Caring for your dog is a major responsibility. In fact, being a dog owner is a lot like caring for an actual human child. Although it’s a big task, having patience and knowledge will help make it easier. You should read the following article to get a better idea of what owning a dog means.
Make sure that your dog is spayed or neutered. Research has shown this simple procedure can lessen cancer risks and can give your dog a longer lifespan. Also, dogs that are fixed lose their desire to stray from the home, lessening the chance of them getting lost or hurt.
You shouldn’t allow your pet off your property if it’s not wearing a leash, even if he is extremely well-behaved. A wild animal may set your dog off and send it running into traffic, or someone could provoke your dog and get injured by accident. You will be to blame if your dog gets hurt for being off his leash.
Ask your vet how much food your dog should get every day. Sometimes the guidelines on pet food labels aren’t correct, and following them could lead to obesity. Ask your vet what the right meal plan is for your dog.
A dog that spends a lot of time outside should have a warm and safe shelter in case it is needed. A dog can get ill if he is left out in rough weather, so make sure you have a warm, dry dog house where he can rest. Keep your dog safe from the elements by providing him the dry shelter he needs.
When a dog behaves badly, correct him immediately. The longer you ignore it, the more difficult it will be to correct it later, and the consequences could be dire. Also, the dog may end up hurting someone, perhaps even you.
When obtaining a shelter dog, you need to set up an appointment with your local vet immediately. Shelters expose dogs to a number of illnesses, and your pet could be ill already. You need to be sure that you get your animal all of the shots it needs prior to bringing it home.
Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise. Dogs need physical activity and play time; it’s good for their physical and mental health. Regardless of the activities you choose, the dog and you will surely benefit a great deal. You will thus offer necessary exercise, but will also build strong bonds with the animal.
Make an appointment with a good vet right after getting a new dog. This should be done as soon as he is adopted. A vet will make sure the dog is healthy and also set up a future schedule of vaccinations. Also, be sure to speak to the veterinarian about neutering or spaying your dog. There are plenty of dogs already in the shelter, and you don’t want to increase that problem.
You need to take your responsibilities as a dog owner seriously. Do the best you can to keep your dog happy and in good shape. It’s a hefty task, but you are more than qualified to do it. Follow the advice presented here to take good care of your best friend.