Have you ever wanted to get a dog? Does a dog live with you? The following advice will be of help if your answer was yes to these questions. The advice you find here can make your experience a good one for both you and your pet.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. Getting emergency care from the vet is costly, so you may need to take a look at health insurance for your pet.
Always, have your dog spayed or neutered. Research has proven that this can reduce your dog’s risk of cancer and make them healthier in general. In addition, dogs that are spayed or neutered do not have as strong of a desire to wander from their home, meaning that they are less likely to get lost or hit by a car.
Make sure you are informed of what flea treatments you are using for your dog. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Ask your vet about alternative treatments that are more family-friendly, and be sure to keep small children away during applications.
It doesn’t matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. He could easily get spooked by something and run off into harm’s way. Ultimately, you’re the one who’s responsible for your dog’s safety, as well as its actions.
Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Try each way to see what works well with your dog.
Avoid trying to force things into your dog. If you have food or treats your dog does not like, leave it alone. It will take you a little while to figure out what your dog likes and what he doesn’t, but you’ll get the hang of it.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. Try trimming them with scissors you buy at the store. If this idea makes you uneasy, a groomer can easily attend to them for you.
Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. Your dog should walk beside you, not lag behind or run ahead, and should obey the command “heel.” This ensures his safety and will make going for walks more enjoyable for you. The heel command is crucial for your dog, even if a loose leash walk is being used.
If you wish to get a dog, but don’t know if you can commit to it, try getting a foster dog. A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home – who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
Avoid keeping your dog outdoors all day, every day. While this happens quite often, a dog needs interaction during the day. When your dog is the only one you have, leaving him alone will make him sad. In addition to the socializing need, you should not leave a dog to fend for himself in heavy rainstorms or very cold weather. Bring the dog indoors until the inclement weather passes.
Always follow your vet’s instructions to a tee. He may not like wearing a cone over his head, but it’s prescribed for a reason! Your veterinarian only has your dog’s best interests at heart, and if you don’t listen, you may inadvertently cause your dog harm.
If you have your heart set on a purebred dog, realize that the city pound may be somewhere to look. Many pure bred dogs are abandoned at dog pounds or shelters when owners aren’t able to care for them. Call the pound to see what they have available. You could get the dog you are looking for and save a life in the process.
Your dog needs to wear some sort of identification in case he escapes your house. To make it more likely that your dog finds its way home to you should it become lost, outfit it with a collar that has identification tags attached. Include all personal information necessary on this tag. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put in your dog.
Take your dog for regular vet visits. Your pet will need to go to the vet so it can get tested for heart worms, get a general check up, and to see if the shots are still up to date. When you own a puppy, you may need to see a vet more often. Never hesitate to take your dog to the vet if something seems off; remember that your dog can not tell you something is wrong.
During the summer, make sure your dog is comfortable. It’s easy for a dog to get overheated. Offer an area that has lots of shade during the summer. Make sure your dog has access to clean and cool water. You don’t want your dog to develop skin cancer, either, so pick up some sunscreen for dogs!
You need to be firm with your dog. Often, dog owners think it’s fine to sneak some food to them or let them tear apart a toy. This is especially the case with a very cute dog! Be firm with your dog if you want to prevent behavior issues. You may be okay with giving your pet some scraps once you’ve finished your meal, but if you’re not firm, your pet may decide it’s fine to snatch food right off your plate.
Have you soaked up all the information in this article? If you need to, spend some time rereading the tips. You’ll be glad you did when something comes up and you know how to handle it. Use what you learned and have a great relationship with your pup.
