Having a dog is a great addition to the family. Dogs are valued as pets by many people, and there are good reasons for it. They are loving and fun. They are great companions. That means you need to be a great companion for them too. Here are some tips to help you along the way.
Keep in mind that dogs are expensive. You will have to spend between $700 and $1000 a year to cover food and medical expenses. Emergency care for animals can cost thousands of collars, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Because your dog can’t speak with you, you may have trouble knowing when your dog is feeling pain like if it has arthritis. Taking your dog for a yearly checkup allows relatively minor problems to be detected before they turn into major issues.
Associate some hand signals to verbal commands when training your dog. When provided with signals of this type, dogs tend to pick things up faster. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
Keep the nails on your dog trimmed. When they start curling under, the dog runs the risk of experiencing pain. You can trim them yourself with a pair of store bought clippers. If you are worried about doing this, simply take him to a groomer – it doesn’t cost very much to get his nails trimmed.
Make sure your dog engages in sufficient amounts of exercise. Regular play and exercise is essential to keep your dog happy, both physically and mentally. Your dog will be happy with any kind of activity, even if it’s just going for a walk or throwing them a ball. Not only will your canine buddy get the stimulation required for staying healthy, the two of you will bond much more closely.
Train your pet on how to behave correctly when leashed. Your dog should learn to walk by the side of you, teach them to ‘heel’. Walking like this can keep them safe and help you enjoy walks too. Even if you decide to give him additional slack on the leash from time to time, teaching your dog to heel remains an important task as a pet owner.
If you are considering a dog but aren’t sure, why not trying providing a good foster home for a dog? A lot of abused and homeless animals are in shelters waiting, but resources are slim. Become a foster parent to test the waters.
Affection works both ways; love your dog as much as he loves you. You can be the best caregiver for your dog with these tips in hand. Your dog deserves longevity and happiness, and you can provide that for him.