Christian

TIP! It costs a lot of money to own a dog. Every dog requires good quality food, general supplies and medical care; this can range in cost from $700 to $1000 per year.

Dogs are known for being great companions. Some say that they’re better friends than humans. All dog owners should learn what they can to properly care for their animals. This article will teach you what you need to know.

TIP! If you’re taking your pup on a vacation, make sure that you take a picture of him for on your phone. This will be helpful should he get lost.

It costs a lot of money to own a dog. The costs associated with general and medical care along with high-quality food can be upwards of a thousand per year. Pet health insurance can help; although you will pay a monthly or yearly fee, you will often be covered if a big medical emergency occurs for your pet.

TIP! Training your dog should be done in your yard or inside your home. You should avoid training in heavily populated areas.

While hugging your dog will make both of you feel great, refrain from kissing him. Dogs lick dirty things you don’t even want to think about. Dogs really get into everything, from toilet water to the neighbor’s trash. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. This is completely wrong!

TIP! Never let the dog go off your land without its leash, regardless of its good behavior. Wild animals can get his attention and cause him to run out into the street, or a provocation could startle him and cause unpleasantness with other dogs or people.

If you are going to taking your dog on vacation, take a pic of him on your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.

TIP! Talk to your vet about what foods are best for your dog. Keep in mind that a young puppy’s stomach is not ready for certain foods.

Don’t let your dog out of your property without wearing a leash, regardless of how well he behaves. He can be scared away by some wild animal, or an unforeseen provocation with another dog can result in an unpleasant situation. Understand that any damage your dog causes to other people and their pets is your responsibility, so you need to always use caution when off your property.

TIP! Instead of feeding your dog meat bones, give him rawhide. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing.

Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Real animal bones can chip and pose a danger to your dog’s digestive tract and mouth. In contrast, rawhide has health benefits for your pet.

TIP! Take the time to correct bad behavior in your dog at the first sign of it. Ignoring it for any length of time will only make it that much more difficult to contain later and you never know what could happen as a result of it now.

Avoid pushing things that your dog dislikes onto him. If you have food or treats your dog does not like, leave it alone. When you first get a dog, you should take some time to get to know what it likes and what it dislikes.

TIP! Don’t leave your dog outside all day long. While this happens quite often, a dog needs interaction during the day.

Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. He should know the “heel” command, stay close to you and not veer far ahead or drag behind. That way, your dog is safe and the walks are better for you as well. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.

TIP! If you have a pure bred dog, make sure you educate yourself on what type of problems are “normal” for that breed. Find out what health problems to expect and learn how to prevent those that your dog is prone to developing.

Make sure that your dog is not left alone outdoors all day. Dogs need companionship and interaction with their owners. A dog with no companions can feel very isolated and stressed out if he is left alone outside. Keep in mind that your dog can also get sick if the weather is too cold or humid.

TIP! Leaving a radio playing while you are gone will help your dog stay calm and may alleviate separation anxiety. That noise will help your dog feel more secure, and it will help him feel he’s not alone.

Demonstrate plenty of affection to your dog. Many owners inadvertently spend more time focusing on their pet’s negative behaviors than on all the good things they do. This could cause lots of problems for you. Try keeping track of how often you praise and scold your pet in a day. For every one negative thing, make sure you say five positive things as well. Your dog will probably show proper behavior more if this is done.

TIP! Let your dog know that you care about him. In life, it is far too common to give bad behavior more attention than good.

Make sure you are providing your dog with the opportunity for plenty of physical exercise as well as staying mentally active. You can teach your dog to be helpful with and respectful of things in your house. This will make your dog feel helpful and simultaneously keep your dog sharp physically and mentally.

TIP! If you have one dog that seems lonely or is by himself often, consider another dog. Dogs naturally travel in packs and like to have fellow canines around.

Make sure that your dog goes to it’s vet for a checkup each year. From thyroid issues to heartworm, your vet can find something wrong which isn’t visible to the naked eye. Annual physicals can save a lot of problems in the future.

TIP! Make sure you are providing your dog with the opportunity for plenty of physical exercise as well as staying mentally active. Teaching your dog tricks, such as fetching your shoes or the paper, is a fun activity and it also will stimulate your dog’s mind, keeping him alert and attentive.

If your dog accidentally goes to the bathroom inside, remove every trace of it. Use a cleaner that’s professional strength and follow that up with a good odor remover. If any scent remains, the dog might soil the area over and over.

TIP! If your female dog is in heat, be very careful with her around other dogs or she may become pregnant. Males can pick up the scent of a female dog in heat, and this can even happen from several miles away.

It is very important that you put a lot of thought into whether or not you’re ready to add a dog to your family. There are a lot of things you have to think about instead of just falling in love with the first dog you see. Make a thorough, honest evaluation of your preparedness and suitability before you agree to care for a dog.

TIP! Carefully choose your dog’s food. Since there is a variety of food choices available to dogs, you must select the one that matches the type and age of the dog you have.

There isn’t a doubht that there are benefits to owning a dog, and that can be the start of a great friendship. If you’re thinking about getting a dog or have already acquired one, you should spend some time learning about properly caring for your pup. Apply the tips you just read and take the time to look for other useful resources.