Perhaps you visit the pound and pet shops and longingly dream of having the perfect pet. The dog you adopt might not fit your expectations exactly. Regardless of this, this article can help you take care of a dog very effectively.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. Your dog’s mouth is fairly dirty at any given time. Dogs love to dig in garbage, get into the toilet, and then they lick their butts, yuck! Your dog’s mouth is not really any cleaner than a human’s mouth. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Owning a dog is quite a large financial commitment. Each dog needs quality food, medical care and general supplies. It can cost you around $1000 each year. Pet insurance can be very helpful since emergency medical care for your dog can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances.
You should never give table scraps to your dog. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Table scraps are also not nutritionally sound for a dog, and this might mean digestive problems, obesity, and other ailments. If you spend the time to train your dog to spend mealtimes well removed from the table, there won’t be any scrap-feeding temptations to worry about.
Neuter or spay your dog. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. 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.
It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. If you are a hunter for example, perhaps a retriever is the dog for you. By the same token, if you are a quiet person, you should choose a quiet lap dog. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
If you keep some medication in your home, make sure your dog cannot access it. If the dog gets near the pills, then just a few of them could do serious harm and result in a trip to emergency room. If your dog eats your medication, see a vet right away.
If your dog needs to be outside during cold months, buy him a house or build him one. If his feet get wet, being exposed to extreme weather can cause health issues and stress. Always protect him from wind, sun and rain by making sure he has a dry shelter to go to.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Speak with your vet to see if there are any alternatives that are healthier choices for your pet and your family.
Your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. If the dog’s nails curl under, your dog might be in pain. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
Talk to your vet about your dog’s food portions. Simply reading the label on your dog food package may not be enough; your dog may have special needs. Therefore, ask your vet the acceptable amount of dog food your dog needs to ensure its health and well-being.
Make sure your let your dog know you love him. As is often the case, dog owners frequently focus on bad behavior instead of good. With dogs, this can lead to trouble. Instead, make sure you pet or praise your dog five times more often than you scold him. Your dog will be far more likely to try to behave properly.
Purchase or construct a dog house if your dog must stay outside when the weather is cold. Wet feet and cold fur can bring on health problems. Protect your dog from wind and precipitation by giving him a shelter that has a dry floor and plenty of space.
Make sure that your female dog is contained well if she’s in heat. This will help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. A male can pick up on her scent from as far as five miles away! In addition, a female dog in heat can cause fighting among dogs in the local area. If you don’t want a set of puppies, keep her away from male dogs.
Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so take steps to control him early on.
Keep vet appointments for your dog. Vets can do early screening for thyroid issues, diabetes and kidney problems before your dog has symptoms. This means reduced medical expenses for you in the long run, and it can also save your dog from a lot of pain and suffering.
Become acquainted with dog food labels and avoid buying based solely on cost. Over the course of the dogs life he will be much healthier if you stick to high quality food with plenty of nutritional value. Quality brands are more expensive but they will significantly increase the life expectancy of your dog.
Dogs often get cuts from debris or pieces of glass. If you notice a small cut on your dog, use an antiseptic and a bandage to clean and protect it. If the cut is relatively deep, bring your dog to the vet.
Whatever your vet recommends, do it. For instance, your dog may need a cone and not like it, but your vet prescribed it for a reason. It is always best to follow the recommendations shared by your veterinarian.
It is crucial that you take your dog into see the veterinarian on a regular basis. Dogs must see their vet for full exams, vaccinations and routine testing. When your dog is still a puppy, it’ll need to go to the vet more often. It is also important to visit a vet immediately after seeing signs of injury or illness.
Stimulate your dog mentally and physically with plenty of exercise. Train your dog to perform useful activities like fetching the newspaper. The training will challenge him mentally and the affection you show for a job well done will bond him to the family routine.
Perform tick and flea inspections daily on the dog when it gets warmer out. Comb your dog with a good flea comb to eradicate fleas. If the infestation is bad, there are treatments available. Talk to your veterinarian about such products or any other options that are available.
If you do not want your female dog to become pregnant, be careful with her when she goes into heat. Male dogs can smell her scent from up to five miles. This may cause a fight or impregnation if a male dog spots her.
Be careful about the kind of food your dog is eating. There are many options, but you should match your dog to food that was made for his age and size. Though just giving your dog your own leftovers is cheaper, it is not good for their health.
Dogs often get cuts from debris or pieces of glass. If your dog experiences a cut, wash the area with antiseptic and put a bandage on it. If the cut seems very deep, take him to the vet.
You need to really consider adding a dog to your home. There are a lot of ways you can do this and it is simple to be in love with a puppy dog face. Consider all options so that you know you have taken care of everything.
If an accident occurs on your floor, take extra care that all traces are removed. Clean it well, and then snuff out any remaining smell with an odor remover. If you still smell poop, your dog will too and might strike again.
Don’t rely on just a wet and cold nose to determine a dog’s health. It is certainly possible for your canine’s nose to feel cold or wet even if an illness is present. Judge a dog’s health by demeanor, appetite, and energy levels. These can be great ways to know how your dog’s health is. You can also check your dog’s temperature rectally.
When it becomes hot, do tick and flea inspections. Comb your dog with a good flea comb to eradicate fleas. Additionally, there are a number of other products and tools that help in controlling fleas and ticks on your dog. Talk to your veterinarian about such products or any other options that are available.
It’s important to keep in mind that your dog is a dog, not a human. You may want to train him for a long time, but his attention span isn’t that long. Keep training sessions short and sweet (just a few minutes, if that’s all that works) so that your dog won’t get frustrated and form negative associations with the training process.
When selecting the ideal diet for your dog, investigate the options thoroughly. Since there are so many, you should find one that is made for your particular dog. When you give your dog leftovers to save money, you have to make sure your dog is getting the right nutrients and vitamins.
If you have a puppy, it’s a smart idea to socialize him with some more dogs soon. A good way for your dog to hang out with other dogs is to take them to the dog park or even to a play date.
With all of this great advice available to you, you would be a fool to ignore it. If you implement it in all you do, your dog will be like the dog you once dreamed of. Dogs that are happy really show it no matter what, so work hard and you’ll see the rewards!
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, you may want to enlist in a dog training class. You and your dog’s life are going to be more rewarding when he is trained and obeys what you want him to do. Although training a puppy is easier, it’s even possible to successfully train an older dog. You just have to be patient.