Dogs make wonderful, loyal pets. However, a new dog needs to be trained as soon as you adopt it. They require proper care along with some training to follow the rules you set for them. This piece will show you how.
It can cost a lot to take care of a dog. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. This will be helpful should he get lost.
Before giving your dog a new dog food, talk to your vet. A lot of the time a dog might not want to eat some brands of dog food, this might make them sick. Always be cautious about dog food.
Talk to the veterinarian about the proper amount of food for your dog. Some people feed the dog based on their food package recommendations, but these can be wrong and cause them to be overweight. Ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure which brands are best for your dog or need help with quantities.
If your dog needs to be outside during cold months, buy him a house or build him one. 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. Protect your dog from wind and precipitation by giving him a shelter that has a dry floor and plenty of space.
Be sure to address your dog’s bad behavior when you first notice it. Ignoring it for a while can make it harder to correct later and you don’t know what may happen if you don’t. You could end up with a dog that hurts other people, so make sure you’re in control at all times.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. If you neglect your dog’s nails, they will be in discomfort. It is easy to purchase a pair of clippers and attend to these yourself. If you are worried about doing this, simply take him to a groomer – it doesn’t cost very much to get his nails trimmed.
If you’ve got just one dog and he doesn’t seem all that happy or is left alone a lot, think about getting him a friend. Dogs are naturally pack animals, and they like to be around other dogs. Find another dog that has the same energy levels and temperament and you’ll be sure to find something your dog will love!
Know any canine laws that might affect your ownership. Keep watch on legislation in your area that may affect your rights as a pet owner. These legislatures generally arise from specific breeds or random cases of bad instances. Get in touch with local officials to let them know about the good behavior of your dog.
If your dog happens to have an accident in the house, make sure you remove all traces of it. Start with a professional quality cleaner, and follow that up with an odor remover you know will work. If your dog can still smell the spot he has marked, he will be likely to mark it again.
Taking care of a dog takes work but is not impossible. It will be a little difficult at first, but the above advice should have you pointed in the right direction. Use other quality resources, and talk to your vet if you need help with your dog.