You Can Have A Dog In The Home
Have you shared a previous part of your life with a dog, or do you have one right now? That means you know how great it is to have your own dog. But, like most other areas in life, dog ownership can be more rewarding when you are properly educated. This article provides a wealth of information about owning and caring for a dog.
Take your dog to the vet at least one time a year for checkups. Even the best dog owner will find it difficult or impossible to detect the first signs of health troubles, like a tooth infection or arthritic joints. An annual checkup can help catch such issues before they become a major problem.
It can be quite costly to own a dog. Good quality dog food and medical care can cost between $700-1000 a year. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
Train your dog in your backyard or home, as these are safe, convenient areas. You do not want to train your dog around a bunch of people. Distraction ensues, and it is harder to get your dog to focus on basic commands.
Never allow your dog to leave your yard without a leash even if he seems very trustworthy and calm. Dogs are easily distracted by other animals, cars, and kids, so always make sure to keep your dog on a leash for his own safety. You are the only one responsible for your dog’s safety and his actions.
Never take your dog outside your yard without a leash. A dog might run after an animal and get into trouble, or it might get into a fight with another animal. You will be responsible for your dog’s actions and safety.
Rather than purchasing an actual meat bone for your dog, go with rawhide instead. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. Rawhide is completely healthy and improves the teeth, and therefore is preferable to animal bones.
When you are training your dog, it is always best to incorporate the use of hand signals in addition to using verbal commands. Using hand gestures can help your dog to recognize commands quicker. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.
Buy or build a dog house if he is going to be outside for long periods in the winter. Especially if your dog’s feet get wet, exposure to very cold temperatures for long time periods can cause stress and other health issues. Give your dog a shelter that is spacious and dry, and your dog will be protected from the hard winds and dampness.
Your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. If they begin to curl under, you dog could experience quite a bit of pain. You can always do your own trimming with clippers from the store. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, you can take him to the groomers and have them done for very little money.
Your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. If they get so long that they start curling under, your dog will probably hurt a lot. Simply purchase a pair of clippers from the store. If you’re uncomfortable clipping them on your own, go to a professional groomer. Nail clipping is very affordable.
If your dog seems lonely or seems to have separation anxiety, leave the radio or a CD on when you leave the house. The sounds will help your pet feel safer and will make it feel like it’s not alone. Doing this might help your dog get past its anxiety while it awaits your return.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food you can find. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. Although this could mean paying a higher price for a better brand, at least you know that your pet is getting the required amount of nutrients in their diet.
If you only have one dog and they aren’t happy or can’t handle being alone a lot, consider getting them a companion. Dogs naturally live in packs, and they are happiest when they are allowed to do so. Giving them some canine companionship can have a very positive effect on their mood and behavior. Match them up carefully by temperament and energy levels and your dog should be in canine heaven!
If you want to get yourself a new dog, but aren’t totally sold on the idea, you could try to get a foster pet. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. Fostering dogs will give them a wonderful home – who knows, maybe you will decide to be a fulltime dog owner!
It is best to train your dog entirely by yourself. If the other people who help you train your dog are not consistent with what you started teaching, your dog will have a hard time. One person should be in charge, and everyone else needs to reinforce everything this person teaches the dog.
If your dog gets anxious and lonely when you leave, put some music on before you head out. Your dog will appreciate the company of the sound, and he will feel more secure. This might just quell his anxiety while waiting for you to return.
If you’re adding a second dog to your home, try to let your first dog meet the second before bringing it home. Dogs are usually social creatures, but sometimes they just won’t get along. If you find one that gets along with your current one, you’ll save yourself a lifetime of headaches.
If you’re the owner of a lone, lonely dog, you should consider getting a second pooch. Dogs come from packs, so it’s in their nature to prefer spending time with a member of their own species. Match them carefully based on energy levels and temperament.
If you’re having a snack, you may feel like it would be okay to give your dog a bite. There are certain human foods that should not be fed to a dog. Chocolate and other highly caffeinated treats, as well as grapes, are examples of poor treat choices that shouldn’t be shared with your pet. These foods can cause health problems in your dog.
Take care with a female dog in heat, unless you want a lot of puppies. Males can smell her scent for miles. The dog might also want to fight other dogs, and become pregnant.
Consider your daily routines, and decide whether a dog would fit into that scenario well. Wanting a dog doesn’t mean you’ll provide the best environment for him.
After reading the above information you now see what a great experience being a dog owner can be. If you know a lot about dogs, it’s even better. Fortunately, you are doing the right thing by reading articles like the one you read above. Have fun with your dog by using the above advice.
When you undertake training for your dog, use positive reinforcement. Praise your dog and give it a treat when it does something well instead of using punishments to get rid of bad behaviors. Treating your dog humanely when training is what is most effective and what is best for him. So be kind to your dog when you are training him; you will be rewarded with positive results.
