Read Here For Tips On Caring For Dogs!
Many people are pet owners or have been in the past. If you’re a proud dog owner or have thought about bringing a pet into your home, there are a number of things you need to know. This article has dog tips to help you care for your dog properly.
It can be quite costly to own a dog. Dogs require quality food, medical care, and general supplies that can vary in costs. Getting into a vet if you have an emergency can cost quite a bit of money, sometimes in the thousands, so you may need pet health insurance too.
Dog-proof your home. Take the time to tour your home with an eye for safety before you introduce your dog to your home. Hide medications and chemicals, cover your trash, and put food where he can’t get to it. Research the toxicity of plants you own, and move or remove anything that might be an issue.
Hugs are good, but kisses should be avoided. It is unsanitary to be licked by a dog. Dogs root around in garbage pails, drink enthusiastically from the toilet bowl and love to lick and smell certain body parts of other dogs. Keep in mind that an animal’s mouth is full of germs. It simply is not the case.
Your dog speaks to you, but it is through non-verbal cues. Your job is to learn to listen carefully so you understand the message. If you notice your dog is hesitant to meet a particular person or dog, don’t force it. It could end up with someone getting bit. Watch for these non-verbal hints and let the dog guide your actions.
If you have over-the-counter medication or prescription medication in your home, keep it in a place the dog can’t access it. Even if the dog were to eat a couple of pills, it could have very life threatening effects. If your pet does manage to ingest some medicine, contact the vet right away.
When you are training your dog, it is always best to incorporate the use of hand signals in addition to using verbal commands. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Test out both methods to see which works for you.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. For instance, joggers may want dogs that can run along with them, instead of a toy breed that cannot. If you are more of a homebody, a smaller, less active dog who enjoying being pampered is the better choice. Both of you are sure to be happier if you choose a good match.
Don’t get your dog food based on how cheap it is. The brands that are cheaper actually have lots of additives, preservatives and other harmful ingredients that can endanger the health of your dog. Get a list from an animal advocacy or consumer awareness group of the highest recommended foods to give your dog. The higher quality food will benefit your dog profoundly.
Give your pooch rawhide bones instead of those from real meat. Real bones chip apart and can become dangerously lodged in the oral cavity or digestive track. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
Train your pet on how to behave correctly when leashed. To properly walk your dog, he must remain directly at your side instead of behind or in front of you. This ensures his safety and will make going for walks more enjoyable for you. Even if your dog is sometimes walked on a loose leash, it should still know the command anyway.
If you have one dog that seems lonely or is by himself often, consider 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!
You should now have some good information about provided a dog with good care. So long as you apply these tips, you can avoid any issues. Read this article over as many times as you must.