Owning a dog can bring a lot of happiness to your life, but that is not true of every dog. You need to know certain things if you want to enjoy your dog’s company. You should go over this article to learn more about dogs and what you can do to be a good pet owner.
Owning a dog is quite a large financial commitment. Not only do you have to buy food, but you have to pay their vet bills and purchase other items that they need. You could spend as much as a thousand dollars in one year on your pet! 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.
Give your dog hugs, but don’t kiss him. While those sloppy kisses may be cute, be aware that your dog’s mouth is apt to be crawling with germs and bacteria. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is not true, at all!
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. They contain carcinogens proven to cause cancer in kids. Talk to a vet about safe alternatives and keep little kids away when applying any flea treatment.
When you have to train a dog, your home and/or yard is the right place to do it. Training in busy areas with lots of people around should be avoided. They may get distracted and it will be more difficult to teach them even the most basic commands.
Find out what is going on that is causing your dog to act out. When you ignore this behavior, your dog thinks that it is okay. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.
There are more advantages to daily brushing of your dog than just keeping your home hair free. Brushing your pup daily will help make their coat shiny. This is mainly due to the fact that brushing allows the oils in the skin to be distributed evenly. That keeps the skin soft, shiny, and healthy.
Schedule a vet appointment before adopting a shelter dog. Dogs that live in shelters may be sick or may have been around other sick dogs. It’s crucial that your pet has all necessary shots before it’s brought into your house.
If you want to a great dog owner, you have to know certain things. Picking out a new puppy to be your companion is the easy part. It takes some responsibility on your part. By applying what you have learned from this article, the time you spend with your pet will be made enjoyable.
