Caring for an animal is a lot of work. In fact, being a dog owner is a lot like caring for an actual human child. With lots of patience and knowledge, owning a dog isn’t as overwhelming as you might think. Continue reading to learn some tips on how to care for your dog.
It can cost a lot to take care of a dog. Dogs need good food, medical care and other supplies. This can add up to $500-$1000 a year. A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!
Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Statistics show that doing this can reduce your dog’s cancer risk, which can result in a longer life span. Also, dogs that get fixed won’t feel the need to wander away so that may mean that they won’t get into accidents like getting hit by a vehicle.
When you are training your dog, it is always best to incorporate the use of hand signals in addition to using verbal commands. Hand signals can really help your dog. Experiment with each way and determine what works.
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. Different breeds and stages of development might mean that certain brands and types of food cause an upset stomach. Be careful when deciding what to feed your dog.
Take your time to teach your dog what kind of behavior is right or wrong as soon as it occurs. Ignoring it for a while can make it harder to correct later and you don’t know what may happen if you don’t. You need to make sure your dog is happy to keep them in control and so he does not hurt anyone.
Stimulate your dog mentally and physically with plenty of exercise. Train him to do fun things like retrieve a ball. 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.
Be sure that your dog has some kind of identification in case it were to escape from your home. A breakaway collar that includes an ID tag will ensure the return of your dog if they should wander. The tag needs to have your name and phone number on it. Micro-chipping your dog is another option.
Dogs can cut their paw beds when stepping on glass, rocks or other debris. Clean any small cuts on your dog with antiseptic, and bandage the area. Deep or serious wounds must be seen by a vet.
If you’re adding a second dog to your home, try to let your first dog meet the second before bringing it home. Dogs are social animals and may or may not get along. If you find two dogs that can get along, you’ll save yourself some trouble.
Consider your lifestyle before you choose to have a dog. Lots of people want dogs, but actually caring for them requires a real commitment.
When you start training your dog, experiment with different rewards systems. Do what you can to learn what motivates your dog. Dogs that are driven by food may respond to small bits of hot dog used as rewards. If your dog has a favorite toy, reward the desired behavior with playtime with his toy. A few dogs are even motivated by being petted!
Those who want to care for dogs should take it seriously. Looking after a dog is almost no different in the level of responsibility it takes to look after a child. You can do a great job if you are motivated and want to provide the best environment possible for your dog. This article is here for your help when it comes to caring for your dog.