Whether you are considering getting a dog or you have one already, you're already aware that taking care of a dog can be complex. It's not something to be taken lightly. Use the following guide to find some great tips on taking good care of dogs.
It can be quite costly to own a dog. You will have to spend between $700 and $1000 a year to cover food and medical expenses. Emergency vet care is very expensive, in some cases thousands of dollars, so you might want to consider purchasing pet health insurance.
Take the time to make sure your house is dog-proofed. Create a safe area to bring a new puppy into the home. Hide cleaning supplies and medicines and hide trashcans in a cabinet. Some plants in your house may be toxic to your dog, so they should be kept where your dog cannot reach them.
Your dog cannot speak, so you have to interpret non-verbal cues. If they seem hesitant upon meeting up with other dogs or people, don't force interaction. This may lead to someone getting bitten. Keep eye on non-verbal clues and look toward your dog for your next move.
When you have medications of any sort, keep them where your dog cannot get to it. If your dog has access to these pills, there can be fatal consequences. If your dog happens to get into any such pills, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
Take some time to schedule dog training sessions in your own home and backyard. It's a bad idea to train a dog in a busy place. Distraction ensues, and it is harder to get your dog to focus on basic commands.
Use hand signals when training your dog along with verbal commands. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. For example, if you're a jogger, get a type of dog that can run with you, not a toy-poodle. By the same token, if you are a quiet person, you should choose a quiet lap dog. When you find the perfect match, you'll both be happier!
It's very important for your dog to get the correct amount of exercise. Dogs need routine activity and play in order to stay happy and healthy. No matter what, whether throwing their ball or taking a long walk, you'll both benefit from it. It will help you form a much stronger relationship.
Avoid leaving your pup outside all day. Dogs need to interact with people and other dogs. If your dog is alone outside, it will quickly get lonely. Keeping them out for too long also exposes them to the elements, so its best that you bring them inside so they don't get sick being outside in really bad weather.
Concern about caring for your pet should have been diminished now that you have read this article. As long as you care for your dog with love and patience, your pet will let you know what a good job you're doing. Try to learn as much as you can, and enjoy having a dog around.
