Great Tips For Caring For A Canine Companion
You might think that you will find your dream dog at the local animal shelter or pet store. The end result might be different. Now that it is yours, it is your responsibility to make sure your new friend learns how to behave properly.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. 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.
Make your home suitable for dogs. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Put cleaning supplies and medications away and keep indoor trash inside a cabinet. Make sure no toxic plants are in the vicinity of your dogs.
Neuter or spay your dog. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. In addition, dogs that are spayed or neutered do not have as strong of a desire to wander from their home, meaning that they are less likely to get lost or hit by a car.
Table Scraps
Keep table scraps to a minimum. Not only will table scraps turn your dog off on their regular food, but it will also teach them to constantly beg. “People food” can also make dogs sick and contribute to obesity. Keep the dog away from your table when you eat to avoid any temptation on both parts.
Don’t buy the cheapest food for your dog. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health over time. Get a list from an animal advocacy or consumer awareness group of the highest recommended foods to give your dog. Your dog will appreciate your research.
You shouldn’t make your dog do something it doesn’t want to do. If you got them a treat and they aren’t interested in it, don’t make them eat it. You need to find out what your dog does and does not like.
Do not try to save money by choosing the cheapest dog food. High quality foods are always your best bet. Although the food may cost more, you know that your dog is receiving the correct nutrients from quality food.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. Schedule a visit with the vet right away. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. You should also speak to your vet concerning your dog being spayed or neutered because there is an overpopulation of dogs in shelters.
Take the time to train your dog on a leash. Your pet shouldn’t be ahead of you, behind you, or anywhere that isn’t by your side. They should also answer correctly when you say “heel”. This will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you. Even if your dog is sometimes walked on a loose leash, it should still know the command anyway.
If your dog is undergoing a course of treatment with medication or therapy, make sure you follow your veterinarian’s instructions precisely. For instance, your dog may need a cone and not like it, but your vet prescribed it for a reason. The directions that you get from your vet are focused on the health of your pet and ignoring them can be detrimental to your pet.
Take this advice to heart. Apply it on a regular basis, and you’ll see your relationship with your dog improve. When a dog loves you unconditionally, it’s happy.