How To Care For A Dog: Tips And Advice
There are great responsibilities when it comes to dog ownership. You need to have a happy, healthy dog. Knowing how to achieve balance with your pooch will take a lot of work, and reading the information below will be a good start.
It takes quite a bit of money to take good care of a dog. Food, supplies and vet bills can add up to $1,000 or more per year. Emergency visits to the vet can cost thousands, so you may want to invest in health insurance for your dog.
Go on and hug your dog, but do not kiss him. Kissing a dog might seem cute, but they have dirty mouths. Dogs dig in trash cans, drink from toilet bowls and sniff and lick various body parts on themselves and other dogs. It’s a folk tale that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. It simply is not true.
It doesn’t matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. A wild animal may set your dog off and send it running into traffic, or someone could provoke your dog and get injured by accident. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
It is a good idea to use hand signals when you are trying to train your dog, instead of just relying on verbal commands. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Give both methods a shot, and see what your pet prefers.
Speak with your vet to determine whether or not certain foods are okay to give to your dog. Some puppies take longer to develop, and some types of food may be too rich, leading to an upset belly or vomiting. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.
Carefully consider what your home is like when deciding on a breed of dog. A good example would be if you are a runner. A dog that can keep up with you while you run would be a good choice. If you prefer to stay at home, seek out a small dog that loves to snuggle on the couch. When you match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
Avoid cheap dog food. The cheaper brands actually contain a lot of preservatives, additives and other ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. Check out professional recommendations from groups online. Your dog will appreciate your research.
Stop trying to force your dog to do things. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t make him eat it. The best judge of what your dog likes is the dog himself. Fancy name brands mean nothing.
When giving your dog medication or special treatment, follow vet instructions closely. He might not want to wear that cone on his neck and head, but it’s there for a real reason! If you fail to listen to your vet, your dog may end up sick or injured.
Certain dog breeds are prone to specific health issues, so be aware of what is typical for your dog’s breed. You might be able to prevent some conditions from developing by taking a little extra care of him from the beginning. Also, seek advice from your vet.
Don’t let too many people train your dog. Having multiple people train your dog will only confuse him. Pick a single person to be the main person doing the training, and let the others know what that person’s methods will be so they can follow along.
Make sure that you are keeping up with your dog’s vet appointments. The vet will be able to spot signs of diabetes, thyroid issues and kidney trouble a while before your dog shows any signs. This saves you money on vet bills later on, or heartache from your pet’s suffering.
This information is for you to use, so start now! Change habits to accommodate the dog and get more out of your efforts. If you can’t offer a dog the best life it can have then there really isn’t a point in having a dog.