You may be looking for the perfect companion and a preconceived notion of what you look in a pet store or pound. What could happen may be completely different from what you wanted. No matter what the situation, you have the job of taking care of your dog, and the following paragraphs will help you do just that.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. You need to pay for high quality food, regular vet care, and various supplies. This can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars each year. Emergency visits to the vet can cost thousands, so you may want to invest in health insurance for your dog.
Hugs are good, but avoid kisses. Dogs go through garbage cans, dine on garbage, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. It is an old wives’ tale that the dog’s mouth is much cleaner than a person. This is not in the truth!
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use on your dog.A lot of these medications have ingredients that can be harmful to children and it may be a cancer risk for children. Talk to the vet about different forms of treatment that are safer for your dog.
Make sure your house is free of doggy danger. Prior to bringing your dog into your home, be sure that it is entirely safe. Put cleaning supplies and medications away and keep indoor trash inside a cabinet. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.
Never allow your dog to leave your yard without a leash.You are responsible if your dog’s actions and safety.
Talk with your vet about the foods are best for your dog. Be careful when it comes to what to feed your pet.
Watch out for dog flea treatments. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Ask your vet for recommendations. Be sure to keep children away while you’re applying any flea treatment.
Your lifestyle should be a determining factor in the breed of dog breed. For example, if you love to run, you might want an active dog, not a toy-poodle. If you prefer to stay at home, go for a small dog that likes to be spoiled and that will curl up along with you. You will be much happier when you make a choice that fits well with your personality.
Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed nails. If they start curling under, your dog might be in pain. You can purchase clippers from the store. If you do not want to take this matter into your own hands, a groomer or even your veterinarian can handle the task.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. If you are very active, think about getting a dog that will run with you. Also, if you like to stay at home, find small dogs that prefer sitting on laps and being stroked. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.
Show the dog that you love him. As it usually happens, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. This could cause lots of problems later on. Try praising them at least 5 times more than the amount of time you scold them. Your dog is much more likely showcase the proper behavior when you do that.
Ensure your dog will come back after being lost by having some type of identification on them. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is returned is to have them wear a breakaway collar with an identification tag. This tag needs their name and your own contact you. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put on your dog.
Purchase or construct a dog house if your dog must stay outside when the weather is cold. If your dog happens to get his feet wet for a long period of time in cold temperatures, it can cause health complications. Give him a place that has dry floors and a lot of room.
Stay politically for your dog. Be on the lookout for any new laws and ordinances that may restrict your rights as a dog owner’s rights. It often results from one bad breed or certain owner’s recent actions. You can be a great help by showing the local officials and stick up for rights of dog owners.
Always make sure to keep your dog’s yearly check-up. Annual physicals can save dog owners money and saves your pet a lot of problems in the future.
Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. If you don’t address it head on, you will discover that it becomes more difficult to control in the future, possibly with disastrous consequences. Be sure to control and contain your dog to prevent problems with people.
Dogs sometimes get cuts from debris or pieces of glass. If your dog experiences a cut, wash it thoroughly and put a bandage on it. If you believe your dog has a deep cut, take him to the vet.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas every day when the weather gets warmer outside. Remove fleas you find with a special comb. There are a lot of products that can help you with fleas and ticks. Talk to your vet regarding these products should be used.
Regularly brushing your dog’s fur won’t just stop your pet from shedding on your furniture. Brushing your dog every day helps its coat become beautiful and shiny. When you brush your dog, the oils on their skins are spread, creating skin that is soft, shiny, and healthy.
Current Pet
When choosing to introduce a new pooch to a home that already has one, you might want to introduce the prospective pet to your current pet. Dogs happen to be social creatures, but some get along better than others. Finding a compatible dog that gets along well with your current pet will save you anguish and trouble.
You should always trim your nails. If they get so long that they start curling under, your dog will probably hurt a lot. You can trim them yourself with a pair of store bought clippers. If you don’t feel comfortable trimming them yourself, a groomer can do it for little money.
There is a lot of great advice here, so don’t pass it by. Apply it on a regular basis, and you’ll see your relationship with your dog improve. A happy dog is one who loves you unconditionally, so make it so.