Caring for dogs is a huge amount of work. It’s similar to caring for a kid, except they bark instead of cry. If you take the time to educate yourself and apply some patience, you can easily become a responsible dog owner. Keep reading for some useful dog tips.
It’s very important to make sure that your home is safe for a dog. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Make sure no toxic plants are in the vicinity of your dogs.
Just like people need regular yearly physicals, dogs need the same thing. Dogs can’t talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? A checkup every year can make sure that issues are caught before he is suffering too much.
It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.
When choosing a dog, make sure you consider your lifestyle. For instance, if you jog, a toy poodle may not be as great a choice as a dog that is able to run with you. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. Avoiding a mismatch means both of you will be happier.
Do not buy your dog a particular brand of food just because it is cheap. Cheap brands usually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the health of your dog. Check with an animal advocacy group for a list of foods you should be feeding your dog. Your dog will be in better health when he has high quality food.
Do not try to feed your dog something they do not like. If you’re trying to get your dog to eat a new treat and it’s not showing any interest, don’t force them to eat it. It’s important to take your pets likes and dislikes into consideration and to not push them into anything unnecessary.
When a dog behaves badly, correct him immediately. The longer you ignore it, the more difficult it will be to correct it later, and the consequences could be dire. Your dog could hurt somebody, including you, so keep him under control.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. This will keep his bones and muscles strong and healthy. No matter what, whether throwing their ball or taking a long walk, you’ll both benefit from it. It also grows your bond with the dog.
Do not try to save money by choosing the cheapest dog food. Over the course of the dogs life he will be much healthier if you stick to high quality food with plenty of nutritional value. This may mean that you have to pay a higher price, but you will know your dog is receiving all of the nutrients he needs.
You can always choose to foster a dog for a few weeks if you’re not sure about making the full commitment of dog ownership. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. Fostering an animal will help animals and help you decide whether or not you would like to keep a dog of your own.
If you are in the market for a pedigree pup, you just may find him at the pound. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. Make a phone call to local pounds and shelters and see what kinds of dogs are there. You can save the life of an abandoned dog this way.
Taking proper care of your dog should be taken seriously. Just like caring for a kid, your dog must have what it needs so it can survive. It can be a huge undertaking but something that can be easily accomplished by just about anyone. This piece is a great resource for helping you care properly for any dog.
