Many people currently have a dog or grew up with them. If you have a dog or want one, here is some information that will be helpful to you. Go over the following article to learn more about dogs and make sure you could properly take care of a pet.
There are many pleasures derived from dog ownership, but it is also a serious financial commitment. Food, vet care and supplies can add up quickly. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
It is important to puppy-proof your home. Don’t take a dog into your home without being sure that it is safe from top to bottom. Make sure anything toxic is put up. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.
If you have medication is your home, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. If the dog gets near the pills, then just a few of them could do serious harm and result in a trip to emergency room. If you find that your dog has eaten any medication, you should call a vet as soon as possible.
Talk with your vet about the foods you should feed your dog. If your puppy is very young, it might not be ready to consume specific brands, and feeding them to your pup can result in sickness. Be cautious of what you feed your dog.
Don’t make you dog eat something they don’t want to eat. If your dog doesn’t like a treat you give him, let it go. When you have a dog, get to know his likes and dislikes.
You need to make sure your dog can walk on a leash. He needs to know to heel next to you, not behind you or in front of you. If you do this, your dog will be safe, and it will be easy for you to handle. Even if your dog is sometimes walked on a loose leash, it should still know the command anyway.
If you’ve been considering adopting a dog but still aren’t sure, you could try to become a foster owner first. There are many animals who need a temporary home until they are adopted. Become a foster parent to test the waters.
Do not leave your dog outdoors for extended periods of time. It is important that your dog has interaction. If there is only one dog, he may become lonely. Also, they could be bitten by ticks, hurt by other animals or even abducted.
Local Shelter
If you are in the market for a pure bred pooch, consider checking your local shelter. People who aren’t fully committed to dog ownership often abandon their animals at the pound. All you have to do is give your local shelter a call, and you can find out which breeds they have. You could possibly be saving a dog’s life in the process.
Remember that too many people training your dog can mess up the training. Not everyone will do things the same way, which can cause confusion. Therefore, ensure that only one person is doing the training. The other people should only reinforce the person’s rules and stick by them.
Stepping on sharp objects or glass is a common hazard for dogs waling outside. Small cuts can be treated by washing, flushing with hydrogen peroxide and bandaging. If the cut seems very deep, take him to the vet.
Perform tick and flea inspections daily on the dog when it gets warmer out. Remove fleas with a special comb. A number of products saturate the market that help control fleas and ticks on your dog. Ask your vet which are best.
If you are looking for a new dog, bring your current pup to check him out. Dogs are quite social, though not all get along well. Finding dogs that like each other will save you headache and heartache in the long run.
After the above article, you should understand what you’ll need to do to care for your dog. Follow this advice for a positive dog ownership experience. Read this article over as many times as you must.