Regardless of your level of experience with dogs, it is likely that you know that there is a lot that goes into raising a new dog. It is not something you can simply jump into right away. Read through the following guide for some hints on how you can take better care of dogs.
It can cost a lot to take care of a dog. Every dog requires good quality food, general supplies and medical care; this can range in cost from $700 to $1000 per year. Emergency vet visits can cost a ton, so think about purchasing health insurance for your dog.
Make sure your house is free of doggy danger. Your entire home should be safe prior to bringing the dog inside. Store things like meds and cleaning products in a safe location, and be sure to keep any indoor trash cans behind a cabinet. Certain plants are toxic, and it’s best to move them, too.
You should not kiss your dog. In theory, giving a dog a kiss is cute, but realize that the mouth of a dog is generally very dirty. Dogs root around in garbage pails, drink enthusiastically from the toilet bowl and love to lick and smell certain body parts of other dogs. It’s a folk tale that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Make sure to keep prescription drugs out of the reach of your dogs. Just a few of your pills could literally kill your dog. If your dog eats your medication, see a vet right away.
When you are training your dog, you should practice in your home or in your yard. It is unwise to do it where there are many strangers around. Your dog could become distracted and will be tougher to teach.
Hand signals are great when they are paired with verbal commands. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Find out the way that your dog prefers and use it.
A dog that spends a lot of time outside should have a warm and safe shelter in case it is needed. Adverse weather conditions can be detrimental to your pooch, causing illnesses, anxiety and poor behaviors. A roomy shelter that protects from the windy, rainy, and snowy weather is the best option.
Stop trying to force your dog to do things. If your dog is not interested in a treat, do not force your pet to eat it. Keep an eye on your dog’s likes and dislikes.
It is important that your dog’s nails are not allowed to get too long. When they start curling under, the dog runs the risk of experiencing pain. These can be trimmed at home if you use nail clippers from the store. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, you can take him to the groomers and have them done for very little money.
The more you know about dogs, the easier it is to care for them. You must remain loving and patient and you will soon see that your dog appreciates it. Do some more research and be sure that you enjoy your furry friend’s company!