There is nothing like a dog if you want affection, love, and loyalty. Dogs make wonderful pets for the whole family, or they can provide companionship for those living on their own. To take great care of your animal, use the tips that follow liberally.
It costs a lot of money to own a dog. Every dog requires good quality food, general supplies and medical care; this can range in cost from $700 to $1000 per year. Pet health insurance can help; although you will pay a monthly or yearly fee, you will often be covered if a big medical emergency occurs for your pet.
Your home must be dog-proofed. Before bringing home your new pup, make sure that it’s safe. Cleaning supplies and medications should be locked away, and any indoor trash cans need to be put in a cabinet. Keep house plants out of his reach, especially if they could be poisonous.
If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Swallowing a couple pills could can serious health issues, even heart attacks and seizures. If the dog does consume some medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Be wary about certain flea treatments to use for your dog. A lot of them have chemicals that might be bad for kids! Talk to your veterinarian about the safest options, and don’t let your kids near the dog while you’re doing a treatment.
Dog training should take place on your property. Training in busy areas with lots of people around should be avoided. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
You need to ask your vet to make sure the food you are feeding them is good. Sometimes, your puppy may not be developed enough to consume certain brands, as this can lead to an upset stomach or sicknesses. Always exercise caution when it comes to your animal’s food.
Do not buy the cheapest dog food. The cheaper brands actually contain a lot of preservatives, additives and other ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. Check with animal advocacy groups or consumer reviews to find the best dog foods that are recommended by professionals. Your dog can really benefit from better food.
Don’t force your dog to eat something. If your dog doesn’t like a particular treat, don’t force him to eat it. It’s important to take your pets likes and dislikes into consideration and to not push them into anything unnecessary.
Correct bad behavior the first time you see it from your dog. Ignoring it can help your dog to establish lifelong bad habits. The longer you wait to address the problem, the worse the problem will become. This could lead to huge problems down the road.
Should you visit a shelter to adopt a dog, take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. Shelter dogs could be sick or exposed to different viruses. Have your dog checked over and given vaccinations as soon as possible.
Make sure your dog comes back to you by ensuring that they have some form of identification. A popular way to ensure your dog gets back home safely is to make them use a breakaway collar that has an identification tag. Include all personal information necessary on this tag. The dog could also get a micro-chip implanted in it.
You should remember the quote about too many cooks spoiling the soup while trying to train your dog. Everyone has their own methods, and experiencing a number of them can leave your pooch confused. You need to put just one person on the task of teaching the dog.
So much must be considered in order to take proper care of your beloved dog. There is more to dog care than going for walks and providing food. Caring for your dog is of the utmost importance, and one in which you will need to learn. If you do, you will have a happy, healthy dog for many years to come.