It is not easy to own a dog. Dogs are like children, where they need proper food, exercise, cleaning and grooming and to visit a physician. How can one get ready for all of the challenges? The fact is, reading this article will give you the knowledge you need to be the best dog owner ever.
Owning a dog takes a bit of money. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
Take your dog to the vet at least one time a year for checkups. It can be difficult to know what could be causing your dog pain since they cant talk to you. Getting your dog checked up on annually will allow you to know if there are any problems.
Always, have your dog spayed or neutered. It is a known fact that doing this will lessen the probability of your dog getting cancer. Besides, a neutered dog will be less likely to run away or to get in fights with other animals.
Since your dog cannot talk to you, you have to learn how to listen to your dog’s non-verbal language. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don’t force interaction. This could lead to the other dog or person getting bit. Watch for any of these non-verbal cues and let these guide your actions.
When you take your dog on vacation with you, get a snapshot of them for your phone. If they’re separated from you, then you’ll have a current photo that you can easily access and show others or to download for “lost” flyers.
If you keep some medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. Even if the dog were to eat a couple of pills, it could have very life threatening effects. If your dog eats your medication, see a vet right away.
Positive reinforcement is very important in training your dog. It’s important that you pooch is aware that they did something good. This will teach the dog that when they do what you wish, they’ll get praised.
Avoid the bargain brands of pet food. Cheap dog food usually includes fillers (such as corn or soybeans) which are not appropriate for dogs. It may also contain poor quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health over time. Professional associations and dog advocacy groups may offer lists of the highest quality foods available. Your dog will be much better off.
Try not to force your dog to eat things. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. Learn what he likes and what he doesn’t.
Follow instructions from the vet if the dog needs special attention or has medication. Dogs do not like having a cone around their head, but it was given for a reason. Your vet makes recommendations that will help your dog be happy and healthy, so you should follow your vet’s advice.
If your dog seems sad and lonely, consider investing in a friend for him. Dogs prefer living in groups with other animals. By choosing another dog that matches your pup’s energy level and temperament, you’ll ensure that your dogs will be great companions for each other.
Be politically active on behalf of your pooch! Keep up with local legislation to learn about new changes that might have an effect on your situation as a dog owner. These regulations often exist because of bad behaviors from a few dogs of a certain breed. You can be a great help by showing the local officials that responsible owners should have rights.
Always use positive reinforcement when training your dog. Do not hit your dog as this will only make him fear you. Humane treatment is better for your dog, and it’s a lot more effective. Treat your friend kindly when training to see better results.
When you start to train your dog, try out various reward systems. Determine what motivates your dog to obey. If find that your dog is motivated by food, a hot dog, cut into small pieces, is a great reward. If your dog prefers toys, have a quick game of tug of war once your pup does what you want. Petting can be the best reward too.
This expert advice has now been committed to your memory so you can use it every day for your dog. You now have some basic dog-care tips that can be quite helpful. Employ the canine care advice that was discussed here and your dog will appreciate it.
