Dogs provide unconditional love, loyalty and affection. Dogs are excellent pets for individuals or whole families. If you are interested in being a better pet owner, the advice in this article can help.
It takes quite a bit of money to take good care of a dog. Dogs require quality food, medical care, and general supplies that can vary in costs. One huge expense you might encounter is emergency vet care, so you may want to think about getting health insurance for your pet.
Dog-proof your home. Your entire home should be safe prior to bringing the dog inside. Put up all of your cleaning supplies and medications, and be sure you put away any trash cans. Many common types of house plants can be toxic, so it pays to eliminate or move them.
If you are on any kind of medication, you should ensure your dog never gains access to it. If your dog ingests your medications, it could be fatal. If the dog does consume some medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.
You need to have a physical every year, and so does your dog. Since your dog can’t speak, it may be difficult to know when he is having health issues. An annual vet visit can help you find problems early.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Talk to your vet about safer options, especially when there are kids around.
Be sure your dog is neutered or spayed. Research has proven that this can reduce your dog’s risk of cancer and make them healthier in general. Additionally, dogs who undergo this procedure are much less likely to wander off and maybe get into to an accident.
Take some time to schedule dog training sessions in your own home and backyard. It is unwise to do it where there are many strangers around. They can get distracted, which can make it harder to train them even basic commands.
Associate some hand signals to verbal commands when training your dog. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Try each way to see what works well with your dog.
Hand signals are great when they are paired with verbal commands. Your dog might learn commands more easily using this approach. Look at both options and see if one particular way works best.
Purchase or construct a dog house if your dog must stay outside when the weather is cold. If your dog happens to get his feet wet for a long period of time in cold temperatures, it can cause health complications. Keep your dog safe from the elements by providing him the dry shelter he needs.
When the dog does something right, be sure to lavish praise on him or her. This will show that you appreciate what your dog is doing. He’ll learn that praise will come when he is good, too.
Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed weekly. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. Simply purchase a pair of clippers from the store. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
Don’t buy your dog cheap dog food. The brands that are cheaper actually have lots of additives, preservatives and other harmful ingredients that can endanger the health of your dog. Use an animal advocacy group or some kind of consumer awareness group to see if you can get a list of good foods that are professionally recommended. Your dog will thank you for feeding him a better food.
Become acquainted with dog food labels and avoid buying based solely on cost. Long-term, the dog will do much better with nutritious, good quality food. Sure, it’s more expensive. But, isn’t your pet worth it?
Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later. If your dog is not under control, he could end up hurting you or someone else.
Becoming a foster home is a good way to work with dogs without committing to one on a long term basis. A lot of shelters that take in homeless or abused animals have a way to let you adopt them for a while. Fostering is a great way to help a dog and get a feel for what having a dog is like.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. This should be one of the first things that you attend to when you’re bringing home a new pet. The veterinarian will do a full checkup and set a schedule for his vaccinations. Speak with a vet about getting your dog neutered or spayed since there is a massive dog overpopulation problem that you don’t need to add to.
Dogs can get a cut on their foot if they step on glass or debris. If your dog experiences a cut, wash the area with antiseptic and put a bandage on it. See a vet if they have a deep cut.
Make sure you heed the vet’s instructions when it comes to medications and special care requirements. Your dog likely will not enjoy wearing a cone, but the vet prescribed it for good reason. You will leave your dog open to serious health problems down the line if you do not follow the advice from your vet for the health of your dog.
Make sure you select dog food very carefully. There are several types of dog food to choose from but you need to find a food that is adapted to the age and size of your dog. Feeding leftovers to a dog can save money, but a proper diet is harder to maintain with them eating leftovers.
Certain dog breeds are susceptible to some health problems, so make sure you know what is typical for the breed of dog you have. You might be able to prevent some conditions from developing by taking a little extra care of him from the beginning. Also, talk to your vet about things that can be done to increase the odds for your dog’s breed.
Adding a dog to your life is not a decision that should be taken lightly. A cute puppy tugs at the heartstrings, but you’re not thinking about all the responsibilities caring for it will involve. Consider all options so that you know you have taken care of everything.
Show your dog that you love him. Similar to other areas of life, dog owners notice a dog’s bad behavior rather than the good. With dogs, this can lead to trouble. Try to give your dog praise five times more than the amount of time you scold him. When you do this, you’ll see much better behavior from your dog.
Do not just think your dog is ok because he has a cold nose. A cold and wet nose could be due to many reasons, and it does not preclude illness. Using your dog’s appetite, attitude, and amount of energy, you can determine its health. These are good barometers of the dog’s health. You can also check the temperature rectally.
Be cautious with your female dog if she’s in heat. If you don’t, she may become pregnant. It is possible for a male to pick up her scent from miles away. This may also make other dogs fight and it could also get her pregnant which will make her have puppies from an unknown source.
Try to use positive reinforcement on your dog. Your dog will get a lot more out of rewards and praise than it’ll get out of aggressive behavior or punishment. Humane training is better for years to come and it’s more effective. If you treat your dog well during training, you’ll see excellent results.
When the weather is hot outside, check your dog daily for ticks and fleas. Try to get rid of any fleas by using what is called a flea comb. You should invest in some quality products designed to kills fleas and ticks. Speak with your vet concerning these products and other options.
Make sure you and your dog are prepared for hot summer weather. It is easy for dogs to overheat. In the summertime, be sure they can lay in a cool, shaded area. Keep clean, fresh water readily available at all times. Use some doggie sunscreen, too, since sun rays affect dogs.
Before getting a dog make sure you have thought about your daily routing, as well as special events like vacations. Most people want dogs, but sometimes they cannot give the dog everything that they need.
Remain firm. Some dog owners put up with destructive behavior and allow their dog to break the rules they have made. That usually happens with the cutest dogs! Be firm with your dog if you want to prevent behavior issues. For instance, you might not mind offering your dog your scraps when finished, but this can lead to your dog thinking it’s fine to jump and grab the whole steak from your plate!
You need to exercise some extra caution with your dog during the hottest months of the year. Dogs can overheat easily. Be sure your dog can cool off in the shade during the summertime. You need to ensure your dog has some cold and clean water. In addition, dogs are affected by the sun’s rays, so ask your vet about doggie sunscreens.
Ensure you regularly wash water and food bowls. This will keep your dog clean and sanitary. Wash the bowls every day and fill them with fresh food and clean water.
Keep your dog clean. While a dog doesn’t need a daily bath, they at least need a bath once a week. This prevents skin issues and helps your home stay clean.
If you can’t be with your puppy all day, crate training is probably ideal for you. This can help prevent damage to your home and unwanted urine or feces inside.
If your dog is a chewer, you should buy him chew toys. The satisfaction they provide are designed to direct his instincts away from household possessions and provide a health outlet for your dog. You can normally pick up chew toys from grocery stores or pet stores.
Your dog should be as clean as you are. While you don’t have to bathe your dog on a daily basis, giving it a bath once a week is recommended. This prevents skin issues and helps your home stay clean.
Stay up to date on pet food news, especially if it pertains to product recalls. In the past, there was food sold at stores that proved to be fatal to pets. Sign up for reputable online pet communities to stay abreast of the latest news. Often you can find out information from them before normal news sources.
There is quite a bit you have to keep in mind when you’re caring for your dog. It can be challenging on some days when there’s additional responsibilities other than a simple walk or feeding. Knowing how to care properly for your dog is important. Doing so will give you more enjoyable years with them.
When you have a dog that has a diarrhea problem for a few days in a row, it needs to go to the vet. Diarrhea can be caused by something your dog ate, but it should not last long. Getting your dog checked out is the best thing that you can do for its health.