Tips On How To Raise A Happy Dog
Many types of pets are available these days. It is possible to own cats, fish and even reptiles. If you are looking for a pet that will be your best friend and always by your side, a dog is an excellent choice. This article can show you just how to take care of one.
Being a dog owner can be very costly. High quality dog food, medical care, toys and treats can easily run close to $1,000 in a year. Emergency care for animals can cost thousands of collars, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
Always neuter or spay your pet. Research has proven that this can help your dog live longer and also specifically help prevent cancer. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.
Try hand signals in conjunction with verbal commands when training your dog. These types of signals are sometimes easier for a dog to learn. Try both ways of giving commands to see what works best.
Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual meat bones. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. Rawhide is completely healthy and improves the teeth, and therefore is preferable to animal bones.
Bad Behavior
Be sure to address your dog’s bad behavior when you first notice it. If you ignore any issue with your pet then later on it’s going to be harder to train it to obey because it doesn’t know any better. Not only will it be difficult to curb the bad behavior, he can pose physical harm to you or someone you love.
If you choose to adopt a pet, take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Animals from shelters sometimes have viruses or might have already been sick when taken in by the shelter. It’s smart to ensure your dog has all shots necessary before you take him home.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Dogs need consistent physical activity to ensure they are physically and mentally fit. You will enjoy the time you spend doing these things with your dog as well. It gives you exercise and helps develop a relationship that will last forever with your dog.
Take some time to trim your dog’s paw beds during every grooming session. This can help prevent mats. You should use a comb to straighten out the hair a bit before trying to trim it. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you’d probably have to hire a groomer who knows what they’re doing.
Develop Certain
Some dog breeds are more likely than others to develop certain health issues. Check your dog’s genetic background if possible to determine if he is more likely to develop certain medical conditions. Be sure to ask the vet if there is anything you can do in order to avoid health problems that run in the breed.
Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. Unfortunately there are many people out there who simply cannot care for their dogs anymore and they end up at the local pound. Simply call your pound and see what they have. You can save the life of an abandoned dog this way.
To prevent your female dog from getting pregnant, be on the lookout for the times she becomes in heat. A male is able to smell her from as much as five miles in the distance! This may cause a fight or impregnation if a male dog spots her.
Bring your dogs to their scheduled appointments. A good vet will be able to easily spot problems with your dog way before you actually see something. Regular check-ups will keep your dog healthy, and may save you a lot of cash in the long run.
Owning a dog is a big deal, but with the help of these tips, it should be no problem for you! Keep learning about dogs and keep finding out as much as you can. You’ll discover a new pastime and take better care of your furry friend.