You might think that you will find your dream dog at the local animal shelter or pet store. The end result might be different. Now that it is yours, it is your responsibility to make sure your new friend learns how to behave properly.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. Food and supplies can run you over one thousand dollars a year. Getting into a vet if you have an emergency can cost quite a bit of money, sometimes in the thousands, so you may need pet health insurance too.
Make sure your home is dog-proof. Check your whole home to be sure it is safe prior to bringing a dog home. Put cleaning supplies and medications away and keep indoor trash inside a cabinet. Since some plants are very harmful because of their toxicity, it’s best to get rid of them or put them in an area that the dog cannot get to.
Practice training your dog around your home, where you and your pup can be alone. It’s a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. They might feel distracted and not learn a thing.
It is a good idea to use hand signals when you are trying to train your dog, instead of just relying on verbal commands. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.
If the dog is doing something right, like sitting before he is leashed, lavish him with praise and affection. This will show that you appreciate what your dog is doing. This will teach your dog that praise comes from good behavior.
Find out what is going on that is causing your dog to act out. Turning a blind eye to it just makes it harder to fix down the road. Not only will it be difficult to curb the bad behavior, he can pose physical harm to you or someone you love.
Save Money
When you are getting dog food for your pet, don’t try to save money and get whatever is cheapest. Overall, your dog will benefit form a lifetime of quality food. It costs more, but you’ll save money on vet bills for health issues down the road.
Your dog must learn to walk on a leash correctly. Your pet shouldn’t be ahead of you, behind you, or anywhere that isn’t by your side. They should also answer correctly when you say “heel”. Having a dog that can properly walk on a leash will be more enjoyable for both you and your pup. Even if you’re using a loose leash from time to time, you should still train your dog so that it understands when you issue that command.
If you’d like to be a dog owner, but think you might not be able to handle the commitment, consider fostering dogs. Thousands of animals are living in shelters, which is less than ideal for many dogs, while they wait for a chance to be adopted. Fostering will help you become adapted to the life of a pet owner, and you will be making a difference in the life of a dog at the same time!
Learn what health problems are most typical for your breed of dog. Take the time to read up on your breed so that you don’t get any surprises down the road. Ask your veterinarian what steps can be taken to prevent issues that are common with your dog’s breed.
Separation anxiety could be a problem with your dog. If so, show him extra love and attention and leave music on while you are away. The music will calm the dog down, and they’ll feel like someone else is there. This may help ease the dog’s fears and calm him down just enough so he isn’t going crazy while he awaits your arrival.
If you only have one dog and they aren’t happy or can’t handle being alone a lot, consider getting them a companion. Because dogs typically run in packs, they typically love being around other canines. Choose a friend for your dog that has the same energy level and temperament and you will make your dog very happy.
Stay politically active for the sake of your dog. Be on the lookout for any new laws that may be passed which could restrict your rights as a dog owner. These sort of things typically happen because of a few dogs acting out, or popular opinions about a certain breed. You should always call the authorities.
With all of this great advice available to you, you would be a fool to ignore it. Use it so that your dog can be all you wish him to be. The happiest dog will make for the happiest owner.
