Dogs are a great source of happiness for people, if they are well cared for. The key to having a happy and healthy dog is taking the time to learn about their needs. Continue on to gain some valuable insights on the best way to take of your friendly companion.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. Food, vet care and supplies can add up quickly. Getting emergency care from the vet is costly, so you may need to take a look at health insurance for your pet.
Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Ask your vet about alternative treatments that are more family-friendly, and be sure to keep small children away during applications.
Practice your training regimen for your puppy near your home. This allows you to control how many people are there while the training takes place. The more people there are, the more difficult training will be. It is very difficult to teach a dog that is distracted by people and disturbances.
Talk to your vet about your dog’s food portions. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, these guidelines can be incorrect and lead to an overweight dog. See what your vet recommends and adapt that to how your dog responds.
You don’t want to buy the bargain dog food. Cheap brands usually are loaded with additives that can be bad for health. Contact an animal advocacy group about which foods are best for your dog. The higher quality food will benefit your dog profoundly.
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. When you are a new dog owner, it may take a while to figure out what he does and doesn’t like.
Brushing your dog every day is going to stop them from shedding in your home, but more than that. Daily brushing can help them acquire a beautiful, shiny coat. When you brush fur, you’re also spreading around the oils that help keep your pet’s coat looking shiny and healthy.
It’s important to make sure that your pup’s nails stay trimmed. If they start to curl, your dog may feel a lot of pain. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. Can’t hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.
If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. The dog may not be fond of the treatment or medication, but it’s for its health. Any thing that your vet tells you to do should be done to ensure a healthy dog.
Give your dog plenty of love. As is the case with most things in life, owners often pay more attention to the bad behavior than the good. If you focus on the negatives, they will not maximize their potential. Instead, make sure you pet or praise your dog five times more often than you scold him. When you do this, you will probably end up with a better behaved dog.
If you’ve got just one dog and he doesn’t seem all that happy or is left alone a lot, think about getting him a friend. Dogs naturally travel in packs and like to have fellow canines around. Match them up carefully by temperament and energy levels and your dog should be in canine heaven!
Make sure that you are keeping up with your dog’s vet appointments. Your vet can identify health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid abnormalities before the problem is apparent to you. Yearly physical exams can save money down the line and save the dog from suffering unnecessarily.
You might feel the urge to feed your dog a piece of your snack. Certain foods are okay for this, but some foods are not good for dogs. Chocolate and other highly caffeinated treats, as well as grapes, are examples of poor treat choices that shouldn’t be shared with your pet. If your dog eats these foods, it could be detrimental to his health.
You should not always use the same rewards when training your dog. You should try to find out what drives your dog to do well. If your dog is food driven, try using small pieces of hot dogs as a reward. If he likes to play, engage him in a game when he successfully performs the action you are looking for. You may even find that your dog is best motivated by a little rubdown and affection.
There is nothing quite like the joy a dog can bring into the lives of its owner. As a dog owner, you need to be responsible and learn how you can properly care for your pet. Hopefully, this article has offered some useful guidance on caring for dogs.
