Owning a dog is one of life’s joys, but that isn’t the case with every dog. You’ll need to know a few things if you want to have fun with your dog. This article will tell you all about dog ownership.
Getting a dog is going to cost you some money. Good quality dog food and medical care can cost between $700-1000 a year. You should also look into purchasing a good pet health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills.
Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. Regular checkups will help you find these issues prior to them becoming a serious problem.
Your dog cannot communicate through speech; therefore, you must learn its non-verbal language. Hesitant dogs need to be taken out of fearful situations. This may cause a human or the other canine to get bit. Follow your dog’s body language.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Ask your vet for recommendations. Be sure to keep children away while you’re applying any flea treatment.
It is smart to use your hands to signal while dog training, as opposed to just your voice. Dogs tend to read body language and signs very well. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
Speak to your vet about your dog’s eating habits. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. Your vet will give you personalized advice.
Avoid buying your dog bargain-based food. Cheaper brands usually contain lots of additives and preservatives that can harm your dog’s health. Professional associations and dog advocacy groups may offer lists of the highest quality foods available. Your dog will benefit greatly from better food.
Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. Your dog could hurt somebody, including you, so keep him under control.
Make sure that your dog is not left alone outdoors all day. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. Especially if it’s only one dog, it can get very lonely. It’s especially important that your dog be inside if the weather outside is nasty.
If your vet has given you medication or special instructions for your dog, make sure that you follow them. Dogs may resist wearing cones, but they are there for good reason. The directions that you get from your vet are focused on the health of your pet and ignoring them can be detrimental to your pet.
It’s not that unusual for dogs to cut themselves after stepping on discarded debris or broken glass. Small cuts can be treated by washing, flushing with hydrogen peroxide and bandaging. See a vet if they have a deep cut.
Conduct daily flea and tick inspections on your dog when it starts getting hot outside. If you spot any fleas, you can remove them with a flea comb. There are a lot of products that can assist you with fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet about which options are best.
Choosing a dog food needs to be done with great consideration. There are quite a few different types of food out there but you have to get one that works with your dog’s size and age. Feeding leftovers to a dog can save money, but a proper diet is harder to maintain with them eating leftovers.
You might feel the urge to feed your dog a piece of your snack. You can do this with some foods, but not all. Chocolate and other highly caffeinated treats, as well as grapes, are examples of poor treat choices that shouldn’t be shared with your pet. Foods such as these can do a lot of harm to your dogs health.
Think about the changes your life will undergo, such as vacation and special events, before choosing to bring a dog into your life. Wanting a dog is a piece of cake, but actually taking care of one is harder.
Take special care during the summer. Dogs have a coat of fur and can get hot very quick. Make sure that your dog has a shaded, cool spot for hot weather. Be sure there is always cool and clean water within the dog’s reach. You can also get doggie sunscreen to help keep your pet out of harm’s way.
If your dog is going to be left alone during certain times of the day, create training it is probably a good idea. This will prevent him from chewing on your stuff or urinating where he’s not supposed to.
Take some time to consider where you want your new dog to sleep. If your dog is going to be crated during the night, you shouldn’t allow the animal to sleep in your bed at first. If you allow the dog in bed, be certain you are always going to be okay with that.
There are various techniques to follow when caring for your dog. It’s not as simple as getting a cute puppy that’s the perfect friend. Responsibility is a key factor. Use the advice that has been provided to have an enjoyable time with your new dog.
