Nowadays, many animals are available as pets. You can choose a cat, a fish, a rabbit or a snake. If what you’re looking for is unconditional love, though, there’s no better bet than getting a dog. The following article offers great tips on how to take good care of your dog after bringing him home.
There are many pleasures derived from dog ownership, but it is also a serious financial commitment. Every dog is going to need supplies, good food, and will also need medical care. After all is said and done this could cost about $800 or more. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
Hugs are good, but kisses should be avoided. Dog kisses may be seen as cute, but their mouths aren’t all that clean. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. It’s an old wives’ tale that a dog has a very clean mouth. This is simply false.
Get your dog neutered. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. In addition, spayed or neutered dogs aren’t as likely to roam away from your home, which can result in them getting run over by a vehicle, killed by a bigger animal, shot, or kidnapped.
Be careful when selecting canine flea treatments. Many have ingredients that are dangerous to kids. Talk to the vet about different forms of treatment that are safer for use around small kids.
Table Scraps
Don’t give table scraps to your dog. That encourages him to beg and makes him not want his own food. Table scraps can be bad for his health as well, leading to obesity and digestive disorders. Put your dog in another room while the family eats, and do not allow him to reenter the dining space until dinner is done.
Take some time to schedule dog training sessions in your own home and backyard. It’s a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. There are too many distractions there.
In addition to verbal commands, employ a variety of hand signals when training your dog. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Try both methods to see which your dog prefers.
Ask your vet how much food your dog should get every day. Many people look at the guidelines on the dog food bag; the problem with this is that some of the recommendations may be inaccurate and could cause your dog to gain weight. Speak with a vet to see what you should be feeding your dog according to its needs.
Never force a dog to do something. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. Find out your dog’s likes and dislikes and feed him accordingly.
Keep the nails on your dog trimmed. Your dog will be in pain if the nails begin curling. These can be trimmed at home if you use nail clippers from the store. Can’t hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. This will keep his bones and muscles strong and healthy. Even the smallest amount of exercise, such as throwing a ball, will be good for your pup and you. It also grows your bond with the dog.
Teach your dog the right way to walk with a leash. Keep your dog at your side when you are taking a walk. Walking this way will help to keep your pet safe, and it will make it easier for you to enjoy walks too. Even if you decide to give him additional slack on the leash from time to time, teaching your dog to heel remains an important task as a pet owner.
Don’t leave your dog outside all day long. Dogs need to interact with people or with other animals. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. Keeping them out for too long also exposes them to the elements, so its best that you bring them inside so they don’t get sick being outside in really bad weather.
If your dog has separation anxiety or you wish to be really nice to them, keep music on while you are going to work. The sounds of the music will provide a sense of security and company for your dog. That might work to appease his anxiety during the time you aren’t home.
This article has primed you for bringing home a new dog. Continue learning and reading about dogs. This way, you and your dog can enjoy many happy years together.
