Do you want to know more about dogs? It can seem to be a difficult chore to look after a dog. Others believe they are doomed to live with a dog that simply cannot behave. This article contains some of the most often recommended tips that can help your dog to live a happier life and behave in a more respectful way toward your family and friends.
Owning a dog takes a bit of money. Good quality dog food and medical care can cost between $700-1000 a year. One huge expense you might encounter is emergency vet care, so you may want to think about getting health insurance for your pet.
You should not kiss your dog. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. Dogs are always getting into garbage, drink from places like the toilet, and they clean their bodies with their tongues. There is an old wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. That tidbit of information is plain wrong.
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Your dog is not able to talk, so it is not easy to know when he’s got arthritis or an aching tooth. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
Have your dog spayed or neutered. Research has proven that this can help your dog live longer and also specifically help prevent cancer. Dogs that are neutered or spayed don’t have strong urges to leave their home, reducing their chances of getting hit by a vehicle or getting lost.
Erbal Cues
Obviously, dogs are unable to sleep. Therefore, you have to pay attention to your canine’s non-verbal cues. If you notice that your dog is timid around strangers or other dogs, you shouldn’t attempt to force its interaction with them. This can lead to a bad ending for your dog, the other pooch or the other person. Look for non-verbal cues and follow what the dog is telling you.
Do not overlook your dog’s bad behavior. If you ignore an unwanted behavior, it is as good as reinforcing it. It will become very difficult to correct the more time passes. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so take steps to control him early on.
Brushing your pup daily can do much more than reduce shedding in your home. Brushing daily can ensure your dog’s coat is shiny and healthy looking. When you brush the coat, oils from the skin are distributed throughout, and this is makes the coat soft and silky.
Properly Walk
Properly teach your dog how to walk with a leash. To properly walk your dog, he must remain directly at your side instead of behind or in front of you. Having a dog that can properly walk on a leash will be more enjoyable for both you and your pup. Even if your dog is sometimes walked on a loose leash, it should still know the command anyway.
If you want to get yourself a new dog, but aren’t totally sold on the idea, you could try to get a foster pet. There are many less than fortunate dogs in shelters that would love to find a forever home. Foster one of these dogs to help and see if you wish to care for one.
Never leave a dog outside for long periods of time. This is common for people to do, but dogs should interact with others. If there is only one dog, he may become lonely. You need to bring your dog inside the house when it is inclement weather outside.
If you own a dog, you know that pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. Sometimes it can feel like you are working non-stop. You should now have the information you need to help you be the best pet owner possible. Less stress is going to lead to a much happier you.