When you own a dog, your life changes completely. Unlike a child, they never grow up and move out. You will spend their entire life caring for them, from feeding them to taking them to the doctor. That said, it is worth every second! Continue reading to find some simple tips about dogs from other owners.
You will pay a lot to take care for your dog. High quality dog food, medical care, toys and treats can easily run close to $1,000 in a year. Pet insurance can be very helpful since emergency medical care for your dog can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances.
Resist the urge to give your dog table scraps. If you feed from the table, he’ll become a beggar and stop eating his own food. Feeding table scraps to your dog could lead to digestive problems or obesity. Train your dog to sit far away from your dining room so that your and you family won’t be tempted to feed it table scraps.
When training a dog, practice in the yard or your home. Avoid training your dog where many people are present. They are going to become distracted, and the easiest commands can be tough.
Never give your dog milk! It’s not necessary for his body and he doesn’t have the proper enzymes to digest it anyway. Feeding your dog cow’s milk can lead to chronic diarrhea and leave him with an upset stomach, among other health problems. Stick with plain old water for a healthy and hydrated dog.
No matter what kind of dog you may have, hang up a few “Beware of Dog” signs on your property. They are known deterrents to would-be burglars and can help protect your and you family. Just the sign alone indicates probable failure of any robbery attempt and a single bark will have them running away!
Timing is key when bringing your dog home. Try to introduce him to his new home over the weekend or when you have a couple of days off. Take the time to get to know one other – this will make him feel much more comfortable when he has to spend time in the home alone. Also, if you have children, make sure that they don’t overwhelm him at first. If you have other pets in the house, be extra cautious when introducing the new arrival.
Check and double check your fenced in yard for spots your dog could escape through before letting him roam. If you are comfortable that your fence can hold him, he’ll enjoy that even more, even though the most secure method of keeping your dog outside is on a long run with a strong collar. Just make sure there’s no room for error!
Unless you’re okay with your dog playing with your shoes and other things around your home, buy him some toys. He will enjoy having things of his own, particularly if they are interactive like pull-toys you can use together. Also buy him things he can use to occupy himself and stay out of trouble!
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. You should congratulate your dog when it displays a good behavior, for instance by giving it a treat or petting it. Talk to your dog in a soft voice and make sure you praise it every time the good behavior is displayed.
Your dog is only here for a short amount of time, so making their life the best possible is your job. Continue reading advice from experts and other owners to ensure you continue to make life great for your dog, although this article is a great start. The more you learn, the better.