You may already have a preconceived notion of what you expect from owning a dog. What you get could be very different. No matter what, you can find some tips here to help.

You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. Food and supplies can run you over one thousand dollars a year. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.

If you’re training your dog, don’t just use verbal commands. Try hand signals as well. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Experiment with each way and determine what works.

Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. 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. Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make you both more happy.

Talk to your vet about how much your dog should eat. It is important to follow guidelines for the sake of your dog’s health. Your vet will know how much to feed your particular dog.

Don’t give your dog real bones. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. Rawhide is much safer and also cleans teeth.

If your dog spends time outside, he should have a good house. You can purchase one or build one yourself if you are handy. Wet feet and cold fur can bring on health problems. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.

Daily Brushing

Daily brushing for your dog does more than simply prevent shedding. Daily brushing can help them acquire a beautiful, shiny coat. The brushing motion encourages distribution of the skin’s oil, leaving the coat healthy, soft and glossy.

If you get your dog from the pound, make sure you have a vet check him out right away. Shelter dogs have likely been exposed to all kinds of viruses, such as parvo and distemper, which are deadly. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.

Take your new dog to the vet. Make the appointment when you buy your dog. The veterinarian will make sure your pet is as healthy as you think he is and also talk to you about vaccinations. Speak with a vet about getting your dog neutered or spayed since there is a massive dog overpopulation problem that you don’t need to add to.

Avoid keeping your dog outdoors all day, every day. While this is what many people do, dogs require socialization with people and/or other animals. Dogs become lonely. Also, when the weather gets bad, you need to keep your dog inside.

Exercise is vital when you own a dog. Train him to do fun things like retrieve a ball. The training will challenge him mentally and the affection you show for a job well done will bond him to the family routine.

Dog Owners

Get into pet politics! Watch local legislation that passes to see how it regulates or restricts the rights and behavior of dog owners. These legislatures generally arise from specific breeds or random cases of bad instances. Speak up for the rights of responsible dog owners everywhere by contacting local officials.

Bring your dogs to their scheduled appointments. The vet will be able to spot signs of diabetes, thyroid issues and kidney trouble a while before your dog shows any signs. This can save you money if you catch a serious illness before it becomes worse. It may also save the life of your dog.

Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly. Your dog should see a vet at least twice a year to make sure they are in good health and that they do not need new shots. Puppies must visit the vet more often. If your dog seems sick or hurt, you should go to the vet immediately.

Make sure that you use the tips and advice from above. Apply this advice to ensure your dog is more pleasant and fun to be around. There is nothing greater than receiving unconditional love from a well-trained pet dog.