Owning a dog may bring joy into your life, but it isn’t always a simple job. In many ways, having a dog is very similar to having a child in your home. You will be responsible for feeding your dog a proper diet, grooming, cleaning up the messes it makes and taking it regularly to a doctor for vaccinations. How will you know what to do? If you want to give your dog a happier, healthier life, the outstanding canine advice you’ll find below will definitely come in handy.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
You need to have a physical every year, and so does your dog. Your dog can’t speak to you, which means it isn’t easy to tell if they’re having a tooth ache or issues with arthritis. A checkup once a year will help diagnose any problems.
Hugs are good, but kisses should be avoided. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. It’s a folk tale that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. This is absolutely a myth!
It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. Also, if you like to stay at home, find small dogs that prefer sitting on laps and being stroked. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.
When vacationing with your dog, use the camera on your phone to snap a quick picture. This ensures that, should he get lost, you have a current photo, ready for showing around or being used in flyers.
Positive reinforcement is very important in training your dog. You need your dog to realize that you’re proud of their behavior and want to see it more often. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
Talk to your vet about how much your dog should eat. Some people feed the dog based on their food package recommendations, but these can be wrong and cause them to be overweight. Speak with a vet about your dog’s needs and what they should have.
Speak with your vet to see how much you’re going to have to feed your dog daily. Though some folks feed whatever the package recommends, those guidelines are not always appropriate and can lead to overfeeding. The vet will know what is best for your pet.
Rawhide treats are better for your dog than real meat bones. Real bones can splinter and can get caught in your dog’s mouth or digestive tract. Rawhide is healthy for their teeth and gums, so don’t share your bones, even if the dog wants it!
Your dog will need a dog house if it is going to be outside in colder temperatures. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Make certain your dog house has a good floor that keeps your dog up off the ground and dry.
As soon as you notice your dog engaging in bad behaviors, immediately try to correct them. If you delay too long, the behavior will get harder and harder to correct. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so take steps to control him early on.
It’s important to make sure that your pup’s nails stay trimmed. Your dog will be in pain if the nails begin curling. Buy some clippers from a pet store and cut them yourself. If you aren’t confident enough to do it yourself, take the dog to a local pet groomer.
When you brush your dog every day, you reduce shedding problems and benefit your dog’s health in many ways. It leaves them looking gorgeous, for one thing. The reason for this is that brushing distributes a dog’s oils from its skin so it looks soft and shiny.
When buying your dog’s food, do not get the cheap stuff. In the long run, it is beneficial to be feeding your dog high quality, nutritious food. Even though you are paying more, it will save on health bills down the road.
Always make sure your dog understands how to walk correctly on a leash. Keep your dog at your side when you are taking a walk. Doing this will not only be easier on you, but it will also keep your dog safe. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.
If your dog is undergoing a course of treatment with medication or therapy, make sure you follow your veterinarian’s instructions precisely. He may want out of that cone immediately, but he needs to keep wearing it! The vet doesn’t give advice for no reason, and it can be dangerous to now do what is advised.
Proper identification can help ensure that your pet is returned to you if he becomes lost. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is to use a breakaway collar and ID tag. Include your dog’s name and information on how to contact you. Additionally, you can put a micro-chip on your dog.
When seeking pure bred dogs, you shouldn’t automatically rule out pounds. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. Simply call your pound and see what they have. You may save a poor dog’s life if you do this.
Bring your dog to the vet for an annual check-up. If your dog is regularly checked out by its veterinarian, they’ll be able to catch things like diabetes or kidney problems before they grow into a major issue. Annual dog physicals can spare lots of money later for owners and keep them from suffering now.
If you have a dog that doesn’t look like it’s very happy because it’s always alone, think about getting your dog a friend. Dogs are pack animals by their very nature and usually prefer the company of their own kind. Match the two dogs by energy levels and temperament, and both dogs will be in heaven!
Bring your dog to a veterinarian regularly. Dogs need to be checked for heartworm and other health issues, and need to have any and all necessary vaccinations. When you own a puppy, you may need to see a vet more often. At the first sign of illness or if your dog is injured, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet.
If you do not want your female dog to become pregnant, be careful with her when she goes into heat. A male dog can smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. This can cause dogs to fight over her, and she may get pregnant by a dog you are unfamiliar with.
When the weather heats up, ticks and fleas become active. You can get a flea comb that will help with the removal of fleas on your dog. If the infestation is bad, there are treatments available. Consult with your vet to learn more about flea and tick control.
Dog ownership is a long and complex adventure, and you never know when some of the advice you’ve just reviewed will come in handy. Once you have mastered these basics, you can really enjoy spending time with your dog. Just use what you’ve read here and your dog will show its gratitude by loving you for it.
If you are looking for a new dog, bring your current pup to check him out. You need to see if they are going to be compatible or not. If you find one that gets along with your current one, you’ll save yourself a lifetime of headaches.