Owning a pet is a lot of fun but there are many responsibilities involved. You have to understand what makes your dog tick. This article will provide you with great tips to help you be a great pet owner.
Being a dog owner can be very costly. Dogs require quality food, medical care, and general supplies that can vary in costs. You should also look into purchasing a good pet health insurance policy to avoid high medical bills.
Because non-verbal communication is vital to dogs, you should devote yourself to learning how to read your dog’s signals. If your dog gets stressed when meeting a new dog or person, don’t force them to meet. This could cause the dog to bite. Pay attention to the posture of the dogs and let them take their time.
It is important to use your lifestyle as a guide to what breed of furry friend you should get. Joggers should get a high energy dog, for example. Likewise if you are quiet home-body, look for a smaller dog that enjoys pampering and living it up on your sofa. When you match your traits and the traits of your pet, you will both be happy.
Speak with your vet to determine whether or not certain foods are okay to give to your dog. A puppy’s stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Never give your dog any food you are not sure of.
It is smart to use your hands to signal while dog training, as opposed to just your voice. When you give your dog these kinds of signals, he may learn faster. Try using both ways with your dog to see which works best.
Which breed you need to buy depends on your lifestyle. For example, if you live an active lifestyle it is probably best for you to find an active dog instead of a little dog. If you prefer to stay home curled up on your couch, go for a small dog that likes to be spoiled and that will curl up along with you. Getting the right fit for you will give you both much more joy.
Keep dogs mentally active by giving them many opportunities for physical exercise. Teach them to do things around the home to help or get a newspaper. The training will challenge him mentally and the affection you show for a job well done will bond him to the family routine.
Do not force your dog to do anything. Some dogs won’t love all treats, and you shouldn’t push your dog to like something. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.
Always teach your dog to walk properly on a leash. He should stay by your side, not in front of or behind you, and respond to the command “heel”. This will ensure that your pet is not too far ahead or behind you. The heel command is crucial for your dog, even if a loose leash walk is being used.
If you have your heart set on a purebred dog, realize that the city pound may be somewhere to look. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound. All you have to do is give your local shelter a call, and you can find out which breeds they have. You may save a poor dog’s life if you do this.
As the human, you’re job is to make sure that your dog’s needs are met. If you have the right information, this duty becomes easier to carry out. That is where the information you have just read comes in. Just try some of these tips, and you will see a positive difference in your dog.