Look No Further, Dog-related Answers Are Here
It is nice to own a dog, but not every dog. In order to have a great dog who you truly love to be around, there are some important things you must consider. This article will tell you all about dog ownership.
It takes a lot of money to raise a dog. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. One huge expense you might encounter is emergency vet care, so you may want to think about getting health insurance for your pet.
Make your home doggie-proof. Before you bring a dog into your home, you should be sure that the area you’re bringing it to is safe. Cleaning supplies and medications should be locked away, and any indoor trash cans need to be put in a cabinet. Some very common plants are quite toxic to animals, so always make sure they are out of reach.
If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Consuming even a single pill can cause serious health problems or your dog. If your dog does ingest some of your medication, get in touch with your veterinarian immediately.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. You shouldn’t train your dog where many other people are present. They might feel distracted and not learn a thing.
Make use of hand signals when training your dog versus relying only on verbal commands. These types of signals are sometimes easier for a dog to learn. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. It has been shown that rawhide bones are safe and great for their teeth, so be sure to not give your dog that ham bone next time.
Your dog needs a dog house if he or she has to remain outside in cold weather. Remember that dogs exposed to cold and damp or excessive heat are far more likely to become ill. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.
Do not try to feed your dog something they do not like. If you have purchased treats the dog does not appear to enjoy, do not force the issue. Not all dogs like the same things.
If you want to get yourself a new dog, but aren’t totally sold on the idea, you could try to get a foster pet. The shelters are full of homeless pups and lack many resources because of the overcrowding. Not only will you be helping a dog in need, but it will help you figure out if you would like to become a dog owner.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. Straighten the hair with a comb slightly before you do any trimming. If you are not comfortable with this process, it would be a good idea for you to go and get it done by a professional groomer.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog that is pure bred, keep the local pound in mind. A lot of dog owners leave their dogs in the city pound when they can’t look after their dog anymore. Call the shelter to find out which dogs they have available. This can help save the life of a beautiful dog.
If you want to do right by your dog, you need to learn a lot of things. There is more to having a great dog than just choosing an adorable puppy to bring home. You’ll have to be very responsible with your new dog. Use the excellent tips provided here to improve your life with your dog.