It’s never going to be easy all of the time when you own a dog. In many ways, having a dog is very similar to having a child in your home. You will be responsible for feeding your dog a proper diet, grooming, cleaning up the messes it makes and taking it regularly to a doctor for vaccinations. Learning everything about training a dog can take some time. Continue reading and learn more about being a responsible 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! A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
It’s very important to make sure that your home is safe for a dog. Prior to bringing your dog into your home, be sure that it is entirely safe. Medicine and cleaners should be stored, and indoor trash should be placed in a cabinet. Some plants that are usually kept in the home are poisonous to pets, so move them where your dog cannot get to them, or put them out of your home completely.
If there are prescription and other medications within your home, keep them away from your dog. Just a few of your pills can be disastrous for the dog, inducing a heart attack or seizure. Call your vet as soon as possible if your dog swallows any pills.
Be wary of the flea treatment you’re going to use on your dog. There are ingredients in some of them that can risk cancer in your children. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian, and see if he has more holistic treatment options that might help to keep your pet free from fleas and your family safe.
Nip bad behavior in the bud. If you ignore an unwanted behavior, it is as good as reinforcing it. It will become very difficult to correct the more time passes. Your dog could hurt somebody, including you, so keep him under control.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. As soon as your dog is brought to your home you should get an appointment scheduled with the vet. The veterinarian will do a full checkup and set a schedule for his vaccinations. Talk with a vet about your dog being spayed or neutered. There are lots of homeless dogs and you don’t want to make the problem worse.
A foster home is something you can provide for a dog that needs it. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. Fostering is a great way to help a dog and get a feel for what having a dog is like.
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. That noise will help your dog feel more secure, and it will help him feel he’s not alone. It might help with any anxiety issues.
If your dog is lonely, consider a friend for him. Dogs are usually in packs by nature and this means they enjoy being around one another. Matching a dog up with another of a similar disposition will make your dog very happy.
You can keep your furry friend mentally as well as physically active through plenty of exercise. Teaching your dog tricks, such as fetching your shoes or the paper, is a fun activity and it also will stimulate your dog’s mind, keeping him alert and attentive. This kind of play will make your dog feel like a contributing member of the family and keep his mental functioning at a high level.
Get your dog spayed, and if you have a female in heat, take extra care that she does not become pregnant. Male dogs can smell her scent from up to five miles. This may cause a fight or impregnation if a male dog spots her.
Make political decisions which will help your dog! Keep track of local laws which affect dog owners. These pieces of legislation are typically motivated by a single incident, one particular breed or a limited number of misbehaved dogs. Get in touch with local officials to let them know about the good behavior of your dog.
Anytime your dog has an accident in your home, remove any trace of it. Utilize professional grade cleaners and odor removers as well. If your dog can still smell its waste, it may use the bathroom in that spot repeatedly.
Wash the dishes your dog uses on a fairly frequent basis. Just like you do not want to continuously eat and drink from bowls that are not very clean, your dog doesn’t either. Wash bowls daily and fill them up with fresh water and food.
You need to use these tips to raise a healthy and happy dog. If you want to become the benevolent, caring master your dog deserves, you should be well on your way. You’ll find the road to responsible dog ownership a little smoother and less challenging, and you and your canine companion will have a longer, better relationship.