchasing a breeder? No matter what type of dog you want, your life will be changed by the love of your dog. You are also taking on a big responsibility, so read all of this article to see what to expect.
Owning a dog is quite a large financial commitment. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. One huge expense you might encounter is emergency vet care, so you may want to think about getting health insurance for your pet.
It can cost a lot to take care of money to raise a dog. Emergency vet visits can cost a ton, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
Make sure your home dog-proof. It should be perfectly safe before you try to foresee any problems your dog might run into prior to bringing him home. Make sure all of the medicine is put up. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your dog’s reach.
Hugs are great, but avoid kisses. Kissing a dog might seem cute, but they have dirty mouths. Dogs are always getting into garbage, drink from places like the toilet, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. It’s a folk tale that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. That tidbit of information is plain wrong.
You need to take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Your dog can’t talk, which means it isn’t easy to tell if they’re having a tooth ache or issues with arthritis. A yearly checkup will help diagnose any problems before they become huge issues.
If you have over-the-counter medication or prescription medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. Call the vet as soon as possible if your dog has swallowed the medication.
You should have your dog spayed or neutered. Statistically speaking, dogs who are “fixed” live longer lives and are less prone to cancer. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.
This communicates to your dog that the behavior he is doing just exactly what you are looking for. It also reinforces the idea that they will be rewarded for good behavior.
Give your dog rawhide bones instead of those from real meat bones. Bones can fall apart and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested.
Don’t give your dog real bones. Real animal bones can chip and pose a danger to your dog’s digestive tract and mouth. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.
Your dog will need a dog house if he or she has to remain outside in colder temperatures. If his feet are wet, then the continued exposure can lead to stress and other health issues. Keep your dog safe from the elements by giving him shelter.
Always make sure your dog to walk correctly on a leash. This will make going for walks more enjoyable for you. Even if you decide to give him additional slack on the leash from time to time, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.
Don’t feed your dog the cheap stuff. In the long term, it’s crucial to feed healthy, high-quality food to your dog. Though this may cost you a bit more, you can rest easily knowing that the dog is eating properly.
Trim any hair surrounding the dog’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. A comb is a good tool to straighten it before trimming. If you’d prefer, take your dog to a groomer.
If you’ve got just one dog and he doesn’t seem all that happy or is left alone a lot, get him a little friend. Dogs are pack animals and enjoy the company of their own kind. Match them on energy levels and temperament so that they can enjoy themselves.
Do not allow your dog to remain outdoors all day long. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. Your dog will get very lonely if it is left outside by itself. Also, when the weather gets bad, you need to keep your dog inside.
Everyone does things differently, and this can lead to confusion for your dog.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas daily once it gets warm.Use a type of flea comb on your dog’s fur. There are many products out there that can assist you control your dog’s ticks and ticks. Speak with your veterinarian about various flea and other options.
Make sure that you show your dog affection at all times. As is the case with most things in life, owners often pay more attention to the bad behavior than the good. Your dog will develop more behavioral problems if you adopt this attitude. On a ratio of five:one, seek out the positive things your dog does and reward him accordingly. Your dog will more likely showcase proper behavior when you do that.
You might be tempted to share your dog a piece of your snack. You can give him some things, but not all. Dogs should never be given caffeine, grapes, for instance. These kinds of foods may have harmful effects on the animal’s health.
Were you aware that some vitamins are not good for your dog? Your dog should not need vitamins if you feed it a good diet. Too many vitamins can damage his body, bones, and blood vessels. Speak to your vet to determine the correct course of action for your dog.
If you have a dog that seems unhappy or lonely, think about getting another dog. Dogs like to be around their own kind. Match them up carefully by temperament and energy levels and your dog should be in canine heaven!
Don’t think that a dog’s nose be the indicator of his health.Your dog’s nose may be wet and cold for many other reasons.Instead, monitor your dog’s health through energy levels, bathroom habits, and appetite.These attributes will give you better signs of how your dog feels. You can also check your dog’s temperature with a rectal thermometer.
Now that you understand the responsibilities of good dog care, you can be confident in bringing your new pet home. Keep learning to be have a pet that is healthy and happy. A great place to discuss your dog with other dog lovers would be an online forum. Gaining knowledge can last a lifetime, so keep going!
Be sure your dog wears identification so it can always get back home. One thing a lot of people do to be sure they get their dog back is they fit them with a collar that’s breakaway and has an ID tag. This tag needs to have the dog’s name as well as a way to contact you. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put in your dog.