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. You probably will not master this on the first day. The tips presented here will help you be a better owner to your dog.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. Food and supplies can run you over one thousand dollars a year. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
You must dog-proof your residence. Create a safe area to bring a new puppy into the home. Make sure all of the medicine is put away and the cleaning supplies are up and safe. Some houseplants are toxic and need to be kept out of your dog's reach.
Your dog needs to have an annual checkup, the same as you do. Your dog can't talk, it might be difficult to find out what is wrong if there is an issue. Annual checkups can catch these things before they become major problems.
Since humans don't speak dog, we need to figure out how to communicate with our pets non-verbally. You should never pressure your pet into interacting with strangers, be they human or canine. This can lead to a bad ending for your dog, the other pooch or the other person. So pay attention to your dog's demeanor and make your judgement from these cues.
Choose the correct flea medicine for your dog. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Ask your vet for recommendations instead, and keep children away while you're applying flea treatments.
When you are training your dog, it is always best to incorporate the use of hand signals in addition to using verbal commands. Using hand gestures can help your dog to recognize commands quicker. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.
Schedule a visit to the vet when you get a new pet. Don't wait to long to make your appointment. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. Also discuss the spaying or neutering process with your vet. This can help to eliminate unwanted animals and keep your dog happy and healthy for a longer period of time.
Trim the hair around your dog's paws to prevent it from getting matted up. Straighten the hair with a comb slightly before you do any trimming. If this scares you, have a professional do it.
If your veterinarian prescribes medication or special care for your pet, make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. Even if your dog resists, it is important for their health that you listen to the veterinarian. Any thing that your vet tells you to do should be done to ensure a healthy dog.
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. Always keep learning - with dogs there is still so much to learn!
