You have probably heard that dogs are man’s best friend. This saying is quite true. If you know how to handle a dog, your relationship with him can be a great one. The following tips will prove beneficial to you.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. Expect to spend from $700 to as high as $1000 in a year to pay for medical attention, food and other items needed. Emergency care for animals can cost thousands of collars, so think carefully about getting pet health insurance.
Make your home dog-proof. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. All cleaning supplies and medications should be moved out of reach of your dog. You should also find a way of securing your trash somewhere that your dog cannot get to, such as in a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.
Table Scraps
Do not feed your dog from the table. Not only will table scraps turn your dog off on their regular food, but it will also teach them to constantly beg. Table scraps can also be unhealthy and lead to excess weight and digestive problems. Keep your dog away from the family dinner table for training purposes and to avoid any temptation.
Your vet can give you some good advice on what you should feed your dog. Certain brands may not be right for a small pup and could cause him to get a stomachache or become sick. Be safe when taking care of your dog.
Positive reinforcement is very important in training your dog. Make your dog understand you are pleased with the behavior and expect to see it again. In this way, your dog will learn that desired behavior brings praise.
Your dog’s claws must be trimmed. When they start curling under, the dog runs the risk of experiencing pain. These can be trimmed at home if you use nail clippers from the store. If you aren’t comfortable with this, invest a little money and take your dog to the groomers.
If you are not sure whether dog ownership is a good idea for you, then you might want to try being a foster care provider for a needy dog. Many homeless and abused animals are waiting in shelters for someone to adopt them and with over-crowding, resources are slim. You can give one a home for a while to help the cause and you can also keep it if you like it!
Trim any hair that’s around your pup’s paws so it doesn’t get matted up. Use a comb first, then start cutting. You can always use a dog groomer if you find the process difficult.
You might find a pure breed dog at the pound. Lots of dog owners take animals to the pound when they can’t care for them any longer. Speak to the nearest pound to see if an option suits you. You could get the dog you are looking for and save a life in the process.
Give your dog a lot of love. A lot of owners focus on correcting bad behaviors rather than displaying affection for their dog. This may spell trouble in the future. Rather, be sure to give praise five times more frequently than you reprimand. Dogs stand a much better chance of displaying good behavior if that is the case.
If you are shopping for a new dog and already own another dog, it is a good idea to take your old dog along. Dogs are quite social, though not all get along well. If you find one that gets along with your current one, you’ll save yourself a lifetime of headaches.
Adding a dog to your life is not a decision that should be taken lightly. While those cute puppy faces can be hard to resist, it is important to remember that adopting a dog is a serious commitment. Use that time to consider this so you make sure you are making the right choice. q
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. Praise your dog and give it a treat when it does something well instead of using punishments to get rid of bad behaviors. Treating your dog well is good for your pet’s emotional health, but it’s also the most effective training method. So be kind to your dog when you are training him; you will be rewarded with positive results.
Avoid high expectations with your dog. Your dog’s attentions span is not going to be long when training it. Limit your training periods to five minutes at a time and be sure to exercise a high level of patience.
If your dog must be alone during the day, crate training is a very good idea. Doing this can prevent your items from being damaged and keep the dog from using the bathroom inside the home.
Socializing your dog with other dogs is essential when you get to bring a puppy into your home. Visits to the dog park, neighborhood walks, and scheduled play dates are all excellent ways to socialize your dog with other animals.
When thinking about getting a dog, it may be a good idea to also look into obedience classes for your new dog. Your life, and the life of your new dog, will be much happier and rewarding if he is well-trained, and knows how to obey your commands. While training a puppy is easier, you can still teach an old dog new tricks.
Dogs are amazing pets. Remember, to be a responsible owner you need to be a well-informed owner. Take the tips you learned here to be the best dog owner possible. A good owner makes for a happy and healthy pet. Dog is man’s best friend, so be a best friend back to your dog.