Dogs make wonderful pets. They provide their owner with joy, unconditional love and loyalty. The more you know about caring for dogs, the better. This article will give you the start you need in your journey to canine wisdom.
Having a dog at your home is a big financial commitment. Each dog needs quality food, medical care and general supplies. It can cost you around $1000 each year. Pet insurance can be very helpful since emergency medical care for your dog can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances.
Have your dog spayed or neutered. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. It also keeps dogs from humping, running away from home or becoming violent at puberty.
If your dog is coming along on a family vacation, keep a picture of him handy or take one using your phone. This way, if you find out that your dog went missing along the way, you will have a recent picture that you can show to people when you go out to look for you pet.
Praise your dog when he behaves or performs in the way that you have been training him to. You want to let your dog know that the behavior is something that you want to see. It teaches your pup that he will be rewarded for good behavior.
You don't want to buy the bargain dog food. Less expensive dog foods include fillers and additives that are not beneficial to your dog's health. Find a list of recommended dog foods from the vet or an advocate for animals. The higher quality food will benefit your dog profoundly.
Don't ever give your dog bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide is proven healthy and great for teeth as well, but don't be tempted to share that T-bone, no matter what kind of eyes your dog gives you.
Daily brushing brings great rewards - much more than just a reduction in shedding. It'll also give them a very beautiful and shiny coat. When you brush a dog, you are moving the skin's oils evenly throughout its fur, so it really makes the fur shine and feel great.
You can find pure breeds at the dog shelter. A lot of dog owners leave their dogs in the city pound when they can't look after their dog anymore. Visit your local animal shelter to see the dogs they have on offer and ask about breed-specific rescues. This could help you save the life of a dog.
Be politically active when it comes to your dog. Make sure that you know all legislation that may be going through your local system. Some of it may be trying to regulate you as a dog owner. Many times new, overly-restrictive ordinances have incredibly broad impacts when they're only intended to affect a tiny minority of pet owners. You should always call the authorities.
In summary, dogs help their owners experience unconditional love. However, in order to have this wonderful companion you will need to gain as much knowledge about them as you can. The tips in the article above can give you a starting foundation on quality care for your pet. Apply them to become the best dog owner that you can be.
