Perplexed By Dogs? We Have The Knowledge You Need
Dogs are excellent pets for the whole family but they can also be a lot of work. If you understand what a dog needs, you can provide it to them. Continue reading to find out how to properly care for your dog.
It can be quite costly to own a dog. Every dog is going to need supplies, good food, and will also need medical care. After all is said and done this could cost about $800 or more. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
Get your dog spayed or neutered. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. Besides, a neutered dog will be less likely to run away or to get in fights with other animals.
Make your home suitable for dogs. Prior to bringing the pooch home, check that the whole home is safe. Put cleaning supplies and medications away and keep indoor trash inside a cabinet. Many common types of house plants can be toxic, so it pays to eliminate or move them.
Practice training your dog around your home, where you and your pup can be alone. It’s never good to try and train your pet when there are quite a few people around. Too many people causes distractions, making it hard to train them.
Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. 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. Annual checkups can catch issues before they develop into something serious.
Always have your dog on a leash when he’s off your property. A feral animal might catch their attention, causing them to pursue them, or an unplanned incitement might lead to a bad situation with other pet owners. You are solely responsible for the dog’s actions and for the dog’s safety as well.
It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. You’ll be prepared to take effective action in case your pet gets lost. You can use your recent photo to illustrate just what your dog looks like as well as to print up flyers, if necessary.
Allow your lifestyle to dictate the type of dog you adopt or purchase. For instance, if you jog, a toy poodle may not be as great a choice as a dog that is able to run with you. If you are a homebody, a small dog that lounges around a lot is a good fit. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
Look into the flea treatments. Many of them contain ingredients that can put children at risk for cancer at a rate that is 1000 times more than what the EPA considers safe! Speak with your vet to see if there are any alternatives that are healthier choices for your pet and your family.
Always give your dog lots of praise and hugs when it does something right. By rewarding your pup when it does the right thing, you’ll be teaching it to do these behaviors more often. Your dog will quickly understand that the praise is connected to a certain action.
Ask your vet what kinds of foods you should feed to your dog and what to stay away from. Sometimes, your puppy may not be developed enough to consume certain brands, as this can lead to an upset stomach or sicknesses. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
Talk to your vet about how much your dog should eat. Many people look at the guidelines on the dog food bag; the problem with this is that some of the recommendations may be inaccurate and could cause your dog to gain weight. Speak to the vet about what makes sense for your dog.
Praise your dog when he behaves or performs in the way that you have been training him to. Let a dog know that their behavior is what you wish to see. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. Cheap brands usually are loaded with additives that can be bad for health. Try using animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness to get a list of great dog foods that have high professional recommendations. The higher quality food will benefit your dog profoundly.
If you aren’t sure of the amount of food your dog needs on a daily basis, talk to your vet. Some people feed the dog based on their food package recommendations, but these can be wrong and cause them to be overweight. Talk to your vet about what is acceptable and what your dog’s particular needs are.
Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you don’t address it head on, you will discover that it becomes more difficult to control in the future, possibly with disastrous consequences. If your dog is not under control, he could end up hurting you or someone else.
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. If his feet are wet during very cold weather, it will stress him and lead to health problems. Give your dog a shelter that is spacious and dry, and your dog will be protected from the hard winds and dampness.
Put a leash on your dog at all times when walking him. He should know the “heel” command, stay close to you and not veer far ahead or drag behind. This will keep him safe, and it’ll make walks more enjoyable. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.
Make sure to exercise your dog often. Dogs require metal and physical exercise to ensure a happy puppy. Throw a ball around the park with your dog and play fetch. Not only does it give them the exercise they need, but it also improves your relationship with your dog.
If you are considering a dog but aren’t sure, why not trying providing a good foster home for a dog? There are many animals that need love and care. Foster one of these dogs to help and see if you wish to care for one.
Get your new pet a veterinary exam. This is one of the first things you should do. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. Also talk to your vet about getting the dog spayed or neutered – there are already way too many dogs in shelters, and you really don’t want to add to this problem.
When the weather gets warm, start checking your dog for ticks and fleas. You can also use a comb to expel any fleas. Certain products are geared to eliminate fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet to find the best option for your dog.
Never leave a dog outside for long periods of time. This is common for people to do, but dogs should interact with others. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. Plus, bad weather can be health and even life threatening to your pet.
You might feel the urge to feed your dog a piece of your snack. This is fine with some foods, but other foods aren’t healthy for dogs. Dogs are not able to tolerate grapes, chocolate and anything with caffeine, for instance. These kinds of foods may have detrimental effects on the animal’s health.
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. Before you trim it, use a brush to get it as straight as possible. You can always use a dog groomer if you find the process difficult.
Never judge a dog’s health simply by how cold or wet its nose is. There are a lot of reasons that dogs will have a wet or cold nose, even when they’re not sick. You can tell how your dog is feeling by watching his appetite and energy levels. They give you a better indication as to the state of your dog’s health. To check a dog’s temperature, you need to do it rectally.
Even if you are looking for a dog that is a pure breed, always check the local pound. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. You can contact the local dog shelter to see what breeds are there. You can save the life of a dog this way.
A dog has the ability to bring a great amount of joy into your life. It is important to know what it takes to keep a dog happy and full of energy. If you are lucky, the information here will help you care for your best friend.
Separation anxiety could be a problem with your dog. If so, show him extra love and attention and leave music on while you are away. The noise will keep him company and make him feel a little more secure. It may just be the fix needed for the dog’s anxiety problems until you get back to the house.
