Would you like to rescue a puppy from the local pound? Or are you interested in buying from a breeder? Getting a dog will give you endless amounts of love, whether it be mutt or show dog. This is a big responsibility, keep reading to find out what you can do.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. A lot of these medications have ingredients that can be harmful to children and can cause cancer. Talk to the vet about different forms of treatment that are safer for use around small kids.
Being a dog owner requires a financial commitment. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. It can cost a lot of money to take your dog to the vet in an emergency, so you will want to investigate health insurance for your pet.
Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. You will be to blame if your dog gets hurt for being off his leash.
Store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in a safe place where your dog cannot get them. If your dog ingests your medications, it could be fatal. If your pet does manage to ingest some medicine, contact the vet right away.
Talk to the veterinarian about the proper amount of food for your dog. While there are those that feed their dog whatever it says on the package, this may not be good for your dog and can make it overweight. See what your vet recommends and adapt that to how your dog responds.
Rather than merely using verbal commands, it is wise to utilize hand signals when training your dog. Signals like these help your dog learn things quickly. Experiment with each way and determine what works.
When obtaining a shelter dog, you need to set up an appointment with your local vet immediately. Shelters expose dogs to a number of illnesses, and your pet could be ill already. It is best to make sure your new puppy gets all the shots needed before you bring it home.
Clip your dog’s nails. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. You can always do your own trimming with clippers from the store. Can’t hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.
Don’t feed your dog the cheap stuff. After a while it’s good for the dog if it has been eating nutritious and high quality food. While this may mean paying higher prices for a premium brand, you can be assured your dog is getting the proper nutrients from wholesome sources.
When you buy dog food, avoid the cheap stuff. Later on, it will help that you’ve fed your dog quality and nutritious food. Although the food may cost more, you know that your dog is receiving the correct nutrients from quality food.
If your vet gives you special instructions for your dog’s care, follow them to the letter. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. Recommendations that a vet makes are for the good of your pet and if you don’t adhere to these things it could be bad for your pet.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, but aren’t sure you want to make the commitment, try serving as a foster home. There are many less than fortunate dogs in shelters that would love to find a forever home. You can foster one to help out the cause and find out if you want to keep one!
Become familiar with the medical peculiarities of the breed of dog you have chosen. Do what you can to combat those issues early. Speak with your vet about the positive steps you can take to help your dog avoid these sorts of breed related problems.
You need to ensure your dog will come back if he runs away; that is why you need to have a collar with his information on it. A good way to ensure your dog is returned if he is lost is to attach an identification tag to his collar. Include your dog’s name and information on how to contact you. You can also opt to have a micro-chip inserted into your dog.
Make sure that your female dog is contained well if she’s in heat. This will help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Male dogs from as far as 5 miles away may pick up the scent. There can be numerous problems, such as causing conflicts with neighbor’s dogs, and getting impregnated with puppies that you don’t know a lot about.
Get to your vet on a regular basis. Your dog should see a vet for check-ups, blood tests and to ensure they’re up to date with vaccinations. Having a puppy means regular visits to the vet. If your dog becomes ill or is injured, don’t delay in getting him to the vet.
Make sure that your dog goes to it’s vet for a checkup each year. Vets can find problems such as kidney troubles, thyroid issues and diabetes well before symptoms appear to you. Annual dog physicals can spare lots of money later for owners and keep them from suffering now.
Choose the food your dog eats very carefully. There are many to choose from, so focus on those that are for your dog’s age and size. You might think that you can save money by feeding your dog table scraps, but this is very unhealthy.
Check your dog for ticks and fleas daily once it gets warmer outside. Try to get rid of any fleas by using what is called a flea comb. There are lots of products that can help with ticks and fleas. Talk to your vet if you are not sure which products should be used.
Some vitamins are not beneficial for dogs. If you feed your dog a balanced diet, there is no need to give him extra vitamins. Too much of some vitamins can cause injury to the bones, joints and blood vessels. Consult with your vet before starting your dog on a regimen of vitamins.
Carefully choose your dog’s food. There are many kinds of foods you can pick, but the one you choose should fit with your dog’s size and age. Giving your dog leftovers may be cheap, but it may not give them a lot of health benefits.
Don’t think that a dog’s health status can be determined by how its nose feels. A cold and wet nose could be due to many reasons, and it does not preclude illness. Judge your dog’s health by energy levels, appetite and demeanor. They give you a better indication as to the state of your dog’s health. Your dog’s temperature can be taken rectally.
When you are finding out what kind of dog you want to get, you might want to introduce the prospective pet to your current pet. Dogs are usually social creatures, but sometimes they just won’t get along. Finding a compatible dog will save you anguish and trouble.
When you start training, try different reward systems. This will make things more fun and enjoyable for your dog. If find that your dog is motivated by food, a hot dog, cut into small pieces, is a great reward. If your canine likes playing with toys, tug of war might be a good game for them. Petting can be the best reward too.
You must give careful thought to a decision to bring a dog into your life. There are a lot of ways you can do this and it is simple to be in love with a puppy dog face. Carefully consider the expense, the commitment of time and all the other important aspects of dog care before taking the plunge.
You need to be cautious when caring for your dog during the summertime. Dogs can overheat easily. Provide them with a cool, shady area to hang out in during the summer months. Be certain that your dog always has clean, cool water. Also, dogs can suffer from the effects of the sun, so see if the vet recommends sunscreen.
Your dog’s nose is not a way to determine if your dog’s health is good. There are a lot of reasons your dog might have a cold and wet nose. You can keep track of your dog’s heath by paying attention to it’s appetite, demeanor, and energy levels. These signs more accurately foretell the state of your dog’s health. You can check the dog’s temperature rectally.
Now you should know what goes into caring for your pet as best you can so now you should be able to bring a new pet home! Keep learning because there is always new and fresh information out there concerning care for your dog. Think about signing up for forums if you want to discuss your furry friend with other owners. Learning goes on for your entire life, so embrace the process.
When you first start out training the dog see what kinds of rewards work best. Try to figure out what your dog needs to do good. If food is what drives your dog, use small, hot dog pieces as reward. Tug of war is a great game that you can play with your dog as a reward. Some dogs just like to get petted and rubbed when they’re good.