There is little out there that’s like getting a dog when you want loyalty and love. Dogs are great family companions and also companions of people that live alone. If you want to take better care of your dog, make good use of the following tips.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. Food, supplies and vet bills can add up to $1,000 or more per year. Also, emergency care is a lot if your dog was to ever get sick; you may want to think about pet insurance.
Hug your dog, but don’t kiss him. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. It’s an old wives tale that your dog’s mouth happens to be cleaner that a human being. That tidbit of information is plain wrong.
Try using hand signals when training a dog instead of just using verbal commands. It may be easier for your dog to learn commands if they see a visual signal. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
Talk to your vet about which foods you should be feeding your dog. Puppies can’t eat adult food and vice versa. Use your vets advice and common sense to feed your dog properly.
Don’t try forcing anything into your dog. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. When you are a new dog owner, it may take a while to figure out what he does and doesn’t like.
Daily brushing your dog has more benefits that just reducing shedding. Brushing keeps the coat shiny and healthy. Brushing distributes the natural oils of your dog’s fur evenly and it promotes the health of his skin as well.
If you are going to get a dog from the shelter, make a appointment with the vet. Dogs that live in shelters may be sick or may have been around other sick dogs. You need to ensure your dog gets their shots.
Do not buy cheap food items for your dog in an effort to save money. Over the course of the dogs life he will be much healthier if you stick to high quality food with plenty of nutritional value. This may mean higher costs for a better brand, but your dog will get great nutrition from proper sources.
Teach your dog the right way to walk with 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. Understanding that command is great, even if you choose to still walk with a loose leash periodically.
Taking care of a dog requires a lot of dedication and hard work. You have to do a lot more than just walking or feeding your pet. You must learn how to properly take care of your pet. You will have many great years with your dog if you learn how to care for them properly.