Are you thinking of becoming a dog owner? Is there one now living at your house? If you have answered yes to either of these questions, the tips below are perfect for you. You will find out some great information that will help you.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
Your home must be dog-proofed. Prior to bringing the pooch home, check that the whole home is safe. Store things like meds and cleaning products in a safe location, and be sure to keep any indoor trash cans behind a cabinet. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.
You should have your dog spayed or neutered. Research shows that taking this simple action can help your pet live a longer life, as it can reduce the risk of cancer. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.
Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don’t force interaction. This could cause your dog to get scared and to bite. You need to keep your eyes open for these signs.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. A lot of them have chemicals that might be bad for kids! Talk to your vet to learn about flea treatments that are safer and more family friendly, and always keep flea medication out of reach of children.
It doesn’t matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. Something could distract him, like a squirrel or a cat, causing him to leave your side. Your dog’s actions and safety is your responsibility.
Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Bones can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing devastating injuries. Rawhide bones are tested and veterinary approved, and they can benefit your dog’s teeth and gums too. Treat your dog to one regularly.
If your dog has to stay outside during cold weather, give him a dog house. A dog can get ill if he is left out in rough weather, so make sure you have a warm, dry dog house where he can rest. Keep your dog safe from wind, rain and snow by providing it with a house with lots of room and a dry floor.
Always correct any bad behavior you see in your dog as soon as you see it. If you ignore it you might make it worse than before. The dog may harm somebody, even you, so control them.
Regularly brushing your dog’s fur won’t just stop your pet from shedding on your furniture. Brushing your dog every day helps its coat become beautiful and shiny. Oil is distributed as you brush their hair, which keeps both fur and skin healthy.
Dog Needs
Make sure that your dog is not left alone outdoors all day. While this happens quite often, a dog needs interaction during the day. A dog with no companions can feel very isolated and stressed out if he is left alone outside. In addition, if severe weather strikes, your dog needs to come inside in order to ensure its protection.
Always follow your vet’s instructions to a tee. They may not like their cone, but they need it for a purpose. Vet recommendations are for the health and well-being of your dog and failure to adhere to them could result in serious problems.
If your dog has separation anxiety or you wish to be really nice to them, keep music on while you are going to work. This will help him feel more secure and provide him with a little company. The sounds might help to emulate a normal home environment when people are around.
Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise- both physical and mental. Teach him to get the newspaper and do other helpful things around the house. They’ll feel like a useful family member and the constant reinforced training will maintain their sharp thinking skills.
Are you well-versed in the knowledge of what it takes to be a dog owner now that you read this article? If you need to, spend some time rereading the tips. It will be a relief to know what to do if a problem arises. These tips can help you establish a good repoitre with your dog.
