Are you worried about your dog? There is so much to know for most owners and some may find it overwhelming. Other people often think their dog is the only one who misbehaves. You’ll find a heaping helping of useful dog care suggestions in the paragraphs below.
It can be quite costly to own a dog. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. 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.
Hugging is okay but kissing should be avoided. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs rummage through trash, drink toilet water and lick other dog’s body parts. It is not true that a dog has a cleaner mouth than a person. It’s not true.
Verbal Cues
Your dog speaks to you, but it is through non-verbal cues. Your job is to learn to listen carefully so you understand the message. When dogs seem hesitant upon meeting others, never force an interaction. This might result in another dog or a person being bit. Take heed of these non-verbal cues, and act accordingly.
If there are prescription medications in your home, be sure to keep it out of your dog’s reach. Many medicines that benefit you can be harmful or fatal to your dog. If your dog gets to your medication, you should call your veterinarian right away.
Do not feed your dog “people food”. If you feed from the table, he’ll become a beggar and stop eating his own food. A dog fed on table scraps will be prone to unhealthy weight gain, disruptive digestive problems, and other health issues. Make sure your dog does not sit near the table and beg, so you aren’t tempted.
Train your dog in your backyard or home, as these are safe, convenient areas. This will give you security and an area that your dog is comfortable. Distractions occur, making it difficult to get your dog to focus on basic commands.
It can be really helpful to incorporate hand signals with verbal commands when first training your dog. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Give both methods a try to find out which works best for your particular pup.
If a dog does something correctly like sitting before you leash them, give them lots of praise and affection. This will show that you appreciate what your dog is doing. Your dog is looking for ways to please you, and giving him your praise lets him know he has done just that.
If you are not sure whether dog ownership is a good idea for you, then you might want to try being a foster care provider for a needy dog. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. Become a foster parent to test the waters.
As someone who owns a dog, you know that a dog can keep you busy. Sometimes, caring for your dog may feel like a job. You should apply the tips you just read and take the time to educate yourself about dogs. Your worries will soon disappear.