Dogs have spent thousands of years as domesticated animals. It is clear that dogs and humans are meant to be together, and everyone is happy with that arrangement. You are the human, so that puts you in charge of ensuring your dog is healthy. Use the tips from this article to help you know understand how to have a healthy dog.
Be sure to have your dog 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. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.
It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. If he just so happens to run away from you, you should have a picture so you can find him.
It costs a lot to own a dog. Food, supplies and vet bills can add up to $1,000 or more per year. Health insurance for your pet can be a great idea to help you in emergency situations.
It’s a good idea to have your regular dog training sessions in your own yard or at home. It’s never good to try and train your pet when there are quite a few people around. It will be very distracting for your pup.
To improve the dog training process, try using hand signals in addition to verbal commands. Dogs tend to read body language and signs very well. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
Your vet can give you some good advice on what you should feed your dog. A lot of the time a dog might not want to eat some brands of dog food, this might make them sick. Be careful about which foods you feed your dog.
If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Consuming even a single pill can cause serious health problems or your dog. If the dog does consume some medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.
It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. For example, if you’re a jogger, get a type of dog that can run with you, not a toy-poodle. If you much prefer to be at home, a small dog that enjoys a lot of inside time is an ideal choice. You and your dog will both be happier if you are a perfect match.
Don’t buy the cheapest food for your dog. The cheaper brands actually contain a lot of preservatives, additives and other ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. Get a list from an animal advocacy or consumer awareness group of the highest recommended foods to give your dog. You will see a difference in your dog’s activity level and general happiness when you feed him “good” food.
Rawhide treats are better for your dog than real meat bones. Bones can chip and get lodged in the digestive tract or mouth. 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.
If you are teaching your dog, do it at home. You should avoid training in heavily populated areas. Being around others can cause distractions, meaning it is more difficult for your dog to master basic commands.
Take your time to teach your dog what kind of behavior is right or wrong as soon as it occurs. When you ignore this behavior, your dog thinks that it is okay. Your dog might hurt someone else, or you, so take steps to control him early on.
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. This is because the motions you go through while brushing evenly distributes the skin’s oils and helps keep the skin healthy, shiny and soft.
As a dog owner, you must take the time to care for your dog’s physical and emotional needs. It might be easier than you think after reading this article. Just use the things you’ve learned here on a daily basis and you will have a happier pet.
It doesn’t matter how good your dog is, you should never leave your property without keeping him or her leashed. Wild animals could grab their attention, causing them to run into dangerous territory, or they may have an unpleasant situation involving other dogs and people. Your dog is your responsibility.
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