Do you want to save a puppy at the pound? Would you prefer a pure breed? Whether you want a show dog or a loving old mutt, bringing a dog into your life will supply you with hours of love. You must care for them properly, so read on to find out how to get it done.
Being a dog owner requires a financial commitment. You will have to spend between $700 and $1000 a year to cover food and medical expenses. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
While you can hug your dog, you should avoid kissing your dog. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is not in the least bit true.
You need to have a physical every year, and so does your dog. Since dogs cannot talk, it’s difficult to know if your dog is in pain. Regular checkups will assure these issues are caught before they turn into something big.
Be careful of the ingredients in many flea treatments. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe. Bring up the subject of alternative and family-friendly treatments the next time you see your vet, and always be sure to apply these treatments when no children are present.
Table Scraps
Avoid giving your dog scraps from your table. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Giving your dog table scraps isn’t good for his health as it could result in weight gain and digestive problems. Train your dog to sit far away from your dining room so that you and your family won’t be tempted to feed it table scraps.
If your dog does something the correct way, such as sitting before you put the leash on, make sure that you give it tons of affection and praise. He needs to understand that this is the right thing to do. Your dog will soon understand that good behavior is rewarded with praise.
Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. It has been proven that rawhide is healthy for your dogs teeth, therefore avoid giving your dog natural meat bones.
Should you visit a shelter to adopt a dog, take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. You never know what condition the dog might be in. It’s crucial that your pet has all necessary shots before it’s brought into your house.
When you get a new dog, schedule a visit with a vet. Make an appointment as early as possible. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. You should also have your dog neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.
If you have to leave your dog alone for a whole day, leave a radio or a TV on. This will help him feel more secure and provide him with a little company. It may just be the fix needed for the dog’s anxiety problems until you get back to the house.
You have the information you need to properly care for your new dog now, so get ready to show your dog its new home. Keep learning to be have a pet that is healthy and happy. Think about joining a dog forum to chat with fellow dog owners. You will gain valuable information by doing so.