Dogs need more than feeding and petting. Dogs need a lot of attention. But how do you know what it takes to properly care for your pooch? You will find a range of helpful tips and advice regarding the ownership of a dog.
It costs a lot of money to own a dog. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. Also, emergency care is a lot if your dog was to ever get sick; you may want to think about pet insurance.
Dogs can't talk, so you must learn their body language. If your dog gets stressed when meeting a new dog or person, don't force them to meet. This could cause your dog to harm a person or another dog. Watch for any of these non-verbal cues and let these guide your actions.
If there are prescription medications in your home, be sure to keep it out of your dog's reach. Swallowing a couple pills could can serious health issues, even heart attacks and seizures. If, by chance, a dog does eat some of your pills, contact the vet right away.
It is a great idea to put hand signals in use when you are training your pet; use them in conjunction with words. Your dog may pick things up much easier when they are given these type of signals. Find out the way that your dog prefers and use it.
Carefully consider what your home is like when deciding on a breed of dog. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. If you like to stay at home, perhaps you would like a small dog. When you match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
Don't get sub-par food for your dog that's from a bargain store. Many of the cheapest brands contain additives, preservatives and other things that can compromise the health of your dog. Try using animal advocacy groups or consumer awareness to get a list of great dog foods that have high professional recommendations. Your dog can really benefit from better food.
Stop trying to force your dog to do things. If you have purchased treats the dog does not appear to enjoy, do not force the issue. You need to find out what your dog does and does not like.
Take the time to correct bad behavior in your dog at the first sign of it. If you let it fester it can only make the problem much worse and eventually the dog becomes extremely difficult to train. Not only will it be difficult to curb the bad behavior, he can pose physical harm to you or someone you love.
The more time you take to learn about dogs, the more likely you are to master the field. This means that you can give your dog a longer life by letting it become your loyal companion. If your dog could, wouldn't you like him to learn all he can about you?
