Do you love your dog? There is a reason why they call dogs a man’s best friend, as they sure do make a great companion to just about anyone. They are active, enjoy having fun, and are affectionate. They make wonderful friends. That’s why you have to be a good companion too, and make sure they are getting the right care. The following tips and advice will help you.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. Health insurance for your pet can be a great idea to help you in emergency situations.
While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. Your dog’s mouth is fairly dirty at any given time. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. Your dog’s mouth is not really any cleaner than a human’s mouth. This statement is most definitely not true.
Be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered. Research has shown that by doing this you can be sure your pet can have a longer life and not be at risk for things like cancer. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.
Whenever you bring your dog along on vacations, take a quick snapshot of him and keep it on your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.
Be careful with canine flea treatments. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Talk to your vet about safer options, especially when there are kids around.
Try using hand signals when training a dog instead of just using verbal commands. Your dog can figure out things easier when they get these signals. Always associate the spoken command and the hand gesture at first and choose the system that works best later on.
Praise your dog when he behaves or performs in the way that you have been training him to. This will show that you appreciate what your dog is doing. It teaches the dog that he gets praised when he does what you’d like him to do.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. Learn about your dog’s various likes and dislikes when you first bring it home.
Never leave any dog outside for long durations. This is done for various reasons, but your dog needs interaction with people. Especially if it’s only one dog, it can get very lonely. In addition, in extreme weather, you must bring your dog inside to protect it from the weather and temperature extremes.
You should carefully trim the hair near the paws to avoid matted hair. A comb is a good tool to straighten the dog’s fur before trimming. If you lack the confidence to attempt this, take the dog to a professional groomer.
If your dog seems lonely or seems to have separation anxiety, leave the radio or a CD on when you leave the house. Your dog will appreciate the company of the sound, and he will feel more secure. This little touch can help your dog feel less anxious as he awaits your return.
Just as your dog is a great companion to you, you must be a great companion to him/her. This advice will help you provide better care for your dog. It is important to provide your dog with a good environment and take good care of it so it lives a long happy life.