Owning a dog is a very serious responsibility. It is up to you to provide a healthy and loving environment for your dog. Being the best pet owner you can be means learning what you can. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips.
Being a dog owner requires a financial commitment. Food, supplies and vet bills can add up to $1,000 or more per year. Emergency vet visits can cost a ton, so think about purchasing health insurance for your dog.
Make your home safe for your dog. Prior to bringing the pooch home, check that the whole home is safe. Put all medication and cleaning supplies away, and keep your indoor trash can inside a cabinet. Some plants that are usually kept in the home are poisonous to pets, so move them where your dog cannot get to them, or put them out of your home completely.
Be sure to have your pet 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 are fixed do not want to run away as much.
Train your dog indoors or in the backyard. You do not want to train your dog around a bunch of people. Distraction ensues, and it is harder to get your dog to focus on basic commands.
Use your lifestyle to pick the dog breed you need to get. If you are very active, think about getting a dog that will run with you. When you prefer to stay home, choose a small dog who doesn’t need much outdoor time. You and your dog will both be happier if you are a perfect match.
If your dog does something the correct way, such as sitting before you put the leash on, make sure that you give it tons of affection and praise. This communicates to your dog that he is doing just exactly what you want. In this way, your dog will learn that desired behavior brings praise.
Check with your vet to determine the amount of food to feed your dog daily. Simply reading the label on your dog food package may not be enough; your dog may have special needs. Ask your vet what the right meal plan is for your dog.
Don’t buy your dog cheap dog food. The cheaper brands actually contain a lot of preservatives, additives and other ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. Check out professional recommendations from groups online. Food that is healthy will benefit your dog.
Try giving the dog rawhide versus actual meat bones. Genuine bones can chip, and the pieces may become stuck in your dog’s teeth or digestive system. Rawhide has been proven to be healthy for your dog. It is excellent for its teeth too, so do not give in to the temptation to give your dog a real bone no matter how hard it begs.
You need to make sure your dog can walk on a leash. Your dog should remain at your side and know the command “heel.” If you walk in this way, you will be sure that your pet is safe so that your walks are more enjoyable. Not having to hold the leash tightly will make going for walks easier.
If you are not sure whether dog ownership is a good idea for you, then you might want to try being a foster care provider for a needy dog. Many homeless dogs are waiting for a home in shelters, where overcrowding is a major problem. Fostering a dog will allow you to do some charity work and see if you really want a dog!
The information is at your fingertips, so delay no longer. Use the tips here to help you to become a better dog owner and you’ll be sure to notice the benefits. You should not own a dog if you do not want to give it a good life.