Caring for an animal is a lot of work. If you decide to become a dog owner, be prepared to spending a lot of time training your dog and playing with it. However, with the right education and a lot of patience, this can be a rewarding journey. This article will provide you with great tips for caring for your dog.
It can be quite costly 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. It can cost a lot of money to take your dog to the vet in an emergency, so you will want to investigate health insurance for your pet.
Your dog needs annual medical exams. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. A checkup every year can make sure that issues are caught before he is suffering too much.
Verbal Cues
Because dogs cannot speak to you, it is important to learn their non-verbal cues. If you notice your dog is hesitant to meet a particular person or dog, don’t force it. This may cause another dog or person to get bit. Look for non-verbal cues and follow what the dog is telling you.
Use hand signals when training your dog along with verbal commands. Dogs tend to read body language and signs very well. Not every dog will learn the same, so try different techniques with your dog.
Speak with your vet to determine whether or not certain foods are okay to give to your dog. Some foods can cause sickness or an upset stomach. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.
Ask your vet how much food your dog should get every day. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, these guidelines can be incorrect and lead to an overweight dog. Check with you vet to find out about the feeding guidelines for your particular dog.
Your dog will need a dog house if it is going to be outside in colder temperatures. Your dog could get sick if he is left outside in the cold or if the ground is wet. Your dog needs a space that is dry and provides him with adequate shelter.
Make sure your dog always has trimmed nails. Long nails cause huge amounts of pain. Try trimming them with scissors you buy at the store. If you do not want to take this matter into your own hands, hire a professional.
Taking proper care of your dog should be taken seriously. You dog’s health and happiness depend on your care in exactly the same way as the health and happiness of a child. It’s not going to be easy at first, but you should have the skills needed now to care for your pet. If you need some assistance, reread this article for advice. Your pet will thank you for it!
