Dogs are a good pet to have, they are very loyal. Still, not every pet is perfect from the very beginning. They require proper care along with some training to follow the rules you set for them. The following tips will help you learn more about your canine companion.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
Take the time to make sure your house is dog-proofed. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, make sure that the entire area is completely safe. Cleaning supplies and medications should be locked away, and any indoor trash cans need to be put in a cabinet. Make sure no toxic plants are in the vicinity of your dogs.
Hugs are good, but kisses should be avoided. A dog has a very filthy mouth. You don’t know where your dog’s tongue has been, and you’re better off not knowing. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. It certainly isn’t the truth.
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Your dog can’t speak to you, which means it isn’t easy to tell if they’re having a tooth ache or issues with arthritis. Making an annual trip to the vet is the best way to discover and deal with these kinds of problems when they’re still manageable.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
Your lifestyle can help determine what dog breed is a good match for you. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. Likewise if you are quiet home-body, look for a smaller dog that enjoys pampering and living it up on your sofa. Finding a dog that matches your personality will make both of you happy.
Real Bones
Don’t give your dog real bones. Real bones can chip or break and are dangerous for the dog. Rawhide bones are tested and veterinary approved, and they can benefit your dog’s teeth and gums too. Treat your dog to one regularly.
Certain dogs are prone to medical conditions and make yourself aware of this before selecting a dog. Research his heritage and take preventative steps for problems you know he is a candidate for. Also, ask your vet what you can do to help your canine beat the odds for his breed.
When you leave to work, leave music on for your dog just to be nice, or if he has separation anxiety. The noise from the music will comfort the dog and that can help the animal to feel secure. Doing this might help your dog get past its anxiety while it awaits your return.
You can keep your furry friend mentally as well as physically active through plenty of exercise. Teach your dog to get your newspaper as well as other things that are useful in your home. Your dog will feel like a useful member of the family, and the reinforcement will keep his training sharp.
Know that an animal doesn’t need too many people telling it what to do when it’s being trained. Not everyone will do things the same way, which can cause confusion. You need to put just one person on the task of teaching the dog.
It is a common occurrence for a dog to get a cut after stepping on glass or other debris. Clean any small cuts on your dog with antiseptic, and bandage the area. If the cut seems very deep, take him to the vet.
You might feel the urge to feed your dog a piece of your snack. Keep in mind that some foods are unhealthy for dogs. Grapes, chocolate, and caffeine are all things that you should never give your pup. Foods such as these can do a lot of harm to your dogs health.
By now you understand that it’s really quite easy to care for a dog. It might seem tough in the beginning, but the tips here have likely given you the proper direction to take. Remember the information from this article, and you will find it easier to care for your furry friend.