Are you a dog owner or were you used to own one? If you’ve already experienced the joy of dog ownership, you are already familiar with the joys of owning these fantastic pets. However, like with many other things, education can make a big difference in the experience you have. The following article breaks down the care they give their pet.
Be sure to have your pet spayed or spayed. Studies have shown that these operations help your dog live longer and can reduce cancer risks. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, limiting their exposure to dangerous traffic and other hazards.
It costs a lot to own a dog. Food and supplies can run you over one thousand dollars a year. Also, should an emergency arise, this can cost thousands so you might consider pet health insurance.
If you’re taking your pup on a vacation, be sure that you have a recent picture of them on-hand. This will be helpful should he gets lost.
Do not fall prey to the temptation to feed your dog “people food”. This causes regular begging and will cause him want human food every time you have a meal.
Hugs are great, but steer clear of kisses. Kissing a dog might seem cute, but they have dirty mouths. After all, dogs eat out of the garbage, drink from toilet bowls, and lick all over their body. It’s a folk tale that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. This is absolutely a myth!
Never take your dog to leave your yard without a leash. You are responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
You need your dog to realize that he or she has done something you like. It teaches your pup that they will receive attention if they behave as you want them to.
If you have medication for you or a family member, be certain your dog cannot reach it. Your dog could be seriously injured or killed by ingesting a couple of small pills. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Don’t buy the cheapest food for your dog that’s from a bargain store. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be bad for health. Check with animal advocacy group for a list of foods that are recommended by professionals. Your dog will benefit greatly from healthier food.
Take the time and correct bad behavior when you first sign of it. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so make sure you’re in control at all times.
Know about what could go wrong with flea treatments if you have a dog. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.
A daily brush does a lot more than prevent shedding. Brushing every day can ensure your dog’s coat is shiny and healthy looking. The reason for this is that brushing motion will distribute the oil through the dog’s fur.
Make sure your dog receives plenty of exercise. Dogs need physical activity and play in order to stay happy and healthy. From a simple walk to a vigorous game of fetch, everything counts.
Provide your dog with rawhide to chew on rather than actual meat bones. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Studies have shown that rawhide bones are good for your dog’s health and their teeth. Don’t give in and let your dog gnaw on real bones. Stick to rawhide.
There are many less than fortunate dogs in homeless shelters who desperately need a forever home.
Follow through according to your vet’s suggestions if your dog needs something special attention or has medicine. He may want out of that cone immediately, but it’s there for a real reason!
If your dog behaves badly, correct the behavior immediately. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.
Some breeds have inherent health issues. Research his heritage and take preventative steps for problems you know he might be prone to.
Make sure that you provide your dog affection at all times. As with most things, dog owners frequently focus on bad behavior instead of good. This could cause problems later on. Try to give your dog praise five times more than when you scold him. Your dog will more likely showcase the proper behavior when you do that.
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. A dog needs to play and exercise on a regular basis so that it can be happy and healthy. Even the smallest amount of exercise, such as throwing a ball, will be good for your pup and you. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.
Identification Tag
Be sure that your dog can be returned to you by giving him some identification. A popular way to ensure your dog gets back home safely is to make them use a breakaway collar that has an identification tag to his collar. This identification tag needs their name and your own contact you. Another good thing to do would be to have a micro-chip put on your dog.
Your dog should not be left outside for the entire day. Yes, people do this too often, but dogs require interactions with people and other dogs for their well-being. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. Keep in mind that your dog can also get sick if the weather is too cold or humid.
Everyone will have a different way of trying to teach the dog something, and experiencing a number of them can leave your pooch confused.
Dog ownership brings great rewards. It can be made even more pleasant when you are armed with good information about dog ownership. Thanks to the advice above, you should know a lot more about dog care. Take this tips to heart, and love every minute of your life with your dog!
Some breeds have inherent health issues you need to watch for. Do what you can to combat those issues early. Talk to the vet to find out what you are able to do to assist your dog in beating the prognoses of his breed.