Most people believe that dogs can be man’s best friend. There is truth in that statement. If you understand how to deal with a dog, you will have a better relationship with him. Begin with the article below.
Owning a dog is quite a large financial commitment. When you add up the medical care, food and supplies in general, your costs could run from $700-$1000 annually. You should also look into purchasing a good pet health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills.
When it’s time for dog training, you’ll want to do it inside your house or in your yard. Don’t train them in any areas full of people. This can cause your dog to get distracted, which can make training them simple commands almost impossible.
When you first notice behavior problems in your dog, take proper steps to correct the behavior. If you ignore it, you are going to make the problem harder to contain, and you aren’t sure what the result of bad behavior will ultimately be. You don’t want to be the owner of a dog who hurts someone, so get a handle on it now.
Don’t buy the cheapest food for your dog. The brands that are cheaper actually have lots of additives, preservatives and other harmful ingredients that can endanger the health of your dog. Use a consumer awareness or animal advocacy group to obtain a list of the best foods that come with the highest recommendations by professionals. Your dog will appreciate your research.
Make use of hand signals when training your dog versus relying only on verbal commands. This is a very effective way to communicate with your dog. Give both methods a try, and see for yourself which your dog responds best to.
Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Dogs need routine activity and play in order to stay happy and healthy. From a walk to chasing a ball, everything counts. It gives you exercise and helps develop a relationship that will last forever with your dog.
If you are looking for dog of a particular breed, don’t discount your local pound. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound. Contact your pound and ask them what breeds are currently there. You can save the life of an abandoned dog this way.
Listen to your vet when he tells you how to administer medication or care. They may not like their cone, but they need it for a purpose. Vet recommendations are for the health and well-being of your dog and failure to adhere to them could result in serious problems.
Never leave a dog outside for long periods of time. You may see this on TV or in movies, but that doesn’t make it right. If you only have one dog, he can get lonely outside. In addition, in extreme weather, you must bring your dog inside to protect it from the weather and temperature extremes.
Your dog needs to wear some sort of identification in case he escapes your house. Have your dog wear a type of breakaway collar with identification to make sure they’re returned to you. Include your dog’s name and information on how to contact you. You may also consider having a micro-chip implanted.
By now, you should feel a little more confident about owning a dog. You now have all the necessary information, so you don’t need to worry regarding the care of your pet. Keep this article handy for when you need it again.