Owning a dog is a serious matter. You must always understand that your actions are the key to your dog's health and happiness. However, you can't take good care of your dog if you don't know what you're doing. In this article, you'll find some important tips.
It takes a lot of money to raise a 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.
An annual checkup at the vet is a great idea for your dog. Your dog can't speak to tell you he's in pain. A veterinary checkup can speak when your dog cannot, and it might help you to detect health problems before they become severe.
Have your dog spayed or neutered. This reduces the chances of cancer and helps keep the stray animal population down. They are also more likely to remain close to home, reducing their risk of becoming lost or getting injured by a car or another animal.
Avoid giving your pooch table food. This will make him want human food every time you have a meal. A dog fed on table scraps will be prone to unhealthy weight gain, disruptive digestive problems, and other health issues. Keep the dog away from your table when you eat to avoid any temptation on both parts.
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 have a better time understanding you when you use manual signals. Every pet is different though, so use a combination of both verbal and visual cues and then determine what works the best.
It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. If you love to run, seek out a pooch that will love to run alongside you. If you prefer to stay at home, seek out a small dog that loves to snuggle on the couch. Avoid a mismatch if you want both of you to be happy.
If you aren't sure of the amount of food your dog needs on a daily basis, talk to your vet. Sometimes the guidelines on pet food labels aren't correct, and following them could lead to obesity. The vet will know what is best for your pet.
Exercise your dog frequently. A dog requires regular exercise and game time; it keeps him healthy and happy, both mentally and physically. From a walk to chasing a ball, everything counts. It also grows your bond with the dog.
When you get a new dog, schedule a vet visit for soon after you've brought him home. As soon as you bring your new dog home, make an appointment with your vet. In addition to giving your dog a check up, the vet will schedule vaccinations. Speak with a vet about getting your dog neutered or spayed since there is a massive dog overpopulation problem that you don't need to add to.
This information is for you to use, so start now! Change your habits to accommodate your dog and you will find great rewards come from your effort. There isn't a reason to have a dog if you don't want their life to be fantastic.
