A dog is more than a cute bundle of energy that needs food and petting. Your dog also needs constant TLC. What is the right way to treat your dog? In this article, we provide ample advice culled from some of the best sources in dog training. Read on to learn more.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. You should also look into purchasing a good pet health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills.
Use your lifestyle to pick the dog breed you need to get. Do not buy a dog that is lazy if you are very active. By the same token, if you are a quiet person, you should choose a quiet lap dog. Both of you are sure to be happier if you choose a good match.
Make your home suitable for dogs. Make sure any area your dog will be in is safe. All cleaning materials and drugs must be put away, and put your trash receptacle inside a cabinet. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.
Ask your vet how much food your dog should get every day. Although some dog owners stick to the recommended guidelines on the dog food, these guidelines can often be too much for your dog, which can lead to obesity. Your vet will know how much to feed your particular dog.
When you brush your dog every day, you reduce shedding problems and benefit your dog’s health in many ways. Brushing your dog every day helps its coat become beautiful and shiny. When you brush the coat, oils from the skin are distributed throughout, and this is makes the coat soft and silky.
Make sure your pet has time each day to stretch his legs and move around. Dogs need consistent physical activity to ensure they are physically and mentally fit. Regardless of the activity you choose, whether it is a game of fetch or a walk around the neighborhood, both of you will benefit. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.
Because dogs cannot speak to you, it is important to learn their non-verbal cues. If your dog is fearful or shy, do not insist that they interact. That could lead to another person or dog being bitten. Watch for these non-verbal hints and let the dog guide your actions.
If you are considering a dog but aren’t sure, why not trying providing a good foster home for a dog? The shelters are full of homeless pups and lack many resources because of the overcrowding. Fostering a dog will both help the cause and allow you to test drive the responsibility involved with pet ownership.
Follow through according to your vet’s suggestions if your dog needs something special or has medicine. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. Any thing that your vet tells you to do should be done to ensure a healthy dog.
Leaving a radio playing while you are gone will help your dog stay calm and may alleviate separation anxiety. The sound will help him feel more secure and not as alone. This can significantly help reduce its anxiety.
When you’re thinking of taking a dog with you when you travel, snap a photo of the animal with your phone. This will be helpful should he get lost.
Dogs need to be exercised physically and mentally in order to stay healthy. You can teach your dog to be helpful with and respectful of things in your house. This kind of play will make your dog feel like a contributing member of the family and keep his mental functioning at a high level.
Female Dog
If you do not want your female dog to become pregnant, be careful with her when she goes into heat. Male dogs can pick up the scent of a female dog in full heat up to five miles away. The end result of letting an in heat dog run free is not only an unwanted litter, but also a dog who is prone to fighting and the resulting injuries.
Anti-flea products are dangerous. A lot of them can cause cancer in children. Bring up the subject of alternative and family-friendly treatments the next time you see your vet, and always be sure to apply these treatments when no children are present.
By taking time to educate yourself on dog behavior, you are more likely to succeed in raising an excellent pet. Your dog is ready to shower you with unconditional love. In return, why not do all you can for your pet’s health and well-being? If you were in his position, wouldn’t you like your owner to invest time into learning about you?
We hope you found our article interesting. If you have a dog and want help making sense of his or her character, we would recommend that you have a look at the resource below which includes a lot of information about dog training:
