Article created by-Krarup Dixon
When you go to the pound or a pet store, you may be dreaming of a sweet dog who sleeps with you all night and follows you around all day. What you actually get could be very different. Regardless, you are now tasked with caring for your dog, and this article will teach you the ropes.
It can cost a lot to take care of a 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.
Having fresh and clean water available to your dog at all times is a must. Dogs become dangerously dehydrated in a matter of days, so its very important to always have water ready. Dogs will also appreciate water that is clean. If you find it necessary to drink filtered or bottled water because of the quality of water from your tap, then be sure to provide your dog with the same high quality water.
Not everyone is good at training dogs, so quit trying if you see things are not going as well as planned. Instead of beating yourself up about it, get in touch with a trainer in your area. Since they have more experience with dogs, it may be much easier for them to train yours.
Keep your dog in good shape. He can suffer with the same weight-related issues that you can, so make sure he gets plenty of healthy exercise and eats a well-balanced diet. Remember that walking will benefit you as well, so make it a part of your daily routine together to be happier and healthier.
If your vet gives you medication to take home and administer to your dog, be sure and ask for ideas on getting him to swallow it. Dogs differ in their tolerance of pills and badly-flavored liquids, so have a few tricks up your sleeve in case he resists. Getting a dog to take medicine is important, but often challenging.
Remember that dogs are creatures of habit and anything you start with him will be expected in the future. If you're not keen on him sleeping with you, don't let him do it only on occasion. Likewise, if you don't want him begging at the table, never offer him a bite of people food. He will learn and accept things if you are consistent.
If you are a very enthusiastic owner of a pure-bred dog, join your local AKC. They are an active social group where you can share your love for your dog, learn a lot and make new friends too. The experience can also help prepare you and your dog for entering contests and winning shows!
If your dog has been playing outside, take the time to inspect its ears and neck for ticks. These parasites are very common and could make your dog sick if you do not take action right away. Take your dog to the vet if you do not know how to remove the ticks yourself.
Take some time to trim your dog's paw beds during every grooming session. This can help prevent mats. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If
https://dogtime.com/dog-health/62029-dog-dental-health-raw-meaty-bones-will-keep-dogs-teeth-clean-healthy is something with which you are uncomfortable, have a professional groomer do the job.
To discourage your dog from chewing everything in the house, combine equal parts of water, white vinegar and apple-cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Gently mist things like shoes and umbrella handles and this should repel your dog. If not, dab a little minty muscle ointment on the things he's prone to chomping and that should work for sure.
If you are having trouble training your dog, see a professional. A lot of people wait until their problems are enormous, but if you would see a dog trainer as soon as you start having difficulty, you will find training goes more easily. Not only that, but you will save yourself a major headache.
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If you breed your dog, do so responsibly. The AKC advises all owners of pure-bred dogs to make an effort to advance the breed and discard all other motivations, such as money or experimentation. Consider the repercussions of your actions before allowing your dog to mate and create a litter of puppies.
If your dog happens to have an accident in the house, make sure you remove all traces of it. Clean it well, and then snuff out any remaining smell with an odor remover. If your dog can still smell the spot, he may go to the bathroom there again.
If you are training your dog to not pull when on the leash, you should invest in a quality collar and leash. If you have a larger dog, the force of it pulling might be able to break basic collars and leashes. For this reason a good, strong collar is recommended when you are walking your pup.
When you first start out training the dog see what kinds of rewards work best. Look for cues as to what motivates your dog to learn the quickest. Use food as a positive reward when you start. If you have a dog that loves toys, play a game with them quickly after they do something you trained them to do. Certain dogs respond well to petting and rubbing.
If you can't be with your puppy all day, crate training is probably ideal for you. Doing so can prevent unwanted damage to household items, as well as help your puppy not go to the bathroom inside.
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Consider spaying or neutering your dog. This simple operations increases the lifespan of your dog and will help you avoid many behavioral issues, including running away or aggressiveness. If you do not want to have your dog neutered, be responsible and do not let your dog go outside without supervision.
You should have your dogs spayed or neutered before they reach the age of six months. Spaying before
look at this now is mature can cut their risk of developing breast cancer. Neutering prevents males dogs from developing issues that may affect the testes and prostate. The neutering process also stops several breeds of dogs from being aggressive.
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Caring for a dog can be absolutely exhausting, but that doesn't mean it has to be. If you use the tips and tricks in this article, you may find living with your dog is a breeze. Soon, others will be wondering how you make being a dog owner look so easy.